Excellent review! - I was lucky enough to try out the SR1a/HSA-1b combination a few months ago, and what can I say? It totally blew me away! IMHO it's taking so many key aspects of great headphones to an entirely new level. - Now here is a question for you: I am actually considering buying the SR1a's, but I am not sure about which amp to get. Have you tested the Jotunheim R? If so, how much of a difference is there to the HSA-1b? Is it worth an extra $4k or so?
Hi! Thanks! I'm gonna have to take an 'incomplete' grade on your question. I have not heard Jot R but have heard the Jot A with the Audeze LCD-R (th-cam.com/video/cHNa-AbOEys/w-d-xo.html). I assume they are quite similar. IMO the Jot A bottlenecked the LCD-R a bit but still provided an amazing listening experience most of the time. The HSA-1b gave me the best experience with the SR1a, but in truth I haven't decided if it's worth the $4K extra, yet. I'm in the process of listening to other TOTL/hi-end headphones with the 1b and will have a better answer for you when all of that is done.
@@wavetheorysound Thanks! Please keep me posted. I'll have a second chance to experience the SR1a/HSA-1b combo (at home) for about a week, starting in a few days. After that, I'll have to make a buying decision... ;-)
@@christianblais3350 After extensive listening tests and careful comparisons against some other flagship headphones (like the Hifiman Susvara & HE1000se, Warwick Acoustics Bravura, T+A Solitaire P, Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC etc.), I did end up buying it. And I couldn't be any happier...!
@@frankjenko1136 Thanks a lot for your feedback! I will soon be able to listen to the SR1a (and the Arya Stealth) but I haven't found a place to hear the Susvara or new Stax SR-X9000 yet. Those are the contenders as an engame HP on my short list, which include the Arya Stealth as a possible valuable alternative for me and my wallet if I like it ennough (resolution, soundstage and natural timbre are my main criteria).
Great Review . Thank You for trying it with a sub and sharing your experience. I have so many questions about this niche product. When does a headphone turn into a speaker ? When its not strapped to your head ? I am a headphone enthusiast and this one is odd. When would you use this instead of a pair of nearfield monitors? Do studio mastering engineers need a portable solution? The bass rolloff would throw off the mix I think and hauling around a subwoofer would defeat the point. Interesting "Headphone" . The studio I visited had a AB1266 at the Mixing desk. What advantage would this have over the AB1266 ?
Interesting questions. When does a headphone turn into a speaker? How existential. I don't really know. As far as your questions regarding studio use...I don't think SR1a is intended to be used that way...unless I missed something on the RAAL website(?) The only possible reference I see from RAAL on that use case is calling them 'monitors'. IMO the target use case for SR1a seems to be when you want to use speakers but can't. I'm surprised someone had a AB1266 in the studio. My guess is someone brought their home headphone to work just to see how something sounded. Their use in a studio is likely quite rare. I can't name specific advantages of SR1a over 1266 yet, but the 1266 is one of the hi-end models I mentioned I have coming in soon 😀
@@wavetheorysound I was surprised to see a 1266 as well , but that headphone looks so unique it couldn't be anything else , I don't think it was someone's personal headphone . It was right there on the computer desk next to the sound proofed room with a lot of mic stands and a very nice drum set so yea weird choice ,but who knows I'm not a mixing engineer .
lol, I wasn't feeling the cheese grater thing until you called it out. I was however, having visions of the FTD florist mascot guy with the wings attached where ears normally are...
On Jot R and HSA-1b there are built-in EQ switches. I think SR1a sounds best with those active. Are you asking about EQ beyond that? I suspect that they will always be limited in the subbass because of the completely open design.
@@wavetheorysound thanks man makes sense. Didnt know about the eq settings on the Jot. Sadly i only really get to enjoy music while working. I have a stand up desk and a treadmill so I guess the Raal is a non starter. Using the KSE1200 now but would like a more speaker like exp. Crossfeed seems to be lame
in my top 4 headphones of all time. Definitely gets overlooked much more than it should
You’re review specifically with sub integration was very interesting. Im very excited to hear one of these with a rel or a rhythmik servo sub someday.
Thanks for the interesting overview/review.
Very nice reviews!
Also I think your channel will grow faster if you upgrade your webcam.
Amazing review thanks !
Excellent review! - I was lucky enough to try out the SR1a/HSA-1b combination a few months ago, and what can I say? It totally blew me away! IMHO it's taking so many key aspects of great headphones to an entirely new level. - Now here is a question for you: I am actually considering buying the SR1a's, but I am not sure about which amp to get. Have you tested the Jotunheim R? If so, how much of a difference is there to the HSA-1b? Is it worth an extra $4k or so?
Hi! Thanks! I'm gonna have to take an 'incomplete' grade on your question. I have not heard Jot R but have heard the Jot A with the Audeze LCD-R (th-cam.com/video/cHNa-AbOEys/w-d-xo.html). I assume they are quite similar. IMO the Jot A bottlenecked the LCD-R a bit but still provided an amazing listening experience most of the time. The HSA-1b gave me the best experience with the SR1a, but in truth I haven't decided if it's worth the $4K extra, yet. I'm in the process of listening to other TOTL/hi-end headphones with the 1b and will have a better answer for you when all of that is done.
@@wavetheorysound Thanks! Please keep me posted. I'll have a second chance to experience the SR1a/HSA-1b combo (at home) for about a week, starting in a few days. After that, I'll have to make a buying decision... ;-)
@@frankjenko1136 After some mounths, can you comment wether or not you got the SR1a, and why?
@@christianblais3350 After extensive listening tests and careful comparisons against some other flagship headphones (like the Hifiman Susvara & HE1000se, Warwick Acoustics Bravura, T+A Solitaire P, Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC etc.), I did end up buying it. And I couldn't be any happier...!
@@frankjenko1136 Thanks a lot for your feedback! I will soon be able to listen to the SR1a (and the Arya Stealth) but I haven't found a place to hear the Susvara or new Stax SR-X9000 yet. Those are the contenders as an engame HP on my short list, which include the Arya Stealth as a possible valuable alternative for me and my wallet if I like it ennough (resolution, soundstage and natural timbre are my main criteria).
Great Review . Thank You for trying it with a sub and sharing your experience. I have so many questions about this niche product. When does a headphone turn into a speaker ? When its not strapped to your head ? I am a headphone enthusiast and this one is odd. When would you use this instead of a pair of nearfield monitors? Do studio mastering engineers need a portable solution? The bass rolloff would throw off the mix I think and hauling around a subwoofer would defeat the point. Interesting "Headphone" . The studio I visited had a AB1266 at the Mixing desk. What advantage would this have over the AB1266 ?
Interesting questions. When does a headphone turn into a speaker? How existential. I don't really know. As far as your questions regarding studio use...I don't think SR1a is intended to be used that way...unless I missed something on the RAAL website(?) The only possible reference I see from RAAL on that use case is calling them 'monitors'. IMO the target use case for SR1a seems to be when you want to use speakers but can't. I'm surprised someone had a AB1266 in the studio. My guess is someone brought their home headphone to work just to see how something sounded. Their use in a studio is likely quite rare. I can't name specific advantages of SR1a over 1266 yet, but the 1266 is one of the hi-end models I mentioned I have coming in soon 😀
@@wavetheorysound I was surprised to see a 1266 as well , but that headphone looks so unique it couldn't be anything else , I don't think it was someone's personal headphone . It was right there on the computer desk next to the sound proofed room with a lot of mic stands and a very nice drum set so yea weird choice ,but who knows I'm not a mixing engineer .
I still say it looks like 2 cheese graters on a headband.
What?!?! Are you anti-cheese? ;p
lol, I wasn't feeling the cheese grater thing until you called it out. I was however, having visions of the FTD florist mascot guy with the wings attached where ears normally are...
How would it respond to eq or a bass boost?
On Jot R and HSA-1b there are built-in EQ switches. I think SR1a sounds best with those active. Are you asking about EQ beyond that? I suspect that they will always be limited in the subbass because of the completely open design.
@@wavetheorysound thanks man makes sense. Didnt know about the eq settings on the Jot. Sadly i only really get to enjoy music while working. I have a stand up desk and a treadmill so I guess the Raal is a non starter. Using the KSE1200 now but would like a more speaker like exp. Crossfeed seems to be lame
heck that thing is expensive
Cyberman Starter Pack
Haha. I think the Meze Elite is more Cyberman. The RAAL has more of a Transformers motif.
This comment is for the YT algorithm because I have zero interest in these headphones.
Lol. I appreciate you adding to the view count anyway.