Lily Audio Genesis One 2nd Headphone Review

[amirm]

This is a brief update to the Lily Audio Genesis One headphone I reviewed a few months ago. Company said additional tuning was made and sent me a new production sample:

I haven't taken a new picture because it all looks the same. Let's see how it measures.

Lily Audio Genesis One New Sample Measurements
I set my Topping A90 to max level before sudden, massive distortion:

Looks like there has been massive improvement from 1 to 3 kHz where we had a huge peak before:

This in turn makes EQ job a lot easier:

Distortion improved in the same region just as well:

Again, this is what we had before:

That's all I have for you.

Conclusions
Nice to see large improvement in important 1 to 3 kHz, reducing the brightness that early samples likely suffered from.

Regardless of where we land on the results, I like to commend the designer for improving the product and sending a new sample.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

 

[TheWalkman]

I’m glad to see that the company took Amir’s advice and corrected their response problem, but to be honest, the bigger problem for me is the price: $1200 for a pair of headphones? No thanks!

 

[daniboun]

It's nice to see a company that is attentive to Amir's measures and is responding concretely.

Inside view :

Some measurements with different Earpads :

 

[Gremlins]

And what about the guys that bought first units, they will have an exchange?

 

[Ajax]

I get that it is commendable for the manufacturer to acknowledge their product's shortcomings, and make adjustments based on Amir's review, however, at $1200 I would expect them to "hire" an audio consultant or the necessary equipment and test the product themselves before releasing.

The Verum Audio Verum 2 at 1/3 the price seems a much better option.

Verum Audio Verum 2 Headphone Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of Verum Audio Verum 2 planar magnetic open back headphones. It was drop shipped by the company and costs US $425. As you see, this is a "high bling" headphone when it comes to design with so much intricate details. It is a bit...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[daniboun]

I get that it is commendable for the manufacturer to acknowledge their product's shortcomings, and make adjustments based on Amir's review, however, at $1200 I would expect them to "hire" an audio consultant or the necessary equipment and test the product themselves before releasing.

The Verum Audio Verum 2 at 1/3 the price seems a much better option.

Verum Audio Verum 2 Headphone Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of Verum Audio Verum 2 planar magnetic open back headphones. It was drop shipped by the company and costs US $425. As you see, this is a "high bling" headphone when it comes to design with so much intricate details. It is a bit...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I absolutely agree... especially at that price. It would have been better to use this type of test right from the initial production run—starting with the very first batches—and to do so in-house rather than outsourcing it.

 

[shuppatsu]

I get that it is commendable for the manufacturer to acknowledge their product's shortcomings, and make adjustments based on Amir's review, however, at $1200 I would expect them to "hire" an audio consultant or the necessary equipment and test the product themselves before releasing.

They didn't need Amir's measurements to tell them about that 2-3K peak. Given how ubiquitous measurement rigs are even among hobbyists, I'm sure they had a good enough idea on their own. At any rate, they certainly knew by October of 2025, when @oratory1990 thoroughly tested their prototype for them.

I'd guess that they were aiming for a different sound to correspond to their different transducer tech, and it just hasn't worked out the way they had hoped from a marketing perspective. Or they just hadn't dialed in a good fix yet. Given the price and given the difficulty in driving, this headphone sinks or swims on its "technicalities" and/or a niche FR that some people like (like what Campfire does with its IEMs).

 

[flitcroft]

And what about the guys that bought first units, they will have an exchange?

Amir's first review was based on my headphones. I sent the headphones to Lily Audio, and they made the updates to the current model for free and paid for return shipping.

 

[Nopiano]

If it’s the original picture, is the same panther appropriate?

 

[kemmler3D]

I probably wouldn't buy these, but for whatever reason $1-2K for high performance headphones has become more normal. Inflation, plus... I dunno, people younger than 40 mostly still don't have room for speakers.

I also commend the brand for making the fix and following up for a re-test.

 

[amirm]

If it’s the original picture, is the same panther appropriate?

Yes because that continues to be my personal rating.

 

[Maiky76]

Here are some thoughts about the EQ.

Please report your findings, positive or negative!

Notes about the EQ design:

• The average L/R is used to calculate the score.
• The resolution is 12 points per octave interpolated from the raw data (provided by @amirm)
• A Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the EQ.
• The EQ Score is designed to MAXIMIZE the Score WHILE fitting the Harman target curve (and other constraints) with a fixed complexity.
  This will avoid weird results if one only optimizes for the Score, start your journey here or there.
  There is a presentation by S. Olive here.
  It will probably flatten the Error regression doing so, the tonal balance should be therefore more neutral.
• The EQs are starting point and may require tuning (certainly at LF and maybe at HF).
• The range around and above 10kHz is usually not EQed unless smooth enough to do so.
• I am using PEQ (PK) as from my experience the definition is more consistent across different DSP/platform implementations than shelves.
• With some HP/amp combo, the boosts and preamp gain (loss of Dynamic range) need to be carefully considered to avoid issues with, amongst other things, too low a Max SPL or damaging your device. You have beed warned.
• Not all units of the same product are made equal. The EQ is based on the measurements of a single unit. YMMV with regard to the very unit you are trying this EQ on.
• I sometimes use variations of the Harman curve for some reasons. See rational here and here
• NOTE: the score then calculated is not comparable to the scores derived from the default Harman target curve if not otherwise noted.

Average L/R match.

I have generated one EQ, the APO config file is attached.

Lily Genesis One Second Sample EQ Flat 96000Hz
July312026-132037

Preamp: -3.4 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 279.0 Hz Gain 2.85 dB Q 3.44
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 628.0 Hz Gain -1.93 dB Q 1.17
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 983.6 Hz Gain 1.88 dB Q 5.00
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6280.5 Hz Gain 4.82 dB Q 0.84
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2733.5 Hz Gain -2.73 dB Q 4.99
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 5155.1 Hz Gain -4.06 dB Q 3.08
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7233.2 Hz Gain 6.00 dB Q 4.11
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 8523.1 Hz Gain -11.89 dB Q 5.00

Score no EQ: 71.0 first sample data here:

Lily Audio Genesis One Headphone Review

They are clearly inspired by the HD8XX chassis design and while I don’t own one I have tried it on, the ergonomics are very similar. The G1 is under 300 grams, have a contour in the rear of the cups for a better seal and from memory, they are as deep if not deeper internally, pads are also...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Score no EQ: 81.4
Score with EQ: 87.9

 

[solderdude]

When using a 200W/8ohm speaker amp to drive the G1 I get different distortion numbers.
The used amp is capable of driving well over 40V in 8ohm and has no issues with the load being capacitive up to a few hundred nF.
That may be the reason for the lower distortion numbers I get.

At 6.3V (92dB SPL @1kHz, 95dB @ 80Hz):

and percentage:

and below for 13Vrms (20W/8ohm) (100dB SPL @1kHz, 105dB @ 80Hz):
Note: All measurements below were made using a passive filter that equalizes the treble response.

and percentage:

and for 20Vrms (50W/8ohm) (102dB SPL @1kHz, 107dB @ 80Hz)

and percentage:

Sure these are higher distortion levels than the vast majority of headphones and puts a perspective on the need for super low distortion upwards gear.
Getting much lower distortion with this tech will be challenging.

This headphone is VERY insensitive but is very comfortable and has a lot of bass for an open headphone (too much for me even).
With the suggested filter the sound quality is quite good at normal to 'active' listening levels. It just won't go very loud.

 

[Nopiano]

Yes because that continues to be my personal rating.

I appreciate the confirmation. Thank you.

 

[flitcroft]

When using a 200W/8ohm speaker amp to drive the G1 I get different distortion numbers.
The used amp is capable of driving well over 40V in 8ohm and has no issues with the load being capacitive up to a few hundred nF.
That may be the reason for the lower distortion numbers I get.

At 6.3V (92dB SPL @1kHz, 95dB @ 80Hz):
View attachment 548286

and percentage:
View attachment 548285

and below for 13Vrms (20W/8ohm) (100dB SPL @1kHz, 105dB @ 80Hz):
Note: All measurements below were made using a passive filter that equalizes the treble response.
View attachment 548288

and percentage:
View attachment 548287

and for 20Vrms (50W/8ohm) (102dB SPL @1kHz, 107dB @ 80Hz)
View attachment 548290
and percentage:
View attachment 548289

Sure these are higher distortion levels than the vast majority of headphones and puts a perspective on the need for super low distortion upwards gear.
Getting much lower distortion with this tech will be challenging.

This headphone is VERY insensitive but is very comfortable and has a lot of bass for an open headphone (too much for me even).
With the suggested filter the sound quality is quite good at normal to 'active' listening levels. It just won't go very loud.

Can you please summarize that data further for us non-engineers?

 

[flitcroft]

I have to say, I'm loving these headphones. I don't perceive any audible distortion with my setup (gear, source music, listening levels), and they play plenty loud for me on a Class-A xDuoo TA-22 hybrid tube amp. Overall, I prefer my Meze Elites, but I also paid ~6x as much for them (Elites on sale at CanJam; G1 at the initial Kickstarter price). The Genesis Ones are in the same ballpark in terms of subjective sound quality, and I perceive the bass and treble differently enough that each brings something unique and engaging to a listening session.

I also have a pair of Audeze LCD-3s, and I can't remember the last time I took them out of their case. The overall experience with the G1 is way more compelling for me, from the huge ear-surrounding cups, to the ultra-light total weight, to the seeming 100% transparency [absolutely no outside noise attenuation], to the far more nuanced upper treble than the LCD-3s. They are fun headphones! Now, if my daily driver amp couldn’t drive them well and I had to spend an additional $1k+ on an amplifier, my overall opinion of them might be completely different.

 

[tonyng]

And what about the guys that bought first units, they will have an exchange?

Thanks for asking! The 2–3 kHz peak was limited strictly to the 1st batch (first 30 units). As mentioned in Update #16, we offer a lifetime free retrofit for these backers. Simply send the unit back to us, and we'll apply the update and ship it back for free.

 

[solderdude]

Can you please summarize that data further for us non-engineers?

Distortion in headphones is not as big as a problem as many people think.

What this headphone needs is a speaker amp and you need to connect it directly to speaker taps.
This is better than higher-power headphone amps as speaker amps are designed to provide a higher voltage swing (which is desperately needed with 76dB/V sensitivity) and because it is a capacitive load needs to be able to provide enough current (that is phase shifted with the output voltage) and that is what speaker amps can easily do.
That amplifier does not need to cost that much (preferably not class-D as the capacitive load may alters the output filter in some designs) and should have a 50W to 200W in 8Ω rating. Then you can play comfortable loud.
Of course one can never reach the same high SPL levels as any other headphone around but if one just wants to enjoy music at all-day/night listening levels this headphone is fine. If one wants to occasionally turn up the volume very loud... buy a planar magnetic or IEM.

Comfort is the magic word for this headphone. Light-weight, plenty of room for the ears. Sound quality is surprisingly good when properly driven.
Downsides: price, max SPL, positioning sensitive treble, Practically unusable from most portable gear or lower output power headphone amps and needs a very good and powerful (in both 300Ω AND 32Ω) headphone amp or 50-200W (in 8Ω) rated speaker amp.

When one feels there is too much treble (and there is but this manifests as 'extremely detailed/airy' sound) EQ or a passive filter will help.

Not all amplifiers react equally well to an almost pure capacitive load. The filter also creates a better load to the amplifier as well.

 

[Gremlins]

Thanks for asking! The 2–3 kHz peak was limited strictly to the 1st batch (first 30 units). As mentioned in Update #16, we offer a lifetime free retrofit for these backers. Simply send the unit back to us, and we'll apply the update and ship it back for free.

That is super cool !!

 

[Jeromeof]

So, I got my hands on a new OTL Tube Amp and thought I would re-measure the Genesis One through it - it helps further helps dampen that upper treble, though probably too much in the mid-treble - but possible removing the newer dampening would then increase that area: