Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions.
Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
I'm actually glad I didn't buy the stealth with this coming out. Been telling myself for almost a year "If the stealth were open back I'd buy it in an instant no questions asked". I auditioned the stealth a few weeks ago and they were exactly what I expected, sounded amazing and very "open" for a closed back, although I don't like wearing closed headphones for an elapsed period of time due to discomfort (big guy with small ears- I guess they get hot fast?). But, they sounded so good that I almost bought them from a local shop despite really wanting an open headphone. At the same time I also had the opportunity to test out the RME ADI-2 which convinced me that the RME ADI-2/4 PRO SE DAC was going to be my next purchase instead of a Topping product.
My plan was to replace my current HD650/6XX with a Drop + DCA Aeon Open X, and then use that to tide me over for an "open stealth". The reason being that if you are a DCA customer, you get 15% off future headphones. So, it would only cost me $500 for that Open X which would save me $600 on a future stealth (now expanse) purchase, so I would effectively be enjoying the Open X for free until I decided to pull the trigger. But now that expanse is all but confirmed, maybe I should buy a closed back like RT closed or Noire so that I will have both the expanse and a closed back (for the occasional situations where I may need it) instead of having two open backs, one of which I'd clearly never use.
Me too... something with Stealth DNA for under $1k. I'm ok with buying used gear... but not headphones... so even at a "discount" these will never be within my reach. Especially since I own a pair of DCA X for under $400 that I really like... hard to justify something 10x more $.
I hope DCA will eventually make cheaper versions, but from a business perspective keeping the meta material concept tied to the highest tier for a while makes sense.
If it behaves like the older DCA headphones, then most likely the Expanse will have worse Harman tracking than the Stealth. AMTS might make a difference here though. Overall, I see very little reason to offer almost exactly the same sound with two $4000 headphones.