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Post by oldman on Apr 18, 2007 2:27:18 GMT
The last few weeks I have been spending a lot of time listening to the Equation Audio line of headphones, or as Equation calls their line “EarTools”. I was intrigued by the no nonsense straight forward style and statements on their web site. The engineer’s and musician’s experience with Equation microphones and headphones I read seemed genuine and compelling. I decided to get 3 pair of Equation headphones. I chose the RP-21, RP- 22X and the portable RP -15 MC. These are Equation’s number one, two and three models in their Professional line respectively. All three models are a closed circum-aural style. For specifics on each model and more information go to: equationaudio.com/index.htmSome of what attracted me to Equation Audio, a relative unknown in the Head-Fi market: #1) affordability #2) what I perceived to be a very honest approach and presentation to their products #3) the RP21 and RP 22X have 50mm transducers, these are big, I was curious #4) detachable cable, available on the portable RP 15 MC as well ( tweakable) #5) 32 ohm impedance which I have always liked THE HEADPHONES (EarTools) RP-21 These are well made headphones, comfortable. The detachable cable is robust. The cable is terminated on one end with a right angle mini plug and on the other end, which plugs into the headphone, there is straight mini plug that snaps securely into the headphone socket. A quarter inch screw-on adapter supplied for the amp end of the cable if needed. The ear-cup is made of synthetic leather like material found on many headphones, they are well padded. The sound is detailed, crystal clear and quite neutral. The soundstage is intimate, placing me in the front row center. The depth and width of the soundstage is remarkable. The nuance is incredible. I wrote in my listening notes “you can hear the brass in the horn”. Time and time again I was jolted by the entrance of another player into the soundstage. I would be totally absorbed in listening to a beautiful section of a recording and then another instrument would join in and just surprise me with the clear, clean and crisp added dynamics. The smoothness and seamlessness with which this happens with the RP-21 is just fantastic. The fade in and out of the musician’s microphones is captured, the attack and decay, the timber of the musical wave form and the loudness and pitch is extremely well articulated. The RP-21 fully engaged me in my listening experience; there was no wandering off on other thoughts. During a complex passage each instrument retains its own integrity with a very clean mixing of the multiple sound wave forms. The RP-21 lets me hear everything as clearly and cleanly as it is put down on the recording. The harmonic resonance is beautiful, realistic and true to the recording. The low frequency detail and resolution is intriguing. It took a good 20 to 30 hours of run time on the RP-21’s to really clarify the bass response and each day it becomes more revealing. A remarkable quality in the RP-21 is the sound from an upright bass, or kick drum. There is a resonance, a quality of vibration I had not appreciated in 10 years of listening to headphones. Listening is similar to hearing/experiencing a loudspeaker or live performance. The headphones disappear into the music very easily. Very often the encumbrance of the RP-21 transcends the listening experience and I am left in a big wide space with just the music and acoustics of the venue, be it the studio or concert hall. RP-22X The RP-22X has the same strong build quality. The detachable cable feature is also standard. The RP-22X comes with a coiled style cable. The RP-22X has a unique inner ring of padded synthetic leather material inside the ear cup. So you have the padded ring surrounding the ear then another ring inside this one. In their product information Equation Audio states this design feature allows for extended response, more bass and gain. This proves true to my experience. The RP-22X has a different sound signature than the RP-21. Again it took a minimum of 20 to 30 hours run time for the sound to begin to blossom. The RP-22X has a more rounded, creamy quality yet the uppers and mids shine through. It’s a sweet listen. There is also this beautiful loudspeaker quality to the sound. The bass is accurate and doesn’t cover or cross over the other frequencies of the recording. Highs and mids are clean and clear. I think the listen is a bit further back. For me it’s as if the music is filtered through distance/space before it reaches my ear mellowing and warming the sound somewhat, still a very intimate and clear sound. I admit to it taking me a little while to appreciate the RP-22X’s. I couldn’t get a feel for the bass. I really had to think about what it was I was hearing. I concluded that Equation Audio has designed a headphone that is able to present a full spectrum of sound without compromising any one area for another. The bass frequency is really accurate and sounds true and placed on equal footing with the other instruments. There is no veil over one frequency to compensate for another. These are very synergistic headphones. RP-15MC Portable model This is a great little headphone, a giant killer perhaps? The RP-15 MC folds into a nice compact size and shape. They have the same rock solid build quality of the 21’s and 22X’s and also sport the detachable cable. The straight cable on the RP-15’s is smaller in diameter (still robust) than the full-sized versions and is terminated on each end with a straight mini plug. The RP-15 MC is billed as the “baby pro” and does a great job, performing much like the RP-21. As with the other Equation headphones the transducer in this portable headphone is big at 38mm. The sound signature is much like the RP-21 offering balanced accurate sound presentation and startling dynamics. I have been revisiting my music collection, both on my computer and CD, with the RP -15 MC. It does well with many genres and provides a nice big sound. The bass is amazingly full, deep and rich for a relatively small portable headphone. CONCLUSION I really like these headphones. If Equation built their current line with the professional Audio Engineer and Musician in mind, in the process, I believe, they hit upon a very good all around musical headphone design. I go for the feeling I get from music. I was not sure how a closed headphone designed for professional and technical application might sound. These headphones have all the right stuff for my listening ear and my tapping toes! The presentation on each model is dynamic and engaging, warm and musical with a loudspeaker like sound quality which I have not heard, quite like this, on other headphones. Equation Audio has some magic going on with their headphones to be sure. Their design efforts have really created something unique. Equation Audio’s presentation at their web site has proven honest and accurate in every way. Of course the audio presentation is created by more than just one element. The source, amp, speaker/headphone and cable all contribute. What I want to emphasize is that Equation headphones take the information they are given and create the end product, music, extremely well. The last few weeks of listening have been exciting for me. I can think of only one other time I was as absorbed in listening to and thoroughly enjoying the music. This being when I got my first pair of great headphones 10 years ago.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 18, 2007 23:06:23 GMT
Made in China if I'm not mistaken? I love their statement: "We don't imitate, we create . . . We don't hide our various national involvements, we celebrate them . . . We don't attempt or tolerate deception, in design, during production, within our marketing group and after our product is in your hands." erm...... I don't doubt any of the above but I always question a salesman who tells me he is not a conman, not a thief, not a........................... They're usually the type who "are" the ones to avoid "trust me, I'm honest" no need to make that statement if you're confident in yourself and your product..... is there? To be honest I was instantly put off by the bullshit without substance style and lack of technical "statements" on their website..... let's have a look at an exploded diagram and get some real technical info, especially if it's all so "revolutionary", instead of silly statements like " Fantasy Response: .001Hurts - 12GHurts A Good Caning" and "* Plutonium free polymer" without a reference point for "*"........ bullshit on a grand scale. They may sound good, they may not, but I don't buy into your "no nonsense straight forward style and statements on their website" crap..... this is Prime time cheap Chinese equipment (of dubious technical origin) being marketed by some guys who have only very recently cropped up on the scene.... a "whois" tells me that much www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=equationaudio.comPlenty of bullcrap statements but no substance or track record.... just a load of "statements" and a seemingly kosher website / front end...... CEO "B.A. Forbes" and who's he exactly? Can't seem to find any reference to a B.A Forbes anywhere ;D Not my cup of tea but the headphones may sound great...... <goes off in search of B. A Forbes, maybe if I find him he'll send a few demo pairs we can all try )
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Post by oldman on Apr 19, 2007 23:35:45 GMT
WOW Pink Floyd, This is a Harsh post to say the least? Firstly: am I to assume you feel any audio product made in China is suspect? I may be wrong on this but I would guess some of the big name headphone manufactures, if not all, have a connection to China for parts or pre-production. Have you been to China? Are you aware that China is competing in the Global World market with great success, that China has a space program? I find it difficult to understand your offense with the company's statement: "We don't imitate, we create . . . We don't hide our various national involvements, we celebrate them . . . We don't attempt or tolerate deception, in design, during production, within our marketing group and after our product is in your hands." You say you don't doubt this statement yet go on to imply it is made by con men and thief's? I just do not understand your blatant verbal attack on a company/product you have never even listened to nor heard of before this post? This is irresponsible and totally without merit on your part. You imply when someone says they are honest they are to be avoided. The next paragraph after this statement you yourself begin " to be honest" !Do you have self confidence issues? Do I assume you are a con man, a thief?Sir, did you spend more than 3 minutes preparing your reply? We differ on our response to the humor injected into the Equation site I guess. Personally I get so tired of techo speak which presents numbers and graphs with frequency response etc which I have no comprehension of. Reading the Equation web site made me feel good. I was impressed by the statements of the Engineers and Musicians- those who USE the Equation product line. I can fully appreciate you may be more inclined to an intellectual approach. I do not fault you, or anyone for that, it is a good approach if you understand what is the truth and what is fiction. To be so narrow that when you see humor, light hardheartedness interjected into a web site you post a reply such as this is a bit much. I found your remarks harsh and even mean spirited. I would think a new comer to the headphone/ head-fi scene like Equation would be a cause for some positive curiosity if not celebration. You irresponsibly suggest a web front operation " seemingly kosher website / front end" why would you suggest such a thing? What is your purpose here and what your facts? I don't know Bruce Forbes but I did take the time to contact him via his email. It was very easy. At the Equation site he is listed as the CEO that is the only claim I read there? So you begin a background check on him without emailing the guy and speaking to him? I was interested in making my first post here because I like that there is an alternative to the Head-Fi forum. I like the Head-Fi forum a lot I just also like diversity and alternative opinions, I do. You have really confused me with your response, you used foul language toward me, made unfounded accusations based on your obvious negative opinion of China which makes no sense and attack a person because his name doesn't pop up on Google? Mr. Forbes was the co founder of CAD professional microphones www.cadmics.com/ and the creator of the Equitek Series of recording microphones. He has spent his life in the music business. It took an email and 5 minutes to learn this. If I were going to question a man and his company on their integrity in an open forum I would have the manners to contact him before hand, not Google his name then make conclusions. Then you have the insensitivity to end your post asking for demo pairs?? As a new member to this forum and a first time poster to it I am insulted by your aggressive, irresponsible, immature and unfounded statements. I am confused at the purpose of your post, how it relates as a reply to mine, it seems to me just a big crap on what I took weeks to research and prepare. Don't miss understand, I do not mind differing opinion and discussion. I do mind childish rants and down right meanness.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2007 1:09:54 GMT
Sounds like a "dandi" reply !!! See Headwize "Headphone Studio" 04-17-2007 One of the 2 replies was "Is this an advertisement?" Perhaps it is a genuine unsolicited view, but most forum members prefer a little more technical information , such as Headphone Impedance, efficiency (SPL), and frequency response, so that they can better judge suitability for use with their individual equipment.. SandyK
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Post by oldman on Apr 20, 2007 1:21:34 GMT
Thank you, I understand completely and see your point.
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Post by jelosno on Apr 20, 2007 16:46:47 GMT
There is some advertising/marketing paranoia here which I quite like It keeps this forum from turning into something that goat-fi turned into. And for a first post it looked a bit 'advertiseish'. If you had given some background regarding your pervious/other gear and then compared the cans to it it would have created a much different reception - I guess. It would help the rest of us to get a better understandig of the nature of the headphones as well. And before I forget it: Welcome to the home of hijacked threads Stefan
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 21, 2007 22:28:43 GMT
WOW Pink Floyd, This is a Harsh post to say the least? Quite mild actually Yes, no and possibly. No problem with their statement "per se" more your first post here and all out endorsement of their range of products which came across more like a promotional "in house" advertisement than that of a seasoned enthusiast.... do you realise you didn't even mention what partnering equipment you listened through? I'm not stoopid, been in this game quite a long time and can spot a duffer a mile away..... please don't complain, if I were being "harsh" you'd soon know about it. Take a look in the mirror Bruce If you'd like to arrange for a few samples to be sent over to Grotto members then please contact me via PM in order that we can arrange something. Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 21, 2007 22:50:59 GMT
Being closed cans they would be good for when the wife is in bed Anything that drowns the drone of a womans voice out has to be good news for the consumer Maybe I mistook that Miguel? you're suggesting she would be wearing them in bed? or maybe you're suggesting they would be a good tool for you to use to listen in when your wife is in bed with another man (such as me)... possibly none of the above, maybe a snoring defence system? Please explain.........
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Post by cyberspyder on May 7, 2007 4:12:19 GMT
The Pro series sorta looka like Ultrasones...
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Post by peterpants on May 12, 2007 5:03:36 GMT
Dave, dont mind MIke. He's just a flat-out-old fart.
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 12, 2007 10:26:19 GMT
Dave, dont mind MIke. He's just a flat-out-old fart. Who's Dave?
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Post by merton on Jun 13, 2007 21:48:58 GMT
i want pink to do a review of these phones... or someone here (that we already know) that owns the goldring 150's, and the ms1's... i wonder which would come out on top... sepcially tween the ms1 and the rp21.... and the site does have all that info you wanted equationaudio.com/Professional/rp21.htmthey look like closed grados....
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jun 13, 2007 22:58:16 GMT
Not interested. I have no time for Chinese clones and even less time for the "authorised distributors" who punt them out (whilst lining their pockets with gold). Not interested at all, thanks.
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Post by slag on Jul 1, 2007 22:42:38 GMT
PinkFloyd: I just want you to know (if you don't, already) that you come across as very elitist in this thread. Why can't Chinese products be worth your time? --because they're cheaply manufactured? Why do you consider them "clones" -- what are they replicated from; is there only ONE "real" headphone company and the rest of them are "clones"?
I thought audiophilia is about loving sound. If it sounds good, isn't that what matters most? There are a lot of people who can't afford $3000 electrostats.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2007 23:50:02 GMT
slag The real problem in this case , is that the distributor attempted to pass himself off as a customer who bought several of these types of headphones. Mike invited the distributor to submit samples for review. I am sure that Mike would have given a completely unbiased report. The distributor declined Mike's offer to review the supplied samples. I am not a reviewer, but I would be very pissed off if I was asked to again review a product that originated from the same factory, but rebadged, and possibly with a few cosmetic changes. I am sure that Mike is not against Chinese products in general, as I have seen several reviews from him regarding valve amplifiers of Chinese origin. Why don't you just submit your personal experiences with these headphones, but if possible, don't just rely on memory, but see if you are able to do a comparison with at at least one of the makes of headphones that you said you have owned ? SandyK
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Post by slag on Jul 2, 2007 0:30:07 GMT
I will do just that. Thanks for responding.
I didn't mean to come across as rude -- hopefully I did not! I can see now that PinkFloyd's responses were skewed in tone as a result of his suspicions. I understand where these suspicions come from; advertisements that appear to be reviews are a mockery of the work that honest reviewers spend countless hours on.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2007 2:00:02 GMT
slag You will find that Mike calls a spade a spade, and wherever possible he will detail what he thinks needs improvement. Even Mike's friendship with Graham Slee, will not protect Graham from an unfavourable comment (or 2) if he feels it is warranted. Having said that, I doubt that Graham is about to release any product that isn't an overall improvement on the previous. Regards SandyK
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jul 2, 2007 9:23:09 GMT
IIRC the original "review" that appeared here seemed more like an advert or, as they call it on Head-Fi a "shill". What the hell, let's try some of these 'phones I was probably wrong with my evaluation of the original poster and, if so, I apologise. I would hate to think that I came across as elitist as over the years I have been searching for "bang for the buck" (sound for the pound) gear and generally give overpriced gear a very wide berth. Just reading my posts in this thread and I must have been in a very rumbustious mood when I wrote them..... my apologies
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2007 9:50:13 GMT
Mike I came to exactly the same conclusion and said something about a "dandi" reply. That was the name used in the other forum.I also mentioned that one of the replies suggested that it sounded like an advertisement. IMHO, you were spot on. SandyK
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2007 1:07:29 GMT
Miguel No one would ever suggest that you are a fool. These headphones and similar headphones from the same factory, and using the same basic design, may very well be very nice sounding headphones. As "Oldman/dandi" did not respond to Mike's request to forward samples, we need informed reviews from people like yourself and Slag. SandyK
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Post by oldman on Aug 14, 2007 0:00:30 GMT
Hello, As a point of explanation: after I posted my review and was summarily trashed in a most distasteful ,rude and otherwise unprofessional way by the moderator of this forum I left the forum. A public forum should be that. I felt that if the forum were called "Mike's Form" or "Pink Floyd's Forum" his replies could have been understood in the context of one man's place on the Internet where he can see himself in print and get some personal gratification out of that with no regard for truth or congeniality. Coming by the forum today I noticed a July 2 posting by Pink Floyd #22 that showed some humanity albeit many months to late. Sandy k: Your statement that I am an Equation Distributor is absolutely false. (Post #19) Did you just make this up? I am a headphone enthusiast, like everyone else. My writing/reviewing style is what it is, that's the way I write. In fact I wrote an early review of the Solo posted on Head-Fi under my username Dandi. You will find it written in the same style as my Equation review. When I wrote this I was not a 'distributor" for Mr. Slee, I just plain loved what I had found. If Pink Floyd wanted or wants demo gear I am sure all he would have to do is ask Equation ? Seems like a better plan than trashing the company and persons working in the company then ending with a request for gear? Hardly an "invitation". It is commendable that this form has been created, it is also obvious that it is frequented far to little by those of us in the hobby. Could my experience perhaps be a reason for this? You can disagree with my reviewing style if you wish but judging from the response and intelligent discussion generated by the review on the Head-Fi forum I think my statements were accurate to my ear and non offensive. Mike you might want to take the good from Head-Fi and integrate it into your MO. You are a great reviewer ,talented and passionate about all things headphone but you blew me away Bro. Sincerely Dave ( fellow caveman )
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2007 1:10:11 GMT
oldman I now accept that you are not a distributor, and I apologise for saying that you were . However, considering that you posted glowing reviews in 2 different forums under different names, and did not satisfactorily respond to another post in that other forum about your reviews reading like an advertisement,(at the time of my original post) can you blame people for jumping to that conclusion ? As well as that, you said that you had purchased 3 different models from their range to try. Don't you think that this is a very unusual thing to do ? Most people would try one model from a range, and then if they REALLY liked it, may then decide to purchase different models from the range. SandyK
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Post by oldman on Aug 14, 2007 2:46:48 GMT
You make good points sandyk thank you.
I assure you, for what it's worth, there was no motivation here other than to share my experience.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2007 3:07:05 GMT
Dave Please excuse my ignorance, but who is Mr. Slee? One other question, now that you have lived with these headphones for some time, are your general findings in line with those of Miguel ,and have you since been able to compare them with other brands of headphones such as the Sennheiser range , which are also highly respected by many members. Regards SandyK (Alex)
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Post by oldman on Aug 14, 2007 3:52:07 GMT
That would be Graham Slee creator of many outstanding audio products including the Solo Headphone Amp and the forth coming Voyager portable headphone amp. Guys like Slee are few and far between in this crazy audio world a real gentleman with a no BS approach to his craft. www.gspaudio.co.uk/index.htmI am still enjoying the Equations, the RP-21 gets more listening time than any headphone I have previously owned. The RP-21 is not the Holy Grail but it is a nice listen, very satisfying and accurate with a very easy to listen to sound reproduction IMHO. I have owned the Sennheiser 580, AKG 501,401 and 240, Grado SR60 and Alassandro MS1. I have borrowed and spend time with the Sennheiser 650 and the Grado HP 1000. I respect the performance of each one of these headphones. I am not one much for comparisons. These companies, like Sennheiser etc. are doing some excellent stuff they know what they are doing with sound for sure. I really think Equation has given the headphone enthusiast something of real value. The price to performance ratio is outstanding. I am happy I stumbled on to the brand. The bottom line, for me, is I am spending more time enjoying the music. Thanks for asking.
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