I have owned the following headphones (in order):
1. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 (still own, use for travel)
2. Thunderpants (woody T50RP mod)
3. Audeze LCD-XC
4. MrSpeakers Alpha Prime
5. MrSpeakers ETHER C
I feel each headphone was a step up from the one before it. Also note that except for the Beyers, all are planar magnetic designs. I have owned nothing but planar and planar hybrid speakers for around 30 years. There is just something about their sound that no dynamic driver can equal.
The Audeze were great 'phones, but their weight was literally causing me pain (I wear headphones several hours a day at work). Also, they didn't have the same voicing as the LCD-2, which I loved listening to at meets. I found that while resolution was great, they were too far off neutral.
I bought the Alpha Prime without having heard them. I knew I liked the T50RP mods from my Thunderpants experience. Deciding I liked them better than the LCD was immediate. More neutral, and there was fatigue I wasn't even fully aware of listening to the Audeze that was completely absent with the Alphas. ETHERs weren't under consideration as I need closed cans.
Much to my dismay, the ETHER C was introduced not long after. I talked with Dan, the owner, and he said they were better in all respects than the Alphas, so I got on the waiting list. When I got them, I have to agree. They have the same neutral voicing as the Alphas, but beat them in detail and imaging. I had to really hunt for a single minor con to list. I have not had a chance to A/B unfortunately with other flagship headphones I have heard, but going by my memory, I have never heard a better closed headphone, and with open cans, I would need to go with something like the Stax SR009 to have a chance of bettering the ETHERs, and the Stax are in a completely different price range, especially considering how much you have to spend on electronics to have them be their best.
The ETHER C is completely non-fatiguing, sounds great on all types of music (I listen primarily to rock, alternative, bluegrass and classical). They are comfortable, have good isolation, and are very attractive. I recommend the DUM cable, I was not able to better them with aftermarket. Dan is great, he participates in the forums, and is always looking for ways to better the product. Since the C was released, he sent free tuning pads out to all customers and also has offered to existing buyers new backing foam which improves sound at a small cost (haven't tried mine yet). he is very responsive to email.
Highest recommendation for this product.
1. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 (still own, use for travel)
2. Thunderpants (woody T50RP mod)
3. Audeze LCD-XC
4. MrSpeakers Alpha Prime
5. MrSpeakers ETHER C
I feel each headphone was a step up from the one before it. Also note that except for the Beyers, all are planar magnetic designs. I have owned nothing but planar and planar hybrid speakers for around 30 years. There is just something about their sound that no dynamic driver can equal.
The Audeze were great 'phones, but their weight was literally causing me pain (I wear headphones several hours a day at work). Also, they didn't have the same voicing as the LCD-2, which I loved listening to at meets. I found that while resolution was great, they were too far off neutral.
I bought the Alpha Prime without having heard them. I knew I liked the T50RP mods from my Thunderpants experience. Deciding I liked them better than the LCD was immediate. More neutral, and there was fatigue I wasn't even fully aware of listening to the Audeze that was completely absent with the Alphas. ETHERs weren't under consideration as I need closed cans.
Much to my dismay, the ETHER C was introduced not long after. I talked with Dan, the owner, and he said they were better in all respects than the Alphas, so I got on the waiting list. When I got them, I have to agree. They have the same neutral voicing as the Alphas, but beat them in detail and imaging. I had to really hunt for a single minor con to list. I have not had a chance to A/B unfortunately with other flagship headphones I have heard, but going by my memory, I have never heard a better closed headphone, and with open cans, I would need to go with something like the Stax SR009 to have a chance of bettering the ETHERs, and the Stax are in a completely different price range, especially considering how much you have to spend on electronics to have them be their best.
The ETHER C is completely non-fatiguing, sounds great on all types of music (I listen primarily to rock, alternative, bluegrass and classical). They are comfortable, have good isolation, and are very attractive. I recommend the DUM cable, I was not able to better them with aftermarket. Dan is great, he participates in the forums, and is always looking for ways to better the product. Since the C was released, he sent free tuning pads out to all customers and also has offered to existing buyers new backing foam which improves sound at a small cost (haven't tried mine yet). he is very responsive to email.
Highest recommendation for this product.