Equation Audio RP-21 Mini-review

[proxops-pete]

Well, it got here today... and I have to say... it rivals my Senn HD-580!!
highs are definitely clearer than 580... but a bit... harsher sounding... bass is definitely stronger and louder (and better) than 580. Mids are fine... And the drivers are only at 32 ohms so are very easy to drive unamped!!

But the highs... it sounds good if it's not too loud... but like I said... it sounds a bit too harsh... close to sounding distorted... same songs sounded near perfect on 580. Hmm... Echo is more present as well... sound stage is narrower...

Isolation? What did you say?!! Huh?? It's excellent.

Cable management is better than my HD-580 as it's detacheable and linked to only one side (left) so it doesn't get in my way as much as HD-580 does. However, these are not as comfortable as 580. I could wear my 580 all day long and not even know it!! These however, perhaps due to the nature of being closed cans, get a bit uncomfortable after an hour or two...

Overall sound quality is excellent. I don't have experience from HD-280Pro so can't compare to that but I imagine it's bit similar...

My overall score: 8/10

Plus:
- Very good isolation
- Cable management
- Excellent bass & mids
- Easy to drive (32 ohms)

Minus:
- Gets uncomfortable after an hour or two
- Highs can sound a bit harsh.

[proxops-pete]

Forgot about the 32 ohm making it very easy to drive these cans!!

[Candyman]

Thanks for the review, Pete! Any chance we could get some photos?

[proxops-pete]

Originally Posted by Candyman

Thanks for the review, Pete! Any chance we could get some photos?

Oh alright! But it will have to be from the guy I bought it from!
It's at work and they don't allow cameras here. I will update the original post.

[Hammerstein]

If I might ask -- what issues make these cans uncomfortable for you over long periods of listening? Is it a problem with the pads or is it that the casing is too small or what?

Just wondering

[Gudvangen]

From what i remember from reading Head-Fi, the head-clamping is what causes the strain.

[proxops-pete]

For me, it's both the pads being too hard and casing is bit too small...

[Gudvangen]

Originally Posted by proxops-pete

For me, it's both the pads being too hard and casing is bit too small...

Damn, hammerstein was dead-on.

[ronstevens]

Just picked some up for $60

My use will be monitoring/surgery mixing of some elements, in conjunction with my Yamaha MSP5s monitors.

As soon as I pulled them out I thought there was nothing in the box, but they were just that light.

Of course I turned on a few records that I knew. I knew exactly how they sounded due to extensive listening/mixing in the past.

I was amazed by very linear frequency response, with only slightly lacking
low frequency spectrum (which is not a bad thing, considering most of the time headphones are bumped in the lows). I would say 2-3 decibel low frequency difference deficiency compared to my monitors.

Now back to listening.

The song/instrument separation was pretty amazing, where I could hear every element separated (in a good way), with no apparent bumps in the high frequencies (major issue I had with most headphones in the same price range).

The headphones were almost boring

ONLY because they are so linear, it's ridiculous!

Anything that I have mixed in the past and messed up was dead obvious here, no doubts, just thoughts of remixing my mistakes.

These are definitely NOT consumer headphones, they are perfect for finding the perfect instrument balance, and not being confused for a good mix where the mistake resides. Much more accurate than AKG 240s, ATH-M50, Sennheiser HD280s, and other headphones in this price range.