BLOG #34. A Saturation Point? - Some Personal Impressions From RMAF/CanJam-2017
...portable audio, as a whole, actually, still can’t break from its pedigree of being largely a “mid-fi” industry which, whatever the sonic cost of such an inertial disposition, always tries to avoid any attempt to “rock the boat”.
That’s why it comes as no surprise that I heard some numerous talks at the show about a saturation point, allegedly, reached by the portable audio industry.
Although, personally, I’ve got all the reasons to disagree.
Read more…
...portable audio, as a whole, actually, still can’t break from its pedigree of being largely a “mid-fi” industry which, whatever the sonic cost of such an inertial disposition, always tries to avoid any attempt to “rock the boat”.
That’s why it comes as no surprise that I heard some numerous talks at the show about a saturation point, allegedly, reached by the portable audio industry.
Although, personally, I’ve got all the reasons to disagree.
Read more…
17.10.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 894
BLOG # 33. A Few Visitors’ Impressions From Our Demo At The CanJam London-2017
"…Although, there were two standouts for me...Second, the rather unknown Stereo Pravda SB-7. An absolute engineering marvel. A true revelation in the IEM market. It was as if I was re-listening to songs I have heard a thousand times over. A gold standard product, one that I hope will catch fire; and the attention it deserves. I will definitely do my best to get a hold of a pair”.
"On sound, the SB7 is divine. The mids are sweet and layered. The stage is holographic. The sound is extraordinarily natural. That is a good finger in my earhole. That is really f***ing excellent, more please.
For me the best measure of the quality of an audio device is how much the headphone sounds like live music. This sounds so much like live music it’s amazing. The soundstage was tall and deep with excellent realism”.
“There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of these guys yet but the Russian StereoPravda will get known very fast, mark my words…the sound simply blows you away. Incredible”.
Read more…
"…Although, there were two standouts for me...Second, the rather unknown Stereo Pravda SB-7. An absolute engineering marvel. A true revelation in the IEM market. It was as if I was re-listening to songs I have heard a thousand times over. A gold standard product, one that I hope will catch fire; and the attention it deserves. I will definitely do my best to get a hold of a pair”.
"On sound, the SB7 is divine. The mids are sweet and layered. The stage is holographic. The sound is extraordinarily natural. That is a good finger in my earhole. That is really f***ing excellent, more please.
For me the best measure of the quality of an audio device is how much the headphone sounds like live music. This sounds so much like live music it’s amazing. The soundstage was tall and deep with excellent realism”.
“There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of these guys yet but the Russian StereoPravda will get known very fast, mark my words…the sound simply blows you away. Incredible”.
Read more…
29.07.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1085
BLOG #32. Sonny Trigg’s Of INEARSPACE.COM Account of the Meeting with StereoPravda’s Misha Kucherenko
I just visited Sonny Trigg of Inearspace at his home in Colchester.
Here's his account of the meeting which Sonny concludes with:
“…Products like this fascinate me. They seemingly go out on a whim on a concept that is never going to be the right choice for masses or even a majority share of self-confessed portable audio enthusiasts. Some people will be put off by the lack of a fancy housing, especially at the heavy price tags and others will just not seal with them. That being said if your ears are accommodating and you have the disposable income for something so pricey, then you could end up owning something not only very unique but truly spell-bounding”.
Read more…
I just visited Sonny Trigg of Inearspace at his home in Colchester.
Here's his account of the meeting which Sonny concludes with:
“…Products like this fascinate me. They seemingly go out on a whim on a concept that is never going to be the right choice for masses or even a majority share of self-confessed portable audio enthusiasts. Some people will be put off by the lack of a fancy housing, especially at the heavy price tags and others will just not seal with them. That being said if your ears are accommodating and you have the disposable income for something so pricey, then you could end up owning something not only very unique but truly spell-bounding”.
Read more…
14.07.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 981
BLOG #31. HEADPHONE.GURU Just Published Frank Iacone’s Review Of StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7
Headphone.guru just published Frank Iacone’s review of StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7.
An excerpt from that review:
“…The SB-7 is designed for music lovers who want to have a different experience and always delivers exceptional and live sound. Job well done and gets a big thumbs up for Big Misha and his team. Highly Recommended”.
Read more…
Headphone.guru just published Frank Iacone’s review of StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7.
An excerpt from that review:
“…The SB-7 is designed for music lovers who want to have a different experience and always delivers exceptional and live sound. Job well done and gets a big thumbs up for Big Misha and his team. Highly Recommended”.
Read more…
14.07.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1025
BLOG #30. The Russian Federation’s Intellectual Property Agency Just Issued a Patent by Mikhail Kucherenko
On June 2nd, 2017 The Russian Intellectual Property Agency issued a patent by Mikhail Kucherenko called “In-the-ear-canal Earphone”.
The patent has entered its PCT phase, which means that now we are working on issuing this patent in other world territories. Read more…
On June 2nd, 2017 The Russian Intellectual Property Agency issued a patent by Mikhail Kucherenko called “In-the-ear-canal Earphone”.
The patent has entered its PCT phase, which means that now we are working on issuing this patent in other world territories. Read more…
29.06.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 993
BLOG #29. StereoPravda Introduces a New Model - SPearphone SB-5 – At CanJam-London-2017 (July 15-16)
So from such a perspective of two different aspects of BA-technology, even compared to SB-7s, which are not slouch in that area, the main aspect of BA-technology which manifests itself in the sound of SB-5 is a provision of a specialized tool for those who are first and foremost are interested in refining such skills of artistic music listening.
And on top of it, compared to its Big Brother, the SB-5’s smaller profile is another blessing from (the BA-technology and) The Above to the many of those who previously were not able to comfortably use our flagship model.
Read more…
So from such a perspective of two different aspects of BA-technology, even compared to SB-7s, which are not slouch in that area, the main aspect of BA-technology which manifests itself in the sound of SB-5 is a provision of a specialized tool for those who are first and foremost are interested in refining such skills of artistic music listening.
And on top of it, compared to its Big Brother, the SB-5’s smaller profile is another blessing from (the BA-technology and) The Above to the many of those who previously were not able to comfortably use our flagship model.
Read more…
21.06.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1034
BLOG #28. Jim Hannon, the publisher of The Abso!ute Sound magazine’s quote about the sound of our SB-7/DACCA combo
Jim Hannon, the publisher of The Abso!ute Sound magazine’s quote about the sound of our SB-7/DACCA combo:
"...I felt like I was listening to my reference (!!! -MK) system in the near field":
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/la-audio-show/
Wow...
Read more…
Jim Hannon, the publisher of The Abso!ute Sound magazine’s quote about the sound of our SB-7/DACCA combo:
"...I felt like I was listening to my reference (!!! -MK) system in the near field":
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/la-audio-show/
Wow...
Read more…
21.06.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1037
BLOG #27. StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7 Reviewed by Russian Salon Audio Video Magazine
Russian Salon Audio Video magazine just published a review of our SB-7s.
We've got the English translation available here...and, by the way, some of the SB-7's pictures there are really good ones. Read more…
Russian Salon Audio Video magazine just published a review of our SB-7s.
We've got the English translation available here...and, by the way, some of the SB-7's pictures there are really good ones. Read more…
24.05.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1201
BLOG #26: IN ANTICIPATION OF MOSCOW HIFI & HIGH END SHOW-2017
We’re introducing our new StereoPravda SPearphone SB-3 model at The Moscow HiFi & High End Show which starts today.
It’s three BA-drivers, “Black Cat” Pravda 16 cable, user replaceable silicon tips.
SB-3’s MSRP is $1250.
Read more…
We’re introducing our new StereoPravda SPearphone SB-3 model at The Moscow HiFi & High End Show which starts today.
It’s three BA-drivers, “Black Cat” Pravda 16 cable, user replaceable silicon tips.
SB-3’s MSRP is $1250.
Read more…
20.04.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1214
BLOG #25. StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7 reviewed by Hans Barbarossa (Alexey Kashirsky)
A very reputable portable Russian audio reviewer Hans Barbarossa (Alexey Kashirsky) just published a review on StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7
We've got here its English translation. Read more…
A very reputable portable Russian audio reviewer Hans Barbarossa (Alexey Kashirsky) just published a review on StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7
We've got here its English translation. Read more…
09.04.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1646
BLOG #24. TONE Audio Magazine Just Published Their Review Of StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7
“Music becomes an excursion through the SB-7s, once you get used to how much they can achieve, they will either become a serious threat to productivity or one of your guiltiest of pleasures…
Reading through the Stereo Pravda website, they talk about being part of a new direction in hifi.
I’d say they are at the forefront leading us».
Read more…
“Music becomes an excursion through the SB-7s, once you get used to how much they can achieve, they will either become a serious threat to productivity or one of your guiltiest of pleasures…
Reading through the Stereo Pravda website, they talk about being part of a new direction in hifi.
I’d say they are at the forefront leading us».
Read more…
08.03.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1206
BLOG #23. Audio Precision APx555 Measurements Of The StereoPravda SPearphone SB-7
As we developed the SB-7 with no measurements whatsoever, I asked Ryan if he can spot any particular traits in the data.
He mentioned a phase sweep in lower bass, which we do hear with the SB-7 mini-jack version...
Otherwise, he didn’t point to anything else which can, in his opinion, lead to some serious sonic conclusions.
Read more…
As we developed the SB-7 with no measurements whatsoever, I asked Ryan if he can spot any particular traits in the data.
He mentioned a phase sweep in lower bass, which we do hear with the SB-7 mini-jack version...
Otherwise, he didn’t point to anything else which can, in his opinion, lead to some serious sonic conclusions.
Read more…
13.02.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1478
BLOG #22. Canjam NYC -2017 Report
All these new technologies seize the general public's full attention at the time when the most important sound quality defining parameters, beyond the inner sonic qualities of the acoustic transducers themselves, significantly more than anything else, are the good old:
A. sufficient and comfortable ear canal seal;
B. optimal drivers’ positioning within the ear canal, that is:
- the drivers must be positioned comfortably as close as possible to the tympanic membrane;
- the drivers' sound radiation patterns should match as much as possible the "main ear canal sound propagation axis". Read more…
All these new technologies seize the general public's full attention at the time when the most important sound quality defining parameters, beyond the inner sonic qualities of the acoustic transducers themselves, significantly more than anything else, are the good old:
A. sufficient and comfortable ear canal seal;
B. optimal drivers’ positioning within the ear canal, that is:
- the drivers must be positioned comfortably as close as possible to the tympanic membrane;
- the drivers' sound radiation patterns should match as much as possible the "main ear canal sound propagation axis". Read more…
12.02.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1150
BLOG #21. The Forthcoming Canjam NYC-2017 StereoPravda Exhibit's Preview
Jude Mansilla's (of head-fi.org) preview of our exhibit at the forthcoming Canjam NYC-2017 can be found here. Read more…
Jude Mansilla's (of head-fi.org) preview of our exhibit at the forthcoming Canjam NYC-2017 can be found here. Read more…
31.01.2017 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1182
BLOG #20. StereoPravda Exhibiting At CanJam@RMAF -2016: Flipping The Switch Of Audio's “Yin”/“Yang”
Without the energy freely released by the dedicated customers, in the process of realizing their part of the combined potential of audio technologies, the manufacturers would be stuck in a stage of complete audio development that was once named as “mid-fi”.
The portable audio industry’s general reluctance to even discuss that issue of possible additional personal effort on the customers’ side, claiming that “one size fits all”, is what, in my opinion, made the CanJam show to look more like an assortment of “mid-fi” products than anything else.
And this year’s tent environment vs the adjacent home audio show’s hotel rooms, most certainly enhanced this impression.
As all the portable audio technologies “ploughed” their field far and wide having reached their saturation point, then without releasing the customers’ creative dormant energy for dedication and exploration of something new, and without realizing of their part of the combined audio potential, there is no way we can expect any new breakthroughs in sound quality for the industry.
Read more…
Without the energy freely released by the dedicated customers, in the process of realizing their part of the combined potential of audio technologies, the manufacturers would be stuck in a stage of complete audio development that was once named as “mid-fi”.
The portable audio industry’s general reluctance to even discuss that issue of possible additional personal effort on the customers’ side, claiming that “one size fits all”, is what, in my opinion, made the CanJam show to look more like an assortment of “mid-fi” products than anything else.
And this year’s tent environment vs the adjacent home audio show’s hotel rooms, most certainly enhanced this impression.
As all the portable audio technologies “ploughed” their field far and wide having reached their saturation point, then without releasing the customers’ creative dormant energy for dedication and exploration of something new, and without realizing of their part of the combined audio potential, there is no way we can expect any new breakthroughs in sound quality for the industry.
Read more…
07.12.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1861
BLOG #19: What Is The Main Function Of High End Audio?
The reason the audiophiles are supposed to be interested in “how” [the subtle dynamic details of a music structure exposed through three dimensional soundstage effects] is because the whole raison d’etre of the High End Audio from its very inception was mainly educational: it’s supposed to be the most effective tool for mastering a new (for the vast majority) musical language.
Read more…11.08.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1895
BLOG #18: What Is “The True Essence” of Our Ear Monitors?”
If we’d use an... analogy to get a feeling for a sound quality a “home” audiophile who’s listening to music via typical IEMs would get, then, briefly speaking, what he’d hear would sound very much like the sound he’d get from his high performance home audio rig set up in the living room… except that when he’d be auditioning the stereo system not at the sweet spot position directly in front of the speakers, but from a spot at his kitchen, which, behind a heavy curtain, is connected to his living room via long, narrow and curved corridor.
And,...from the “kitchen” perspective, would any effort to improve the sound quality at the “living room” be like “to fire a cannon at sparrows”?
Read more…
01.08.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1958
BLOG #17: AN ANNOUNCEMENT: From Now On A New Generation Connecting Cable Will Be Used With Our StereoPravda “SPearphone” Series Of In-The-Ear Monitors.
The influence of a headphone or an earphone connecting cable’s sound on the total sound of a portable music system is much more pronounced than the influence of a separate connecting cable on the sound of a home audio system.
There are two main reasons for that: first, in the former case there is only one cable, so its effect on the total sound is cumulative versus a spread individual input from a single cable in a multiple cable home installation.
The second reason is that in the absence of the sonically most influential audio system component – the room – the whole scale of audio components’ influence on the total sound immediately readjusts itself on a new scale of much smaller sonic increments, in which various connecting cables’ sonic differences become much more pronounced.
Read more…
The influence of a headphone or an earphone connecting cable’s sound on the total sound of a portable music system is much more pronounced than the influence of a separate connecting cable on the sound of a home audio system.
There are two main reasons for that: first, in the former case there is only one cable, so its effect on the total sound is cumulative versus a spread individual input from a single cable in a multiple cable home installation.
The second reason is that in the absence of the sonically most influential audio system component – the room – the whole scale of audio components’ influence on the total sound immediately readjusts itself on a new scale of much smaller sonic increments, in which various connecting cables’ sonic differences become much more pronounced.
Read more…
19.07.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 2934
BLOG #16. “To Be Left To Our Own Devices (sic!)?... We Probably Should”
My recent quick re-appearance at the player.ru portable audio forum to answer a couple of questions regarding my stacked HiFiMan “HM-801” mod experiment (see BLOG #15) brought back my already faded impressions from encountering a typical Internet forum community reaction to anything off-its-beaten track of endless discussions of widely available commercial products. Read more…
My recent quick re-appearance at the player.ru portable audio forum to answer a couple of questions regarding my stacked HiFiMan “HM-801” mod experiment (see BLOG #15) brought back my already faded impressions from encountering a typical Internet forum community reaction to anything off-its-beaten track of endless discussions of widely available commercial products. Read more…
30.05.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1419
BLOG #15. A Relatively Affordable Way To Stop Staying Totally “Passive”
Both in home and in portable audio, the ultimate audio performance can happen only while using the best “active” systems. Read more…
Both in home and in portable audio, the ultimate audio performance can happen only while using the best “active” systems. Read more…
18.05.2016 // Author: (Bigmisha) // Number of views: 1752