RAAL-requisite SR1a Has Landed

[nevillekapadia]

It’s crazy times now, and family is spending more time at home! So this is clearly cutting into my listening time as my system is in the lounge room. And everyone may not be in the mood to listen to the wide choice of music I may play.

 

So let me start with by saying that I have never been a headphone guy (use ordinary IEM’s for travel, which really isn’t happening). So the Raal SR-1A’s are my very first set of serious headphones I've purchased. And as the designer/manufacturer decided to make an amplifier to get the most out of it, I got that too (Raal HS-1A).

 

This was sparked solely on reading the reviews and this thread, totally understanding why users are enjoying them and the product being sold out till next month!

 

A few years back, I have traveled around the world visiting audiophiles homes on different continents. That experience was an eye & ear opener. More than that, this hobby is a great lifelong friendship builder.

 

After all that learning, my main system off late has been (analog) active, and from 800Hz upwards I am using pure ribbons. So I have really enjoyed quite a decent level of transparency, coming out of my main speakers. But it is limited as there are no pure ribbons that have the capability to go down into the lower frequency ranges. One has to then go with planar, electrostatic, dynamic drivers. saying that, I have heard a few commercial speakers showcase a high level of transparency, but they are all close to six figures and upwards in spend.

 

So being in admiration of pure ribbon’s transparency, the RAAL’s peaked my curiosity to hear how this transparency would sound like to 30Hz. I can very easily say that the descriptions used in the earlier threads by others is spot on, and saves me the writing.

 

I have heard the combo only last evening, before it was invaded by my eldest son. It was fun to see his body language reactions, with the new notes and spatial cues he was hearing. 

 

So let me start with the part I didn’t like about these headphones and get that out of the way.

I may be partially wrong as they are still new and need burn in. I also have to play around with the way I wear them. Their sound staging is not like normal speakers, and they do sound stage closer towards your head. Pulling them a bit forward on the temple, does make it better. 

 

Now the good part is that it is a great sonic reference, and easily shows off where the colouration is in your main system. Not sure if that’s a good part or not. Ha ha!

 

I thought I was hearing all the notes, but clearly was surprised to find many more. Half way through my listening, I jumped off my listening seat as I seriously thought a painting behind me was scraping along the wall falling onto my head. The track was Drum Warfare by David Fesliyan. So the RAAL’s go down low, but the visceral impact from the main rig does have a different experience on this track.

 

Even though these headphones are revelatory and super enjoyable and have a fabulous presentation, I wanted to point this out. Do remember this is my first foray into headphones. I agree when others say there is nothing like it (which I believe as I have heard Abyss, Hifi-Man, Sennheiser Orpheus, etc. at shows) they will keep thrilling you for long listening sessions, as they are super comfortable to wear. 

 

As I write this, the urge is there to have a listen to them once again! I really can’t say more! 

 

 

 

“Hopefully the Gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span, the hours listening to music”

 

[nevillekapadia]

I haven't heard the SR-1A with the JotR amp, and I would say that is the entry level for the Raal Headphones. 

 

But I clearly did not come across those issues the reviewer mentions in the lower mids and bass using the Raal headphone amp.

 

These headphones won't shake your solar plexus with a thump, as they don't have your ears covered in a tight fit. So don't go looking for it. 

 

But they do go down low enough in the bass registers and as they are so clean its a revelation. Its a different listening experience and you have to get used to it.

 

There is no going back once you do.