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I don't believe it! - RAAL SR1b
I owe Danny McKinney and David Laubacher of RAAL requisite an apology.
I missed trying out their products at last year's High-End Munich and also at the subsequent CanJam in London. Ok, in London I was lying in the hotel on the second day of the fair with a fever of 40 degrees but still - ashes on my head.
Thanks to a very interested customer, I have finally ordered a demo set from RAAL, consisting of your top receiver SR1b, the new "smaller" model CA-1a and their HSA-1b headphone amplifier, which was developed specifically for their headphones.
Although, headphones isn't quite right - yes, the things sit on their heads, but actually that's what they are Technically speaking, they are mini ribbon speakers that you put on like headphones. Head speakers, so to speak. RAAL themselves also speak of “earspeakers” here.
Yesterday the doorbell rang and a somewhat exhausted-looking UPS delivery man stood there with a hand truck and two huge boxes.
The contents consisted of 2 cardboard boxes and a hard-shell suitcase that is so big that it would barely pass as hand luggage on an airplane - but not in terms of weight! 😅
After the packaging of the Spirit Torino Valkyria it's definitely the most impressive packaging I've ever seen...
The case contained the SR1b and the HSA-1b amp, the boxes contained the CA-1a and the associated interface, with which the "earspeakers" can also be connected to conventional (very powerful) amplifiers.
I'm specifically not saying headphone amplifiers here, because most devices may not have enough power - the RAAL "Earspeakers" can be operated directly on an integrated amplifier (with an interface) like normal speakers. 
Image: TI-1b interface for connecting to normal (headphone) amplifiers.
But first let's see what's in the suitcase:
Securely embedded in foam we find the HSA-1b amp, the SR1b "earspeaker" and RAAL's "STAR-8" premium silver cable.
As soon as you unpack it, you immediately notice the excellent workmanship and handling quality - and how light the SR1b are. I had imagined it would be much harder! This is because, of course, there are no conventional drivers with neodymium magnets installed here, but rather RAAL's True Ribbon Baffle drivers, which themselves are very light. In addition, the chassis is made of carbon, which reduces weight and ensures robustness and rigidity.
Somehow these things look futuristic and a bit crazy - and also uncomfortable...
Fortunately this is not the case, because the low weight with the well thought-out headband or headbands ensures a very comfortable fit.
Headbands? So more than one?
Yes, exactly, because one headband sits on top of the head as usual and a second one on the back of the head with the task of being able to adjust the position of the SR1b in the vertical and horizontal directions.
As already mentioned, the SR1a are not conventional headphones, but head speakers. And as is usual with speakers, the "position" or in this case the position relative to the ears is extremely important for the sound experience.
There is another adjustment option: a hinge ensures that the "earspeakers" can be angled relative to the ears - just like floorstanding speakers are angled relative to the listening position.
And just like the larger model This changes the focus, stage and frequency reproduction of the SR1b. So there's a lot to tinker with here, because it's possible to adapt the sound to your own needs - no normal headphones can do that!
The better way to try is to study
Of course, I read a lot of reviews in advance and watched YouTube videos to know how to properly "put on" the SR1. But it's all half as wild! So I just put the things on and started listening to music straight away without adjusting anything.
I don't believe it!
Ok, you shouldn't always listen to what others say, but form your own opinion. Because "forewarned" by the reviews and videos, I already had a very clear idea of what to expect: great details, large stage but, due to the design, little mid-bass, let alone sub-bass. At least that's what the YouTuber "Resolve", who tested the SR1, reports.
But what hits my ears from the SR1 is miles away from this description! Coincidentally, I had a track on Roon with a lot of bass and the bass was reproduced so impressively by the SR1 that I was immediately reminded of the Empire Ears Odin.
Anyone who knows the Odin knows that these IEMs probably have one of the best bass reproductions ever. Fast, punchy, controlled and really deep when it needs to be.
And the SR1 deliver exactly that - and when it comes to bass speed, maybe even a bit better. The only time the SR1 reached its limits was with a few moderately recorded hip-hop tracks with heavily exaggerated bass, but I suspect that very few customers would buy these "earspeakers" specifically for hip-hop.
How does it sound now?
I suspect that the problem with "Resolve" was due to the Schiit amp used, because the SR1 is an absolute stunner with RAAL's own amp HSA-1b!
The sound is extremely spatial, almost three-dimensional, the presence of voices is intimate and yet haunting, the highs have details that I have never personally heard before - without it being tiring - and the bass is as already mentioned fast, crisp and goes down deep.
There are a lot of really good products on the market - and then there are those few very special products that make the hair on your arms stand on end and give you goosebumps.
One such product is the RAAL SR1 in combination with the in-house amp HSA-1b. I sit late in the dark office, listen to music at the highest level and am just happy! 😊
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