The Auribus Acoustics Sierra Reference Headphones Evaluation

From Southern California, a brand new headphone producer has emerged. Auribus Acoustics is an organization that has been making headphones for just a few years now, they usually have now made their approach to Audio46. Two new pairs of cans have arrived at our doorstep, and I am excited to evaluation them and see what they’re all about. The Sierra Reference headphone is a $1200 open-back expertise that’s meant to disrupt the high-end competitors. How is the sound actually? On this evaluation, we’ll be analyzing all the main points and see if the Sierra Reference cans are price being up in opposition to the classics. 

The Sierra Reference headphone is in contrast to something I’ve seen for a headphone earlier than. At first look, I used to be nervous about how they might really feel on the top. The design is cumbersome and clunky; it takes up area if you in all probability would like it to be smaller. The way in which the earcups rotate is awkward, followers outwards, and the axis for the earcups themselves makes the rotation fairly cumbersome. The construct is sort of sturdy, nearly industrial, and feels a bit stiff if you attempt to regulate the scarf. Simply holding the Sierra headphones in my fingers, I used to be cautious of the consolation: how comfy was this stiff of a headphone actually going to be? 

If there’s something I discovered in my time as a headphone reviewer, it’s that appears may be fairly deceiving. The Sierra Reference headphone, in all its clunky glory, is definitely fairly comfy and form-fitting on the top. Even with glasses on, I discovered no fatigue or discomfort from the way in which they sat on the top for the hours that I wore them. The clamping power was simply tight sufficient to be secure on the top, nevertheless it did not squeeze uncomfortably. It was spectacular, and the rotation of the earcups allowed for a superb seal of the ears for optimum immersion. 

The earpads, courtesy of Dekoni Audio, are velour and leather-based, making an ideal combo of plush and stability to your ears. I used to be comfortable to put on the Sierra Reference headphones for a number of hours, testing them with a number of DACs and amplifiers to search out the very best match. I used the iFi Valkyrie and the Chord MOJO 2, and located that the larger energy did help in getting probably the most out of the Sierra. Touring with the Sierra Reference could show to be a bit troublesome, because the headphones do not fold up or lie flat in a neat method. The Sierra does include a really helpful journey case, though it’s on the bigger facet. 

• Weight: 340g Headphones (With out cable)
• Development: Nylon, Aluminum, and PETG
• Driver: 50mm Paper Cone Dynamic Driver
• Impedance: 20 Ω at 1kHz

(Relying on quantity choice, a 280mW @32 Ohm amplifier with <1 Ohm output load is really helpful for an optimum expertise.)

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Time for the actual meat and potatoes of this evaluation: the sound evaluation. The Sierra Reference headphones actually shocked me in one of the best ways. I used to be instantly put into an immersive soundstage that wrapped sound round me. The presentation was very ahead within the midrange, then having the bass and treble filter a bit behind to take advantage of melodic devices most noticeable. I used to be undoubtedly a fan of how dynamic the signature was, with punchy lows and ethereal highs, all whereas the midrange stayed centered and detailed. The signature itself was fairly flat, however I used to be impressed with the depth and top given to make the stage way more open. 

The soundstage of the Sierra is sort of vast, each in horizontal area and vertical top. I used to be capable of create an correct picture in entrance of me with quite a lot of area within the stereo sound subject. It expanded fairly far vertically, permitting for distinct separation between components. Even within the spots close to the middle the place issues may sound cluttered or too busy, you may hear how the Sierra layered the weather to broaden backwards and even upwards to ensure all the things obtained an opportunity to shine. This allowed for the soundstage to really feel very open and light-weight versus heavy and compressed. The Sierra was immersive, and whereas there was quite a lot of sound bleed, it was good for getting misplaced within the music.

BASS FREQUENCIES

Open-back headphones, I discover, are inclined to have a extra relaxed bass than another headphones. It’s simpler for this part to be filtered out or lose its energy as a result of the area between the treble and midrange turns into extra outstanding. The Sierra Reference headphones strike an important steadiness of energy, drive, and rest within the bass frequencies. It is a reference headphone earlier than the rest, so it was good to listen to that the Sierra’s bass wasn’t overpowering or driving an excessive amount of to change into the one factor you hear within the sound signature. As an alternative, you heard a punchy bass that sat behind the midrange, staying current and colourful to help the primary melodies of tracks. It laid a stable basis for different frequencies to construct up from. Devices sounded pure and detailed, even increasing down into the sub-bass zone with grace. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange within the Sierra Reference was a favourite of mine. It may be exhausting to strike an excellent steadiness between colourful dynamics and pure copy, however the Sierra does it exceptionally properly. The midrange highlights vocals as a forefront instrument, and all the things else filters round it like a dwell band had been enjoying in the identical room. The timbres of devices had been pure and trustworthy, coming in with full element and texture to make them simply recognizable. The weather in busier tracks had been capable of move collectively cohesively whereas nonetheless having distinct separation. The pure copy of all of the devices made this headphone earn the “reference” title in its title. I may see this being an excellent choice for studio engineers searching for an open-back that has a bit extra aptitude than a typical Sennheiser or Audio-Technica. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The treble of the Sierra Reference headphones is available in to steadiness all the things gracefully. It’s vibrant and energetic, with quite a lot of life and colour to match the punchiness of the bass and layering of the midrange. The Sierra has a really open treble vary, the place tracks can broaden upwards in top and frequencies can disperse naturally. Within the treble, you possibly can hear how a lot area is given to devices and a glance into their recording environments. Lengthy echoes and reverberations ring out to the very prime of the soundstage, they usually include a delicate brightness and element that solely the treble can present. The treble’s vibrant element and precision carry all through the entire signature, permitting the sound of the Sierra to be light-weight and straightforward to take heed to for lengthy listening periods. It matches the bass in readability and colour, so that you get a transparent image of all of the frequencies collectively. 

What headphones compete with the Auribus Acoustics Sierra Reference? There are quite a lot of reference headphones that come to thoughts within the $1200 vary, particularly these used for reference listening. The Audeze LCD-X is a basic for reference sound, in addition to the Dan Clark Noire XO. The brand new Austrian Audio Arranger is a fantastic selection for dynamic reference sound, and the Focal Clear MG provides quite a lot of element with its planar magnetic driver. So what makes the Sierra Reference stand out amongst these choices? 

Consolation is one thing I discover to be a winner within the Sierra. Albeit cumbersome, the delicate clamping power and total light-weight really feel are straightforward to put on for lengthy intervals of time. Headphones just like the LCD-X and the Clear MG are on the heavier facet, so you may get fatigued quicker from simply the bodily high quality alone. Dan Clark lies a bit extra relaxed in sound signature, making the Sierra a way more ahead choice. The Arranger is a match by way of sound, providing related dynamic colour and naturalness at an analogous value level. 

The Auribus Acoustics Sierra Reference headphone ought to undoubtedly be on folks’s radar. With its comfy put on model and pure timbral element, it’s positive to change into a basic for any audiophile searching for an improve of their setup. Audio engineers can admire the neutrality and pure element, and even individuals who desire a enjoyable listening headphone can tune in to the colourful element throughout the vary. Individuals who want analytical listening will adore the Sierra, in addition to those that want one thing impartial and never too distracting. The construct high quality is deceptively comfy, so you’re positive to benefit from the headphones for hours with out fatigue. 

You may get the Sierra Reference headphones at Audio46.