Rosson Audio Design RAD-0 Review

Comparisons

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For these comparison I selected a number of orthodynamic flagship headphones. The DAC/AMP is the Atlas and the headphones were used in balanced mode.

The first thing you’ll notice with the Meze Audio Empyrean ($2,999) is that the bass isn’t as tight as in the RAD-0 and it is even bigger in body and impact. If you’re a bass head you’ll love this as bass is impressive and overpowering (compared to the RAD-0). The mids have slightly less body and the vocals are more separated and forward where they blend in better in the RAD-0. The treble section of the RAD-0 is also more energetic and further extended. The Empyrean is a high end, musical headphone with a warmer and smooth presentation, where the RAD-0 is more balanced, linear and shows better extension. They’re very different but the Empyrean is incredibly light and comfortable compared to the RAD-0.

One of my favorite all-round high end headphones is the award winning Hifiman HE-1000SE ($3,500) and the biggest difference here is probably the bass punch and impact which is a bit softer on the Hifiman, and tighter, more kicking on the RAD-0. Both have great bass and mids, and share a spacious sound with great extension. The RAD-0 has a bit more bass and mid body and sounds more open. The HE-1000SE an overall smoother presentation where the Rad-0 is more direct and defined. The comfort factor here of course is also in favor of the Hifiman of course. The Hifiman is probably closest to the typical reference, neutral tuning.

The Kennerton Thror ($3,335) probably is the most reference, neutral sounding one of the headphones in the comparison so far. It’s lighter in body, and bass and mids sound less full and impactful. The detail, depth and layering are all there as well and you still get a spacious, dynamic and musical sound but it is all in a flatter kind of way. If this is your kind of sound than the RAD-0 will be too bombastic and full sounding for you. I can really enjoy both types of sound but they’re very different. The comfort factor with these is on par.

The bad news here is that I for the moment don’t have an LCD-3 or -4 with me and I won’t compare them based on previous experiences from memory. Should these ever return to me, I will add their comparison to this article. The Audeze I do have here and which I’ll compare it to is the LCD-MX4 ($2,995). I do have the LCD-2.1 and LCD-2C but that comparison wouldn’t be fair as The RAD-0 is playing in a higher league both in price as in sound quality level. I keep forgetting how good the MX4 really is and I definitely should listen to them more often. Bass is really big yet fast and reaches down very low with great layering. Bass is a lot bigger compared to the RAD-0 though the technical quality is at the same level. On the Audeze the lower mid presence is lighter and vocals in the MX4 are more to the front. The RAD-0 has a softer, smoother and more musical presentation where the MX4 is more direct, no bullshit, “right in your face” sounding. Very different but both really good.

Conclusion

The RAD-O is a high end headphone for the music-lover and so far we love every bit of it. I do recommend to “use” it with a good amplifier as you’ll be rewarded by getting it right. It really impresses in that case, delivering a great mix of technicalities and musicality.

If you’re in the market for a high end orthodynamic headphone then the Rosson Audio RAD-0 certainly is one to put on your short list. For us the RAD-0 is a recommended buy and as such you’ll find it on our Best Headphone List from now on.

I can’t wait to see more from Rosson Audio Design, hopefully very soon.