I have the 2nd generation of 2018. Easy to drive, excellent dynamics, light on the head, very well finished but the headband shows signs of wear on mine.
It is very closed and leaves very little going out (or coming in).
I can recommend it and there are a number of reviews indicating the 3rd generation is even better.
Nice setup Kryptos. I demoed the Celestee and some other headphones and they gave me the ‘this is it’ feeling. More so than the Stellia if I may say that.
During my investigations before requesting a demo I found exactly what you say in some reviews. Only I never demoed the Stellia myself as I did not want to poke the bear with things I was not planning to buy.
I had a pair of Stellia to try. Definitely one to try before you buy. I have no doubt many will like them but not to my taste. More ‘impressive’ than enjoyable. Dynamic, very detailed but a bit cold I thought.
If you are interested in high end closed back look at the ZMF range. I have the Veritre closed (see earlier in this thread). Love 'em.
I bought a pair of these day before yesterday - sounding very good so far, though expect them to improve before they are at their best.
They are definitely closed back - as hard to hear anything through them as a good pair of ear defenders, which was surprising.
I moved up from the Grado 325’s - I am finding the T5’s sound better, they are as clear, with more detail. Soundstage sounds very good too.
The over ear is so much more comfortable than the on ear and the padded headband helps as well.
Just watch that headband material. It will get manky. I bought the Pro version for the red colour. Hopefully they will not show the grot so easily. As I’ve moaned on this thread already, not a well designed part of the cans- it’s not user changeable. Nor even available as a spare part. C.f. Sennheiser who make spares available for 20 year old plus models.
But, a great sounding can the Clears are though.
I know these are spoken about often on here but just added a pair of Meze 99 classics to Poly/Mojo as an upgrade from my Grado SR80’s.
I tried 4 pairs, Grado 325e, Focal Elegia, Quad ERA-1 and the Meze. Ideally I wanted closed backs but didn’t want to lose too much in sound. The Quads were beautiful, and one day I may return for a pair, but my god I thought the Focals were awful. Tell me the ones further up the range are better? They seemed to have no weight behind them whatsoever. The Meze signature seems far more balance and trumped the Focals, despite being less than half the price.
How different we are! I have the Mezes since they are in budget, but they remind me a bit to ported loudspeakers too close to a wall. I find the Focals much better balanced