When in use, the W2 screen will show you the actual volume, the format, the sample rate/bit depth and the EQ setting.
The first setting in the menu is for the EQ. Here you have the following options: Normal, Game, Movie, Bass, Jazz, Classic, Pop and Rock. I do suggest to use the “Normal” setting for your normal music listening, but you may of course prefer one of the other settings.
The second setting is for the SDF. Depending on your firmware version (a pita to update btw) you here will have the following options: Xelento, SE846, IE800S or Normal. You can play with it depending on the IEM in use, especially if you’re using one of these inears (duh), but I just keep it in Normal as well.
The third setting is the one for the gain. You can just choose between Low and High, but I only few occasions needed to use it. More on that later. I do tend to prefer the Low gain setting, as it sounds more natural and less “forced”.
Setting number four is for the FLT. Here you have the following choices: NOS (minimizes the internal digital processing), LL SLOW, LL FAST, SLOW and FAST. I in most cases prefer the NOS setting but you might like a different one. It also depends on the ear/headphone in use, though the differences aren’t day and night.
Option 5 lets you set the SPDIF on or off. It’s the 3.5mm connector you need to use for that. It works as promised but I have to say I never really used it as I have no need for it.If you do require your dongle to convert your signal to SPDIF for one of you other decoding units, then it is a really nice feature.
Option six is for the display: manual or AutoOff are the only options here. The seventh(!)setting lets you set the HID key to on or off. In very short: in the “On” mode, the W2 uses the volume of the connected source. In the “OFF” mode, you use the W2’s volume control. For me it’s always “Off”
The last setting is for the “Tune” as L&P call it. You have the choice between 01 Gentle, and 02 Refined. I prefer the refined setting but the differences are minimal, yet audible.Tune 01 has a more softer signature where the Refined setting, sound more digital.
For this section, I used the following settings: Low gain, Normal EQ, Normal SDF, NOS FLT. I used sources such as my laptop, phone and xDuoo X10TII. Connecting the W2 to your phone and laptop is easy and it just works from the start (as it should). The W2 gets recognized et voila (Wasapi on laptop). I mixed up all kinds of IEMs as well as headphones, even all the way up to the Audeze LCD-5. A bit more on this at the end of this article.
With all the IEMs I tried with the W2, there was no noise to be heard and the signal was very clean at all times. The AQ JB FMJ does increase the silence even more, though the W2 on its own is very silent already.
The L&P W2 is full bodied from top to bottom and you always get a weighty presentation. This is good for on the go, though it with a full bodied IEM sometimes becomes a bit too full. That’s personal preference however.
One of the best characteristics of the V2 is its stereo imaging and left/right balance which really is remarkable and a pleasure to listen to. The other big USPs are the smooth mid timbre and the overall very high musicality level.
Detail retrieval-wise the L&P W2 does very well, especially in the lows and mids. If you like good dynamics, then the W2 will certainly please you. Speed-wise the W2 isn’t the best performer but it’s not lacking in speed either. So if PRaT is your main thing, the L&P W2 might sound a bit slower or relaxed. The L&P W2 purely on the technical level scores well, but compared to full sized, desktop gear, there is room for improvement.
Sound stage-wise the W2 is ok, but it’s not the most extended DAC/AMP, especially in the top region. The bottom region extends further with better precision and all-in-all the W2 scores better in depth than in width. The layering in the bass and mid-section is actually very impressive, a little less so in the treble region but still good. Separation-wise the W2 does just fine, but nothing spectacular
The W2 does sound spacious at all times and it has a natural airiness to it, making it realistic in presentation. That being said, the W2 has a smoother delivery and a good amount of warmth, but never too much. Some describe the W2 as being neutral, but “neutral” is not something I would use to describe the W2.
The timbre in lows and mids is very good and the decay and note extension in these regions are a pleasure to the ear. The treble section is on the softer side, but the quality is good and it just has enough energy to keep things lively and exciting.
