#I can draw Treble from two(2) angles and two angles ONLY

[voidmetal-alloy]

Why would you even say that

Bonus:

[shoewave]

Final’s New B-series: Impressions

Often synonymous with ‘niche’, Final Audio’s latest offerings have been anything but. Hot on the heels of their extremely well-received E4000 and E5000, they’ve unveiled the latest in their lineup: the B series. The multi-driver designs mark a promising new direction for the constantly innovating Japanese company, but will it keep their streak going?  After a session with them at Canjam Singapore 2019, here are some first impressions.

Overview 

Echoing Final’s existing MAKE series in both naming and design language, the new B1, B2, and B3 come in solid, stainless steel housings. Gold for the B1, grey for the B2, and silver for the B3 - a colour scheme that also reveals their actual price brackets. Despite the numbering, the B2 is the cheapest (est. USD200), with the B3 being the midrange model (est. USD500) and the B1 at the top (est. USD600). Do note that these prices are just estimates, and not...ahem...final. Anyways, the pricing order is no surprise once you learn what’s inside:

B1 - 1 Balanced Armature  + 1 Dynamic Driver 

B2 - 1 Balanced Armature

B3 - 2 Balanced Armature

What is surprising is that Final’s offering a multi-driver setup at all. Their philosophy for the longest time has been that  splitting frequencies across multiple drivers introduces an unnatural sound. Unlike most companies which have been adding drivers up to the double-digits, Final has been pushing the boundaries with single-driver IEMs. This has resulted in some stunning earphones, from their legendary FI-BA-SS series (single BA) to their latest E-series (single dynamic). Though they’ve explored multi-drivers/hybrids before in their MAKE and Sonorous series, those were more niche offerings, and the B-series marks their first serious foray into multi-drivers for the general market. 

Build, Comfort 

Right off the bat these are impressive, all three models feel solidly built with clean surfaces, and the angled design clearly has Final’s signature blend of artisanal and industrial. The detachable cables are sturdy and supple enough, bending smoothly to fit over the ear. No complaints comfort wise, the housing sits easily in the outer ear thanks to the rounded inner surface, and despite the shallow insertion, isolates well enough even on the noisy Canjam showfloor. 

Sound 

Setup: Smartphone + Fiio A5 Amp, Lotoo PAW Gold Touch (on loan from the booth), Spotify 320kbps & FLAC files. Stock cables and tips. 

All 3 are drivable off a phone, but I was close to maxing out the volume. I’d have loved to have the time (and budget) to try swapping out more of the audio chain, but with so much to see at Canjam I only had an hour at the Final table, split between listening to these and chatting with the reps. Definitely looking forward to a longer session, but for now these are my impressions on first brush.

B2: We start off with the sole single-driver member of the trio, which also sounded the most unique to my ears. The sound is clearly warm, and lower-mid forward, with some of the classic Final lushness. The bass decay bucks expectations however, being more drawn out than the usual speedy BA tightness. This together with a slightly hollow-sounding treble means this isn’t the clearest of IEMs. Resolution improves slightly with amplification and on the Lotoo, but highs still remain in the background. A musical, if less analytical sound. Compared to the Heaven II - the last single BA from Final prior to the B2 - there’s less left-right separation, and the highs are less sibilant. Overall presentation is intimate and dark, with the music close around you rather than airily stretching out as with the Heavens. Final’s clearly taking a different direction with the B series while still retaining their trademark uniqueness in sound signatures.

B3: With the addition of another BA the intimate presentation remains, but imaging improves noticeably, and there’s better extension in the highs and lows. The signature remains warm, but is more neutral than the B2. 

B1: The hybrid model with its 6.4mm dynamic driver immediately offers more well-rounded sound than the other two. Bass decay sounds more natural, imaging is excellent, and highs have more sparkle as they emerge from under the warmth of the B2 and B3. Overall, as you might expect from the most expensive of the three, it ticks the boxes most would be looking out for, and capably handles a wider range of genres with its slight V-shape. It’s a signature that’s not quite traditional Final, but this series is all about exploration, and the execution remains solid.

Conclusions

The B-series struck me as interesting, but experimental - I can’t help but wonder where in Final’s lineup it’s meant to sit. Unlike, say, the pursuit of ‘live’ sound with single-BA engineering in the Heaven series, or the budget performance of the E-series, I couldn’t quite tell where Final is headed with these. It’s ostensibly meant to be the grade above the E-series, but sonically, it’s an elusive animal I can’t quite place. As I shared this with the rep, Kyo, he laughed and agreed wholeheartedly.

As it turns out, even Final doesn’t know for sure where it’s headed, and it’s intentional - a reflection of their changing philosophy. Kyo points to the naming of the B1, 2 and 3  - the decoupling of model numbers and pricing was a conscious choice, meant to break that conventional stifling mold where they can only add bigger numbers and more drivers. On a deeper level too, Final’s design approach is changing. Their CEO has recognised the need for future-proofing, that he can’t be Final’s sole tuner and designer forever like he’s been doing with the Heavens I’ve been bringing up and other past series. Final isn’t simply on a hot streak here, they’re looking at the long game. As a result, they’ve been shifting toward a scientific, psychological research-based tuning approach which you can read more about here. Having seen the success of this approach in their E-series especially with the general market, they’ve now carried that over to their B-series. Between their research-based approach and this being their first few forays into multi-driver setups, it certainly explains the unique signature this new trio has, and the open-endedness of their place in the lineup. Final’s looking for feedback, to gauge preferences and take it back to the drawing board as they tune future iterations.

This is a Final that’s in flux - from a house sound largely based around an individual’s tuning ideals, to a company now turning more towards research and their listeners. Final’s taking that same convention-defying, innovative spirit it’s always had since their FI-BA-SS and Piano Forte days, and bringing it in new directions. Inwards, as they explore new grounds they once avoided, and outwards, as they reach toward getting to know everyday listener. Maybe I’m waxing lyrical a bit too much, but it’s undeniably a very exciting time for Final. Come year-end, Kyo says, we can expect a brick-and-mortar Final shop in Akihabara (!). The space will be used to hold events like their MAKE workshops, but also to simply let them to get to know their customers and let that interaction shape their future models. On that note, hints were also dropped about a new (A?) series which may or may not have a massive 10mm dynamic driver, and another new model maybe next spring, but after that the reps clammed up, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Overall, while the B-series didn’t quite rock my socks off, it was an interesting glimpse of what’s in store. Even as Final evolves, it never stops being full of surprises. “Anything can happen,” Kyo laughs, and I can’t help but agree and wait in anticipation.

[torentialtribute]

Greatest Champions League game of all time? What about these?

Tottenham and Manchester City have stunned the world with one of the craziest Champions League games you'll see.

The draw saw four goals in the first 11 minutes of the quarter-final draw on Etihad and then Raheem Sterling scored in injury time, only for the goal of being excluded from offside

But was it the best match since the name change of the Champions League in 1992? Sportsmail experts have unveiled their greatest games ever.

<img id = "i-76e8f09ff73dcfd4" src = "https://dailym.ai/2Dm50JR Fernando_Llorente_scored_the_winner_as_Tottenham_won_an_incredib-a-80_1555588080246.jpg "height =" 422 "width =" 634 "alt =" Fernando Llorente scored the winner when Tottenham won an incredible quarter-final clash Llorente scored an incredible quarter-final clash "

Fernando Llorente scored the winner when Tottenham won an incredible quarter-final clash

The ball looked like it was coming loose from the arm of Llorente and then his hip and into the net "<img id =" i-3e9ecb7c994bb07f "src =" https://dailym.ai/2W0vMyw 6936201-image-a-98_1555589355243.jpg "height =" 762 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-3e9ecb7c994bb07f" src = "https://dailym.ai/2OTvk2r / 04/18/13 / 12432120-693620 1-image-a-98_1555589355243.jpg "height =" 762 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-3e9ecb7c994bb07f" src = "https://dailym.ai/2OTvk2r /04/18/13/12432120-6936201-image-a-98_1555589355243.jpg "height =" 762 "width =" 634 "alt =" The ball looked like it came from Llorente & # 39; s arm and then from its hip and in the net "Poor and then his hip and in the net

<img id =" i-d5a3393075e6754 "src =" https://dailym.ai/2uS4u1n /1s/2019/04/18/13/12432198-6936201-image-a-102_1555589530554.jpg "height =" 459 "width =" 634 "alt =" Pep Guardiola was in disbelief as a VAR rule Raheem & # 39; s injury time winner "

<img id =" i-d5a3393075e6754 "src =" https://dailym.ai/2VTQU9F -102_1555589530554.jpg "height =" 459 "width =" 634 "alt =" Pep Guardiola was unbelievers because a VAR Raheem excluded Sterling's injury time winner "class =" blkBorder img

[lacht] Laurie Whitwell – Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich – May 26, 1999

I'm sorry but it must be 1999. The quality in the actual game was perhaps quite underwhelming but the drama was huge. It was a slow burner, where the potential glory awaited Manchester United who hung over the action to unleash the tension, which was realized in the most incredible way after 90 minutes. The quality in the game was perhaps quite disappointing, but the drama was immense

Mike Keegan – AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool – May 25, 2005

Last night cannot get far from the top of the list. It had everything – except decent defense. Manchester United fans would have a valid claim for the 1999 Final, considering what it meant and how it came about. However, it is hard to look beyond the Liverpool comeback against AC Milan in 2005. Yes, they have won with penalties, but their story is as close to fiction as you can get. After a close split-off of the play-off against the Austrian lovers Grazer AK, they qualified from their group on goal difference. It was incredible to score three goals and even more if you look at the four from Milan. Cafu, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini. Ridiculous.

<img id = "i-eb8b7c6a2794b43a" src = "https://dailym.ai/2Dm0Q4J image-a-82_1555588260895.jpg "height =" 477 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-eb8b7c6a2794b43a" src = "https://dailym.ai/2CXoYdR /18/12/12431436-6936201-image-a-82_1555588260895.jpg "height =" 477 "width =" 634 "alt =" it's hard to look at, it's hard to look after the three-handed comeback from Liverpool against AC Milan in 2005

It is difficult to look past Liverpool & # 39; s return of three goals against AC Milan in 2005

Paul Newman – Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich – May 26, 1999

As a Spurs fan, I really have to say that this newest monumental match against Manchester City or the & # 39; taxi for Maicon & # 39; match in 2010 against Inter Milan when Gareth Bale himself announced as a world class talent but I have to go for the final of the Champions League in 1999. For some reason I was in Barcelona to see how Manchester United defeated Bayern Munich in such dramatic circumstances and saw my old schoolmate Teddy Sheringham play a major role in the triumph. Unforgettable.

<img id = "i-604038b15cdd2b0b" src = "https://dailym.ai/2DlgQ6O image-a-83_1555588308769.jpg "height =" 513 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-604038b15cdd2b0b" src = "https://dailym.ai/2CXoYdR /18/12/12431476-6936201-image-a-83_1555588308769.jpg "height =" 513 "width =" 634 "alt =" Teddy Sheringham (right) scored in extra time at Manchester United defeated Bayern Munich "Manchester United defeated Bayern Munich

Teddy Sheringham (right) scored in extra time when Manchester United defeated Bayern Munich

This is the first game that comes to mind, so I stay there, an opportunity that is still being talked about at Tyneside to this day Juventus won away to Dinamo Kiev and tried to become the first team to come out of the group stage after losing their first three games. and from Craig Bellamy and Hugo Viana, but were injured because they were put back to 2-2. And when Kieron Dyer realized the goal and missed it, they thought their chance was gone, only for Bellamy to attack the rebound and score from an impossible angle. To this day, I have never seen a Newcastle goal that has been celebrated like this.

<img id = "i-e76c28b1023cf6ad" src = "https://dailym.ai/2Dm53p1 image-a-84_1555588385333.jpg "height =" 480 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-e76c28b1023cf6ad" src = "https://dailym.ai/2CXoYdR /18/12/12431522-6936201-image-a-84_1555588385333.jpg "height =" 480 "width =" 634 "alt ="

<img id = "i-e76c28b1023cf6ad" src = "https: //i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/18/12/12431522-6936201-image-a-84_1555588385333.jpg "height =" 480 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = " i-e76c28b1023cf6ad "src =" https://dailym.ai/2DkGGYF "height =" 480 "width =" 634 "alt =" Newcastle were sailing after goals from Craig Bellamy (photo) and Hugo Viana

[Engelse vertaling] [Engelse synoniemen] [Engelse synoniemen] Oliver Todd – Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea – April 24, 2012

A game with the biggest team in the history is of club football, spectacularly set down on a night of dramatic tension with a grandstand finish. The late goal of Fernando Torres was the showstopper, but the subheads contained an absurd red card error by John Terry, Chelsea plays without a center back, Lionel Messi misses a penalty and a brilliant chip from Ramires.

was the night that the Barcelona dynasty of Pep Guardiola ended in the most surprising fashion. Oh, and Gary Neville's comment was pretty memorable too.

<img id = "i-94ec54dc9548e7c7" src = "https://dailym.ai/2L10pDl 13 / 12431802-6936201-image-a-87_1555588860146.jpg "height =" 464 "width =" 634 "alt =" Fernando Torres rounded goalkeeper Victor Valdes in Barcelona during the semifinal clash the semifinal clash "

Fernando Torres round Barcelona-keeper Victor Valdes during the semi-final clash

Adam Crafton – Juventus 2-3 Manchester United – April 21, 1999

One of the handful of games who transformed Alex Ferguson into Sir Alex Ferguson. These Champions League wins become more important as they form a road to glory and this comeback victory for United had it all. Two goals down and he had to win, Roy Keane produced the performance of his career and Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were at the peak of their strengths. There was triumph and torment, the United overcame the Juventus of Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte but Keane and Scholes picked up bookings to exclude them from the final. The result also remains, because it was crucial for United & # 39; s famous treble. The abandonment of Manchester City on Wednesday night reminds us of how extraordinary and fragile the pursuit of the three main prizes can be.

Two goals down and he had to win, Roy Keane produced the implementation of his career "

<img id =" i-fca32e2ead5938db "src =" https: // i. dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/18/13/12431916-6936201-image-a-95_1555589129214.jpg "height =" 426 "width =" 634 "alt =" Two goals down and needed Roy Keane produced the execution of his career "

Two goals down and he had to win, Roy Keane produced the implementation of his career

Chris Wheeler – Barcelona 6 PSG 1 – March 8, 2017

It is hard to find a bonkers competition than Tottenham's victory over City, but Barcelona managed to reach the quarter-finals two years ago at the expense of a shocked-shell PSG

the first club in the history of the Champions League that dropped a 4-0 deficit on first base, but it was the way of winning it was even more special.

Barca was still 5-3 on aggregate in the 88th minute and had to score three times because and PSG had an away game. Then Neymar struck twice and a 95-minute effort from Sergi Roberto completed an incredible comeback at the Nou Camp.

] Dominic King – AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona – May 18, 1994

The obvious for the Merseyside would be to nominate Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3, May 2005. That game only represents the club, its fans and the players involved, but the story has been written a thousand times. So, for something else, I am going to say AC Milan 4 Barcelona 0 in May 1994. If you have the time, watch the highlights on YouTube. It was undoubtedly the most complete implementation by a team in the final. Barcelona was glorious, but AC Milan played football from heaven that night, the goals of Marcel Desailly and Dejan Savicevic put the shine on perfection.

<img id = "i-996ae343361a30c3" src = "https://dailym.ai/2Dm5507 image-a-96_1555589243178.jpg "height =" 422 "width =" 634 "alt =" Barcelona was great, but AC Milan played football from heaven that night gloriously but AC Milan played football from heaven that night "

Barcelona was glorious but AC Milan played football from heaven that evening

Joe Bernstein – Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2 – April 24, 2012

A result that was hardly possible even now. Barca was at their Messi peak, the great Chelsea team was at its best. Barca threw the 1-0 hind leg short to lead 2-0, Messi missed a penalty and Chelsea let John Terry leave. The cricket score was on the cards, even when Ramires only scored a goal at half-time. Still, Chelsea, a 10-man man, survived a barrage of barca pressure to protect their lead goal and a late escape by Fernando Torres recorded a very unlikely Champions League final. Extraordinary scenes.

A late escape by Fernando Torres recorded a very unlikely Champions League final "class =" blkBorder img-share "very unlikely Champions League final

A late escape by Fernando Torres booked a very unlikely Champions League final

Source link

[365footballorg-blog]

Goalkeeper Analysis: Can Alex Bono recover to meet the CCL moment for TFC?

April 24, 20184:57PM EDT

Alex Bono gave up the goal. Last Tuesday, in the 72nd minute of the opening leg in this year’s Concacaf Champions League final, the Toronto FC goalkeeper was fingertips away from deflecting Alan Pulido’s curling free kick on its path to the back of the net.

.@RocketLeague Goal of the game 72´ Alan Pulido free kick from 30 meters out sails over left hand of Bono and into net to give the 2-1 advantage to @Chivas#SCCL2018pic.twitter.com/JuYljny22x

— THE CHAMPIONS (@TheChampions) April 18, 2018

That strike provided a winning margin for Chivas de Guadalajara, and pushed the crucial tiebreaker to a pair of away goals. It was a rare mistake from a promising ‘keeper who’s provided stability at the back throughout Toronto’s treble run.

Dealing with mistakes is part of every goalkeeper’s job. What separates the best in the world from the rest of us is that they minimize not only the amount of mistakes made but also don’t let one bad performance turn into two, three or four bad performances in a row.

Bono’s challenge after Tuesday is to digest what happened, learn from it, and then move on. He told reporters after the game: “On the second goal, I made a mistake. That’s on me. I let my guys down … I’m not going to sit here and make an excuse about that (the wind). It’s something I have to own up to and work on in training, get ready for next time.”

Pulido’s Free Kick

When Alan Pulido stepped up to the ball, Bono knew it was going to be a right-footed inswinging shot or cross. With an inswinger, it’s not uncommon for the attacker to whip in the ball toward goal at about head height. It’s a nightmare ball for any goalkeeper to deal with.

You can’t come and claim it because players are obstructing your path as they run against your goal, and any slight flick can lead to a goal. Therefore, you must be aggressive and ready to attack the ball as it’s sent into the box. Sometimes you take a couple steps forward, toward the front of the goal, to be able to pounce before the ball arrives at the scrum.

It’s a calculation every goalkeeper must make: Sometimes you stay back and know that you can’t get to the cross; other times you move forward and acknowledge the perfect shot might catch you. Bono took a step too far forward this time.

In a perfect world, Bono would have been a few steps back towards the middle of his goal. That happy medium between the two posts would allow him to deal with both a shot or cross more effectively, regardless of its destination (near or far post). Additionally, with a more neutral position, Bono would have needed just one step backwards to tip the shot to the far post over the bar.

If Bono were more central, he would have been in a better position to make the save

The Semifinal Stop vs. Paul Aguilar

Yet one mistake shouldn’t define Bono’s tenure. Over the past few seasons, it’s seemed every time Toronto has needed a big save or play Bono has been there to make it. This was never more apparent than the five first-half saves he made in April 10’s 1-1 draw against Club America in the second leg of the CCL semifinal, specifically the 28th-minute stop on Paul Aguilar.

Still thinking about that @Alex25Bono save… pic.twitter.com/TiPxWpcNUO

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 11, 2018

If David De Gea or Manuel Neuer were to make that save, it would be talked about by football fans around the world as one of the saves of the year. This save is that good – and I’d venture to say as good as any save I’ve ever seen, in any game, in any league around the world.

There is one key moment in that play that leads to Bono making the save: His decision to take his eyes off the cross and turn them to Aguilar at the back post. This may sound counter-productive, but it was the most important part of the play.

At this point, Bono has switched his attention from the ball to Aguilar/the back post area

Here’s a front view:

Another angle showing Bono has already shifted his concentration from the ball to the back post

Bono’s decision to take his eyes off the ball and focus them onto the attacker allowed him to anticipate Aguilar’s impact on the ball almost precisely. As a result, Bono could set his feet at the exact moment necessary. When a goalkeeper can set his feet properly, he can shift his weight forward to an athletic stance, allowing him to be react to the incoming shot quickly in any direction.

Bono set, with his weight forward, hands at his side, ready to make the save

As the header came towards goal, Bono adjusted his body and pushed off back the way he just came – I can’t tell you how difficult this is to do – and palmed the ball away from danger.

One Game: For redemption, for history

Each professional faces moments in their career that dictate their path. At the start of 2017, one presented itself for Bono when Clint Irwin went down injured with a hamstring strain in Week 1. Bono managed to make the most of it, cementing his status as Toronto’s No. 1 ‘keeper. As the second leg of this CCL final approaches, Bono’s likely facing another.

For the Reds to lift the trophy, they need Bono at his best – just as he has been throughout the competition. “He has kept us in this tournament with some of the saves that he’s made,” said defender Drew Moor after Leg 1. “I tell him to continue to be [himself], continue to be positive, put that one behind because we’re going to need him in Guadalajara.”

Bono hasn’t been one to back down from challenges in his career to date, giving little reason to think he would shrink from the current moment. And if he finds himself again playing up to his talent, then Toronto FC will have as good a chance as any to walk away from Guadalajara as Major League Soccer’s first CCL champions.

MATTHEW PYZDROWSKI is a current professional player, in his 9th season, currently as the No. 1 goalkeeper with Varbergs BoIS in the Swedish Superettan. He has previously spent time with the Portland Timbers, Angelholms FF, and Helsingborgs IF. Prior to turning professional he starred on the men’s soccer team for the Marquette Golden Eagles. A current columnist for HOWLER Magazine.

#block-block-188 {padding:0;} #stay-connected {border-top:1px solid #ebebeb;margin:20px 0;} #stay-connected p {margin:0;color:#4d4d4d;line-height:1.5em;} @media screen and (max-width: 730px) { #stay-connected {padding:8px 6px 0 6px;width:100%;} } @media screen and (min-width: 731px) and (max-width: 1120px) { #stay-connected {padding:8px 6px 0 6px;width:100%;} } @media screen and (min-width: 1121px) { #stay-connected {padding:8px 6px 0 6px;width:708px;} }

MLSsoccer.com News

Goalkeeper Analysis: Can Alex Bono recover to meet the CCL moment for TFC? was originally published on 365 Football