Metric · Seismic

Shot 2 on the Seismic at grind 33.5 — you went significantly finer as recommended, but still clocked 18s Very Fast with a 42g yield (Normal ratio). Left-side fast flow points to a channel, which pulled extra water through asymmetrically. Taste landed at balance 3 with quality 4 — slightly bright, fruity, puck intact and dry. Better than shot 1, but the grind move alone hasn't cracked it yet.

Time is 18s (Very Fast) — same as shot 1 despite dropping from grind 38 to 33.5, a substantial 4.5-click move. Ratio is 2.25 (Normal) at 42g yield from 18.7g adjusted dose. The left-side fast flow you noted is the key data point here: that's not a grind story, that's a distribution story. A channel on the left is effectively bypassing resistance and dragging time down regardless of how fine you go. Balance improved from 2 to 3 — a real signal that finer grind is working in the right direction — but the channel is masking how much the grind is actually contributing. Note: 12g lag is on the high end (your Bambino standard is 7g) — consistent with what you've seen on other Metric light roasts. Stop pump around 30g for a 42g target.

The Seismic's flavor notes (mandarin, tamarind, buttercream, seasonal fruit, palette-popping brightness) are showing up — slightly bright and fruity at balance 3 is consistent with this bean's character, not an alarm. At 27 days post-roast it's solidly in peak window for a washed light roast. The high brightness on this bean means a balance 3 shot may be the target ceiling even when fully dialed in — don't chase balance 4 at the cost of over-extracting.

Balance moved from 2 to 3 and quality from 3 to 4 — real improvement shot over shot. The grind direction is right; channeling is the remaining obstacle.