esanthosh
Herald
Warning
Let me begin by stating that whatever I am about to write are my impressions based on listening to Fischer Audio DBA-02 for 12 hours during the last weekend and a couple of hours now (ear pain not withstanding). As usual, these impressions are highly subjective, personal and by no means accurate or even fully formed. Any new toy shows you it's "good side" initially; it's only with time that you figure out the "bad things". So, please keep that in mind while you read on. And this may be a bit longer for some.
Introduction
After a 25 day waiting period, I finally got my second dual driver (the first being Radius "DDM"). To be frank, fun IEMs are like a friend arriving in Merc/Limousine. You get interested at first sight. In a few cases though, you start to feel that he's talking sheer non-sense later on.
Analytical IEMs on the other hand are similar to an uninteresting looking neighbor. He wears plain clothes, is not flashy and keeps to himself. But when you start talking, you find traits that are special, unique and interesting. So, while I got excited by the arrival of DDM, I had to go through various genres for a few hours before appreciating what DBA-02 does.
Unboxing
Technical Specs
Impedence: 43 ohms
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Maximum Power input: 60 mw
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 24000 Hz (Really, I don’t care for this spec since I don’t hear either extremes. Mine is more like 25/30 – 16 Khz + may be a tiny bit more. What difference does it make if it produces 30Khz or 15Hz?
)
Packing, Looks, Build Quality
Packing: The packing is simple, neat and nothing that makes you go “wowâ€. But, I like minimal packing. It’s interesting that FA mentions “We don’t input bells-and-whistles in the pack to soothe a consumer instinct. And we don’t squeeze you to pay for needless scrap paper†on the back of the pack. I whole-heartedly agree.
Contents: Inside you have the IEM, warranty card, a carry pouch, cable wrap, ear guides and an assortment of tips. The number of tips available has improved (for the better) in the current batch compared to the previous batch reviewed by |joker|. The tips include single flanges in the usual three sizes (S, M, L), a triple flange and two other tips that remind me of Sony hybrids.
The IEM: Either I have poor vision or they forgot to mark Left and Right. I initially had to use a well-known song to figure out L/R for good (Edit: Found it). Now, I am using one color of tips (Blue in grey color) for Left and a green in white tip for right. The cable is a twisted cord and feels better than most IEMs I own. It’s 1.3m in length and is similar to most other IEM cables, but somehow it “feels†longer – maybe I’m just hallucinating. The jack is a straight one. The pouch is not good enough to store the IEM. I am using the (slightly larger) Hippo VB case as smaller Chinese ear phone case I typically use tangles up the cord easily.
The shells look pretty cool in the combo of white and blue, a change from the usual blacks. The nozzle is angled and for my ears, these provide the best seal and comfort than any other IEM. It’s strange that I also got a good fit from DDM, known for their “horrible fitâ€. May be my ears are just different.
Microphonics: I’ve not used them straight down, always over the ear. I initially used FA’s own ear guides. But as usual, I went back to Phonak Silicone guides, which are thinner and give no discomfort whatsoever. It’s in my own way, a small “award†of sorts. I have 4 sets of ear guides, which I use for my Top 4 IEMs (which I’m most likely to use). I observed no micrphonics whatsoever using them.
Isolation: Isolation is pretty good. But like most other IEMs, it does not block out everything. I haven’t tried the triple flanges at the time of writing though.
Ease of driving: It’s much easily driven than either RE0 / PFE. With S9, I need to keep the same volume for both DBA-02 and DDM. I had to notch it up by 4/5 to hear a similar level with RE0/PFE. (Update 2010-09-28 18:20): When using iBasso T3 (volume level: 8), it does not hiss when only the +2dB gain switch is on, but there's a hiss when +5dB gain switch is on - either alone or when using in full gain (both gain switches on) mode. But the hiss is not too much to worry about, but I thought I'll mention it anyways. Just to be clear, it does not hiss with S9 / Clip+ / Fuze when plugged in directly. (Update 2010-09-30 21:00):The issue is due to T3 and DBA mismatch.
Sound Quality
Speed: Now, let’s get to the subjective part of the review. The first thing I usually do with IEMs is play some Opeth, a band I’m familiar with. The first thing I observed was that cymbals were aggressive, in your face more than other IEMs. With a slew of track changes, I observed that this one’s great on speed. With RE0, I always felt that it let me linger on a particular note for sometime before moving on. This one didn’t care. It was like trying to catch beautiful scenery from a speeding bullet train.
This is not a bad trait at all. I later tried a few tracks specifically. One is “Bulb Drop†from Focal Audio Demo disc #2, which tests for transients. I find DBA-02 is better than PFE (by a tiny bit), DDM and RE0 – in that order. The next track is “Saraswathi†which features Mandolin (by U. Rajesh). With DBA-02, I can literally feel plucks and was worried strings might break. RE0, though nicer is missing a few notes for sure. Similar is the case with a Classical track I tried (Mozart’s Sonata #21 by Itzahak Perlman and Daniel Barenboim), but the differences got minor.
Bass: The bass quantity is better than RE0 and PFE (un-amped). It presents better texture with a good extension. The bass on RE0 has a mid-bass hump and while PFE has very good quality, it requires amplification. But, this is nowhere close to DDM or other bass heavy IEMs in quantity. So, Electronica/Hip-Hop listeners, this is not your cup of tea. On the other hand, I feel that bass is more natural and fits my taste of quickly decaying notes. It’s just about the right quantity for me.
Mids, Vocals: The mids I first thought were a bit aggressive, especially with high gain recording like Opeth. But, lowering the volume a bit helps. It’s forward and energetic though. Vocals are clear, but you definitely cannot avoid sibilance. In almost all cases, I find that the sibilance is in the recording itself. Fortunately, it does not bite your ears, but is still an annoyance you have to live with. At this stage, after 15 hours, I am still on the other side of the “BA burn-in†camp. It could be placebo or “bull†that sibilance goes away (or things improving) on burn-in. But, I won’t mind if it happens though
With DDM, the vocals sound much nearer, clearer and without sibilance. DBA-02 is not far behind, but since the presentation is not as pleasant, DDM “feels†a tad better.
Treble: The treble is where it really scores. Extended, sparkling and in your face. If anyone finds RE0 aggressive, then strike DBA-02 off your wish list immediately.
Sound Stage: The sound stage is normal with decent amount of depth. The separation and clarity are very good.
It does seem to do well with better source files. Majority of my files in S9 are 320kbps or FLACs. But, when I tried a 128kbps file, it was showing through.
So, where does it stand in my list?: I won’t blame you if you read this far and think it’s “just another IEMâ€. But, to me, it’s never the individual traits that make or break an IEM, rather the overall presentation. DBA-02 does not force me to focus on any one aspect particularly. It just resolves things quickly and stands out of the way. At first, it felt like before you can think “This is…†…. “great!â€, it has already moved up two notes ahead. It’s a bit confusing and complex passages seemed a bit congested. Instrument Separation does not strike you at all. With time, I realized it’s more natural and dare I say a bit musical.
Going back to RE0, I still like how it pauses on a few milliseconds, allowing me to enjoy a note. PFE, being a BA has similar speed, but due to it’s smoother presentation, it never struck me as much as DBA-02. With more listening across genres, there were smaller nuances that keep hitting me now and then. A few things that I’ve not observed in other IEMs came out clearly to the fore front as a result of DBA-02’s presentation. The major clincher is that it does not sound “thin†or “dryâ€. Further, it yields well to low volume listening (unlike DDM which seems to require some volume level to sound good) and responds to amp-ing as well, though you can’t ask for “night and day†improvement. For my rusted iron ears, I did not observe anything great apart from SPL levels when introducing T3 into the chain.
So, I am putting DBA-02 at the very top of my IEM list (at least provisionally).
Conclusion
In short, technically, it’s the best IEM I have heard thus far. Sure, I’m still a “VFM†guy and have not tried any other top IEM like TF10, SM3, IE8, CK10 or for that matter, customs. But, you know a top-tier IEM when you realize that the “upgrades in sound quality†from hereon would be minimal and due to law of diminishing returns, costlier. With DBA-02, I feel I have reached such a stage. For $170, what this IEM provides is lot of value for money.
You can get a wide sound stage with IE8/TF10, better bass with IE8/TF10/SM3 and even better separation with UM3X/SM3 and always something else with a different style of presentation. But, this would be getting into nit-picking territory. Frankly, I think a ‘decent’ upgrade from hereon would be customs, unless I want to add more IEMs to my collection (which can always happen :ashamed
But, Is it for me as well?
But, is it for everyone? Not if you won’t like its aggressive presentation. Is it an upgrade from RE0? Technically, factors like better bass, body, speed, slightly better treble, and overall presentation should make me say “Yes!â€. DBA-02, at least in my book, is worth that extra $90, as you are moving from a “near top-tier†IEM to something in the “top-tierâ€. But you are looking at law of diminishing returns in action than a “twice better sound qualityâ€.
Actually, how much are you really missing if you own a RE0 and not a DBA-02? Not as much as it’s made out to be. At this stage, you are looking for a few more goose bumps and WTF moments. If you go back and forth between the two, you realize you are definitely missing ‘things’, but should you really, I mean really give a damn about it? Not really, if you ask me.
Personally, I’ve always looked for an upgrade to RE0 and hence it made sense for me. If you too are, and you won’t mind this kind of presentation, then by all means, give it a try. But, be sure to read many more opinions on head-fi just to be sure before putting down nearly 8K of your money.
Let me begin by stating that whatever I am about to write are my impressions based on listening to Fischer Audio DBA-02 for 12 hours during the last weekend and a couple of hours now (ear pain not withstanding). As usual, these impressions are highly subjective, personal and by no means accurate or even fully formed. Any new toy shows you it's "good side" initially; it's only with time that you figure out the "bad things". So, please keep that in mind while you read on. And this may be a bit longer for some.
Introduction
After a 25 day waiting period, I finally got my second dual driver (the first being Radius "DDM"). To be frank, fun IEMs are like a friend arriving in Merc/Limousine. You get interested at first sight. In a few cases though, you start to feel that he's talking sheer non-sense later on.
Analytical IEMs on the other hand are similar to an uninteresting looking neighbor. He wears plain clothes, is not flashy and keeps to himself. But when you start talking, you find traits that are special, unique and interesting. So, while I got excited by the arrival of DDM, I had to go through various genres for a few hours before appreciating what DBA-02 does.
Unboxing
Technical Specs
Impedence: 43 ohms
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Maximum Power input: 60 mw
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 24000 Hz (Really, I don’t care for this spec since I don’t hear either extremes. Mine is more like 25/30 – 16 Khz + may be a tiny bit more. What difference does it make if it produces 30Khz or 15Hz?
)Packing, Looks, Build Quality
Packing: The packing is simple, neat and nothing that makes you go “wowâ€. But, I like minimal packing. It’s interesting that FA mentions “We don’t input bells-and-whistles in the pack to soothe a consumer instinct. And we don’t squeeze you to pay for needless scrap paper†on the back of the pack. I whole-heartedly agree.
Contents: Inside you have the IEM, warranty card, a carry pouch, cable wrap, ear guides and an assortment of tips. The number of tips available has improved (for the better) in the current batch compared to the previous batch reviewed by |joker|. The tips include single flanges in the usual three sizes (S, M, L), a triple flange and two other tips that remind me of Sony hybrids.
The IEM: Either I have poor vision or they forgot to mark Left and Right. I initially had to use a well-known song to figure out L/R for good (Edit: Found it). Now, I am using one color of tips (Blue in grey color) for Left and a green in white tip for right. The cable is a twisted cord and feels better than most IEMs I own. It’s 1.3m in length and is similar to most other IEM cables, but somehow it “feels†longer – maybe I’m just hallucinating. The jack is a straight one. The pouch is not good enough to store the IEM. I am using the (slightly larger) Hippo VB case as smaller Chinese ear phone case I typically use tangles up the cord easily.
The shells look pretty cool in the combo of white and blue, a change from the usual blacks. The nozzle is angled and for my ears, these provide the best seal and comfort than any other IEM. It’s strange that I also got a good fit from DDM, known for their “horrible fitâ€. May be my ears are just different.
Microphonics: I’ve not used them straight down, always over the ear. I initially used FA’s own ear guides. But as usual, I went back to Phonak Silicone guides, which are thinner and give no discomfort whatsoever. It’s in my own way, a small “award†of sorts. I have 4 sets of ear guides, which I use for my Top 4 IEMs (which I’m most likely to use). I observed no micrphonics whatsoever using them.
Isolation: Isolation is pretty good. But like most other IEMs, it does not block out everything. I haven’t tried the triple flanges at the time of writing though.
Ease of driving: It’s much easily driven than either RE0 / PFE. With S9, I need to keep the same volume for both DBA-02 and DDM. I had to notch it up by 4/5 to hear a similar level with RE0/PFE. (Update 2010-09-28 18:20): When using iBasso T3 (volume level: 8), it does not hiss when only the +2dB gain switch is on, but there's a hiss when +5dB gain switch is on - either alone or when using in full gain (both gain switches on) mode. But the hiss is not too much to worry about, but I thought I'll mention it anyways. Just to be clear, it does not hiss with S9 / Clip+ / Fuze when plugged in directly. (Update 2010-09-30 21:00):The issue is due to T3 and DBA mismatch.
Sound Quality
Speed: Now, let’s get to the subjective part of the review. The first thing I usually do with IEMs is play some Opeth, a band I’m familiar with. The first thing I observed was that cymbals were aggressive, in your face more than other IEMs. With a slew of track changes, I observed that this one’s great on speed. With RE0, I always felt that it let me linger on a particular note for sometime before moving on. This one didn’t care. It was like trying to catch beautiful scenery from a speeding bullet train.
This is not a bad trait at all. I later tried a few tracks specifically. One is “Bulb Drop†from Focal Audio Demo disc #2, which tests for transients. I find DBA-02 is better than PFE (by a tiny bit), DDM and RE0 – in that order. The next track is “Saraswathi†which features Mandolin (by U. Rajesh). With DBA-02, I can literally feel plucks and was worried strings might break. RE0, though nicer is missing a few notes for sure. Similar is the case with a Classical track I tried (Mozart’s Sonata #21 by Itzahak Perlman and Daniel Barenboim), but the differences got minor.
Bass: The bass quantity is better than RE0 and PFE (un-amped). It presents better texture with a good extension. The bass on RE0 has a mid-bass hump and while PFE has very good quality, it requires amplification. But, this is nowhere close to DDM or other bass heavy IEMs in quantity. So, Electronica/Hip-Hop listeners, this is not your cup of tea. On the other hand, I feel that bass is more natural and fits my taste of quickly decaying notes. It’s just about the right quantity for me.
Mids, Vocals: The mids I first thought were a bit aggressive, especially with high gain recording like Opeth. But, lowering the volume a bit helps. It’s forward and energetic though. Vocals are clear, but you definitely cannot avoid sibilance. In almost all cases, I find that the sibilance is in the recording itself. Fortunately, it does not bite your ears, but is still an annoyance you have to live with. At this stage, after 15 hours, I am still on the other side of the “BA burn-in†camp. It could be placebo or “bull†that sibilance goes away (or things improving) on burn-in. But, I won’t mind if it happens though
With DDM, the vocals sound much nearer, clearer and without sibilance. DBA-02 is not far behind, but since the presentation is not as pleasant, DDM “feels†a tad better.
Treble: The treble is where it really scores. Extended, sparkling and in your face. If anyone finds RE0 aggressive, then strike DBA-02 off your wish list immediately.
Sound Stage: The sound stage is normal with decent amount of depth. The separation and clarity are very good.
It does seem to do well with better source files. Majority of my files in S9 are 320kbps or FLACs. But, when I tried a 128kbps file, it was showing through.
So, where does it stand in my list?: I won’t blame you if you read this far and think it’s “just another IEMâ€. But, to me, it’s never the individual traits that make or break an IEM, rather the overall presentation. DBA-02 does not force me to focus on any one aspect particularly. It just resolves things quickly and stands out of the way. At first, it felt like before you can think “This is…†…. “great!â€, it has already moved up two notes ahead. It’s a bit confusing and complex passages seemed a bit congested. Instrument Separation does not strike you at all. With time, I realized it’s more natural and dare I say a bit musical.
Going back to RE0, I still like how it pauses on a few milliseconds, allowing me to enjoy a note. PFE, being a BA has similar speed, but due to it’s smoother presentation, it never struck me as much as DBA-02. With more listening across genres, there were smaller nuances that keep hitting me now and then. A few things that I’ve not observed in other IEMs came out clearly to the fore front as a result of DBA-02’s presentation. The major clincher is that it does not sound “thin†or “dryâ€. Further, it yields well to low volume listening (unlike DDM which seems to require some volume level to sound good) and responds to amp-ing as well, though you can’t ask for “night and day†improvement. For my rusted iron ears, I did not observe anything great apart from SPL levels when introducing T3 into the chain.
So, I am putting DBA-02 at the very top of my IEM list (at least provisionally).
Conclusion
In short, technically, it’s the best IEM I have heard thus far. Sure, I’m still a “VFM†guy and have not tried any other top IEM like TF10, SM3, IE8, CK10 or for that matter, customs. But, you know a top-tier IEM when you realize that the “upgrades in sound quality†from hereon would be minimal and due to law of diminishing returns, costlier. With DBA-02, I feel I have reached such a stage. For $170, what this IEM provides is lot of value for money.
You can get a wide sound stage with IE8/TF10, better bass with IE8/TF10/SM3 and even better separation with UM3X/SM3 and always something else with a different style of presentation. But, this would be getting into nit-picking territory. Frankly, I think a ‘decent’ upgrade from hereon would be customs, unless I want to add more IEMs to my collection (which can always happen :ashamed
But, Is it for me as well?
But, is it for everyone? Not if you won’t like its aggressive presentation. Is it an upgrade from RE0? Technically, factors like better bass, body, speed, slightly better treble, and overall presentation should make me say “Yes!â€. DBA-02, at least in my book, is worth that extra $90, as you are moving from a “near top-tier†IEM to something in the “top-tierâ€. But you are looking at law of diminishing returns in action than a “twice better sound qualityâ€.
Actually, how much are you really missing if you own a RE0 and not a DBA-02? Not as much as it’s made out to be. At this stage, you are looking for a few more goose bumps and WTF moments. If you go back and forth between the two, you realize you are definitely missing ‘things’, but should you really, I mean really give a damn about it? Not really, if you ask me.
Personally, I’ve always looked for an upgrade to RE0 and hence it made sense for me. If you too are, and you won’t mind this kind of presentation, then by all means, give it a try. But, be sure to read many more opinions on head-fi just to be sure before putting down nearly 8K of your money.
