Audio Random IEM / Headphone Rants
- Thread starter esanthosh
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bennysachdev
Adept
Impressions Faheem!! Where are your manners? 
esanthosh
Skilled
@Faheem!
5000 posts done! Where is the IEM selection guide?
And detailed impressions on JH16, please. Did you get a decent fit with SF's customs? And how about a short comparison to TF10, if you can.
@benny,
A request: Next time you visit Jaben, can you try one of those uber-ridiculously-expensive Final Audio Design Piano Forte VIII / IX / X? I wonder what's in that IEM to demand $1000-2500 for an universal :S
5000 posts done! Where is the IEM selection guide?
And detailed impressions on JH16, please. Did you get a decent fit with SF's customs? And how about a short comparison to TF10, if you can.
@benny,
A request: Next time you visit Jaben, can you try one of those uber-ridiculously-expensive Final Audio Design Piano Forte VIII / IX / X? I wonder what's in that IEM to demand $1000-2500 for an universal :S
esanthosh
Skilled
Yep! It is
It's very good in just my initial listening - sounds very effortless, has good speed and clarity. The upper mids and treble are a bit 'energetic'. Good bass with extension and punch, but not great quantity wise - it has just enough for me, better than the bass-light CK10, RE0 types, but I'd think GR07 would have more quantity.
The mids are really good - clean, warm, but placed a bit behind. I still think SM3, RE-262 are still the ones for vocal fans because of their forwardness and RE1 (BF1983 don't faint) as well. May be the Shure SE53X deserves a mention here, but I've not heard them myself - so no comments. They are better than FX700 anyways and more engaging in vocals, just not that forward.
The treble is well detailed, crisp, sparkling. None of the ranges are in your face.
Sound stage is vast, good separation. I've not compared it to anything yet, so cannot validate the theory that it has an open headphone like stage more than most other IEMs.
Of all the IEMs I've heard, only EX-1000 and RE262 are this effortless. But, EX-1000 has that speed, crispness, detail which are not the areas 262 is tuned for or aimed at. With just an hour of listening, I can say EX-1000 belongs in the top-tier. But, is it the best universal I've heard so far? That conclusion needs to wait for sometime. It can't be slapped on everything which sounds very good every other day.
Oh! Every damn thing is big about this. First, the price ($400) - I think most would have gone for a custom at that price. But, I seem to be drifting more and more towards dynamics these days. The box was huge - it could pack up nearly two Brainwavz boxes inside it. The storage case is huge, but I don't think I'd use it not unless I treat EX-1K as some kind of antique jewellery that needs to be kept in a box carefully each and every time. But this damn thing also needs a huge case - may be I need to get one of those pelican cases.
The housing is huge, the fit is alright for the first try. Isolation? Who needs it? Comfort is not much either - even after just an hour, it is uncomfortable. GR07 and CK10 still remain the most comfortable among the really good universals I have used.
It's the opposite of SM3 when it comes to position of Y-split, way down and the cable is thin and sucks - at least it's right angled and detachable. May be if the original EX-1000 cable is better and is available in a Short cable + extension form, I might buy it from Japan. As it's a long time since I got it (it reached me only today though), the lettering has already come off. I bought it from Amazon as soon as it dropped to $400 (it later dropped to $360, but back up over $450 now, though available for less with some other dealers) and send it to one of those famous persons so that the whole head-fi community benefits - not just my ears. I guess the review will come sometime later. In return, I got a fully burnt-in IEM without needing to pay huge $$$ to Borderlinx-DHL for getting it safe and sound.
It's very good in just my initial listening - sounds very effortless, has good speed and clarity. The upper mids and treble are a bit 'energetic'. Good bass with extension and punch, but not great quantity wise - it has just enough for me, better than the bass-light CK10, RE0 types, but I'd think GR07 would have more quantity.
The mids are really good - clean, warm, but placed a bit behind. I still think SM3, RE-262 are still the ones for vocal fans because of their forwardness and RE1 (BF1983 don't faint
) as well. May be the Shure SE53X deserves a mention here, but I've not heard them myself - so no comments. They are better than FX700 anyways and more engaging in vocals, just not that forward. The treble is well detailed, crisp, sparkling. None of the ranges are in your face.
Sound stage is vast, good separation. I've not compared it to anything yet, so cannot validate the theory that it has an open headphone like stage more than most other IEMs.
Of all the IEMs I've heard, only EX-1000 and RE262 are this effortless. But, EX-1000 has that speed, crispness, detail which are not the areas 262 is tuned for or aimed at. With just an hour of listening, I can say EX-1000 belongs in the top-tier. But, is it the best universal I've heard so far? That conclusion needs to wait for sometime. It can't be slapped on everything which sounds very good every other day.
Oh! Every damn thing is big about this. First, the price ($400) - I think most would have gone for a custom at that price. But, I seem to be drifting more and more towards dynamics these days. The box was huge - it could pack up nearly two Brainwavz boxes inside it. The storage case is huge, but I don't think I'd use it not unless I treat EX-1K as some kind of antique jewellery that needs to be kept in a box carefully each and every time. But this damn thing also needs a huge case - may be I need to get one of those pelican cases.
The housing is huge, the fit is alright for the first try. Isolation? Who needs it? Comfort is not much either - even after just an hour, it is uncomfortable. GR07 and CK10 still remain the most comfortable among the really good universals I have used.
It's the opposite of SM3 when it comes to position of Y-split, way down and the cable is thin and sucks - at least it's right angled and detachable. May be if the original EX-1000 cable is better and is available in a Short cable + extension form, I might buy it from Japan. As it's a long time since I got it (it reached me only today though), the lettering has already come off. I bought it from Amazon as soon as it dropped to $400 (it later dropped to $360, but back up over $450 now, though available for less with some other dealers) and send it to one of those famous persons so that the whole head-fi community benefits - not just my ears
. I guess the review will come sometime later. In return, I got a fully burnt-in IEM without needing to pay huge $$$ to Borderlinx-DHL for getting it safe and sound.
esanthosh
Skilled
Based on my listening so far, I'm afraid FX700 is not going anywhere. I'd have to place EX1000 slightly ahead of FX700 (have updated my rating), but as you know very well - the overall differences are very minor.
When combined with Classical music in general, EX-1000 is very special - among the best I've heard. FX700 on the other hand suits all other forms of music (even with that distant sounding lower mids) magnificently due to it's slightly aggressive nature. Both are excellent dynamic IEMs - non-isolating, costly, a bit exotic (FX700 - wood, EX1000 - driver), spacious sounding and both don't lack much though they have their own little quirks. I don't think it makes sense for many to retain both these IEMs due to the cost involved; but I think for my tastes, both can be retained as I go back and forth between everything.
What's left now? Only a few limited options ahead. Custom IEM is one of them. Let's see how things go from here.
When combined with Classical music in general, EX-1000 is very special - among the best I've heard. FX700 on the other hand suits all other forms of music (even with that distant sounding lower mids) magnificently due to it's slightly aggressive nature. Both are excellent dynamic IEMs - non-isolating, costly, a bit exotic (FX700 - wood, EX1000 - driver), spacious sounding and both don't lack much though they have their own little quirks. I don't think it makes sense for many to retain both these IEMs due to the cost involved; but I think for my tastes, both can be retained as I go back and forth between everything.
What's left now? Only a few limited options ahead. Custom IEM is one of them. Let's see how things go from here.
esanthosh
Skilled
@touzeen,
Not much idea about SHE9800. But from your review, I'd think you'd be better off with an increased budget
An update to all RE-272 review signees. We are all selected, of course - Hifiman RE272 top of the line IEM Loaner program.
Not much idea about SHE9800. But from your review, I'd think you'd be better off with an increased budget
An update to all RE-272 review signees. We are all selected, of course - Hifiman RE272 top of the line IEM Loaner program.
esanthosh
Skilled
Joker has added UM Miracle to the list. Of course, it's 10/10 and all universals are down in the SQ score now. Heh! So, it has a SM3 like presentation, but a signature that I'd like. Now if only I can stop buying universals...
@touzeen,
From what I gather, Philips is slightly V-shaped with good treble extension. I don't think you can find something similar within 1K. Probably get something cheap like JVC Marshmallows, which are comfortable. Though I don't use it day in and day out, I think it can last a long time. If you are serious about SQ though, I think something little higher could be worth it.
@touzeen,
From what I gather, Philips is slightly V-shaped with good treble extension. I don't think you can find something similar within 1K. Probably get something cheap like JVC Marshmallows, which are comfortable. Though I don't use it day in and day out, I think it can last a long time. If you are serious about SQ though, I think something little higher could be worth it.
esanthosh
Skilled
Did he? He seems lost somewhere with EX-1000 in his ears . If I had to put value for money, EX-1000 would only be worth $300, but I did not want to wait too long. Think of it another way - even if I bought for $300, I'd have spent an additional $130 or so getting it through Borderlinx. Now, this one came safe through USPS Priority.
Actually, I have lot of listening to do over the next 5-6 days. I got this XCited review to complete for this week, then A/B of EX-1000 with SM3, FX700, RE-262 and others as well. All this needs to be done before RE272 sample lands hopefully by 2nd week of August.
. If I had to put value for money, EX-1000 would only be worth $300, but I did not want to wait too long. Think of it another way - even if I bought for $300, I'd have spent an additional $130 or so getting it through Borderlinx. Now, this one came safe through USPS Priority.Actually, I have lot of listening to do over the next 5-6 days. I got this XCited review to complete for this week, then A/B of EX-1000 with SM3, FX700, RE-262 and others as well. All this needs to be done before RE272 sample lands hopefully by 2nd week of August.