Audio Random IEM / Headphone Rants
- Thread starter esanthosh
- Start date
esanthosh
Skilled
FWIR, SE530 was the one with so many cable complaints with cables worn out at least twice within the warranty period. One of the main reasons why SE535 went for detachable cable.
One of the issues with complaints on forums like head-fi is that it's a noise. We never know how much % of the IEMs went bad. It may just be the vocal minority. Other unknown factor is the usage pattern. There's no way of knowing how careful people are with their IEMs. I've had the notorious RE0 and other Hifiman IEMs for at least a year before selling off. Also had the not-so-well built Xears survive for anywhere between 6-12 months. However, it must be said that they all spent more time sleeping in their cases than in my ears and such longevity may not be the case if I used them regularly during travel.
IE80 is interesting. Except for the sound stage size, seems to have slightly 'fixed' IE8's signature - Sennheiser IE80's (Coming Soon). One can buy it from RazerDogDeals for $422 with International Express shipping. Should go lower in the coming months. Around $300 shipped would be a better price to try them. I'd be watching out for IE8 to get cheaper as well.
@lavii,
Does SE535 hiss with some of the sources?
One of the issues with complaints on forums like head-fi is that it's a noise. We never know how much % of the IEMs went bad. It may just be the vocal minority. Other unknown factor is the usage pattern. There's no way of knowing how careful people are with their IEMs. I've had the notorious RE0 and other Hifiman IEMs for at least a year before selling off. Also had the not-so-well built Xears survive for anywhere between 6-12 months. However, it must be said that they all spent more time sleeping in their cases than in my ears and such longevity may not be the case if I used them regularly during travel.
IE80 is interesting. Except for the sound stage size, seems to have slightly 'fixed' IE8's signature - Sennheiser IE80's (Coming Soon). One can buy it from RazerDogDeals for $422 with International Express shipping. Should go lower in the coming months. Around $300 shipped would be a better price to try them. I'd be watching out for IE8 to get cheaper as well.
@lavii,
Does SE535 hiss with some of the sources?
@esanthosh, i have never heard hiss in shure535/425, i have used these with ipod+fiioe7 and currently using with crown j3, also tried with iphone and galaxy s.
I know about the cable issues in 530 that's why i have waited and opted for 535/425. i feel that if you spending a lot in iems, cable should be detachable and very well built. In my case 535 fits very well and over the ear design suits me.
Now i am saving and waiting for "Westone 4 R", i recently got the very good deal for westone 4 but couldn't go due to fixed cable. i don't know why but i feel safe with detachable cable.
I know about the cable issues in 530 that's why i have waited and opted for 535/425. i feel that if you spending a lot in iems, cable should be detachable and very well built. In my case 535 fits very well and over the ear design suits me.
Now i am saving and waiting for "Westone 4 R", i recently got the very good deal for westone 4 but couldn't go due to fixed cable. i don't know why but i feel safe with detachable cable.
esanthosh
Skilled
SunnyBoi said:
Brute force
- RE0 Recablingripesoul said:
Lynx India - The Audiostore - Audiophile Indian Online eStore Selling Hifiman "Headdirect" Headphones
Do a search around TE about Amarbir and Lynx India before dealing though!
lavii said:
Good to know about SE535.
W4R is available from earphonesolutions - http://www.earphonesolutions.com/westone-4r.html. I read that the 25% coupon codes are applicable for W4R as well. Unless you are waiting for a better price, you can order even now
esanthosh
Skilled
^ Looking forward to your impressions
Random Thoughts for the day
[1] Not sure how many of you keep track of average_joe's Custom IEM thread (** Multi-Custom IEM Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion Thread (info on page 1)). Recently, he added a summary table with brief description of signatures and IEMs which sound similar. I thought it's an interesting way to pick one's custom. The other thing I realize is that much like universals, there's so much variety available with customs now. Another similarity would be the price ranges.
There are various price ranges I can think of in universals. Broadly, I'd say <= $25, $25-60, $60-100, $100-150, $150-250, $250+ (Cheap, Entry level, Budget, Mid-Tier, Mid-High, High) could be the buckets for the universals. I think for customs, <= $400, $400-800, $800+ could be broad ranges now. If the middle tier customs (by way of price) can be as good as the middle tier of universals, they would be very good - just short of top-tier, but better than most universals and entry level customs. But the problem with customs is that they are difficult to get and to boot out.
[2] Brainwavz HM5 seems like a great deal for $99 if they indeed sound like FA-003 : Are Brainwavz HM5 just rebranded version of Fischer FA-003?
[3] Today's IEM (After Eterna, HJE900 during the last two sessions) is XCape v1. I think it's a bad idea that Sunrise discontinued XCape v1. They could re-release XCape v1 like Fischer did with Eterna v1, but this time with better build quality. But, unlike Eterna, XCape v1 does not have a cult following. I preferred them clearly over RE0 and slightly over RE-ZERO when I had all three to compare - mostly because of the warmer well textured mid range and some bass. ljokerl is right in his assessment (Can't remember a time he was "wrong" though!) - editing and emphasis mine.
Random Thoughts for the day
[1] Not sure how many of you keep track of average_joe's Custom IEM thread (** Multi-Custom IEM Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion Thread (info on page 1)). Recently, he added a summary table with brief description of signatures and IEMs which sound similar. I thought it's an interesting way to pick one's custom. The other thing I realize is that much like universals, there's so much variety available with customs now. Another similarity would be the price ranges.
There are various price ranges I can think of in universals. Broadly, I'd say <= $25, $25-60, $60-100, $100-150, $150-250, $250+ (Cheap, Entry level, Budget, Mid-Tier, Mid-High, High) could be the buckets for the universals. I think for customs, <= $400, $400-800, $800+ could be broad ranges now. If the middle tier customs (by way of price) can be as good as the middle tier of universals, they would be very good - just short of top-tier, but better than most universals and entry level customs. But the problem with customs is that they are difficult to get and to boot out.
[2] Brainwavz HM5 seems like a great deal for $99 if they indeed sound like FA-003 : Are Brainwavz HM5 just rebranded version of Fischer FA-003?
[3] Today's IEM (After Eterna, HJE900 during the last two sessions) is XCape v1. I think it's a bad idea that Sunrise discontinued XCape v1. They could re-release XCape v1 like Fischer did with Eterna v1, but this time with better build quality. But, unlike Eterna, XCape v1 does not have a cult following. I preferred them clearly over RE0 and slightly over RE-ZERO when I had all three to compare - mostly because of the warmer well textured mid range and some bass. ljokerl is right in his assessment (Can't remember a time he was "wrong" though!) - editing and emphasis mine.
[quote name='esanthosh']Brute force - RE0 Recabling
Lynx India - The Audiostore - Audiophile Indian Online eStore Selling Hifiman "Headdirect" Headphones
Do a search around TE about Amarbir and Lynx India before dealing though!
Been on the forum long enough to know about Lynx...is there no other dealer?
- RE0 RecablingLynx India - The Audiostore - Audiophile Indian Online eStore Selling Hifiman "Headdirect" Headphones
Do a search around TE about Amarbir and Lynx India before dealing though!
Been on the forum long enough to know about Lynx...is there no other dealer?
@santhoshr, I am not very good in describing sound in audiophile terms but I will try to write review for 535 and 940, when I get 940 this week.
Now I have 535 only, sold 425 month ago. Well in term of treble 535 pleases me very well, it is very redefined and with cowon j3 I fell more clarity in treble Sound-stage is also very wide and deep. Overall representation it is very fun sounding, I have also tried other high end IEMs and found 535 very pleasant and fun.
@esanthosh, What do you think of starting a thread about suggestion/recommendation about Hindi/fusion songs which will make headphone/iem sound more fun.
Now I have 535 only, sold 425 month ago. Well in term of treble 535 pleases me very well, it is very redefined and with cowon j3 I fell more clarity in treble Sound-stage is also very wide and deep. Overall representation it is very fun sounding, I have also tried other high end IEMs and found 535 very pleasant and fun.
@esanthosh, What do you think of starting a thread about suggestion/recommendation about Hindi/fusion songs which will make headphone/iem sound more fun.
bennysachdev
Adept
From the top of my head, Indian ocean and most of A.R. Rahman's music comes to mind for hindi music. Hard to find but if you can get the lossless collection of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab and his collaborative work with Michael Brook, it should satisfy your desire for fusion music. The bassline on most tracks is very massive attack types thus very addictive.
Yes A R Rahman stuff is very good , also i have nusrat collaborative work with Michael Brook, cheb i sabbah in lossless. You can also check talvin singh, midival punditz, karsh kale karunesh and whole buddha bar series.
try nusrat album "Star Rise", this album has very good remix of nusrat songs by artist like joi, talvin singh, dhol fundation
try nusrat album "Star Rise", this album has very good remix of nusrat songs by artist like joi, talvin singh, dhol fundation
esanthosh
Skilled
got the shure 940 yesterday, very glad with the purchase. these have very good treble and fedelity. lack in bass but with "BBE Mach3Bass' in cowon j3 these are awesome, can feel deep and good bass. currently fiio e7 bass setting handling shure very well.
Now i see why these are being compared with headphones expensive than these.
Now i see why these are being compared with headphones expensive than these.
titana
Adept
esanthosh said:
Looks nice!
The T50RP can be modded pretty well in their stock housing too. It won't look as good as these but sounds pretty good.
In fact, when we had the Thunderpants for the loan, I was quite surprised at how similar our modded T50RP(after switching to O2 earpads) & TPs sounded.