Let's think logically. If someone has just bought DBA-02, DDM, what do you think his next purchase should be? Customs? But, since the person in question happens to be me and I am really crazy, I bought an earbud :ashamed:.
There's no denying that earbuds suck in isolation (zero), are uncomfortable on the outer ear and do not have a following, except for limited people. But, do they really suck at SQ? Read on....
About 2-3 weeks ago, I had just spent about 12 hrs with DBA-02 in a 24 hour period (5 PM - 5 PM). My ears ached and I certainly did not want to insert anything inside my ears. But, like a drug addict searching for his next score, I searched for music without the discomfort. Headphones? that might work. But, AD-700 would fall off my head when I bend down and MS1i is "hot and sweaty". So, I searched my old drawers for a 'stash' and I found all my ear buds tucked away. So, let's try 'em on. Here are my impressions noted down as I heard them.
Creative: These are the things I enjoyed, I mean really enjoyed for over a couple of years. They have been burnt in over, I don't know 1000 hrs? So, naturally my first choice. Great - I hear mids, but that's the problem. Mids were the only thing present; No bass, rolled off treble, no sound stage.
Sansa and iAudio buds followed up in quick succession without impressing me too much!
Sony: I had bought it probably 2-3 years ago for the CD walkman I was using. There was good quantity of bass; warm mids; Polite and rolled-off treble. But the sound stage was slightly wider and deeper. There's some thickness to the notes, but it sounds very enjoyable overall. Works for me.
I ended up using Sony for most of that weekend. There are certain advantages to earbuds. I can keep them at -28 to -31dB on RB-ed Clip+ at which point they sound quieter than the human voice, probably around 50-60 SPL. I can hear everything and at the same time have music in my ears. Certainly not for travel or outside use. Whenever phone rings, I don't have to go through the ritual of removing and re-inserting IEMs. Of course, there's pressure on the outer ear and getting a fit with them is a bit of struggle. But then, I let go off my constant "problem finding mission" as in the case of IEMs and just listen to music. I finally could sing along in my horrible voice again!
So, I went ahead and bought a Sennheiser MX760 after some reading and consultation at head-fi. I was worried about fakes, so as soon as I got them, I described the sound I heard to a fellow head-fier and seems like I got myself a orriiggginal. Good!
It's softer foams came off when I tried to put them on, so using one of the other bud's foams now. It's shorter cable is a gift to me. You can use it with Clip+ in arm band or in your shirt pocket. I've not used the extension cable at all after testing it initially.
How does it sound? It's one of the most balanced things I've heard. No! it will never beat IEMs 5X their price. But then, you can't pay Rs. 1600 and ask the world in return. There's bass which is clean and has some impact. The mids are slightly recessed, but not too much. Treble is very slightly sparkling and hence very slightly sibilant at times. But where does it really score? Very wide and deep sound stage with excellent separation and clarity. The sound stage beats at least half my IEMs by a mile. It's strength also has a weakness. There's so much air around everything that few things get separated too deep and far. It's like the guitarist is in the next block rather than being on stage. But, I personally find no problems for a "filler" musical experience between my IEMs. It's Purfffect for my use.
Now, am I asking you to go and buy earbuds? Not at all. I just want you to know I am a bit more crazy than you imagined. That's all
.
There's no denying that earbuds suck in isolation (zero), are uncomfortable on the outer ear and do not have a following, except for limited people. But, do they really suck at SQ? Read on....
About 2-3 weeks ago, I had just spent about 12 hrs with DBA-02 in a 24 hour period (5 PM - 5 PM). My ears ached and I certainly did not want to insert anything inside my ears. But, like a drug addict searching for his next score, I searched for music without the discomfort. Headphones? that might work. But, AD-700 would fall off my head when I bend down and MS1i is "hot and sweaty". So, I searched my old drawers for a 'stash' and I found all my ear buds tucked away. So, let's try 'em on. Here are my impressions noted down as I heard them.
Creative: These are the things I enjoyed, I mean really enjoyed for over a couple of years. They have been burnt in over, I don't know 1000 hrs? So, naturally my first choice. Great - I hear mids, but that's the problem. Mids were the only thing present; No bass, rolled off treble, no sound stage.
Sansa and iAudio buds followed up in quick succession without impressing me too much!
Sony: I had bought it probably 2-3 years ago for the CD walkman I was using. There was good quantity of bass; warm mids; Polite and rolled-off treble. But the sound stage was slightly wider and deeper. There's some thickness to the notes, but it sounds very enjoyable overall. Works for me.
I ended up using Sony for most of that weekend. There are certain advantages to earbuds. I can keep them at -28 to -31dB on RB-ed Clip+ at which point they sound quieter than the human voice, probably around 50-60 SPL. I can hear everything and at the same time have music in my ears. Certainly not for travel or outside use. Whenever phone rings, I don't have to go through the ritual of removing and re-inserting IEMs. Of course, there's pressure on the outer ear and getting a fit with them is a bit of struggle. But then, I let go off my constant "problem finding mission" as in the case of IEMs and just listen to music. I finally could sing along in my horrible voice again!
So, I went ahead and bought a Sennheiser MX760 after some reading and consultation at head-fi. I was worried about fakes, so as soon as I got them, I described the sound I heard to a fellow head-fier and seems like I got myself a orriiggginal. Good!
It's softer foams came off when I tried to put them on, so using one of the other bud's foams now. It's shorter cable is a gift to me. You can use it with Clip+ in arm band or in your shirt pocket. I've not used the extension cable at all after testing it initially.
How does it sound? It's one of the most balanced things I've heard. No! it will never beat IEMs 5X their price. But then, you can't pay Rs. 1600 and ask the world in return. There's bass which is clean and has some impact. The mids are slightly recessed, but not too much. Treble is very slightly sparkling and hence very slightly sibilant at times. But where does it really score? Very wide and deep sound stage with excellent separation and clarity. The sound stage beats at least half my IEMs by a mile. It's strength also has a weakness. There's so much air around everything that few things get separated too deep and far. It's like the guitarist is in the next block rather than being on stage. But, I personally find no problems for a "filler" musical experience between my IEMs. It's Purfffect for my use.
Now, am I asking you to go and buy earbuds? Not at all. I just want you to know I am a bit more crazy than you imagined. That's all
.
I can only imagine what the higher-end Yuin sound like !!