Futuresonics Atrio M5

Just ordered a set of these today from Futuresonics' site. Can't wait to burn them in and listen critically. I'll post impressions once received. I've been living with the V-moda Vibes for a while, and like them alright, but I'm realizing I need something a bit more isolating for all the traveling I do. I wouldn't mind the better sound either of course.

Cheers, Chris.

I own the m5's and love them (and I don't even have 5 hours "burned in" yet). They are an upgrade to Future Sonis EM3's which I also own and love.

Awesome! Have you had any experience with the V-moda Vibes? I'm hoping they'll be a nice sized step up from them. I can't wait till I get the Atrio's.

We kind of got two threads going on about the M5s. You can check my initial impressions on the other one.

Don't worry - these are at least a full step above the Vibes.

Only apparently the other thread got deleted. WTF?!

Wow, you're right. Where'd that thread go?

Yeah, don't know what happened. I was posting a response and when I hit "Submit Reply" I got a not allowed to access that area message or some such and then it was gone. I guess while I was typing it got deleted by a Mod.

I'm hoping to do some burnin' with pink noise tonight and see what I end up with tomorrow. I'm really liking them already. I'll post a more thorough review soon.

I'm honestly torn between buying the pre-release version of the Atrio M5 and getting a pair of the ComfortFit sleeves for my EM3. I'm not sure if the Atro would be THAT much better/different to warrant the purchase, plus I'm not sure I really need yet ANOTHER pair of IEMs. But the temptation is STRONG.

Anyone have any opinion on which would be a more worthwhile upgrade?

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for a custom Monica 2 DAC that's being built for me. I hope that does some nice things for my setup.

Packgrog,

I own both the Atrio M5 and the EM3 with softerwear. The EM3 was great...the Atrio is phenomenal. It would be a much better investment to put your money toward the Atrio. You can get great isolation with the provided sleeves. The Atrio with factory sleeves/foam hands-down beat my EM3's with softerwear. It's no contest. You will not be disappointed.

Can you provide some specifics about the differences between the Atrio and EM3?

I have now received my atrio M5's. Today I'm listening at work, letting them burn in. But omg are they awesome sounding. The bass goes VERY low, but not bloated. Also you don't have to crank these to get the benefits of the bass, it's so there that you naturally listen at a lower volume. More comments later after burn-in.

Yeah - they are quite nice, ay? I'm curious on what your experience is with the tips. I find I get a great seal and terrific sound with the bi-flanges but not always consistent. Sometimes it can be a matter of just moving my head. The foamies are terrific but I'm not a big fan of foamies since you really can't clean them and they make insertion a bit of a chore. I'm seriously considering ponying up for their custom tips. Good price, relatively speaking.

Well it's interesting- this is the first in ear monitor I've been willing to live with, so I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to inserting them properly. I don't like the idea of the foamies either, so I'm going to stick with the bi-flanges too. I have only been using the mediums that came on it so far and I find that I don't have to insert them very far at all to get a good seal. In fact if I try to push them in far at all, they just completely seal off EVERYTHING- no sound from the player, NOTHING! I find them a bit finicky too I guess. Tonight I'm going to try the large tips, I suspect that the med's are a bit too small.

Overall though the sound quality is amazing even with the fit. It's so much a step up over the Vibes that it's not even funny. These are keepers for sure. My Nano even fits in the case- great for all the international travelling I do. I'm wondering if any of the other brands' bi-flanges fit the Atrio's, and would do a better job in fit. Also, do you find any advantage in wearing them over your ears, or hanging down? I seem to prefer down myself, but I am wondering if the seal will be affected when I'm travelling next and lean on a pillow to sleep.

Cheers...

what is their sound signature?

I'm no expert, and by no means have any high end gear besides the M5's now, but I'd say they're just smooth & natural... some have said 'warm'. I thought the Ety er4p was very bright and sterile sounding, but these are engaging. If you like bass, you'll love these. They reach REALLY low without being overbloated.