bass of image x10 vs monster turbine vs Atrio M5 vs sony mdr-ex90lp? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

naddy · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 07:52 PM

Hi all,

Just trying to get a comparison of bass quantity and quality between the klipsch image x10 vs the monster turbines vs atrio m5 and the sony mdr-ex90lp? Thanks for any insights you may be able to provide!

kiwirugby · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 11:40 PM

I find the bass on the X10 to be very present and deep.....almost insanely so for something as little as the X10. Some find this at the expense of mid-bass, but I happen to disagree.

I have not heard the other two IEMs you mention, so I can't make comparisons.

shigzeo · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 12:03 AM

i cannot comment on the x10 but i can on the atrio and turbine. the atrio to this day provide me with a visceral impact that engages music very well. the bass is dry and big and when powered properly, not overbearing. however, its innards have a strange echo that i did not like.

again, i will reiterate that as of yet, only i really was put off by it so i cannot speak for other people.

very comfortable and light, the atrio is one of my all time favourites. great cable and microphonics.

the monster is in terms of bass, hot on the atrio heals and in some ways surpasses it: speed and detail, the monster is ahead. the bass never gets boomy in the same way: it remains focused and strong but never lumpy which sometimes the atrio was guilty of.

but, the monster has a disappointing cable that is both microphonic and does not stay put. its sound stage is smaller than i would have imagined but is not bad.

for bass only: hard to say. if you like slow music, either will be fine but the atrio has a bit more impact. for music that has speed and needs more detail, the monster may be better. overall, i think i prefer the monster and if it had a cable that was on par with the atrio, the monster would definately be worth every bit of 200$.

Solid Snake · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 02:41 AM

I tried both the Atrio and X10...

Quantity = Atrio

Quality = X10

I felt the bass on the Atrio was little too much for my taste...Maybe boomy is the right word?

The bass on the X10 was much more controlled but still had a great punch to them.

tstarn06 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 03:45 AM

I haven't owned the Atrios (v1) in over a year, but from memory, I'd say Shigzeo is on the money. I don't agree that the cable is microphonic though, as I use them to walk without a problem. I also own the X10s, and I would have to say I prefer them to the Turbines for overall balance SQ-wise. I like the Turbines, but something about the highs bugs me, seem a little plasticky or something. Can't put my finger on it, and it is only on some tracks, so it may not be the phones' fault. Here's the big caveat with the X10s, they are the microphonic kings. A shirt clip is mandatory, and even so, they make noise, a real problem with soft music. The X10 mids and highs are okay, but I lfavor their balance, as the Turbines also tend to be bass heavy. So given all those factors, I think the Turbines ($50-plus less than the Images, I believe) are the better price to performance value, but again, I have not heard the Atrio v2.

my.self · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 03:59 AM

id say the x10 isnt bass-head material, but it is DEFINITELY above the average bass quantity. it has a great punch too. it was just what i was looking for, not overwhelming or basshead material, but something above the average.

shigzeo · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06

I haven't owned the Atrios (v1) in over a year, but from memory, I'd say Shigzeo is on the money. I don't agree that the cable is microphonic though, as I use them to walk without a problem. I also own the X10s, and I would have to say I prefer them to the Turbines for overall balance SQ-wise. I like the Turbines, but something about the highs bugs me, seem a little plasticky or something. Can't put my finger on it, and it is only on some tracks, so it may not be the phones' fault. Here's the big caveat with the X10s, they are the microphonic kings. A shirt clip is mandatory, and even so, they make noise, a real problem with soft music. The X10 mids and highs are okay, but I lfavor their balance, as the Turbines also tend to be bass heavy. So given all those factors, I think the Turbines ($50-plus less than the Images, I believe) are the better price to performance value, but again, I have not heard the Atrio v2.

sorry: for microphonics: the turbine is the one. for great cable, the atrio is the one. ive had a few now but... the atrio have a great cable, far better than any in class and the monster while i prefer most of the sound except tactile bass, the cable is microphonic and sub par

tstarn06 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo

sorry: for microphonics: the turbine is the one. for great cable, the atrio is the one. ive had a few now but... the atrio have a great cable, far better than any in class and the monster while i prefer most of the sound except tactile bass, the cable is microphonic and sub par

Guess we have to agree to disagree. I have had absolutely not a single issue walking around with the Turbines on the microphonics front. And I have to amend my statement since last night. I think they are worth the price, as I spent a couple of hours listening to them last night late and two more this morning. Seems the tracks were the problem, not the Turbines.

Anyway, I just don't hear any cable noise from them. Don't disagree that the Atrios have a great cable, but can't really remember it since it's been over a year.

brownandproud · #9 (**permalink**) 11-15-2009, 12:39 PM

Hi im just curious about the comfort and isolation of all of these. From what ive read, atrio has the boomiest bass and the best cable. I would like to know how they fair against each other when it comes down to isolation and comfort because im thinking of purchasing my first high end (-ish) iem. Also, how do they compare to the ie8's in bass?