Phonak Audeo (PFE) Appreciation Thread

[HeadphoneAddict]

Oh Noes, anudder Phonak thred!

[Daeregaol]

Euh... I too was totally concrete on my decision to get the IE8, but now not sure either... ;(

Wish somebody had both to compare, are they really that close to beating the W3's..? So does that mean they're same if not better than SE530's, ER4P's, TF10's??

Thanks,

Will.

[tstarn06]

Average Joe does own both, and will be posting his comparison impressions. There is an earlier main thread for the PFE. You should read it, especially near the end (last 4-5 pages). Seems like Average Joe doesn't see the IE8 v. PFE choice as an either/or, same as I feel about the W3. I am keeping both, for personal listening reasons.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Average Joe does own both, and will be posting his comparison impressions. There is an earlier main thread for the PFE. You should read it, especially near the end (last 4-5 pages). Seems like Average Joe doesn't see the IE8 v. PFE choice as an either/or, same as I feel about the W3. I am keeping both, for personal listening reasons.

Same here. Now, can you put a link to the other big Phonak thread in the first post?

[average_joe]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Average Joe does own both, and will be posting his comparison impressions. There is an earlier main thread for the PFE. You should read it, especially near the end (last 4-5 pages). Seems like Average Joe doesn't see the IE8 v. PFE choice as an either/or, same as I feel about the W3. I am keeping both, for personal listening reasons.

tstarn...my opinion is starting to change a little for two reasons:
- IE8s have close to 200 hours on them now and have been improving, especially after 150 hours of burn in.
- I have a new Icon Mobile that is also burning in (about 140 hours) and now, the IE8s sound much more expansive than the PFEs

I am working on a comparison between the two, and will post within the next few days.

[i_don't_know]

Originally Posted by GreatDane

Oh, without a doubt. I just managed to sneek in 2 hours of sleep so back to critical listening.



I hear ya! I have several tracks from Andy on my iPod, including Rylynn. Good stuff!

I have an entire playlist dedicated to acoustic instruments.

Some other great acoustic guitar I have is from Tuck Andress, Antoine Dufour, Beeline, California Guitar Trio, Checkfield, Earl Klugh, Michael Hedges, Larry Coryell, Leo Kottke, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Sharon Isbin, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Rice,...

One of my all time favorite goose bump inducing tracks is "Aqa Jan" by Renaud Garcia-Fons from his Entremundo release.
He is an amazing double-bass player and composer. I highly recommend this recording if you like this type of music.

You MUST check out Andrew Gorny.
Andrew Gorny – Listen free and discover music at Last.fm
Really, really epic.

[schneller]

Originally Posted by average_joe

tstarn...my opinion is starting to change a little for two reasons:
- IE8s have close to 200 hours on them now and have been improving, especially after 150 hours of burn in.
- I have a new Icon Mobile that is also burning in (about 140 hours) and now, the IE8s sound much more expansive than the PFEs

I am working on a comparison between the two, and will post within the next few days.

I too am curious as to what you have to say. I strongly considered the IE8s as well, but they are cost prohibitive by comparison to the PFEs...for me at least.

How do the PFEs and IE8s compare in terms of highs, mids, lows. I have the feeling the PFEs are better in the highs, similar the mids, but worse in the lows.

How do they compare in terms of comfort and isolation?

From your comments, I can tell the IE8s have the better soundstage.

[tstarn06]

Interesting. When I amp the PFEs with the Minibox E+ (what I believe is a superior amp to the NuForce, based on other POVs, not mine alone), they really come to life, and surpass the W3s to me. The W3s just don't respond to that particular amp the same way, in fact, not much of an improvement/change.

When I connected the PFEs to the NuForce (which I have since sold), nothing anywhere near as dramatic. In fact, I didn't even think it made much of a difference.

Goes to show you how different pieces of gear have different synergies.

Hey, I would hope the I8s surpass a $130 phone. Unamped, I still am sort of favoring the W3s. But amped with the MB, I really love the PFEs. They sound so full, vibrant and full of accurate sound, it blows me away.

[tstarn06]

Originally Posted by average_joe

tstarn...my opinion is starting to change a little for two reasons:
- IE8s have close to 200 hours on them now and have been improving, especially after 150 hours of burn in.
- I have a new Icon Mobile that is also burning in (about 140 hours) and now, the IE8s sound much more expansive than the PFEs

I am working on a comparison between the two, and will post within the next few days.

I do find the fact that a $440 IEM requires 200 hours of burn-in a little mystifying. Now, what if I had bought them without being a head-fi member, expecting $440 worth of glorious sound, but thought they sucked out of the box? Seems strange, but I know dynamic IEMs need burn-in, all of them. It's just weird, to me.

[robm321]

Originally Posted by i_don't_know

You MUST check out Andrew Gorny.
Andrew Gorny – Listen free and discover music at Last.fm
Really, really epic.

Wow, good stuff!

[average_joe]

[QUOTE=tstarn06;5370154]When I connected the PFEs to the NuForce (which I have since sold), nothing anywhere near as dramatic. In fact, I didn't even think it made much of a difference.

Goes to show you how different pieces of gear have different synergies./QUOTE]

When I connect the PFEs to my Icon Mobile via USB, the IE8s sound much better, and the PFEs don't sound all that great. That is compared to the cound out of my Fuze where the two IEMs are much closer (even through the IM).

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Hey, I would hope the I8s surpass a $130 phone. Unamped, I still am sort of favoring the W3s. But amped with the MB, I really love the PFEs. They sound so full, vibrant and full of accurate sound, it blows me away.

And hey, I would hope the W3s surpass the PFEs

Originally Posted by tstarn06

I do find the fact that a $440 IEM requires 200 hours of burn-in a little mystifying. Now, what if I had bought them without being a head-fi member, expecting $440 worth of glorious sound, but thought they sucked out of the box? Seems strange, but I know dynamic IEMs need burn-in, all of them. It's just weird, to me.

I am just calling like I am hearing it...I read about it before, and am now experience it. Hey, whatever it takes as long as the final product is as great as the IE8 is turning out to be

And I can't really comment on buying them without being a head-fi member because there are too many factors, such as burn in knowledge (which I knew about before coming here), other equipment, fit, patience, etc. etc. etc.

But I see your point. I think the NE-7s sounded pretty bad when I first heard them, as did my Icon Mobile (both especially compared to now).

[tstarn06]

Agree on points one and two, but I don't see the W3s improving much even with 200 hours of use, since BA phones do not undergo burn-in, at least that's what they say. So I don't think the W3s will supplant the PFEs for sitting around the house listening. Going mobile, the W3s are more to my liking. No amp, great iso, very good SQ.

All I know is I am thrilled with the PFEs when connected to the MB+, happy with them when they are not connected to an amp, and pertty happy with the W3s unamped.

That combo works for me, much as yours does with the IE8 and the PFEs. Unless, you are considering selling off the PFEs. If so, PM me so I can get a backup pair for less than paying full price.

As for burn-in, it's apparently the real deal.

[average_joe]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Agree on points one and two, but I don't see the W3s improving much even with 200 hours of use, since BA phones do not undergo burn-in, at least that's what they say. So I don't think the W3s will supplant the PFEs for sitting around the house listening. Going mobile, the W3s are more to my liking. No amp, great iso, very good SQ.

I guess I didn't understand what you were originally saying...I know the W3's don't need burn in and the IE8s do, but my point is at some point in time, hopefully the more expensive IEMs will sound better. If not, the PFEs are the deal of the century!

Originally Posted by tstarn06

All I know is I am thrilled with the PFEs when connected to the MB+, happy with them when they are not connected to an amp, and pertty happy with the W3s unamped.

That combo works for me, much as yours does with the IE8 and the PFEs. Unless, you are considering selling off the PFEs. If so, PM me so I can get a backup pair for less than paying full price.

As for burn-in, it's apparently the real deal.

The main point IMO is you are happy with them. I am happy (now) with the IE8s, and the PFEs are also very very good (and I only paid $115 more for the IE8s).

I am thinking I have my computer IEM, the IE8, and my portable IEM, the PFE. But I am still within the 14 days of my PFE trial

[Confispect]

About time I posted my thanks and impressions. I figure Tstarn was has like were has Confispect been at? Anyhow I must thank the all mighty Martin. For his review at anythingbutipod.com, when they won Editors Choice Award that was it for me I got them. Ever since I've felt like I made the best purchase I've ever made headphone wise. I feel like I've found perfection when I insert them in my ears. So Dfkt thank you very much for the recommendation. In mind to buy I had the Q-jays,Shure530's (Which I got anyways, ordered the Phonaks at the same time. Got Shures sent them back....). Also I had the Super Fi.5's, in mind. Anyhow, I finally got these. When I got them they blew me away, with there clarity, detail, and preciseness.

Talk about how they sound is in the Phonak Audeo post. Anyhow, just to clear things up about W3's vs. Phonak. Phonak wins hands down to me. More detail, extends further with the Phonak I heard chipmunks singing what I thought to be a violin. W3's didn't reveal this. With the W3's I still heard violins. I do not have the IE8 so I can't compare the two. The Phonak will blow you away trust me. I, Tstarn, Average Joe have posted in the first post started about Phonaks. How they sound can be found out over there. I guess I could let you in on a little bit right without any detail however. Ya know how the lows,mids, and highs sound. How long the cable is, which filter would be considered the best. Just can't do it, but what I can do is tell describe them to you in one word. Perfect....

[tstarn06]

I just spent 45 minutes walking the pup with the Phonaks on half the time, amped with the E5 on my Touch 2G, and the other half with the W3s unamped (no need), and I am stunned to say I enjoyed listening more with the PFEs. I know, it's nuts. And I know it should not be that way. But as you say, your ears do the reacting. Try as I might to say, well, those $400 IEMs are kicking the $130 IEM's butt, I can't. It is pretty close, but the clarity of the PFEs is the critical differentiator for me. All other factors aside, it comes down to that. Don't know about Deal of the Century, but a very good deal it is. And for the first time, I could actually understand the lyrics in a couple of songs I've been listening to for 30 years!

Again, I am going to keep the W3s. Between the two IEMs, I am as happy as a pig in ____!