Yuin OK1 - review and comparisons.

[mrarroyo]

The OK1 sound better when amplified, it is IMO very power hungry. The OK1 is also larger than the PK1 so those w/ an smaller ear may wish to get the PK1 which although not as good as the OK1 are very close.

For straight out of a DAP I would use an OK2 which are easier to drive.

[tstarn06]

Excellent point about the size/shape differences between OK and PK lines. Anyone thinking about getting Yuins, go to the Head-Direct site to see the difference. I had OK3s and they hurt for extended use. No such issue with PK3s.

[Antineutrino]

Great review!
Does the OK1 bass improve with equalization?
I have a pair of ATH-CM700 that responds well when playing with equalizer, so I'm wondering about Yuin OK1...

[kostalex]

Yes, it can bear some EQ-ing.

[mvw2]

The OK1's bass is good when amped. Unamped, it will lack and completely change the tonality. The OK1 is one I consider amp required to use. Tonality is even and the low end is well extended doing so. I haven't found the Ok1 terribly sensitive to low frequency EQing. Design seems to be a porter enclosure design with the ports exiting right behind the wire exits. You can cover these up and hear the bottom end loss. Frequency response extends to 50Hz before rolling off quickly. You get good bass down to that point, but some techno songs or anything with synthesized 20Hz, 30Hz tones will be missed. With a ported design, it is very tough to get this low end response, and you may not want to try. I personally don't see a need to EQ these buds.

Kostalex, I would have an easy time ranking the OK1 up right next to the ER4S in the H2 category. I've swapped between both on a large array of songs on numerous days, and I've come to the conclusion that the OK1 is on the same level of the ER4S, the only earphone I've used where I could say this. They vary a little bit here and there. The OK1 has a little more bottom end output (ER4S could gain via EQing). Both run to around 50Hz and drop off. The OK1 has a little more top end sparkle/clarity. The ER4S seems to roll off at the very top just missing that top end bite. The OK1 is slightly more extended on the top. The ER4S has a little more upper midrange output then the OK1. Back to back, the OK1 comes across slightly more balanced. The ER4S still has a little better sound stage, location of instruments, etc. but the OK1 isn't far behind and has great separation. The differences are light, noticeable but not significant. Both sound very similar to me. Overall, they are very on par with each other in my book. Every other headphone I've used, I could always quite easily say the ER4S was better, no question. The OK1, I really can't say. That's pretty remarkable.

[kostalex]

Originally Posted by mvw2

Kostalex, I would have an easy time ranking the OK1 up right next to the ER4S in the H2 category... Both run to around 50Hz and drop off.

It is strange. ER-4S has one of the deepest bass extension to me. Which amps do you use with ER-4S and OK1? Which tips?

[swanlee]

How does the Ok1 compare to the Atrio M5's? I love the Bass and smoothness of the Atrio's but would love an earbud that could compete with them as earbud are way more comfortable to me.

looking for an Earbud that compete in bass with the Atrio M5's

I have the Yuin Pk3, I got just to try out Yuin and they sound nice but the bass is not evne close ot the Atrio's

[kostalex]

I did not hear M5 but I read that it is bassy. I also did not hear PK3 but I read it is the most bassy of Yuins. Vice versa, OK1 has less bass than PK1 and PK2. So I think OK1 is not your cup of tea.

[kostalex]

Most bassy earbud I heard myself is Sony MDR-E888. Most known for bass power is V-moda Bass Freq.

[sonance]

I find my E888s pretty bass-light, personally. Those headphones have had a long run, and maybe they've changed over the years, so who knows. They are nice looking though, and I do wish Yuin would improve the styling of the OK/PK line. Anything > $100 in the world of headphones should at least not look cheap and plasticky (IMHO).

[kostalex]

For those interested in alternative to earbuds - I've compared the best clip-ons I heard:

Yuin G1A, ATH-EW9, ultramodded KSC-35, Yuin G2A, DYI Grado clip-ons, KSC-75.

[steviebee]

I have OK1 & am so impressed by them (my thanks to antonyfirst for that. Cheers Tony!) -utterly superb earbuds.

Now having re-read yr superlative clip-on review, kostalex, I must say the GA1 are more and more snagging my interest

(Wallet last seen heading out of town bawling)

[kostalex]

AKG K319



Continuing my quest for the best ultraportables,
I reviewed AKG K319 earbud in depth
and rated it in my Earbud buyer's guide.

You are welcome to read!