A to double-U to the E to the S-O-M-E-- Image is my new Apple Jacks!
I do not know why I love them I just do!!
We eat what we like!!
I cannot think on one thing they do spectular ... wait... the drum ... the thump.thump.thump they do well.
(sidebar)-- I think audio web sites should be prefaced with thumpthumpthump versus www-- or at least ttt, e.g., ttt.head-fi.org. wow that sounds bad and a poor design.
(sidebar over)
I have never owned IEMs before and hesitated greatly because putting something in your ear sounds so uncomfortable and intrusive. But I wanted some really cool portables with better (more full sounding) than my Sony Eggos (who I love dearly) and are the only pair I still have since joining Head-fi (see my sig to see all the headphones I have parted with...) IEMs are like eye contacts to a guy/person who shudders at the idea of
Here are some of my 1st hour of listening findings...
Overall
A winner. Dosen't try for being a details leader or trebler uber shiner or a sterile but trusted studio advisor but plays well with all the kids in the sandbox. The Image wins the "nice guy" award. You can place the Image with any of your music and the Image will play nice.
4+ stars out of five.
Soundstage
Really strong 360 degree feel but not too deep front or back or left or right-- a lot of the music is central and ambient sounds circle all around. Reverb is pretty cool on songs where the digital damper pedal is pressed. There are some angles seemingly missed - Assuming 360 degree field then these angles have limited sound:
40 - 55
220 - 230
300 - 315
Possibly a seal issue? I don't know. Perhaps it is the music also. Perhaps it is the listener?
The ambient sounds come in and are times a little shocking-- I guess at least for a IEM noobie.
Sometimes if even feels like the music is persisting like a real speaker system.
----------> No I am not comparing the Image to a speaker system
--> Just making a reference -- nothing more
Sound Signature & Quality
Can't place it-- definitely reminds me of the Audio-Technicas W11JPNs-- not in SSig but in terms of being a little hard to call out. But very fun to listen to. Perhaps decay is a hair longer than on "fast" phones (I am not even sure this is true-- that is that some phones are faster or slower than others but) the Image's a little slower *OR speed neutral* -- nothing in a bad way. The Sony CD3000s are my baseline and they are faster than most. I do think these are faster than the K701s so perhaps they are speed neutral.
Certainly a midrange and lower bias. I would not call it a treble veil or dark in any way but rather no treble shimmer. I have briefly heard the Senn 650s (no amp mind you) and they do not sound like the 650s.
thump.thump.thump - Bass is a powerful drug.
Epilogue
Like any good phone it makes you rediscover your music collection. Well I am listening to songs I have not heard since the 701s (still a favorite but a) too slow on some music and 2) needed to isolate the music from people near me). Really fun and enjoying old tunes.
A tad expensive-- who knows perhaps a $90 IEM would sound as good? Since I have not heard one I cannot say. It would be cool to save $200+ bucks-- perhaps I should find out.
Yes they are comfortable-- but compared to what?? Well compared to my expectations.
And yes they do very well with acoustic music -- focus on guitar and drums. Good on women sopranos and dudes. Not too sure on altos given my comment about the lack of treble shimmer. Also they resolve OK-good and never come across as muddy.
Also I purchased the Custom 3s --- +2 weeks until arrived. So I could compare. I may cancel that order.
Looking into the mirror...
I feel like I have not said anything-- it feels like I tried to cover the musical bases but ended up saying little other than-- - thump.thump.thump
- they are like Apple Jacks and
- they are all around good phones.
Well one thing-- I am listening to songs I have not listened to for a long time.
Like all things caveat empor - or YEMV (Your Ears May Vary).
Night and Day Comfort
Linear Mode
