Color! Because I feel in the mood for it. No, not really, this is just for the comparison.
So, Red, & Green?
Red - Not For Me.
Green - Solid, & something I personally like.
Comparison is going to be the first part of this review.
IM50 vs IM02
IM50
- Comfort of tips, Thick Mids(Sometimes so thick sounding it they become congestive), Shell can be hard to fit in some ears
- Great Upper Bass response, Highs are light(You get the required ting, without piercing through other layers), Great Vocal Iteration
Opinion?:
I feel these are a SOLID choice to anyone who's into spending $50 and being surprised. Some layers aren't as exposed as others which makes this hard to recommend to just anyone.
They feel solid, look solid, and are quite durable. Replacement cables can be found, and I'd highly recommend some if you wanted to color your sound a bit.
They go OK with an Amp. Personally at 10 Ohms I feel like they're being pushed enough.
If you wanted to use an Amp, I'd suggest the Mayflower Electronics CMOY Portable Amp, it'll increase the camber of the Mids and slightly helps redefine the Soundstage.
Great piece.
I recommend getting them as a "stay at home", or "bed bound" experience as the warm sound satisfies just that.
IM02
- Comfort, A Bit Open, Bright at times, Flattened Low End Bass
- Acoustic lovers dream piece, Poppy Highs, Fantastic HiFi Mid Range
Opinion?:
SOLID, possibly the only way to give pure definition.
If I were asked by someone if they should buy the IM50, or the IM02, I'd have trouble though...
The Low End Bass may not be enough to cure what Bassheads like and isn't well rounded enough in general to be a Warmer Earphone like its younger brother, the IM50.
If I were approached in need of reason to chose them over the IM50, I'd go along with this.
The IM50 is Dark, Smooth, similar to the likes of the SE215 with a bouncy, robust, almost dark chocolate like warmth, it's bombastic, and shares the kind likes of a "fun" Earphone. Vocals are sharp! A killer Mid Range sound is complimented with almost fuzzier genres, leaving Hip-Hop out of the question, it can work, but it's not the IM50s' forte.
Highs are there, but are drastically flooded out in genres that need that extra boost in the Low End Bass to preform. It's a risk if you want HiFi, but a steal if you like warmth.
Now the IM02, what's different?
It's an upgrade for an IM50 user, though nearing Mid Bright Sounding.
Highs are pitched for this piece. Why?
Highs come off beautifully, and I'd argue this heads into the HiFi level of things. Almost Monitor Earphones. Tings, shambling, riding, and withering Highs make this come of extremely dry.
As the IM50 is compared to warm, and east to melt dark chocolate.
The IM02 is just like Peach Mango, a tasteful Earphone, fulfilling enough for some Warm Sound lovers, juicy, almost mouthwatering quality to anyone trying to enter High End Earphones with a $100 puch.
As I said, Highs are pitched, they enter Mid Range HiFi Standards of this new era of Audio Standards.
They aren't as bombing or competitive with specific genres.
I wouldn't argue this is full sounding, as the Mids are covering most of the ground for these with Bass Guitar lines mainly filling up the space. Classical works moderate for these and is a certain expression point for good trial music to test their Acoustic Surroundings.
Soundstage is something I could argue as accurate for this Earphone, not accurate to where band members would be standing, but accurate in coordination points to other listening devices with Open Range Soundstage.
Lows are BUMPY, and really that's the only way a friend, & I could describe them.
They aren't Bass Fulfillment Earphones, but give a thunderous Bass that's more like a rumbling than anything else.
Who would I recommend these to? I'd argue that someone who wants a Clean Monitor Sound might enjoy these.
Up next, Burn In:
Now I'm not gonna layer it into your skull if you don't believe, but read this otherwise.
Only Burn In with your Music Library!
I believe some people get too much placebo effect from trying to commit to a Burn In, using Pink Noise, then expecting better outcomes.
These Earphones will need a Quality Burn In nearing 100+ Hours Burn In for whatever you choose to buy.
IM50 Burn In Expectations:
Just expect a thump to the Bass.
Relaxed High Pitch Frequencies that don't slam into your Eardrums.
Thicker Bass, a bit more surrounding, but a more rapid pace.
IM02 Burn In Expectations:
Highs become more mellowed out.
Brighter Mids, detailed almost Bright Sounding Guitar Play.
Crash Rides gain a bit of detail.
Drums become Highlight Points.