Since some people don't think ZX2 can drive the full-sized headphones ? I am on another hand that is keep on seeking out good headphones for Zx2, and ofcourse keeping it under a rule of thumb, low impedance, and higher Db/mw. I have found MDR-z7, MDR-sa3000/5000....and lately, please welcome my gentle eyes candy Fostex TH-900. Today I would like to give some of my own impressions and share to you all.

Conclusion: superb and accurately bass tonality and presentations, source picky can sound fairly flat with powerful and low impedance out on portable gears, can be bass weak , harsher trebles, and low volume on weak portable gears such as iPad iPhone....yeah, eventhough it was very sensitive, but don't you dare buying such high-end headphones for your iPhone....lol (j/k). I don't recommend it, but you do whatever you want.

First of all functionality, despite it specs being very sensitive and can be used for portable gears and sound quiet good out of even iPhone and iPad....it however neither has 3.5mm jack nor detachable cables to go balanced mod, even for it price ? Yeah, very strange, but as far as my experiences go, I think they don't want detachable cables because extra terminal joins will degrade sound quality. We will get back on it.

Now, appearances, I am not a fan of red color, and especially shinny glimmer red...and th900 look much better in real life than it is in picture. Very sweet, deep and watery/glossy finish which is so smooth to the touch.


Sound quality ? It is very clean, and silent, only enough amount of recorded reverb, and effects from the tracks. I do think this is beautiful as when compare to Z7, the reverb and echo or Hall effects in the recorded track is quiet loud, and I find myself to appreciate the th900 more. The most important aspect is "transient details, and transparency", wow....if I compared Z7 to a still fluid clear water pond, the th900 is like a clear blue sky with excellent sun-shine as I can imagine myself floating in this blue sky without a hint of wind-blow or cloud. Then every transient micro-dynamic impacts and waves will be presented to me like a gift from the Angels above !

Bass: wow! It is wooly and super fast exactly the strong point for fan that love porous and bio-cell diaphragm. Also don't worry about it being plant cellulose, it is a hybrid between microbial and plant and synthetic fibers. Bass can be weak out of weak sources such as weak smartphones and tables, but can be very impactful and of great resolution on Zx2. Now, especially when going balanced with upgraded solid-silver cables **with silver plated copper Z7 stock cables and standard TRS 3.5mm output on ZX2, the lower-midbass can be boomy and the top-end of bass is a little slower and lacked a bit of energy to call "eargasm bass". With balanced TRRS out and solid silver on zx2, the bass becomes such superbly accurate and of great tonality***. It bass get so accurate controlled and tight that I can clearly tell the synthetic bass from authentic and organic drums, rumbles hard when needed, and stop or controlled where intended. The level of accuracy has no matches in my collection. Simply superb. Bass here can be called "superbly controlled and superbly detailed+impactful". Now, it doesn't have that bass which would rumbles my head, and or make me jump out of my chair as much as my recabled Z7. But it is in it own league and I appreciate both. Th900 is more authentic and superbly accurate for classical and organic instruments, where as Z7 is more enjoyable, satisfying slams for synthetic bass and huge plastic kick drums. If I am allowed, I would call th90- bass to be "airy" just because there is so much speed, so much layer, so much texture and details within it tone and impacts, where as Z7 bass is "mesmerizing" just because it is a bit slower, plasticy, but not lacking details or layering.





Mid: ah, this is the tricky part as it is also very picky on sources, on my large system rxv477 it is recessed quiet a bit and I think it can easily be not satisfying, and the same can be said for smartphones and tablet. However on the ZX2, it appears more forward and is only a little very slightly bit further than Z7 or MDR-sa5000...I consider sa5000 a bit forward mid, z7 is at an excellent range of distant, and th900 is too good like listening to the singer on the stage and being in middle chair in the first row . Due to emphasis on mid-trebles energy and details, some of the "not so well recorded tracks" trebles and vocal extensions can appear ears piercing and spikes of harshness that I see many people mentioned about. It is absolutely not forgiving (premium grade referenced) yeah, what else do you expect ? Musical ? Nah, that is Z7. For all that said, the th900 vocals is superbly accurate for "mastering a track, or hearing flaws or editing details, filter out vocal extensions sibilants, etc...studio uses". Allow me to state that, just because I am not a sound engineer or recording artist, but I swear that I can observe the vocal extended sibilant on the same singer but different track+artist

Trebles: ah, this is also a tricky part as it is picky...ok let's get to zx2 as a source. When listening to superbly mastered, and recorded tracks, the trebles and it details is actually just represent one word "beautiful". The first time that I felt the "impacts" of a double tap on hit-hat or cymbal attacks, the rhythm behind the hand shake devices...etc. like stated above in the mid sections, the mid-trebles body on not so well mastered track can be very harsh. But it is time I myself to ignore those tracks, and save those for more forgiving or musical headphones such as Z7. Trebles extensions, details, resolutions, and textures are just all too good here, and I actually appreciate and love the mid-trebles body emphasis this way as it makes little and distant instruments which lay within high frequency to show more tonality and emotions. Yeah, the first time I have heard emotional trebles regions, only on well masterful Tracks. Again, absolutely "premium reference headphones grade". Th900 straight out is the king here when out against Z7. The Z7 trebles extensions can be somewhat lacking until modded it would show more but still vieled and make it more forgiving + musical.

Soundstage: Very wide, and especially the cup chambers of not much depth and volumetric inside. It appears more open than one would think, and it is absolutely not closed back style. I think it is more of a semi open headphones as it would leak sounds both way quiet a bit more than Z7. Soundstage accuracy of presentation is actually good, and satisfying. However, I do think my recabled Z7 has better depth and spherical soundstage. I can hear more sounds coming from around behind me on the z7.

Soundscape: th900 represent a more of upfront and center stage focused scape where the Z7 would be a surround spherical staging. Both are equally appreciated. But Z7 would make me jump and gives me the creep in the movies where explosive actions or creepy things approaching from behind, where as th900 would give the feeling of explosive and or something approaching from far left or right toward the front.





My conclusion is that TH900 is very Transparent, details, high-definition and excellent micro dynamic impacts+detail retrieval, excellent reference grade which is also easy to drive and need no sophisticated "rigs or stack of money". Simply recabled and straight out from zx2 TRRS is too good alreaday

I love both Z7 and th900 as one can be used for references, and another one Z7, can be used for high-end musical enjoyment.



Will replace the pictures to better one when I have time thanks for your time. I hope I helped

First of all. Please allow me a minute to express my gratitude toward "Torque Audio" for the loaner unit and allowed my experiences, personal tastes and preferences to put up an honest review on the T096-Z. I personally prefer more balanced, details, spacious, organic timbres. For more information on the company and products, please follow he link

http://torque.audio




Conclusion: I love it as it is speedy, spacious staging, and of good timbres. I dislike fit and no detachable cables, metallic resonances with valves that allow more trebles passage. I do wish that it was less bulky and lighter with removable cables. I do think that the blue valves will be the most correct tuning out of all valves according to my preferences and experiences. But hey, it is the main idea of (Torque) and the ability to tune into your own taste is excellent.

Pros: good speed, details, airy, spacious staging, good realistic timbres, good slam and deep bass, good trebles extensions. Tunable by different valves (nozzles). Price/performance ratio is good.

Cons: bulky, a little weighty, metallic resonances and some what shrill with valves that allow more trebles passages. No removable cables (no option for balanced or upgrade cables). Huge and bulky microphone.




Sound signature overall: good speed, and fast, very similar to balanced armature drivers, but with the slam and impact of dynamic drivers. Having tested all valves, I would say that it carries the transparency of vocal and mid spectrum throughout all valves.
Bass: fast, deep, tight and is of good textures. Will be affected by the tuning nozzles

Vocal: mostly remain transparent, and detailed. It is a little more forward and vividly represented. Will not be affected much by the tuning nozzles






Mid: detailed, airy, and with good realistic tonality. Instruments layering is excellent. Will not affected much by tuning nozzles

Trebles: airy, detailed, and of good speed and extensions and no sibilants with blue valves. Will be affected by the tuning nozzles. Some nozzles will boost this metallic tone even more obvious, and I think it is due to the metallic nozzles resonances.

Soundstage: wide, out of the head, and is very spacious for an in ear monitors
Soundscape: mainly presented and projected from your position toward the front. However in some good records it will show a good and immersive feeling of being surrounded with good 3rd dimension.





Flat valve, red

Bass, fast, deep, apparently detailed, and transparency. Airy. Trebles is detailed. Though the nature of metallic nozzles and housing does generate metallic resonances.

Trebles boost valve, black

Bass is considerably pushed behind, and the trebles appears much more sharp, and metallic. The housing metallic resonances can be observe much better by using this valve. The bass is filtered out much more especially sub bass, and only mid bass will be much more revealing. It also appear metallic. Metallic overall signature is my feeling.

Bass boost valve, yellow

Sub bass is boosted much more, mid bass is boosted but not as much as sub bass. There are rumbles with sub bass which is noticeably observed. Mid and vocal still appear transparent neither too toward nor too recessed. Trebles is pushed behind, the extensions and details from trebles will be a little behind due to the overwhelming bass boost. There won't be so much metallic resonances that can be observed by using this valves. I do think people who love bass will love this valves.

V-shaped valve, green
Very similar to the flat valve with a little more sub bass with much obvious trebles boost in extensions and body overall. Vocal does stay considerably the same. Though the metallic resonances will be observed.

Bass bump valve, blue.
Also very similar to green and red valves. Sub bass is slightly boosted, mid bass is with a nice bump. Vocal is still transparent. Trebles is not too lacking behind, and neither too boosted which reduce the shrill and metallic housing resonance. This gives the trebles a nice hint of being detailed, representing and without too hot, sizzling or metallic. I do think this is my favorite valve over-all. It is more musical with a nice slam of deep bass, vocal stay similar and transparent, the trebles is still detailed, and present well with airy nature while not too much of the metallic shrill and resonances. It can be compared to ATH IM-04 in signature, but with better vocal and trebles appearances, also more slams.

Vocal boost valve, purple

It is not exactly vocal boost, but it rather decreases the bass a little while vocal stay the same throughout all valves. However trebles also got a boost. This is similar to the trebles boost valve (black). I put this on a side due to the metallic resonances.

String, brass, wind, piano instruments is with realistic and of good realistic tonality.

Fit: it is a little bulky, and a little heavy. Fitting is tricky due to the weight of the housing pulling down. I had to use the bigger tips than usual (large) and while having it just right in the canals with the housing body leans onto the ears lobe and a few adjustment and it is on well and nice. Due to this, torque does include "stay put rings" which will hold it in place better. However there is no indicators of how to use the rings. I found it fit the best for me with the larger tips and having the body housing lean onto the back of the ears (toward the back of the head). To secure it better, it could be wear around the ears, but the microphones will be right under and behind the ears :-/.

From the design of the box, the details, and the tips. I can see a lot of attentions, thoughts, and details after this product. The information that is needed are all printed around the box. It is very innovative to have the sound signature tunable by the customer. It has it pros and cons, and I think the pros is the innovative and tuning capability. The cons is the material to allow swapping in and out of nozzles for tuning, it has to be metal. The metal nozzles do create metallic resonances especially on valves that allow more trebles passage.







For my personal preferences of balanced, neutral, details, and organic taste, I do prefer the blue valves which is more musical, good bass slam, and good trebles details without the shrill and metallic resonance too much. According to torque, this valves will universally does well with many different genres and more balanced. It has 17 out of 24 rating, and the next up would be green valve of 15 out of 24 rating.

Be Advised that this review was observed during the ZX2 sound enhencement disabled. Please read on to find out more.




I have bought this ZX2 for about a year, and would like to share my experiences with everybody. I came to the audio world a long time ago by Sony Walkman tape, and now I am back to it as Sony had decided to comeback into the Walkman again . Zx2 is the current flagship from Sony. I had and always been chasing for the ultimate realistic and detailed experiences from my music collections. I enjoy variety of music as in instrumentals, classicals, jazz, pop, electric, soft rock....etc....only except hip-hop and hard metal rock.


The sound signature over all is warmer but balanced, musical, thicker tonal body, realistic feel of instruments tonal body, spacious, immersive, and beautiful. The best of all is the emotions that the notes carry with it across the whole spectrum. The playtime can last for days to me as I listen to music at the least 2 hours a day. You will also read that I keep mentioning the "Tonal body density". Because this is the best of ZX2 and as a music lover, whose quest is to look for realistic instrument playbacks and on a balanced flat scale, I love it ! It is totally phenomenal. The most obvious observation is the drum beats and the strings play , then brass and the rest


Soundstage: it is excellent, wide, good accuracy of instruments placement. There are some instances that I can feel the sound close in from the further left then gets behind me and fade away to the further right.

Sound field: immersive, it is just like surround sound but with more intimacy. It is like 360 sound field around me, totally projected me into the track. Sometimes I feel like myself being on the stage beside the singer, while hearing the singer clearly, all of the instruments are layered around me from the back to the side and in the front. The feeling is like I could turn head and see somebody is playing that guitar, or flute.


Bass: quality bass with the blend and balance of everything from sub bass, mid bass, and extension surprisingly together with the thick density of a tonality. This density of tonal body applied and presents well in all instruments and across the spectrums...everywhere, but mostly easily observed with drums hits and strings play. Yes, every players can play out quality, fast, balanced, detailed bass, but can it play this well in the tonal body density ? ZX2 is excellent in this department alone and is unique. This density get as phenomenal as that a power and weigh applied behind each beats and plays by the artist could be felt or observed. Ultimate and realistic instruments plays experiences.


Mid: beautifully blended, and balanced for the result of accurately and well presenting of instruments from various kind of the same category. It gets so accurate that the soundstage and 3rd dimensional of the player is breath taking and oh so addictive. Good senses of spaces, separations and placements are beautifully presented. The density is again in play here, very accurate density that in some songs when there is duets, and rare instant they do sync with each other very well and blended that without having the good density of the vocal body in each tone to be well played out....the audience gets confused easily as of who and which one is singing. Not with the ZX2, even each singer will carry their own distinctive vocal density within their voice, uniquely presented and can easily be picked a part. Especially the string instruments and it played behaviors. It never had been easier to pick apart the Violin, gourd, Guzheng, guitar, electric guitar. Every each of them carry a unique and distinctively differences within their tonal body and plays. Beautiful.

Highs: good clarity, good details, but thick and smooth which results into an intimacy and being loved feeling. It is not cold, thin, lonely or harsh feeling. It is a feeling of being loved, while each beats and tones are being played out very throughly and presenting. When was the last time you hear the differences of power applied and emotions behind each cymbals hits ? Like CCCCHHHHHIIIIITTTTT....ccchhhiiittt....ccchhhiiiittt.....CCCCCHHHHHIIIIITTTT. It will be uniquely be presenting here


The thick body density of the ZX2 is it forte, and due to this the ZX2 feels warmer, intimate, lushy, musical....and top of all being realistic. But due to this nature, any gears with warmer signature will bring in even more warmth and lush feeling. How would you like to enjoy your music ? Luckily I am easily forgiving, and sometime can even be very picky. I do enjoy both ways

Pairing with brighter gears for better details, and analytical feeling but yet smooth, soothing, and energetic. I picked MDR SA5000 modded it and I listen to it throughout the day for the best experiences of details and organic, realistic experiences
Pairing with MDR Z7 (warmer, lushy, wet by nature) during the night with a glass of wine or couple beers before going to bed to intimately feel being loved, soothed, relaxed, and get ready to bed...sometimes I even sleep with it in the bed for a short time but had to wake up to put it away.


After a year of ZX2 ownership, I have found something very interesting. Nothing is without flaws, and so is the ZX2. I thought the random bass distortion was the Sony weakness, and the weak and less trebles energetic ? Perhap it is in stock form, together with not so good seperation....there is a way to fix it and ultimately bring out the best of ZX2 . Please read in to find out more.

Sony nowadays in order to promote their marketing technologies, they would have to let common folks hear the changes and differences between each of their own sound enhencements such as Clear Audio Plus, DSEE HX, surround sound. They had to gimp down the overall quality by their native app "Sound adjustment" to allow these changes. Ironically the best tonal body density can only be carried out accurately and correctly by the Native Stock player app. Please click on the link below to find out more why, and why should you not disable it.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/742609/sony-nw-zx2-hi-end-dap/8295#post_12001421

The best way to enjoy ZX2 is with stock music app, but sound enhencement disabled, and with TRRS connection. Please do never tick the option of "Dynamic Normalizer" it will present even if sound adjustment app is disabled, and will heavily ruin the sound. When using ZX2 with the enhencement app there, even without using any option in it, the ZX2 capability is heavily reduced, especially the airy and the energy of the trebles end.

To the owners of ZX2. If you never had used TRRS connection, or disabled the sound adjustment app ? Please do so, and realize the unique and differences experiences the ZX2 can bring

I will post picture when I get home . Please enjoy, and pm any question you may have



Another found upgrade and solution to improve Zx2 performance even further

http://www.head-fi.org/t/742609/sony-nw-zx2-hi-end-dap/10140#post_12260275

I found these back in last year when I was on the funs of looking for good quality budget IEMS.  I was very impressed by these back then, and I put it away for a while.  Today, I got back to it, and I thought I better review it, and let more people know about it sound quality
 
Conclusion:  At sub 30$ with this much quality is un-beatable.  Especially in the sub-bass, vocal, trebles extensions, and in the mean while remain musical
 
Now onto the detailed review.  I use it with ZX2 and Ipad Air 2 today, and the following findings are what I have found.
 
Bass:  Tight bass, controlled, boomy/rumbles sub-bass when needed, tight/subtle bass when called for.
 
Vocal: Forward, clear and clean with good resolutions and clarity, somewhat sibilant but not at the level of harsh sibilant.  Some of the "sss,xxx,zzz" presents, but is at the acceptable level.  This clear vocal, forward, and good resolution leaves out enough room for trebles extensions.
 
Mid:  Forward, together with that great vocal, all the instruments in the mid spectrum are very well observable, alright layering, and of good placements.  Though some peaks within the Mid+vocal can produce the "some what acceptable sibilant" as said above.  The beautiful thing here is the layering and seperations.
 
Trebles:  Good extensions, and of good details, some cymbals and hit-hat hits show up and is observable
 
Soundstage:  about 6/10, it is not too crazy but for the price, it is acceptable and enjoyable
 
Sound field:  Mainly in the front, and not thing of "3rd" dimension.  More like Flat 2 dimensional plane (L-R) and make it feel like alternated volume adjustment on the mix rather than immersive.  But hey, it is sub 30$.  For this level of details, air, vocal, clarity.......it is worth it
 
Preferred Tips: Sony Hybrid, or anything silicones with thick bores.  It preserves the bass and the trebles very well.  Comply S400 will be most comfortable, some deep rumbles don't feel as strong, the some-what sibilant is also more acceptable
 
Fit:  It is so small, and so comfortable for a long wear.  Best to wear straight down.  Small cables and microphonic is not too annoying
 
Cons:  Hint of Metallic tint in it, which I think is preferable and favorable toward electronic, dance, modern pops.  Not so organic or realistic enough for classical, instruments, ballad in my opinion.  Some modern Ballad is also good with it due to the details retrieved, and the clear vocal.  Probably harsh toward Rock and Metal.
 
I rate it at 7/10 in over-all sound quality.  That means it is acceptable by me with years of listening, and taste toward more balanced, neutral kind of signature with good quality bass beats over-all.  It is not a bass-head level.  It is not sound-stage monster, realistic timbres or tonality balances, or immersive listening level, if these are your priority, well it is not it.  It is more flat, details, good controlled bass, good vocal, good trebles clarity.
 
Price/Quality ratio: A "must have" for whatever purpose of collecting a budget, on the go, disposable, gift.  It quality punches above it price for sure.  For example to compare it against my JVC-FX750.  It has more transparency, better vocal, better+tighter bass but lacks away from the trebles extensions, soundstage, sub-bass and 3rd dimensional.  750 is more V-shaped in comparision.  If someone love transparency, vocal, details, on a budget, this is recommended. 
 
Any questions please few free to ask, and I hope that I helped.  Thank you !

As a proud owner of NW-ZX2 with the capability of high-resolution music. It made so much senses to me to get a hold of a pair of headphones that has the largest widest frequency respond range 4-100khz MDR-Z7. The pricing and some negatives review on the Z7 almost hold me back from not buying it. Finally I pulled the trigger and straight imported from Japan. Thanks to Amazon and PremiumJapan. I am not regret one bit about this purchase of both devices ZX2 and Z7. Actually, I love it too much.

First impressions from the HP is that it is super wet, super smooth. Listen to it is like looking into the purest form of water in a pond, clear, transparent continuous, and even the lightest wind blow could causes some waves forms. This expression result into a very relaxed, enjoyable music environment. That is not all, when I got to the comfort zone of loudness, close my eyes, and I could tell there is instrument housing resonances within drum beats, cymbals hits, different cymbals sizes while the singer is right in the front, sometime slightly to the left or right, depend on the tracks. The placements are beautifully laid out, tonality is crazily accurate that I could tell there were two different sizes of guitars playing on the same chord with a slight offset of power and delay. While not being intrusive that offend your ears drums say being too harsh, thin, sharp, whatsoever.

When I pair it with iPad Air 2 I could get similar onto the loudness, but the sub bass was very weak, thin sounding throughout the whole spectrums. Tried it with RXV450 by aux in and headphone out....more textures, but similarly thin, and not punchy enough. It magic happens when pair alone with ZX2.

Finally, Sony listened and answered, a universal high-end HP that can be paired with any present devices regardless of output power. Z7 is rated by 2W and 70ohms. The Z7 is lightweight that I could wear for hours, lay on bed with a soft pillow, walk around with. It look great, sophisciated and expensive. It is also a semi open HP, which comes very handy. It attenuated some outside noises and allow a better listening experiences, pause your music and carry on a conversation. Turn it on and it doesn't leak sound too badly that my wife would kick my ass out of the bed.

Soundstage: very wide, airy, it is like listening to a live performance in a stadium. Together with the excellent placement of instruments and vocal. It brings the listening experience to another level as the best seat in the house.

Soundspace: there is a hint of the stage and music surrounding me but they mainly appears on and off the stage from left and right. It 3rd dimension is not too well perceived....this probably will be an improvement with upgraded cables ?

Tonality: excellent, the possibility to tell the differences cymbals sizes from the music, the drums, the guitars, and vivid placements. The density body is thick and fully reproduced, the energy flows within each tone body is vivid, continuous and well timed accurate decays. I would say it is very realistic for me listening straight out of ZX2.

Bass: not too boomy, but accurate, spacious, powerful mid bass punches, energetic rumbles, full textures and very defined. In some songs the bass may be slow to respond and express the separations between the sub bass and mid bass, sometimes a bit runny on deep and powerful bass. It is not like it is bad (probably lacking some space), but more like it has the potential to do so....again, Sony offer upgraded cables for a reason ? Who know, I am going to get my aftermarket cables soon, and will let you all know of the experiences. Over all, if your genres are Modern Pop, Ballads, Blues, Classical, I think you may enjoy this pair a lot as the bass is neither too much nor too lacking with dense body, and of good decays, I love it when listening to Pop and Ballads. Very relax and realistic.

Vocal: excellent, the details of the vocal is too defined. There are some songs with duet, the vocals between the apsingers may get confusing, but the Z7 definitely differentiate them no matter how confusing they get as the detail and energy of each singer vocal would be vividly presenting. The emotions of which the singer express could be beautifully expressed by Z7

Mid: Thick, detailed, spacious, transient details and sub dynamics are well presenting. Mid spectrum is beautiful, yeah. Just beautiful as all strings and instruments are so smooth and flowing with details. Very very realistic indeed.

Highs: detailed, good texture and tonality. It is neither too bright nor lacking, but rather very energetic. It appears to be very organic, full of energy as the density of a cymbal hit is fully presenting, it may get a little dark for some people who witness and know the true tonality of the cymbals hit, but it does not lack the texture or body, neither rolled off. Well decays. All I can say is that the highs are well presenting, warmer in expression but detailing, wet, and smooth. It neither too offensive, nor too colored, it gets realistic just a bit warmer and wetter, that is the best I can describe it.

Overall: it is very lushy, wet, smooth, fluid, detailing, realistic and musical. It is not the typical clinical or analytical pair of headphones, but rather musical, enjoyable, smooth, realistic, a high level of musical enjoyment perhap....and not high level of headphones monitoring....

In my personal opinion, it is a Jackpot. I am a fan of detailed, realistic, neutral sounding headphones warmer is better, as I enjoy mostly pop and ballads. I always want to hear the instrument vividly, be able to imagine it with emotion. Pairing with ZX2 was an excellent blind purchase made by me. The sound was jaw dropping and heart thumping that I can not stop listening. Thank you Sony! For both ZX2 as an excellent DAPs and Z7 as an excellent musically detailed headphones.

Design: Made in Japan!!! I am sick of made in China stuff....no really. Anyways, it look, feel like a Porsche. My wife say it is the LV of headphones . Not sure if she implys the cost or the design! Ears cups are universal and comfy. I just love this thing so much. The craftsmanship, where it made and design alone are worth the price I paid for. About sound quality! Wet! And lovely. As I said this for ZX2 "too cheap!!!" Price/performance ratio!

I love music, especially sound systems, and listening experiences and had been for 15+ years.  I am a fan of "Neutrality, Realistically, Details, Vocal."  
 
My source is NW-XZ2 and Lossless FLAC under various sample rates 16/44.1 or 16/96 only.  I never use MP3 on my ZX2, no need for it.
 
Coming from a fan of the TTPOD T2, just for the mere facts that it was different but was not lacking details.  I found myself enjoying it more than what I thought, so here I purchased the T2-E and knew exactly what I would get for my money.  I would even waste it if T2-E would turned out to be a disappointment, because T2 was just that good.
 
Anyways, here were some CONS from the T2:  Narrow sound stage may-be a bit congested, sub-bass lacked energy and textures due to the bass being too quick and short, bass body was pretty short, decay was short, and that it made the Bass Beats seem a bit out of phase compares to the rest of the spectrums, and also was not satisfying enough for some people.  But as an open minded person, I loved it as it was just a bit "Strange, and yet not lacking details"  The bass just appears "Metallic".  I was able to improve the bass here by reducing the sizes of the 2x Vents down. 
 
Here are the changes on the T2 "E": A tad more instrument layering and wider sound-stage in 2 dimensional field, with a touch of "Depth-Height" (3rd Dimension), Sub-bass is with more linear energy, with a nice touch of rumbles and well timed decay, the bass is now fully sync and in-phase with the rest of the spectrums.  The bass beats appear to be tight, detailed, sexy, addicting and no longer "Metallic" but rather more "Organic" when there is real "Drum beats" and more "Metallic" when there is only "Electric beats."  Yes, the tonality gets to that level of accuracy.
 
Now, moving on to the sound quality of T2-E
 
****Notice**** There seems to be a problem with displayed Value from the sites (Green bars).  Audio quality is 8.5/10 
 
Tips from my observations: Silicones, and Spiral dots retrieve the most details space and sound-stage, foams tips tamed down the highs a little bit.  I currently use Spiral dots tips and love it
 
Sound Quality
Highs:  Highs appears thinner, yet still airy, detailed, it get even more detailed than the T2 to the "Verge" of producing "Sibilant" but it doesn't.  It gets that interesting that I had goose bumps in some place awaiting for that "harsh sibilant" but it "never did."  So it turned to be a huge grin instead.  Highs now appears more "Metallic" than T2 as I think TTPOD listened to some "critics" for the T2 being too smooth and lushy on the "Highs" that it doesn't feel like "Balanced Amatures"  Here is their answer.  I am sure fan of trebles would love these, but if you are like me and expecting "Realistically cymbals hits ?" forget it, it hits, and it is defined, but "Metallic" in tones.  Do I like it ? Hell yes, the pure fact that T2-E get that enough details bit of "Cha-Cheng" and fully energize it without producing "Sibilant" ? That in itself is already an "Amazing feast"
 
Mids:  Fully out going and toward. I mainly listen to Pop, Ballad, Electric, Dance.  Most of the music comes from Mids and include that Vocal.  Mids is excellent, detailed, yet full body, airy.  Vocals and mid are that good.  Some people may like this if they want details and sexy vocal, and some may not as the Vocal appear too close and intimidating.  I love it as this is excellent for Pop, Jazz, Modern Pop, Ballad...
 
Bass:  Addicting textures, yet Hybrid sounds.  I clearly hear the rumbles and that organic timbres in some Pop song when that drum is playing, and I can pick the notes that were mixed into it in the Bass spectrum from "Electric keyboard"  Heck, it gets that accurate, and addicting.  Even though Sub-bass was much improved and energized, it was only a tad bit more noticeable than the T2.  It may appears lower in volumes, or overwhelmed by the Main body.  Mid-bass is very energetic, tight, fast with full body and textures.  Bass has good extensions and decays that it appears "realistic" when called upon, and "Electric" when needed.  Phase coherent with trebles is Excellent.  It reminds me of the high-end "Karaoke systems"  It is in no where a bass-head or a V-shaped pair.  It would fall in somewhere slightly Flat with a shy bit of "W" shaped kind ? 
 
Sounds signature: Transparency, a little on the bright side, still Flat with emphasize toward mid+vocal and almost perfect bass in tonality, decay, tone and accuracy.  Strings instruments are still sexy and excellent.  Winds instruments appear a little-bit more on the brighter side of tonality.  It is almost at the level of those High-End Karaoke systems! 
 
Wear-ability: Around the ears, or straight.  You can sleep with it around the ears.  It is similar to T2 and of the same design.  
 
Design: Same design as T2, Byrillium woofer with newer casing (8 vents on the casing)
 
Passive Isolation: Great 8/10
 
Conclusion:  For $89.99 as a triple drivers compares to others 3 drivers hybrids which fares around $180-350.  The T2-E is a worthy competition, and worth being checked out.  I love the comfort ability, details, bass beats, and also that Metallic cymbals notes here and there.  Especially that Vocals.  What I would love for it to improve ? Sub-bass needs more energy, and lower-highs also need that energy boost.  Thank you TTPOD though I never had the chance to listen to the T1, but now I am a fan of your Hybrid T2 and T2-E.  I hope you keep producing great sounding IEMS like these at an affordable prices.  If I lost this pair, I would 100% buy it again, and eagerly waiting for T2-Pro!
 
On a side note:  This is the first pair of IEMS that I found myself able to enjoy the feature so called "ClearAudio +" from ZX2.  If that matters to anyone.  

Design:  




The IM-04 is quiet bulky, but it is rounded off in the inner side, and with the short nozzles I have found no fitting issues whatsoever.  The body is shinny with pitch black color, and a gold logo of Audio Technica.  The shells are made of hard plastic, and of what kind of quality and durability is up to guesses, but I will have to go with "Japan made" and say that the quality and durability is more than just good.  The plastic catches minor scratches easily.  I would advise to not drag it a long any hard surfaces (any surfaces) at all....even if between themselves .  IM-04 comes with detachable cables (one of the main purchase point from me.)  I can switch the stock 3.5 cable to other cables with microphone, balanced, 1/4 plug...etc....you can imagine the uses of it.
 
Fitting:  Memories wires.  I found the best way to wear the memories wires is by stretching it out, having the right bud (L to the left, R to the right) on the side.  Using one finger and hold the ear bud in so that it doesn't move or fall out, then use another hand and slowly wrapping that stretched memories wires around your ears.  ***Becareful*** while molding and wrapping the wires around your ears, please do not be so rough on it, the cords and the plugs are made by plastic.....and that means you can easily crack them, or damage them by the use of "man handling, or strong armed"
 
            It just dropped right in, and that I only needed to do my "tip rolling" for the best seal and fit.  After around 20 minutes, I have found myself having to press the buds inside my ears more......it were falling out slowly. Then I found a head-fier fellow to suggest the adapter to extend the tips out a little.  I did just that, and voila....it has stopped falling out slowly.
 




*****Notice***** Being Balanced Armature units driven, the IM-04 is picky with tips and seals.  It really really need a good seal and tight fit to perform at it's best.  The stock silicone is sweet, the comply or foam tips will attenuate some of the sound performed.  Best is to be used with Silicone tips, and while pressing it, hooking it in, make sure that you feel the pressure built up in your canals.  Using silicone tips may be annoying if you are jogging or walking, the hollow air inside and the tight silicone walls hugging your ears canals wall = the best footstep microphonic......I said "footstep microphonic" because you can totally hear your steps, and....heartbeat.  Use Sony Hybrid tips for a better isolation and this microphonic filtered out some what.
 
Comfort-ability:  Very comfortable, I can hook it in, and enjoy music for hours and kind of forgot about wearing it.  The con is that I can not lay in bed with it and sleep with it....I have other pairs for this, and if you are curious ? FX-750 is for organic, warmer, relaxing music to sleep.....or TTPOD T2 for detailed, smallest volume of enjoyment to sleep.
 
 
I will be pairing this IM-04 with my Sony Walkman NW-ZX2 and listen to different genres of music with CD quality FLAC 16/44.1 and High-res of 24/96, no MP3 (lossy)
 
 
Sound : The sound is very smooth, musical, and a bit darker (warmer) than many would have expected.  Especially if you have jumped from it little brothers, the IM-01-02-03.  You would think that it is a different kind of creature .  I will cover this later.
 


**Noted** the warmth here I am talking about is the warmth if compared to Balanced armature nature only. It is not a generally warmth IEMS , but more like a detailed, relax, musical, and will expose the artist intentions very, very well.

Lows, if you ever thought that BA units will typically have faster, tighter, and not as tonality accurate when expressing drums hits, impacts and powers....well, prepare to be wrong.  The lows in IM04 is very dynamic.  It has the "boom" of the Dynamic drivers, and the "fast respond" of the BA units.  It will dive down...deep down, and will show no struggles.  It responds so fast and in some tracks, you may be able to find the subtle and transitional missing beats in some tracks compare to your favorite Dynamic IEMS (in my case, it is the FX750).  An example here would be if there is a "Ppahh Wwhhaacckk" you hear with IM04, with Dynamic driver I would hear "PhhhppWhaack"
 
The bass beats is so authentic, and the excellent uses of Two BA units dedicated to the "Low Spectrum" alone.  You will be able to enjoy different genres universally and equally very very well.  I am very surprised at the level of organic timbres and quality bass beats from classical and midi genres, and then playing some Dance, electrics genres, it can become fast responding + boomy together.  I think the "bass lover" will love this pair, and not necessarily "bass head."  If you love musical, warmer, fast, accurate, articulated, dive deep, and flying to the sky while keeping the bass body, texture, and vividly showing you the emotions of the lows spectrum, you will be addicted to the IM-04 lows and warm signature.  I found the tonality very natural and organic.
 
Mids, with the powerful and warmer lows, the mids are nowhere being veiled, the extensions, the air, the layer of each instruments are beautifully blended together in the mids spectrum.  The excellent extensions and the air allow the instruments to show itself more vivid and detailed.  Vocal is presented very well, neither too forward nor too far, just enough to allow you to pay attention to it, and have all of the instruments submerge you into the wide, vivid, accurate placement of the instruments
 
Highs, while having powerful lows with beautiful quality and mids spectrum not being affected by it, the highs spectrum is somewhat affected.  The highs spectrum appear to be warmer, the highs textures is smooth, sexy, lushy, but will not satisfy people who love highs spectrum, or music genres that mostly call upon highs, such as rocks, or metals.  It is a bit boring in away of not enough metallic tones, and too smooth of body textures.  But I know there will be people who appreciate this kind of highs as it will allow you to just enjoy music, and be relaxed.  I found it to be excellent with Ballad, Midi, Dance, Trances.  Now, don't mistake my expression here about the highs.  The highs here is just not bright enough for Rocks, and Metals addicts, but it is neither rolled off or lack of details or extension, or air....it is just....warmer.....to most people it should be just detailed, Sweet and lushy 
 
I do think the warmer highs and the powerful lows are what giving the pair the aspect of a musical, relaxing kind of sound signature.
 
Soundstage:  IM04 forte....Excellent !  The depth of field is represented beautifully when pair with ZX2 walkman, instruments placement is excellent.  The width is in the "large" scale....kind of like enjoying a live performance in a stadium when compare to my FX750.  The 750 appears to be "concert hall" in size.  Again, that 3rd dimension "Depth" is excellent.
 
Now here is the Bonus
 
Remember the first initial reason why I made the purchase toward IM-04 ? Detachable cable
 
I upgraded my cable to utilize NW-ZX2 TRRS plug (an additional Ground, and not circuitry balanced)  Sony stated that it improves the sound quality.....X_X this is where I am confused...is it the cable ? the TRRS with additional ground ? or both, but the upgraded sound quality is definitely there.
 
The cable I purchased was TRRS 3.5mm and 7N-OCC as in 99.99998% of Copper, and OCC = Ohno Continuous Casting (Ohno = the inventor name.)  I know it is confusing
 
The bass has become tighter, even faster....more articulate and no longer boomy, but very similar to IM03 lows.  The vocal became much more forward, the mids become brighter, highs becomes much brighter.  Remember where I said highs lover and or Rock/Metal genres addict will not too excited by IM-04 ? yeah ? Well they would be jumping up and down here as highs has become so annalytical and bright, very similar to IM03.  The amazing thing here that dropped my jaw, and almost made me yell "Audio Technica ! What the hell ?"  Yes, the bright signature, but not harsh, more metallic, but no sibilant, unless intended......seriously! What the hell ? Yes, it is that good.
 




Remember the sound stage being so wide ? and the depth was presented amazingly ? Yeah, it is more pronounced here, more vivid, more depth.  Probably by cleaning up that boomy bass a bit and tightened it down more
 
Conclusion, for IM04 to be totally transformed from a warmer, more relax, with lushy highs to turn into more articulated bass and annalytical highs with the touch of metallic tones here is a wonderful experience by itself.  The awesome thing is that while being brighter with the uses of BA units, there are no sibilant  Rock away !!!!!  Two different sound signatures (Stock form = musical, soulful, lushy vocal, warmer and relaxing VS upgraded quality cable for bighter, cleaner, clearer, more annalytical kind of like the IM03) by simply switching the cables.  The IM-04 is worthy of being the Flagship IEMS in the IM series from Audio Technica.  I love it ATH!!
 
*****As always***** please make sure that you tested the pair out before you make your decisive decision to purchase it.  My taste, ears, sources are different than your.  I hope you enjoyed the review, and that I have helped.
 
Thank you for reading

Hello there.

I purchased this amazing cable while I was seeking for an upgrade to my ATH IM04. This cable of mine is specifically made for Balanced 3.5mm plug to ATH IM04.

Ranko acoustic is a company founded by the Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese experts with the goal to aim for higher quality cable at more affordable pricing. They even research and sell part so you can do it yourself. They also sell IEMS. Please see the website.

http://www.rankoaudio.com/index.htm

This cable version is the DIY version made by an ebay seller.

Tygamehk09

He uses the quality parts from Ranko Acoustic and specially made it to order as I wanted it. I requested him to made it for Sony NW-ZX2, and here we go.

Look: I think it look amazing, and not cheap. Simply quality clear plastic to cover that deep dark red copper color ? Sure



Technology: 7N-OCC or 99.99998% pure copper and oxygen free. Then jacketed with Teflon, this material is known for durability and it electric negativity, high heat resistance, and hence can provide shielding of electrical interferences as well.
The cable is 4 wires with 2 splits to each channel L, R.




Fit: it has clear plastic which was curved, and molded as a hook shape. This helps the wires stay around your ears, and doesn't bother as much as memory wires. I think it is awesome. It also has a clear slider guide to fit better







Comfort ability: it is stiff, strong, Microphonic is carried upto the earphones especially when you put it in the canals. The strong body and stiff shells will kinda make you struggle a little bit to find the comfort zone.....but as the saying "compromise one, to gain another" the stiff wire will never get tangled, neither does it really self coiling itself. I found it is edging at the line between comfortable and durable together.



Sound improvements: when pairing with ZX2, and the fact that it utilize the ZX2 hybrid balanced out, the sound quality does improve exactly the same way of pure and quality copper would sound like.....balanced with good highs, lows, and warmer. I meant warmer in here as the details reveal more, and no sibilance produced....don't mistake my intentions to say that it makes im04 sounds warmer. It actually make im04 sound clearer, more clean, more details, more transparency....etc...but it will be in another topic.



When used it on Im04 and ZX2, the sound really came out as balanced lows, and highs was toned down a little bit mean while mid and vocals were pushed forward. It resulted in mind staggering details revealing level. I can clearly hear the most subtle effects, extensions of notes and instruments. It had improved the transient details....I said that in the mean of something that can only be observed with quality gears. This is the Lower-low, Higher-lows, Lower-mids, higher-mids, lower-highs, and Higher-highs.

I see more than often people would reviews and categorize only three spectrums of lows, mids, highs, and vocals. Some people will call lower-mids as Mids extensions, and higher-mids as decay. I view it as lower-mids and higher mids, while it only exist and last for a super short time, it does effect the sounds, and this is the part most lossy codec will cut off to compress the tracks. I call it the transient spectrums. When the Transient spectrums reveal itself, smooth, and airy, then you know that you have had in your hand good gears.

I know for the fact that ZX2 is an excellent DAP at an affordable price, also IM04 is the top dog of a long branded Japanese headphone, after seeing the transient spectrums become more revealing with the upgraded cable , I have to admit that I have in hand a good quality of gear....the cable.

Price: this is amazing, I got it for less than $100... Where as it could easily cost me 200-300$ if I was to order it elsewhere or even more than that.

The seller was English fluently over the mail, messages, with good knowledges of acoustic and audio cables, probably an enthusiast as well. He shipped it super fast as it only take one day to make, and one week from HK all the way to my hand in the US. He also make silver cables, with different plugs as you order.

I hope you enjoyed my reviews and find it helpful.

Thanks

About me: I am not an audiology, sound expert or anything professional about audio of short. I am simply just a consumer with a lot of love for musics for years....I purchased this pair, and Would love to share my feelings about these. Pardon my English as well. I will do my best.

Method: purchased, based on other impressions and will keep for a long time.....I love the realistical timbres, and natural tones

Packaging:





As you can see, it arrives in a neat, and small box, the best thing here is the included small carry case with magnet snap, molded foams, and faux leather. I love this case, you will really need it. The pair is a little bit on weighty side, you can feel it weight compare to many other IEMS, and you would like to becareful in handling them, because the Rose gold brass Rear vents are very very soft, and can be easily scratched and indented

It will come in with 2 pairs of soft foam eartips (not comply) and 3 pairs of Spiral dots tips, a shirt clip, and a shirt bottoms ties (never used these)




Comfort-ability:

Very good if wear around the ears, can be used while in bed and lay on the sides to sleep with .
The wires are very soft, the shells body is at good length and sizes, the connecting cords are small, and non detachable, which allows lying on the side possible in bed
While wearing it around the ears, it would also reduce Microphonic and support some of it weight. The best way to wear these.



You can also wear these straight down, and rarely have any Microphonic, while the body will protrude outward, and the weight will pull onto it....I don't feel comfortable with it this way.

Best be used with Stock Spiral Dots Tips.....as I tried Comply, Sony Hybrid.....etc....again, please do tip rolls to choose the best one for your ears and taste. Everybody is different

Isolation:

So so, I can still speak with others while having it hooked in...sound leak is minimal....unless you are blasting super loud in a library or at 12:00 am with people around you

Sound:

I pair these with Sony ZX2, and listen to FLAC 16/44.1 (cd quality rips) 24/96 (high res rip)



Lows: fx750 forte, excellent tonality, impact power, natural and realistical timbres

The best bass body, impacts, speed, and quality I have came across. It reaches super low on sub-bass with the clear texture and power, which I rarely see from IEMS. The sub-bass rumbles you can feel upon your eardrums, the power is impactful that you can feel the "Twack" the "Wack" and the "Wamp". The mid-bass, and the low-mid notes are all powerful and will stimulate your eardrums with good speed, quality and quantity.

The bass decays is long, boomy, extend pretty well, dive deep and fly highs....very airy. Bass lovers, not necessarily bass head, will love the fx750. You will not find any single mistep on bass in various genres

Also, due to this bass with it long extensions and decays, it make the pair a little warm and bassy. The power and impact of the bass may veile up the higher-mid and lower-mid details some what....if you are details seeking folks, you may itch for more, just like me.....now this area could be solved by the uses of NW-ZX2 Equalizer as shown below



You can see that I turned down the overall bass to reduce the boom, and the decays, extensions from the low spectrum a little bit, and while boosting that lower-mid and mid a little bit. I was able to achieve the level of warm and natural bass with good quality, realistical timbres, and balanced out the lower-mids, which in turn yield for more higher-mid and highs to come out and dancing around more.

Again, the pair is very sensitive, and very capable, it will just take the equalizer without any strugglings.

Mid: the warm signature which inherited from the powerful and excellent bass respond veile up the low-mid somewhat

Lower-mid while having that thin veil in the front of it, it still comes out and play. Despite having the cons of being slightly vieled up here, the pros of it is that any string and wood instruments will feel very very authentic and realistic as it has the warm extensions here. Excellent for classics. I guess as it is warm and slightly veiled up here, the vocals appears a little bit further away, and together with subtle details is a little further away, which will help the depths of the soundstage. It is excellent for people who love relax and warm sounding. Don't mistaken my intentions here, in no way the mids is lacking, it is just slightly further away as it is weaker than that powerful bass in power.

Mid: full body, will dive down, and reach high also, very airy, but again.....a little bit further away, which makes piano and organ or electric guitars or electric warmer, but still revealing, and details are defintely there. You can't miss it. It is very satisfying for people with taste for warm and musical taste with some emphasizes on the bass.

Again, the excellent forte here in the mid is that guitar, strings and wood instruments is so lively....imagine you are listening to a violinist with that vintage box speaker live!

Due to this warm, speed, and timbres, listening to rock will be a little slow, and somewhat boring ......until here, I guess you know what this 750 feel like already ?

Highs: 750 forte...

It has excellent extensions and detailed lower-high, no roll off, full body, impactful.....a cymbal hits can not be anymore realistic...and interesting....you can hear the full body.....but still warm....and some sub-details may be veiled up....again, nothing with a little EQ can not solve. It take EQ very well. With the EQ slightly adjusted as I mentioned above, sub-details of the hand cymbals hits will reveal, the kick drum cymbals will show itself, and some of those winds effects will just show up beautifully.

The FX-750 has good details and virtually no sibilances while retrieving those highs notes very very well......especially flutes!

Soundstage: pairing with NW-ZX2 give it a little wider soundstage than normal, instruments layers are great, pinpoint accuracy is great !

Conclusion: for around 200$ to have this soundstage, warmer and relaxing musical pair ? Also very realistic. It is excellent for the price, I can not find another one at this price range for the realistic timbres. The cheaper price point would be either ATH IM-50 or IM70, but the bass, mid, high details won't be as good as 750, and also won't be as realistic . This is when I say you get what you pay for.....excellent for pops, midi, classics, ballad.....great for dance.....good for trances, electric.....acceptable for rocks, and ....not mucsh for metals

***Disclaimer*** please take my reviews and impressions as an idea only, as my taste, sources, point of view may be different than your. I am still improving my English vocabulary on Audio Terminologies, please PM for any question, regarding the reviews and FX750.

Thank you for your time