Futuresonics Atrio M5 - Page 4

Yeah, I understand how that could be odd in regards to the K81DJs but I'll clarify a couple of things. As mentioned they are recabled but not with the typical Mogami mini mic cable or Starquad et al. I had a spare pair of Headphile cables which are worth more than the DJs themselves. These are very high quality cables and really make quite a difference.

The other thing though - I think the DJs matched pretty well with the music I listened to - rock and blues for the comparison. I know the DJs don't handle classical very well which the M5s do. The M5s are more versatile then the DJs.

Hope that helps.

On the review here, in terms of "Build & Fit Quality," the reviewer (also a member here, so chime in if you have an answer) writes, "Also, there's memory wire coming out of the actual earpieces, allowing you to quickly go from under- to over-the-ear fit."

I might be reading it wrong, but it seems the reviewer is saying that the memory wire makes it easier to put them over-the-ear? Already hearing one member cut the memory wire off and another seriously considering it, what exactly does this statement mean then?

Personally, that statement doesn't make much sense to me. It took me several attempts through trial and error to get the bend of the memory wire to follow the contour of my ear for over the ear routing. But if I switched to wearing the M5s the other way I would definitely reshape it since there would be an unnecessary curve from the memory wire and it would cause the wire to have a sharp bend from the end of the memory wire.

One other thing: Wearing the M5s with the cord hanging down caused the memory wire to rub against the bottom part of my jaw causing tons of microphonics (I have a close cropped beard).

Congratz on your purchase, I'll be looking forward to your impressions on these (especially against the PK2).

Go Trojans!

An update:

I was laying awake around 3:30 this morning (just gotta love insomnia ) and I decided to try and queue up one of my favorite electronic downtempo CDs to fall asleep to. So I insert my M5s and start things up on my tiny Cowon F2 DAP. What preceded to happen was the exact opposite of my intention. It seemed to me that the M5s had opened up and gained a bit of soundstage and resolve in its sound sig. (Yes, I had listened to this CD before with the M5s.) I ended up listening to just about the whole CD before queuing up Peter Gabriel's Signal to Noise. I was blown away. I almost got up to compare them to my DT990s but it was getting close to 4:30 so I forced myself to put them away and try and get some shut-eye.

Well, I've just compared one of the songs from that same electronic CD and some Mozart between the M5s and my DT990s. There is one part of the electronic song where the soundstage goes from about 180 degrees to, say, 70 degrees - imagine a fan being closed part way. On my Beyers, the effect is clear. On the M5s it is more like the soundstage being pulled in rather than fanning closed but I could hear the difference. Now I don't know how many hours I have on my M5s. I've never really kept track of that kind of thing but these things have gained some openness and just continue to sound terrific.

By the way, the Beyers are better in all aspects - more control across the sound spectrum, better instrument separation, detail and reach higher. The differences are a bit more than subtle but comparing the two has reaffirmed to me how good these IEMs are.

Here's hoping Peter gets his soon. I look forward to hearing more opinions!

whats this custom mold kit? do you have a linky? i am VERY interested in this!

Here ya go: http://www.podfitkit.com/

Hey Warrior,
Based on your review, I should have a pair soon.

Well then - I guess you better like them!

PHEW!

I managed to sneak in right at the end of the pre-release promotion! I was trying to order right when they were modifying the order page! Yikes!

In honor of my birthday tomorrow, I was given most of the cost of the pre-release price from my mother-in-law (the sweetest woman EVER) specifically to apply towards the cost of the Atrio, since it was the one "thing" I'd mentioned wanting when my wife asked. So I suspect I'll have a pair by the end of the week. *blink* It actually happens at a nice time, in that I've started going to the gym and can use the EM3 there, while using the Atrio at work. NICE!

Now to start saving money for a good flash-based player that would sound great with the EM3 plugged straight into it so I don't have to bring the hip-tumor-looking H120->Tomahawk combo to the gym. Heheh.

Impressions on the Atrio m5 vs. the EM3 will come after they arrive, and updates to follow after burn-in. Eeeexcellent!

Aww, I was just getting into the idea of getting myself a pair of these when the pre-release price was wiped off the site

I might still get them instead of the UM2s, but the only issue I have is the build quality. I find that most IEMs/earbuds have the wires separate from the bud first before any other issues happen, and from the pics provided, it seems like the wires are sorta thin and weak looking.

Any pictures or comments on that to ease my fears?

Thanks to this thread, and my apparently weak will, I have purchased a pair of the M5s, too. I'd been toying with the idea of getting the HD-25s for my portable rig, but after reading warrior05's impressions of the Atrio, I couldn't resist. Sigh.

I bought them on eBay, so I am a bit worried, but the seller has excellent feedback, and I got them for a great price, so I am hopeful that the transaction will go well.

Holly

i couldn't resist these today. Just placed my order with hand held audio UK, atm they are actually cheaper than getting the m5's from future sonics (£94 ~ $188) as they probably still selling the pre release packages. Going to collect them on Thursday.
now i just have to try and stay off this forum before i fork out on amps! lol.

Aha! More members of Team M5! Looking forward to reactions. Still loving mine but I really need to get moving on getting their SofterWear custom tips. I just don't like to deal with foamies. Though I am thinking of trying out the new black ones from Shure.