[REVIEW] 18 IEM reviewed and compared!!! (Final update NOV 2, 08) - Page 13

Actually, for the same volume setting on my iriver clix2, SA6 sounds louder than Atrio M5.

I have put about 200~250hrs on my EX700 now, and observe no obvious change in sound signature roughly after 150hrs. Unless there is some magic about the number 300, I doubt it will suddenly decide to reduce 10dB over the 6~8kHz region. Even if it does, it will probably only going to move up one ladder and beat the SA6 in SQ, but not likely the amped RE1.

Also, I do not use my clix2 for reviewing purpose. Clix2 is my main player, but the whole review is conducted using Sony D-EJ1000's line-out -> Practical Device XM3 (AD8620) -> IEM. Once I received my pre-order 3Move, I will likely use it to replace XM3, if it prove to be much better sounding.


I agree that for SQ alone, TF10 and SE530 is very close and difficult to judge. However, the main factor that I rank TF10 higher than SE530 is because my own reaction to which when I use both in separate occasion.

Sometime when the music is right, TF10 can sound amazingly good in my ears and makes me feel like submerging in the music itself. On most other time, TF10 still sounds very good. Even if the music is not that suitable for TF10, it will still sound good enough. On the other hand, SE530 sounds very good with almost all kind of music, but never it once allows me to get the same feeling I have with TF10 - the amazing moment when the whole world is filled with music. That is the reason I described SE530 as 'conservative' in my review, for its inability to deliver the very best of music experience to me. Of course, YMMV.

I hope this make sense to why TF10 is ranked higher.

Actually, AD8620 is the best pairing opamp with the XM3, for what I know. I have even compare my AD8620 XM3 with Pico. While Pico does sound better, it didn't impress me in comparison of the price/performance ratio of my XM3. As least to my ear, my XM3 is well balanced, though it is not the best. Of course, my use of EX700 doesn't limited to the review rig. I have try them on my PC (via DAC+AMP), different amps, DAPs, as well as the headphone-out of the D-EJ1000, and I don't think my opinion will change based on those experience.

I understand. Synergy is indeed a complex issue on any kind of review. In this point of time, I think playing with various amps + source to find the best synergy for each IEM is probably out of my lead, thus I will stick to standard I familiar the most. If you are interest in IEM synergy with amp, Larry (HeadphoneAddict) has a rather interest thread about this issue.

Thanks, but you do realize that I am living almost close to the other side of the world from Florida?

There was a local store who imports SHE9850 from Philips, but after the first batch they decided it doesn't worth the price (they are audiophile store and don't want their customer complaint for overpriced product) and stop selling it. It is not likely to find another store to carry them. As of Panasonic, it have to wait for the local Panny office to decide...

Me too!