My 2X-S are about 4.5 years old and still going strong. They've taken a fair amount of abuse from being repeatedly wound and tossed in a computer case, seldom cleaned (clean ears though), and even had a 1" section of the cord burnt to a crisp due a candle accident (I retwisted and resoldered).

Even after being knocked around, they still fit and sound exceptionally good; remain amongst the most balanced and neutral headphones I've ever owned. Have been listening with them at work a good part of the day using the excellent Pico, DAC'd to laptop with foobar and lossless.

I understand that some builds have not been as reliable, but still wanted to weigh in with my experience. I remain a happy camper.

Yeah, I think the 2x-s don't get enough love on this forum. They really are exceptional iems.

I'd love to hear a head-head comparison from more folks that have these and the ES3X from Westone, or the new buzz-phone, the JH13 Pro's from JH Audio.

The musicians and engineers I work with all swear by the sensa's and Westone house signature. I'd like to hear more about how these new competitors stack up with the golden oldies like the ES2 and the 2X-S.

I've been extremely happy mixing with my 2X-S, and using them as monitors on stage, as well as personal listening.

Do any of you 2X-S owners have any comments on portable amp synergy? I'm looking to buy a DAC/AMP portable solution for the first time, to carry with my MacBook Pro and my 5.5g iPod.

The list right now:

Pico
iBasso D10 (i like the optical capability)
Predator
Corda 3MOVE
Mini 3

Thoughts are welcomed!

Mine sounded good with the pico I used to have. They also sound quite goo straight out of my iPhone 3gs.

i really hate to mention it, but the sensaphonics 2x-s is rapidly becoming my favourite custom. i have a few including the jh13pro.

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Since I just placed my order for my JH13's, I'm not happy to hear this! Could you tell me what you like about the 2x-s over the jh13's?

i will admit the jh13pro is more detailed and for a variety of music, the better phone, but i am an active person. i use iems for bicycling, sports and travelling - what i want is an iem that is worry free. i know the sensaphonics isn't perfect, but it cable design inspires so much more confidence than the jh13pro which just sits on the outside of the monitor without even a recessed shelf to hold it in place - something which makes me keep it for use as a home monitor only.

the memory wire too, is not comfortable.

sound wise, sure, it is great, but so too is the 2x-s. they are different. the 2x-s is more relaxed which is probably due to its softer sound canals more than anything else. the softer material too, due to stretching, fits my ear canals much better. both phones are fit rather well though my ear canals are very hard to get right.

i have an expressive face which moves - especially my ears. of all my hard acrylic customs which fit perfectly, none of them can withstand my face moving too much (and it does). my ears move at the slightest of mood changes!

both are great ear monitors, but i may actually prefer the 2x-s as a usable monitor and for sound, i'm sure the jh13pro is better, but it isn't dire.

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Thanks for the response. I'm sure I will continue to use my 2x-s' especially in noisy environments. The huge attenuation on the sensaphonics makes them a better choice on the train and airplane.

will

i suggest however that you hold onto placebo for as much worth as it is so that the new phones really beat out the 2x-s.

Glad to hear you like them so well.

They certainly are the "sleeper" flagship IEM here on Head-Fi, though they used to be in the forefront.

even if their sound was exactly the same, their internals being endowed with say... 4 drivers would make them up on the top. as much as we say we are not up for marketing and we hate those companies like apple, bose, skull candy etc who are popular because of marketing, we are so susceptible to it.

the 2x-s is a very, very good sounding earphone which as 2 drivers.

But, Sensaphonics is open about their lack of interest in advertising based on those merits... More drivers doesn't automatically mean a better phone. They don't go after the audiophile market, pretty much at all. That, and some strange rumors about the product being changed over the years has led to a decline in their visibility, and popularity. When I got mine, lindrone's review was what sent me in the 2X-S direction over the Westone's and UE's.

The only thing I could ask for regarding the 2X-S signature would be slightly more extension in both directions. I can get tones up to 17 kHz without any artificial boosting, and down to about 17 Hz with the same criteria. If it could hit 10-15 Hz, and extend to closer to 20 kHz, it'd be the perfect phone in my book. But even that is nit picking.

As a musician, using these as monitors for guitar/vocals... Their mids are unmatched to anything I have ever used for reference. The SE530's are not even worth mentioning in my eyes (or ears). These hit that critical frequency range so well.

I'm still very interested in hearing the ES3x and the JH13 Pro. But that said, I doubt they'd be as comfortable, or a vast improvement (if any). For my needs, the 2X-S nail it. And they sound good for personal listening, to boot.

I sound like such a fan boy, but I've gotten renewed appreciation and vigor for these phones since I got them back. I went almost a year without using them for casual listening, due to a driver failure in one ear. I used them for monitoring situations, still, and got by. But now that they're back, it's like I forgot what I had till it was gone.

Just ordered some 2X-S today. Love the massive attenuation and soft silicone which should be much better for exercising.

I have the JH13Pro also and while they are very nice sounding, the 2X-s is easier to use for a variety of things. it also sounds very nice. the anchored cable alone is great, though if it broke, I am unsure of what to do.