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Impressions of the Ortofon e-Q7 versus the IE8, CK100, SE530, FX500 and X10 (plus CK10 discussion... - Page 11

post #151 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
Me thinks you don't have a great seal. These things are very small and I need foam tips to get a good seal (the Ety mushrooms). Without the seal, they do seem bass lite, but with the seal they are fine.
Nope. It's nothing to do with the seal. I have a perfectly good seal. If I didn't, it wouldn't be only the bass that was affected.


Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
]And I have listened with the Hell Freezes Over version of Hotel CA.
Nice. And? What did you make of the kick drum?
Whereabouts in the mix did you hear it, and did you see the concert by any chance?


Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
As far as bass impact vs. the PFE, I would say they are slightly less than the PFE with the black filter
Yep.

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
and way more than with the grey filter.
Nope. Not way more to me. If it was way more, then the PFE would have had to have had minus bass! But then, we used different sources with the PFE so that would have made a difference.


Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
But the rest of the spectrum is just beautiful
Yep.
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post #152 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tstarn06 View Post
Not to worry. But you are saying the CK10 "isn't" a good IEM for those who like treble? Confused.

See my comments above. I guess one person's "bass lite" is another person's "balanced" is all. Yes, the CK10s are not an overpowering bass IEM. Agree. But some folks who have them (AudioDwebe, Joker, and recently, Average_Joe) say they are fine for bass without EQ.

Also, I believe the mids and treble are mixed very well via the CK10s, which are not just a "treble" IEM. Smooth, clean, clear ... all traits I covet in an IEM, with the ability to EQ bass if needed, LOL.

Since this is a comparison thread, I can't speak about the Ortofon's, but I guess at $199 vs. $329, I am sticking with the CK10s. I may revisit the idea of selling off my TF10 customs (plenty of interest), but that's not enough to fund the Ortofons. I may just use the money to buy an Arrow amp, not sure, since I have a Fuze 2GB on the way ($27 on Woot) and an LOD for it (to play flac).

The Ortofons are tempting, no doubt. But not right now.
No, I'm saying it may not be a good earphone for someone who doesn't like treble-heavy IEMs. Sorry for the confusion. In other words, treble is my last concern in the sound spectrum. I want to hear highs, but I'm more interested in the bass and mids. An earphone that focus too much on treble is not for me. That's all I was trying to say.
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post #153 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:22pm
Understood now. I guess I just would not call the CK10s "treble heavy" at all. I would call the PFEs with gray filter "treble heavy." CK10 mids and highs are both detailed, clear and pretty much on the same level to me. As for the bass, I think both POVs are represented hereabouts.
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post #154 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soozieq View Post
Nope. It's nothing to do with the seal. I have a perfectly good seal. If I didn't, it wouldn't be only the bass that was affected.
How you are describing the sound is how they sounded to me with the triple flange tips cut down to double flange. The rest of the spectrum sounded exactly as it does now, but now I have good, respectable bass. I guess you can come to your conclusion, and I will come to mine, but I disagree with "it wouldn't be only the bass that was affected."

Quote:
Nice. And? What did you make of the kick drum?
Whereabouts in the mix did you hear it, and did you see the concert by any chance?
I did not go to the concert, but I have heard that song literally over 100 times, as it is one of my first test tracks for all my headphone listening. And I A/B with it and listen to it over and over. The kick drum, while not as boomy as the IE8 for example, but still has weight and reverb. I would say it is close to the TF10 deep bass. Not exactly there, but close. And this is with no EQ.

Quote:
Nope. Not way more to me. If it was way more, then the PFE would have had to have had minus bass! But then, we used different sources with the PFE so that would have made a difference.
Doesn't matter the source, the CK10 has nice bass to me. Fuze, AMP3, my sound card, etc. I will be using it with a Shadow soon and possibly an Arrow (and Pico Slim whenever I actually get one), but surprisingly good from the HPO of my my DAPs. Again, I believe your experience is due to the seal. The shape of the IEM makes it hard for me to get it deep enough to get a good seal with any tips other than the foam tips.

Yep.[/QUOTE]

And Hotel CA sounds spectacular with the CK10, especially the way it is presented IMO. Definitely on par quality wise with the IE8, but extremely different presentation.
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post #155 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:26pm
Sooz,how do they compare to the fx500 or ie8 if you can remember?thx.
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post #156 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp10 View Post
Well, any initial thoughts on the Sonias? Curious again... lol
Initial thoughts, like their siblings (the N1) the Sonias are very good. I suppose both use the same drivers. Bass is again too much from a flat source, but they respond well to EQ. Alumi(ni)um housing makes them a bit brighter while the wooden N1 are smoother. Both have incredible extension and detail for the price. I mean there's so much buzz here about the budget Cyclones and those €15 Playaz surpass both the PR1 Pros and PR2 with ease. But enough OT rambling in my own thread. They'll have their own place soon...
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post #157 of 878
2/6/10 at 3:47pm
You've heard the PR1 Pro and the Playaz N1 outperforms them with ease? I am not really interested in the PR2 Pro at all, too bassy from what I have read. Sorry to go OT, but just following your thought on it.
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post #158 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
I guess you can come to your conclusion, and I will come to mine,
but I disagree with "it wouldn't be only the bass that was affected."
So, just to clarify - are you saying that a bad seal would allow the mids and treble to come through in their full glory while only reducing bass quantity? Makes no sense to me. If I've had a bad seal with other phones, everything is affected, not just the bass. A bad seal is a bad seal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
The kick drum, while not as boomy as the IE8 for example, but still has weight and reverb. I would say it is close to the TF10 deep bass. Not exactly there, but close. And this is with no EQ.
Interesting, since I would never in a kazillion years say the bass is even close to the TF10. I had no reason to EQ the TF10's at all. But Clear Bass +2 with the CK10's brings it a lot closer.
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post #159 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soozieq View Post
So, just to clarify - are you saying that a bad seal would allow the mids and treble to come through in their full glory while only reducing bass quantity? Makes no sense to me. If I've had a bad seal with other phones, everything is affected, not just the bass. A bad seal is a bad seal.
That is my experience with these IEMs. I did think I had a good seal with the triple flange cut to a double, but in actuality I did not. The reason I switched was because of the reports that there is bass! Low and behold, I found it! Now, with the IE8 for example, many people like a loose fit that doesn't have the best seal, which I have tried, and the mids and treble still come through about the same to me. I would say try some tips that extend deeper into your ears like the triple flange tips that are not cut down. I have T-500s in and they are't as good as the mushrooms, more than likely because they don't insert as deep into my ears.

Quote:
Interesting, since I would never in a kazillion years say the bass is even close to the TF10. I had no reason to EQ the TF10's at all. But Clear Bass +2 with the CK10's brings it a lot closer.
That is why I am thinking you don't have the best possible seal like I have found with the Ety mushrooms. The bass is presented very differently, as the TF10 has much more warmth and in comparison to the mids, the TF10 is very prominent. On the CK10 there is a better balance between the bass and mids, but the bass is there and the deeper bass is close, maybe 1 clear bass tick away from the CK10 being about equal to the TF10 (I have to guess on the clear bass setting). Mid bass the CK10 doesn't come close to the hump! I am saying I think the CK10 bass is respectable!
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post #160 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:21pm
Ok, I am comparing my RE0 and e-Q7 right now and I guess that this is just one of those days when I just can't get the e-Q7 to fit properly into my ears. RE0 just sounds more natural to me - it just has much better separation and treble. That being said, if I don't insert the e-Q7 all the way into my ears, but just press it gently against the entrance to the ear canal, they again trump the RE0. Separation and treble are still better on the RE0 - that's for sure. But e-Q7 just sounds much richer and has a lot more micro-detial and micro dynamics than RE0. Once I insert e-Q7 all the way in, the treble dies unfortunately and the sound becomes dull and boring.

I have a feeling that after all, I will sell the e-Q7 eventually... and I'll try the RE252 instead, especially thanks to this review. I picture RE0 with even more detailed and natural treble, much more detail in the midrange and nice tight, punchy bass... mmm... so sweet. But again, fit may be a problem for me with the RE252s... hmmm....
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post #161 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:22pm
How's the bass quality on the CK10s though, soozieq?
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post #162 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:36pm
I'm really interested in those little CK 10's . I think they might be a great back up to my denon C 710. I'm just really wondering how the bass is ? I don't mind using clear bass on my S639 . I'm more interested in the quality then the quantity like pianist so how bout it Julie

TS, interesting that you say they're very balanced . Wouldnt eq'ing them to add bass change the balance you like so much ?

Just curious . I mean I had add eq for the PFE and I'm definity not a purest, but the less I have to add the better
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post #163 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post
Now, with the IE8 for example, many people like a loose fit that doesn't have the best seal, which I have tried, and the mids and treble still come through about the same to me.
Yes. I drew the same conclusions and posted about that in the IE8 thread over a year ago. But the difference is that the IE8 aren't designed to sit so deep in your ears anyway, and forcing them in just exaggerated the bass and made the mids too hot for me! The IE8 is the only phone I owned that actually required a looser seal to sound more balanced, so perhaps that phone is just an exception? It's certainly not the norm to need a looser seal in my experience.

The CK10 are designed to sit deeper than the IE8, I mean, just look at the size difference. As for tips, the CK10 stock ones are horrible. I've been through all my tips and settled for the Sony hybrids for the moment. I did like the UE tips, but didn't realise how loose they were till I found one hanging around on the stairs

I'm not done with tips yet though. I need to see what else fits and buy some more.
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post #164 of 878
2/6/10 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soozieq View Post
Yes. I drew the same conclusions and posted about that in the IE8 thread over a year ago. But the difference is that the IE8 aren't designed to sit so deep in your ears anyway, and forcing them in just exaggerated the bass and made the mids too hot for me! The IE8 is the only phone I owned that actually required a looser seal to sound more balanced, so perhaps that phone is just an exception? It's certainly not the norm to need a looser seal in my experience.

The CK10 are designed to sit deeper than the IE8, I mean, just look at the size difference. As for tips, the CK10 stock ones are horrible. I've been through all my tips and settled for the Sony hybrids for the moment. I did like the UE tips, but didn't realise how loose they were till I found one hanging around on the stairs
I agree that the CK10 needs deeper insertion, but I can't achieve it without the Ety mushroom tips. I guess I need to buy a bunch. Anyways, if I didn't have those tips and stretch them on, I wouldn't feel the way I do now. I still have to try triple flanges that aren't cut down, though (I do have some).

Quote:
I'm not done with tips yet though. I need to see what else fits and buy some more.
I would say wait for your ultimate conclusion until you try tips that extend deeper into your ears. That may also decrease the volume of air in the ear canal, improving the bass response.
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post #165 of 878
2/6/10 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soozieq View Post
So, just to clarify - are you saying that a bad seal would allow the mids and treble to come through in their full glory while only reducing bass quantity? Makes no sense to me. If I've had a bad seal with other phones, everything is affected, not just the bass. A bad seal is a bad seal.


Interesting, since I would never in a kazillion years say the bass is even close to the TF10. I had no reason to EQ the TF10's at all. But Clear Bass +2 with the CK10's brings it a lot closer.
soozieq-
I happen to agree with you here. When I had the Ortofon's I knew something about the fit wasn't right, and as a result the whole sound picture suffered, with perhaps the exception of the treble being pretty close to as described in reviews, but probably still somewhat off too. The bass and soundstage especially were nothing like the impressions here, nothing. The way everything seemed off made me realize the seal was suspect for me. I simply had to give up on them and move on. Most IEM's seem to need a solid seal to achieve the fullness of their range, with one exception being the IE8's.
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Impressions of the Ortofon e-Q7 versus the IE8, CK100, SE530, FX500 and X10 (plus CK10 discussion from post #120)