Ortofon e-Q7 Appreciation Thread - Page 6

I'm a little suprised that so few realixed that Kunlun is Mr. Bigglesworth disguised as a cat with hair, until his next "take over the world" scheme is complete.

That just seems to be the nature of the game. I've found the same thing with most IEM's I've used, a tip that brings one to life can completely kill another. I remember trying tri-flanges on one IEM which brought out the bass, tamed treble and overall gave them a better a balance yet the same tip on another IEM had almost the direct opposite effect making them sound bright and thin.

^^^ Yes, same here, I thought the housing of the orto would make a perfect match with the pfe tips, I could not agree with your words more. Finding the right iem, is only half the battle, the right fit and tip for that iem is every bit as challenging.

@the search never ends, thanks for your confirmation. For me, the last IEMs which are worth trying before getting customs are e-Q7 and MTP Gold or Copper.

I think I know what you mean and the answer is no. The Ortofon's mids are by no means laid back and they have quality comparable to (or even surpassing) the SE530s, but contrary to the Shures they never outshadow detail or other parts of the frequency spectrum.

@Pianist: I usually don't care much for appreciation threads, but started by an e-Q7 owner who had such a hard time coming to terms with these phones, putting them up for sale/trade twice (if I remember correctly) and finally surrendering to his love for the Ortofons, this is a very, very special one. Thanks and keep up the good work!

^ Oh thanks james!

Very true indeed, and for myself most of the silicon/rubber tips irritate my ears so I'm typically limited to foam of some sort.

@search thanks for the welcoming//
@Helljudgement well i havent actually tried many different tips cause i dont have alot, just the ones that the e-q7s came with and im currently just using the small stock silicon rubber tip. I tried the foam tip that came with it but due to my narrow (i think) canal i couldnt insert it much and i just looked weird with the IEM sticking right out. Plus for my case, i just found the ease of using silicon rubber tip how it just effortlessly snugs into my ear but losing abit of isolation, outweighs the benefit of having to fiddle to get the right placement with the foam tips.
Which leads me to thank Pianist on his advise to try out custom sleeves before heading into custom IEMs. Dont know the exact process of it but i'll definately look into that//
Oh btw for me i found out that over-the-ear placement style had more sound leaking in than the more traditional down(?) style.

James guess what's waiting for me to pick up at the post office today? Yes my friend, a whole gang of Playaz and their friends...lol. So, I will finally get to hear sometime today what you have been trying to tell me. With that said (and before it happens), how do Playaz compare to our beloved e-Q7 @ James? (Forgive me if you answered this question before. I'm thinking I only asked you about the IE8s. Thanks again).

How are you doing search buddy? lol. Okay, I have to quit teasing you and help you on this journey. To be honest, as much as I love the Ortos (and I do), I've been in these Coppers and love them just as much. But now that I have that Sony S545 I am about to give the Ortos some time. The soundstage on the S545 is great. Not ready to say it's way better than the ipods, but it's different. Anyway, back to the Ortos and a report later @ search....

Hi ericp, congrats! I'm repeating myself but can't help fearing that you'll not nearly hear the Playaz as I hear them, due to lack of a good source EQ. Anyway, my beloved e-Q7 are surely better than the Playaz (it's $300 vs. $30 remember?), but there are a few aspects that make me chose the N1 or Sonia II even over the Ortofons e.g. for classical. First, I absolutely love their mids, strings and wind instruments are gorgeous. Then there's that excellent airiness and soundstage. I use UE single flanged silicons and just put them in ever so lightly, they don't require a firm seal. Thus I almost feel like wearing no phones at all, like the diaphragm was implanted into my ears (sorry, I'm getting carried away, lol!). Last but not least, if the recording has a lot of orchestra dynamics, they'll make you jump with the sudden sound pressure they can deliver - needless to say, I love that!

Of course, there are weaker points, bass is powerful but clearly less defined than the Ortos' and highs are a bit rolled off on the N1 (not so on the Sonias), but from a properly EQed source both have good detail and no major sonic weaknesses to my ears. They do however require a bit of burn-in, say 24 hours min. One more thing, try to wear them over-ear with the J-cord under your chin, even if it feels awkward - there's far less driver crackling this way.

BTW I was on the phone with Thomas last week and he talked me into trying the N3 too, even though I didn't like his closed IEMs in the past. Looking forward to your impressions of these and the rest of the Playaz gang!

Thanks James for your honest impressions (and tolerance and patience) again. I am excited to hear them, and wasn't expecting them to blow the e-Q7s out of the water or anything, but wanted to know what similar traits, if any, they might have. I get the picture and I'm eager to hear them still. I see them as being my specialty earphones for classical or orchestral jazz that I love. I can't wait to give you feedback. Thanks again buddy.

Oh, I have a Sony S545 now, so I will be able to eq them now, or through my itune on my iMac.

@ hi search, when you say large double flange do you mean the short black rubber ones with the double flaps or the large gray barrel ones ? ,im gess you mean the rubber ones,i find them to be the most bassist on the ie series,
ill give them a try thanks

Wow @ James, I have the Playaz in my ear, and I see what you mean by bass and soundstage (not too much bass for me though). But more on that on the other thread until I do comparison.

Lucozade, I don't mean to speak for search (yes I do...lol..he won't mind), but I'm sure he's talking about the black rubber ones with the double flaps.... Enjoy. I use those two, or comply for my Ortos.

^ LOL, I just posted in the Playaz thread within the same second