Multi-IEM Review - 281 IEMs compared (VSonic GR07 BE and R02 Silver Added 05/15/13 p.688) - Page 553

Thanks Joker for your reviews. You look competent and I appreciate it a lot.

I've had a lot of problems and I'm sick of my former IEM's; Fischer, NuForce(poor), Epson and Etymotic because of their build quality in the sense that they all get glitches in the cables around the plugs or the housing. So I think I'm going for the Vsonic GR02 Bass Edition - which, with it's supposedly strong cables look like something more durable and looks very affordable..

Do you know where I can buy a proper version of exactly the GR02 Bass, with international shipping, that you reviewed? Confusion seem to arrive when Vsonic apparently like to name their IEM's with the similiar names.

Fun to hear your're from SM. I love that city.

thanks Suman and Joker...again :)

youre so helpful, im full of gratitude...

so ill go for the Meelec CW31 according to your advice

hopefully ill get used to the lack of bass from my Sparks :)

but i guess its sometimes better too, right?

btw i see id America has new phones out, also seems

to go for shallow fit :D

the id America Metropolitan

hope to hear some comments from you guys :)
 

MP4Nation currently has a sale on the Brainwavz B2 for $130 with free FedEx shipping and a free Fiio E6(I own a L9 and E5) until October 5th so I need help soon.  I currently own a V-Moda M-80 and I love the sound very much, but would like to have a pair of iems that compliment my M-80s well, something more portable.  I have auditioned the ATH M50s and found the mids too recessed and I owned a pair of Klipsch Image S4s which I found the treble to be too harsh, edgy and sibilant.  Would the Brainwavz B2 be a good match for me?  I would like something that would have sound quality on par with the M-80s.

Thanks in advance.

joker, will you do review of CIEMs from UE, Heir Audio, Hidition and Frogbeats. Also, Merlins.

I see that my taste in sound signature aligns much with yours.

Never knew EITS was one of you all time fav band. Try Caspian, Balmorhea, *shels, GY!BE and Mono (of japan).

Wow, this reply-system is bugging.

I meant Creative (EP-630)

And now I want a pair that really last. I think I'll go with the GR02, they seem to have a proper build. I used and hopefully applied the IEM Maintenance that I think you posted in the beginning of this Review-thread, but all my IEM's tend to wear out and get glitchy after a while. And in the end, how good of a sound is produced by earphones that do not sound at all?
In fact, I just now remembered that I've duct-taped my current IEM's around the housing and the plug so that it doesn't become glitchy (and it still does more and more frequently)

I tend however to always come back to your reviews when looking for a new pair.

Again, thanks.

Joker, what in-ears would you recommend for ~$350 or less budget? I'm thinking of getting the Sennheiser IE80 (tweaked IE80; tape mod enhances sound; $300).

Here's a little background on what I'm looking for-

-I use ear-tips, shirt clips, case, and possibly silicon adapters as far as accessories goes. What determines it for me is how well they work with the in-ears and if all of them are included

-I take good care of my headphones, but I will use them VERY often. Like, every single day for a long time.

-Don't need too much isolation; average is fine

-Need good cable microphonics, almost non-existent cable noise

-I will wear them for long periods of time (200+ songs at times) and want to feel as if it is not there anymore or cushion for my ears

-I enjoy listening to classical music, techno and electronic (videogames/movies/YouTube), rap, hip-hop, and pop.

-I use them for viewing media, playing games, and calling (Skype, phone, etc.)

-No fakes

-Use Sansa Clip+

-Optional but preferred: detachable cable

Preferred sound signature-

I like euphonic, juicy and lush and sturdy music. I value accuracy, clarity, and pay attention to low sounds. I would like my sound to be balanced, gripped, and brilliant. Punchy bass and treble is important.

(3A72) Rock-It Sounds R-20

Added Sep 2012

Details: One of the most reasonably-priced BA-based IEMs on the market
Current Price: $40 from rockitsounds.com (MSRP: $39.99)
Specs: Driver: BA | Imp: 31Ω @ 500 Hz | Sens: 109 dB | Freq: 20-18k Hz | Cable: 4.2' I-plug
Nozzle Size: 3mm | Preferred tips: Stock single-flanges; Shure gray flex
Wear Style: Over-the-ear

Accessories (3.5/5) - Single-flange silicone tips (3 sizes), airline adapter, and clamshell carrying case
Build Quality (4/5) – The R-20 utilizes plastic housings with filterless nozzles. The strain reliefs are a bit too hard for my liking but the twisted cable is excellent, identical to those found on the R-11, R-30, and R-50, as well as the MEElectronics A151. The molded L/R markings can be hard to discern but luckily the earpieces are asymmetric and easy to tell apart
Isolation (4/5) – Isolation is good even though only single-flange tips are included
Microphonics (5/5) – Cable noise is nonexistent with the excellent twisted cable
Comfort (4.5/5) – The R-20 is clearly designed for over-the-ear wear but the nozzles are angled opposite of the convention used by nearly all other earphone manufactures, which makes cable-down wear impractical. The only sets with the same design are old UEs such as the TF10. In addition, the cord of the R-20 is advertised as a regular cable with memory wire but actually uses a twisted cable with no memory wire. The cable is soft and flexible, however, and the lack of memory wire causes no issues

Sound (7.4/10) – The sound of the R-20 is highly reminiscent of other IEMs utilizing the Knowles SR driver. The bass is tight and clean, a huge improvement over Rock-It’s lower-end dynamic models. There’s slightly less bass depth, impact, and fullness compared to the MEElec A151 but the R-20 is still on the warm and punchy side for an armature-based earphone. There is no bleed into the midrange, which is clean and a touch forward.

Looking at the market as a whole, the differences between the R-20 and A151 are small and the two earphones are far more similar than they are different. However, whereas the A151 has a darker, smoother sound with more laid-back upper mids resulting in a duller vocal presentation, the R-20 is thinner-sounding and emphasizes the upper midrange more. As a result it is brighter and more energetic. It is also a bit less forgiving of sibilance than the A151, but still more so than the higher-end R-30 model. The treble of the R-20 is laid-back on the whole and top-end extension isn’t great. Neither the R-20 nor the A151 has the crispness of higher-end BA earphones, and both lack the perception of added clarity that comes with emphasized treble.

Soundstage size is not too impressive either – the space is average and there’s not a whole lot of air compared to the higher-end R-30 and competing dynamic-driver sets such as the Soundmagic E30. However, as with the MEElec A151, the presentation is well-rounded, with some depth and height in addition to the width, good separation, and the ability to portray intimacy as well as distance.

Value (10/10) – Although the R-20 is among the cheapest BA-based IEMs on the market, Rock-It Sounds has taken no shortcuts when it comes to design or construction. The cable is excellent and the over-the-ear fit is secure and comfortable over long listening sessions. The sound, too, is competitive with other entry-level single armature earphones and makes the R-20 a great introduction to the world of balanced armatures at a rock-bottom price.

Pros: Comfortable; excellent cable; no cable noise, good clarity and detail
Cons: Unusual nozzle angle forbids cable-down wear; strain reliefs could be more flexible

(2C52) Rock-It Sounds R-30

Added Sep 2012

Details: Single BA earphone from Rock-It Sounds
Current Price: $70 from rockitsounds.com (MSRP: $69.99)
Specs: Driver: BA | Imp: 29Ω | Sens: 114 dB | Freq: 20-18k Hz | Cable: 4.2' I-plug
Nozzle Size: 3mm | Preferred tips: Stock single-flanges; Shure gray flex; Shure olives
Wear Style: Over-the-ear

Accessories (3.5/5) - Single-flange silicone tips (3 sizes), rubber housing covers (3 sizes), airline adapter, and clamshell carrying case
Build Quality (4/5) – The R-30 utilizes plastic housings with three pairs of removable rubber sheaths included to aid in fitment. The sheaths differ in size and shape and can be removed entirely to make the housings smaller (shown). The twisted cable is identical to those found on other Rock-It products and the MEElectronics A151
Isolation (4/5) – Isolation is good even though only single-flange tips are included
Microphonics (5/5) – Cable noise is nonexistent with the excellent twisted cable
Comfort (4.5/5) – The R-30 utilizes a familiar over-the-ear design and fits much like the Westone IEMs. The housings are on the large side with the silicone sheaths in place but may offer a more stable fit. Removing the sheaths entirely is an option, though the shells are somewhat elongated and may not fit smaller ears still

Sound (7.8/10) – The overall sound signature of the R-30 is a balanced one, with a hint of warmth and impressive bass for an entry-level BA earphone. The low end is punchy and only slightly rolled off, with a rather full-bodied presentation for a single armature. Bass control and extension lag slightly behind higher-end sets such as the MEElec A161P and Rock-It’s own R-50, resulting in a softer, slightly boomy note and more deep bass drop-off. In this way and others, the R-30 reminds me of the pricier Westone 1. Compared to the lower-end R-20 model, however, the sound of the R-30 is more balanced and the bass is more natural – fuller and deeper with no reduction in tightness.

The midrange of the R-30 is forward and a bit warm in tone. Clarity is better compared to the R-20 but not quite as good as with the A161P or R-50 – about on-par with the VSonic GR06 and Monoprice 8320. The mids of the R-30 are quite smooth and note thickness is greater than with the more Ety-like A161P, which sounds thinner but also more crisp than the R-30.

The top end of the R-30 is slightly laid back on the whole – low on sparkle and not as extended as the treble of the A161P. The R-30 still has better sparkle and extension than the R-20, but also filters out less sibilance In fact, sibilance on tracks is about as exposed as with the R-50 despite the crisper, more prominent treble of the higher-end dual-armature earphone.

The soundstage of the R-30 is above average – larger and airier than that of the R-20, for example. There is some depth and height as well as good separation, and the ability to portray intimacy as well as distance. In addition, the R-30 is quite sensitive – more so than the lower-end R-20 and other Siren-based armature earphones.

Value (10/10) – The R-30 is an impressive performer, improving noticeably on the sound of most entry-level BA earphones while competing with them directly on price. The color scheme and odd-looking outer sheaths of the R-30 may be a turn-off for some but as a whole the R-30 is one of the most well-rounded packages south of $100.

Pros: Comfortable; excellent cable; no cable noise, great sound for the price
Cons: May not fit those with smaller ears well

I forgot to mention that the bass is reduced with the tape mod as well. :D and from what I've heard, the tape mod can beat the GR07 out in almost all areas.