Multi-IEM Review - 281 IEMs compared (VSonic GR07 BE and R02 Silver Added 05/15/13 p.688) - Page 631

OK, I have my IE800 and have let them burn-in for about 20hrs so feel like I can make a post about them for you. I will have to say that out of the box I wasn't as impressed as I hoped to be and I have done a significant amount of tip rolling to see if I can find I tip I like (right now I am actually using the large single flange tip that came with my JVC FXZ100 (which I hated on that IEM) and am getting the best sound out of these so far. These are a deeper insertion IEM but not an uncomfortable one. I do think the burn in has helped these improve and will continue to let them burn in for a another day/evening or two.

 

Currently I would say these are more of a midrange lover IEM than my desired Mid/treble oriented signature. They do have more bass than HF3 (but possibly not as visceral), they also are not as dry in the mids and they definitely have a larger sound stage. The treble is not poor though, just not as sharp and sparkly as I like. In fact I may a bit of your opposite in that I like the dryer mids of the HF3 so find the IE800 a bit lacking in that area for my tastes. In my case what I want is my SRH-940 or SRH-1440 in an IEM form and the IE800 isn't quite that IEM. But it may be a very good choice for you.

Joker - I'm not sure if you have heard both, how similar/different are the signature between 3.Ai and W3?

 

Thank you

Hey everyone, could anyone point me in the right direction? I've been looking for a pair of iems with an emphasis on bass. The only iem i've tried so far is the re-zero, which i hated. Right now i'm looking at the atrio m5 mg7. Are there any other good choices around that price range? I would like it to keep it ~120 dollars.

 

Cheers to that, as I'm really interested in products created from Chinese/Asian companies - so far Hifiman, VSonic, and Fiio haven't disappointed yet.

 

 

Thanks for posting your impression of the IE800. I've read your reviews of the 940/1440/1840 a while back, and I have tried my friend's 840 before - found it a *tiny* bit boring. If those three are similar to the 840 in terms of sound signature, then perhaps the IE800 may really be what I'm looking for. AstralStorm also claims that its FR graph makes it sound slightly brighter than the RE-ZERO, which I definitely won't mind. Can you comment on the build quality? If it's good enough, then I think I'll settle with it.

Actually I didn't like the 840 that much either and much prefer the 940 which is much more "alive" if you will. The mids and treble of the 940 are insanely detailed and I personally enjoy the bass slam of the 940, it is not as big as some headphones but goes deep and pretty darn hard and the sound stage is amazing for a closed headphone. The 1440 is more or less an open version of the 940 with bit warmer signature and even larger sound stage. The 1840 on the other heand is more "balanced" sounding losing some of the "life" I hear and feel in the 940/1440 models. If you can you should see if you can hear the 940 just to help give you a better perspective on how I am hearing them and the IE800. BTW while I have the 940 listed as for sale I actually will be removing that AD as I have decided to keep them.

 

The IE800 is not the best built IEM I have owned I would say it is average for the IEM housing and slightly below average for the cable, strain relief (what little there is), and the jack

Edited by dweaver - 2/2/13 at 12:29am

Dear |joker| and everyone reading this thread, I am looking for a new recommendation after my Rock It Sounds R-50 showed up defective (left earpiece sound dropping off depending on positioning of cable near earpiece housing). Rock It Sounds offered to refund my purchase amount, so I am now looking for an alternative.

 

I loved the clarity, detail, resolution and separation of the R-50, along with the airy presentation, but I felt it lacked a bit in terms of low-end body and weight. I compared them to my brother's BA200, and the BA200 brought back the more realistic body and weight I was missing, but lost the airy top-end and sounded less detailed and a bit too smoothed-over to me.

 

 In short, I am looking for an IEM that can give me the R-50's fantastic airy presentation and detail, but with a bit of the body, weight and low-end fullness of the BA200. I am open to both armature and dynamic drivers, but I feel armatures might give me more of the detail and resolution I love about the R-50.

 

Please help, |joker| and other knowledgeable members! :)

 

I see where you're getting at, because I keep hearing people say that Shure's typical sound sig is mid-centric / good for vocals, but the 840 just didn't impress me much. I do have access to the 940 at J&R - do you think a CMoyBB is enough to drive it to its full potential?

 

Concerning the ad, I was considering buying the 940 off you to gift to that same friend with the 840. You just saved my wallet 

 

Hmm, I was hoping for a more positive answer on the build quality. It certainly doesn't look that bad, but one never knows - I just hate flat cables 

The 940 and 1440 both can be driven well by even just an iPhone or mp3 player so that amp will be plenty good enough. I predict if you have a listen to the 940 and like it, it may become your "upgrade" I have struggled listening to IEM's ever since I found these headphones because I haven't been able to find anything in the IEM world that matches them.

I have been having a listen to the IE800 again this morning and these do seem to be changing with burn in. Let me see what happens after another couple of days of burnin. As of now my appreciation has gone up. The bass sounds a bit fuller and the treble seems to be improving as well. The over all sound is definitely more open.

 

I am with you in regards to flat cables. To be really honest no one know how durable these will be because they are to new. While I am not a fan of no strain reliefs these may end up being as durable as any other IEM. One thing also, I have found the microphonics on these to be pretty good once I use them over ear. Also this IEM really does benefit from an amp which can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view.

 

That is definitely welcome news. As for the 940, I'm looking strictly at IEMs, since I don't think I can fit a headphone into my bag (despite it being more durable). My main gripe with flat cables is how uncomfortable it is when worn over-the-ears. Also, if they were ever to break, is it possible to recable them with regular round cables - I sure hope so =/. As far as amping goes, I don't mind bringing one along.

 

EDIT: If it feels like I'm hijacking this thread, we could move this to PMs.

Hello, I have $100 dollars ready to be dropped on some IEMs, I was going to get the Shure SE215s but they where sold out at my local distributor. After looking for a bit, these are my choices:

 

wait a little bit and get the SE215, for $100

 

get the Sony XBA1 directly from the sony store, for around $80

 

or save up a little and go for the XBA2, which are $150 at the sony store

 

based on value and sound alone, which are more worth it? The Shure dealer also have the SE315s for retail ($200) But I'm not too thrilled about paying that much for a single driver BA, though I do prefer the overall look of the Shure's more

 

Thanks,

 

Diego

 

Just buy them from Amazon. Or is it not possible for you to order online?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Sound-Monitor-Black/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359869690&sr=8-1&keywords=SE215

 

Make sure to buy specifically from Amazon, and not a third party vendor.

Hello, for me it's kind of a hassle to buy online, and it's close to a month from when I order till I get them. But basically what you are saying is that the Shures are better right? If so, I'd rather just wait till they have them locally

 

Thanks a lot for the response,

 

Diego

Ah I see, because of your location. Well, I can't say as I haven't heard any of those. Hopefully someone with experience can chime in, but generally the XBA series is not well regarded here, especially for their price.