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ljokerl said:

Added the new Ultimate Ears UE 900 
 

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awsome!

How is the Clarity of the PFE 232 compared to that of the GR07 ?

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ljokerl said:

Added the new Ultimate Ears UE 900 
 

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Very nice review and love the comparisons.  One of your best!

Tsk tsk... you reviewed the UE900 before the TF10...

great as I expected
 
I'm waiting to see your impression on FitEar ToGo 334 and maybe heir audio 4ai , and I think many body are waiting too

First of all.. thank you Joker for this amazing work! I am a newbie to the IEM appreciation world and am taking my first tentative steps. Based on what I have learnt from you, here is my query. 
 
I have a Soundmagic E30 for the past 1 year and am looking to upgrade my IEM within 100$. Preferred Source - Amazon US. Primary use is with ipod in Gym and Travelling. I listen to mainly Rock and Metal  eg - Floyd and Opeth. 
 
I find the E30 to be pretty good but wish to have more kick in the guitar riffs. just dosent get me headbanging!  I am guessing this means that I should be looking for more forward mids. Is this correct?
 
I am happy with the bass of the E30. I also have a Senn cx300 and find the bass to be bloated and muddy.
 
Obviously would like good definition and soundstaging. 
 
Based on your reviews, I have shortlisted the  following IEMS in order of preference . Kindly advice which one would be the best fit for me. Also keep in mind that  it should survive the Gym.
 
1. JVC HA-FXT90 - Trying to get it from a friend travelling to Japan - 90$ there. 
2. Creative Aurvana 3 - 100$ on Amazon. looks like the one ill get if 1 and 3 don't work out
3. UE TF10 - Only if it comes down to 99$ for black friday. But am concerned abt the sound signature and the built quality for gym use. 
4. Vsonic GR06  
5. Shure SE215
 
Kindly give your views and also if I should consider any other models.
 
Thanks again.  

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version6 said:

I have a Soundmagic E30 for the past 1 year and am looking to upgrade my IEM within 100$. Preferred Source - Amazon US. Primary use is with ipod in Gym and Travelling. I listen to mainly Rock and Metal  eg - Floyd and Opeth. 
 
I find the E30 to be pretty good but wish to have more kick in the guitar riffs. just dosent get me headbanging!  I am guessing this means that I should be looking for more forward mids. Is this correct?

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I would add the Meelec A161P and Vsonic GR04pro to the list.  Both have very good distortion guitars in your budget.

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version6 said:

First of all.. thank you Joker for this amazing work! I am a newbie to the IEM appreciation world and am taking my first tentative steps. Based on what I have learnt from you, here is my query. 
 
I have a Soundmagic E30 for the past 1 year and am looking to upgrade my IEM within 100$. Preferred Source - Amazon US. Primary use is with ipod in Gym and Travelling. I listen to mainly Rock and Metal  eg - Floyd and Opeth. 
 
I find the E30 to be pretty good but wish to have more kick in the guitar riffs. just dosent get me headbanging!  I am guessing this means that I should be looking for more forward mids. Is this correct?
 
I am happy with the bass of the E30. I also have a Senn cx300 and find the bass to be bloated and muddy.
 
Obviously would like good definition and soundstaging. 
 
Based on your reviews, I have shortlisted the  following IEMS in order of preference . Kindly advice which one would be the best fit for me. Also keep in mind that  it should survive the Gym.
 
1. JVC HA-FXT90 - Trying to get it from a friend travelling to Japan - 90$ there. 
2. Creative Aurvana 3 - 100$ on Amazon. looks like the one ill get if 1 and 3 don't work out
3. UE TF10 - Only if it comes down to 99$ for black friday. But am concerned abt the sound signature and the built quality for gym use. 
4. Vsonic GR06  
5. Shure SE215
 
Kindly give your views and also if I should consider any other models.
 
Thanks again.  

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TF10 is definitely not for gym usage, it is not durable enough, is not comfortable and doesnt isolate much (exceptions that you reshell it for 100-150$ or buy comply T400 tips).
 
Rockit R-50 might serve the purpose better to you, it has good detailing in mids, strong performers in treble, bass less in quantity but good in depth, sounstage is great in both depth and height, vocals sound so lively. Cable is durable and so is the IEM, might serve well for gym usage. Fit, comfort, isolation are all good..
 
A161p might also suit, but Im not sure if it suits well for gym usage.
 
Even though, I highly suggest not using expensive IEMs for gym usage, Buy a Meelectronics M6, use it for gym .Its great in fit, comfort, durability, isolation, has a warm V-shaped signature  though SQ isnt its strength. And use TF10 or other that youre gonna buy for home usage..

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hitme987 said:

TF10 is definitely not for gym usage, it is not durable enough, is not comfortable and doesnt isolate much (exceptions that you reshell it for 100-150$ or buy comply T400 tips).
 
Rockit R-50 might serve the purpose better to you, it has good detailing in mids, strong performers in treble, bass less in quantity but good in depth, sounstage is great in both depth and height, vocals sound so lively. Cable is durable and so is the IEM, might serve well for gym usage. Fit, comfort, isolation are all good..
 
A161p might also suit, but Im not sure if it suits well for gym usage.
 
Even though, I highly suggest not using expensive IEMs for gym usage, Buy a Meelectronics M6, use it for gym .Its great in fit, comfort, durability, isolation, has a warm V-shaped signature  though SQ isnt its strength. And use TF10 or other that youre gonna buy for home usage..

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+1 for the r-50 if you want to love the guitars

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zelda said:

awsome!

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heart banger-97 said:

great as I expected

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shotgunshane said:

 
Very nice review and love the comparisons.  One of your best!

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Thanks!
 
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tomscy2000 said:

Tsk tsk... you reviewed the UE900 before the TF10...

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Newer, more interesting, fewer other reviews, fits my ears much better. I have lots of excuses
 
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eyal1983 said:

How is the Clarity of the PFE 232 compared to that of the GR07 ?

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The PFE232 is pretty similar in clarity and overall signature (with the black filter) but has better texturing/microdetail than the GR07 IMO. 
 
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version6 said:

First of all.. thank you Joker for this amazing work! I am a newbie to the IEM appreciation world and am taking my first tentative steps. Based on what I have learnt from you, here is my query. 
 
I have a Soundmagic E30 for the past 1 year and am looking to upgrade my IEM within 100$. Preferred Source - Amazon US. Primary use is with ipod in Gym and Travelling. I listen to mainly Rock and Metal  eg - Floyd and Opeth. 
 
I find the E30 to be pretty good but wish to have more kick in the guitar riffs. just dosent get me headbanging!  I am guessing this means that I should be looking for more forward mids. Is this correct?
 
I am happy with the bass of the E30. I also have a Senn cx300 and find the bass to be bloated and muddy.
 
Obviously would like good definition and soundstaging. 
 
Based on your reviews, I have shortlisted the  following IEMS in order of preference . Kindly advice which one would be the best fit for me. Also keep in mind that  it should survive the Gym.
 
1. JVC HA-FXT90 - Trying to get it from a friend travelling to Japan - 90$ there. 
2. Creative Aurvana 3 - 100$ on Amazon. looks like the one ill get if 1 and 3 don't work out
3. UE TF10 - Only if it comes down to 99$ for black friday. But am concerned abt the sound signature and the built quality for gym use. 
4. Vsonic GR06  
5. Shure SE215
 
Kindly give your views and also if I should consider any other models.
 
Thanks again.  

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Haven't heard the GR04 but the GR06 has forward mids and does guitars pretty well. Also not very expensive to replace if gym use kills it. The FXT90 is noticeably bassier, though its sound is quite lively and it's not bloated like the CX300. The TF10 is somewhat mid-recessed, doesn't sound like that's what you want.

Great UE900 review, Joker. I'm still deciding between keeping my SM3's, going for those, and just getting from 1964 V3's .
 
First world problems 

PFE232 vs Etymotic Research ER-4S
which has better details for vocals (singers breath- for example) ?

Quote:

version6 said:

First of all.. thank you Joker for this amazing work! I am a newbie to the IEM appreciation world and am taking my first tentative steps. Based on what I have learnt from you, here is my query. 
 
I have a Soundmagic E30 for the past 1 year and am looking to upgrade my IEM within 100$. Preferred Source - Amazon US. Primary use is with ipod in Gym and Travelling. I listen to mainly Rock and Metal  eg - Floyd and Opeth. 
 
I find the E30 to be pretty good but wish to have more kick in the guitar riffs. just dosent get me headbanging!  I am guessing this means that I should be looking for more forward mids. Is this correct?
 
I am happy with the bass of the E30. I also have a Senn cx300 and find the bass to be bloated and muddy.
 
Obviously would like good definition and soundstaging. 
 
Based on your reviews, I have shortlisted the  following IEMS in order of preference . Kindly advice which one would be the best fit for me. Also keep in mind that  it should survive the Gym.
 
1. JVC HA-FXT90 - Trying to get it from a friend travelling to Japan - 90$ there. 
2. Creative Aurvana 3 - 100$ on Amazon. looks like the one ill get if 1 and 3 don't work out
3. UE TF10 - Only if it comes down to 99$ for black friday. But am concerned abt the sound signature and the built quality for gym use. 
4. Vsonic GR06  
5. Shure SE215
 
Kindly give your views and also if I should consider any other models.
 
Thanks again.  

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I also strongly suggest the vsonic GR04 Flagship. It has slightly forward mids but is still pretty versatile, it's a good upgrade to the e30 for what you want and has been extensicely tested from me with rock and metal. I've been working out with it for a while and it is holding up nicely. The meelec A161P can also really get your head banging but the cable doesn't strike like one that can survive workouts.

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ljokerl said:

 
I've been wondering myself whether it's already possible to print custom eartips with a 3-D printer and a 3-D scan of the ear. If not, it probably will be very soon. Once more audiologists start using 3-D scans in place of conventional molds you could just take a copy of the scan with you after you get impressions taken 

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It's possible, but most good 3D printers are relatively expensive and limited in choice of materials. You'd still have to smooth out the resulting printout as well, quite tricky.  Really, well done molding is often better than 3D printing.
 
Since you can easily get positives in silicone (resilient, flexible, nonresonant, heavier) or PMMA (pretty hard, light, very good resonant properties) easily from a mold, why would you go with much worse ABS instead? (which requires UV protection, is slightly worse in resonance than acrylic, relatively soft)
I'll only do that because I don't have a good enough ear impression right now.
 
Of course ABS trumps cheaper PET casing or metal, except on durability. It's used in plenty of non-custom cases and instruments.
I'm not sure how often PVC is used, likely rarely. PMMA = acrylic probably sees quite a bit of use in transparent cases and definitely in customs. I've never heard of anyone using polycarbonate though.
Another interesting part is that I've never heard of anyone attempting a custom in a PMA, which is rubber-like. (think pleather)
 
I do know that certain companies (UM for one) use UV hardened PMMA (as in, mixed with a photoinitiator) - that probably is done with a 3D scan combined with a UV laser-based 3D print. Very expensive material from what I was able to gather, but nearly perfect for the purpose. The main limitation is that it probably has to be at least translucent to UV - but you can apply acrylic lacquer to it easily.
 
And if by 3D scans you meant a tomography or magnetic resonance scan... no, that's not going to happen any time soon. The machines are far too expensive.

I really didn't expect you to review the UE900. Enjoyed reading it though.