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Multi-IEM Review - 352 IEMs compared (Pump Audio Earphones added 04/03/16 p. 1106)
Dec 1, 2013 at 11:48 AM Post #12,212 of 16,931
aristonyc said:
  First, This is one of the best lists I have seen, thank you very much. 
 
I have looked over this list many times but I am still having trouble finding the "best" IEM for me. I currently use some cheap Panasonic RPHJE120K which I like but the quality isn't really there. I also have the Monoprice buds but I find the size/fit to be awkward  & uncomfortable and I find the bass too overpowering.  I would rather not spend over $60 as these will only be used on the subway or walking around the city, I have many fullsized headphones for home use. They will be in my jeans pocket when not in use so they should be durable. 
 
bullet points:
<$60
good isolation (subway & city use)
to be used with a Samsung Galaxy phone or Sansa Clip (no amp)
Nothing too bass forward as I mostly listen to Rock music (not a lot of electronic or rap, but some).
durable
 
 
The ones I've checked off to be contenders based off this list:
Astrotec AM-800 (lacks isolation?)
Astrotec AM-90
Brainwavz M4 
Brainwavz M5
Soundmagic E30
Vsonic VC02 (might not be durable enough to throw in jeans)
UE600
 
I am open to spend more if necessary but I would prefer not to. 
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I'd throw the Vsonic VSD1S and the SteelSeries Flux on your list - the Flux is a bit less expensive and has a built in remote/mic that will work with your Android, and they isolate a bit better than the dynamic Vsonics I've tried with silicone tips.  They are certainly on par with one another and can be had sub-$50.  The Flux has the smooth-yet-crisp treble and less mid-bass (though more sub-bass) of the two, but the UE600 from what I've read will be more neutral/flat in the bass, more mid-centric and with fairly smooth treble.  The bass on the Flux is actually quite pleasant and engaging, all without affecting the midrange.  I imagine the UE600 to sound lean compared to these two.  I found the balance on the Flux to be a good fit with rock and metal - I've personally not heard the UE600 yet but I suspect they will be similar to my RE-400 which is also mid-focused and best with things like vocals and acoustic, but still performs well for rock IMO. The UE600 may be a bit more refined in some cases like soundstage and clarity.  Durability should be good enough on those three for pocket use.
 
On that note, I'd be interested in a brief comparison of the UE600 with the VSD1S and Flux 
redface.gif
 
 
Dec 1, 2013 at 12:02 PM Post #12,213 of 16,931
modulor said:
  I'd throw the Vsonic VSD1S and the SteelSeries Flux on your list - the Flux is a bit less expensive and has a built in remote/mic that will work with your Android, and they isolate a bit better than the dynamic Vsonics I've tried with silicone tips.  They are certainly on par with one another and can be had sub-$50.  The Flux has the smooth-yet-crisp treble and less mid-bass (though more sub-bass) of the two, but the UE600 from what I've read will be more neutral/flat in the bass, more mid-centric and with fairly smooth treble.  The bass on the Flux is actually quite pleasant and engaging, all without affecting the midrange.  I imagine the UE600 to sound lean compared to these two.  I found the balance on the Flux to be a good fit with rock and metal - I've personally not heard the UE600 yet but I suspect they will be similar to my RE-400 which is also mid-focused and best with things like vocals and acoustic, but still performs well for rock IMO. The UE600 may be a bit more refined in some cases like soundstage and clarity.  Durability should be good enough on those three for pocket use.
 
On that note, I'd be interested in a brief comparison of the UE600 with the VSD1S and Flux 
redface.gif
 
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Thanks for your input. I went and ordered the Flux from Amazon since I wanted to lock in on the price of $25 and I can still search since they aren't shipping yet (not in stock). $25 seems like a good price. 
If I end up getting something else I can cancel these or keep them and use them with my PS Vita. 
 
I'm leaning towards the UM1 for $70 from Amazon. It is a bit more than I was looking to spend but the reviews are good. Any reason why I shouldn't go with the UM1? 
 
Dec 1, 2013 at 4:07 PM Post #12,215 of 16,931
I think I need help. This "audiophile thing" is no fun at all.
From an ignorant stand point, which is mine when it comes to audio, my last 4 years are a nightmare.
Here's the deal: I had an RE0, an RE262 and GR07. Only the last one comes close to what I want when it comes to sound signature (which I do not know how to put into technical words): detail specially from guitars, good vocals but don't need to be the focal point, good bass but, again, don't need to be the focal point and detailed drums. The "airy", spacious feeling that the GR07 brought to my ears just made me even more confused, as I started loving to listen to acoustic rock (oh boy, Kiss and Jimmy Page & Robert Plant sound spectacular on the GR07...) and live drums (John Bohan is the best when it comes to hearing every detail from the drums).
So, after this very ignorant description, is is possible to give me opinions regarding the Dunu DN-1000, Rockit 50M and Astrotec AX-7, or any other good brand/model) so that I can hear all types of rock(from 1960 to 2000's) while having guitars and drums in detail and with great separation?
By the way, I do feel the bass on Gr07 are more than enough, but for live concerts, specially guitars, it kind of sounds a little boring.

Sorry for the horrible description of my sound signature, but please, help!
 
 
Dec 1, 2013 at 6:44 PM Post #12,216 of 16,931
godlyatheist said:
  I wonder if I should upgrade my DAC when the JH13 arrive. I had ordered a Fiio E17 but decided to cancel it. I'm using a laptop and I want to have a small DAC, not necessarily portable but small. The Audioquest Dragonfly is interesting (about $70 with promos). Anyone have some recommendations? Prefer USB and neutral
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It sounds great out of my Fiio E7, which is not exactly a high-end source. 
 
harijs said:
Joker, can you do quick comparison: TF10 vs EPH 100? Specially the sub bass quantity/quality. Thanks.
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Luckily that was one of the few comparisons I had time to do with the EPH-100.
 
TF10 vs EPH-100
 
The EPH-100 has more subbass and on the whole sounds warmer, more coherent, smoother, and more natural. Its presentation also has better depth/layering.
The TF10 has less bass and sounds thinner overall. It's a little clearer, though, and seems to resolve detail a little better. Tonally it's brighter thanks to greater overall treble energy. Soundstaging is wider/more out-of-the-head. 
 
 
modulor said:
  I'd throw the Vsonic VSD1S and the SteelSeries Flux on your list - the Flux is a bit less expensive and has a built in remote/mic that will work with your Android, and they isolate a bit better than the dynamic Vsonics I've tried with silicone tips.  They are certainly on par with one another and can be had sub-$50.  The Flux has the smooth-yet-crisp treble and less mid-bass (though more sub-bass) of the two, but the UE600 from what I've read will be more neutral/flat in the bass, more mid-centric and with fairly smooth treble.  The bass on the Flux is actually quite pleasant and engaging, all without affecting the midrange.  I imagine the UE600 to sound lean compared to these two.  I found the balance on the Flux to be a good fit with rock and metal - I've personally not heard the UE600 yet but I suspect they will be similar to my RE-400 which is also mid-focused and best with things like vocals and acoustic, but still performs well for rock IMO. The UE600 may be a bit more refined in some cases like soundstage and clarity.  Durability should be good enough on those three for pocket use.
 
On that note, I'd be interested in a brief comparison of the UE600 with the VSD1S and Flux 
redface.gif
 
Click to expand...

 
Yeah, I think you're spot-on. UE600 is more mid-centric with flatter bass and smoother treble compared to both the Flux and VSD1S. Mids are more prominent compared to the Flux and VSD1S and the overall sound is more lean.
 
aristonyc said:
  Thanks for your input. I went and ordered the Flux from Amazon since I wanted to lock in on the price of $25 and I can still search since they aren't shipping yet (not in stock). $25 seems like a good price. 
If I end up getting something else I can cancel these or keep them and use them with my PS Vita. 
 
I'm leaning towards the UM1 for $70 from Amazon. It is a bit more than I was looking to spend but the reviews are good. Any reason why I shouldn't go with the UM1? 
Click to expand...

 
Good call on the $25 Flux. Never tried the UM1 but I like both the Flux and Flux Pro better than the ~$100 Westone 1.
 
insidedrive said:
Hello joker how do you think the RHA MA750 compares with iems in its price range such as the gr07, re400, and Fidelio s2?
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They are warmer, bassier, and sometimes seem to lack a little energy in the highs but on the whole not bad at all. Strengths so far seem to be bass power/depth and soundstaging, plus I love the build quality 
 
mikonjuice said:
  I think I need help. This "audiophile thing" is no fun at all.
From an ignorant stand point, which is mine when it comes to audio, my last 4 years are a nightmare.
Here's the deal: I had an RE0, an RE262 and GR07. Only the last one comes close to what I want when it comes to sound signature (which I do not know how to put into technical words): detail specially from guitars, good vocals but don't need to be the focal point, good bass but, again, don't need to be the focal point and detailed drums. The "airy", spacious feeling that the GR07 brought to my ears just made me even more confused, as I started loving to listen to acoustic rock (oh boy, Kiss and Jimmy Page & Robert Plant sound spectacular on the GR07...) and live drums (John Bohan is the best when it comes to hearing every detail from the drums).
So, after this very ignorant description, is is possible to give me opinions regarding the Dunu DN-1000, Rockit 50M and Astrotec AX-7, or any other good brand/model) so that I can hear all types of rock(from 1960 to 2000's) while having guitars and drums in detail and with great separation?
By the way, I do feel the bass on Gr07 are more than enough, but for live concerts, specially guitars, it kind of sounds a little boring.

Sorry for the horrible description of my sound signature, but please, help!
 
Click to expand...

 
Better to list what you don't like/want improved compared to the GR07. In general, the R-50M and AX7 are both flatter and brighter than the GR07 with more midrange presence and less bass. The DN-1000 so far sounds more v-shaped than the GR07 and has more bass than even the GR07 Bass Edition. 
 
Dec 1, 2013 at 7:57 PM Post #12,217 of 16,931
Is it possible to have:
 - an even better separation of instruments?
 - more proeminent guitars, or at least a little more fun than the GR07?
 - With same vocals and same drum sounds?

Thanks for the rpevious reply!
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 12:55 AM Post #12,219 of 16,931
mikonjuice said:
  Is it possible to have:
 - an even better separation of instruments?
 - more proeminent guitars, or at least a little more fun than the GR07?
 - With same vocals and same drum sounds?

Thanks for the rpevious reply!
Click to expand...

 
Guitars and vocals span a similar frequency range so you can't really get a change in one without affecting the other. That said, I would give the Philips Fidelio S1 or S2 a try. They have a little more presence in the upper midrange where guitars have their "bite". They also tend to have a bit more bass than a regular GR07, which can be a pro or con, depending on the recording. Instrument separation is no better than with the GR07, though, and I really wouldn't call them an 'upgrade' from the GR07 at all, except that they seem like they might suit your needs better. 
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 8:41 PM Post #12,221 of 16,931
Hi Joker,
 
In your experience how much difference in sound are UF versions vs Customs. I am asking this in relation to your review on the Noble 4S. I have a pair of Fitear F111 and have the impression that the Noble 4 may have the same basic sig but overall better clarity. Would this be correct ? Can i make such assmuptions about the UF version ? 
 
Cheers
 
Dec 2, 2013 at 8:59 PM Post #12,222 of 16,931
Joker, long time - great to see the old thread still going strong  :D
 
I will come back to this thread when I'm ready to agonise over descriptions of sound quality again, but for now I'm ecstatic that I was able to get a solid recommendation and order a pair of EPH-100s within 30 minutes of logging onto Head-Fi this morning : for me, that's a record. Life is a lot simpler when you can abandon the usual 'I need detailed, but not analytical, and warm, but not too warm' provisos - I liked your reviews from day one because you covered such a huge range of 'phones, and readily admit that you bought some of them purely for their 'fun' factor. Keep the faith.
 
estreeter
 
Dec 3, 2013 at 12:11 AM Post #12,223 of 16,931
suman134 said:
  will you do a review of brainwavz delta ?
Click to expand...

 
No plans at this time - don't have one on hand. I have an R3 but it's probably not going to get a full review because I don't really like the form factor.  
 
sauntere said:
  Hi Joker,
 
In your experience how much difference in sound are UF versions vs Customs. I am asking this in relation to your review on the Noble 4S. I have a pair of Fitear F111 and have the impression that the Noble 4 may have the same basic sig but overall better clarity. Would this be correct ? Can i make such assmuptions about the UF version ? 
 
Cheers
Click to expand...

 
I have no idea how close the Noble 4 and 4S are. The universal UERM I reviewed recently was very good. The universal Miracle that I tried didn't stack up to the customized one. Haven't had occasion to compare any other universals to their custom versions but my guess is it varies on a case by case basis, and also depends on how good a fit you can get with the universal. The universal UERM was not particularly comfortable for me in any position. 
 
Unfortunately I haven't tried the F111 so I can't say how the 4S compares. 
 
estreeter said:
  Joker, long time - great to see the old thread still going strong  :D
 
I will come back to this thread when I'm ready to agonise over descriptions of sound quality again, but for now I'm ecstatic that I was able to get a solid recommendation and order a pair of EPH-100s within 30 minutes of logging onto Head-Fi this morning : for me, that's a record. Life is a lot simpler when you can abandon the usual 'I need detailed, but not analytical, and warm, but not too warm' provisos - I liked your reviews from day one because you covered such a huge range of 'phones, and readily admit that you bought some of them purely for their 'fun' factor. Keep the faith.
 
estreeter
Click to expand...

 
Thanks, I appreciate that
beerchug.gif
.
 
The EPH-100 is fun indeed. Hope you like it! 
 
Dec 3, 2013 at 1:22 AM Post #12,224 of 16,931
Thank you for responding...
 
Dec 3, 2013 at 4:01 PM Post #12,225 of 16,931
I just recieved my SS flux and they are absolutely unbelievable. I can't belive that so powerful sound is comming from so tiny IEM's. Thanks for input joker. Without your thread and your review, I would never consider "gaming" earphones for listening to music but they are just brilliant. Thanks again for this. Im so happy :*
 
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