Mar 16, 2012 at 6:17 PM Post #1,651 of 1,764
I prefer the EX1000 myself for reasons not just including sound quality. I do like the ease of just popping the FX700s in and out though. Makes them convenient at work when I'm constantly being interrupted. They both have large, open, and airy soundstages, though the EX1000 has more of an "out-of-head" type presentation with more forward projection.
 
Mar 16, 2012 at 9:00 PM Post #1,652 of 1,764
I was just reminded by another Head-fi member via PM that the FX700 has a slightly recessed midrange which I would not want as I love my mids. As for comfort I actually find the 7550 one of the most comfortable IEM's I own so I am sure the EX1000 would just be a continuation of that comfort. I just don't know how much of a difference I would get from my 7550 to the EX1000. I will wait and see if anyone who prefers the FX700 can present some points that might sway me, but if not I will take this discussion into the appropriate threads.
 
Mar 16, 2012 at 9:30 PM Post #1,653 of 1,764
For those that have heard both and had proper fits with both. Would you recommend the FX700 or the EX1000? I currently own the MDR7550 and like them alot. My concern is whether I would find the EX1000 a significant enough of an upgrade (or more of a side grade as I like midrange of the 7550 which I believe is more accentuated than the EX1000). Then comes the FX700 which I have toyed with buying several times as I like what I have read about low volume listening. How do the two compare sound stage wise as well as I love a big sound stage? Orrrr should I be looking at the Westone 4 perhaps?


The FX700 sound stage is more 3D and surrounds you while the EX1000 is very flat and wide. The EX1000 mid range is more upfront but it's treble at least for me, is very sibilant due to treble spikes. The FX700 had more bass quantity while the EX1000 lacks bass quantity but has great quality and control.
 
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:57 AM Post #1,656 of 1,764
I don't agree with this at all. They both have great depth and are very wide. The main differences being the EX1000 having a more out-of-head presentation and more forward projection.
 
Quote:
The FX700 sound stage is more 3D and surrounds you while the EX1000 is very flat and wide.



 
 
Mar 17, 2012 at 3:34 AM Post #1,658 of 1,764
Quote:
I was just reminded by another Head-fi member via PM that the FX700 has a slightly recessed midrange which I would not want as I love my mids. As for comfort I actually find the 7550 one of the most comfortable IEM's I own so I am sure the EX1000 would just be a continuation of that comfort. I just don't know how much of a difference I would get from my 7550 to the EX1000. I will wait and see if anyone who prefers the FX700 can present some points that might sway me, but if not I will take this discussion into the appropriate threads.


Probably neither the FX700 nor the EX1000 are actually an upgrade to the 7550 for a mids lover. I'd ask music_4321 who heard both the 7550 and EX1000 side by side (though you'll run the risk that he might steer you towards the K3003
wink.gif
).
 
Quote:
James, I'll follow your threads till the end!


Thanks, I feel flattered and cajoled.
wink.gif
  Hope you know that may turn out to be an expensive journey (see above). 
evil_smiley.gif

 
Quote:
I don't agree with this at all. They both have great depth and are very wide. The main differences being the EX1000 having a more out-of-head presentation and more forward projection.


I agree with your perception in general, though tips and fit can do peculiar things to soundstage. I've done a lot of experimenting with tips on my FX700 (mainly to attenuate bass and bring out the mids) and found that the soundstage changed quite a bit in the process.
 
Mar 17, 2012 at 4:04 AM Post #1,660 of 1,764
Quote:
I've done a lot of experimenting with tips on my FX700 (mainly to attenuate bass and bring out the mids) and found that the soundstage changed quite a bit in the process


Speaking of which, here are the tips that work best for me on the FX700. Sadly I don't remember where I got them from (I tend to be rather chaotic with tips). Upper left is my normal tip size for comparison, so you see they're noticably smaller. Their shape is rather longish and their tube diameter is about the same size as the FX700's filters. Smaller tip size means, they just barely touch my ear canal, so it's actually a very loose seal, which works nicely to attenuate bass. Longish tip shape means, they reach a bit deeper into the ear canal than usual, which helps to bring out the mids.
 
Overall the effect on sound signature is quite remarkable and the FX700 sound actually pretty well balanced with these tips. The downside, of course, being even less isolation than with a full seal and a slight decrease in soundstage due to closer mids.
 

 
 
Mar 17, 2012 at 6:29 PM Post #1,662 of 1,764
Probably neither the FX700 nor the EX1000 are actually an upgrade to the 7550 for a mids lover. I'd ask music_4321 who heard both the 7550 and EX1000 side by side (though you'll run the risk that he might steer you towards the K3003
wink.gif
).
 

Thanks, I feel flattered and cajoled.
wink.gif
  Hope you know that may turn out to be an expensive journey (see above). 
evil_smiley.gif

 

I agree with your perception in general, though tips and fit can do peculiar things to soundstage. I've done a lot of experimenting with tips on my FX700 (mainly to attenuate bass and bring out the mids) and found that the soundstage changed quite a bit in the process.

Thanks James I was leaning that way myself but your post has helped me in my resolve. I may try the the Westone 4 but will more likely wait and try out the GR08 from Vsonic.
 
Mar 17, 2012 at 9:59 PM Post #1,664 of 1,764
 
I was just reminded by another Head-fi member via PM that the FX700 has a slightly recessed midrange which I would not want as I love my mids. As for comfort I actually find the 7550 one of the most comfortable IEM's I own so I am sure the EX1000 would just be a continuation of that comfort. I just don't know how much of a difference I would get from my 7550 to the EX1000. I will wait and see if anyone who prefers the FX700 can present some points that might sway me, but if not I will take this discussion into the appropriate threads.

FX700s don't sound like they'll be for much use to you at all. Mids are more than slightly recessed, though James' shallow insertion method helps a lot (shallow insertion tames the bass and smaller bore tames the boosted treble). Problem is, with that, the treble still takes away from the midrange (though it isn't harsh just forward) and they actually leak sound unless your'e listening at low levels. Also, the shallow insertion rids of a lot of the subbass unfortunately.
 
 
The SE535s sound like a good 7550 upgrade, similar response with better transient speed, smoother response and perhaps bigger dynamic range FWIR. W4s will be a darker sound. GR10s will also be a nice option. There's still the possibility that these won't be a big "upgrade" like going from the 7550s to the EX1000s depending on what you value. I do think BAs just keep it more coherent, linear and refined than top-tier dynamics. 
 
Mar 18, 2012 at 1:26 AM Post #1,665 of 1,764
Quote:
James, I think those might be Monster tips. Using a pair on my FX700 as well.


That's not possible, since I never owned any Monster IEMs, just a starter pack of Monster foam and gel tips.
 
Quote:
Mids are more than slightly recessed, though James' shallow insertion method helps a lot (shallow insertion tames the bass and smaller bore tames the boosted treble). Problem is, with that, the treble still takes away from the midrange (though it isn't harsh just forward) and they actually leak sound unless your'e listening at low levels. Also, the shallow insertion rids of a lot of the subbass unfortunately.


The thing is, I don't use shallow insertion, just a loose seal (small diameter). These tips are actually longer than the stock tips and (since I can fit the whole housing in my pinna) reach deeper into the ear canal than my usual fit with large UE silicons or such. I can't really explain why they sound that good, but I get plenty of subbass, noticably less midbass, clear and present mids (by my standard) and still forward, but smooth and refined treble.
 

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