[REVIEW] Fischer Audio - For Your Ears Only - Page 2

Thanks for the great review Tai!  Very nicely done, I love that you always follow up answering questions as openly and honestly as posible!

clieos, may I know if the bass for the eterna v2 is lesser as I feel the v1 is too bassy for me and I might appreciate the v2 more OR should I go with the RE0? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS 

The problem with numeric ranking system is that it will run out of space eventually as the data continue to pile up. While I find DBA-02 give better resolution and more dynamic than Phonak, the aggressiveness of the presentation becomes a concern when I compare it to the very natural sounding e-Q7. I believe most people (whom are mainly not analytical listener) will appreciate e-Q7 sound signature over than of DBA-02, and so that reflects in the final ranking. 

Agreed about numeric rankings...all the more reason to revamp your system and chose 1-10 instead (?)...that would give you more room.

You mention that the DBA-02 had "better resolution and more dynamic than Phonak"...must be pretty good since in the Phonak review you said that with the grey filters they were "great in resolution".

Could you comment on this "agressiveness of the presentation"? I mean, make it a bit more understandable for we laymen? Is it a certain type of music this concern manifests itself in or...well, I just don't fully understand what you might be getting at. I would appreciate it - I've been holding off on the Phonaks until your review on the DBA-02's came in and it almost seems like a toss up as concerns which to pair with my Rockboxed Sansa Clip or Fuze.
 

The other stuff I agree with, but I've always wondered why packaging really counts for much. It's always seemed to me the type of thing an impressionable 16 yr old girl would be interested in. Of course, 16 yr old girls matter too...especially to 16 yr old boys....
 

I'm not a bassy person, I need the bass tight quality correct bass ,good isolation though since I move around quite a bit with the earphones. If I change the default tips for REO, would it improve the isolation and maybe also the bass. I like neutral and detail sound and it would be very enjoyable for me if I can listen to details that is unheard of.

As what you said, what else should I be considering at $80 price range.

Your description of the dba makes it sound very similar to the CK10. It's a shame you don't have them to compare. I have a feeling they won't be very different. Another analytical phone for my collection :)

Just as an FYI, I found the DBA-02s somewhat harsh with the OEM tips (could have been an insertion depth issue), but then I tried out a pair of Ety tri-flanges for kicks, and they turned out to be the perfect tip for me with the Fischers. Now, never a sibilant note nor overaggressive treble. They are smooth, well defined, and really crisp across the spectrum. Just wanted to let any potential buyers know that they can change with tip selection, and I highly recommend those Ety tips (not too bad in terms of comfort at all, in fact very comfy with the DBA design).

For CK10 owners, a friend of mine has the CK10s, and I tried them. To me, the DBAs are more balanced and the bass more pronounced. But the DBA detail and soundstage is really on par with the CK10s, depending on source (I am using the S:flo2 primarily with flac files, and the Fuze now and then).

I agree with ClieOS assessment that they are indeed a tremendous value. Good review, but hope the "a" word doesn't scare anyone. They are very, very good IEMs, top tier for sure.

snip3r77, if you have access to a reasonable EQ, you can flatten out the Eterna very easily.  Really it shares the same fate as the Triple.Fi 10 and IE8.  It simply has a mildly bumped higher bass and low midrange presence.  Unfortunately, this can be overwhelming at times yet is also easily fixable.  If you can do a broad EQ cut of around 4dB at 100Hz, that bass emphasis will go away.  The same happens with the bass heavy IE8 and the lower midrange and treble heavy Triple.Fi 10.  None of these have massive response peaks, but they do create the perceived presentation that is sometimes unliked.  A little EQing can go a long way, and in many cases this can give you entirely different presentations.  One thing I have attempted in my own searches as well as reviews is compare earphones on an equal ground, i.e. EQ each to their own (ear) flat and compare raw characteristics between each outside of the skew that frequency response can create.   You will typically hear an earphone in a better light than normally presented.  I have found that most earphones do benefit from EQing, even ones that are really well balanced in the first place.  As well, some of the ones that are not all that well balanced can show you a whole new sound you never though possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS 

 

As far as sound signature is concerned, e-Q7 and DBA-02 is totally different. While e-Q7 is smooth, dynamic, a little warm with a good bodied bass, DBA-02 is more analytical, bright and aggressive with good resolution but fast bass which is more typical of BA driver. I would rank DBA-02 just a little under e-Q7 actually in overall performance, but still among top-tier. Of course the main thing of concern is which kind of sound signature you are looking for. e-Q7's sound has the blessing of both dynamic and BA transducer, while DBA-02 sound is obviously very BA-like.
 

Good to know. I'll probably get the e-Q7 then, even though the DBA-02 is probably better value. BA's I tend to not like due to the lack of timbre issue and midrange focus.
 

Thanks for the update =)

By the way, may I know about the alternatives? I'm using an iPhone as the source BTW.

Can you share with us about comparison with Etymotic ER4P and Altec Lansing iM716?

analytical sound signature, bass and so on.