Fabs-fabulous earphones® Review - fabulously balanced custom IEMs - Page 2

Thanks for the link.  The second product on the page says "made in the best German laboratory," but the first one doesn't say that.  I will post when I get a response from Claus.  If they sound the same and you are looking for a perfect balance, I think you will be very happy!

Claus gave me a quick response informing me he will give a detailed response Monday from his office.  That is just an extension of his exceptional customer service he has always given me.

According to Claus, the Fabs are derived from the REALsound customs, which are made by GN Hearing in Germany.  Claus has custom tuned the Fabs and uses a different crossover as well as an improved cable connection.  He does not know what the REALsound customs sound like so there is no guarantee they will sound as good.  Seems like Claus has fine tuned the sound (read the story part on his site) for more information.  I guess it will be interesting once you get these to see how you like them.  Although, there is no guarantee, so maybe you can cancel and go with Fabs, or chance it.

Claus also stated he is working on a single driver custom and has many cable options, including a silver cable he is still testing (and I will more than likely get).

Claus has released the stranded silver cable for a cost of $290 (200 €) or 238 € including VAT.  Being a stranded silver cable, the usability/flexibility is more than likely much better than the cable I currently have (and chose) with a mic/remote for my iPhone.  Available in black with a right angle Neutrik plug or straight plug.

This should improve the already sweet sound of the Fabs!

Thanks for sharing.  I guess we will never know if the sound is exactly the same between the two, but it does seem close.  I figure there are some changes as Claus says he tuned the Fabs differently and I think the Fabs have excellent tonal accuracy.  I am looking forward to your listening impressions and comparison with the JH13 over time.  It did take me a little bit of time to get used to the sound and to really appreciate them without the bass boost on my Arrow.  Now I think they are extremely flat and can accentuate frequency bumps in my other customs.

As far as the cable, did you have an option for over-the-ear and cable down?  I did and chose cable down to be different, but if I had it all to do over again, I would have got a different cable (non iPhone compatible) and cable over the ear.

Thanks for your additional feedback.  I agree that they are better than any universals I have heard (but different sound signature), and I have heard the W4 briefly, but not enough to make solid conclusion other than the soundstage space of the Fabs is superior to the W4 with the tips I had (silicone single flange).  The W4 is warmer than the Fabs, not that the Fabs are cold.

I can't wait to get my JH16 reshell (next week?) for comparison.

I do have some others that are in a similar price range; the TS842 and Kozee X3.  The X3 has a very different presentation as the sound is fun with enhanced bass and plenty of treble.  They both seem to roll off at about the same in the treble and both have very good deep bass extension, but because of the dramatically different sound signatures, they are not competitors.  I just received the TS842 and they are closer in presentation to the Fabs, but they do have more treble extension and are brighter.  I am not sure about how the bass/mids compare or the level of detail at the moment.