[REVIEW] VSONIC GR07 – Labor of Love - Page 29

Deep inserted small Comply T-200 drop a lot of the 6k sibilance! (around 3 dB at least)

Higher highs aren't affected apparently. Highly recommended.

Bah, they apparently seem to help, however they don't according to eq. still better than the curve for SA6 tips or medium decored with far less fiddly fit and good comfort.

Soundstage is better than with old tips some, comfort a lot.

Interesting, it's not that the eq curve changed, it's that the character of the sibilance changed to somewhat more rounded and less grating.

Harmonics? Did I happen to hit the magic burn-in mark here or something?

EDIT: Nah, I did not, it's the tips. The deeper fit does something to the sound that's not a change in frequency response.

Final eq is actually this:

has anyone compared these to the TF10s? I have a pair right now thats broken and I need a new IEM. I was initially going to get some IE8s. What are your guys' opinions. 

^ From esanthosh's very informative review:

No two IEMs in this comparison are this far apart. TF10, in many people's opinion, is the last remaining IEM from the "old guard" while GR07 is still not past it's honeymoon period. GR07 as a dynamic tries to cross over into the conventional BA territory of stage monitors, whereas TF10 is a triple driver BA that attempts to trespass into fun sounding territory of dynamics. Do they have anything in common? They both cover (almost) from end to end in the spectrum.

The larger gun mental blue housings of TF10 look odd next to the understated GR07 housings. Unlike many, I never had issues in getting a good fit and seal with the TF10. But, comfort over long hours of wearing is certainly better with GR07. The crush proof travel case of TF10 looks classier compared to the GR07 clam-shell case, though the pouch for storing tips make me still prefer the clam-shell case. Since I am using the twilight cable, I'll make no comment about the cables.

The bass of TF10 is thicker in note, which at times leads to the perception of muddiness. While GR07 scores in presenting a textured bass, punch and impact are terms undoubtedly reserved for the TF10.

TF10, deviating from typical BA style, presents a slightly thick and hearty note in the mids. Much has been said about the 'recessed' mid range of TF10. While TF10 does sound V-shaped, I don't hear the mid range to be as recessed as it's made out to be. The textured, well rounded notes of GR07 are countered with the up front presentation of details on the TF10.

With treble, while GR07 remains well detailed, TF10's treble driver gets a slight bit ahead with it's up-front presentation. By and large, next to the thick note and up front detail presenting TF10, GR07 sounds polite and gentle.

Coming to sound stage, TF10 is better with depth and height, while width wise, they do not differ hugely. TF10 throws out distance cues a slight bit better and also does better on the imaging front. As a BA, speed and clarity are better with TF10. I feel that the dynamic range is a slight bit better with GR07. To summarize how they appeal to me, GR07 stays clear of drawing attention to any one particular range and sounds more coherent, while TF10 scores better at both ends. Technically speaking, I'd put GR07 a bit ahead, but when it comes to fun and engagement, TF10 manages to score some brownie points.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickcenary 

So, I was listening to my brother's Ortofon EQ7s on my EQ'd Cowon (BBE at 10, MachBass at 7 and MPE on) - progressive metal with modern production values - and I find them too sparkly/bright for my liking. How do the GR07s compare, both in terms of bass levels and highs?

I'm starting to think that I'm purely a "warm" and "fun" type of guy.

Cheers, men.

While I've never heard the Ortofons before, the GR07 is definitely not sparkly and bright.  While there can be sparkle in the highs, it never gets overwhelming and in fact is just a little restrained.  But the amount of bass they is enough to satisfy pretty much anyone who isn't a basshead.

The GR07 has stronger bass than the e-Q7 (it has been a while since I listened to the e-Q7, so take that with a grain of salt) and is less rolled off. I have never thought the e-Q7 as being too bright; it might have its sharper edges, but it's fairly non-fatiguing. The GR07 has a less fatiguing presentation as it's not as forward for certain bands of the spectrum, but I'd say they about equal in terms of the presence of brightness. Can you identify what frequencies that bother you with the e-Q7? As of right now, I can imagine you thinking the GR07 to be too bright as well.

Edit: Oh, and you might want to turn off EQ adjustments when testing out IEMs; I don't know what your routine is, but most people custom EQ for a specific IEM, or EQ for a specific song. Leaving EQ on all the time may not be the best way to assess the sound coming out of your headphones, especially when talking to people on here, since most turn on EQ only when they hear frequency spikes not to their liking, or when they feel the bass isn't strong enough.

@ DaBomb & tomscy

Much thanks for the replies. Unfortunately (and somewhat ashamedly), I'm a bit of a junior audiophile; I've really only a basic knowledge of the rudimentary terms that get thrown around here in terms of SQ, so I apologize for any shortcomings in my articulation. Feel free to educate me, though! As for the EQ issue, I've tinkered with the settings, but not the frequencies on my Cowon to achieve a sound that I find appealing for my Radius DDM1s. Artificial? Maybe. Tasty to my ears, however? Yes. Baby steps, guys. Ha.

On topic, I found the EQ7s noticeably fatiguing compared to the DDM, but I realise that they're somewhat antithetical to each other, so I wasn't surprised. Listening to this tune, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztzMII6T-U4, it seemed as if there was just too much going on with the highs; somewhat of a relenting air of cymbals and keys and whatnot that just didn't sound nice. I'm definitely after a nice complementary set for the DDMs, i.e. more analytical, more detailed, yet I still desire a sense of warmth, evident bass, airiness and a generally easy listening experience.

Thanks again.

If any of you GR07 owners have a chance to try them w/ a 602 I recommend it.  I got to thinking about the things I didn't like about the GR07 and glanced over at my 602 that's been gathering dust while I've been running my DACPort into the ground lately.  It seemed like a logical pairing and let me tell you it is!  Much better.  Not perfect but vastly improved w/ proper synergy.  Sibilance still there, a bit analytical and dry but much, much better.  More fluid and lush.  

602 > Arrow 4G > GR07 = very nice indeed!  Maybe I won't sell my 602 afterall.  

These are rapidly becoming my favorite phones for hip hop.. well mastered albums with male vocals in hip hop tracks simply sound perfect to my ears through the GR07.. crisp, weighted, and extremely clear.. to the point it feels like it's suspended in space.. Boom bap drums patterns also seem like a match made in heaven for these.. crusty snare snaps have the energy and tonal accuracy that I hear with the DBA but with more decay and depth. The GR07's ever-so-faint hint of warmth give dusty breaks & loops a wonderful, vinyl-inspired lush accentuation.

After some 300 hours on these phones.. they have the faintest hint of warmth.. which is actually kind of welcome.. but they sound crisper, livelier, more neutral, and faster now than at any point.  With a lot of downtempo stuff, the bass has mesmerizing texture and the GR07's ability to present complex layers of music neatly in space never ceases to amaze me.  They have an irresistible maturity to their sound.

Re: tips.. the monster foam SuperTips have been fantastic.. I get the best seal from them out of all the tips I've tried (and I feel like I've tried 'em all), the comfort is supreme as I literally forget I have anything in my ears after 5 minutes or so (all i hear and feel is music).. I can get a deep seat with an excellent seal.. when you get that kind of fit you'll hear the mid-centric foundation of these phones in all their glory as well the sparkly treble and hypnotic bass work all kinds of WIN on your ears.  I also discovered the astonishingly nice soundstage depth with this kind of seal.

One last note.. I don't know if this is attributed to the extensive burn in or my ears adjusting to the sound.. or a blend of both.. but I can now turn the volume up higher without hitting that "sibilance ceiling".. I can effortlessly go to 90% on my iPhone 4, which is quite loud and not experience any of that lower treble spike myself and many others noted.. 

^ would you happen to have tried the monster gel tips as well? any difference? i might just go grab these from bestbuy.

I seriously need the purchase these I guess it will depend on what I heard from the SonyEx1000.

Originally Posted by Startech17 

^ would happen to have tried the monster gel tips as well? any difference? i might just go grab these from bestbuy.

I tried every tip in the Super pack, gels included.. personally, they wouldn't stay in my ear.. after inserting, they would wiggle out as they expanded.. the foams were excellent and don't distort the acoustic signature of the phones.  I'd definitely give them a shot if the Hyprids & stock tips didn't work for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlySweep 

I tried every tip in the Super pack, gels included.. personally, they wouldn't stay in my ear.. after inserting, they would wiggle out as they expanded.. the foams were excellent and don't distort the acoustic signature of the phones.  I'd definitely give them a shot if the Hyprids & stock tips didn't work for you.

great, thanks for the reply. how was isolation compared to the stock foams or even comply's if you tried any? ive been looking for the perfect tip (best isolation/comfort, obviously lol)