[Review] Impressions of the Sony EX1000 versus the FX700, GR10 and e-Q5 - Page 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_recording 

Okay, just wanted to report on a little experiment:

 

I inserted some of the "Eartip Adapters" that come with Monster Supertips (remember them?) into the nozzle of the EX1000. It turns out they are the right size and fit pretty well. This compresses down the foam filter.

 

Results: Inserting this makeshift filter makes the EX1000 much darker - darker than even the 7550 / EX800ST. If you ever wanted to make your EX1000 tuned for pop or electronic music, this would be the best way. I didn't like the change, but doing this confirmed a few things for me:

 

1. The foam filter in the nozzle really is just a cylinder of foam. It is somehow fixed at the back of the nozzle at the base.The tip adapter can be removed with something like the earwax loop cleaner in the picture and then the compressed foam can be teased back up the nozzle to sit flush with the rim.

 

2. The foam filter is clearly not a user-replaceable part. Be gentle with the teasing.

 

3. I do not know if the foam filter can be pushed all the way into the driver (which would be A Bad Thing).

 

4. I cannot guarantee that in this case the foam would not naturally decompress by itself and at some point push the supertip adapter out, perhaps right into your ear which would be A Bad Thing).

 

5. It would be possible to consistently tune the sound of the EX1000 by removing the foam filter entirely and replacing it with a acoustic filter, if one had a filter of the correct diameter. (I'll double check my friend's PFE's to see if they could possibly fit. Maybe the K3003i filter?)

 

If you are wondering why I'm doing this it's because I find I like my 7550's more, but wish I could compromise between the cleaner sound of the EX1000 and the more forgiving sound of the 7550.

1. Yes, it is just a cylinder of foam that's somehow tied together with a part of a nozzle, learned this from opening a EX600. 

3. Don't think so. 

4. It will compress but then you can pull it back to a normal shape. 

5. You can just add a bit more foam, or use layer of RE0 filters, there may be a sweetspot. 

It will be possible to have something in between the 7550 and EX1000, by dampening the 1000s a bit. Rin and I have mods planned for the EX1000 which James donated, it will be a bit as he's booked for now. EX1000 may benefit from some dampening, which would make it more like the 7550, but with more bandwidth. EX1000 can be made more like the 7550, while the 7550 cannot be more like the EX1000, that's one of the reasons why EX1000>7550, its clearly the same driver but with a better diaphragm. 

That sounds exciting!

Also, it turns out that the new RE-400 filters are the same size as the RE0 filters but made out of a thicker material. They may be worth experimenting with too. I'm trying to order a set at the moment.

Today I finally experience my first negative encounters with EX1000 while I was listening to "Album:Some Lesson, track:Cry wolf". Right at 30 second there was a nasty jump in treble. I love ex1000 when  listen to Indian tabala and music of similar nature however I have found EX1000 is not too friendly towards female vocalist. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMinor 

Be warned the EX1000 is capable of causing you to lose appetite for hi-fi upgrade.

 

I recently sold my IE80's because of the EX1000. I just couldn't stand listening to the IE80's anymore after using the EX1000 for a few months.

Hi DMinor,

I've seen you have the iQube and how does this pair with the EX1000?  I have the Ex1000 for 4 months now and love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flymetothemoon 

Hi DMinor,

 

I've seen you have the iQube and how does this pair with the EX1000?  I have the Ex1000 for 4 months now and love it.

Haha I don't have or had the iQube. My daps are 5g mod and classic 7G. They both sound great with the Alo Rx MK2 and the EX1000. I am expecting to receive the Heir 4.Ai this week to compliment the EX1000.

Just a question do you guys think recabling the EX-1000 with a fully balanced cable would improve on the sound? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMinor 

Haha I don't have or had the iQube. My daps are 5g mod and classic 7G. They both sound great with the Alo Rx MK2 and the EX1000. I am expecting to receive the Heir 4.Ai this week to compliment the EX1000.

Thanks.

I had a chance auditioned the ALO Rx Mk3 back few weeks ago and was impressed [using the EX1000]. The Rx3's highs are so details and well defined while the lows are authoritative.  However, it would be wasteful to have a full-balanced amp and just using its SE capability.  

The EX1000 is awesome with the front end of Tera Player + ADL Stride.  I'm looking for another amp to see how far it could go with the combo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionewbi 

Just a question do you guys think recabling the EX-1000 with a fully balanced cable would improve on the sound? 

I think it´s most likely a waste of money. The EX1000 wasn´t designed that way and IEMs can´t handle that much voltage either so it´s kinda risky too. I´d rather use the money to buy more IEMs. perhaps something similar to EX1000 (maybe SM64 - pure guess as I haven´t heard it). 

PS: Little announcement to make... Ordered the EX-1000! They are getting rare to find in the EU, with online stores showing "shipping in 1-3 months" which usually means "not going to happen". So I thought it´s now or never to get this fantastic IEM :) I´ve got the MDR-7550 (150 euros at Session.de, nice deal) and it completely sold me on the product range. I have the XBA-40 here and must confess that to my ears they are a poor joke compared to the MDR-7550, so I can only imagine how bad it is vs the EX-1000... The only reason I can think of to discontinue the EX range is that they were losing money/at least not making any. The dynamic driver Sony´s are so far ahead of their BA ones it´s not even funny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrln 

I think it´s most likely a waste of money. The EX1000 wasn´t designed that way and IEMs can´t handle that much voltage either so it´s kinda risky too. I´d rather use the money to buy more IEMs. perhaps something similar to EX1000 (maybe SM64 - pure guess as I haven´t heard it). 

 

PS: Little announcement to make... Ordered the EX-1000! They are getting rare to find in the EU, with online stores showing "shipping in 1-3 months" which usually means "not going to happen". So I thought it´s now or never to get this fantastic IEM :) I´ve got the MDR-7550 (150 euros at Session.de, nice deal) and it completely sold me on the product range. I have the XBA-40 here and must confess that to my ears they are a poor joke compared to the MDR-7550, so I can only imagine how bad it is vs the EX-1000... The only reason I can think of to discontinue the EX range is that they were losing money/at least not making any. The dynamic driver Sony´s are so far ahead of their BA ones it´s not even funny.

Is 7550 the identical twin of EX1000?  Only as the professional version.  Technically they are similar/same?  You'd probably won't miss much if you don't get the Ex1000

No, they are the same as EX-800 from Japan. They use the cheaper elements (not the liquid polymer one) and lack the magnesium housing as well. The tuning is different too, for example there´s a high frequency filter to make them less fatiguing at the cost of air/soundstage.

Thanks, I will stick with EX-1000 stock, it is already good enough for classical and acoustic musics. Congrats on your purchase, I hope they are what you were after :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrln 

I think it´s most likely a waste of money. The EX1000 wasn´t designed that way and IEMs can´t handle that much voltage either so it´s kinda risky too. I´d rather use the money to buy more IEMs. perhaps something similar to EX1000 (maybe SM64 - pure guess as I haven´t heard it). 

 

PS: Little announcement to make... Ordered the EX-1000! They are getting rare to find in the EU, with online stores showing "shipping in 1-3 months" which usually means "not going to happen". So I thought it´s now or never to get this fantastic IEM :) I´ve got the MDR-7550 (150 euros at Session.de, nice deal) and it completely sold me on the product range. I have the XBA-40 here and must confess that to my ears they are a poor joke compared to the MDR-7550, so I can only imagine how bad it is vs the EX-1000... The only reason I can think of to discontinue the EX range is that they were losing money/at least not making any. The dynamic driver Sony´s are so far ahead of their BA ones it´s not even funny.

I´m sure they are, the MDR-7550 with more air/treble and higher quality elements (a slight V-shape sound): sounds good :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrln 

No, they are the same as EX-800 from Japan. They use the cheaper elements (not the liquid polymer one) and lack the magnesium housing as well. The tuning is different too, for example there´s a high frequency filter to make them less fatiguing at the cost of air/soundstage.

Noted.

The EX1000 is a great earphone. It exposes bad recording/source/amp and you would find hard to continue listening.  On the reverse, it gives you enjoyable music once you feed it with the right material/combo.  

Sounds good :) I´m looking for a "neutral reference" to complement the more fun oriented sound signature of the Sennheiser IE800. Exposing less than perfect recordings/source gear is just the price of accuracy in my opinion, often a sign of good headphones :) The EX1000 are sold out almost everywhere in the EU now and most likely for good... To be honest I never would have bought these blind, but once I found the MDR-7550 for so cheap all my worries about the exotic housing/fit were gone. I was just left stunned at the superb technical capability of Sony´s dynamic drivers. For example the bass speed/control is technically superior to Sennheiser IE800 (at the price difference this isn´t something I would have wanted to notice).