[james444]

Those conflicting impressions about the EX1000's highs are puzzling. My EX1000 sound smoother and less harsh/sibilant than the FI-BA-A1 that we both have in common, and I don't consider these harsh to begin with. Maybe a tip/fit issue, I don't know. Then again, Mike from Headphonia said they have "one of the sweetest sounding upper mid I’ve heard", and he was using stock tips. Puzzling...

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

Those conflicting impressions about the EX1000's highs are puzzling. My EX1000 sound smoother and less harsh/sibilant than the FI-BA-A1 that we both have in common, and I don't consider these harsh to begin with. Maybe a tip/fit issue, I don't know. Then again, Mike from Headphonia said they have "one of the sweetest sounding upper mid I’ve heard", and he was using stock tips. Puzzling...

I find it a bit odd too. It may be just due to sensitivity to particular frequencies. Basically, in the time I had with the EX1000's I listened to a few albums from Hot Chip and Junior Boys, which are mastered a little hot on occasion. While it wasn't specifically sibilance I picked up, I just found they were a little harsh for me. Don't get me wrong - I find the A1's hot on the same tracks as well.
 
In related news though and a little off topic, I'm getting my A1's sent back for warranty issues because an imbalance issue came up with less bass on the right ear. They are either getting replaced with A1's or E-Q5s...

 

[Anouk]

Hi James, thanks for this again excellent review! If these isolated better and street price was around 400 I would snap these up in a heartbeat. Now it will either be shure or etymotic. Greetings, Anouk,

 

[james444]

Hi Anouk, yes I'd wish for better isolation too, but IME there's always a tradeoff between isolation and soundstage with dynamic drivers. The best DD isolation I've had was with the Atrios and these had too intimate soundstage for my liking. The Sonys are a reasonable compromise, they isolate better than the FX700 and DDM while offering a very generous out-of-head experience. Of course I can hear subdued ambient noise while commuting on the subway and if I strain my ears I can even understand the announcements. But contrary to the FX700 the noise level is below my personal threshold and doesn't annoy and distract me from listening.

 

[Rip N' Burn]

Nice review! I've actually had these for a while and paid a hefty price for them but curiosity got the best of me again. They are hands down the best dynamic iem I've heard to date. When I switched back and forth between the UM3X and EX1000, the EX1000 had more noticeable clarity which shocked me. I agree with pretty much everything you said except for the highs and details parts. I perceive the highs as more detailed and are very detailed across the whole spectrum while maintaining a sense of smoothness. Very similar to my UM Mage customs. The Monster foam supertips work the best for me.

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

I find it a bit odd too. It may be just due to sensitivity to particular frequencies. Basically, in the time I had with the EX1000's I listened to a few albums from Hot Chip and Junior Boys, which are mastered a little hot on occasion. While it wasn't specifically sibilance I picked up, I just found they were a little harsh for me. Don't get me wrong - I find the A1's hot on the same tracks as well.
 
In related news though and a little off topic, I'm getting my A1's sent back for warranty issues because an imbalance issue came up with less bass on the right ear. They are either getting replaced with A1's or E-Q5s...

The highs were too harsh for me too.  That was with a 602 as my source even!  I only tried the Sony hybrid tips so that may have been part of that.
 
Great review James!

 

[james444]

Quote:

Nice review! I've actually had these for a while and paid a hefty price for them but curiosity got the best of me again. They are hands down the best dynamic iem I've heard to date. When I switched back and forth between the UM3X and EX1000, the EX1000 had more noticeable clarity which shocked me. I agree with pretty much everything you said except for the highs and details parts. I perceive the highs as more detailed and are very detailed across the whole spectrum while maintaining a sense of smoothness. Very similar to my UM Mage customs. The Monster foam supertips work the best for me.

Thanks! Btw I believe we don't actually disagree about the highs and detail. I think the EX1000 have excellent detail and highs and I even wrote in my listening notes that they render cymbals more realistic than the GR10. Yet the GR10 are at the same time strikingly clear, less smooth and noticably more tipped towards brightness in comparison, so detail and highs are more apparent. From my experience analytical listerners would prefer such a sound signature (GR10, CK10, RE0, DBA-02, ...) to the more holistic presentation of the Sonys, thats why I made that comment in my final paragraph. But let me clarify again, the EX1000 don't miss out any detail, they're just not as much in-your-face with it.
 
Very interesting remark about the UM Mage. I've been thinking for quite a while that these would be my first choice if I ever decide to go custom.

 

[esanthosh]

Another great impression which my wallet certainly disapproves

. Why do you have to find something better than FX700? Just why?
 
Hope it comes down in price so that I can get them someday.
 
If you get the UM Mage someday, I'll be all ears on what you have to say about their sound. I am kind of half hearted about spending for UM Miracle / Mage or keep buying some dynamics.

 

[Kunlun]

Quote:

Nice review! I've actually had these for a while and paid a hefty price for them but curiosity got the best of me again. They are hands down the best dynamic iem I've heard to date. When I switched back and forth between the UM3X and EX1000, the EX1000 had more noticeable clarity which shocked me. I agree with pretty much everything you said except for the highs and details parts. I perceive the highs as more detailed and are very detailed across the whole spectrum while maintaining a sense of smoothness. Very similar to my UM Mage customs. The Monster foam supertips work the best for me.

Wow. Imagine custom silicone tips on the EX1000, say from 1964 Ears or another company...
 

 

[Rip N' Burn]

Oh, I must of misunderstood the context of what you were saying. You nailed it by saying it has a holistic presentation and I couldn't agree more. I think it puts dynamic driver iems on a new level. The Mage is a very fine custom indeed.
 
Quote:

Thanks! Btw I believe we don't actually disagree about the highs and detail. I think the EX1000 have excellent detail and highs and I even wrote in my listening notes that they render cymbals more realistic than the GR10. Yet the GR10 are at the same time strikingly clear, less smooth and noticably more tipped towards brightness in comparison, so detail and highs are more apparent. From my experience analytical listerners would prefer such a sound signature (GR10, CK10, RE0, DBA-02, ...) to the more holistic presentation of the Sonys, thats why I made that comment in my final paragraph. But let me clarify again, the EX1000 don't miss out any detail, they're just not as much in-your-face with it.
 
Very interesting remark about the UM Mage. I've been thinking for quite a while that these would be my first choice if I ever decide to go custom.

 
 
Or imagine if they could be reshelled into customs. I would be all over that!
 
Quote:

Wow. Imagine custom silicone tips on the EX1000, say from 1964 Ears or another company...
 

 

[Confispect]

^ Indeed.
 
I'm buying these after I buy a couple replacements for other things.
 
I've came to a end in my headphones journey no longer will I be upgrading for sound I will upgrade just to upgrade.

 

[kelv]

Quote:

From my experience analytical listerners would prefer such a sound signature (GR10, CK10, RE0, DBA-02, ...) to the more holistic presentation of the Sonys
the EX1000 don't miss out any detail, they're just not as much in-your-face with it.
 

That is so true. Thanks for the great review as always James, enjoyed it thoroughly!

 

[raccoon]

I am definitely interested in picking up a pair, but I notice the sony US version does not include the short cable.  I also don't see it listed on Music Acoustics.  Oh well, I wanted to wait a few more months before buying another pair of earphones anyways.  

 

[tuahogary]

Even though it's not listed on musica acoustic's website, you can still buy it if you directly email Dimitri. I just bought mine from another head-fier, and I can't wait for it to arrive! 

 only problem is that I'm afraid it will sound too laid back ala the IE8 which I disliked.

 

[james444]

Quote:

That is so true. Thanks for the great review as always James, enjoyed it thoroughly!

Thanks for the compliment!
 
Quote:

I am definitely interested in picking up a pair, but I notice the sony US version does not include the short cable. I also don't see it listed on Music Acoustics.  Oh well, I wanted to wait a few more months before buying another pair of earphones anyways.  

No short cable? What a bummer! That makes the US version more expensive in comparison! Regarding Music Acoustics, they didn't have the EX1000 in their store, but Dimitri got them for me on request.
 
Quote:

Even though it's not listed on musica acoustic's website, you can still buy it if you directly email Dimitri. I just bought mine from another head-fier, and I can't wait for it to arrive! 

 only problem is that I'm afraid it will sound too laid back ala the IE8 which I disliked.

Congrats and no worries, the mids are all there with the Sonys! No need to EQ like with the IE8.