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Ultimate Ears UE-x Pro Custom; Appreciation, Review & Discussion thread - Page 6

post #76 of 240
3/28/11 at 5:21pm

Hi Guys,

 

Am I supposed to only link to previous posts of mine?

 

(It was a long mini-meet impressions post so it is shorter if I post the excerpt here.)

 

I was happily surprised that the AMB mini3 (mini cubed) portable amp really beat my Icon Mobile and D12 from my iPhone 3gs with the UE RM:

 

"Big nice surprise = money will be spent on  AMB’s mini3 (cubed) portable amp!!  This amp (from iPhone 3gs and qusp LOD) made a VERY noticeable difference with my UE Reference Monitors…the soundstage opened up, the clarity increased, and the impact increased without feeling “pushed” at all.  This was the “high performance” version with a gain of 5.  The “extended runtime” version sounded almost as good (very small difference to clarity, almost negligible).  AMB (Ti) told me to order from MisterX with a gain of 2.  That’s exactly what I will be doing.  The mini3 beats my Icon Mobile and my D12 easily with UERM from phone.  But, now I know that I have to try rolling all opamps/buffers in the D12 to see if there is a configuration that beats what I have in there for my Grados.  Looking at AMB’s site, the mini3 has an active ground- I wonder if it is like a less powerful/less costly version of StepDance???  (Anyone done comparisons with mini3 and StepDance?)  I really recommend those with UE customs to try a mini3.  I don’t know current pricing from MisterX but if around $150 I think it is a steal.  (Think used ones are going for $110 or so.)"

 

I'll keep trying the UE RM out of amps and sources and share when I find obvious upgrades.  I was glad this one isn't very expensive.

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post #77 of 240
3/29/11 at 9:05am

CEE TEE, I picked up a kit from GlassJarAudio to build a mini^3.  I just need to find the time to attempt the build, this being my first DIY project and all. 

 

For now, I'm still not experiencing any major fit issues with my UE11's, other than it not being fully comfortable when taking a big bite while eating.  The good fit provides such good isolation that I'm noticing a lot of details that I didn't with the TF10's.  Much clearer separation of instruments, especially in distinguishing between different bassy instruments as the bass guitar sometimes melds with the drums with the TF10's.  Soundstage width cannot really compete with the open cans, but the details in various recordings I'm starting to notice have made me start using the UE11's at home with the desktop amp, even if the gain doesn't match well.  Hope the mini^3 will help with this. 

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post #78 of 240
3/29/11 at 3:11pm

I didn't know that a custom colour would be possible regarding to the UE RM... the purple just looks great. I've cancelled my ES-5 order after hearing with the UE RM Demo and I do not think, I would have made a mistake. 

 

Actually I have ordered mine from Germany via mp4audio and they don't have any artwork or colour option. It is the silicone version. I hope the seal will be perfect on the first try cause I've got to wait 4 weeks till they are done... 

 

waiting sucks

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post #79 of 240
3/29/11 at 4:02pm

@Daigo...I would like to build a mini3 sometime- maybe later I'll build one using a good purchased one as an example.  I really liked and was surprised at the difference it made for my customs.  I think it is a bigger difference than PK1 unamped vs. amped with D12.  After I get a mini3 I will confirm that.

 

@sFrog...my pair have dark transparent gray faceplates instead of the solid black faceplates because I couldn't decide between transparent smoke gray all over or just the black/clear they advertise.  That means they can be very customizable- different faceplates and bodies.

 

FIT:  It took me about a week of wearing my UE RM as much as possible (even getting some soreness and sensitivity) but now they seal and fit really well easily + I find them very comfortable.  If the seal is a little "too" good and they create a strong vacuum I can twist them a little to adjust pressure.  I can eat/chew without problem, they unseal in the left ear a little if I do a big grimace but settle back in.  I have been trying to read lips instead of taking out the iems at work so I know they are getting a good seal!

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post #80 of 240
3/29/11 at 5:32pm

 

Just curious... has there been anyone who has sent theirs back for a refit yet? The reason i ask is because I sent mine back last week, and was curious as to what the turn around time was for refits.


Edited by PANGES - 3/29/11 at 5:34pm
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post #81 of 240
3/29/11 at 7:57pm

@panges, I know of a couple who sent out for refits but they haven't gotten them back yet...I seem to be one of the lucky ones.

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post #82 of 240
3/29/11 at 10:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CEE TEE View Post

@panges, I know of a couple who sent out for refits but they haven't gotten them back yet...I seem to be one of the lucky ones.



Ah... That's what I was hoping not to hear. I was told by Todd that the turnaround time would be about 1 day. Apparently the estimation was "slightly" off... lol

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post #83 of 240
3/30/11 at 9:04am

 

Quote:
That means they can be very customizable

Good to know, thank you. 

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post #84 of 240
3/30/11 at 9:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PANGES View Post

Ah... That's what I was hoping not to hear. I was told by Todd that the turnaround time would be about 1 day. Apparently the estimation was "slightly" off... lol



Interesting... the return form states "repairs take at least 2 business days from the time we receive them". Ground shipping, so... I'm going to figure a week and a half to two. I'm sending mine in tomorrow.

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post #85 of 240
3/30/11 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shane55 View Post





Interesting... the return form states "repairs take at least 2 business days from the time we receive them". Ground shipping, so... I'm going to figure a week and a half to two. I'm sending mine in tomorrow.


Yeah. Mine have been there exactly 1 week now (mine arrived there last Wednesday), and after talking to the person who is in charge of the repairs, Jen, it doesn't seem like they have even begun to repair mine. I'm guessing it's going to be another week or so until something gets done. lol. I was joking with another Head-Fier about how we hope this isn't going to turn into a 1964 Ears situation. =P

 

 

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post #86 of 240
3/30/11 at 10:12am
Thread Starter 

eek.gif  blink.gif

 

Yup.

At least I'm fortunate and have one or two other things to listen with while these are away. rolleyes.gif

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post #87 of 240
3/30/11 at 10:45am

It's great to have some backups in cases like this so you have something good to listen to :) I have my W4 as well as some loaner earphones for cases like this. I'm waiting for 2 customs although not by UE.

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post #88 of 240
3/30/11 at 11:29am

I'm considering a refit, my right piece is comfortable most of the time but it's too large I think. My left piece disappears from feel, but I can feel my right piece from time to time and it sticks out more. Still got a week to decide until the 30 days run out. :)

 

Review almost done, gotta find a good day for pictures.

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post #89 of 240
3/30/11 at 1:33pm

Sorry to hear about the re-fits, but I guess that comes with the territory.  I'm finding that my right fits better than my left, but nothing it to a point where I'd want to have them re-done.  I'm in the cee tee camp, trying to wear them as much as possible to try and get acclimated.

 

The other thing I notice with these is that I tend to slowly crank the volume WAY UP!  As I'm hitting some tracks I like I seem to reach over and bump it up, then a little more, and the next thing I realize I'm getting up to some potentially damaging levels.  I don't do it to improve the SQ, it's more an almost involuntary action as I'm rocking out.

 

With such a great seal and my cranking the volume up so far I do worry about doing some hearing damage so I am trying to watch this.  I don't seem to do this with my other headphones, I ussually seem to find a sweet spot and stick with it.  Anyone else finding that they like to crank up the UE's more so than their other IEM's?

 

Ok, maybe I'm just strange...

 

 

 

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post #90 of 240
3/30/11 at 2:32pm

 

 

Quote:
Ok, maybe I'm just strange...

I think, you've just found your IEs...

 

Sometimes it is just normal that you crank the volume up when you're lost in the music. For me this has only happend a very few times with the HD800 and only sometimes with the broken SE420. 

 

I hope, furthermore I expect more of those situations in which I tend to rock and crank the volume up. 

 

You guys are from the USA and still, you've got to wait about two weeks.... comming from Germany could result in an additional one week of waiting. Damm it, after my SE420 are done I do not have any other mobile hearing opportunity. 

 

Gotta wait four weeks till the RM arrive... :(

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