Bowers & Wilkins in-ear headphones = C5 - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inks 

I think people are just nitpicking. Burn-in isn't a game changer ime (a lot of it is psycho-acoustics) and the 4G touch is fine unless you're pairing it with a sensitive low impedance BA. The P5 wasn only solid in SQ for the price and I have a feeling these are going to scale about the same. 

Well we certainly disagree there Mr. Inks. IMO burn-in is far more than psycho-acoustics. But of course, we can keep it moving because that will lead into an entirely different debate from the subject at hand.

Keep at it @ tinyman392. I am willing to put money on them getting much better with more burn-in.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericp10 

Well we certainly disagree there Mr. Inks. IMO burn-in is far more than psycho-acoustics. But of course, we can keep it moving because that will lead into an entirely different debate from the subject at hand.

 

Keep at it @ tinyman392. I am willing to put money on them getting much better with more burn-in.
 

Will do, and so far it sounds that way...  Similar to how the DUNU Hephaes burned in...  Hated them at the beginning, but loved them after 150+ hours :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

Will do, and so far it sounds that way...  Similar to how the DUNU Hephaes burned in...  Hated them at the beginning, but loved them after 150+ hours :)

 

So they're sounding much better? I look forward to future impressions.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by -y0- 

 

So they're sounding much better? I look forward to future impressions.
 

 

Yes, I'll keep everyone posted on how they sound (assuming I get power back to my house :p).

I think burn-in is 60% psycho acoustics and 40% actual coil adaption, from what I know and I'll leave it at that. More like a sound-science topic, but kind of on-topic for the matter at hand. Unfortunately sometimes it gets out of hand and  fit and burn-in get used to put-off well grounded critiques. Not that surprised it's bass heavy as the venting seems pretty generous. 

OK, here is another update on the sound.  Burn in: ~35 hours

Bass

Powerful and digs deeply and way above neutral.  It has become well controlled (in comparison to the NUForces NE700s).  The bass has an emphasis on the higher-end bass.  This makes them sound darker and warmer.  Bass rarely overpowers now (Yay!).  The deeper bass has a decent punch, but still isn't the tightest.  It can probably be assumed that this bass has lots of impact, and you wouldn't be making an a** of yourself by assuming this.

Mids

The details came in as I said after the bass settled down, it still feels like I'm missing something here or there though.  The mids have great clarity now (so long as you can hear it).  Vocals don't have sweetness to them, and sounded more boring to me, which is a letdown (I'm always a sucker for good vocals. 

Highs

They came in a lot more.  They seem to be either hit or miss depending on what song you are listening to.  At times the highs are decently lively.  However, at other times, you play hide and seek with the highs to find them.  They have decent sparkle, and ample details.  The clarity is actually pretty nice now.  The treble does decay quickly for my tastes though, for most people, this shouldn't actually be a problem. 

Almost reads like a baby FX700 (everything except for the treble). Have you tried switching out tips to see how the sound signature is affected? Seems like the B&W is coming along nicely though.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

OK, here is another update on the sound.  Burn in: ~35 hours

 

Bass

Powerful and digs deeply and way above neutral.  It has become well controlled (in comparison to the NUForces NE700s).  The bass has an emphasis on the higher-end bass.  This makes them sound darker and warmer.  Bass rarely overpowers now (Yay!).  The deeper bass has a decent punch, but still isn't the tightest.  It can probably be assumed that this bass has lots of impact, and you wouldn't be making an a** of yourself by assuming this.

 

Mids

The details came in as I said after the bass settled down, it still feels like I'm missing something here or there though.  The mids have great clarity now (so long as you can hear it).  Vocals don't have sweetness to them, and sounded more boring to me, which is a letdown (I'm always a sucker for good vocals. 

 

Highs

They came in a lot more.  They seem to be either hit or miss depending on what song you are listening to.  At times the highs are decently lively.  However, at other times, you play hide and seek with the highs to find them.  They have decent sparkle, and ample details.  The clarity is actually pretty nice now.  The treble does decay quickly for my tastes though, for most people, this shouldn't actually be a problem. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericp10 

Almost reads like a baby FX700 (everything except for the treble). Have you tried switching out tips to see how the sound signature is affected? Seems like the B&W is coming along nicely though.
 

 

I have not yet.  I'll do that when they finish burning in (which sound like it's going to be soon, I haven't heard much change in the last 12 hours). 

OK, I've gone through ~50 hours with these and everything is coming in nicely, the change is no longer detectable (but may still be there).  My final observations:

The bass hasn't settled down much more and is given at least a 2-3dB boost, but the focus is in the mid-bass region and not the deep end.  The mids are well balanced with the highs, but both settle in their spot below the lows.  The highs have come in nicely and are definitely clear and don't decay as quickly.  This is probably going to be my last update since I can't hear any differences in the signature any more.  The next thing you'll hear from me is a link to a review in a week or two.  I have read through the rules (can someone link me as I still don't know where they are), but I don't know if I can link to my review as it will from another blog/forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

OK, I've gone through ~50 hours with these and everything is coming in nicely, the change is no longer detectable (but may still be there).  My final observations:

 

The bass hasn't settled down much more and is given at least a 2-3dB boost, but the focus is in the mid-bass region and not the deep end.  The mids are well balanced with the highs, but both settle in their spot below the lows.  The highs have come in nicely and are definitely clear and don't decay as quickly.  This is probably going to be my last update since I can't hear any differences in the signature any more.  The next thing you'll hear from me is a link to a review in a week or two.  I have read through the rules (can someone link me as I still don't know where they are), but I don't know if I can link to my review as it will from another blog/forum.

Are they worth the $$$?

Quote:

Originally Posted by -y0- 

Are they worth the $$$?

 

For the sound quality, no.  If you are after designs and looks, then coupled with the decent sound quality, it'll add up.  For sound quality alone, they are worth maybe 100-120 dollars max (no more though).  They are somewhat overpriced for the sound they deliver.

Good impressions there tinyman, very honest and to the point. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inks 

Good impressions there tinyman, very honest and to the point. 

Thanks.  I still want to know if it's against the rules for me to link to my full review here (since it's on another forum).

Should be fine, I've seen it done all the time. 

OK, thanks.  I'll do that when the review is posted.