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Does Sony MDR-EX1000 = AT ESW9A?

post #1 of 8
7/21/11 at 12:45am
Thread Starter 

Hi All,

 

Been a little while since posting in here, as I am pretty happy with my setup...

 

I am currently running the Sony NWZ-X1000 (Clear Bass+1 and top end treble +1) via an LOD to a Graham Slee Voyager, which - to these ears make the ATs sing oh so sweetly, I can barely fault the sound at all...

 

...However, running portably, I am concerned about the durability of the wood on the ATs (not to mention, I am phobic of being out in the rain with them - I just don't listen if it is raining!!), as such - after seeing people saying that the mids are good (and the bass excellent) on the MDR-EX1000, I am wondering if they are remotely comparable to the ATs traits (again, great bass, and luscious mids)...

 

...This would only be for purpose of a standby pair of cans (if raining etc), but - by the same token, I would not want a drop in quality...

 

The IEMs I have listened to (and own) is too long to mention here, but - please, no recommendations for UE TF10, MTPC, Shure E5xx etc etc as I have all three of these, and various others in their price range, and - for one reason or another I have either not like, or have gone off of their respective sound quality - and, liking the MDR-Z1000, I have a small hope that their IEM bretherin will keep me happy...

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts :)

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser IE 8 In-Ear Headphones
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Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9A
post #2 of 8
7/21/11 at 10:19am

Well I guess since you already have many of the top/mid-tiered IEMs, there's no harm in owning Sony's new flagship model.gs1000.gif

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post #3 of 8
7/21/11 at 10:44am

Duncan-

While I don't own/haven't heard the AT ESW9A (and therefore can't say whether or not they equate to the AT's sound), I can say the EX1000 is the best sounding universal IEM I've heard to date. I know you're familiar with most of the ones I've owned, and what my preferences are like. To my ears the EX1000's are a pretty healthy step up from the likes of the IE8's and Monster Coppers. I even preferred them by a fair amount over the FX700. I think Sony has created a more successful product than the Z1000, as I prefer the IEM's sound to their headphone! The head space they create is really something, especially for an IEM. The only drawbacks are lack of isolation, and the fact that some users find fit problematic.

 

Hope you get a chance to try them. I think you'll enjoy their sound.

 

Cheers.


Edited by cn11 - 7/21/11 at 10:47am
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post #4 of 8
7/21/11 at 1:37pm

^ x2, nothing much to add except that wind noise can be a nuisance with the EX1000. But besides that they're marvellous.

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post #5 of 8
7/21/11 at 3:25pm

^ They say good phones only show what's in the recording, nothing more and nothing less. Therefore, the wind noise you hear must be in the recording itself. And then, of course, we have the concept of 'airy'.  ;)


Edited by music_4321 - 7/21/11 at 3:28pm
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post #6 of 8
7/22/11 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the thoughts so far :D

 

Can I check one thing though, I read the Headfonia review of the EX1000, and one little thing concerns me - That the EX1000 are vented (semi-open) - How much noise do these leak outwards? - I do 90%+ of my listening on the commute to / from work, and the last thing I would want would be to annoy my fellow passengers on the journey if I wanted to rock out...

 

...I am one week from deciding if I am going to buy or not - as such, eight days and counting to receiving them (depending on the answer to the above)...

 

Thanks :D

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post #7 of 8
7/22/11 at 11:15am

I have only the EX600 at hand, but sound leakage is minimal with these. Your fellow passengers would hear next to nothing.

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post #8 of 8
7/22/11 at 5:46pm
If I may chime in, it's not so much that they'd be bothered by your listening. Rather, you may be bothered by the your surroundings. However, I assure you, after going through more tips than I can possibly keep track of, coupled with the right tips, the EX1000's isolate almost too well for vented in ears. Even so, switching between a deep to shallow insertion can also significantly offer less isolation, under the appropriate circumstances. Hence you really can't go wrong either way IMO. biggrin.gif
Edited by i2ehan - 8/8/11 at 10:10pm
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