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Haha James.
I will make sure I listen to the FI-BA-SS, that one is on my list and I have high hopes for it even if I've only heard one Final Audio so far and it was just so~so from my perspective (FI-BA-SB), I was quite enjoying it though and it actually sounded quite similiar to how I expected thanks to Shigzeo's review.
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From what I can see the AKG K3003 is using a dynamic bass driver and TWFK, it doesn't say "Made in Austria balanced-armature" like Sony's latest, or go into much technical depth, the prices, 1000 here and 1000 there, look random, I'd like to be corrected why it's so expensive but until then or until I hear it it just looks like the way AKG retailed the K701 in Japan to me.
Be sure to bring your own tips when you listen to the FI-BA-SS. Sony hybrids will do (preferably with half of the their stem cut off). The FADs stock tips don't do the FI-BA-SS justice.
As for the K3003, I 've posted this before (but it's hard to stay afloat in this thread), those BAs may look like TWFKs, but they don't sound like them. So far I've heard three TWFK based IEMs, the CK10, B2 and UE700 and they all had certain characteristics in common, especially in treble. The K3003's treble doesn't follow that pattern, but of course it's possible that they use some custom tuned TWFKs that just happen to sound different.
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I second james' opinion that the SS is by far the the best FAD out. The SB isn't nearly as impressive; I even found it a bit boomy and unrefined next to the SS. However, the SS, like the stasi it's (not quite) named after, is pretty ruthless with the music. I like that quality to my headphones, though, and you seem not to mind.
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Well, for the price, the SB isn't a bad choice, and it's actually the one FAD product that deviates significantly from their overall sound. All of their other IEMs share a common sound, and the SB is sort of the black gold sheep of the group. They sell the SB at the same price as the A1/SC here, and it's definitely better than them. The A1/SC feels like a wannabe SS to me. Actually, now that I think about it, I might be the only person here (besides maybe Takoyaki) that has listened to the entire FAD line (except their ridiculous $5000 headphones --- I had a chance to do so as well, since the founder of FAD brought the prototype with him during their launch in Taiwan, but missed it).
Great posts! The SS are definitely raw and ruthless and I cannot imagine having them as my only IEMs. They'd probably render 70% of my music collection obsolete because of subpar recording quality, lol. Something that's rarely mentioned is that they have extremely high sensitivity, meaning your source needs to be as black as possible, but their sensitivity not only allows them go very loud with quiet classical recordings, but they're also unparalleled in portraying those subtle shifts in volume (the gradual swelling of orchestra or chorus) that make classical music so exciting.
For those interested in what I'm talking about, please listen to the first 4 minutes of this piece (not the best quality, but sufficient to get the idea):
There's no other phone I've heard that renders this one as subtle and beautiful as the FI-BA-SS, the hushed voices at the beginning and the subsequent building up of excitement.
If I ever decide to go for a high-end fullsized headphone, I want the one that does this first 4 minutes best.
As for the SB vs. A1/SC, I agree the latter are kinda like wannabe SS, but ultimately less colored than the SBs.
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FAD was here for a meet/greet and Q&A session at the official retailer here, X-Wind (now part of Jaben). Final Audio Taiwan has pictures on their Facebook
page. There used to be video, but I don't know where it went. I think they were getting ready for the Tokyo headphone festival at the same time, so they took their just finished headphone along to show off.
Oh, I'd love to meet these FAD people sometime and ask them certain questions, for instance why they devaluate their $1000+ SS flagship with subpar stock tips. But I've been told such behaviour is regarded as rude and those folks aren't very open to suggestions.
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Really? Coming from DSLRs, I think the entire NEX line is terrible...
X2, even not coming from DSLRs.
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FX500 is much more aggressive on the treble, so I'd be careful if I were you on that one. FX700 is more refined with a bit more mid bass added for a more fun sound. FX500 has more sub bass. Also FX700 can go to higher volumes without distorting while the FX500 drivers can't handle it and distort. I know you like to do crazy **** like that Kiteki
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Spot-on, my friend.
