TDK BA200 Thread

[PeterDLai]

Quote:

Eric hasn't heard the BA200 yet but from what ClieOS has said they have basically the same sound signature, like the IE800 is a dynamic driver version of the BA200.  I haven't heard the IE800 but I tend to think they would sound a lot alike because TDK is good at making everything have that warm smooth house sound.

 
I don't know if he ever said they have the same sound signature; what he has said is that they are on par on overall sound quality and "both warm sounding".
 
Here's a quote from his reviews thread:
Quote:

I won't say it sounds similar to BA200, but they are both warm sounding. Compared to BA200, IE800's strength is in its mid, which like musical and sweet, but not too coloured or upfront. In a way, it is RE262 but technically better. It has some of the best vocal performance for moderate to slow music, but might feel a little slow for fast music, and has the best soundstage of any mid centric IEM. I won't really consider it as much of a stage monitor tuning as BA200. To me IE800 is what musicality is all about.

 
The only other comparison I can find in English is someone from Stereo Electronics (a Singapore store) saying this here:
Quote:

If you still like more details over a fun sound the BA200 still excels, especially in the mids Its a personal thing prefer BA200 personally =p

 

[luisdent]

The more I listen to the ba200 the more i like it's tone.  I'm in love with the pfe112, but the ba200 is warmer sounding.  Despite the warmness it still sounds very balanced compared to other in the price range.  The are no noticeable spikes or drops in any frequency areas...
 

 

[ClieOS]

Did I say they are the same sound signature? I think I might have said they are both warm sounding. BA200 belongs to warm+sweet but IE800 is closer to mid centric, as the bass isn't quite as pronouns as BA200 (but not bad per se, just not as textured and full as BA200). TDK has consistently made some of the best sounding top tier recently and I am getting quite impressed. The only complain I have is that IE800 isn't particularly fast, so it might not be the best pairing for EDM and such where speed is required. Then again, a mid centric sound isn't what I'll consider to be good pairing for EDM.
 
@ Eric, try using some aftermarket eartips, if you haven't done so. I find Nakamichi eartips to fit them well but they are not available online. They are however very similar to Hybrid (though better in many cases) so you could give that a try.

 

[Techno Kid]

I swear I thought I saw where you said they're like the dynamic driver version of the BA200, if I'm mistaking then I apologies.
 
I have to disagree with mid-centric IEM's not being good for edm as I think there one of the best.  70% of the music is in the mids especially with edm like trance and progressive and as long as you have highs with a fair amount of sparkle and decent bass response I think they sound much better than the V-shaped IEM's like the H-100 and others imo.  I've never understood why most people think V-shaped IEM and headphones are the best for electronic music, I want to hear the music not just have bright sounding highs that over shadow the mids where all the melodies and such are.  That's just my take on and I think people that listen to a lot of edm/electronic music should try a mid-centric/mid forward IEM if you never have because that's when I stopped getting ones with V-shaped signatures.

 

[luisdent]

can you explain what is meant by "fast"?  just curious.  i'm comparing all my headphones and i'm not sure what that means...
 

 

[ClieOS]

Is that for me? Fast is basically the sense of speed.It can be either an slow transient (attack) or an overly long delay, or combination of the two. It is most observant with bass note.

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

Did I say they are the same sound signature? I think I might have said they are both warm sounding. BA200 belongs to warm+sweet but IE800 is closer to mid centric, as the bass isn't quite as pronouns as BA200 (but not bad per se, just not as textured and full as BA200). TDK has consistently made some of the best sounding top tier recently and I am getting quite impressed. The only complain I have is that IE800 isn't particularly fast, so it might not be the best pairing for EDM and such where speed is required. Then again, a mid centric sound isn't what I'll consider to be good pairing for EDM.
 
@ Eric, try using some aftermarket eartips, if you haven't done so. I find Nakamichi eartips to fit them well but they are not available online. They are however very similar to Hybrid (though better in many cases) so you could give that a try.

 
 
Thanks ClieOS. I will try to hunt some down. Right now I have settled on the Auvio large tips (which I understand doesn't exist anymore). These tips seem to have deepened the bass for me significantly, yet not overrun the mids. 

 

[luisdent]

Ahhh.  So the "tightness" i perceive in the pfe112 would be 'fast'?  While the ue700 would be a bit 'slower'?

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Ahhh.  So the "tightness" i perceive in the pfe112 would be 'fast'?  While the ue700 would be a bit 'slower'?

 
Yes, tightness can contribute to the feeling of fast. UE700 would be a bit slower, when compared to PFE. But in itself, I won't really call UE700 slow per se.

 

[luisdent]

Yes, tightness can contribute to the feeling of fast. UE700 would be a bit slower, when compared to PFE. But in itself, I won't really call UE700 slow per se.

No no, I'd agree... Just slower than the pfe. Much better than the ex85lp

 

[Stuff Jones]

The re262 comparison for the TDK ie800 is interesting because from description that would be my ideal iem except for the amping requirement. Does the ie800 also really need to amping to come close to its potential?

 

[Techno Kid]

The impedance is only 10 ohms so no they don't need an amp to sound good.  Though with such a low impedance with some players they might not sound the best, it depends on the players out put.

 

[Xiche]

How does the BA200 fare for classical/orchestral works and voice though? Anyone who listens to these genres with the BA200 care to share their experiences with it?

 

[Stuff Jones]

Quote:

The impedance is only 10 ohms so no they don't need an amp to sound good.  Though with such a low impedance with some players they might not sound the best, it depends on the players out put.

 
Thanks. I use a J3 and a laptop for most of my listening. Should they work?

 

[Techno Kid]

Yea the J3 should be fine thats one of the pmp's I use as well.