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AiAiAi TMA-1 and Sennheiser IE 80 - do I really need the TMA-1 headphones? Please help!

post #1 of 5
12/22/11 at 11:06am
Thread Starter 

Hi, 

 

I would appreciate some views regarding a dilemma.

 

I am getting a pair of Sennheiser IE 80 earphones with a ACS custom sleeves. However, I tried the AiAiAi TMA-1 headphones and like the warm sound signature which lacks a fatiguing treble. So my question is whether I am likely to gain any sound quality with the TMA-1s? I guess that comparing earphones to headphones is like comparing apples to oranges but (notwithstanding convenience and portability issues involved in this comparison) do the TMA-1s sound sufficiently "better" with regard to overall quality, soundstage, isolation, etc, to warrant purchase bearing in mind the new IE 80? I have previously owned B+W P5 and Sennheiser HD 25-1 II headphones.

 

I also have a pair of Stax SRS 2010 Basic electrostatic headphones connected to my PC for gaming, music and movies. The IE 80 will be used with my iPad and Galaxy S II. Money is an issue so unless there's a big difference between the two I'd have to be careful.

 

Incidentally, I contacted Sennheiser regarding the size of the new IE 80s who confirmed that the only difference between the outgoing IE 8 and the new IE 80 is the addition of a brushed metal plate for cosmetic reasons; internally the IE 80 and IE 8 earphones are identical.

 

I look forward to the replies!

 

 

Martyn

 

 

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post #2 of 5
12/22/11 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by martyn73 View Post

Hi, 

 

I would appreciate some views regarding a dilemma.

 

I am getting a pair of Sennheiser IE 80 earphones with a ACS custom sleeves. However, I tried the AiAiAi TMA-1 headphones and like the warm sound signature which lacks a fatiguing treble. So my question is whether I am likely to gain any sound quality with the TMA-1s?

If you tried the AiAiAi TMA-1 , and liked them, then just  go for them.
Ideally you would try the IE8 too.

I  have the sennheiser IE7, and I  find them unimpressive for their price.
In comparison, my cheap k317 earbuds ,  just sound "fuller" , but I  loose the isolation.
But the one thing I  like with the IE7  is in particularly the bass, very nice for techno,
hip hop etc... On my cowon, some bbe mach3bass settings helps to get an impressive bass "slam", but that's all about it. And I'm not talking of bass quantity (too much by default) , but the impact.  Maybe with the digizoid zo this  would lead to nice results too.
Everyone is raving about the IE7 soundstage, but my k317 earbuds  have nice soundstage too.

Also notice that the sennheiser IEMs are not the best for isolation. Have you considered the Westone 4 too ?

 

 


Edited by extrabigmehdi - 12/22/11 at 12:19pm
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post #3 of 5
12/22/11 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 

Hi, 

 

Thanks for the reply. Do you think it would be worth trying the IE 80s before deciding on the TMA-1s? If the sound signature is similar then the TMA-1s wouldn't be needed.

 

I did own a pair of IE 7s but sold them because I there didn't seem to be sufficient bass. 

 

I thought about the Westone series but the 4Rs seem difficult to get hold of in the UK at least.

 

Martyn

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post #4 of 5
12/22/11 at 1:08pm

@martyn73

Quote:
Thanks for the reply. Do you think it would be worth trying the IE 80s before deciding on the TMA-1s? If the sound signature is similar then the TMA-1s wouldn't be needed.

Well, if you can try for free, why not. But anyway , if you tested something and liked it, that's a safer bet.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by martyn73 View Post.

 

I did own a pair of IE 7s but sold them because I there didn't seem to be sufficient bass. 

Probably you didn't manage to make a good seal, because they have plenty of bass. You should experiment with different ear tips.

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post #5 of 5
12/22/11 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, I tested the TMA-1s in an Apple Store but I did notice a fair amount of background noise. I guess the isolation isn't as good as the HD 25 series. 

 

With the IE 7s I probably didn't have a good seal, so hopefully custom sleeves would help with the IE 80s.

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