[eke2k6]

  And I completely disagree with eke2k6. I can produce three or four head-fiers who love the Cardas, and wouldn't say that the ASG-2 runs circles around it. Now, I don't know how long the others had the Cardas to listen to it and burn it in, but I know you didn't have it for an extended period of time to listen to, eke, and you wrote it off quite quickly. So I'm just giving my experience with it after longer periods of listening time and burning it in.
 
Now, with that stated, I didn't say the Cardas was BETTER than the ASG-2. You never seen me type that. I'm not saying it's significantly worse either. They don't sound the same, But I was asked MY opinion (not yours or Joker's). That's how I hear it sir.  lol
 
 
I pay no attention to the graphs, because most times graphs that are put up don't reflect how I hear an earphone. I have stated in recent posts that Aurisonics is my FAVORITE universal earphone company (tied with 1964 EARS for favorite customs company), so I'm not in any shape or form trying to belittle the ASG-2. It's a great earphone! It's a great company (Aurisonics)! Buy more American by the way!
 
I've also stated in a recent post (on one of these threads - forget which one) that my favorite top three earphones to listen to right now are the AS-2, V6, and M200 (no particular order). After those three, I chose the Cardas. So for me, the ASG-2 doesn't run rings around the Cardas, or vice versa. Both are great sound quality-wise, but the Cardas is a sound signature - I will admit - that you have to spend more time with it to get use to it. I wouldn't call it weird though. It has it's own niche. I've heard a lot of earphones (sans these super expensive $1K or near it universals, which I'm okay with because I don't think I will ever pay $1k for a universal). The Cardas ranks up there with one of the best to my ears. But I will say this, there seems to be no middle ground on opinions about the Cardas. Either head-fi members love it or hate it . I fall in the love it camp. It is becoming the most polarizing iem here since the TF10 (which I was never a big fan of but most on head-fi seemed to love it. I was never big fan of the DBA02 either). 
 
Cardas can sit proudly next to the ASG-2 in my list of favorite earphones. 

 
 
The actual companies aren't what's being discussed. I was only talking about the ASG-2 and Cardas iems.
 
For the record, I listened to the Cardas for a week, including a weekend of "burn" on top of what it already had.. That's long enough IMO.

You stated that the Cardas had finer detail that the ASG-2, which is far from what I heard. It was shocking to me to the point of laughter how much clearer the ASG-2 was than the Cardas...and the ASG-2 is already a fairly warm iem. The ASG-2 also has less mid-bass than the Cardas. As for black space, the ASG-2 easily bests the Cardas in this because of its taller soundstage. But my primary issue had to do with the mid-range tonality I was hearing, along with the nose-dive after 5 kHz. 

As for the graphs, one has to know how to interpret them before agreeing or disagreeing. That said, our preferences are another thing entirely.
 
 
-PS, it's only a matter of time until you buy a $1K phone 

. I remember how upset you were when the PFE 232 came out at its asking price. 

 

[ericp10]

It's funny though, because I've seen about three head-fiers stated they really like the Cardas and some of you head-fiers (won't name names) came down on them like rain from hell. Then those members quietly stopped voicing their opinions in public - although they didn't change their opinions about the Cardas. 

I guess I don't have the common sense to be intimidated by a small circle of head-fiers who seem to believe that their thoughts (and graphs) are the only truths about a product in head-fi. If I agree with that "elitist" group (and I have), I have no problem voicing that opinion. But if I hear it differently, I hold firm to that opinion too. So no one has to agree with me, but those asking my opinion also don't have to worry if it's a cookie cutter opinion or that my hands are tied to some company to give a certain opinion (not implying that others are). Nor do I try to beat down others who don't hear the way I do. Some of our "new elitist" opinionators weren't always this way. Sometimes I wonder how these monsters were created. lol  
 
As usual, happy listening. 

 

[doctorjazz]

Haven't heard either, just putting things together from the descriptions I read (did really like the Outfield track, though). 
As for the HPH-200, I think I'm falling into the minority position again, try to pull it all together in a comparison with my other on-ears and write something that will have you skipping to the end to avoid all the verbiage, but, while it doesn't do anything bad, doesn't excite like some others to my ears (put the rbh in the end of my dog walk after using the Yamaha most of the way-was enjoying the Yamaha with All Time Low, then changed to the EP-1, more "there" there, more energy, more/strong bass, more tonal color, you get the idea...Have to say, they are fun to listen to, good buy at the price, don't sound like they beat my other (more expensive, at least at list price) on ears.
Now, song of the day...just discovered these guys (what am I, 5 years late?), my 15 year old loves them
 

 
(anything with "whoa whoa's" or "la la's" is going to hook me, I'm easy)
 
Can't decide, going to post one more...
 

 

[doctorjazz]

  Haven't heard either, just putting things together from the descriptions I read (did really like the Outfield track, though). 
As for the HPH-200, I think I'm falling into the minority position again, try to pull it all together in a comparison with my other on-ears and write something that will have you skipping to the end to avoid all the verbiage, but, while it doesn't do anything bad, doesn't excite like some others to my ears (put the rbh in the end of my dog walk after using the Yamaha most of the way-was enjoying the Yamaha with All Time Low, then changed to the EP-1, more "there" there, more energy, more/strong bass, more tonal color, you get the idea...Have to say, they are fun to listen to, good buy at the price, don't sound like they beat my other (more expensive, at least at list price) on ears.
Now, song of the day...just discovered these guys (what am I, 5 years late?), my 15 year old loves them
 

 
(anything with "whoa whoa's" or "la la's" is going to hook me, I'm easy)
 
Can't decide, going to post one more...
 

 
A little addendum to the above-always strikes me as interesting how people often feel everyone hears things the same way they do-I often find myself with differing opinions from the "current mainstream", but peiple have different ears physically, different hearing depending on age and other factors, and different aspects of the sound that they value, if everyone had the same opinions on the sounds, it would be odd indeed (as stated above, though, sometimes some folks just need to be "right")

 

[eke2k6]

  It's funny though, because I've seen about three head-fiers stated they really like the Cardas and some of you head-fiers (won't name names) came down on them like rain from hell. Then those members quietly stopped voicing their opinions in public - although they didn't change their opinions about the Cardas. 

I guess I don't have the common sense to be intimidated by a small circle of head-fiers who seem to believe that their thoughts (and graphs) are the only truths about a product in head-fi. If I agree with that "elitist" group (and I have), I have no problem voicing that opinion. But if I hear it differently, I hold firm to that opinion too. So no one has to agree with me, but those asking my opinion also don't have to worry if it's a cookie cutter opinion or that my hands are tied to some company to give a certain opinion (not implying that others are). Nor do I try to beat down others who don't hear the way I do. Some of our "new elitist" opinionators weren't always this way. Sometimes I wonder how these monsters were created. lol  
 
As usual, happy listening. 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Again, your opinion is yours to have. I'm not disputing that you find the Cardas to be great. I only voiced my opinion and those of thosers because of a specific comparison, one which I extensively made for myself, that came to very different conclusions. I see where the Cardas can indeed be a love it or hate it iem. I'm personally indifferent to it.
 
Before you point fingers at people being elitist, just remember that I still have my MP 8320 in my regular rotation. Also, since when has the use of graphs to back up your findings become elitist? "Don't go to see that doctor...he uses lab tests to back up his diagnosis".

 

[vwinter]

Thanks, nice breakdown, I'd guess the Cardas is a bit more exciting, "in your face" from the way you describe them, a bit like the AT 1K, no? ASG sounds more in the analytical/detail camp by comparison (these are rough descriptions, but my attempt to characterize them). I usually have to listen head to head to get a good, detailed feel for exact differences, thanks again, later

The Cardas have a little bit of a weird midrange resonance from my audition, but besides that they did have a lot of detail masking due to the frequency response characteristics in the treble below 10khz.

I definitely wouldn't call them more exciting than the ASG-2. I generally heard them very similarly to Joker. They're unique but I felt their tuning really hindered fidelity in a general sense too much for the asking price. I put up a few words on them in one of the Cardas threads after being asked by another head-fier. Anyone interested can take a look.

 

[ericp10]

   
 
The actual companies aren't what's being discussed. I was only talking about the ASG-2 and Cardas iems.
 
For the record, I listened to the Cardas for a week, including a weekend of "burn" on top of what it already had.. That's long enough IMO.

You stated that the Cardas had finer detail that the ASG-2, which is far from what I heard. It was shocking to me to the point of laughter how much clearer the ASG-2 was than the Cardas...and the ASG-2 is already a fairly warm iem. The ASG-2 also has less mid-bass than the Cardas. As for black space, the ASG-2 easily bests the Cardas in this because of its taller soundstage. But my primary issue had to do with the mid-range tonality I was hearing, along with the nose-dive after 5 kHz. 

As for the graphs, one has to know how to interpret them before agreeing or disagreeing. That said, our preferences are another thing entirely.
 
 
-PS, it's only a matter of time until you buy a $1K phone 

. I remember how upset you were when the PFE 232 came out at its asking price. 

 
 
See eke, your opinions and thoughts begin to irritate me when you misquote me: 

I stated>>>>> "I think you hear details in the mids a little bit more in the Cardas, but the ASG-2 may have the more cohesive sound (there's a lot of black space between instruments with the Cardas). That's all I have for you right now...." And that is how I hear it. I hear somewhat more details, for example, in the piano (I listen to a lot of jazz, remember) when listening to the Cardas. Space in details in how the musician strikes the keys and how the notes float in the air. You don't think I've compared the two extensively being that both are two of my favorites? And that's how I hear it.

Now quote me where I said the Cardas has finer detail, please? And regardless of whether you agree with my opinion or not, why do you feel the need to be insulting in your counter opinion? >> "shocking to me to the point of laughter..." Have I ever implied you are nuts for not hearing the Cardas the way I do? It's just like many don't hear the ASG-2 like you and I hear it. You seemed to take that better than me saying I love the Cardas and you don't. And you seem to make this personal, eke. I hope I'm wrong, but that's how I'm reading your posts as of late.

It's almost like you are beginning to embody the spirits of personalities you use to at one time find offensive on head-fi, eke. lol 

Fine, you don't like the Cardas. I do. Keep it simple, don't insult me dude, and quote me accurately. I'm not asking for much... lol 

 

 

[ericp10]

   
A little addendum to the above-always strikes me as interesting how people often feel everyone hears things the same way they do-I often find myself with differing opinions from the "current mainstream", but peiple have different ears physically, different hearing depending on age and other factors, and different aspects of the sound that they value, if everyone had the same opinions on the sounds, it would be odd indeed (as stated above, though, sometimes some folks just need to be "right")

 
Exactly! Excellent points! 

 

[eke2k6]

   
 
See eke, your opinions and thoughts begin to irritate me when you misquote me: 

I stated>>>>> "I think you hear details in the mids a little bit more in the Cardas, but the ASG-2 may have the more cohesive sound (there's a lot of black space between instruments with the Cardas). That's all I have for you right now...." And that is how I hear it. I hear somewhat more details, for example, in the piano (I listen to a lot of jazz, remember) when listening to the Cardas. Space in details in how the musician strikes the keys and how the notes float in the air. You don't think I've compared the two extensively being that both are two of my favorites? And that's how I hear it.

Now quote me where I said the Cardas has finer detail, please? And regardless of whether you agree with my opinion or not, why do you feel the need to be insulting in your counter opinion? >> "shocking to me to the point of laughter..." Have I ever implied you are nuts for not hearing the Cardas the way I do? It's just like many don't hear the ASG-2 like you and I hear it. You seemed to take that better than me saying I love the Cardas and you don't. And you seem to make this personal, eke. I hope I'm wrong, but that's how I'm reading your posts as of late.

It's almost like you are beginning to embody the spirits of personalities you use to at one time find offensive on head-fi, eke. lol 

Fine, you don't like the Cardas. I do. Keep it simple, don't insult me dude, and quote me accurately. I'm not asking for much... lol 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Eric, calm down. You seem to not have read the part in my post that dealt with the laughter issue...you're the one taking my quote out of context.
 
 

 Quote:

 

 ​

 

Cardas EM5813 Ear Speakers​

 ​

 ​

 ​

 ​

 
 
 
I started off with the Amy Winehouse song because I thought it would play most to the Cardas' strengths....and I was right. Something about Amy's voice song works really well here, and the electric guitar to the left is just having a grand old time. Amy's vocals are stark, yet smooth, but the background vocals exhibit the fuzz I mentioned earlier. I switch the ASG-2 and start laughing. The vocal intimacy is still there, but her voice is so much more clear, and the background vocals are much more defined and separated. There's also less mid-bass on the ASG-2, making the sub-bass tones of the guitar more articulated and less masked. The electric guitar has a taller soundstage to play around in. I can hear tiny inflections that are simply absent in the EM5813.
 

 
 
I seem to have hurt your feelings. I apologize. This is my last post on the subject.

 

[ericp10]

   
 
 
 
-PS, it's only a matter of time until you buy a $1K phone 

. I remember how upset you were when the PFE 232 came out at its asking price. 

 
 
And I never bought the PFE 232, although I really wanted to hear it. But it was too much money in my opinion for what it was, so I've just had to live off of the opinions of expert tour cliques like the ones you belong to. lol 

I can't say the PFE 232 sucks or is phenomenal because I've never heard it.

 

[ericp10]

   
 
 
 
 
Eric, calm down. You seem to not have read the part in my post that dealt with the laughter issue...you're the one taking my quote out of context.
 
 
 
 
I seem to have hurt your feelings. I apologize. This is my last post on the subject.

 
 
What feelings? This is head-fi. One must have a thick skin in here. You're just not the eke I once knew. Or maybe this is the real you and the other was an imposter. I like consistency in people.  But oh well...we can't have everything we want. Enjoy your weekend eke. Hurry up though, because we need you to tell us what else should be acceptable for our listening pleasure, or not. 

 

[eke2k6]

   
 
And I never bought the PFE 232, although I really wanted to hear it. But it was too much money in my opinion for what it was, so I've just had to live off of the opinions of expert tour cliques like the ones you belong to. lol 

I can't say the PFE 232 sucks or is phenomenal because I've never heard it.

 
Wait, is that why you've been calling me elitist? I know I said that my previous post was my last, but this needs to be cleared up.
 
I participate only in loan tours with members who I consider my friends on this site. When I'm organizing a tour, my first priority is to choose members who I know won't go running off with the iems being auditioned. A lot of the time, it's James who provides these iems on tour, and we've been friends for a while here. I only organize them for him because he can't be bothered, and I enjoy having a distraction from my studies. For instance, his Senn IE800, Flat-4, etc. tour had about $3K worth of his iems involved, and the ongoing UERM tour has iems that cost him over $1,300. The primary goal here is to get his stuff back to him safely and in the condition he sent it out in, therefore it's mainly sent to people we've dealt with before via tour, the FS forums, or via friends of friends.
 
There's no clique or conspiracy, bud.
 
 
 

   
 
....You're just not the eke I once knew. Or maybe this is the real you and the other was an imposter. I like consistency in people.  But oh well...we can't have everything we want. Enjoy your weekend eke. Hurry up though, because we need you to tell us what else should be acceptable for our listening pleasure, or not. 
 

 
 
Ok, this is getting weird. I'm out.
 
 
 

 

[doctorjazz]

Speaking of the PFE, I have the 132 (think that is the model #), always curious about the 232, close to pulling the trigger on a used one. Anybody heard these (do really like the lower model)
Also, in the Black Friday Sales world-UE6000 at good prices (the 9000 was available for a few minutes at a good price, then gone), anyone like/dislike these, opinions?
The Audeze LCD-2...I probably won't spring for these, but will they change my life (or at least settle the shopping for a while)? They're down from $995-$796 in bamboo (and does the wood make a difference aside from looks?)
One more-the Hifiman HE-400 seems to be down to about $300 as "regular" price (though it may go back up after the weekend, who knows? A few places have it around that price), is it a "giant-killer" in the class of some of the higher-priced spread?
Inquiring obsessive compulsives need to know...

 

[ericp10]

So has anyone heard or know whether the Zero Audio double BA earphone has been released yet?

 

[ericp10]

I understand doctorjazz. I've been trying to avoid looking at what's for sale. I refuse to get caught up (unless the UE900 gets that special $100 price like the TF10s use to get - but I highly doubt it). I think the IM70 will hold me over, unless I find a good price for the new Zero Audio double-BA.