[jant71]

I've had both the Isurus and Brookstone. My pair of Isurus is clearly better than the Brookstone was. I think the Isurus is at home with the $130 crowd like the FXT90, CKM99, FA Tandem, and EX600. Someone mentioned there are to higher tier phones like people are saying. I don't agree since people have only been comparing to mid-levels like the CKM99 and such. They are not a Westone 4 or other high end phone but ~ 8.5 - 8.8 on the Joker scale(like the CKM99) is not out of the question with the right tips getting the best out of them. At $20 I'm not sure if there is not some variation in units so I can't say if some sound better than others. Fit can be an issue as well. I'm sure some get along with the Philips better them being so small that occlusion or other fit problems hurting sound don't occur as with the Thermaltake phones. 
 
I'm thinking I would agree with Dsnuts about the Tt being a bit better. I'll probably have to pick up a pair of the 3850 and compare myself. I had a similar experience with Philips buds not to long ago. Stand alone Philips earbuds for $17($30 regular price) were smashed by the cheapies Philips included with a cheap 2GB player I was helping someone put music on since it was an MTP only device that they couldn't figure out how to load. Not surprised that one of their cheapies smash some of their $30 - $40 offerings.
 
My most recent good phones are/were a SF 5 EB with Westone cable, SM3, Phonak Perfect Bass(plus a gray filter pack), an EX600(foam removed), and silver cabled TF 10. My pair of Isurus are pretty much just what Dsnuts said they were. 
 
 

 

[pack21]

Cool, this is music to my ears, because i never have a IEM more than $30, and i dont know, how are the sound near a semi high-end.
 
 
Still waint for mine TT.

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

I've had both the Isurus and Brookstone. My pair of Isurus is clearly better than the Brookstone was. I think the Isurus is at home with the $130 crowd like the FXT90, CKM99, FA Tandem, and EX600. Someone mentioned there are to higher tier phones like people are saying. I don't agree since people have only been comparing to mid-levels like the CKM99 and such. They are not a Westone 4 or other high end phone but ~ 8.5 - 8.8 on the Joker scale(like the CKM99) is not out of the question with the right tips getting the best out of them. At $20 I'm not sure if there is not some variation in units so I can't say if some sound better than others. Fit can be an issue as well. I'm sure some get along with the Philips better them being so small that occlusion or other fit problems hurting sound don't occur as with the Thermaltake phones. 
 
I'm thinking I would agree with Dsnuts about the Tt being a bit better. I'll probably have to pick up a pair of the 3850 and compare myself. I had a similar experience with Philips buds not to long ago. Stand alone Philips earbuds for $17($30 regular price) were smashed by the cheapies Philips included with a cheap 2GB player I was helping someone put music on since it was an MTP only device that they couldn't figure out how to load. Not surprised that one of their cheapies smash some of their $30 - $40 offerings.
 
My most recent good phones are/were a SF 5 EB with Westone cable, SM3, Phonak Perfect Bass(plus a gray filter pack), an EX600(foam removed), and silver cabled TF 10. My pair of Isurus are pretty much just what Dsnuts said they were. 
 
 

 
I agree. I find that these have a similar sig to the TF10, but with more forward mids. The details are all there, the transparency is there, and if you can get past the ever-present sibilance (with generous burn in, and different tips) these are enjoyable phones. Those who prefer the phillips to the isurus might just prefer the phillips' sound sig more, like I despised the TF10 and preferred the monoprice.
 
 

 

[Selenium]

I was kinda wondering if there was some variance from 'phone to 'phone as well, given how all over the place impressions have been. It's probably just a tip/fit thing, though. I rather like them.
 
I'm thinking of getting rid of all my more expensive stuff except for the ones I really like and just keeping high-value 'phones like these and the MP8320.

 

[Dsnuts]

It doesn't surprise me that some prefer the sound of the SHE3580. The sound signature is an easier one to listen to as the SS is of the Philips is a bit on the warm side making them an easier listen.. The isurus can be harsh to guys that have no other tips. I know many of you guys just got them and if you got both the She3580 will definitely be an easier listen. The Isurus is the type that might not wow you right a way. Many will hear them as harsh or sibilant and I do apologize for guys that don't have other tips to try with them.
 
The isurus comes to their own with a bigger burn to mellow out the harshness and the biggest change is with better tips. Keep them on the burn and if you give them a fair shake they will grow on you. Lets just say once they are proper you will know.

 

[nipit]

@eke2k6, dsnuts
Does sibilance get  better with burn in in your case?

 

[pack21]

So is time for experts, try and test all kind of tips they have, to discover what is the best tips setup for TT, and the best files to burn in (kill the sybilance).
 
 

 

[Dsnuts]

The biggest change happens with better tips. And a longer burn rounds out the highs mellows them. I had to do the same with my Samsons, Ad700 and HFI-780s. All 3 headphones was treble happy until I burned them in for almost a month.. I suppose the Philips is a better sound design for casual listening as they are easier on the years from the get go. But these isurus from get go need a burn much like all of the Audio Technica headphones I owned.. 
 
@pack21  the best ones for the TT is smaller sound hole tips. Sony hybrid size but my Jvc ones turned out to be the best. I kinda like the Sony hybrids as I am starting to appreciate the finer detail of the Sony hybrid sound on these. The JVC tips actually neuter all the higher end  brightness. There is absolutely no hint of sibilance with these tips but what the Sony hybrids do is they mellow a little while letting out a bit more detail. It is hard to describe. Kinda in between the Monster foams and the JVCs..
 
As per file to burn. Throw your best drum n bass tunes on a loop. Thats what I do. Nothing like blasting some bass heavy music to warm up them drivers.

 

[Jupiterknight]

Quote:

I've had both the Isurus and Brookstone. My pair of Isurus is clearly better than the Brookstone was. I think the Isurus is at home with the $130 crowd like the FXT90, CKM99, FA Tandem, and EX600. Someone mentioned there are to higher tier phones like people are saying. I don't agree since people have only been comparing to mid-levels like the CKM99 and such. They are not a Westone 4 or other high end phone but ~ 8.5 - 8.8 on the Joker scale(like the CKM99) is not out of the question with the right tips getting the best out of them. At $20 I'm not sure if there is not some variation in units so I can't say if some sound better than others. Fit can be an issue as well. I'm sure some get along with the Philips better them being so small that occlusion or other fit problems hurting sound don't occur as with the Thermaltake phones. 
 
I'm thinking I would agree with Dsnuts about the Tt being a bit better. I'll probably have to pick up a pair of the 3850 and compare myself. I had a similar experience with Philips buds not to long ago. Stand alone Philips earbuds for $17($30 regular price) were smashed by the cheapies Philips included with a cheap 2GB player I was helping someone put music on since it was an MTP only device that they couldn't figure out how to load. Not surprised that one of their cheapies smash some of their $30 - $40 offerings.
 
My most recent good phones are/were a SF 5 EB with Westone cable, SM3, Phonak Perfect Bass(plus a gray filter pack), an EX600(foam removed), and silver cabled TF 10. My pair of Isurus are pretty much just what Dsnuts said they were. 
 
 

 
I pretty much agree with this. I have the Brookstone clear dual driver as well and always thought they were a very good purchase for $60.
 
I do also find that the TT's are better than the Brookstone and they are actually also very similar in build quality. 
 
I also have the EX600. The EX600 has a more flat sound signature vs. a more V-shaped sound signature of the TT.
 
The other day I briefly compared the EX600 with the TT with some different music genre's and found the EX600 to be clearly superior when listening to contemporary/smooth jazz and acoustic rock.
 
With alternative rock it became much closer match between the two and I could easily accept the TT's despite it's flaws as being almost equal to the EX600 with a couple of  the albums I listened to.
 
Then, with some euro pop and electronica I actual did prefer the TT's, it could just be due it's more V-shaped sound signature, but no matter what, with this type of music it was to me at least very enjoyable to listen to the TT.  
 
There's no doubt that the build quality, cable etc. of the EX600 is much better and also that I technical do find it to be a better IEM than the TT.  But the fact that I can enjoy a $20 just as much with certain music genre's vs. one of the better $130-180 IEM's, I find very impressive.  
 
I do also agree on, that it could very well belong in the mentioned group of $130-150 IEM's but certainly also an IEM that not everyone will like because of it's sibilance or treble harshness, j-cable, fit, all factors that can be very annoying to many.
 
Speaking of preferences, I do actually like the 3580 better.
 

 
 

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

@eke2k6, dsnuts
Does sibilance get  better with burn in in your case?

I found the biggest improvements came from the biflange Meelec M6 black tips, and the ADDIEM white tips. Burn-in also helps. I left mine burning for 2 days straight, and I would say that it made a difference.
 
      

 

[jant71]

I can see the Isurus going towards sibilance with certain sources esp. with lower hours on them. With my S639 they are a good match. More so than with my iriver which has a more analytical sound. This new irivers isn't bassy like the older ones and have 30+ presets like Cowon including Vivid, Crystal Clear, All Round 1/2/3. They seem to have gone to the Cowon side and I hear harshness at times from the brighter player. Can't say I'm bothered by it though. After two ER4's, an RE0, a CK10, no foam EX600, and adding silver to strip away some smoothness from the TF 10,  I can say I'm fairly treble tolerant. So, I both put tips on the Tt that give a bit more treble and find myself punching the volume that extra notch where they sparkle a bit more.
 
I just sold something on Amazon, so I'll probably pick up a pair of the Philips as well. didn't want to spend the funds I was planning to try out a FAD Adagio V with. Got the Red thermaltake so maybe a blue Philips perhaps?

 

[Jupiterknight]

Quote:

 
 
I just sold something on Amazon, so I'll probably pick up a pair of the Philips as well. didn't want to spend the funds I was planning to try out a FAD Adagio V with. Got the Red thermaltake so maybe a blue Philips perhaps?

For $9 you can't go much wrong, even if it blue 

 

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Speaking of preferences, I do actually like the 3580 better.
 

Really Jupiter? You've already got a front page review of the Isurus, it'll be interesting to hear more of your impressions on the SHE3580 too

Oh, and happy new year to you all and happy listening!

 

[jant71]

Quote:

For $9 you can't go much wrong, even if it blue 

 

Yeah, I just looked at them again. It was the purple that I was thinking of which is kinda blue as well but darker and less pastel looking. Then again after looking them over you can't go wrong with black

.
 

 

[Jupiterknight]

Quote:

Really Jupiter? You've already got a front page review of the Isurus, it'll be interesting to hear more of your impressions on the SHE3580 too

Oh, and happy new year to you all and happy listening!

Maybe I will, again it's purely based on personal preferences, there's just something about this little Philips thingy that's way of Philips's normal grit and it really wows me, maybe it's just the price, who knows!  No, you were so right about these a long time ago.....

 
Happy New Year to all.