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Aurisonics Impressions and Reviews

Feb 17, 2012 at 3:10 PM Post #451 of 2,761


Quote:
dosley01 said:
I have been actually researching these technologies, there are a hand full of "digital" solutions available to do this.  Basically a 3D impression scanner which then spits out a STL file into ear mold specific CAD software which then can be CNC machined or 3D printed.  There is a new startup here around Boston that has a product to eliminate the whole impressions step and create a 3D impression that can be sent right to the software or manufacture.
 
http://www.lantostechnologies.com/technology/
 
Some pretty cool stuff, IMHO.
 
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Welcome to the wonderful world of rapid prototyping!
 
The 3D printing machines (there are a dozen technologies in the field) started to emerge 15 years ago and were for long used mainly to produce prototypes and very small series from scratch (3D computer models--> prototype, no mould, no cast). They can produce small parts with many internal design which can't be made with a single mould.
 
I'm glad people are starting to use them for actual products, available resins for these machines have a come a long way and are now able to match the properties of most usual plastics and elastomers, which was definitely not the case 10 years ago (hence the main use for design prototypes only at that time).
 
The start-up you linked is really interesting. Casting earmolds is not a nice feeling, and a technology to map ear canals without pouring some nasty chemical into your ears would be more than welcome!
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To come back to the topic, I took the plunge and ordered the ASG-1s, since the signature which was described seem to fit my taste for the most part.
Another hold-up in my wallet...
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Feb 17, 2012 at 3:13 PM Post #452 of 2,761


Quote:
tomscy2000 said:
Doesn't UE have a similar process? They mainly do the traditional process, but they also have the scan-to-CAD-to-SLA prototyping when a really fine resolution mold is needed, or when they use existing custom shells as the template. SLA printing limits the use of different colors for the shell, which is probably why Aurisonics doesn't offer multiple colors for their AS-1
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SLA is pretty limited, being an "old" rapid prototyping technology using a single liquid resin bath.
Newer technologies are able to use multiple resins and can even transition from one material to another creating areas with hybrid properties between both materials properties.
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Feb 17, 2012 at 3:52 PM Post #453 of 2,761
Here's more food for the brain and in response to the above posts about the process.  If you want to know where the slogan "the Critical Difference" came about.  Here it is,  straight from top:
 
[size=11.0pt]"Although the process is important the actual software behind the process and the algorithms used to expedite the CAD process are what makes the critical  difference. Most of our software is custom. How you get to the resulting file to print or mill is the real hard part. At least ten different technologies to print that all do a pretty good job"[/size]
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 5:11 PM Post #454 of 2,761


Quote:
project86 said:
 
Good point - the "shouty" thing is completely different from sibilance. I find sibilance more annoying than "shoutiness" (is that a word?). 
 
I'm working on comparing the AS-1b to the universal for that specific issue. Will update when I can. 
 
 
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I just talked to Dale, and mentioned the "shouty" thing.  Dale said that they were meant to project mids at around 1khz intentionally. These are musicians monitors first, and the musicians want to be able to hear their voice above other things in the music.  The use as audiophile earphones is just an aside from the design being primarily for musicians.  Audiophile IEM's are designed to atract audiophile listeners, and the various designs are colored differently to please the masses!  Different stroke for different folks.  I like these very much, I like forward vocals and detail throughout the sound spectrum......but, they are not for everyone.  Everyone has their own listening tastes.  Dale also stated that they take EQ in the lows very well.  I have mine tuned through Parametric EQ, at 31hz, and 60hz.  This helps give them the subwoofer sound in the sub bass, and they take to it very well and I get that, IMO!
 
 
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 5:18 PM Post #455 of 2,761


Quote:
cute said:
I just talked to Dale, and mentioned the "shouty" thing.  Dale said that they were meant to project mids at around 1khz intentionally. These are musicians monitors first, and the musicians want to be able to hear their voice above other things in the music.  The use as audiophile earphones is just an aside from the design being primarily for musicians.  Audiophile IEM's are designed to atract audiophile listeners, and the various designs are colored differently to please the masses!  Different stroke for different folks.  I like these very much, I like forward vocals and detail throughout the sound spectrum......but, they are not for everyone.  Everyone has their own listening tastes.  Dale also stated that they take EQ in the lows very well.  I have mine tuned through Parametric EQ, at 31hz, and 60hz.  This helps give them the subwoofer sound in the sub bass, and they take to it very well and I get that, IMO!
 
 
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X2...Yes. I think I mentioned the fact that these "in-ear monitors" in my first impressions. Definitely a sound - in my opinion - that many audiophiles can appreciate, but not a colored audiophile IEM. You have to decide if this is your sound signature. To me, the IE8 and even the SM3 are too "colored." That's not my sound signature (although I could enjoy some aspects of those earphones too).
 
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 5:27 PM Post #456 of 2,761


Quote:
ericp10 said:
X2...Yes. I think I mentioned the fact that these "in-ear monitors" in my first impressions. Definitely a sound - in my opinion - that many audiophiles can appreciate, but not a colored audiophile IEM. You have to decide if this is your sound signature. To me, the IE8 and even the SM3 are too "colored." That's not my sound signature (although I could enjoy some aspects of those earphones too).
 
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If I have these in my ears......and then switch to my other, "good quality" IEM's, I find my self going back two minutes later to the natural sound of the ASG-1!
 
These hit the "Bull Eye" everytime for me!
 
 
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM Post #457 of 2,761
@shotgunshane & ericp10
Thanks again for the input. Ordered the ASG-1. Hope they fit.
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 7:22 PM Post #459 of 2,761
Just listening to "Kris Kristofrerson" "This Old Road", album on the ASG-1, and I got the "I am there" aura that I felt at the small venue concert that I attended several year back, where these songs were featured!  These earphones can put you in the center of a live performance, like no other!
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 8:30 PM Post #461 of 2,761


Quote:
ericp10 said:
Bass quantity is not the same as the SM3 IMO (I can't speak for shotgunshane). It's much more in quantity and quality. I would only compare the ASG-1 to the SM3 in that they have similar ways in how the music is presented (i.e. you're closer to the stage or in the middle of the music, the bubble if you will). And that's it. The SM3 is a much warmer sound IEM with less micro-details (not saying there aren't any) than the ASG-1. The SM3 has less clarity and transparency than the ASG-1. The SM3 has less 3-D imaging than the ASG-1. Again, that's how I hear it. We all hear differently though.
 
Oh, depending on tips you use, you can shape the sound to suit you more with the ASG-1 than you could with the SM3... The SM3 sound veiled compared to the ASG-1.
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Thanks alot ericp10, that was of GREAT help ; )
 
I think this is what I'm looking for as a FUN and analytical phone at the same time. Almost bass-head, but with the technical qualities of the UM3X and other "top-tiers".
 
A last question: how would you guys compare it to the JVC FX700? I'm about to give this one a try, but maybe I can save some time (and money in the process) and go for the Aurisonics. Not quite sure yet as I want a bass-head, yet almost "analytical" phone, with some micro-detail.
 
EDIT: @shotgunshane, thanks a ton for the Merlin comparison. Was really interested on that comparison (even knowing its not quite fair)
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Feb 17, 2012 at 8:45 PM Post #462 of 2,761
Wow!  This thread moves like the ticker tape
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!   Well, thanks shotgunn and ericp
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for comparing to the 262!   I think I'll have to stick with Mom's good ole apple pie and either get the 262 or wait for the GR08 to come out.
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 8:50 PM Post #464 of 2,761


 
Quote:
shotgunshane said:
 
Upon request, here is a very small comparison between the Merlin and the ASG-1.  Before I go on though, let me say that bass quantity on the ASG-1 is a little more than I mentioned earlier.  This comes to light upon direct comparison with other phones.  I'd definitely say it is greater than the SM3 but I still think it is a hair less than the FX700.  It can extend pretty deep, so I have no doubt it goes deeper than both of those.
 
So starting with bass, the quantity is very similar between the two, with the ASG-1 sounding a little fuller but the Merlin extending a bit deeper and much tighter.  The Merlin bass is very tight.
 
Vocals are liquid and smooth on the Merlin and have a lot of similarity with the RE262, whereas the ASG-1 mids are a lot drier and a bit edgier.
 
Treble sparkle is fairly similar on both, with the Merlin edging out the ASG-1 with a little more sparkle and airiness.
 
The Merlin soundstage is wider with more forward projection but the Merlin puts you right at the stage, whereas the ASG-1 puts you on stage and surrounds you with sound.  Both have similar height.  The ASG-1 is the only universal I’ve heard that comes close to the height of the Merlin soundstage.
 
Overall I find the Merlin to have much better transparency but the ASG-1 does have good clarity
 
All this stacks up to a pretty impressive feat considering the current street price of the ASG-1 and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go FOTM status fairly quickly; and I mean that in the sincerest form of a compliment.  I suppose the bubble of music surround effect will end up being a love or hate thing for many.  It certainly is a WOW effect upon first listening and makes normally aspirated phones sound strange upon switching.  I can see how musicians would really appreciate this feature.  The are fun, immersive and frantic.  I can't say enough about the form factor and low profile fit, as well as the awesome looking cable.  I would expect to find these very durable over the long haul.
 
All that being said, I do not think these are exactly what I'm looking for, so I've sold them to a fellow head-fier whom I hope enjoys them very much.  I'll keep my eye out for the dual driver and forthcoming reviews.
 
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Were the Merlins designed for musicians as the ASG-1..........I don't know anything about them other than they are about four times the cost of the ASG-1?
 
 
Feb 17, 2012 at 8:54 PM Post #465 of 2,761
@shane: wow, I am really getting excited. I ordered mine early yesterday morning and should get them next week sometime. Matt seemed really excited about the response from head-fi. He also said that they WILL raise the price soon but continue to give the members of head-fi a discount (Thanks Matt!)
 
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