Future Sonic Atrio Vs. Yamaha EPH-100

How do these two IEMs compare? I'm going to buy FX700s in a couple of months when I visit Japan, but I need a new pair of IEMs to keep me occupied until then. Right now I have ER4Ps, and though I love their amount of detail, their lack of bass keeps me unsatisfied. Some people have suggested buying a ZO, but I don't like the idea of lugging an amp everywhere even if its quite small.

The three main considerations for me are:

• Well defined bass that hits hard when needed. More emphasis on sub bass, not on mid bass. Something comparable to D2000 or DT770 bass.
• Exceptional detail. I'm looking for Etymotic type ability to separate instruments and retrieve minute details. I like to have that holograph effect where you can mentally visualize where each instrument is at.
• Following the last point, the mids and highs can't be muddy. I don't really require much from the upper frequencies, but I don't want them to sound veiled and muddy like XB500s. They just need to sound realistic enough.

The first two points are especially important.

For what it's worth, I listen to mostly Dubstep (like James Blake, Jamie XX, and SBTRKT), Hip-Hop, and a bunch of indie rock (like Fleet Foxes, NMH, Best Coast, etc.)

Oh and I'm very sensitive to sibilance and piercing highs, though if the first two points are met, I really wouldn't mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTKZ 

I''d forget about the Yamaha EPH-100. They're not what comes to mind when I'm looking for sub bass.

Really? A lot of people have labeled them as bass heavy. Some people have even claimed that they have bass equivalent to the FX700s which are notoriously bass heavy. I'm not trying to discredit you or anything, just repeating what I've read.

I actually don't mind if they don't meet the Atrios in terms of bass. Especially if they make up for it in 3D imaging. But I want the the bass to be present enough in the music to leave me satisfied. I'm just trying to find which IEM has the best compromise.

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess I'm going to have to look into the Vsonics as well.

I was also aware of the 50% off deal, but was wondering if anyone knows atrio.me's return policy. Do they allow returns? I can't find it anywhere on their site.

Anyone else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tienbasse 

I have both FX700 and EPH-100, and while I now prefer the Yamahas, they just don't have the same bass level as FX700.

FX700 are bass-heavy, although they're nicely controlled (not muddy).

EPH-100 have very nice bass, with good impact, but not at FX700 level, while still stronger (and better in my opinion) than most balanced armature IEMs.

 

But I don't seem to hear this mid-bass hump DTKZ is talking about, they extend nicely all the way down. FX700 clearly has this hump on the other hand.

 

EPH-100 strong points are its mids, isolation, the excellent instrument separation, which is not usual for dynamic drivers, and they sound clear.

 

Don't know the Atrios, but EX600 could also be good (less mids, more treble than EPH-100, less isolation).

 

IE8 will not be as clear, and do not separate like EPH-100/EX600.

 

GR07 get a lot of praise here as well, although I'm not sure the bass level will be enough for the OP (definitely not D2000-like). Other than that, they tick all the other boxes.
 

 

Wow, it's impressive that the Yamahas beat out the JVCs. Is there a particular reason why? Also, would you say the Yamaha's are more D2000 like than the GR07s in the bass department?

Deciding between the three is getting increasingly difficult, so I may just buy all three and keep the one I prefer.

Yeah, I've read the EPH can't really touch the Atrios bass performance. But on the other hand, I've read that the Atrios separation and imaging pale in comparison to the Yamahas. So I don't really know which one is the better compromise as I value both attributes pretty equally. Nobody has really given a satisfying comparison yet.