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FiiO " Flagship " portable amp Mont Blanc/E12 discussing thread, the pre order unit arrives. - Page 69

post #1021 of 1969
2/5/13 at 11:22pm
Nope, feeling too tired for tonight. Instead, here is an older post of mine relaying some testing and impressions I wrote for Craigster, which will be incorporated into my review anyway:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evshrug View Post

I only know three of those artists, lol. I don't know if you have the track, and I don't LIKE the track, but Kanye West's "Gold Digger" is my go-to test for distortion (clipping?) and generally the mid-bass falling apart or holding together. With bass boost "ON," there is a little body and fullness added to the bottom end, but the sound holds together smoothly with ease. I pulled up Eminem's "Lose Yourself," just for you, though I like this song much more than the previous one, and with the boost, the bass drum that kicks in at 0:52 really does kick pretty well, yet it's easy to hear Marson's lyrics without any verbage close to "picking them out." The song "Without Me" already seems to have a good bit of bass on the flat mode, turning "on" bass boost brings that bass forward a bit. This is all with Q701 headphones and Mont Blanc set on 0 dB gain. I used to have V-MODA LP's, but there's plenty of bass in this current setup for me.

I took some more pictures for size comparison. People that use money clips instead of wallets need-not apply, but if you've ever had your phone and wallet in the same pocket – Hey that gives me an idea... Yup, my wallet is just as thick as Mont Blanc – then the amp + PMP ought to feel about the same. Here's the Mont Blanc next to my mom's phone & my iPod to show scale:



Top is Mont Blanc


The Mont Blanc is clearly better constructed. Solid piece of aluminum next to the creaky plastic phone that seems like the pieces are more loosely put together by comparison, while the FiiO only has 2 hairline seams around the volume pot/input/output side and the opposite (bottom?) side with only 2screws visible down there. The majority of the enclosure is one piece of aluminum that looks like a tube, with no seams longwise along the body, so it feels solid like the new iPhone 5 (or a unibody MacBook Pro, I guess).

I don't think there is a lightning LOD yet, but if I can beg my gf to share her white iPhone 5 with me for a minute (or she's sleeping), I'll let you guys know my impressions double-amped connecting the Mont Blanc to the iPhone's headphone jack, compared to the L11 LOD for my iPod video (5th gen). I can probably write my review of the Mont Blanc this week, I'll probably pull impressions I've shared from this thread and add anything i think of like comparing to the iPod headphone out. A "crazy comparison" to my desktop amps & the E5 will come in my journal thread, I call it "crazy" because they're all for different purposes so it will be a fun opinion review rather than a practical, objective review.
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post #1022 of 1969
2/5/13 at 11:34pm

How is this against the E17?

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post #1023 of 1969
2/5/13 at 11:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyaems View Post

 

are you going to change the gain and crossfeed switches as well?

 

 

 

Not, So far not plan to change the Gain and Crossfeed. 

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post #1024 of 1969
2/6/13 at 12:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apo0th3karY View Post

@JamesFiiO

I, like many, wasnt completely sold on the E12 at first because of the original bass boost... But now that I see the change in the FR graph I have a suggestion, I think having both bass boost options would be great for different genres, adding a bit of dynamic difference between the bass boosts, rather than a different quantity in bass boost.

Otherwise, I'm not sure which id prefer given I listen to a fair amount of drum and bass and classic rock and metal, so, the new bass boost might be better for the latter but the original bass boost would be better for the former.

 

Everyone can call me James.

 

OK, can't keep the two option, there are not enough space to us to design two different bass boost inside the Mont Blanc , you will find the space is very limited .

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post #1025 of 1969
2/6/13 at 12:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesFiiO View Post


Everyone can call me James.

OK, can't keep the two option, there are not enough space to us to design two different bass boost inside the Mont Blanc , you will find the space is very limited .

fair enough, just thought I'd throw my two cents in. I do prefer the revised boost anyhow, just would be pretty novel to have both as an option.
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post #1026 of 1969
2/6/13 at 12:27am

Read the first 60 pages of this thread and had to fast forward through the rest. It just got too aggravating seeing the same questions/issues cropping up.

First off, for the bass craving folks, stop using icrap to play your music. Not that ipods/iphones/ipads are bad, they are not they offer fine quality dacs and frequency response.

What they don't offer is end user sound customization. It's like using all weather tires in the winter, it sort of works but isn't optimized for the power user.

Spend $30 and get yourself a sansa clip+. And then add the rockbox firmware for the ultimate in audio customization. Linear DAC's are pennies on the dollar nowadays (contrary to what the folks at zanden audio would have you believe), and the sansa sandisk clip+ offers a fully linear dac equal to the ipod/itouch/iphone. As tested by nwavguy, as well as many others.

What rockbox offers you is the ability to set a low 'shelf', in the digital domain, ie, one frequency where you want the boost to begin and no frequencies above that will be affected. And you can boost it up to 24 db. Naturally, it also allows you to set your precut to match that to avoid digital clipping. THEN allow the E12 to work its magic in the analog domain with its prodigious power output. Rockbox on the sansa clip even has user adjustable crossfeed settings as well as channel seperation settings. Honestly, a rockboxed sansa clip replaces $1000's of dollars in seperate components, for $30. And then you can let the prodigious power output of the E12 work its magic.

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post #1027 of 1969
2/6/13 at 1:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach-X View Post

Read the first 60 pages of this thread and had to fast forward through the rest. It just got too aggravating seeing the same questions/issues cropping up.

First off, for the bass craving folks, stop using icrap to play your music. Not that ipods/iphones/ipads are bad, they are not they offer fine quality dacs and frequency response.

What they don't offer is end user sound customization. It's like using all weather tires in the winter, it sort of works but isn't optimized for the power user.

Spend $30 and get yourself a sansa clip+. And then add the rockbox firmware for the ultimate in audio customization. Linear DAC's are pennies on the dollar nowadays (contrary to what the folks at zanden audio would have you believe), and the sansa sandisk clip+ offers a fully linear dac equal to the ipod/itouch/iphone. As tested by nwavguy, as well as many others.

What rockbox offers you is the ability to set a low 'shelf', in the digital domain, ie, one frequency where you want the boost to begin and no frequencies above that will be affected. And you can boost it up to 24 db. Naturally, it also allows you to set your precut to match that to avoid digital clipping. THEN allow the E12 to work its magic in the analog domain with its prodigious power output. Rockbox on the sansa clip even has user adjustable crossfeed settings as well as channel seperation settings. Honestly, a rockboxed sansa clip replaces $1000's of dollars in seperate components, for $30. And then you can let the prodigious power output of the E12 work its magic.

 

I get your point, but that's not always the answer. Every user is different and your 'end user' customization differs from mine, and others. If it works for you, then great, but here people are looking for an option and asking questions based on their own end means, not to have a new (maybe) user come in and tell them their equipement is garbage; I'm sure many members here are well aware of the limitations (or not) of their DAP anyhow. I've considered a Sansa clip+, but my iPod Touch (with EQu app fopr music) has 1000x more functionality than just an mp3 player, so the Sansa Clip+ is not for me beerchug.gif

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post #1028 of 1969
2/6/13 at 1:21am

On another note.... If there's any current pre release E12s (which I'll now refer to as E12v1 which is by no means official, I'm just labelling them so I can better differentiate them) left by thursday, I'm probably gonna get myself one when I get paid, and when it gets full release with the new revised bass boost (which I'll refer to as E12v2)

 

I mostly want to decide which of the versions' bass boost I would prefer. On paper, the E12v2 is what I want, but I'm thinking the E12v1 will be better for different reasons, so I'm going to try to get my hands on both.

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post #1029 of 1969
2/6/13 at 3:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koopa989 View Post

hmm...I have to admit that I was pretty turned off by the initial stats and impressions for the bass boost. this new announcement changes everything.

I have a question about it not being 'meant for iem's'. so that means I should look elsewhere to upgrade from an e11 for my GR07's and my original Monster Miles Davis?

Its not that E12 has problems. Its that it may not get quiet enough and the turns are a bit sensitive. Heir audios work with the e12 but careful turning is needed

Im getting a loaner gr07 in a few days. Ill post in this thread to let you know
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyaems View Post

are you going to change the gain and crossfeed switches as well?



buy one and have it shipped here? no thanks :P

that would cost more than 120usd lol
Sorry, i though you were in u s
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post #1030 of 1969
2/6/13 at 4:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyaems View Post

noooooooooooooooooooo i wanna have the old boost!


+1 !
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post #1031 of 1969
2/6/13 at 5:16am

For anyone who wants the more modest bass boost, we fortunately have Head-fi to get the "scoop" on new gear and you have the perfect justification to buy a new amp today bigsmile_face.gif

 

As soon as James says Micca has the modified bass units in stock, I will be placing my order.  The lack of bass was the only thing holding me back.  For non-bassheads, I think the solution is fairly simple- just don't turn on bass boost.  For bassheads, if there is a bass boost, it needs to have real impact which I believe it will now offer based on the graph.  Short of a redesign to allow multiple bass settings, I believe the new bass boost EQ is as perfect a compromise as there could be if there is only one setting.  I can't wait to drive my 115 SPL Ultrasone Signature DJs with the bass enhanced E12.

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post #1032 of 1969
2/6/13 at 7:02am

Honestly, if you were somewhere close to me, I'd lend you my E12, and then you'd know why some people don't want the current bass boost to change.

 

E12 with current bass boost on is head-rattling and headache inducing already.

 

Then again, I guess not all of us have HE-400... or equivalence. And it's obvious some folks want to amp $100 headphones to match $300 headphones.

 

Not to sound smug, of course, but I honestly think E12 coupled with a very bass-heavy can should be the way to go for bassheads... rather than having a different version of E12 that sacrifices bass and low mid quality just for more vibrations.

 

Edit: and by the way, I can hear the current bass boost in every song. Especially with dubstep and liquid drum. I can't even find a single song in my library (500+ songs) that doesn't have more bass using the boost. It's really noticeable, I think, when the headphone can reproduce those frequencies.


Edited by Bill-P - 2/6/13 at 7:08am
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post #1033 of 1969
2/6/13 at 7:13am
I wouldnt call the bass boost very nauseating. Depends on what hp you use it with and what your standards are.

I personally dont use it much and only occasionally for testing or for edm
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post #1034 of 1969
2/6/13 at 7:28am

Same here. I don't use it much because my ears can't take all that pressure after 30 minutes. It's fun to test, but my headphones would probably deform my ears before long.

 

I can fathom using it for something like the ATH-M50, though.

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post #1035 of 1969
2/6/13 at 7:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apo0th3karY View Post

I get your point, but that's not always the answer. Every user is different and your 'end user' customization differs from mine, and others. If it works for you, then great, but here people are looking for an option and asking questions based on their own end means, not to have a new (maybe) user come in and tell them their equipement is garbage; I'm sure many members here are well aware of the limitations (or not) of their DAP anyhow. I've considered a Sansa clip+, but my iPod Touch (with EQu app fopr music) has 1000x more functionality than just an mp3 player, so the Sansa Clip+ is not for me beerchug.gif
Actually, I found his post to offer quite a few options for end-user customizations. And he's right about some other things too; many of the same questions have been repeated in this thread (as happens with almost any popular thread), ironically the answers get buried by the repeated questions. I also didn't see him call other DAPs garbage, just point out a powerful, low cost option. I don't know what a precut is (though I have heard digital clipping), but fine tuning your preferences via that solution, available for such a cheap price, is a helpful suggestion in general even if you don't have to make use of it, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill-P View Post

Honestly, if you were somewhere close to me, I'd lend you my E12, and then you'd know why some people don't want the current bass boost to change.

E12 with current bass boost on is head-rattling and headache inducing already.

Then again, I guess not all of us have HE-400... or equivalence. And it's obvious some folks want to amp $100 headphones to match $300 headphones.

Not to sound smug, of course, but I honestly think E12 coupled with a very bass-heavy can should be the way to go for bassheads... rather than having a different version of E12 that sacrifices bass and low mid quality just for more vibrations.

Edit: and by the way, I can hear the current bass boost in every song. Especially with dubstep and liquid drum. I can't even find a single song in my library (500+ songs) that doesn't have more bass using the boost. It's really noticeable, I think, when the headphone can reproduce those frequencies.

I can't hear the boost in every song, at least not all the way through a song, but yeah I agree the bass boost is very good as is. I also have to take a break after 30 minutes with the boost on, they're a very fun 30 minutes but I need to cool down or my ears will hurt a bit. I have noticed that the people who own an E12 haven't found the bass response to be weak, and have been pleased by the tight band of tightly controlled sub-bass boost. The bass impact/kick is very solid even without boosting it's volume, and never fat or soft of definition.

I think the tuning of the bass boost to be aimed exclusively at the "atmospheric" sub-bass region only is part of what makes this amp unique (price:power, power:size, and low THD are others), I'm still scratching my head about bassheads NOT owning something like your HE-400, a Beyerdynamic DT990, or one of the Phiathon (sic) headphones (and cutting the bass if they sometimes want less), however I do understand that others simply may want to go about it a different way.

Honestly... Here's an idea: Craigster75, if you want to pay shipping to borrow my E12 next week, I'll let you try it out for a while since you test things all the time and you're vocal enough that if you like it, I'm sure others' concerns will be allayed. PM me if interested?
Edited by Evshrug - 2/6/13 at 8:16am
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › FiiO " Flagship " portable amp Mont Blanc/E12 discussing thread, the pre order unit arrives.