Sony MH1C better than CIEMs or just another ATH-M50? - Page 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc-holliday 

It is either that or one of two things are non-functional. That copy of the MH1 or someone's ears.
I didn't even keep my MH1 and I have to defend it against such a statement.
I have listened to dozens of budget IEMs searching for suitable IEMs to recommend to freinds who want better sound for cheap and the MH1 is the best in that category.

+1. Hate is just as bad as hype. Good thing it's calmed down a bit. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundstige 

So you find a bass-light earbud model "less muddy" than a bass-adequate isolating in-ear model, and you find a triple BA custom-quality universal IEM to be the worst in-ear released all year? I'm starting to see a pattern...

Might want to see the measurements on his site to get his point of view.

it's because Rin thinks it sounds like this

but the MH1C designer hears it like this

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sycho 


I hope you are trolling... :P
Hurts me to see that the MH1Cs beat the B2s, but I find the B2s way to sibilant without major EQ control on my Galaxy S2, so even something like the SE215 (when tested lacked the fullness provided by the B2s) would suffice for me. Reading the review of the MH1Cs, I'm not really getting a huge sense of why it beats or fairs on par with the B2s and Gr07 in terms of sound quality, so I assume overall sound based on it's signature vs benchmarks of similar sounding IEMs.
Still, for <$30, I'm getting it regardless. If it sounds better than the B2s, then it's a win, if it sounds less than expected, only $30. Low risk, high reward, and I can still give them to friends who could use them as a replacement for their Apple earpods. Interesting opinions from everyone, thanks everyone.

I have the B2 as well, I even give them a bit of a treble boost.

Remember, ClieOS is human too, he will give IEMs that matches his sound preference better scores.

I think ClieOS gives dynamic IEMs better scores than BA ones, while ljokerl is the opposite.

for e.g. ljokerl: GR07<B2, ClieOS: GR07>B2.

For me, I like the B2s WAY better, but i still love my MH1C

some of you people are really splitting hairs on a effing <$30 IEM...

for $26, if it's better than the ADDIEMS in general presentation and detail/clarity i'll consider it an absolute win, as it appears to have a better fit and lacks the obnoxious tip-falling-off-in-ear problem the ADDIEMS have.  i HAD the GR07 before unfortunately having to return them as i was pretty broke at the time, and also tried out the monster trumpets for a bit, so i can't compare directly but hopefully can remember enough of what they sounded like to give a reasonable comparison.  i'm not expecting the MH1C to blow those out of the water or even match them, but if they can match up 75% or even 50% i'm willing to forgive the diminishing returns.  essentially i needed a cheap but decent IEM, a lot of people seemed to like this one, it was cheap, so I went ahead and got it.  not much more to it than that.  if it's bad i'll say so.  if i enjoy it i'll friggin enjoy it.

busy man he is, i really want to hear joker's opinion on this one.  i would guess from his reviews about a 7.0 in sound quality, give or take.  he seems  deferential but fair and balanced (copyright FOX NEWS) towards the budget IEMS/FOTMs.

Just because you can buy it for under $30 doesn't mean they can't beat > $100 segment.

1) They are cheap , cos of bulk . Retail price is arnd $70-80 so no wonder they very much can compare with higher priced iem's.

2) Its one iem which can satisfy general public, more consumer oriented sound signature

3) Majority of people prefer fun sounding iem than analytical or balanced sound(again, smaller segment is not sony's target)

4) If demand > supply, probably the price might rise upto to $100, so why complaint ?

I assume, all the bulk purchase will be over by next month, and ebay and amazon will be selling these for $70(hahah) ....Real Respect starts from there.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by macbug 

it's because Rin thinks it sounds like this

 

 

but the MH1C designer hears it like this

 

 

 

  I mean no disrespect, but you don't know what those graphs are. You can't compare a compensated DF graph to a raw MH1C graph, both raw graphs from Rin and Sead are pretty similar. 

udauda isn't trolling. MH1Cs do have one of the worst bass responses I've heard, the midhighs and treble are golden though. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulkoudai 

 

I have the B2 as well, I even give them a bit of a treble boost.

 

Remember, ClieOS is human too, he will give IEMs that matches his sound preference better scores.

 

I think ClieOS gives dynamic IEMs better scores than BA ones, while ljokerl is the opposite.

 

for e.g. ljokerl: GR07<B2, ClieOS: GR07>B2.

 

For me, I like the B2s WAY better, but i still love my MH1C

Not to put words into |joker|'s mouth (okay, may be a little and hope he doesn't mind). I do believe, while |joker| and I both prefer an analytical sound (and we both love RE272 for that reason), we score things in a different way. At least IMO, he tends to rate more on technical ability, especially on detail retrieval and overall resolution (my own observation), I tend to rate not just on technical ability, but also deduce rating based on the flaws I heard (and as I have mentioned in my concise comparison, some flaws, such as sibilance and severe muddiness, will affect rating more dramatically than strength). So while B2 has excellent treble extension, the bass extension leaves me wanting for more. The overly aggressive upper mid / lover vocal is also a major weakness IMO, as it turns people away more than having a weak treble. Even though GR07 too has a slight peak on upper vocal, the fact that it is lesser a problem when compared to B2 and also not an issue when listening in lower volume (which is how the IEM is tuned) let me to prefer it over B2. To me, while GR07 doesn't present detail as good as B2, it presents less flaws while still maintain better end-to-end reach, That's the reason why I rate it higher. In a way, I guess I tend to rate for the overall balance instead of a particular aspect., or perhaps I am trying to achieve a balance between the two.

However, as you have said, each and everyone of us listen to things in different preference, so it has less to do with right or wrong but more to do with which review is better fitting to your own preference and interpretation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS 

 

Not to put words into |joker|'s mouth (okay, may be a little and hope he doesn't mind). I do believe, while |joker| and I both prefer an analytical sound (and we both love RE272 for that reason), we score things in a different way. At least IMO, he tends to rate more on technical ability, especially on detail retrieval and overall resolution (my own observation), I tend to rate not just on technical ability, but also deduce rating based on the flaws I heard (and as I have mentioned in my concise comparison, some flaws, such as sibilance and severe muddiness, will affect rating more dramatically than strength). So while B2 has excellent treble extension, the bass extension leaves me wanting for more. The overly aggressive upper mid / lover vocal is also a major weakness IMO, as it turns people away more than having a weak treble. Even though GR07 too has a slight peak on upper vocal, the fact that it is lesser a problem when compared to B2 and also not an issue when listening in lower volume (which is how the IEM is tuned) let me to prefer it over B2. To me, while GR07 doesn't present detail as good as B2, it presents less flaws while still maintain better end-to-end reach, That's the reason why I rate it higher. In a way, I guess I tend to rate for the overall balance instead of a particular aspect., or perhaps I am trying to achieve a balance between the two.

 

However, as you have said, each and everyone of us listen to things in different preference, so it has less to do with right or wrong but more to do with which review is better fitting to your own preference and interpretation.

Yea and thanks so much for your reviews.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inks 

  I mean no disrespect, but you don't know what those graphs are. You can't compare a compensated DF graph to a raw MH1C graph, both raw graphs from Rin and Sead are pretty similar. 

 

udauda isn't trolling. MH1Cs do have one of the worst bass responses I've heard, the midhighs and treble are golden though. 

You are right that they are not the same graph and not comparable at all by the numbers, but since Sead's numbers are normalized for SPL it pretty much indicates that the loudness of his bass is basically even with mid and highs (correct me if I'm wrong but that was the point of those graphs with 20db bass boost right), so this is what we hear.  If we look at Rin's raw graph however it gives the appearance of it being boosted many many times that of the normal mids and highs (but maybe that's what it sounds like to Rin? judging by his reaction).  My question for experts is what is the precise balance of sound we hear normally through speaker systems?

[edit]

I'm not really sure what Sead's graph is normalized for actually... didn't he just make 1khz the baseline at 0 db, in which case the graphs are still totally comparable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Han Bao Quan 

Well just my 2 cents here, I'm not sure what's the big deal about this IEMs really, ordered it last week and it was delivered today. I listened to it for 10 minutes and immediately put it back in the box to return. The sound is offensive to me to say the least. Bass are not well controlled, the overall presentation is very muddy, mids sound thick and heavy. Anyway, the Philips SHE3580 to me sound better than these pair of Sony. To each his own I guess.

I have the 3580s too, and these.

And my impressions were exactly the same when I first got them, but because I trust ClieOS, I listen to them a bit more and burnt them in.

If you have a bit more time, burn them in for around 15 hours and then decide if you want to return them or not.

IMO, they sound amazing.

EDIT: and forgot to say you will need some time with them for your brain to adjust to them as well, 10 mins is not enough. How can you judge IEMs with only 10 mins?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Han Bao Quan 


Well I don't really believe in burn in, and IMO if the headphones don't sound good to you, doesn't matter how long you listen to them. Your brain may get accustomed to the sound, but that doesn't mean it sounds good. The moment you switch between headphones like I do, and come back to them, they sound bad again.Perhaps my standard was a bit too high since I have the Miracle next to me, but if something tastes bad, no matter how many times you eat it, won't make it taste good, you may get used to the taste, however.

I don't believe in burn in either mate, the thing is i have two pairs of MH1C beside me that tell me otherwise. One is unused the other has ~50 hours on it and they sound very different. I am not talking about mental burn in, they actually do sound different. The burned in pair has allot less bass quantity, a tighter bass, better instrument separation, more pronounced mids, and more detailed treble.

I tend to change between phones as well, and my initial reaction was similar to yours (what where they smoking basically ;)), but now they actually sound respectable (actually amazing for their price) when i go back to them from a 150-200$ IEM.