TDK MA600 - Info, Impression, and Appreciation Thread - Page 2

A few more quick thoughts about the ECMA600:

- These are some of the most comfortable IEMs I've worn. Those fuchsia flexible silcon/rubber ear stop thingies do what they are suppose to do (for my ears anyway).

- The silver/copper cord is quite microphonic. If you're moving around a lot you might not enjoy these.

- Do NOT judge these if you only listened for 15 minutes or less. The IEMs get better, and they get better quickly, but I admit thinking "what in the hell did I buy" in the first 15 minutes.

- Bass is very nice, spacious and and and nearly 3-Dish in these IEMs. Electric guitars and drums sound quite good, but vocals a little recessed right now. Mids sound fine but I'm expecting better.

- These are still less refined than the BA200 and IE800, but not as much as I initially thought. Again, I'm waiting for more burn in.

- These are suppose to be 60 ohms, but my iPod Nano drives them quite well (you can't turn the volume all the way up without blowing your ears out).

Okay, let me throw some power on it with my Fiio amp and DAC. You really can't look at these as a BA that need no burn in. The are more on the dynamic side in my opinion and need a good burn in, although it is a armature hybrid similar to the e-Q7. The e-Q7 doesn't touch it on power sounding and bass though (from recollection).

Any more impressions ericp10? I'm on the edge of my seat  It's somewhat of a relief to see the IE800 equal to the FXD80s in your signature. That rids me of all  curiosity to try them lol. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xProvidence 

Any more impressions ericp10? I'm on the edge of my seat  It's somewhat of a relief to see the IE800 equal to the FXD80s in your signature. That rids me of all  curiosity to try them lol. 

Hello xProvidence. Let me say this first, just because I have the IE800 and the FXD80 equal doesn't mean they sound the same. They don't at all. And you might prefer the one sound signature over the other. To be honest, I haven't listened to the FXD80 in weeks (and GRO7 in months) since owning the IE800, BA200 and FXZ100 (200 too but recently sold it). I'll be listening to the FXD80 soon again, however, to compare it to the  ATH-CN50 (which I think is quite outstanding). I know the D80 doesn't have the space and layering sound of the IE800, and I think the TDK's mids may be quite better, but need to listen and compare again.

Now, as for the ECMA600, Since about 6 p.m. yesterday I put them in heavy deep burn in. I'm in little while (should be over 20 hours in total burn in time then) I will unhook them from the burn in source and see what changes have occurred. I'll post some more thoughts soon after. 

Still hard for me to catch the pulse of this earphone here. With over 20 hours of burn in I'm left scratching my head. It's not awful by any stretch of the imagination, but it still doesn't reach the refinement and smooth sounding beauty of its big cousins, the IE800 and the BA200. I don't like its clear silicon stock tips on it (like these tips on the FXZ100 though), and it failed miserably with just about every tip I've tried on it. I have the Senn double-flange on it now, and it seems to like that tip. Bass is good, mids are nice (especially for electric and acoustic guitar), but piano seems to be a bit recessed and vocals. The wrong tips and there's a lot of sibilance in vocals. It can sound 3-Dish in the bass region but then sometimes if sounds like something is missing elsewhere, but I don't quite know what yet. I'm just going to throw some more burn in time at it, but right now it is leaving me indifferent. As much as I would like to hype this new technology, I can't. I'm actually more impressed with the ATH-CKN50 carbon nanotubes micro driver earphone. That's where I'm at right now. Oh, the fit is great for me though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericp10 

 

 

Hello xProvidence. Let me say this first, just because I have the IE800 and the FXD80 equal doesn't mean they sound the same. They don't at all. And you might prefer the one sound signature over the other. To be honest, I haven't listened to the FXD80 in weeks (and GRO7 in months) since owning the IE800, BA200 and FXZ100 (200 too but recently sold it). I'll be listening to the FXD80 soon again, however, to compare it to the  ATH-CN50 (which I think is quite outstanding). I know the D80 doesn't have the space and layering sound of the IE800, and I think the TDK's mids may be quite better, but need to listen and compare again.

 

Now, as for the ECMA600, Since about 6 p.m. yesterday I put them in heavy deep burn in. I'm in little while (should be over 20 hours in total burn in time then) I will unhook them from the burn in source and see what changes have occurred. I'll post some more thoughts soon after. 

OH NO NO NO. I didn't read that. I didn't read that. I didn't read that. 
A comparo would be great! I love the D80 and i've experienced my first uhh "audiogasm", for lack of a better word, with them, today actually. However, I do feel they're lacking something, something I can't put my fingers on. Perhaps more detailed mids and wider soundstage? I'm too inexperienced to know what exactly.

The IE800 and BA200 have been under my radar for a while now. I just don't know which to get, if I do end up buying either. Probably the IE800 as the BA200's large Y-split is a put off... Although perhaps the BA200 might be a good intro into BA technology. The A161p really didn't cut it for me, the sound signature isn't my cup of tea either. 
Anyways, I digress. The impressions were much appreciated. Gonna read about the ATH-CKN50/70 soon. Looking forward to your reviews, as always 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xProvidence 

OH NO NO NO. I didn't read that. I didn't read that. I didn't read that. 
A comparo would be great! I love the D80 and i've experienced my first uhh "audiogasm", for lack of a better word, with them, today actually. However, I do feel they're lacking something, something I can't put my fingers on. Perhaps more detailed mids and wider soundstage? I'm too inexperienced to know what exactly.

The IE800 and BA200 have been under my radar for a while now. I just don't know which to get, if I do end up buying either. Probably the IE800 as the BA200's large Y-split is a put off... Although perhaps the BA200 might be a good intro into BA technology. The A161p really didn't cut it for me, the sound signature isn't my cup of tea either. 
Anyways, I digress. The impressions were much appreciated. Gonna read about the ATH-CKN50/70 soon. Looking forward to your reviews, as always 

If you're use to dynamics, I would suggest the IE800. I think it's really spectacular and a great sounding IEM. I've been listening to the FXD80 to compare it with the ATH-CKN50 (that's on another thread), and I would have to say that the IE800 is clearer and technically more superior than the FXD80 (although I still love the D80). 

I also think the BA200 would be the best introductions into the BA world. I think only my W4 beats it in universal BAs I've heard. So that means I would only put my customs above it and the W4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericp10 

If you're use to dynamics, I would suggest the IE800. I think it's really spectacular and a great sounding IEM. I've been listening to the FXD80 to compare it with the ATH-CKN50 (that's on another thread), and I would have to say that the IE800 is clearer and technically more superior than the FXD80 (although I still love the D80). 

I also think the BA200 would be the best introductions into the BA world. I think only my W4 beats it in universal BAs I've heard. So that means I would only put my customs above it and the W4.

Gonna have to start saving again. Which of the two though... decisions, decisions. 
Leaning towards the IE800, I believe. I' ll wait for Flysweep's impressions and comparo of the two and more impressions from everyone of the MA600, especially after 100+ hours of burn-in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djvkool 

 

Thanks mate, I've moved your review to the front page - I can't wait to try mine, which should be with me in the next day or two.

 

In your opinion, how does this compare against the other single-BA IEM out there?

No problem djvkool. I have never heard a single BA. But as I type that I'm mistaken. I have have heard the HF5 and the e-Q7. I can't remember the HF5 other than it was was very analytic and virtually no bass to my ears. The e-Q7 and the MA600 sort of something in common as both are hybrid BAs of sort. Yet, it's been a long long time since I've heard the e-Q7 that the only thing I'm certain of is that the MA600 has more bass than the e-Q7. I have about 40 hours on the MA600 now and the burn in is making a difference in that I'm kind of hearing the character of these IEMs. Soundstage  has the music pushed back from the listener somewhat (not as intimate as the BA200 or IE800). I would say about five or 10 rows back. The bass, electric and acoustic guitars shine with the right tips (I'm using the Senn double-flanges). Vocals are clear and articulate but a bit recessed. Treble is not as strong in this IEM as it is in the other TDKs that I have (less sparkle). That is not a problem for me. These are a bass and mids focuse earphone for certain, but it's just presented differently than the other TDKs. The sound is a bit cooler than the sound of the other two. Not bad, but takes some getting use to. It is a ver powerful sounding IEM though.

It seems like the driver they use is a lot like what the Ortofon and Grado IEM's use, they'res are also single pole BA's aka "moving armature".  For $70 I'm going to have to get a pair soon.

Nice first impressions djvkool. Yeah, we hear it about the same way. This is a weird sounding IEM to my ears. I can't say I'm in love with it, but I don't hate it either. inline79 heard mine in person in Chicago the other day, and described it as an interesting weird sounding earphone too.

Warning to TDK earphone lovers of the BA200, like Techno Kid, this earphone won't remind you of anything of that warmish beautiful smooth sound you hear in the BA200. The MA600 is actually more on the cool side and pushing toward analytical (although it doesn't quite get there). But if you like power sound (especially in bass, drums, and electric guitars) this might not be a bad one to own for the price. But yes, the cord is very microphonic. I still think with the silver cable the MA600 needs even more burn in before reaching its full potential.

I wasn't expecting the warm smooth sound from these anyway, I really want to hear how they're single pole BA sounds as its the cheapest one I know of.