[REVIEW] Aurisonics ASG-2 & 2.5 (with many comparisons)

kkcc said:

FWIW, I find that Rhapsodio actually linked to both Eke and A_recording's "negative review" (per Rhapsodio's Facebook) and instead of defending or explaining the rdb+ 2v1, they are actually taking the comments in stride and is taking the 2v1 off the shelf. Rhapsodio themselves even went as far as concurring the 2v1 (supposedly a flat sounding Version the "fun" v1) is an experimental failure. Must say I'm quite shock and pleasantly surprised how they handle HFers review and comments since they are not even interacting with us here.

http://m.facebook.com/rhapsodiohk

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vwinter said:

Wow...
Non-Mobile link

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Color me equally as amazed/impressed. Wow indeed. Provides an insight as to where their priorities lie, which is to please as many as possible. Looking forward to their future release(s).

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kkcc said:

FWIW, I find that Rhapsodio actually linked to both Eke and A_recording's "negative review" (per Rhapsodio's Facebook) and instead of defending or explaining the rdb+ 2v1, they are actually taking the comments in stride and is taking the 2v1 off the shelf. Rhapsodio themselves even went as far as concurring the 2v1 (supposedly a flat sounding Version the "fun" v1) is an experimental failure. Must say I'm quite shock and pleasantly surprised how they handle HFers review and comments since they are not even interacting with us here.

http://m.facebook.com/rhapsodiohk

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Wow...
 
The childish part of me wants to do this in Gintaras' face because of all that happened earlier...
 

 
 
 
But at the same time, my respect for Rhapsodio just went through the roof. I admit that I was harsh, but I felt it was justified because of the price of the RDB+ 2v1. Hopefully their replacement product will achieve their goal of neutrality, without sacrificing what the RDB2 did.
 
 

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mach3 said:

Thanks eke2k6 for your great review. I'm glad I've stumble across this thread, it gonna save me $$$ as I'm planning on getting HD600 as recommended instead of forking out $1300 plus to get the Translucent 1Plus2 (I was getting really curious what 1k plus IEM was like).
 
Can anyone comment on the following please.
-I've read your review on the HD600 vs HE-500. I currently owned the HD650, is it safe to say the HD650 has the same signature as the HD600 just more wamer?
 
-Heard people raving over the JH13 Pro Freqphase and the JH16 Pro Freqphase. Anyone know the open/close headphone equivalent of the two custom IEM 1k just seem too steep to exercise my curiosity.
 

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Thanks!
 
Yes, they share a similar sound signature, but the HD650 is warmer in very key areas that will tip the scales in either direction, depending on the listener. It's my opinion that the HD600 is almost dead neutral, but the HD650 can veer into cloudy and veiled territory far too often.
 
A friend of mine, Flysweep, owns the AS-2, HD800, HE-400, and has owned the likes of the HE-500 and other TOTL phones. He gets his own JH13 Freq soon, so he may be able to offer insight.

I haven't had a lot of time to listen today since receiving my box of goods but so far, the ASG-2 sounds exactly as I had anticipated.  I'm still trying to figure out what tips I prefer but the new body is much more comfortable than the 1.2 and I really like the new double flange tips quite a bit.  As a note, I generally do not use EQ and that holds true here.
 
I'm currently listening to opera through my Sony A865 and am really enjoying it because I feel like I'm in the hall watching it on stage.  The orchestra, to my ears, has a very live sound and I love that I can feel/hear the rumble of the percussion and bass instruments without it being overbearing or taking over any part of the rest of the music. I'm listening to Bryn Terfel and he sounds fantastic - the energy in the vocals is amazing and one of my favorite things about the AS/G-2.  Now it's on Renee Fleming and her voice just floats beautifully over the orchestra.  I've had the pleasure of seeing her perform live and this is the closest I can get to that performance without actually being there.  I think I read somewhere that someone didn't like this iem for classical but I guess that's really a matter of preference as I really enjoy it for this genre.  
 
I think something I also enjoy is that I don't feel I lose out on the overall sound if I turn the volume down.  You know how some iem's lose their flavor/signature the lower you turn the volume?  I don't feel like that's the case with these.  I'll try and write more later this week or into the weekend.  I'm half tempted to open the filters for the 232 to really give it a fair run for its money as I remember preferring the gray to the black.  I can see how some songs/music get a little congested sounding but I'm trying to figure out if it's consistent or the mastering of some recordings.  It's interesting either way.  I'm tired and starting to ramble so that's all for now.  Just my thoughts. 

LMAO.. eke: always on point with his GIF game.  Pretty sure that's part of the pharm.D curricula now, too.. hahaha.
 
Re: the JH13.. I'm very curious to hear how they sound.  I sense they've got a very gentle 'v' shaped response.. I'm guessing something like the UM Miracle, perhaps (which I had a year+ ago).  The most common traits associated with the JH13Pro are terrific clarity & resolution.. so I'm wondering if they approach HD800 territory.. I'll find out soon enough.
 
I've owned the HE-300 (a great HiFiMan phone that's overlooked due to it's more notorious 'big brothers'.. the HE-400 & HE-500), HE-400, HE-500, HD580, HD600, (listened to the) HD650, and (currently own) the HD800.  The HE-400, HD580, HD600, and HD800 were the most impressive from that bunch.  As eke said, the HD650 is a slightly warmer take on the HD600.  I think there are as many loverso f the HD650 as there are the HD600. but I see many more people going from the HD650 to the HD600 (and being happier with the decision) than vice versa.  The similarities (and technicalities) are quite close so it just depends on your sound preferences, I think.
 
Back to the AS/G-2.. I've seen a few people here mention they find the ASG-2 to sound slightly warm.. lush and (somewhat?) thick.  Could this be one area where the ASG-2 & AS-2 deviate in sound?  I haven't heard the ASG-2.. but IME so far, the AS-2 certainly possess some (very welcome) ethereal warmth.. but I don't find it, particularly, lush or thick.  So this is interesting.. looking forward to seeing what AS-2 owners have to say on this..

I am the only one not respecting Rhapsodio more for this ? They now acknowledge this iem is crap...why put it out in the first place and let people buy it...does not seem too serious to me.

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mimouille said:

I am the only one not respecting Rhapsodio more for this ? They now acknowledge this iem is crap...why put it out in the first place and let people buy it...does not seem too serious to me.

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Mimou they wouldn't be the first company to do this...
 
I share your sentiments though .

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lee730 said:

Mimou they wouldn't be the first company to do this...

 
I share your sentiments though .

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Beats by Dr. Dre is another example  Seriously, they are fashion statement not headphone.

I think Rhapsodio's take is that the 2v1 is a failed experiment in tuning the RDB+ to be flat sounding. Not sure where they get the idea to get a "flat" version (sound science forum or er4 fans?) but seems to me they weren't too sure about customer reception to start with. So while they acknowledged it failed to please us I'm not sure they feel it is "crap". The RDB+ v1 is still there and they had been making it explicit that 2v1 is not a successor to v1 but tuned differently from The get go.



Of course my perception towards them would be vastly different if I'm stuck with a 2v1 that I purchased blind (or deaf) and I hated how it sound. Hopefully if there's anyone like that they would offer heavily discounted upgrades.

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mach3 said:

Beats by Dr. Dre is another example  Seriously, they are fashion statement not headphone.

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Except Dre sells  based on the styling. Not so sure about these IEMs . I think Fit Ear tends to be more along those lines

Would be interesting to see a comparison between the ASG-2 and the RDB+ v1.

Can't wait for the showdown between ASG-2 and HiFiMan RE-600! 

quartertone said:

Would be interesting to see a comparison between the ASG-2 and the RDB+ v1.

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I want to see this ASG2 v RDB+ v1 comparison too!

if someone of you has ASG-2 and lives in Europe i can send you my RDB+ v1 for testing and you will share unbiased opinion with us here. i know v1 is not perfect, neither any IEM i heard is or was and i will not demand from anyone to love them.
 
so PM me if you want to try v1 vs. ASG and postal costs are not prohibitive for you, so we can organise logistics.
 
as much as i wish to buy ASG i probably stop out for now since already 4K spent on various gear in two months and high chance a new tube amp incoming costs bloody... do not want even tell how much.

mimouille said:

I am the only one not respecting Rhapsodio more for this ? They now acknowledge this iem is crap...why put it out in the first place and let people buy it...does not seem too serious to me.

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Double edged sword. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Personally, I lean more towards your viewpoint.

If you want to figure out if a product works, don't sell it in the market first and then watch people respond negatively (assuming it was sold in the market). Test it first.

Also, it is mildly worrying that a product has come out that bad because it reflects on the company's own choice of its IEMs.

Moving on though

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gintaras said:

if someone of you has ASG-2 and lives in Europe i can send you my RDB+ v1 for testing and you will share unbiased opinion with us here. i know v1 is not perfect, neither any IEM i heard is or was and i will not demand from anyone to love them.
 
so PM me if you want to try v1 vs. ASG and postal costs are not prohibitive for you, so we can organise logistics.
 
as much as i wish to buy ASG i probably stop out for now since already 4K spent on various gear in two months and high chance a new tube amp incoming costs bloody... do not want even tell how much.

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I'll be sending my ASG-2 to James444 before I head to Jamaica in July. Maybe you guys could have another meet and do the comparison then?