The DX90 by iBasso . . . Sound impressions . . . . . . . New Firmware, 2.5.1 . . . | Page 132 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

Caruryn · Jan 31, 2015 at 10:58 AM

I much prefer the dx90 with l2 lurker fw,slow roll off (fw makes significant changes in sound) and ie800 than sony f805 with shure se846 and i'm a fan of sony house sound.The first combo is much more detailed,airy and musical.The second has fuller sound and the subwoofer effect of se846 comes in full force with sony dap but as a whole it is less natural and dare i say hi fi sound.

The latest lurker fw makes the sound a lot more smoother taking the edginess in treble but not the detail and again more musical and sparkly.In my opinion you made a mistake selling the dx90 without proper burn in (especially brain burn in coming from sony,completely different sound signatures) and without testing the firmwares.

Paul - iBasso · Jan 31, 2015 at 11:19 AM

love music said:
Just returned the DX90 wasn't too impressed with the sound. It's good but I felt the F887 was better, although I just listened to it for a few hours and never burned it in. I just felt that the clarity was much better with the F880 and it was much more open and airy sounding, while the DX90 sounded quite closed in in comparison. There is also some sharpness/unnaturalness in the treble and a slight muffle/haziness in the mids. details was good though. Overall the F887 just sounds much clearer and more emotional/exciting because vocals and instruments sounds much closer. Guess I will just get the ZX1 since I'm running out of storage in the F880.

The most important thing is to enjoy the music. If that is with Hifiman or FiiO or Sony or whatever you use. The DX90 you had did need much more burn in time. I recommend at least 50 hours and 200 for the full potential of the DX90.

replicant187 said:
i don't know why but i like my DX90J better with hardcore music like RATM or Run the Jewels. with smooth music like Norah Jones or Civil Wars, i like ZX1 better.
my DX90J is relatively new (around 50hrs) so it could change with time though.

With more time you will notice a change. Please enjoy your music no matter what you use.

T.R.A.N.C.E. · Jan 31, 2015 at 8:18 PM

Wel I like my DX90 and ZX1 equally. DX90 has better timbre, but ZX1 is more spacious. It really does depend on the iem/hp pairing, both daps have some average pairings and other pairings that sound spectacular.

proedros · Feb 1, 2015 at 9:00 PM

paul - ibasso said:

hey Paul , a DX90 user said some time ago that depending on which gain you choose , the sound changes - is this true/possible ?

Low Gain = The most neutral in frequency response and presentation, everything's even and reflects the headphone with little added body. Tight and accurate sounding.

Mid Gain = V shaped. Treble and Bass get a boost so it becomes fatiguing faster. Mids are pushed back in case you like that projected vocal experience. Fun sounding.

High Gain = The most forward but the warmest as emphasis is on the body of the mids and bass. Least fatiguing and good with brighter, more analytical and detailed headphones that need more body. Smoothest and relaxed sounding.

mejoshua · Feb 1, 2015 at 9:38 PM

my DX90's screen while listening suddenly had a washed out (whiteish) screen. I switched it off and on again and the screen slowly began to go back to normal. Anyone experienced the same thing or anyone can explain to me what just happened?

marduk360 · Feb 1, 2015 at 9:54 PM

mejoshua said:
my DX90's screen while listening suddenly had a washed out (whiteish) screen. I switched it off and on again and the screen slowly began to go back to normal. Anyone experienced the same thing or anyone can explain to me what just happened?

Happened to me once... don't know what caused it though.

T.R.A.N.C.E. · Feb 1, 2015 at 10:39 PM

Sony XBA-Z5 + [size=12.7272720336914px]DX90 [/size]with High Gain = sounds amazing.
JVC FX750 + DX90 with Low Gain = sounds amazing.
HM RE600 + DX90 with Med Gain = sounds amazing.
[size=12.7272720336914px]AT CKR9LTD + DX90 with High Gain = sounds amazing.[/size]

All these iems sound fantastic with both slow roll and fast roll filter, just different flavors. The gain setting definitely needs to be adjusted to make a perfect pairing imo, even though all gain settings often sound good, I usually find that one gain setting will match a specific iem more than others, or at least match your preferences better. Roll off filter also can sometimes need to be matched to an iem, but in general both fast and slow roll sound good with most iems.

H20Fidelity · Feb 2, 2015 at 12:41 AM

mejoshua said:
my DX90's screen while listening suddenly had a washed out (whiteish) screen. I switched it off and on again and the screen slowly began to go back to normal. Anyone experienced the same thing or anyone can explain to me what just happened?

Mine did something like this on boot up, the screen did something strange, a simple reboot fixed the problem.

I was reading something about FiiO products doing the same thing, something about the memory of the screen getting caught up on boot? Anyway, James said not to freak out a simple reboot will fix the problem. (I cannot find the post) Maybe @Paul - iBasso knows more about it.

dubstepnext · Feb 2, 2015 at 2:10 AM

headwhacker said:
I have an 80Ohm DT-250 which is less sensitive than the Sony's which sounded just fine out of DX90.

I went with the Topping NX1+ZY silver cable and the sound for over head headphones has improved significantly. True - the sound for my ue900 and shure 535 hasn't changed much but I think that if you're a basshead an external amp is a must.

Paul - iBasso · Feb 2, 2015 at 9:22 AM

proedros said:
hey Paul , a DX90 user said some time ago that depending on which gain you choose , the sound changes - is this true/possible ?

Low Gain = The most neutral in frequency response and presentation, everything's even and reflects the headphone with little added body. Tight and accurate sounding.

Mid Gain = V shaped. Treble and Bass get a boost so it becomes fatiguing faster. Mids are pushed back in case you like that projected vocal experience. Fun sounding.

High Gain = The most forward but the warmest as emphasis is on the body of the mids and bass. Least fatiguing and good with brighter, more analytical and detailed headphones that need more body. Smoothest and relaxed sounding.

In audio it seems many things are possible. For every action there is a reaction. What changes do you hear?

proedros · Feb 2, 2015 at 9:25 AM

paul - ibasso said:
In audio it seems many things are possible. For every action there is a reaction. What changes do you hear?

i am not really sure if there is a change or not - it seems like the sound changes but maybe it is placebo having read this post.

one thing for sure , the dx90 is great - and it has made my arrow 4g amp almost obsolete

Paul - iBasso · Feb 2, 2015 at 10:03 AM

proedros said:
i am not really sure if there is a change or not - it seems like the sound changes but maybe it is placebo having read this post.

one thing for sure , the dx90 is great - and it has made my arrow 4g amp almost obsolete

Sometimes you need to listen for a while. Then when you change back to another gain setting and adjust the volume you can hear a difference. I like to just enjoy the music. But I do need to listen critically at times for changes and if we need to make changes. I find the low setting a little smoother. I am happy you are enjoying the DX90.

e30ernest · Feb 2, 2015 at 10:42 AM

Personally I find the bass and mids more controlled on high gain setting and I also seem to be getting better treble extension. I am also able to resolve more details at a lower volume setting (audible volume, not the number) with high gain. Low gain might be more neutral, I'm not sure, but I am getting a hint of distortion on some low mid (i.e., drum toms). Mid gain for some reason sounds a bit thin on the low end for me.

So for me at least, high gain works best with the SE846. This is with the stock 2.1.0 firmware. I have yet to upgrade since I am using a loaner device. Am I missing something huge in terms of sound quality from 2.1.0 to 2.1.5?

jamato8 · Feb 2, 2015 at 10:53 AM

I seem to always prefer the high gain. And it does seem more extended to me as well.

dafos58 · Feb 2, 2015 at 12:41 PM

Two weeks ago, after hours of listening to the LCD2, Grado GS1000e and the Oppo PM1 with the DX90, I bought the Oppo PM1. In my ears the PM 1 with high gain delivers the most balanced sound. The separation between instruments is very impressive, Balance between low, mids and treble is very impressive. After being used to the Grado sound (325) before, I really had to get used to this relaxed sound. But now (we all know these moments) with an empty wallet, I need to listen over and over again to this combination. A wonderful shot for my addiction! I'm still impressed about the possibilities the DX90 gives us!

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