Head-Fi Basshead IEM thread (lists page 1)
Jul 5, 2015 at 11:42 PM Post #1,186 of 12,582
Although the @Joker partner, not a basshead really :wink:  :D  . Joking aside, I have both and I can say that although wooduo hit very well, do not compare to the capabilities of xb90ex to go down to hell. I can use high gain and apply a bass boost in my fiio X3 at sony without introducing distortion problems antd a thunderous low sub.

Not regularly but I hear dubstep, drum & bass itself much, house and tech house (Dirtybird Players with a reputation for add hard hittting  bass to his musical pieces)

As stated @HBB, although the size of the driver is not an irrefutable law, in this case the difference is evident in the Sony without any discussion.

Cheers.


Agreed. I've spent a couple dozen hours with both and directly compared them. Out of a phone with no amp or EQ at low to moderate volume, the HiSoundAudio Wooduo 2 actually hits harder. Change any of those factors and the Sony MDR-XB90EX pulls ahead and never looks back.

The Wooduo 2 is light, low profile, and sounds pretty good. If you push it with EQ, it gives up and distorts earlier than I'd like. It's also common to get driver flex with them.

Basically, get the Sony.
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 12:02 AM Post #1,187 of 12,582
Agreed. I've spent a couple dozen hours with both and directly compared them. Out of a phone with no amp or EQ at low to moderate volume, the HiSoundAudio Wooduo 2 actually hits harder. Change any of those factors and the Sony MDR-XB90EX pulls ahead and never looks back.

The Wooduo 2 is light, low profile, and sounds pretty good. If you push it with EQ, it gives up and distorts earlier than I'd like. It's also common to get driver flex with them.

Basically, get the Sony.

As @luckbad says. In fact, I damaged one driver of wooduo using the same configuration as the xb90 and ran lucky that the seller take them as collateral and replace.
 
By the way, xb90 are also driver flex but the effect is less obvious and annoying compared to wooduos.
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 2:34 AM Post #1,189 of 12,582
  Thanks, guys.
So is the xb90 a bang for a buck?
Or is it worth to spend some more for a noticeable upgrade?
Thanks again.

For the current price (under $ 100 bucks on Amazon) and eq capabilities, amplification and high gain, I think so.
 
I have not tried other options of more than $ 200 dlls, but aurisonics are another option though hovering in the $ 800 dlls I think.
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 2:58 AM Post #1,190 of 12,582
I can't see how comparing $700 IEMs to $200 over ear headphones is a fair comparison.  To my years the best sub $200 headphone I've heard is the AKG K553 Pro and while sounding fantastic for the price of a closed headphone doesn't compare to my Earsonics Velvet at $600 which is what I paid for a brand new pair.  I have several full size headphones which I love for different reasons.  My two favorites are Audeze LCD 2.2 (non fazor) and AKG K1000, the LCD 2.2 being the best all rounders with fantastic bass and wonderful with electronic music among many other genres and the K1K being the sound stage masters best suited for mid range stuff like jazz and vocal music etc.
 
I highly doubt any IEM could ever match the sound stage and mid range glory of the K1K driven by a juicy speaker amp, so I don't expect to ever match their unique aural beauty.  I believe the LCD 2.2 could be matched or even bested by a top end IEM.  The Earsonics Velvet I have come dangerously close and if you consider the isolation vs. an open headphone, then yes maybe they could be considered better in certain respects.
 
But if someone would swear by an IEM, esp. a CIEM, that is noticeably better than the LCD 2.2 with the range, clarity, full/tight bass, and at least equal sound stage, I'd be willing to spend whatever it costs.  And for what it's worth, I own a pair of Sennheiser HD650 that I drive with a single ended triode tube amp (Bottlehead Mainline or Schiit Valhalla).  The combination delivers a warm richness and texture that I don't think could ever be touched by an IEM.  I've heard some people describe IEMs like the Earsonics Velvet as lush or warm, but they're nowhere near the lushness and warmth of the HD650 with a SET tube amp.
 
Just my $.02
 
-Robert
 
Jul 6, 2015 at 11:08 PM Post #1,192 of 12,582
A dark horse of an earphone that is certain to polarize listeners. Can the Westone W50 prove to be the best Balanced Armature IEM for bassheads?

Basshead.Club Westone W50 Review

 
 
 
I enjoy reading your reviews  nice work!
 
 
Some people need 1200 words to finish with a gem like this.
 
 "I can't quite put into words how to describe the ____"
 
You just had 1200 chances
blink.gif
 
 
 
 

 
Jul 7, 2015 at 2:24 AM Post #1,193 of 12,582
Came into some Sennheiser IE80, Audio-Technica CKS1000, and Future Sonics G-10s in trades & such recently. Most of the impressions i've seen in the thread concerning those seem about right to me-
 
IE80- I don't think these really qualify as basshead going by this thread-  in terms of low & sub bass regions it feels like there's a rolloff, maybe due to noticable midbass hump- get a little rumble & such with JDS C5D bass boost but it doesn't feel too deep, maybe eq-ing down the hump could help- I would go so far as to say I prefer the bass on Dunu 2000J- IE80 are nice headphones otherwise, and a really great pair for listening to podcasts & audiobooks (Just the sort of thing for $300 headphones
tongue_smile.gif
).
 
CKS1000- not as big as you'd expect coming out of a box with SOLID BASS embossed in big gold letters on the front, but has a sound I like , and seems to hit the full bass spectrum without being excessively humped like the ie80. Responds to boost pretty well. Kind of similar to the fx850 in that there's a treble spike that can hamper getting the bass to the level you want (though I think I prefer the bass w/ these). 
 
G10- proper BASS - full lows & subs, rumble chest & skull, boosts, seem like they could handle more to those so inclined- it's a little hard for me to tell, as with the asg-2.5 when I eq & boost together it gets to a level I can't tolerate (start getting a 'ringing' sound)- unfortunately I don't have the 2.5 to make direct comparison to anymore, from memory they hit similar level, I think I get a little more physical sensation from the G10, but not sure. The rest of the sound is pretty good, fairly flat to me- rougher sounding with less mid emphasis and brighter treble  compared to my memory of the 2.5, but doesnt seem spiked like the cks1000 or the fx850. Stage/presentation is the main downside- can sound a little congested occasionally, not great imaging or depth, ok seperation. They aren't very sensitive- bass is still pretty good out of my portables (clip and walkman) but overall sound is much better with my amp.
 
I'm liking the G10 so far, a pretty solid choice if you don't mind the "apply sound directly to brain" type of presentation.
 
Jul 7, 2015 at 3:06 AM Post #1,194 of 12,582
  Came into some Sennheiser IE80, Audio-Technica CKS1000, and Future Sonics G-10s in trades & such recently. Most of the impressions i've seen in the thread concerning those seem about right to me-
 
IE80- I don't think these really qualify as basshead going by this thread-  in terms of low & sub bass regions it feels like there's a rolloff, maybe due to noticable midbass hump- get a little rumble & such with JDS C5D bass boost but it doesn't feel too deep, maybe eq-ing down the hump could help- I would go so far as to say I prefer the bass on Dunu 2000J- IE80 are nice headphones otherwise, and a really great pair for listening to podcasts & audiobooks (Just the sort of thing for $300 headphones
tongue_smile.gif
).
 
CKS1000- not as big as you'd expect coming out of a box with SOLID BASS embossed in big gold letters on the front, but has a sound I like , and seems to hit the full bass spectrum without being excessively humped like the ie80. Responds to boost pretty well. Kind of similar to the fx850 in that there's a treble spike that can hamper getting the bass to the level you want (though I think I prefer the bass w/ these). 
 
G10- proper BASS - full lows & subs, rumble chest & skull, boosts, seem like they could handle more to those so inclined- it's a little hard for me to tell, as with the asg-2.5 when I eq & boost together it gets to a level I can't tolerate (start getting a 'ringing' sound)- unfortunately I don't have the 2.5 to make direct comparison to anymore, from memory they hit similar level, I think I get a little more physical sensation from the G10, but not sure. The rest of the sound is pretty good, fairly flat to me- rougher sounding with less mid emphasis and brighter treble  compared to my memory of the 2.5, but doesnt seem spiked like the cks1000 or the fx850. Stage/presentation is the main downside- can sound a little congested occasionally, not great imaging or depth, ok seperation. They aren't very sensitive- bass is still pretty good out of my portables (clip and walkman) but overall sound is much better with my amp.
 
I'm liking the G10 so far, a pretty solid choice if you don't mind the "apply sound directly to brain" type of presentation.


Well the Custom version of the G10 well it is completely different IEM but the custom Future Sonics MG6Pro with a 13mm Dynamic Driver made in USA has a lot more bass and alot more sub bass than the G10 but it has a big sound stage and detailed Treble.
 
Jul 10, 2015 at 2:24 AM Post #1,197 of 12,582
I put Comply tips on the 90EX and, for me, it really improved the bass impact and the whole audio presentation. I can easily live with this abd not pick up my 846, JH16 or IM70 iems.
 
Jul 10, 2015 at 2:31 AM Post #1,198 of 12,582
I put Comply tips on the 90EX and, for me, it really improved the bass impact and the whole audio presentation. I can easily live with this abd not pick up my 846, JH16 or IM70 iems.

 
I know. It makes me a little sad that I have XB90EX sitting next to a Noble 5 and I mostly listen to the first one. But also a bit clever for having it.
 
Jul 10, 2015 at 2:49 AM Post #1,199 of 12,582
Its great to not have to over spend and get so much. Right out of the box the 90ex was yuck. Yes bass was there and with bass songs it sounded good but on other styles of music it was disapointing. Mids and Treble were weak. After burning in big improvements and playing with different tips morei mprovements. Also very easy to insert and remove.
 
Jul 10, 2015 at 9:32 AM Post #1,200 of 12,582
I'm debating whether I want to try ASG 2 or 2.5. Which one is better for the vocals?
 
I have the Z5 and I find the vocals tends to be drowned out when there are a lot of instruments going on, something I didnt get on my Velvets (if only if I can combine these two) and my JVC FX850.
 

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