Blon in ear monitors impressions thread

[Tonymac136]

tips are not universal, what they do for someone else may not be what it does for you (different ear anatomy)

Also very, very true.

 

[F700]

I know that what follows already had been discussed, but my 2 cents and observations might be interesting for some.

I got my second pair of BL-03 a few days ago. I wanted a spare set. Both pairs I have is the gun metal version and were ordered via Linsoul.



Interesting enough was the fact that I got another package iteration of the BL-03 with the "rough" bag and no volume control on the stock cable (on the left). The first version I bought came with the smooth bag (right). I also notice that the package with the "rough" bag has 3 letters above Blon's name, namely W G Z. I will now use the term WGZ-iteration when talking about the second pair I got, even though I have no idea what WGZ here actually means.




Otherwise the package does not differ from the 1st one, Oppoty, Driams & Co are still in the party.

My source is a Dethonray DTR1 (dap) / HA-2 (amp) combo, which delivers a great amount of power and a neutral signature, so that the DD can express itself in the best condition. The cable is the stock one coming with the BQEYZ Spring 1 IEM. It is a flexible, good quality cable with firm connectors, which is also sold separately for USD 30.- on Penon Audio (for example). It gets my greatest recommendation with the BL-03. Tips are Final E-tips, clear version, which present a firmer fit as the standard Final E-tips and a wider hole, not slightly darkening the BL-03 as I found with the regular Final tips.



So, using the same cable, the same tips and the same source with the same tracks, the WGZ-iteration has airier, clearer highs and tighter bass. The mids are less full as well. Soundstage remains the same. In my opinion, we are in presence in two different tunings. We are not talking night & day differences, but there is something for sure. It's like discussing Senns HD600 / HD650 difference if I dare using that analogy.

I really enjoy both tunings. With the power feeding my units, none is muddy and dark or too bright or lifeless. They complement themselves greatly for my tastes. I would never say that one tuning is the "good" one or the "bad" one. It is much more subtle than that.

Depending on sound signature preference, I see HF-Members liking a sound signature better and being less happy with the another one, though. The source with the BL-03 plays a role, I have experienced it myself with 3 different setup.

I don't want to restart/revive an endless discussion, but I hope my observations can help some or guide new buyers of this great IEM. Maybe existent owners will also be ready to get the iteration they don't have. Now, how to get the other one with certitude?

This will be my last post of the year, so I wish to all of you all the best for 2020. Hopefully very good gears at affordable price will be released

 

[MonoJon]

And do Spinfits CP100 really make bass more muddy? Or do they just increase the amount of bass? Because I actually heard people say that they make bass less muddy and more detailed, but that was on different threads with different iems

SpinFits are some of the most popular tips for the BL-03, but... People seem to either love them or hate them on the BL-03. Everyone is different and you will just have to find tips that work for YOU. other popular tips on the BL-03 are JVC Spiral Dots (probably right up there with the popularity of SpinFits, and there seem to be much less negative comments about them), Sony MH755 tips, KZ Starlines, KZ Starlines "flipped" (turned inside out), Comply foam, and Symbios. Some people even like the stock gray tips that come with the newer sets (not the older black tips).

The thing is, MH size is ≈T200 comply, this is... Much bigger

MH755 tips are a perfect fit on the BL-03. I'm not sure where you are getting this idea.

Silicone is a very resilient material. It will not "stretch out" and you can get a 4.5 mm inner diameter tip on a 6.0 or 6.5 mm diameter nozzle without damaging it in the slightest.

 

[genck]

I know that what follows already had been discussed, but my 2 cents and observations might be interesting for some.

I got my second pair of BL-03 a few days ago. I wanted a spare set. Both pairs I have is the gun metal version and were ordered via Linsoul.



Interesting enough was the fact that I got another package iteration of the BL-03 with the "rough" bag and no volume control on the stock cable (on the left). The first version I bought came with the smooth bag (right). I also notice that the package with the "rough" bag has 3 letters above Blon's name, namely W G Z. I will now use the term WGZ-iteration when talking about the second pair I got, even though I have no idea what WGZ here actually means.




Otherwise the package does not differ from the 1st one, Oppoty, Driams & Co are still in the party.

My source is a Dethonray DTR1 (dap) / HA-2 (amp) combo, which delivers a great amount of power and a neutral signature, so that the DD can express itself in the best condition. The cable is the stock one coming with the BQEYZ Spring 1 IEM. It is a flexible, good quality cable with firm connectors, which is also sold separately for USD 30.- on Penon Audio (for example). It gets my greatest recommendation with the BL-03. Tips are Final E-tips, clear version, which present a firmer fit as the standard Final E-tips and a wider hole, not slightly darkening the BL-03 as I found with the regular Final tips.



So, using the same cable, the same tips and the same source with the same tracks, the WGZ-iteration has airier, clearer highs and tighter bass. The mids are less full as well. Soundstage remains the same. In my opinion, we are in presence in two different tunings. We are not talking night & day differences, but there is something for sure. It's like discussing Senns HD600 / HD650 difference if I dare using that analogy.

I really enjoy both tunings. With the power feeding my units, none is muddy and dark or too bright or lifeless. They complement themselves greatly for my tastes. I would never say that one tuning is the "good" one or the "bad" one. It is much more subtle than that.

Depending on sound signature preference, I see HF-Members liking a sound signature better and being less happy with the another one, though. The source with the BL-03 plays a role, I have experienced it myself with 3 different setup.

I don't want to restart/revive an endless discussion, but I hope my observations can help some or guide new buyers of this great IEM. Maybe existent owners will also be ready to get the iteration they don't have. Now, how to get the other one with certitude?

This will be my last post of the year, so I wish to all of you all the best for 2020. Hopefully very good gears at affordable price will be released

I disagree, I have the two different boxes also with older and newer batch and I think they sound the same.

 

[F700]

I disagree, I have the two two different boxes also with older and newer batch and I think they sound the same.

Let's agree to disagree then... as you stated before in the thread, different ears anatomy for different tips, which is true. Different impressions in the sound reproduction also apply.

 

[Arjey]

Do

They don't seem to play very nicely with the BL03 that's for sure. They make the sound muddier and the mid-bass is all over the place. The intro to "there she goes" by Babyshambles is a good test of mid-bass. The sound should be three dimensional, sound like an upright bass. With a lot of tips, the level is all over the place with the Blons, some of the notes are really loud and others almost inaudible. With MH755, just the fluctuations as each string is plucked.

Do you use a spacer with the MH tips?

 

[Tonymac136]

I don't use a spacer. I haven't pushed the tips all the way down the stem and they have stayed where I like them. Also I find *too* much of a seal and they are just a bit heavier in the bass than I like. I listen to a lot of punk so I like fast, punchy bass that goes low but doesn't overpower the music.

 

[genck]

Let's agree to disagree then... as you stated before in the thread, different ears anatomy for different tips, which is true. Different impressions in the sound reproduction also apply.

Right, and unit variation also applies. I get that

 

[dharmasteve]

Let's agree to disagree then... as you stated before in the thread, different ears anatomy for different tips, which is true. Different impressions in the sound reproduction also apply.

I have two pairs of Blon 03s. The original had the more rough canvas bag. The second pair a velvety type bag. Both are silver and they sound the same. But I'm sure you are right. Never has there been a more controversial IEM and I'm sure they vary in sound empirically too. One thing for sure, all metal IEMs used to cost a premium. Blon have turned the market upside down and TFZs premium prices for all metal IEMs like the No3. Titanium will take a knock. The Blon 03 has changed the Chifi market for ever.

 

[F700]

Well you know, that's just my ears. I really made 3 long sessions with both and also very fast switching with both sets on tracks I know since decades now. The differences I have picked are subtle, but they really do exist for me. I am not a controversial person, who seeks negativity or conflict or useless debates. I am completely stocked by the BL-03 which took me by surprise this year. I was not expecting to hear any difference actually. I now believe that there are variations in some units. In any case, for USD 30.-, both iterations are for me more enjoyable than my BQEYZ Spring 1 for example. If I go on the dedicated thread with such a statement, I will receive homecoming missiles in my face

You are right, after the USD 200.- DM6 in 2018, we had the BL-03 in 2019. Different sound signatures, different prices, different issues and debate (unit variations apart...), but hyped as screw with really constructive discussions around these drivers and about the Chi-fi market, today and in the future.

 

[SiggyFraud]

This the one you mean?




Couldn’t find on AliExpress, but found this one:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000529334132.html

Neither has a 2.5mm balanced version, unfortunately (I’d prefer balanced).

Only saw it on Amazon

I'm pretty sure it's the same cable that was part of a BL-03 + dedicated cable combo during the last 11.11 sale. You can get it here in two colours: https://a.aliexpress.com/qzLMCIYvN

 

[kukkurovaca]

Latecomer to the BLON scene here.. Can someone tell me which of the available Spinfit tips will most easily fit the BL-03? Just ordered mine and want of course to be well-tipped as well! Any other tip recommendations at this juncture also very welcome, natch...

Both Spinfit CP100 and CP145 fit. Though the latter is a bit looser as it has a wider bore, so some folks find it drops out more easily when removing the BLON from the ears.
CP100 is also bassier due to the narrower bore, so if you already disliked the BLON's midbass quantity, the CP100 is not the best option. But for bassheads, the spinfit CP100 has great synergy with the BLON for the bass.

Another option to try is the Final E type tips. These fit very tightly in the stem and will not fall off. They are long in shape which is convenient for an iem like the BL03 if other tips fit too shallowly without modding.

 

[caprimulgus]

2.5 with mmcx, 2-pin, and qdc that are due today. I can let you know what I think of them if you'd like. I'm no audiophile but at least I can give you an idea on build quality. They don't appear to have a slider if that's important to you.

Not sure with the ban whether you're allow to comment further or not, but appreciate the offer!

(If you have any issues with them, maybe send me a PM or something! So I don't buy it! aha)

 

[SoundChoice]

To perpetuate confusion for a thousand future posts from the year 2024 that ask about BL03 disparity: I also have two sets of BLON BL-03 from various batches. The first sounds like a balanced presentation closely resembling the Harman Curve with slightly elevated bass. The second sounds like magenta.

 

[jsmiller58]

To perpetuate confusion for a thousand future posts from the year 2024 that ask about BL03 disparity: I also have two sets of BLON BL-03 from various batches. The first sounds like a balanced presentation closely resembling the Harman Curve with slightly elevated bass. The second sounds like magenta.

Magenta?