d marc0
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2012
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It's been a year since I first discovered Head-fi and what an amazing journey! I couldn't deny the fact that it is very inspiring to see people converge and share each other's knowledge. Educational and yet fun! I'm very grateful to the friends I've met along the way; headfiers who've help me grow as an audio enthusiast. To pay it forward, I've created this thread to document whatever I can share to people who need them. I'm not an expert... not even close. Everything I've written is all based on my experience as someone who simply loves music and appreciates great sound.
Contents:
- ZERO AUDIO Carbo Basso DX210Sony MDR-1R Dynamat Mod and Squeaking Hinges FixT-PEOS H-200 vs SONY XBA-3ip ComparisonT-PEOS H-200 with SPC Upgrade CableT-PEOS H-200 Filter Mod + Recommended TipsDUNU DN-1000 vs T-PEOS H-200 ComparisonLG Quadbeat 2 vs Sony Ericsson Livesound MH1 ComparisonSony MH1/MH1c Vent ModsRHA MA750 mini ReviewHYBRID TRILOGY: Astrotec AX-60 vs DUNU DN-1000 vs T-PEOS H-200 ComparisonT-PEOS H-100j vs H-200 ComparisonTralucent Audio 1Plus2 (original version) mini ReviewDual Dynamic Skirmish: KEF M200 vs Brainwavz R3 ComparisonNoble 4 (universal) UnboxingUltimate Ears Triple.Fi 10pro mini ReviewNoble 4 (universal) ReviewUnique Melody 3X ReviewT-PEOS H-300 ReviewEarSonics SM3 V2 ReviewSony XBA H3 Review and ComparisonsNoble PR (pure/reference) ReviewDUNU DN-2000 ReviewT-PEOS Altone 200 First ImpressionTopping NX1 Portable Headphone Amplifier ImpressionT-PEOS Altone 200 Review: "High End Sound, Cheap as Chips!"Brainwavz S5 Review: "You Get What You Paid For."Tralucent DacAmp One ImpressionFidue A83 mini ReviewFiiO X1 ReviewSennheiser Urbanite XL ReviewAurisonics Rockets mini Review
My journey continues: http://thesoundfreq.com
1. ZERO AUDIO Carbo Basso DX210
Original Post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/586909/the-discovery-thread-yamaha-hph-200-pg-1110-kef-m200-pg835-philips-fidelio-s2-pg-724/9645
I won't cover anything else aside from the sound because I believe Ds has that covered in his previous review of the Carbo Basso.
This is my impression straight out of the box and changed the tip with Meelec double flange tips.
Source: Ipod Touch 5Gen
Amp: FiiO E11 (EQ: 0; Gain: 1)
BASS
One word: WOW! This pair has the most authoritative bass I've ever heard in an IEM. Very clean, goes really deep and just right in between Punchy and Boomy bass. To me it's just perfect... I now hear a lot of micro details in the lower frequencies (details that I didn't really notice with the XBA 3). This reminds me of the FX3X bass but more refined and detailed. Listening to Megadeth's Kill the King and this can really handle with heavy metal speed. Not as fast as the XBA 3 but the timbre and decay is so much more authentic. Double bass kicks sounded so good, exactly how you hear it on a live concert!
MIDS
Midrange is so smooth and just about right... not as forward as the XBA 3 but is never lacking and it doesn't disappoint. It doesn't leave you wanting for more because it's there. But for those who love vocals tho, especially female vocals; this may not be the right IEM for you. Mids are not forward enough to highlight female vocals. These phones are not for those who focus on a particular component in a song: may it be guitars, drums, or vocals; this IEM is for those who listen to a song as a whole and have fun with the entire presentation.
HIGHS
Buttery smooth... think about MH1c with further refinement/tuning. I just love how this pair NEVER reach sibilance. I've thrown every pitchy song in my collection and not once did this pair sounded sibilant. If you have songs by pitchy female artists such as Taylor Swift or Avril Lavigne, this IEM is the solution. I turned up the volume all the way to the top (w/o amp) and their voices didn't go overboard! I believe I can listen to the Carbo Basso all night long and I'd never feel fatigued. It doesn't have the detailed precision of the XBA 3, but on the other hand: it doesn't have the artificial peaky sound either. Just a smooth and refined highs with enough detail to produce a fun yet non-strident music.
DETAILS
While midrange and treble where not spectacular (like CKN70), the details in the bass department will more than make up for it. This is not an analytical IEM and should never be evaluated as one. As a fun IEM, this delivers more than what's expected. Compared to the XBA 3, the Sony excels in the high frequencies but the DX210 owns the XBA 3 in the lower frequencies.
I'm loving the DX210... This is not a neutral/analytical IEM but a fun and well balanced BASS IEM. It will not replace my XBA 3 but it will definitely get heaps of ear-time because it's just so much fun to listen to. You can really enjoy each and every song in your playlist. That amazing bass even transforms classic acts such as England Dan and John Ford Coley and make their songs sound like they've just been recorded in the recent years. As a result, those oldies don't sound so out of place when they play right after a modern pop song. For $42, I'd say the Zero Audio Carbo Basso DX210 is worth MORE than what I paid for.
My apologies for not providing more details as I am still a novice at this... but I do know when a pair of cans sound good/bad. A big thanks to Dsnuts for this discovery, it is an awesome IEM for the price indeed!
I just wanna share my new favourite tips for the Bassos: these are the T-PEOS H200 clear silicone stock tips.
It does everything the Meelec double flange tips do + better bass definition (tightness).
My tip rolling chronology for the Carbo Basso:
- Meelec M6 Double Flange tipsPhilips 3580/90 stock tipsSony Hybrid tipsZero Audio DX210 stock tipsT-PEOS H200 clear silicone stock tips
2. Sony MDR-1R Dynamat Mod and Squeaking Hinges Fix
Original Post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/625015/sony-has-new-headphones-mdr-1r/2415 / http://www.head-fi.org/t/625015/sony-has-new-headphones-mdr-1r/2490
So I finally did the Dynamat Mod and here it is...
Mod by Andew_WOT: http://www.head-fi.org/t/665529/dynamat-mod-for-sony-mdr-1r
Results:
- Amazing clarity throughout the entire spectrum. I can say that this sounds equal to or a bit more detailed than the Momentums.Bass is now LOT tighter/punchier with lesser QUANTITY(which is good).Sub bass is still there, and more refined.Mids are so much clearer BUT is also a little bit more forward; making the MDR1r a LOT more MID-centric.Soundstage is a tiny bit narrower compared to stock but not a drastic difference.Sound signature may disappoint those who don't like Mid-centric presentation.NO LONGER a forgiving headphone; this is now more transparent in presenting badly mixed/mastered recordings.NOT as relaxing compared to stock. Too much detail in the MIDS? not sure here...
Personally, I like this mod! The MDR1r now sounds like a $300-$400 headphone (I valued these cans around the $200 range).
Big thanks to Andrew_WOT for the Mod instructions and Amarphael for her spare Dynamat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by john53
Some other flaws are some slight noises when you move your head or move your mouth when you eat something,and jack rattle issue,although I can live with them,nothing too bad here.
Easily fixed by applying a small amount of Tamiya Molybdenum Grease on the hinges inside the cups. While you're at it, best to try the dynamat mod as well. Highly recommended!
3. T-PEOS H-200 vs SONY XBA-3ip Comparison
Original Post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/642308/t-peos-h-200-new-triple-hybrid-iem-appreciation-thread/825#post_9484218
My H-200 was burned-in for 60+ hours; drastic changes were in Bass (tamed down and fuller) and Highs (a lot smoother compared to Out-of-the-box). Entire presentation became more balanced vs the slightly warm signature during out-of-the-box performance.
SETUP:
H-200 + stock clear silicone tips (small) + black cable with mic/remote
XBA-3ip + 1.5mm foam filter mod + Comply Tsx-200 tips (medium)
Source: Apple iPod Touch 5th Gen
No Amp was used because both IEMs sounded great plugged directly to the iPod Touch. As a matter of fact, the Sony XBA 3 is harder to drive than the H-200. So, volume setting is different for each IEM to reach equal loudness: H-200 = 65% / XBA-3ip = 75%
Tracks Used:
David Guetta - She Wolf (feat Sia)
Britney Spears - Till the World Ends
Jennifer Lopez - Dance Again (feat Pitbull)
Tool - Schism
Pantera - Domination
Live - All Over You
Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana (remastered version)
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Pink - Get This Party Started
SOUND COMPARISON