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Originally Posted by james444 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Quite controversial impressions, to say the least. To me the mids and rendering of vocals are a strength of these phones. Granted the highs are not the most extended and refined, but still very good IMO. But what puzzles me most is your rating of the Ortofon's bass: it is by no means weak and has so much better definition and detail than the IE8's, not to mention the latters huge upper bass hump.
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Quite funny, my impression is totally different too. I tried today at the local store,
The bass is definitely 'more' than Cowon D2 unamped (but eq turned on), but it is not more precise than SE530. I was quite dissapointed, expecting to get more 'impact' than my already tight, clean, detail bass of SE530.
Midrange, SE530 wins (for me), a little forward, yes, but it is fuller, cleaner, more refined, full bodied, more delicate, complete frequency in presenting vocals and instruments. For a moment, eQ7 sounds more 'detail' due to it's 5-6 KHz 'hump', it sounds more 'silvery', but when I switch to SE530 it is actually not as lush and 'wide' as SE530. Every soft, difficult passage delivered very well on SE530, really amazing.
I actually still prefer super smooth midrange of IE8 by a bit, not super detail, but the detail is still there, good for listening to lower bit rate mp3 as it smoothen the harshness of mp3 files, still definitely enjoyable, definitely not tiring at all. I agree with some people eQ7 mid is a little Grado-ish, some people are die hard fans of Grado sound, I like it, I have Grado, I keep it, but not a big fan.
High, I still find SE530 more refined up to minute detail, not more quantity but finesee, both are roll off, which I like. For me, tf10 treble is a little too much for long hour use. IE8 rolled of the most.
Warmth, I think it's tie with different style, UM3X and HD650 is definitely warmer.
Soundstage, I still prefer SE530, but not by far.
I know it's only me, but if I have to rank them according to my preference overall, it will be:
1. SE530
2. IE8
3. Ortofone
4. UM3X
5. CK100
This is not a review, just my impression
. I have a good friend who said 'yuck' for my SE530 as he prefer tf10 a lot
Disclaimer: My eq settings on D2 (default Metal setting from factory)
* BBE = 1
* Stereo Enhancer = 1
* Mach3Bass = 6
* eq = 4, 2, 0, 3, 5
I have to turned on eq as I find Cowon D2 without eq is unlistenable.
For flat listening I use iPod 5.5 -> Singularity cable -> Mustang