So far, I've put about 14 hours of listening into these. I purchased these used, so I'm assuming that burn-in time is not required. I listen primarily to my MacBook Pro and sometimes my iPhone 6Plus with a USB connection into a SoundBlaster E-5. For the purpose of examining the natural sound of these, I'm do zero tweeks to the EQ. I also have a FiiO amp to put these on after I've thoroughly aquainted myself to the sound. I also primarily listen to a subgenre of electronic, but I've thrown in some mainstream vocal-centric song. For the most part, though, I listen to Tycho, Koan, Saul Stokes, Xerxes, Ronald Jenkees, ODESZA, and those that exist in their associated genres. Electronic music is increasingly difficult to categorize, but maybe I could break it down another time in another place. But what's important to know is that its mostly instrumental and NOT the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM repetitive trance/house that most associate with electronic. Also, I'm a Money guy, so I often am looking at not rating headphones on a score, but actually coming up with what I think the true market value of these phones is/should be.
Also, I hate to do the cliche, but these headphones are more eartip sensitive than any other phone I've had. I think every reviewer can only say that about one set of headphones. And, before you say that about a different set, you need to go back and delete it on the other pair you said that about
. I've tried multiple tips so far, and each have had an affect on sound. Pics attached.
I've done a lot of comparisons right off with the PFE 232. These are almost like the Yin and Yang. FAD VIII is musical and lush mids, while the PFE 232 is mid-recessed. I'm using the gray filters on the PFE's, by the way. FAD VIII is giving you a listening experience, while the PFE's are giving you a detailed look through a microscope. What i'm discovering is the FAD VIII has a sort of artificial intelligence built into it. It knows how to play the highs in such a way that is present, but it will tone it down before it gets simblant. The PFE, on the other hand, doesn't give a sh** what you think, its going to play those highs. Although the FAD will give you a bass hit, its more like the bass "experience," whilst the PFE will give you an in-depth look at the texture that's there. Bass on the PFE is clearly more detailed and played truer. The FAD's play the bass in a way that melds the sounds together. FAD uses its 'artificial intelligence' in order to put the melody and the focus of the song up on a silver platter. The PFE, on the other hand, loses the focus that I believe the artist intended. Instead, the PFE will play all the sounds clearly with indifference.
Mids are much cleaner and spaced on the FAD. Which is why I think a song's presentation is more true to how the artist meant for you to experience it, I believe. This is because melody's and the tune of a song exists in the mid-range. The PFE is easier to pick out each instrument. It goes back to the old anology of societies (I'm a Sociologist); some cultures mix together and assimilate. Other cultures keeps their differences separated; segregation without it necessarily being a racist or negative term. FAD is the "Melting Pot" of sounds, comign together to give you a distinct flavor. PFE is the "Tossed Salad" where each ingredient will keep its flavor; while sometimes some ingredients have a more potent flavor that can drown out others.
The above compare and contrast could be used when describing the hybrid head-to-head of the ASG-2 and the K3003, with the K3003 being more like the PFE in this case. However, this is just in the sense of how their overall feel and experience is concerned. I would NOT put the FAD like the ASG-2, except to say that ASG-2 to its bass' strength is to the FAD to its Mids' strength. If that all makes any sense. Without going too into it, I would place the FAD over the ASG-2 in terms of preference. I would also put the K3003 over the PFE in terms of personal preference as well, but that's for paragraphs in a different forum!
I don't put the PFE at the $599 retail that it sits. However, I put it more at the $400 range. In comparison, I put the FAD's pretty close to that. However, I'd put these Heaven VIII's at about $500+ in direct comparison. I'd put the Heaven VI at about $350.
Next, I'm looking to A-B with the FX-850, which so far, has proven to be more a little more difficult.