Gandasaputra
100+ Head-Fier
After 3 amazing years, my EPH-100 finally bit the dust. There's something loose in the Y-split housing as the left earbud won't play sound unless I hold the cable coming out of the Y in a perfect position. Does this sound fixable?
If not, I love these earbuds so I'm probably going to grab another pair. But I figured I'd take a quick look around at other options first. Anyone have any recs for similar sounding earbuds worth taking a look at?
Sorry to hear that; it happens to me too like the left side had volume reduction to 10% but I managed to fix it by magnetizing the left side with the right one. But the Y-split isn't loose as you described though. Mine has been nearly 3 years and still working fine.
Speaking of another pair you looking for, I believe everybody says that the Duoza is one good upgrade to the EPH-100 since its soundstage and clarity significantly bigger but heard the bass isn't as deep - but ironically I don't have that yet. I happen to buy Yamaha's successor EPH-M200 but it didn't sound as good and the fit is much worse. Then I chose the Dunu DN-2000 ($300) and that's real upgrade to the EPH-100, to me, since the soundstage and separation is much much better, can be worn over-the-ear like the EPH-100 does, and deeper bass though it's not as impactful as EPH-100. Also, I find DN-2000 has brighter treble that isn't too piercing ( I notice this after having it for quite some time) and doesn't have the lower treble emphasis that EPH-100 does.
Newegg has Klipsch X11s for $99 lately. Different fit, but similar sound.
I just checked and it's back to $199. I've heard the X11 is similar to X10 and I do have the X10 and it doesn't sound as dynamic, or 'wide' as the EPH-100. Those who are not used with BA-sound will find it tiny sounding. X10, to me, is more like laid-back, warm, and somewhat dark. Bass is deep going all the way sub-bass and it's main of the show but it's not as impactful as the EPH-100 (you know how the Yammy has the yummy-boomy-bass that doesn't offend). When played loud, the mid can be grainy and its treble rolls off and doesn't shimmer as the EPH-100, though both has the slightly 'dark' nature (not bright, with emphasize on bass). The X10 loses on soundstage tho, it's average when played at normal volume but it gets noticeably intimate when played loud. Separation is harder to distinguish cuz the lack of shimmer. X10 (or X11) isn't designed to play loud but the EPH-100 can be played loud as much as one desire, definitely fun factor.
But to be honest, after having 24 earphones in my collections ( yes, I have 24! maybe more), none of them has the sound that is as close as EPH-100 signature. If you like its sound, stick with it. It's as good as you can get.