Reviews by Qwertyhrs
Introduction ~ preferences
Let's make no mistake, each person who's into the hobby of listening to gear has a reason for doing so. Be it to gain new experiences or perhaps, to find the mythical creature known as the all elusive 'Endgame'. Regardless, the joy of the hunt is something to be had.
My approach towards this (seemingly) endless quest is a path trekked by many, perhaps in futility, towards the imminent arrival upon the latter. What I look for in an IEM is versatility and uniqueness. A set should have its own flavor of sound and execute it well without compromise in other respects to achieve this.
I try to keep a small and manageable collection ––for each must contribute something different–– which gives me time to appreciate how an individual set shines in its own way. After all, what good can an IEM do if its sitting pretty but neglected?
I understand that this may be an unpopular sentiment in a hobby oft associated with consumptiveness, however, as it is as personal as it is subjective, let's just say that...to each their own.
A short note
All reviews are biased to a degree because reviewers are human, each with their own preferences and ears.
To give some context to the following points, I tend to prefer V-shaped to Neutral-bright IEMs. Treble-head is not a term I would use to describe my tastes but depending on how you define it, that may not be far off––the IE600 has nice treble.
Staging, imaging and technicalities-wise, what I really value is how engaging, how immersive the imaging and stage of an IEM is. Having good detail retrieval in a set is always great and also a good differentiator of quality.
Do note that I any references made are based on the Harman target (2019) for ease of reference.
Disclaimer
This is a personal set which I purchased from Zeppelin & Co. in Singapore. As such all opinions expressed are my own. My view may differ from yours, it is a subjective hobby after all, but I would be happy to know what you think below.
Lastly, this is my first time posting here so do bear with me if there are some areas that need brushing up
)
.
.
Now that we've established these, let's get on with it, shall we?
.
.
Build quality:
Nothing to complain about here. The machine work and finishing by Acoustune is a whole act on its own. What they've done here is just excellent work ––and that would be the same if this existed at any other price point–– their reputation for build quality is unquestionably on display yet again.
Accessories are rather superfluous, with the metal case and all, but it does sell the whole unboxing experience and communicates strongly to the customer that their purchase ––and by extension them–– are being thought of and regarded with care and attention.
Stock cable is robust with minimal memory, however, I did find it to be uncomfortable for prolonged use. Your mileage may vary on this.
Fit is the issue for me, it requires some playing around to get the IEMs to fit comfortably and even then, I do come off listening sessions with pain in the tragus. Thankfully, a good seal with the stock tips was quite easily achieved, though I can't say the same about fit comfort.
Tonality:
This set is warm. The bass boost is centered on the mid bass and that means Brass instruments, Bass guitar, Piano and Drums are all imbued with a satisfying sense of fullness. Drum hits are commandingly planted and strings have a deep and lush resonance. Bass guitars are visceral but also audibly separated from the drum machine.
On the right track, this thing can really slap.
Treble isn't smoothed like HT, rather, it is elevated at certain points (as seen from the FR). At times instruments can come across as slightly plasticky which goes both ways. At best this makes skin instruments (toms, bongos etc.) sound elastic in an ever so slightly exaggerated manner, at worse it imparts an unnatural "thwang" not dissimilar to the effect that you get from messing around with a tensioned rubber band. Upon first listen, I thought that this single DD IEM had the uncanny ability to replicate BA Timbre!
Air and extension in the higher registers is sufficient but lacking to my preference. Cymbal crashes are rich but lacking shimmer which makes them sound a tad dryer than they really should be. The lack of airiness ––which is what gives a sense of height–– is lacking and consequently, the set struggles in this regard as well. I must say, though, that extension is not lacking, just that the quantity present leaves more to be desired.
Staging & Imaging:
As for soundstage, most music sounds intimate, like being in a basement with a live indie gig. It gives a sense of being in a chamber and the edges of the stage are well diffused which avoids the feeling of being boxed in.
This set does a complete flip when playing tracks recorded in large, cavernous venues (Theatre, Dome etc.) wherein the set's tendency to diffuse the edge of its soundstage makes such recordings sound quite holographic. That's a term I will only associate with sets like the Andromeda 2020 and something that Harman tuned sets cannot recreate at lower listening volumes (or so I've experienced).
The imaging is inverted front to back. While conventional Harman tuned sets have treble and vocals upfront with bass and drums pushed back, this does just the reverse. This leaves us with a strange sound stage where vocals are pushed back, drums and bass are distinctly further behind the vocals but the thumps and visceral qualities that they possess are very forward ahead of them, all without muddying the most forward elements of the treble (voices, percussions etc.). It can be described a 'colored' since this emphasizes specific elements of music more than reference.
This set doesn't have the largest stage but is noticeably strong in one aspect, the ease of imaging. It images instruments rather strongly, helped along by its good dynamics and thus macrodynamic contrast, and does so at lower volumes as well. Each track requires careful volume balancing to get the most out of its imaging and staging. Due to how our ears' sensitivity to various sound frequencies varies relative to volume (equal loudness curve), this set's bass shelf will completely drown out details and compress the sense of staging at higher volumes. As an oversimplification, this is because for every unit increase in volume (dB), we become more sensitive to bass than treble so a set will sound more and more bassy as we crank the volume up.
What this leaves us with is quite a queer set indeed, very track dependent, very volume dependent. keep a DAC with good linear volume control or a mobile EQ app around to help make quick fine adjustments.
Music pairings & Technicalities:
This depends on what you define technicalities as. It is technical in that it separates individual instruments well. Every element of sound sounds distinct and contrasting. These macro details are well resolved but lack the 'edge' which gives that sense of clarity. This set is analogue sounding and relaxing, I would liken it to the audio equivalent of applying a mild bokeh effect to your music. Everything is there, distinct but blurry with only the key parts (vocals, main instruments) are in focus, the rest (synth etc.) dances around.
This set does not fit libraries with lots of high frequency details (cymbals etc.) as they don't have the airy resonance of BA sets. They also tend to perform poorly with bass heavy tracks (metal etc.), the sheer amount of double peddling and how the bass is usually mixed in this and similar genres usually ends up drowning the already recessed treble.
What this sets does well is jazz, indie music, post rock, funk, classical, EDM and Disco. I find that these genres generally tend to have the right instruments, mixing levels and acoustics that play into this set's strengths.
That is the gist of this set, it sounds great when played with tracks that synergize with its quirks and sort of falls apart and very quickly regresses into Je ne sais quoi when used otherwise. Though whatever that may be, it will certainly be a far cry from what its asking price commands as well as its full potential.
Conclusion:
This set may or may not be for you so it is highly recommended to try and get a demo for it before committing to a purchase, especially with the aforementioned issue regarding fit comfort.
The HS1750cu gives you a unique experience in a market saturated with Harman and other similarly tuned sets. While it may often be caught out on the wrong foot by competitors from the increasingly competitive chi-fi space, it is a niche set that offer something...different, in a good way.
Now, that's something which makes this an interesting one to check out.
Let's make no mistake, each person who's into the hobby of listening to gear has a reason for doing so. Be it to gain new experiences or perhaps, to find the mythical creature known as the all elusive 'Endgame'. Regardless, the joy of the hunt is something to be had.
My approach towards this (seemingly) endless quest is a path trekked by many, perhaps in futility, towards the imminent arrival upon the latter. What I look for in an IEM is versatility and uniqueness. A set should have its own flavor of sound and execute it well without compromise in other respects to achieve this.
I try to keep a small and manageable collection ––for each must contribute something different–– which gives me time to appreciate how an individual set shines in its own way. After all, what good can an IEM do if its sitting pretty but neglected?
I understand that this may be an unpopular sentiment in a hobby oft associated with consumptiveness, however, as it is as personal as it is subjective, let's just say that...to each their own.
A short note
All reviews are biased to a degree because reviewers are human, each with their own preferences and ears.
To give some context to the following points, I tend to prefer V-shaped to Neutral-bright IEMs. Treble-head is not a term I would use to describe my tastes but depending on how you define it, that may not be far off––the IE600 has nice treble.
Staging, imaging and technicalities-wise, what I really value is how engaging, how immersive the imaging and stage of an IEM is. Having good detail retrieval in a set is always great and also a good differentiator of quality.
Do note that I any references made are based on the Harman target (2019) for ease of reference.
Disclaimer
This is a personal set which I purchased from Zeppelin & Co. in Singapore. As such all opinions expressed are my own. My view may differ from yours, it is a subjective hobby after all, but I would be happy to know what you think below.
Lastly, this is my first time posting here so do bear with me if there are some areas that need brushing up
).
.
Now that we've established these, let's get on with it, shall we?
.
.
Build quality:
Nothing to complain about here. The machine work and finishing by Acoustune is a whole act on its own. What they've done here is just excellent work ––and that would be the same if this existed at any other price point–– their reputation for build quality is unquestionably on display yet again.
Accessories are rather superfluous, with the metal case and all, but it does sell the whole unboxing experience and communicates strongly to the customer that their purchase ––and by extension them–– are being thought of and regarded with care and attention.
Stock cable is robust with minimal memory, however, I did find it to be uncomfortable for prolonged use. Your mileage may vary on this.
Fit is the issue for me, it requires some playing around to get the IEMs to fit comfortably and even then, I do come off listening sessions with pain in the tragus. Thankfully, a good seal with the stock tips was quite easily achieved, though I can't say the same about fit comfort.
Tonality:
This set is warm. The bass boost is centered on the mid bass and that means Brass instruments, Bass guitar, Piano and Drums are all imbued with a satisfying sense of fullness. Drum hits are commandingly planted and strings have a deep and lush resonance. Bass guitars are visceral but also audibly separated from the drum machine.
On the right track, this thing can really slap.
Treble isn't smoothed like HT, rather, it is elevated at certain points (as seen from the FR). At times instruments can come across as slightly plasticky which goes both ways. At best this makes skin instruments (toms, bongos etc.) sound elastic in an ever so slightly exaggerated manner, at worse it imparts an unnatural "thwang" not dissimilar to the effect that you get from messing around with a tensioned rubber band. Upon first listen, I thought that this single DD IEM had the uncanny ability to replicate BA Timbre!
Air and extension in the higher registers is sufficient but lacking to my preference. Cymbal crashes are rich but lacking shimmer which makes them sound a tad dryer than they really should be. The lack of airiness ––which is what gives a sense of height–– is lacking and consequently, the set struggles in this regard as well. I must say, though, that extension is not lacking, just that the quantity present leaves more to be desired.
Staging & Imaging:
As for soundstage, most music sounds intimate, like being in a basement with a live indie gig. It gives a sense of being in a chamber and the edges of the stage are well diffused which avoids the feeling of being boxed in.
This set does a complete flip when playing tracks recorded in large, cavernous venues (Theatre, Dome etc.) wherein the set's tendency to diffuse the edge of its soundstage makes such recordings sound quite holographic. That's a term I will only associate with sets like the Andromeda 2020 and something that Harman tuned sets cannot recreate at lower listening volumes (or so I've experienced).
The imaging is inverted front to back. While conventional Harman tuned sets have treble and vocals upfront with bass and drums pushed back, this does just the reverse. This leaves us with a strange sound stage where vocals are pushed back, drums and bass are distinctly further behind the vocals but the thumps and visceral qualities that they possess are very forward ahead of them, all without muddying the most forward elements of the treble (voices, percussions etc.). It can be described a 'colored' since this emphasizes specific elements of music more than reference.
This set doesn't have the largest stage but is noticeably strong in one aspect, the ease of imaging. It images instruments rather strongly, helped along by its good dynamics and thus macrodynamic contrast, and does so at lower volumes as well. Each track requires careful volume balancing to get the most out of its imaging and staging. Due to how our ears' sensitivity to various sound frequencies varies relative to volume (equal loudness curve), this set's bass shelf will completely drown out details and compress the sense of staging at higher volumes. As an oversimplification, this is because for every unit increase in volume (dB), we become more sensitive to bass than treble so a set will sound more and more bassy as we crank the volume up.
What this leaves us with is quite a queer set indeed, very track dependent, very volume dependent. keep a DAC with good linear volume control or a mobile EQ app around to help make quick fine adjustments.
Music pairings & Technicalities:
This depends on what you define technicalities as. It is technical in that it separates individual instruments well. Every element of sound sounds distinct and contrasting. These macro details are well resolved but lack the 'edge' which gives that sense of clarity. This set is analogue sounding and relaxing, I would liken it to the audio equivalent of applying a mild bokeh effect to your music. Everything is there, distinct but blurry with only the key parts (vocals, main instruments) are in focus, the rest (synth etc.) dances around.
This set does not fit libraries with lots of high frequency details (cymbals etc.) as they don't have the airy resonance of BA sets. They also tend to perform poorly with bass heavy tracks (metal etc.), the sheer amount of double peddling and how the bass is usually mixed in this and similar genres usually ends up drowning the already recessed treble.
What this sets does well is jazz, indie music, post rock, funk, classical, EDM and Disco. I find that these genres generally tend to have the right instruments, mixing levels and acoustics that play into this set's strengths.
That is the gist of this set, it sounds great when played with tracks that synergize with its quirks and sort of falls apart and very quickly regresses into Je ne sais quoi when used otherwise. Though whatever that may be, it will certainly be a far cry from what its asking price commands as well as its full potential.
Conclusion:
This set may or may not be for you so it is highly recommended to try and get a demo for it before committing to a purchase, especially with the aforementioned issue regarding fit comfort.
The HS1750cu gives you a unique experience in a market saturated with Harman and other similarly tuned sets. While it may often be caught out on the wrong foot by competitors from the increasingly competitive chi-fi space, it is a niche set that offer something...different, in a good way.
Now, that's something which makes this an interesting one to check out.
