[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]A little about Me: my taste in headphones is approximately neutral with a touch of warmth. In the past I've owned several of the class favourites, such as the Shure SE215, Ety HF5 and Klipsch X10. These headphones were a replacement for the VSonic GR07 Bass Editions I misplaced at a concert, but I thought an upgrade was in order so I splashed out. I paid £220 from amazon for them. I use triple flange deep insertion eartips, not out of the box. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Sound:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The first thing I should point out is that in the nozzle there are two bores, a main ~2mm bore and a ~0.2mm bore. Bear this in mind.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The best thing about the sound is the bass. With the small bore open, it is deep, well textured slightly emphasised in the subbass over the midbass. Despite the depth I've never noticed it get flabby. It's essentially the best bass I've heard in an IEM (though I'm by no means an expert). With the small bore filled, the bass becomes much more flat, even slightly behind the higher frequencies, depending on whether you cover or properly fill the hole. It doesn't lose the nice texture though. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Using shallower tips decreases the bass quality and quantity, and I felt the complies provided made it a lose a little of its tightness. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The midbass bleeds the tiniest bit into the lower mids, but its not really perceptible unless you're active listening for it. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The mids themselves are pretty flat response-wise, but the texture is lovely. I wouldn't say the smoothest I've heard, but they have a nice "twang" to them. Male voices sound good but these really shine with the female voices and guitars, both electric and acoustic. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The highs are present and not veiled, but they never really take the lead. They're always just.. there. Having said that, I can hear crisp hi-hats and sweet flutes and synths.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I felt with the small bore covered the highs became a little overbearing for my tastes.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Soundstage is something I really enjoy and something I felt the VSonics did quite well at, but on these its just something else. It's wider and higher than (on-ear) HD25's to my ears, though the depth leaves a little wanting. [/color]
Instrument separation is really very good, and goes hand in hand with the soundstage in providing a nice immersive experience.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I think these would work well with rock, metal, electronic, hip-hop with the small bore open, and with acoustic, classical and pop music with the bore closed off. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Build:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The 900s's predecessor, the 900, received a lot of criticism for its shoddy build quality. In the upgrade, UE changed the shell bonding method to ultrasonic welding, incorporated the connector into the translucent unibody, and a few other tweaks. The cable is connected by gold MMCX plugs which are very tight, though they spin a little easily. A small tube of connector cleaner is provided in case of gunk building up and shorting the connection. I can say they feel solid and I've been using them for a few months now. The strain relief is a little lacking, which is disappointing, and the heat shrink on one side is loose. However I'm not necessarily the kindest person to my IEMs. A hard shell and soft pouch are both provided and I use the pouch. The braided cord feels really nice and never tangles, plus a spare is provided ( but in black with no inline controls).[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Comfort:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]These have memory wire, which I dislike, and are worn over the ear, which I love. Having said that, the memory wire is excellent and has won me over. I find these extremely comfortable, though I appreciate comfort is one of the most subjective parts of an IEM. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Conclusions:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I love these little guys. For just over 200 quid you get a good quad driver IEM which can be upgraded into a custom if needs be. They sound great, they feel great, they look great. What more can you ask for? 9.5/10[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Want comparisons? Fire away.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Sound:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The first thing I should point out is that in the nozzle there are two bores, a main ~2mm bore and a ~0.2mm bore. Bear this in mind.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The best thing about the sound is the bass. With the small bore open, it is deep, well textured slightly emphasised in the subbass over the midbass. Despite the depth I've never noticed it get flabby. It's essentially the best bass I've heard in an IEM (though I'm by no means an expert). With the small bore filled, the bass becomes much more flat, even slightly behind the higher frequencies, depending on whether you cover or properly fill the hole. It doesn't lose the nice texture though. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Using shallower tips decreases the bass quality and quantity, and I felt the complies provided made it a lose a little of its tightness. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The midbass bleeds the tiniest bit into the lower mids, but its not really perceptible unless you're active listening for it. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The mids themselves are pretty flat response-wise, but the texture is lovely. I wouldn't say the smoothest I've heard, but they have a nice "twang" to them. Male voices sound good but these really shine with the female voices and guitars, both electric and acoustic. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The highs are present and not veiled, but they never really take the lead. They're always just.. there. Having said that, I can hear crisp hi-hats and sweet flutes and synths.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I felt with the small bore covered the highs became a little overbearing for my tastes.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Soundstage is something I really enjoy and something I felt the VSonics did quite well at, but on these its just something else. It's wider and higher than (on-ear) HD25's to my ears, though the depth leaves a little wanting. [/color]
Instrument separation is really very good, and goes hand in hand with the soundstage in providing a nice immersive experience.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I think these would work well with rock, metal, electronic, hip-hop with the small bore open, and with acoustic, classical and pop music with the bore closed off. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Build:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The 900s's predecessor, the 900, received a lot of criticism for its shoddy build quality. In the upgrade, UE changed the shell bonding method to ultrasonic welding, incorporated the connector into the translucent unibody, and a few other tweaks. The cable is connected by gold MMCX plugs which are very tight, though they spin a little easily. A small tube of connector cleaner is provided in case of gunk building up and shorting the connection. I can say they feel solid and I've been using them for a few months now. The strain relief is a little lacking, which is disappointing, and the heat shrink on one side is loose. However I'm not necessarily the kindest person to my IEMs. A hard shell and soft pouch are both provided and I use the pouch. The braided cord feels really nice and never tangles, plus a spare is provided ( but in black with no inline controls).[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Comfort:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]These have memory wire, which I dislike, and are worn over the ear, which I love. Having said that, the memory wire is excellent and has won me over. I find these extremely comfortable, though I appreciate comfort is one of the most subjective parts of an IEM. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Conclusions:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I love these little guys. For just over 200 quid you get a good quad driver IEM which can be upgraded into a custom if needs be. They sound great, they feel great, they look great. What more can you ask for? 9.5/10[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Want comparisons? Fire away.[/color]
I'm looking for something with good extension that can do well for jazz and classical music. I've used the Pinnacle P1, Brainwavz B100 and enjoyed a Senn HD600 demo - so I appreciate a signature between balanced and a v-shaped signature.