Astrotec AX60 | Thoughts, Reviews, and Tour Impressions

[ericp10]

Very brief first thoughts of the AX-60:
 
 
- build quality is immaculate! (I rarely comment on build quality, but I must with these)
 
- lighter than the DN-1K (not that the Dunu is uncomfortable in any way to me)
 
- bass is a bit muddy, but I expect it to clear up quite a bit. I can hear the potential of the bass
 
- i don't know if these are the bass filters in or not (two sets of inner-changeable filters, one bass and one more neutral), but if not, this is a very bassy iem. bassier than the DN-1K even, but even with the bit of muddiness, i can tell it's a better quality bass. I'm thinking these are the more neutral filters, but we'll see. if more bass comes out of these, then whoa!
 
- without a doubt, the AX-60 is a more refined hybrid than the DN-1k or H-200. And I'm not taking anything from those two hybrids, but AX-60 is clearly a more refined sound by a good leap (really close to M-200's refinement out of the box).
 
- notes are even thicker in the AX-60. great imaging, but i think the DN-1K still has the wider soundstage. 
 
The AX-60 cost about $130 more than the DN-1K, but to be honest  I didn't expect it so sound much better than the Dunu (if at all). So why did I buy it? Just curiosity got the best of me, plus I had the extra funds to try it out. I love reading the opinions in head-fi, but those who know me know that my main belief is to hear it for yourself if you can (and you are really interested in a product). I just figured I'll listen to it, and if sounded like the DN-1K clone (or God forbid, worse) I would just seen it back for a refund. And I was prepared to do exactly that.

Well, I'm not quite ready to say anything more about the sound of the AX-60 then the points I mad above, but I can tell you I have no thoughts of sending them back, and that I'm pleasantly surprised. I love when something leaps over my expectations. The AX-60 is leaping high! More impressions later.

 

[White Lotus]

Review plus photos:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/astrotec-ax-60-hybrid-iem/reviews/9925

 

[zlorena]

Hi guys!I have been using the sennheiser ie80 for a year..do you think the astrotec ax60 would be an upgrade?or do i have to look somewhere else?i listen mostly to electronic music...

 

[ericp10]

Upgrade!

 

[bhazard]

Strongly considering these if they have a sale in the near future.

 

[ericp10]

Low $300 is a sale. It's like a close to $500 earphone MSRP

 

[bhazard]

  Low $300 is a sale. It's like a close to $500 earphone MSRP

It's 1999 yuan ($330) at every chinese seller there is on Taobao. Eventually, someone will cave and go ~$300 or less, and it will be mine.

 

[White Lotus]

Woah, wait a second - there is a little bit of confusion here.
 
This is a comment that was left on my review:
 

 
There "Filters" that come with the AX60 - 
 
Are people claiming there is a sound difference with them? I instantly assumed they were merely "spares", which I actually thought was a REALLY good idea. I hate when these things get cloggy and dirty - you can always clean them to a certain extent, but what if they get damaged? Spare filters = great idea.
 
I'm going to do some further testing (with my housemates and GF, who don't have any confirmation bias like I do) and see if there is an audible difference between them.
 
Not to stir the pot or anything, but to me, they look (and sound) identical. 
 

 
I don't have any crazy IEM testing equipment to provide graphs with, so all I will be able to tell you guys are my (and a few others) subjective opinions on this matter.
 
But one thing is for sure: The size, look and shape are 100% identical. 

 

[ericp10]

  Woah, wait a second - there is a little bit of confusion here.
 
This is a comment that was left on my review:
 

 
There "Filters" that come with the AX60 - 
 
Are people claiming there is a sound difference with them? I instantly assumed they were merely "spares", which I actually thought was a REALLY good idea. I hate when these things get cloggy and dirty - you can always clean them to a certain extent, but what if they get damaged? Spare filters = great idea.
 
I'm going to do some further testing (with my housemates and GF, who don't have any confirmation bias like I do) and see if there is an audible difference between them.
 
Not to stir the pot or anything, but to me, they look (and sound) identical. 
 

 
I don't have any crazy IEM testing equipment to provide graphs with, so all I will be able to tell you guys are my (and a few others) subjective opinions on this matter.
 
But one thing is for sure: The size, look and shape are 100% identical. 

 
 
Well, if those AX-60 belong to someone in particular, I would advise not to mix those filters up. They are different. One is more neutral and one pair are more bassy (although the neutral ones are pretty bassy). Even the company makes it clear that the filters aren't the same. And if you looked inside the filters, well many can tell there is a variation between the two. I think if I ever did put mine out on tour, I would not include the bass filters.

 

[H20Fidelity]

I heard putting them up to the light shows a variation. One set you can see light through easily than the other, not so much. There's a post around here explaining, as I think the neutral filters allow less light through.

 

[White Lotus]

   
 
Well, if those AX-60 belong to someone in particular, I would advise not to mix those filters up. They are different.

 
Hey Ericp10, 
 
I've trusted your opinion for years now, so if you say they are different, this changes my bias a little. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and do some further testing. Thanks for the info.
 
FYI: These are on tour from Noisy Motel.
 

   
 
 Even the company makes it clear that the filters are the same.

 
Typo?

 

[ericp10]

   
Hey Ericp10, 
 
I've trusted your opinion for years now, so if you say they are different, this changes my bias a little. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and do some further testing. Thanks for the info.
 
FYI: These are on tour from Noisy Motel.
 
 
Typo?

 
 
Yep, typo. They ARE NOT the same.

 

[H20Fidelity]

 I found the quote.
 

Originally Posted by Loquah 
 
 
If you hold the filters up to the light you can see through the bass ones really easily while the neutral ones obscure the light slightly.
 
They are definitely a bassy earphone, but I found the bass quite well controlled with the neutral filters (but a bit muddy with the bass filters)

I'm pretty sure that's correct.

Btw: the neutral filters should of been on there when you received them White Lotus.

 

[ericp10]

   
Hey Ericp10, 
 
I've trusted your opinion for years now, so if you say they are different, this changes my bias a little. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and do some further testing. Thanks for the info.
 
FYI: These are on tour from Noisy Motel.
 
 
Typo?

 
 
How are you wearing them, White Lotus?  If you deep-fit, both of those filters will kind of sound the same. But try a shallow fit with the filters (I think it's meant to be worn with a shallow fit). You should hear a big difference then. I use UE900 silicon tips (large and wide works for me). I'm listening to Led Zep through the Sony S545 DAP, and the imaging is just blowing me away. Great instrument separation. 

 

[White Lotus]

Front (overview): Filters "B"

Filters "A"


Front (Close-up) Filters "B":

Filters "A":

 
Rear: Filters "A":

 
Filters "B":