Blox earbuds Discussion (TM7, M2C, ANV3, BE3/BE5/BE7, B160/B320)

[WiCKed666]

Hello guys! It's nice to see such an active earbuds thread here. The thing is i was always using fullsize headphones with my portable players but now I need an earbuds to use under the winter hat. I tried IEM's but I don't like the sould quality and how they fit in my ear. So, can you please recommend me the best earbuds? I am considering the following models:
1.) Yuin PK1
2.) Sennheiser MX 980
3.) Blox TM7
4.) May be something vintage
I will use them with high end players like HiFiMAN HM-801 and Altmann Tera-Player. I laways prefer the sound of big headphones rather then IEM sound, even high end multi driver IEM's. So I am looking for something which sound more like full size cans. I listen to only metal music, so I need something that is best for metal. Sorry for my bad English

 

[Danneq]

Quote:

Hello guys! It's nice to see such an active earbuds thread here. The thing is i was always using fullsize headphones with my portable players but now I need an earbuds to use under the winter hat. I tried IEM's but I don't like the sould quality and how they fit in my ear. So, can you please recommend me the best earbuds? I am considering the following models:
1.) Yuin PK1
2.) Sennheiser MX 980
3.) Blox TM7
4.) May be something vintage
I will use them with high end players like HiFiMAN HM-801 and Altmann Tera-Player. I laways prefer the sound of big headphones rather then IEM sound, even high end multi driver IEM's. So I am looking for something which sound more like full size cans. I listen to only metal music, so I need something that is best for metal. Sorry for my bad English

 
 
I listen to mostly metal (preferrably prog metal and US power metal, not wimpy euro power metal) and prog rock, and I've got a pair of Sennheiser MX980. I do recommend those as they are very detailed and have a full size headphone sound. There are only two problems: 1. the fit - they can be too big for some people's ears. I took the rubber/silicone ring off the earbuds and put foam covers over them and that made it better. They are still a bit too big, though. 2. MX980 are discontinued and are becoming more and more difficult to find.
 
I have never heard Yuin PK1 and I'm not interested in it since it requires an amp to perform properly. Perhaps the HiFiMan and Altmann Tera-player have strong enough built in amps to drive them?
 
Haven't heard Blox TM7 yet, but I'm planning on buying them as soon as the new batch is released.
 
You can read reviews of all three earbuds here on Head Fi and then decide which one you want to try.
 
About vintage earbuds, it's mostly a waiting game. Vintage Sony and Aiwa earbuds show up on Ebay once in a while, but you have to keep looking or you'll miss them, and when they do show up you have to be prepared for the price to be high (since they are so rare).
I would recommend the Sony MDR-E282. Deep bass for an earbud, good soundstage and detailed highs. I've got the legendary Sony MDR-E484 as well, but prefer the bigger soundstage of the E282. But you'll have to be prepared to pay between $200-300 for a pair of Sony MDR-E282 if you find them.
However if you can afford the HiFiMan or Altmann Tera-DAP's, I'm sure that $300 for a pair of 25 year old earbuds is no problem...

 

[kiteki]

I'd be careful with your DAP choices there, the Altmann Tera player looked like a joke when I read about it, they recommend the Koss PortaPro for example.
 
The Hifiman HM-801, unless you're specifically after NOS sound, you may prefer modern sound such as in the Colorfly CK4, iBasso DX100, Sony Z1070.

 

[WiCKed666]

I already have both players, now I am only looking for earbuds. I like that both of them have multibit DAC's inside. And yes may be the Altmann Tera player looks like joke but it's actually isn't. It's clearly one of the best sounding players ever made, i even like it more then HM-801. The idea was to use HM-801+Beyerdynamic t5p when i am not limited to take such big devices with me and to use small setupe (Tera+earbuds\iem) when i can't take a big brick with me, but now i am not sure if i want to continue to use HM-801. The Tera is better in almost every aspects. I just wasn't expecting such small device to have such great SQ.

 

[kiteki]

Well, even if it is a good sounding player, if you pay extra money to get a "pink fluff mod", and the recommended headphone to use with it is the "Koss PortaPro", it's already paved it's own grave right there.
 
If you like the classic open-air sound of earbuds you could try something like the Phiaton PS210, or the Final Audio 1350 M1.

 

[ClieOS]

The Hifiman HM-801, unless you're specifically after NOS sound, you may prefer modern sound such as in the Colorfly CK4, iBasso DX100, Sony Z1070.

HM801 is not NOS.

 

[kiteki]

HM801 is not NOS.

 
Yes it is.

 

[ClieOS]

Yes it is.

I own both HM602 and HM801, so I would know since I have done my homework on both and reviewed them as well. HifiMan only designs HM60x series in NOS configuration based on Ryohei Kusunoki (the guy who invents the NOS concept) original work on the Philips TDA-1543 (which is what the HM60x series is using). HM801 is based on Burr-Brown PCM1704. If you still don't believe me, this is what HifiMan said in the description of HM602 - "...It is well known that Non-oversampling dacs offer great sound for little money. HM-602 is the first portable player using non-oversampling DAC: Philips TDA-1543...." and take note, HM801 comes a years before HM602 so it can't possibly be NOS. Either HifiMan has no clue on what they are making all these years, or maybe you.

 

[kiteki]

PCM1704 is set to NOS as per default.
 
Kusunoki didn't invent NOS, lol.

 

[ClieOS]

You are right that Kusunoki doesn't invent the NOS idea, just the TDA-1543 NOS circuit. But part of the NOS idea is to be digital filter less, and PCM1704 in HM801 isn't.

 

[Danneq]

Now now, this is not the place for an argument. This is suppose to be a happy occasion!
 
No new TM7 batch released today.
 
If anyone wants to try NW Studio Pro, Comradz has got a sale on them. Right now $129.99. There's also a %15 discount until the last of August if you add "ComradzBDay" with your order.
I went ahead and ordered a pair. My wallet quietly weeps...
 
Comradz' webshop with NW Studio Pro:
https://store6.esellerate.net/store/checkout/CustomLayout.aspx?s=STR4671626370&pc=&page=OnePageCatalog.htm
 
Discount info:
http://comradz.com/2012/08/24/1476/

 

[kiteki]

Not arguing, just ClieOS correcting himself.

 

[F900EX]

Yes I agree, lets keep on Track regarding the TM7, I'm sure there are plenty of other threads you can discuss HMs.

 

[fleasbaby]

Lordy, the suspense is killing me. I keep checking the site and hitting the refresh button. This happened with the official release as well. It was a day or so later than anticipated if I recall correctly...

 

[ClieOS]

I guess all the waiting is getting onto me as well . Make me wonder how many TM7 was made/sold in the first batch. Is it really that small in quantity that resulted in even fewer impression? It is like TM5 all over again.