Concise Multi-IEM Comparison (FINAL UPDATE March. 1st, 2013)

[Retrias]

clie, for my taste in music like for example jpop and jrock or anime osts which one between wooduo or the jvc fxd80,which one would be better for listening through my ipod touch connected with fiio e17 (i already have both iems , i just need a second opinion)


thanks , sorry for the trouble

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

clie, for my taste in music like for example jpop and jrock or anime osts which one between wooduo or the jvc fxd80,which one would be better for listening through my ipod touch connected with fiio e17 (i already have both iems , i just need a second opinion)


thanks , sorry for the trouble

 
Both will work just as well and it is a matter of which do you prefer. Your source/amp is up to par so that isn't a problem. Personally I will go for FXD80 first.

 

[ClieOS]

HifiMan RE400 added.
 

---

 
 

Warm+Sweet 8.    HifiMan RE400 (link)
Warm, calm, a sense of neutrality almost like a stage monitor while still has a good degree of musicality in its presentation. Bass runs deep down to the 20Hz region, well bodied and comes with good low end rumbling. It is however quantitatively only a bit more than neutral. Mid is sweet, detailed and textured. It is thick but not overly so, almost can be called a mid-centric sound if not for the well complimented bass. Treble extends high, but mostly in a gentle fashion so all the sparkles tend to be just half-a-step behind the rest of the frequency. Analytical listener need not apply, especially if you are a fan of RE272 or RE0. RE262’s fan on the other hand might find RE400 to be closer to their heart, but it doesn’t quite have the same euphonic feeling. Soundstage is above average but not excessively wide as the whole presentation is neither upfront nor very far away, rather it is immersive and surrounding like sitting in the third role of a small theatre.
Pro: Price. Best built in HifiMan yet. All-arounder sound.
Con: None.

 

[Lifted Andreas]

Cannot wait on your view of the Yamaha EPH100 and CKN70 too.

 

[Phosphenetre]

Clie, since you've heard most of the IEMs I'm presently deciding between, can you please help me with my situation?
 
 
I need to pull the trigger within this week - I live in India and am relying on a friend returning shortly from Europe, to bring my new IEMs down to me.
 
In search for a generally neutral, detailed and transparent IEM, I ended up buying the Rock It Sounds R-50, which I loved a lot, especially the transparency, detail and extended treble, and airy presentation. What I didn't like so much was that I found the bottom-end response to be a bit unrealistic - the bass didn't have a natural body and sounded unnaturally thin to me. The low-end also didn't extend as far as I'd have liked. I also found some un-neutral hotness in the upper-mids and lower treble, say, 6 - 8k.
 
The R-50 also arrived defective with a very unstable cable into the left ear, so I had it returned. Now I have to buy something quick, to replace the R-50.
 
I'm looking for something that's neutral overall, with good extension on both ends (very important), but that can also summon a 'natural', realistic bass body and fullness when the track calls for it. It also needs to be transparent and detailed (like the R-50).
 
My budget is 200 dollars, and I am presently looking at the HiFiMan RE-400, the Ortofon E-Q5, the VSonic GR07 MkII and maybe the Fischer DBA-02 MkII as options. I am also open to any suggestions you have.
 
I know this is a tall order, but I'll be happy with something that manages to cover these aspects at least to a great extent.
 
What do you think I should do, for my requirements?

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Cannot wait on your view of the Yamaha EPH100 and CKN70 too.

Review for EPH100 will come but I don't have a CKN70.
 
 
Quote:

 
My budget is 200 dollars, and I am presently looking at the HiFiMan RE-400, the Ortofon E-Q5, the VSonic GR07 MkII and maybe the Fischer DBA-02 MkII as options. I am also open to any suggestions you have.
 

 
RE-400 might be a bit too warm. e-Q5 is better but it isn't quite as analytical and neutral.  GR07 MK2 is a good choice but it is also on the warmer side of things and more upfront. DBA-02 MK2 will be very similar to R-50 in many ways, but it also won't like have the kind of bass you are looking for.
 
I am thinking TPEOS H100 might fit you - it is reference flat from treble to mid, then bumped up just a bit on the bass to give thump but not overwhelming in anyway.

 

[putente]

Quote:

Review for EPH100 will come but I don't have a CKN70.

 
 
That EPH-100 review... I really want to know your take on them! They're my go to IEM in terms of portability. I use them every day in my walk to and from work, and I think they pair wonderfully straight out of my RB Clip+. I also appreciate the fact they're so small and tough, being made of aluminum. Great IEM... 

 

[Phosphenetre]

Quote:

Review for EPH100 will come but I don't have a CKN70.
 
 
 
RE-400 might be a bit too warm. e-Q5 is better but it isn't quite as analytical and neutral.  GR07 MK2 is a good choice but it is also on the warmer side of things and more upfront. DBA-02 MK2 will be very similar to R-50 in many ways, but it also won't like have the kind of bass you are looking for.
 
I am thinking TPEOS H100 might fit you - it is reference flat from treble to mid, then bumped up just a bit on the bass to give thump but not overwhelming in anyway.

 
Never looked at the T-PEOS H100 before, looks very interesting, thanks for that! Unfortunately, reviews and impressions seem to be very scant so far. It'd really help if there was a review of this by you or Joker, as I trust you two the most with impressions and analysis. 
 
Between the e-Q5 and the GR07 MkII, which is the more neutral overall, and which of the two would perform better with detail retrieval and transparency?

 

[ClieOS]

GR07 MK2, though neither is what I'll associate with being really neutral and transparent.

 

[Lifted Andreas]

Quote:

 
 
That EPH-100 review... I really want to know your take on them! They're my go to IEM in terms of portability. I use them every day in my walk to and from work, and I think they pair wonderfully straight out of my RB Clip+. I also appreciate the fact they're so small and tough, being made of aluminum. Great IEM... 

 
+1
 
It's still my favourite IEM out of all the ones I have and had. I will never let them go!
 
Even the Ortofon e-Q5 dont beat it in overall score IMO, and they are more than double the price!!

 

[putente]

Quote:

+1
 
It's still my favourite IEM out of all the ones I have and had. I will never let them go!
 
Even the Ortofon e-Q5 dont beat it in overall score IMO, and they are more than double the price!!

 
 
Too bad Yamaha decided to stop their production. I'm definitely keeping mine too... 

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Too bad Yamaha decided to stop their production. I'm definitely keeping mine too... 

 
You can still buy it in Japan though where it is still listed by Yamaha Japan as current model. So it is not really being discontinued, just not selling oversea anymore.

 

[putente]

Quote:

You can still buy it in Japan though where it is still listed by Yamaha Japan as current model. So it is not really being discontinued, just not selling oversea anymore.

 
 
Oh, ok. Thanks! I didn't know that...

 

[Lifted Andreas]

Oh, ok. Thanks! I didn't know that...

I'm guessing a new top tier model is coming this year.

That's gonna be sweeeet!

 

[proedros]

Hi clieos, i have 2 questions

1. how does re-400 stand sonic-wise compared to the re-272 ? if my 272 break down , should i go for the re-400 ? i see that sonic-wise the 272 is better (4.95 to 4.75) - i run them through an arrow 4g
 
2. how would you rate re-272 value-wise, if bought brand new for 210$ (and not 250$) ?
 
 
thanx , and keep up this great thread