ChrisSC
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
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As I've said in the first post: expect changes. Here's the first, to be recorded in the first post for transparency.
Feels like the highest S-tier has been getting too crowded; I intended it to be a rather "exclusive" club in which only the best of the best of the best (repeat ad infinitum) will be showcased. So, here's a little trimming.
AAW W900 (S to S-):. While essentially the top-dog in bass and soundstage, it's still relatively off-timbre. Only detectable when in comparison with the rest of S-tier, not so much with anything lower.
InEar Prophile (S to S-): While its biggest strength lies in its neutrality, it falls short in staging and slightly lean timbre. Bonus points for technical ability but not as much as the Jomo Samba (for example) which has the same weakness in tonality.
Advanced Evo X (C+ to C): C+ seems a little too high. It's good but not quite there.
Periodic Mg (C to C+): Comparing the Mg with the F9, sounds to me like the Mg has the better timbre and bass layering capability.
FitEar F/A111 (A- to B+): Probably too coloured (read: "unnatural") to be playing with the likes of the ER4XR.
UERR (A- to A): I might've been too harsh on the UERR given my love for the UERM. A very capable warm signature just missing that last octave of air.
Hifiman RE2000 (B+ to B): Meh.
VSonic GR07X (B+ to B): The GR09 does sound to be slightly better, but I don't think the GR09 is exactly A- material. So down goes the 07X.
iBasso IT03 (B- to C+): Just remembered the wonky midrange. Docked points for tonal issues.
Rhapsodio Clipper (C- to D): Probably missed this out. Its only strength lies in its massive bass, but average-meh everything else.
Is your rank of the w900 as "S minus" with or without the awesome sauce eq applied?