Finally dude. You got em, hunh. Good. I had actually read your views too and bought em and kept wondering when you'd bite the bullet. Finally!
So you did bring a lot to the table. BTW, someone said MrSpeakers (Ether Cs for that matter) dont have the bass the X00 and EMU have. So for bass, I'm VERY VERY positive these variants may just be the most resolving... even over JVC BassBombs (I have the JVC HA-SZ1000s) since these have textured and smooth bass... quality over quantity any day for audiophiles. Moreover, the bass is enough for headpounders too.
Yeah I think overall the mids and highs are more relaxed and not that exciting... they're ever so dynamic for me, and personally, I'm ok with those non-bass reproductions. Effortless overall. That's what these cans are. Sound appears and then disappears so fast. It's nice.
BTW yes, the BeyerDynamic T5 is of course a more premium pair... I think that is a top echelon make and sits on top of the dynamic cans pyramid. But that's it. That's the end. Surprisingly, these tesla magnet cans put even planars to shame sometimes.
How did you compare the ATH IEMs with these? They're closed, whereas these variants have a very wide soundstage. How is the soundstage on the ATH?
I personally think the TY HiZ (32/150/400/650 ohms) earbuds may be more closer to the X00/EMU sound overall. They are open back and have a very satisfying low end. Fast and punchy. I will review all that stuff with the monks (+, candy) as soon as I get em so I'll update all of you if we can find the EMU sound in a smaller, more portable package. Soon...
BTW
First off, wow I'm actually impressed you made your purchase decision influenced by stuff I said. Lucky you (and me) the Teaks are good, perhaps take what I say in the future with grains of salt... That'll make me less nervous *uneasy laugh*
All jokes aside, yes I am very glad I chomped down and got these, they are wonderful headphones, and I honestly can see myself living with just these. No other headphone has fit my personal preference so closely at such a reasonable price (so far).
And btw, the comparison to the T5P was solely based on it being my personal subjective top pick for favourite headphone, and also based on the fact it was a closed pair of headphones. Also, the comparison doesn't hurt because they actually sound more similar than one might expect, especially with the Rosewood cups on the E-MU.
To answer your question, the comparison to the ATH-IM70 and ATH-E40 was solely based on the general frequency response (i.e. sound signature). The IM70 is relaxed, mellow, liquid, very similar to the Teak, while the Rosewood is comparatively bombastic, fast, energetic, like how the E40 differs from the IM70.
To answer your second question, I do find the IM70 and E40 sound more spacious and 3-dimensional than the standard fare $100 IEM, but of course it isn't at all fair to critique an IEM's sound stage with a full size headphone. Apples vs cheese, completely different planet.
Bottom Line: The comparison between the ATH IEMs and the Teak was only meant to help those who can't demo contextualise what the Teak/TH-X00 might sound like, emphasis on might, and it helps that the ATH IEMs are easy to demo.
I really should've made the above more clear in the original post, but I was afraid it was too long-winded. Thanks for asking to clarify.
Side note, will look into the TY HIZ you mentioned if my brain crammed with work matters can remember.
Side side note that isn't actually irrelevant, can't wait to try the Mahogany and Purplehearts over the coming weeks, Chan told me that'll give me a more than decent idea of what the Fostex TH-X00's target sound is like. That'll be highly interesting - the Purplehearts are super dense and heavy, which may mean a superbly noticeable difference in sound from the thin and light Teak.
