That AU $28 is now AU $70 as per Smabat store guy. He does not have 40 Ohms Titanium Driver and suggesting LCP one which is $35 against $10-11 of Titanium one. That's why I asked the question again. but not expecting racist people to reply anyway.
So RY4S 300 Ohms is good? I have 32 Ohms Plus version but as you did not use that, you may not be able to tell how good it is compared to 300 Ohms version. If 300 Ohms is good and at par with M2S Pro, I can consider that as it is only $18-19. Also, M0 with 40 Ohms driver is good? I guess M0 and M2S Pro shell are different so there may be some difference in fit. But not too sure abt the Sound quality. If M0 40 Ohms sound is not thin and good sound then I can consider. But from reviews it seems that M0 or even M2S pro is thin sounding and does not have bass at all. is that so?
That AU $28 is now AU $70 as per Smabat store guy. He does not have 40 Ohms Titanium Driver and suggesting LCP one which is $35 against $10-11 of Titanium one. That's why I asked the question again. but not expecting racist people to reply anyway.
At this point I’m am going to say “yes”. I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be in the very upper echelons of what’s possible in the format.
Do you have any in mind? Most of my buds are homemade and probably wouldn’t be of any use to you. The most popular bud I own is likely the LBBs. Would that work? It’s a common reference point for many I suppose.
My bet is that it would be a significant upgrade but it requires EQ and will likely require some sort of device to stabilize them in your ears. I’ve got a bud with a high end driver (better than the one in the LBBs) that has a frequency response nearly identical to the EQed ST20 pro, and the ST20 pro is in a different class. Huge sound stage, lots of detail and separation, and handles busy tracks with ease. It sounds like a set of high end cans, but in a more compact package. I’ll compare them in a little bit. I’d be surprised if my side by side turns out any different, but you never know until you try. I don’t think I own anything that can really compete with these however barr a couple buds in particular categories, but overall my impression is that these can do it all.
My bet is that it would be a significant upgrade but it requires EQ and will likely require some sort of device to stabilize them in your ears. I’ve got a bud with a high end driver (better than the one in the LBBs) that has a frequency response nearly identical to the EQed ST20 pro, and the ST20 pro is in a different class. Huge sound stage, lots of detail and separation, and handles busy tracks with ease. It sounds like a set of high end cans, but in a more compact package. I’ll compare them in a little bit. I’d be surprised if my side by side turns out any different, but you never know until you try. I don’t think I own anything that can really compete with these however barr a couple buds in particular categories, but overall my impression is that these can do it all.
The real problem here is that at the selling price... ST20pro has this huge and intolerable (and painful) mountain that you see so clearly on the charts, I just don't quite know what they were thinking.... I'm clear that that BA placed forward next to the faceplate is to blame, but... it is something already well known.
I think of other buds that @WoodyLuvr defines "of a single trick", what advantage do excellent technicalities have if you can't listen to music with them without being exposed to your ears bleeding? either that or EQ
I can’t understand what they were thinking…. Perhaps they were thinking that some poor sap may get a set by accident and hate them. MAYBE he’s a spy who possesses secrets only NASA knows… That poor sap will then take the time to measure them in every configurable manner to find a position that doesn’t sound brutal, decide that it’s not stable enough in that position, then go through and devise a 10 band parametric EQ to fix the problem in the most stable position (and the position it’s designed to be in) in the ear using a calibrated room response from mics in his own ears as a reference and a mould made from his own ear as a measurement reference, spend 6 hours getting the EQ just right using both objective measurements and subjective evaluation with every style of music he knows of just to correct the problems that should have never existed in the first place. That’s probably what they were counting on LOL.
In a way, they make me angry, and yet now I can’t help but think I’m very lucky to have them. They are a great idea, just not refined at all. The end user must refine them. That said, this EQ should work well for the vast majority of people now that I think about it. If a different set of ears was used for both calibration curve and measurements, a similar EQ should be derived. These buds led me to a new understanding through their lack of refinement.
Finally got my desired tuning on these (NTT Docomo PK). Faster and better overall quality on bass. Perfect for tracks with lots of strings and percussions. Even faint hits and tiny nuances became so audible. Also got vocal thickness and note weight to my preference. A bit midcentric that is. Highs are surprisingly detailed as well, so airy. Overall resulted in kind of a W-shaped sig which is what I was aiming for. Imaging is undeniably one of the best strengths of these drivers. Such good potential for further tuning.
Thanks to my fellow local DIYers for modding tips. Also gotta give thanks to @FranQL as well. I might not have started fixing these if not for his encouragement. Thanks for your recommendations on the mod!
What do you mean by Open up and change the tuning? You mean Physically Open and do something? I don't think I have tools and skills to take that risk. Few of my earphones need plug or cable change but I don't have time to learn and perform that. Not that I cannot do that but need to buy the tool set for that and experiment.
I can’t understand what they were thinking…. Perhaps they were thinking that some poor sap may get a set by accident and hate them. MAYBE he’s a spy who possesses secrets only NASA knows… That poor sap will then take the time to measure them in every configurable manner to find a position that doesn’t sound brutal, decide that it’s not stable enough in that position, then go through and devise a 10 band parametric EQ to fix the problem in the most stable position (and the position it’s designed to be in) in the ear using a calibrated room response from mics in his own ears as a reference and a mould made from his own ear as a measurement reference, spend 6 hours getting the EQ just right using both objective measurements and subjective evaluation with every style of music he knows of just to correct the problems that should have never existed in the first place. That’s probably what they were counting on LOL.
In a way, they make me angry, and yet now I can’t help but think I’m very lucky to have them. They are a great idea, just not refined at all. The end user must refine them. That said, this EQ should work well for the vast majority of people now that I think about it. If a different set of ears was used for both calibration curve and measurements, a similar EQ should be derived. These buds led me to a new understanding through their lack of refinement.
Thanks for your impressions on the ST20 Pro, probably it is the first impressions/review I've seen so far on audio forums.
So looks like adding a BA to earbuds is still a pipedream of sorts, or at least a failed proof of concept. It is a good idea in theory, BAs do bring advantages to the table, such as better technicalities than a single DD (in general). But in a earbud shell, where different folks have different fits (due to ear anatomy), I think it would be very difficult to get the ideal fit so that the BAs don't sound piercing, there's so much variation in fit compared to an IEM. Not to mention hybrid type IEMs/earbuds, may have coherency/crossover issues if not implemented well, and BAs may add an artificial sheen to timbral accuracy sometimes.
I applaud Smabat for trying to innovate with the addition of a BA, but there's a big reason why the vast majority of earbuds are still single DD, not only cause of pricing but implementing BAs inside a earbud shell is a supremely difficult task. Looks like it's back to the drawing board.
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