Earbuds Round-Up

[GojiFi]

Got these @ Kobemghri Gojibuds today & really liking them. Packaging is nice and cute and the build quality of the buds and cable is great.

Sonically, details and texture across the lower frequencies are excellent. Nice punchy mid bass with a smooth transition to mids. Treble is somewhat rolled off but the open back steps in to provide staging and airiness without being fatiguing at all. A solid recommend. I think my daughter wants the Juniors now!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[yaps66]

Had some mail today.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Thanks. They look really cool.
Mr Woody will probably write some info about them later ... something that can see on the package .

I know, right? I never talked to anyone who knew more about these gems
Although the biggest question is I think, and I maybe am not alone with this query - is why are these not manufactured anymore.

You guys know me too well... I am so predictable now! I can not resist responding with some data... particularly about this earbud as I know it's inventor!

Sony MDR-E262 "Nude Turbo"​

Impedance/Sensitivity: 18Ω @ 108dB/mW ​

Diaphragm Size/Type: 16mm Dome​

Frequency Range: 16-22,000Hz (though some specs incorrectly offered 18-21,000Hz)​

Allowable Power Input: 50mW (though max power input was just over 100mW)​

Cable: 1.2m OFC Litz w/ L-Type 3.5TRS jack​

Weight 5.5g (not including the cable)​

Debuted: January 1984 (though some models were pre-released to select stores over the Christmas/New Year holiday period)​

This earbud was designed by Sony audio-engineering legend Makoto Yamagishi. He and his team had created Sony's first flathead earbud the MDR-E252 that debuted in JUNE 1982 and Makoto went on to create Sony's renowned "Acoustic Turbo System" aka "Nude Turbo" / "Turbo Nude" which was used in Sony earbud models starting from 1984 onwards, as well as deployed in Aiwa's GT and Pipe Phone models from 1985 and 1988 onwards... by 1982 Sony was a majority controlling parent of Aiwa and heavily influenced Aiwa product designs and used them as a platform to test out new technologies and designs.

The Sony MDR-E262 and then Sony MDR-E242, both introduced in 1984, were the first models to make use of Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system which initially employed a single vent at the end of the stem as shown in the pic on the left. The 1988 Sony MDR-E484 Twin Turbo Nude "Cela", utilizing two vents (one in the stem and one behind the driver as seen in the picture on the right), is considered to be the pinnacle of Makoto Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system design.

Sony MDR-E262 vs Sony MDR-E242

vs

Makoto's crown jewel was the Sony MDR-E282 Nude Turbo II aka Nude CD more here.

Makoto Yamagishi (above) retired from Sony in 2009 and went on to create the IEM company Ocharaku Corporation.

 

[furyossa]

You guys know me too well... I am so predictable now! I can not resist responding with some data... particularly about this earbud as I know it's inventor!

Sony MDR-E262 "Nude Turbo"​

Impedance/Sensitivity: 18Ω @ 108dB/mW ​

Diaphragm Size/Type: 16mm Dome​

Frequency Range: 16-22,000Hz (though some specs incorrectly offered 18-21,000Hz)​

Allowable Power Input: 50mW (though max power input was just over 100mW)​

Cable: 1.2m OFC Litz w/ L-Type 3.5TRS jack​

Weight 5.5g (not including the cable)​

Debuted: January 1984 (though some models were pre-released to select stores over the Christmas/New Year holiday period)​

This earbud was designed by Sony audio-engineering legend Makoto Yamagishi. He and his team had created Sony's first flathead earbud the MDR-E252 that debuted in JUNE 1982 and Makoto went on to create Sony's renowned "Acoustic Turbo System" aka "Nude Turbo" / "Turbo Nude" which was used in Sony earbud models starting from 1984 onwards, as well as deployed in Aiwa's GT and Pipe Phone models from 1985 and 1988 onwards... by 1982 Sony was a majority controlling parent of Aiwa and heavily influenced Aiwa product designs and used them as a platform to test out new technologies and designs.

The Sony MDR-E262 and then Sony MDR-E242, both introduced in 1984, were the first models to make use of Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system which initially employed a single vent at the end of the stem as shown in the pic on the left. The 1988 Sony MDR-E484 Twin Turbo Nude "Cela", utilizing two vents (one in the stem and one behind the driver as seen in the picture on the right), is considered to be the pinnacle of Makoto Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system design.

vs

Makoto Yamagishi (above) retired from Sony in 2009 and went on to create the IEM company Ocharaku Corporation.

I didn't expect any less from you. This is amazing info.
And after Sony and AIWA, Makoto still doing some fantastic job

 

[nofarewell]

You guys know me too well... I am so predictable now! I can not resist responding with some data... particularly about this earbud as I know it's inventor!

Sony MDR-E262 "Nude Turbo"​

Impedance/Sensitivity: 18Ω @ 108dB/mW ​

Diaphragm Size/Type: 16mm Dome​

Frequency Range: 16-22,000Hz (though some specs incorrectly offered 18-21,000Hz)​

Allowable Power Input: 50mW (though max power input was just over 100mW)​

Cable: 1.2m OFC Litz w/ L-Type 3.5TRS jack​

Weight 5.5g (not including the cable)​

Debuted: January 1984 (though some models were pre-released to select stores over the Christmas/New Year holiday period)​

This earbud was designed by Sony audio-engineering legend Makoto Yamagishi. He and his team had created Sony's first flathead earbud the MDR-E252 that debuted in JUNE 1982 and Makoto went on to create Sony's renowned "Acoustic Turbo System" aka "Nude Turbo" / "Turbo Nude" which was used in Sony earbud models starting from 1984 onwards, as well as deployed in Aiwa's GT and Pipe Phone models from 1985 and 1988 onwards... by 1982 Sony was a majority controlling parent of Aiwa and heavily influenced Aiwa product designs and used them as a platform to test out new technologies and designs.

The Sony MDR-E262 and then Sony MDR-E242, both introduced in 1984, were the first models to make use of Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system which initially employed a single vent at the end of the stem as shown in the pic on the left. The 1988 Sony MDR-E484 Twin Turbo Nude "Cela", utilizing two vents (one in the stem and one behind the driver as seen in the picture on the right), is considered to be the pinnacle of Makoto Yamagishi's acoustic turbo system design.

vs

Makoto Yamagishi (above) retired from Sony in 2009 and went on to create the IEM company Ocharaku Corporation.

You really know him? I read an interview a few years ago with him...I wish I could just meet him and pick his brains about all the tech used He must be a genius. E484 should be the best from the golden era Sonys with E282 and E565-E575. I have both E484 and E282, but unfortunately my E484s lack drivers. Although my E282 sounds absolutely stellar, the best earbuds I have ever came across. Very mid-forward though, but the details, the soundstage, instrument separation are just brilliant. I also heard intact E484s, and tbh it's a hard decision between them and E282s.

 

[mt877]

Had some mail today.

You've been busy. Nice haul!

 

[nofarewell]

I didn't expect any less from you. This is amazing info.
And after Sony and AIWA, Makoto still doing some fantastic job

Yes! heard about his new brand, have any of you listened to those?

 

[furyossa]

Yes! heard about his new brand, have any of you listened to those?

Mr Woody of courseHe said that they are “deadly” to treble sensitive people.
BTW ... It's not new brand.

 

[yaps66]

You've been busy. Nice haul!

Love buds! So very addictive!

 

[WoodyLuvr]

You really know him? I read an interview a few years ago with him...I wish I could just meet him and pick his brains about all the tech used He must be a genius. E484 should be the best from the golden era Sonys with E282 and E565-E575. I have both E484 and E282, but unfortunately my E484s lack drivers. Although my E282 sounds absolutely stellar, the best earbuds I have ever came across. Very mid-forward though, but the details, the soundstage, instrument separation are just brilliant. I also heard intact E484s, and tbh it's a hard decision between them and E282s.

Yes, my elder Japanese Two-Channel & Thermionic Valve mentor and Makoto were best friends.

Indeed, there a number of golden era Sony and Aiwa earbuds that vie for first place.

 

[GREQ]

"Acoustic Turbo System" aka "Nude Turbo" / "Turbo Nude"

"Turbo Nude" sounds more like a brand for stripper-clothing.

 

[samandhi]

Please welcome to the stage, the one.. The only... Turbo-Nude...


Nope, sounds more like a stripper's name than their clothing.. LOL

 

[SlimCharles]

I keep on being surprised by the Fengru EMX500.

Before it I tried others: Qian69, Yincrow X6, Boarseman ¿K25?, 1more EO320, Edifier H180 and the typical stuff you get with smartphones (Samsung, Huawei...). NONE is nowhere near the resolving capabilities of the Fengru. Maybe the Qian, I don't remember too well, but still I'm fearly confident the Fengru is better. Because I've tried most open backs that worth noting until the 200 euro mark: DT990, AD700x, K701, HD560s, Fidelio X2, HE400i... And I can say only the Sundara is very clearly better in terms of microdetail. Obviously, over ear open backs smash the Fengru in terms of soundstage, separation and the "size" of sound.

But damn, that this 10 euro tiny piece of crap sounds so crisp compared to most big boys that cost 10 times more... Maybe earbuds are not that inferior as I believed.

 

[samandhi]

I keep on being surprised by the Fengru EMX500.

Before it I tried others: Qian69, Yincrow X6, Boarseman ¿K25?, 1more EO320, Edifier H180 and the typical stuff you get with smartphones (Samsung, Huawei...). NONE is nowhere near the resolving capabilities of the Fengru. Maybe the Qian, I don't remember too well, but still I'm fearly confident the Fengru is better. Because I've tried most open backs that worth noting until the 200 euro mark: DT990, AD700x, K701, HD560s, Fidelio X2, HE400i... And I can say only the Sundara is very clearly better in terms of microdetail. Obviously, over ear open backs smash the Fengru in terms of soundstage, separation and the "size" of sound.

But damn, that this 10 euro tiny piece of crap sounds so crisp compared to most big boys that cost 10 times more... Maybe earbuds are not that inferior as I believed.

Nice! The Sundara are a nice set too.

It is always rewarding to find a great set for your ears. But, I think it is even more rewarding when you find that "gem" that seem to be worth SO much more than you paid for it. Maybe it is placebo, but does that thought contribute to making them sound better???

 

[SlimCharles]

Nice! The Sundara are a nice set too.

It is always rewarding to find a great set for your ears. But, I think it is even more rewarding when you find that "gem" that seem to be worth SO much more than you paid for it. Maybe it is placebo, but does that thought contribute to making them sound better???

I understand completely the awareness of placebo, but I have A/B tested the Fengru and the 560S, and the Fengru is very very close in terms of detail retrieval. And the Fengru does have slightly tighter bass, which is remarkable considering the bass is much more prominent than the Sennheiser.

Obviously, the big boy eats the earbud in some areas. And might seem I said otherwise, but I was not putting the Sundara and the Fengru in the same place. The Hifiman, as it should, munches the tiny Fengru in any area.