[waynes world]

Trying out a few 'new' vintages today.
Starting with the Sony MDR-E212

I don't think they would impress anyone around here, but it's still nice to appreciate how comptent the sound used to be, even from entry level Sony buds.
Very smooth sound, and surprisingly competent resolution.

Form factor is a bit old fashioned.
Doesn't sit perfectly, so the sound is affected.

Next up, Sony MDR-E557.

These surprised me. I read only mediocre things about these.
I would put these easily on par with the Kubes.

Quite similar tuning and they both have a similarly linear midrange.
Weird form factor, but it works well with my ear shape. I like them.
(using thick foam with these)

I didn't think I'd ever get to try one of these.

Sony MDR-E868

First of all... that translucent blue plastic case!
I do enjoy these little details.

I thought these were rather excellent.
Not as much bass slam as I'm used to from Sabia V6, Kube, some DIY buds and even BK2, but the linearity, treble quality and detail are great.
I guess these are much closer to 'reference' sound than I've heard from a bud before.

Only when something better comes along do you more clearly hear the problems in the buds you owned before.
The E868 highlighted some midrange problems in the BK2, which now I can't unhear

These are the best buds I've ever heard, but man, have I heard too few.
(using ultra-thin foams on these)

• Something I wasn't expecting!! The stems are flexible rubber!! I was a little freaked out at first

You lucky so and so! They actually do look new! Thanks for the impressions of those vintage beauties (nice pics too). Love the Kubes and Sabia V6's as well

 

[GREQ]

You lucky so and so! They actually do look new! Thanks for the impressions of those vintage beauties (nice pics too). Love the Kubes and Sabia V6's as well

Very lucky indeed.
I think that might be my only high stat upon character creation.

 

[gordonli]

Got the Smabat M2s Pro (stock driver) recently and have been listening for the past few days.

I like this earbud a lot, especially the soundstage, which is unique among the devices I own. Very wide, which can sound like behind my head in some recordings. Maybe could even say its deep, but rather than extending forward, it begins intimately and wraps around and behind. Something I can't get with stereo speakers in front of me, though it's not better than that, just different. Does anyone else have this impression?

Edit: I came back to listen again and the wraparound difference to other buds is not as far as I had thought. Hooray for recency bias!

Spoiler: With ivipQ cable & Hiby FC3 dongle

Spoiler: EQ I'm using atm with my unit, stock driver, medium density full foams, worn over ears & diagonally down

This is not to full neutrality just a quick something to get in the ballpark.

Preamp: -4.4 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 3200 Hz Gain -8 dB Q 1.3
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 50 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 1.5
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2000 Hz Gain -7 dB Q 2
Filter 4: ON LSC 1.41 dB Fc 1000 Hz Gain -5 dB
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1400 Hz Gain 2 dB Q 1.5
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 90 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 1
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 25 Hz Gain 11 dB Q 1.5
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain -8.3 dB Q 1
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8000 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 1

 

[GTAm]

Hi guys,
Any particular reason why are these so cheap - assuming they are EBX21?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003538996727.html

 

[BCool]

My guess would be stock clearance due to either being discontinued or really low demand. Legit seller though so probably nothing wrong with the units themselves.

 

[GTAm]

Has anyone had a chance to compared them against RX2000?

 

[yaps66]

Hi guys,
Any particular reason why are these so cheap - assuming they are EBX21?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003538996727.html

Yes. Confirm that I received this and it was the EBX21. I bought these together with the RW2000. The EBX21 are good but my preference is the RW2000. I find them more musical and the bass on the RW2000 is more to my liking. The RW2000 is my current goto.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

You lucky so and so! They actually do look new! Thanks for the impressions of those vintage beauties (nice pics too). Love the Kubes and Sabia V6's as well

Very lucky indeed.
I think that might be my only high stat upon character creation.

Wow! I had figured those were aged stock photos! @GREQ you are one lucky dog to get in such fine condition. Thank you for sharing those pics. They bring back fond memories of the 1980s when I had those! Enjoy your treasures.

 

[Plancu]

Did you put on some foams?
Or was is bassless with foam?

Both. It came with donut-shaped foams which don't do much in terms of bass.
Thank you for your reply.

 

[Plancu]

Earbuds from this link above are not Yincrow X6 at all.
You can get real Yincrow X6 here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32809743166.html

Yes, I suspect the same, despite the famous seller who seems to be appreciated on this forum.
Thank you for the link. I'll give it a try.

 

[samandhi]

Got the Smabat M2s Pro (stock driver) recently and have been listening for the past few days.

I like this earbud a lot, especially the soundstage, which is unique among the devices I own. Very wide, which can sound like behind my head in some recordings. Maybe could even say its deep, but rather than extending forward, it begins intimately and wraps around and behind. Something I can't get with stereo speakers in front of me, though it's not better than that, just different. Does anyone else have this impression?

Spoiler: With ivipQ cable & Hiby FC3 dongle

Spoiler: EQ I'm using atm with my unit, stock driver, medium density full foams, worn over ears & diagonally down

Preamp: -4.4 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 3200 Hz Gain -8 dB Q 1.3
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 50 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 1.5
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2000 Hz Gain -7 dB Q 2
Filter 4: ON LSC 1.41 dB Fc 1000 Hz Gain -5 dB
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1400 Hz Gain 2 dB Q 1.5
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 90 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 1
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 25 Hz Gain 11 dB Q 1.5
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain -8.3 dB Q 1
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8000 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 1

Very nice! Glad you like them. I like them as well.

As a matter of fact I got that feeling as well. It IS definitely unique. IMO that feeling becomes lesser with different drivers in it, though they sound a bit better to my ears. Don't let that discourage you though, because like @Ronion has said, all the drivers sound great in this shell.

I think that I might be an outlier here, because I actually think the Super One driver (100 ohms fiber membrane) sounds best in these shells, though my listening data is still incomplete until I receive my 32 ohm fiber drivers.

 

[Plancu]

The X6 should have okay bass for a bud, low resolution and a bit dark sounding d/t their lack of pinna gain, but not irritating to listen too. I’d go with the Vido if you want to go that route. Same driver and tuning, just 1/3 of the price. In a month you’ll want to upgrade anyway.

How would you describe the subbass of the X6 ? Does it (audibly) reach 35Hz ? Or is there a significant roll out ?
I found this link for Vido:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/3283...2101e9d416582580498801970e965c!65075825439!sh

Is this what you meant ? Or do you have a better link ?

Thank you very much

 

[Scubadevils]

Trying out some VE buds and the Megatron as part of the EU tour. Sun Dice my favourite, such a beautiful smooth presentation but with nice detail and clarity - wonderful timbre too... I suspect I'll buy one at some point! Asura 3.0 very nice also, a touch brighter.

 

[Plancu]

The X6 should have okay bass for a bud, low resolution and a bit dark sounding d/t their lack of pinna gain, but not irritating to listen too. I’d go with the Vido if you want to go that route. Same driver and tuning, just 1/3 of the price. In a month you’ll want to upgrade anyway.

How would you describe the subbass of the X6 ? Does it (audibly) reach 35Hz ? Or is there a significant roll ?
I found this link for Vido:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/3283...2101e9d416582580498801970e965c!65075825439!sh

Is this what you meant ? Or do you have a better suggestion in terms of seller ?

 

[Plancu]

I have similar issue with LBBS - it is the lack of stem that makes the small, light shell unstable in the ear.
Direct upgrade to X6/Vido would be RY4S+ which has mmcx, so you can connect a cable of your choice. The best sounding cheap earbud is Ksearphone K64, it has flatter signature than X6, but it is excellent.

Could you please share the links for Ksearphone K64 and RY4S+ ? There are multiple versions on aliexpress and, if left alone, I have a tendency to order the wrong one

Thank you very much