Earbuds Round-Up

[tOMZY]

I would like to share my brief impressions on Penon BS1 Official version. Coming from Yincrow X6 I can clearly see them as a step-up. The build is top notch, could not expect anything more for the price. Compared to the X6, sound is more spatial with more forward mids. In some cases the vocals seemed to be too much in the face as if I was singing myself I find the bass and subbass very similar.
I basically agree with this reviewer which helped me understand better what sound qualities I am looking for in the earbuds - warm sound signature with deep, fast bass with only a slight bleed in to the mids. The focus should be on the mids but the vocals should not be right in front of the face. Any recommendations?

 

[ttorbic]

I would like to share my brief impressions on Penon BS1 Official version. Coming from Yincrow X6 I can clearly see them as a step-up. The build is top notch, could not expect anything more for the price. Compared to the X6, sound is more spatial with more forward mids. In some cases the vocals seemed to be too much in the face as if I was singing myself I find the bass and subbass very similar.
I basically agree with this reviewer which helped me understand better what sound qualities I am looking for in the earbuds - warm sound signature with deep, fast bass with only a slight bleed in to the mids. The focus should be on the mids but the vocals should not be right in front of the face. Any recommendations?

That reviewer doesn't use foams on earbuds...that's..unusual lol.

Anyway, what's your budget?

If under 40 USD, I'd recommend FH-01. Danny and I have reviewed it and you can them if you search here. Danny said it's a direct upgrade from X6

 

[samandhi]

Thanks for sharing. Are you saying that the whole of the mids are too forward, or that higher or lower vocals are too forward?

For my part, I would recommend the HB1 300Ω buds (though with foams rather than none), or the Yincrow RW2000 might also fit this bill. You might even find the Fiio FF1 to your liking as well.

If you are not adverse to a simple build that you can do yourself, I would HIGHLY recommend the MT Destiny buds.

There are many others, but these are the first that come to mind that have a goodly amount of bass, and a non offensive or over "exaggerated" upper mids tuning. Also, none of these suggestions are taking budget or fitment into account, since you didn't mention either.

 

[ttorbic]

Thanks for sharing. Are you saying that the whole of the mids are too forward, or that higher or lower vocals are too forward?

For my part, I would recommend the HB1 300Ω buds (though with foams rather than none), or the Yincrow RW2000 might also fit this bill. You might even find the Fiio FF1 to your liking as well.

If you are not adverse to a simple build that you can do yourself, I would HIGHLY recommend the MT Destiny buds.

There are many others, but these are the first that come to mind that have a goodly amount of bass, and a non offensive or over "exaggerated" upper mids tuning. Also, none of these suggestions are taking budget or fitment into account, since you didn't mention either.

Ahh I wish I could make the Destiny! I don't wanna keep asking for favours from Ascii maybe I can ask someone at work...

 

[tOMZY]

Thanks for sharing. Are you saying that the whole of the mids are too forward, or that higher or lower vocals are too forward?

Well, hard to explain. For example, the vocals in these tracks sound better to me on X6:
https://tidal.com/track/142463467?u
https://tidal.com/track/411503469?u
On Penon BS1 they are too shouty

Thanks for your recommendations.

Anyway, what's your budget?

Let's say, up to USD300.

 

[samandhi]

Ahh I wish I could make the Destiny! I don't wanna keep asking for favours from Ascii maybe I can ask someone at work...

These are quickly becoming my favorite buds for a dark, warm signature. The technicalities are also excellent on these. I do hope you find a way to get a set, as I really do think you would like them.

Put it this way, and I have not done a complete A/B to this point, but I might even like these a bit better than my beloved Yinman 600 2.0... (you read that right ).

Well, hard to explain. For example, the vocals in these tracks sound better to me on X6:
https://tidal.com/track/142463467?u
https://tidal.com/track/411503469?u
On Penon BS1 they are too shouty

Thanks for your recommendations.


Let's say, up to USD300.

That is what I suspected that you were talking about. Usually this is a boost in the 3K frequency (though it can vary somewhat), and I am VERY sensitive to this area (as you might have read about me). So the ones that I recommended above aren't boosted in that region to be shouty. It also just so happens that those have a well defined amount of bass as well.

The FiiO FF5 are also not offensive at all in any region (to my ears), but they don't have the bass quantity of the others that I have recommended. It is pretty tough getting commercially available buds nowadays that don't have at least SOME boost or over-exaggeration in this region (the pina gain). Others on here can give you some excellent recommendations as well, but of all the buds that I own, the ones I suggested are really the only ones that aren't fatiguing to my ears (different than painful, which some that I own are that too). For instance, the FiiO FF3 are a fantastic set of buds (some of the best bass in the market IMO), and the upper mids aren't boosted to the point of being painful to me, but they can become fatiguing after some time because it IS indeed boosted nonetheless.

 

[tOMZY]

Y2 White Tuning Paper
Black Medium Density Tuning Foam

the link to the Black Medium Density Tuning Foam is the same as the link to the Y2 White Tuning Paper. Should it be like this?

 

[samandhi]

the link to the Black Medium Density Tuning Foam is the same as the link to the Y2 White Tuning Paper. Should it be like this?

That is a good question. I don't think so though. We will have to wait to hear from @mt877 for the intended tuning foam (since there is probably a billion of these on AliX ).

 

[tOMZY]

That is what I suspected that you were talking about. Usually this is a boost in the 3K frequency (though it can vary somewhat), and I am VERY sensitive to this area (as you might have read about me). So the ones that I recommended above aren't boosted in that region to be shouty. It also just so happens that those have a well defined amount of bass as well.

Thanks, that's very helpful.

On the other hand, why are such earphones referred to as bass-head earphones with a negative aspect? I see them as full-range earphones, just as they should be. What's the point of recordings having sub-bass notes if the earphones can't reproduce that information properly?

 

[samandhi]

Thanks, that's very helpful.

On the other hand, why are such earphones referred to as bass-head earphones with a negative aspect? I see them as full-range earphones, just as they should be. What's the point of recordings having sub-bass notes if the earphones can't reproduce that information properly?

I think that if you are talking about IEMs and headphones, this makes perfect sense. However, up until fairly recently, flathead earbuds weren't really capable of making that sub-bass. So, what might be called bass-head earbuds, would not necessarily be considered such in the IEM/headphone world. Though, there is a (sometimes) subtle difference between bass boosted, and bass-head levels; and people's definitions of such vary as well. A lot of times (even now) earbud makers will boost the mid bass and upper bass to give the percieved quantity of bass that some designs still lack.

Plus, remember that some people like a neutral, or flat bass tuning, while others find that sort of tuning to be "bass lite". Most buds nowadays are capable of making sub bass, but it is rolled off to the point that it is way back in the mix. Anything that is boosted to be higher than the mids or treble in earbuds might be considered "bass-head" territory.

 

[mt877]

Ahh I wish I could make the Destiny! I don't wanna keep asking for favours from Ascii maybe I can ask someone at work...

For such a simple build, all you need is the listed materials, soldering iron, rosin core solder, a few simple hand tools like pointy tweezers and needle nose pliers and a little work space at the kitchen table. If you take a look at my earbuds soldering guide (or click the link in my signature) you'll get a good head start on how to solder. It just takes a little practice is all.

Edit: Let me know when you're ready to build a set, I'll give you some guidance via PM. Edit2: If you are interested, I would suggest to stick to the materials list. Just a small thing like using a different cable will change the sound of the buds. After the build, then use foams to fine tune the sound to your preferences within the buds sound characteristics.

the link to the Black Medium Density Tuning Foam is the same as the link to the Y2 White Tuning Paper. Should it be like this?

That is a good question. I don't think so though. We will have to wait to hear from @mt877 for the intended tuning foam (since there is probably a billion of these on AliX ).

Thanks guys, it's fixed now. @tOMZY, if you plan to get into DIY earbuds, it's worth it to get the complete selection of Y2 to Y6 white tuning paper and also both medium and high density black tuning foams.

On the other hand, why are such earphones referred to as bass-head earphones with a negative aspect? I see them as full-range earphones, just as they should be. What's the point of recordings having sub-bass notes if the earphones can't reproduce that information properly?

The reference to bass-head is not a negative connotation. It's just a nickname for people that love higher bass levels in their music and love head gear that also deliver the bass they love so much. Many bass-heads often refer to themselves as "certified bass-heads", just like there are folks that refer to themselves as treble-heads. In the end, it's just all good clean fun and nobody is offended by these terms.

 

[samandhi]

I would suggest to stick to the materials list. Just a small thing like using a different cable will change the sound of the buds. After the build, then use foams to fine tune the sound to your preferences within the buds sound characteristics.

With this set, the difference between thin foams, and thick foams makes a pretty sizable sonic difference. On the set that @mt877 was kind enough to make for me, he sent both Faael Thin foams, and HeIGI foams.... I tried them both, but for what I was looking for in the tuning, the HeIGI foams work best for me on this set.

The reference to bass-head is not a negative connotation.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention this in my explanation... You are right.

Though, I can see where it might be thought of as negative because back in the day when Beats was a thing , people that really loved them were often called such, and it WAS indeed meant to be a derogatory statement, because that is pretty much ALL you could hear with a set of those. In fact, I used to be a bass-head until I heard my first set that had actual clean sound, and from then on, I don't miss it (too much; though, now and again I have a few sets that I indulge in listening to still ).

 

[fidgeraldo]

I am very glad to hear that you like them, and hope you took no offense to the fact that they aren't to my liking.

Offended, never!
I only reacted because of the mention of the $5 worth category.
It would be a lot better if people leave a "review" on buds, without categorising.
That might cause someone not to buy something even though they might like it.
But anyway. I got BH1 300ohm today and this is what I can add about these two pairs.
And I will be short.
Completely different tuning with these two!
BH1: warm sounding, laid back, great bass, full body, probably tuning for the whole day listening, easier to perfect fit.
Starlight: In your face sound, bright-fresh sounding, big sound, fantastic bass, exciting tuning.

It's easy to see why someone would prefer one to another—they are entirely different—but I can't see one as better.
If you ask me, these two perfectly complement each other! Both pairs are great!

Once more, absolutely no offense taken...only defending the honour of Starlight!

Cheers!

 

[samandhi]

BH1: warm sounding, laid back, great bass, full body, probably tuning for the whole day listening, easier to perfect fit.

Short, concise, and spot on....

I might add, for those not aware (and I can't remember if I mentioned it in my impressions of them), that the HB1 300Ω are a bit on the heavy side (though nothing like the Chaconne, or Pavane) because they are polished titanium shells.

This is odd to me because Moondrop advertises this as an "elite" feature (e.g. that it costs extra to work and shine titanium), and is part of why their buds are so expensive, yet this maker is able to sell theirs for $20 or so... haha

 

[lordearl]

Yes I agree, HB1 and Starlight are indeed a good yin and yang complementary pair of buds that cover off on most scenarios. I enjoy both on different occasions.

Another combination at a budget below this level would be the Faaeal Rosemary + NiceHCK EB2S Pro. You achieve a similar set of sounds without breaking the bank!