nikp
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2011
- Posts
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- 68
Just thought I drop in here to give you guys my quick impressions.
ES-830BB (Bamboo)
This is my first wooden headphone and IEM I've owned and to be honest, I'm very excited since you all know that every wooden headphone has its unique sound. Gonna start with sound because it's what I'm craving for. It sounds very very good and I'm not kidding. I'm impressed!
First thing about these is that it has a very good tonal balance. It's never harsh, just smooth and so sweet! Detail, soundstage and resolution is okay. Violins sounded awfully sweet on these and I loved it to bits. Microphonics is not a problem.
I was never a basshead and I think that it has just a little too much bass. But the thing is, I don't find them overpowering. Mids are still there and vocals are undisturbed. I'm wishing there would just be a little more impact. EQ seems to work well although I rarely used EQs. When the bass is toned down, that's when they really shine. Mids are perfectly transparent although they have a dark aspect to them. They seem to have an edge in acoustic recordings. Highs are a tad veiled and cymbals are not reproduced very well.
There is really no comparison to the DT880/HD600 as it simply crushes them in every aspect. But what really stands out from these cans is it's musical and sweet sound signature. Imo, I prefer these over the Pannies. After I got these, I rarely use my HTF600 and the ES-830BB completely replaced the HTF600 for me.
The earpads are mushy and snuggly on the ears. The headphone itself is extremely lightweight, the force on the head and clamping force is minimal. I have no problem wearing them for an extended amount of time.
The headphone I received is not retail packaged so I'm guessing they'll be making further changes on it. They do have replaceable cables and the package comes with two cables (45 degree and straight plug). Cable is a bit flimsy - very thin and imo will break if not taken care properly. The earcups fold like that of the Ultrasone Pro 750 but it does not as well. Isolation is okay for me but the sound leaks quite a bit (Person sitting beside you will know what you're listening to).
One other thing, you might be confused which earcup's right/left as there's no visible markings but that may change in the near future.
Conclusion: Great value can. I put this above the HTF600 like I said earlier - more detailed, transparent, better timbre, warmer, more musical. It's a good all rounder and I recommend this can if you can ignore its build quality (and maybe design). It's not meant to compete with cans ~$100+ but it is a great complement to neutral cans. Just a can for you to relax and enjoy the music. I don't think you will be disappointed by what it brings to the table. I call it a hidden gem. But then again, I didn't know if the SQ will be consistent throughout the models (especially wooden cans). Take for example the IEM I will be talking about in a bit. It has the compliments of other reviewers but not mine. I see potentially good cans in Esmooth's line up once it has a solid foundation.
ES-108EB (Ebony)
Firstly, I liked the design of this IEM - looks very clean and minimalistic. Then again, the markings L/R is hardly visible on it. It'll take you a solid minute just to figure out which one's which. My complaint still lies on the cable and this time, sound quality. Wearing style: straight down, you can't wear them over the ear.
If I were to put a review into a sentence it would be "This IEM is sweet sounding but has a muddy, uncontrolled bass which infects the entire frequency range". Bass is all over the place (TOO MUCH BASS!!!!) and I mean it. It has probably too much bass for a basshead too (Given that the HTF600 is a basshead approved can). I tried EQing the bass down and the bass is now more controlled (Thank you EQ). The ES-108 has a in-your-head kind of soundstage which perhaps some will like. Treble is rolled off, mids are recessed and details are lacking. Vocals are pushed too far back and it's not a worthy compromise.
Now to the good stuff: the sound signature is, as always, very sweet and musical. Timbre is good and the IEM is very full sounding.
I cannot recommend this IEM but they may fix it soon so we'll just eat some popcorn and see.
-Thanks for the samples, Steven!-
ES-830BB (Bamboo)
This is my first wooden headphone and IEM I've owned and to be honest, I'm very excited since you all know that every wooden headphone has its unique sound. Gonna start with sound because it's what I'm craving for. It sounds very very good and I'm not kidding. I'm impressed!
First thing about these is that it has a very good tonal balance. It's never harsh, just smooth and so sweet! Detail, soundstage and resolution is okay. Violins sounded awfully sweet on these and I loved it to bits. Microphonics is not a problem.
I was never a basshead and I think that it has just a little too much bass. But the thing is, I don't find them overpowering. Mids are still there and vocals are undisturbed. I'm wishing there would just be a little more impact. EQ seems to work well although I rarely used EQs. When the bass is toned down, that's when they really shine. Mids are perfectly transparent although they have a dark aspect to them. They seem to have an edge in acoustic recordings. Highs are a tad veiled and cymbals are not reproduced very well.
There is really no comparison to the DT880/HD600 as it simply crushes them in every aspect. But what really stands out from these cans is it's musical and sweet sound signature. Imo, I prefer these over the Pannies. After I got these, I rarely use my HTF600 and the ES-830BB completely replaced the HTF600 for me.
The earpads are mushy and snuggly on the ears. The headphone itself is extremely lightweight, the force on the head and clamping force is minimal. I have no problem wearing them for an extended amount of time.
The headphone I received is not retail packaged so I'm guessing they'll be making further changes on it. They do have replaceable cables and the package comes with two cables (45 degree and straight plug). Cable is a bit flimsy - very thin and imo will break if not taken care properly. The earcups fold like that of the Ultrasone Pro 750 but it does not as well. Isolation is okay for me but the sound leaks quite a bit (Person sitting beside you will know what you're listening to).
One other thing, you might be confused which earcup's right/left as there's no visible markings but that may change in the near future.
Conclusion: Great value can. I put this above the HTF600 like I said earlier - more detailed, transparent, better timbre, warmer, more musical. It's a good all rounder and I recommend this can if you can ignore its build quality (and maybe design). It's not meant to compete with cans ~$100+ but it is a great complement to neutral cans. Just a can for you to relax and enjoy the music. I don't think you will be disappointed by what it brings to the table. I call it a hidden gem. But then again, I didn't know if the SQ will be consistent throughout the models (especially wooden cans). Take for example the IEM I will be talking about in a bit. It has the compliments of other reviewers but not mine. I see potentially good cans in Esmooth's line up once it has a solid foundation.
ES-108EB (Ebony)
Firstly, I liked the design of this IEM - looks very clean and minimalistic. Then again, the markings L/R is hardly visible on it. It'll take you a solid minute just to figure out which one's which. My complaint still lies on the cable and this time, sound quality. Wearing style: straight down, you can't wear them over the ear.
If I were to put a review into a sentence it would be "This IEM is sweet sounding but has a muddy, uncontrolled bass which infects the entire frequency range". Bass is all over the place (TOO MUCH BASS!!!!) and I mean it. It has probably too much bass for a basshead too (Given that the HTF600 is a basshead approved can). I tried EQing the bass down and the bass is now more controlled (Thank you EQ). The ES-108 has a in-your-head kind of soundstage which perhaps some will like. Treble is rolled off, mids are recessed and details are lacking. Vocals are pushed too far back and it's not a worthy compromise.
Now to the good stuff: the sound signature is, as always, very sweet and musical. Timbre is good and the IEM is very full sounding.
I cannot recommend this IEM but they may fix it soon so we'll just eat some popcorn and see.
-Thanks for the samples, Steven!-
