Lam3r_co.
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Posts
- 18
- Likes
- 1
Few posts back, I was asking for an advice on TWS IEMs and since I got no answer, I went through online reviews and bought Panasonic RZ-S500W. They were discounted 50% to 62euros and had stellar reviews, so I thought why not.
I just got them and have to say, these are absolutely terrible. I've got no idea how are these getting so great reviews (example). The sound is muddled, like coming through a rag and it's missing details. It's also missing dynamic range, but that's maybe the wireless compression? All music sounds like it got mastered during the peak of loudness war era.
I did an A/B comparison between these and Etymotic MK5 and the difference is mind boggling (I also have ER3SE, but that wouldn't be a fair comparison). The Panasonics are all bass, overpowering everything else (I know etymotic and bass goes together like vampires and garlic, but still...) After trying multiple ear tip sizes on the Panasonics and EQing the bass 7db down, it's slightly more bearable, but it's still like turning on an old radio. Any violins are almost completely gone, acoustic guitars are lacking top end zing and there's a weird "hole" in vocals.
On the plus side, the headphones are really comfortable, but I don't see the usage for anything more than podcasts.
Does anyone have a suggestion for something more similar to the signature Etymotic sound? Just crisp and detailed with good separation.
My other experience is with Airpods Pro (worse than these Panasonics, but at least without overpowering bass) and Sennheiser Momentum 2 (these were better, but couldn't get a good seal).
Thanks
I just got them and have to say, these are absolutely terrible. I've got no idea how are these getting so great reviews (example). The sound is muddled, like coming through a rag and it's missing details. It's also missing dynamic range, but that's maybe the wireless compression? All music sounds like it got mastered during the peak of loudness war era.
I did an A/B comparison between these and Etymotic MK5 and the difference is mind boggling (I also have ER3SE, but that wouldn't be a fair comparison). The Panasonics are all bass, overpowering everything else (I know etymotic and bass goes together like vampires and garlic, but still...) After trying multiple ear tip sizes on the Panasonics and EQing the bass 7db down, it's slightly more bearable, but it's still like turning on an old radio. Any violins are almost completely gone, acoustic guitars are lacking top end zing and there's a weird "hole" in vocals.
On the plus side, the headphones are really comfortable, but I don't see the usage for anything more than podcasts.
Does anyone have a suggestion for something more similar to the signature Etymotic sound? Just crisp and detailed with good separation.
My other experience is with Airpods Pro (worse than these Panasonics, but at least without overpowering bass) and Sennheiser Momentum 2 (these were better, but couldn't get a good seal).
Thanks