Got My 2X-S!

[Zoide]

So, I finally got my Sensaphonics 2X-S yesterday.

I got them directly in the mail, since my audiologist was going to be away for a couple of days, and I didn't really want to wait until she'd be back

The disadvantage, of course, is that I had a very hard time trying to figure out how to insert the canalphones, especially with the right side. In the end, I got quite sore, especially on the right side. The friction of the silicone, together with my repeated attempts of jamming the things in, conspired against me

).

Later in the day yesterday, and by today, I think I've pretty much mastered how to put them in. Still, I have no way of being totally sure I'm doing it the right way, and I have a feeling the right side will need a remold b/c it doesn't feel as comfortable as the left side when it's in. Granted, it's still a bit hurt from yesterday's abuse...

On to the sound...

OK, so I haven't really listened to them that much, so my impressions are still pretty preliminar. (also have in mind I haven't met w/ my audiologist to see if I'm putting them in right in the 1st place)

In general, they sound very, very good. But at times they sound a bit... weird. I don't know. Keep in mind I've never owned an Ety or Shure. But when I switch to my Sony CD-3000s in some songs, the CD3Ks just sound more "right". Also, the CD3Ks seem to have a bit more "body", if that makes any sense.

At the same time, I agree completely with people's earlier comments about the 2X-S and sibilance. With the CD-3000s, Norah Jones' voice has a sandpaper-like rasp at the end of her words. It's like a sibilance but of breath and not of S's. With the 2X-S, her voice sound much more intimate, natural, and pleasing.

As others have noted, the canalphones have a very good build quality. However, I've noticed a couple of problems.

First, the memory plastic around the wire in the top has a sort of thin plastic layer that helps to make it opaque. In mine, this thin layer is peeling off. Is that normal?

Also, the part where the mold is "cut-off" (the flat part where the bores come out of, which goes into your canal) has a pretty uneven surface. What I mean is that there were some tiny rough spots jutting out, which I had to remove

with a knife (I'm talking tiny tiny bumps of silicone, I didn't mutilate my molds at all like that other guy in the forum

)

I had the feeling that maybe these irregularities could be partially responsible for the friction pain I had on the first day w/ my right side insertion.

Another thing is the cord length. I think it's probably the right length for a portable player, but definitely is stretching it (no pun intended) for desktop use, since it is quite short. Then again, if you're not a cable quality freak you can just get an extension cable at Radio Shack or something hehe.

So I'm still forming an opinion about them, but overall I'm pretty glad. I still haven't have the life-changing experiences most 2X-S buyers here have had, but I look forward to them, maybe once my sore ears get the treatment they deserve

(Btw, the plastic case they come in is awesome. It's *so* sturdy feeling... If I were a tiny elf I'd use it in case of nuclear holocaust

Oh, and the smaller, soft pouch is also pretty good.)

 

[Zoide]

And I forgot to add:

The 2X-S have much less hiss on my PPA (Elpac power supply, gain of 7 (?), OPA 627/637s) than my Sony CD-3000s do, even though they sound just about as loud with the same volume knob settings.

 

[toaster]

sweet man. enjoy 'em.

as far as some of the things you are saying:

- i agree that the cord length is pretty short, but i've worked with it and it has been fine, and i am 6' 3".

- as far as the remold for the right phone, i would definitely recommend it. if you think it's not as comfortable as it could be, it probably is not.

- the peeling of the memory plastic doesn't sound right. post a picture of it if you can, so we can get a better idea of what you are talking about.

- the bumps on the tips of the silicone ends doesn't sound too good either. i would have liked to see pictures of that before you cut it off.

- before you make any final judgments on the sound of the 2X's, (as you are the first person not to be blown away, so i'd like to try to help you reach that point if possible

) make sure both sides are fitting as well as they can. if you do not have a perfect seal the bass will not be anywhere near as deep and as solid as can be and there will be an overall imbalance in the sound if one phone is sealing better than the other.

hopefully you will come to reach the point that most of the 2X-S owners have reached, as it is a wonderful place to be.

 

[iamdone]

I think I know what you mean about having "less body". When I was using my hd650/zu while waiting to get these back, there is just something extra that's not in the 2x-s sound. As I said, the 2x-s sound technically superior but I think they might be a tad drier. It could also be a smaller soundstage. I'm not sure. I think they are clearer across the spectrum and have better bass impact.

I've been playing around with the opamp to adjust the sound and have settled with the ad8610 for now. This might also be giving me the more technical sound and maybe I'll try more opamp swapping to give a warmer sound.

I knew you would have trouble with getting them in without being shown. You start with the colored dot slightly down and put it slightly into your ears, then twist (clockwise on the left, counter-clockwise on the right). The top piece should fit right into the ear (and kind of lock in place) and the main part should be flush against your ear. Mine are much easier now than my previous ones to insert (they shortened the stem). That could be why the driver shorted out with all my trouble trying to get them in.

You can also order Oto-east for about $4 from the earplug store. It makes them go right in.

 

[Big D]

Let's address some of these issues......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide The disadvantage, of course, is that I had a very hard time trying to figure out how to insert the canalphones, especially with the right side. In the end, I got quite sore, especially on the right side. The friction of the silicone, together with my repeated attempts of jamming the things in, conspired against me ). Later in the day yesterday, and by today, I think I've pretty much mastered how to put them in. Still, I have no way of being totally sure I'm doing it the right way, and I have a feeling the right side will need a remold b/c it doesn't feel as comfortable as the left side when it's in. Granted, it's still a bit hurt from yesterday's abuse...

Hopefully this discomfort will settle down. I am sure your audiologist will be able to get you inserting them like a pro. If it doesn't resolve the issue then Sensaphonics will adjust the fit for you - no significant problem so I wouldn't worry too much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide First, the memory plastic around the wire in the top has a sort of thin plastic layer that helps to make it opaque. In mine, this thin layer is peeling off. Is that normal?

There is a gap between the earpiece and the memory wire plastic. About 2mm in length but noticable. I think this is what you are refering to and is normal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide Also, the part where the mold is "cut-off" (the flat part where the bores come out of, which goes into your canal) has a pretty uneven surface. What I mean is that there were some tiny rough spots jutting out, which I had to remove with a knife (I'm talking tiny tiny bumps of silicone, I didn't mutilate my molds at all like that other guy in the forum)

There are a couple of these little bumps in my moulds and they are insignificant in my opinion. Certainly shouldn't make any difference to comfort , fit or sound quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide In general, they sound very, very good. But at times they sound a bit... weird. I don't know. Keep in mind I've never owned an Ety or Shure. But when I switch to my Sony CD-3000s in some songs, the CD3Ks just sound more "right". Also, the CD3Ks seem to have a bit more "body", if that makes any sense.

It does take time to adjust to the sound. You are using high end headphones and the step up probably isn't as great as it has been for others so again don't worry, as long as you like the sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toaster22 - before you make any final judgments on the sound of the 2X's, (as you are the first person not to be blown away, so i'd like to try to help you reach that point if possible ) make sure both sides are fitting as well as they can. if you do not have a perfect seal the bass will not be anywhere near as deep and as solid as can be and there will be an overall imbalance in the sound if one phone is sealing better than the other.

Toaster's right that there are several factors to be checked before being too disappointed. You really need to see the audiologist to advise on the fit and discomfort. Don't be too disheartened!!

 

[Zoide]

Thanks guys for your advice & support.

Here's a pic that shows the peeling thing:

Right

Left

As far as the little bumps thing is concerned, they are (mostly were) so tiny that I don't think they'd show up in a picture. Like BigD says, they probably had a negligible effect on things.

 

[raisin]

I'm trying to figure out what you're experiencing with the memory wire.
It seems that the memory "sleeve" is slid over the underlying wire and is not molded into the monitor itself. On mine there is a slight separation between the plastic sleeve and the body of the monitor, Is this what you are refering to?

 

[Zoide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdone You can also order Oto-east for about $4 from the earplug store. It makes them go right in.

Are you talking about a specific one in the Bay Area or about earplug stores in general?

 

[Zoide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisin I'm trying to figure out what you're experiencing with the memory wire. It seems that the memory "sleeve" is slid over the underlying wire and is not molded into the monitor itself. On mine there is a slight separation between the plastic sleeve and the body of the monitor, Is this what you are refering to?

Well, I think the pictures are pretty clear. There's a thin plastic layer that is literally peeling away from the thicker plastic shell. Can you see what I'm saying?

 

[iamdone]

Is the memory sleeve coming apart? That does not look right. It should be smooth.

Oh, as far as opamp rolling, I give up. Everytime I try another one it sounds better. I've just put in the LT1028 and think it sound much fuller and more enjoyable than the ad8610. I had issues with male vocals with these opamps before but I'm not hearing it with the 2x-s. I also thought rock music didn't sound good with these opamps and the hd650, but it sounds great now. The problem is I'll try another opamps in there and think it sound better than this one.

I guess my advice is just try opamp rolling yourself and see what you end up with.

Now to try the LT1122.

Good luck with your headphones. If you do have any issues, Lisa will take care of you. You also can send directly back to sensaphonics if you don't have fit issues (like the memory cable).

 

[Big D]

That peeling plastic isn't anything like mine. Does it come away easily like a film? Or is it firmly attached?

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide Are you talking about a specific one in the Bay Area or about earplug stores in general?

Sorry, the internet.

Here's the link: http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/otluforcuplm.html

 

[toaster]

that's very odd. it almost looks like someone deliberately did that.

it doesn't really matter as it won't affect the sound obviously, but you definitely deserve some explanation for that.

 

[toaster]

looking at mine and then comparing them with your pictures, it actually looks like your memory plastic is actually FINE, but there is some sort of extra plastic coating they forgot to take off.

it's kinda like when you buy a new piece of electronics (cell phone, pda, ipod etc) and there is a sliver of plastic film protecting the screen that just peels right off. in examining your pictures further, it looks like that's what's going on.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 looking at mine and then comparing them with your pictures, it actually looks like your memory plastic is actually FINE, but there is some sort of extra plastic coating they forgot to take off. it's kinda like when you buy a new piece of electronics (cell phone, pda, ipod etc) and there is a sliver of plastic film protecting the screen that just peels right off. in examining your pictures further, it looks like that's what's going on.

I guess try peeling that layer off and see what happens.