Got the IE8's....a bit disappointed! [UPDATE!]

[solaris7]

Hi guys,
God I did not know that I would end up making this thread but here I am. So i received the IE8's the other day(have had it for about 2 days), unboxed them, just checked to make sure they were real (even though the product was shipped form an authorized dealer (premier sponsor on this forum), who probably shipped it directly from sennheiser).
On my first listen, I was not really as blown away as I thought I would be, I am coming from the klipsch image s4, which is also known for its bass. There was also this note, sorry not very technical, that sounds pretty harsh. Bass is ok, presently a bit better than the s4's. Clarity is better than the s4's but not such a huge jump (6 times the price!). Also, I am pretty sure they are real, they came with all the accessories and they have that little reddish brown wire in them, though they are not that visible.
Well, the earphones are ok, not as mind blowing (since it has a mind blowing price) as I thought they would be. I have put the earphones for burn-in with music at a higher than normal volume. Will I see a change or am I just wasting my time and just return them?
 
UPDATE 1 - 50 + hrs of burn in
Hmmm, the soundstage seems to have opened up a bit after 50+ hrs of burn-in. I do hear a difference, not a major one but at the same time not a minor one. Lets see where this takes me!

 

[K-MONEY]

I went from the S4 to the Coppers. From Coppers to TF10. From TF10 to IE8.
 
HUGE difference in sound stage, bass, and clarity. IE8 is the real deal. Trust me, give them time and don't think about the price, IT IS a good upgrade, a TREMENDOUS upgrade.
 
The Coppers were boring. TF10 sounded vield compared to the Coppers and IE8, and the spark just wasn't there with them.
 
The IE8's go a LONG way. I recommend you really give them time and if you're really still worried, compare them with other headphones you wanted to purchase and I can guarantee you will choose the IE8's over any.

 

[stevenswall]

Never be afraid to return something you don't like! I have never experienced a significant, or even audible, change in the sound characteristics of the headphones I own, all of which are dynamic...
 
On a different note, I would recommend you try the KDE/250 in my profile pic, after you have returned the IE8. It has heavy bass emphasis like the IE8 is supposed to have, but is much cheaper, and has an extra tweeter in each ear that the Senns lack, ensuring clarity even when playing a heavy bass genre of music.
 
If it doesn't work for you sound wise while it's new and exiting, It definitely won't work once you have had it for a while.
 
If you want a slightly more balanced, more accurate and smoother sound, try the Radius DDM, which is also a dual dynamic headphone. I have listened to the DDM, and will admit that it is superior to my KDE/250 in many ways.

 

[j57park]

ya i found the ie8 to be constantly changing at different burn-in marks.
 
give them about 150 hours of listen and if you still don't like it, return it. and try some analytical iem.

 

[dweaver]

If you can afford to wait a couple days, download the burnin files in my signature (the P-W biased one is the one you will want) and let them cook for 24hrs and then have a listen and see what you think. THe IE8 does change in sound significantly when burned in properly in my opinion. Having said that I ended up selling my IE8 in the end. Today I am listening to a pair of SM3 that I have done a small easily reversible modification to and have to say they are pretty much perfect to my ears. They have zero recessed areas, a huge sound stage, and just the right balance between clarity and smoothness and are about the same price as the IE8 if your buying the IE8 from an authorized reseller (which due to fakes is the only safe way to buy them).

 

[wht]

As is the experience of many with the IE8, give it some burn-in time.

 

[mvw2]

Not everyone will like it. 
 
Also, burn in the thing.
 
Plus while it doesn't really need amping, it can actually soak up a lot of wattage if you have it.  I small amp like the FiiO E5 can clean up the bottom end some, a good amp + DAC (or good source player) can improve the overall SQ a bit with a lot of earphones.  It really depends on what you're using.  Some of these higher level earphones are revealing enough that your hardware can actually limit the SQ.

 

[CEE TEE]

I keep changing tips (and buying/trying new ones) as my priorities vacillate between SQ and comfort at times.
 
And, I am still learning/adjusting to wearing all these varying tips <as lightly in the canal as possible> without significant gaps...that's where the detail and balance is for me.
 
That said, my Icon Mobile is helping a lot as well.  My friend explains that the amp helps because when the phones pull a lot of energy to handle bass or complexity, it can have the effect of compressing the music and you lose top end sparkle.  That and the FR for the Mobile looks like it rolls some bass off as well.  So I'm keeping the bass ports fully open to de-restrict the FR below the mid-bass hump and control the bass with the amp.
 
Sounds like a lot of work, but I want the bass impact and extension when I listen to serious electronic music and I love the detachable cables and wearing the iems "down."
 
Someday, I do want to try multi-BA driven iems.  I have that to look forward to in my older, richer age!

 

[CEE TEE]

I admit to being really confused at times and wanting to sell my PK1's because I don't listen to them and then for a period, I'll think the PK1's are better!
 
So, consider that confession if you listen to anything I say...

 

[mvw2]

Keep what you see yourself picking up most often.

 

[yello131]

 
Quote:

Never be afraid to return something you don't like! I have never experienced a significant, or even audible, change in the sound characteristics of the headphones I own, all of which are dynamic...
 
On a different note, I would recommend you try the KDE/250 in my profile pic, after you have returned the IE8. It has heavy bass emphasis like the IE8 is supposed to have, but is much cheaper, and has an extra tweeter in each ear that the Senns lack, ensuring clarity even when playing a heavy bass genre of music.
 
If it doesn't work for you sound wise while it's new and exiting, It definitely won't work once you have had it for a while.
 
If you want a slightly more balanced, more accurate and smoother sound, try the Radius DDM, which is also a dual dynamic headphone. I have listened to the DDM, and will admit that it is superior to my KDE/250 in many ways.

 
Radius DDM are regarded by many to be quite similar to IE8:  both are Dynamic drivers,  DDM is Dual, IE8 is single
Sound signature is somewhat similar but of course both perform differently. My preference is towards DDM, not only because I prefer them over IE8 for its unique design and sound presentation but also the price is much better.
Note, DDM has caused uncomfortable sensation  to one or two fellows here on Head-fi due to its unorthodox look and shape of the ear.
 
 

 

[Surrealsky]

The ie8 sounded horrible right from the box and improves tremendously ( i cant think of another iem that has such huge change through burn in), it stopped for me right after almost 300 hours with them and it was really smooth and sparkly. The soundstage is wide and HUGE. Feeling like sitting right in the center of a huge symphony hall. Give it more time and you will be rewarded.

 

[Katun]

Don't worry, you may just need to spend more time with them.
 
When I first got my Pro Golds, I was very disappointed with how they sounded. Even now, a week later and after burn in, they still don't "make my jaw drop". Although they do sound better and "thicker" than my 9850's, the price difference is not really worth it. It almost seems the more you go up in price, the smaller SQ improves. It's almost like I've heard a million times, "Some people pay a hefty price for that 10%-15% extra in SQ".
 
I sorta want to return my Pro Golds, but unfortunately J&R doesn't allow in-ear headphone returns.

 
Give 'em a week or so, and see if you like them then. If you don't, get your money back. I feel the exact same way. Better SQ? Yes. Worth all that extra money? Not really. (For me and my Golds anyway).

 

[solaris7]

Thanks Guys! I will give them a whole week to burn in and see what happens, I am not really interested in any other IEM's because they don't really fit my needs and expectations!

 

[stevenswall]

^What are your needs and expectations? We could guide you better if you could offer us some detail as to what you are looking for exactly.
 
If you are disappointed by them, and looking for a change, the best change would be to something that doesn't disappoint in the first place. In my experience, burn in is indeed a waste of time.
 
The longer you wait for the IE8 to change and satisfy you, the less likely you are to return them. First impressions are typically accurate, as are first answers on most tests, second guessing is not a good thing, as it leads to confusion, and wrong results. If you don't return it, the manufacturer wins, selling you a product for which you have high expectations, and then keeping it even though it did not meet those expectations.
 
If you need an IEM with lots of deep bass, look on headphone.com for frequency response graphs, and go from there, don't wait the 30 days for your choices to be severely limited by the return policy!