Head-Fi Basshead IEM thread (lists page 1)

[vapman]

   
 
If you want basshead earphones that can hit harder even at lower volumes, these are the best I've come across.

That's the impression I got from your review, but wanted to double check on that.
thanks man
P.S. I see the Kicker has MMCXi connectors - are those compatible with MMCX?

 

[jameswalker]

   
You get good bass at lower volumes and unamplified. The Sony can hit harder if you turn the volume way up, amp it, and boost it.
 
If you want basshead earphones that can hit harder even at lower volumes, these are the best I've come across.

Are you referring to the kicker? In your opinion, how does that compare with the 2.5?

 

[vapman]

  Are you referring to the kicker? In your opinion, how does that compare with the 2.5?

I don't have the 2.5 anymore but I plan to buy the kicker very soon, as one of my main complaints with the 2.5 is how loud you turn it for bass to really bump. I'll of course post a comparison of the two however the comparison will have to be from my memory of the 2.5.

 

[thejammonster]

 

You get good bass at lower volumes and unamplified. The Sony can hit harder if you turn the volume way up, amp it, and boost it.

If you want basshead earphones that can hit harder even at lower volumes, these are the best I've come across.

Are you referring to the kicker? In your opinion, how does that compare with the 2.5?

He is talking about the Kicker. My comparison with the Kicker is that the 2.5 has more bass, even more when amped, and better mids & treble due to the 2 BA drivers. You do get what you pay for, though. At retail price the 2.5s are appropriately priced compared to the Kicker. If you can score the 2.5s at a discount, do not hesitate!

 

[jameswalker]

 
I don't have the 2.5 anymore but I plan to buy the kicker very soon, as one of my main complaints with the 2.5 is how loud you turn it for bass to really bump. I'll of course post a comparison of the two however the comparison will have to be from my memory of the 2.5.

I was set on the kickers, but people keep referring back to the 2.5 as the "ultimate". So, am in mixed opinion as to which way to go. Then I read people comparing the 2.0 to the 2.5 and preferring the 2.0! Nightmare!

 

[jameswalker]

He is talking about the Kicker. My comparison with the Kicker is that the 2.5 has more bass, even more when amped, and better mids & treble due to the 2 BA drivers. You do get what you pay for, though. At retail price the 2.5s are appropriately priced compared to the Kicker. If you can score the 2.5s at a discount, do not hesitate!

And another vote for the 2.5 over the kicker! Seems to be a common trend. Then vapman chimes in and skews my view again

 

[thejammonster]

He is talking about the Kicker. My comparison with the Kicker is that the 2.5 has more bass, even more when amped, and better mids

And another vote for the 2.5 over the kicker! Seems to be a common trend. Then vapman chimes in and skews my view again

I don't think you'll get much argument against the 2.5 here. Like I said the Kicker is appropriately priced. If money isn't an issue then 2.5 all day. When Hifiheadphones had the 2.5 for ~$365 USD I bought my second pair, that I have no use for, on the spot.

 

[jameswalker]

I don't think you'll get much argument against the 2.5 here. Like I said the Kicker is appropriately priced. If money isn't an issue then 2.5 all day.

So throw in say forte / harmony, 2.5 still winning overall? Thanks!

 

[vapman]

  I was set on the kickers, but people keep referring back to the 2.5 as the "ultimate". So, am in mixed opinion as to which way to go. Then I read people comparing the 2.0 to the 2.5 and preferring the 2.0! Nightmare!

I had the ASG 2.5 but I sold them and I am looking to get the kicker. I do miss the 2.5 from time to time but as it has been said in this thread before... the XB90EX is 90% of the ASG 2.5. You don't really get more you just get it a lot more refined.
 
To be honest when I think about the sound I do miss the 2.5's clarity but I personally don't think it warrants its price tag. If you're going to spend like $700 why not spend $900 and get something even better (according to me as i am the only one here who has heard the KL-SANKA or KL-REF). When I bought mine they were on the clearance sale and I paid under 400. I could have gotten more but I sold them for a little less than I paid.
 
I would not have gotten rid of them if they didn't need to be turned up as loud as they did for satisfying bass bump. Additionally they did not do as well as the Sony IEMs on sub bass only boosting. They only really did well when you boosted the mid bass IMO.
 
I hope to hear the 2.0 at some point. My hope is that the Kicker will have most of the clarity of the 2.5 will not require EQ and louder volumes to present satisfying levels of bass.
 
The fact some prefer the 2.0 to the 2.5, and some even prefer the Kicker to the 2.0 or 2.5 should show these models are all tuned differently and they are all bass competent. I would not expect the Kicker to have as much bass as a 2.5 with a powerful amp and bass EQ. I think it's pretty universally accepted that if you want the most bass you get the 2,5 and it is assumed you have EQ and amplification to back it up.

 

[thejammonster]

Oh and regarding vapman's opinion, while I respect it, I disagree. I use the 2.5 out of my phone and get plenty of bass. That's what the adjustable bass dial is for! I use an amp for volume purposes mostly.

 

[vapman]

Oh and regarding vapman's opinion, while I respect it, I disagree. I use the 2.5 out of my phone and get plenty of bass. That's what the adjustable bass dial is for! I use an amp for volume purposes mostly.

We're all here to respectfully disagree with each other. the only common opinion that should be shared in this thread is bass is good, bass is life.
I personally thought the unamped 2.5 sounded thinner than the unamped XB90EX.
 
To make a long story short @jameswalker you're just going to have to try them all for yourself.

 

[thejammonster]

I don't think you'll get much argument against the 2.5 here. Like I said the Kicker is appropriately priced. If money isn't an issue then 2.5 all day.

So throw in say forte / harmony, 2.5 still winning overall? Thanks!

I demoed both and they had too much treble for me. In terms of bass, the 2.5 rules. The Bravo series theoretically has equal bass but the added BA drivers in the Forte/Harmony increase treble which lessens the perceived bass. Not actual, perceived. The 2.5 has a nice smooth sound signature that was perfect for me.

 

[jameswalker]

 
We're all here to respectfully disagree with each other. the only common opinion that should be shared in this thread is bass is good, bass is life.
I personally thought the unamped 2.5 sounded thinner than the unamped XB90EX.
 
To make a long story short @jameswalker you're just going to have to try them all for yourself.

Try them all? I wish! Unfortunately I just missed the sales here in the UK as I have had some time away from this scene. I run a geek out amp but usually no EQ. I used to have IE80 which I broke so changed to wooduo 2's which I prefer. But now its 2.5 vs kicker vs forte etc! 

 

[thejammonster]

 


We're all here to respectfully disagree with each other. the only common opinion that should be shared in this thread is bass is good, bass is life.
I personally thought the unamped 2.5 sounded thinner than the unamped XB90EX.

To make a long story short @jameswalker
you're just going to have to try them all for yourself.

Try them all? I wish! Unfortunately I just missed the sales here in the UK as I have had some time away from this scene. I run a geek out amp but usually no EQ. I used to have IE80 which I broke so changed to wooduo 2's which I prefer. But now its 2.5 vs kicker vs forte etc! 

Your amp should be fine. I honestly think you'll be happy with whatever you can grab before they're gone for good. If you want smooth treble in the premium offering, get the 2.5. If you want a little less bass and smaller soundstage (IMO), get the Kicker. If you want more treble, get the Forte.

 

[ZMan2k2]

I had the 2.5s, rockin' the Forte's now. Had to sell the 2.5s because I needed parts for my truck. Do I miss them? Sometimes. When amped, at higher volumes, bass knob at 50%, they would kill brain cells. The Forte's are about 60-70% of the 2.5s. Unamped they are good, especially with Viper4Android.

I'm really lucky. My anniversary was recently, and I couldn't buy my wife anything. I've just dropped $2500 on my truck, to keep it on the road. She asked me what I would LOVE to have, I said the LG V10. That's what I'm rockin' as a phone/DAP now. The DAC/Amp in the V10 is amazing with the Forte's. I'm missing the 2.5s less everyday. And the Forte's don't leak sound like the 2.5s. The Forte's sound really organic, or analog, I'm no reviewer, so I'm not sure how to describe it. All I can say, Forte's, PowerAmp Alpha, LG V10. ...great combo.