Dec 15, 2008 at 5:40 AM Post #1,022 of 1,734
Well, I finally got a chance to sit down for an extended period with my C3s.

I have no buyer's remorse at all. These are excellent IEMs and well worth the money. As far as the review:

The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was the excellent case that is included with the earphones. It is both functional and sturdy, and it eliminates the need to buy another case(after all, these are quite expensive).

The fit and comfort is incredible. It took me about 10 minutes to first figure out how to put them in my ears, and then another 10 trying to get them out. And then, after 30 minutes, they started to get uncomfortable. I tried to twist them out, and *pop* they slid into place. I forgot that you have to give them a couterclockwise twist. Now they fit like a glove. With music on, I can't hear people talk in front of me. It's actually quite alarming when someone walks up behind me and touches me on the back to get my attention.

Now on to the sound:

The bass is full and deep, with great extension and volume. On tracks with extreme bass, such as Massive Attack's "Angel" and "Teardrop" you could feel the earphones vibrate a little with the power of the bass. There was (very) slight distortion at the beginning of "Angel," meaning that the extension may not be enough for the song, but overall it performed quite well. Some others have said that there is too much bass; I'm a bit of a basshead so I enjoy it. I haven't had to EQ these at all.

I feel that the high bass and the mids are where the C3s really shine. The high bass tones and mids feel in-your face and visceral. Some will prefer a more laid-back phone, but I don't. The immediacy of the music really makes my heart pump. The mids give the 'phones an 'aggressive' feeling, as EyeAmEye put it.

The highs are good but not great; I auditioned a friend's Westone 3s and their highs were definitely better. The C3s seem to be rolled-off. Honestly, though, I don't notice most of the time. The rolling-off occurs at such high frequencies that I didn't notice until I sat down to write this review. Despite the rolling-off, I don't think the C3s treble is bad. I'd say it is on par with the Shure SE530.

The C3s have a high level of detail. I'm currently in the process of rediscovering my music(again), and I greatly enjoy hearing things in my favorite songs that I had never heard before.

I listened to the 'phones unamped before I plugged in my BSG Cmoy. There's no doubt that the amp, even as basic as it is, drastically improved the sound quality. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to these unamped, but adding an amp improves the level of detail, soundstage, and eliminates much of the low-level hiss that comes with the sensitivity of the earphones.

I love these more every minute I sit with them. They are great earphones for the price, and the custom fit is excellent. If I could go back, I'd do it all over again.

Anyway, just my $.02.
 
Dec 15, 2008 at 7:03 AM Post #1,023 of 1,734
Quote:

Originally Posted by AliveInOne /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Ralli,
i hope i didnt bum you out saying i got mine...



Nah, dun worry abt it...sincerely happy for you that u got yours. It's just that I'm leaving my country soon and hence...well...u know...I wish to get all the amp choosing, cable-swapping all done b4 flying.

I'm happy for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliveInOne /img/forum/go_quote.gif
...I actually ordered a rush on them because we had a show...


If it matters, assuming an exchange rate of 1.6, I paid ard USD$550 for my C3s. Too bad, this USD$550 doesn't include "rushed".

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliveInOne /img/forum/go_quote.gif
...I did everything i could not to blow up the phone every other day in anticipation


I'm just waiting...surviving on my backup IEM. I decided not to email them anymore, when I realise they're not very responsive when it comes to email. So, as the saying goes, "if it comes, it will come".

Any intent to swap your cables for UE custom cables?
 
Dec 15, 2008 at 7:18 AM Post #1,024 of 1,734
Quote:

Originally Posted by DesperateGhost /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Still no tracking number from Andre?


We have had no further email correspondence after the 1st 3 rounds of him answering my queries re: custom graphics. Besides, I went thru a middlemen/shop, so I'm not sure if I shld direct my queries at whom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by graj08 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
...The bass is full and deep, with great extension and volume. On tracks with extreme bass, such as Massive Attack's "Angel" and "Teardrop" you could feel the earphones vibrate a little with the power of the bass. There was (very) slight distortion at the beginning of "Angel," meaning that the extension may not be enough for the song, but overall it performed quite well. Some others have said that there is too much bass; I'm a bit of a basshead so I enjoy it. I haven't had to EQ these at all.

I feel that the high bass and the mids are where the C3s really shine. The high bass tones and mids feel in-your face and visceral. Some will prefer a more laid-back phone, but I don't. The immediacy of the music really makes my heart pump. The mids give the 'phones an 'aggressive' feeling, as EyeAmEye put it...



Thank you very much, I'll have to tink of how to "offset" this amt of bass when I choose my Mini3 amp. Then again, I may be swapping to UE custom cable so I'm unsure how those 2 variables will affect the bass, soundstage, and highs on the stock monitor.
 
Dec 15, 2008 at 8:09 AM Post #1,026 of 1,734
(Any intent to swap your cables for UE custom cables?)

Yeah I think I am going to swap cables. Too many people say its a good thing
Ive also found for more mellow music, Acoustic Type or John Mayer Type stuff the EQ curve on the monitors is great out of the box kinda thing, but for Heavier Rock type it needs some adjustments. Just some bringing out of the high end. Seems like everyone is saying the same thing. The monitors Have the ability to reproduce the High Frequencies just need something to adjust them. Like i was saying i bought these for stage monitoring and run them through a 15 band graphic EQ, sound and isolation are great!
 
Dec 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM Post #1,027 of 1,734
I swap to the UE cable already. But still have to wait for my C3. ralliart12 if i'm not wrong you ordered you C3 via Jaben right? If that's the case you wouldn't receive tracking no from Andre, you have to call Jaben to check it.
 
Dec 16, 2008 at 10:51 AM Post #1,028 of 1,734
3 weeks later and still no news.
I don't even know if the have my impressions.
I paid for a rush, sent my impressions from france and at the post office they told me that it will take 6 days...
As there was no possibility for tracking my impressions, i hope everything is ok. I don't want to call Andre, it will cost too much!
 
Dec 16, 2008 at 11:58 AM Post #1,029 of 1,734
Don't trust the number of days the post office gave you. The post office told me that it will take 5-8 days to reach but it took 18 days to reach the lab.

While i'm waiting for my C3 i found Nationite S:Flo and it look kinda cool & cheap. So i bought it. Have been seeing the good review in the mp4 nation's forum. Anyone own this player here?
 
Dec 18, 2008 at 12:58 AM Post #1,032 of 1,734
Quote:

Originally Posted by ralliart12 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
U see, I'm choosing a version of Mini3(as in the OP-AMP version), and since I have no C-3s to test them yet, I need to be careful not to choose aMini3 amp version that is too bass-ful to add TOO much bass to the C-3's ALREADY "significant" bass levels



Cos the UE custom cables costs SGD$90 over here...how did u manage to get it for USD$25? SGD$90 is ard USD$57. Did the cables reduce the bass?




What is the "lift" method? Cos previously I learnt one had to do some filing and shortening just to get ES2 cables onto a triplefi, so I'm more than a bit cautious to fit 3rd-party cables onto non-same-brand monitors...

Hope these qns r not too much trouble...



As Boomy says the lift method is to wedge a thin edge under the side of the plug gentle and rock and lift from the C3. This reduces pressure on the top plate. The cable were off of ebay and open the sound stage more that adjust bass levels. The high end though is much stronger. Cheers!
 
Dec 18, 2008 at 8:31 PM Post #1,034 of 1,734
Many of us have been toying with the Idea of a pure silve cable, I even have all the parts necessary. The downsides are as follows.

The small guage required 28-30 guage is usually availl. in solid strand and that is considered very fragile for a portable cable
Also the Silver is considered very "analyitcal" sounding where as the OFC copper is believed to be "Warmer" than silver.
The wire and Nuetriks and Pailiccs 3.5 plugs which I have also are very hard to work with because of the small size.
I even got some Ipod dock connectors to make my own LOD but I fear my hands are not steady enough for the minute soldering detail required.
so I have been procrastinating.
I would say mostly that I'm procrastinating though since I already have everyting, I might as well try.
 
Dec 18, 2008 at 10:40 PM Post #1,035 of 1,734
Quote:

Originally Posted by boomy3555 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The wire and Nuetriks and Pailiccs 3.5 plugs which I have also are very hard to work with because of the small size.
I even got some Ipod dock connectors to make my own LOD but I fear my hands are not steady enough for the minute soldering detail required.



Hey boomy....I'm not sure if you already use these or not, but a set of Helping Hands can be handy helpers for some of those soldering tasks. $6 isn't too bad either for a useful, functional tool.

I tried using the "I hear, therefore I am....." quote from your sig, but my girlfriend didn't fall for it.
rolleyes.gif
tongue.gif
Hey, it was worth a try, right?
 

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