My pair of sample BA100 arrived today.........
Briefly, the packaging and general quality of the IEM is very pleasant. The provided tips are really good and very Ortofon like. I would recommend anyone who wants to buy Ortofon tips to buy a pair of BA100, have the tips in S. M. L., and get the IEMs thrown in.
An interesting feature is the copper(?) stems.
I am a firm believer that one can never over source or amp a pair of IEMs. So, I have followed this train of thought and have been listening to the BA100 out of the ASP TU-05, Wagnus S and Mass Kobo 385 source by the Hex Dac, and with serious cabling.
The BA100 are pretty diminutive, and quite similar in size to the IE800 so I am wearing them in the same way. Cable down, IEM firing upwards into my ear canals. Out of the box and with the tips changed to large and on the edge of the stem, they sounded wishy washy......imaging was literally all over the place or at least to what I am accustomed to. My thoughts were $49 introductory, or $69 at full retail, no biggie, nice effort.
Then, by pulling tips all the way down the stem and literally exposing the metal stems. (as per the picture above) What an improvement! Things has click into place, and the sonic picture that the BA100 portarys is really quite correct. Bass quantity is probably less but quality has moved up a few notches, basslines are still apparent and can be followed. Quite tight and nice little punch. Extension is not too deep though. Mids are clean, but lacks ultimately resolution. Vocals are quite nice in the sense that you can recognize all singers' characteristics. There are some nuances that comes through. Highs are never harsh and some sparkle is apparent.
Soundstaging is good, on the small side but layers are there, as is structure, proportion and sense of perspective. Images are stable. All in all, the BA100 is revealing enough to allow the characteristics of the different amps to come through......
In summing up, I must admit the BA100 is an IEM which sounds way beyond it's price. It is an IEM that I have listened to now, for longer than many more expensive offerings that are in my "do not listen to" box. I will try the BA100 with different DAPs in the next few days and report back. I am thinking for a cheap good sounding rig, the DX50 and the BA100 might just be a match that is too good to pass by at less than $300.
Highly recommended for those rainy days...............
Slow as hell!
