IBasso Audio IT03

[davidcotton]

I thought you couldn't return iems to amazon due to health issues?

 

[Steve Guppy]

I thought you couldn't return iems to amazon due to health issues?

I didn't realise this. But I haven't had anything or been told anything to say that a refund can't be given A defect item is a defect item at the end of the day. If it breaks within a certain time frame, then a refund is legally binding surely? That's what we have warranties for, surely?

 

[PaganDL]

I have to say that my experience with the IT03's has been vastly different than everyone else's. And i have to argue with those that have said the supplied cable was of good quality Well, I guess I must just be very unlucky, because my stock cable was terrible

I've had the iBasso's 48 hours, yes, you read that right, FORTY EIGHT hours, and as you can see from the attached picture, they are being returned to Amazon (sold by, on behalf of another well established audio equipment company) for a refund. For the brief 2 days of ownership I was falling in love with their sound. But switching between the stock and a 2.5mm balanced cable to decide which i preferred, the stock cable started to crackle and stop playing audio through the monitors due to a poor connection. After TWO Days! The FiiO 2.5 however still worked fine.

I'm sorry, heap whatever plaudits you want on these but for the asking price of £300, that is simply unacceptable. Very disappointed and a little bit heart broken if im being totally honest ..

HI @Steve Guppy,

See if Amazon UK can sort it out for you otherwise I would suggest contact @Paul - iBasso regardless, he will definitely sort this out for you.
iBasso customer service is exceptional so don't be disheartened by being unlucky.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[Steve Guppy]

HI @Steve Guppy,

See if Amazon UK can sort it out for you otherwise I would suggest contact @Paul - iBasso regardless, he will definitely sort this out for you.
iBasso customer service is exceptional so don't be disheartened by being unlucky.

Hope you have a great day !

I did contact IBasso but after 2 days, no reply. The 3rd party that sold the item through Amazon also just said to return to Amazon, rather than just send a replacement cable, which is all I really wanted, as I loved the 'phones. So send them back I did. I'll now be looking at alternative iem' s, as my experience with the product and support was poor to say the least. Shame.

 

[Paul - iBasso]

I did contact IBasso but after 2 days, no reply. The 3rd party that sold the item through Amazon also just said to return to Amazon, rather than just send a replacement cable, which is all I really wanted, as I loved the 'phones. So send them back I did. I'll now be looking at alternative iem' s, as my experience with the product and support was poor to say the least. Shame.

I apologize for not getting right back with you. Did you contact me at paul@ibasso.com? Our response has been a little slower right now as we are closed for the Chinese New Year and have been since the 31st of January.

 

[Steve Guppy]

I apologize for not getting right back with you. Did you contact me at paul@ibasso.com? Our response has been a little slower right now as we are closed for the Chinese New Year and have been since the 31st of January.

I just went to the iBasso official website and used the "contact us" menu. Seemed like the obvious approach to me

 

[Anatase]

Indeed, a very obvious step @Steve Guppy
Sorry to hear about your experience with the cable.

My cable lasted almost 3 years, and died (cf see the previous posts on page 219 of this thread).
Before that I had an issue with the MMCX on one side, the plug "unglue" from the shell, and I couldn't put the MMCX cable back. Got in touch with people here on the forum, who also advised me to directly contact @Paul - iBasso
I did that with the e-mail address provided and he was quick and helpful, providing me with a solution.
Since then they worked fine, beside the cable, which I changed.

I understand the dissatisfaction, GBP300 is not a cheap premium to pay for IEMs, and i would probably feel the same. As the IT03 have been my IEM since 2015, having to replace the cable after 3 years was fine, I can't think of any other IEM/headphones i would need now, though i keep a HD25-II at home. I'd keep on trying them, especially knowing the great customer service offered by Paul, but fully understand the great and decisive annoyance here.

To get back on the cable, now that i am here:
I tried two different cables that were recommended by @PaganDL and @Amberlamps, thanks to both for the recommandation.

First the Penon CS819 (50$)
And then the VE Clan, customised cable (49$).

Why both you may ask, well, one of the side of the Penon CS819 died (crackling sound, no sound at all) after 3 weeks. I contacted them, they told me to send it back and they would send new ones to me. But having to ship to HK would have made me paid the cable twice, I asked for a shipping label but did no get an answer (though i could have tried again tbh, just need to find the right way to reach out to them).
Beside the cable's death, they were otherwise sounding very neat and clean, I did like the sound, but they ended up being too heavy and actually uncomfortable after a while directly around the ear lob because i had no "braces"/sleeves (whatever you call these) for the cable around my hears.
Shipping was fast (couple weeks from HK to NL), service was good, packaging great, and sound great too, but yeah, comfort issue and the cable dying just put me off from them again.

So i decided to give the VE Clan a shot. hoping to have a different experience.
And indeed a different experience it is! Still using the cable, sounds great, very comfy, packaging is not half as good as the Penon (actually, basically no packaging), but to hell with it. The whole cable is sleeved until the neck Y split (an option you can pick), and then the earlobs are sleeved. Very comfy, sounds good, so i am very satisfied with it so far.
Pleased with the service as well, took also less than 2 weeks for the cable to come (straight from mainland China), using them everyday, very much satisfied, can warmly recommended.
Happy as a puppy.

Hope it helps,
Cheers

 

[Steve Guppy]

Indeed, a very obvious step @Steve Guppy
Sorry to hear about your experience with the cable.

My cable lasted almost 3 years, and died (cf see the previous posts on page 219 of this thread).
Before that I had an issue with the MMCX on one side, the plug "unglue" from the shell, and I couldn't put the MMCX cable back. Got in touch with people here on the forum, who also advised me to directly contact @Paul - iBasso
I did that with the e-mail address provided and he was quick and helpful, providing me with a solution.
Since then they worked fine, beside the cable, which I changed.

I understand the dissatisfaction, GBP300 is not a cheap premium to pay for IEMs, and i would probably feel the same. As the IT03 have been my IEM since 2015, having to replace the cable after 3 years was fine, I can't think of any other IEM/headphones i would need now, though i keep a HD25-II at home. I'd keep on trying them, especially knowing the great customer service offered by Paul, but fully understand the great and decisive annoyance here.

To get back on the cable, now that i am here:
I tried two different cables that were recommended by @PaganDL and @Amberlamps, thanks to both for the recommandation.

First the Penon CS819 (50$)
And then the VE Clan, customised cable (49$).

Why both you may ask, well, one of the side of the Penon CS819 died (crackling sound, no sound at all) after 3 weeks. I contacted them, they told me to send it back and they would send new ones to me. But having to ship to HK would have made me paid the cable twice, I asked for a shipping label but did no get an answer (though i could have tried again tbh, just need to find the right way to reach out to them).
Beside the cable's death, they were otherwise sounding very neat and clean, I did like the sound, but they ended up being too heavy and actually uncomfortable after a while directly around the ear lob because i had no "braces"/sleeves (whatever you call these) for the cable around my hears.
Shipping was fast (couple weeks from HK to NL), service was good, packaging great, and sound great too, but yeah, comfort issue and the cable dying just put me off from them again.

So i decided to give the VE Clan a shot. hoping to have a different experience.
And indeed a different experience it is! Still using the cable, sounds great, very comfy, packaging is not half as good as the Penon (actually, basically no packaging), but to hell with it. The whole cable is sleeved until the neck Y split (an option you can pick), and then the earlobs are sleeved. Very comfy, sounds good, so i am very satisfied with it so far.
Pleased with the service as well, took also less than 2 weeks for the cable to come (straight from mainland China), using them everyday, very much satisfied, can warmly recommended.
Happy as a puppy.

Hope it helps,
Cheers

Thanks for the advice and help And I'll definitely look into those cables for future use.

Unfortunately I've already returned the IEM, and due to the lack of availability on Amazon, decided to try a different item. Let's hope I have better luck this time.

 

[Apatride]

I am a bit confused. Is there a new version of the IT03? iBasso website lists then as "New" and it seems they are currently unavailable in Europe which could be a sign of a new version about to be available.
I have no way to test them but based on what I have read, the IT03 or Fiio FH5 would complement nicely my very dry ATH-E70 (any opinion on the topic is very welcome).

 

[PaganDL]

Hi @Apatride,

No, the IT 03 is the same since the first time they released it, that picture has always had the New tag though it wouldn't hurt to ask @Paul - iBasso for confirmation.
If you are interested regardless, the IT 03 should be available directly from the iBasso website.

Personally & subjectively, IT 03 is definitely 'better' than the FH 5 though the ridiculously low impedence on the IT 03 does make it sometimes inconvenient to use with sources &/amps with which are powerful unless they have low SNR, etc.
Generally, AT E 70 is only dry sounding if your source is very neutral &/or flat though hearing being highly subjective & personal, this may be different to you as well.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[Steve Guppy]

I am a bit confused. Is there a new version of the IT03? iBasso website lists then as "New" and it seems they are currently unavailable in Europe which could be a sign of a new version about to be available.
I have no way to test them but based on what I have read, the IT03 or Fiio FH5 would complement nicely my very dry ATH-E70 (any opinion on the topic is very welcome).

Hi @Apatride,

No, the IT 03 is the same since the first time they released it, that picture has always had the New tag though it wouldn't hurt to ask @Paul - iBasso for confirmation.
If you are interested regardless, the IT 03 should be available directly from the iBasso website.

Personally & subjectively, IT 03 is definitely 'better' than the FH 5 though the ridiculously low impedence on the IT 03 does make it sometimes inconvenient to use with sources &/amps with which are powerful unless they have low SNR, etc.
Generally, AT E 70 is only dry sounding if your source is very neutral &/or flat though hearing being highly subjective & personal, this may be different to you as well.

Hope you have a great day !

Just goes to show that we are all different and ymmv. I have to disagree with @Apatride im afraid Having owned both I definitely wouldn't say the IT03 was better than the FH5. They are very similar for sure but it all boils down to your own music preference, and what's important to you. I generally listen to hip-hop, edm, jazz, some rock and metal, etc. For me the FH5 definitely had the better sound for bass driven music. But ultimately this wasn't the biggest difference. My IT03'S stopped working on the right channel after only 3 days and a couple of cable a/b'ing. Not acceptable as far as I'm concerned considering the cost. The FiiO's are far better made, with better quality materials and far more comprehensive contents included. And considering for the same price, I got the FH5 AND a nice 2.5mm balanced cable, it was a no brainer. But we're all different of course..

 

[Apatride]

Hi @Apatride,

No, the IT 03 is the same since the first time they released it, that picture has always had the New tag though it wouldn't hurt to ask @Paul - iBasso for confirmation.
If you are interested regardless, the IT 03 should be available directly from the iBasso website.

Personally & subjectively, IT 03 is definitely 'better' than the FH 5 though the ridiculously low impedence on the IT 03 does make it sometimes inconvenient to use with sources &/amps with which are powerful unless they have low SNR, etc.
Generally, AT E 70 is only dry sounding if your source is very neutral &/or flat though hearing being highly subjective & personal, this may be different to you as well.

Hope you have a great day !

Just goes to show that we are all different and ymmv. I have to disagree with @Apatride im afraid Having owned both I definitely wouldn't say the IT03 was better than the FH5. They are very similar for sure but it all boils down to your own music preference, and what's important to you. I generally listen to hip-hop, edm, jazz, some rock and metal, etc. For me the FH5 definitely had the better sound for bass driven music. But ultimately this wasn't the biggest difference. My IT03'S stopped working on the right channel after only 3 days and a couple of cable a/b'ing. Not acceptable as far as I'm concerned considering the cost. The FiiO's are far better made, with better quality materials and far more comprehensive contents included. And considering for the same price, I got the FH5 AND a nice 2.5mm balanced cable, it was a no brainer. But we're all different of course..

I appreciate the feedback. Buying from the website is inconvenient because I am in Europe so I have to deal with VAT when receiving the imported stuff which increases the cost quite a bit and tends to be annoying on a logistics point of view.

I have read quite a bit about IT03 build quality not being amazing and considering availability issues, I ll probably go for the FH5 although playing a bit with the EQ of my ES100 renewed my interest in the ATH-E70. Once you get rid for the upper mid hump, they become much more interesting although I wish the treble were a bit more aggressive, they seem excessively soft compared to my HD-25 or my DT880.

 

[Steve Guppy]

I appreciate the feedback. Buying from the website is inconvenient because I am in Europe so I have to deal with VAT when receiving the imported stuff which increases the cost quite a bit and tends to be annoying on a logistics point of view.

I have read quite a bit about IT03 build quality not being amazing and considering availability issues, I ll probably go for the FH5 although playing a bit with the EQ of my ES100 renewed my interest in the ATH-E70. Once you get rid for the upper mid hump, they become much more interesting although I wish the treble were a bit more aggressive, they seem excessively soft compared to my HD-25 or my DT880.

Sorry I got confused That was supposed to say, I disagree with @PaganDL , NOT @Apatride ..! Hope that's cleared that up..

 

[aisalen]

Having own the IT03 for approximately two years now using 3rd party 4.4mm balance cable for my wm1a, I am contemplating between Sony xba-n3bp and Fiio FH5. The advantage of the the sony is that it has already have the 4.4 balance cable included, all in all the the price will be the same in the end if I will buy balance cable for FH5. The question now is what sq I like more.

 

[JoshG1217]

Hey guys,

DT 1770 is my go to. Looking for an iem equivalent. Everything I've tried sounds tinny and shallow. Just returned UE900s, for example. Someone suggested the T04, but those are a bit pricey @$500. Would the T03 fit the bill? Never been an iem guy and don't want to compromise quality, but want something more gym friendly and more portable.

Wants: high detail, strong bass slam, full sound, wide soundstage. This is why I love Beyer. The Amiron Home are my other pair.

Thanks