IBasso Audio IT03

[Paul - iBasso]

The IT03 uses the most expensive dual BA that Knowles manufactures. The dynamic driver is custom and not off the shelf. The cambers of the IT03 are also tuned and the shell is manufactured the same way that custom shells are done. They cable is custom high purity OFC that we had manufactured specifically for the IT03. The previous statements I have made before but wanted to restate. The quality of the IT03 is much higher in parts than the price would suggest. There are IEMs that cost 4 times as much that have no better parts. We do this because we want to offer you to chance to get true highend sound at a very affordable price.

 

[Paul - iBasso]

Interesting that you hear these as v-shaped. I was actually finding them pretty balanced. Little shouty is the only issue I have right now.

Is there a certain type of music or source you find the shouty issue with? We have not gotten this complaint before.

 

[nuxos]

  The IT03 uses the most expensive dual BA that Knowles manufactures. The dynamic driver is custom and not off the shelf. The cambers of the IT03 are also tuned and the shell is manufactured the same way that custom shells are done. They cable is custom high purity OFC that we had manufactured specifically for the IT03. The previous statements I have made before but wanted to restate. The quality of the IT03 is much higher in parts than the price would suggest. There are IEMs that cost 4 times as much that have no better parts. We do this because we want to offer you to chance to get true highend sound at a very affordable price.

 
This is why I've choose Ibasso for my next portable setup (DX 80 and IT03) !

 

[bavinck]

Is there a certain type of music or source you find the shouty issue with? We have not gotten this complaint before.

I am using the x7/am3, which I admit is a little bright for my tastes. I am getting what I call shouty feeling with electric guitar based music (progressive rock) when the sound field becomes dense and complex to a crescendo. This is using the wide bore tips. Problem seems to be mostly fixed for me using the medium bore tips, plus the medium bore tips provide better isolation due to a think silicone used.

 

[daboscovellen]

Edit: Changed mind

 

[bavinck]

The more I listen to these the more I agree with Audio123 that these are a totl sound. The medium bore tips seem to have fixed any harsh or grain I was getting. These things are very balanced and sound very coherent to me. Extension on both ends is superb, and the wooly bass is disappearing and being replaced with something very mature and rich. Cool beans!

 

[koven]

well i just pulled the trigger, you guys got me with this hype, still skeptical that these compete w/ the andromeda but ill find out myself in ~2weeks

 

[bavinck]

well i just pulled the trigger, you guys got me with this hype, still skeptical that these compete w/ the andromeda but ill find out myself in ~2weeks

Even if you don't think they do, for a 1/5 the price how can you do wrong?

 

[Decommo]

I just tried this iem and did quick comparisons against my flc8s with black, clear gold filters.

Summary
-Flc8s is more forward in terms of vokal and soundstage.
-flc8s has more sweet vocal, maybe thicker
-bass more boomy/bloated on FLC8s

-loving the bass on IT03
-soundstage has more depth on IT03
-greter separation on IT03
-more vivid / aggresive on It03
-slight clearer on It03
-slight v shape on IT03

Just my 2 cents

 
Great comparison... It is very helpful..  If you don't mind asking, which one is better for acoustic, female vocal, folks and rock?

 

[nmatheis]

Burn in at about 75 hours so far, and they present a very bass-forward sound signature at this point. I'm hoping this calms down. The people I let listen at RMAF (Andy from Cayin Ave Tyler and Lawrence from iFi) agreed that they sound unbalanced. Fingers crossed that they even out soon with more burn in!

 

[Paul - iBasso]

Burn in at about 75 hours so far, and they present a very bass-forward sound signature at this point. I'm hoping this calms down. The people I let listen at RMAF (Andy from Cayin Ave Tyler and Lawrence from iFi) agreed that they sound unbalanced. Fingers crossed that they even out soon with more burn in!

I imagine you have tried different tips. We are not getting an unbalanced sound here and would not stand for it. What is your source?

 

[ExpatinJapan]

As I wrote in my review I found the IT03 to balance out after the recommended 150 hours.

Tips play a part too.

It matched well with my Opus #1 Dap and Shozy Alien Gold.

http://www.head-fi.org/products/ibasso-it03/reviews/17024

 

[nmatheis]

Yes, I pointed out that they haven't yet reached the recommended 150 hours. Unfortunately, they arrived too late to get the full burn in completed before I left for RMAF. I tried all the stock tips and settled on wide bore for the most balanced sound, but it's still pretty bass-forward with the various DAPs tried (Opus, N6, PAW Gold, TeriPlayer) as noted by myself and the 3 or 4 other IEM aficionados I let try them today. I'm looking forward to getting the full 150 hours on these to see how they sound when they're settled in...

 

[tienbasse]

Burn in at about 75 hours so far, and they present a very bass-forward sound signature at this point. I'm hoping this calms down. The people I let listen at RMAF (Andy from Cayin Ave Tyler and Lawrence from iFi) agreed that they sound unbalanced. Fingers crossed that they even out soon with more burn in!

 
They have powerful bass indeed, which is quite typical of hybrid configurations (not all of them but most).
Now it isn't bleeding into the mids strongly so the signature is still quite detailed and clear up there.
 
For sure, the bass is nothing like a flat BA-based signature.
 
I'd be curious to know what you were expecting, if you wish to elaborate a bit.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Yes, ..... I'm looking forward to getting the full 150 hours on these to see how they sound when they're settled in...

looking forward to your future impressions.

I always like to read what you write.