iBasso IT01 a fun IEM. Single multilayered graphene driver. !! 99 USD !!

[HerrXRDS]

I also have to say, that getting no driver flex with IT01 takes some practice. Open jaw wide open and make small and gentle circular moves while pushing them inside with gentle pressure.

I can get past that part just fine, not by first rodeo with IEMs sensitive to drive flex. The problem is if I'm wearing them at the gym or when being active, lots of head or mouth movements will cause my ear shape to change enough for the drive to flex. I get that many people might not have this issue and definitely not something to consider when making a decision till you try them, but for me it is a problem I don't have with other IEMs and it pisses me right off every time I hear that occasional drive crackle.

 

[JeffNYC]

How good is the isolation of these vs active noise cancelling, for commuting?

 

[BlueWindNoise]

How good is the isolation of these vs active noise cancelling, for commuting?

With a good fit and silicone tips, the isolation is pretty good. With foam tips even better, but for me the foam tips don't sound nearly as good. And commuting for me usually means an air travel so my requirements might be different than yours. That said, I'm not sure there are any passive isolation IEMs or headphones that are going to compete with active noise cancelling in terms of isolation. I'm not an expert on that though so I could be wrong.

 

[Nabillion_786]

To be honest, I'm only going on what I've read here and from what Paul from iBasso said regarding burn in. But I don't know if burn in does work or not. I've not put in anywhere like 200 hours on mine and I'm really happy with the sound.


I'm absolutely amazed you're not getting much bass from the wide bore, that really surprises me. I'm getting really deep bass and sub bass and I'm not even using my FiiO amp at the moment, I'm just plugged direct into the laptop. However, wide bore or not, I find larger tips generally give me more bass than medium or small size. I'm also surprised you think the mids are thin. Can I ask, do you have them fitted in your ears correctly? Tonight there was a point where I was thinking, hmm, I was getting much more fullness earlier on. Somehow they weren't oriented correctly in my ears and after adjustment, all the fullness came back.

To be honest, I'm only going on what I've read here and from what Paul from iBasso said regarding burn in. But I don't know if burn in does work or not. I've not put in anywhere like 200 hours on mine and I'm really happy with the sound.


I'm absolutely amazed you're not getting much bass from the wide bore, that really surprises me. I'm getting really deep bass and sub bass and I'm not even using my FiiO amp at the moment, I'm just plugged direct into the laptop. However, wide bore or not, I find larger tips generally give me more bass than medium or small size. I'm also surprised you think the mids are thin. Can I ask, do you have them fitted in your ears correctly? Tonight there was a point where I was thinking, hmm, I was getting much more fullness earlier on. Somehow they weren't oriented correctly in my ears and after adjustment, all the fullness came back.

I've had a long day today, with all kinds of testing, from using all tips available to quick a-b testing. I knew I needed to make a decision quick or I would be there for sooo many more days, but in the end I returned back the fh1s. After all the testing, I honestly preferred the default tips the most. There are different tips I used which made the sound thicker, but those made them sound lifeless and just generally dull.

 

[Nabillion_786]

If the bass is light then it very well could be the tips are not large enough and there is not a good seal and contact area. Too loose a fit and the bass will fade away. I use the medium wide bore tips and get good mids, that are not thin and a very solid bass response. The highs are just fine.. The IT01 is a lively IEM. Not neutral but I don't think it was supposed to be. But, without a good fit, the right tip, the sound they can produce will be missed. That is my opinion.

And yes they require burn-in. The driver gets a quicker and better flex to it, is what I imagine is going on. Violins are made of wood but they require a lot of use to break in. I used to play and if the violin is a good one, they develop with time and need to be played to stay in the groove.

I had no luck with other tips, for some reason the wider ones give me less bass even with tight seal.

 

[Nabillion_786]

F9 Pro is more detailed with fast, punchy bass without a lot of rumble, nice vocals, but can be a bit hot in the treble.
IT01 is more musical and laid back, more bass rumble, warmer than the F9 Pro and polite treble.

F9 Pro shell has a better alloy build and feels more premium than the plastic IT01 shell, also a lot smaller and more comfortable for my small ears. IT01 has a great cable suited for home listening but not so much on the go, straight plug with no tension relief and loose braiding ,luckily both use MMCX so you can swap any cable you want . IT01 has a lot of driver flex, tried 2 different pairs, F9 Pro has none.

If you need a bright, detailed and fast IEM that's very comfortable F9 is the one. If you want a more laid back, bigger bass, musical IEM more suited for long listening sessions, get the IT01. Sound wise the only complain I have about the IT01 is that it could use a little more details, the complain I have about the F9 pro is that it's too hot in the treble.

Personally I prefer the F9 Pro over the IT01. I listen to a lot of metal and with a little EQ I find the energy and fast kicks on the F9 more satisfying. Also the shape and driver flex (even when I open my mouth sometimes) on the IT01 is pissing me off.

Just curious, from all the iems you own which one has the best bass and mids (full bodied)?

 

[HerrXRDS]

Just curious, from all the iems you own which one has the best bass and mids (full bodied)?

The best bass and mids is subjective, personally I like the King Pro or F9 Pro with a slight EQ bump in bass and mids cause I listen to a lot of metal so I like a fast bass response in the drums. Full bodied? I don't know, the IT01 or even the FH1 might be more into line with that though a little more V-shaped.

 

[Nabillion_786]

The best bass and mids is subjective, personally I like the King Pro or F9 Pro with a slight EQ bump in bass and mids cause I listen to a lot of metal so I like a fast bass response in the drums. Full bodied? I don't know, the IT01 or even the FH1 might be more into line with that though a little more V-shaped.

Thanks, and after burn in of both the it01 and fh1 which one do you prefer overall? And does the mids of the it01 sound thin to you like how most people say?

 

[HerrXRDS]

IT01 over FH1. The mids on IT01 never struck me as sounding thin, they do not sound thin to me.

 

[Nabillion_786]

IT01 over FH1. The mids on IT01 never struck me as sounding thin, they do not sound thin to me.

Thanks alot, this information helps. Lastly, which tips do you use for the it01? Because I only like the default tips that come with them. However, I want to thicken the sound whilst keeping all the details and high end, because if the treble is a bit more less, then the sound starts to sound really plain with no emotion imo. Is there any tips you recommend me to buy?

 

[DRuM]

I think several users like Spinfit tips. Those might help enhance the sound for you.

This is just my opinion so I could well be wrong. But I'm thinking that if you can't find a suitable tip in the 12 pairs of small, medium and large silicon and foam tips, wide bore and non wide bore supplied with the IT01, and you find the wide bore ones reduce the bass, then I can't really see that buying aftermarket tips will make much difference. As I say I could be completely wrong, so let's see what someone else recommends.

 

[Nabillion_786]

I think several users like Spinfit tips. Those might help enhance the sound for you.

This is just my opinion so I could well be wrong, But I'm thinking that if you can't find a suitable tip in the 12 pairs of small, medium and large silicon and foam tips, wide bore and non wide bore supplied with the IT01, and you find the wide bore ones reduce the bass, then I can't really see that buying aftermarker tips will make much difference. As I say I could be completely wrong, so let's see what someone else recommends.

Appreciate it, you have been extremely helpful. I've been asking everywhere on what is the best iem for big bass, thick but detailed mids and average treble for under £120 and most people recommended these. Tbh, these really are special compared to all other sub 100 iems that I've tried, but just a little more full bodied, without losing detail would give me that perfect sound signature. I guess that you can't be too picky in these at this price range, as most other iems under 100 have more flaws compared to these, like how I experienced the fh1s. Also, are the spin fit tips wide or normal size?

 

[HerrXRDS]

Appreciate it, you have been extremely helpful. I've been asking everywhere on what is the best iem for big bass, thick but detailed mids and average treble for under £120 and most people recommended these. Tbh, these really are special compared to all other sub 100 iems that I've tried, but just a little more full bodied, without losing detail would give me that perfect sound signature. I guess that you can't be too picky in these at this price range, as most other iems under 100 have more flaws compared to these, like how I experienced the fh1s. Also, are the spin fit tips wide or normal size?

Have you tried the FH1? Cause if you want more bass, thicker mids and average treble compared to the IT01, that's exactly what you are describing. Personally, I like bright IEMs so I found the bass on the FH1 a little too much, it is fast and controlled though. Vocals are also thick and organic. I found the treble lacking, it has that BA detail but it's way too subdued for my taste, might suit you though, seems like that's what you are looking for in the under $100 range. They are also a lot more comfortable than IT01. BTW, I'm using either Spinfits or foams on IT01.

 

[Photoman]

Have you tried the FH1? Cause if you want more bass, thicker mids and average treble compared to the IT01, that's exactly what you are describing. Personally, I like bright IEMs so I found the bass on the FH1 a little too much, it is fast and controlled though. Vocals are also thick and organic. I found the treble lacking, it has that BA detail but it's way too subdued for my taste, might suit you though, seems like that's what you are looking for in the under $100 range. They are also a lot more comfortable than IT01. BTW, I'm using either Spinfits or foams on IT01.

So what you think about the F9 pros?

 

[PaganDL]

With a good fit and silicone tips, the isolation is pretty good. With foam tips even better, but for me the foam tips don't sound nearly as good. And commuting for me usually means an air travel so my requirements might be different than yours. That said, I'm not sure there are any passive isolation IEMs or headphones that are going to compete with active noise cancelling in terms of isolation. I'm not an expert on that though so I could be wrong.

Hi @BlueWindNoise,

There are a few IEMs which come close to active noise cancelling in my humble opinion but as you may know, your experience may vary.
Personally, I prefer foam tips, mainly Comply though Crystallines are good too if it's an odd size.
Silicones don't work well for me though Spinfits work & the specific Klipsch flange tips which don't fit anything else well but Klipsch but I digress.
I've had good experiences with the IT 03 & IT 04 for ridiculously good passive isolation though in the IT family, the IT 01 has among the better, in my humble opinion, passive isolation than most non custom like shape IEMs.

My daily go to prior to IT 01 & IT 04 was the ATH E 70 which is now enjoying a well deserved rest before I put it back on rotation, the passive isolation on that is pretty good in my humble opinion.

Hope you have a great day !