Stock cable, using final audio tips and the stock tips doesn’t seem to change anything tried with a 3rd party cable same thing, maybe mine is defective then
ISN Earphones impression thread. New ISN EBC80!!!!
- Thread starter Dsnuts
- Start date
rattlingblanketwoman
100+ Head-Fier
Could you provide specific music examples where there are hot spots? Is it certain consonants in vocals, or certain instruments in the mix?
(Not an H40 owner but interested in narrowing down the frequencies that are bothering you out of curiosity. I can be sensitive to some IEMs in ways that usually don’t affect others too. For me it can be t/s/ch/sh in vocals when no one else seems to have an issue.)
For example Glamorous by fergie, the lines just after she spells out glamorous sound very harsh.
seems to be mainly female vocals
Might be me then, had a similar problem with the ier z1r and had to sell those :/
justrest
500+ Head-Fier
I’ve tried with the Final Audio tips and there is no any harshness on the sound. You can contact with the place where you buy it for the replacement or fix.
latent
100+ Head-Fier
My impression for the ISN H40 with 3.5 mm jack, purchased during the black friday sale. Changing the stock tips to SpinFit CP145 I found the bass to really open up.
Whilst I haven't read many people stating it, I agree with another reviewer that these are bassy iem's. To me, the review of cqtek from March 23, 2020 seem to be spot on. In the review he stated:
Cons: The greatness of the low range may not be to everyone's taste.
- Not suitable for those looking for a bright, ultra detailed or analytical profile
This goes a long way with my own impression.
I enjoyed my old Earsonics SM3 v2 more than these headphones. And for other than EDM music I still sometimes prefer my full size headphones Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 ohm. Maybe it was also a bit silly for me to expect the sound to come near that of the Earsonics considering the vast price difference ($170 versus around $400 at the time).
Perhaps my expectations were a bit misplaced before going out and buying these. Don't get me wrong, the ISN H40 is a very enjoyable and comfortable headphone that sounds good. However, to me it simply does not seem to be the great all rounder across all genres. Something that I did actually expect based on reviews here on head-fi.
Therefore, my personal advice would be to try these iem's beforehand if it is possible rather than blindly buying them.
I hope this review helps others to make a more informed buying decision. Happy listening!
Whilst I haven't read many people stating it, I agree with another reviewer that these are bassy iem's. To me, the review of cqtek from March 23, 2020 seem to be spot on. In the review he stated:
Cons: The greatness of the low range may not be to everyone's taste.
- Not suitable for those looking for a bright, ultra detailed or analytical profile
This goes a long way with my own impression.
I enjoyed my old Earsonics SM3 v2 more than these headphones. And for other than EDM music I still sometimes prefer my full size headphones Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 ohm. Maybe it was also a bit silly for me to expect the sound to come near that of the Earsonics considering the vast price difference ($170 versus around $400 at the time).
Perhaps my expectations were a bit misplaced before going out and buying these. Don't get me wrong, the ISN H40 is a very enjoyable and comfortable headphone that sounds good. However, to me it simply does not seem to be the great all rounder across all genres. Something that I did actually expect based on reviews here on head-fi.
Therefore, my personal advice would be to try these iem's beforehand if it is possible rather than blindly buying them.
I hope this review helps others to make a more informed buying decision. Happy listening!
Last edited:
archy121
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2011
- Posts
- 1,324
- Likes
- 520
I keep missing out on ISN H40 sales in the Trade Forum. It’s been months since I started looking.
If anyone has a used pair and caN ship to the UK please PM.
If anyone has a used pair and caN ship to the UK please PM.
Last edited:
Bob1960
Head-Fier
I ordered the H40 last Tuesday on AliExpress and they arrived this afternoon, 6 days, well impressed with that. Been listening to them for about 5 hours now, think its fair to say ill be holding onto these for a while.
Hello all. I have been the happy owner of the H40 for a year. I consider them excellent for their price. By the way, I would like to ask if anyone had the opportunity to compare the H40 with the Thieaudio Legacy 5?
I am glad that I decided to buy YY 5N UPOCC crystal copper for ISN D10 to replace the stock 3.5mm.
It is like I hear different iems. The bass is better, not too boomy and vocal is also more forward.
I did quick comparison with the LZ A6 which has been my daily driver recently. The A6 sounds metalic although more detail, the bass on A6 is faster but less quantity.
Soundstage, A6 is slightly wider but ISN D10 is also huge. The ISN D10 will be my basshead unit now.
It is like I hear different iems. The bass is better, not too boomy and vocal is also more forward.
I did quick comparison with the LZ A6 which has been my daily driver recently. The A6 sounds metalic although more detail, the bass on A6 is faster but less quantity.
Soundstage, A6 is slightly wider but ISN D10 is also huge. The ISN D10 will be my basshead unit now.
BKJarvis
100+ Head-Fier
Anyone have a good recommended upgrade path from the ISN H40? Something with a similar sound signature/massive soundstage, but an all around improvement. Any price range is fine. Thanks.
BKJarvis
100+ Head-Fier
Have you tried both? Z1r are too big for my ears. But custom MEST may be an option at some point.
tgx78
Member of the Trade: tgxear
yes luckily Z1R fits my ear. Sold the MEST as I didn’t like its tonality.
DynamicEars
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2019
- Posts
- 4,319
- Likes
- 17,255
my modded H40 is like baby Z1R but with more bass. Z1R have similar DNA with H40, but better in every aspect, except fit. Z1R's Bass is much more controlled, clean, textured, punchy with great impact but not bloated or boomy at all, very accurate and impactful, I dare best bass of any IEM i ever heard, but also sadly I didnt expect I have to go this far to get this kind of bass quality, I was thinking i could get this kind of bass in midfi range but i was wrong.
Z1R fit is ok with me but not the best. 7 out of 10 for fit while H40 is 8.5 out of 10.
H40 bass is more bold and big but lose the impact and tightness to Z1R
mids are not offensive on both, but clarity resolution much better on Z1R
trebles is more controlled and expanded on Z1R without sibilance (or borderline on 6khz to some people), but H40 6-7-8khz rises are more risky, especially that 7khz that "supposed" to be dipped to get better tonality and transient without being sibillance.
soundstage on Z1R is bit wider but not by large margin, but imaging level is on another level with great layering on Z1R.
Other option you can get Sony N3, much cheaper with similar tonality / DNA to H40/Z1R but BA used is old sony BA, not the same with newer open BA like in Z1R. If price isnt an issue just take Z1R if they fit you good enough (great fit is too much to ask i think)
BobJS
Headphoneus Supremus
ISN H40 are one of my all time favorites. Scanning my collection, I'd say you need to try Empire Ears Legend X.
Users who are viewing this thread
