While the time passed between shipping the JH-13's back to Florida for a refit ($25 Can. for 4 day express),I finished completing two projects.
First is the Sansa Fuze,with a LOD plugged into a NuForce Mobile amp/dac.I am satisfied with the form and size factor.
Today is exactly 14 days from when I mailed out these earphones for a refit,so not a bad turn around time from Toronto.
Here is what was done:
The ears circuits were tested and they came out good.
Remade the left ear off the new impression with a thicker bore, and add a couple coats of material to the right bore so that seal is tighter as well.
I opened up the UPS box (after parting with a further $5.00 Can. tax) and my eye was drawn to the left earpeice,near the connectors.
(showing as the right earphone in the photo-take a look)
Hmmm,nice shadow in the paint on the faceplate.Not pleased.
I plug 'em in,insert into my ears with a good seal,and que up a CD quality PCM .wav file.
No love on the low gain,so I slide the switch on the amp over to the '+' side.
More promise on that setting and I am enjoying the LOD taking the volume control over to the amp,still getting more pleasure out of how this rig
looks than how it all
sounds.
My A/B test is going to be the 18 year old sitting on the couch eating his breakfast.
His interests lie outside of audiophile territory,all he ever wanted was a pair of $15 dollar Sony earbuds,a Creative Zen Stone player and an inexpensive Acoustic Authority 2.1 PC speaker set.
Perfect for an impartial judge.
We fit the earphones in best we can and I ask if he has a reasonable seal.
Good.Play some music.What do you think?
"Well,it is definitely more crisp than mine.I also notice that it can be turned up more,before it starts to sound bad.They sound alright."
"Wait..are those the $1,100 USD earphones?"
Me: "Yes".
"Holy crap,that's a LOT of chedda for those things.I mean they sound O.K. but I can't see paying that for what you get".
True.I purchased these items to compliment and improve the sound quality in my life and have a feeling of wanting to pack it all up and ask for a refund.
I know that's not going to happen though,I am too determined to work this out.
Expecting/hoping for some sort of huge night-and-day difference immediately,maybe my own ears need to "burn in".
Waiting for my music to once again astound me as the files come to life,I believe it is possible with today's technology.
In the JH-13 appreciation thread,I have spotted other sound deprived comrades.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebhuber /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The only drawback I can think of is the lack of impact and feel of the sound you encounter, when listening to speakers. Other than that, listening to IEMs is a more intimate& personal experience. You analyse the harmonics, tone and resonance of presented musical instruments, which changes listening to music from a passive, to an active and engaging process.
In summary, although I was a little saddened at fist, once I held the JH13s in my hands, I was as blissful as ever.
The quality of the earpieces themselves came out very well. The simple design of my choice was reproduced 1:1 from my mental picture.
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Saddened? After paying the price it should not be so.
Like following behind a top-down convertible car with a passenger that has beautiful,golden blonde hair flowing in the wind.
You pull up beside for good look and realize
'yikes' it's a Collie Dog sitting in the front seat with a nice coat of fur,fool!
I won't get fooled again.
Swung by HD Tracks and iTrax and downloaded 12 songs in 24/96 recorded format.
Sony PCM D50 is scheduled to arrive any day and in my mind,will settle this grudge match with IEM's.
From page 11 of the D50 user manual: