[gomincha]

I already have a set of K1000s and i'm more than interested in JH13s.
At this time there aren't many direct comparisons in Head-Fi and i decided to open a thread.
So how does probably the best IEM ever made compare to the legendary earspeakers from AKG?
This is my first thread in Head-Fi so forgive me if i made any mistakes...

 

[milezone]

Don't be bashful... WELCOME!

The obvious response is, what a ridiculous post, apples and oranges, etc.

Hopefully we can bypass that stupidity. You, I and I'm sure many others are very interested in a comparison. If you comparers are concerned about the whole different fruit thing then please at least share your experiences with both so we can draw our own comparison based on single critical opinions.

 

[gomincha]

Hi milezone thanks for replying.
Yeah i know what you mean by apples and oranges. After all these two are the exact opposite, a custom made IEM and the most speaker-like headphone out there.
But i've been really impressed by the things most Head-fiers are saying about those little gems. Most of them dare to put them almost in the same breath with phones like HE90/60, R10, L3000, Qualia , O2, HD800, HP2 and K1000.
From the reviews i've read they seem to excel in speed, resolution, instrument separation, imaging, detail retrieval and neutrality all of which can be found in K1000, maybe in a different way, assuming you have a proper amp for them.
With all those qualities in common i was wondering how do they compare even though they are so different in construction and in the way they try to present you the music..

 

[moonboy403]

IMHO

Bass: JH13
Mids: Tied
Treble: K1000
Ambiance: K1000
Soundstage: K1000 by a mile
Imaging/Separation: K1000
Detail Retrieval: JH13
Comfort: JH13

 

[gomincha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonboy403 /img/forum/go_quote.gif IMHO Bass: JH13 Mids: Tied Treble: K1000 Ambiance: K1000 Soundstage: K1000 by a mile Imaging/Separation: K1000 Detail Retrieval: JH13 Comfort: JH13

Wow! Nice impressions moonboy. It seems that JH13 holds well even with K1000 with the exception of soundstage which is really an unfair comparison with any headphone and was expected.
Any thoughts on their realism, speed and PRaT overall?

 

[moonboy403]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomincha /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow! Nice impressions moonboy. It seems that JH13 holds well even with K1000 with the exception of soundstage which is really an unfair comparison with any headphone and was expected. Any thoughts on their realism, speed and PRaT overall?

I don't have much materials which can fully demonstrate their speed capability. However, I do believe that the JH13 can get you in a "groove" better as it has better bass extension and impact.

As for realism, it's highly subjective really. For me, the K1000 wins hands down as the size of instruments and singers are much larger in contrast to the tiny images that the JH13 portraits and the JH13 sounds down right congested when directly compared with the K1000. However, do note that most headphones will sound congested when compared with the K1000.

A perfect headphone for me will be combining JH13's bass (perhaps even a touch less), detail retrieval capability, comfort, and the rest of K1000's attributes. After all, I've always thought that the only thing lacking on the K1000 is extension and impact below 40Hz or so.

 

[krmathis]

A direct comparison sure would be nice!

I have heard a universal fit JH-13 Pro and were blown away by its performance. Perhaps not quite up there with the K1000 sound stage wise, but a strong competitor in regards of details, midrange, bass, ...

A custom mold JH-13 Pro would most certainly make the gap even smaller.

 

[nelda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif A custom mold JH-13 Pro would most certainly make the gap even smaller.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought all JH-13 is custom mold?

 

[robm321]

^ It is. They have demos that are universal.

 

[West726]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonboy403 /img/forum/go_quote.gif IMHO Bass: JH13 Mids: Tied Treble: K1000 Ambiance: K1000 Soundstage: K1000 by a mile Imaging/Separation: K1000 Detail Retrieval: JH13 Comfort: JH13

I agree with everything here except comfort. My JH13s fit great, but I can wear the K1000s longer.

 

[pearljam5000]

So no clear winner here?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought all JH-13 is custom mold?

All end users (hopefully) have custom mold units. But some dealers have universal fit ones as they allow easier demoing...

 

[jonjovi421]

I think k1000 is much better than JH13.And I think my er4 is better than JH13,too.But my er4's cable is silver cable.

 

[3X0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonjovi421 /img/forum/go_quote.gif And I think my er4 is better than JH13,too.But my er4's cable is silver cable.

LOL

 

[Duggeh]

I'd pick the JH13 over the K1000 for everything. K1000 was not to my liking, JH13 universals were brilliant. Factor in the associated amp costs and its a no brainer.