so uh, got the ASG-2 demos. Not sure what else to add, everything seems to be covered already in eke2k6's review. I remember some people were interested in comparing FXZ200 and ASG-2 as well. So here are the impressions.
The bass quantity of ASG-2 is plenty even when opening the bass port to the first notch. If the bass port is closed, I think the bass quantity is more than neutral. I don't think there's much of a point setting the bass port at the third or fourth (fully open) notch. The mids and treble just get moved to the back. It's full of bass rumble. Buying this just for booming bass? There are definitely cheaper options.
Moving on to quality, bass quality is very good. For those who read my earlier posts, I was interested to compare this to my FXZ200. I'm not sure which one has "better" bass. But ASG bass is definitely more forward. But if I EQ them both to a similar sound signature, then, the impact is the same. Maybe ASG-2 has the upper hand. It was just hard to EQ them to a similar sound signature. The deepness is probably around the same. Maybe FXZ200 has the upper hand. It was a bit troublesome to compare since FXZ200 is harder to driver, then I have to turn the volume up 2 notches. I was switching back and forth between 2 IEMs.
The treble was a bit weird. Sometimes, it feels sharp or very high. But it's not really thin treble. I EQ'ed the 4KHz ~3dB to get a more brassy feeling and more treble in a way. But most here probably would find it sibilant. I like treble boost so what I like probably is not what most here would like. So I understand why Aurisonics did this.
As for mids, FXZ200 is more forward. Don't know what to say, praise or comment.
Somehow, I like the timbre more on the FXZ200 more, for the bass and treble. But I might be biased since I have been using FX700 for a year and FXZ200 for a couple month. It's just that the bass of ASG-2 reminds me of PFE 232 on black filter, which boosts bass and treble. I don't like when drums sound like that. It's like rock solid boooooom. Not like actually sound like the bass drum is being hit by a bass drum stick. I guess it's just preference.
and of course, the isolation is better than FXZ200. The soundstage is also bigger.
So would I buy this? uh, I'm not sure actually. I mean it is $550. So probably not.
Also, I did all my listening on iPod Touch 5th Generation. My listening volume for ASG-2 is around 30-40% volume and FXZ200 is around 50% volume. I use EQ 10, a 10-band EQ app in app store.
Also want to add that I can't really tell the difference of sound quality between FX700, AKG K3003 and Ultrasone IQ when they are EQ'ed to a similar sound signature. But others have informed me that FX700 pretty much does 90% of what K3003 does. So I guess I don't have hearing problems. In my opinion, if you don't use EQ, it's all about the preference of the presentation of the IEM. Sound quality gets to a certain point where we can't appreciate it anymore.
That's all, I guess
