[408388]

Yeah, the MC5 would be a very good one but even your updated budget is a bit tight for it. All the other things I would recommend won't be available from your local dealers so you'll run into the same issues with paying/processing/shipping as with the inexpensive VSonics. 

I guess in that case what I'd do is go with the MH1 (make sure it's the right version for you device and/or you have the appropriate adapter) and lower the bass via EQ to try and balance it out.

Yeah I really don't want to spend that much and I can't see the price coming down. I've managed to find some UE600s for well within my budget however, only £20 refurbed, so will these be better than the XBA 1 and MH1? Your review here gives them almost as high score as the RE-400 and much more than the Etys, but the actual tone of the review didn't sound as positive as the score, perhaps as you were comparing them to more high end IEMs. Basicaly would UE600s be my best bet at this price or are they no better than ehat I've got? Thanks for all your help, this should definitely be my final question!

 

[ljokerl]

Yeah I really don't want to spend that much and I can't see the price coming down. I've managed to find some UE600s for well within my budget however, only £20 refurbed, so will these be better than the XBA 1 and MH1? Your review here gives them almost as high score as the RE-400 and much more than the Etys, but the actual tone of the review didn't sound as positive as the score, perhaps as you were comparing them to more high end IEMs. Basicaly would UE600s be my best bet at this price or are they no better than ehat I've got? Thanks for all your help, this should definitely be my final question!

Well, their mid-centric sound isn't perfect for rock & metal but for the price they are probably as good as it gets. However, I would urge caution with refurbs - the 600s aren't exactly known for durability and with (presumably) no warranty you'll just have to be really careful with them.

 

[408388]

 

Well, their mid-centric sound isn't perfect for rock & metal but for the price they are probably as good as it gets. However, I would urge caution with refurbs - the 600s aren't exactly known for durability and with (presumably) no warranty you'll just have to be really careful with them.

That's true, perhaps they're not really worth it, it looks like from all the info you've given me that for metal I'll have to save up for something more expensive. Otherwise I'll go with the advice to get some MH1Cs and mod them like crazy to bring the bass down, or some Brainwavz Delta, although the MH1C are looking best to me so far. Your help has been invaluable, thank you for sharing such a wealth of knowledge with the community

 

[kova4a]

  That's true, perhaps they're not really worth it, it looks like from all the info you've given me that for metal I'll have to save up for something more expensive. Otherwise I'll go with the advice to get some MH1Cs and mod them like crazy to bring the bass down, or some Brainwavz Delta, although the MH1C are looking best to me so far. Your help has been invaluable, thank you for sharing such a wealth of knowledge with the community

Well, mh1 is pretty cheap in uk but there is quite the audible difference in the bass department between my mh1c and mh1. Brainwavz Delta is fairly balanced and neutral sounding but the bass lacks some body and depth but at least is not boomy and slow as mh1/c. You do have to take the bad mh1/c cable into consideration and also my first mh1c had bad driver flex and the left piece developed imbalance in a matter of weeks. You can also pick the brainwavz S0 from mp4nation today at 25 bucks, which is a pretty good price. It has its drawbacks but overall is a pretty solid performer and has great build quality and I would rate it around vsonic vsd1/s level even slightly higher.

 

[Amitl]

i just ordered the Sony mdr-ex650.....anyone had an experience with them here?

 

[Spartoi]

@ljokerl
 
Any chance of Yamaha EPH-200 review? 
 
I ordered the EPH-200 since they're on sale at Amazon. Anyone know how the RHA MA750i compares to them?

 

[jay567]

Hi Joker, just read your review of the HE560 and it was a nice read. Thanks for it!
 
Whilst reading though, I kept on thinking to myself what your impressions of the coloured HE400 would be. Have you ever had an opportunity to hear those cans before? Also, because the JH13 are the top of your IEM list, do they match the sound quality of the HE560 please?

 

[ljokerl]

  @ljokerl
 
Any chance of Yamaha EPH-200 review? 
 
I ordered the EPH-200 since they're on sale at Amazon. Anyone know how the RHA MA750i compares to them?

 
 
Not familiar with them but certainly something I'd want to try given my liking for the EPH-100
 

  Hi Joker, just read your review of the HE560 and it was a nice read. Thanks for it!
 
Whilst reading though, I kept on thinking to myself what your impressions of the coloured HE400 would be. Have you ever had an opportunity to hear those cans before? Also, because the JH13 are the top of your IEM list, do they match the sound quality of the HE560 please?

 
Never tried the HE-400.
 
I don't really like comparing IEMs to cans but considering the HE-560 is a headphone and the JH13 is an IEM, and each form factor carries its own pros and cons, I would say they are on-par. If you put a gun to my head and forced me to pick one, it would probably be the JH13, but I'm also generally biased towards IEMs as I use them 90% of the time.

 

[DrunkenTiger]

Best hip hop buds, 50$~
Currently using these for reference: Sony MDRXB60EX
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXB60EX-Headphones-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B009A6CZ12/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t
 
Needs to be from amazon, thanks
Already have the JVC FXD 80 too

 

[ljokerl]

Added new IEM review - Tekfusion Twinwoofers
 

 

(3A91) Tekfusion Twinwoofers


Reviewed October 2014

Details: Enhanced-bass earphone from India-based Tekfusion
MSRP: $49.99 for Twinwoofers; $69.99 for Twinwoofers M with mic & 1-button remote
Current Price: $50 from amazon.com for Twinwoofers; $70 from amazon.com for Twinwoofers M
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 16Ω | Sens: 113 dB | Freq: 19-21k Hz | Cable: 3.9′ I-plug
Nozzle Size: 4.5mm | Preferred tips: Stock single-flanges
Wear Style: Straight down or over-the-ear (preferred)

Accessories (3/5) – Single-flange (3 sizes) and triple-flange (2 sizes) silicone tips, shirt clip, and velvet spring-clasp carrying pouch
Build Quality (3.5/5) – The construction of the Twinwoofers is par for the course, with sturdy-feeling metal housings coupled to a pretty conventional cable. Mild driver flex is present
Isolation (3.5/5) – Above average for an earphone of this type
Microphonics (3.5/5) – Moderate when worn cable-down; very good otherwise
Comfort (3.5/5) – The Twinwoofers look bulkier than they really are. The housings are long, but relatively slim and not too heavy. They are just a touch bigger than similarly-priced T-Peos models such as the D200R and Popular, and I’ve always thought those very comfortable

Sound (7.2/10) – Tekfusion’s Twinwoofers are bass-heavy in-ears with a warm and rich tonal character. The deep bass is strong, but outpaced still by the mid-bass hump of the Twinwoofers, which results in well above-average impact. Compared, for example, to Nuforce’s bass-heavy NE-700X model, the Twinwoofers have more mid-bass presence and as a result sound “bassier” in the conventional sense. The side effect of the mid-bass boost is, of course, some bass bloat, with sets such as the NE-700X and the pricier Brainwavz S1 sounding less boomy in comparison.

Possibly the greatest asset of the Twinwoofers is the midrange, which is quite strong for an earphone with so much low end presence. IEMs with the bass power of the Twinwoofers, especially at this price point, tend to have more recessed mids. Here, however, the prominent midrange keeps the sound natural and cohesive. For instance, the mids are warmer and more natural compared to the Nuforce NE-700X and NE-600X, with the Twinwoofers sounding a little more balanced and less mid-recessed. Also, while the clarity of the more v-shaped Nuforce units is technically greater, vocal intelligibility was better with the more forward Twinwoofers, except on tracks with very prominent bass.

The Twinwoofers are quite smooth up through the treble, again benefitting from their sound being less v-shaped than much of the competition. The earphones do an excellent job of avoiding harshness and sibilance. There’s not a whole lot of energy here, but it’s doubtful purchasers of mid-range basshead earphones will mind. The presentation could be more open as well, but it is quite uncongested considering the bass power of the Twinwoofers, reminding me of NarMoo’s dual-driver S1 model.

Select Comparisons

Fidue A31s ($30)

Fidue’s tiny A31s headset is comfortable and inexpensive, but not very good-sounding. While definitely bass-heavy, it has nowhere near the same amount of depth and impact as the Tekfusion Twinwoofers. The bass of the Twinwoofers is a touch more boomy, but not proportionally so considering the greater bass quantity. The midrange of the Twinwoofers is more forward and a little clearer despite its greater bass quantity. The A31s is muddier, and while its treble is smoother, the lack of clarity is just too great to get past.

JVC HA-FR301 ($40)

The flagship of JVC’s enhanced-bass “Xtreme Xplosives” line has one of the most v-shaped sound profiles I’ve ever encountered, with greatly boosted bass and treble. It is actually bassier than the Twinwoofers but lacks the fullness and smoothness of the Tekfusion. The midrange of the FR301 is much more recessed, though also a bit clearer, and its top end is way harsher, making its sound less natural tonally. The Twinwoofers do sound a little muddy in comparison to the FR301, but on the whole I found them more natural.

NarMoo S1 ($40)

While the NarMoo S1 is no slouch, Tekfusion’s Twinwoofers are among the bassiest earphones I’ve tried this year, providing an even warmer and smoother sound. The Twinwoofers have a darker tonal character and sound a bit less clear. Their bass is comparable in quantity to that of the S1 but seems more powerful still thanks to the more laid-back treble. The Tekfusion unit also has a smoother top end, while the S1 is brighter and thinner, delivering a bit more detail and slightly better clarity as a result.

Signature Acoustics Elements C-12 ($50)

As the only product I have from the only other India-based IEM manufacturer I know, the Signature Acoustics Elements C-12 made for a logical comparison with the Twinwoofers. The two are actually quite close in performance, with similar bass impact but with the Twinwoofers boasting a slightly less mid-recessed, more balanced sound. The midrange of the Tekfusion sounds warmer and more natural, whereas the C-12 is a little more mid-recessed. The C-12 is more v-shaped as well, and while the extra top-end energy makes it sound slightly harsher, it also gives the C-12 a more neutral tone and at times permits it to sound clearer/less muddy in the midrange.

Value (7.5/10) – The Tekfusion Twinwoofers are competent bass-heavy earphones that suffer from a spot of bass bloat but still offer up good midrange presence and a smooth, inoffensive top end. The large-ish housings are more comfortable than they look, too, and deliver above-average noise isolation. In the US market, the Twinwoofers are faced with stiff competition, but much of the low pricing that we enjoy here simply isn’t available overseas, making the Twinwoofers an even stronger proposition.

Pros: Basshead sound with good mids; good noise isolation
Cons: Some bass bloat; mild driver flex

 
The overall ranking has been updated here

 

[ljokerl]

  Best hip hop buds, 50$~
Currently using these for reference: Sony MDRXB60EX
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXB60EX-Headphones-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B009A6CZ12/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t
 
Needs to be from amazon, thanks
Already have the JVC FXD 80 too

 
I'd try the Narmoo S1 if you like your hip-hop bass-heavy.

 

[james444]

 
Any chance of Yamaha EPH-200 review? 

 
Not familiar with them but certainly something I'd want to try given my liking for the EPH-100

 
Interesting, they went from 6mm drivers on the EPH-100 to 15mm drivers on the EPH-200. They'll probably sound quite different.

 

[suman134]

i didn't like the twin woofer much, they are okay, but bolted bass and turned down highs means its not for me. and being an indian i bought it for $18, not bad but nothing exciting. i will go for woo duo or meelec m-duo instead.

 

[thug behram]

Weird comparison but how does v-moda m80 compare to dunu dn-1000

 

[408388]

Well, mh1 is pretty cheap in uk but there is quite the audible difference in the bass department between my mh1c and mh1. Brainwavz Delta is fairly balanced and neutral sounding but the bass lacks some body and depth but at least is not boomy and slow as mh1/c. You do have to take the bad mh1/c cable into consideration and also my first mh1c had bad driver flex and the left piece developed imbalance in a matter of weeks. You can also pick the brainwavz S0 from mp4nation today at 25 bucks, which is a pretty good price. It has its drawbacks but overall is a pretty solid performer and has great build quality and I would rate it around vsonic vsd1/s level even slightly higher.

Interesting, the speed may have to be my first priority for my budget considering a flat analytical sound costs too much. S0 cost tons more over here for some reason which is annoying, but I'll definitely bear them in mind if I can afford them. Thanks for your help