Emospence
500+ Head-Fier
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More Vsonics with 10/10 value rating.. Wow.
Quote:then, i'd be more specific. taken as a whole package: comfort, fit, build, versatility, maybe even isolation, and specially the sound, etc (you get the idea), are the differences noticiable to be considered an upgrade.
ps: you seem to like the SHE3580...
Still very much a personal question - i.e. are you willing to pay double for slight gains here and there? The GR99 doesn't really have any flaws - it's built well, comes with a bunch of tips, doesn't have much cable noise when worn cable-up, and is one of the best-sounding earphones you'll find under $30. The housing size is a little above average so they might not be great for those with small ears and they don't come with quite as many tips as the GR02 and higher-end VSonics but overall they are a great value. I'll try and have the review up tonight, which may help.
For the A161 I wouldn't expect any change. Sibilance probably means you're not getting a very good seal - I don't much like single-flanges on those but the bi-flanges and triples don't really give me much sibilance. I never got to test the EPH-100 pre-burn-in (it was a loan) so you'll have to check on that in the EPH-100 thread. The EPH-100 will remain pretty bassy compared to the RE0 or A161.
I had the opportunity to do more rigorous listening tests over the weekend with the A161p, the Re-ZERO and the EPH-100. The end result is that they are all being sent back and I will have to continue my quest for the right IEM. I'd love any input and suggestions from all the experts here to help guide my search.
- A161p - Harsh treble did this one in for me quickly. As joker suggested, I tried various flanges to get a good seal. The double flanges from the Re-Zero provide a good seal for me, but even these could not tame the top. Bass was a bit lacking but not that bad. I didn't really evaluate the mid range much. I am very sensitive to harsh treble so this pair is a big no. I do love extended treble response that is open and sparkles. This can be obtained.
- EPH-100 - The treble on this is much better than the A161p's with no harsh qualities. I did feel these were quite U or V shaped with some odd tubular type sound in the mid's. It was the bass that tossed these out for me. I do like bass but the quantity of bass was just too much and really interfered with some music. Having listened to my wife's Klipsch S4's I'd say these have similar bass levels but much better low bass extension and maybe somewhat better control. I think the S4's have a bit too much bass too plus rolled off treble and sound like I'm listening to my music in a limited box.
- RE-Zero - These were nearly the pick as they are quite a nicely balanced IEM. They don't have a lot of bass but have good extension and respond to a little EQ well. Treble on these is wonderful. It's the lower mids/high bass that finally got it into trouble. I found a lack of warmth and weight to mids, especially male vocals. The worst sounded tinny and recessed. I can't tell if there is a peak in the mid's or if it's a lack of supporting upper bass. It just lacks the fullness I require. I could find no EQ settings on my Ipod or my computer (which is very limited) to compensate for this issue and thus they must go back.
So it appears I'm looking for an IEM with the treble qualities of the RE-Zero and more support/fullness/warmth/weight in the high bass/low mids. I wouldn't mind a little more bass overall but that can also be achieved with a little EQ. Any advice on a likely candidate?
I didn't find A161P's high end to be sparkly enough sounding offensive. I was using medium sized Sony hybrids.
Agree that RE-0 is dry sounding and lacks weight & warmth in mids.
Agreed about the A161, I quite like their sound and didn't find their treble to be harsh. Probably all comes down to the seal. Since it's in your signature, how did you find the A161 compared to the JVC FXT90?
I got quite a good seal with flanges from the RE-Zero but that made no difference. I think I tried every flange that came with the A161p's but also heard no real difference to the treble character. Certain guitar riffs were painful as was Sting's S's on many tracks. Perhaps I just got a bad set, or I'm just overly sensitive to those frequencies. It's all good data for further searching.
maan , those gr99 are looking like my old forgotten denon ahc-551 . i like this gr99 . orthodox big barrel . i like it dark , but is the highs better then the soundmagic e30 ?
Great reviews, ljokerl! VSONIC keeps impressing, even in the lower range...
Fantastic Reviews!! Both are dead on. LOL, I called the GR99 right on, in my " Guess post"...I missed the GR02 tho, I rated it a little higher at 7.8, But 7.6 is still good. I still like them better then the 06, I think the " Fun Factor" is what does it for me. Both of these are at the Top of the heap for " Budget-under $50"...You have to have both, IMO...They both are very close to each other, but the small difference from each other makes both needed in your collection.
definitely helped!! thanks
So it appears I'm looking for an IEM with the treble qualities of the RE-Zero and more support/fullness/warmth/weight in the high bass/low mids. I wouldn't mind a little more bass overall but that can also be achieved with a little EQ. Any advice on a likely candidate?
I'm wondering how the RE262, GR07, and JVC FXT90 compare to each other. I haven't had the chance to listen to any of them, so any insight is appreciated!
@joker
I got FI-BA-SB. I do like the sound signature. Though it's not as balanced as e-Q5 but the presentation is lively with good instrument separation, depth and imaging. Bass is considerably much more and the warmth too.
Which IEM is closest sounding to FI-BA-SB (excluding other Final Audio Designs) ?
How much FI-BA-SB differs from FI-BA-SS ? I'd be much less likely to spend $1000 on a single IEM over slight updgrade.
What would you suggest as an upgrade over FI-BA-SB (looking for better instrument separation, imaging and 3d soundstage) ? UM3X R or SM3 V2 ? I read contrary opinions to these, almost everyone favoring UM3X over SM3 V2.
Westone 4R can be another good alternative over both ?
Which are your favorite genres and artists you listen during review process ?
How much FI-BA-SB differs from FI-BA-SS ? I'd be much less likely to spend $1000 on a single IEM over slight updgrade.
Agreed about the A161, I quite like their sound and didn't find their treble to be harsh. Probably all comes down to the seal. Since it's in your signature, how did you find the A161 compared to the JVC FXT90?
I got quite a good seal with flanges from the RE-Zero but that made no difference. I think I tried every flange that came with the A161p's but also heard no real difference to the treble character. Certain guitar riffs were painful as was Sting's S's on many tracks. Perhaps I just got a bad set, or I'm just overly sensitive to those frequencies. It's all good data for further searching.
That's a lot of questions. I haven't heard the SS in a very long time and I haven't even finished reviewing the SB yet so I don't have a whole lot of recommendations to make. It's safe to say you will not find anything that sounds like Final Audio in the Earsonics or Westone lineups, though they all have good instrument separation. The SB has decent depth but its soundstage just isn't very large - the W4 and SM3 won't have any trouble beating it there. However, they will sound thicker and warmer. Also, I've never heard the SM3 V2.
I listen to a variety of music but also have a set list of two dozen lossless test tracks I use with every IEM I listen to, which include everything from death metal to classical to electropop.
Sound signature is more balanced but much more analytical. It's the most resolving and detailed universal I've ever heard ever over the k3003 being mostly on par w/ my customs give or take here and there. If you have great recordings go for it. If you listen to poorly mastered stuff on mp3s forget about it.