Phonak Audeo?

[dfkt]

Here are some comments from Phonak's audio engineer about several points that came up in this thread. He cannot participate in the discussion here, but asked me to post this. Maybe it clarifies a few things:

Quote:

Some people feel the volume level too low: As a hearing aid company we must comply with the european standards in terms of max SPL level allowed for earphones. We can't sell a product that breaks people ears..., So our product is slightly under the limit in terms of SPL (few dB to ensure a small headroom). Ear tips. I wouldn't recommend to use other eartips than the Phonak ones: 1. The shape of the inner tube of our silicone olives has been very acurately tuned according to the driver and the acoustic filter. So using another kind will deteriorate the sound quality (especially the high frequencies). I don't found on the market any eartip able to reach our exigences, it is the reason why we made our own ones... 2. The comply foams are not the standard ones, they make them especially for us for the same reasons. For a better sound isolation, I would recommend to use our comply foams "L" size.

Note: I am in no way associated with Phonak, I only reviewed their phones for the ABi website. I'm just happy these guys really seem to care about their product and like to get feedback from us.

 

[GreatDane]

I'd like to know which tips fit them too. Last night I was still trying to get used to the shallow fit compared to ER4. I kept pushing them in trying to go deeper but I finally realized that it was as good as it was going to get. I have a slight problem with the seal over time.

After an hour had passed since I'd moved them around, pushing and twisting a bit, I pulled the right side out to find the silicone tip missing...same with the left. UH-OH, time for the tweezers!

I removed the tips from my ear canals with little effort. That was the first time ever that I managed to get tips stuck in my ears. I just need to stop fooling around and be happy with the shallow fit.

edit: new post to read above. Thanks for the tip info. Interesting.

 

[schneller]

I am afraid the supplied silicon tips simply aren't large enough. They don't provide the isolation I need.

The Comply tips that ship with them, are they medium sized or large?

I personally don't remember a difference in sound in terms of Comply vs. Shure but I know the Shure M Olives simply isolate better for me.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laokid18 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I finally got my Phonaks, and there better and smaller than I expected. Like most I prefer the black filters, seems to make the sound funner and less analytical. Best Highs I have heard than on any of my previous iems , nice tight bass but I wouldn't mind a little more, and detailed mids. Definitely worth every cent. Just one question, do the phonaks sound better with with Shure olives, or the Comply tips?

Mine sound about the same with the olives vs. the included Complys. I found another Comply, the T100 smalls, work even better, but that may be because they are a perfect fit with my ear canals (near the eardrum). They seal perfectly, and are as comfy as almost anything. And because their sound tube is narrower than the T130s (the ones that come with the Audeos), there is almost no chance for them to come off in your ears. I really don't like that possibility, since you could be wearing these away from home.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneller /img/forum/go_quote.gif tstarn06: Any updates on the X10 comparison?

Been busy. Taking a long train ride tomorrow. Will try to do some comparing then.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here are some comments from Phonak's audio engineer about several points that came up in this thread. He cannot participate in the discussion here, but asked me to post this. Maybe it clarifies a few things: Note: I am in no way associated with Phonak, I only reviewed their phones for the ABi website. I'm just happy these guys really seem to care about their product and like to get feedback from us.

Understand his comments on the SPL. But don't agree with tips. I guess I got lucky, but no sound degradation with the Comply T100 smalls. However, I did order some T130s (the ones that came with the phones) from Comply as well. I just don't like the silicone sleeves, as I feel they emphasize the mids/highs too much, and the Complys are more bassy. But that's just me. Others may not agree.

I see Larry (aka Headphoneaddict) purchased a pair. Will be interesting to hear his take on them. I am sold, however, and really find them to be a tremendous IEM, and value as well.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneller /img/forum/go_quote.gif tstarn06: Any updates on the X10 comparison?

Glad you asked for this, cause it has opened my eyes, or should I say ears. Listening to the same track (Eagles, New Kid in Town, studio version) on my Zune80, the X10s performed admirably, as they always do. Bass was thick, clean. But when I switched over to the Audeos, the X10s almost seemed to have a veil over the mids/highs, the crispness of the acoustic guitar and lead vocals wasn't there, compared to the Phonaks. It took all of 15-20 seconds to realize the Phonaks had the more ear-pleasing sound signature, mainly because of the way they handle the mids and upper end. I used the Zune because it has no EQ, so there was a real head to head, and no temptation to do any EQ tweaking, etc.

Based on that single track, with an admittedly limited listening time frame, I can see (actually hear) that the Audeos outperformed the X10s, based on my listening tastes. Now, I still like the comfort and ease of use of the X10s, and with a DAP that has an EQ (Sony, Clip), I can mess with the sound. But given the choice of which one to use more, the Phonaks were the crisper, cleaner more ear-pleasing phone in this specific test. I will do more testing when I have the time, doubtful it will change anything.

In fact, now that I did that comparison, I want to do more listening, with my other DAPs as well.

Oh, and I spoke too soon. I was using the Comply T100 tips, the smalls, and one came off in my right ear. A tweezers got it out, but I was a bit annoyed. May have to stick with the T130s, even though the T100s are more comfortable.

 

[yakuzaph]

tstarn06,
So you would pick the Phonak over the X10?

 

[tstarn06]

All things considered, and based on today's experience, yes. Just one opinion, of course.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Glad you asked for this, cause it has opened my eyes, or should I say ears. Listening to the same track (Eagles, New Kid in Town, studio version) on my Zune80, the X10s performed admirably, as they always do. Bass was thick, clean. But when I switched over to the Audeos, the X10s almost seemed to have a veil over the mids/highs, the crispness of the acoustic guitar and lead vocals wasn't there, compared to the Phonaks. It took all of 15-20 seconds to realize the Phonaks had the more ear-pleasing sound signature, mainly because of the way they handle the mids and upper end. I used the Zune because it has no EQ, so there was a real head to head, and no temptation to do any EQ tweaking, etc. Based on that single track, with an admittedly limited listening time frame, I can see (actually hear) that the Audeos outperformed the X10s, based on my listening tastes. Now, I still like the comfort and ease of use of the X10s, and with a DAP that has an EQ (Sony, Clip), I can mess with the sound. But given the choice of which one to use more, the Phonaks were the crisper, cleaner more ear-pleasing phone in this specific test. I will do more testing when I have the time, doubtful it will change anything. In fact, now that I did that comparison, I want to do more listening, with my other DAPs as well. Oh, and I spoke too soon. I was using the Comply T100 tips, the smalls, and one came off in my right ear. A tweezers got it out, but I was a bit annoyed. May have to stick with the T130s, even though the T100s are more comfortable.

Interesting, considering I liked the X10 a little more than a stock SE530, Triple.fi 10 Pro or Sleek SA6. Having Westone 3, NE-7M and depodded IM716 I didn't need the X10 and sold them to fund other things. The Phonak should be interesting.

 

[tstarn06]

I think (hope) you are in for a surprise. I really was stunned at how much more I preferred the Audeo sound over the X10s. I still prefer the W3s over the Audeos on balance, in terms of an overall presentation, but I have to say, the Audeos outperformed the X10s in my limited testing effort. Again, it was one track, but that track is one of my favorite test tracks (and one of my favorite songs, period), mainly because of the early bass, the harmony singing, and the acoustic guitar. Many people are not Eagle fans, but I am still living in the 70s to some extent.

As we both know, tips/fit can mean alot. With Complys or olives, they sound best to me. I didn't care all that much for the silicone, but I am gonna try those again as well.

 

[Kugan]

Hello all, (this is my first post; please be gentle)

I've been lurking here for quite some time, but because the PFEs are quite new compared to many of the other common players here, I felt better about asking about this one.

Quite simply, I was looking for something within the ~$130 range, and upon finding these, I'm just about convinced. Is there anything better (or even comparable, after reading this thread!) at this price? I would even be willing to go up to say $150 if it was really worth it, but somehow I find that unlikely.

I can't really give you a frame of reference of my music other than that it does not include hip-hop or country. Everything else is fair game.

Thanks, for this, the enjoyable hours I've spent here, and the (relatively slight) wallet damage

Kugan the Pig

 

[tstarn06]

I've owned a ton of in-ears, and the Audeos are the best pair I have owned up to the $200-$220 mark. Granted, I only have one pair that cost (at least retail) more, the Westone 3s (I paid $260), but from the dozen or more in-ears I have owned, sold or even kept that cost below $220, these are the best I have come across. You may get other advice, but not from anyone who owns the Phonaks is my guess. I could be wrong, so see what happens.

 

[schneller]

For under $150, I don't think you can go wrong with the Phonaks. But remember, they have a return policy if you don't agree.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

They have a 14 day return policy. Mine will be here by 3pm Friday, but I doubt I will return them.