Phonak Audeo?

[gorgak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope this volume issue isn't that my Audeos are defective in any way. Cause they sound fantastic, even with the volume thing.

Yeah, I mean, I can turn the volume way up without it being "blow my head off" loud. But at lower volume I can still hear everything.

I am going to amp these as soon as I get my XM5. ****ing USPS!

 

[tstarn06]

I will be using the MiniboxE+ with these too, plus they sound very good with the NuForce Icon and the E5 (no sound degradation with either of those relatively inexpensive amps).

 

[dfkt]

Tstarn06, quick off topic question: does the MiniboxE+ hiss with your Westones, or other ultra-sensitive low impedance phones?

I'm quite interested in that amp.

 

[schneller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, as Chi2 expected, I am surprised. The Phonaks arrived today, and right now listening to the Eagles Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over tour). Wow. With the black filters, I am stunned. Bass is deep, punchy, not a bit of bloat. The mids and highs are sensational, crisp, clean, just like Chi2 noted. At this point, I need to do some true A/B listening with the W3, X10 and even the 716s (the modded ones), but I would have to say that the Phonaks are delivering SQ that can honestly be compared to either the W3s or the X10s. Again, this is after listening to 3-4 tracks, and not completely, so it's hardly definitive. No need to consider the NuForce 7s against the Audeos, cause to me, it's no contest all things considered (SQ, comfort). As I have said before, I am not one of the Head-Fi pros who can so easily, and eloquently, describe the sounds that emanate from their IEMs/canalphones (guys like AntonyFirst, DavidMahler, etc.). But I do know this, the Phonaks have been out of the box all of 30 minutes, and they are really, really impressive. Full-bodied, balanced, and nothing thin about the sound. They really deliver clean, crisp highs, mids that are "there" and bass that is on par with anything I have ever heard, including my old Atrios (v1, not v2). But that part, comparing their bass to the Atrios, is from memory, so I could be off the mark. Hard to be very definitive, but, on balance, I would say that the Audeos are a fantastic value, especially if you can get them for $125 or less, which I believe some have done using the 10 percent coupon available right now at the Phonak website. As for comfort, it's like there is nothing in my ears, once you get them settled in. It's not a one second deal, like with the X10s. It takes a little maneuvering. I used the Comply T400s (or 500s, not sure) that came with the phones, not the Shure-like silicone bulby tips. I may try those too, but since I have two bags of T400s on hand (for the NuForce 7s I bought), I may end up using the Complys. Almost forgot, not a hint of sibilance with the Audeos. None. The only downside so far is that they suck power, as I literally had to turn my Zune up to 18-19 out of 20 for enough volume, depending on the track of course. With the Clip (v2), which seems to really need a boost with most of my phones, I had to add an amp (the E5) to get them loud enough. And I am not talking ear splitting. Just something to consider. I have yet to try them with my Touch, Rockboxed iPod 5.5g (which I only use via LOD because the HP out is busted) or Sony A818. Also, amped, they respond very well. But I am trying not to have to lug an amp around with me in most cases, so I hope they produce enough volume with the Sony and iPods. I will check back in when I get some quiet time to do some serious listening. But thanks dfkt, Clieos and Chi2 for introducing the Phonaks.

I can agree with both statements. Compared to the X5s, they take a little more time to inert, wrap around the ear, etc., but once in, you can barely tell they are there and the isolation is very good, on par with the X5s IMO.

But they need more volume than the X5s. I would say with the X5s, I would keep the volume on my Sansa e260 around 50%. With my ATH-CK7s, it was usually around 90%. For the Phonaks, it is more around 75-80%. This is at normal volume. I avoid turning on the "high volume" setting.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Tstarn06, quick off topic question: does the MiniboxE+ hiss with your Westones, or other ultra-sensitive low impedance phones? I'm quite interested in that amp.

Don't have my Minibox right now, as the one I had had some charging problems, and Fang at Head-Direct asked me to send it in to check it out. Meantime, I used the old address from my original Paypal purchase, and someone else got it and never returned it. So Fang, one of the best vendors on Head-Fi, worked out a deal with me for a new one, but the fellow who makes them over in China has taken a full-time job so he's not doing as many. I expect to have the replacement within 2-3 weeks. No hiss with the NuForce, or the E5. The Minibox crushes both amps, of course, in terms of SQ, soundstage, etc. It also has a PtoS switch, which can help out with the volume issue (with the Audeos). I used the Minibox with my 716s primarily (even though it is "portable," I always found it heavy, so I used it mainly at home), and the synergy was truly amazing. Never got the chance to try it with my W3s, but I will. In fact, I was going to sell my 716s now that I have the Audeos, but since I paid $20 for the phones new and $20 for the mod, I really can't part with them. The 716s really need an amp, but are very sweet-sounding IEMs.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneller /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can agree with both statements. Compared to the X5s, they take a little more time to inert, wrap around the ear, etc., but once in, you can barely tell they are there and the isolation is very good, on par with the X5s IMO. But they need more volume than the X5s. I would say with the X5s, I would keep the volume on my Sansa e260 around 50%. With my ATH-CK7s, it was usually around 90%. For the Phonaks, it is more around 75-80%. This is at normal volume. I avoid turning on the "high volume" setting.

Good to know I am not crazy. About 75-80 percent is the same for my Clips, but on some songs, I have to crank the Zune to 20 (1-20 scale). Bummer, but it sounds great.

You don't say if you prefer them over the X5s. I can say I find the Audeo sound richer, especially the mids/highs, than the X10s. And the phones are much sturdier. I will say though, that the X10s still are the comfort kings, all things considered.

 

[GreatDane]

I made a remark yesterday stating that my Phonak's hadn't yet arrived. In fact they were shipped on Friday, Jan.9 and I missed delivery on Jan.10. Just this morning I got my hands on them due to being away from my office on Monday to receive them.

I must give credit to Rob at shopclarityhearingaids.com for his promise to deliver on time.

I placed my order on Jan. 1 and Rob was out of town and returned to work on Jan. 5 which I'll count as day one due to the New Years holiday.

After the first email response on Jan. 4 , Rob emailed me again on Jan. 8 and told me that he'd do what he could to get them to me for the weekend so on Jan.9 he shipped them Express USPS at an extra cost ($18.20) instead of the specified Priority Mail.

Based on my experience with this vendor I can recommend them.

This edit reflects my very poor customer service experience with Clarity. After 4 weeks of waiting for an exchange I have lost all faith in this vendor. I CANNOT recommend this seller.

 

[schneller]

Oh, I prefer the Phonaks's over the X5s in all respects.

 

[yeahx]

Hey will you guys cut it out, Im waiting on some money to be able to get these and comparing them to all these other highly praised and highly priced phones is just making the wait harder on me! Thanks a lot!

 

[i_don't_know]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you use the black filters, bass needs no enhancement. My Clear Bass is set at zero.

I'm used to the bass of the JVC HA-RX700.

EDIT: And could someone please check how high these can really go? The only disappointing thing about them specs-wise is the treble extension of 17Hz.

 

[chi2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeahx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey will you guys cut it out, Im waiting on some money to be able to get these and comparing them to all these other highly praised and highly priced phones is just making the wait harder on me! Thanks a lot!

They'd certainly be a great match for your 3G Nano!

 

[dfkt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_don't_know /img/forum/go_quote.gif And could someone please check how high these can really go? The only disappointing thing about them specs-wise is the treble extension of 17Hz.

That is the case with most other armature-equipped IEMs as well, hardly any that get higher. The Phonaks have some of the best treble extension for armatures I heard, actually.

My UE11 are rated at 17.5kHz, but to my ears it seems the Phonaks do go higher. 17.5kHz is the limit of my hearing anyways...

 

[Ozymand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only downside so far is that they suck power, as I literally had to turn my Zune up to 18-19 out of 20 for enough volume, depending on the track of course. With the Clip (v2), which seems to really need a boost with most of my phones, I had to add an amp (the E5) to get them loud enough. And I am not talking ear splitting. Just something to consider. I have yet to try them with my Touch, Rockboxed iPod 5.5g (which I only use via LOD because the HP out is busted) or Sony A818.

I'm guessing that these units will require external amplification to get the most outta them?

I am also using a Zune (30GB) and I'm kinda leery of the fact that you have to crank them so hard to get acceptable volume. The Shure SE210s (and to a lesser degree, the E4 before them) only need to sit around 3-6 (out of 20) for adequate volume to work, but the jackets on the wire are starting to crack from where they've been going over my ears...

Any consensus on amps that show good synergy with these units?

 

[i_don't_know]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is the case with most other armature-equipped IEMs as well, hardly any that get higher. The Phonaks have some of the best treble extension for armatures I heard, actually. My UE11 are rated at 17.5kHz, but to my ears it seems the Phonaks do go higher. 17.5kHz is the limit of my hearing anyways...

If my current 'phones can reach up to 25kHz and I can hear up to 20kHz, will I feel like I'm missing anything at all with the Phonaks?

 

[GreatDane]

OMG I think I like these better than ER4S...after 3 hours of listening/comparing. I'm using iPod 6G>ALO LOD> XM5.

I started with the grey filters and Comply tips this morning for a 30 min. drive fresh out of the box, I couldn't get a good seal but they still sounded shockingly good. At home this evening I switched tips to med. silicone which fit me best...I will try other tips that I have. I'm used to the much deeper fit with the ER4S but they do stay sealed once in place. They seem like they'll be very comfortable for sleeping.

I've switched filters from grey to black, then to grey, then back to black. Changing filters became easy after the first change with little fear of damage.

The grey filters give similar bass to ER4S but the black have much more...sometimes too much with bass heavy electro and can be slightly boomy/resonant at times from what I'm used to with the ER4S which often remains very tight even with slight EQ or Big Bottom from Aphex 204.

I will probably stay with black filters for now.

Re the HF, I hear better extension than ER4S as noted by others. I haven't played my Stereophile test CD for freq. extremes but the Phonak's have a very smooth, open treble...very effortless and delicate.

Me like!