Phonak Audeo?

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Agreed, I don't have the W3 yet (soon, hopefully), but my SE530 or others aren't retired because of the Phonaks. For me there are roughly two main "species" of IEMs: the "lush, grand" ones (UE11, SE530, Atrio, probably the W3, IE8, etc) and the "accurate, monitor-esque" ones (Phonak, Ety, q-Jays, etc). And in my opinion the Phonaks are the best of the latter category. Myself, I'm still more of a fan of the first category though (just like you appear to be, Tstarn06), but also appreciate a good accurate one from time to time.

Sweet, I have both the IE8 and Phonaks coming soon!. Your post kind of validated all my (crazy, or so my wife says) reading of this forum.

I also have the SCL4's coming (some day, they are back ordered) from guitar center. My guess is they are in the "accurate" category, and the Phonak's will blow them away. Has anyone heard both, as I can cancel my SCL4 order. I now have to focus on DACs, portable amps, and of course buy the D2000!

Watch out wallet

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Agreed, I don't have the W3 yet (soon, hopefully), but my SE530 or others aren't retired because of the Phonaks. For me there are roughly two main "species" of IEMs: the "lush, grand" ones (UE11, SE530, Atrio, probably the W3, IE8, etc) and the "accurate, monitor-esque" ones (Phonak, Ety, q-Jays, etc). And in my opinion the Phonaks are the best of the latter category. Myself, I'm still more of a fan of the first category though (just like you appear to be, Tstarn06), but also appreciate a good accurate one from time to time.

You are dead on, exactly how I feel, but never put it that way before. Two types of phones, basically, no matter what the tech (dynamic, armature, etc.). And I enjoy both too. Which is why I am holding on to my modded 716s as well. I just can't part with them, they were such an amazing deal (they represent my Ety sound, though a little warmer). So now, I think, I have my collection down: Just read my sig and that's where I will be for the immediate future (and beyond, I hope).

Actually, I misspoke before. It was Chi2 who prefers the Audeos over the W3s, not you, Larry. I got a bit scatter-brained. So if Chi2 is reading this (my bet is he/she is), you get the point. I really don't mind the mid-bass bump in the W3s, since they just sound fuller to me and more fun/rewarding to listen to, apples to apples (amp/no amp, sleeves, rip quality, etc.).

Now, the last piece of my collection is in the hands of our nephew. We gave him a choice as a Xmas gift, either Head-Direct RE2s or Yuin PK3s. He's still deciding. I am hoping he chooses the RE2s, so I can have the PK3s, which to me, are another one of those amazing value in-ear phones, even if they are buds.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sweet, I have both the IE8 and Phonaks coming soon!. Your post kind of validated all my (crazy, or so my wife says) reading of this forum. I also have the SCL4's coming (some day, they are back ordered) from guitar center. My guess is they are in the "accurate" category, and the Phonak's will blow them away. Has anyone heard both, as I can cancel my SCL4 order. I now have to focus on DACs, portable amps, and of course buy the D2000! Watch out wallet

Yes, appearing crazy in the eyes of a significant other certainly is a main result of haunting this forum. I also had ordered the SCL4s from Guitar Center, but decided I didn't really need them with the modded 716s in my possession. So I canceled the order.

Of course, after reading the Phonak thread and getting such a good deal on the Audeos, I was wrong, sort of. I added one more phone to the collection. Based on my experience, I would not bother with the Shures at this point. Though you can always sell them. Just my 2 cents.

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am hoping he chooses the RE2s, so I can have the PK3s, which to me, are another one of those amazing value in-ear phones, even if they are buds.

What makes them an amazing value? What characteristics do they have that separate them from other headphones (other than being a bud)?

 

[dfkt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, I misspoke before. It was Chi2 who prefers the Audeos over the W3s, not you, Larry. I got a bit scatter-brained.

Heheh...

Cheers,
Martin

 

[nbdriver]

I just received my phonaks today, and the only thing i have to say is WOW, they sound very clear and there is just enough bass for me, i had a pair of Sony MDR-EX90 before and it's a big step froward in terms of SQ and isolation (i can't hear a person talking just beside me).

I was about to order a pair of Q-Jays and i want to thank you all for your reviews that helped me so much.
Phonak is a big company and for the 2 Years warranty it is a lot easyer than Jays here in Belgium, almost evry hearing-aid shop works with phonak.

For those who are in Belgium like me you can order them by laperre by calling the headquarters, they will order them for you directly from phonak for 120€ without mic and 139€ with mic. I think it's a good price.

Just a question : Are the Shure Medium Olive tips fitting this IEM's out of the box or do they need some modifications ?

 

[tstarn06]

After writing that response, I stumbled upon the perfect tip for the Audeos. For me, at least. Very weird, but I had 3 pair of Comply T100 smalls sitting around (ordered them by mistake, but was using them with the 716s). I squeezed the little tips into the Audeos, and figured they would be too small for a good seal. Boy, at least for my ears, was I wrong. And gladly so. They must fit perfectly right where my ear canal narrows or something, giving me the true feeling of a deep IEM. Not even sure why they work so well. I got them in, waited for them to decompress, and turned one of my favorite "test" tracks (a song I just love for some odd reason), New Kid in Town by The Eagles (studio version). Right on the money! And about as comfy as the X10s (though I still find the over the ear style a little annoying).

This is not saying you should run out and buy the Comply T100 smalls, cause they probably will not work for anyone with large ear canals. But by accident, they work for me. And just today I ordered 3 pair of the T130s, which came with the Phonaks. Doh! I guess I can use them too, since they feel pretty good and the sound is very good with them.

I am going to experiment more with the T100s, and see how they hold up. But this is a very exciting development, because sleeve compatibility is so critical me in terms of whether or not I like an IEM.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfkt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heheh... Cheers, Martin

I mean Martin. Larry, aka headphoneaddict, had just PM'd me, so more scatterbrainedness.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif What makes them an amazing value? What characteristics do they have that separate them from other headphones (other than being a bud)?

Well, they are $39, and sound way beyond that price point (in my opinion, and I am not alone). No need for me to go on, just check the PK3 appreciation thread. It's long, but there are some recent posts as well.

The PK3s are no inexpensive FOTM either, like SoundMagic, etc. They are the real deal, and I love using them on the beach or when playing poker, when I want to hear sounds around me. They are somewhat Grado-like, but again, let those in the PK3 thread deliver the particulars.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/y...thread-237063/

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, they are $39, and sound way beyond that price point (in my opinion, and I am not alone). No need for me to go on, just check the PK3 appreciation thread. It's long, but there are some recent posts as well. The PK3s are no inexpensive FOTM either, like SoundMagic, etc. They are the real deal, and I love using them on the beach or when playing poker, when I want to hear sounds around me. They are somewhat Grado-like, but again, let those in the PK3 thread deliver the particulars. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/y...thread-237063/

Thank you, I saw that thread, but was hoping for a quick and dirty summary

I will read it when my wallet recovers from my purchases!

 

[i_don't_know]

How high would you all rate the "fun factor" of the Audeos on a scale of 1-10 (if Ety's are a 1 and the IE8 is a 10)?

I want IEMs that will get my heart racing, my blood pumping, my head bobbing, my foot tapping, and my hands subconsciously air guitar-ing.

This goes for everyone that has listened to the Phonaks. The more responses, the better. I'm pretty much set on these as a Christmas present for now, and the last thing I want is to be disappointed (which is always a possibility no matter how detailed and accurate they sound).

 

[tstarn06]

Hmm, blood pumping, heart racing, head bobbing? I need a great live band to get to that place. Or a track that can do all those things (like Rosalita live, maybe). I can't say the Audeos will achieve those objectives by and of themselves, but I would rate them an 8, based on how they sound with the right tips (for me). Also, I have Altec-Lansing IM716s, made by Ety, and I do not find them "not fun" when hooked up to a good amp. Can't speak for the IE8s being the most fun phones, either. Anyway, you get my point.

 

[i_don't_know]

And pushing armatures to pump out bass with an amp like the Fiio isn't bad for them at all, right?


I'm just so worried that after I put them in and get a seal, my music will sound bassless, dry, and lifeless in comparison to my full-size HA-RX700 which I love very much for at home listening. Would this assumption be correct, or am I worrying too much?

 

[dfkt]

For dense, complex, layered music the Phonaks are a clear "10", in my opinion. They are able to reproduce, say, Opeth, LOTR soundtrack, and similar material without sounding congested and muddy. Not a lot of IEMs do that, in my experience. Phonaks make such material really "fun" sounding - since they don't crap out like, say q-Jays, SF5v2, Ety, or even the SE530 to a certain extent.

Seems dense audio material is an issue for many armature phones (not so much for dynamic drivers), but the Phonaks hold up well... thus I'd say they're "fun" in that aspect.

 

[i_don't_know]

Well, I know these aren't necessarily known for bass quantity, but can you at least feel it "kicking" to the point where it makes you want to move with the beat, or is it more of a "bass quality is great, but you may have to listen for it" sort of thing?

I guess that's what I would define as "fun". The ability to feel the beat. I'm not expecting it to be quite as much as dynamics can deliver, but does it at least come very close?