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Really? Are they good enough to make you sell off everything else? Even the FXT90?
The FXT90 still performs better on technical terms, but it's presentation is entirely different from the C1, and I find the latter much more musical, fun, and enjoyable altogether. As per selling off everything else? I'll say this. As enjoyable as the C1 sounds, I find myself reaching less and less for my other in-ears. Yes, even the top-tiers. However, make no mistake about it, as is expected, there's quite a difference in terms of performance. For instance, the e-Q5 is still in another league when it comes to transparency, and rightfully so considering it's a little over twice as expensive as the C1. Similarly, the FX700 is also levels above the C1 in terms of timbre, and texture (particularly pertaining to both the high and low end). Then again, the FX700 is also more than three times as expensive as the C1. The same can be said for quite a few other high end in-ears. Nevertheless, at it's price point, the C1 puts up one hell of a performance, and that's where I'm entitled to give all due credit. For that very reason, much like the GR07/EX600, when one encounters an in-ear as enjoyable as the C1, the point of diminishing returns becomes that much more apparent. After all, at the end of the day, it matters not whether one owns the most technically proficient in-ear around; much rather, which one is most enjoyable and suited to the listener's preference.
I conducted a little experiment last night. I had nearly a dozen different tips laid out before me. Beginning with the stock C1 tips (which I find most problematic, pertaining to the high end), I chose a few select tracks where the highs were much too harsh and sibilant throughout the track, and went back and forth between tips in order to determine which one(s) tamed the high end best. Rest assured, it was (once again) down to the Comply T-400 and Monster triple flanges, after which there was practically no harshness whatsoever. The difference is very very noticeable, and it's almost like magic the way sibilance disappears nearly altogether. Between the two, the Comply's make the high end sound a tad too smooth, and slightly laid-back, whereas the Monster tri-flanges retain high end sparkle (for the most part), and result in a slightly mid-centric presentation, which I find works to the C1's advantage, as the midrange begins to sound slightly more open and transparent. Where the Comply's fully retain the heavy, weighty low end, the tri-flanges tend to make the low end sound ever so slightly more lean and tight in comparison. Needless to say, even coming from my FX700's, I find the C1's low end most enjoyable!
In summary, to anyone looking for a set of quality in-ears, at $150 and below, the C1 is definitely worth a closer look. I strongly urge anyone considering the C1 to give the monster tri-flanges a go, after which I'm confident they'll know just how good of a performance the C1 is capable of. I wish to once again reiterate the most important point; my evaluation of the C1 revolves entirely around it's price point, which is of course $130 retail, or $112 after the current 25% discount code (still active as of this writing). They
easily perform well above their price point, and it's for that very reason I have no trouble recommending them to friends and family, time and time again.
