[dnullify]

Just out of curiosity how much burn in do you have? I recall when I first got mine, I fiddled with the bass port and noticed that they only made the sound bloaty and uncontrolled. Now, it actually makes an entire tonal difference. Then again I never take it past .75 open now.

I've never heard the gr07, but what exactly about the bass response don't you like? Have you tried many different tips?

I gotta say though I find it surprising that the poor pain job got through their QC.

I personally take slight issue with the highs, and quite like the bass with the ports at ~.2 of the way past closed and the first notch. Literally as little as I can while still perceiving a difference. With larger tips than I usually use and a shallow insertion, I'm finding them much more polite and tighter.

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

 

 
You know, the ASG-2 may very well not be for you.
 
I'm hard pressed to find anyone else who thinks the G2's bass is "flabby" or "crappy".
 
I don't think you'll have much trouble selling your pair. The buyer may not even care about the imperfections you described.

 

[gnarlsagan]

Fwiw I agree with Unity about the bass. I prefer the GR07's bass.

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

Fwiw I agree with Unity about the bass. I prefer the GR07's bass.

 
No you don't

 
You found the GR07 to be far too bassy as well, especially after you got the Etys.
 
And you like Etys, so you don't coun't.
 
kidding
 
 
I guess I understand where he's coming from. I think he's more soured about the money he spent vs what he got in return over the GR07, which is a great performer on its own. Good thing he didn't spring for the 334.

 

[Theogenes]

Man, while I respect your opinion, Unity, I disagree pretty much across the board. I don't find the bass flabby at all-- I find it full, but impactful and lithe as any IEM I've ever heard. And as far as the 'imperfections' in the build, I understand wanting everything to be perfect-- I do too! But then again, we're talking about a $650 IEM that truly competes with $1k+ IEMs, and has better overall ergonomics to boot.
 
Do I think there are things they can do better? Sure! The case needs to be about 1/3 of an inch or so taller, there is an incredibly minor imperfection in mine that has no impact on anything, and I think they could be a bit more aesthetically pleasing. But none of these have anything to do with the sound that they produce, which I find to be an excellent balance between unbelievable technical prowess and a fun/lively sound that engages the listener. 
 
It's absolutely okay not to like something others like-- I don't like the HD650 even a little bit, and I thought the Signature DJ just wasn't good at nearly anything that I value, and a lot of people disagree with me on those points. Eke may be right, these might just not be the best fit for ya. No worries, they're at a point now where they still aren't caught up with demand (AFAIK), and somebody would probably jump at the opportunity to take these off your hands without an extended waiting period. 
 
In my opinion, I prefer any audio equipment I have that isn't "cost no object" (=all of it) to make compromises that affect things other than the listening experience, and I think the ASG-2 does an exceptional job with that. They nail clarity, bass impact, engagement, etc, while also getting a reasonable fit and a great cable. They could make some improvements to the accessories and whatnots that accompany the IEM, but the point is that they kicked @ss when they needed to and understood where to make intelligent compromises-- and as a result we have a world-class IEM for less than the IE800, K3003, 1plus2, etc etc. 
 
I hope this comes across as intended-- not as a confrontation to Unity, or to say "you're wrong" in any way, but simply to offer an opposing POV in a respectful way. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and I have a sneaking suspicion those will make someone very happy at some point-- whether it's you down the road, or someone else altogether. Or maybe I just like happy endings too much... My Asian masseuse would certain agree with that. 

 

[gnarlsagan]

No you don't

You found the GR07 to be far too bassy as well, especially after you got the Etys.

And you like Etys, so you don't coun't.

kidding


I guess I understand where he's coming from. I think he's more soured about the money he spent vs what he got in return over the GR07, which is a great performer on its own. Good thing he didn't spring for the 334.

Lol its close, but even though the GR07 is too bassy for me, it has more of the right bass imo. A better sub-bass to mid-bass ratio. But I think I'd take the mids of the ASG-2. To me I honestly put them in a similar performance bracket, with the ASG-2 ahead in some key areas.

Edit: I should add that I think the ASG-2 has a ton of potential, and if certain changes are made I think it could be much much better than the GR07.

 

[kkcc]

Been spending 40 hours or so with my ASG-2 and below are some initial impressions that I also shared with Eke. Need to thank him for his advices on bass port and tips.


Please note my impressions are based on my earlier expectation that it should be compared (and even favorably) with the top iems including the 334 and 1plus2 which I also own. While I agree with most qualities highlighted by Eke in his ASG2 impression, I will focus to add value to the thread by illustrating some shortcomings when compared to top performers that is not apparent to or didn't bothered Eke:


1. Bass - fast for a dynamic driver, but quantity can be too much even at very very low bass port setting. It has a certain subwoofer feel to it - it won't kick in if the track doesn't calls for the lows, but once it kicks it kicks hard, and maybe too hard. This is definitely a basshead's dream or if you listen to music at very noisy environment where bass usually suffer. Midbass is bloated as other mentioned, more so even than the 334 with stock 001 cable.


2. Mids - a presentation which can sound raw/powerful, unsweetened/unrefined, . Works better for singer with raspy voice as it showcase their voice's character but not so good for a more refined voice. Can have some metallic tint in upper mids and often made vocals interesting but unnatural. Also a lot of "sh" sound.


3. Treble - too much sibilance and very metallic. Violin sounds like they are all with steel stings for students.


4. Soundstage - decent width, but quite flat. More like in a small room or recording studio than an expansive stage.


5. Resolution/Details - decent details but with the strong bass/midbass other frequencies can be overpowered and lost. The flat soudstage also cause instruments fighting for space.


I like them more with studio recorded, electronic, western pop type of tracks. Do not like them with classical, live jazz, asian female vocals, opera/musicals type of tracks.


Another observation is that it has a small range of volume that sounded best to me. A bit too low it is lifeless, too high it becomes harsh and noisy.


Still looking to run it in more to tame the treble and get tighten the bass. I figured the metallic tint would still be there and is part of its character and what make it different. I am not used ot it and still need to figure out if I would like it. OVerall it is a vastly fun IEM that reminds me an improved H-200 from TPeos. If you like the H-200's charateristics, ASG-2 would be a very nice upgrade.


Oh, and did I mentioned they look charming?

 

[Eugguy]

Quote:

Been spending 40 hours or so with my ASG-2 and below are some initial impressions that I also shared with Eke. Need to thank him for his advices on bass port and tips.


Please note my impressions are based on my earlier expectation that it should be compared (and even favorably) with the top iems including the 334 and 1plus2 which I also own. While I agree with most qualities highlighted by Eke in his ASG2 impression, I will focus to add value to the thread by illustrating some shortcomings when compared to top performers that is not apparent to or didn't bothered Eke:


1. Bass - fast for a dynamic driver, but quantity can be too much even at very very low bass port setting. It has a certain subwoofer feel to it - it won't kick in if the track doesn't calls for the lows, but once it kicks it kicks hard, and maybe too hard. This is definitely a basshead's dream or if you listen to music at very noisy environment where bass usually suffer. Midbass is bloated as other mentioned, more so even than the 334 with stock 001 cable.


2. Mids - a presentation which can sound raw/powerful, unsweetened/unrefined, . Works better for singer with raspy voice as it showcase their voice's character but not so good for a more refined voice. Can have some metallic tint in upper mids and often made vocals interesting but unnatural. Also a lot of "sh" sound.


3. Treble - too much sibilance and very metallic. Violin sounds like they are all with steel stings for students.


4. Soundstage - decent width, but quite flat. More like in a small room or recording studio than an expansive stage.


5. Resolution/Details - decent details but with the strong bass/midbass other frequencies can be overpowered and lost. The flat soudstage also cause instruments fighting for space.


I like them more with studio recorded, electronic, western pop type of tracks. Do not like them with classical, live jazz, asian female vocals, opera/musicals type of tracks.


Another observation is that it has a small range of volume that sounded best to me. A bit too low it is lifeless, too high it becomes harsh and noisy.


Still looking to run it in more to tame the treble and get tighten the bass. I figured the metallic tint would still be there and is part of its character and what make it different. I am not used ot it and still need to figure out if I would like it. OVerall it is a vastly fun IEM that reminds me an improved H-200 from TPeos. If you like the H-200's charateristics, ASG-2 would be a very nice upgrade.


Oh, and did I mentioned they look charming?

 
Dear kkcc, good post. I am curious. How would you rank the IEMS you've owned/listened to? I am curious to where the ASG2 ranks to your ears!

 

[Theogenes]

Nice impressions, kkcc!! Can't say I hear the metallic sound you refer to, but I definitely agree with your characterization of them as a "vastly fun IEM." Thanks for the thoughts! 

 

[ronaldo7messi10]

Between this and the Stage Diver 3, which one is more suitable for r&b and hiphop? 

 

[vwinter]

Nice impressions kkcc!

I found the soundstage conservative too at first. Then you hit the right song and it explodes. It needs to work with the ASG-2s strengths instead of against it. So It's not as adaptable as others I've heard but flat is not really the same word I'd use, but then again you have different frames of reference.

Also, violins? Really? Boo lol.

The more high end an IEM is the more I try to find faults, oddly. So I like what you chose to do here. Good job! Hope to hear more if you take any more listening notes.

 

[eke2k6]

Thanks for the impressions, kkcc.
 
I'm starting to notice a wide variation in the impressions here, from vwinter's, to unity's, to mine, to kkcc's.

 

[lee730]

Nice impressions kkcc, I can tell you put some work into making this a well balanced overview. Keep us posted on how they progress!
 

 

[eke2k6]

Added kkcc's, unity's, dnullify's, and theogenes's impressions to the first post.

 

[kyuuketsuki]

Thanks for the impressions kkcc!
 
Though, after listening to this (One of the tracks I use for sound stage because I know it so well)
 
I just don't agree with the impressions about sound stage, nor the metallic sounds. Everything is nicely spaced, and I don't feel like anything is really competing. Even with the electric guitar in the forefront.