[REVIEW] Aurisonics ASG-2 & 2.5 (with many comparisons)

[eke2k6]

Well to be fair, it hasn't reached the level of those who worship at the feet of HeWhoShallNotBeNamed, the ultimate objectivist, the prince of the graph, the giver of the odac and o2.

 

[vwinter]

Ahh crap, now I need to think up a different name.

 

[UnityIsPower]

Some good points and definitely food for thought.


Here are a few things I've often seen over the years happening in many, many threads:

• People who like the same phone suddenly become mates / buddies — not always a good thing for those looking to get a genuine consensus on the SQ of said phone. Why? Buddies will often have a hard time disagreeing with one another. The more buddies, the worse this can be for those looking for unbiased impressions.

• People are easily influenced by others, ie if several people say X phone sounds this way, then now my ears tell me this phone sounds just like that.

• Several people often do pretty well at parroting, ie just repeating what others have said — some of these people post a hell of a lot and come across as knowledgeable when often what they're doing is just picking up bits from here and there—ah, all that impressive audio jargon!—and doing a fine job at regurgitating. Some of these people can be more influential than many would realise.

• If someone has an agenda—unfortunately not so infrequent—they will try to bash or praise a particular phone; this isn't as obvious as it may seem. There are perfectly nice and seemingly credible people who do have these agendas and have an influence on people; some of them are very close to effectively being what we've come to know as shills. Some of these people have got free samples or very generous discounts, often in exchange for a so-called review (which, of course, is usually quite favourable) or, if not a review, just a constant presence in several threads 'helping' those who, er, seek help, even when some of these people are not asking about that specific phone / product.

There's more, quite a bit more, but I'll leave it at that.


I personally don't have a problem with Rin's graphs—and appreciate the work he's put into them—, not even with some of his very harsh comments. The big problem I see is the people who take these graphs / measurements and comments, make them their own and start spreading what I'd call the "gospel of Rin", which then becomes something not unlike a new religion (I'm not trying to be remotely funny or witty here). We have Sonove graphs, Tyll's (InnerFidelity's) graphs, Golden Ears' graphs, purrin's graphs, etc., but we don't often see a Sonove / Tyll / Golden Ears / purrin religion, although they all have their (big) fans / followers, too.


 

Extremely well written and couldn't have said it better myself based on my observation on the HF community  even before I joined as a posting member.  I also welcome and value positive and negative impressions/opinion in review/impression thread to give readers a broader and more complete idea, AS LONG AS those are really his/her own independent opinion.

Can't stand the parrots or disciples as you mentioned who induce the sound/performance based simply some Rin's graph....  

These post feel so right.

Kkcc... music_4321, could you be as honest as possible about my impressions/post. I don't care if you lay it down harshly, I would like the truth in order to improve myself.

Music... I have to say I feel quite intimidated by you. After the last PM we shared, I honestly want to hide in a corner hoping you don't see me. I was going to ask you more questions but I really didn't want to waist your time.

It sux being THAT guy in the corner but I think I'm used to it by now... I think.

 

[Eugguy]

Whoa...did eke just get banned? what did eke get banned for?

 

[emusic13]

So I come back to read the pages I missed and see Eke is banned...?
My Asg is coming in next week. Hope it sounds good. I dont really care for measurements or the like which is why i havent really bothered learning how to read graphs. If it sounds good to me, it sounds good. Hope everyones done "arguing" in this thread...
I think someone said before we listen with our ears, not our eyes.

 

[OmsJtmz32]

If i am not wrong, is it the comments that he made at the SD-3 thread?

 

[lee730]

It could possibly be a mistake or some kool-Aid spilled.
 

 

[Eugguy]

It could possibly be a mistake or some kool-Aid spilled.

 

Did someone catch eke spiking the kool aid? Ahh...people are so sensitive these days! Maybe it's all the estrogen in the tap water! Oh well, I hope this thread can survive.

 

[kyuuketsuki]

No, I think Oms is right here. Hopefully it is only temporary and he can come back. I rather liked reading his reviews. I'm not really sure of the banning policy here, but it is not something I care to dwell on or question the moderators/admin's judgement. 
 
I'm almost ready to write up my review. I just gotta choose some test tracks. I'll probably post it in it's own thread since if I post it here it will likely get buried now. 
 
I will say this these are really competent IEMs, one of the top I've heard, easily doing battle with 1+2 and TG!334. Though, I never had the opportunity of demoing the TG!334 side by side with the ASG-2 like I did with the 1+2, they really are comparable. I still attest that the 1+2 is an amazing phone and does many things I think that are better than the ASG-2 from a technical standpoint. The TG!334 (from sonic memory) I still feel, though I haven't compared directly, is a TOUCH better at separation. Imaging and presentation were about the same. I get what Eke meant by they are about technically the same, I just feel that to my ears the TG!334. However sonic memory is always faulty and it might be expectation bias due to price. 
 
I really hope that when the NYC Fall meet rolls around there will be a few of these TOTLs floating around so I can AB them.

 

[Theogenes]

I know this is a bit OT, but I'm assuming most bans here are temporary, right? Any idea how long they tend to last?

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

... I'm assuming most bans here are temporary, right?

 
Yes, most are.
 
 
Quote:

... Any idea how long they tend to last?

 
I think in this case probably a week.
 
NOTE: Mods are not too keen on people discussing bans publicly, but since we're talking about the OP / thread starter, the one responsible for the ASG-2 review and comparisons of it to other IEMs, I thought...

 

[UnityIsPower]

I think I've seen people post with a banned tag... not 100% on that. But someone responded to him something to the tune of "I didn't know the dead could talk".

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

These post feel so right.

Kkcc... music_4321, could you be as honest as possible about my impressions/post. I don't care if you lay it down harshly, I would like the truth in order to improve myself.

Music... I have to say I feel quite intimidated by you. After the last PM we shared, I honestly want to hide in a corner hoping you don't see me. I was going to ask you more questions but I really didn't want to waist your time.

It sux being THAT guy in the corner but I think I'm used to it by now... I think.

 
I thought your impressions were very valuable (and said so already, though perhaps I didn't state it so clearly):
 
Quote:

 
This has nothing to do with being transparent. Reporting (in real-time) on the sonics, build quality, packaging, accessories, shipping time & costs, etc. of a product is fine, and I'm sure several / many people have appreciated your previous posts (I know I have). Asking for (or demanding) a refund publicly, though, is an entirely different matter and just isn't right.

 

[UnityIsPower]

Yeah, I read that and was hoping you would get a bit more specific but thanks for the response music_4321.

I like how tiny went at me to clarify(as I think he should) and responded well to my attempt. Gnarlsagan has also helped me out, as have others here, and I really appreciate you guys.

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

 I ... was hoping you would get a bit more specific...

 
Probably I wasn't a bit more specific because I haven't heard the ASG-2s myself, but thought your actual sonic impressions were useful, as well as your comments on QC / build quality.