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

[lee730]

Quote:

 
Not trying to "get my point across" and you know that very well (you should have at least acknowledged the K3003 graph is not purrin's) — you know quite well I'm very factual. And I didn't comment on the W3000ANV because I was never interested in that phone and haven't seen enough of your descriptions of it to comment.

 
 
The W3000 was a nice headphone. I still think overpriced personally but the build quality/luxury accounts for that premium obviously. Personally it was lacking in bass. With usage the bass did fill out somewhat. The thing is the treble also became more prominent and was a bit fatiguing for me personally. It was better suited for low volume listening. Vocals were superb and had this lush and inviting sound to it. It's hard to explain. This phones appeal was definitely in the mid range (vocals especially). I also loved drums on these (crazy good prat). Very much reminded me of how the Kaede and Sui do drums. I also have to factor in I didn't have a ubber expensive amp to drive them which seems to yield many people much better results.

 

[UnityIsPower]

Dude, don't say bomb in an airplane.

LMAO. Nights.

 

[dnullify]

Quote:

People wanting Dale to somehow answer for Rin's measurements are greatly misinformed about just how variable measurement results are.
 
I've been told by every major ciem maker I've spoken to (a handful) that there are no set standards for precisely how to set up measurements and that small changes in set up making a big difference in results.
 
That's just the truth and Dale's giving the best, most honest answer from the point of view of an audio engineer who actually understands how variable measurements are, period.
 
Again, that's the most honest answer you would get from another ciem maker as well, I want to be clear about that. It's only a non-answer to people who think they are seeing something they aren't--objective measurements of how an earphone sounds. Yeah, objective measures aren't so objective when you've got each individual with their own, unique, non-replicatable apparatus and procedure. Think about it. That's not to say there isn't value in measurements, when used rightly, a good measurement can aid us in describing what our ears are telling us.
 
As an aside, Rin doesn't seem to give the impression that he understands the limits of his measurements in the little I've read of him. For example, another hobbyist audio-measurement person always gives subjective findings with his measures and for iems makes sure to cut things at 9khz or so because the measurement is unreliable above that. Rin, meanwhile, presents data above 9khz as though it actually tells you something about how the earphone sounds--which it probably doesn't... I like Rin, but it's not clear at all that he knows what he doesn't know.

I agree with this entirely.
After reading some of his blog, I've come to the conclusion that too many people take him too seriously, himself included. His snarky tone, poor grasp of English, and numerous and entirely subjective "second thoughts" are treated as objective and scientific measurements, when there appears to be absolutely no such thing. Not only that, but his interpretations of the graph seem to be completely subjective - in the sense that all i'm reading is "oh look at this squigly line, it means this". There is nothing professional or objective about his blog posts.
 
I'm not saying I know anywhere as much about audio as him, because don't but I do know a thing or two by now about lab measurements and data interpretation. Sure Rin is some sort of audio guru, and his measurements are useful to some degree - but let's not pretend that this is a standardized lab set up with standardized graph compensation, or agreed upon methods of interpretation.
I would not expect anyone in the industry, Dale included, to waste their time and energy commenting on Rin's findings of the ASG-2. Whether they measure good or not, whether this thread is a circle jerk for the ASG-2 and we're all experiencing acute buyer's remorse or not is besides the point.
 
 
Quote:

 
Perhaps I've spent far too long abroad and my poor English these days seems to you fairly inadequate — but hey, having had a British parent, who passed away 3 years ago, at least has helped me a lot during those critical moments in my life when I've needed to order a beer, ask where the toilets are, or ask for the bill. That said, I believe saying "Every major ciem maker? Every one?" is perfectly good English (though perhaps not in your neck of the woods)—the second question, of course, meaning "Every single major ciem maker?"

But rather than dealing with my pretty poor English, I note you did not really address the actual contents of my post and, instead, you used the very condescending tone you seem to enjoy so much which is seen not so infrequently in several of these forum threads.
 
So, although I could say quite a bit more to you, I think it's best I leave it at that.

 
And I'm sorry dude, but with your nitpicking ("hundreds of variables"), and blatant miss-reading and/or miss-quoting - the kind assumption here is that your English is rough.

 

[mc21]

Anyone else feel that these are a bit source sensitive? It should pretty good from the iphone and macbook pro (at work) but it sounds extremely V shaped (especially on the low end) on my Nexus 7.2
 
Can anyone comment on these compared to the JH16 by chance?

 

[vwinter]

The W3000 was a nice headphone. I still think overpriced personally but the build quality/luxury accounts for that premium obviously. Personally it was lacking in bass. With usage the bass did fill out somewhat. The thing is the treble also became more prominent and was a bit fatiguing for me personally. It was better suited for low volume listening. Vocals were superb and had this lush and inviting sound to it. It's hard to explain. This phones appeal was definitely in the mid range (vocals especially). I also loved drums on these (crazy good prat). Very much reminded me of how the Kaede and Sui do drums. I also have to factor in I didn't have a ubber expensive amp to drive them which seems to yield many people much better results.

Ex post facto impressions lol. (just wanted to say ex post facto)

Re: Bolded above
Well, except for just about any bass centered drum?

 

[vwinter]

Anyone else feel that these are a bit source sensitive? It should pretty good from the iphone and macbook pro (at work) but it sounds extremely V shaped (especially on the low end) on my Nexus 7.2

The impedance curve, assuming that is solid, is pretty whacky lol. If the Nexus 7.2 has anything that isn't very low output impedance, it could potentially boost the bass and relatively make the mids sound thrown back.

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

 
And I'm sorry dude, but with your nitpicking ("hundreds of variables"), and blatant miss-reading and/or miss-quoting - the kind assumption here is that your English is rough.

 
Okay, Mr Dude here. So, my English is not poor but rough — I quite like that. And since you're being kind enough to point out my limited knowledge and understating of the English language, could you please tell me when / where I said "hundreds of variables"? And, if possible, point to some more of my "blatant" miss-quoting? Perhaps too much to ask if you could possibly show me proof of my "blatant miss-reading", too. Now, this may derail the thread a bit, so feel free to PM me, or do so right here, if you must, so everyone can see just how much I need to improve my reading comprehension & writing skills.

 

[Nukeshock]

Hey guys instead of fighting why dnt you tell me an upgrade option to the asg-2? My options can't only be the tg334 and the ie800????

 

[mc21]

Quote:

The impedance curve, assuming that is solid, is pretty whacky lol. If the Nexus 7.2 has anything that isn't very low output impedance, it could potentially boost the bass and relatively make the mids sound thrown back.

Maybe that's it. I was completely shocked when I put it on the tablet. Which is a shame, as I had high hopes of using it with the tablet. =\

 

[mc21]

Quote:

Hey guys instead of fighting why dnt you tell me an upgrade option to the asg-2? My options can't only be the tg334 and the ie800????

Actually I would like to know this as well. The TF334 seems ridiculously priced and the ie800 isn't the sound I'm looking for. The akg k3003 seems to be out too and the 1plus2 is pretty pricey also.

 

[kyuuketsuki]

Quote:

Hey guys instead of fighting why dnt you tell me an upgrade option to the asg-2? My options can't only be the tg334 and the ie800????

 
I think the problem is that there is just limited knowledge. According to eke's review, neither of those may necessarily be "upgrades" to the ASG-2, unless you are considering the increased price an upgrade. But the fact is that not many people have heard the ASG-2s and the other TOTLs. I mean I felt that the TG!334 is superior from sonic memory (albeit barely), but eke seems to disagree. I can't really say for certain since I didn't have a chance to compare them side by side. 

 

[Idsynchrono_24]

Hey guys instead of fighting why dnt you tell me an upgrade option to the asg-2? My options can't only be the tg334 and the ie800????

I dunno, I've owned both the 334 and the 1Plus2, and the 334 is definitely more in line with the G-2's sig if that's what you enjoy. Whether the two are actually worth it based upon perceived boosts in quality? Personally, I honestly don't think so, and will be selling off my 1P2 after I send it off to a few people for demoing purposes, but unfortunately, only you can decide what is, and isn't worth your dough. The ie800 is supposed to be quite nice too, and similar to the G-2 as well, from what I understand.

It might be worth it to own another complementary IEM, such as the excellent Flat-4 or perhaps a FAD heaven phone so you've got a couple of great phones to cover all your bases.

 

[Mimouille]

And I'm sorry dude, but with your nitpicking ("hundreds of variables"), and blatant miss-reading and/or miss-quoting - the kind assumption here is that your English is rough.

You apparently have not understood any of his posts, so read properly before insulting people. And do not derail the thread by being aggressive for no reason as HIS posts make sens. It is indeed easy to be vague and say graphs are worthless when they do no serve your purpose, I am quite convinced if someone shows a flattering graph of the ASG2, Mr Kunlun will find THAT graph enlightening.

 

[vwinter]

Hey guys instead of fighting why dnt you tell me an upgrade option to the asg-2? My options can't only be the tg334 and the ie800????

Help us out a little and you might get a few responses (edit: or not. You guys are killing me here). What are you looking for in an upgrade?

Also, and not a penny more?

It might be worth it to own another complementary IEM, such as the excellent Flat-4 or perhaps a FAD heaven phone so you've got a couple of great phones to cover all your bases.

This is solid advice IMO.

Maybe that's it. I was completely shocked when I put it on the tablet. Which is a shame, as I had high hopes of using it with the tablet. =\

That sucks... Maybe a portable amp with a low output impedance? Ideally less than 1 but less than 2 should be more than fine.I know, not exactly ideal. But I'm sure there's at least a few tiny and cheap ones that would be just fine in a pinch such as this.

You could even use thin Dual Lock tape to make it a clean looking connection.

 

[Nukeshock]

Thanks for the reply guys, I know that I can find good deals around me to accommodate my budget and if it is over budget I will just wait for the next t payday to get it. I enjoyed the asg-2 alot but felt that there could be less bass just a bit less at sometimes I used the eq in my ak100 and lower the bass a bit and that helped alot, something along that line the sound sig of what eke has said seems to be the direction I was heading but I don't mind a better "quality" from the tg334 since its was 5-10°/ and I am a little out off by the 1+2 build quality remarks and hope not to dwell into customs as my reseller tf10 and ue 11 has left a scar on me
I feel ciem are more difficult to put on and have lots of risk like misfit etc , so far now the ie800 looks like a contender but I am feeling very unsure about it, as this will be my most expensive single expense ~