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

[anthonycarbajal]

Where would one purchase the Ocharaku phones? Hate to be a bother, didn't really understand the given options on a seller's website.

 

[Gintaras]

hi James444, here are some statements i could not agree with:
 
Quote:

 

As for the dynamic driver, I really only hear it come in when the song calls for heavy bass, or a solid sub-bass line.
 
The whole thing sounds rather like the cheap, tinny speakers in my 1990 Lexus, plus a poorly integrated sub-woofer. I'm actually sorry for the dynamic driver because it puts out such quality bass, but was paired with something so...poor. I actually think my car speakers sound better.
 
Is the RDB+ 2v1 worth anything near its price, given its competition? Heck no. Go buy yourself a full-sized headphone with that money....IMO

 
i have RDB+ v1 and surprisingly i find them good for myself. you can also read very detailed reviews of v1 and 2v1 from reputable headfiers who used pretty darn good sources and compared them to pretty good IEMs too.
 
mind this i can see (hear) v1 limitations and i agree v1 would need some tuning especially for trebles which sometimes can be overly aggressive and hot while losing some body to them. still for most of the material i spinnned with RWAK i found v1 to be fairly good IEM.
 
remember source is important, you yourself heard how different this can sound even for your IEMs, right? :-D
 
i also cannot agree about cheap sound... come on, i have a near 20K costing rig at home and my pursuit of portables has the prime goal of approaching the sound quality of my home rig so i can use portable on trips and sometimes late in office without missing my home rig. mind this no portable will replace it but 1+2 and RWAK came in closer than anything else i heard to date. and before i was happy listening to V1 with RWAK + T1.
 
as regards comment about the price this was the most ill placed conclusion of all. remember same famous Triple Fi 10 cost originally near 400$ and H200 costing 275$ easily beats them... then comparing H200 and RDB+ v1 with my sources i could  not hold from impression that V1 still sounded better, not all hugely better but still noticeably better to guarantee their steeper price.
 
in the end conclusion about pricing of v1 was not anywhere true and can be misleading for many. assuming you pay v1 and receive a cable for free i still believe they are darn good for the price and will give many hours of pleasure with the right source.
 
and again, i cannot take it seriously when Clip became the main source for this review, excuse me but i know why people love this because there is consumer sound and there is pro sound... those who love consumer sound often buy high end loudspeakers and connect them with home receiver which is waste of money... hope you can see what i mean.

 

[kkcc]

Quote:

 
i have RDB+ v1 and surprisingly i find them good for myself. you can also read very detailed reviews of v1 and 2v1 from reputable headfiers who used pretty darn good sources and compared them to pretty good IEMs too.
 
...
...
 
and again, i cannot take it seriously when Clip became the main source for this review, excuse me but i know why people love this because there is consumer sound and there is pro sound... those who love consumer sound often buy high end loudspeakers and connect them with home receiver which is waste of money... hope you can see what i mean.

 
I agree with you and find RDB+ way better than it was portrayed in eke's review.  But I can't agree with you dismissing someone's  opinion simply because of the source he chose to test on.   I too felt the tone of how he dismissed the RDB+ too harsh and does not match what I heard with the RDB+, but I respect his right to share his opinion.   I actually appreciate eke's (and others) spending time and effort to get a hold of these IEMs and doing the write up to provide more info for our consideration.  It would really be great if eke can also take the time to provide the same level of info (track tested and short description) like he did for the other IEMs.  

 

[Gintaras]

kkcc, as much as i would love to agree with you and i value your opinion greatly, i find source and synergy between source and IEM to be paramount important in a way similar to high-end where choosing speaker & source/amp pairing becomes often painful exercise and costs you thousands in buy-selling before you reach perfect synergy.
 
i would very much agree with Eke only IF i have to assume his Clip synergy with 1+2 and 2v1 was bad.
 
believe me synergy sometimes means everything. let me give you an example. i have H200 and love them to death with my C3 + BH, i would even agree here with H20Fidelity that H200 really challenges RDB+ v1 in some areas on this combo...... but then i swap C3 for RWAK and use RWAK + T1 and guess what? RDB+v1 beats H200 easily.
 
does this mean either H200 or V1 is inferior? NO WAY, this is just about the right source and synergies i found with each of them.
 
so far H200 is a big keeper as is C3 and famous BH amp while V1 marries really well with RWAK.
 
now assume if i would judge H200 only by experience with RWAK what would be my conclusions?
 
AND i would be dead wrong to run parallel comparison of them which would make little sense and overall would be confusing some people. so all i can say is that H200 is truly universal great sounding speakers while V1 is source demanding higher-end (for what is worth).
 

 

[james444]

Folks, that wasn't the point of my question...
 
As I understand it, Gintaras (RDB+ v1) and Eke (RDB+ 2v1) are talking about two different IEMs. So, on what basis is he dismissing Eke's impressions? 

 

[Gintaras]

[size=10pt]James, yes, this was my mistake reading v1 instead of 2v1, yes they must be different, still not by as much, see Anak's review for 2v1.[/size]
[size=10pt]i do not bother to own two of them but can ask Rhapsodio to send me demo version out of curiousity now.[/size]
[size=10pt]what i did not like and why this made my respond?[/size]
 
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]first of all all this nonsense about so-called flat neutral source or IEM .... excuse me IF you want hear truly neutral sound please go to a recording studio but since i been there i can guarantee you will be so much disappointed.... what many call flat is more true live-like sound people want to hear and this i second.[/size]
 
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]second, Clip is a great player but since the time when Clip was nearly the only we got a few new and better sounding DAPs. i own C3, RWAK, i was also a long-time customer of Cowon since 2002 and of Iriver from 90s when they had an excellent slim CD player able to read and play MP3 nicest. so yes, i know many of these since years and Clip was really good but... times changed and today Clip is not nearly as good as it once was.[/size]
 
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]third, comment about quality of 1+2 was for me bit unfair, i would not perceive it build quality that way, yes, acrylic shells are perhaps more fragile but i doubt many are buying this IEM for throwing and dropping... second, comfort is subjective issue, i seldom find problem with tips due to my ears, some others struggle more... some people prefer listen while doing Gym or running, i prefer listen when seated and relaxed and do not like using IEM while going or exercising, that's just me. so what was bad for Eke was not a stopper for me.[/size]
 
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]fourth, and perhaps the last, this is perhaps too far reaching conclusion as to suggest 2v1 sounds like old crappy car audio, really this was too much. i like some products better than other but i would not say anything like this unless we talk about German cars which i find grossly overpriced. the truth is that 2v1 might be not everyone's cup of tea and not so universal universals... but i would not judge them so harsh unless i would take more time to listen to them on various sources.[/size]
 
[size=10pt][/size]
[size=10pt]i also can recommend to the reviewer whose setup features one tube amp to upgrade tubes from crappy sounding JJ to better sounding GoldLions or Tungsols or Psvane treasure or may be jump straight to NOS tubes ... [/size]rolling tubes sometimes gives amazing results and can even turn you into a vodoo believer. mind this i would never put JJ tubes which i find poorly sounding no matter what prestage. i guess he is using either EC83 or similar prestage tubes.

 

[shotgunshane]

Another head-fier here finds them similar to eke:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/663216/rhapsodio-rdb-2v1-review-impressions-and-appreciation-thread/30#post_9509467

 

[kkcc]

Quote:

Folks, that wasn't the point of my question...
 
As I understand it, Gintaras (RDB+ v1) and Eke (RDB+ 2v1) are talking about two different IEMs. So, on what basis is he dismissing Eke's impressions? 

 
James, I understand Gintaras's perspective - he probably believe it isn't fair to dismiss an IEM if it has been tested with a "proper" source.  He wasn't necessarily comparing his opinion with Eke's.  
 
For me, I demo'ed the 2v1 version and my impression was quite positive - good analytical tight and fast sound.  But sound is subjective and I can see it interpreted as too lean or "cheap" sound by others.  It is definitely not lush or grande sounding.  However, I happen to appreciate the accuracy of the attack and decay of its delivery of notes. This is actually not an easy task to achieve  While having different FR,  the sound signature reminds me of why I love the ER4S and I know many who think very poorly of the ER4S for similar reason.  I tested it with a galaxy note 2+neutron, as well as AK100/AK120.  It sounded best (not surprisingly) on AK120 and that I guess was Gintaras's point.
 
However, I think each and every reviews/impression adds to our collective knowledge about how different gears sound.  I value impression of totl iem on totl source, but I also value opinions of ANY combination of gears and I think they are as valid and valuable.   As long as the comparison were done with the same source, there is a fair reference point for us to interpret the results.  While I think regard RDB+ 2v1 a worthy hybrid consideration for me, I'm equally fine others hated how it sounded with a particular source or just flat out don't like it's tuning.

 

[Gintaras]

kkcc
Quote:

While I think regard RDB+ 2v1 a worthy hybrid consideration for me, I'm equally fine others hated how it sounded with a particular source or just flat out don't like it's tuning.

 
exactly my point, source does matter here. one is free to dismiss IEM or DAP on the ground of not reaching synergy, but then this should be mentioned clearly. i do agree people also have different tastes and hear things differently. however conclusion telling 2v1 sounds like crap old car radio is really putting me off.
 
frankly speaking i jumped on reading review because of IEMs in comparison but after reading this i regret visiting this page and perhaps my outburst was not wise and worth since wasting time on nonsense is usually not my style.

 

[eke2k6]

Oh dear. I decide to get a full 8 hours rest, and this happens? 

 
Where do I begin?
 
 
 
 

 
iPhone 4 (one of the flattest measuring devices you can buy) to Shozy MX-1 (have a look at shotgunshane's impressions for how they compare to other expensive "synergistic" gear) via fancy LOD cable, to RDB+ with pure silver upgrade cable..
 
 
 

 
Blackberry Playbook. WM8994 DAC, also out to the Shozy amp (sometimes). Again, silver cables on the RDB+
 
 
 

 
My desktop amp, in from my Sabre equipped desktop DAC..isn't that what's all the rage nowadays?
 
 
 
 

 
A/B'ed with the T-Peos H-200, another dual BA/dynamic driver hybrid. The T-Peos is a remarkably better iem at less than half the price.
 
 
ENOUGH SYNERGY FOR YOU, SWEETHEART?
 
 
Since my ears are obviously not to be trusted, here's a few excerpt from another head-fi'er.
 
 

 
I'm demoing the RDB+ 2v1. It's a stellar performer technically. I just think the actual tuning is incredibly unnatural and the price is stratospheric for what is pretty old hat technology, nothing special build quality and relatively poor ergonomics. There are many elements on the unit that just scream "listen to me" from the out-of-nowhere sub-bass kick to the metallic and brittle treble.

I can't help but compare it to the CK100Pro, which has been tuned well, still has a bass kick and a hyper detailed treble, sounds coherent, looks better and fits better, is actually made of high grade materials, and costs basically half the price.
 
I always think of things like the RDB+ 2v1 as audiophile Frankenstein monsters that must be approached with some caution, but that's just me.
 

 
 
 

 
Man. I'm passing those on tonight but they are just odd. It frankly seems a little outrageous that they are priced the way they are.
 

 
 
 
Quote:

My thoughts exactly. It's pretty much a poorly tuned TWFK, with a decent DD that prob cost them pennies on the dollar. Just bad.

 
 
 

 
That's what I don't understand. A TWFK is a known quantity. A dynamic driver is cheap as chips. The unit itself isn't particularly comfortable or made out of any particular premium materials.
 

 
 
 
 
And another:
 
 

Okay, I just wanted to give my initial impressions here before I add to a bigger review pool...
 
This is the first 'universal custom' type earphone I've tried, and honestly I do not like the form factor. The nozzle size just seems a bit too wide for long term comfort for my ears - my ear canal starts getting sore within 15 minutes of wearing them. The weight distribution of the large body and the weight of the 'audiophile' cables means that that they don't feel entirely secure when moving around. 
 
In terms of technicalities, the IEM is quite impressive, with a tremendous feeling of speed, resolution and detail. Everything sounds lightning fast, with fantastic extension on both ends - especially on the low end. Everything sounds clean and coherent.
 
That said, I don't really like the tuning, which is extremely V-shaped and lean. It's clear that the dynamic driver has given the earphone massive sub-bass extension, but it seems poorly integrated with the rest of the signature. The sub-bass really kicks but because there is no accompanying mid-bass warmth that blends it in. It's a fun effect if you like your sub-bass but seems fairly unnatural, as if someone had applied a high quality 'super bass' EQ.
 
The highs are also very brittle and seemingly metallic in quality, though I don't find them tremendously sibilant - just overemphasised and again poorly integrated into the signature as a whole. 
 
These have the kind of signature that makes it possible to pick apart the music really well (I like them with densely layered synthesised instruments), but I don't find myself really relaxing and connecting with the music with these - there are too many elements that not too subtly call attention to themselves.
 
Of course I am speaking from the perspective of expecting to really love something for $650. These are easily on the same level technically as any $200-$400 IEM that I have tried. Because of both the ergonomics and signature of this IEM I would not pay $650 for them, though they make for an interesting listen.
 

 
 
And another:
 
 
 
 
Quote:SVYR
 

Sound
I had a bit of trouble describing the sound bit by bit.
I'd describe the overall sound as thumping low end, with relatively forward mids and extremely hot portion of the upper mids and treble. (I'm not the biggest fan of the latter)


Let's go bit by bit:

The sub-bass is there. A lot of it. It's thoroughly enjoyable (dance, hip-hop, some metal) (especially if your amp has no bass roll-off 

). I still think 2v1 is sub-bass forward 

 rather than neutral. (in a nice way). Not as insanely impactful as RDB+ or T-PEOS H-200
I couldn't hear any mid bass bloat. I don't think the bass would get too much for many people, at least for me treble volume limited the max comfortable listening volume.



The lower mids seem fuller than V1 but I heard v1 a while ago. The mids lower mids detail and amount are very nice.

Overall for the low end + mid it sounds not dissimilar to Merlin, but Merlin is a bit more.... Lush?

---

The very top of mids and treble is where I had some problems with RDB+2v1.
I listen to a lot of metal and some of it is slightly prone to sibilance (or rather prominent T and S sounds) or likewise - some mastering is extra happy on high hats and cymbals.

For RDB+v1 - it had a bit of snap on the cymbals and hats and that was pleasant and impactful/synergetic with the bass snap impact quality. There weren't really any problems on those tracks though. RDB+2v1 is different and not pleasant for me.

Generally neither harsh treble nor S or T sounds are a problem on my H-200 or Melin for those tracks either. (on H-200 you definitely wouldn't hear it since the entire area is a notch 

 ). For 2v1 it sounds like there's excess 4-10k treble energy (which I guess is also visible in the FR chart courageously posted by Rhapsodio) and about 1/5th of my songs are either unpleasant, fatiguing or unlistenable due to treble general harshness, sharp T or S sounds or (various metal, rock, hip-hop, electronic. Classical is ok). Subsequently, soundstage sounds extremely odd to me.

Below is an eq sample of what makes it better for me in AIMP3 music player for most songs (not too sure how wide those are, I think it gets wider the higher we get - the notches are -3, -4.5, -3, -1.5). (edit on second thought I'd probably -2 at 4khz as well)  And since my ears hurt after listening to 2v1 a bit louder treble wise than I should've just now, I'm probably overcompensating a bit. When I left them to play in I could distinctly hear sharp treble a few meters away for several particularly 'well' suited and mastered songs.

Tips, cable, etc?
I've tired it straight out of the Clip+, D2, amped with JDS O2, Amped with Shozy PX-M1, mostly that didn't help the treble harshness and some made it worse. Likewise, tips (silicon, hybrid, comply foam) or cables didn't seem to make a difference. (the seal is fine)

I suppose, if you listen rather quietly, you may well enjoy it more and find it more neutral, but if you like to listen fairly loudly, perhaps 2v1 are not what you're looking for. (or you might have to treble shelf them, but even that left some treble harshness I could take out with EQ for some reason). or someone can recommend a matching gear set.

I'd like to really hear some further impressions from other Australian tour participants (and of course the US tour 

 ), since my opinion or musical preferences/hearing aren't authoritative 

. Personally I think you should try Rhapsodio's RDB+v1 instead. or maybe T-PEOS H-200 

 
 
 
So, because I decided not to use uber-expensive gear that no one has yet proven to me is that much better than my daily drivers, my impressions are invalid? 
 
Cute.

 

[eke2k6]

As for your 1P2 comments, Mr. Gintaras, let me direct you to what a 1P2 owner wrote a few days ago.
 
 

Well first, lets just get this out of the way: The ASG-2 (G-2) ergonomics, comfort, and cable trounce all over the 1plus2 (1p2). Not that the 1p2 is uncomfortable by any means, but the G-2 is SO comfortable. Reminds me of Westone and how they just slip in nice and tight and you don't worry about them. Part of the 1p2 problem is the unwieldy cable. It did not bother me that much until the G-2 reminded me that cable flex can be easy to deal with. I have to occasionally press my 1p2 in to my ears to maintain a secure fit. With the same Ortofon tips on the G-2, maintaining fit/seal is never a distracting thought when I am concentrating on the music. 
 
 

 
 

---

 
Looking over my last post, I see that music_4321 is really starting to rub off on me.

 

[kkcc]

Quote:

 
 
Looking over my last post, I see that music_4321 is really starting to rub off on me.

 
LOL 

 
But seriously, thanks for putting in the time and effort.  Really appreciate it!

 

[cn11]

Quote:

As for your 1P2 comments, Mr. Gintaras, let me direct you to what a 1P2 owner wrote a few days ago.
 
 
 
 

---

 
Looking over my last post, I see that music_4321 is really starting to rub off on me.

 
And I suppose soon you'll start referring to yourself in the third person...  

  Ha ha.

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

 
And I suppose soon you'll start referring to yourself in the third person...  

  Ha ha.

 
 
eke2k6 has been considering doing this for a while 

 
 
Still, it's amazing how Gintaras believes that changing my already great sources, and replacing them with a $1,000 DAP will magically make the RDB's issues vanish. What accounts for that? OI? Sound signature? Then he has the gall to call my review "nonsense". 
 
 
Or is it the lightness of his wallet prompting his ears?
 

 

[Gintaras]

Eke, even without looking at the rest i suggest to you, please throw out Shozy PX1, it might sound good with iPhone and warmer consumerish sounding IEMs like Klipsch X10 (actually this setup my daughter is using)... i tried Shozy amp with RDB+ v1 one day and v1 sounded like a screaming cat... sorry mate, here is what i meant about synergy, Shozy with v1 is waste and no matter how much i love Rhapsodio and their products i believe Shozy is not nearly worth of a good amp, this is just an Ok amp but not more than that.
 
again sorry mate

 
i am now listening to Alan Parson's Eye In the Sky album with RWAK+T1+V1 and it sounds lovely.
 
but i am damn serious about tubes coming from tube background and knowing what JJ tubes are about, they are cheapo production from Slovakia and sound even worse than generic Chinese tubes.
 
ok, i looked the rest of your post.
 
now please do not misunderstand me, i own things i talking about and i come to defend things only if i love what i hear.
 
i can also tell you i agreed to buy demo 1P2 after hearing them because no other IEM was able to come so close to analogue like sound for me.
 
my portable setup includes 1P2 and RDB+v1 powered by RWAK + T1 amp and my other setup consists of lovely T-Peos H200 powered by C3 and BH amp.
my Shozy PX1 was presented to my daughter who uses it with iPhones, iPads and iPods she has in her box plus Klipsch X10i and Senns 800.
 
my front end consists of  Sonus Faber Cremona M  3way floorstanders + Ayon tube amp triode + penthode switcheable mode, Naim CDX2, Rega DAC, Metrum Octave DAC, dedicated Mac Mini + Audirvana Plus, plus some Atlas, Chord, Van den Hul and Inakustik silver reference loudspeaker cables.
 
my music preferences come from playing acoustic piano, having done DJing in younger years and playing for school rockband. i also been to pro recording studios and know what neutral sound is all about. i never would want neutral sound on my system because this is so dull... but is so precise and uncolored as well.
 
going to one of the best musical halls of the world called Wiener Musikverein i never could find neutral sound because hall acoustic is what this all is about.
 
as regards wear and fit, i must concur that all boils down to personal preferences. i agree, for someone using portable during activity neither 1P2 nor v1 would do it... but then i am afraid many IEMs will be not so good for gym or running as regards wear and fit :-D
 
else assured i love music and i always pay attention to many sonical attributes except for that i never cared to measure output and else things for which i have no time nor willingness... i just trust my ears.
 
no, i do not believe in price tags, this is why i first see, try and then ask for the price... happens with gear and wine all the time, sadly i am always leaning towards costlier things.
consider, i was not even planning 1P2 and was sceptical when received them, yes i knew they were expensive and still after listen i was ambushed and decided to buy them, stupid and silly me and my wallet hates me but i could not pass the IEM which sounds sooooooo analogue like in my setup. i even wrote back to Tralucent about this because i was so curious how on earth they could achieve this.
 
as regards users, i got a PM from one chap who told me he sold his TG334 after hearing 1P2. i think this says a lot.
as regards RWAK, 1P2 and else expensive gear i believe talking mostly about their steep price is not wise approach, same like cheaper IEMs and DAPs can sound very good too and i would never base myself on the price tag considerations. H200 is a true GEM costing little and pushing high and is a living proof why this hobby is so exciting.
 
NB: and please mate, change JJ tubes, believe me you can achieve much better sound with better tubes, i was in the same boat some years ago and tried many, so i can tell for sure JJ tubes are worst crap i have heard sound wise.