Yesterday I did my tip tests.
I found virtually no difference between the Shure Olives and Comply's (P trimmed flat, T-100 untrimmed). That's actually very good as the P type gives me the maximum isolation, but if I want to be a tiny bit aware of my surroundings, it's good to know the smaller tips will provide the same sound. That said, the DBA's stem is a bit thicker than the Westone's or Shure IEM's and so the foamies are a real bitch to put on... and pull off. Do-able, but it roughs the foamies up a bit..
That's it. Since I don't 'flange', I haven't more to say on the subject.
Now, tonight I did my Test Tones. And here is where the fun is. Remember, this is how I hear it, these were not measured by any device other than my ears.
I used the flat-trimmed P-type Comply's for consistency, and with them these IEM's were capable of producing an amazing bandwidth. Clean highs were heard through 15khz. Lows were present down to 20hz. OMG!! These puppies have some serious extension. Granted, after 100hz things drop off a bit, but the tones were produced and audable (and actually 'feel-able'). 20hz is more of a 'flutter' than anything else, but it's produced.
As suspected, there seems to be a very slight rise at about 2khz, but it's minimal. Also, another rise at about 9khz, but again
very minimal. The highs roll off ever so slightly at about 13k (but that could be my hearing too...
).
As I heard the DBA-02 with the Comply's... these IEM's produce a seemingly flat response. Other than those two very small rises I detected no obvious recessed frequencies or abnormal accentuations.
Also, the more I listen to them, the more they reveal in my recordings. Things I haven't heard in my last few IEM's (and some full-sized cans) are revealed and back to where I expect them. My test tracks sound as good as they ever have, with a wonderfully open and natural sound. It didn't matter what I threw at them, they excelled at every style of music. Early Music is simply gorgeous. Jazz is lively. Rock is forward and fun.
These are transparent to the equipment. They are the epitome of GIGO. They will change with the track, so be careful of crap. Low quality source files, Amp, DAC... and of course recording will be revealed. The converse is true. A brilliant recording will shine brilliantly. Better equipment will yield better sound. Get some real juice behind these (as has been said many times before) and some of the dispassionate 'sterility' seems to go ever-so-slightly away (not that there's anything wrong with it...). Even better quality SS amps make a difference. I don't have any Tubes, but I can only imagine they would do very well together.
Nothing romantic about these IEM's. They do not polish anything with warmth and sweetness. I really like that.
As I said in another post. Fit is great and easy. Cable is perfect for my uses. No microphonics or bone conduction (with foamies, of course). Build quality seems just fine, they did not snap as I desperately pushed and pulled on the tips. I haven't intentionally put undue stress on the reliefs for obvious reasons...
A real no-regrets purchase.
100% recommended.
Cheers
shane
