[Review] MEElectronics A161P - Intro Into Neutrality

[tinyman392]

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I dont take GE graphs very seriously, theyre messy at times due to their weird compensations. Wish they provided raw results.
UM3X does have a considerable amount more. Thats like a 7-8db boost.
I thought the 161 had a bit much bass, but the subbass is highly welcomed. Having more 100-300hz bass compromises midrange transparency for thickness/warmth.

 
Good information to know.  I agree entirely with the 100-300 as the main culprit, but too much sub-bass can also compromise things (in bass mostly, but can also extend into midrange compromise).

 

[psygeist]

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How many hours of burn-in should I subject these to?

These sound great without burn in.

 

[tinyman392]

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These sound great without burn in.

 
I already know they do, but how do you know they do sound good with burn in (burn in can have negative effects)?

 

[FieldingMellish]

I imagine there are owners who have had them for a while and who would have noticed a negative development in the sound through use. I searched around in the interim and discovered many statements saying that balanced armatures don't burn in. What you hear out of box is what you get.

 

[tinyman392]

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I imagine there are owners who have had them for a while and who would have noticed a negative development in the sound through use. I searched around in the interim and discovered many statements saying that balanced armatures don't burn in. What you hear out of box is what you get.

 
I've read that too...  Believed it too for a while...  Until my ADDIEM burned in, then my Etymotic HF5 (slowest burn in ever; took me about a month before I realized something changed XD), then my PFE 232 burned in, then my W4R...  List goes on.  I actually burned in the ADDIEM twice with the same tips (got it replaced by Apple) XD  I know fit has a lot to do with it, but there's also something more somewhere (IMO). 

 

[FieldingMellish]

Because I don't know a lot about sound, I have been just burning in for the amount of hours others have suggested, figuring that whatever it is they heard as improvement, I'll get the same. 

  For that reason, I asked before what the A161P could conceivably need (if at all ...)

 

[psygeist]

 
I already know they do, but how do you know they do sound good with burn in (burn in can have negative effects)?

 
No noticeable changes that I can perceive of. It still sounds musical and yet neutral enough.

 

[tinyman392]

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No noticeable changes that I can perceive of. It still sounds musical and yet neutral enough.

 
I got a few low-end changes with a tamer midrange.  They weren't big though.  I wouldn't call the 161s neutral, but still a very nice, sweet IEM. 

 

[shotgunshane]

Let's please not turn the thread into a burn in debate.

No it's not neutral but it's not far off and I think an excellent stepping stone for some looking towards getting into signatures closer to neutral. It certainly was for me. And I agree calling it a sweet signature.

 

[tinyman392]

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Let's please not turn the thread into a burn in debate.
No it's not neutral but it's not far off and I think an excellent stepping stone for some looking towards getting into signatures closer to neutral. It certainly was for me. And I agree calling it a sweet signature.

 
My honest opinion for a stepping stone towards neutral wouldn't be a sweet signature.  Many people just end up calling it shouty and unlistenable   I don't agree with it, but some see it this way.  For newer people in the world of audio stepping towards neutral, I'd go after a warmer sound vs a sweeter.  I think it might just be me though. 

 

[FieldingMellish]

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Let's please not turn the thread into a burn in debate.
 

 
I didn't sense a debate occurring. What specific words by whom indicated a debate?

 

[tinyman392]

It was probably directed at me. Lol. He just wants to let us know not to do it before it breaks out. Once things break out, they don't end for a while.

 

[FieldingMellish]

I respect Shotgunshane and his threads and have bought this and other products pursuant to his writings. All I wanted was to find out how to squeeze whatever goodness there is out of the IEM before listening in general and then comparing it to what I already own.

 

[shotgunshane]

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I respect Shotgunshane and his threads and have bought this and other products pursuant to his writings. All I wanted was to find out how to squeeze whatever goodness there is out of the IEM before listening in general and then comparing it to what I already own.

 
No worries.  Certain topics have a tendency to spiral out of control.  I just didn't want this thread to digress into that.

 

[Nulliverse]

Enjoying most elements of these but am struggling with the soundstage proportions, which are lacking depth. Will continue to experiment with after market tips, as those included are rather limiting (suprising, given the variety and quantity that MEElec produce).

Still, I'd say i'm very impressed. They're far more cohesive than the dual BAs i've heard, which more than makes up for the sacrifice in treble extension. Bass reaches down very well and is beautifully placed. Expectedly, decay time is shorter than I'm used to, but by no means unnatural. The mids offer exceptional clarity, at least by my standards.

More when I've matched better tips.