[dfkt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aureus /img/forum/go_quote.gif And how would you rate the sound and compare the new phones to the old ones?

It's too early to tell, got em just today.

One thing is for sure - even on the fresh XBi/X3i the soundstage is very good. More or less the same as on my old XBs after ~200 hours of usage.

Comfort is slightly better, and they're far more stealthy since they don't stick out of the ears at all (I wear the cables up around the ears).

 

[aureus]

Ok.

Thought some early imressions were possible, mine didn’t change that much after burn-in. Just to let you know. I think I’ve used them for about 150 hours now.
For me, comfort is somehow much better.

 

[b0dhi]

Can anyone compare the X3i to the PK3? And do the X3i respond well to EQing the bass up a lot (~10dB) ?

 

[dfkt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0dhi /img/forum/go_quote.gif And do the X3i respond well to EQing the bass up a lot (~10dB) ?

Why not get the bass-heavier XBi right away, instead of EQing the X3i?

 

[b0dhi]

I was going to but some people say that although the bass is great, the mids and treble aren't as good as the X3. While I am a basshead, I do love good mids and highs. The PK3 EQs very nicely, I'm guessing the X3 should be able to do at least as well since it's a canalphone, right?

 

[dfkt]

I'm very sure the crappy EQs on most DAPs will make the X3i sound more muddy than a non-EQed XBi. (Assuming you're getting them for portable use, that is.)

I've only had the XBi and X3i for a day now, but the difference between both is way smaller than the difference between the old X3 and XB.

Both the X3i and XBi have good bass and better clarity than the older models. The midbass hump of yore seems to be gone as well. At the moment I don't hear all that much difference between the XBi and X3i. Maybe this will change in a few days, maybe it won't...

 

[b0dhi]

Thanks for that info. I was actually against EQing with DAPs until I tried it with the iAudio7 + PK3. Excellent quality even at high volume.

 

[dfkt]

Hmm.. that's the same Wolfson CODEC and EQ as in my Cowon D2. I'm not particularly fond of it, but it sure works better than many others. Then again, BBE Mach3Bass sure is the killer feature for bassheads (and sounds better than the EQ, IMO).

At the moments the new X3i seem to distort a bit with overly heavy doses of M3B... the XBi doesn't.

 

[b0dhi]

Plot thickens. My Mach3 is on 7 and Eq is at +5@80hz.

 

[Bozz_Keren]

@b0dhi
whoaa that's extreme EQ'ing man

 

[Dakins]

I was interested in getting myself a pair of Atrio M5s until I read about the X3i... I'm upgrading from EP-630s. IMO the bass is way too muddy, enough to give me a headache at times. And they sound lifeless compared to my KSC75s. Also, the highs are too harsh on certain albums (especially self-produced norwegian black metal from the early 90s).

So I am now looking for another IEM or canalphone that will fill my needs for isolation, comfort and warm sound that doesn't pierce your skull. It's for on-the-road listening so I think that Atrios may be overkill. It would also mean skipping an important step in my quest for ultimate sound (going from low-grade to high-grade, skipping middle-range).

HF experts, I am awaiting your verdict

 

[jTF2]

There's only one thing I dislike about the X3i's... the crappy build/manufacturing. I'm going to regret making this purchase but the sound quality is definetly top notch. I just wish the wires, connectors were a little better built. oh well.

 

[LordZero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jTF2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's only one thing I dislike about the X3i's... the crappy build/manufacturing. I'm going to regret making this purchase but the sound quality is definetly top notch. I just wish the wires, connectors were a little better built. oh well.

I just wish they used better glue!
2 weeks after i got them as a replacement of my old X3(both sides broke, like i posted in head-fi on other topic)the right side of my X3i broke too.

Oh well, I think I will try another product, can anyone compare the X3i with the ATH-CK7 and PK3?

 

[aureus]

Ever heard of super glue?

Yes, it is disappointing, but quite easy to fix. If you like the sound, I won’t try another product in the same / similar price range.

 

[LordZero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aureus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ever heard of super glue? Yes, it is disappointing, but quite easy to fix. If you like the sound, I won’t try another product in the same / similar price range.

Yes, i know what is super glue and I will use it, but even with super glue my old X3 split again.

What I don't want is have to glue the X3i if they split again, it could happen when I'm far away from home, probably on a long trip, and if that happens it's not so easy to fix and it will be a very long and boring trip.

Probably from now forward I have always to carry super glue in my backpack, just in case