(REVIEW) Radius DDM HP-TWF11 – Retro on the go! Go! Go!

[aBc.CaN]

A perplexingly long non-linear review.  Have you spent most of your life in the UK?  Your review was produced in a round-about manner, but it's good to be exposed to different styles of discourse and it's definately different from just about any other review I've read on HF.
 
I like these lines the best:
 
But what do they sound like you idiot? Get to the point!
 

THE BASS. The bass. T-h-e b-a-s-s.

 
See what I did there? I used different sizes and colours to convey the ability of the DDMs to effortlessly convey different bass textures! How creative was that?

 

[slaters70]

A lot of effort, so tough to be critical, but your review is definitely not a candidate for that old TV show, Short Attention Span Theater. As someone who has made a very good living as a writer for 34 years, I'd say your writing certainly is fun, but you definitely need an editor. As an old journalism professor used to say, it's time to "tighten up."

As for the DDMs, despite your often eloquent albeit somewhat rambling thumbs up, a pass from here, since I have their BA counterpart, the DBA-02s (I mean price and FOTM-wise). But the DDMs were very tempting, for awhile.

 

[james444]

Bennyboy strikes again! Freakish and hilarious, I love your reviews!!!
Nevertheless, IMO these are so butt ugly, that I can't bring myself to consider them, no matter how good they might sound.

 

[TheJudge]

Quote:

A lot of effort, so tough to be critical, but your review is definitely not a candidate for that old TV show, Short Attention Span Theater. As someone who has made a very good living as a writer for 34 years, I'd say your writing certainly is fun, but you definitely need an editor. As an old journalism professor used to say, it's time to "tighten up."

As for the DDMs, despite your often eloquent albeit somewhat rambling thumbs up, a pass from here, since I have their BA counterpart, the DBA-02s (I mean price and FOTM-wise). But the DDMs were very tempting, for awhile.

That's what blogs are for.

 

[Bennyboy71]

Quote:

A lot of effort, so tough to be critical, but your review is definitely not a candidate for that old TV show, Short Attention Span Theater. As someone who has made a very good living as a writer for 34 years, I'd say your writing certainly is fun, but you definitely need an editor. As an old journalism professor used to say, it's time to "tighten up."

As for the DDMs, despite your often eloquent albeit somewhat rambling thumbs up, a pass from here, since I have their BA counterpart, the DBA-02s (I mean price and FOTM-wise). But the DDMs were very tempting, for awhile.

Thanks for the advice.  When I start getting paid, I'll make sure I write less.

 

[Dobber65]

OMG.
 
Best.Review.Ever.  (Or at least since your Ortofon review).  You are the second coming of Corey Greenberg, albeit with a British accent.

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

Bennyboy strikes again! Freakish and hilarious, I love your reviews!!!
Nevertheless, IMO these are so butt ugly, that I can't bring myself to consider them, no matter how good they might sound.

Please  reconsider buddy @ james444. Man once you hear these and the SM3 (yes, I have been assimilated..lol) you will be like we some wasted some time with the IE8 and others (except for the FX700, which I still hold as great IEM for its unique timbre along). Technically, the SM3 beats everything I've ever heard - everything!! But the DDM holds its own against the Monsters and IE8. And in some ways beat the FX700, but not overall.

 

[Bennyboy71]

James, they may seem 'butt ugly' to you, but as I wrote in my review, that beauty/ugliness is going to be in the eye of the beholder.  I actually much prefer that strange retro styling to the gaudy machismo of the Turbine Pros, but others will no doubt argue vice-versa.  Its easier, as Eric says, to find common ground on sound quality, and it does seem there is a consensus among those who have tried them that the DDMs represent a peak within their price bracket and even beyond.

 

[slaters70]

Quote:

Thanks for the advice.  When I start getting paid, I'll make sure I write less.

That could be counter-productive, because some of us get paid by the word. Also, it's not necessarily about writing less, it's about delivering the same interesting prose in fewer words, so you don't lose readers. Which technically is writing less, but there is a difference. Either way, it's a fun, but exhausting, read.
 
Though I agree about the DDM look and its lack of portability. Who needs IEMs that can only be used at home, which seems to be the case with the DDMs. I also know at least one owner who says they are worth their price, but no more, so there is at least one dissenter as to their being on par with IE8s et al. He has since sold his pair.

 

[Bennyboy71]

Yeah, I knew what you meant - was just tweaking your chain!  In all honesty, I dashed the review out during a day at work as I wanted to get it up and running so I could get back to listening to my SM3s (!), so I was conscious it could have benefitted by a bit of editing, but hey - in times like these when language is being downgraded to the level of text-speak, the more the merrier eh?

 
Quote:

That could be counter-productive, because some of us get paid by the word. Also, it's not necessarily about writing less, it's about delivering the same interesting prose in fewer words, so you don't lose readers. Which technically is writing less, but there is a difference. Either way, it's a fun, but exhausting, read.
 
Though I agree about the DDM look and its lack of portability. Who needs IEMs that can only be used at home, which seems to be the case with the DDMs. I also know at least one owner who says they are worth their price, but no more, so there is at least one dissenter as to their being on par with IE8s et al. He has since sold his pair.

 

[Elladan]

Quote:

 
Though I agree about the DDM look and its lack of portability. Who needs IEMs that can only be used at home, which seems to be the case with the DDMs. I also know at least one owner who says they are worth their price, but no more, so there is at least one dissenter as to their being on par with IE8s et al. He has since sold his pair.

I've worked out with the DDMs the last couple of days, and had no real problems with them.  Even when I drop my Fuze from a standing height, the DDMs stay in my ears.  The cloth cables do tend to hang up a bit on sweaty shirt, but that's as far as it goes.  Isolation isn't great, but that's actually a good thing when it comes to being out in the world (or out in traffic), as opposed to being on a plane, bus or train.  The worst thing I've experienced with them is wind noise; when a stiff wind blows from the wrong angle, the DDMs are pretty much inaudible.   

 

[slaters70]

Good workout phones then, except for the cable. But wind noise and poor iso would make them stay at home phones for me, since I don't use phones when I work out (racquetball player), and even walking the wind noise thing is an issue. Agree that a little outside noise is good in the asphalt jungle, but I just use the swivel head strategy and would rather have better iso (same as train, plane, etc.). But it seems like they are good indoor workout IEMs, so I stand corrected on that front.

 

[Elladan]

Quote:

Good workout phones then, except for the cable. But wind noise and poor iso would make them stay at home phones for me, since I don't use phones when I work out (racquetball player), and even walking the wind noise thing is an issue. Agree that a little outside noise is good in the asphalt jungle, but I just use the swivel head strategy and would rather have better iso (same as train, plane, etc.). But it seems like they are good indoor workout IEMs, so I stand corrected on that front.

slaters70, the wind noise is the worst I've ever heard.  If outdoor use is a big part of their job -- especially walking -- I'd have to agree that the DDMs are a bad choice.  

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

Good workout phones then, except for the cable. But wind noise and poor iso would make them stay at home phones for me, since I don't use phones when I work out (racquetball player), and even walking the wind noise thing is an issue. Agree that a little outside noise is good in the asphalt jungle, but I just use the swivel head strategy and would rather have better iso (same as train, plane, etc.). But it seems like they are good indoor workout IEMs, so I stand corrected on that front.

Well, as a workout phone I would say they are a bit of a risk. For me, even though the fit is great and comfortable, the lack of seal still makes me doubt if they would stay well seated during any strenuous physical activity. Another problem is that the plug is I corded as opposed to a J plug, which poses a bit of a risk if you are bending over all the time. (Gym... or otherwise )

 

[Bennyboy71]

alternatively, dont go to the gym and die of a heart attack - lie back, listen to music and live forever.