For zackw419 who asked me how I liked the IE8 and to compare with the C710:
I had my IE8s replaced and just started burning them in Sunday (wanted to A/B them with someone local that had a burned in IE8, but no takers). The nozzle broke and it wasn't a clean break. But before I sent it in the sound was really veiled compared to the C710. This new one is not veiled like the other one. Not sure what caused it, broken nozzle, burn out (2000+ hours), overcome with ear wax, I just don't know.
And this second one doesn't sound as bad as the first one did out of the box.
First, I use
this configuration for my tips. This helps bring the mids forward, widens the stage, brings the details out, and makes them more transparent. Negative is they stick out!
Comparing the new IE8 (with the same tips) to the C710 (my previous IE8 was slaughtered by the C710):
- C710 kills the IE8 in deep bass. IE8 goes deep, but looses steam compared to the mid-bass frequencies.
- C710 bass is faster.
- Both are have great bass impact, but the frequency of that impact is different (IE8 maybe around 100Hz, C710 maybe around 40-50Hz). Both can be too bassy at times, but to me especially the C710 with soft music that has some bass, as the C710 can make that bass overpower the song (not distort the other parts of the spectrum, just make me say whoa boy, easy on the bass, I am trying to relax).
- IE8 has a wider soundstage by a little to a good amount, depending upon the songs/albums I listen to. Trance offers the widest soundstage and the largest difference. But other music can also sounds very wide with the IE8. If they had an IEM that had the same soundstage, mids, and treble but the mid and deep bass of the C710, I would be in heaven!
- IE8 is warmer and darker than the C710. However, the C710 is on the warm side (just the right amount for me).
- IE8 treble is the smoothest treble I have ever heard. The mids are up there with the very best I have heard. My current IE8 isn't there yet, but still not bad at all.
- Piano sounds warm and so great with the IE8.
- C710 has a lot more treble energy
- C710 has more clarity (easier to pick out the details) but is not as smooth. The details are there with the IE8 though.
- IE8 has the best cable I have used, the C710 is the worst at tangling. Lay it flat next to another cable, leave the room and when you come back it is tied in a knot around itself and the other cable (not really, but close).
- My previous IE8 did better at low volumes than any other IEM I have ever used, haven't tried this new one yet. I could listen at near zero volume when there was no background noise and still get the same sound signature. Nothing else I have comes close.
I do have to give the IE8 more time to burn in to be fair. If I listened to primarly acoustic music (jazz, piano, classical, etc) I would chose the IE8, but with my mix I kinda like the C710 a little better.
However, my current #1 is the Mingo WM2 silver. Great deep bass, mids and treble are very good, but not quite as smooth as the IE8. Soundstage is a little narrower, similar to the C710.
When I have around 250 hours on the IE8 I will update.
