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Originally Posted by Jussa Audio Dude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
INSOMNIAX has made the BEST point I feel. How can you do a proper comparison...when the settings like BBE are being used on the Cowon...and all the enhancements are not being used on the Sony X.
The way I have the Sony X right now...it has so much bass...yet mids and highs sound great too...
It looks I am gonna have to buy an S9 as well....because if it sounds better than the X...then truly S9 is untouchable...at least for now.
Why not do a comparison where you are tweaking the Sony X to it's fullest...making it sound the best to your ears...THEN...and ONLY then...can you make an apples to apples comparison...just my honest opinion....
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JAD, Clear Bass set to 3 is comparable to BBE Mach3Bass on the S9. S9's X-Bass has even more bass than CB3, but it sounds bloated. The X sounds excellent in its Normal setting. The only adjustments to make the X sound the 'best' is mentioned a few posts above. BBE ViVA is comparable to CB1. Personally, BBE ViVA 2 and CB2 are the max bass options I would go before the low frequencies negatively impact the mids and highs. If you have bass-light phones or you're a bass fiend, then by all means go nuts on the highest settings. So to summarize, call it a tie on bass quantity and extension with BBE ViVA vs. CB1 along with BBE ViVA 2 vs. CB2. As for soundstage, S9 is larger W-H-D than the X in Normal with Clear Stereo off. All the VPT options sound artificial so stick with Normal. Hope that helps.
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Originally Posted by Barry /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Just my opinion, but the sound modification settings on the X do not help the unit sound more natural to me. The BBE settings on the S9 do improve the balance and have a natural sound. I do think that the X is a terrific sounding unit without the settings - just for me the wider soundstage and the sound in general of the S9 sounds more involving and more natural. I can well imagine that somebody else will reach an alternative conclusion. Both units are head and shoulders above the D2 and the ipod, in my opinion.
Will take a day off from listening and see if my opinion holds when I compare again.
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I agree. The X is excellent out of the box. A day or two off does wonders in clearing the sound sig memory and you'll re-appreciate the subtleties of your music.
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Originally Posted by Zalithian /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The X is already colored on flat. I can't speak for the S9, but if it sounds like the D2 does flat, then it's certainly more neutral than the Sony which definitely has some emphasis on bass. I didn't feel the EQ was really beneficial with the X, but it's greatly beneficial for the D2 and seemingly S9. The X sounds great flat, but it's got some bass emphasis and other things which could already be considered EQ.
Don't get me wrong, the X is a great sounding player. The main fault is just the pricing, imo.
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The X is slightly warmer than the S9. I felt the neutral DT880 had more synergy with the X than the S9, while the warm E500 synergized with the cooler S9. As such, factor in yin and yang in your pairing decision.
Amazon has a US$2 price drop on the X (now, US$388), while the UK site has a £5 increase (now, £221). The S9 has a US$5 price drop (now, US$265) and no change for the UK. Canada has no price changes. The X is good value in the UK.
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Originally Posted by Buckster /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I thought the X had some bass roll of ??
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Not sure how the FR chart looks like.