I had the pleasure earlier today of listening to the H-200 and thought I'd share some of my thoughts. I shared this earlier with some lads on PM, and I've adapted it for the main forum thread. That said, I think I'm told that I hear it all differently from some of you, or majority of you, so here goes
This review is done with firstly, a portable source being my Note 2 and paired with the Tralucent T1 amp. I didn't want to drag my home rig out for this. Also, this comparison is done with reference to the IE8s and the 1Plus2 mainly; and obviously note the price differential.
So off the bat, my impressions are as such: the H-200 has a more neutral, more balanced and smooth sound (in comparison to the 1Plus2) and it's bass presence is very much in the region of the stock silver 1Plus2. But in every other sense, the H-200s are very much more laid back, and to some extent, very "polite" sounding. I'd actually say, it is almost as "chilled out" an IEM as I've ever heard (not that I've heard uber amounts of IEMs, but I'd say, in my experience, it's something I'd call chilled).
I used two different tips with the H-200s. The stock tips and JVC tips. I tried it off with the stock tips first, and spent the most time listening in that arrangement, and getting acquainted with the sound etc and then figuring out how it differs. First things first, this is not like the 1Plus2 in terms of sound signature at all. This is a hybrid yes, but it is not a hybrid like the 1Plus2. The latter IEM is much more "aggressive" in its signature. The H-200s on the other hand, are polite like I mentioned earlier.
So what exactly are the differences? For starters, the H-200 has a lot of bass presence, especially with the stock. I listened to it first without having read much about the H-200s other than the fact they are hybrids and at a very affordable price i.e. I believe I went into it with (more of) an open mind. I was then able to try the H-200s with JVC tips (not sure which). They reduced the bass "bloat/presence", but not as much if I EQ-ed them down. I'd say the bass has presence, doesn't colour the mids as much as the IE8s do, but in terms of quantity, it really is like the IE8s (with the tape mod) in my very honest opinion.
The H-200 is a hybrid, but I wouldn't say they have the BA in your face "clarity and transparency" right there (but it is clean). I'm of the opinion that the bass doesn't exactly colour it, but masks it just by its presence alone. It is difficult in that sense to make a decision between saying, the H-200 is able to have oomphs of detail, or just that it doesn't image it out as well.
My next test sort of, I'm just running things off my head right now, and from what I wrote down, was based on 3D imaging. My go to track for this is TobyMac's "Me Without You" and mainly, the introduction of the track. The 1Plus2 portrays a more 3D presentation, and whilst the H-200 and IE8s for example, are able to do a similar near field left right far left and right etc, it can't quite make one feel as if the music is coherently going left to right in one line. Let me put it this way, think of a line, the 1Plus2 draws it out in a straight line, the H-200 and IE8 however, don't draw as straight a line and parts of it are in "blocks", sort of like: _ _ _ _ not as patchy, but hopefully you get my drift. The 1Plus2 also has a better sense of depth without losing the "strength" of the sound. Now if I wasn't looking out for this though, it wouldn't be as readily apparent. And by this I mean that the difference may not be as obvious to someone who either doesn't look for it, or who just cannot be bothered with that aspect of the sound. For me, it makes a difference.
Back quickly to the bass, when I say bloat/presence, try the H-200 (for the people that own it) with Brian Culbertson's track, "Waiting For You", and then let me know how much "bass" comes out. Trust me when I tell you that there's loads of it. So much so that the bass seems a constant emphasis in the whole song. Now whilst it can be argued that what he does is heavily influenced by funk and is meant to be bassy, with the 1Plus2, in my opinion, the decay is so much less, so little lingering, and everything is tightened up, and therefore, more likely to be what the producer meant to present. This is pure speculation, but I think more likely to be the case. However, when you get a chance to listen to IEMs which have very very good control of the bass, I think there is a higher chance of you understanding where I'm coming from on this. That leads me to another point, decay. The H-200 is, in comparison to the 1Plus2, slower.
Then I thought about looking at instrument presentation, both imaging and "accuracy". Track reference is Liquid Tension Experiment's "Acid Rain". The 1Plus2 in my opinion, does this better. More accurate sounding, and also, better separation. Again, this may be more of a minute detail unless one looks out for it.
Next, vocals. For me, the track I used amongst several, was ZZ Ward's "Move It Like You Stole It". Smooth is the one thing I'll say. So smooth on the H-200 that it almost feels like it lacks a little "texturing" and "emphasis" on vocals. Might all be down to preference but because I haven't exactly heard the performers live, it is hard to say which is more accurate. However, the 1Plus2 adds more "raspiness" when I think, the singer's voice has it. Tonality is also more apparent, but the H-200 is very decent in my opinion.
Finally, Pendulum as usual, track: "The Island Part I (Dawn)". This is where it is very very obvious that the details are lost in the bass (in my opinion). The 1Plus2 puts some of the details in the music far better than the H-200s. It's a bit like the IE8s. You know the detail is there, but you really have to look out for it to hear it. With the 1Plus2, it's there, it's apparent and there is no missing it, no need to look out for it, so in that sense, the 1Plus2 is pretty much effortless.
So where does all this place the H-200s? It's up to one to think about really. I can't say I believe the 1Plus2 is a 1,000 USD better IEM because everyone places a value on things differently. Are the H-200s competent IEMs? Definitely. Are they in the same ballpark as the 1Plus2? Definitely not. Are the 1Plus2s several steps up? Yes, just like they were several steps up from my IE8s.
But having said all that, would the H-200s been something I would be happy with? Sure. But not after having owned the 1Plus2s. The H-200s would definitely be a downgrade. But that is to be expected with the difference in price (generalities established), and is by no means a slight on the H-200s nor should it be.
But let me quickly then address bass bloat/presence again. If one doesn't get the bass bloat, then listen to the track I pointed out above, and also have a listen to the IE8s, then get something that is a pure BA driver and see the difference e.g. UE700 that I have being one example. There are many others as well. The bass has presence, but it also has slow decay, not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion, but if someone doesn't like the IE8s, then the H-200 may not be for them either. That's as far as I'd go. I'd say they are both similar somewhat in being relaxed. The IE8 being slightly warmer while the H-200 leans on being "chilled".
I'd say if I was pushed to pushed to say a few words about the H-200s, it would be "chilled, balanced (with bass presence) and smooth".
I hope that makes sense, but I'm guessing from the people I've already shared it with, I might meet some disagreements!
