The discovery thread!

[DannyBai]

I received the biggest in-ears I've ever possessed today.  Thankfully the sound is just as big.  Yep, that's the already large CKS1000's next to it.  Comfort is actually very good.  The ear hooks work well.  The cable is kind of cheap since everything else seems to be top notch.  Only three pairs of tips come with it and a very nice hard case.  Tip rolling on this thing is gonna be impossible since it possess a huge nozzle.  Same system as the JVC FXD series for those who know but much bigger.  The sound is very tip dependent and it's the shallowest fit I've ever experienced.  I usually use medium tips for most of my earphones but had to go with the large on the these.  
 
As for the sound, it's top notch.  That big housing allows for a deep sound.  The bass driver works well in the background producing deep and well controlled bass.   Good sub-bass but not too deep.  Just a tiny bit of mid-bass.  These are not bass light by any means and not the boring neutral signature.  Vocals are not Audio Technica forward but it's right there in the mix.  It's actually very smooth and no harshness to it.  Treble is very sparkly but also very smooth.  No fatigue to the treble what so ever.  What's actually quite stunning is the stage and instrument separation.  The music layered quite well.  These are somewhere around the Philips Fidelio S2 and AT CKS1K type of sound.  Possibly more towards the S2 signature.  Very well balanced and controlled sound with an excellent attenuation into the fun realm of sound. I think KEF's first attempt into the headphone/earphone world is a knockout.  
 
 

 

 

 

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

This thing drives the X1 something fierce. Power, solid stereo imaging.Very good dynamics and clarity .Smooth timbre, a touch forward midrange, excellent bass and extension on both ends of the sound.  Wayne you should have kept your order..So far I am impressed with Fiios first dap. This sounds excellent for the price. Huge props to Fiio.This thing sounds more refined to my ears over my Z1060 not to mention way more powerful.
 
I learned how to use it in minutes. Going off of the X3 thread I was scared I wouldn't know how to use it.Lol. It is all common sense..Geeze if this thing sounds this good for an entry level dap from Fiio I am afraid to think what these guys are gonna do for the X5. A Solid value..
 

 
 
I can't wait to get mine, but I'm surprised you got the M5 instead of the R1. I hate the M5 with a passion. Terrible sounding to my ears. I might have given you mine. The R1 isn't most refined of the duals, but it has a fantastic unique layered sound, and powerful bass. The mids are wonderful in it too. I gave my old pair to my nephew but definitely selected it again as my freebie.

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

I know these guys use their past experiences with dac/amps and I suppose the X3 are gonna sound familiar in the Fiio line of sound but what I am hearing now is very good. The only other Fiio I own is a E11 so you might want to post your question on the X3 thread. I think CleiOS or Bowei might be able to answer that question. To be honest it has exceeded my expectations. I was thinking this unit was going to be a side grade at best over my Sony Z1060. But it is clearly showing me otherwise.. This unit will be a solid upgrade to your garden variety ipod clip cowons and even the Sonys in the dap realm. My Z1060 is no weak sauce in sound either.. Listening to the X3 and my X1 is excellent beyond the capabilities of my Sony.

Every amp and DAC I've owned (except the first Nuforce UDac) has been a Fiio. The company has yet to disappoint me. And now they have a great silver-plated cable that I use on my AS-2. Under $30.

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

I received the biggest in-ears I've ever possessed today.  Thankfully the sound is just as big.  Yep, that's the already large CKS1000's next to it.  Comfort is actually very good.  The ear hooks work well.  The cable is kind of cheap since everything else seems to be top notch.  Only three pairs of tips come with it and a very nice hard case.  Tip rolling on this thing is gonna be impossible since it possess a huge nozzle.  Same system as the JVC FXD series for those who know but much bigger.  The sound is very tip dependent and it's the shallowest fit I've ever experienced.  I usually use medium tips for most of my earphones but had to go with the large on the these.  
 
As for the sound, it's top notch.  That big housing allows for a deep sound.  The bass driver works well in the background producing deep and well controlled bass.   Good sub-bass but not too deep.  Just a tiny bit of mid-bass.  These are not bass light by any means and not the boring neutral signature.  Vocals are not Audio Technica forward but it's right there in the mix.  It's actually very smooth and no harshness to it.  Treble is very sparkly but also very smooth.  No fatigue to the treble what so ever.  What's actually quite stunning is the stage and instrument separation.  The music layered quite well.  These are somewhere around the Philips Fidelio S2 and AT CKS1K type of sound.  Possibly more towards the S2 signature.  Very well balanced and controlled sound with an excellent attenuation into the fun realm of sound. I think KEF's first attempt into the headphone/earphone world is a knockout.  
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
Nice first impressions DannyBai. Mine are in route to me as I type (along with the M500). There have been a couple of longer reviews on the M200, but to me yours is the most comprehensive and the first to give me a true idea of what the M200 sounds like. I'm excited. And I'm excited that I managed to get both Kef brothers for under $400. Thanks again for the impressions.

And yes, Dsnuts, the R1 does have a strange sound, but to me it's way more enjoyable than the M5. The M5 was thin sounding to me and one of the most uncomfortable earphones I've ever used.

 

[DannyBai]

I am very curious about the M500's now so I'll eagerly wait your impressions on them.  Of course those Onkyo's too.  

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

I am very curious about the M500's now so I'll eagerly wait your impressions on them.  Of course those Onkyo's too.  

 
 
I read on some other thread where Flysweep stated that the M500 reminded him of the RE-400 if it was a headphone, but a bigger sound. You guys know I'm a huge fan of the RE-400. If I had to name my favorite five universals I've heard so far out of the whole gang of them, in no particular order I would name the ASG-2, CKS1000, H-200, W4, and RE-400 (the FAD FI-BA-SS gets an honorable mention but I didn't spend a lot of time with it). The BA200 also gets an honorable mention for being the most analog sounding BA I've ever heard. But I digress. If the M500 is online with the RE-400's sound, I am expecting big things out of it!!

 

[dweaver]

I am eagerly awaiting the M200 and will also be comparing them to the M500 plus my other IEM's and headphones including my UE900. I am hoping the M200 will be be like the M500 sonically but maybe a bit warmer or slightly less upper mids.

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

I am eagerly awaiting the M200 and will also be comparing them to the M500 plus my other IEM's and headphones including my UE900. I am hoping the M200 will be be like the M500 sonically but maybe a bit warmer or slightly less upper mids.

 
dweaver I thought you were into upper-mids? 

 
 
The UE900 didn't have enough bass for me (I found the W4 as having more and deeper bass). the mids were nice though (especially vocals). I think the UE house sound is just not for me. The TF10 was okay, but I was never in love with it.

 

[DannyBai]

Quote:

 
 
I read on some other thread where Flysweep stated that the M500 reminded him of the RE-400 if it was a headphone, but a bigger sound. You guys know I'm a huge fan of the RE-400. If I had to name my favorite five universals I've heard so far out of the whole gang of them, in no particular order I would name the ASG-2, CKS1000, H-200, W4, and RE-400 (the FAD FI-BA-SS gets an honorable mention but I didn't spend a lot of time with it). The BA200 also gets an honorable mention for being the most analog sounding BA I've ever heard. But I digress. If the M500 is online with the RE-400's sound, I am expecting big things out of it!!

IMO, the M200's are similar to the CKS1000's and S2.  Somewhere in between those two.  It's more dynamic sounding than the RE400's.  There's definitely more air in the sound over the RE400's.  It's not as neutral/flat sounding.  I found the RE400's a little boring.  I like a little added color to my sound.  Don't get me wrong, I think the RE400 is an accurate, has good bass, excellent midrange.  The treble turned me off actually.  I'm use to the RE272's treble and the RE400 couldn't touch it.  Although I liked it very much, in the end I preferred the RE272.  And I just sold those too because I needed more bass.  Maybe the M500's will be more like the RE400, but to me, the M200's are more engaging to how I like my sound to be with good balance.  

 

[ericp10]

Quote:

IMO, the M200's are similar to the CKS1000's and S2.  Somewhere in between those two.  It's more dynamic sounding than the RE400's.  There's definitely more air in the sound over the RE400's.  It's not as neutral/flat sounding.  I found the RE400's a little boring.  I like a little added color to my sound.  Don't get me wrong, I think the RE400 is an accurate, has good bass, excellent midrange.  The treble turned me off actually.  I'm use to the RE272's treble and the RE400 couldn't touch it.  Although I liked it very much, in the end I preferred the RE272.  And I just sold those too because I needed more bass.  Maybe the M500's will be more like the RE400, but to me, the M200's are more engaging to how I like my sound to be with good balance.  

 
Well if it has more bass than the RE400 that's good. And somewhere between the CKS1000 and the S2 can't be bad (I've never heard theS2 but I hear it sounds a lot like the fantastic X1). But the X1 sounds nothing like the CKS1000 to me...lol .. I'm not expecting either Kef to sound exactly like the RE-400, just possess some of its qualities. As I always state, I like different sound signatures. While not perfect, there is something about the RE-400's timbre that is engaging to me. As wonderful as the CKS1000 is, sometimes it is not as clear as I would like it to be. And not trying to be negative about it at all.

 

[Dsnuts]

The R1s I never really got into for some reason. It had a unique sound I suppose but I ended up selling them off to some random kid that liked a lot of bass. The M5 aren't world beaters but they aren't too shabby. I got them for free and I knew how the R1s were so I opted for the  othere.

 

[DannyBai]

Quote:

 
Well if it has more bass than the RE400 that's good. And somewhere between the CKS1000 and the S2 can't be bad (I've never heard theS2 but I hear it sounds a lot like the fantastic X1). But the X1 sounds nothing like the CKS1000 to me...lol .. I'm not expecting either Kef to sound exactly like the RE-400, just possess some of its qualities. As I always state, I like different sound signatures. While not perfect, there is something about the RE-400's timbre that is engaging to me. As wonderful as the CKS1000 is, sometimes it is not as clear as I would like it to be. And not trying to be negative about it at all.

Don't mean to brag but my ears have been plugged with the 1Plus2, Senn. IE800 and the Flat 4 SUI for the past 1-3 weeks so take my impressions with a grain of salt on my first day impressions of the M200.  I don't wanna say it has more bass than the RE400 but more sub-bass.  Not as punchy but still remains well controlled.  I find the 1k and S2 to be quite refined sounding consumer grade earphones.  Same would be said for the M200 but of course with a different sound.  I, like you, prefer all different kinds of sounds so many of these earphones suit my taste.  Some more than others.  RE400's are damn good and I'm one of biggest fans of Hifiman's.  But, I dig the 1K, S2 and so far, the M200 more.  Anyone who enjoys the 1K, S2 will appreciate the M200 is the general line I'm after.  

 

[Exesteils]

Don't mean to brag but my ears have been plugged with the 1Plus2, Senn. IE800 and the Flat 4 SUI for the past 1-3 weeks so take my impressions with a grain of salt on my first day impressions of the M200.  I don't wanna say it has more bass than the RE400 but more sub-bass.  Not as punchy but still remains well controlled.  I find the 1k and S2 to be quite refined sounding consumer grade earphones.  Same would be said for the M200 but of course with a different sound.  I, like you, prefer all different kinds of sounds so many of these earphones suit my taste.  Some more than others.  RE400's are damn good and I'm one of biggest fans of Hifiman's.  But, I dig the 1K, S2 and so far, the M200 more.  Anyone who enjoys the 1K, S2 will appreciate the M200 is the general line I'm after.  

I could have sworn you were describing the Onkyos when I read the post on your impressions of the M200s. Everything is about right except for slightly forward vocals with more bass extension than the S2. Too bad not many have taken them up yet.

Chances need to be taken people!

 

[Dsnuts]

Man that X3 thread is rough. Lol.
 
Tis a damn $200 Player that plays 24 bit lossless and drives your cans like a boss.Minor quibles aside I am enjoying the player for what it was intended for. It is unfortunate we have so many OCDs around these parts

 

[DannyBai]

Quote:

I could have sworn you were describing the Onkyos when I read the post on your impressions of the M200s. Everything is about right except for slightly forward vocals with more bass extension than the S2. Too bad not many have taken them up yet.

Chances need to be taken people!

I will most likely grab those when Amazon has them available.  Those were first on my list until the M200's became available first.