The mids are liquid and engaging , the highs subdued but pleasant... but you get to the bottom and if you're used to neutral bass, it's midbass city... I can tolerate it for a while, but I start to get a headache after more than an hour of listening. I mean, they advertise these as enhanced-bass earphones, so you kind of expect it going in.
Most likely there is no QC, rather they are ordered from an earphone parts catalog similar to Skullcandy, would be my assumption.
Thanks for the detailed review. You just saved me $7.11! I'll put $2 with that pick up a sixer of Sierra Celebration ale today. The mid bass hump doesn't sound like anything I'd be interested in.
Sources for evaluation were laptop > Fubar200/vlc/winamp > Flac > udac 2 > (with and without a 75 ohm adapter) 8320, a fourth gen ipod nano, ipad 2, & htc evo 4g. With modest EQ I couldn't erase the hump, and I generally prefer not to have to EQ.
Compared to another under $10 IEM, the meelec m6, the m6 are a boomy mess. However, the treble on the m6 is so sparkly it's saccharine (I always assumed this was a plus for electronica).
Like I said in the review, the bass is similar in quantity and impact to the mid-range Klipsch S4, but the s4 are boomier sounding, perhaps because of the hollowed out midrange on the s4.
Compared to the MTPC there's more quantity and impact (kind of what I imagined the Golds would sound like), I find myself less fatigued on the Coppers. However, the more I think about it the more I realize this is probably because of the mids rather than the mid-bass. I have the same problem with the a151 -- they're kind of shouty (the a151).
Compared to pretty much every analytical BA IEM I've owned/heard the 8320 are bass heavy. The W4R sounds absolutely polite in comparison. It's gives more of a bass nudge than bass slam on most songs, but throw rap/electronica their way and you have more than enough quality low end to get you tapping your feet (not quite fist pumping).
The 8320 are pretty much always "on", you can't get rid of that mid-bass emphasis.
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I couldn't disagree more with your review. I am coming from the GR07, and I'm allergic to bloated mid-bass. I found the turbines disgusting to listen to. If anything, these have a great balance of mid and sub-bass. You described the mids well, but not the highs. What source were you using? Did you even try the stock eq settings on your player?
I just listened to Michael Buble's "Call Me Irresponsible" album, and it sounded beautiful on the 8320. Like I posted earlier, I'm using reversed comply T500s, and the loudness eq setting on my iphone. I urge you to play around with them a few more days and evaluate it again.
I think I might just be the first "bass-adverse" person weighing in... I would consider my MTPC basshead IEMs, and even the HD-25-I-II kind of tire me out a bit.
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I appreciate your review there Lazuline..Hmmm mid bass bloat? That is strange to me as I hear none of it. I just got the CC51s and I don't know if you have ever listen to those but that is the very definition of mid bass bloat. These to my ears are very well balanced where it counts. I suppose everyone hears a sound differently.. So yours is valid.. I think you are the very first and the only person to mention mid bass bloat actually. If this mid bass bloat was present I don't know if I would have been so impressed with these to be honest.. Could be source as well. But you gave it a go which I do appreciate..
I also know that the more you listen to these the more qualities you will hear in them.. I think for the guys that might be conflicted on one view or another on them.. Heck I say get one and judge for yourself. I can safely say these will be worth trying out for you.. Mileage may vary but worth spending the cash to find out imo.
Everyone hears these differently but one thing we all agree on is they are good to great depending on how you hear it. That alone is worth your hard earned $7.11
