Thinksound Thunder & Rain IEM Reviews – The Eco-Friendly IEM (or More Wood) - NOTE: Thunder will be renamed TS01

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusEx /img/forum/go_quote.gif hope that helped

I guess it sure did, it got you to comment

Future spot for the Rain review!

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif How are you liking them so far? And anything you and tstarn can add to my review?

Not much to add, since you covered all the bases. As I noted, I still favor the TF10s. In fact, I decided to sell the Thunder to finance the purchase of the Rain, which should arrive today. So looking forward to it. If the Rain is close to the W2 or my backup pair of TF10s, one of those might go on the FS block. Not sure, but it would make sense. I am hoping the Rain is along the same lines as the PFEs, but without the need to be amped.

 

[jdc65]

To my ears the Rains are a special phone. I had the perception that the bass rounded out just a bit after a few more hours, I think they are hitting bass notes perfectly per neutral. I'll skip the tech talk - Rains, to me, have the Secret Sauce right. They are stealthy tho. It took many hours in my ears before I really clued in to the thinksound formula.

 

[tstarn06]

What tips are you using again? Stock or Comply (or other)? Excited to hear the Rain. Funny names on these things, no? Sounds like something out of the Flower Power era. In the words of ESPN's Chris Berman mimicking Howard Cosell, "I know, because I was there?"

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not much to add, since you covered all the bases. As I noted, I still favor the TF10s. In fact, I decided to sell the Thunder to finance the purchase of the Rain, which should arrive today. So looking forward to it. If the Rain is close to the W2 or my backup pair of TF10s, one of those might go on the FS block. Not sure, but it would make sense. I am hoping the Rain is along the same lines as the PFEs, but without the need to be amped.

I did some more comparing and tips switching with both the Thunder and the TF10 to the IE8 double flange tips. I cut down the T-400 core so it wouldn't protrude past the nozzle tip and now those tips sound very good on the Thunder. The same tips actually improved the treble of the TF10 for me (I have a bunch).

Listening with my modded iPod to the Mustang still results in me preferring the Thunder. While I do think the TF10 sounds great, is very detailed and has great space, I prefer the more filled out mids of the Thunder and the better bass impact. The detail is very close, as is the space, but the presentation of the Thunder seems more natural to me, which I prefer. The treble of the TF10 makes it more exciting for some tracks, though, and with the IE8 tips, the treble no longer has that edge it once had. Really, if I grab either one I can be very satisfied!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc65 /img/forum/go_quote.gif To my ears the Rains are a special phone. I had the perception that the bass rounded out just a bit after a few more hours, I think they are hitting bass notes perfectly per neutral. I'll skip the tech talk - Rains, to me, have the Secret Sauce right. They are stealthy tho. It took many hours in my ears before I really clued in to the thinksound formula.

I am looking forward to hearing the Rain, as I am sure tstarn is also. And I can imagine what you are saying about the Rain, as the Thunder seems to have the "secret Sauce" right for a bassy IEM.

 

[jdc65]

Comply Tx400. Rumor has it the next thinksounds will be called "Dewy mist on a bright Scottish morning"

I'm curious if other people will like these the way I do. I can see thinksound getting a dedicated following of people attracted to the sound sig. Or maybe everyone will think I'm just nuts

(Work calls for the day, I may not post for a bit)

 

[tstarn06]

I know the feeling (being considered just nuts). I felt that way somewhat with the PFEs, though many people did like them, and somewhat the same with the S4, but again, they have a good following as well as detractors.

Re the TF10s, since I have no Senn bi-flanges, and I remember not caring for them at all when I had the IE8 (just not a good fit for my ear canals), I am good with the hybrids for the stock TF10s. Then, I have the TF10 customs, so no fit issues there.

 

[ericp10]

Hello fellow Head-fiers,
Well I just received the Rain about an hour ago. So, of course, no burn in time, but my first impressions right out of the box was: DAMN!!! Very realistic and accurate sound signature as Average Joe stated about the Thunder. Aaron told me that the Rain has less bass than the Thunder, so I was not expecting much bass (sort of like the HF5s). But my expectations were wrong. There is enough bass that you can feel. More detailed impressions later as I will actually be reviewing these earphones for a magazine or two (I am a journalist by trade). But right off the back, I dig these IEMs and think it's a great deal for the MSRP and even better if you can get them for less. Oh, This is coming from a IEM lover of the Ortofon e-q7, Sennheiser ie-7 and Etymotic hf5. Great job by this start-up company.

EricP

 

[tstarn06]

Good to hear. Looking forward to getting some Rain tomorrow (via UPS), from a fellow writer/journalist. Thunder were nice but the Rain sound more my tastes.

 

[bbryann]

I recently ordered the rain as well. I have a Trip.fi10 and Ety ER6i's coming in the mail too! This is going to be fun.

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericp10 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello fellow Head-fiers, Well I just received the Rain about an hour ago. So, of course, no burn in time, but my first impressions right out of the box was: DAMN!!! Very realistic and accurate sound signature as Average Joe stated about the Thunder. Aaron told me that the Rain has less bass than the Thunder, so I was not expecting much bass (sort of like the HF5s). But my expectations were wrong. There is enough bass that you can feel. More detailed impressions later as I will actually be reviewing these earphones for a magazine or two (I am a journalist by trade). But right off the back, I dig these IEMs and think it's a great deal for the MSRP and even better if you can get them for less. Oh, This is coming from a IEM lover of the Ortofon e-q7, Sennheiser ie-7 and Etymotic hf5. Great job by this start-up company. EricP

x2

 

[miloxo]

I just ordered the Rain IEM's

Great! costumer service!. I emailed Thinksound for international shipping and if possible to get a price match. They gave me a code to get a price match (55$).
Pretty fast responding too.

Only downside is the expensive shipping cost, 27$ to ship to the Netherlands... But Thinksound said its guaranteed delivery

 

[ericp10]

I found that I like the complys on the Rain as it gives me a deeper bass without having to eq, but I also enjoyed the ie7 double-flanges on the Rain. The Rain is definitely not a bass-heavy phone, but you can feel it. the phone is very neutral and natural sounding, but I would say the emphasis is on the mids. The vocals clarity remind me somewhat of the hf5s, but a bit warmer. Just a few quick additional observations on the Rain as I listen more and prepare my review

EricP

Waiting for your impressions as well...

 

[jdc65]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good to hear. Looking forward to getting some Rain tomorrow (via UPS), from a fellow writer/journalist. Thunder were nice but the Rain sound more my tastes.

I'm curious to hear a comparison w/ the W2. That's another IEM that caught my eye, although it may be awhile now before I buy more gear.

I'm particularly interested in a mids/vocals comparison, since that's the Rain's strength, and its a part of the sound that's important to me.

 

[daouda]

enough bass you can feel, neutral and natural sounding with some warmth while rather mid-centric... damn, those REALLY look more and more like exactly what i'm looking for... If the rain brings a slightly closer sound presentation compared to the above average wide soundstage on the thunder that average_joe was talking about (which could be the case due to the smaller driver), i'd better start warming-up my credit card right now