[Pricklyears101]

@toranku

Headfonia is looking for writers for their blog. I was considering it at first but I think I'm not as equipped and experienced as most of the members here. Why not giving it a try?

 

[Colors]

Yes, your impressions are great!

 

[warriorpoet]

@toranku

Headfonia is looking for writers for their blog. I was considering it at first but I think I'm not as equipped and experienced as most of the members here. Why not giving it a try?

x100

 

[toranku]

@toranku anything you know that has the detail of EX800/1000 but also has isolation for commuting?

Or I have to get the Z1R...

ER2 is smoother but provides a hell lot of isolation for commute. I'd suggest stuff like N3 as well but it might be too bassy for some

@toranku

Headfonia is looking for writers for their blog. I was considering it at first but I think I'm not as equipped and experienced as most of the members here. Why not giving it a try?

There's no need to since I already have access to a lot of things. It would certainly be nice to loan stuff for a week though, would really help kickstart what I want to do more which is reviewing. I don't think impressions really paint a detailed picture especially since hearing is inconsistent.

I've actually tried reaching out to companies for loaner units for the stuff that's harder to find in my country, but no one's ever interested.

 

[surfgeorge]

Yea I'm not quite a fan of the stock cables. Too inflexible for my standards. Perhaps too heavy as well. Nowadays I like those stock replacement cables for their very light weight and flexibility.

Coming back to the JVC FD01/FD02 and the cable...
You mentioned that you find the driver to be a little slow.
I think I can hear that with the FD02 as well, especially with the stock cable.

But I'd be really interested to hear your impressions with different cables since I feel they make a big difference.

I described my impressions of different cables here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/jvc-ha-fd01-class-s-solidege.868414/page-21#post-14976571
After I wrote this I received the **** 8-core silver cable, which sounds like something between the Nobunaga Yuzen and the DIY silver cable.
SQ is best from the DIY cable, but it's not very user friendly and a bit fragile.

Cheers!

 

[toranku]

My thoughts on: Sennheiser IE400 & IE500

The IE400/500 Sennheiser's new IEMs designed for stage and studio monitoring respectively. Compared to the IE40, they further downsized the driver and features very low distortion figures at high volumes. These were clearly designed with headroom in mind.

IE400
The IE400 is v-shaped. The bass is thunderous with rather big midbass presence as well as lower mid being quite forward. Results in a very thick type of signature. Uppermids are a little subdued with the emphasis being the lower mids. Immense treble extension is seen here, I think the treble does spike multiple times. Thus can be harsh sounding due to its peaks. Subbass does extend very deep and midbass is lifted. The resolution and control of the bass is decent, especially when powered proper. I do think that some will find it to be too warm and having too much bass. Treble seems peaky all around and can sometimes sound bright but it does image ok albeit more in your face. It does sound congested since there is quite an overbearing amount of midbass and lowermids.

IE500
The IE500 has less of a v-shape than the IE400. sporting less warmth in the mix. There's even more lower mids in the mix now and the uppermids sound too recessed in contrast. Due to the recession in the uppermids the stage seems to expand and sounds very much less congested than the IE400. The consequence is a nasal sounding midrange especially with female vocals. They sound way too bodied and nasal. Technicalities wise the IE500 layers even better with greater level of separation. Treble is slightly less bright as well but still follow that same trend of treble with multiple peaks (and dips). Quite similar to the IE400.

If I had to pick, it would be the IE400. Much much prefer the tone of the 400. I think the concept of the IE400/500 is nice but execution wise it does leave more to be desired. The presence of lower mids and treble makes the IE400 and IE500 quite intense listens. Treble can be quite hit/miss with its peaks even though its very extended sounding. I have to use a lower volume if I planned to hear them for longer durations. If not, I'd say they perform average. I feel like a different tuning would have benefited this more since the driver is quite capable.

 

[toranku]

My thoughts on: Etymotic ER2XR & ER2SE

Etymotic utilizes dynamic drivers in the ER2 series compared to balanced armature drivers in the ER3 and ER4. I bought these just because they were DD (lol).

ER2XR
The ER2XR has a smooth, easy to listen, downslope type of FR. It actually features quite a big bass boost relative to the diffuse curve. Warm tone thats highly pleasing. I dont find the midbass bloated at all, and actually think the bass boost is very much well implemented here. Subbass reaches low with nicely defined basslines. Midrange sounds...DF-like with more warmth. Due to the smoothness of the signature it does miss out on some detail at the midrange. Lower treble is where I find that it has its issue - I do think the lower treble is quite recessed when compared to everywhere else. Treble is dark sounding to me and lacking of more presence in the 5-8kHz region. Upper treble does extend ok. But due to this recession in the lower treble (for my preferences), the treble can sound hazy and too laidback overall. Staging wise I dont feel that they congest. Things layer upon themselves well. Just sounds more in-your-head when compared to regular iems. If you've heard Etys before, it's that same kind of staging, perhaps a bit bigger. Maybe they positioned the driver further away from the nozzle. I dont exactly know. I felt that soundstage was less of an issue when compared to ER3.

ER2SE
Very similar but with less bass. The deepest subbass registers can still be heard faintly, but lacks presence for me. Due to there being less bass, the tonal balance shifts more towards the uppermids and treble. Its in an odd spot where I'm content with the uppermids/treble but lacks that subbass. Midbass is of lesser quantity but sounds tighter as it should be.

The dynamic drivers seem to be quite capable in the ER2 series. They are very fast and snappy but due to their nature of their smoothness, they seem to lack that resolve when compared to ER4. That said, I recommend them. They are hard to fault outside of the usual "ety soundstage" issue. If you haven't tried Etymotics, maybe start with these. But even if you own the ER4, I think these are also nice to have around - they are smoother and offer an easier listening experience.

edit: since people have been asking me about these vs ex800st, I feel ex800st holds the same level of resolve. Ety also offers some of the best isolation you can get. EX800st just does staging better but trades off isolation.

 

[antdroid]

Thank you for all your impressions. They are wonderful and easy to read.

 

[toranku]

Revisited: Campfire Solaris

Solaris is no stranger to drama. I do think that people blew up the tonal issues. Personally I don't find the small recession in the uppermids to be too bad. It's not nasal. Female vocals do sound a little strained but I can tolerate that. I think where the true strength lies in the solaris is how is does staging. I've been noticing that upper mids recessions can help create a deeper stage (example: ie500) and I'd wager that effect in the solaris is what makes it the solaris. At times I'm quite blown away as to how it layers and separates instruments and vocals.

I find that the bass can be improved in the Solaris. While boosted, it's a bit blunt and slow. I think Solaris' tuning can use a tighter and faster bass with more slam and slap. Mids can sound a bit dry at times due to that slight uppermid dip. The treble wasn't as harsh once I figured out how to deep fit them. Treble is well extended but cymbals dont quite sound like cymbals since it lacks that sound of contact (that initial spark) between the cymbal and stick. It does have its flaws but in return, the staging capabilities of the solaris is fantastic. It's a good iem in my books. Just tough to nail down fit which I think I screwed up the first few times I tried it.

 

[toranku]

My thoughts on: JVC FD01 modded

In case you have not tried, the FD01 stock is very intense and harsh. With cymbals, the metallic sound is produced nicely which makes cymbals really sound like cymbals. It captures that strike and shimmer really nicely imo, albeit very very harsh. So...like real life cymbals huh. Anyway, near un-listenable without modifications.

How modding the FD01 works is by rolling up dampening material (like baby wipes or alcohol swabs) and inserting it into the removable nozzle of the FD01. Those massive peaks found can be tamed to a very very large extent, and amount of dampening depends on how much material you decide to use. I modded mine to have a warm neutral signature which removed that metallic touch to cymbals and smoothened out its overall response greatly.

What's the catch with modding? The FD01's treble extension also gets damped as a result, leading to not-so-great extension. It rolls off. There are also some very characteristic traits that the FD01 bear. The timbre of the FD01 sounds...smoothed out and clean. It's really hard to describe in words. The FD01 managed to retain that same timbre before and after modding, so I am sure its a characteristic of the driver (and its housing). I don't think its timbre sounds natural, but it presents my music in interesting ways and certainly not generic.

The bass of the FD01 commands greater presence after modification due to the tonal balance shifting towards the bass and lower mids. It's warm and I do also think the midbass is a bit sloppy with toms. It has absolutely no problems reaching into the deepest subbass registers though. Mids and highs are nothing short of smooth and free of peaks (YMMV due to amount of dampening used). It achieves nicely thick vocals. I just wish the driver was snappier and faster to deliver better dynamics. Staging is surprisingly nice with its depth since the sound is positioned further away. Separation is not bad either. Balance in the FR can also be very good depending on how you tune it.

It's a jack of all trades and master of none situation for me. It serves as a good all-rounder with FR that is hard to fault after modding. It's slightly compressed dynamics and midbass slop are the main gripes I have with it. I still think EX800ST is better due to its more realistic timbre and uncompromised dynamics at the cost of isolation.

 

[Colors]

My thoughts on: Etymotic ER2XR & ER2SE

Etymotic utilizes dynamic drivers in the ER2 series compared to balanced armature drivers in the ER3 and ER4. I bought these just because they were DD (lol).

ER2XR
The ER2XR has a smooth, easy to listen, downslope type of FR. It actually features quite a big bass boost relative to the diffuse curve. Warm tone thats highly pleasing. I dont find the midbass bloated at all, and actually think the bass boost is very much well implemented here. Subbass reaches low with nicely defined basslines. Midrange sounds...DF-like with more warmth. Due to the smoothness of the signature it does miss out on some detail at the midrange. Lower treble is where I find that it has its issue - I do think the lower treble is quite recessed when compared to everywhere else. Treble is dark sounding to me and lacking of more presence in the 5-8kHz region. Upper treble does extend ok. But due to this recession in the lower treble (for my preferences), the treble can sound hazy and too laidback overall. Staging wise I dont feel that they congest. Things layer upon themselves well. Just sounds more in-your-head when compared to regular iems. If you've heard Etys before, it's that same kind of staging, perhaps a bit bigger. Maybe they positioned the driver further away from the nozzle. I dont exactly know. I felt that soundstage was less of an issue when compared to ER3.

ER2SE
Very similar but with less bass. The deepest subbass registers can still be heard faintly, but lacks presence for me. Due to there being less bass, the tonal balance shifts more towards the uppermids and treble. Its in an odd spot where I'm content with the uppermids/treble but lacks that subbass. Midbass is of lesser quantity but sounds tighter as it should be.

The dynamic drivers seem to be quite capable in the ER2 series. They are very fast and snappy but due to their nature of their smoothness, they seem to lack that resolve when compared to ER4. That said, I recommend them. They are hard to fault outside of the usual "ety soundstage" issue. If you haven't tried Etymotics, maybe start with these. But even if you own the ER4, I think these are also nice to have around - they are smoother and offer an easier listening experience.

edit: since people have been asking me about these vs ex800st, I feel ex800st holds the same level of resolve. Ety also offers some of the best isolation you can get. EX800st just does staging better but trades off isolation.

Whoa...EX800ST with isolation, I’m intrigued...

 

[toranku]

Whoa...EX800ST with isolation, I’m intrigued...

EX800ST has better dynamics. But I do think ER2's bass quality is much better since it has less midbass and even more subbass, offering more control over the EX800ST.

The ER2 also has more uppermids but where they differ mainly is at the lower treble. I dig the quantity of lower treble the EX800ST has which is a bit dipped in the Etymotics. However the Etys extend nicely while the EX800ST rolls off hard.

 

[deafdoorknob]

EX800ST has better dynamics. But I do think ER2's bass quality is much better since it has less midbass and even more subbass, offering more control over the EX800ST.

The ER2 also has more uppermids but where they differ mainly is at the lower treble. I dig the quantity of lower treble the EX800ST has which is a bit dipped in the Etymotics. However the Etys extend nicely while the EX800ST rolls off hard.

yes, very high vfm with one unfortunate trait, its dynamics sound sat on, blunted. but the tonality with er2xr is very appealing and i found myself using it more than my ex800st for slower, mid tempo music

 

[Colors]

In all fairness though, the EX1000 has some of the best dynamics I’ve ever listened to, except maybe for the Legend X.

I dunno how they did it with one driver.

 

[papa_mia]

In all fairness though, the EX1000 has some of the best dynamics I’ve ever listened to, except maybe for the Legend X.

I dunno how they did it with one driver.

They put in a dynamic driver.