Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)

[toranku]

First Impressions: Oriveti OH300 & OH500

OH500
A bit mushy with its transients as they can start blending together. Perhaps slightly v, warm signature with vocals sounding thin and sucked out. Positionally, vocals are not that recessed but the tone leans on shrill. Treble is smooth without much extension. Bass is...there. Neutral midbass impact (not limp) but the subbass extension rolls off a bit. Sounds congested and slightly mushy with ugly vocals.

OH300
I actually thought the OH500 that I demo'd was the OH300. The store assistant didn't tell me which was which until I looked up pictures after testing. The H300 is even more shrill sounding with more uppermids boost BUT it boasts better technicalities. It may be peakier with a more aggressive lower treble (treble extension is still an issue) and even thinner/shrill mids but it doesn't get as congested as the H500.

Both were quite uneventful overall.

 

[issuzark]

Toranku, any thoughts on the Radius TWF-41?

 

[toranku]

Toranku, any thoughts on the Radius TWF-41?

Tried it very briefly in Japan. I listened to it before I even started this whole thread. Can't quite remember the sound. Only thing I take home from radius is that they make nice tips (the deep mounts) and their iems feel cheap due to the hollow plastic.

 

[issuzark]

Tried it very briefly in Japan. I listened to it before I even started this whole thread. Can't quite remember the sound. Only thing I take home from radius is that they make nice tips (the deep mounts) and their iems feel cheap due to the hollow plastic.

That's sad. I agree with the cheap feel but I really liked the TWF21, even more than the Sennheiser IE8 back then. Unfortunately they're no longer in Malaysia because of the aftermarket issues Jaben had. No idea if that improved at all since 2011 since I barely find any Radius users.

 

[Gu Sensei]

Toranku,

I am curious if you have any thoughts on a good commuting iem/ciem, either specific recommendations or general sound signatures that work best for somewhat noisy environments (nothing extreme- just traffic or bus noise). I think my preferences are somewhat similar to yours in terms of somewhat elevated bass level and non-fatiguing treble (if I picked up on that accurately).

Thanks!

 

[toranku]

Toranku,

I am curious if you have any thoughts on a good commuting iem/ciem, either specific recommendations or general sound signatures that work best for somewhat noisy environments (nothing extreme- just traffic or bus noise). I think my preferences are somewhat similar to yours in terms of somewhat elevated bass level and non-fatiguing treble (if I picked up on that accurately).

Thanks!

I'd stick to something with a bass boost with a non-fatiguing treble. Bass levels plummet with external noise so you want to make sure the iem you're buying also isolates and seals well.

 

[Raketen]

FWIW IMO the Sony N3 fits this description & is a pretty good commuter IEM if you are not too picky for cost(potential faults: strings timbre, relaxed treble but does have a some 'v' type recession in midrange below presence)

 

[rutter]

Toranku,

I am curious if you have any thoughts on a good commuting iem/ciem, either specific recommendations or general sound signatures that work best for somewhat noisy environments (nothing extreme- just traffic or bus noise). I think my preferences are somewhat similar to yours in terms of somewhat elevated bass level and non-fatiguing treble (if I picked up on that accurately).

Thanks!

If you're looking for somewhat elevated bass, non-fatiguing treble, and good isolation if you can get a proper fit the Sony IER-Z1R is definitely a candidate.

 

[Gu Sensei]

If you're looking for somewhat elevated bass, non-fatiguing treble, and good isolation if you can get a proper fit the Sony IER-Z1R is definitely a candidate.

I have a pair of those right now. They are excellent and have such a unique character overall. Very special sounding earphones. I enjoy them a lot in my office in a quiet environment (especially with the TA-ZH1ES) but they are not a perfect match for me, especially in terms of some unfortunately placed treble peaks. Those stick out a bit more when I am commuting. They aren't 'piercing' they way bright earphones are but still enough of a bother to me that I probably won't be keeping them.

FWIW IMO the Sony N3 fits this description & is a pretty good commuter IEM if you are not too picky for cost(potential faults: strings timbre, relaxed treble but does have a some 'v' type recession in midrange below presence)

Will check them out. I find a lot of the best bits of earphones get lost when ambient noise picks up out and about, so I am not feeling too picky about minor transgressions. But just from the looks of the physical design, I am not sure how much isolation I will get. I am really leaning towards customs at this point. Thanks though, I will definitely try them to see.

I'd stick to something with a bass boost...non-fatiguing treble... isolates and seals well.

Yep, that was all becoming a little clearer to me. My commuting earphones history consists of the Shure 535s, JH 13pros, FitEar 335DWs, and CA Dorados. All of them have pretty laid back treble but it was more happenstance than conscious decision. The Solaris and Z1Rs both proved to be more enjoyable in a quiet environment when I could keep the volume down (thought not perfect), but when I turned the volume up in a louder environment, the treble peaks become much more present and distracting. I am definitely focused on the characteristics you listed there and going for a commuter and an office pair.

 

[bibit69]

I enjoy the following while walking/commuting: acoustune hs1551cu, andromeda, sony n1, z1r, M7, t8ie

 

[Jackpot77]

T8IE if a good choice - easy to fit and remove on the go, comfortable and the lifted bass works well on public transport.

 

[Edric Li]

the lifted bass works well on public transport.

This is so important yet so overlooked

 

[JustJoseph]

Will check them out. I find a lot of the best bits of earphones get lost when ambient noise picks up out and about, so I am not feeling too picky about minor transgressions. But just from the looks of the physical design, I am not sure how much isolation I will get. I am really leaning towards customs at this point. Thanks though, I will definitely try them to see.

If anything, I own the N1s which have the same shape as the N3s. Despite the odd looking shape, I found them to have one of the best seals and isolation in an earphone. They are so easy to use on public transport, very easy to wear and remove.

 

[james444]

Yep, that was all becoming a little clearer to me. My commuting earphones history consists of the Shure 535s, JH 13pros, FitEar 335DWs, and CA Dorados. All of them have pretty laid back treble but it was more happenstance than conscious decision. The Solaris and Z1Rs both proved to be more enjoyable in a quiet environment when I could keep the volume down (thought not perfect), but when I turned the volume up in a louder environment, the treble peaks become much more present and distracting. I am definitely focused on the characteristics you listed there and going for a commuter and an office pair.

If true wireless is a possibility, I'd recommend trying the Earin M-2. Small and comfy, decent isolation, slight bass boost and laid-back treble.

I for my part have gone true wireless for commuting and hardly ever use wired on the go any more.

 

[Nabillion_786]

@toranku I just received the ex800 and must say I am a little disappointed because the clarity is worse then my kanas pro and tanchjim oxygen for the midrange and especially vocals. It seems like the subbass and more midbass is interfering with it. Should I contact the seller for a possible faulty iem or should this be how the iem actually sounds since it's sony's 'professional line'?