[redavaya-fi]

I was planning to get an S9 to pair with my IE8s but bought a 1st gen Zune instead because of local availability and support. I loaded it with lossless files. Is it me or does the combo of Zune-IE8 too detailed that even the vocals (specially female) are piercing? I tired all the settings but I still can't listen to it for more than an hour. It's a bit exhausting to be frank. I listened thru my HP 2140 (netbook)using the same phones and songs and I liked it better. Bass is fuller and listenioing is enjoyable. If I would compare the bass it's like someone hitting you with his bare hands (zune) and the other hitting you with boxing gloves. I prefer getting hit with gloves (do I make sense?)

If you get my drift, I would like to get some advice on what portable to replace my Zune that sounds differently. Something that is suited for Pop, RnB, Rap type of music. Also it should have a good history of durability if I were to get it thru Internet. Only available here locally with support are Ipods, Zune, Creative and Sony perhaps. Or maybe just tips on how to improve or adjust sound quality of my Zune.

Thanks and no offense meant to Zune users.

 

[Laokid18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redavaya-fi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was planning to get an S9 to pair with my IE8s but bought a 1st gen Zune instead because of local availability and support. I loaded it with lossless files. Is it me or does the combo of Zune-IE8 too detailed that even the vocals (specially female) are piercing? I tired all the settings but I still can't listen to it for more than an hour. It's a bit exhausting to be frank. I listened thru my HP 2140 (netbook)using the same phones and songs and I liked it better. Bass is fuller and listenioing is enjoyable. If I would compare the bass it's like someone hitting you with his bare hands (zune) and the other hitting you with boxing gloves. I prefer getting hit with gloves (do I make sense?) If you get my drift, I would like to get some advice on what portable to replace my Zune that sounds differently. Something that is suited for Pop, RnB, Rap type of music. Also it should have a good history of durability if I were to get it thru Internet. Only available here locally with support are Ipods, Zune, Creative and Sony perhaps. Or maybe just tips on how to improve or adjust sound quality of my Zune. Thanks and no offense meant to Zune users.

It sounds like the zunes mids are to forward for you.I own the original 30 & the 120, and if u think the 30 is lacking bass you would hate the 120.I suggest you get a Sansa clip or a sony.I own a clip and it has less bass roll off than the zunes,and just as much details in the high and mid department but not as forward as the zunes.

 

[redavaya-fi]

Yes, the mid's a bit forward, harsh actually for my taste. Might try the Clip or Fuze. With the type of music I'm listening to I prefer the bass to sound like it's coming from a ported subwoofer rather than sealed. I know sealed boxes are supposed to be more accurate but I like the "boom" of ported. Any idea what player has that sound characteristic or is it the phones? (I have an IE8 at the moment)

 

[bba1973]

Maybe you should look for a player with a good EQ or good bass boost. Or for $20 you could try a Fiio E5 amp since it's got bass boost. Don't take this the wrong way, but it could just be your ears and/or sound preferences. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'm not hearing what you're describing with my Zune. I don't have IE8's either though.

The E5 is only $20, and it would be a cheap option to get more bass. Not sure if it would help the harsh mids you're hearing though. Just something to consider since it's cheap and might help at least somewhat.

 

[redavaya-fi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe you should look for a player with a good EQ or good bass boost. Or for $20 you could try a Fiio E5 amp since it's got bass boost. Don't take this the wrong way, but it could just be your ears and/or sound preferences. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'm not hearing what you're describing with my Zune. I don't have IE8's either though. The E5 is only $20, and it would be a cheap option to get more bass. Not sure if it would help the harsh mids you're hearing though. Just something to consider since it's cheap and might help at least somewhat.

I'll try adding an E5 to my system. If I'm still unsatisfied then I'll sell the Zune and try the Fuze since I've read good results from Clip/Fiio E5 combo.

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redavaya-fi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll try adding an E5 to my system. If I'm still unsatisfied then I'll sell the Zune and try the Fuze since I've read good results from Clip/Fiio E5 combo.

Good luck. The E5 should be a good investment, and it can come in handy later.

I'm not sure if the Fuze and the Clip have the same sound quality. They might, but do some research before you go out and get a Fuze.

Now I'm starting to notice the forward mids you're talking about. Thanks alot

. I really noticed it last night while everything was quiet and I was in critical listening mode. It's one of those thing like that squeaky bass drum pedal in Led Zeppelin's song "Since I've Been Loving You." Some people just don't notice it until it's pointed out. It's not bad on everything, but I'm not sure if the mids are supposed to jump out quite that much.

 

[tstarn06]

Odd that a player has harsh mids. I have a Zune80, and also had the IE8s, and while I sold the phones, I never had a problem with harshness. Also, you mention it being mid-forward, but then say the bass is like bare knuckles vs. boxing gloves. Which is the problem harshness-wise, the bass or the forward mids? Or both?

Since it's a 1st gen Zune, is it possible you have the EQ set in a way to cause the problem? I know the 1st gen Zunes (30GB) offer an internal EQ (as long as not upgraded to the Zune 3.0 software).

I found the IE8s and the Zune80 a very nice match. I only got rid of the IE8s because I favor the Westone 3s, with all my DAPs. I have Clips, a Sony, a Touch and the Zune80, and using just HP out and no EQ, the Zune sounds the best to me.

One thing though, I don't think the E5 is going to do a thing to help resolve your issue, since the Zune does not offer a line out option (amping through HP out only). I don't think it will solve your issue.

Can't you return the Zune, since it is so new? Rather than have to sell it?

 

[Ricardo Dawkins]

Zune 30 hast internal EQ with every firmware release. MS just can't remove it even if they wanted.

 

[Podtweaker]

I was going to pass on making a comment in this thread, until I noticed the nonsense comment "that the E5 isn't going to help(or was it improve) things much because the Zune does'nt have a true line-out". I've compared an LODed Ipod classic against either my Zune 80 or 120 amped through it's headphone out. It is not even close the Ipod (while clean* sounding through the LOD)(not cleaner) was definitely "thinner" sounding. Unless we are talking about a modded Pod, using an LOD connection to an amp does not "trump" an amped Zune in SQ! As always YMMV but this often repeated statement has not been my experience. The difference in "listenability" was not even close in my opinion! I don't listen to most popular music(R&B,Pop,Rap,Metal etc..) so maybe the "SQ weaknessess" of the Ipods compliment the average recording quality of these genres

 

[roebeet]

I think the E5 and Zune 30 are a good combo, with my V6's. I actually need to turn off the bass boost with the "Acoustic" EQ setting, as it's too much for me.

The Clip v1 / E5 is also a good combo, imo.

 

[TedwardRoberts]

my zune 4gb with etymotic hf5s is definitely fatiguing, but only at volumes that are probably too high... with my alessandros, it's perfect.

 

[redavaya-fi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, you mention it being mid-forward, but then say the bass is like bare knuckles vs. boxing gloves. Which is the problem harshness-wise, the bass or the forward mids? Or both?

My main concern is the harshness of the mids. With regards to the bass I'd prefer fuller bass but the bass I'm gettin now is not at all bad.

I set the music settings to "none", that's the flat settings, right?

Got the Zune 2nd hand so really can't return it. I won't lose much selling it again.

 

[redavaya-fi]

Was fortunate to test out the E5 with my Zune/IE8 before I buy one. I really didn't notice much improvement. Accdg. to the guy it's because the IE8 has low impedance. I'm not sure what he meant. Does it mean the IE8 doesn't need an amp or the E5 is not powerful enough to maximize the potential of the IE8s? Your thoughts?

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redavaya-fi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Was fortunate to test out the E5 with my Zune/IE8 before I buy one. I really didn't notice much improvement. Accdg. to the guy it's because the IE8 has low impedance. I'm not sure what he meant. Does it mean the IE8 doesn't need an amp or the E5 is not powerful enough to maximize the potential of the IE8s? Your thoughts?

They probably don't really need an amp or won't sound much better unless you get an expensive amp.

 

[Maxis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo Dawkins /img/forum/go_quote.gif Zune 30 hast internal EQ with every firmware release. MS just can't remove it even if they wanted.

Thankfully