Hi Guys!
I plan to buy m-100.
I read a lot of reviews and everywhere write about the overwhelming bass.
Unfortunately I have no way to test m-100
How they sound if playing Freakpower, Spice, Everlast, Torpedo Boyz, Skeewiff, Alice Russel, Miss Li or other similar?
Also how they sound using Fiio X5?
Thanks!
I tested out all these tracks on YouTube using my M-100 fed by a brand-new (10 hours burned-in) Aune T1 with the stock 6922 vacuum tube. Quality of the tracks ranged from 720p HD to 240p depending on the artist so bitrate consistency was off.
I have listened to an X5 with my M-100, but not long enough to provide any impressions that are worthwhile.
Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out by Freak Power - Everything sounds good. Bass guitar is prominent, snare drums snap and sizzle and the vocals are creamy with a cool surround effect. They sound like they are coming from the stage maybe 3 rows in front of you and then sweep outward to envelope your face. Trumpet solo sounded a little distant.
Funkiest Body in Town by Spice - It's hard to tell. The video quality on YouTube is only 240p so the sound is very low quality. From the video it sounded as if the bass overpowered the vocals and other instrumentation, but I think the recording has more to do with it.
White Trash Beautiful by Everlast - Vocals are nice a present. The M-100 does fantastic with gruff male vocals. The guitars are placed where they should be and sound great throughout the song complementing the vocals well. Kick drum? is very forward, but never distracting and the cymbals and snares are polite. They are present and clear, but maybe a tad quiet.
That Is So Beautiful by Torpedo Boyz- It's all guitars and synthesizers. I also tried listening to Any Trash Professor Abacus? and Ich Bin Auslander and while it seems that synthesizers would pair well with the M-100 do its DJ and EDM inspired background, I felt the mixes for Torpedo Boyz are too bassy and it sounds congested and fatiguing on the M-100. This could be attributed to the equipment the Torpedo Boyz mix with is bass shy so they compensated by adding more to their songs. I didn't find their music to be a good pairing.
A Man Of Constant Sorrow by Skeewiff -Everything just sounds perfect. Imagine you're listening to them performing live in a small bar, where drums usually sound a little too loud anyway, and that's exactly how it sounds. Vocals, guitars, cymbals, drums all meld together into a soundgasm. I think you made a new Skeewiff fan out of me!
Heartbreaker by Alice Russell - Another song where the M-100's ability to render an intimate 3-dimensional sound stage makes it a fun musical experience. The entire track, probably due to Alice Russell's filtered vocals, has a thick, smoky feel to it, but in a good way. I feel like I can inhale the music and feel it in my chest.
My Heart Goes Boom by Miss Li - Loved it. This track was pure fun. I was too busy bobbing my head to notice any shortcomings. Maybe Miss Li's voice could be more forward. Recessed mids will yield such wantings.
I think the M-100 will suit your musical tastes just fine. Also keep in mind that they are very responsive to EQ and you can always tweak the bass down if you need to.
