Yuin Vs EC7

[shw24]

Hi guys,

For those who have chance with both, I'm just wondering, how the EC7 stands against the Yuin's... Pricewise, maybe it is the contender of PK2...

It seems that both of them are known as good or maybe very good earbud, so just wondering what is the pros cons of both.

 

[channum]

I used EC7s for almost 2 years, Yuin PK2s for about 3 months. Based purely on sound quality, I give it to the EC7s by a wee bit. They have a much more flat, accurate sound spectrum compared to the Yuins, which are coloured much like the Grados they are often compared to. Also, the design of the EC7s is fantastic; very comfortable and stay in place better than any other earbud I've ever tried (of course, they are clipped

).

However, I can also say that both pairs of EC7s crapped out in the left earpiece (which bears most of the tension because of the J-design). The first set I borked learning that I'm not cut out for recabling

. That set was about 14 months old. The second set I purchased failed after just 8 months (that was when I ordered the Yuins). That time I went for warranty service which resulted in them recabling it with cheaper cable. The repair failed after only 2 months and I saw no point in going through it again (and again and again).

So, at this point, coloured or not, I'm kindling my love for the Yuins. The PK2s sound very, very nearly as good as the EC7s, are as comfortable, and stay in nearly as well. The J-cord design for the PK2s is terrible, so I had to exchange it for the Y-cord which is the much better choice for the PK2s. Unfortunately, I have yet to put them through the sort of stress testing my EC7s got (daily use for hours a day) so I can't speak to their durability. Their design reminds me of the sort of cheap buds I used to get as pack-ins with CD players in the early 90s, and that's a good thing, because those things, bad sounding though they might be, are still working 15+ years later after all manner of abuses.

So, all said, if money weren't an object and sound quality were your overriding concern, I'd go with the EC7s. You'd just have to do so keeping in mind that they're prone to shorting out in the left ear and Audio-Technica's warranty repairs are, at the least, spotty.

Value wise, I'll be sticking with the Yuins. If the PK2s are still functioning and kicking this time next year, I'll be buying myself some PK1s.

 

[shw24]

Interesting...

I currently own the ec-7 and wondering if PK2 is an upgrade. Anyway, how do you find the comparation in terms of Highs, mids, and bass between these two amped and unamped?

 

[channum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shw24 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I currently own the ec-7 and wondering if PK2 is an upgrade.

This one's easy, no. They're about equal for overall sound quality, just different. If I wasn't in a position where I have to consider the longevity factor versus cost, I'd be wearing my third set of EC7s right now because I prefer their sound signature over the Yuin.


Quote:

Anyway, how do you find the comparation in terms of Highs, mids, and bass between these two amped and unamped?

Keeping in mind that I am not one of the guys on here who can give you the ultra technical reviews: I always felt that the EC7s were perfectly balanced between all the spectrum range. Whether they were or not, I always felt I was getting an accurate representation of sound with them. The Yuins are balanced across the sound spectrum overall, but the Yuins also have an elevated mid range that's a bit more in your face. I think this is what gets them compared to Grado sound so much and also spawns posts about "taming" them with foamies. What it boils down to is that, when it comes to mids and highs, both are well defined but you're going to get noticeably more treble with the Yuins than the ATs - I think of it as the "crunchier cymbals" effect. Bass is tighter on the EC7s but still very punchy on the Yuins, and there's just a bit more fuzz than the EC7s.

A key signature difference between them is the soundstaging. The EC7s have a much airier headroom space. Conversely, the Yuins have a wider soundstage, certainly the widest I've ever heard in earbuds. I guess I would describe it as the soundstage of the EC7s is more like a sphere and the Yuins a wide, squat rectangular space.

As for amped versus unamped, I don't really feel too qualified to answer. I have listened to both amped for giggles, but, in general, if I'm going to bother going amped, it's with full sized cans. What I can say is that with the EC7s, there was a noticeable widening of the soundstage but I don't recall much else changing anymore than you'd expect (e.g. bass tightens, but that's what it does with pretty much anything). The Yuins just seem to lose some of the fuzz and get more detailed with an amp. However, since I've not spent too much time listening to either amped, I can't really say if either is a clear winner in this category.

The bottom line is that if you're looking for an upgrade, the PK2s aren't it. PK1s may be, but I've not heard them to compare. If you're looking for earphones that are in the same league, just different, then they are a fantastic value at $69 considering the $110-$120 price of the EC7s.

 

[shw24]

Thank you for the sharing. very interesting opinion...

Any others folk does has experience with these two earbud?