Advanced Sound M4 IEMs Discussions | Drop

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Advanced Sound M4 IEMs

Jan 30, 2017

Ok I got my pair in and time to give them a mini review guys.
First I'll talk about value and build:
These sound pretty good for a 40 dollar iem, but I wouldn't say they are worth more. The included accessories are nice though. I will say that they are packed very nicely and the presentation and unboxing is nice for such cheap iems. The braid on the cable is interesting but I'd prefer a soft-braided wire or a flat non-tangle wire instead. It has a very nice tactile feel to it, rubbery and just shy of feeling "too cheap." The housing is very light and almost feels a bit delicate, but sturdy enough. All the included tips are probably what you should use, and if you are putting other tips on that didn't come with these make sure they have a very tight fit snapping on or you lose some bass spectrum. Isolation is average to good with silicone tips, definitely good to great with comply tips. I however didn't like the comply tips on them, and instead preferred the large double-flange tips and medium silicone white or gray tips provided.
Now about sound (excuse text wall):
I don't know why people complain for a lack of bass, these held up fine for me across every genre. I mean they aren't bass cannons, not even close (a bit less bassy than the average iem) but that's not what I like (my favorite headphones are ad2000x/hd650). They seem pretty neutral overall bass through mids with maybe a tad bit of tizz in the upper frequencies. However it is the same lack of bass or mid accentuation that doesn't make them "fun." They just sound objectively flat to my ears with some treble air that turns to harshness at loud volume up top. At moderate to low volumes they are good to listen to, imo. I'd say they contend with other offerings by Sennheiser and Philips in the same price range. For example the Senn cx 1's and 2's are equally as good for 30-40 dollars. A bit less resolving but they have a more easygoing balance to them that makes them fun all-rounders (just slightly more midrange than these, and treble rolled off from becoming hot at louder volumes). With this though I guess you're getting a closer to monitor sound and a 1-button mic is nice too (think xbox,ps4 or phone). I still think I like my philips tx2's a tad more because they're just a bit more bassy and fun to listen to (similar build quality and also a 1 button mic) while retaining enough of the mids that I love so I can enjoy vocals. I think these will impress the audiophile from a technical perspective for price but there are more fun iems out there at this price range.
Notes: I didn't find much difference if at all between sources/amps used (Samsung s7, Grace m9xx, Lyr 2 [SS and tube mode]). Overall a good buy for the price, can't go too wrong unless you enjoy other sound signatures more. They aren't end-alls, though. Pull the trigger if you don't have any good iems, if you have ones you enjoy I doubt these will complete your life or make it better. They are nicely competent, though.

mpohan

Jan 31, 2017

UzuzuThanks for the review! So are these good for vocal and acoustic songs? Prefer clarity and detail over bass.

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Jan 31, 2017

mpohanThey are fine for vocal and acoustic. Bit more clarity than most in this price range.

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tubeamplifier

Jan 31, 2017

UzuzuThanks for the review. It's a very neutral phone. It's not those kind of "fun" sound. They do everything good and the soundstrage amazing at the price range. But I think proper source/amp. does mak it sound better. You said "no much difference". Yes, maybe not very much but pretty obvious difference.

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Jan 31, 2017

tubeamplifierI didn't find significant difference in whether these played out of a 200 dollar phone vs a 1200 dollar desktop setup. They are good for price but their resolution isn't comparable to any over-ears I own, lol. There is a bit of muddiness/congestion in the lower treble with these iems that is easy to hear especially with complex orchestral music. I spent all day with them in my ears though yesterday, they are definitely okay. Soundstage is tight but the ability to pin-point things directionally is also better than most 30 dollar earbuds when they aren't sounding congested due to their slow speed (they sound closed, iems always will). They aren't end-game gear but they're very nice for the price. Again I would recommend them to anyone especially anyone who doesn't already own a decent pair.

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tubeamplifier

Jan 31, 2017

UzuzuSo you compared M4 with ad2000 or HD650 to get your conclusion? Then I agree with every single point you said. :-)

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mpohan

Feb 1, 2017

UzuzuHave you heard VE monks earbuds by any chance?

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Feb 1, 2017

tubeamplifierNo I compared it to some senns/philips I had laying around. Both of which I enjoy more, from a biased perspective. In reality these earbuds are good for price, just not amazing. I wouldn't be blown back by them, not close.

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Feb 1, 2017

mpohanyeah I got a red pair from an earlier drop. They sound pretty closed, balance is good and they are quite a bit dark. Not really my cup of tea but they are good for gifts and not bad overall.

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mpohan

Feb 1, 2017

UzuzuOh cool! Actually wanted to ask, as I like the sound signature on the monks. So would this be an upgrade to the monks? I know ear buds and IEM can't be compared as they're different. I'm no audiophile in anyway so I hope you understand.
And this drop only saves 3 dollars for me as I'm outside of the USA, so maybe I'll get them directly which may be faster than MD.
I really appreciate your opinion!

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Feb 3, 2017

mpohansorry for the late response, but if you really enjoy monks I couldn't tell you if you'd enjoy these. monks are dark and these are quite the opposite. I myself prefer a neutral or dark-leaning headphone. I just don't like the highs on the monks.

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Taisser

Apr 19, 2017

mpohanthey will destroy your ears with treble literally. These have to have the most gnarly looking FR I have ever seen

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Apr 20, 2017

TaisserThey sound okay, but for some reason the AD m4s make my ears sweat really bad, lol. Maybe it is my ears crying from treble, it doesn't seem to hurt me (I listen at low volumes). No other IEM gets wet inside that I've used except those, though.

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Yakov

1420

Apr 20, 2017

UzuzuEars don't sweat. Your ear is probably irritated by the foam material and is having an allergic reaction.

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Apr 20, 2017

YakovI use the silicones on them though. It's real weird even after 30-40 minutes I'd pull them out of my ears and there's a bunch of water in them at the driver

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