Following some of the comments, I feel like I have to make a few remarks given that I left a positive review. I have no doubt that these aren’t going to be an IEM that makes everyone happy. First of all, their presentation, no matter what, is somewhat bass light. This is really exacerbated with tips that don’t get a really tight seal. Of the included tips, only the Comply tips worked for me; every other tip sucked. After some tip rolling, I found that Spinfit were the only silicone tips that provided an adequate seal, but the best of everything were the Comply Professional series, which are extra long. With these I don’t feel too much need to eq, especially when I’m using my iPhone 6+/Mojo combo. To my ears, their mid-centric sound gets more noticeable and objectionable with higher impedance sources (headphone out of the iPhone or Shanling M2.)
It seems the frequency where they “honk” worst is around 500Hz. With the wrong tips, it seems that’s all you hear, but with low impedance sources and the right tips the bass is reasonably balanced and extended if still a little light, and the high end is open and sweet. They also definitely require some run in to sound their best.
I’ve honestly had times when I wondered whether they were worth all the effort, but for now, I find them pleasant enough and nicely detailed. They’re kind of more sophisticated sounding than my other IEMs, which are all single dynamic drivers. At times, I would have placed these as the worst of my 5 fairly unremarkable IEMs, but with a good source, they’re probably my second favorites to my Sennheiser IE7s. They certainly haven’t put to rest my desire to try more IEMs, especially since the housing on on the right ear of my IE7 has split along one of the seams (fortunately it’s back together for now and sounds fine). Give them a good source, the right tips, and at least 150-200 hours of burn in, and I think you’ll find them worthwhile, especially at the current drop price.
By the way, I’ve been listening to them as I typed this and for two hours prior, and they’re sounding great on variety of material from Sara Evans to XTC, and Lake Street Dive to Mark Knopfler. The sound remains slightly mid-centric but nicely balanced with a truly sweet top end.
It seems the frequency where they “honk” worst is around 500Hz. With the wrong tips, it seems that’s all you hear, but with low impedance sources and the right tips the bass is reasonably balanced and extended if still a little light, and the high end is open and sweet. They also definitely require some run in to sound their best.
I’ve honestly had times when I wondered whether they were worth all the effort, but for now, I find them pleasant enough and nicely detailed. They’re kind of more sophisticated sounding than my other IEMs, which are all single dynamic drivers. At times, I would have placed these as the worst of my 5 fairly unremarkable IEMs, but with a good source, they’re probably my second favorites to my Sennheiser IE7s. They certainly haven’t put to rest my desire to try more IEMs, especially since the housing on on the right ear of my IE7 has split along one of the seams (fortunately it’s back together for now and sounds fine). Give them a good source, the right tips, and at least 150-200 hours of burn in, and I think you’ll find them worthwhile, especially at the current drop price.
By the way, I’ve been listening to them as I typed this and for two hours prior, and they’re sounding great on variety of material from Sara Evans to XTC, and Lake Street Dive to Mark Knopfler. The sound remains slightly mid-centric but nicely balanced with a truly sweet top end.