User title: Lost in your reply
Member since Jul 2006 ·
260 posts · Location: Northern Jersey
Group memberships: Members
Subject: A Review of Sorts (by a non-audiophile)
(Perhaps this should be moved to Accessories?)
Now that I've had them a few days (Friday to Tuesday), I'll give some impressions:
First, let me say that I have little experience with higher-end earphones ($100 and above). In terms of in-ear models, I've really only tried the Bose (briefly, and they were only OK). In terms of pricier stuff, I tried the Bang & Olufsen A8 (borrowed, for a few minutes, tops), which to me were tinny, but I'm also sure that I didn't have them in correctly. But that's pretty old tech, anyways. Given all that, my impressions are based much on what I expect for the price I paid.
Anything you've read about these being finicky is true. They come with five sets of tips, three single-flange, in three sizes, and two double-flange, in two sizes. They come fitted with the medium single-flange. I did not achieve the seal I wanted, so I immediately switched to the larger size. This provided a great seal. I listened with these for about an hour, on and off. The highs were missing! EQ didn't help at all. I primarily listen on an 80GB ipod classic, but tried EQ on both my computer and my Karma. The Karma was the most revealing and best trouble-shooting device, because I played around with the parametric, figuring there was some sort of sonic crap going on that was masking the highs. Of course, this turned out to be ridiculous -- boosting any high frequency on my Karma had no effect at all. It was the tips! With some fiddling, I ended up back with the medium single-flange, which still don't provide as good a seal as some of the other in-ears I've used, but I got a better fit than the first time I tried them. They are intended to block the ear opening, rather than sit deep in the ear canal, which is what I kept trying to do at first. In terms of comfort, I don't find these any more comfortable than other silicone type tips I've used. Which is to say I find them all slightly uncomfortable.
Now for the sound. I like the low end: nice and clear without being boomy. I think bass heads would be disappointed, though. I like things pretty bright. The highs I'm not as sure about. They are there, for sure, but I would like a little more presence. I'm hoping that this will come over time. This has been my experience with almost every headphone I've owned: that I need to use them for a while to appreciate them.
However, the soundstage on these is pretty amazing for an in-ear. Stereo separation is as good as on any headphone I've owned. What I like listening to on these most is live and acoustic music. Reverb on these things is absolutely stunning. But throw louder music at these and instruments lose definition a bit. I think I expected more definition in dual driver phones that retail for $200. Maybe I shouldn't expect more, I don't know.
What else? I really like the flexible covering that is used on the wire for customizing the over the ear fit. I prefer this way of wearing them and this the best design I've seen. I like the nylon mesh used on the wire as well. The wires are thin, but I like the feel of the material.
Conclusion? I like these better than my other headphones: currently JVC marshmallows (which I like) and Koss KSC-75 (which I've gotten tired of). Do I like them $100 more (I got my Klipsch's on e-bay for $127, with shipping)? I'm not yet sure. I feel like I'm slowly being won over. I listened to them walking in to work this morning and was really enjoying them. Think I'll go back to work now.
If I had a signature, think I'd share it with YOU?
andretm
Show profile
Link to this post
This post was edited on 2008-05-21, 07:09 by 
So sure, spend your money as you like. But keep those people in mind who swallow fancy sugar pills believing they get healthy by doing so. Aforementioned gold inductors aren't any more effective.
