Earbuds/Flathead Discussion

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, Oct 18, 2016.

  1. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    I received both the Zen2 and E1008, and have been listening to the Zen on a Jotunheim. I agree with your assessment of the sound. The Zen2 adds a certain bloom and richness to the sound that may enhance some types of music, but I find unnatural. I listen mostly to classical, and something I listen for is how well can it create an illusion of listening to live acoustic instruments in person. The Zen2 is too colored for that, and makes me appreciate my current primary earbuds (Yuin PK2) more. My reference is Sennheiser HD650 (actually Massdrop HD6XX) with balanced cables on Jotunheim, which I find to reproduce acoustic instruments incredibly well.

    Which earbuds can you recommend with extended, flat neutral response? Something I noticed is that if you put the Zen in the ear and tap on it with a fingernail, the plastic body produces a ringing, resonating sound. No doubt this is something that adds coloration to the sound, and it might be intentional. For neutral sound, tapping should only produce a dead, inert sound.

    I haven't listened to the 1More E1008 yet, but its packaging is amazing. I've purchased many earbuds over the years, and they always came in a basic container that is only large enough to fit the earbud and its coiled cable. The E1008 came in a box the size and weight of a hardback book. Very elegant design and presentation. I can see why people think of Xiaomi (the parent company) as the "Apple of China".
     
  2. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    Yep, the shell is cheap hollow plastic and does no good to the sound.
    For a neutral sig shozy cygnus is good however upon pairing with a better amp the treble coarseness becomes apparent. Out of my HTC M7 it sounded very enjoyable.
    Try the Auglamour RX1 with VE thin foam covers, might appear mid oriented initially but overall great sq for $25.
     
  3. Metro

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    Thanks for the recommendation. It's inexpensive and I can get it on Amazon Prime.

    I had seen so much discussion about the Zen and it was disappointing for me. My impression of the earbud market is that there are lots of independent Asian vendors that mostly do the same thing — buy off-the-shelf parts (drivers, shells, cables) and assemble them into earbuds in different combinations. The result is a lot of products that are small variations of each other and the state of the art hasn't really advanced in years.
     
  4. music4mhell

    music4mhell New

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    Well it's true in 90% of cases, but there are real gems also.
    And the sound depends a lot on the cable also. By the way did you hear the Monk+ yet ?
     
  5. Metro

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    Yes, and I find its treble to be rough and harsh. It can make an orchestra violin section sound very unpleasant. By comparison, the Zen has a smooth treble and much stronger bass.

    However, both Zen and Monk have a hollow sounding shell that rings and resonates, and adds reverb to the sound. I guess it might be intentional and part of the Venture Electronics house sound? The reverb may be fine for some recordings (even a pleasant enhancement), but it muddies details and sounds artificial and unnatural when reproducing unamplified acoustic instruments. My conclusion is that Venture Electronics is not a good match for much of my listening (classical).
     
  6. Metro

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    I finally got around to opening the 1More E1008.

    OMG, the packaging and presentation are worthy of a $1000 product. I paid $70 USD shipped! Look at these photos and think about what you usually receive in an earbud package. I haven't done much listening, but initial impressions straight out of the box are very positive.

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  7. Metro

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    When it rains, it pours. My RX1 from Amazon Prime already arrived (didn't expect a Sunday delivery).

    I only have a few earbuds and already need to slow down. When I listen to music I keep getting distracted about how it would sound on something else. I also don't want to get caught up with "earbud of the week" every time a good review appears.
     
  8. music4mhell

    music4mhell New

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    Good and smart decision, i went in opposite direction and i end up buying all earbuds available in market :(
     
  9. Abhishek Chowdhary

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    The stock RX1 foams are treble peaky and suppress the micro details. The optimal pairing that I found was with the VE thin foams (Part of the $5 accessory pack that is for Monk+). See attached.
     

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    Last edited: Jan 8, 2017
  10. Abhishek Chowdhary

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    & that is how I get to listen to all available earbuds in the market :)
     
  11. cocolinho

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    Should I bother with a pair of PK1 (at Cygnus price) or should I go straight to Cygnus? I'll go for the one with the better bass (my IEM to go are TG334)
    Thanks :)
     
  12. peterpangea

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    I'd lean towards the Cygnus, if just for the build quality improvements alone. Cable on RX-1 is a bit chintzy IMO. Cygnus should be bassier too.

     
  13. cocolinho

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    @peterpangea thanks but I was refering to Yuin PK1, not RX-1 :)
    Mainwhile I found locally 1 pair of Cygnus & 1 pair of TY 400s for a good price. I'll keep the best for me... or none!
     
  14. peterpangea

    peterpangea New

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    Ahaha whoops this is what happens when you misread :) let me know what you think of the two!
     
  15. Metro

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    After a couple of days of burning in, the RX-1 is much too bright for me. Solo violins can sound shrill and harsh. Symphony orchestras sound thin from lack of bass. Overall the RX-1 is unsuitable for classical music.

    I am enjoying the 1More E1008 very much. Similar character to my Yuin PK2 but with more air and detail.
     
  16. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    The Monk Plus ear buds are surprisingly good.

    The blue tips have a lean bass light sound. The red tips give you more bass. I prefer the red tips.

    With red tips this sounds better than a PortaPro. I am impressed...
     
  17. music4mhell

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    Nice to know that. After 100 hours burn-in it will sound even better.
    Monk+ shines with better source/Amp. Monk+ + Walnut/Hidizs AP60 is my on the go solution. I like the neutral signature of Monk+.

    By the way, i use my Monk+ without any foam/tips.
     
  18. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    This is an incredible deal. I am going to buy a second batch for a friend...
     
  19. music4mhell

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    You can even order with MIC version, so that you can use it with mobiles also.
    I use Monk+ with Mic as my daily driver for mobile communications.
     
  20. music4mhell

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    It may sounds silly, could someone please tell me how to upload a photo in my reply ? :(
     

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