Future Sonics gave me a call last week

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Kunlun, May 17, 2017.

  1. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    +
    I hear you and while it's true that dynamic drivers do need to flex a bit, I am wary of the head-fi thing where people want burn-in and (particularly) new cables to magically change everything (not that you are, I'm just getting head-fi PTSD). As an example: Look at this asshole talking about the Dita Dream: https://head-fi.org/f/threads/dita-audio-flagship-the-dream.785652/page-23#post-13542948
    He somehow reaches deep within himself and blames not just a lack of burn-in or the new for new cables, but the lack of burn-in for the cable! The power part might be valid, but I want to dump on this guy, so I'm unfairly ignoring that part.
    So, basically, I haven't heard the Dita Dream, but based on this guy, it seems like he hears it as having spiky treble and lack of extension.

    Returning back to the first version of the Atrio versus the G10, it's been a long while since I've heard the original Atrio. As Grahad2 said, the trend has been to be slightly less dark. Given that, I would expect the G10 to be slightly less dark than the original Atrio. Sure, you can always play quite loud music on the G10 while it sits in a drawer overnight (why not?), but given that the housing is slightly different, I would also play with the fit. Plus, listen to the g10 for a week straight and then come back to the Atrio. What we are used to often becomes what we like, it's not a bad idea to shake that up every so often.

    We won't run away from the possibility that the g10 might be just as you are hearing it, full stop. It's okay! However, playing around with a few things couldn't hurt.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2017
  2. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    Yeah, that guy is a nutcase even by the cables-and-burn-in standards. I've been with enough arguments with him to know that he won't even consider your opinion if your gear isn't up-to-"par" or having had enough burn-in. The Dream did not sit well with me on multiple sources and OI (midrange harshness, odd timbre, metallic treble) and his fallback argument was always burn-in time on both transducer and cable which no one can really properly debate against since normal people wouldn't spend that amount of time on the burn-in process. I would get flak for suggesting EQ to fix flaws but this guy can just roll away with the thousand-hour burn-in requirement that takes more effort and resources to achieve (for what I would argue is a smaller improvement).

    Anyways, I managed to have a session with one of the local dealers for Futuresonics but apparently they don't even make demo units. I really wanted to get some measurements of their lineup but seems like now the only option is to find people who own their customs and proceed from there. Shame I won't be able to hear them for real though.
     
  3. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Vancouver, Canadia
    Anyone able to compare the Vega with the futresonics mg6/mg5?. These are on my shortlist but a pair of used vegas popped up and i'm considering them.
     
  4. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    I have the MG6pro, didn't like the Vega's at all. I've been slightly swamped to compare more specificly with the HD650, but if you've heard the HD650 (out of Jot), the MG6pro has the general same signature as I don't feel discomfort when changing between them (vs changing to an CFA Andro, for example), just that the MG6pro (now out of a Jot) feels roughly like HD650 + 2 subwoofers. (Heard the Vegas out of a AQ Dragonfly Red.) Vega's are distinctively different, and in a way I don't like. It sounded hollow and with a hotter treble than you'd get with the FutureSonics.

    @La Cenric I don't mind meeting up next time you're in Singapore to have my MG6pro's measured if you're interested.
     
  5. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,408
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Holly Springs, NC
    When I was first trying to find the ideal basshead IEMs for me, I briefly had the original Atrios, then went through dozens of other IEMs. By the time I got around to missing the Atrios, I bought another set... and they were manufactured by some other company. They either sounded completely different or I'd just heard so many IEMs that my memory was wrong.

    When the Spectrum G10 came out, I tried to get myself a review unit and struck out.

    Then I bought a pair.

    Those of you who know my audio habits know that anything the lasts more than a month or two has a special place in my heart.

    The Future Sonics Spectrum G10 has been my go-to IEM for 16 months now. That's like... bonkers. It's the second oldest piece of gear in my stable next to the Sennheiser HD650 (which have lasted 5+ years). The only IEM I like roughly as well is the Aurisonics Kicker / Fender FXA2, which has a very similar sound but is over-ear and harder to remove quickly at work.

    For a great sub-bass IEM with excellent isolation and no treble peaks, I've never found anything apart from the Kicker that even comes close. And, boy, have I tried. I've probably owned close to 100 IEMs over the $100 mark at this point. Luckily, I usually buy used and tend not to lose much. Since getting the Spectrum, I haven't done a lot of looking apart from occasional tire kicking, followed by disappointment.

    I keep debating whether I should get their "Softerwear" sleeves for my Spectrum G10 or if I should go way too far and get the MG6 HX. The main thing stopping me is that I go through audio gear like water and custom IEMs are really hard to resell.
     
  6. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    You can't resell FutureSonics CIEMs. The driver is seated in solid acrylic + proprietary bubbly thing and is apparently damaged really easily so you can't reshell it.

    MG6HX for a darker sig, MG5HX for a more balanced sig. Might get my MG6HX and MG5HX when I'm in US in December - don't want the USPS ping pong again.
     
  7. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    @Luckbad

    I have the softerwear sleeves for the G10, they are very well done with a "full ear" style which is basically identical in fit to a silicon ciem in terms of feel (comparing directly to my silicon ciem, the Sensaphonics 3MAX).

    That's a very nice value proposition for a G10 lover.

    I do love my MG5hx, which is my go-to ciem now. There is an improvement in the sound for the mg6 and mg5 vs the g10, but the law of diminishing returns applies, of course, and the tuning is slightly different for each within the FS house sound.

    I'll have more FS news in the future.
     
  8. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,408
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Holly Springs, NC
    Sadly my Spectrum G10s have managed to develop a fault in the past 24 hours. Yesterday at work, I was getting ridiculous hum and blamed it on the iFi micro-iCAN SE, but realized after switching outlets, DACs, and amps that it was actually the IEMs.

    If I don't touch the right earphone, no hum. If I touch it, hum. If I put it in my ear, hum.

    Different headphones out of the same setup = no hum. Damn.

    Unfortunately, the cables are not detachable so it's not likely an easy fix, and I bought them used so I'm probably going to have to buy new ones.
     
  9. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Vancouver, Canadia
    Leaning heavily towards getting a pair of MG5HX, haven't been able to make it to the nearby audiologist to demo yet..... Any hints on FS news? ;)
    I love my Silicon Harmony 8.2 but acrylic just sides in and out more easily and has an overall more comfy fit. Everytime i read about the MG6pro I see @shotgunshane 's review on headfi. Super curious how these sound damnit!.
     
  10. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    If you haven't heard the G10 (I forget if you have), start there for the FS house sound.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  11. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Vancouver, Canadia
    Whelp after talking to ron a bit more and reading what Kunlun had to say, I bit the bullet on a pair of MG5HX. I was orignally going to get the mg6hx after a few glowing reviews from chinese audio blogs and a comment from Venture electronics, but i decided the MG5 would be a better fit, big thanks to hiflight.

    Listening to my UERM's balanced out of the WM1A at the moment, will see how i get on with the futuresonics. Everything said so far about customer service is true!, fast and cheery responses. Also got in on the NAMM discount which was really nice.
     
  12. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,408
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Holly Springs, NC
    My Spectrum G10s were fried after all. Bought a new pair.
     
  13. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    @Panohm
    Cool! As I said, they will sound quite different than the uerm, but if you give your ears a chance to adjust, I think you'll see why Ron and I enjoy the MG5.

    Signal-adding edit: One thing I want to explain is how Marty Garcia , CEO and founder of FS, personally tests earphones. I don't mean objective measures in this case (they have their methodology for that, of course), but rather personal listening evaluation, much like you or I might do.

    Mr. Garcia has mentioned has mentioned a few times how different it is to listen for a short time to an earphone versus several hours of extended listening. He's a pro-audio guy, so he listens with a musician performing in concert in mind. So, a 2.5 hour set or more with background noise is what he is tuning for. Sure, experienced people can extrapolate from a shorter session etc., but it's good to know what an earphone is being designed for.

    With that in mind, give the MG5 (after a night or two playing reasonably loud in a drawer, why not) some longer listening times if possible. Enjoy!



    @Luckbad I hope you enjoy this set for even longer than the last one. Let me know if you ever decide to go with the custom fit silicon earsleeves. Maybe someday an MG5hx is in your future.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  14. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2017
    Likes Received:
    109
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    USA
    I got my mg5hx in today. I am still deciding what I think. My first impressions are that they're veiled and grainy and that I like the Vega better. The bass seems about the same between the two, with perhaps a slight edge in quantity and quality to the mg5. There is grain in the mids and a bit of a blown tweeter sound to the mg5 by comparison. Maybe I just listen to the hd800 and ether flow too much. Those two do sound tinny and overly bright when I a/b with the mg5hx (or Vega) though. The upside is I can listen to the mg5hx for hours at high volume without fatigue. This makes sense given the marketing slant toward musicians. Isolation seems about the same as a universal with comply foam tips.

    They are my first ciem and I'll keep them around for the fact that I can actually work out in them, not possible with any universal for me. I did an hour jog in them today, no problem. The molds came out well but the left seals much tighter than the right. I easily get driver flex when inserting the left, can't get it on the right no matter what. My left ear canal is at least 10-15% smaller, and with universals I use a small foam vs a medium in the right. Fit security seems great.

    Anyway, it's a very different sound from my normal preference and not something I would likely choose to buy in an audition-first scenario. However I will admit I probably have bad taste and my opinion means nothing.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2018
  15. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,408
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Holly Springs, NC
    I called up Future Sonics today. After a brief discussion with them and @Kunlun, it sounds like I'll prefer the MG5HX. It actually is the same driver as the G10 but in a different shell etc (edit: must have misinterpreted the convo as it doesn't seem to be the same).

    I'm trying to schedule impressions with an audiologist now so I can get my first pair of CIEMs ordered in the next couple of weeks.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2018
  16. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    No, It's a different driver.

    The diaphragm is stamped differently and the coil is different, It's different.

    Both are 10mm and tuned with variants of the FS sound, though.
     
  17. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Vancouver, Canadia
    After using the mg5hx for about 4 months now (one of the main transducers I brought with me to Paris) I can say that Kunlun is spot on in his descriptions, though not the final word in resolution I think the mg5hx are a spectacular daily driver. Going back to the UERM takes some adjustment as everything sounds too quick and slightly fatiguing in comparison.
     
  18. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2017
    Likes Received:
    109
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    USA
    I think my MG5hx is growing on me after a month of using it. I'm starting to appreciate it what it does with vocals and guitars.....brings them out and puts the percussion a little on the backburner (at least snares and cymbals). I am really pleased with the way the earmolds came out too and the cable is outstanding. Does anyone know if it's possible to get this type of cable with MMCX connectors? The length, weight and lack of microphonics are perfect for moving around with an IEM on.
     
  19. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    220
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Western New York
    Do you still havehthe Vegas? Updated thoughts comparing the two?
     
  20. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2017
    Likes Received:
    109
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    USA
    Yeah I still have the vegas! For the record I pretty much only use Comply Isolation Foam tips on the Vega. It can change a lot with other tips. The main difference aside from universal/custom, is that the highs on the MG5hx are much much more laid back. I don't usually go for that kind of sound so I'm trying to figure out what I would equate it to, since everything in my stable has pretty forward treble. The MG5hx sounds a bit like a periodic Be with Foam tips; or in a full sized headphone, maybe a bit HD650 like, but I find the HD650 considerably brighter than the MG5hx overall, including treble. Vega has more air/sparkle, but doesn't ever sound too peaky or harsh to me. I haven't seen a FR on the MG5hx but I'd speculate that energy above 8k is down 5-10db over what is in the midrange (1k). My Beyer DT250 is probably the closest HP I own to the MG5hx in sound sig, but that's likely meaningless to most people since it's a bit uncommon. It's also kind of close to the Aeon Flow Open, but in both cases, the MG5hx has even less upper treble.

    Bass - both have strong bass obviously, but I would say that the MG5hx limits its bass boost to the under 100hz area....it sounds like a +6-8 db boost centered at 60hz, wheras the Vega has a broader boost that sounds like it's centered somewhwere around 100-150hz. Overall I prefer the bass presentation of the MG5hx.

    The MG5hx is a bit like the 650 in the sense that there is an emphasis in vocals & guitars, but the MG5hx never sounds shouty or shrill to me, unlike the 650 at loud volumes (keep in mind mine's a newer 650 with no mods). Vega puts the guitars and vocals behind the stage a bit, with a bit more emphasis on the rhythm section of a rock band (bass guitar and drums). MG5hx trades the low mid/upper bass (bass guitar) for more guitars and vocals and a lot less cymbals/snares. Kick/bass drum on the MG5hx is probably the most dominant instrument overall. It has the sound of a subwoofer crossed over at 80hz.

    Comfort wise I can keep either in for 8-10 hours without any trouble, but lack of microphonics goes to the MG5hx, as does comfort. Isolation goes to the Vega with foam.

    Compared to Vega, there is a "small sound" to the mG5hx. I don't know how to explain this. It sounds a bit like an etymotic ER-4, very much in the head, and a bit of sound-coming-out-of-a-small-hole effect. Maybe this could be considered soundstage, and perhaps attributed to the size of the nozzles. Vega has a pretty big T400 size nozzle with that TEAC design, there is a pretty small hole on the MG5hx where the sound comes out. It could be that the small openings contribute to some kind of dynamic compression.

    Anway, if I'm moving around doing things, the lack of microphinics and the fit security of the custom mold make the MG5hx a clear winner. I can jog with it, which I can't do with universal IEM's. Cable microphonics on the Vega are pretty bad, and the cable is heavy so it has a tendency to swing around. For sitting still on an airplane or at a desk/bed, I'll take the Vega though.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2018

Share This Page