[J]-ohn

OT a little here, but it seems rather normal for such a subjective hobby. People are easily swept along in a wave, even for those who own the actual product in question, because, well... we're human.

Being in the audio game long enough, I agree that this is a subjective topic when we are discussing about sound however saying that reshelling a universal like TF10 with added drivers would not sound better than a full custom like JH13 because a full custom uses a "custom designed crossover" and "custom driver alignment drivers". Like I've mentioned the Westone ES3x shares the same parts as the UM3x universal except the custom shell and the driver alignment, this which the UM do too.

Unless custom IEM uses a different set of special armature drivers with the need for special custom designed crossover, most if not all custom IEM share similar technologies with universal IEM.

Yes, they will sound different to everyone but I really don't think its right to say which is better than which.

yup i did. did some research on other brands before purchasing in.

 

in the end i went with some logic that my friend taught me. first choice is always the best choice. hahaha.

 

maybe it was a silly instinct but so far i'm quite happy with my solo headphones.

The monster headphones do look pretty cool though...

I will admit I did not own any of the IEM mention above but I did have extensive listening period with both the TF10 and universal version of JH13. The TF10 is good by universal standards especially the treble and the rather spacious sound which is not found in most IEM but the demo version of the JH custom is another story. The best trait of the TF10 to me is it's treble detail and extension but that is nothing compared to the 13s. Custom TF10 would no doubt improve the sound but the same can be said with the 13s.

 

My point is unlike the 13, the TF10 is designed to be a universal IEM not a custom where as the 13 is designed from scratch to be a custom so everything from the crossover to even the positioning of the driver has been done by custom standards. The TF10 can be made to custom to provide better fit which in turns contribute to better sound to ones ears but the crossover and the positioning of the driver is only designed by the researchers to match TF10 original shell and nothing else so no doubt they are good but they can't compete with customs by just re-shelling alone. More research need to be done before re-shelled universals can compete with the real deal.

Actually if you look at the Westone ES3x full custom and UM3x universal IEM, they are the same except one is custom and one is not, both shares the same drivers and crossover.

It would still be more fair to compare when you get to hear them so as to not pass others in the forum the wrong idea. (nothing against you but I was misleaded a couple of times on the forum and I don't want this to happen on others. )

I've got a pair of Sennheiser RS160 from Stereo recently, its by far the best wireless I've owned. If isolation is a concern, get the RS140.

TF10 re-shelled is just an universal IEM dressed as a custom they won't sound as good as true custom should but they are a cheaper and fun alternative. I've not tried the 16 but I did have a go with the 13 and the 11 and they are on a league of their own. Bottom line is go for the real deal if you got the cash or re-shell your TF10 if you don't. Re-shelling does improve your fit tremendously and with better fit they might sound better but they won't sound as good as or even close to the JH.

I hope you own both to pass that comment, if not, its not even your personal preference but a wild guess.

Collected mine yesterday and asked about the 6 and 8 drivers, 6 drivers reshell is $600++ and 8 drivers is $1000++, sending in another TF10 for 8 driver reshell this week.

Got my Sennheiser wireless from Stereo not long ago, hate to wait and worry about online purchases.

Hope my custom is in this shipment!

Was doing some window shopping last weekend, came across this small speaker (only single, don't know can produce stereo anot) that looks quite cute. Unfortunately, did get to listen to it... did some googling, found that its quite amazing that it produce loud and deep bassy sound... wonder if its good with the price tag? or it like those speaker selling at Axxxxxcity which sound crappy...... anyone heard them? can share some comments?

thanks

bought a x-mini gen2 (slightly more expensive single speaker) for my friend during last x'mas, the best single portable speakers i think. You can test them at stereo.

Hey Aron, any ETA on my remolds?

mine too. Email UM but never got any response...

My friend got a Audio Technica ES55 for her x'mas, a smaller ES7 headphone.

Available at Stereo.

Is the A2000x in Singapore yet? I've only seen the W1000x and they are very comfortable.

You should try the Maverick D1 at Stereo, absolutely great value. Built in DAC with opt/coax/usb input, tube and solid state pre-out, works great with computer or cd players.

Most importantly, cheap.

Visiting Stereo at PS yesterday has been a fruitful one, got my hands on the their 10k Naim audio setup and I must say they sound really good with the Ultrasone ED8 and Grado RS1.

Interestingly the Maverick Audio DAC amp was hooked up for testing (burning in), it was paired with the RS1. Warm and smooth without losing too much details, that was my first impression... according to Aron, this can handle most headphones including Sennheiser HD800, Beyer DT880 or the AKG 701.

Now it is sitting on my office table as I'm typing this post, at a price tag below $300, its a steal.

Monster is quite a waste of time, tested them in HK recently, IMHO the Shure 840 which I tested side by side was more musical to listen to.

Just drop by Stereo at Plaza Singapura, they have a wide range of bluetooth earphone and headphones and best of all, they allow you to audition them.

Got this new set of portable headphones from AudioIconic last fri.

 

External: Comes with a carrying case. Crossfolds like px100 but non-rotatable. Very light and low spring tension. Doesn't press hard against the ears or temple, easy for day long listening. However cable is short.

 

Soundwise: About 40hours into it. Doesn't really sound like closed phones, having a airy feel to them. Clean and clear with nice details without overpowering/boomy bass. Doesn't really need amping, can be driven easily from iphone 3gs. Having owned a PX100, I will take this over PX100 anyday since they are around the same pricepoint (Nuforce slightly more ex). Haven't heard the portapro, so cannot comment on that.

 

Those looking at portable headphones should give them a go. Though I haven't seen them anywhere else yet except at AudioIconic.

I got this in June and although it looks decent, it doesn't fit on my head very well. Actually if you haven't got it, I would suggest you try the portapro LE, with the nylon wires and sound quality, you might just change your mind. Note that koss portapro takes at least 200 hours to sound its best.

I've yet to test the Iqube v2 but the Iqube v1 has been serving me well. If you don't mind burning 1k, iqube v2 might be something you need.

esw9 is the way for better sound quality.

Tried it for fun, not bad for the price, the fabric wire feels good.

No promotion on the Sony X1000?

Got the ED8 yesterday. funny enough I was more impressed with the ED8 combo with my ipod and iqube than the HD800 with the Lehmann and T+A CD player. Looks like I'll have to pay another visit when the SPL phonitor is in Singapore, should have kept an amp and not sell them when I switched to the Stax.

Getting tired of my ipod and iAudio players, is there any good players out there I should be looking at?

You're going to be disappointed cos Ultrasone takes a long time to burn in. Especially ED8 with it's new titanium plated drivers. Kidult's ED9 is super seasoned.

Did you compare with stereo's ED8? I didn't felt the bass was an issue... I was there yesterday afternoon.

Jmoney will be shipping the headbands next monday. Already reserved mine!