Reshelling TF10 with Unique Melody

[niccon 0]

Can any one who tried, care to share the experience. I am intending to get a JH16 but SE recommended an alternative lower cost option, to reshell with UM.

[Ben 0]

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.

[niccon 0]

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.

 

thanks for your reply, this makes my decision easier.

[[J]-ohn 0]

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.

 

[Ben 0]

-ohn' date='21 Apr 2010, 09:23 AM' post='123643']

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

 

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.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Ben

[niccon 0]

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.

 

on the topic of treble, how will you describe the 13 when comparing to tf10. i love treble

[Ben 0]

CK100, CK10 and TF10 have some of the best treble found in universal IEMs. Be it details or extension, they are almost perfect in their own way. The er4 series seems to be great as well but I do not have the pleasure to try them. But the 13s are on another league when it comes to treble and in fact everything else. Extension and details are a few steps above the top 3 that I have mentioned and the way it is presented keep it from being bright unlike the ck100 and the ck10 and it is so smooth it is unbelievable. I find the treble on the TF10 to be a bit harsh just a bit but the 13 has none of that. It is my definition of the perfect treble presentation. Just to note, I did not have an amplifier(never will) during my audition so imagine what will happen when you pair them with a good amplifier.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Ben

[niccon 0]

CK100, CK10 and TF10 have some of the best treble found in universal IEMs. Be it details or extension, they are almost perfect in their own way. The er4 series seems to be great as well but I do not have the pleasure to try them. But the 13s are on another league when it comes to treble and in fact everything else. Extension and details are a few steps above the top 3 that I have mentioned and the way it is presented keep it from being bright unlike the ck100 and the ck10 and it is so smooth it is unbelievable. I find the treble on the TF10 to be a bit harsh just a bit but the 13 has none of that. It is my definition of the perfect treble presentation. Just to note, I did not have an amplifier(never will) during my audition so imagine what will happen when you pair them with a good amplifier.

 

wow, this sounds too good to miss. i am already quite happy with my tf10 on treble performance. you description almost put a must try/have for me.

 

forgot to check with you on the separation & spacious (airy, right?), does the vocal stands out from the music & more airy than tf10?

[Ben 0]

It does have a spacious sound and quite possibly the largest sound-stage found on iem and their instrument separation is second to none but nothing stands out on the 13. It is quite simply the most neutral pair of headphones I have ever tried but you might want to re-think your options before you pull the trigger. As good as they might be spending a few thousand dollars on a pair of headphone is gonna hurt. Specs-wise, they are one of the best out there but some people might find them too neutral for their liking. If you like treble there are other option out there but I'm not sure whether you can get it in Singapore. UM the re-shelling company seems to have their own line of custom one of which is called Mage. From what I've read it seems to be good with treble and many people seems to like it. Live-wires are also another option to go for and they are relatively cheap for a custom so check those out as well.

[niccon 0]

It does have a spacious sound and quite possibly the largest sound-stage found on iem and their instrument separation is second to none but nothing stands out on the 13. It is quite simply the most neutral pair of headphones I have ever tried but you might want to re-think your options before you pull the trigger. As good as they might be spending a few thousand dollars on a pair of headphone is gonna hurt. Specs-wise, they are one of the best out there but some people might find them too neutral for their liking. If you like treble there are other option out there but I'm not sure whether you can get it in Singapore. UM the re-shelling company seems to have their own line of custom one of which is called Mage. From what I've read it seems to be good with treble and many people seems to like it. Live-wires are also another option to go for and they are relatively cheap for a custom so check those out as well.

 

thanks, will do a little more research.

[radioactive28 0]

I haven't actually used true customs before, nor remolded customs, but I've been looking at them as an option for my next purchase (not happening for another year at least, admittedly, since I just bought something new this year).

 

You might want to consider the issues raised here.

My take-away from that thread is that anything designed from the ground up, be they full-sized headphones, IEMs (customs or universal) or earbuds, has had more thought put into the fine details than a re-shell.

Not to say that re-shells aren't good, but unless the re-shelling party is going to take the effort to re-create the fine details, I probably wouldn't consider a re-shell IEM to be a custom version of the same IEM (as far as sound signature is concerned). It'd be a different IEM, albeit cannibalising the drivers from your (favourite?) universal IEM.

 

Not to swing the opinion one way or the other, but just think of it as paring your expectations.

[niccon 0]

I haven't actually used true customs before, nor remolded customs, but I've been looking at them as an option for my next purchase (not happening for another year at least, admittedly, since I just bought something new this year).

 

You might want to consider the issues raised here.

My take-away from that thread is that anything designed from the ground up, be they full-sized headphones, IEMs (customs or universal) or earbuds, has had more thought put into the fine details than a re-shell.

Not to say that re-shells aren't good, but unless the re-shelling party is going to take the effort to re-create the fine details, I probably wouldn't consider a re-shell IEM to be a custom version of the same IEM (as far as sound signature is concerned). It'd be a different IEM, albeit cannibalising the drivers from your (favourite?) universal IEM.

 

Not to swing the opinion one way or the other, but just think of it as paring your expectations.

 

thanks for the heads up on the issue. it was an interesting read on the topic. my biggest concern is losing treble I like so much whether a remoulded TF10 or a more neutral JH13/16.

[definitelydan 0]

the way i see it.. reshelling an already awesome product isnt a risk worth taking.. like what many people have said. a company like UE probably spends thousands tuning and crafting the sound for the TF10 and i think its more than the housing that changes when you do a reshell..

[niccon 0]

Found a topic on comparing the custom TF10 and universal TF10 in other forum, seems like the custom will impact on the treble.

[kookie 0]

Found a topic on comparing the custom TF10 and universal TF10 in other forum, seems like the custom will impact on the treble.

 

you could always do a add mid driver, it just costs a little more..