Yeah, bass is low - I run mine with the Fiio E5 super-mini-tiny-amp to compensate for this (it has bass mode), but it really doesn't change much.

As for the how to wear properly, blue tip one goes into left ear, red into right. Make sure the coloured tips are pointing UPWARDS and coil the wire around the back of your ear. Use the plastic earguides if you have problems with the last step (I'm using em)...

Pictures of this:



As for tips, its all about isolation. Yeah, IEMs are MEANT to stick into your ears and block out as much noise as it can - you might need to get used to this... Foam should be the easiest tip to get a seal with. Most audiophiles seem to like silicone (rubber) as they say it doesn't effect sound much (Foam adds bass and dulls treble it seems, I can't seem to feel a difference either way).

Even myself, I can't get good isolation with any of the tips ON THEIR OWN - so I combined the 2nd largest silicone (rubber) and one of my own Shure Foam tips. Great fit ever since.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 17 2009, 01:26 AM

Nope...

I'm now waiting for Fischer Audio to bring out their guns worldwide, though. ClieOS rated the FA Eternal as a bass-IEM better then the RE0...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 17 2009, 09:20 AM

I 'd have to say, great observation. You actually have great ears for a non audiophile, to be able to discern so much (better then mine IMHO). I'd take it that I'm not really a wide soundstage kinda guy, as PL50's soundstage on my Silicone+Shure Foamies hybrid feels okay to me (the silicone on its own hates me. Can't get a proper seal even if my life depended on it. Havta experiment more later).

But, as long as I don't have my PR2 yet (said to have a good, JVC FX500 level soundstage) I can't really comment much about soundstage and such (not much to base my observations from).

It must be kept in mind though, IEMs have long been inferior in this respect (especially fully closed ones like the PL50) to earbuds, and normal headphones. It has always been more isolation = less soundstage --> less isolation (open design IEMs) = more soundstage; due to sacrifices that have to be made to make good SQ come out from such small things (at such paltry prices). IMHO, anyway.

So, next on the line, with better highs would prolly be the Head-Direct RE0 (RM300++ or the thereabouts - although it's available ONLY online) - little bass unamped, supposedly great highs. Most sub-RM300 IEMs I know of are of the bassy catagory - as I'm not really a treble person - so my knowledge of sub-RM300 IEMs with GREAT highs are quite limited.

Another source of IEMs with great clarity should be the Entymotics (am I even spelling them right), but I haven't done much research on these.

BUT, if my hunches serve me right, what you REALLY need is a good full sized headphone (for the wide soundstage). RM250 can net you some Audio Technica headies with great clarity, last I checked. But my knowledge regarding headies are darned limited - I DO plan to get one for home use later, maybe next year when I have enough resources.

ALSO, there's the thing about the sources (MP3 player) and the source files. Some sources sound brighter and some sound bassier; some have GREAT soundstaging and some put the sound right in your brains; some have great EQ ability, while some distort on everything but the defaults. I don't really have or have heard an iPod for an extended amount of time (except for the Touch) and my main portable source is my Nokia 5800 (warm, bass heavy, small-ish soundstage) so I can't comment much about that. Try searching Head-Fi with people with enough time to compare EVERYTHING audio related.

Its this synergy between the source AND the IEM is just as important IMHO (though there are those who would scoff at this idea - saying sources don't matter much) as just changing the IEMs.

Just something to keep in mind.

No special technique, BUT BE CAREFUL - if it's TOO tight you might have just gotten the previous batch (which has a known issue of foam tips being TOO tight to the point of breaking the earpieces)... Ask for a replacement if its FAR TOO tight...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 18 2009, 08:13 PM

So, try full size headphones for the movies? That should be the best option for that price range. As for the Eterna, it's actually quite bassy according to some people - and utter crap according to one Russian Head-Fier. He has no idea if the drivers have been changed or not though.

As for the Ipod capacity, the best next thing would prolly be an old style Zune, sadly NOT available here (unless through parallel importing).

As for the manual, the only thing I got in the box is the small piece of paper that is the Warranty sheet. That's all. Was searching myself for the graphics indicating how to wear the IEMs and for a manual, it turns out that it's on the back of the box...

And the recommendations on Head-Fi thing, that should bring even MORE suggestions! Good luck...

Any of the SoundMagic IEMs (search for SoundMagic in garage/bulk) should serve you well for budgets below RM100, especially the Soundmagic PL21 (RM90) - good mix of bass and clarity.

For bass and more bass, try the PL11 (RM60) - at least clarity is still there. For more clarity, the PL30 (RM90).

For EVEN more bass, go search for the Creative EP630 boom cannons (all bass and more bass, very little treble - RM65?).

Oh, and my PR2s are here. 1st impression? Great bass, cold mids and slightly sibilant highs - everything the other guy said it would be. Relatively - next to the PL50s - they suck at anything with a lotta vocals.

Build quality is HORRENDOUS though, especially for an RM200+- IEM. It went *kaplooey* on me while I was trying to pull out a silicone tip. Had to do a quick epoxy surgery right there and then - thankfully the drivers didn't crap out.

Sample variance? It still sounds great though...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 20 2009, 06:34 PM

How could that happen? Lets just say that the PR2 is a dangerous mixture of bad design decisions (ear stem too long, not enough places to hold to pull out very tight fitting tips due to factor no 1) and shoddy building materials (I mean, it split apart in my hands? What kinda glue are these guys using? UHU?).

To be fair, the early batch Crossroad Bijous suffered from much the same problem, but at least on those things the earpieces don't come undone due to simply changing tips.

So yes, in terms of build quality, the Soundmagic PL50s win by a mile - even if they ARE made using plastic. Heck, even the SP1s are better built, thin wire, limited strain relief and all.

EVEN THEN, I can't really say the same about SQ. Even to my noob-audiophile ears, it's clear that the PR2 is at least one level higher compared to the PL50s or the SP1. The soundstage is large, even on my "sempit" 5800. The bass is very tight - even cranked up using the E5, it doesn't feel like it loses much control of the extra bass. The details, even if they are a tad rough sounding, are abundant.

And, somehow, to my untrained ears, the bass boost on the E5 seems to add some presence and warmth to the vocals and mids presented by the PR2s as well. Plus the slight soundstage extension... wahla...

They're really fun plugs, that's for sure. Shame about the build quality problems, which means I can't really recommend them to anybody else while keeping my conscience clear.

As for me, I'm packing up the Quads back into their boxes, as me putting the PR2s into KEEPER status means that the Quads will have to go. You guys should see a [WTS] in Audio Equipment soon enough if Monique doesn't grab it first.

I'm not really that knowledgeable in terms of non-IEMs (heck, I'm not even that good in terms of IEMs either)... But for earbuds you can try the PK3 (there's a bulk going on, patience needed though), or the Xbrand 1/2. The Xbrands in particular seem great and they only cost you like what, 40 ringgits?

For clip-ons, there's always the cheap and cheerful Koss KSC75s...

For full sized headies, there should be others chiming in with suggestions.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 20 2009, 09:46 PM

At the RM250 price range, I'd say no. It should take an IEM approximately 3 times that price to even come close to a proper Circumaural headies, blame the price of miniaturization.

It SHOULD, though IEMs at the RM200-300 bracket is developing very quickly nowadays - though we still have a long way to go before an RM250 IEM can BEAT a similarly priced full-sized headie, at the very least in terms of pure SQ and soundstaging.

So, full-sized level of clarity and bass in an IEM for RM250? Ugh... This is hard, most IEMs I can reccomend at this price range should have strengths and weaknesses, but the only one I can think of that fits the bill for you should be the Klipsch S4 - RM380 and ONLY available online or through US Amazon/Ebay buyer contractors here...

Also the Phillips SHE9800, available in bulk for about the same price.

But good overall SQ IEMs with little weaknesses are kinda hard to come by for RM250...

Anybody else with suggestions?

Are you SURE you want the ER6i if you're not into "monitoring"? They are supposed to have GREAT clarity but crappy-ish bass and small soundstaging (due to the deep insertion)? So these should not fit your "rich in bass" requirement, and the small soundstage mauls love songs.

Plus they're expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee over here (RM600?!?). For about the same amount of dough, IMHO you're better of with the Audeo PFE (RM530)...

My recommendations: Klipsch S4 (More bass, okay clarity - around RM380 from garage tumpang Amazon dealers), Head-Direct RE0 (GREAT clarity, okay bass amped, acceptable bass unamped - RM380 or so from Head-Direct.com) - both cost a littttttttttttle bit more, but should keep you happy, especially the RE0 for clarity on love songs.

And if you don't mind great bass/ok clarity RM250 headphones that need DIY upon arrival (epoxy glue - crap build) and comes with NO WARRANTY (which nobody in their right mind should be - except maybe me) - read up on the Cyclone PR2 as well. The bass on these are supposed to sound ALMOST as good as the RM500-600 JVC FX500 and Atrio M5 (according to my research - I only have the PR2 and to me they sound phenomenal for the price - sure beats the heck out of the SP1 for bass impact and soundstaging).

A shame they came apart in my hands 20 minutes after I started auditioning them (was trying to get one of the silicone tips off) - thankfully without affecting the drivers... Having no warranty what so ever, I pried them BOTH open and epoxy cemented them both to hell...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Oct 24 2009, 08:34 AM

Phonak PFE. Definitely Phonak. Also consider the RE0 (RM399 or something) but for RM500, just go for the Phonak PFE (also known as the PFE 112 if I'm not mistaken) that costs only RM60 more.... Check from Walabies in bulk...

Only problem is we have to wait for the PFE V2 to come out sometime within this month - as it fixes a LOT of build quality problems that were there in the first Phonak PFE.

So, if you can wait/want to spend all of that RM500 (plus some) = Phonak PFE

If not = RE0

That AKG319/17 ain't that bad either, as it's been compared to the Yuin PK2 (a very popular earbud)... It's just not in the same league as the Phonak (or the RE0).

Bro akgmalaysia, do bring both buds to the meet?

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Nov 7 2009, 08:59 PM

I do have the PL50, and if ClieOS's description of SQ in his shootouts are anything to go by, the RE0 should have a similar or slightly larger soundstage compared to the PL50 (read: acceptably wide, but it can be better - PL50 compared to my relatively huge Cyclone PR2's soundstage) + the RE0 supposedly has better bass, provided it's properly amped with, lets say, an E5 minimum.

IMHO the PL50 HAS bass, but I wouldn't say there's a lot of it, even amped. Enough for my Pop and some of my Rock tracks, relatively insufficient for my Trance music.

And, bass isn't really something one looks at when looking at both the PL50 and the RE0 anyways. I'd say try the FA Eternas if you want bass - though mine haven't even been ordered yet (waiting for the bulk to end) so I can't comment much on the Eterna's SQ.

I could also recommend the bass monster that is the PR2 (think cheaper JVC-FX500), if it wasn't so flimsy out of the box.

But overall, people say the RE0 is of an entirely different level compared to the PL50, especially in terms of clarity and overall balance. So if clarity and balance is your cuppa tea, the RE0 should be the way to go - even more so now that it's on sale.

Try the SoundMagic PL21 bro, it should fit your needs.

E5 + High End IEM (Yes, the 530 can be considered that edi) = Not So Fun. Something I'm gonna experince personally when my TripFis arrive...

IMHO anyway.

The LOD + T3/T3D/D2+ should (again IMHO) be a significant improvement.

IEMs below RM400 with a little bass = amped RE0 IMHO.

For moar bass = Atrios, really.

Just remember an amp is technically nothing more than that -> an amplifier. Give it a good clean signal and it makes everything nice and loud. Any imperfections in sound (say, crappy low bitrate encoding / mastering) will be amplified as well.

This is also why an amp needs an LOD to bypass the normally low powered (and hissy/noisy/generally crap) internal amps in the DAP, unless the Headphone Out is pristine and clean.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Dec 14 2009, 03:01 AM

Interesting question hovering at the back of my mind ->

What budget headphones (by which I mean cans, not buds/plugs; and by budget: the below RM400 range) have approximately the TripleFi 10 sound signature (aka sparkling highs, tight but not over-much bass; both of which makes the mids seem slightly recessed + huge soundstage).

All of the above PLUS comfort, isolation and it being sturdy enough to be WORN IN BED (aka. while lying down on mountains of pillows while watching stuff on me DAC-less, crappy onboard audio lappy)?

Granted, they're not to go to sleep in (though there WILL be "accidents" - hence the "budget" aka. "easily replaceable" requirement).

Any budget cans that can fit the bill, you guys think? I'm utterly helpless when it comes to cans, being IEM focused and all. Plus most of the cans I HAVE heard are either out of me budget (HD800, AT Woodies), or not fitting me requirements.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Jan 1 2010, 11:58 PM

A700s are closed. The entire AD range is open IINM.

You need earbuds, bud. Try PK2/3 from www.head-direct.com (not THAT cheap, but good), the AKG 319 (I think, ask akgmalaysia), any of the X-brands (check the BULK section of LYN) or the Sennheiser MX560 (from any reputable retailer)...

Sony earbuds aren't half bad too, but in my experience they have CRAP short lifespans (say 3 months of hard use = die).

And IINM, yeah, the Moray is in ear.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Jan 3 2010, 01:31 AM

Yeah, those... Someone over at the great land of HF said the SQ rivals the PK1...

Anyhow, for anybody looking for earbuds, come and take a look see here, by our own ClieOS: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/earbuds-round-up-441400/

A little warning before you click the linky though: Sorry about your wallet...

And people, any recommendations regarding a budget full-sized sturdy enough to be taken onto pillows? One that sounds (vaguely) like a TF10 (V / U shaped freq curve, huge soundstage)...

Currently looking at Audio-T's lower end A range and maybe the M series... I like the AT flappy height adjustment system a lot...

I have no idea how they sound like though...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Jan 3 2010, 02:10 AM

Comfort, from personal experience, I'd say the PL50 is darned comfortable hands down... Light too...

Should keep you happy for a while, say, 1 month before upgraditits hits...

Typo bro... kekekekek... Though it's an interesting one...

Now thinking of getting the ER4P to fill my "reference" requirement.... Money drying out though after my new MTB, need to cycle to keep myself alive...

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Jan 7 2010, 12:17 AM

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Lol, x2 on tie custom sleeves, might be geting my own for the TripFi - that or a full on reshell, but all that's for later.
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Now, waiting for the pico slim to ship. Changed my mind edi about getting the ibasso.
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As for the whole IEM vs. full sized debate, it must be understood that with miniaturization comes sacrifices, and a can will undoubtedly have better SQ for the same amount of money compared to an IEM - at least 99.9% of the time.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Jan 7 2010, 11:56 AM