The Cube F1 earphones that comes for free with the C30 are so good that I don't mind paying RM100 for them. The clarity & detail is quite breathtaking, but only if you like bright sound, definitely not for bassheads. The BBE on the C30 makes the music comes alive! Once the BBE eq kicks in the volume goes up by a few notches, you can feel the ambience and the music literally sparkle. Prolly when the reviewer said its 'softer' compared to the gumstick is the C30 in Normal mode w/o BBE. Unless one is deaf I would say the Cube C30 has ample volume to satisfy anyone. I'd still take the C30 over the gumstick even if its RM50 more cos now that I've heard what the BBE can do .......I want it! 

Sometimes I feel that ppl miss the forest for the trees. The forest is the music and the trees is the sound. Life is too short to be anal about the sound when you can be enjoying the music! 

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Added on February 13, 2011, 1:30 pm
If musicality is what you are after, I'd say the Cube C30 has the edge over the gumstick. Throw in the excellent Cube F1 IEM for free and its a no brainer!.

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Added on February 13, 2011, 1:33 pm
yes it's excellent value for money @RM98.

compare with the gumstick? try the Cube C30 then.