After the path of SE530, the question here is really if I could pursue this any further to enhance the sound of what is being spit out of my portable player. After much looking around, I've decided to experiment and invest in a portable amplifier. Choices choices led me to my first little Headamp Pico unit with the USB connection for it to work as a DAC.
Physically, this little dynamite leaves me pretty impressed. It feels solid without actually being heavy. Polished and definitely has a sturdy feel to it. It comes with a protective case, which is my only gripe with this little unit, that the darn case is a wee bit to tight for sliding the unit in and out. Still a minor aesthetic matter that I can live with. So onward with the test and impression!
The first thing I had to do was to figure out how in the world I needed to connect the darn to my player. I was contemplating to use a mini 3.5" to 3.5" cable to keep things cheap and simple, but ultimately went for an infinitely more expensive option of getting a line-out cable made for my portable (it's an iPhone). That little cable, (Silvercab from Qables) set me back quite a bit. Could've gone for the Pro version of the cable, but to think about shelling substantially extra dough for some gold in the cable just wasn't something that made too much sense. So settled for the pure silver connect instead.
Hooking things up the way it looks logically it was on to the music!
Listening to some of the familiar tunes that I have been listening to regularly through the same amp-less combo, definitely highlighted the difference with/without the amp. Perhaps some would call this soundstaging (if I understand correctly) but here is where this here combo made the difference. The music is now coming out with more "depth". While previously, the SE530 out of the iPhone alone allows me to distinguish instruments and placement of the instruments left, right and centre of my head and ears, this little amp + the LOD out introduced depth. So.. it's not only left or right, but how far left and how far right. With some critical listening, one can tell if the drums are placed behind the guitars or vice versa for example. Bass response is the other part where I noticed the difference. While the SE530 raw out from my iPhone makes the bass sound full and boomed, this little combo here, somewhat reduces the bass boom and moves it into the background somewhat, while still remaining audible. In all honesty, I think this makes the music more realistic. Reverting back to the SE530 raw out, makes me appreciate that the raw out sounds rather artificial. The bass guitars was too out of control and in your face, often dominating the whole tune. I like it with this little amp, letting the bass recede into the background, subtly maintaining the rhythm of things.
The tunes that made a lot of difference (this is just some of them) include:
- Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever (and how the amp disperses the boom of the drums)
- The Who - Eyesight to the Blind (listen to the piano keys being also dispersed more cleanly into the back)
The other bit that I do notice, is the fact that this little combo does very nicely in fleshing out the overall soundstage. Reverting to the raw out again, gives me an impression of the soundstage collapsing, as if the instruments are all now cramped back into a smaller room. This is definitely noticeable when listening out for the echos in the vocals, that somewhat gives you the idea of the acoustics of the recording space. Critically listening for it, the raw out echoes are there, but becomes somewhat blended with the rest of the instruments, and makes it audibly feel like a collapse of soundstage.
In short, another interesting step forward in my little hobby. On another note, it's really beginning to hurt my pockets too.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Shure SE530 vs. SE210 vs. iBuds + iPhone Initial Impression
Finally decided to keep track of my aural journey on a separate blog. Looking back at this sinful hobby that started not too long ago, I've decided to keep track of my impressions on the various kits and rigs that is currently in my possession. First off will be the combo of my iPhone 3G against the various buds that I have tested thus far.
iBuds:
I guess with the default buds that come with the phone itself, I can't really ask much of it. To begin with, I find the build rather flimsy and definitely not something that is built to last. Not being an in-ear type of bud is my other gripe, meaning that music tends to leak out of the phones. Bad for 2 reasons, one being the fact that I am probably disruptive to others when I am listening while commuting and secondly, that outside noise starts to 'blend into my music'. The buds itself sounds very harsh on the highs and bass is nearly inaudible. Instrument separation is poor as everything meshes together. Music sounds to be like muzak to be more precise. Bereft of details, all the songs seem to just be blaring past my head.
SE210:
Having tasted the iBuds, my first real 'investment' was the SE210 as a set of beginner buds. Substantially more expensive so the point was whether if it is all worth it. For starters, the olive foam buds snugly fitted into my ears was an interesting experience. The sensation was like having my ears underwater and ambient noise blotted out. Surreal for a moment. That was when I started going into the music. The music came out clear as crystal and I was hooked to listening. Old tunes that I was always listening to in the past were given new life! The previous mish-mash of instruments playing is now clear as heck and details that were buried cleared up allowing me to pick up details that I've never noticed were there. Listening to Alice In Chains - No Excuses. The previously muddied bass is now extremely clear and rounded. Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine picked out the bass lines and clearly articulates the interplay. Testing the IEM even further with some rap, Eminem - Guily Conscience now allows me to clearly pick out the background sound effects and dialogue. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven revealed some flute/folk intruments playing in the background that was previously unnoticeable.
In short, the leap was astounding.
Build of the SE210 was really good too. Hard rubbered buds gave it a solidity that implies solidity for rugged use. Excellent :)
SE530:
SE530 was my next step up, being a triple-driver IEM and top line in Shure's offering got me pretty excited. Same old Shure buds that I have gotten accustomed to but the build here is a bit more fragile looking/feeling. Bulkier bud for sure to house the 3 driver units, but also hardened and chromed plastic. On one hand, it definitely looks more refined (and expensive) but on the other hand it felt fragile, indicating that these babies need care (lest it be scratched or subject to other abuse). I worry that the chrome coating may flake at some point in time but heck, that was moot. Aural pleasures are what I was seeking!
Upon first listen, the impression was with how 'wide sounding' these are compared to the SE210. I was feeling a vertigo-ish effect to be honest. I attribute this to my ears being accustomed to the SE210 sounds. This effect stands out especially with the tracks from the 2009 Beatles album remasters where stereo separation on most of their tracks are very prominent. It definitely took me a bit of adjustment time there. Once I've more or less settled in to how these buds sounded, my reaction was somewhat mixed. Did it sound better? I would say it is a qualified 'sort of'. The instrumental and vocal details remain by and large the same, but the separation here stand out. While the SE210 offers the detail, it doesn't allow me to visualize the stage and placement of instruments clearly. These pair of buds reveal no more details in my opinion, but offers a different presentation, separating instruments and placement of vocals clearly. I attribute this to be one of the strengths of the triple-driver design. Bass lines on these buds sound fuller too and the high notes just a tad bit crisp, but it really takes analytical listening to really tell the difference.
I didn't experience this upgrade in a revolutionary way compared to my initial move from the iBuds to SE210 and that perhaps took away some of the polish of this whole experience. Bottom line with these are the fact that I dished out the dough for a different presentation, with the sound details possibly reaching a point of diminishing return. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the results and liked the added visibility of the soundstage, adding a new dimension to aural pleasures. If for no other purpose, I can appreciate now the wonder of music and sound in a whole new perspective.
iBuds:
I guess with the default buds that come with the phone itself, I can't really ask much of it. To begin with, I find the build rather flimsy and definitely not something that is built to last. Not being an in-ear type of bud is my other gripe, meaning that music tends to leak out of the phones. Bad for 2 reasons, one being the fact that I am probably disruptive to others when I am listening while commuting and secondly, that outside noise starts to 'blend into my music'. The buds itself sounds very harsh on the highs and bass is nearly inaudible. Instrument separation is poor as everything meshes together. Music sounds to be like muzak to be more precise. Bereft of details, all the songs seem to just be blaring past my head.
SE210:
Having tasted the iBuds, my first real 'investment' was the SE210 as a set of beginner buds. Substantially more expensive so the point was whether if it is all worth it. For starters, the olive foam buds snugly fitted into my ears was an interesting experience. The sensation was like having my ears underwater and ambient noise blotted out. Surreal for a moment. That was when I started going into the music. The music came out clear as crystal and I was hooked to listening. Old tunes that I was always listening to in the past were given new life! The previous mish-mash of instruments playing is now clear as heck and details that were buried cleared up allowing me to pick up details that I've never noticed were there. Listening to Alice In Chains - No Excuses. The previously muddied bass is now extremely clear and rounded. Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine picked out the bass lines and clearly articulates the interplay. Testing the IEM even further with some rap, Eminem - Guily Conscience now allows me to clearly pick out the background sound effects and dialogue. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven revealed some flute/folk intruments playing in the background that was previously unnoticeable.
In short, the leap was astounding.
Build of the SE210 was really good too. Hard rubbered buds gave it a solidity that implies solidity for rugged use. Excellent :)
SE530:
SE530 was my next step up, being a triple-driver IEM and top line in Shure's offering got me pretty excited. Same old Shure buds that I have gotten accustomed to but the build here is a bit more fragile looking/feeling. Bulkier bud for sure to house the 3 driver units, but also hardened and chromed plastic. On one hand, it definitely looks more refined (and expensive) but on the other hand it felt fragile, indicating that these babies need care (lest it be scratched or subject to other abuse). I worry that the chrome coating may flake at some point in time but heck, that was moot. Aural pleasures are what I was seeking!
Upon first listen, the impression was with how 'wide sounding' these are compared to the SE210. I was feeling a vertigo-ish effect to be honest. I attribute this to my ears being accustomed to the SE210 sounds. This effect stands out especially with the tracks from the 2009 Beatles album remasters where stereo separation on most of their tracks are very prominent. It definitely took me a bit of adjustment time there. Once I've more or less settled in to how these buds sounded, my reaction was somewhat mixed. Did it sound better? I would say it is a qualified 'sort of'. The instrumental and vocal details remain by and large the same, but the separation here stand out. While the SE210 offers the detail, it doesn't allow me to visualize the stage and placement of instruments clearly. These pair of buds reveal no more details in my opinion, but offers a different presentation, separating instruments and placement of vocals clearly. I attribute this to be one of the strengths of the triple-driver design. Bass lines on these buds sound fuller too and the high notes just a tad bit crisp, but it really takes analytical listening to really tell the difference.
I didn't experience this upgrade in a revolutionary way compared to my initial move from the iBuds to SE210 and that perhaps took away some of the polish of this whole experience. Bottom line with these are the fact that I dished out the dough for a different presentation, with the sound details possibly reaching a point of diminishing return. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the results and liked the added visibility of the soundstage, adding a new dimension to aural pleasures. If for no other purpose, I can appreciate now the wonder of music and sound in a whole new perspective.
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