I'm really impressed by my pair of EX800ST's, it's a breath of fresh air to hear a relatively DF-neutral IEM considering how many are bass boosted or harman. If I could ask for anything more it'd be just a little more overall brightness and some more treble extension in the upper extremity past 10khz, outside of that - one of the most enjoyable dynamic drivers I've heard, in either IEMs or Headphones.
@@sanjay130176 first time hearing it, it's way more neutral than I expected, I have pulled out the nozzle foam filter of mine now and it's now a vocal queen.
@@sanjay130176 sure do, I've little experience with chifis, but on what's around that's going for 180-250 usd is, the 800st is unique sounding, stock it has wider soundstage than most, and are super non fatiguing. I like it stock, its just that I already had a balanced sounding IEM before that, my IM04.
Are the 7550 and ex800 the same headphone with different names? I heard the ex800 is specially modified for the Japan market. Is that true? Please help.
@@meiralopes you can import them from Japan, they look counterfeit cus its a white box, but sony Japan doesnt give a crap about packaging for them, its well known. Go on Amazon and import some, they are real.
Good to hear that the Z1000 is not regarded as anything special - I thought it might just be me being picky and having unrealistic expectations. The only thing I really liked about them was the solid cable. I think you said the 7550s are easier to drive than the EX1000s. I'd want to use "best buds" with my unamped Samsung Galaxy Note II and my laptop. They'd be for indoor, home use only. Do the VSonics sound quite spacious and detailed ?
They will not leak a great deal of sound outside unless you are listening to dangerous volumes. But they will certainly get sound entering through. You can have a conversation with someone wearing the 7550 - they do not isolate well at all. I don't think you need an amp but make sure your source has a low output impedance...
The 7550 will absolutely be more technically 'balanced'. The 7550 was developed as a professional stage monitor headphone for musicians and balanced frequency response is a critical matter there. The IE80 sounds great but was made for musical enjoyment - it is very warm and rich. If you want 'neutral', go for the 7550, GR07 or RE-400.
I kinda am actually. Although, the original reason why I found it totally helpful was because I was talking to a friend last night, and he asked me what the difference was between a 7550 and an EX1000. Imagine my surprise when Google turned this up. FYI, he also asked about the difference between an XBA-4 and an XBA-40.
LOL, I thought you might. I've already passed on your preliminary impressions between the two (posted in the other place), and he is now holding off on an XBA-4 purchase for the time being. Personally, I generally favor brighter signatures, but I concede that darker presentations have a way of making electronic music more organic and less synthesized. Besides, it can't possibly be darker than my Fischer SBA-01. That thing is just... well it's something else.
Forgbeats was the company I was typing about. They are the ONLY UK supplier I have found but have no stock currently - it looks like they are concentrating on developing their OWN IEMs. I've seen you also highly regarded the Hifiman RE-400. How do they compare to the Vsonic GR07 ? If Frogbeats DO get new stock of the GR07s I think they will be about £113 - the Hifimans are about £105 - so there's NO appreciable price difference. THANKS for your help. The info' is REALLY useful.
agreed..at times i find the bass abit too overpowering plus can be rather bright for certain songs but then again i heard it has discontinued and i don't think i would sell it...however if you can remember the 80s the Sony MDR-E484 is also quite an awesome earpiece the only down side is that one side tends to mulfunction due to stress:Pi have the last set and it's gold
Hi Lachlanm quick question. For indoor use, and for different genres of music, the most frantic being Progressive Metal - which would be technically better, this pair or the BA IER-M9 in your opinion. They have to be tonally balanced, as much of my music is male vocal focused. Lots of electric guitar, fast drum work, lots of things happening at once, and I also am really into instrumental synth music too. Be interested to know your thoughts.
Haha, I see. Thanks! I guess the isolation issue is a drawback for me. If I can hear people talking while I'm listening to my orchestral music, it'll be sort of like people talking during a concert, which can be quite irritating. I think this means that the 7550 will be a great option if I'm listening to my music some place where I won't disturb others and vice versa. So I think I'll consider other earphones with better isolation.
I got MDR 7550 today and feel in love with it on first try. I actually know about this headphone for a while but kinda ignored it since it wasn't popular. At that time, I have the XBA-4 which I really like also. If it wasn't for your reviews, I would not have gotten MDR-7550 which I believe is the best IEM headphone I own thus far. You are absolutely right, the sound-stage is just so amazing. Thank you. In addition, I also watch your review on MDR-MA900 which you also have very possible opinion on and that gets me interested in owning one too. Before buying, could you please tell me compare to the MDR-7550, what do you think the MDR-MA900? If other words, could you please do a simple comparison between the MDR-7550 and MDR MA900?
***** The 7550 I believe is an underrrated gem. It's flatter and more balanced than the MA900 though. The MA900 has a super wide soundstage but I don't think it has the technical ability of the 7550 in terms of control in the bass. It's still a super comfy, excellent headphone, but since it's been discontinued the price has gone up and it doesn't seem like as good value anymore.
***** Thank you for the information. I have one more question. You mentioned that the 7550 has poor noise isolation because of those ports. Do you know any IEM that sounds similar to 7550 but at the same time offers good isolation, enough to enjoy music in noisy environments like in the trains?
***** I've got both, but I only use the QC25 while on long flights. The QC25 is closed back with noise isolation functionality and while very comfortable, the MA900 is much more comfortable and can be worn all day but as they're open back, you can't practically use them anywhere with a significant level of background noise. In summary if you really are only talking about comfort, go for the MA900 which you can still pick up from eBay with Japan vendors for a good price.
You have a lot of videos on the Sony earbuds it was great stuff for my research to find the earphones that suits my needs. Certainly the MDR-7550 or XBA-H1 or H3 would be great for video editing studio. Right now I'm shopping for a level down for outdoor/study to block out the atmosphere around me. So, I'm looking into Noise Canceling earphones and you're the best person to ask. The newest technology is Sony MDR-NC31EM only working only with the Sony Xperia Z2 & Z3* moving the technology to the phone. I was wondering what is the latest release preceding it? Sony XBA-NC85D, however you have to charge the earphones or should I looking at the XBA-H1, as it's the same price range about now? Or step down to a XBA-C10, but doesn't answer my Noise Canceling technology Sony has be working on.
Hi Lachlan, I have two questions and hopefully you can help me answer them. 1. Have you ever tried eq'ing the EX1000 according to the Harman Target Response curve? If so, would you be able to share the settings on a simple 10 band eq like the one found on the Sony NW-ZX300? 2. Do you think that the EX1000 are still a worthy purchase even though there have been many more IEM's introduced since the EX1000 first came out? Thanks!
Thanks for all of your advice. You made me aware of the Vsonics and all the reviews are very good. Availability seems tough - but I've found ONE U.K. stockist that appears to have plans to import some within the next two months. I think I'd rather let THEM deal with customs. I don't like not knowing EXACTLY what I'm paying and I *really* don't like having to go and collect items that are held back at the Post Office because the extra charges have to be paid there. Are GR01 > GR07?
For several years I have been using Sony EX500s and think they are really good. I am interested in an upgrade but want to be sure that what I replace them with will sound significantly better. I have read that the 7550s have a narrow soundstage. Do you know if it is narrower than that of my current earphones ?
I'm not sure if you mentioned that the cables on the 7550/800 are rather unimpressive and easily tangled? For the money, I was expecting something a little more substantial. Not sure if the EX1000 also has rather wimpy thin cables? That said the Shure 215 cables are much better than the 7550/800.
My EX-500s were £35 (this may have been a brief Amazon promotion or price matching effort 'cause they were usually £50). The cheapest I've seen the "discontinued" 7550s is £186. I assumed they would be a better choice for me than the XBAs because I'm not into electronic music. However, I was really unimpressed by the Sony MDRZ1000s I auditioned at the start of the year ; I returned them. I couldn't tell what made them £200 not £20. Makes me cautious and fearful of another disappointment.
Hello, I am looking at buying a pair of mid-high end iems. For a while I was looking at the EX1000, but recently the Heaven VI by Final Audio Design caught my eye. I understand that they have different drivers (dynamic vs BA) but which one do you guys recommend? I listen to classical, opera and pop, and I am looking for a natural, detailed and clear sound with a well textured, controlled bass and sparkly highs. Most of my recordings are 320kbps mp3 with some flacs mixed in.
The left ear-bud on my Sony EX-1000 has stopped working. I'm not sure if replacement cables on eBay are genuine. Do you know if Sony are still manufacturing this product in Japan or if it has been discontinued globally ? Does it have any peers you might recommend as alternatives ?
If you have heard the Fischer Audio Silver Bullets, I'd love to know your opinion of them. I think they have an impedance of 18 ohms. Is it the ratio of impedance to sensitivity that you have to calculate to understand if an earphone will require extra amping ? Almost everyone says the Sony EX-1000s need more oomph than a smartphone can deliver.
This Headphone is so interesting for me that I have a few questions more: - How is the bass for electronic music like Tech House? - How is the bass compared with the Sony MDR-1RBT? - Is the 'hole mod' solution for the poor bass? I read a lot in the headfi Thread but I couldn't understand the low ends of these headphones. I like a more warmer, bass heavierer signature because I listen a lot to electronic music and metal. A comparison to the Sony MDR-1R or the Klipsch S4 would be very nice! :)
you have quite an awesome collection... have you ever thought of getting Sony XBA 3 or 30? I have the XBA 3ip and I just love them! 'hoping to find someone who can do a comparison between the 3 and 30.
FreeD00M No. it has vents that gives it a more open feel. There are however mods you can do to them to improve isolation but be wary that these mods will change the sound and may damage the drivers overtime.
It also depends on your ear shape. I get good isolation from them and not much outside interference but I have pretty narrow canals. They don’t isolate heaps but they are certainly a step or two above something like an AirPod with dampening silicon gels. Not on the level with typical canal phones.
what portable version of an iem would you recommend that has this detail (7550) and balance and is good for walking around....i have the 7520 cans...love èm.
hey lachlan i've owned shure se425's and 535's as well as Ue900's...i like tight bass but my favour nice mids and high's over bass..any suggestion? looking at about a maximum £250 budget..thanks
Hello Friend. I just wanna to say thanks for the vídeo. I bought a 7550 phone, to my band, to increse quality to my monitor. Do you sugest this phone for this?
Hi lach, between 7550 vs audio technica im03 which do you think have better vocal?I have xba-40 : ath-ckr9 ,do you think 7550 or im03 have better vocal than ckr9?
loved your video. very focused and to the point. is there anything that comes close to the SQ of these earphones (especially the 800ST) but has better seal or noise isolation for use while travelling?
Hi, first of all i have to say i really like your reviews, they give a pretty good idea of what to expect to some of us who don't have a way to audition headphones/iems before getting them. That said, do you still keep your view on the 7550 vs ex1000? i'm looking at getting one of them, but i still wonder about the treble on the 1000 vs the 7550 (and also if the price difference is really worth it, since the 7550 sounds like a more polished/balanced product). Could i ask for an updated opinion, and are they still worth getting for their asking price at this point? Thanks!
Hey Lach, do you know the EX1000 currently selling on Amazon is any different from the early year model, like first edition 2010)? I'm talking about SQ. I'm confident the product is legit from Japan sellers. Someone mentioned the early model got more bass compared to the later model. Not sure here if it's true, and can you confirm this? Thanks bro!
Ok, thanks for the answer. So I will go with an other In Ear. When the Bass of the MDR-7550 is to linear, I wouldn't have fun with it. Thank you much the the answer!
Thx! I have a few questions: (1) I've heard that the 7550 has great soundstage because of the open vents. Does this mean that people can hear what I'm listening to (like open-back headphones)? Does the sound leak? I don't want to disturb others when I'm listening to music in the office/library. Also will outside noise (e.g. ppl talking) enter through the open vents & interfere when I'm listening to softer moments in my music? (2) I listen mostly on my laptop. Will I need an amp for the 7550?
Hi. I'm planning to get a pair of earphones mainly for listening to classical music (solo & orchestral) so I need balanced response in different frequency ranges. How would the Sony MDR-7550 compare to the Sennheiser IE 80 for that matter?
hi lachlan, i currently have andromedas, i love everything about it but hate the closeness feeling about it as I have ex800st too. I love everything about ex800st but it has less micro details. Andros has the micro details but lack of airiness. Will ex1000 cover both of these area? HALPP!!! :(((
Eddy Summers I wouldn't put it in terms of value. They both have awkward designs. The question should really be, how much bass do you want? Because the H3 is much bassier and richer in sound than the 7550.
Hi, Been watching your videos as i am in search of an iem for use on stage, i play bass, what would you recommend for a sub 100usd budget? i want one that can deliver good bass but i also want to hear other members of the band.. Thank you for the advice as i am confused with all the options and my budget is a bit tight, there is no return policy from where i am at so need to be sure on what i will buy
Puh, I found a deal for 150 € (I'm from Germany), but I am really sensetive with in ears. The size of the in ears seems to be big, can you confirm this? I had the Triplefi 10 and they were to huge so I couldn't keep them. I think the Sony is as large as the Triplefi 10, isn't it? I hope for a reply. :)
I meant the MDR-7550. So I read much about this In Ear on Headfi, everytime there was the word 'natural'. For my Electronic Music it's not the best signature I can have. So it would by nice if you answer my questions in the post before with the MDR-7550. :)
Warmer ? Does that mean the newer 'phones sound HARSH ? Are the 7550s worth 5.31 times the price of the EX500s ? How do the XBA40s compare to EX500s ?. Do both of these premium models have as much bass as my aging set ?
I am think about getting a 7550, but I probably just wanna use it on the street or bus. You said the wind sound is a big deal, right? Is that so bad? and what about noise, like bus's noise?
Thanks for your great review. How do you compare the sound quality of MDR- 7550 with Momentum Since they have a pretty same frequency response graph? Also do you prefer sound quality of MDR- 7550 over "Westone 2"? Thanks!
Hi there! Ive been scouring the nets (a lot of head-fi) for the past few days regarding top tier (under 500$) universal IEMs that play well with bass heavy genres such as (trance, dubstep, drum & bass etc). Heres a basic list of what Ive been observing.. Although the iE80 has good reviews regarding bass response.. frankly im turned off by the idea of an adjustable "bass knob". It feels very gimmicky to me and suggests the product is very overpriced. Not to mention more moving parts = bad. Westone 4 freq response seems to be "dark"?.. but somewhat lacking in sub response from what ive heard despite its consistently high reviews.. so these are a maybe?... idk. I havent been able to get a clear review on the J-phonics regarding playback with EDM genres unfortunately so im in the dark there as well.. The TDK's came highly reviewed on a inner fidelity review post but it was posted in 2011 which leads me to think its probably outdated considering the advances in the past 3 years.. Westone 4 ($450) 4 BA j-phonic K2 SP ($400) 2 BA TDK BA200 ($250) 2 BA (Sennheiser) iE80($270) 1 Dynamic Im kind of exhausted researching this... Im ready to buy a pair of 500$ or less universal IEMs.. some guidance would really be appreciated.. im surprised there isnt a threat already covering this TBH.. Ive already learned a ton in the past few days about IEMs and now im at a seamingly infinite crossroads without any definitive help from anyone yet. SUMMARY: 500$ or less universal fit IEM (balanced armature or dynamic or hybrid) that plays best with bass centric EDM music.. not necessarily more bass (maybe more).. but focused also on bass clarity / punch and definition (which may constitute a freq response curve with accentuated lows around 40 hurtz and cuts around 330 hurtz).
Here's my advice. Skip everything that is purely BA. If bass is one of your top priorities you won't be getting visceral bass tightness or punch out of most BA options at this price point - at least none that I've heard. I haven't heard the TDK or J-phonic but I would skip the W4. The IE80 is a fine option (I've heard it briefly and I think it's good), but I think a really good value option at the moment is the Sony XBA-H3. At the current Amazon price of around $230/$240 you are getting something with a bit of a bass boost, but truckloads of clarity and definition. It's just fussy to wear and isolation is not best in class. Otherwise try the Yamaha EPH-100 :) EDIT: OH I forgot to mention: The GR07 Bass Edition is also a very good choice if you want more of an all rounder!!!
Have you listened to the InEar StageDiver 3, EarSonics SM64, or Aurisonics ASG-2 / 2.5? Those seem to be my top 3 choices at the moment in that order, thanks for your response :D
I can buy both MDR-7550 and GR07 at the same price. Please let me know which one do you think is better as all rounders…? And witch one has a better sound quality? Thanks!
Hello, Im really considering the MDR-7550, I dont want to spend $440 for the EX-1000. Are the 7550 the best choice leaving apart the portability issue? I can spend around $300 for a pair. thanks everyone for the help!
I'm really impressed by my pair of EX800ST's, it's a breath of fresh air to hear a relatively DF-neutral IEM considering how many are bass boosted or harman. If I could ask for anything more it'd be just a little more overall brightness and some more treble extension in the upper extremity past 10khz, outside of that - one of the most enjoyable dynamic drivers I've heard, in either IEMs or Headphones.
Thank you again for your review, I'm losing track of the number of times I've found them helpful. Great to have Australian based reviews too.
I'm finally getting an 800ST...excited!
can you share your experience?
@@sanjay130176 first time hearing it, it's way more neutral than I expected, I have pulled out the nozzle foam filter of mine now and it's now a vocal queen.
@@MuhammadKharismawan would you recommend it on today's date ?
@@sanjay130176 sure do, I've little experience with chifis, but on what's around that's going for 180-250 usd is, the 800st is unique sounding, stock it has wider soundstage than most, and are super non fatiguing.
I like it stock, its just that I already had a balanced sounding IEM before that, my IM04.
@@MuhammadKharismawan thank you very much.
if you get a perfect seal the ex1000 sound awesome.. bought a used pair and I'm blown away.
Everything about this video was pleasing to watch and listen to.
Are the 7550 and ex800 the same headphone with different names? I heard the ex800 is specially modified for the Japan market. Is that true?
Please help.
yes same.
Are they still worth it now in 2019?
for 200-250$ yes, I bought them and they are basically my favorites.
@@cooleycollege01 the question is, where to buy a real and not Counterfeiting ones.
@@meiralopes you can import them from Japan, they look counterfeit cus its a white box, but sony Japan doesnt give a crap about packaging for them, its well known. Go on Amazon and import some, they are real.
Good to hear that the Z1000 is not regarded as anything special - I thought it might just be me being picky and having unrealistic expectations. The only thing I really liked about them was the solid cable. I think you said the 7550s are easier to drive than the EX1000s. I'd want to use "best buds" with my unamped Samsung Galaxy Note II and my laptop. They'd be for indoor, home use only. Do the VSonics sound quite spacious and detailed ?
I’m late to the EX1000 party but absolutely loving it. What an earphone.
How does it compare to XBA Z5/A3 for you?
They will not leak a great deal of sound outside unless you are listening to dangerous volumes. But they will certainly get sound entering through. You can have a conversation with someone wearing the 7550 - they do not isolate well at all. I don't think you need an amp but make sure your source has a low output impedance...
The 7550 will absolutely be more technically 'balanced'. The 7550 was developed as a professional stage monitor headphone for musicians and balanced frequency response is a critical matter there. The IE80 sounds great but was made for musical enjoyment - it is very warm and rich. If you want 'neutral', go for the 7550, GR07 or RE-400.
Hello , what would you recommend between the 7550 & etymotic ER4XR?
I kinda am actually. Although, the original reason why I found it totally helpful was because I was talking to a friend last night, and he asked me what the difference was between a 7550 and an EX1000. Imagine my surprise when Google turned this up. FYI, he also asked about the difference between an XBA-4 and an XBA-40.
LOL, I thought you might. I've already passed on your preliminary impressions between the two (posted in the other place), and he is now holding off on an XBA-4 purchase for the time being. Personally, I generally favor brighter signatures, but I concede that darker presentations have a way of making electronic music more organic and less synthesized. Besides, it can't possibly be darker than my Fischer SBA-01. That thing is just... well it's something else.
Forgbeats was the company I was typing about. They are the ONLY UK supplier I have found but have no stock currently - it looks like they are concentrating on developing their OWN IEMs. I've seen you also highly regarded the Hifiman RE-400. How do they compare to the Vsonic GR07 ? If Frogbeats DO get new stock of the GR07s I think they will be about £113 - the Hifimans are about £105 - so there's NO appreciable price difference. THANKS for your help. The info' is REALLY useful.
agreed..at times i find the bass abit too overpowering plus can be rather bright for certain songs but then again i heard it has discontinued and i don't think i would sell it...however if you can remember the 80s the Sony MDR-E484 is also quite an awesome earpiece the only down side is that one side tends to mulfunction due to stress:Pi have the last set and it's gold
Hi Lachlanm quick question. For indoor use, and for different genres of music, the most frantic being Progressive Metal - which would be technically better, this pair or the BA IER-M9 in your opinion. They have to be tonally balanced, as much of my music is male vocal focused. Lots of electric guitar, fast drum work, lots of things happening at once, and I also am really into instrumental synth music too. Be interested to know your thoughts.
Haha, I see. Thanks! I guess the isolation issue is a drawback for me. If I can hear people talking while I'm listening to my orchestral music, it'll be sort of like people talking during a concert, which can be quite irritating. I think this means that the 7550 will be a great option if I'm listening to my music some place where I won't disturb others and vice versa. So I think I'll consider other earphones with better isolation.
I got MDR 7550 today and feel in love with it on first try. I actually know about this headphone for a while but kinda ignored it since it wasn't popular. At that time, I have the XBA-4 which I really like also. If it wasn't for your reviews, I would not have gotten MDR-7550 which I believe is the best IEM headphone I own thus far. You are absolutely right, the sound-stage is just so amazing. Thank you. In addition, I also watch your review on MDR-MA900 which you also have very possible opinion on and that gets me interested in owning one too. Before buying, could you please tell me compare to the MDR-7550, what do you think the MDR-MA900? If other words, could you please do a simple comparison between the MDR-7550 and MDR MA900?
***** The 7550 I believe is an underrrated gem. It's flatter and more balanced than the MA900 though. The MA900 has a super wide soundstage but I don't think it has the technical ability of the 7550 in terms of control in the bass. It's still a super comfy, excellent headphone, but since it's been discontinued the price has gone up and it doesn't seem like as good value anymore.
***** Thank you for the information. I have one more question. You mentioned that the 7550 has poor noise isolation because of those ports. Do you know any IEM that sounds similar to 7550 but at the same time offers good isolation, enough to enjoy music in noisy environments like in the trains?
***** Compare to Bose QC25 and MA900, which do you think is more comfortable?
***** I've got both, but I only use the QC25 while on long flights. The QC25 is closed back with noise isolation functionality and while very comfortable, the MA900 is much more comfortable and can be worn all day but as they're open back, you can't practically use them anywhere with a significant level of background noise.
In summary if you really are only talking about comfort, go for the MA900 which you can still pick up from eBay with Japan vendors for a good price.
thank you for the information
Dude your poster on the wall is amazing!
+Sam Fisher I love it too.
You have a lot of videos on the Sony earbuds it was great stuff for my research to find the earphones that suits my needs. Certainly the MDR-7550 or XBA-H1 or H3 would be great for video editing studio. Right now I'm shopping for a level down for outdoor/study to block out the atmosphere around me. So, I'm looking into Noise Canceling earphones and you're the best person to ask. The newest technology is Sony MDR-NC31EM only working only with the Sony Xperia Z2 & Z3* moving the technology to the phone. I was wondering what is the latest release preceding it? Sony XBA-NC85D, however you have to charge the earphones or should I looking at the XBA-H1, as it's the same price range about now? Or step down to a XBA-C10, but doesn't answer my Noise Canceling technology Sony has be working on.
should i go for the over ear Amperior or the in ear 7550? (nice videos, hope to see more,more often)
Hi Lachlan, I have two questions and hopefully you can help me answer them. 1. Have you ever tried eq'ing the EX1000 according to the Harman Target Response curve? If so, would you be able to share the settings on a simple 10 band eq like the one found on the Sony NW-ZX300? 2. Do you think that the EX1000 are still a worthy purchase even though there have been many more IEM's introduced since the EX1000 first came out? Thanks!
Thanks for all of your advice. You made me aware of the Vsonics and all the reviews are very good. Availability seems tough - but I've found ONE U.K. stockist that appears to have plans to import some within the next two months. I think I'd rather let THEM deal with customs. I don't like not knowing EXACTLY what I'm paying and I *really* don't like having to go and collect items that are held back at the Post Office because the extra charges have to be paid there. Are GR01 > GR07?
For several years I have been using Sony EX500s and think they are really good. I am interested in an upgrade but want to be sure that what I replace them with will sound significantly better. I have read that the 7550s have a narrow soundstage. Do you know if it is narrower than that of my current earphones ?
I'm not sure if you mentioned that the cables on the 7550/800 are rather unimpressive and easily tangled? For the money, I was expecting something a little more substantial. Not sure if the EX1000 also has rather wimpy thin cables? That said the Shure 215 cables are much better than the 7550/800.
Rob ert the cable is the weakest link to the MDR 7550. Wished it was thicker at the least.
Dude the Ex1000's are made in Japan as well, says right on the buds
My EX-500s were £35 (this may have been a brief Amazon promotion or price matching effort 'cause they were usually £50). The cheapest I've seen the "discontinued" 7550s is £186. I assumed they would be a better choice for me than the XBAs because I'm not into electronic music. However, I was really unimpressed by the Sony MDRZ1000s I auditioned at the start of the year ; I returned them. I couldn't tell what made them £200 not £20. Makes me cautious and fearful of another disappointment.
ex1000 has been my favorite
I’m with you on this.
Hello, I am looking at buying a pair of mid-high end iems. For a while I was looking at the EX1000, but recently the Heaven VI by Final Audio Design caught my eye. I understand that they have different drivers (dynamic vs BA) but which one do you guys recommend? I listen to classical, opera and pop, and I am looking for a natural, detailed and clear sound with a well textured, controlled bass and sparkly highs. Most of my recordings are 320kbps mp3 with some flacs mixed in.
The left ear-bud on my Sony EX-1000 has stopped working. I'm not sure if replacement cables on eBay are genuine. Do you know if Sony are still manufacturing this product in Japan or if it has been discontinued globally ? Does it have any peers you might recommend as alternatives ?
Awesome! Can't wait to see your review :)
If you have heard the Fischer Audio Silver Bullets, I'd love to know your opinion of them. I think they have an impedance of 18 ohms. Is it the ratio of impedance to sensitivity that you have to calculate to understand if an earphone will require extra amping ? Almost everyone says the Sony EX-1000s need more oomph than a smartphone can deliver.
What do you know about the availability of replacement cables for the Sony EX-1000 and are these wires difficult to fit ?
This Headphone is so interesting for me that I have a few questions more:
- How is the bass for electronic music like Tech House?
- How is the bass compared with the Sony MDR-1RBT?
- Is the 'hole mod' solution for the poor bass?
I read a lot in the headfi Thread but I couldn't understand the low ends of these headphones. I like a more warmer, bass heavierer signature because I listen a lot to electronic music and metal.
A comparison to the Sony MDR-1R or the Klipsch S4 would be very nice! :)
I'll answer you after 2 weeks Thanks for waiting 10 years.
you have quite an awesome collection... have you ever thought of getting Sony XBA 3 or 30? I have the XBA 3ip and I just love them! 'hoping to find someone who can do a comparison between the 3 and 30.
Im strongly considering the 7550. How would you describe the sound stage of IEMs in general or in reverence to maybe open headphones?
HenrytheBrit the MDR 7550 has a very open soundstage due to its vents.
lachlan...do you still find the 7550 among your favs...just wondering as this vid is a few yrs old
+jc's place I still love the sound but for the price it's a bit of a curiosity.
So, what's better iem in that price range (now)? $200
Can the lacking isolation be fixed with other eartips? I want them for everyday use, but need my isolation...
FreeD00M No. it has vents that gives it a more open feel. There are however mods you can do to them to improve isolation but be wary that these mods will change the sound and may damage the drivers overtime.
It also depends on your ear shape. I get good isolation from them and not much outside interference but I have pretty narrow canals. They don’t isolate heaps but they are certainly a step or two above something like an AirPod with dampening silicon gels. Not on the level with typical canal phones.
Thanks for the video. I'm curious to know how do you compare the sound quality of xb90ex to these two?
what portable version of an iem would you recommend that has this detail (7550) and balance and is good for walking around....i have the 7520 cans...love èm.
lachlan, have you tried the ex800st with the vent mod? thoughts?
Immensely helpful, thanks Lachlan!
hey lachlan i've owned shure se425's and 535's as well as Ue900's...i like tight bass but my favour nice mids and high's over bass..any suggestion? looking at about a maximum £250 budget..thanks
Hello Friend. I just wanna to say thanks for the vídeo. I bought a 7550 phone, to my band, to increse quality to my monitor. Do you sugest this phone for this?
Hi lach, between 7550 vs audio technica im03 which do you think have better vocal?I have xba-40 : ath-ckr9 ,do you think 7550 or im03 have better vocal than ckr9?
loved your video. very focused and to the point. is there anything that comes close to the SQ of these earphones (especially the 800ST) but has better seal or noise isolation for use while travelling?
Hi, first of all i have to say i really like your reviews, they give a pretty good idea of what to expect to some of us who don't have a way to audition headphones/iems before getting them. That said, do you still keep your view on the 7550 vs ex1000? i'm looking at getting one of them, but i still wonder about the treble on the 1000 vs the 7550 (and also if the price difference is really worth it, since the 7550 sounds like a more polished/balanced product). Could i ask for an updated opinion, and are they still worth getting for their asking price at this point? Thanks!
Been a while since this review. What's your current opinion on the MDR-EX1000 Lachlan? Still a classic?
+Nuno N I mean it's a classic but I personally don't use it much lol
hello sir , like your show , i want to know which is better sony xba h3 or the ue 900 ?thanks for the help.
Will you review the Sennhieser IE 80s? I'd like to see how they compare to the EX 1000
Hey Lach, do you know the EX1000 currently selling on Amazon is any different from the early year model, like first edition 2010)? I'm talking about SQ. I'm confident the product is legit from Japan sellers. Someone mentioned the early model got more bass compared to the later model. Not sure here if it's true, and can you confirm this? Thanks bro!
Diablo II I don't believe that they ever changed the MDR EX1000. I'm also planning to purchase a pair.
Ok, thanks for the answer. So I will go with an other In Ear. When the Bass of the MDR-7550 is to linear, I wouldn't have fun with it. Thank you much the the answer!
Thx! I have a few questions: (1) I've heard that the 7550 has great soundstage because of the open vents. Does this mean that people can hear what I'm listening to (like open-back headphones)? Does the sound leak? I don't want to disturb others when I'm listening to music in the office/library. Also will outside noise (e.g. ppl talking) enter through the open vents & interfere when I'm listening to softer moments in my music? (2) I listen mostly on my laptop. Will I need an amp for the 7550?
Hey, what program do you use for those dynamic flipping music covers (in the background) ???
Hi. I'm planning to get a pair of earphones mainly for listening to classical music (solo & orchestral) so I need balanced response in different frequency ranges. How would the Sony MDR-7550 compare to the Sennheiser IE 80 for that matter?
hi lachlan, i currently have andromedas, i love everything about it but hate the closeness feeling about it as I have ex800st too. I love everything about ex800st but it has less micro details. Andros has the micro details but lack of airiness. Will ex1000 cover both of these area? HALPP!!! :(((
No get something from audio 64.
XBA-H3 vs MDR 7550? Which do you think is better value (seeing as both are found around the $250 mark)?
Eddy Summers I wouldn't put it in terms of value. They both have awkward designs. The question should really be, how much bass do you want? Because the H3 is much bassier and richer in sound than the 7550.
Hi,
Been watching your videos as i am in search of an iem for use on stage, i play bass, what would you recommend for a sub 100usd budget? i want one that can deliver good bass but i also want to hear other members of the band..
Thank you for the advice as i am confused with all the options and my budget is a bit tight, there is no return policy from where i am at so need to be sure on what i will buy
I think you might be better off asking r/headphones/ on reddit for the opinions of fellow musicians, but I would consider the Shure SE215 for this.
Thinking of getting the 7550, they're available for around $229 now in US. How is the durability of these?
Very durable. I owned a pair for 3 years and they looked brand new when I sold them.
Vanheim They are extremely durable. Dropped them, smacked them around places, and wiped them with wet paper, and still works as new.
Puh, I found a deal for 150 € (I'm from Germany), but I am really sensetive with in ears.
The size of the in ears seems to be big, can you confirm this?
I had the Triplefi 10 and they were to huge so I couldn't keep them. I think the Sony is as large as the Triplefi 10, isn't it?
I hope for a reply. :)
Hi. Between the MDR EX 1000 vs XBA H3 which do you think is better?
The H3 is better if you prefer a fun bassy sound, the EX 1000 is much leaner and more for a neutral sort of signature.
I meant the MDR-7550. So I read much about this In Ear on Headfi, everytime there was the word 'natural'. For my Electronic Music it's not the best signature I can have. So it would by nice if you answer my questions in the post before with the MDR-7550. :)
Could you check out the ostry kc06 earbuds and tell us your thoughts on them?
Warmer ? Does that mean the newer 'phones sound HARSH ? Are the 7550s worth 5.31 times the price of the EX500s ? How do the XBA40s compare to EX500s ?. Do both of these premium models have as much bass as my aging set ?
***** How much u bought this Sony MDR 7550? It is around 19,000¥ in amazon Japan. Is it a good buy?
Please do review for XBA-300
I am think about getting a 7550, but I probably just wanna use it on the street or bus. You said the wind sound is a big deal, right? Is that so bad? and what about noise, like bus's noise?
Beier Zhang you should look elsewhere if noise isolation is an issue.
how is this compare with sony xba-a3 please let me know
thanks
by the way do you have any review video for the A3 ?
XBA-A3 & Z5 can't beat this
Thanks for your great review. How do you compare the sound quality of MDR- 7550 with Momentum Since they have a pretty same frequency response graph?
Also do you prefer sound quality of MDR- 7550 over "Westone 2"? Thanks!
i tried the Sennheiser IE800 totally blown away but the EX1000 wins in the bass department
So I will go with the HiFIMan. Thanks for the reply, a great video too! :)
Does the vent on MDR-7550 leak sound out like earbuds?
Wen Li No
Hi there, where can I get the 7550 for $199? Thx```
anyway it is quite a pity they did not include LC-OFC cables anymore for Sony headphones or earphones anymore:/
Could you do a review of the rha750
Even i would like to know how The Sennheiser IE80 compaired to the EX1000
Already searched for such a program, but one to compare with the mac visualisation doesn't exist...
how is this compared to sony xb90ex ??
Hi there! Ive been scouring the nets (a lot of head-fi) for the past few days regarding top tier (under 500$) universal IEMs that play well with bass heavy genres such as (trance, dubstep, drum & bass etc).
Heres a basic list of what Ive been observing.. Although the iE80 has good reviews regarding bass response.. frankly im turned off by the idea of an adjustable "bass knob". It feels very gimmicky to me and suggests the product is very overpriced. Not to mention more moving parts = bad.
Westone 4 freq response seems to be "dark"?.. but somewhat lacking in sub response from what ive heard despite its consistently high reviews.. so these are a maybe?... idk.
I havent been able to get a clear review on the J-phonics regarding playback with EDM genres unfortunately so im in the dark there as well..
The TDK's came highly reviewed on a inner fidelity review post but it was posted in 2011 which leads me to think its probably outdated considering the advances in the past 3 years..
Westone 4 ($450) 4 BA
j-phonic K2 SP ($400) 2 BA
TDK BA200 ($250) 2 BA
(Sennheiser) iE80($270) 1 Dynamic
Im kind of exhausted researching this... Im ready to buy a pair of 500$ or less universal IEMs.. some guidance would really be appreciated.. im surprised there isnt a threat already covering this TBH.. Ive already learned a ton in the past few days about IEMs and now im at a seamingly infinite crossroads without any definitive help from anyone yet.
SUMMARY: 500$ or less universal fit IEM (balanced armature or dynamic or hybrid) that plays best with bass centric EDM music.. not necessarily more bass (maybe more).. but focused also on bass clarity / punch and definition (which may constitute a freq response curve with accentuated lows around 40 hurtz and cuts around 330 hurtz).
Here's my advice. Skip everything that is purely BA. If bass is one of your top priorities you won't be getting visceral bass tightness or punch out of most BA options at this price point - at least none that I've heard. I haven't heard the TDK or J-phonic but I would skip the W4. The IE80 is a fine option (I've heard it briefly and I think it's good), but I think a really good value option at the moment is the Sony XBA-H3. At the current Amazon price of around $230/$240 you are getting something with a bit of a bass boost, but truckloads of clarity and definition. It's just fussy to wear and isolation is not best in class. Otherwise try the Yamaha EPH-100 :)
EDIT: OH I forgot to mention: The GR07 Bass Edition is also a very good choice if you want more of an all rounder!!!
Have you listened to the InEar StageDiver 3, EarSonics SM64, or Aurisonics ASG-2 / 2.5?
Those seem to be my top 3 choices at the moment in that order, thanks for your response :D
***** what do u prefer weston 4r or sony mdr ex1000?
็็Hi again. Which Sony In Ear would you recommend for portable use that gives decent sound?
I'm more in to the vocals.
i have aue 900 , is it an upgrade to buy a sony xba h3? thanks
it's better.
why don't you put it on to let us see how it looks when putting it on ?
How is compared with sony xb90ex
Hi! I love your comments on both sony MDR EX1000 / MDR 7550 earphones. can you give me one of those earphone?
I really mean it. can i have it and of course with your signature stamped/signed on it.
u have Tin T2 video?
naaah they are bad
You are so calm in this vid lol
Is there anyone here who does high end music production compared these to the Westone 4Rs?
I need something more portable than my massive cans.
Cheers
I can buy both MDR-7550 and GR07 at the same price. Please let me know which one do you think is better as all rounders…? And witch one has a better sound quality? Thanks!
Anyone here willing to lend me their mdr 7550 for a comparison that I wish to make against other earphones?
to my surprise EX-1000 has stronger bass than XBA-4
Hello, Im really considering the MDR-7550, I dont want to spend $440 for the EX-1000.
Are the 7550 the best choice leaving apart the portability issue? I can spend around $300 for a pair.
thanks everyone for the help!
yes still good earphones after 9 years I answer you now go grab one.
Oh no, too bad im a poor windows user :(
you still poor?
@@yooanto9465 dude, thanks for the throwback lol, 10 years and still rocking the lifestyle of the poor
come on you can do better.
where do you live?@@Luke2key
What about sound quality please?
you seem stiff in this one. seems forced
still awesome though! Great info and great review.
sony xba 40-170$ or xba h3-250$
more preferred more bass
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