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Acoustic Research AR-E100 & AR-E10 IEMs
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Acoustic Research AR-E100 & AR-E10 IEMs
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Product Description
Acoustic Research has an impressive lineup of audiophile-grade personal gear. The AR-E100 and AR-E10 IEMs are the company’s first to offer an excellent sonic experience in the vein of its over-ear AR-H1 headphones Read More
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4.3
(83 reviews)
5star(45)
4star(25)
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2star(2)
1star(2)
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keyboard_arrow_downAznablerey
244
Mar 20, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Review of the AR-E10 (edited 3/24 - more extensive listening has allowed me to comment further upon soundstaging/details that needed time to process)
Context: In my stereo/headset setups I've run Yamaha, SUMO, Outlaw Audio, AKG, Martin Logan, DefTech, Edifier, Wharfedale, Klipsch, Shure. A real variety. Most recently I've had the Tin Audio T2, Nuforce EDC and Edifier S2000 Pro (2 sets, actually, I love them so much). My prefered sound signature is laid back, warm, and full of detail. I am not a basshead but I love a proper full-range sound, and am very sensitive to brightness. My headphones of choice were the Tin T2, until now.
Connectivity: The 3.5mm 90º cable is awesome, the cable seems sturdy, with a rubbery texture I'm sure will cause it to get stuck inside a shirt at some point.. The neck sinch actually snaps into place at the Y split, so it doesn't float around. I have no real use for the 4.4mm 180º cable, but it's nice to have I suppose. The bluetooth cable is easy to connect (I've synced it to a Shanling M0, which worked flawlessly), and the sound quality is as good as you could want it to be if you're in a situation where bluetooth makes more sense. I've run them amped from a JDS labs 02, and they definitely benefit from a good power source.
Comfort: Super lightweight, though they don't sit flush inside the ears, so I don't recommend these for sleeping (I'd recommend the Shure se535 or Nuforce EDC for that). I tried all supplied tips- silicone comes in small/medium/large, and foam (MEMORY FOAM!) comes in small/medium. I've chosen to use the large silicone for now, and keep the medium foamy in the case for when I'd like some more isolation and a secure fit. Big fan of the material- proper memory foam, not the cheap stuff. I have somewhat smaller ears with a medium-sized inner ear, and the edges of the casing do not dig or irritate no matter how long they were in. I've been sitting with them in, listening to some of La Femme's Mystère , and I could do this all night, no problem.
Sound: Oh boy... let me describe how these sound via comparisons, as many of you may have the two IEMs I've already mentioned.
Compared to the Tin Audio T2 - The AR-e10s are far more punchy than the T2s, bass impact and depth are unmatched. The AR's reach deep, and respond audibly down to 15Hz (when amped) compared to the 30ish Hz from the T2s. Comparing Deadmau5's "Fn pig", there is an audible rumble that starts around 3:09 that is totally absent from the T2s. Mids are present, slightly less boosted than the T2s (which are pretty mid-centric), and are- I feel- pretty darn flat (response-wise). Highs have a gentle roll off, and are completely non-sibilant which I was not expecting from the hybrid setup using a BA. Vincent Gallo's "Yes I'm Lonely" features his signature falsetto, and some really "wet" t's and s's that never become sibilant. Instrument placement and timbre are spot on in that same track. Real delicate stuff, and the e10's show you everything. The soundstage for the AR's is particularly tall, which I wasn't expecting.
Compared to the Nuforce EDC- Again, the AR's bass kicks the magicarp out of the competition here. It is more fully realized, kick drums in "Epiphany Fields" (Oxenfree soundtrack by Scntfc) have a resounding thump, that when played with the EDCs are shadowed by the simultaneous snare drum and then get lost when a rolling bassline shows up. With the AR's, that kick drum carries its resonance through all of that business. The mids of these two IEMs are comparable, but again I feel that the AR's are much more "flat" than the EDCs which I think are a little boosted in the upper-mid range, which often have resulted in fatigue. In fact, the EDCs can be a little exhausting to listen to, whereas the AR's are pretty chill and don't wear me out. The highs are where these two really set themselves apart- imaging and soundstage provided by the AR's are far more precise and widely presented. There is no competition here, these two sets of IEMs are really not in the same ballpark. That said, I really do miss being able to sleep with the EDC's, which the AR's are not built for.
Conclusion: I was looking for one pair of IEMs to fulfill the jobs for which I was using two- the first job was providing a high level of sound quality, and real musicality to recordings, the second job was providing a comfortable/secure fit. Mission accomplished. If these drop again, pick up a pair.
(Edited)
dahazemac
17
Apr 20, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
AR-E10 Review - In short, I liken these to my AKG Q701s if they were IEMs and had an attached subwoofer.
- The tips make all the difference. None of the tips provided were quite right for my ears. The silicon tips were simply too thin to be comfortable if they sealed properly, and the foam tips tended to close off the sound too easily. I tried a pair of silicon tips from my old Ultimate Ears (may they rest in peace), and I've been using them ever since. Their walls are thicker, so are more comfortable, and seal very well. Before trying the UE tips I could tell there was something there, but I was rather disappointed with my purchase. Now, the sound is consistent (more on that coming up), and they're extremely comfortable to wear.
- The included Bluetooth cable is great. It drives them very cleanly with plenty of authority. I'd actually use them all the time if it weren't for the inherent connectivity issues using Bluetooth. On my commute to work in Manhattan, Bluetooth drops are common; just too much interference and competition. (Update: I keep my phone in my shirt pocket walking to and from work, and it has helped with the connectivity issues.)
- The cables seem robust, but they are tangle magnets. I actually contacted AR's support, because my right ear piece seems a bit loose using the 3.5mm cable - the sound is fine, I'm simply afraid it may slip off unintentionally. They were great, though I decided to keep gong with the pair I have.
- I believe they need several hours of burn in. It may just be my search for the right tips, but I do feel that the sound smoothed out since initially wearing them.
- They sound bigger than they are. Sound stage isn't vast, but it's there. And imaging also seems fairly true to the track.
- Their sound is close to neutral, with extended bass. To my ears, there is a bit of a shout in the upper mids, much like the AKG house sound, though maybe a slightly narrower peak. This can be rather double-edged. Details are able to shine through, but it can also get fatiguing on some tracks. Electric guitars, in particular, can jump out more than I'd like. On the other hand, I find no harsh sibilance, something to which I am very sensitive. And the bass. Oh my. Yes, as others have commented, the transition between the two different drivers is rather noticeable, but it doesn't bother me. It feels to have smoothed out with burn in, and I appreciate the detailed oomph the dynamic driver provides when called for. Overall the sound is refined, enjoyable on most tracks, and dynamic. I also love the fact that I don't have to listed to them very loud to hear the music as I'd like. This is a definite plus in my book. Even on the subway, I can enjoy the music without feeling I'm damaging my ears.
(Edited)
BingHypo
10
Apr 26, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I got the E10's and am pretty happy with them. I found them to be really comfortable for my particular ear holes (ymmv) and the sound is nice. I can't get into a lot of audiophile type commentary, but here's what I got...
- They're a little heavier bass than I typically like. Some of the bassier stuff I listen to was just a tad over the top for my personal preferences. That said, some Blue Note jazz really came to life with the additional boost adding warmth and detail that was probably in the original performances but not recordings.
- Clarity and separation are pretty nice.
- The included bluetooth is a win and is what actually sold me on these. They plugged into my EDC3's just fine and sound pretty great (normal bt caveats apply).
- I don't have anything to use the balanced cable with, but I'm happy to have it nonetheless.
All in all, I recommend the E10. I mean, sure, I ended up giving the buds to my wife, but that's just because of my personal taste. They're nice, she loves them and I couldn't be happier with the bluetooth addition to my EDC3s, so a win all the way around.
gangsteroyster
39
Apr 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I have such a hard time finding earbuds which don't fall out of my ears that sound has almost become a secondary concern when it comes to trying earbuds/IEMs. If they don't fit, the rest doesn't matter. I'm thrilled to say these fit flawlessly, as well as being very comfortable and light. I think I've finally found a pair of earbuds I could wear all day without my ears getting sore or eventually chucking them back in my bag in frustration because they won't stop falling out. No bag chucking for these.
Sound is obviously important though and while I wouldn't call myself audiophile (prior to these I had never spent more than like $25 on a pair of earbuds in my life and I don't know anything about the technical specs of drivers and sound signatures and whatnot), I am a musician and music lover so I definitely appreciate quality sound and these are great in that respect. The sound is very rich.
I just got them in the mail so I can't speak to their durability or anything like that, but I'm incredibly happy with this buy.
(Edited)
Sunmoon
70
Mar 28, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
AR-E10 is what I considered a basshead IEM. It has an exceptional bass performance but might be overwhelming for some people. Highs are elevated but not overly done. Mids are slightly recessed compared to the bass and highs but still sounds clear and not flooded by the bass and highs.
On the "con" side, it lacks in details and clarity. Soundstage and separation are okay, but the DD unit and the BA unit sound like they are working on their own, same as some other hybrid setups I have heard. While listening, I often hope that there's one more drive to help out the transition from low to high frequencies sounds smoother. The bass from the beryllium dynamic driver is one of the best that I have experienced, but the BA driver can sound grainy at times and performs less impressive in comparison to the DD driver.
Even though AR-E10 has some drawbacks, I'd still prefer this to the Tin Audio T3 that I recently received. They have an opposite direction of tunings, but the AR-E10 does sound like a more mature product. Overall, AR-E10 is not the best choice for critical listening; however, I find it to be an excellent choice for on the go or exercise, as the extra bass becomes much less prominent when you are in an outdoor environment. It's also very light and fits comfortably and securely in the ears, and provides decent isolation to outside noises. The build feels premium, and the included Bluetooth and 4.4 balanced cables make it a very appealing package for the price.
(Edited)
Jdub11
26
Aug 28, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
They're just ok at best and the Tin T2 is better
The bass and treble are pretty good but the mids leave a lot to be desired imo. They are to recessed and are lacking some overall detail. The Tin T2 is quite a bit better with better detail and a much better soundstage. The only reason I'm giving them a 3 out of 5 is because of the extra cables and the fact you can make them bluetooth capable. On sound alone they're more like a 2 out of 5.
Recommends this product? No
LGNDARY
71
Jul 20, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
These sound like speakers and way better than I was expecting
These have an amazing sense of space when listening. Definitely larger than most iems and some headphones. Really sound like speakers in this regard. It comes with a bunch of accessories that I didn't realize. If you handed these to me, let me listen, and asked how much I thought they cost will all the accessories, I would've said probably 4 times what I paid.
Recommends this product? Yes
ScotBreithaupt
4
Apr 17, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I'm not up to speed on all the fancy audio reference words, but I will say that these IEMs are pretty amazing overall. They have great frequency range, solid bass response, and are some of the best IEMs I've owned. The addition of the Bluetooth Module takes these to the next level. Most Bluetooth Wireless IEMs have been garbage to me, but these really nailed it and sound almost just as good wireless as they do with the wire.
I only have one complaint about them and that's the plastic casing being a little rough when it presses against my ear. After wearing these for over an hour, my ear starts to get a little sore.
HwoALanG
133
Jul 2, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Bought AR-E100 & AR-E10
Bought AR-E100 while ago and loved them so much i bought AR-E10 as well.
these IEMs are bang for buck.
Bluetooth Adapter is one of the best on the market. can't find exact same one anywhere on internet... >_<;;
both AR-E100 and AR-E10 sounds great.
definitely Bass heavy side but with Good Detail.
also these are really comfortable to wear. light weight compare to other metal Housing IEMs.
AR-E10 sound better than AR-E100, if anyone wants to know.
AR-E10 has better high and detail.
not to mention Manufacture Warranty is great.
My E-100 Bluetooth Adapter stopped working and contacted Voxx <--- Parents company of Acoustic Research and they sent me replacement without too much trouble.
Strongly Recommend!
Recommends this product? Yes
MaverickAH
747
Sep 29, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Best bang for the buck!
I've been living with these for almost 3 months & in my opinion, these just might be the best value in IEM's that Drop offers. The bass is wonderful. It's fairly quick & deep without being overblown. The midrange is very detailed & vocals are rendered clearly with excellent diction. The treble, while not the last word in extension, is presented very naturally with no hint of sibilance. Fit is very good. Isolation is about average when fitted properly & comfort is very high as they as surprisingly small & light. The only negatives that I can give these iem's is that I detect a bit of a coherence issue between the DD & the BA drivers on some material & the cables aren't the best feeling. It's small though & not enough to dissuade my fondness for them. I have 3 other iem's that are in this relative price range (BGVP DMG, Tenhz P4 Pro, Simgot EN700PRO) & they all have their positives but I'd have to rank the AR-E10's at the top of the pile.
One thing that I'd like to point out is the list on these is actually $249.99, not the $149.99 that Drop has them at. At their list price I would consider these as good sub $200 iem's with an impressive accessory package that brings them up to the list price. At $80 with an unbalanced cable, a balanced cable & a Bluetooth cable, this makes this an unmitigated bargain! If you want to educate yourself on the differences between balanced, unbalanced & Bluetooth, this is the one to get.
Recommends this product? Yes
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