Which headphones of Drop's currently available?
I have some rewards points to burn but there's no obviously good options on Drop right now for headphones Contenders Ultrasone - maybe? I don't own any Ultrasones, so curious. Looks like garbage travel headphone which could be useful also. Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. - Maybe? I have the DT 880 Good price point, really uncomfortable headphones but could be interesting to try the upgraded version. E-MU - strong contender but $400 is a bad price point for what it is. Which of the above would you choose and why? Nothing else on Drop is relevant to my interests, because Already own 6xx 820 800 s Ether cx Garbage / Consumer grade Meze 99 - garbage bass canons, hard pass No gaming headphones obviously Sennheiser wireless - no to wireless/bluetooth Hifiman - I have 2 of drop hifimans and they make really bad cheap shit on Drop, hard pass on HE-R7DX Aeon - I own the closed, Drop refuses to address #padgate so no reason to buy open Beyerdynamic 177x - wireless, nope Too similar 8x / 560s...
Mar 28, 2024
I was looking at the design of these iems and recognizing that it's very simplistic - almost like a proof of concept. Can we get decent bass out of a very small single driver? yes we can... but there will be a compromise in quality (for some) in he mids and highs. There are several physical design decisions that I don't want to get into, but that I believe contribute to this.
That being said, I think I've figured some things out that explains some of our different listening experiences and certainly makes MY experience a small but noticeable bit better.
1. The back caps - tightening them down on the cable makes a better seal (rather than creating an inadvertent untuned bass reflex design (ported)). There's a mod that was originally for the pro version but I think applies to the non-pro version equally ... or rather, I think that if the cap isn't squeezing the cable, you get bass bleeding all over the place. Here's the link: http://www.head-fi.org/t/766183/flare-audio-r2pro-kickstarter-campaign/1905#post_11842307
2. I'm not a fan of the long and narrow pipe when it is extended by sound deadening material that preferentially absorbs higher frequencies. So I was going to cut off the very tips of the comply tips ... until I found a video, recommended on the comply website for those experiencing high freq rolloff!!! http://www.complyfoam.com/faq/ It's the second video. Here's a more direct link to the video:
3. apart from pulling back the foam, insert it slightly backward facing and do not push it to the end. When I insert the iem, I press it into the back and then back off a bit. This provides a more direct sound path and prevents me from overly deforming that path. (Every ear is a bit different - I have to push it slightly downward as well)
My next experiment is to purchase larger comply tips that will hold the direction better. I'm getting an ok seal now, but I think larger will be better. Also - I am getting ts-200s as I wonder if the earwax guard (in our tx-200 model) is altering the sound.
It's unfortunate that these design decisions result in variable listening conditions and thus very different opinions from each listener. There is always some variability, and now there's even more. That being said, if sound is your hobby, these iems will keep you busy. :)
Anyway, these are just ideas to try that I found helped me better enjoy my listening experience. If you were as disappointed by your R2As as I was, I hope these ideas help some.
... "I think the tx200 could be easily modified cutting away the filter and the top 2-3mm foam minimising the tube obstruction." ....
Funny I just did that. Literally right now. I was just going to post my clever idea :-). My results are similar to yours.
Also of note - I find it better not to overly squeeze the tips and not to overly insert them.
No significant change in sound quality with a heck of a lot more useful features.