Big fail. Actually a bigger fail than my last IEM purchase from Massdrop (the NuForce EDC).
No bass. Shrill treble.
Perhaps all reviewers have already damaged their hearing too ("too bassy, no treble")!! And if it is because I should use larger ear plugs, well, there aren't any included.
Only $10, but still a wasted $10.
skris88I noticed the bass with the mid sized ear plugs. If I used the big or small ones it lost all bass. And if you are using the middle sized ones than you got a bad pair. No question. But I tried to mess with the different sizes and couldn’t believe how much it took the bass away. It was stupid really.
skris88What was your problem with the EDC?
Also you just aren't getting a fit dude, these have too much bass. There are different tips included, if your's didn't for some reason complain to customer service.
duhrickRe the Bolt IEMs, see my other reply.
With my hearing I found the EDC had no bass, and shrill treble.
FYI I also bought - off Massdrop - and use the HiFiMAN HE4XXs, and have had Sennheiser HD-600 and HD-650s for a long LONG time.
The HE4XXs I can listen to without EQ (on my iPhone). So that is my 'reference standard'. They are VERY revealing and so really needs a super clean DAC & amp - the iPhone weakness is very much highlighted with them otherwise.
The Sennheiser HD-6X0s I have stopped using and take them out only occasionally now, I find their bass too wobbly- most obvious on close-miked solo piano (and their treble a touch too 'dark').
My problem is that the HE4XXs are not exactly portable!
I think I am destined to not find a pair of portable off-the-shelf IEMs that I will find listenable to, without having to EQ it's signature ;-)
skris88My error. Apologies. Thanks to those who responded.
I found additional ear pieces in the bottom of the box. I put on the largest ones and the bass is now okay.
As a 'standard' test for all my headphones, I plug headphones into my iPhone 7 and use EQu app. The app allows a "free-form" EQ. I found it sounded best with the settings as per the attached image. The 'set' points are at 256Hz, 2.5kHz, 5.0kHz and 10.0kHz. I've sloped 32Hz and 5kHz down by 3dB.
Overall - for $10 - the sound is very acceptable. Thanks HiFiMAN and Massdrop!
skris88You might have weird ear canals or so. Because that's not the sound signature of the EDC at all. For someone with that issue custom fit IEM are probably the only option. That's unfortunate though, costs a lot more.
duhrickThanks for trying to help duhrick.
It appears that since I mostly find IEMs thin and shrill sounding, I am not suited to IEMs.
My current fav "cans" are my HiFiMAN HE4XXs headphones from Massdrop and Venture Electronic's Monk+ eaphones. I can simply plug them in - whether into my expensive Hi-Fi amp or the cheapest smartphone - and listen blissfully.
I have a box filled with useless (to me) "IEMs". Bose Soundtrue Ultra. NuForce EDCs. Philips. JBL. And many others.
No amount fiddling is going to help.
Music listening is supposed to be fun, not work!
No bass. Shrill treble.
Perhaps all reviewers have already damaged their hearing too ("too bassy, no treble")!! And if it is because I should use larger ear plugs, well, there aren't any included.
Only $10, but still a wasted $10.