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Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 Noise Isolating Earphones (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services enables companies to demonstrate carbon neutrality for their products by reducing carbon emissions throughout their operations and offsetting their remaining carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Ultimate Ears |
Model Name | Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 Pro |
Color | Gunmetal |
Form Factor | In Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- Input Sensitivity - 117dB/mW; Impedance - 32 ohms
- Frequency - Response 10 to 17,000 Hz
- High frequencies to a speaker dedicated for treble
- The mid-range frequencies to a speaker for the vocals
- Changeable ear tips provide -26dB of isolation & passive noise cancellation
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PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services means the product’s carbon emissions have been measured and reduced, with any remaining emissions offset.
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Price | $399.99$399.99 | $21.95$21.95 | $389.98$389.98 | -33% $39.99$39.99 List: $59.99 | $75.99$75.99 | $249.00$249.00 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 3 - 10 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it Mar 29 - Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it Apr 2 - 8 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.8 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 4.4 | — | 4.2 |
Noise cancellation | 4.4 | 4.3 | 3.5 | 4.0 | — | — |
Bass quality | 4.8 | 4.2 | — | 4.1 | — | — |
Sold By | NoodleTech (SN recorded) | KMT ELECTRONICS INC. | NoodleTech (SN recorded) | Linsoul Audio | HappyTrade | Linsoul Audio |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
connector type | 3.5mm Jack | Wired | 3.5mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack, 2.5mm Jack |
noise control | sound isolation, active noise cancellation | sound isolation | sound isolation | sound isolation | sound isolation | — |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | — | Retractable | Retractable | Detachable | — | Detachable |
control type | — | Volume Control | Media Control | Media Control | Volume Control | Media Control |
material | Plastic | Silicone | Aluminum | Resin | Silicone | copper |
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Videos
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David Archuleta's Monitor Engineer Testimonial
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Artist Testimonials Video
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The Best Fit With Your Ultimate Ears Earphones
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Ultimate Ears by Logitech
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 2.5 x 5.5 x 6.5 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 0.688 ounces |
Manufacturer | Ultimate Ears |
ASIN | B0019RBJOE |
Item model number | IF-P7PSA0005-02 |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #366,830 in Climate Pledge Friendly (See Top 100 in Climate Pledge Friendly) #10,229 in Climate Pledge Friendly: Electronics #20,342 in Earbud & In-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | July 26, 2008 |
Item Weight | 19.5 Grams |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
Product Description
Ultimate Ears Cardboard Box Packaging Gunmetal Blue In-ear earphones metallic travel case 1/4" adapter jack attenuator cleaning tool kit kit Extender Cable Housed within the universal body are three individual speakers and an integrated passive crossover circuit board that directs the low-end frequencies to a dedicated speaker for bass the mid-range frequencies to a speaker for the vocals and the high frequencies to a speaker dedicated for treble. The changeable ear tips provide -26dB of isolation and passive noise cancellation.
From the Manufacturer
The Choice of 75% of the World's Top Touring Musicians*
The world's top performing artists choose Ultimate Ears custom in-ear monitors for one reason—they are made to deliver the best fit and sound reproduction available. Ultimate Ears represents the culmination of years of experience designing, testing and refining professional in-ear monitors. Ultimate Ears brings this experience to every pair of earphones that they make. The unique sound signature of Ultimate Ears earphones has been tuned to be sonically accurate, yet musically impressive. The earphone designs and ear cushions create a soft, snug seal for long wearing comfort and noise isolation. And Ultimate Ears' sleek, refined designs complement your personal style—instead of overwhelming it.
Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 – Studio-grade earphones with triple armature speakers.
Triple because it directs the low, mid and high frequencies to a separate speaker, a total of three in each ear (that's patented, you know). That means you'll hear every layer of sound, every nuance, every detail. A musician's breathing. Fingers sliding across guitar frets. Yes, you'll hear all that just as if the artist were before you performing it live. It's the sonic equivalent of sitting in the world's best recording studio.
Pro-Audio Sound Quality
Triple Armature Speaker Design with Passive Crossover:
Three individual armature speaker drivers reproduce low, mid and high frequencies for a sonically rich experience. Integrated passive-crossover directs the sound frequencies (low to high) to the appropriate speaker. Audio filters shape the sound for the closest experience to custom personal monitors available.
Immersion Sound Signature:
Exclusive Immersion sound signature is tuned to provide a 3-D sound stage that makes you feel as though you are experiencing the quality, energy and emotion of a live performance.
Noise Isolation:
Armature speaker design allows the earphones to fit naturally and comfortably inside your ear to create a more secure seal to block outside noise by up to 26 dB.
Frequency Range:
Super broad frequency range of 10Hz – 20kHz delivers cleaner, clearer mid and high tones.
Personal Style
Finish:
Gun metal blue earphone color with black cord for a unique and unmistakable appearance. Shapeable cord for a secure custom fit, like professional monitors.
Long Wearing Comfort
Customizable Fit:
Shapeable cord can be worn over the ear for a secure customized fit, like professional monitors.
Comply Foam Ear Cushions:
Comply foam ear cushions provide maximum comfort and noise isolation. Available only on Ultimate Ears premium earphone models.
Soft Silicone Ear Cushions:
Includes small, medium and large silicone ear cushions to comfortably fit all ear sizes.
Convenient Features
Flexible Listening:
Can be worn comfortably down for casual listening situations such as sitting or walking, or can be worn over the ear to keep the earphones securely in place during running or exercising.
Tangle-Resistant Cord:
Durable cord is strong and does not tangle as easily as thinner ear bud cords. Cord length of 46” is specifically designed to prevent earphone fallout.
Pocket-Ready Hard Case:
Crush-proof brushed metallic hard case safely stores your earphones and slips easily into a pocket or bag.
Compatibility
Audio Players*- iPod and other MP3 players
- iPhone and Blackberry (audio only)
- Home audio
- Gaming consoles
- Video/portable DVD players
- Computers/laptops
*with 3.5mm jacksWhat's in the Box
- Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 earphones
- Crush-proof metallic hard case
- Soft, silicone ear cushions (S, M, L)
- Two sets of Comply foam ear cushions
- Cleaning tool
- Extender cable
- Airline attenuator for hearing protection
- 1/4 inch adapter jack
- Instruction manual
- 1-year limited hardware warranty
Find Your Ultimate Ears
Good Better Best
Model Speaker Design Noise Isolation Comfort Features Compatibility TripleFi 10 - Triple Armature Speaker
- Full 3D Sound Stage, Closest Experience to Our Custom In-Ear Monitors
26 dB
- Comply Foam & Silicone Ear Cushions
- Shapeable Cord for a Secure Custom Fit
- Audio: iPod, iPhone, & MP3
- Voice & Audio: (vi Version):
iPhone, Blackberry and other Smart Phones - Dual Armature Speaker
- Optimized Frequency Response for More Precise Audio Reproduction & Punchy Bass
26 dB
- Comply Foam & Tapered Silicone Ear Cushions
- Micro Design for Long Wearing Comfort
Audio: iPod, iPhone & MP3
SuperFi 5 - Single Top Fire Armature Speaker
- Extended High Frequency Response
26 dB - Comply Foam & Silicone Ear Cushions
- Audio: iPod, iPhone, & MP3
- Voice & Audio: (vi Version):
iPhone, Blackberry and other Smart Phones SuperFi 4 - Single Armature Speaker
- Crisp Full Sound & Improved Noise Isolation
26 dB - Comply Foam & Silicone Ear Cushions
Audio: iPod, iPhone & MP3
MetroFi 220 - Single Titanium Coated Diaphragm Speaker
- Authentic Sound with Improved Clarity
16 dB - Silicone Ear Cushions
- Audio: iPod, iPhone, & MP3
- Voice & Audio: (vi Version):
iPhone, Blackberry and other Smart Phones - Single Diaphragm Speaker
- Tuned for Authentic Sound Quality
16 dB - Silicone Ear Cushions
- Audio: iPod, iPhone, & MP3
- Voice & Audio: (vi Version):
iPhone, Blackberry and other Smart Phones*Pollstar Top 100 Touring Artists.
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services enables companies to demonstrate carbon neutrality for their products by reducing carbon emissions throughout their operations and offsetting their remaining carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that it puts out very clearly, with no overtaking of bass. They are also happy with clarity. However, some customers differ on quality, fit, build quality, comfort, value, and appearance.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that it puts out very clearly, with no overtaking of bass or hissy treble. They also say the details in all high-frequency sounds are amazing. The plug is more robust and less microphonic, making the music feel like music. Customers also appreciate that the headphones block out engine noise and don't leak any sound at all to people nearby.
"...These headphones are extremely well-balanced having great bass that is fast and tight, highs that are crisp and clear, and mids that bring new life..." Read more
"...I also want to add that this pair of IEM has perhaps the most accurate bass I've ever heard (speaking as a musician of course)... it goes EXTREMELY..." Read more
"...It times the best as well. Music feels like music. You want to get up and dance. It just has some magic in it that the other do not.2...." Read more
"...good seal (I was a moron and kept just sitting them in my ear) these sounded great! I felt I wasn't sacrificing too much to get a decent sound...." Read more
Customers say the headphones deliver a detailed, tight bass line. They also say the nuances can be discerned, and the sound is perfectly analytical. Customers also say they pick up nuances to their music that they did not hear with other headphones. Overall, customers are satisfied with the clarity and the distinction between loud and soft musical.
"...and other instruments in high registers sound great and have good presence which is many times lost in lesser headphones such as my Sony earbuds...." Read more
"...It doesnt try any stunts at all but delivers a detailed, tight bass line. It extends lower than any of the other IEM's out there as well...." Read more
"...Compared to my Super-Fi 5 earphones, these have a very deep, defined, and heavy bass, a bit "fuzzy" and "muddy" if you will, on most rock and other..." Read more
"...Nothing is overpowering or sounds muted. Just crystal clear, high quality sound...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the headphones. Some mention that they are excellent, with amazing highs and excellent midrange. However, others say that the cables are not of very high quality, the mids are underwhelming, and there are slight imperfections in the casing.
"...On the other hand, vocals sound absolutely brilliant. They are nice and forward and have a kind of sparkle to them that breathes life into the..." Read more
"...The cable is nothing good...nothing bad- though it does have a ridiculous memory and I can't seem to get it to go straight for very long...though it..." Read more
"...is a nominal 32 ohms, which means that they will work with anything at all really, from MP3 devices like iPods and iPhones, Zunes, Blackberry's and..." Read more
"...5. The Klipsch X10 - This IEM is crap. It doesnt deliver at either of the frequency extremes. I really dont get why people like this IEM...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the headphones. Some mention that the fit is pretty good, with plenty of options for sizing the earbuds. However, others say that the headphones are too large and stick out quite a bit from the side of their head.
"...A LOT of reviewers saying they aren't very "bassy" because of the bad fit...." Read more
"...are extremely well-balanced having great bass that is fast and tight, highs that are crisp and clear, and mids that bring new life to vocals...." Read more
"...The cord is kinda short and rigid and seems to hold a memory. Most people who own these recommend replacing the cord with a higher quality one...." Read more
"...The first is that they are very large...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the build quality of the headphones. Some mention that the build is fairly good, solid, and punchy. They also say the metal snap-case is well-constructed and will last a good long time, even under heavy use and abuse. However, others say that earphones like these are inherently fragile and not the most durable cable.
"...I really dont get why people like this IEM. It is flimsy built as well and the cables feel super cheap...." Read more
"...Build Quality (4/5) - The actual housing for the drivers is built very solidly and I have no complaints about them...." Read more
"...Cord / Construction: These don't have great construction. It's plastic, and for a $400 IEM I would expect a metal design...." Read more
"...-Build QualityI find the build quality to be fairly good. They, just like 95% of all other IEMs, are made of plastic...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the comfort of the headphones. Some mention that the hybrid tips make it the most comfortable in ears they have ever owned, while others say that they're not very comfortable unless worn just right. The fit and comfort is not good for people with small ears and ear canals, and even the smallest silicon tips start to feel uncomfortable and cause their ears to ache.
"...I have become much more accustomed to them and find them relatively comfortable, although I can wear them for only 2 hours tops without feeling..." Read more
"...You'll find A LOT of reviewers saying that they don't feel good in their ears...." Read more
"...1...it cannot be touched for this genre and is the most comfortable as well)...." Read more
"...the Shure E500 phones, and as a result, even the smallest silicon tips start to feel uncomfortable and cause my ears to ache after just a couple..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the headphones. Some say that they are well worth the price, have the best sound for the money, and are worth the wait. However, other customers say that the headphones are very expensive to replace and the quality of the product wasn't that good.
"...Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 - the best for all round music. It times the best as well. Music feels like music. You want to get up and dance...." Read more
"...no trouble saying that in my opinion these are the beast in ear headphones for the price that you can get right now...." Read more
"...Having said that, I do hope these will last since they are very expensive after all...." Read more
"...For under $200, it's the best bang for buck...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the appearance of the headphones. Some mention that they look good, while others say that they are large and look less sleek. Some customers also say that the cable is very cheap looking and the ear buds look like Frankenstein bolts.
"...With these earphones the detail is nothing short of incredible, by that I mean you will figure out that there are things in even your most listened-..." Read more
"...They are comfortable, stylish, upgradable, repairable (the last two are referring to the removable cable), sound great, and are at an amazing price...." Read more
"...I really wish they were lower profile since they honestly look like Frankenstein bolts. Perhaps I'm being harsh here like all of the other reviewers...." Read more
"...With these, no problem. Attractive ears, phenomenal sound, and they can't see what I intend. Bonus...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Build Quality (4/5) - The actual housing for the drivers is built very solidly and I have no complaints about them. I have a bit of a gripe with the cord however, which I find to have a little too much memory and is a bit too stiff for my taste. Some have also reported punctures in units that they just received.
Isolation (4/5) - This is highly variable depending on how good a seal you get with the TF10s. I get a relatively good seal (thankfully) so isolation is pretty good. Not quite as good as the Sony earbuds as I own but still good enough for general use. Blocks out all noise when I walk on campus or ride the bus.
Microphonics (5/5) - Over-the-ear design means absolutely no sound from rubbing against clothing or anything of the sort. However, this might be different if you tried the flip mod.
Comfort (3.5/5) - This is what the TF10s are notorious for--being uncomfortable. Many find that they cannot achieve a good seal at all because the TF10 just simply does not fit well enough. Others find it to be extremely uncomfortable. I am fortunate enough to find the TF10s relatively comfortable. At first they really bugged me, they felt intrusive, too large, and left part of my ear tender after using them. Granted I've gotten used to using my Sony earbuds for over 3 years, so now that I've had the TF10s for about a month and used them quite often, I have become much more accustomed to them and find them relatively comfortable, although I can wear them for only 2 hours tops without feeling discomfort.
Sound (9/10) - I have always been a believer of burn-in and always felt that my headphones improved after a burn-in of at least 50 hours. With the TF10s I am now a firm proponent of burn-in. When I first got the TF10s, I was absolutely horrified at the sound. They sounded dark, muddy, and the soundstage was extremely narrow. I actually thought about immediately returning them. However, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and allowed them to burn in with music and pink noise for 10 hours. By 6 hours of use, I noticed the sound was clearing up and becoming more open. Thankfully I decided to keep them and after 50 hours, they sounded fantastic. Now to describe the sound:
The TF10s are very well balanced with their notorious V-shaped frequency response. The sound is open and airy and they seem to breathe life into music that sounded flat with other headphones. The soundstage is nice and wide and has good depth too. Overall, the sound is quite open and airy.
The bass in the TF10s is fast and relatively hard-hitting. I read a lot of debates about the TF10 after I purchased it (I will explain later why I did research after buying them) and noticed a lot of people debating whether the TF10s had a good amount of bass or not enough. After spending quite a bit of time with them, I've come to the conclusion that while the bass is not boomy, it is deep. The bass extension is fantastic and very full; bass notes reverberate in your head and feel great. The bass also has a decent punch to it. While I wish that the bass could be a tad bit more boomy, I am still very satisfied by its depth and extension.
The mids on the TF10s are one of its noted problems. Because of the V-shaped frequency response some mids are a bit recessed. I am a classical violinist of 14 years and also an avid classical music fan and I've noticed that violins and some other string instruments seem to sit at the very trough of this V and sound very recessed. Electric guitar also doesn't sound quite as present as I would like. Luckily, the recessed mids can be fixed to some extent with EQ. On the other hand, vocals sound absolutely brilliant. They are nice and forward and have a kind of sparkle to them that breathes life into the music.
The highs are crisp, clean, and detailed. Hi-hats and tambourines and other instruments in high registers sound great and have good presence which is many times lost in lesser headphones such as my Sony earbuds. Some have noted that the highs can be a little sibilant at times. I have not really found this to be the case (except for one track which incorporated whistling, which is just annoyingly high anyways).
Overall, the TF10 is very well balanced. It presents the listener with a very full sound rather than a warm, intimate sound which has led to some calling it cold sounding. I am a fan of balanced headphones though I must admit I used to be a bit of a basshead. However, the TF10s still sound fantastic to me.
Value and Opinion (10/10 (for me)) (MSRP~ $399.00, Current Price ~ $165, My price ~ $60) - This is where I have to admit how lucky I got with the TF10s. While the price usually hovers around $150-160, I got mine during the Black Friday sale on Amazon during which the price dropped to $94. I also happened to have $35 in gift credit on Amazon so I effectively paid only $60 for these amazing IEMs. I decided to purchase the IEMs on the spot without doing too much research on them because I did not want to pass up on the deal. I dare say this is the best deal I've ever picked up on in my life. I am so happy I never turned these headphones in after my initial impression.
These headphones are extremely well-balanced having great bass that is fast and tight, highs that are crisp and clear, and mids that bring new life to vocals. Admittedly some of the mids are recessed and many may find these IEMs uncomfortable. But for me, they were an amazing deal that has brought me another step in to the world of hi-fi.
-Build Quality
I find the build quality to be fairly good. They, just like 95% of all other IEMs, are made of plastic. They come with silicone tips that are good if you're into that. The cable is nothing good...nothing bad- though it does have a ridiculous memory and I can't seem to get it to go straight for very long...though it's no big deal for me. Why isn't it a big deal for me? Because they're user replaceable and instead of complaining a great deal about them I'd soon just get a replacement aftermarket cable. Now if you're not the kind of person that wants to invest into aftermarket stuff, I wouldn't worry since I doubt it'll bother you a great deal.
-Looks
The plastic chrome on the side is a pathetic attempt to seem trendy. I would have rather had a translucent body that exhibit the wonderful guts. The over-the-ear IEM is my preferred method so I naturally have no complaints about this. Now since this is the looks section, I think it's a great place to say that these things look stupid in your ears- I really wish they were lower profile since they honestly look like Frankenstein bolts. Perhaps I'm being harsh here like all of the other reviewers. Okay, in fact,they look like very stylish Frankenstein bolts....I mean they're blue chrome. I suppose I'm slightly exaggerating, but you get the idea. I will say that anyone that honestly cares about high fidelity doubtfully cares about looks.
-Feel
You'll find A LOT of reviewers saying that they don't feel good in their ears. I'll jump the gun and add something about the sound while I'm at it- you'll find A LOT of reviewers saying they aren't very "bassy" because of the bad fit. I almost didn't order these because of all of the negative naysayers when it came to their fit and feel. Let me go ahead and clear this up by saying those people are making an absurd statement. The Comply tips squeeze down to 3mm in diameter, so if you do have freakishly tiny ear canals where the smallest silicone tip won't fit...the complys will. Speaking of which, the silicone smalls are almost the same size as the sony and shure smalls. I honestly don't know how people are trying to fit these into their ears. I also read a ton of reviews saying they fought with them for a good 10 minutes before they got a good fit.... took me literally 5 seconds per ear. That's right, I wear medium tips with every single brand of IEM, and since the TF10s came with Mediums on them as default I literally pulled them out of the package, stuck them in, and was rewarded with a wonderful plunger affect that stayed long enough for me to listen to an entire album. I'll end this "Feel" section with one last important comment- I have been wearing these about 16 hours a day for the past few days. I have never had these fall out, lose their seal, become fatiguing, or become uncomfortable.
-Sound
This is what it's really about right? Yep. Well I want to tell you that I listen to everything, but the majority is split between electronic and acoustic stuff. The strangest thing about these IEMs is they handle everything I throw at them without a hiccup- from Kaki King to Ministry to Prodigy. If you're reading this review I'm sure that you've also read a lot of other reviews on places like head-fi that claim they have a "V" or "U" frequency response- claiming that they're bassy, mids are light, and the trebles are bright. I want to say this is correct, but I think it's a lot more like most IEMs (dynamic and BA) and even full-size headphones are so focused towards the mids that when we hear the kind of frequency extension that a headphone like this can demonstrate.... we think the mids are recessed. What this means is you'll hear a sparkle that you didn't hear before, the kicks are harder, and the male vocals aren't the primary part of the music anymore- some will love this, some will hate it. It's love hate.
One AMAZING thing about the higher end of the frequency response is that they aren't harsh. Let me give you an example: when I first got my AKG K701s and Audio-Technica CK10s (around the same time) I pretty much completely stopped listening to great artists like Nine Inch Nails, The Birthday Massacre, everything in the grunge era like Pearl Jam, and honestly... just anything with any sort of distorted guitars (that's right, even Jimi). I honestly expected the TF10s to continue this since they had the famous Triple.fi receding mids, but to my extreme surprise for whatever reason.... these are far from harsh and I'm actually sitting here listening to some industrial as I type this very paragraph. Instead of having the mindset of "what will sound good with these" I have the mindset "what do I want to sound good". I also want to add that this pair of IEM has perhaps the most accurate bass I've ever heard (speaking as a musician of course)... it goes EXTREMELY low with a very snappy attack. As far as electronic music (making and listening), these are my reigning king- pushing my old HD650s and K701s off the table mostly because they outperform them in every section- especially in speed (obviously) and there's no bass nor high roll-off. Don't take this wrong, I'm not saying that they're better than the 650s or the 701s...I'm saying that for me personally they are because I just think they are better.
As far as amping them, I find very little difference amping them with my LD MKIII. I hear a minuscule difference in the soundstage and a small bump up in the mids, but nothing too drastic like with most other headphones.
-Conclusion
In the end these aren't the best. They're absolutely fantastic though... especially for the price. I've bought a lot of terrible sounding stuff that cost a lot more. With the option to upgrade the cable and tips, and even the very standardized option to get them turned into custom acrylic IEMs from 3rd party companies... you will undoubtedly find a good fit that personally suites you. If you're just now getting into hifi stuff, I can't recommend these enough since they sound wicked without any sort of amp or fancy $500 player with some kind of audiophile opamp in it. One thing that you won't find anyone disputing is that these little things are wonderful across the board and aren't colored towards any specific genre of music.
Top reviews from other countries
just a little problem, the cable is too hard ,but anyway , excellent
イヤホンから出る音をコンデンサマイクで集音して波データのメーカー比較を行ったり、アンケートや生体調査を行ったり、バイナリ形式のデータ比較を行ったりするなどの厳密な検証は行っていない主観且つ思い出せる範囲の感想です。当方は専門家ではなく、Epic-trance・Hard-techno・Coreなどと表現されている方面をメインに聴いているユーザーですが、GoaやDrum 'n' Bassなどは聴きません。ソフトやハードのシンセサイザーの違いやFL StudioやToxic Biohazardといったアプリケーション楽器の原音は試しておりませんので、聴いている音は何度か加工の変遷を経ている可能性があると思います。
[聴こえ方]
軽音楽などのライブでヴォーカルが歌いながら伴奏を聴きやすくするためのプロジェクトが発端となったコンセプト製品だったと記憶しております。ヴォーカルの音声は聴こえ難く加工されますので、観客側の視点でロックや歌謡などの歌詞や歌声を聴くのは向いておりませんが、打ち込み系の音楽には向いていると思います。
気のせいかもしれませんが、ヴォーカル音声の周波数領域の全般を抑えているわけではなく、特定のうねりのようなものが含まれるアナログ音声(歌唱・合唱・語り・咆哮・唸り・鳴き声など)が聴こえ難く、同周波数帯の電子楽器やアプリケーションで作成・加工されたデジタル音声(ボーカロイドなども含む)はそのまま聴こえます。特定周波数帯の増幅は感じられません。アナログ音楽の知識が少ないのでオーケストラなどで使用する楽器の違いは説明できませんが、影響があるように思えます。また、仕組みは分かりませんが、X-Fi技術などを使用している携帯音楽プレーヤーではASIOやCore Audio環境(エフェクターと動画処理とイコライザの周波数別の強弱加工の少ないアプリケーションとハードウェアの使用・バックグラウンドのサービス停止なし・処理優先度高・ドライバUSB・光・同軸・無線・Bluetooth2.1、3.0・安いノイズカット付きの電源・ピュアオーディオ系ではない低~中価格帯の製品の使用)のように原音の解像度が高く、OSや中継モジュールなどから出るツー…やスー…という恒常的な電子ノイズが減り、無音や単調ノイズと干渉しやすい電子音が復調されているように感じます。携帯音楽プレーヤーではプチフリーズ系のブツッやプツッといった音の短周期ノイズ(GUI・曲遷移・シークバー・音声コントロール・競合サービスの処理干渉やOSが不安定になるなどの要因と連動しているように見えます)がASIOなどの環境よりも少ない(ほとんど聴こえない)ため、解像度は若干劣っている可能性もあるかとは思いますが、大きな違いはよく分かりません。ただし、ジジジジやギギギギという無音と静音・騒音が短時間で交互に振動をするようなdubstepなどで多用される引っ掻き音系のアプリケーション楽器の音はややぼやけながら繋がって聴こえるので、その部分を強調して聴くのであればSHUREなどの他の高解像度のメーカーのイヤホンの方が優れていると思います。ONKYOやAudio-Technica等の機種で感じる疑似的な立方体のスタジオの中のスピーカから再生して跳ね返った音とスピーカから直接届く音を合わせたような音を再現しているエフェクト音を聴いている感じはありませんので、加工の種類が異なっていると考えられます。携帯音楽プレーヤーを使用しない場合はデジタル→アナログ・アンプ等→デジタルのような変換は行わず、デジタル(→デジタル)→アナログの状態で試用しております。
[3年程度の使用感など]
音の調整はケーブルとイヤーピース回路の双方で行われているのか、1万円未満のアップグレードケーブルやLogicoolの後発の正規部品と交換すると人の声や動物の鳴き声といったアナログ音声が強調され、解像度が落ちて恒常的な電子ノイズも発生しているように感じます。高額な交換ケーブルは試していません。純正品に付属しているケーブルの黒色の外部被覆の中にはDNA配列のような2本の白色ケーブルがありますが、このケーブルの被覆は時間とともに劣化し、耳かけ用の針金と接触して削れていきます。2本のケーブル内部の金属線が互いに接触して漏電すると音が急激に小さくなり、ほぼ聴こえない状態になります。ワニスのような絶縁体で2本の金属線が接触しないように覆うと音が戻りました。ステレオminiジャック部分などのガリに起因するノイズは気になったことはありません。
付属のイヤーチップよりはコンプライの使い捨てタイプのイヤーチップやeBayで売っているTripleFi 10向けのダブルフランジのイヤーチップの方が耳の形に合わせやすいと思います。しかし、使い捨てタイプのイヤーチップは皮脂・空気・光に晒すと使用期間が数週間程度でも反発性が上がり、中性洗剤などで洗っても遮音性が弱くなって音も変わってしまう気がします。また、シリコーンゴムのイヤーチップの場合、耳穴の装着位置が僅かにずれたり、鼓膜までの空気圧が変化しただけでも打ち込み低音から地響きのような超低音が聴こえなくなってしまいますので、耳型を使ったオーダーメイドの検討の余地もあると思います。
[試した他機種との比較]
販売が終了しているUltimateEars super.fi 5 Pro Clear SUPER-FI5PRO/Cも昔に使用しておりましたが評価は同じです。
ワイヤレス製品の中ではJayBird BlueBuds X Bluetooth イヤホン (ミッドナイトブラック) JBD-EP-000002が比較的近い聴こえ方をしていると思います。後継機種は試しておりません。PIN固定のデジタル波の受信機からのDD・DA変換、リチウムバッテリーの使用による電子ノイズ・電源寿命・充電併用に課題があると思います。送信トランスミッターを購入する場合はBluetooth2.1、3.0に対応しているかを調べる必要がありると思います。Bluetoothネットワークに侵入できるコマンド処理が出来るOSや専用アプリケーションを使用した盗聴などのリスクがあるため、改良・競合他社の参入の余地があると思います。
[結論]
このメーカーに拘りはありませんが、同種のコンセプト製品や互換部品が現在は生産されていないようなので、価格を無視して最高評価としました。
同価格帯の一部の他メーカーの機種や同メーカー後継の類似の機種は試していませんので、引き続き探してみます。また、聴くジャンルによってハードウェアを変えるのは大変なので、ソフトウェアプレイヤーやアプリケーションモジュールなどで調整が出来ないか試してみます。
[追記、調査中]
視聴してみたところ、ヨーロッパ系メーカーの複数のカスタムイヤホン(10万~)の中で低音域ドライバー1~2、中音域ドライバー1、高音域ドライバー0~1タイプのもので代用できる可能性があります。これらのドライバーは音の解像度を上げ、干渉で消える聴こえないうねりを聴こえるようにする効果があるように聴こえます。写真で例えるなら(波の種類が異なるので例えとして適切かどうかは分かりませんし、抵抗値による音の感度の増減が光ではどれに例えられるかが分かりません)画素を上げるのではなく解像度を上げるため、映っていなかった色が見えるようになり、ISO感度で機械的に光を増幅しているわけではないので、形が変わらない状態です。画素はイコライザ・抵抗値から例えています。この2つにも違いがある可能性があります。じっくり視聴したわけではないので、音の解像度を中~高音域で低くすることとぼやけた感じが同じものかどうかは分かっていません。
また、BluetoothネットワークはBlueSniper Rifleで半径2kmから盗聴可能のようです。探偵などで調査したところ、動画サイトや匿名サイトで晒し上げを行う反社会的集団が付近に住んでいるようで(住居侵入なども行っている模様)、RFIDのアクティブタグシステムのようなノイズやBluetoothのMACアドレスを傍受していると思われるMACアドレスを検知していますが、証拠が不十分なので悩んでおります。どうやら電磁波遮断布でこちら側の発信電波の強度を弱めても(2mでノイズが多くなる程度)聴こえているようです。試しにBluetoothではない独自規格のONKYOのMHP-AV1の2.5GHz変えたところ、暫くはおとなしくなっていましたが、解読が出来たようで再度検知しています。政府機関の要望でBluetoothのセキュリティを高めた規格が出始めているようですが、wifiのようなセキュリティ設定や電子認証の採用等はもう少し時間がかかりそうです。これなら昔の赤外線に戻した方が良いのかもしれません。前回書いたBluetooth受信機タイプのイヤホンのリチウムバッテリーノイズは思い違いの可能性が高いと思います。
中・高価格帯のイヤホンを使用の方には釈迦に説法ですがイヤーチップとケーブルで音が全然変わります。
・ケーブル
某イヤホン専門店で何本か視聴した中でZEPHONEのPink Parrot EU-29が一番気に入りました。
繊細過ぎず迫力一辺倒でもなく解像度もそこそこで音場が広い。
耳掛けしやすい&線が太いので絡みにくいのも良。
ケーブルを解くわずらわしさから解放されました。
・イヤーチップ
コンプライ逆刺しが低音がボワつかず中音の減衰も感じられずドライバーの音をダイレクトに聴かせてくれて好きでしたが定期的に交換しないといけないのが難点。でシリコンのものをいろいろ試したところ、ダ○ソーの3段フランジがコンプライと変わらない音を出してくれました。(!)MONSTERの3段より柔らかく小さいので耳が痛くなりにくいです。2年使っても傷みを感じさせない耐久性◎。
某店に行くたびいろいろなイヤホンを試聴しますがいまだにこれが一番好きです。
-追記-
2019年9月
ダイ○ーチップが長らく在庫切れのようですが代わりというか、セ○アでしばらく見かけなかった「低反発イヤーピース」が復活していました。
サイズが合うのでそのまま装着できます。おすすめです。
Reviewed in Japan on February 12, 2018
中・高価格帯のイヤホンを使用の方には釈迦に説法ですがイヤーチップとケーブルで音が全然変わります。
・ケーブル
某イヤホン専門店で何本か視聴した中でZEPHONEのPink Parrot EU-29が一番気に入りました。
繊細過ぎず迫力一辺倒でもなく解像度もそこそこで音場が広い。
耳掛けしやすい&線が太いので絡みにくいのも良。
ケーブルを解くわずらわしさから解放されました。
・イヤーチップ
コンプライ逆刺しが低音がボワつかず中音の減衰も感じられずドライバーの音をダイレクトに聴かせてくれて好きでしたが定期的に交換しないといけないのが難点。でシリコンのものをいろいろ試したところ、ダ○ソーの3段フランジがコンプライと変わらない音を出してくれました。(!)MONSTERの3段より柔らかく小さいので耳が痛くなりにくいです。2年使っても傷みを感じさせない耐久性◎。
某店に行くたびいろいろなイヤホンを試聴しますがいまだにこれが一番好きです。
-追記-
2019年9月
ダイ○ーチップが長らく在庫切れのようですが代わりというか、セ○アでしばらく見かけなかった「低反発イヤーピース」が復活していました。
サイズが合うのでそのまま装着できます。おすすめです。
どの帯域でも描写能力に余裕があるという印象です。
また、音場が広く、それも魅力的。音の厚みはそれほどありません。
標準添付のイヤーピースは音質的にはあまり良いものではないように感じます。
多くのBA搭載機に比べても能率がよく、スマートフォンレベルの機器でもそこそこ鳴ってくれる印象です。
また、リケーブル可能でケーブル自体の流通も多いことを考えると、意外とランニングコストが良いのではないかと感じます。
LRを反転させてケーブルを繋ぐ、いわゆる「SHURE挿し」(詳しくは調べて頂ければ)をすれば、装着感も良好です。
このクラスになると耐久性の高い製品が多いので、それらに比べるとちょっと不安のある作りなのは否めませんが、
特別脆いという印象もありません。高級イヤホンとしては一番人に勧めやすいもののひとつかな、と感じます。