ZUNE HD Beta Brainwavz Pro Combo ?

[DaHarder]

I've been doing a lot of experiementing with my ZUNE HD/32gb in an effort to find out which earspeaker/amp combination works best with the player, and...

One of the best budget (45.00 US) pairings I've found was with the Beta Brainwavz Pro/ Fiio E5 Amp combination.

It helps tremendously with the ZUNE HD's 'slight volume deficiency' and really brings out the low-end, while giving the treble a bit more sparkle.

The only issue is that during silent passages, the Fiio E5 amp can be a bit noisy, though not horribly so.

A Very Solid Pairing for those on a tighter budget - IMO

[CrowdAds]

[Ricardo Dawkins]

are those IEM better than Air Cushion or Marshmallow?
What about a comparison to Zune Premium ?

A like the sound coming from the Zune Premium v2 IEM than the sound from the JVCs.

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Dawkins

are those IEM better than Air Cushion or Marshmallow?
What about a comparison to Zune Premium ?

A like the sound coming from the Zune Premium v2 IEM than the sound from the JVCs.

Personally...

I've never understood the 'hype' surrounding the JVC Marshmallows because to me they sound pretty terrible, so the Beta is a huge step up - IMO.

As far as the ZUNE Premium option goes, they're more detailed on the high end, but really lack low-down 'oomph', which is an area where the Beta excels.

For dance/pop/hip-hop the Beta is the better choice, but for acoustic/easy listening I'd have to say the ZUNE Premium works better.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by DaHarder

I've been doing a lot of experiementing with my ZUNE HD/32gb in an effort to find out which earspeaker/amp combination works best with the player, and...

One of the best budget (45.00 US) pairings I've found was with the Beta Brainwavz Pro/ Fiio E5 Amp combination.

It helps tremendously with the ZUNE HD's 'slight volume deficiency' and really brings out the low-end, while giving the treble a bit more sparkle.

The only issue is that during silent passages, the Fiio E5 amp can be a bit noisy, though not horribly so.

A Very Solid Pairing for those on a tighter budget - IMO

Where is your source volume set at when you use the E5? I got the best results from having my player's volume near max, and controlling volume with the E5, when I had my E5. I wasn't using a Z:HD, however....that was when I had my Fuze and Clip.

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by Marvin the Martian

Where is your source volume set at when you use the E5? I got the best results from having my player's volume near max, and controlling volume with the E5, when I had my E5. I wasn't using a Z:HD, however....that was when I had my Fuze and Clip.

The FiiO is set at (roughly) 3/4, and the ZUNE HD is set at 18...

The hiss/noise is not too distracting, but I'd rather not have it at all.

Using your settings, I'm not really that pleased with the overall 'balance'

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by DaHarder

The FiiO is set at (roughly) 3/4, and the ZUNE HD is set at 18...

The hiss/noise is not too distracting, but I'd rather not have it at all.

Give it a shot then, with the Z:HD almost maxed, and try it that way....I think it will reduce the hiss you get, at a slight cost to battery life.

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by Marvin the Martian

Give it a shot then, with the Z:HD almost maxed, and try it that way....I think it will reduce the hiss you get, at a slight cost to battery life.

Sounds pretty good... Arigato!

Funny - I'm starting feel a bit guilty as I haven't played with any of my other players since the paint dried on my ZUNE HD, and listening to it amped really doesn't bode well for my other players -

[Toxic]

Originally Posted by DaHarder

I've been doing a lot of experiementing with my ZUNE HD/32gb in an effort to find out which earspeaker/amp combination works best with the player, and...

One of the best budget (45.00 US) pairings I've found was with the Beta Brainwavz Pro/ Fiio E5 Amp combination.

It helps tremendously with the ZUNE HD's 'slight volume deficiency' and really brings out the low-end, while giving the treble a bit more sparkle.

The only issue is that during silent passages, the Fiio E5 amp can be a bit noisy, though not horribly so.

A Very Solid Pairing for those on a tighter budget - IMO

do you have any suggestions for IEMs that arent specifically budget oriented? i dont mean anything like the future sonic atrio series, but something that is between $75-100? thx Daharder!

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by Toxic

do you have any suggestions for IEMs that arent specifically budget oriented? i dont mean anything like the future sonic atrio series, but something that is between $75-100? thx Daharder!

On the 'newish' front, I like the SoundMagic PL50 (65.00 US)

On the 'blast from the past' end, the Ultimate.Ears Super.Fi Studio 3 can be had for a song these days and really sound nice with the ZUNE HD (Hint: they're 'super' easy to drive ;-) )

[hc2]

I like these (search headfi.org for reviews)
both the NE-8 (no microphone) ($69) and the 7E (has microphone) ($49)(the 6E does not have a microphone and is $39):

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/ne7m/index.php

Cable Length: 1.2 meters

Driver Size: 9mm

Frequency Response: 20 Hz-22 KHz

Sensitivity: 100+/-3dB/mW at 1 KHz
Rated Power: 2mW

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/ne8/index.php

Driver unit: 9mm

Sensitivity: 98+/-3dB/mW at 1 kHz

Impedance: 12 ohm

Frequency Response: 20Hz~22 kHz

Rated Power: 2mW

• Uncompromising, hi-fidelity earphones deliver unparalleled accuracy, exceptional clarity, full-bodied bass, and a rich, enveloping sound: qualities one normally experiences only in the recording studio.
  
  

• The in-ear, isolating ear-tips block out 90% of external sounds. A comfortable, ergonomic design, along with cable options, minimizes distractions from the outside world
  

[band_geek_06]

Where can I find a Fiio F5 at a decent price?

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by hc2

I like these (search headfi.org for reviews)
both the NE-8 (no microphone) ($69) and the 7E (has microphone) ($49)(the 6E does not have a microphone and is $39):

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/ne7m/index.php

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/ne8/index.php

The NuForce NE-7M and NE-8 are little more than 're-packaged' version of exsisting Chinese IEM/canalphones.

In the case of the NE-7M, it's the CrossRoads MyLar One XB.

In the case of the NE-8, it's the SoundMagic PL-30.

Both fine 'budget' earspeakers, and can easily be found packaged under countlessly different names, but they really aren't anything the market hasn't already had for years.

Note: I did order a set of NuForce NU-30s out of curiosity since they look strikingly similar to a pair or UltraSones I have .

[DaHarder]

Originally Posted by band_geek_06

Where can I find a Fiio F5 at a decent price?

Hint: GOOGLE the name that appears on the OP pic -