The Big Hippo VB Thread (was: EP630 to Hippo VB?)

[danx55]

hi guys

ok the 630s were nice but now mrs dan has decided to have them!

so, replacement - im thinking hippo VBs

question: i found the sen mx560s had too much high end freq and were unpleasant to listen to

im hoping that the VBs dont have too much high frequency?

cheers
dan

[CrowdAds]

[lestatar]

I have both...

Some people report detecting some sibilance from the VBs and perhaps a bit harsh treble. I love this kind of sound signature so this is not an issue for me at all.

Good news - the VBs take extremely well to EQ usage...you can "dial" down the highs a bit if you wish [like with any good IEM].

The thing about the VBs is bass, bass and more bass! Truly a subwoofer in your head - incredible. But, unlike stuff like Monster Beats/IEMs, RockfordFosgate or many other "bass-centric" IEMs I have tried, the VBs do a great job for the rest of the spectrum.

The VBs are a forum fave and an Editor's Choice for good reason IMO...Quite frankly, the Creative EP630s don't even belong in the same category [and this from a guy who, not so long ago thought they sounded pretty good]. The EP630s have muddy bass to me and basically sound very dull now to my slightly better trained ears [via exposure to much higher quality IEMs].

No doubt who makes out on this deal - Mrs. Dan is on the losing end

cheers,
-les


cheers,
-les

[danx55]

Hi Les
:-D thanks for the info. Mmm. Right. That was
What I was worried about. High treble. Didn't like that
On the Mx 560s. But I do want more bass :-)

So what is the deal with an EQ? Do I have to have another
Box attached to my ipod?

Cheers
Dan

[lestatar]

Ah...iPod...no custom EQ settings

Look, don't get me wrong on the high frequencies...I only mention it in the interest of full disclosure as some folks have commented on it [not too many as I recall]. Really, the VBs are not what I would call "bright" sounding - again they are bass-centric [bass monsters!] but perform well across the entire frequency range.

If you can only have 1 pair of good, super fun sounding IEMs, the VBs are tough to beat IMO.

But up the price slightly, exchange thumping huge bass for still very good, deep, fast and punchy bass, get much increased soundstage and depth and hear an all-around excellent IEM with terrific clarity and precision, look hard at the Panasonic HJE900s. These are my personal faves, pretty much since the day I bought them 2 months ago - I have written volumes on how much I love them. Truly outstanding IEMs IMO, even for 2-3 times the USD asking price of around 80dollars.

And the Panas are schmexy as hell to boot, with removable cables

Sorry to add to your list of choices...

[danx55]

:-D no problemo. Choice is good as are opinions.
The panas are out of my price range unfortunately. Think £50 is
Enough for me to spend. The eps were only 16! :-)

Looks like it is the VBs for me then :-)

Cheers
Dan

[danx55]

help! i checked out the site but cant find VBs just on their own - only seem to be there with bundles of other stuff :/

[danx55]

oh - found an unclewilson site and says they are sold out - this is the same dude i think ?

does have some hippo booms :/

[danx55]

mmm - just seen a pic of those panas - they look AWESOME!

....and maybe better for sibilance/treble harshness ?

[danx55]

right found the vb's on the site and they are out of stock and pana's dont seem to be listed

also read that pana's poss have same high freq issue as vb's so not sure it is worth me blowing all tha extra cash

.......and yes i am talking to myself again here

[lestatar]

Sorry bro, i been busy with a life relocation to HK, 10k miles from nyc...

The Panas and VBs, for some folks, do seem to have a slight bit of sibilance. However, as a proud happy owner of both, I can honestly say this is a non-issue for me. Especially for the Panas, some have done a psuedo-Kramer mod - removing the wax grill and insert tiny pieces of foam to slightly take the edge of the treble while bringing out the mids. I can say that I am completely in love with the Panas and will never make this mod myself....

caveat emptor - though I continue to say that in the sub 150USD range, one would be hard pressed to do better than the Panas....

Yes, I LOVE them...

[danx55]

hi lestatar
:-) thanks for the input. yes they do seem fab. but just
a bit rich for me I thinks

wow! nyc to hk. crazy move man :-) hope it all goes smoothly

cheers
dan

[Brett_val]

I have them both as well, and I'm a big fan of the VBs. I don't have sibilance issues, but that could be due to my lack of experience with high quality IEMs. I also don't think they have too loud/much high frequencies, I can turn the volume up very high and all it gives me is skull crushing bass while the high freqs don't hurt my ears, whereas with the 630s I couldn't do that without the high freqs becoming painful.

Oh and when I ordered my VBs they were insufficient stock as well, but I ordered them anyway and they arrived at my house 8 days later. Maybe I was just lucky, but I think that if they receive orders, they will buy stock. Or send Mr. Wilson an e-mail and ask about it.

And wth Lestatar, you're going to live in HK now?? Lol you must really like it there

[danx55]

hi Brett - cool - thanks - will do the deal today then

cheers
dan

[danx55]

order placed! and email sent

hope it doesnt take too long

[lestatar]

danx: Sweet...I am sure you will be blown away by the VBs. The bass is just incredible, truly and everything sounds pretty great as well.

Note! The box may have a typo. The VBs come with interchangable bass plates. The box indicates that the 3 dot plate gives the most bass. THIS IS INCORRECT. The plates that provide the most bass are the 0 dot plates, the ones which come pre-installed on the VBs.

I and most folks choose the 2 dot plates. These provide the best combination of thundering bass and fine mids/highs IMO.

congrats man! and thanks for the well wishes guys - yes, indeed, HK is quite amazing and I am eager/nervous/happy/sad to start a new life here.



cheers,
-les

[danx55]

hi Les,

thanks - cant wait

good luck in HK - must be a pretty exciting place imo - not been myself but always seems pretty busy

cheers
dan

[IDvsEGO]

I ordered my VBs from jaben and they are out of stock so they sent me a free pair of hippo grooves. worth the wait IMO.

[danx55]

that's nice of them.
will keep eye out for my grooves ;-)

they aren't hot on support emails though
:-(

cheers
dan

[danx55]

no VBs till end of december ....but free groves on the way

[IDvsEGO]

the grooves are pretty good. will make an excellent backup set when the VBs get here. end of december huh? they told me November. sigh...oh well. good things come to those who wait.