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

[dfkt]

The Grooves have plenty of bass (or at least my pair has). Maybe you just need to get a better seal, try different tip sizes, or give them some time to "burn in".

[CrowdAds]

[dispose]

Originally Posted by dfkt

The Grooves have plenty of bass (or at least my pair has). Maybe you just need to get a better seal, try different tip sizes, or give them some time to "burn in".

I have the middle sized tips, and they seal OK. Maybe burn-in will help. How do they compare to the VBs?

[lestatar]

Originally Posted by dfkt

The Hybrids won't fit easily, but with a tiny drop of water on the nozzle you should get them on with no effort. As a bonus, they will be pretty tight on there, certainly not coming off in your ears.

machiaventa: dfkt is exactly right. The Hybrids do fit the VBs but it takes a tiny bit of elbow grease to get them on. dfkt always has great suggestions. I also suggest installing the tips at an angle to the nozzle - once you get one side on you can wiggle the the whole thing on. And indeed, the Hybrids will def stay on the VB nozzle for sure

I love the Hybrids and use them exclusively on my VBs and my Panasonics.

Apologies for the delay in responding - i been jammed up of late

cheers and good luck,
-les

[dfkt]

Originally Posted by dispose

How do they compare to the VBs?

They're rather similar, yet not as refined in most aspects. Bass on the VB is tighter, deeper, phatter, more impactful, the Groove are a bit more loose down there. Treble on the Grooves is a bit more grainy and harsh than on the VB. Build quality is also better on the VB. For the $38 price the Grooves are fine phones, but I wouldn't consider them "giant killers".

[dispose]

Originally Posted by dfkt

They're rather similar, yet not as refined in most aspects. Bass on the VB is tighter, deeper, phatter, more impactful, the Groove are a bit more loose down there. Treble on the Grooves is a bit more grainy and harsh than on the VB. Build quality is also better on the VB. For the $38 price the Grooves are fine phones, but I wouldn't consider them "giant killers".

Thanks. That's nice to hear. I somehow managed to position the phones better, so the bass is ok now.

[Machiventa]

Thanks for the tips guys (pun intended lol).

So dispose now that the bass is better do the Grooves still sound terrible?

[dispose]

Originally Posted by Machiventa

Thanks for the tips guys (pun intended lol).

So dispose now that the bass is better do the Grooves still sound terrible?

No. They sound alright for the price price I paid ($0)... J/K, I'm actually pretty happy with them. They just need a little bit of fiddling around before they sound the best. I've used them just for a couple of hours, but I'll report back in a few days. They tend to sound a bit sibilant, but burn-in might fix that.

[IDvsEGO]

I am enjoying my grooves. Like most IEMs they are very fit dependent. I wont use them much once the VBs get here, but they may replace my work IEMs.

[dispose]

Originally Posted by IDvsEGO

I am enjoying my grooves. Like most IEMs they are very fit dependent. I wont use them much once the VBs get here, but they may replace my work IEMs.

I feel exactly the same. I hope my VBs arrive soon.

[Machiventa]

Did anyone's ship yet?

[IDvsEGO]

nope. no response to my email either

[dispose]

Originally Posted by IDvsEGO

nope. no response to my email either

Same here.

[lestatar]

Have faith...Uncle Wilson and Jaben have repeatedly shown that they will do the right thing for people....



If no response in a couple days, PM me - I can try to leverage some contact I have had with Uncle Wilson on your behalf. Not promising anything, but I am happy to assist if possible

[IDvsEGO]

I have faith, just not patience.

[lestatar]

Originally Posted by IDvsEGO

I have faith, just not patience.

lol.... I hear ya!
My brotha from anotha mutha.... Still my offer stands.

[dispose]

Originally Posted by lestatar

lol.... I hear ya!
My brotha from anotha mutha.... Still my offer stands.

I ordered the VBs from Jaben, and they will reply eventually... I just hate the waiting part.

[lestatar]

"Tsk, tsk, tsk...All good things to those who wait..."
Hannibal Lector to Clarice Starling, The Silence Of The Lambs

[dispose]

Originally Posted by lestatar

"Tsk, tsk, tsk...All good things to those who wait..."
Hannibal Lector to Clarice Starling, The Silence Of The Lambs

That just doesn't sound right. The Grooves I currently have are quite a bit sibilant... What are the VBs like regarding that matter?

[lestatar]

dfkt can best answer that one I think...my own experience with the Grooves was not so great at the Jaben store in HK - I didn't like them at all whereas dfkt feels they are quite acceptable for the money. I personally would put a bit more stock in dfkt's opinion on such matters Also, perhaps my in-store demo pair was bad?

Some feel there is a little sibilance on the VBs, or so I have read. Me? I personally like a brighter high end so I don't tend to notice that sort of thing. Again, where the VB really shines is in the low end balls/rumble/thump. But the VBs are NOT muddy like the CX300's [to me] or low end muddy and weak across the rest of the sound spectrum [like I found the Monster Beats Dr. Dres]...

For excellent low end rumble that is fast and you can feel it in your chest, the VBs are amazing to me still, especially since that comes without sacrificing a lot in the mids, highs and a good "soundstage" to my ears.

[dispose]

It would be nice if someone who owned both could give me an answer (dfkt). Thanks les, you are quite a helper. I read on Head-Fi that 200 (?!) hours of burn-in help with the sibilance on the VBs, but I don't trust those cable magic believers...