Hisoundaudio Flamenco Quick Review

Hisoundaudio Flamenco Quick Review

Thanks to Advanced Headphones www.advancedheadphones.co.uk for the samples (AMP3’s sister site)

Brief:  Bouncy fun in a teeny package

Price:  £20

Specification:  Impedance 16 Ohm, Cable Length 124cm, Sensitivity 108dB, Frequency Range 19 - 23000 Hz, Driver 7mm dynamic driver

Accessories:  2 Sets of Bi Flanges, 3 Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L), Storage Case, Warranty Card, Shirt Clip

Build Quality:  Very, very good.  They could pass for being a much more expensive product.

Isolation:  Rather good, enough for normal activities but not really one for a round the world flight.  As I regularly warn it’s enough to get you hit with a bus because you never heard it coming up behind you if you aren’t used to this sort of thing.

Comfort/Fit:  Very, very good.  They are stupid small so I can’t imagine any comfort issues for anyone ever.  Fit could be as they are dynamics and sealed but they gave me no trouble and i usually complain about that sort of thing.

Aesthetics:  I really like the look of these, not sure why I like the hooker red cable but it just works with the black bits.  It’s all nicely offset by the buds themselves and their bit of bronze and wood.  Like the build, visually these could pass for being a much more costly product as they look lush.

Sound:  Bouncy, big bass and all round bouncy fun that’s about making you dance about the place.  They aren’t going for a neutral critical listening position and it doesn’t try to make anything much stand out or wow you with its resolving power.  If that’s what your after look elsewhere as it’s not what this does.  Sure the detail and clarity is pretty fine for the money but this is all about the musicality and enjoyment.  Its bass is kicking, a big bundle of fun.  Its mids are clear and tonally right in the middle dealing equally well with anything.  Highs shimmer and are present but not with much of any edge which at this price are likely to be gritty and hard.  It’s a stop trying to critically listen just find your fun bouncy music and enjoy yourself, do a little a dance and then feel embarrassed about it.

Value:  Excellent.  It nails what it sets out to do really well and looks very good doing it.

Pro’s:   Looks fantastic, Sounds super fun, build feels great.

Con’s:  Don’t expect a monitor, the hooker red cable may not be to everyone’s tastes.

Hisoundaudio Flamenco Review

Hisoundaudio Flamenco Review

Thanks to Advanced Headphones www.advancedheadphones.co.uk for the samples (AMP3’s sister site)

First Impressions:  Looking at them in the box they do look rather nice.  I don’t know why but the hooker red cable just goes well with the little wooden buds, they are so dinky too.  Visually it’s a set that I do like but it’s not like you can see them when you’re wearing them and given there are so tiny I bet they will disappear into your ear anyway.  I must confess that I forgot to write my first listening impressions at the time and they have had much burn in (I have been busy) so I can only comment on how they sound with a couple of hundred hours on them.

So, with that said on shoving them in my ears I like them.  Fun and lively with a good low end but not skull crushing like its Popo siblings.  I think Hisoundoudio may be on to a bit of a winner here.

Source 1G iPod Shuffle with a 75 ohm adapter added

Lows:  Fabulous! Okay so I could pick fault with it, like there a is a bit much, not uber tight or uber clean but seeing as I can see this going for £20 its nothing you can complain about.  It’s fun, lively, powerful and pretty punchy too.  It doesn’t go super deep and it’s a bit humpy but it matches where musical bass lines want to sit anyway so that’s actually pretty good.  It sounds so powerful down there but it’s never too soft or overwhelming.   It’s just gets on with it, does its thing and never has any trouble doing so.  For the price its pretty nimble which is I’m sure helped by its tiny driver size.  I really I’m finding this a pleasure to hear as its just capable of doing a nice smooth soft low and with the next song kicking it up and getting its punch on.  Lol, the song “Americano” just popped on and its bass is not only smile but giddy smirk inducing.  You could not possibly ask for better than that.

Mids:  Great stuff.  I can’t say this is middy but they are of an excellent quality and clarity for something so cheap.  If I had to say, I’d say they are behind the bass a touch but nothing to the extent they ever get lost.  If you want to sit and listen to Norah Jones then you’ll be quite happy.  You’ll of course be happier still if you go with Jack Johnson as he does throw in rather a lot of bouncy fun bass.  I would neither say there were dry or liquid and tonally they are close to dead even.  Clarity wise they aren’t earth shatteringly PL-50 good but frankly no one buys anything at this price for that sort of sound anyway.  They buy this thing to go mental with bouncy cheesy pop (the shuffle has just served up some Geri Halliwell, Bag It Up) and I must confess she is not the best vocalist in the world.  But I care not a jot she is clearly audible and it all goes together with great vim and gusto.

Highs:  Okay so here I’m going to get a bit less positive as it’s always the hardest thing to get right.  Now sure these are no RE-0 beaters or really even on the same planet but they are smart enough to know their capabilities.  They don’t try to go edgy and stand out with just exposes shortcomings.  They strike a balance that keeps them pretty much at the same level as the mid range but their lack of crispiness is actually a grand thing.  They can do their little dance and have a bit of shimmer but never offend me.  For a bargain product this is really all you could want from it.  Extension wise they do tail off nicely and gently but they never are jump out anyway.   These are more suited to pop and its lack (on the whole) of fidelity and dynamic range, more about getting up on that dance floor and having fun rather than nailing every move just right.  You’ll be enjoying yourself too much to notice anyway.

Soundstage:  Well they aren’t so hot on the being directional or doing distance so well either.  They are however nicely impressive in their sense of scale which I’m sure is due to their lovely low end capabilities.  They can do a big powerful sound.

Comfort:  Grand.  They are dinky little doo dahs that amongst the smallest of things you can get.  They weigh near nothing and I can’t imagine anyone would have any issue with them.

Fit:  They are dynamics and they are sealed so I was concerned id have fit trouble but I didn’t really.  I did have a few min of one side sounding imbalanced but it balances itself.  As always YMMV but given I usually have more issue than most with venting I can’t see many having any bother.

Microphonics:  If you wear them down they are utter suckage for it.  I don’t like wearing things down so I’m the usual up position it was absolutely fine.  I note there is no chin slider so if you are wedded to wearing them down be warned.

Cable:  Loveliness.  I’m surprised I like the hooker red but I do and its pretty soft and flexible.  Possibly a touch bouncy though.

Build Quality:  Fab.  These could easily pass for being significantly more expensive.  The jack is premium rubbery feeling and the Y splitter feels super solid too.  The buds are just lovely and seem very well crafted.

Isolation:  Rather good.  They aren’t up with their with stuff I’d use on a long flight but they are more than cable of sufficing for on a bus or out and about.

Value:  Great if not fantastic value.  These sound super fun and playful all the while looking top notch.  For £20 I really can’t fault them

Conclusion:  I like these very much, they are a crazy little bundle of bounciness.  I do realise I probable ought to have been have more technically critical but I think that’s just silly in something of this price.  Come on anyone spending £20 on a pair of IEM’s isn’t going to really give much of a toss about transient response and what not.  These are not about that sort of thing and accordingly neither has this review.  These are about fun and just plain old having a good time.  They aren’t about critically assessing the music and the mastering of it.  These are about sitting on a bus and trying to stop yourself dancing in the seat.  These could be the very definition of cheap and cheerful as they utterly nail both yet still look really nice and feel solid. 

I said at the start I thought Hisoundoauido may have a winner with these and now I’m quite convinced of it.  These could be about the most musical fun you can have for 20 quid and still be clothed and sober. 

Blox M2C Review

Blox M2C Review

First Impressions:  Well there have been sat for practically forever as I have been busy of late and as you may know I am no lover of buds.  Frankly I always find the things uncomfortable and usually they sound crap too.  On having a listen to these I’m a bit taken back.  These are pretty good, I don’t really have any other buds to compare them too hand though. (Actually I may as I haven’t handed back a bunch of stuff yet.  Oh, 10 seconds tell me my mind wasn’t inventing things.)  Holy crap I thought these were supposed to be US$40, that is crazy.  These are waaaaaay good, honestly if these were comfortable I’d be super happy with these right now.

Why can’t I see any reviews about these?

Source 1G iPod Shuffle with a 75 ohm adapter added and an HM-601

Lows:  First things first, these are buds.  What that means is it cannot go low. Oh I’m sure the driver can but to be able for my ears to pick it up I’d have to ram and hold them in.  For whatever reason your interested in these that is just what happens with buds and I will assume that is a compromise your relatively happy to make.  So what we get is a bass that is a bit of a big hump that sounds a touch out of place at times.  But there is bass, it’s not extended but it’s slamming and punchy.  A little monotone but I feel I am holding these things to too high a standard.  Also I f I really wanted more bass I could always add in a FiiO.  Quality wise though I cannot really fault it, so clean, so super clean.  If you can’t already tell it’s not exactly stirring the soul however.

Mids:  Jaw dropping good for this money.  I had to go double check what this was supposed to sell for.  Much time had passed and I just had them in my head as being some pretty cheap buds.  I probably want like them and they won’t be comfortable so I wasn’t paying huge attention.  Fcuk me, these are so not what I expected, so open and such transparency!  These are just excellent.  All rather over to the open and dry airy side of things but even with more liquid voices like Nora Jones the air and transparency is fantastic.  They are hugely expressive and detailed, something you could sit and listen to something and pick it apart.  Inversely its maybe not the most relaxed listening experience, these can’t really give much in the way of warmth and fluidity.  You pays your money and takes your choices.

For this money these is no way you’ll be disappointed.

Highs:  Fantastic, not just fantastic for the money but really pushing towards outright fantastic.  These are stunning at this price, just stunning, stupidly stunning.  These are horrifyingly transparent and clear you will immediately be forced to bin and crappy bit rate stuff you have.  The treble here i should warn is pretty abundant and it’s a little more apparent due to the bud nature (bass, not huge then drives of a cliff with lead weights) but if you looking at this product you probably want that.  Honestly this is superb.  The treble has just a hint of crispness to it and then a light, delicate yet ever so clear shimmery decay.  I’m pretty treble sensitive but here it’s done so well, as only the best dynamics can, that I really enjoyed it. 

Quantity wise it is a touch abundant and given its clarity if you feed it crap it will take no prisoners.  It will kill you so be warned.

Soundstage:  Not really what I’d call enveloping but it does give a beautiful and open presentation.  It is rather to the left, the right and something in the middle.  Wonderfully open and airy though so I can happily forgive its lack of scale and grandeur.

Fit:  Shove in, done ish, I don’t play well with buds but they are all more or less the same.  Either it works for you or it doesn’t.

Comfort:  YMMV but these, like all buds, I find rather uncomfortable. 

Microphonics:  None, it’s a bud.

Amped/Unamped:  Now maybe it was that I use a pretty powerful amped DAP (the 1G Shuffle) but I really didn’t see a huge change, they liked the impedance added but not vast differences going on.

Isolation:  See microphonics.

Build Quality:  Okay, they weigh nothing and the cable reminds me of earbuds in the 90’s.  Actually the buds do too, nothing wrong with them but they aren’t wowing me.

Accessories:  Erm I got none but I don’t have a retail set, not sure what you might want though bar a case which ebay can provide.

Value:  Awesome.  With the proviso you want buds and are happy with the low end trade off.  Clarity and transparency are so good I had to double check these were only supposed to go for US$40, that does not happen often.

Conclusion:  Okay, I don’t like buds, they are horrid uncomfortable things and they can’t do a low note.  These don’t break that mould, they don’t really try to either unlike the Hisoundaudio offerings.  These however offer a stunning level of transparency, insane for US$40, which is what, just under £26 according to Google today.  That’s amazingly good sound quality for the money.  Sure they look a bit, erm naff but who cares, honestly who cares these ore just jaw droppingly good in terms of clarity.  Sure they don’t nail everything, they cant really do warm and rich sounding, they can’t do much in the way of a low note either.  Sure they can do a little punch and have a bit of a go to holding a low note but their physically open nature precluded the possibility of actually transmitting low frequencies into your ear unless you really ram it in there.  I will also offer up that the treble way a be a bit abundant for some and if you listen to treble heavy stuff or gritty recordings these will do you no favours.  Great quality or no there is just a little bitty too much more gentle, delicate ears.

If you are looking for a bud that offers excellent clarity and transparency, then these are an absolute steal. 

Fischer Audio Golden Wasp Quick Review

Fischer Audio Golden Wasp Quick Review

Thanks to Frogbeats for the sample

Brief: Bzzzzzzzz

Price: £22

Specification: Impedance 16 Ohm Cable Length 1.2m Sensitivity 98dB Frequency Range 20 - 20,000 Hz Driver 9mm dynamic driver

Accessories: 3 Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L), Storage Case, Warranty Card

Build Quality: Meh. I may have been unlucky but I had two with issues.

Isolation: A little on the lower side of things but enough for normal out and about use.

Comfort/Fit: Fairly good, comfort was fine but the fit look a little wiggle to sort itself.

Aesthetics: Actually I rather like their strange and quirky style. It’s fun and cheerful.

Sound: Bass. That’s about all you really need to know about these, they are big bass monsters and they move a shed load of air. It’s all big abundant power and energy. Its vigorous and powerful and if that’s what your after these may be for you but they were not for me. Oh my it’s so much its actually bothering my sinuses. The mids and highs are both reasonable but in quantity very much over shadowed but the dominance of the bass. The bass may not bleed up and blend with the mids but in terms of quantity there is no question. Bass bass bass and then some more bass.

Value: Erm, if you really want loads of bass that is pretty fast and punchy given how much there is.

Pro’s: Gob loads of bass.

Con’s: See Pro’s

Fischer Audio Golden Wasp Review

Fischer Audio Golden Wasp Review

Thanks to Frogbeats for the sample

First Impressions: The outside of the box is pretty ordinary but ounce you open the leaf just what the F! A wasp with zzzz zz zzzzzzzzzz zzzz etc etc written. Okay its kinda stupid but I must say I love its quirkiness. Inside they have a very pretty erm sleeve sort of thing rather than a case and frankly while it looks nice I’m not really sure just what I’m supposed to do with it. It looks cool though. First listen and I get some venting issues, well it is a Fischer Audio product after all. Bassy, really rather bassy still not too bad sounding. Burn in time.

Source 1G iPod Shuffle with a 75 ohm adapter added

Lows: Vast. The first thing you notice is that they are hugely present, way too present for me. Still there is a pretty prevalent market for this sort of thing. I can see it being pretty popular too, it’s quite a dryish bass tonally even though it’s there in boat loads. It makes for a pretty quick and snappy bass, it likes to punch you in the side of head and while I dare say many will find this immensely fun, I do not. It’s tiring on my delicate little ears. I can’t really fault its quality though, there is remarkably little bass bleed, honestly there is next to none which is a bit of a surprise given its low cost and abundance. Fischer have clearly gone for a fun populist level and style of bass. It is fairly tight and quick for the price and abundance, it likes to do power and punch. Its “fun” but too much for me and too dominating.

Mids: Actually not too bad, kinda on the dry and airyish side of things and goes nicely with dry voices like Kate Nash’s. It’s a pretty nice rendition even if she is well behind that big bass. The bass may not be muddying the mids but they are go much grander in scale. They come through okay but they are so not the focus of what going on here.

Highs: Reasonable. Nicely inoffensive and well behaved. Reasonable detail too but its still well behind that big bass. They do a little bit of edge and crispness to keep things from being overwhelmingly slanted to the low end. It gives a fair level of detail too. Its has a nice timbre to it.

Soundstage: Nice, a bit on the narrow side but a nice out in front portrayal.

Comfort: Physically they were fine but the vast amount of bass got pretty tiring pretty quickly.

Fit: Well they gave me quite some trouble as I’m sure they weren’t vented equally well on both sides. One they were in though they did settle down and equalise but it irritated me.

Cable: Actually I rather liked the cable, it’s a little plastic but its braided and the jack on the end feel super sturdy.

Microphonics: I wore these up and didn’t really get any.

Isolation: They did isolate reasonably well, honestly it’s not great and probably pushing the limit of what I’d want for on a bus say but enough for general usage.

Amped/Unamped: They liked more power but really who cares. These will never see an amp and they sure as hell don’t need a bass boosting.

Value: If you want something that has massive amounts of bass then they are a contender. The mids and highs are decent but the bass is so on a different scale it’s really all that matters. Do you want a ton of bass and air being moved? If so they are reasonable value.

Conclusion: I don’t like these. They are very, very bassy and I’m not taken by the build quality. I accept given the number of stuff I see every so often I will get a dud, it happens rarely but the numbers mean it certainly will. Therefore I’m happy to forgive if I get one with a problem but when the replacement one falls apart and I have to sellotape it together I’m less forgiving. I get this is an el cheapo and maybe I was just super unlucky getting two with issues. That aside these are big old bass monsters with a lot of air movement and power. It’s pretty fast punchy power too and that was very tiring on my ears. I know that there are lots out there who would love that sort of playfulness and ability to kick you in the head. Seriously it’s bothering my sinuses. For me this is a negative but if you want this kind of thing then go for it. However as I look at Frogbeats to check their price I see the Meelectronics M6 going for a pound less. If it was my money I’d get them.

TFTA-2100-2V1S Quick Review

TFTA-2100-2V1S Quick Review

Thanks to TFTA.EU for the sample.

Brief: Holy crap that’s some bass!

Price: £100

Specification: In-ear Silver Metal Housing, Driver unit 10.0mm, Impedance 16ohms, Rated power input 2mW, Max power input 30mW, Frequency response 20-20,000Hz, Sensitivity 100dB at 1KHz, 1mW, R/L output difference <3dB at 1KHz, 1mW, Distortion <2% at 1KHz, 2mW, Connector 3.5mm stereo plug

Accessories: 3 pairs of tips but I believe it is being upped to 5.

Build Quality: Great, metal and shiny and I have nothing at all to fault.

Isolation: Very good for a dynamic. It’s not quite what I would choose for everyday on the Tube or for a lengthy flight but more than enough to cope with the rigours of day to day use. Easily enough to get you run over if you aren’t keeping your eyes peeled for death on wheels.

Comfort/Fit: I did have some venting issue and more than a bit of driver flex. I gave up and used Comply’s which solved the issue. Time would have I’m sure worked too but I’m impatient. That aside they were not a problem, very comfortable in use despite their large size.

Aesthetics: I like them. Aesthetics is always a rather subjective matter but I like their shiny gun metal finish. It’s pleasing to the eye yet not too bling bling.

Sound: Bass by container ship load. Hell, bass by the fleet of container ship loads. The bass is gargantuan. It’s so vast, so deep, so powerful it’s like being in a small room with a sub cranked all the way up. Did I say one sub, I meant twelve. Its quality is pretty faultless so long as you choose not to fault the quantity. There is just so much, so ungodly much I don’t care that its awesome it can physically move so much air as to make me queasy. It’s mental! Mental good or mental bad is entirely for you to decide but it’s not something my delicate little ears would or could live with. The mids are good, a bit dark and dry which balances it a touch but not really enough. The highs are pretty impressive, very nicely extended and delicate but don’t really have a much of a bight. Given the bass the highs somewhat sit in the dark and a bit more edge would have helped them stand out. Not a bad thing just a sound signature choice.

Value: If you’re a bass head then these are pretty much what you aspire to. Stupid depth and power with mesmerizing quantities of low end everything. If that is what are looking for then you aren’t likely to do better than these.

Pro’s: Pretty, isolate well for a dynamic, it’s a bass deity

Con’s: The phrase “power overwhelming” springs to mind, venting issues, it could make me feel ill.

TFTA-2100-2V1S Review

TFTA-2100-2V1S Review

Thanks to TFTA.EU for the sample.

First impressions: Well my first thought is this thing needs a better name because I can’t see any one remembering it. My second is that these very much are reminiscent of the Denon C751 to look at and I can see a comparison coming. Actually given some of the crazy stuff I’ve read about these it makes me wonder just what sort of stuff they should be getting compared to. The box isn’t very inspiring and I’m a touch disappointed that they have no case which I think any £100 IEM ought to.

First listen and what instantly strikes me is these are sealed and venting issues, after about 2 minutes I decide that I’m finding a pair of Comply’s as I cannot be arsed getting them to sit just right so I can pull them back out to compare to something as one tends to do when reviewing. Once you get them sitting right though they are stupid powerful. Insane! Looking back at the box to check, nope these aren’t the Extra bass 3V2B ones (seriously rename all of them please) I wonder if they maybe put the wrong ones in the box? Holy crap these are powerful beasts. Think JCB meets rocket engine. Burn in time.

Source 5G iPod Video line out through a Practical Devices XM5 with LM6171 opp amps, 1G iPod Shuffle with a 75 ohm adapter added and an HM-601

Lows: Power, power and then a little bit more power. Honestly I can’t think what the extra bass one must be like as these are just a torrent of abundant force. Oh god they are powerful. They move a vast amount of air, just gargantuan amounts. In small doses it’s very much entertaining but I have delicate little ears and these are raucous brawling brutes that feel like they have strapped my hearing to a rocket sled, they just utterly power through anything. Make no mistake whatsoever, these are bass monsters. The bass is so tactile and forceful I can see why some have been so awe struck by it. It really is a force to be reckoned with! Quality of the bass is superb too and almost miraculously it can go away a bit if asked to. However if there is the slightest consideration of there being a low end note then it leaps back into action. It’s very agile and super quick to respond, and oh so achingly powerful. Honestly its way too much for me but then big bass has never been my thing. It’s stupid deep and stupidly good at holding a low note, given its massive size it’s remarkably punchy too. It’s not uber tight but much better than it should be at this quantity. This may be the ultimate in basshead IEM’s.

Mids: Okay they are very clearly not what’s centre stage but ignoring quantity the quality’s pretty good. You would expect the mids to get more lost in the sea of bass or suffer with a mid / bass bleed but nope, mids are pretty dark given the dark overall feel of these but tonally you can feel them trying to be a little dry. Striving and reaching for the dry and light but not really quite making it. It balances the vocals out and I must say they are lovely. Of course they are way too far back for my own tastes but they do stay crisp and clear no matter what I tried with them. They did prefer a dry voice though as the more liquid they go the more the darkness obscures. Not that it’s likely to matter as if you’re a big Nora Jones listener then you’re probably not buying these anyway. These are for things like Britney’s “Hold it Against Me” the bass and lows on it with it pulsing rhythm you’ll either love it or hate it. In my case these things do a fine job of pumping out her warbling but the bass actually made me feel sick. Holy crap these are scary.

Sorry, yes the mids, good for the price and do a fine job of holding their own but they are only ever a supplementary here, if a good one. They ensure all the lyrics are there if you want to have them but it’s not something for rich swooping vocals. It’s about getting the job done capably and efficiently.

Highs: Good, but I rather think they could have afforded to be less refined and offer up a bit more edge and crispiness. Taken on their own they are very nice and I’d normally praise their ability to shimmer and decay. They do stand clear and are easily audible but they are overshadowed in abundance by that mammoth bass. The highs could do with a bit more bight to be more in line, but maybe that’s how they are supposed to be. You can’t have 3 super stars on a stage and the treble isn’t what you’ve come to hear. Its good stuff though, not outstanding, blow you away but good enough to keep up with the better stuff and for the money pretty nice. It’s not up to IE8 levels of clarity and refinement but surely gives the IE7 a run for its money. It easily out paces the aging C751 too. I do like the level of refinement and control they show. They also have a pretty damn good extension which you don’t often see in this sound signature, very good quality and behaviour just wildly in the shadow of the bass. That shadow makes these all rather dark and foreboding and it makes it really temping to hit the treble boost button to balance things out a bit.

Soundstage: These can sound voluminous but they are closed in, they offer the feeling of being in a closed if biggish room. Their dark nature doesn’t lend themselves to any sense of air and openness but still they have power and offer a good sense of scale. Placement is more about distance than good positioning. This is all what happens when you have a dynamic and close it in. Instrument separation is pretty good, vocals in particular always being clear and distinct.

Fit: Their closed nature gave me venting issue and driver flex. If you don’t get the pressure equalised then these sound meh so make sure you get it right and you will be rewarded. Or you could do what I did and stick on Comply’s but they don’t last very long. I’m sure they would equalise if you gave a them a minute or two but when reviewing you don’t get to stick them in and leave them for hours, in normal use it should be okay.

Comfort: Physically totally fine, I may have been concerned given they are giganto but the C751 are about the same size and they never ever gave me any trouble, turns out these didn’t either. However they move so much air then actually can make me feel queasy.

Cable: Nice. It’s pretty good, not blowing me away and not doing anything to make me dislike it. No complains but nothing amazing either. Nicely integrated chin slider though.

Microphonics: Not a lot but then I was using Comply’s which helps. That said if you wear them up and if needs be use the chin slider then you’ll get none. It’s really up to you but that’s how I would and did wear them.

Amped/Unamped: These loved power, the more the better. They improved markedly with the more power available to them. At £100 it’s not something than naturally belongs with a good amp but they do scale very well. Not that they needed volume, the Shuffle with the 75 ohms added could easily make them go too loud but they never mustered the same clarity and detail retrieval that they could when driven with the XM5. Amp them and be rewarded, just don’t really go for a thick or bassy amp, these don’t need leaning in that direction any.

Isolation: Very good for a dynamic. Of course it has all the corresponding venting issues and what not but if you want isolation then these are rather good. Maybe not right up and every day on the Tube level but easily enough for most environments.

Value: There are coming in at £100 and there is a ton of stuff that sits around that magical round number. So would I pay that for them? Hell no. I know me and these are not to my tastes. However having seen a couple of people’s reactions to them I can tell you that there are people out there that would pay it and more. These are crazy stupid bass behemoths; god only knows what the extra bass ones must be like. Any bass heads out there should be falling over themselves to throw money at TFTA for a pair of these. So to a bass head, yes these are jolly fine value for money!

Conclusion: These do so much so well and bit of me thinks oh wow! Then they begin to move so much air the pressure on my ears makes me a little queasy. Yes these right now give me that sensation my mouth is about to water up and then I’m going to get to see lunch again. Oh god there is there is so much energy and power in the bass it’s phenomenal, it goes stupid deep and there is no roll off, absolutely none. The bass is masterful in its abilities but for the love of god there is too much. If you are after bass monster then this has got to be on your list, absolutely got to be. The bass is stunning in its quantity and its control of the enormous volume. Sure you can etc better bass, cleaner, quicker, tighter even at this price but there is no way you get this good at this quantity. Holy crap there is a lot of bass and it’s of an excellent quality. I can really see some adoring this and its dark heavy, overpowering sound. Everything else it does too is very fine but were largely irrelevant. This is all about the bass plain and simple, it just happens to have good mids and highs but they are not important.

The TFTA-2100-2V1S (seriously you have to rename these things) is a pretty incredible IEM. It is by no means perfect, even amped up it’s not up at IE8 levels of clarity particularly in the mids but it’s crazy ass bass is on another level. The IE8 bass is pretty midbass humpy and does roll off but this thing, it’s vast and has no roll off at all that I can tell. It’s like being in a small sealed room with a sub cranked up full. It wasn’t to my tastes but if that’s the sort of stuff that floats your boat then you really ought to give these a try. They are just crazy stuff. To call these bass cannons is to overinflate the capabilities of a cannon, this is more akin the guns on a good old fashioned battleship, you know the kind Cher likes to drape herself over when singing to sailors. Whether you will like it or not I can’t say but I promise it’s certainly impressive in its sheer power.