Has anyone switched from headphones to in-ear and never looked back?
People have always stated that the only way to experience expansive soundstage with accurate audio positioning is via open-back headphones, which was why I ended-up getting the AD700 four years ago. Early last year I got hold of the Image S4 on sale and I was surprised by its sound quality (better than AD700). It did take a while for the metallic treble to subside but it was a minor issue. Soundstage was slightly narrower than the AD700 but the audio positioning was much better. Soon after I retired my AD700 and started using the S4 as my main listening gear.
Few months later I've started searching for IEMs that can match open-back's soundstange while retaining all the benefit of the closed-back. After a very long search I managed to find two armature IEMs that matched my requirements: the PFE112 and PFE012. Luckily, Amazon had the PFE012 on sale so I've decided to try them out. From the start I was amazing how good it sounded (it was that obvious). Completely flat sound (no need for EQ), highly detailed thanks to its excellent separation and best of all its soundstage is comparable to the AD700. I've heard detail in base and treble I've never heard before and the sound positioning is spot on. I can also increase the volume without risking audible distortion, which was a problem on the AD700. Safe to say I'll never go back to headphones.
People have always stated that the only way to experience expansive soundstage with accurate audio positioning is via open-back headphones, which was why I ended-up getting the AD700 four years ago. Early last year I got hold of the Image S4 on sale and I was surprised by its sound quality (better than AD700). It did take a while for the metallic treble to subside but it was a minor issue. Soundstage was slightly narrower than the AD700 but the audio positioning was much better. Soon after I retired my AD700 and started using the S4 as my main listening gear.
Few months later I've started searching for IEMs that can match open-back's soundstange while retaining all the benefit of the closed-back. After a very long search I managed to find two armature IEMs that matched my requirements: the PFE112 and PFE012. Luckily, Amazon had the PFE012 on sale so I've decided to try them out. From the start I was amazing how good it sounded (it was that obvious). Completely flat sound (no need for EQ), highly detailed thanks to its excellent separation and best of all its soundstage is comparable to the AD700. I've heard detail in base and treble I've never heard before and the sound positioning is spot on. I can also increase the volume without risking audible distortion, which was a problem on the AD700. Safe to say I'll never go back to headphones.
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