Blue Ever Blue 2000EX

Greetings,

Today we're taking a quick look at the Model 2000EX, Blue Ever Blue's follow up to the outstanding Model 1200EX. The 2000EX has been out for a quite a while now and isn't really a new model. Where the 1200EX featured a single dynamic with a durable metal shell and high quality fixed cable, the 2000EX moves to a dual dynamic setup with plastic shells and a removable cable. While those changes all sound quite positive, the resulting product fails to perform to the same level as the 1200EX it succeeds. Let's take a closer look.


What I Hear Blue Ever Blue's previous flagship, the 1200EX, was an outstanding value at 100 USD bringing to market a very detailed, capable sound signature that went punch for punch with the best in it's class. It was a fantastic way to get an audiophile style signature, but with a little more excitement thanks to it's high energy treble and outstanding bass extension. I was expecting more of the same but better from the 2000EX, but alas, it was not to be. The 2000EX is a major misstep for the brand and fails to arise to the lofty heights achieved by it's predecessor.

Starting with the low end, the 2000EX has great extension that most of the time happens to be overshadowed by a clear mid-bass bias. This leaves the presentation feeling somewhat bloated and lacking texture on most tracks. Mid- and upper-bass is not particularly quick, nor do notes have a visceral impact. It ends up feeling soft and underwhelming most of the time, really only suitable for uncomplicated, instrumental EDM and the occasional hip hop track where admittedly it can provide some damn good experiences.

The mid-range is quite forward, especially in the upper ranges. This results in vocals often coming across as very shouty, especially female vocals. Male vocals are not quite as forward and sound prominent but not exaggerated. Timbre is acceptable but on the light and bright side leaving instruments feeling artificial. Also, despite being so forward, the mid-range isn't particularly detailed leaving everything sounding smeared or veiled. Fine for audio books and podcasts, actually quite good, but for music it's far from ideal.

Treble out of the 2000EX is lower focused with a rolled off upper region. As a result the presentation is pretty dry and somewhat artificial. Cymbals, chimes, and the like hit with a metallic ring and to put it simply, sound off. Detail and clarity is decent through, and notes hit with a satisfying attack. Decay is reasonably quick too. Overall a competent, but far from spectacular treble performance.

Soundstage out of the 2000EX is easily it's best quality. Like other HDSS equipped iems I've used, staging is wide and deep giving tracks lots of room to play around in... sort of. The overly forward vocals do cut into the stage somewhat, but the effect works since it sets the rest of the music off into the background where it can flit about as it sees fit. This results in a layered sound that has more depth to it than you might expect. Unfortunately imaging is somewhat vague and on very busy tracks individual track elements bunch up and separation suffers. It ends up being hit and miss, sounding fantastic at times, and failing magnificently at others.

Overall the 2000EX's sound is a blinding miss for the brand. While at times each element can pull itself together to provide a pretty stunning experience, those are few and far between. The most positive I can be here is that the 2000EX, while not good, is at least listenable. If I bought these I'd be very disappointed, but I could live with them, even if I'd be itching to upgrade at every opportunity.


In the Ear The 2000EX has an all-plastic construction with a very obscure design similar in shape to the head of a golf club. Fit and finish is fine and the quality of the plastic is good, in line with the TFZ Series 2, but it's nothing we haven't seen bettered by some sub-50 USD earphones. More premium materials would be nice at the 2000EX's 150 USD price point. The housings are also very thick compared to other products in the price range, possibly due to the HDSS tech, dual dynamic drivers, and removable cables using DC style connectors. While they look like they're designed for over-ear wear, they're not. This results in an initially awkward fitting session, but once you figure them out they're actually spectacularly comfortable. Weight is low, very little material actually touches the ear, and the nozzle is quite long. Isolation is fairly minimal though, so I recommend using foam tips when in noisy areas. Overall it is a pleasing product to wear.

The cable is another aspect of the 2000EX that could use a quality boost. It's not a bad cable by any means, with smooth, flexible sheath that has an excellent 45 degree angled jack and useful chin cinch. However, it is nearly identical to the cable that comes with the sub 10 USD QKZ DM4, but with slightly better hardware attached. Simply put, I expect something a bit more premium from a 150 USD product. The use of DC connectors are also a double-edged sword. I quite like them because you never have to worry about plugging them in the right way (ex. 2-pin) or being overly careful attaching and detaching the cable so to protect the pins or prevent the plugs from wearing out (ex. MMCX). The earphones I have that use DC connectors seem to stand the test of time quite well, and retain a stable connection over tens of disconnects. When the cable does eventually give you, you experience the next issue; replacement. Finding a replacement cable more than likely requires you to buy another earphone entirely; see the aforementioned QKZ DM4. To my knowledge, buying one of those is the most cost effective way to replace the 2000EX's cable.


In the Box The 2000EX arrives is a fairly straightforward cardboard box with the usual branding and product image adorning the front. Like the cover of a hardback novel, the magnetically clasped front flap flips open to reveal a diagram of the construction of the 2000EX, and a plastic viewing window showing off the ear pieces. On the back you find some product highlights, like “3D full stereo sound”, “high definition”, and “14.32% reduction in psychological stress”. Such bullet points always feel like marketing fluff so I take it with a grain of salt.

Sliding out the inner tray you find the earphones and carrying case set within a very dense, secure foam. Inside the case is the accessory kit, while underneath it all you find two pieces of paper; one for the warranty, the other outlining how to use the included ear hooks. In all you get:

• 2000EX earphones
• Semi-hard clam shell carrying case
• Removable cable with DC connectors
• Silicone ear hooks (s/m/l)
• Spinfit CP100 (s/m/l)
• Single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
• Bi-flange tips (m)
• Airplane adapter
• Shirt clip

Overall a decent unboxing. You get lots of high quality tips with a fair bit of variety in terms of size and shape, as well as a useful, nicely constructed carrying case to hold it all.

Final Thoughts Has to be said; the 2000EX is not a good earphone. Comfortable, but the build doesn't match the price. The decision to go with DC connectors (that I genuinely like) doesn't work because alternate cables are so hard to come by. The sound is simply sub-par. The 2000EX isn't the worst earphone I've used in the last couple years, but it certainly plays among the lower echelon and coming from the 1200EX is a major disappointment. There are a few positives like wearing comfort and sound stage, but nothing I can point to that says “These are worth it because of X.” On the plus side, the 1200EX is still available, still sounds awesome, is much better built, and is cheaper than the 2000EX. Buy that instead.

Thanks for reading!

- B9

*If you enjoyed this review, visit The Contraptionist for more just like it.*

Disclaimer Thanks to Bentley with BeB for sending over a sample of the 2000EX for review. My deepest apologies for the significant delay in this review being written and posted (thought I'm sure BeB would have probably preferred it stayed in purgatory). The thoughts within this review are my own subjective opinions based on over a year of intermittent use of the 2000EX. At the time of writing it was retailing for 150 USD: http://blueeverblue.com/product_model_2000ex.html

Specifications:

• Drivers: Dual dynamic, 9mm + 7mm
• Impedance: 16Ω
• Sensitivity: 110dB +/- 3dB
• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 40kHz
• Max Input Power: 10mW

Devices used for testing: Shanling M0, Periodic Audio Nickel, LG G6, Asus FX53V laptop, TEAC HA-501 desktop amp

Some Test Tunes: Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Blue Ever Blue 2000EX



TL;DR: If you have tinnitus or auditory discrimination issues, look no further as these are the earphones for you. HDSS works. If you don’t have hearing issues, the Blue Ever Blue 2000EX is a worthy candidate for your hard-earned money.

Introduction

Due mainly to my hearing issues, Bentley Plummer, from Blue Ever Blue, contacted me requesting me to review the Blue Ever Blue 2000EX and in exchange I could keep the test model. I felt that such an arrangement would probably bias me. I then counter proposed that I purchase the 2000EX, but at a discount. To date, the 2000EX is the most expensive pair of earphones I have purchased.

I am aware of two other Head-fi reviewers with much more experience with reviews that have reviewed or will review the 2000EX. I would recommend you also read their reviews of the 2000EX for more eloquent, and probably more accurate to the average or better ear, descriptions of the fidelity of the 2000EX. I will keep my review brief with a major focus on how the 2000EX is applicable to people with hearing issues.

My Hearing Issues

I have mild to moderate tinnitus. Usually my tinnitus has a hissing quality. I have had this condition as long as I can remember, even as a young child. The volume of the hissing is above a whisper, but lower than a conversation. At times, the tinnitus develops an increase in a resonant peak, sometimes becoming a short-lived ringing in my ears. My tinnitus is there 24/7. The functional impact of the tinnitus is difficulty listening to another person talking to me when other noises, especially voices, are in in the environment.

Before I set out to put the 2000EX through its paces, I did two separate online hearing tests using a fairly neutral pair of headphones. Both tests had similar results. I cannot hear past about 9.5 kHz. I can hear down to about 35 Hz. As you can see, I can’t talk about treble extension.


Most Head-Fier's Hearing




My Hearing


My Musical Tastes

I have varied musical tastes, tending toward classical music, JPop, 80s music, and classic rock. I rarely listen to rap or metal. I tend to prefer an earphone with a bit of increased low end, but can appreciate other sound signatures in an earphone.

Contents

The contents of the 2000EX’s box were middling: earphones, seven pairs of tips including three pairs of SpinFit tips, carrying case, three pairs of earhook thingies, and a balanced adapter.

Construction

The body of 2000EX is well-constructed of plastic with no sharp corners. Finish is excellent with seams lacking ridges or sharp edges. The removable, replaceable cord is sleek and is fairly tangle-resistant. It terminates in a 45-degree connector (my favorite angle for mobile devices).

Comfort

The 2000EX is quite comfortable. My ear canal is wonky. True with all earphones, I need to angle the nozzle so neither down or up for over ear works well. Even with the base of the earphones sticking forward at a 30-degree angle down from horizontal, the nozzles stay in my ear canals well. I was able to get an excellent seal immediately with the stock silicone medium tips. I never bothered to tip roll.

Sound Signature

The 2000EX’s sound signature is one of detail, a mild lower bass rise, a midrange that has presence, and a treble that extends at least to 9.5 kHz. The soundstage for the 2000EX is very wide L/R and moderate to the foreground. Instrument and voice separation are the best I have ever heard. If I can find a fault in the 2000EX, it is also a strength for someone with ears like mine, it is the instrument and vocal separation and detail. At times, the instruments and vocals tend to “stand alone” within the aural environment. This helps me immensely as other earphones have a way of smearing everything for my hearing situation. YMMV.

I found the 2000EX capable of handling any genre I threw at it.

Instead of focusing on frequency ranges, I will try to relate the quality of the 2000EX’s response via description of how it handles instruments. The 2000EX is excellent with percussion. The transient attack is handled well. The decay of snare drums is pleasing and accurate. Bells and mallet instruments are presented wonderfully. The 2000EX shines with acoustic, bass, and electric guitars. Pick attack and technique is easy to hear. Acoustic guitars, if recorded properly, have a natural woodiness. Keyboards are handled very well. Here again, transients and initial attack are pleasingly and accurately rendered. Synths, especially, strings stabs, and pads are fantastic. Pianos are reproduced with precision with transients, decay, resonance, and hammer noises being present. The 2000EX does an absolutely fantastic job with classical strings: violin, viola, cello, etc. Brass and horns come across well. Vocals, both male and female, are handled well. Unlike some IEMs, the 2000EX does not favor one or the other. If there is sibilance in the recording, the 2000EX will render it. The 2000EX does a very good job of allowing vocals to pop out of a mix, without being heavy-handed. If I can find a fault with the 2000EX, is that the earphone doesn’t romantically sweeten vocals like I generally prefer. I think this may also result in the 2000EX rendering brass less than deliciously than say the Massdrop X Final Audio Heaven III. The 2000EX seeks to “define” while horns and vocals are very legato instruments mainly. For strings, the 2000EX can seize upon the definition of the bowing action and body resonance of the instruments, making up for the legato nature of string instruments.


The 2000EX is easily driven by an iPhone 6s. I have tried other sound sources with mild improvement in the lower midrange, but it sounds so good out of the phone.

How the 2000EX helps my ability to listen to music

I briefly skimmed some the explanation of the High Definition Sound Standard (HDSS). I did not want to read too much about the technology to minimize the power of suggestion. From my experience with the 2000EX (and the 1200EX), the earphones are excellent with instrument and voice definition and separation. To put it simply, with the 2000EX I hear the instruments, not just pleasing sonic mush. The other benefit of the HDSS technology is that the earphones decrease my perception of my tinnitus. Depending on the day, it can be that I don’t even notice my tinnitus at all. It was almost like it is gone! On other days, when my tinnitus has more of a resonant peak, the decrease in perception is not nearly as dramatic.

Conclusion

Sonically, to give others a common reference, the 2000EX is like a significantly improved Havi B3. The earphone is comfortable and well-built. The accessories that come with the earphone are respectable. For someone with hearing issues, like myself, the Blue Ever Blue 2000EX is an amazing audio device with a technology that greatly benefits my ability to listen to music. It will probably be a boon to other music fans with hearing issues like tinnitus. The 2000EX was well worth my money. I highly recommend them.