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Originally Posted by mythless /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I will look forward into your impressions.
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Well, I've given the Grado iGi a few weeks to break in, and I'm back with the report. First a little background.
Given my current living situation, we don't have room for my main "he-man" audio rig anymore, so I'm listening mainly to one of my two Zune players as I work in my home office throughout the day (one 120GB, the other an 8GB that I use outdoors, on the bike, etc.). I must say I've been more than happy with the Zune players, but have been struggling to find some budget IEMs. I'm usually at the computer several hours per day (or so say my complaining eyes), and listening to something most of that time.
I first had some Sony IEMs that were around $25. They had a funky peak in the lower treble, but the bass was very surprising. The trouble I had was with the silicone ear tips: I had the mid-size tips on, and they would slip out. Figuring they were too small, I went up a size, and it got worse. On a hunch one day, I tried the smallest tips, and they stayed in nicely. They'd still slip out after an hour or so (due to oil, sweat, etc.).
A month later, sitting at the computer, one side quit. Out of nowhere. No amount of jiggling the cords, checking the units for built-up gunk, etc. would help.
I next tried the JVC Marshmallows. At first the memory foam tips seemed like a better idea. But after a couple of weeks they, too, would not stay in more than 10-15 minutes. The sound was softer than the Sony--the treble wasn't as extended and bass wasn't as deep, but they were at least listenable. Finally, the foam just drove me to distraction, and started to hurt when I first put them in (despite "softening" them beforehand with my fingers).
A local store had the Koss KE29R (ruby red, somewhat matching my red Zune players
) on clearance for $13.99, so I took a chance. Better sound than the JVC, with decent highs and a bit more bass (still not as much as the Sony) but the silicone ear tips were short. They would stay in for an hour, tops, before falling out. Lived with that aggravation for a few weeks until it occured to me to try the Sony silicone tips on the Koss. Well, that was about the best combination I had yet tried! They would stay in longer and were a bit more comfortable, but I still got soreness after a couple of hours.
With the deal I got on the Grado iGis, I figured it couldn't hurt to try them out, given how even their less expensive SR-60 and SR-80 'phones always got decent press.
On first listen, I didn't care for these iGis at all. While the bass was good (I luvs me some bass
), there was a strongly pronounced peak in the lower treble that made them strident to listen to. Dynamics were also flat--everything just sounded "squished" together. The midrange sounded the most natural of the bunch, though.
First, I should mention that the iGi ships with four different ear tips. There is one set of memory foam tips. No thanks. There is a cone-shaped silicone tip that wouldn't even stay in my ear. Then, there are two different sizes of what I call "double" ear tips, which are longer, and the "cup" portion fits further into your ear canal. (Not as deep as the Etymotics, from what I can tell.) But it turns out the smaller black set in this style was perfect: I can wear them comfortably, literally for hours, with no fatigue whatsoever. And they do not fall out!
So, I had finally found an ear tip I liked.
Back to the sonics. Despite the sound, I still used them daily. For hours. I figured I was wearing them from about 3:00PM until dinner (6-ish), then for at least three hours in the evening, if not more. I played these at different volume levels over the course of a few weeks.
And I'll be darned, but they actually sound better now! That peak in the treble is still there, but after a few minutes, I don't really notice it anymore. There is a slight silibance because of this, but with the peak lowered, the higher treble frequencies are not masked. The midrange is as clear as before, if not improved. The bass is still nice and weighty without the "bombast" that the Sony IEMs could have on occasion. Dynamics are also much better.
I realize these will never sound as good as my bigger sets of speakers in my main audio rig, and I'm sure there are better IEMs out there, albeit at higher prices. For what I paid ($69, lightly used--the original owner bought them a few weeks before selling them to me), I'm happy with them. From a comfort standpoint, they are a winner. Sound? Maybe not perfect, and I know there are better out there, but I can live with these.
One nice touch is that the plug AND both ear transducers have decent rubber strain reliefs molded on. Can't say that for the other cheapies I've bought. Although, being on clearance, I did grab a second pair of the Koss KE29, but in purple this time...I want a cheaper "disposable" set I can use outdoors in a rougher environment. Better to trash a $13 set of IEMs vs. $89.
Anyway, that's my story, and I'll stick to it!
I am e-mailing Grado about replacement ear tips--I want to get spares for the Grado, and since they also fit the Koss sets, I figure I'll be in hog heaven if I can get these tips for the cheaper Koss.
And to go back to the original topic? No, these haven't caused me ANY brain damage. I can do that on my own quite nicely, thanks.
