Ortofon E-Q7 Review

wawee — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:37:04 +0800

Ortofon E-Q7 Review

I bought the Ortofon E-Q7 2 weeks ago at Jaben. Initially going to test desktop amps to pair with my headphone but I end up testing IEMs more than the amps.. Normal for us audiophiles to get poison instantly when we go to Jaben . After discarding some earphones, it left me with the Westone UM3X and the Ortofon E-Q7. It was a hard decision for me to choose one from the other since both the earphones have the quality that I like ... After testing back and forth for nearly an hour with both IEMs, I decided to get the E-Q7 though I wish I had taken both home if not for the limited source($) that I have.

Build & Fit

The balanced armature is housed in a long metal casing which feels and looks sturdy. With the long housing, you might look like an alien when it is inserted in the ear though not as bad as TF10s.. By just the looks, it can stand the pressure and impact but I don't have the guts to test the strength of it. Someday, maybe there is somebody rich enough going to try the blender test and post it in Youtube .. There are some complaining they have fit problem with the Ortofons which hurt their ears while trying to get a good fit caused by the quite big diameter housing and perhaps their small ear canal. As for me, I got a good fit with the medium silicone tip. The isolation is not really as good as some other IEMs where I can hear just a tiny bit of outside noise but it is not as bad as the Sennheiser IE8.

As for the cable, I'm not sure why they used different material from the y-split to each end, some type of cloth to the mini plug and rubber (don't know) to the drivers.. What I'm sure is that it attracts noise when our body touches the cable. Bad microphonics !! But wearing the E-Q7 over the ear style eliminates most of the microphonics issue. The downside is you will look kinda weird. This IEM ended with a straight plug which I see as a long term problem putting pressure on it, when inserting and taking out from the headphone out or line out from amps.

Sound Quality

Now this is the part that we are all waiting for, the SQ. As of today, I already burn it in for approximately 150 hours. I decided to stop my burning in period as there is very slight changes to non at all compare to it out of the box... The first time I tested this earphone, the first thing I notice is the transparency. There is no earphones that I 'already heard' that can tops E-Q7's transparency.. It is really good for a universal IEM.

The sound from this earphone is coloured where it is not near neutral at all.. Not a bad thing as it makes songs enjoyable and fun. It has a good tonal balance where sound from the lows, mids and highs is equal. There is no frequency trying to ravaging the others.. If there is, it will be the mids being a tiny tiny bit forward than others. All the frequencies blends well with each other which make songs musical..

E-Q7 has sufficient quantity bass, not too much nor little, as long as u can get a good fit. The bass quantity is in between SE530 and IE8.. It has good impact and it is well controlled, not muddy at all. It has fast attack speed which makes it really suitable for rock music. If there is one thing I'm complaining, its the deep/sub bass which is a bit lacking... For bass lovers, I think this IEM is not for you.

Now the mids, one of the strengths of Ortofons.. It is lush and sweet with great clarity, really good for vocal music. It reminds me of my already sold SE530s.. Also great for strings instrument and piano where it have good attack and decay.

The treble is smooth and airy with a bit touch of sparkle.. Lacks the high end extension and details. But hey, it is easy on the ears, at least to mine.. I can hear this IEM for hours without feel tiring..

Soundstage is not big or forward, it is slightly above average, not the best for classical/ orchestral songs. It has great width but with just enough depth.. The sound has a bit 3d effect with good positioning.. Separation is fine but not as good as UM3X's.

For the review, I might be bias as SQ preferences is highly subjective!! So take my review with a pinch of salt. I have to stress that I am not a good reviewer and please pardon my English. The equipments used are my trusty iPod Classic, Govibe PPK and the Ortofons itself. I base my review with just the iPod Classic with Govibe PPK as a guide.

[WTS] Sennheiser CX300-II (ECO) Black

wawee — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:19:51 +0800

I have 2 BNIB Sennheiser CX300-II (ECO) Black for SALE

Just came back from uk and bought 5 of those as souvenirs. Gave 3 CX300-II's and there are still 2 units of those senns.
Bear in mind they are not in the usual plastic packaging but they are packaged in eco friendly cardboard packaging using recycled paper.

Price: RM170 each
Dealing method: COD only in Shah Alam

Interested, just pm me.

*Sorry there are no pics coz i dont have my camera with me.

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Ortofon E-Q7 Review

[WTS] Sennheiser CX300-II (ECO) Black