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Author Topic: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT  (Read 7866 times)

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ultrabike

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Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« on: July 06, 2014, 05:30:24 AM »

Sound

These are a little bassy and down-sloped in the treble. However, they are definitively smooth and enjoyable. These have good dynamics and like the mids. No wonkyness ... so far. The treble while slanted, it's pretty smooth as well and not peaky. The impact is more than decent. With jazz these are nice. The sound of these is in someways unique IMO.

Comfort

It is very easy for me to get a good fit/seal with these ones. Even with the medium tips (I usually use large).

Presentation

Not embarrassing.

Price

Like $50... not too bad I guess.

Overall

These are nice if looking for a smooth and warm signature. From memory I think I would prefer the Xiaomi Pistons though, but YMMV.

Measurements (uncompensated)

Frequency Response



Distortion Right



Distortion Left



Impedance

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ultrabike

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2014, 07:23:55 AM »

Some comparos... BTW to my ears the Tenores do sound down sloped in the treble, but perhaps not as much as the measurements suggest...

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Solderdude

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2014, 10:35:59 AM »

Ultrabike a question for you....

Since I don't like shoving things in my ear I have always refrained from using universal IEM's (tried a Koss Sparkplug once !) I am always left puzzled by how little complaints there are regarding the treble roll-off as if there is none or very little.
I know measurements aren't reliable above 10kHz.
Still wondering when one 'sweeps' the earphones (not too loud please !) while in the ear do you also hear the drop-off starting at 3kHz or is this a measurement issue only ?
You can compare the sweep to say HD558 or other reference phone that measures well extended.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2014, 10:43:40 AM »

I think that roll-off at 3khz is beyond extreme compared to many subjective impressions.  Are you getting any pinch or deformation in the coupler?
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Marvey

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2014, 04:07:58 PM »

I think that roll-off at 3khz is beyond extreme compared to many subjective impressions.  Are you getting any pinch or deformation in the coupler?

UB's measurements not compensated. If he using a tube similar to mine, depress 2-3k and up 4-7k. Looks pretty darn good.
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OJneg

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2014, 05:45:53 PM »

-20dB at 10k is simply not possible. I'd have to turn in my Golden Ears certificate.

ER4S measurements on ultra's rig will clear things up I think.
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ultrabike

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2014, 06:38:26 PM »

I would say that even past 9 kHz I wouldn't put too much faith in my measurements. However, below that frequency things start to match what I hear (relatively speaking). Consider the following plot comparo (measured twice a few minutes ago) between the JVC XX and the Tenore:



I compared with 1 kHz and 5 kHz sinusoidal waveforms, and I think I heard the 20 dB drop off difference between the two cans at 5 kH. Things get closer between the two at 10 kHz w the XX being louder at that frequency. In all cases I tried to match 1 kHz by ear. This was very rough since I don't have two independent headphone outputs and had to readjust at 1 kHz.

20 dB is a very noticeable difference, but it's not loud and drop dead silent different. I think I heard that difference with the tone test, but I'm definitively not golden eared or so.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2014, 06:46:40 PM by ultrabike »
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OJneg

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2014, 06:49:15 PM »

Not just 10k...I misspoke. I meant to say a roll-off that makes it down 20dB at 10k doesn't make sense to me.
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ultrabike

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2014, 06:54:51 PM »

I would say there is a difference (between the V shapped XX and the relaxed Tenore) of about 10 to 20 dB in the 3 to 10 kHz region. The roll of past 10 kHz is perhaps more due to the fact that I don't use compensation.
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Solderdude

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Re: Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2014, 05:11:54 AM »

Consider the following plot comparo (measured twice a few minutes ago) between the JVC XX and the Tenore:



Here is the GE measurement of the JVC HA-FXZ200



It does have a good resemblance with your measurements so the Tenore measurements must be somewhat realistic at least.
I can't believe no one complaints about this roll-off ?

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