CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion => Topic started by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 05:34:22 AM

Title: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 05:34:22 AM: These come in a mini pelican-like case and seem to be pseudo-custom yet universal fit IEMs. These are two way and perhaps balanced armature based. They fit me pretty well with large tips and are comfortable. Isolation is pretty good.

They are advertised as having "powerful bass" and having "absolutely precise mapping of frequencies". To me they sound sort of warm and smooth. They can deliver bass, but have heard heftier in classic dynamic IEMs. IMO they lack a little bit of highs. A bit subdued and closed. OTOH they seem easy on my ears. Not very resolving, yet relaxed presentation.

Anywho, measurements: (disregard information above 10 kHz)

Frequency Response

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9603;image)

Distortion Right

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9605;image)

Distortion Left

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9607;image)

CSD Right

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9609;image)

CSD Left

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9611;image)
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: keanex on May 17, 2015, 05:39:12 AM: Those are mine! Haha. When I heard them I hadn't heard the Sennheiser HD650 yet, but based on what I'd read I had thought that they sounded a bit how the HD650 were described. After hearing both I think I prefer the SD2 sound as it has a bit more impact in the lows with a bit more balanced highs.

I really like these guys.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: Anaxilus on May 17, 2015, 05:40:30 AM: Wow, the treble from 8khz up is remarkably clean. :D
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 05:46:46 AM: Quote from: Anaxilus on May 17, 2015, 05:40:30 AM
Wow, the treble from 8khz up is remarkably clean. :D

Well, IMO your ears are safe with these. I feel the Senns are a bit more resolving and have more treble presence. But the mids are fairly decent on these, and the bass is not bad at all. There are some similarities.

I prefer this signature to some of other IEMs that I find fairly lean.

Here are some comparos with other IEMS (Philips 3590 and DN1000):

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2425.0;attach=9613;image)

The 3590s are a little bright IMO, but the DN1000 are pretty nice and would give them the upper hand.

Quote from: Anaxilus on May 17, 2015, 05:40:30 AM
Wow, the treble from 8khz up is remarkably clean. :D

Distortion is not too bad, but not squeaky clean either.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: keanex on May 17, 2015, 05:51:54 AM: What do you think of their cost/performance?
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 05:57:56 AM: Quote from: keanex on May 17, 2015, 05:51:54 AM
InEar StageDiver 2

Well, the MSRP seems to be $408. The Dunu DN-1000 street price is about $180, and like those better so I would say they are pricey. However, the DN-1000 is a hybrid (dynamic + balanced armature), while the SD2s seem like two balanced armatures, and given the bass response it may have a large one which may drive the cost up. The isolation is quite good also.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: Anaxilus on May 17, 2015, 05:58:52 AM: You'd have to like that kind of sound (relaxed and forgiving). I don't see how they are better than a RE400/600, DBA/R50/B2, etc. at $70-$150 from a 'reference' standpoint.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: keanex on May 17, 2015, 06:03:51 AM: Thanks for you guys sharing your opinions. I need to re-hear the R-50, but their mids are some of the best I've ever heard.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 06:06:03 AM: Can't hear or measure the R-50s mate. Sorry. Those are deep insertion and the tips don't fit me (too small diameter). I think I can feel my brains with those.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: keanex on May 17, 2015, 06:07:51 AM: Quote from: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 06:06:03 AM
Can't hear or measure the R-50s mate. Sorry. Those are deep insertion and the tips don't fit me (too small diameter). I think I can feel my brains with those.
Ah that stinks!
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: Anaxilus on May 17, 2015, 06:14:15 AM: Quote from: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 06:06:03 AM
Can't hear or measure the R-50s mate. Sorry. Those are deep insertion and the tips don't fit me (too small diameter). I think I can feel my brains with those.

You should have told me, I have single and double flanges in every size for the DBA/Klipsch family. Probably not enough bass for you anyhow. ;)
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 17, 2015, 06:17:43 AM: Proly. You know how I like my IEMses ;D
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: MuZo2 on May 17, 2015, 07:51:05 AM: First time I heard them I said to the Stagedriver representative that the sound too warm. I had nice fit with those tips. He swapped the tips and it became balanced.
Can you do measurements with different tips.
One thing I liked about SD2 is soundstage.
Title: Re: InEar StageDiver 2
Post by: ultrabike on May 18, 2015, 12:05:44 AM: I only have one classic type of tips to test. But yes, a different kind of tips might bring balance to the force.