Check out Swashers! It’s not the same experience on the Serratus as it is with the Ripples by still a lot of fun to listen
Do it, it’s always about the music that never changes
If you couldn’t already tell I was a dad, here is what I wasted a few minutes on using pixlr, and I don’t regret it a bit:
Dad memes…
It’s the next evolution!
First Impressions of the NF Audio RA10 and Simgot EA500
NF Audio RA10
PROS
- Small form factor: It is the only IEM I’ve encountered that rivals the Penon Vortex in size
- Tuned like a sub-bass boosted etymotic without the triple flange fit
- Has potential for scalability based on tuning decisions
- If you like a brighter signature like Moondrop Chu, this is reminiscent of it but with a detachable cable
CONS
- Set does not push bass. Only has just enough sub-bass to not be harsh or thin, but it won’t be satisfactory quantity
- Upper-midrange/treble is tuned a little bit safely, so can be in a weird middle space of not musical enough but also not analytical enough
- If you’re not into Chu, it’s like that but with a detachable cable
Simgot EA500
PROS
- Has tuning filters that give off distinctive tunings and they both don’t suck
- Black filter is more energetic and Harman-neutral like we’ve come to know
- Red filter is smoother and a little more mid-centric
- Black filter has more soundstage emphasis, red filter more technicalities emphasis
- Does this style of tuning most to my preference in the sub-$100 range
CONS
- Still fits into the mostly safer Harman-neutral tuning category. Even though I like the set I have to ding it for that
- Would be ideal if there was one tuning that could have the soundstage of black filter and technicalities of red filter, without having to choose
Soooo…yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Thanks for posting this, friend. Very comprehensive and informative.
I recently received Serratus and, honestly, it competes with every iem I’ve owned for a fraction of the price. That I could have the entire TGX line for approximately one ‘end game’ iem has made me reconsider the whole hobby. In any event, how does Ripples do with indie rock/acoustic in your opinion? Also vs the Serratus for that genre if you can comment.
Opinions from anyone who has heard both are welcome of course. Thanks!
Send me a list of songs you’d like me to test and I’ll give them a listen
Appreciate it very much. Thank you!
Days Come Down - Matthew Good
Bleeding Heart Show - New Pornographers
Lioness - Songs: Ohia
I’ll Go Running - Squirrel Flower
Tree Bones - Port O’Brien
Whatever you’ve time for. Again, thank you.
First Impressions of SIMGOT EN1000
- First thing: The only thing to worry about is the treble because the tuning on these are dope, (albeit with not the MOST impactful bass, but for a clean set, this is very acceptable bass). If you are SUPER worried about the treble, these do not sound as scary as HBB’s graph of them makes it look. Is it emphasized? Yes it is. But I would follow Ian Fann’s graph of the EN1000 more than HBB’s for the treble. And as always, graphs are unreliable in the treble anyway.
- Second thing: The modular plugs do make a difference; the stock black plug is the energetic plug with the most treble. The blue plug is the in-between, moderate treble. The red plug is relaxed/darker treble.
- Third thing: First song, I listened to “Swashers” and I found out these are trouble. They. Have. AMAZING technicalities. These have imaging and dynamics that can compete with buds/more expensive IEMs. The wave crashing effect had the dynamics to express the change in volume of the waves cresting and crashing, and the imaging to put the water where it’s supposed to be as it’s flowing back out.
- Fourth thing: I’ve been very interested/curious about the AFUL Performer 5 since all the hype came about them. This is the first time I’m legitimately feeling like I don’t care anymore. I need more time with these, but between the EA500 and EN1000, I’m struggling to care about anything in the sub-$100 or sub-$200-300 ranges.
- Fifth thing: The modular plugs are TERRIFYING. Switching them makes me feel a panic, that I’m either not going to get them in, or I’m going to snap something doing it. Legit scary.
I’m trying not to oversell these and stuff. But I’m very close to keeping these just so I can tour them, so everyone can share and find out about these. I’m not all the way sold, but holy shit, I want you all to hear these so I don’t feel like I’m about to say some crazy stuff!
I keep telling people this. The value proposition based on the price to performance ratio of high quality earbuds is ridiculous. You can’t find its equal anywhere in audio that I’m aware of.
Getting around to listening to the songs you asked for Bob.
Overall Impressions:
- Ripples is an intimate soundstage, these are a departure from Serratus there. Male vocals on “Days Come Down” are more center and in front of the instruments. But the instruments kind of wrap around the vocals, so it’s not that the vocals are more present or emphasized
- Bass is going to be only just adequate if you’re more sub-bass focused as a listener. If you’re a mid-bass listener like me, bass is fantastic. On “Bleeding Heart Show”, the drum strikes in the first verse are tight, not boomy. Song has average separation of the male/female vocals. Clarity is superb but not too clean or antiseptic. It sounds natural, not over-emphasized in the treble like Serratus.
- “Lioness” is a fantastic song on Ripples. It plays with the dynamic range, with the soft drum and guitar and the vocals piercing through. This is what Ripples is built to do. Then as the song builds up in energy, Ripples keeps up and keeps everything moving and sounding very good.
- Tight drums again in “I’ll Go Running”. It’s a pop not a boom. Like the female vocals. She doesn’t sing in highest keys but there’s no extra husk on her voice either. She sounds “correct” as a compliment in this case. Also you can give it a little extra volume without harshness/shoutiness/sibilance even when she opens up and sings in higher registers.
- For “Tree Bones” you get present details, like the shaker, but they blend into the track easily enough. They never get distracting. Guitar sounds SO good on this track. The interplay and dynamics between the guitar and drums are top-notch. Layering with the strings coming in is solid as well. Ripples handles the amount of busy elements with ease.
I can’t give a full account of Serratus vs. Ripples because I don’t have Serratus in front of me now, but I bought Ripples and not Serratus because for my tastes and preferences (after hearing both I can confirm), I’d pick Ripples for everything except Classical/soundtrack/orchestral type music over Serratus. The things that benefit from bigger soundstage and airy treble, are where I’d go to Serratus. But in general, I’d reach for Ripples first.
100% Serratus is smashing lots of my IEM’s…crazy value for sure
This is exceptionally well done and so very kind of you for taking the time. I very much appreciate it. I anticipated it would play well with my library based on your Ripples review so this reaffirms my decision to get it.
Again, a sincere thank you!
See we need more of this and less “Polite Bass” descriptors LOL
Pixar Pictographs!
I couldn’t pick just one based on the descriptions…so i got the Ripples and a red Serratus. Down the earbud rabbit hole i go
Down the rabbit hole? You’re done lol
wowww nice start to your journey! I’d say that those two offerings will spoil you, but, there are other buds out there with different sound signatures and offerings, so don’t worry, your wallet will continue to haemorrhage lol