thats interesting that even though they graph so similiarly and are a similar set up the DTE500 came off wonky initially whereas the EST50 seems like it killed it for you from the get-go
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Neat stuff! Have you seen this database?
Maybe you can try to reproduce their findings using whatever tips you have that also appear on their list!
For me, I generally thought Final E raised bass and tamed treble, while big bores increased the treble…
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You wont really see the effect tips has for you on graphs.
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I have no idea why. Only thing I can contribute it to is the DTE500 seems more tip sensitive. I was using CP100 on the EST50 from the beginning. That or the CP155 are always the first I try. Right of the bat the EST50 hit. Those tips on the DTE500 were no bueno. W1s on it though made a big difference but, not so much on the EST50. Could have been a fit issue even though the two are extremely similar.
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very interesting! Again, it goes to show you how graphs don’t always tell the full story
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Another
Someone else will need to take the plunge on that. I already took it on the DTE500. I’ll be getting the EST50 and DTE500 out on tour to a few forum members in the coming month or so. Get some other thoughts out there that are hopefully more extensive than mine. As it stands I think they’re both very competent competitors to the more expensive sets they’re aiming at.
From the past hour of A/Bing I think the biggest differentiating factor will be your library and bass preference towards it. If your library is Hip-Hop/EDM bass heavy the extra subbass will probably be a delight. It also seems to have a slightly longer decay that those tracks benefit from.
With that though the mids suffer a bit. Unless you like a little bit more warmth and huskiness to them. Think this plays into the subbass boost effecting the mids along the line of what we talked about earlier. Neither have a very forward vocal presence but, the DTE500 is slightly more forward. The DTE500 seems more suited to clarity and separation with just the right touch of bass. Brings the mids and details out a bit more. Seems to also help bring in better imaging and staging.
I AutoEQ’d each set to the other and while they take on a very similar tunings it seems the DD are displaying different characteristics. This is definitely a case of eq’ing not being able to mimic different driver types.
Surprisingly for my taste and library I’m actually leaning towards the DTE500 as a better all arounder. There’s just times, noticed while A/Bing, where the EST50 has to much bass and kind of distracts from the rest of the song. The DTE500 while not always having enough basshead quantity opens up the rest of the properties of the tuning or the special sauce, while still being a satisfying level of bass. I’d like to get these two out on tour for further thought. Afterwards though I have a strong feeling only one will stay and I’m thinking it’s going to be DTE500.
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We’ll have to see how it feels once you have Up back home with you
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Wow! Fun to read.
That was my only caveat with the EST50, at their price they would have to be my only set, and they are just a little too fun in the low end to play everything.
Anything that does have a bass guitar however is going to be an exhilarating ride.
It’s a shame that the DTE500 is about the same price, a cheaper dupe of the EST50 (with slightly more versatility in the bass) would have been even more of a gem than it seems it already is at MSRP.
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I hope everyone is back to being happy and healthy ASAP. Good luck with the doctor’s appointment.
As for your tip graphs, it brings up an interesting point that I’m not sure everyone knows which is that tips only effect low mids and treble for the most part. So even tips you read about like the Final E types that are known for being good for “increasing bass” are actually just good at lower part of the treble in a way that leads to a perceived increase in bass. This was something I didn’t know and hadn’t heard anyone mention until I got my own measurement rig. I wasn’t on headgear forums then so I don’t know how prevalent that knowledge is in the community (I have seen I mentioned once I think) so I thought I would bring it up. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it in terms of how wavelengths of different sizes interact with objects.
Thanks for sharing your graphing exploits, bro! So far, so interesting…
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Always an important thing to keep in mind. 
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Sure, I think there’s every possiblity that it has other subtle effects, but I think the majority of the sonic effects from any tip change come from the impact that tips have on the upper mids and treble. As to what other cause and effect situations are going on, I’m open to speculating on a case by case basis and nothing you said sounds irrational to me.
When I was graphing/measuring, I just found that most of the major audible changes I was hearing from tips were reflected by clear changes in the upper part of the FR even if it sounded as though the change was occuring lower. That’s all I meant. I didn’t mean to say that other things can’t be happening like I have ear tip phyisics nailed and, FWIW, I hadn’t read your exchange with Goobs yet when I posted.
I feel like this is true with the caveat that some tips will seal better than others which should actually increase bass response. The better sealing is probably a combination of the type of material being used and your ear anatomy. I don’t think this will show up on graphs since you either have a good seal or you don’t and the graph shows the response based on a good seal. This also means that the bass you see in the graph is probably the theoretical bass response you would get and more often than not people have lower or different bass responses because the seal they get isn’t the same as what is graphed
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@cal_lando asked in a group thread if I thought the Legato and EST50 operated in the same space. Instead of answering him there I feel it’s worth dropping here. It’s absolutely nuts the similarities I noticed right of the bat. The bass has an extremely eerily similar presentation to it. It’s just more brought in line to be elevated in the mix, and after A/Bing, not consume the mix like the Legato. I’m inclined to say the timing, possibly attack/decay, also seems more in line with the mix. Legato almost takes on a appearance of the bass not hitting with the relevant part of the track. Overall, the EST50 also has a less boomy presence due to the lower bass shelf. It takes the appeal of the Legato, if you like it, and tames it. I didn’t have any issues with the Legatos bass until A/Bing them to EST50 and now I don’t know if I can unhear it.
From there I’ll just say it’s like the EST50 is the more matured tuning from the mids through the remainder of the tuning. Vocals seem more natural and have better separation to the mix and are a bit more forward. Separation and imaging are spades above the Legato. Don’t go thinging its EJ07 levels just know its way better than the Legato. Cymbals and such have more appeal on them to me. One would probably say they have the EST shimmer and sparkle, which may be a turn off to some, yet for me is a bonus.
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Well in the friendliest manor possibe I have a small amount of hate for you right now. Never contemplated A/Bing the two and here I am still going at it as of now. Thought I’d be able to sell off the DTE500 or the EST50 and recoup some cash for another purchase. Except now I have to decide if I keep the EST50 or the Legato. Which of course the EST50 doesn’t net me nearly as much. In the end though I’ll probably stay with the EST50 since @rattlingblanketwoman did a solid on it with the price.
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So Legato really isn’t all that then?
What I’m getting is it’s an IEM…lol
yeah. it works but, kinda wins by default due to lack of basshead iems in that price range…
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Then I’m probably good with my basshead set of choice already then. Good to know
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