Two weeks ago I replaced my old Sundaras with the Ananda Stealth. They felt more comfortable and the imaging, soundstage and bass are improved noticeably, so I decided to keep them. Yesterday I listened for the first time to a IEM (EW200), which I bought for 25$ in the 11.11.
To be honest, there is not much difference in terms of detail, imaging and bass quality. Of course, the Ananda a feel fuller, airier and with more natural timber that is very noticeable when watching movies or listening to vocals, but the rest feel kinda comparable. Now I feel like I wasted 400$ with the Ananda. Did this happen to any of you when discovering IEM?
Also, now I wonder if I buy something like the Simgot EA1000 in the 200$ range if I will be blown out or if the improvement would be comparable to jumping from the Sundara to the Ananda.
I would also like to hear from you how you feel comparing IEM with open back headphones. Cheers!
Thanks for the reply. I love the Sundara, and for that price it's a bargain. Even if the Ananda are superior I would not recommend them considering the money difference with the Sundara. It's like improving a 10% for twice the money. My only complaint about Sundara is the quality of the cups. After 2 years they were destroyed. I suppose it is the same with the Anandas.
Hmm after comparing both of them, I kinda get what you mean now.
The bass texture in EW200 is pretty damn similar to sundara.
Especially after EQ-ing the simgot.
Well not because sundara is bad, but damn EW200 is impressive for the price.
Though to be fair I had to EQ all of them since I have personal issues with most FR.
This is how i EQ'd my EW200
Preamp: -6 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 800 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 2.000
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 1350 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 2.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1800 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 5.000
Filter 4: ON HS Fc 2600 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2500 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 2.000
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 3.000
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 8000 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 4.000
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 14000 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 6.000
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 13000 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 6.000
Gonna give it more time though, this is just short impression.
But then I already know that there's no place for sundara considering I have i4, just at $170 I can always just resell it later at same / higher price. So It's risk free.
Thanks for the EQ settings, I'll take a look. Probably I am also going to get the EA1000. I will be sharing my impressions.
Sundaras for 170$ is a steal. I compared them to other cans like HD660S and AKG k712 pro and for me they sounded the best.