Just bought a fancy earphones - they seem sucky to me - why?

[Avi Gabay]

Hi everyone.

I don't consider myself an audiophile at all, but had to visit here and get your advice.
Just got these ZERO AUDIO Tenore ZH-DX200-CT.
They got raging reviews.

Here is my issue. I connected these to my regular pre-setup phone (I mean - with equalizer set to my liking), and I get no bass at all.

I tweaked the equalizer. Tried everything I can. Can't get enough bass out of these.

I am comparing these to what used to be $12 Sony MDR-W014. These have amazing bass.

Weird thing is, when I increase the bass level, the overall sound volume goes down. Is this because these small headphones can't push enough bass so the overall volume decreases?

Also, I found myself (for the first time ever) reach 100% volume on my phone. And still not enough oomph.

Here is what I am thinking:

1. I suck at grasping anything about quality sound, and I am just after the bass - so I just need headphones which have profound bass.

2. I am doing something wrong

3. These headphones suck

Any advice will be appreciated. Hoping I can learn something from all of this as well.

Thanks so much!

 

[slipperybidness]

I didn't seem to see the impedance rating on those earbuds. This may be an impedance mis-match issue. You are plugging directly into the phone, right?

An amp may solve the problem, but really can't say for sure without knowing the impedance. I'm also not an expert on headphones/impedance/phones, but there are several members here that can set you straight on that. Do you have a headphone output on an AVR or at a friend's house where you could test these?

Also, what is your source of music?

Next item, many, many earphones have exaggerated bass. If you are used to exaggerated bass, then you may think the sound is "weak" when you finally hear neutral bass.

Finally, I have never heard of those ear buds. So, it could be that those ear buds really are not that good at all. If I wanted something similar, I would be looking at these instead:
http://rbhsound.com/ep1.php

 

[rojo]

Hi everyone.

I don't consider myself an audiophile at all, but had to visit here and get your advice.
Just got these ZERO AUDIO Tenore ZH-DX200-CT.
They got raging reviews.

Here is my issue. I connected these to my regular pre-setup phone (I mean - with equalizer set to my liking), and I get no bass at all.

I tweaked the equalizer. Tried everything I can. Can't get enough bass out of these.

I am comparing these to what used to be $12 Sony MDR-W014. These have amazing bass.

Weird thing is, when I increase the bass level, the overall sound volume goes down. Is this because these small headphones can't push enough bass so the overall volume decreases?

Also, I found myself (for the first time ever) reach 100% volume on my phone. And still not enough oomph.

Here is what I am thinking:

1. I suck at grasping anything about quality sound, and I am just after the bass - so I just need headphones which have profound bass.

2. I am doing something wrong

3. These headphones suck

Any advice will be appreciated. Hoping I can learn something from all of this as well.

Thanks so much!

Sounds to me that the earbud tips aren't making a proper seal in your ear holes. Changing the tips can make all the difference in the world for bass response. Gotta say I'm not a big fan of silicone tips. They tear easily and don't make a good seal. I prefer the memory foam ones, even if they do make my ears feel snotty after long periods of listening. I got a set of these and was able to find a foam pair that fit perfectly.

Re: increasing bass level causing a decrease in overall sound, that's just your phone limiting the output. Adding a headphone amplifier would definitely help with this.

But try replacing the tips first. You might find you don't need to boost the bass any longer once you achieve a proper seal.

Fitting the new tips on your earbuds can feel a bit like trying to cram toothpaste back in the tube, but just keep rocking the tip back and forth over the earbud until you get it seated. Once installed, just pinch the foam and roll it between your fingers like a booger, then shove them in your ears and let the foam expand to make the seal.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This is a bit of me showing off, but OP's and mine definition of "fancy" earbuds vary quite a lot.
I think my Shure SE425 are quite fancy.
@rojo has good point. You need to ensure excellent seal and fit and changing tips could make all the difference in the world.

 

[KEW]

The "most-useful" negative review on Amazon mentions fit and he said he got the best fit from flipping the cords upward and running the cords over his ears. Changing tips is a better solution, but this might be a good way to see if it is a matter of the seal!

https://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-ear-stereo-headphone-Tenore-ZH-DX200-CT/product-reviews/B0093VVP0Q/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_rgt?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=helpful&filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1

 

[Pogre]

But what if I don't roll my boogers? Which technique would you use then?

 

[rojo]

But what if I don't roll my boogers? Which technique would you use then?

Pretend you're Watto telling a Jedi that mind tricks don't work on you -- only money. Make the hand gestures.

 

[Bucknekked]

Hi everyone.

I don't consider myself an audiophile at all, but had to visit here and get your advice.
Just got these ZERO AUDIO Tenore ZH-DX200-CT.
They got raging reviews.

Avi Gabay
In my experience, when you something that's raging from someone else, penicillin is a good place to start.

I have a set of Sure SE535's. They cost a couple of shekels more than the Zero Audio's you got but are based on the same inner ear fit principal. I can make mine sound like a pair of Apple Ear Buds if I don't fit them right.

Fit in your ear canal makes all the difference in the world. The Shures come with a number of different styles of inner ear cups. All but one didn't give me a seal in my ear. All sucked except the one size that fits.
Makes all the difference in the world. With the inner ear monitor style headphone, a suction tight fit is what delivers the most effective sound.

Without the risk of TMI, anything in your ear that Pogre might want to take out and roll, can get inside the tiny tiny tube that delivers the sound. One good ear booger can inhibit those little tiny ports from making good sound. The Shures actually come with a little tool for cleaning that stuff out. I don't think they call it an ear booger tool, but, call it whatever is socially acceptable to you.

And no, these are not the droids your are looking for.

 

[theJman]

Throw me in with the group that says fitment is absolutely key. Bass is always the first casualty when they don't fit correctly, and it sounds like that might be the issue in your case.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

"Raging Reviews" where? A computer website? No, wait ... "The Verge". I suppose when you buy your next car, you will check out the reviews in Variety, perhaps? Maybe one of the automobile professionals at a Cooking and Recipe website could help you with that. Or maybe Rachel Ray.

Come on. You don't actually think that you should have looked at an Audio website for your reviews? Because you should have.

Did you listen to them before you bought them? If not, mistake No1. Do not make it again. Some things you need to buy in person.

There are a number of factors that influence sound quality, volume, and yes, bass output. You would not be having an issue had you used the phone you use for music to audition headphones or earphones. See Mistake No1 and the remedy. Warning! May involve travel to something called a "Store".

 

[tyhjaarpa]

"Raging Reviews" where? A computer website? No, wait ... "The Verge". I suppose when you buy your next car, you will check out the reviews in Variety, perhaps? Maybe one of the automobile professionals at a Cooking and Recipe website could help you with that. Or maybe Rachel Ray.

Come on. You don't actually think that you should have looked at an Audio website for your reviews? Because you should have.

Did you listen to them before you bought them? If not, mistake No1. Do not make it again. Some things you need to buy in person.

There are a number of factors that influence sound quality, volume, and yes, bass output. You would not be having an issue had you used the phone you use for music to audition headphones or earphones. See Mistake No1 and the remedy. Warning! May involve travel to something called a "Store".

Often you are not allowed to try IEM for hygiene reasons, so it makes it hard to try them before buying.

I personally havent heard about that company. For same budget I would of got these https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Isolating-Headphones-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B01H3F0SDI/ as they offer really good value for the price.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

"Raging Reviews" where? A computer website? No, wait ... "The Verge". I suppose when you buy your next car, you will check out the reviews in Variety, perhaps? Maybe one of the automobile professionals at a Cooking and Recipe website could help you with that. Or maybe Rachel Ray.

Verge started out as pretty technical site, not dissimilar to Anandtech, but realized there is more money in ads and as result content aimed towards non-technical and unwashed masses. I think I completely stopped reading The Verge right here: http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/23/4877672/get-real-katy-perry-lets-go-of-the-teenage-dream-with-prism

And Surprise, surprise: it's still is full of this "culture" content:
http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/13/14268906/chainsmokers-new-song-paris

 

[PietjePuk]

Jup I wouldn't fully trust the verge with any reviews before I checked them on some quality websites. Plus I'm hopping on the "do they actually fit " bandwagon.

Good luck!

 

[jcparks]

There are two versions of the zero audio headphones. I own a pair of those and think they are awesome but if your lookong for heavy bass, you bought the wrong version. These play very clean balanced sound and the bass is very clean, but it is not beats level artificially over boosted bass. For that I likely would have purchased these...
ZERO AUDIO-ear stereo headphone carbo Basso ZH-DX210-CB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093VVPM4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g79EybRKF4W89
If you are just looking for bass though there are any number of options...

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Often you are not allowed to try IEM for hygiene reasons, so it makes it hard to try them before buying.

I personally havent heard about that company. For same budget I would of got these https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Isolating-Headphones-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B01H3F0SDI/ as they offer really good value for the price.

Well, then I guess you just have to buy a pair, and if you don't like them, make use of a sharp needle and return the "defective" unit for a credit or refund (check policy first so it jives with your needs).

(Only slightly) more seriously, all the more reason why you should be seeking out reviews by people who actually know something about Sound Quality, and more importantly, can describe the sonics so that you can determine if they are likely to work for you.

 

[Got Hi-Fi?]

unfortunately headphones are one of those things that you cannot try before you buy, so reviews are pretty much all we have to go on for them. The problem is, a reviewer might like them, but that doesn't mean you will. Sounds like these aren't for you, sell em and try something else.