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dosley01: Pros for me so far:-These are a very lively IEM, they add somewhat of a live performance signature to ambient recordings. I haven't heard them, but these are what i would envision the Monster Gratitude to sound like.-Plenty of sub bass when called for but not bass heavy at all.-Fit and finish is great, cable is good and does not seem to be very microphonic.-Sensitive and easy to drive, my iPhone can drive them to deafening levels. Cons but possibly will change with more break in:-I find the midrange to be a bit congested and nasally. Especially with the Comply foam. There is also a hint of harshness or a weird resonance at this frequency band (I'm guessing around 1-2K). A little EQ might fix it but I prefer not to EQ. It's like sibilance but on the mids and not in the usual higher frequencies. Again, more break in and usage might remedy this.-Fit is a bit finicky for my ears, they can start to push themselves out which in turn starts to hurt my ears where they make contact. That might change when I get used to them.-Female Vocals are not their strong suit IMHO. Not a deal breaker for me, that's why I bought the ESW9. I'm playing with a small piece of open cell foam in the tip of the sound bore to see if it smooths things out and to filter these to be more like my preferred sound signature, it definitely make singers like Diana Krall much more listenable on these with the expense of rolling off a bit of treble. Liking this little mod very much right now. I'm going to hold off on any comparisons until these are at 100 hours.
Shotgunshane: Ok, here are my initial impressions:A cooler, drier SM3. Done. So for any of you worried about too much bass, I don't find these as bass heavy as say the FX700 and the Atrios definitely have deeper extending bass and much more quantity. However the ASG-1 bass is definitely plentiful but articulate with punch and doesn't interfere with the mids. From memory, I'd put the quantity a notch over the SM3 and extension a little deeper than the SM3. Mids are what this phone are all about. Vocals are very, very upfront. At this point I wouldn't call them liquid or lush, they are definitely on the dry side. The only criticism I really have at this early point, is that the upper mid is a bit 'shouty' at times. Hopefully this goes away for me through driver/brain burn in, or perhaps even with custom tips (yeah, I think I'll go for those). Treble is laid back but very detailed with just a hint of sparkle. Very nicely done. Overall they present a pretty clear sound. As for soundstaging, I don't get any forward projection. To steal the quote attributed to Bennyboy, it's like sticking your head in a music bubble. Instead you are on the stage and the music is happening around you. This is the 'live' feel everyone has been mentioning. It certainly is strange going back to a normal forward projecting sound after listening to these for a while. So far I have not found any benefit in amping them. I completely hated the ZO with them and the O2 only sounded marginally better than headphone out, so why bother. They work perfect with my iPod shuffle. Build quality is what I like best about them. They are super light weight, yet seem like they would be indestructible. No worries of dropping them on the floor. I also think they'd be perfect for exercise or outdoor activity with no worries about sweat. The supplied cable is very nice and the sockets are pretty recessed and very tough to remove. As far as tip rolling, the stock mediums are working best for me in comfort, sound and keeping the fit flush to the ear.Comparison to Merlins:Upon request, here is a very small comparison between the Merlin and the ASG-1. Before I go on though, let me say that bass quantity on the ASG-1 is a little more than I mentioned earlier. This comes to light upon direct comparison with other phones. I'd definitely say it is greater than the SM3 but I still think it is a hair less than the FX700. It can extend pretty deep, so I have no doubt it goes deeper than both of those. So starting with bass, the quantity is very similar between the two, with the ASG-1 sounding a little fuller but the Merlin extending deeper and much tighter. The Merlin bass is very tight. Vocals are liquid and smooth on the Merlin and have a lot of similarity with the RE262, whereas the ASG-1 mids are a lot drier and a bit edgier. Treble sparkle is fairly similar on both, with the Merlin edging out the ASG-1 with more sparkle and airiness. The Merlin soundstage is wider with more forward projection but the Merlin puts you right at the stage, whereas the ASG-1 puts you on stage and surrounds you with sound. Both have similar height. The ASG-1 is the only universal I’ve heard that comes close to the height of the Merlin soundstage. Overall I find the Merlin to have much better transparency but the ASG-1 does have good clarity All this stacks up to a pretty impressive feat considering the current street price of the ASG-1 and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go FOTM status fairly quickly; and I mean that in the sincerest form of a compliment. I suppose the bubble of music surround effect will end up being a love or hate thing for many. It certainly is a WOW effect upon first listening and makes normally aspirated phones sound strange upon switching. I can see how musicians would really appreciate this feature. The are fun, immersive and frantic. I can't say enough about the form factor and low profile fit, as well as the awesome looking cable. I would expect to find these very durable over the long haul. All that being said, I do not think these are exactly what I'm looking for, so I've sold them to a fellow head-fier whom I hope enjoys them very much. I'll keep my eye out for the dual driver and forthcoming reviews.
Random quotes from Ericp10 (who I have somewhat similar preferences to):I have had over a hour with the ASG-1 (listening on flat through my Sony S545). And my very early initial impressions are............................. GOT DAMN!! ... I'll be back in a few moments to add to this.... Here's the deal for me: I read and I read well in anticipation of receiving these today. I read what the company and the retailers said these were going to sound like, and I read initial (not too favorable) impressions from those who received theirs before me. To be honest, I was prepared to expect the worst. But in between time of anticipating my chance to put the ASG-1 into my ear canals, I asked myself what was the main common denominator coming from those who didn't seem all that impressed with the ASG-1. In my mind the issue with the tips kept popping up the most. For some reason fit of the body of the IEM wasn't too much of a concern. Anyway, so when I went to work this morning I went prepared to meet the ASG-1. How would I do that? Well simple, I went with an arsenal of wide-nozzle tips ready to find the perfect fit. This made sense to me because rarely am I satisfied with the tip that come with an IEM. I usually find that the stock tips of one particular IEM works better with a different IEM. Knowing that the diameter was pretty wide and that I would need a good seal to get the promised sound, I settled for the Senn large black double-flange tips that came with either an IE8 or IE7 I use to own. The fit was perfect and made in audio heaven!! By the way, the fellas are right that these IEMs are very nice looking in person and better than you could have imagine by the photos. Nice solid construction and feel. And although the cable looks like a stock Westone, I don't believe it is. It feels a little lighter than the Westone to me, but a well constructed cable nonetheless. I wonder if it's their own in-house cable? Anyway, so with the Senn double-flanges on, and these looking like a smaller version - shell-wise - of my 1964-Q, I decided to insert these IEMs in the same way I would insert a custom IEM into my ear canal: bring the IEM forward, push the tip in (a much shallow push in this case), and twist backwards into place. IT WORKED!! The ASG-1 is perfect fit for my ears. Once locked in, the earpiece did not move. I shook and turned my head trying to make it fall out to no avail. Perfect! Now for the sound. I won't get into too many details right now, but bottom line, I had the complete opposite experience than most of you did on first listen. The first thing I noticed was the mids. Beautifully detailed mids. I'm loving it already (and I believe in burn-in). Second, the bass was there and nice and rich and not muddy. I don't find the soundstage, however, particularly wide or small. I find it somewhere in the middle. But the as someone mentioned earlier, the sound is very tall and 3-Dish. It's sound like a headphone to me more so then IEM. In comparison, the Sony XBA-4 has a much wider soundstage, but the music sounds thinner than the music does in the ASG-1. You can particularly hear this in the strings being plucked on the electric and acoustic guitars (and bass). I was mainly listening to the Black Crowes acoustic double album (where some electric guitars are being utilized). I stil like the Sony, but it doesn't compare to the sound of the ASG-1 (to my ears). Now, dosley01 is correct. If you are coming from the IE8 and love that sound signature, these are not for you!! The IE8 is much warmer in its sound signature and veil sounding to my ears. While I wouldn't call the ASG-1 cold or analytical, it is much cooler than the IE8. And it's much flater in its sound. I would describe the sound so far as being like a cooler but more dynamic W4. The W4 can sound a tad bit veiled compared to these. These don't sound veile at all to me. What it sounds like is a very detailed luke-warmish dynamic driver monitor with lots of details in the mids. The highs are just right for my ears (not harsh at all, but not too smooth). The timbre gives a very natural and cohesive sound with all instruments in this IEM. It sounds like a more serious FXT90. If you want a more fun sound, go with the FXT90 or SE215. These are pushing in the GR07 area, but I don't think the Vsonic sound is as flat as these. The bass is plentiful, but never overly bombastic. I haven't listened to these with my amps yet. Just straight on flat with the Sony S545 DAP, and this is what I'm hearing.If these continue to improve with burn-in along these lines, I can see the ASG-1 quickly becoming my favorite universal (if not constantly jockeying for position with the RE262, GR07, FXT90 and W4). So yes, I'm liking these out of the box. Now I'm about to try it with the E10 amp, then E10/E9 combo. I also think I'm going to put some longer double-flanges on it (from my RE262 stash). That's it for now fellas. Happy listening.The Senn gives the ASG-1 even more bass, but I don't think it diminishes the quality of bass, and I think the treble sounds better with the Senn DF. The Comply is quite good - and is probably the best for someone who wants maximum isolation with these IEMs. But the Senn DF brings a more refined sound to the ASG-1 to my ears. I hear a sharper, crisper and more refined sound with the Senn (with extra bass). You really can't go wrong either way, but my preference is the Senn DF tips sound....If you get a great seal and the right tips on the ASG-1, these are some freakin' incredible sounding in-ear monitors (with fantastic bass and mids!!)... You really don't need to eq it with the proper seal. But these may not fit everyone's ears, I will allow. I guess I fit in that 90 percent. I really can't wait to hear what this reveals with 100 hours on it or better... The detail and is staggering for a dynamic. While a different sound signature than the EX1000, I think these are up there right next to it technically. The only thing I can think of that the EX1000 beats the ASG-1 in is space between instruments . But the Aurisonics goes toe to toe in clarity and transparency. It blows the 7550 and EX600 away in my assessment of it. I think lovers of the EX1000 might want a tad bit more highs, but it's just right to me. Vocals are very forward. This is what it is suppose to be, however, a universal dynamic monitor rather than a fun type earphone. So the sound may not be for everyone. It sounds like you you have high quality speakers literally sitting in your ears. And the comfort is far more better than the Sony dynamics to me too. I can't even begin to imagine what the dual driver one will sound like. I tip my hat to this "Made In America" IEM company. Well done at a great price!!! My SM2 is stored away. Will take some time to dig them out. If I'm going to be honest and by memory right now, I don't thing the SM2 can compete with these. These are pretty damn good. I really didn't expect this to be this good out of the box at this level. I have my SM2 modded now with some lightly dense foam to really bring it even more bass impact, so it's a bassy BA IEM. I think these would be better, but it's at your risk since I can't guarantee these fit your ears (it should). I'm like 98 percent positive the SM2 will fit just about anyone's ears.(Compared to the GR07)Hello whitefroded. I will have to do some more deliberate listening and comparing of the two, but this is what I tell you right off the back: - ASG-1 is more 3-D in its sound signature than the GR07 (please don't think I'm not loving the Vsonic anymore when I type these comments). The music is taller and I think has a bit more of a soundstage in the ASG-1 compared to the GR07. Although it didn't help to mean anything, but we are talking about high quality massive 15mm dynamic driver as compared to the 11.5mm dynamic driver. - I don't really hear a mid-bass hump although I'm sure there has to be one in the ASG-1. What I hear is massive glorious deep bass in quantity and quality. I always say I'm more of a basshead than not (although not a full-blown member of that segment). I know one of our members stated earlier in this thread that the FS has more bass. I can't imagine that in my head, nor would I think one needs more bass than what I'm hearing out of these universals. These go low when call for in the music. I've been listening diligently but have detected no muddiness. The Aurisonics surpasses the GR07 in sub-bass. - Fit: The GR07, although purported to be a monitor, is built like any typical universal IMO. It's a pretty decent build. The ASG-1 is basically a custom IEM put in a body (or shell if you will) to be as universal as possible. But the shell of the ASG-1 is basically shaped in the same way that you would get it if you were to buy a custom. I'm saying this - I could be wrong - because I don't believe Aurisonics is meant to be a universal in-ear monitoring unit. I think it was made into one because of demand by some audiophiles and regular music lovers who are cautious about stepping into the customs world. But this is clearly meant to be a custom in-ear monitor in my opinion. So what I'm getting at is the GR07 was designed to fit all ears, and it fits mine most comfortably. The ASG-1 is really designed to fit all ears who get a custom IEM made, but the universal probably won't fit all ears. I think it will fit most. It fits mine quite comfortably, but I wouldn't surprise if a few didn't have the same results. You have to be able to wear these like a custom, however, to get the optimum sound from them. The build quality of the ASG-1 simply surpasses the GR07 - from the beautiful detachable cable, well-crafted shells and design, all the way down to the wonderful hard shell case. I don't know how long Dale and crew can keep this up, but I really feel what you get in the tangible parts of this product way surpasses its price point. All of this has nothing to do with sound (well, the way the drivers are placed in the shell may have something to do with the sound, but that's another topic). - Vocals are just as forward in the ASG-1 as the GR07 - perhaps more so. Now, sometimes it sounds like the singer is too close to the mic in the ASG-1 (very detailed), but I don't want to be too critical of this just yet as ASG-1 has little burn-in whereas the GR07 has probably about 400 hours or better now. I need to give the ASG-1 more time to settle in. - Mids simply have more details in the ASG-1 than the GR07. But drums are still my favorite in the GR07. The ASG-1 are very damn close and are more 3-D, but again, it needs burn-in. I can see the potential of the drums being so close. The drums in both are very natural and realistic. The GR07 may have little bit of a warmer sound than the ASG-1. - Highs are harsher in the GR07. The highs in the ASG-1 blend in more naturally with the mids. I'll add more thoughts and comparisons as A/B them further, but overall (as you can see) I think the ASG-1 is the much better value - especially at its price point. Again, you're basically getting a custom IEM pushed into a universal's body.As for the EX600, I will but I already know there is no comparison archy. The ASG-1 beats them handily in my book.The FX700's bass is constant (if I remember them correctly, but I'm not sure on this). The ASG-1 can give out just as much bass (maybe more) when needed. Both can put out bass (enough) where I can't say which one puts out more. Quality of bass goes to the ASG-1 by a little bit (again, these have opened up to full potential yet). More height and depth with the ASG-1, but lesser soundstage width because the FX700 is such an opened IEM. No comparison in mids - ASG-1 wins handily. FX700's highs way harsher than the Aurisonics.Each has great timbre. It's hard to compare because the signatures are different. I need to let the ASG-1 break-in more before I really try to comment, but it would be based on memory with the FX700. I can't really think of anything the FX700 did better other than a wider soundstage (if that is your criteria for great sound). The Sony XBA-4 has a super-wide soundstage, but can't touch these. The separation of instruments is wonderful in these (I think more so than the FX700). But I do remember the FX700's tips used made a difference in how much mirco-detail you get out of it. Now with the ASG-1. Find the right tip(s) for you and it's going to ooze with micro-details regardless... Again, this is truly a universal dynamic "in-ear monitor." Emphasis on the word "monitor."Well this is probably a bad thing, but since I've received the ASG-1, I haven't even thought about the Sony XBA-4. It's decent and has a crazy wide soundstage and instrument separation, but it just can't compare to the ASG-1. That's my subjective honest opinion. I really haven't thought about any of my other IEMs except for the GR07 (love the drums in those), but even those thoughts are fleeting. That's how enamored I am with the ASG-1. And yes, I'm about to say it here, these are the first universals I've owned that I think can handily compete with my 1964-Q custom. If the universal is this good, I can only imagine what the custom might sound like. With the ports and bass tuner, it will probably sound like various customs in one. Exciting times for this hobby indeed.
Hmm.. $300.Not bad. I wonder if they're willing to send a test unit here? Also, this is a dynamic driver IEM, right? No BAs?It's a rather large dynamic though.
Hmm, is faceplate made of metal? The screws also look like Torx screws (often used in hard disks and other electrical stuff).
pass the popcorn please
Kyle, I am sorry for the delay on shipping these out. We are sending purchases first and should have review samples out in the next week. Thank you for your patience. I will send you tracking info once they have shipped. We appreciate having you apart of the Aurisonics family. Thanks!
