Sub Bass
The best way to describe it would be thunderous. It's powerful and surging. It makes it's presence felt at almost all times. Sound stage depth is fantastic because of this. This thing gets as low as it needs to and does it easily. I guarantee that you will NEVER feel like the dynamic driver isn't keeping up. Sub bass takes a slight step back from mid bass, but we are going to address this next.
Mid Bass
This seems to be the sore subject about this guy so far. I will be the first to say that the mid bass was overwhelming out of the box. I'll also be the first to say that the mid bass is still very present, but the transformation this thing has made is PHENOMENAL. What was a weakness has now become one of the things that makes this IEM truly special. Once this thing has a little mileage on it, the dynamic driver's mid bass DOES balance itself out with the armature driver, and puts the timbre and weight that only a dynamic driver can do while the armature driver provides the refinement and accuracy that only they can accomplish. Things that really stood out in my review was when the oboe and cello came through with power and accuracy on the Last Samurai Soundtrack. On Metallica's song "One" the guitars were chugging with so much power while I could still catch every hit of Lars' drums, and the solo came through with incredible clarity.
Note: This thing is a touch on the warm side (bassy dynamic). Usually warm signatures are called "musical", which is a cute way of saying that the tuning has put bass and imaging over details and accuracy. HOWEVER, this is the first times I can say that these are a very warm signature that is also dry and detailed (armature awesomeness). It is THE most addicting sound signature I have ever listened to. It is the best of both worlds, and I feel it's the first time the hybrid concept has been used to the best of it's ability. I literally sent a message to Penonaudio to complain about distortion and crackling in one of the channels, when in all reality it was details in the recording I've never heard before!
Mids
Best word to say is intimate. It is gentle and dry and detailed. Separation is awesome. The same imaging I loved in the TTPOD T1E rears its head in guitars, pianos, and when there are multiple voices. The theme from sub-bass all the way up to the mid range is power and accuracy at the same time. You will seldom if ever hear an IEM that has the power, and still have intimacy and accuracy and imaging that these do. My favorite mid range moments were during the Amber Rubarth album when I could literally hear the flute player taking deep breaths in before playing, and in the last samurai soundtrack when the sound of the strings seemed to be weaving in and out from each other with great 3d imaging. Bon Iver sounded amazeballs also.
High mids
This is another area that can be picked apart. Simply put, there's a slight dip at 6k. It just so happens its right around where the Altone200 was bright and sibilant, FACT. I really like it. It's not like a giant gap in sound. It's very natural, sibilant free, and still crisp.
Treble
It's extended without being to bright. Its sharp without piercing. Its just well done IMHO. Not too much, and not too little. It's spot on.
Soundstage
Its wide and deep. If you thing it's lacking I implore you to pop in the Samurai Soundtrack and see if that changes your impression. That was probably the most enjoyable listening experience I've ever had. Height is slightly above average.
Imaging
With bass heavy edm and pop music the mid bass can be a bit much and affect the imaging and sound of the lower mid range and sometimes the midrange. Other than that I can't fault it honestly. The dynamic and armature driver are in perfect unison and give a great sense of space. It is a "front row at the show" type of out of the head listening experience. On the Bon Iver album I could hear sounds far off in the distance while it sounded like the band was playing right next to me.
is there any other alternatives to the ASTRO Mixamp
