Took the Plunge - Futuresonics Atrios

jaywa · #1 03-28-2011, 09:28 AM

Well, having joined a new band I have officially been dragged into the era of IEMs. I ordered me a set of Futuresonics Atrios off eBay yesterday. This was after a lot of research, first and foremost being the good folks on TalkBass who talked these up.

I have been using a cheapo set for my church gigs and I really do not like the feel of things jammed into my ears but hopefully the Atrios will be more comfortable or maybe it's something I just have to get used to.

Got a good price at $179 so I hope they are all they've been talked up to be. First time out with them will be my first gig with the new band on April 14. I'll try and remember to file a "field report".

jaywa · #2 03-31-2011, 08:10 AM

Well if the ordering process was any indication, I will love these earbuds.

Placed the order on eBay Sunday night, and yesterday they arrived at my house. $179, shipping included. Haven't had time to open them up yet but I will be spending some time with them this weekend (including Sunday morning church gig) to get used to them before I start serious gigging with them in mid-April.

One question for anyone who has used these... they came with both foam tips and flexible silicon. Which would you recommend I use and why?

Wes Whitmore · #3 03-31-2011, 11:41 AM

I don't have experience with that brand, but I like the flexibile silicon better. A bit more pressure than foam, but they stay in better for me.
Wes

jaywa · #4 03-31-2011, 12:45 PM

I've heard that the foam tips create a tighter seal, i.e. more isolation. However, I'm not sure TOTAL isolation is what I want either. I still want to know I'm playing on a live stage and not have it feel like I'm swimming underwater or something. So I'll give them both a shot.

Wes Whitmore · #5 03-31-2011, 01:04 PM

I'm experimenting with this issue right now too. Trying to get the most out of non custom molds. To me, it depends on your ears and you have to try it to see what works out best. Luckily, IEMs come with a bunch of different tips. For me, nothing is offers better isolation and stay in better than the tripple flanges. There is more surface area to hold in the ear.

F-Clef-Jef · #6 03-31-2011, 02:38 PM

I'm using Comply T-100 foam tips (it's what Westone uses) with my Atrios, they fit me perfectly. I hated the silicone tips, wouldn't seal for me, you gotta get them to seal.
A bad seal = not much bass.
It may take you a while to get used to the in-ears, but once you get it all figured out, you'll love them. I can hear everything I need to hear perfectly, at the volume I want.

jaywa · #7 04-01-2011, 08:08 AM

Well I finally got around to unpacking the Atrios last night and trying them out.

Seems like the foam tips are going to work best for me. My initial impression, frankly, is I'm a bit underwhelmed especially given all the rave reviews I've read about them here and elsewhere. I am extremely sensitive to mids and they are a bit harsher in that range than I would like ideally. And I wasn't really experiencing that "knock your socks off" low end so many have talked about with these.

That being said, I have to disclaim that what I was testing them plugged into my smart phone, playing music videos from YouTube. Perhaps in a live monitoring situation and/or with a better recorded source they'll sound better. I'm hoping so anyway. And their comfort and overall quality appear to be quite good.

F-Clef-Jef · #8 04-01-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

That being said, I have to disclaim that what I was testing them plugged into my smart phone, playing music videos from YouTube.

that's kinda like saying "the food didn't taste that great, but I have to disclaim that I had my mouth full of kitty litter when I tasted it..." j/k

(but that's no way to test them!)

Since these have conventional drivers, they do tend to "wear-in" soundwise after several hours of use (at least that's what the "experts" claim).

I know mine sound lovely! But, it is a very subjective and personal measure, and everyone is different. I hope these will work out for you!

jaywa · #9 04-01-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-Clef-Jef

that's kinda like saying "the food didn't taste that great, but I have to disclaim that I had my mouth full of kitty litter when I tasted it..." j/k

(but that's no way to test them!)

Since these have conventional drivers, they do tend to "wear-in" soundwise after several hours of use (at least that's what the "experts" claim).

Good analogy w/the kitty litter. And yeah I've seen various reviews where they say these things mellow out after you've gotten them "broken in." I'm gonna run 'em on my church gig this Sunday and see how they do in an actual onstage situation before I make too many judgments.

steveksux · #10 04-01-2011, 05:31 PM

Try them with a good mp3 player to see what they sound like..

If they need breaking in that'll do it also.

If you aren't getting good bass, try other tips, you may not be getting a good seal. If they don't sound like earplugs when you get them in, probably not quite sealed.

Randy

jaywa · #11 04-04-2011, 10:48 AM

Quick update. Ran my new Atrios at church yesterday with our worship band's Aviom system and... wow. Now THAT's what I'm talking about. These things are a beast live. Took all the kick drum and bass I could handle with plenty of room for more. Very comfortable and great sounding. By way of comparison to the over-the-ear cans I was wearing there before, with the Atrios I was able to cut master volume by fully half, and wound up rolling the bass way off from the previous settings and still getting all the bottom I wanted.

I'm sold, these things are the sheet for IEM.

Wes Whitmore · #12 04-05-2011, 05:27 AM

Thanks for the review jaywa. I'm not familiar with them, but I'm interested in them if they handle bass that well. Price is good.
Wes