Yuin Pk1 Earphones

I've been a headphone enthusiast for more than one year already, slowly building my audio setup from a Grado SR80i out of an iPod, up to a Grado HF2, iBasso D12 DAC & amp, and Millet Hybrid MiniMAX desktop headphone amplifier. Not really a fan of IEMs, I couldn't care less about pedestrian-looking earbuds. I tried the PK2 for a few months and wanted to get a hold of what Yuin could really offer at the top of the shelf (As of this date, the high-end Yuin earbud is the OK1).The PK1 comes in the same little slide-out box that the rest of the PK series are packed in. Compared to the PK2, it comes with more spare foam pads. Everything else is the same--Chinese owner's manual, film-shaped container, foam filling, and 1/4" to 1/8" gold-plated stereo adapter.Looking at the specs, there's nothing different between the PK1 and PK2 aside from the impedance (PK1 - 150 ohms, PK2 - 16 ohms). This, I presume, means that the PK1s come with transducers that will require more power for it to play music at the same level as the PK2s. This may at first seem like a disadvantage, but trying it out with a dedicated headphone amplifier, such as the AMB Labs Mini³ High Performance version, the PK1 provides full, clear sound with relatively no distortions, provided you play high quality music (320kbps MP3, OGG, AIFF, FLAC, etc.)The PK1 will reward you with a complete high-end headphone experience, but it also comes at a price. To reiterate, you need the following first:1. Digital audio player that can play high bit rate MP3 or lossless music files. Line-out function optional.2. Portable or desktop headphone amplifier (FiiO E5, AMB Mini³, iBasso P4, NuForce Icon Mobile, etc.)These earbuds can be listened to out of the iPod's headphone jack, but they sound artificial. Queue up some properly recorded classical/chamber music and you can hardly hear a thing.Get the PK1 if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to get one, and appreciate the fact that you won't be attracting thieves. If you don't, get the PK2.

So I've long been skeptical about audiophiles' claims that amps make stuff sound better. It just makes stuff louder! But it's loud enough I said.Well, I guess the top shelf stuff often has high impedance. The only other audiophile quality stuff I have is the Grado SR-80s. Those are just sensitive enough to get to a good volume when I max the volume on my phone.The Yuins take even more to drive them to an effective volume. They sound pretty crappy on my phone - a bit thin with the volume maxed.Plugging it into my mixer and boosting the sound though - everything opens up. The instruments sound lively and well rounded. Vocals are crisp and three dimensional, like there's people trapped in my head. It's usually a bit light on the bass, but the bass really punches through.Compared to the Grados, I find these better balanced across the spectrum - the Grados are a bit bright, but the Yuins have an evener response. However, the soundstage isn't quite as good. I was just listening to Erykah Badu for instance, and while the male background vocal really distinguished itself in the mix with the Grados, it was a tad bit recessed and muddied in the Yuins when compared side by side.Anyway, these offer great headphone quality sound for earbuds. Buuut, I got earbuds for the portability...and potentially pocketing an additional amp wasn't what I was picturing, warnings be darned. Honestly, on a phone or something without the amp you'd probably get more enjoyment out of those standard Apple earbuds the audiophiles scoff at.

I own a large range of headphones. From large over the ears to In-ears buds. All types have their advantages and inconveniences.The type of the Yuin PK1 is called earbuds. They sit in your ears sockets but do not require insertion in the ear canal and do not block the sound.The advantage of these earbuds is that it allows you to wear them with absolutely no fatigue, they are perfect for use with an I-Phone for instance.Now, it is easier to obtain a better sound with In-ears buds or larger diaphragms.And this is where the Yuin are coming into play. The standard earbuds are quite light in delivered quality. They have hard time to deliver bass and an even harder time at giving the feeling of a large head stage (sound stage as some call it).The Yuin PK1 do not fail in this register. The sound is impressive and they may be expensive but the cost is worth it. To me, they sound well balanced and on some recordings they really shine and give me an impression of quality equal to some of my best Over the ears headphones.And I insist, they are incredibly comfortable.One thing that bothers me somehow is the cable that gets tangled all the time. I just ordered some detanglers to remedy the issue.The foams provided to cover the earbuds are also a pain in the neck to fit on. Especially the donuts ones. I won't take them either to the gym because they do not block the external sounds and may suffer from the sweat (or fall).Apart from that, no complaint at all. They may even get better with the burn-in but they were impressive from the beginning.The Sennheisers MX-980 are touted by some to deliver an even better performance at a similar price. I have not checked them yet.