Author Topic: Comparison: "nBox+" vs "Schoeps VMS02ib" (Read 6811 times)

gmm6797 · « **on:** July 17, 2008, 01:57:06 PM »

OK, here is the newest real life comparison: Nick's nBox+ vs a Schoeps VMS02ib

2 sets of Schoeps MK4 matched pairs ORTF run approx 1" apart at the board (see pix) >
nBox cable or Schoeps KCY >
nBox+ or VMS02ib >
Edirol R4 (Busman mod) @ 24/96

The same track was ripped out of both recordings. Nothing was done to these (no editing, normalizing, dithering, etc) except TLH for FLAC compression and then the 2 FLACs and 1 MD5 into one ZIP file (ease of downloading).

Grab the file here: http://www.dmbtapers.org/soulstewcomparison.zip

Poll will run for 1 week from now and then I will post the answers then.... PM me if you are curious and post your thoughts here in the thread.

schoepsnbox · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2008, 03:10:56 PM »

Hey is anyone else having issues with the zip file?? I'm getting invaid or corrupt files?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

Edit: Nevermind, got it.

T.J. · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2008, 03:13:13 PM »

AWESOME!!

gotta wait till i get home to listen. thanks for doing this!

+T

gmm6797 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2008, 08:23:03 PM »

be sure to post thoughts and opinions! i am curious what everyone else thinks... as i bet nick is

gmm6797 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2008, 08:33:31 PM »

Also, from the stand pix, ignore the top mics, they are someone else's and not part of the comparison LOL

gmm6797 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:32:25 PM »

are you kidding me, only 1 real vote?

DaveG73 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:47:31 AM »

It was a pretty tough call on this, both sounded very similar.

This will probably get a few more votes now the weekend is over.

Dave.

Ryan Sims · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2008, 07:50:01 AM »

I am just *barely* partial to #1. They are very similar to my ears and I like both very much.

willndmb · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:08:03 PM »

i like 1 better the vocals seem more up front to me

todd e · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:10:51 PM »

Quote from: willndmb on July 21, 2008, 01:08:03 PM

i like 1 better the vocals seem more up front to me

thanks for this comp, after having run the vms for years, i'm glad someone has put this together.

when comparing my m248 vs. the VMS, using schoeps, there is no comparison, the m248 always wins, but i'm curious to see if i can tell a diff btwn the nbox and VMS.
thanks again.

Dede2002 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2008, 11:17:12 PM »

Quote from: willndmb on July 21, 2008, 01:08:03 PM

i like 1 better the vocals seem more up front to me

stirinthesauce · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2008, 12:36:45 AM »

wow! Someone is still using a d7. I thought I was using a relic 3 years ago.

dgodwin · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2008, 12:41:15 AM »

Quote from: stirinthesauce on July 22, 2008, 12:36:45 AM

wow! Someone is still using a d7. I thought I was using a relic 3 years ago.

It's a D8 actually (I know the taper.) The majority of tapers in Buffalo are that... still tapers, running D8's and the like. Not too many on here, and haven't made the switch yet to hd or flash based recorders yet. I still technically own a d7, but I loaned it out years ago, and haven't seen it since

edtyre · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:33:35 AM »

really close, like them both

#2 gets the very slight edge

gmm6797 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2008, 09:31:09 PM »

hoping for a few more votes before tomorrow's results of which is which... tell all your friends

T.J. · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2008, 11:49:00 AM »

i had a chance to listen a couple times through my Senn cans. here are my thoughts:

HIGHS: 1 & 2 are very similar. I could barely discern differences between the two. I would have to say, if anything, #1 seems a tad bit brighter. Not by much though.

MIDS: Both samples were silky smooth. A+ in my book for both recordings. No discernable difference.

LOWS: Here is where I found the most difference. I think #2 was more punchy and in your face compared to #1, which I found to be little less "bassy." #1 wasn't lacking a good bass response, it just seemed a bit smoother of a response.

It's tough to tell which one I prefer b/c they are VERY similar. I'm not too familiar with VMS02ib recordings because I haven't critically listened to many sources. I am familiar with the Nbox+ and have an idea which one it is.

By a very slight margin, I'm gonna say I prefer #1.

gmm6797 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:19:42 AM »

Spoiler... if you are just finding this and dont want to know the answer yet
^^^^^

1.wav = VMS02ib
2.wav - nBox+

willndmb · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:16:48 AM »

which did you pref greg?

gmm6797 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:52:26 AM »

It was a tough one, I will agree... but I did vote for #2

todd e · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2008, 03:05:50 PM »

i listened to both samples and had a VERY HARD TIME telling any difference between the two. the only difference i could hear on my playback was in the low-end, but even that was really tough to say. i guessed sample one was the nbox and sample two was the vms - guess i got them wrong. thanks for the comparison, i was always curious about the nbox, now i have to give it more credit than i had in the past.

taylorc · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2008, 11:01:36 AM »

Do these files still have any life?

gmm6797 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 23, 2008, 06:56:13 PM »

sorry about that, moved to here: http://www.tikcuf.us/soulstewcomparison.zip

taylorc · « **Reply #22 on:** December 26, 2008, 01:19:14 PM »

Thanks for the link. Fwiw, listening to these through monitors w/Fostex 95db drivers and two Dayton subs... the low end was much smoother/cleaner with the VMS. Other than that, very similar.

gmm6797 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2008, 06:48:39 PM »

Anything you can tag on to phoam's comments Nick?

Just curious

schoepsnbox · « **Reply #24 on:** December 28, 2008, 04:54:17 PM »

It seems that all that participated in this poll had differences in opinions. I originally mapped them wrong as well. Compared them again and like others had mentioned it seems the bass is a tad bit deeper on the vms source, which isn't always a good thing for bass heavy mixes and boomy rooms. They are both great pieces of gear and this is not to say one is better than the other...but to say there is a reason for different gear in varying situations. My 2 cents.

Poll

Which do you like better?

Author Topic: Comparison: "nBox+" vs "Schoeps VMS02ib" (Read 6811 times)

stirinthesauce