Budget IEM worth a consideration

Discussion in 'Audio Science' started by stratocaster, Jul 8, 2016.

  1. stratocaster

    stratocaster Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    495
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Austria
    This might be worth a try if you are looking for some neutral sounding budget iem: Superlux 381F.
    Uncompensated measurements (red) seem to match the measurements they provide (>>Link). I have also applied my (preliminary) compensation curve ...

    stock.jpg
     
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    What are your subjective impressions of the sound quality?
     
  3. stratocaster

    stratocaster Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    495
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Austria
    I find them nicely balanced and neutral sounding, actually not that different from the Fostex TE-02n, with a little less energy in the highs, there is less 'zing' for lack of a better word. They are not the most resolving, yet a very pleasant sonic experience. In addition, they fit my ears a lot better than any of the other budget IEMs I have tried and I was not instantly thinking of what I would have liked to sound different when I put them on for the first time. But, they are somewhat goofy looking.
    FYI and for those who own the Fostex TE-02n, below you will find uncompensated comparative measurements of these (red) and the Superlux (green).

    comparo.jpg
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    Nice, thanks. I'll look into getting a pair. I wonder if they can be modded to bring out just a hair more bass body that what I see in the measurements.
     
  5. stratocaster

    stratocaster Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    495
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Austria
    I do not think you will need that, the bass sounds nice and full. But I did some modding with a second pair, opened up the shell and worked on the driver damping ...
    It's a real PITA to open up the shell, work on the tiny driver, try different damping, close it up again temporarily, measure it and do that all over again until you are satisfied.
    I mean you can do it, but I do not think it is worth the effort, they sound nice stock.
    Here is the comparative measurement of stock (red) and modded (green). I prefer the stock sound, because the lows do not distract from the upper mids and highs. Others might prefer the additional warmth. I do not.

    comparo2.jpg
     
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    Thanks for the detailed effort. I liked the fostex stock bass, so was just curious. I'll definitely have to try these.
     
  7. Augmentin

    Augmentin MOT - DUNU IEM Company

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    189
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Between TPE and LA
    2nd the recommendation for the HD381F... HD381B worth a look as well.

    But they're fragile and prone to break. I bought three in the course of 1.5 years.
     
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    I received the F a few days ago. Very nice sounding. A fuller note than I anticipated but in a good way. Beats the Titan 1 tonally for me!
     

Share This Page