IEM for a stupidly small amount of money

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Rotijon, Jun 18, 2016.

  1. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    @kepalafon and @Kattefjaes
    I recommend for both of you to try out the Sennheiser Momentum In Ears. This IEM is very seriously good(both Sound Quality and Build Quality) for the asking price. It's not going to trash TOTL iem for sure but It certainly does everything good enough in my books. It should make for a good daily commute iem. It has great clarity, enjoyable bass, clean treble, excellent voicing that doesn't feel shouty for a dynamic driver iem, dynamic driver graininess is also very minimal. It will sound good as long as volume is not overly loud(it will distort if pushed harder).

    I find this Momentum In Ears to be better than RHA iems(bass control issues), SE535/846(shouty voicing), FLC Technology iems(super bad soundstage) and any Fischer Audio IEM(all have issues).

    I feel that it is on par with the Dunu DN-2000 and just slightly below the JVC FX series.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2016
  2. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Oh goodness, it was so long ago that I can't remember the model.. I don't believe that the cable was removable (but could be mis-remembering), and they definitely came with a variety of tips (including the triple flanged).

    The shell failed somehow, the tip came off etc. I was standing on a rural train platform, waiting for a train. It was a bit alarming.. I used the tweezers from my Swiss Army knife to carefully fish the bits out of my ear canal while I stood there. It's a shame, as the fit was insanely good, and the isolation was off the scale for a universal. I avoided them for about ten years after that, I think.

    (Supply your own massive pinch of salt, as memory at this distance is unreliable...)

    No thanks. I fear that it would be a downgrade from what I'm using (SE535), and in any case, I am through paying more than a token amount for stuff without a replaceable cable- that's one of the most important non-sound factors for me, and why I wasted money on the crummy SE215 in the first place. London commuter rush can destroy pretty much any cable in about a year.
     
  3. Jjwfr

    Jjwfr New

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    Nah, but well worth the $80+ if you like the warm bassy sound, I'd suspect fans of SE846 would like these as a cheaper option
     
  4. Ryu

    Ryu Friend

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    Woo! Mine just shipped from the recent drop on massdrop!
     
  5. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    What mods am I supposed to do so these don't sound like shit?
     
  6. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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  7. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    Start with piercing the vent only first. It needs to be a small, quick piercing, so you don't damage the driver. This mod reduces bass quantity. It should immediately sound less plodding but still pretty bass heavy ime.
     
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    @zerodeefex, james444 recommends trying this mod before piercing the vent. The idea here is to create a leaky seal to achieve the same result.

     
  9. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    Use the smallest silicon tips and stay away from foamies.

    @zerodeefex out of curiosity, did you get the silver-plated cable, or the older, more fragile cable?
     
  10. HAL9000

    HAL9000 Almost "Made"

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  11. Ryu

    Ryu Friend

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    COME ON! I JUST BOUGHT THE 5 AND NOW I NEED THE 5S? YOU'RE KILLING ME!
     
  12. kepalafon

    kepalafon New

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    Would like to believe the 5S is better than the 5...anyone knows the difference in components used & SQ? The cable is braided now IIRC.
     
  13. Ryu

    Ryu Friend

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    Straight from Massdrop:

    "The TFZ Series 5S is an update on the Series 5, an IEM that’s gained a following on Head-Fi, Reddit, and Super Best Audio Friends for delivering a seriously big bang for the buck. The 5S has the same comfortable fit and dual-chamber dynamic driver design as its predecessor, plus enhanced resolution, improved soundstage, and a braided cable in place of TPU rubber. Each pair comes with an assortment of accessories to get you listening right out of the box, including silicone and foam ear tips, over-ear hook attachments, a cable clip, and a carrying pouch."

    [​IMG]
     
  14. kepalafon

    kepalafon New

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    Great! I'm seriously tempted to join the drop...still no memory wire component on the cable that goes over your ears tho :( Those rubber over ear hook attachment can get a bit fiddly to use.
     
  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Seriously? They JUST had a drop for the original series, and now they drop this one that may incorporate some of the feedback given by the community? That's fucked up.
     
  16. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    Its the same cable as the "5" I have, and I'm not a fan of the new translucent shell tbh.
     
  17. Ryu

    Ryu Friend

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    Welp. I pulled the trigger on both. I'll post some comparisons when I get the new pair as well.
     
  18. yaluen

    yaluen Acquaintance

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    No idea what they're thinking as of late... Massdrop, at least the Audiophile section, doesn't resemble a group buy platform anymore, rather somewhere for manufacturers to dump discounted wares, like a curated Alibaba of sorts.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  19. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    You're a better man than I am. This is making me think I shouldn't bother with Massdrop, unless there's a crazy deal on something I know I want.
     
  20. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    Maybe I am missing something when I look at the Massdrop page, but I don't see any signs of SBAF mods incorporated in the TFZ Series 5S IEM.
    Grilles still pictured.
    Tips are the same as before, IIRC.
    Nothing like the alcohol swab, unless it is behind the grille but that would not be like the SBAF mod version anyway.
    I am not seeing any sign of venting for the tips.
    I cannot see the image of the "tiny hole marked here with Paint" but I think I know what it looks like on the original (with rubber cable and the second "version" with braided cable). I think it is the dimple on the body of the IEM near the nozzle. I am not seeing that dimple on the current red translucent Massdrop version but it could be due to the photos (or due to me).

    They still have the braided cable which got criticism on SBAF, at least initially.

    Edit:
    These are the "dimples" that I think can be pierced on the first 2 versions. I was never absolutely sure and have not pierced mine because of that uncertainty.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016

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