shotgunshane’s IEM (custom and universal) recommendations, favorites and classics

Soranik Ion

For more info on Soranik, a manufacture from Vietnam, check out Mr. T’s write up on CYMBACAVUM: https://cymbacavum.com/2016/05/13/quick-thoughts-ion-by-soranik/

The Ion is a warm and smooth universal in-ear with a focus on bass and male vocals. The overall signature is on the V shaped side and is reminiscent of the FitEar TG334 and Oriolus MKII (both of which I no longer have on hand, but both of which instantly come to mind upon listening to the Ion); perhaps not as smooth as the Oriolus and not as bassy as the Fitear, the Ion comfortably splits the difference. The Ion sounds spacious from front to back yet with intimate and engaging vocals. Similar to the TG334, the Ion sticks a good bit out of the ear but is completely comfortable to wear. It also uses the same pin and connectors as FitEar as well.

vs. Lime Ears Aether
(Aether demo with switches in the neutral position)
The Ion is fuller, thicker and richer sounding with more emphasis across the bass band, whereas the Aether is more accentuated in sub bass. The Ion has more lower midrange emphasis on male vocals with a more intimate presentation. In comparison the Aether sounds a little more aloof and distant. Aether presents rock guitars with more air and bite compared to the more laid back Ion. While treble presence is relatively similar the Aether’s better presence in upper mids lends to slightly more air and staging width, however the Ion’s treble timbre is more natural and staging is much more spacious from front to back. In comparison the Aether sounds a little more neutral and the Ion more warm and lush.

vs. Campfire Audio Andromeda
Again the Ion is fuller and thicker of note with more overall bass emphasis, but whereas Ion stays full from deep bass into upper bass and the lower midrange, Andromeda’s bass emphasis is targeted towards deeper bass. Male vocals sound more intimate and chesty with Ion’s lower midrange emphasis. In comparison Andromeda’s midrange comes across as more linear and balanced, providing a touch of intimacy to male and more energy to female vocals. While treble presence is again similar, Andromeda sounds airier and more spacious in the upper registers. While Andromeda doesn’t quite sound as deep front to back, it sounds much wider and spacious overall. The Ion sounds more grounded, smokey and reverberant.

vs. Perfect Seal Deca (custom,bass edition)
The Deca has much more comparable bass emphasis. Both plumb the depths and provide lots of impact. Perhaps their differences come down to speed and decay. The Ion seems to linger a little longer with more reverberation. Both have full and intimate male vocals but the Ion has it’s greatest emphasis on the lower midrange, and the Deca has more focus in the middle midrange. So while Ion sounds a little richer with more heft, Deca sounds more forward and closer to the listener. The two models really depart from each other in the highs. Whereas the Ion rebounds with lots of sparkle, the Deca tapers off and has much more laid back top end. Again the Ion is unmatched in depth front to back and Deca edges out Ion in width but as previously mentioned sounds closer and more upfront.

 

I haven't had the chance to hear the Parterre but I would think lovers of the TG334 and Oriolus MKII would definitely be interested in the Ion.

I forgot to mention the Ion is a 5 balanced armature design.

 

I just shipped off the AAW tour demos. While the other models didn't really do anything for me, the W900 is pretty special. It's going on the list. Here are some thoughts from my loaner:

The AAW W900 has a polite, yet engaging signature that makes for an excellent all rounder. It sounds pretty even, without any noticeable spikes or peaks in treble, however treble does sound shelved down compare to the rest of the frequency response. This makes the signature a bit bassier than expected. While listening in a quite environment, for critical listening, I find myself wishing for a bit less bass but when on the go, in noisier environs, the bass levels are very welcome. Overall the signature sort of reminds me of a bassier UERR, due to the shelved down treble, yet the W900 treble presence is better than I remember from the UERR and it certainly doesn’t sound quite as midcentric either. Ok, maybe it doesn’t really remind of a bassier UERR. Regardless, the W900 simply sounds fantastic.

Vs Campfire Andromeda
Andromeda is much more sensitive and doesn’t take anywhere near as much turn of the dap volume wheel to get to the same loudness. After adjusting volumes, the first noticeable difference is the more palpable nature of the W900’s dynamic driver. It feels fuller and lingers longer but seems to only be just a little more boosted overall. Andromeda is U shaped signature, so while it’s midrange is pretty even and flat, it’s slightly behind the bass. Conversely the W900 doesn’t dip thru the lower midrange, producing a fuller, more intimate sounding midrange. This bass and midrange response give the W900 its fuller, richer, warmer note and tone. Compared to Andromeda, the W900 has noticeably less treble presence. It sounds more laid back and relaxed. While it still has good treble resolution and extension, it definitely requires more concentration next to Andromeda, which sounds airier, more resolving and more forward in treble detail. Andromeda sounds a good bit wider left to right, as well as a bit taller overall, while both sound quite similar in depth. While Andromeda excels in spaciousness, in comparison the W900 sounds a little more forward and intimate.

Vs InEar ProPhile-8
The PP8 is noticeable leaner and more neutral sounding. While extending quite deep in bass, the PP8 bass is leaner, less warm and faster sounding. Even though the W900 bass sounds pretty even across the spectrum, the amount of boost is quite evident when comparing with something much more reference like the PP8. Moving through the midrange, the PP8 again sounds more even through the midrange. Female vocals have more energy and male vocals sound less full and chesty. W900 vocals sound more lower midrange focused, less energetic and less in your face. Treble timbre between the two is pretty similar while presence between the two is slightly different, with the PP8 sounding brighter overall. Width between the two sounds pretty similar but the PP8 sounds much more upfront. While the W900 sounds further away, it also sound much noticeably deeper in stage.

The W900 demos are pretty small and it’s quite easy to achieve very comfortable fit. The cable reminds me somewhat of the Campfilre stock litz cable. However the AAW cable feels a bit cheaper and less well made, and the plastic stress reliefs after the memory section seem completely unnecessary on an otherwise very likable and practical cable. Minor complaints aside, this cable is much preferable to typical stock cables. If I didn’t already own the Andromeda and PP8, I would definitely put the W900 on my shortlist. It’s easily the best hybrid in-ear I’ve heard to date and really just sounds fantastic overall. My understanding is that the full custom may sound a hair bassier/warmer than the demo, which is also the AAW universal housing. Considering how easy it was to get a good fit and my preferences for more neutral signatures, I suspect the full custom might be a bit much for me in bass. If I were to buy, I'd definitely go with the universal.

 

Can you name any universals or other ciems you've heard that you like? I think UERR would be too laid back/midcentric for what you want and perhaps the Spartans not strong enough in bass but I could be reading your needs wrong.