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

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. knopi

    knopi New

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    I did not hear them but IT01 looks interesting, there are a few impressions that people say they like it a lot even against very expensive models or say that it has similar tuning as Andromeda but with a lower resolution and stage. For $100 I guess it is a no brainer. Massdrop Plus looks also pretty interesting.
     
  2. matique

    matique New

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    Indeed it is. I actually owned the e2000 for a short while before selling it away. It does perform above its price range but it just lacking some detail from me. Actually from reviews, I think I might just jump ship to the Earsonics SM64 as it is a warm-ish player with good treble. Though as earsonics comes, it's hard to find a shop that has them for audition.
     
  3. Poleepkwa

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    The ATH-70E is an option in that price range. They seem pretty well-built and have enough treble to keep things lively.
     
  4. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    The Final E2000 and E3000 are not tuned for maximum detail extraction. Instead they aim for easy going, non fatiguing music reproduction that makes almost everything sound pleasant. Lovers of smooth / analogue sound signatures are likely to be delighted.

    Going by @crinacle's measurements, the E2000 are better balanced out of the box than the bassier and darker E3000. However, they have a little mid/upper bass hump and lack sub bass in comparison. That's why I personally picked the E3000 and modded them to a similar balance as the E2000, just with more sub bass.

    I had them and returned them. The red/blue version looks cheap imo. Soundwise, they're decent... but not better than other graphene drivers. Jm2c.
    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/iba...ne-driver-99-usd.865037/page-18#post-13895150
     
  5. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    @james444 . Would you say the E2000/E3000 is pretty similar to the SE215 for a smoother/analog sound?
     
  6. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    I'm afraid, it's been too long since I heard the SE215 to comment on similarities.
     
  7. LSW

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    I want to try a custom earmold iEM. I travel for a living and have another 15 hour each-way flight to Tokyo coming up, something i'll likely have to do several times this year.

    The universals I've had are the Periodic Beryllium, Campfire Vega, Periodic Magnesium, ER-4P and ER-4XR. Those are listed in order of preference, so I prefer a bassier dynamic driver type sound over Balanced armatures.

    Are there any high-end CIEM's that use dynamic drivers? Any really good balanced armature designs that have that full dynamic type sound? Is the isolation & comfort really better on them? The main reason I'm tired of the universals is ear canal irritation and/or lack of isolation (obviously the etys isolate well but I've determined I don't really enjoy their sound that much).

    Would like it to be able to be driven adeuqlately out of a 4 ohm Zo Pixel phone although I have a portable amp (LH GO2pro inf.).

    Thanks! Budget up to $5,000.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
  8. allegro

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    Hi,

    I have been using a pair of Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pros for 12 years still working fine. Very sensitive any phone can drive them. Noise isolation is excellent. Any phone that lasts that long needs to be considered. Over the years they have changed product names but if I were to buy Ultimate Ears today I would probably go with the UE Pro Remastered.

    Back 12 years ago there were not many choices but certainly are now. All the top custom made IEMs use balanced armatures, not dynamic drivers. One other company that is getting very good reviews is Empire Ears. Worth checking out reviews on both. Hope this helps!
     
  9. hellwhynot

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    I recently got some Ultimate Ears UE7 customs to complement my UERM. But while I was demo-ing the lineup, I was tempted to get the UE11. This is their bass-heavy/ warm custom. As a big fan of dynamic IEM bass, I was surprised how much weight and extension the UE11 had for a BA. Most of my IEM listening these days is with the hybrid Oriolus Forsteni and Oriolus 2Gen. Those are universals; but if you're going to be in Japan they sell the custom version there. Also, if you're going to be in Tokyo or Osaka, a place like e-earphone or Fujiya Avic will have demos of all of the customs. The only obstacle might be the language barrier and the wait time. But if you'll be making repeated trips, the later might not be too much of an issue.

    If you're in the LA area, try dropping into UE for a demo. I got mine at their dealer/ showroom in Burbank- right near the airport.
     
  10. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Of course there are. Future Sonics uses dynamic drivers and they were the first ever (yes, ever) to put in-ear monitors on stage. The MG5hx is the one I'd recommend to audiophiles. You can find reviews on head-fi, including mine. Both I and Hiflight, who posts over there and here, like the MG5hx better than the Vega. They should be a top consideration for you.

    As for armatures that have a more dynamic driver type sound, well, nothing will have that real moving-air bass feel of a vented dynamic, but the Noble K10 has more that type of sound and really sounds great. When people criticize an earphone by saying everything sounds good with it, then that's telling you it's a classic. The Spiral Ears SE5ref, which I had on extended loan thanks to astralstorm, was quite good and was specifically designed to have a second bass driver dedicated to added decay to approximate a dynamic driver but was crazy hyped (along with the nt6pro). The Polish guy who makes that one used to not like to sell outside the EU, possibly still doesn't.

    In terms of isolation, Dr. John Moulton at Noble has posted on HF some research showing that foam multi-flange tips like from etymotic isolate the most, then silicone customs, then acrylic customs. In reality, my experience has been silicone ciems and acryclic ciems are not so very different and, again, the isolation level has been hyped. They isolate well, but you will still hear airplane engines, crying babies, crying audiophiles, etc. if they are near you with no music playing.
     
  11. hellwhynot

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    LOL... I get what they're saying. But still, only in audiophile world is this a bad thing. :confused:

    The Noble is a good one. Plus with a $5k budget you can get something really purty and special!

    @Kunlun Do you get any driver flex when inserting the Future Sonics? I'd imagine with their seal, customs would be especially susceptible to this.
     
  12. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Some, but not really an issue. FS ciems should be inserted lightly and then any vacuum pressure in the canal relieved. That last part is true for all ciems as the diaphragm you most don't want to bind up is the ear drum...
     
  13. LSW

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    I think the Futursonics MG5hx sounds like what I'm looking for. I'll try to get an ear impression made next week! Thanks for the recommendation!
     
  14. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    I used to hear driver flex for the 1st few days when I just received my MG6pro, now never. You get very used to hitting the right depth instantly.
     
  15. matique

    matique New

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    Hi, could you explain the sound of driver flex? I see it isn't a really positive thing. I have this bad habit of just quickly inserting my customs in and I can't seem to recall anything that sounded out of place. I have an acrylic westone es5 with like a flexible canal thing and a silicone Spiral Ears 5 Way ultimate.
     
  16. Panohm

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    I experienced driver flex the first week of using my mg5hx, basically you can hear the driver crinkle and sound is imperceptible or muted, this was a far cry from my uerm which I can just shove in deep and go. Now with the futuresonics I just twist them in and rarely experience driver flex unless I try to force them in deep. Please no sexual innuendo.

    Like kunlun said, they should seal lightly. The new HX models have as much isolation as my uerm I would say.
     
  17. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    You don't usually get driver flex with balanced armatures. Future Sonics use dynamic drivers, so you might get driver flex with their customs.
     
  18. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    BA diaphragms are so small you will never hear driver flex. FutureSonics uses much larger drivers and you'll hear a crinkling/crumpling sound if you seat them too forcefully.
     
  19. matique

    matique New

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    You learn something new everyday. Thank you.
     
  20. Mimouille

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    Hello, here are some options :

    - As Kunlun said, the SE5 Ultimate has a very visceral bass, but not a huge mid bass impact, more like a strong subbass
    - The AAW900 from Advanced Acoustic Werkes is an hybrid custom, with 9 BA and a dynamic. It sounds great with tight punchy bass, BUT the treble is quite smooth and shelved so if you like sparkly airy treble, forget it. The former flagship, the AAW500 is quite bassy but with more treble sparkle, but which can be harsh with bad sources. Go through Null Audio they have great service
    - If you want long term comfort and full sound with great bass, I would also recommend the Fitear MH335DW. The build and comfort are unparalleled, and the DW stands for double woofer, so you get a full all encompassing bass and full mids.

    Cheers,

    Michael
     

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