IEM general discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Griffon, Nov 1, 2015.

  1. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Anyone know of any reviews that compare a CIEM and universal IEM of the same model? Is there a difference in sound signature or do the differences come down to isolation? I just want to know if getting custom is worth all the additional hassle.
     
  2. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Anyone have the Alclair RSM? Alclair is 20% off this weekend and its a tough choice between the Reference, RSM and the non-discounted UE4.
     
  3. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Vibro Labs has introduced their CIEM named "Aria" I'm interested in finding out what he has accomplished with them. I'm curious if their is anything he learned from the Savant incorporated into the design.
     
  4. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    I miss my JH13 FreqPhase. I bought it right around when the FreqPhase variant's of the 13 was released a few years ago.. but eventually sold it in favor of (my first) UERM. Some nitpicky tonality issues aside.. I remember it had an absolutely badass blend of speed, imaging, clarity, and dynamics. Legitimately e-stat like in this regard. I've owned a few top tier customs since selling the JH13 FP.. the CustomArt Harmony 8/Pro, the UERM x2 (sold my first pair earlier this year.. then purchased it again recently).. and heard a few others.. and for whatever reason, I find myself reminiscing of the 13. The sig was forward and somewhat aggressive (so it doesn't work with every genre).. but man, everything it kicked ass in (which jives with what I value sonically) made its shortcomings seem pretty manageable, in retrospect. I seem to remember liking the characteristics of the custom spec'ed BAs JHA used in the 13 FP, as well. I think Jerry used Knowles drivers.. but I seem to remember that his lacked the upper mid and treble grain that most off the shelf Knowles flavors suffered from.

    Might have to see if I can find a good deal on a second hand pair and have it reshelled.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2015
  5. Kunlun

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

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    Hi Flysweep, yeah, the jh13fp is nice. There's a treble spike that gives it a sense of clarity (don't listen loud, treble is where we lose hearing the easiest but also where we quickly acclimate to louder volumes).

    The headroom is low for loud listening, anyway, which is why the jh16 came out.

    Interestingly, the "proprietary drivers" thing is bullshit. Ask another ciem maker. If you buy in bulk, you get to set your impedance, some other little things. Any claims on head-fi about performance or how they need special burn-in versus other BAs in other companies' iems are garbage. Also, the jh16 is sonion and knowles, the jh13 is probably the same.
     
  6. TheFighter

    TheFighter New

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    Anyone heard PSB M4U4? Look interesting to me but hardly find anyone review it. Comparison against Ety er4s would be helpful since they both price the same.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2015
  7. briskly

    briskly Friend

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    Measurements can be found here on the M4u4. Note that they are raw and uncompensated measurements, like the greyed traces on innerfidelity.

    From a brief listen, they seemed somewhat on the warm and bassy side. The earpieces do not sit so well in ear, the body contours are not suited to my concha.
     
  8. TheFighter

    TheFighter New

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    Nuforce primo 8 anyone?
     
  9. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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  10. cyloh

    cyloh New

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    I shall dump my short, subjective impressions here too if you all don't mind;
    * appended to earphones I used to own or still do

    Sony xba-3,4,30,*40,H3,A2,A3,Z5,300 = Same same, but different, but still same. Not bad on some models, not worth the price for most.

    Fitear 111 = Almost 90% of the Brainwav B2. Deep insertion required like the B2. Would like to own this but I was quoted a price of 600 USD :mad:

    *Sony EX-1000 = Great bass, euphoric and airy. Problematic fit.

    *Vsonic GR07 mk1 = Great bass, euphoric and airy. Wonderful fit. The sound of these earphones put me to sleep like lullaby. Rudely awaked and have to yank these out of my ears when the vocal peak hits.

    Dita The Answer = Amazing clarity. Visceral sub bass, excellent throaty mids for male vocals and bling bling extension for female vocals. Almost sibilant. Lows mids and highs are all fighting for the spotlight. A few too many instruments and vocals in the song and this earphone will sound like a mess(which is not the case for other IEMs).

    Dunu 2000 (non J) = Sounds like a better TF10. Easier fit too.

    JH Roxanne = Sounded like goo or jelly over the drivers as filters. Just not my cup of tea.

    *Apple In-Ear (ADDIEM) = Bass gives me a headache. Clear and lots of details yet extremely sterile sounding. Well extended highs but never sibilant nor harsh to my ears. Love hate relationship with this set. Must have hated it a bit more since I sold it.

    *Brainwavz B2 = Neutral. Lots of micro details. Extended treble. Just enough bass, nothing extra here. In your head or right beside your ears type of soundstage which I feel should be the case for accurate IEMs. Does project outwards for a medium to large soundstage if the recording has it or done on purpose(ex:barber track, those tracks where they have a drummer and then move the mic around, etc). Got this for 100 bones which is a steal.

    :Violin:
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2015
  11. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Have you tried the ATH-IM02?
     
  12. cyloh

    cyloh New

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    They seem discontinued from where I come from; Malaysia.

    Tried every shop here and it is out of stock indefinitely.
     
  13. blackships

    blackships Friend

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    What are some good options for a pair of universal IEMs with tipped-up bass? I love my UERM, but occasionally want something that hits harder on the low end. I'm looking to spend under $500, although under $200 would be even better. I don't expect them to be as technically proficient as the UERM.
     
  14. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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    I cant speak highly enough of the Sennheiser IE8/IE80. Solid, adjustable bass: A real cinematic feel to music and wonderful soundstage and tonality to go along with it. Not the last word in transparency and details, but thats what you have the UIEM for. Also it has removable cables, can be sorn over-ear and has great support from Sennheiser behind it. I've been using mine for three years now - which is a loooong time for me. I think they are a top3 IEM under 400$.
     
  15. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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  16. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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    Btw. if for whatever reason you dont like the IE80 (and I hope its based on actually listening to them), the new Audio Technica CKS-1100 are supposedly really good in terms of bass. But they cant be worn over-ear. And they are brand-new, so there arent many impressions out yet.
     
  17. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Anyone tried the ASG 1Plus? Looks like a tempting package at $500.
     
  18. Kunlun

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

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    I know a few people who really like it.
     
  19. Kunlun

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

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    The Future Sonics G10 for $200 or under is a good bet for bass. Not competing with the UERM, the g10 is an affordable pro stage monitor.
     
  20. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    What about the UM3X? It's for $200 at FullCompass.
     

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