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

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

  1. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    I really love the tuning on the two Acoustune IEMs I've tried and now own. They don't isolate well. They're not the cleanest most revealing IEMs around, but something about them sounds so right to my ears. I can just enjoy the music without really having any gripes. Nice and smooth sound.

    Since I only received the HS1650 CU today and did not bring my HS1551 CU to work I don't want to offer too much in the way of comparisons at this point.. I may have a better sense of things in a few days after directly comparing the two, but the general sense I have is the 1650 is a little cleaner and tighter sounding. Slightly less thick. A little less upper mids and a little more treble. Both are highly enjoyable and definitely not world's apart in performance.

    I think it's unlikely that the HS1650 is worth the extra money as it's about 420USD vs 660USD from AccessoryJack if you get EMS shipping. The only reason I gave the 1650 a chance is because I wanted an IEM to keep with my home setup while my other two IEMs are used on the go.
     
  2. Biscuit

    Biscuit New

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    Has anyone listened to the Sony IER-Z1R yet? They look like they might be my ticket back into the upgrade-itis sector of head-fi that I abandoned years ago. The price is a little out there, but everyone needs to treat themselves once or twice a year.
     
  3. AstralStorm

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    No love for Hifiman RE-500 which is almost like RE-262 but not quite? (RE-800 is a different beast but also worthy of mention - it has the highs like RE-262 had mids.)

    The main problem I have with both of these is that they really warrant custom eartips or shells but nobody I know of can make these with 4mm bore. Also both are deep fit. So did RE-262, but was shallow fit.
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I didn't even know about the RE-500 or had forgotten about it. I haven't heard any of their new stuff. I suspect Hifiman's historical cable woes scares people off spending too much on their iems but they've always had solid SQ.
     
  5. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    What is RE500? I'm not able to find them anywhere on Hifiman Website. Loved both RE262 and 272.
     
  6. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    My guess is it was in reference to the RE600 - AFAIK there was no RE500 model. It's been a time since I've heard an RE-262 but I think the general assessment is fairly accurate. Given their current IEM lineup, the RE600 mids get close and are more in line with the old Hifiman IEM house sound compared to the two latest models. I've not heard an RE800 yet but I am interested in trying the silver version when the price drops. Reports are that more recent production has better QC but the cable quality in general still leaves a lot to be desired. I think the RE600 is appropriately priced now that it can be had for $80-100 - I still enjoy mine from time to time.
     
  7. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I remember the RE600 having the treble a little too shelved down for my tastes. I still enjoy my Massdrop RE00 from time to time.
     
  8. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I too enjoy mine, although maybe the shelved treble @shotgunshane refers to matches the shelved treble of my hearing. As to the cable issues, i've already bought something to replace them for when the cable goes south.
     
  9. Jokko

    Jokko Friend

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    Ok, so the few IEMs I tested this summer I quite liked the Pinnacle PX's. The problem is they seem too difficult to drive for an iPhone. The iPhone 6 without any lightning cable or dongle did a bit better than my iPhone 8.

    @shotgunshane Do you know if Brainwavz B400, FLC Technology FLC8S or Oriveti Primacy will be any better using a phone as a source?

    Taking personal preference and iPhone as source into consideration, I'd rank the ones I tested: Pinnacle PX > EDC3 > MassdropPlus > Noble X Wzrd
     
  10. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    The Pinnacle P2 was supposed to be a more efficient version of the P1.
     
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I’m a little surprised you like the PX better than those others, particularly the Plus. So I’m going to guess the PX dynamic driver bass ticks some preference boxes for you. If so, I’m not sure an all armature based model will satisfy.

    So of the two hybrids you mentioned, I’d say the FLC8S is better than the Primacy. The Primacy is a step up in bass over the PX but the treble has slightly odd timbre. So I’m thinking it won’t be a big enough improvement over all.

    While the FLC8S has many tuning options, only 2 or 3 are really worth exploring, at least for me, but it was an enjoyable iem for me.

    Instead I’d recommend reading @james444’s thread on modding the JVC FD01. I haven’t written much on it yet (what little I did was in the loaner thread) but modded properly it’s a smoking value. The mod is super easy. The hard part is locating the right kind of alcohol swabs to buy. I’m planning on picking one up and modding myself, as soon as funds permit. It’s that good.
     
  12. Jokko

    Jokko Friend

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    I realize the MD+ is technically better than all of these four and very ergonomic housings, but the treble was too much for me, even with comply (which I don't like at all).

    Thanks for this, I'll definitely go shopping for FL8S / FL8N. Also keeping an eye on the FD01 thread.
     
  13. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I saw that Sennheiser has released the IE 40 Pro. Looks like it could be a good alternative to the SE215.
    Some very ergonomical looking housings. Anyone heard these yet?
     
  14. huynhhungvnr

    huynhhungvnr New

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    Hi @shotgunshane , i'm considering between the Fitear F111 and Noble X and i'd like to know your comparison of these twos, mainly on treble and soundstage.

    I'm quite sensitive to sibilance, specifically 8-10kHz sibilance. I'm currently using the HD58X and listen to Pusha T verse on Feel the Love by KIDS SEE GHOSTS... it's a bit too much for me. Would the X and F111 do well for me?
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Both have a dip in the sibilance range, so I don’t think either should pose a problem here. I no longer have the F111 but I remember it’s horn effect nozzle design produced some pretty easy going treble with very good timbre. I would say the F111 wins out in treble quality over all.

    Both are fairly intimate soundtages and produce very engaging midranges. In general I’ve found single armatures somewhat limited in soundstage capability, so the X should provide a little bit more spacious overall feeling.

    I’ve never listened to that song before. Seems like his voice has a lot of natural sibilance. It’s very tolerable on the X though, as it’s not accentuated. The X would probably be a little more enjoyable with this kind of music, due to it’s richer note and more fun nature. The F111 is more of a FitEar take on the Etymotic sound. While warmer and more easy going than an ER4, it’s more reference in frequency response than the X.

    Fit is the biggest thing I have to criticize on the X. The noble shells tend to back out of my ears over time. It took a long time to find the tips that will keep them best seated for me and that was with spinfits, a tip I normally detest. The F111 had a much easier fit for me. Fit with the X seems hit or miss- some never complain and some experience the backing out.

    Hope this helps.
     
  16. Sriracha

    Sriracha New

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    I've had the campfire audio lyra II since near their release and have been loving them since. Though I'm always wondering what I could have next. I used to have the Noble Audio Trident and remember just not liking them at all. My current desktop setup is a JDS Labs O2+ODAC revB with an AKG K7XX that I use for gaming, but I always find myself reaching for the Campfire Audio which were originally for on-the-go daily use.

    What could you recommend next for me as a clear upgrade? For some reason people tend to hate the Lyra II here but there isn't really much that I can find wrong. I run comply foam eartips so maybe that's why I don't get the sibilance that people complain about. Obviously I'll have to start saving since I'd be already coming from a $500-$700 IEM, and that probably means paying flagship pricing at the moment, but I'm open to it. I'm also considering on just keeping the Lyra II as well.

    I think at this point, my taste aligns with smooth, warm and full bodied audio with great bass extension for when needed.
     
  17. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Check out the Solaris thread below.
     
  18. Sriracha

    Sriracha New

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    One of the things I like about the Lyra II is that I feel it's relaxed in delivery and that I can just chill on them for hours on end without getting roasted alive. I believe Vega wasn't like this at all and I remember someone saying it felt like "getting roasted alive", do you feel that the Solaris might be the same way?
     
  19. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @Sriracha I’m thinking @deafdoorknob can give you some models to check out. He’s heard a lot of the newer bass oriented dynamics out there. I’m thinking he might suggest one of the new Empire Ears hybrids, of which I haven’t heard.
     
  20. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    the new prince of darkness is EE's Vantage, it is chocolate lava kek in an iem form, if you are looking for something more lithe, the new fender hybrids, 10/5, 13/? are also quite interesting as they are better engineered successors of the aurisonics big DD woofer hybrids (naming convention = diameter of the DD/# of BAs, ie 10/5 is a 10mm dd with 5 bas ) If you want to stick to CFA Dorados are being discontinued, so you should find a good deal somewhere.

    But like Mr Jones said, if i were you, i would possibly wait until i get some ear time with Solaris first.
     

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