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

I'm still on the lookout for a slightly v-shaped hybrid with strong, visceral bass (but not basshead levels) to complement my Andros.

I had the misfortune of trying the Sony XBA-Z5 which was one of the worst experiences of mine in this hobby. Even the cheap chi-fi thingie called TRN V80 (with comply tips to tame the highs) is leagues above that abomination IMHO. As someone in love with the Andros, I guess I just became a Campfire fanboy and just can't live without those Andro highs. The problem for me is CA has no distribution in my country and having an audition before purchase is nearly impossible.

Actually I was looking forward to Solaris but the first impressions I read suggest that it's quite similar to Andros regarding bass. What do you guys think about Dorado? Or should I just forget the hybrids and go for the Vega or Atlas?

 

Is anyone else intrigued by the new Audio technical IEM?

Https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/smt/atj/show_model.php?modelId=3056

Within a lineup of 3, with cans and an earbud.

 

Thanks for the help! I'll be on the lookout for everyone's review here for the Solaris. For now I'll look into those suggested IEMs

 

Damn it paypal credit y u exist I committed on Campfire Audio's Solaris.

 

@shotgunshane and @muse noticed I noticed you've heard the Earwerkz Supra (1/2) and the Pinnacle P1.

I reshelled the custom Kickstarter version from a friend and sold my Pinnacle PX (113USD version of the P1, same drivers crappier cables) to fund it. While I love the Supra, I'm casually looking for a 80-160USD universal beater as a backup.

Just wondering if you have heard something that does what the Supra/P1 does but better, or are there interesting ones you've heard since? It need not be the same sound signature as I switch between V and balanced sigs happily, so long as timbre accuracy and frequency extension aren't weak. (Re extension, I personally would like a bit more subbass extension to go with the P1's rumble, and a bit more treble extension for the MD+ to be really worthy of its price tag)

I was looking at single DDs like the Tin Audio T2 Pro, PX/P1 again and the IT01 (found it a sidegrade to the PX, poorer fit). Of course the rabbit hole opened and I'm also looking at the Nuforce EDC3, Etymotics ER3SE (because I was surprisingly alright with the ER4SR on demo not just XR) and chifi like the Tenhz P4 Pro (on Massdrop atm).

Cheers!

 

Ok life happened so not getting anything soon, but leaning towards the ER3SE for now.

 

Thanks @shotgunshane. I was surprised that I could deal with the much reduced sub bass too. Will check out the suggestions you listed

Also just wanted to say thanks again for the review eons ago that got me shortlisting the Supra!

 

Really digging the MDR-EX800ST (aka MDR-7550). Have used it from both my iPhone 7 via dongle and my iFi nano iDSD BL. They work best for me with the small tips and a slightly deeper insertion but seal and sound fine with any of the 3 tip sizes provides. I've read quite a bit about fit issues with these IEMs, but I am able to wear them for hours and hours without any discomfort. They provide very little isolation. Absolutely do not buy them if you need isolation.

I feel the EX800ST represents a pretty decent value at their current price of roughly $240. I've seen them go for as little as $100-150 used. The EX800ST are on the warmer side but can still have a little sharpness due to the treble peaks. I would prefer if the treble were a little more smooth, but it's still mostly very pleasant for my tastes. The bass quantity doesn't seem to be boosted and the quality is pretty good. Sounds nice and clean. Doesn't get in the way and also doesn't feel too light.

In a few weeks I'll have the opportunity to compare it with the MDR-EX1000 via loaner. While I'm looking forward to that the much larger treble peaks on the EX1000 look a little scary. I imagine the EX800ST is a safer pick for most people. Doesn't seem to ruin any recordings in my short experience.

I will also try to do more comparisons with the Acoustune HS1650CU. My initial impressions are that the 1650 is a step up in clarity and has a more v shaped signature.

The main reason I bought the EX800ST was to have an IEM that's always around to use at home if necessary as I usually leave my 1650 at work. It gets very cold in my room at times so rather than suffering with my ADX5000 it can be nice using IEMs + hoodie with the hood up.

 

those mee audio medium bore triple flange tips work well in managing the treble of the ex1k

 

I'll keep that in mind. What I was recommended on the EX800ST/EX1000 was to use the smallest tips I could and insert to 2nd bend if possible. That works well for me. The EX1000 comes with an extra small tip option. I do wonder if that could be even better than the small tips I am currently using.

 

Will do. For what it’s worth I know that crin recently posted some 1650 measurements here. https://reddit.app.link/DqbtlktJ3R

He has also done EX1000 measurements, but I believe he changed his measuring setup recently so they are probably not directly comparable.

Sample 1: https://imgur.com/xUawmhp
Sample 2: https://imgur.com/kg1vVeo

For anyone interested BananaOoyoo on HF is selling EX1000s brand new from Korea for $350 + PayPal fees + shipping as long as there is stock available. That’s probably about as good of a deal as one can get on a new EX1000 these days. I plan on purchasing one from him if I like the loaner enough.

 

Gave the GR07 Classic a shot today. I was considering getting it as a potential enjoyable 'downgrade' to my HS1650CU, but it turns out I'd rather stick with the 1650. The GR07 Classic is very pleasant sounding and certainly a good value. I did feel it was a bit too relaxed to be one of my main IEMs.

Not quite sure what's up with the treble. Cymbals and snares sound a little muted in comparison to my 1650 and ADX5000 but have notably more life compared to my SE215. Obviously the SE215 is a much more fair comparison, but I figured I'd give it a go against everything I have with me currently. One of the interesting things on the GR07C is that the cymbals can sound both muted and tizzy at the same time. This is the only GR07 I've tried so I can't say whether this is the norm or whether I got a particularly odd unit.

The 1650 is noticeably more energetic and in your face. It has a lot of treble detail and sparkle that the GR07 Classic seems to be lacking. Snare attacks are a little blunted on the GR07, and the decay is shorter. That said I think some people would consider the 1650 to have too much energy and enjoy the more relaxing sound of the GR07.

Fit and comfort are fantastic with the GR07. These are very light and fairly small, and I can see myself being able to wear these all day without issue. While I use medium tips on most IEMs I found that the large stock tips sealed best for me.

To me the treble was the main focus of what I didn't love about the GR07. I don't have much to complain about the rest of the frequency range. Bass quantity suits my tastes just fine. Might be a tad on the lighter side, but I never really felt that it was deficient. Quality seems pretty good for the ~$100 range. Nothing in the mids really stood out to me. Pretty good. Nothing special.

Still waiting on the EX1000. Really looking forward to that one which should be a keeper based on my feelings about the EX800ST. Already returned the EX800ST because of my confidence in the additional treble on the EX1000 honestly. Hope it isn't a mistake.

Everything was compared using my PC + nano iDSD BL.

 

I had the same issue years ago, with the original GR07 model. It's the combination of lower treble dip and 10k spike that makes cymbals sound that way. I liked them overall, but their (slight) treble sizzle drove me nuts with classical music.

 

On day 3 with the AK T8iE MkII now. Figured I'd post some quick impressions/comparisons.

Compared to the 1650 the T8iE provides significantly more sub bass. It's has better extension where as the 1650 rolls off in the sub bass. I can really hear the rumble on certain tracks that come across a little cleaner and tighter in the lower regions of the 1650. It's a nice contrast to me. They're both great in different ways. The upper mids sound very dipped on the T8iE compared to the 1650. The 1650 is more exciting in this way and perhaps a little more fatiguing to listen to. There's a lot of focus there on the 1650 that feels subdued on the T8iE. I will have to get back to you on treble comparisons between the two as the bass and upper mids were the main differences that stood out to me, but I will say that the T8iE treble is very clean and clear. Seems pretty well extended. I like it a lot.

It is a pleasant surprise to me that the T8iE offers me enough isolation and the right sound signature to replace my SE215 on the bus/train. While the SE215 does isolate more I am able to enjoy the T8iE without turning the volume higher. Perhaps because the T8iE has quite a bit more treble. The SE215 is very muddy and dark in comparison. I will still be keeping the SE215 around for air travel. There's no way the T8iE provides sufficient isolation on a plane.

I believe I can safely put the T8iE up there with my HS11650CU. It is a definite keeper for me. This is a bit of a reversal because I tried the Xelento via loaner about 3 months ago and felt the treble was a little harsh with the stock tips and had too much bass and not enough treble with the other tips I tried which were either Spiral Dots or AET07. Can't remember exactly which. I feel that I failed to figure out the right sized stock tips to use which caused the issue and made things sound a bit thin. The largest stock tips included with the T8iE work best for me. The Xelento offers a few even larger sized tip options.

It seems that I threw in the towel too quickly on the Xelento. That said the T8iE is cheaper and a slightly better value because of it. Whether the tuning of the T8iE is better or worse is purely subjective.

EX1000 should be here tomorrow or Saturday as far as I can tell so there may be some early impressions and comparisons over the weekend or early next week.

Good to know I'm not the only one.

 

remember with the ex1k the deeper tips penetrate your holes, the greater the pleasure and the less spiky the treble becomes

 

Short impressions on the Sony MDR-EX1000. I have to admit that I only listened to these for about an hour at most. While I did quite like the EX1000 I did not end up keeping it because I have no need a 3rd pair of great IEMs and knew a friend that wanted them badly. The T8iE MkII changed my whole game plan as I was originally going to keep the EX1000 for home, HS1650CU for work, and SE215 on bus/train/plane. Now I can use the HS1650CU at home and T8iE MkII for work, bus, and train. SE215 for plane only. This is good because the SE215 sounds like crap.

All listening was done with the SS sized Sony hybrid tips. Easily the best option to get and maintain a nice deep seal for me. I did not try the EX1000 with my phone in this short time span. Only PC + nano iDSD BL.

It is easy to see why the EX1000 is so highly regarded. It solved the issues I had with the EX800ST. I felt the EX800ST was a little lacking in treble quantity and detail. The EX1000 is a bigger step up than I was expecting. Easily keeps up with or even slightly outpaces the 1650 and T8iE in detail. It is the cleanest and clearing sounding of the three but also the least exciting. This can be good or bad depending on your preferences.

To me I'd put all 3 on about the same level. The T8iE is very v shaped. The 1650 I suppose also qualifies as v shaped but far less so? Also has a noticeably larger quantity of upper mids compared to both the EX1000 and T8iE. Maybe that qualifies as w shaped. The EX1000 came across as the most even sounding to me albeit a little on the brighter side.

The EX1000 bass does not sound boosted to me and the quality is excellent. Very clean and clear bass with excellent extension. Objectively the best bass between the 3 but not my favorite for personal enjoyment. I feel the EX1000 has objectively the best mids of the 3 as well. The 1650 will be too boosted in the upper mids for some and the T8iE is dipped. The EX1000 in my opinion falls into 'just right'. I actually do not find the treble any more bothersome than the 1650. Likely due to the consistent deep seal I was able to get. I like the treble on all 3 models and don't have much to say here. Perhaps with more listening time I could have been more picky between the three options. None of them stick out to me as notably flawed in the treble like the GR07 Classic does. The EX1000 sounds less spiky than the EX800ST which is surprising given the graphs I've seen. It believe it is likely due to the SS sized tips I mentioned providing the best possible seal.

The EX1000 requires a bit more power than my other two IEMs. Rather than having the volume around 8:30 - 9 o'clock on the pot it was hovering around 10:30 - 11 o'clock. Very big difference.

I think I can fairly confidently say that the EX1000 is objectively the best DD IEM I've tried. I understand the flaws with the treble spikes and did hear those flaws on the EX800ST, but a proper deep seal appears to mitigate that issue very well while also providing more impressive sub bass performance. Given that it is objectively the best why did I quickly decide to let it go? It is subjectively the most boring of the options. It lacks excitement. The more even frequency response lacks power. The bass quantity and quality is great, but maybe I like my bass a little boosted. The sub bass on the T8iE is awesome. The upper mids on the 1650 have a sort of special sound to me as well. If I felt I needed a 3rd nice IEM the EX1000 would certainly be the one, but as it is the IEM I keep at home is already splitting time with my ADX5000. I don't have a need for another.

Yea. This is very true with both the EX800ST/7550 and EX1000. I found that the SS sized tips that come with the EX1000 are easily the best overall. The fact that the EX800ST didn't come with that size is disappointing as the S size was slightly too large to maintain a deep seal. It would always slowly slide out and loose the optimal seal.

Also unrelated, but I ordered an iEMatch to use with my nano iDSD BL that already has iEMatch to some extent. Should be in today. This seems a bit silly, I know, but I think the 'ultra' setting will be very helpful. I am stuck at around 8:30-9 o'clock on the volume pot with the nano iDSD BL iEMatch headphone out with both my 1650 and T8iE which is still around the point where the nano can have some minor channel imbalance. I believe this headphone out to be -12dB and <4ohm. If I use the iEMatch accessory on 'ultra' with the direct headphone out on the nano I should be able to achieve -24dB and <1ohm.

If the iEMatch doesn't work out I may look into the micro iDSD BL as it has a few power modes and has the iEMatch 'high' and 'ultra' options rather than the nano which lacks the 'ultra' option. Trying the iEMatch accessory to avoid spending $600.

 

But seriously, I've got to try the EX1000s some day.

 

Have any anyone tried the KZ ATE? Stumbled upon these and they have been very popular for almost 3 years now. Price is cheap (currently 10 €) about with shipping. I am thinking to get a bunch of these as gifts...so I was hoping someone could chime in if these are absolutely horrible or not. I tried the KZ S5 back in the day and that large bulky and impossible for me to get them to stay im my ears.