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

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

  1. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    And I hate the White Nozzle FDX1 with a passion, so no Luna for me. Sorry @pure5152.

    It seems like if you prefer DD you are better off sticking to the FDX1.
     
  2. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    To clarify this: no I did not imply that your impressions are based on the graph only. Two users pointed this out to me, too, and I am at a loss how I could have come across that way.

    But, when the first person says yes/no and the next bases their conclusions on just that, there is a high risk that the ball is being played in the wrong direction.

    I did a thorough analysis of the SSR and compared them to in-house competitors and others, elsewhere. And whereas it is unimportant what I personally think about the SSR, it is crucial for everybody else that I (and many others) characterize the SSR sufficiently well so that people can start making up their own minds according to their personal preferences.

    I always say that the best review is many reviews. And there is nothing wrong when people have different opinions.
     
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Moondrop has been promoting the SSR as inspired by Ety and/or Diffuse Field targeted, so naturally a few of us over here were optimistically excited. Or maybe that was just me being excited. At any rate, the measurements come out and we see it’s not anything Ety/DF like, except in bass perhaps, so I’m now fairly disappointed. Disappointed because I fell for the marketing.
    Looks closer to typical Moondrop tunning (whatever they call it), which is fine. I’m sure it’s a fine iem but I would really appreciate an ER2 type tuning in a non-brain-tickling fit.
     
  4. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    No, not really.

    Not everyone wants to cycle through one hundred throwaway chifiems looking for gold, or read one hundred unboxings reviews by people trying to keep their seat on the gravy train.

    Once you calibrate the opinion of trusted people (crinacle, shotgunshane, james444) to your own, their reviews become more instructive and yes/maybe/no is an efficient way to optimise the time and money that you spend on this hobby.
     
  5. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    It would be interesting to see how the other "trusted" people see the SSR...and there is quite a few of them. What will be the level of agreement....actually for any cheap earphone.

    I didn't read any of Moondrop's ads but the SSR don't sound like Etys at all...and yes, they sound closer to the Spaceship and - to some extent - the Starfield.

    And yes, sure there is a lot of lack of talent out there, and lots of poseurs like me, agreed. Now, please excuse me, I have to - please hold yourself - record an unboxing video...of the Sennheiser HD25 Anniversary Edition with the yellow pads. And no, no gravy train, it derailed. I bought the HD25 myself, paid a lot extra for shipping, but they appear to look really cool - somebody must have figured out their sound since 1989. I was a big fan of the HD414 in their days and wished Senneheiser re-issued them.

    P.S. Finally some action here!
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
  6. Mochill

    Mochill New

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    I got a er4B coming
     
  7. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Well, it depends...

    I tinkered a bit with the Luna today and found that the high range can be damped similarly to the FD01 / FDX1. I used 5mm wide strips of alcohol swab with varying lengths, 13, 14 and 15mm. Here is the result:

    (DF-compensated; red = stock, orange = 13mm, blue = 14mm, green = 15mm, dark gray = FD01 reference filter)
    [​IMG]

    With a strip of 5 x 15mm, it is possible to lower the Luna's high range down to FD01 reference level. However, since the Luna has a slight (lower) mids bump over the FD01 / FDX1, that much damping sounds almost too polite and warmish in my book. I'll have to listen a little longer and compare the filters, but I think I'll probably end up with 14mm length.

    Anyway, the bottom line is that you can easily tune the high range to your liking, just roll your swab filters and shove them rear side into the Spinfit tips. So, @shotgunshane make sure to have some alcohol swab at hand when you get your Luna tour loaner... ;)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2020
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @james444 so the rolled swab fits in the tip nozzle, basically sitting above the iem nozzle opening?
     
  9. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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  10. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Adding the Sony IER-M7 to the list.

    Sony IER-M7 - Quick Take

    The overall signature is a stage monitor-like warm and smooth tuning, but not in the fashion that has been typical of the old guard in-ear stage monitors. Stage tunings of the past have typically been mid and upper bass boosted with varying degrees of upper midrange suckout. While the M7 shares the more intimate head-staging of stage monitor type tuning, it does not share the sins of commission from the likes of Westone and Earsonics. The M7 has plenty of upper midrange pinna gain, as well as treble extension that avoids troublesome peaks. Both male and female vocals sound natural and convincing; and cymbals/rides sound realistic, if a bit subdued in the mix.

    Vs Andromeda OG (on 1ohm or less OI)
    The M7 sounds overall slower and noticeably warmer. Extension seems similar in both directions perhaps but Andromeda has greater middle treble response providing much more sparkle. M7 sounds thicker and richer in note weight. If Andromeda is a downward sloping U shape, the M7 is a downward sloping sig that levels out instead of rebounding in treble.

    M7 is much more intimate, closer to the listener, yet isn’t in your face. Andromeda sounds clearer with better separation and air around instruments. Compared to Andromeda, M7 lacks dynamics and needs to be turned up to sound its best; it can sound sleepy at lower volumes.

    While treble is comparatively shelved down, it still has very good timbre and resolution. In fact, The M7 is more tonally even sounding overall, if a good bit hazier down low.

    I tend to think of the M7 as an upgrade to the (Mass)Drop EDC3 tuning. It maintains the midrange through treble evenness, while adding a much richer note weight and bass heft. As a consequence transients are slower, so while the bass ads depth and naturalness, you do loose the bite and micro-dynamics of toms and snares.

    The M7 is very easy to like: ergonomically shaped housing, soft and pliable cable (not quite as good as 1ZR cable), pleasing and proficient sound. The latest MSRP price drop to $499 makes the M7 quite the value in this day and age of ever escalating pricing.
     
  11. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    @shotgunshane - Have you tried the M9? That gets pretty rave reviews.
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    No, I haven’t heard the M9 but would like to at some point. A kind SBAF member loaned me the M7.
     
  13. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    have been demoing this UP4, and it's small size and long battery life (standby mode too) are great features.
    yet might be returning it due to:
    in "Dual DAC" (Boost) mode, there is back ground noise in 1 channel
    and
    Dual DAC mode (yellow light via double press of button) only works when I have IEMs plugged into the 3.5 jack.
    when using the Dunu cable 2.5mm balanced connector in the 2.5 BAL port on UP4, the gain modes only cycle: blue (low), then green (high), back to blue.
    and
    can't get firmware updated using a Windows VM, despite all the USB connection and DFU instructions followed exactly.

    @shotgunshane any chance you've experienced the above, or fixed it via a firmware upgrade?
     
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I don’t have the noise issue but good catch on dual dac mode with balanced. It doesn’t seem to be an option. As far as I know I have the latest firmware.

    Funny how working from home has me listening on my desktop rig almost exclusively, with the exception of TWS for exercise.
     
  15. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Just received the new AZLA SednaEarfit XELASTEC tips from Amazon Japan:

    [​IMG]

    These remind me most of the Aurisonics SureSeal Eartips, they're very soft and somewhat sticky. Extremely easy to achieve and maintain a shallow and comfy seal with. Great sound too, so first impressions are very favorable overall.

    I just hope that they'll retain their shape better than the Aurisonics SureSeals, which tended to lose theirs over time. If so, then the XELASTECs could be an easy recommendation to those who prefer a shallow seal, but have trouble achieving it with other tips.
     
  16. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    For the background noise, please send me PM or email to [email protected], that's definitely not something that should be happening.

    Update through virtual machine, heard few reports that it's problematic. In this we are unfortunately limited by Qualcomm's software. But once you update it now, in future we plan to have all updates available through the companion app.

    Dual DAC mode, check my response bellow.

    With balanced output, both DACs are working at all times. As such, Dual DAC mode setting for this would make no sense.
     
  17. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    This is VERY helpful knowing the 2.5mm jack having both DACs always engaged!
    2.5 mm shall be my default connection from now on, as sound quality is impressive both with Solaris 2020 and Drop JVC FDX-1.

    as an iPhone and macOS user, realize that firmware updates are hurdle mostly up to me to solve.
    sending a PM. Cheers, and thanks for being here on SBAF.
     
  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I'll be interested to see if they yellow over time like a lot of clear plastics.
     
  19. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @La Cenric Have you or do you know anyone that’s tried front vent tip modding the Acoustune HS1004 or 1551, or perhaps the Sony N3?

    Wondering how neutral they could be made to be. Acoustunes might also require some micropore tape partial coverage of the nozzle to reduce treble peaks? N3 treble looks pretty decent on its own. Actually the N3 looks like it would really benefit from the front vent tip mod. I haven’t heard any of these; just going by your measurements.
     
  20. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

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    I don't think front vent tip modding is popular in my circles since the lack of seal feels weird to a lot of us. I'll pose the question around and see if anyone's interested.
     

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