IEM general discussion thread

Nope I tried the J while I still had the old 2000. At the time I had lost it I was focusing on building a home setup and didn't have the budget for a new IEM, and had rediscovered the joy of reading on the go lol. So for now I probably won't be buying any replacement IEMs unless I happen to find one that really impresses.

 

Cn11 had the aurisonics 1+, I believe it was called. It's a well-regarded hybrid, so you might want to ask him about it.

 

So as a entry level CIEM, for someone looking for the best isolation, are the UE 4 Pro or the JH5 worth it?
They're the cheapest at this moment.
JH5 looks more popular and I can customize it... (What the hell UE, the UE 4 can be only clear translucent?!?)

 

What, you still have faith in JH build quality, QC, and turn around time?

 

Uhnn interesting, don't they sound bass light?
And most importantly, are they easy to power? I don't want to use anything else than my phone or an ipod shuffle.

Well I've checked some JH threads on Head-Fi and looks like they've improved a lot.

 

I have some MEE Pinnacles on the way. Wanted something with superior isolation that doesn't sound like an Etymotic.

I was planning on downgrading in cost significantly from my Aurisonics Kicker... oh well. If I want decent sound and lots of isolation, it's hard to go much under $200.

If I don't like the lack of sub-bass, they'll probably go back and I'll go for Future Sonics Spectrum G10.

 

I decided to pass on the Trinity Atlas. Bob's been posting on Head-Fi about his next series, and they don't cost significantly more than the Atlas, so I saw no point in getting them yet.

Over on HF some people are raving about $5 earbuds called the Venture Monk. I ordered two, one to try myself and one to donate to the loaner program in case anyone is interested in trying them out. I figure for $5 I'm not taking much of a loss if they completely suck. And if they somehow are good or very good, then I just found a hell of a bargain.

Normally I don't jump on stuff just because a bunch of people on HF are raving about it, but for such a low cash outlay, it seemed like a fun diversion.

 

I just got my P1 in yesterday afternoon, though I've only had a chance to unbox and listen to a few songs...quite positive initial impression. It's not (audibly) lacking in subbass extension to me, but I'm still experimenting with various tips/fitment. It does isolate rather well for a dynamic with just the single flanges but the ultimate test will be taking them out on the train.

I know you're an Aurisonics fan, of which I've not heard any yet but read they tend to have some serious bass presence...so I can't really make a comparison there. The bass quality on the P1 seems very good from initial impressions, more present and of better quality than the other IEMs I have currently from memory (no direct comparison yet). I'd bet the G10 would definitely serve up more quantity-wise. I owned the MG7 a few years back, quite good for a bassy IEM though I ended up liking the EPH100 more but both had odd fits and I tend not to like really deep insertion tips. Reports are that the G10 has more elevated bass/lower mid, less scooped upper mid and less treble presence/extension to the MG7 and that they are quite good.

I'll post some more in depth impressions in a few days after these have warmed up to my ears and I get in more listening and comparison time...but they seem to be the real deal. The build quality is top notch at this price point.

 

I deleted my post.

 

^

 

Probably not a great way to make a first post, but having never heard the HD650 but read a lot about it, the Flare R2Pros may be a good approximation. Very clean and revealing yet smooth sound especially the mids which are great. Excellent deep but controlled bass. Not bright but accurate (to my ears) treble maybe lacking a little way up top. They look and are built like a 50 dollar IEM though.

 

After owned HD650 twice, modded and unmodded, I take a bait and jump to CustomArt wagon, buyed a Harmony 8. I can say that sounds very much alike HD650 and LCD2..

Wonderful imaging, not so wide soundstage, but very realistic and 3D feeling becuase of great depth and height...
Micro detail seems very great either, not forced, just shimmering around your head with polite behaviour..
Nicely done tones and timbres...the best part of it is the bass/low section, very detailed and layered, best bass details I've heard on BA IEM, can't comment when compared to the Dynamic driver, because very different one to another. It wont satisfied for basshead because the quantity is a little on the lean side, but it punch very well with a great speed and PRaT with a little rolled off on the edge of frequency.

 

I loved this thread so much that I decided to sign up and say thank you! I SOOO MUCH agree with your short descriptions

 

Pinnacles in my ears. These are excellent IEMs. Top notch build and comfort, great isolation, very good sound.

They need burn-in. They also sound much better from my amplifier than from my phone.

I'm currently trying them out with the triple flange tips and I'd call the overall response pretty similar to an HD600.

Tip rolling always makes a huge difference for IEMs.

Now I have Comply in one ear and Monster SuperTips in the other. Bass comes up a bit. Treble goes down a bit.

Not quite as authoritative as my modded HD650, but we'll see after burn-in.

I can already tell these are going to be great all-rounder earphones.

Coupled with all of their other merits, and I'd say they're a steal at $200.

Some notes so far:

• They need an amp. 50 Ohms at 1 kHz, 96±3 dB (1mW at 1 kHz). This is actually good news for me, because I primarily use my IEMs at work with an amp. These are not workout headphones.
• Build quality is superb. Great cables, housings are super solid, no roughness at all to them.
• Isolation is very good. Better than any IEM I've owned. Not as much isolation as Etymotics, but better than most everything else.
• Sound so far is good. Not a lot of sub-bass and very slightly rough around the edges, but I anticipate them smoothing out a touch with burn-in, which should leave them with a great combo of clarity and silkiness.
• They can be worn over ear or down. Unlike any other earphone I've heard claiming that, these do it. They nestle in perfectly in either direction (you have to swap the cable connection to so without reversing stereo).
• Soundstage is very good. Better than HD650 (which isn't its strong suit).
• I mention these alongside the HD6x0 not because everyone else mentions those headphones with every IEM, but because they are mid-centric. The treble is a touch brighter than the HD650, but so far isn't bothersome to me. The bass is a little less authoritative than the HD650 so far as well. Burn-in might change everything. We'll see.
• These appear to be keepers. No regrets spending the money for them.

 

@Luckbad let us know how they sound after more burn-in. $200 sounds about right for IEMs for me.

 

I am thinking of getting the pinnacles as well. does look like a well made, well thought out unit. anyone tried the PSB m4u 4?

 

I see the Pinnacles are listed as having detachable cables, does anyone know if it can be cabled for balanced playback? Is that an inherent feature of any IEM with detachable cables?

 

Also have the P1, love em. Only issue is a dip in the upper mids, but overall thick warmish IEM without veil.