IEM's that kick ass with rock and metal.. Any suggestions?

This is something I don't see posted all too often as I guess most Audiophiles aren't metal heads and prefer jazz, blues, classical or whatever. Anyway, I'm mostly into rock and metal and I'm looking for some IEM's that can really do it justice. I'm guessing I need something really dynamic with good bass slam and it has to do ripping guitars really well. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

What kind of full size hp-s do you tolerate with your music? I like dynamics in general more, but it depends. Most iem-s with problems in 4k to 8k tend to shit themselves with something like Tool. Sadly most iem-s have problems just there and this is why I don't listen to much metal with iem-s. Not helping is the fact that spikes in the treble move around with ear geometry. Without budget limits there surely are options. Look into Andromeda thread and Shotgunshanes iem thread.
It's best to ask such questions in the all purpose thread instead.

 

I listen to about 60-70% rock and I have yet to find a better IEM for it than the Andromeda, the way the treble is tuned allows for e-guitars to soar and renders percussive attack in a delicious manner. Out of an average source like a smartphone the treble quantity may be a bit too much for weaker masters, sibilance can rear it's head and crash cymbals get unpleasant. This is fixed with something like the Sony ZX2 which removes upper register nasties entirely but keeps the airy and natural treble otherwise intact.

A budget alternative is the Orion, it will place guitars and vocals closer to the listener and while guitars may be a little fuller in body thickness it will be at the cost of air and energy overall. Cymbals and hi-hats will still be present but take a little back seat to the upper mid rise. Also consider the Ortofon e-Q8 which has a similar tuning to the Orion but is perhaps even more of a rock specialist.

 

Thanks for all the replies. The Andromeda's are sooo tempting.

 

suggestion: hopefully at the end of the yr you'll do a 'xmas or year end' 'best of' of the iems.
am sure many people would find your thoughts (and others ops) very interesting....perhaps group
the 'best of' according to something like 'headphonelist' does by price and sound sig....just a friendly suggestion.

 

I listen to 90% metal and rock and 10% everything else.

My favourite IEMs so far for this genre have been Oriolus v2 (my daily driver), Shure 846, but these are rather bass heavy which I prefer.
I also had good experience with the Westone 4R lol - much more detailed and clarity in the highs, less bass but much tighter.
Also tried a really good Single DD earphone - the Acoustune HS1004 only 1.8k HKD

 

FWIW...I listen 100% to rock (classic, not the new ones). I have tried exactly 5 IEMs - Shure 535, Dunu 2kj, Jays AJays5, Sennheiser Momentum In Ears and the Camp Fire Andromeda. In each case, I used the iPhone 6s. If it is in your budget, get the Andromeda and forget about IEMs (at least in the near future ). For me, the first four had their own quirks with U-shaped sound, too bassy to drown mids etc...

 

Chalk up yet another recommendation for the CFA Andromeda here. With them, in addition to a healthy guitar bite, I noticed two things immediately (gear was a stock HTC 10 and USB Audio Player Pro):
1) Hi-hat, ride, and crash cymbals' nuances are clear and precisely staged, i.e., no artificially elevated treble; and
2) Bass and sub-bass are taut, and their texture(s) are not muddy.

Instances (among countless) where either (1) and/or (2) is evident: Obscura's "Akroasis" (DR 6), Tool's "Lateralus" (DR 8), Wilderun's "The Garden of Fire" (DR 6), Symphony X's "Through the Looking Glass" (DR 11), Rainbow's "The Shed" (DR 12)

 

I hate to sound like a broken record, but if you're considering the Andromeda for those genres, you should really check out the Vega too.

 

The Andromeda is incredible with this genre, but I will throw in another recommendation from the more budget side of things - the iBasso IT03. You will get sparkly highs, thumpy bass, and a snappy sounding midrange. The sound is somewhat on the leaner side of neutral but IME it works pretty well with metal and/or all aggressive styles of music. The treble's quite smooth for a TWFK as well.

The HF thread for the IT03 is pretty much a hype train with statements mostly along the line of "the best ever", but I will say for the asking price of about 250 usd it is a good performer. I prefer it over most other universals around this price range (Dunu Hybrids, FLC8S, Pinnacle P1)

 

Any impressions on JH Audio Rosie?