IEM general discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Griffon, Nov 1, 2015.

  1. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

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    The PP8 is, to most of the ears I know and trust that have heard it, some variation of dead neutral. The emphasis is on dead here. For whatever reason, be it dynamics or tactility or whatever you choose to accuse, it lacks what this site would call engagement. It’s definitely technically proficient and respectable in that regard, but I think it’s worth the warning that it is a fairly polarizing IEM. Especially for someone who seems to prefer a little bit of warmth.

    A considerable option that is very, very out of your budget is the VE8. Vision Ears are based in Germany so it’s definitely easier for someone EU based to acquire, and it manages to combine warm, smooth tonality with some of the best detail on any BA IEM. The catch is that it’s some 3x your price range. The VE3.2, on the other hand, shares a tuning that’s essentially the same, but for the thousand bucks it runs for the technicalities aren’t great.

    One last thing worth thinking about is a used UE18+ G2. The G3 is hot garbage, but the G2 is coherent, smooth and has just the right amount of warmth to be enticing. I don’t normally like warm IEMs but this one is really well executed. Since it’s discontinued, trawling classifieds is the only way to get one. But you can definitely get it plus a reshell (or just the universal version of it) for the price range you’re looking at.
     
  2. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Alright this is not going to be easy it seems. Too bad about the PP8 it seemed to tick all the boxes and i can try it out and send it back if i don't like it. As for the VE8 it is definitely out but maybe if i win the lottery or something.

    Not sure i want to go used but i'll consider it if the price is right. Just get some fresh tips i suppose... Thanks!
     
  3. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

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    If you have to go InEar, I feel like the SD5 or PMX are more to your preference. They’re a little boring as well but they’ve got an easygoing warmth to them that makes them slightly less sterile than the PP8.
     
  4. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Nothing is set in stone, i don't have to go inEar it's just easy with trying at home. I think it's probably best to make a trip and see if can get some demos, get my bearing so to speak. I mean with the earshape not having an effect on the sound of an iem my preferences might be totally different? Who knows...
     
  5. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

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    Yeah, there’s no substitute for trying stuff for yourself. Internet recommendations are often unreliable, especially for transducers. Best to demo first and get a good idea of what you like and what you don’t in an IEM, so your preferences can be triangulated much more easily.
     
  6. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    @Riotvan , where are you located in the Netherlands? HiFi Solutions located in Amsterdam, sells 64Audio and Campfire Audio and a few other brands, and I believe they also carry demos of some of their models. I have interacted with the owner, Rick, on Head-Fi forums. But that was almost 2 years ago and, chances are he won't remember me. But doesn't hurt to check out to see if he is able to offer you any discount.
     
  7. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Close enough to Amsterdam to make a trip out of it so i'll put them on the list :)
    Saw another one there but they want €150 for a listening session which then gets discounted from a purchase, yeah right f**k that lol. Will see if there are others that are not so slimy.
     
  8. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    €150? Seriously? And what if you don't make a purchase? Do you get a bottle of scotch to drink while listening or something? Wow...
     
  9. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Never mind that's for a private listening session during the evenings with some high end gear: https://www.headphoneauditions.nl/private/ You apparently can just walk in during the day. I thought it was a webshop only that offered only this listening session.
     
  10. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    Thank you @waynestractor, @dormantsheep, @EagleWings, and @Zhanming057 for taking the time to reply and for offering such informative, helpful advice. I really appreciate it. I’ll be sure to check out your recommendations. (If anyone’s interested, the preview video for CanJam mentions that the Anole XV will be available for demo at the Moon Audio exhibit, which is good news given the travel restrictions).

    @Riotvan: To complement @animus’s points, I’ve heard the PP8 briefly and liked it. I’m not sure it suits your preferences; it appealed to the part of me that likes the HD 800 and not so much the part of me that is fond of my HD 6XX. I’ll let you know if, after trying them this weekend, I get the sense that the Rai Penta might appeal to you. There hasn’t been much discussion of it yet on SBAF, I don’t think.
     
  11. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Well i used a modded HD800 twice before i gave up on it. If it is more balanced in FR i could probably get used to it.

    Looking forward to your impressions of the Rai Penta!
     
  12. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

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    There is definitely a resemblance between the PP8 and the HD800, no doubt about that. Granted, my base opinions on both are pretty similar: technically proficient, but tonally wanting, and lacking some sort of intangible want that’d make me more interested in them.

    Though no matter what I think of the PP8, I feel like it’s still miles ahead of the Rai Penta. Warm IEMs are cool and all, but the Rai Penta isn’t merely warm. It’s congested, lacking in dynamics, and mushy. Meze should stick to ergonomic design rather than mucking up every transducer they try to make.
     
  13. robstah

    robstah New

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    As mentioned above, definitely try any TOTL IEM out for yourself if possible and see if you like it before taking the plunge. With that said, I've quite enjoyed my PP8s so far. I've moved to a Plussound EXO basic copper cable and iFi earbuddy in order to boost the Oi for getting a bit more vocal to shine through. One thing I did notice is that tip rolling really defined the soundstage more than anything, the Spinfits are pretty warm and I don't need the two switches on when using them, but for instance, if I swap over to the AZLA SednaEarFitLights, the soundstage opens up tremendously, but I need to use the switches to help boost the upper and lower. The setup works pretty well for the most part, but I'm definitely towards the end of the available power on the ES100, but I do have a DTR1 coming soon, so that should be fun to play with.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Thanks for the impressions. Also please introduce yourself here:https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/
     
  15. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Hi I thought I'd continue this conversation here so as not to pollute the Andro thread. Yes I picked up the universal VE8 and I'm quite fond of it....it takes that neutral-warm signature that I'm discovering is my ultimate preference and refines it to a high degree. In some ways the VE8 is like a VX with its sign reversed-- the VX is what I would call "neutral bright" and after a while I found a certain region in the upper mid/lower treble to be a bit too energetic at times. The VE8 is comparatively warm and smooth and its mids are divine. I'm contemplating making it my first custom if I ever go that route..but I've had a few people recommend I take a look at the Fibae 7 as well...I would never commit without demoing but I'm particularly interested in comparisons with the VE8.
     
  16. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Good call with bringing over the conversation here..

    Looks like Fibae7 bug has already been planted in your brain. F7 is definitely very good. In fact I'd recommend it easily to people who are fans of Etymotic/DF/Harman like upper-mids bump. If you haven't tried an IEM with that bump, may be best to try to demo it first before pulling the trigger. In a way, it can also be classified as neutral-bright like the VX. While the VX is bright in the lower treble. F7 is bright in the upper-mids. While VX is better than the F7 technically, VX also exhibits a bit of BA timbre, which the F7 doesn't.

    But you know what, I honestly think you should stop cycling through IEMs and try to get into speakers or HPs.
     
  17. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    I don't know if it's a bug just yet, but definitely a curiosity. The Fibae was recommended to me by a couple people but now that you mention it I remember reading about the upper mid bump and this makes me a bit hesitant...and definitely in need of a demo before considering it any further. In truth I may have found my perfect signature in the VE8 and will probably wind up going that route if I ever go custom.

    On the bright side I'm not "cycling" so much these days as now that I have a better idea of what my preferences are the last few I've bought are going to be keepers...and barring picking up a custom at some point I'm content to stay put for a while.

    Unfortunately my living situation doesn't lend itself to speakers and enough of my listening is done on the go and out & about that I think IEMs are still the best option for me.
     
  18. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Don't buy into their hype. It's indeed a very good IEM, but it's not for everyone. Have you listened to an Etymotic ER4 or Moondrop Kanas/KXXS or Fearless S8? If you could get your hands on one of these, you could get a feel for what the F7's upper-mids would sound like.
     
  19. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Bought a set of iBasso ITO1s on Amazon, last week. Did not try them until yesterday. Great price of $150 retail is $200.
    Opened package and hooked a PlusSound cable to the mmcx connectors. For a minute or two they sounded very good, then the cable separated from left IEM. I tried a Norne and a ALO cable too. Turns out connector on left IEM is very weak and won't stay connected. Thank God for Amazon. Should get a new set Monday. I hope its either a good set or at least its the right IEM that's weak so I can have a good set. Anyone else here try the Asian IEMs?
     
  20. waynestractor

    waynestractor New

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    I have the FiiO FH7, and back to back against the Campfire Audio Andromeda I much prefer their sound and fit. The included tips for sound and fit are second to none. I am selling the Andromeda and keeping the FH7!
     

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