IEM general discussion thread

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

  1. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I wanted to make a few comments on the isine 20 loaner that I purchased recently. I haven't followed this iem much, either here or on HF. I kept trying to get an audition but it never worked out. But when I saw that @Vansen had them listed for a sweet price, I threw caution to the wind and pulled the trigger on them.

    I waited for them with a huge dose of skepticism. My biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to get a good fit/seal. Turns out this is the easiest fitting iem that I've ever encountered. It is also one of the most comfortable, as it just sits "up against" the ear canal and not in it.

    I thought that they were just okay when I first listened to them through my phone and then only marginally better through my ak120. But I was happy enough based on the purchase price. There was good clarity and speed. The sound stage was enormous and equal to some open headphones. But the overall sonics were somewhat thin, lacking mid and sub bass and overall warmth.

    It took me about an hour after putting them on the magni 3 and apply some good EQ to realize how good the isine really was. Wow, what a transformation these made with enough power and a little EQ. The bass became hard hitting and retained it's quickness. I haven't perfected the EQ for these but I'm close. I guess the effect is similar to what is offered through the cipher cable. But unfortunately I don't do apple.

    The mids now have real body to them and vocals are a real standout. These are very just so vastely different than anything I've heard before in an iem. Very unique. Now I've just got to find something portable that can give the isine the power that it needs to shine and still offer access to good EQ. Very impressed.
     
  2. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Picking up the Brainwavz discussion from a few posts back: has anyone tried the B100 (single BA)? A friend recently acquired a pair and is impressed. I see @La Cenric has a measurement in his list, but I haven't found any impressions here.
     
  3. Brooko

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    Can you give a rough idea with what you did with the iSine (frequency correction)? The UE ME.1 needed EQ as well. Biggest issue was an early peak at mid 1-2 kHz and subsequent 10 dB drop down to 3 kHz. Made them slightly dissonant (really clear though). they were also very bass neutral. I added a mild mid-bass hump, and then moved the 1-2 kHz bump to a gradual rise through to 3 kHz. They sound phenomenal now. Curious if the iSines had similar issues / what your fix was?

    Once I get a bit more experience here, if you want I can arrange for a loaner of the ME.1, but would appreciate reciprocity with the iSine (would love to measure and compare it).
     
  4. Ice-man

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    I used the parametric EQ with jriver to start with, addressing the peak around 1.7 kHz and then adding some mid bass. Trying to get something towards the harmon curve. I got a result that I was pretty happy with, but there was still something off about female vocals...so an upper mids issue that I couldn't quite get completely happy with.

    Then I discovered the Audeze Reveal DSP plugin for jriver. It's nearly perfect to my ears. I really don't tweak it at all. This DSP plugin from the manufacturer is way better than what my meager skills can accomplish. The isine 20 with the Reveal plugin is just beautifully rendered music/sound, truly.

    I wondered how many here, if any, on the loaner tour heard the isine 20 properly EQ'd with the plugin. They are stunning. I can listen to them for hours with no fatigue. They are surely one of the best purchases that I've made in the hobby.

    I'm pretty liberal about loaning out my gear and especially headphones. @gbeast has my Aeon Flow Open and @Mystic has my hd800 (only leaving me with the hd660). But if you are talking about shipping the isine to New Zealand, I might have to blink at that. I would cry if they got lost in international mail.
     
  5. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

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    Totally understand - unfortunately geographical isolation has its downfalls. Hopefully I can still get some of the gear I have to Aus and Nth Am (if enough people chipped a fiver it could be doable). I've never had an issue with international postage as long as its tracked and insured. At least that way a few more people could get to hear the ME.1 and some other gear I have available.
     
  6. matique

    matique New

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    Before i go ahead with my purchase of the Noble X, are there any similar sounding iems i should consider in this price range ( <USD$300), both new and used? I am very much inclined to the Noble as I have auditioned it and it sounds good for the money. However there are other options on the market that I have not listened to nor have the ability to audition.

    I prefer a non-fatiguing sound that I can listen to for a few hours; I'm on the transit for about 2.5 hours each day. I like my bass to be tight but with good impact, slightly forward sweet vocals and smooth highs that still retains a little clarity. I listen to a wide range of music, but mainly jazz, funk, orchestral, rock and metal. Based on some research i have concluded that these iems would suit my tastes:

    • Noble X Massdrop
    • Earsonics SM3/SM64
    • Shure 535
    • Hifiman RE400/600
    • InEar SD3
    • Campfire Orion
    I would be driving it straight out of my Shanling M2S. I also have a Fiio X3ii w/ mojo stack. Out of the aforementioned examples, which would provide the best experience that I am looking for?
     
  7. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

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    Don't get the Orion, you're not going to get the bass response you want. (The Orion is a lovely IEM.) I owned the SE535 back when they first came out, but sold them shortly after, so can't comment too much on that, but they didn't feel worth the price to me. Not familiar with the rest of the IEMs.

    However, the Noble X should fit your needs well. I would stay away from the foam tips that come with the Noble. If you need the isolation of foam, try out the SYMBIO tips on ebay.
     
  8. kitantisune

    kitantisune Acquaintance

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    Agreed with @Vansen on the Orion, and the RE400 won't do you any favours in the bass department either, I found it more mid-centric. Personally I find the Noble X bass a little bloated, but my tastes are around a leaner sound signature. I haven't heard the other earphones on your list.
     
  9. Mimouille

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    Don't get the SD3, bass is boosted and bleeding over mids.
     
  10. matique

    matique New

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    Thank you all for the input! I've made my decision. Given the build quality issues i have read about Earsonics, I think I'll give it a pass as well and just get the Noble. Finally I will have a good iem to retire my old custom JH5. The JH5 served me very well for over 7 years I think. But the fit is a little off now, and the 2pin connection is just shot. Don't think it is worth my time to re-shell them.
     
  11. matique

    matique New

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    I just received my Noble X. Great value for $249.

    Shanling M2S > Noble X.
    I like it, a lot. However I think i may have underestimated the extent of treble roll-off. It is smooth, but lacking in a little detail? I don't know. My older JH5 has a slightly brighter treble even though it isn't considered bright. Other than that, I do like it quite abit. Nice bass slam, though a little bloom-y. Love the mids, warm and engaging.

    Fiio X3 >Mojo
    Bass is slightly less boomy but more impactful, Mids are about the same ???, highs are a little more extended with more clarity but not by much.

    All in all, I do not regret getting the Noble X, especially at the price. I must hesitate to compare it to more expensive IEMs though, but somehow I just can't help myself. It'll be the main iem i use when on the go with the westone ES5 for use at home. Moving forward I think I will be selling most of my older IEMs + older amps and DAPs, to purchase a newer TOTL iem and an android DAP to use with tidal. Looking around...it seems the Andros might be my next purchase ;)

    2 days into this forum and my wallet is already pleading with me.
     
  12. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    the iSine 20 sounds fantastic with EQ - particularly with the cipher cable, off an iPhone. and then you listen to the LCDi4...
     
  13. Ice-man

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    ^^
    Don't say that. And don't think that it hasn't crossed my mind. I just have a difficult believing that there is 10x the performance going from the isine 20 to the lcd-i4. So I'm just going to keep talking to myself about diminishing returns and such.
     
  14. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

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    Has anyone watching this thread had any experience with the iBasso D14, in particular for driving IEMs?

    Thank you.
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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  16. TomHP

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    Man I hope they do a 2-pin version of it. On the other hand, given how relatively inexpensive it is, I may just get one and put 2-pin connectors on myself.
     
  17. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    That's a pretty sweet setup! Anyone know if the cable itself is any good? For $99 I might be tempted.

    Only thing missing is a Lightning connector!
     
  18. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    It looks to be of similar quality of their P1 cable, which is pretty decent.
     
  19. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Awesome @shotgunshane - This is exactly what I've been looking for!
     
  20. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Well, f**k. I am a victim of my stupidity today. I was working all day, and came home for a few minutes before going out to pickup my daughter. I sat at the computer and caught up on some email and listened to the isine 20's. Like a moron I did not put them away but left them on my desk. The new puppy decided to make them a chew toy. :mad: ###!!!@

    I was leaning towards selling them and grabbing the lcd-i4 because I loved the 20. Now I don't really know what I'm thinking other than out a really nice iem.
     

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