IEM general discussion thread

Here a very thorough and critical double review of the Brainwavz Koel together with @Biodegraded – our findings are in stark contrast to all the other reviews I found. It is too long for posting here, therefore...just click on the image to read it.

 

Is there reason to go balanced for an easy-to-drive IEM like Solaris? I never have to turn the volume up more than about 70% on low gain so power isn't an issue. Does balanced improve sound quality or anything tangible? Thanks!

 

The NiceHCK N3 is a potentially interesting hybrid iem with one dynamic and two piezoelectric drivers. Unfortunately, the technology was not very well executed. In fact, it is bordering on fraud throwing such an incomplete product on the market. Click on the photo to read a double "honest review" ;-).

 

Thanks I just ordered a Sony ZX300 and will probably wind up getting a balanced 4.4 cable as I've heard a number of people say that the balanced on the ZX300 is close to if not equivalent in quality to that out of the WM1A and I want to see for myself.

 

Has anyone heard the QDC 8SS? I can't seem to find almost any information about it. The reason I'm interested is because it's mids look very promising for my tastes. I have the Angies and they sound great, but they fit kinda funny and they slightly lack some treble extension.

 

We at Audio Reviews are getting more and more disillusioned with overpriced and underperforming Chifi multis. @Biodegraded is adding another one...

https://www.audioreviews.org/yinyoo-d2b4-v2-review-you-may-ask-yourself/

The problem is that manufacturers prematurely throw models onto the market that are incomplete and don't sound good. This particular model is totally incohesive sounding. Consumers should be warned.

 

Yinyoo D2B4 v2, short version: this is a 2DD 4BA over-the-ear IEM of beautiful construction that's comfortable, isolates well, has a very nice, MMCX-terminated, silver-plated cable, and a more even tonal balance than many similar hybrids; but bass is soft, treble is scratchy, mids are distant, and imaging and staging are imprecise. $US 186 (or around half that, if you go through gyrations or hit a sale) are better spent elsewhere.

 

I never really gave IEMs much thought. I had a pair of Sony XB90EX for a while (bass so strong it literally causes queeziness) and Hifiman RE400 (polite, easy listening) but never thought I would venture further down this particular rabbit hole. Then a mate of mine called and offered me very lightly used AR M2 DAP and Sennheiser IE800 at a price I could not refuse. Not having read anything about the IE800's before I am extremely satisfied with this pair. It is very nicely made, small and light enough to wear all day, and has a detailed yet non-fatiguing character. I believe it has been criticised for bass and treble emphasis, but this fits my low listening levels perfectly ... Almost like a permanently engaged loudness button. I think they will stay a while ...

 

The reason why am became interested in earphones is because they are small: so even a pack rat doesn't need an addition to their house when piling these iems up. Also, when transferring to a senior citizens home later in life, the things can go with one...and live in a box under the lazyboy chair I will be hanging out in my last days.

But in general earphones don't really sound as full as headphones and some of these overbred multi drivers and hybrids don't get the timbre right. There is a lot of room for improvement.

Sennheiser, the company you mentioned, have been stagnant in the iem segment for a long time, and their low-end ones are overly bassy. But I got their brand-new ie40 Pro which I find very interesting. Have to find a home on SBAF to write a review.

 

Just got in a pair of used Aurisonic Rockets and I have to say these things kick ass.

From memory I might like them more than the modded FD01 - these have a bit more of a slope to the signature, feel a bit zippier, with a smoother upper-mid through lower treble transition.

DD timbre is on point (less messed up than my modded tia fourte, even though I'll always enjoy their 'fake but fun' tonal profile).

I'm very happy with these particularly with Symbio tips, which feel more extended on top and dynamically snappy than the stock tips at first listen. Fit will take a bit to get used to since they do pressurize and flex more than I'd like regardless of tips.

Will try with foam soon.

edit - foam tips are more comfortable and avoid flex but feel dynamically softer. I prefer the symbios, just wish they were easier to insert properly without flex.

 

I've got a question...not really sure where to post it so I'll try here. Someone posted an impression on Reddit claiming a tremendous improvement in the sound of the Solaris after hooking it to the cable of the Sony IER Z1R. It was speculated that said improvement (may have) stemmed from the fact that there was less impedance (~ 0 ohm) on the Sony cable compared to the stock Solaris cable (~ 2 ohm). Is this feasible? Are IEM cables long enough to develop this sort of resistance? And, if they are is this assessment of the Solaris/Sony cables likely accurate? Lastly are there good non-bank-breaking IEM cables on the market with 0 ohm resistance? Thanks!

 

Piezoelectric tweeters have arrived in the budget area. A "good" sounding earphone is the Senfer DT6, which deploys a DD, a BA, and the piezo: it produces a close-to-neutral sound with an amazingly clean midrange. What may be criticized is the not-so-organic timbre.

I find it an interesting discovery.

Spoiler: Senfer DT6 FR

 

I don't really have knowledge on this subject but I would say yes since Linum cable claim 2+ ohms for their entry cables and much less for their premium offering

 

I am considering purchasing a new IEM. I’m looking at the JH Audio JH13 v2 and Shure KSE1200. Can anyone offer any thoughts on either? I searched the site and read every post but would like have updated thoughts.

Lastly, has anyone credible published measurements of high end IEMs? I’d like to base the impending purchase on measured accuracy.

 

I'd say start out with @La Cenric 's site https://crinacle.com for a pretty comprehensive database of measurements and his own rankings list with commentary. He's made measurements of the ER4SR which I see you have already, you'd be able to compare from there. Between his site and old database (linked in that section) there are measurements of both KSE1200 and JH13v2.

 

Looking at the custom or universal on the JH? The JH13 v2 is pretty solid in playing with the universal edition. The bass knobs on the cable are nice to tone down the bass at times.

Haven't heard the Shure KSE1200 in a while but our new Shure rep keeps wanting me to hear it. I love the Shure Olive foam tips, sturdier than comply and lasts longer, helps to bring down the treble a little as well for bright headphones.

 

Adding to netforce's comment, I have the JH13v2's and they are a pretty fun pair of BA's, relatively neutral but very decidedly "BA-sounding". They are a lot less organic and have some mild coherence issues relative to both JH's higher end models and offerings from VE and 64, but are a pretty solid offering given the price. The casing on the universal version is quite long and some people may have issues with fully inserting the IEM's, so you may want to try out the fit before pulling the trigger.

The KSE1200 is hyper-resolving, arguably the most resolving IEM on the market. I personally find it not the most exciting piece because its' a bit too neutral, but they do the job exceedingly well when it comes to reproduction. Smaller nitpicks include the bass extension, weakness of overall dynamics compared to the u18t and LCDi4, and the need for a dedicated amp that you need to lug with you at all times.

 

Little thing on the JH, since RMAF 2018, JH universals a little smaller now. Shouldn't affect sound quality in theory but I haven't compared it. The old universals I would have to play with the tips a little to get a good seal and/or use spinfits. I used the spinfits for much at shows, Thomas from JH knew me as the spinfit tips guy for a while.

 

Thank you for the responses thus far. To answer the question above, I would purchase the custom version of the JH13 V2. Thank you for the link to @La Cenric’s site which is helpful. It seems both the JH13 V2 and KSE1200 are both good but the need to manage three batteries (mobile phone, Mojo, KSE1200) seems like a nightmare on the go.