Is there an iem on the market for a picky basterd like me?

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by rhythmdevils, May 3, 2020.

  1. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Drop Plus? I definitely preferred the Plus to the EDC3, although I ended up ditching the Plus. my preferences are NuForce x Drop MOVE < EDC3 < MD Plus < AndroOG < SolarisOG.
     
  2. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Second the MD+. It's pleasant and technically capable enough. Nothing wows you positively or negatively, and that's on net a compliment to me. It's got enough warmth to mask a bit of the BA timbre. Boosted a little in the bass but that's good for on the go. Good isolation and is still (was :( ) my airplane travel go to, two years later.

    The JVCs are also a good choice especially where isolation is less of an issue. They have the DD timbre and are pretty balanced. Bass is a little weak in quality though IMO.

    For 500 you could get both |\/|
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2020
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I don’t hear this sharpness at all with the EDC3. It just has a plastic tonality that bothers me. I just got done comply foam tips to try with them. I’ll report back on how they work. FWIW I’m using stock foam tips because the silicone tips are all too small for me. So that may be part of the problem. I don’t know.
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Drop plus and the JVCs have enough reports of upper midrange bump that I’m staying clear. I know it’ll bother me if it bothers some others.

    thanks for the recommendations though!! :piratemug:
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    There must be more neutral iem’s on the market.
     
  6. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    Don't know if anyone has suggested this to you yet, but the reference series IEMs for audio industry folk are really flat (meaning neutral) sounding. Ultimate Ears, Westone, JH Audio - the affordable stuff in their range.

    I love the JVC FDX1 personally, but it sounds like you won't.
     
  7. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    James444 modded Fostex TE02 and Etymotic er3xr come to mind (xr due to minor bass bump else it gets little shouty, not peaky but a broader bump in shout region)
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I can’t get a custom mold and no one has recommended any affordable models by those brands.

    just seems like there must be more neutral iem’s with good tonality.
     
  9. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    I saw you said your budget was around $4-600 dollars. If you look in the used market for some Andros, I just bought my pair for $600. Lots of people seem to be letting theirs go recently in the $6-700 range. Might be worth looking into and possibly getting since you mentioned you were eyeballing the andros!
     
  10. Ferrum

    Ferrum Acquaintance

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    Surely you have looked at Etymotics, their 3sr is perfect for a daily commute as you dont have to listen to what others say and they a very neutral sound signature. I sure you will find their comfort lacking but you cant get it all can you.

    The 4SR (avoid the XR, not good) is even better but needs very good drive, I preferred balanced drive.

    Read Marv review

    Ferrum
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Thanks for the heads up on the andromeda FS here. If I have issues with the Orion I’m not going to like the andromeda unfortunately plus it has weird impedance that may not work with my iPod. I’m not using an amp for iem’s at least not now.

    thanks again!
     
  12. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    ZX2 apart, the best andro has sounded to me was from an ipod nano 5g (which is one of rare ipods to have a non brittle treble)
    But then given your treble sensitivity, andros may not work, they do have some treble sizzle which can only be shifted or tamed by few db but not eliminate with tips/source
     
  13. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I found the Andros thin in the lower mids, so they may not suit your preferences.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    EDC3 - too plasticky, probably as a result of too much roll-off in the upper mids and highs.

    TE02 modded - could be a candidate. Has natural tendency to for 8kHz peak, but modded this is largely masked: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...e-02n-iem-measurements.2154/page-3#post-80584, although distortion characteristics that affect the mid-treble may be a bit odd, but I think you can live with this better.

    Unfortunately, none of the above I feel are on a technical level close to modded Fostex T50RP, but less the vintage orthos.

    Knowing you over the years, I think you may enjoy OG Solaris, Andromeda 2020 (dark slope), or Ara (deep insertion - slightly dark/neutral). OG Solaris is a little bit like that modded TP50RP with a slight mid-bass boost. The BA timbre is still there but easier to handle. OG Andro needs Sony ZX2, the right tips and maybe filter for it to sound right. None of this meets price requirements.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Hmm I’ll look into the modded TE02. Unfortunately I can’t do any modding right now or I’d jump on it. I do like me some Fostex. Maybe a premodded pair in the FS forum.

    how about the B400? It’s back in stock. Lack of replacement tips really pisses me off but if they sound good....
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I saw a B400 on eBay for 85$ in mint condition with all the parts so I bought it since I won’t be supporting brainwavz crazy no extra tips policy this way. I like lush better than bright.

    but I must say, messing with tips on the edc3 they’re sounding pretty close to ideal. Not perfect but with foam tips the plasticky sound is gone and the right aftermarket tips don’t fuzz up the sound.

    they’re my favs right now. Will post about the new tips I got for them in the EDC3 thread once I figure them out.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2020
  17. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    I just popped them in my ears but I’m thinking the Sony M7 is what you’re looking for.
     
  18. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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  19. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    More upper mids than EDC3 scares me. I’m currently trying to find foam tips that kill their slight upper midrange resonance and love bump without turning them into HD650’s.

    what about the LCDi3? There’s one in the FS forum. I like orthos but am not a fan of Audeze I’ve heard too many mediocre sounding units and too few good ones. Which still are overpriced given how my modded vintage orthos sound in comparison.

    but it’s been a long time.
     
  20. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Another vote for the M7, neutral and no fuckery going on. I’m sensitive to treble and sibilance issues and these give me no problems whatsoever. I can wear these all day without fatigue. Decently high impedance so it’s quiet out of most sources. The included cable is very high quality as well, never tangles and is practically non microphonic.
     

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