IEM general discussion thread

Hello, this is my first post. I'm looking for an IEM or CIEM and was hoping to get some recommendations. This is what I'm looking for:

1) Very good isolation. I previously owned some acrylic shell CIEMs and to be honest I found the isolation disappointing compared to my old Etymotic universals (no fit issues by the way). So I guess I need either a silicone CIEM or IEMs with isolation comparable to my old Etymotics.

2) Sound Signature. I think the sound signature I would like is U shaped with more of a boost in the upper mid and treble area than bass, but not neutral bass. I would still like clarity in the midrange and not recessed.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

Based on your sound signature requirements it sounds like you'd like the Empire Ears Spartan IV, available in both uni and custom models. Suggest you check it out.

 

Thanks I did check it out, but I really want something in silicone this time.

I don't suppose you have any suggestions for a silicone CIEM that has a sound signature similar to what I like? Or at least brighter than neutral rather than smooth and warm.

 

Noble Audio makes silicone customs of most of their line.
https://nobleaudio.com/en/shop/custom/
They offer a variety of "flavors" in terms of sound signature. Maybe they have something that fits your tastes. I have not heard all of them.

 

Excellent suggestion. Definitely matches his sound signature.

 

Any ciem that has the same sound sig of hd600 with otl amp?

 

Hi friends, was wondering if anyone has tried both the firearm 334 and the noble K10? Just got my K10U and it's great a good compliment to my trusty jh13. I was thinking of getting an Andromeda for maybe better resolution/clarity than my jh13 but recently I have been thinking of the fitear 334, I've read some reviews on the other site saying it's got better instrument placement but not as layered as the k10, hopefully the 334 has that great placement as I like of like have and iem that does something particularly good. I got my k10 for musicality and for the lows, my jh for speed and a nice airy treble, and ? For shear resolution/ability for pinpoint placement of instruments Just wanted to ask here for a more objective review. I've taken this approach for my full sized headphone collection and ended up with my hd800, lcd3 and sr007 and I'm completely happy with them doing different thing well instead of hunting for a do it all headphone so I'm hoping I can do the same on the iem front.

 

I received my custom from Inearz today. It is their new 4 driver that has a 2+2 setup...similar to layout of the Jupiter. I wonder what took so long to go custom.

 

I had the Sony MDR7550 years ago. I think its the same as the EX800. Anyone remember what the biggest faults of these are? I know the isolation is horrible, and the ergonomics, a little odd. But I'm thinking back fondly about them. I've always been a sucker for Sony Hybrid tips, too. To me, they've always been the most comfortable, though not most isolating tips. I honestly can't remember why I got rid of them... I was doing that a lot back in the day.

 

You've put your finger on the main issues. They are really solid dynamic driver monitors. Mid-fi maybe, but a better mid-fi than most if you're not trying to jog or take them on a plane (which are prime iem situations).

 

That's kind of what I remember. They run around $230 which seems pretty fair. I'm tempted to pick up a pair to remember what I am missing. Etyisolation is actually not a good thing at my work office or when I'm home with the wife and kids. I need to be able to answer a question, without having to suck out brain matter every time someone asks something.

@Kunlun Just curious, what do you consider hi-fi universal iems? I know its kind of a subjective term, but I'm curious.

 

Sounds like the Sony could be a good iem to return to!

Super duper short hand for my take on portable hi-fi is that they tend to be the flagships of more serious audio brands. The Katana and K10u, the Andromeda and the Jupiter are examples, there can be a big price swing in this caregory.

Price doesn't always map onto hi-fi, as I would consider the JH Roxanne mid-fi thanks to its veil, but the Angie or Layla would be hi-fi.

Just my take, your tomatoes might be my tom-mah-toes, etc.

 

@imackler The ex800st is the same as the 7550. Like Kunlun said, you hit the nail on the head with the short comings.

I really love my pair, and it punches well above their price. I have several TOTL iems, but I do prefer the Sonys to most of them. My favorites are:

Tralucent Plus 5-Tralucent Ref1-Sony ex800st-Sony Z5-Sony ex1000-Noble K10-Shure se846.

In that order. That being said, I'm a basshead, hence why Noble K10s are towards the back of the list. The K10s are the most balanced and well rounded of the lot. The ex800st are my primary goto IEMS. They have an excellent sound sig, and are the cheapest of the bunch so I grab them the most for my outside ventures. If I could change something about the ex800st it would be that horrid design. I don't care for their design at all. But that sound... Ooooooh. Tape the vent for even more bass!!

 

Driver wars continue, now with 64 Audio and 18 drivers, in strange 8+8+1+1 set up: http://www.head-fi.org/t/739712/1964-ears-adel-iems/6855

 

Saw that earlier today. By far the strangest setup I've ever seen...but being the bass lover I am, it piqued my curiosity. However, with the number of drivers, and their new technology, I can only imagine yet another obscene price, probably north of $2999. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

I must have missed that. Is that an actual price from 64 audio, or just someone speculating? Seems like a price I think it would be, not that it means anything.