IEM general discussion thread

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

  1. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Haha, I'm not an IEM guy because my ears hate them— I use them as earplugs I can play music out of every now and again because my commute can be noisy as hell and I already wear my ears out from using headphones, so they're a necessity more than anything else (doesn't mean I don't love trying TOTL ones out, mind).

    That said, pending input from people who actually know crap about IEMs, what I will recommend is that you learn about the SE215's sonic profile so you have something to base future purchases off of. I remember trying the 215s years ago but don't remember what I thought about them; measurements from @La Cenric here and InnerFidelity here (not to be confused with In-Ear Fidelity, which is a cheeky-ass name that actually made me laugh) show that the SE215 has a v-shaped signature, which means it's got more bass and treble than midrange. This can give a fake sense of "depth" to stage that some people might like (cough cough), makes every song sound more "exciting" too.

    It's not a good signature for every type of music, but I can see why you'd like it for those you listed. I'd recommend going for something a bit more normal-sounding if you ever want to listen to basically any other genre, but if you're sure you're sticking with those there are worse signatures I guess.

    I've tried some nice $200 or so v-shaped IEMs that I could recommend, but that isn't your price point so I'm abstaining, haha. Maybe if you ever get a $7k budget and can travel to Japan a few times you could go for the Just Ear MH1 and have a professional make a bespoke pair just for you, not just in fit but also sonic tuning. The whole thing sounds a bit ORFAS to me, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be interested had I the cash. I remember there's a manufacturer in the USA that does the same thing, lets you determine how you want your CIEMs to sound, can't remember who that was.


    P.S.
    I grew up listening to Linkin Park, and have very vivid memories of the sheer cathartic joy I felt at 7 years old when "One Step Closer" on MTV dared scream "shut up" with my parents in the room. I lost interest around the time MtM came out but got back into them with ATS— love their entire discography now, even MtM. I cried with what happened to Chester B., that was a tragedy.
     
  2. Bruno

    Bruno New

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    Happy to meet someone who also likes LP
     
  3. Bruno

    Bruno New

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    Until recently, I was seriously thinking about the Earsonic ES3 2019, duly able to slow down, have higher resolution, and overall sound quality due to noise at work I thought as I said, raise the budget and leave to something superior. I listen to Linkin Park practically every day, there are always songs that are there in the playlist just like the song you mentioned.

    Ps: I have practically all of them, complete discography on still sealed CDs, special editions, limited editions, underground's, single seals all exposed at home
     
  4. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    @Bruno : the locals here might seem grumpy (with the exception of @Lyer25 , who never is; we presume it's the pills) but really that's their way of trying to encourage you to think more about what sort of sound you like and to give more information so they can better help you. 'Good', 'best' etc. are semi-relative terms, because while many transducers might render tonality similarly 'correctly', they might be very different in how they present technicalities (dynamic extremes, transient speeds, etc.) and therefore instrumental timbres, and these latter aspects are to a large extent matters of taste rather than of absolute 'bests'.

    Some useful info for your question might be the first post in shotgunshane's recommendations thread, which he keeps updated as new ones come up. It has prices as well as informative short descriptions of the sound signatures of the ones listed. If you value/need good isolation and comfort (you're wearing them long hours) and like your SE215s, consider ones that are mentioned as having those traits and an easy-to-listen-to sound (eg, warm, sweet, etc.).

    Given your use case I understand your interest in custom-fits, but I'd recommend starting with cheap universals until you settle on the sort of sound you like, and then go up the scale with similar-sounding ones. Nothing worse than diving into something really expensive to find that although it might isolate very well and is super comfortable, you hate listening to it.

    Welcome, and good luck!

    Edit: replace 'to a large extent' with 'to some degree'. Beer, you understand.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
  5. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

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    I’ve been on the lookout for a complement for my Andros, with a strong low-end performance for ultra-portable usage with Tidal out of my iphone (often via Dragonfly Red).

    So far the Fiio FH5 (with ALO Litz cable) was a very satisfying purchase for me with its almost overwhelming sub-bass. While some people complain of its slight lack of mid-bass, I find them amazing for modern contemporary rock and metal music since you don’t get any midbass-bloat and can enjoy the guitars with the IEM’s slight W-shaped sound signature. A very energetic presentation is needed for this kind of music IMHO and FH5 gives you gobs of it. Regarding technicalities, they are above average, nowhere near Andromeda level.

    So, now that the FH7 is out, has anyone tried them? Are they worth upgrading (for someone who has an Andro and wishes for moar bass)?
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2019
  6. Mike_WI

    Mike_WI New

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    Maybe change to Andromeda Limited Edition:
    https://campfireaudio.com/shop/andromeda-special-edition-gold/
    "Andromeda Special Edition: Gold expands on the best elements of the Andromeda’s sonic signature with dramatic flourish. The bass is punchy and deep. "

    ...and sell your current Andromedas?
     
  7. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

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    Well, I’m happy with my Andros. Looking for something to complement them, not to replace them.
     
  8. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    FYI - Moondrop’s Crescent has been discontinued.
     
  9. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    Would highly recommend checking out the Atlas. Very different sound than the Andro with phenomenal bass (single 10mm dynamic drivers).
     
  10. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

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    I checked them out but the bass was simply overwhelming. I didn’t like it very much because of the driver flex. Vega was a hair better for my tastes but it had somewhat muffled mids and lacked clarity IMHO.

    I guess I’ll try the JVC drop.
     
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    Replaced by Spaceship I believe, which aesthetically looks a lot better but I don’t like the impressions I’ve read of it’s more elevated and/or grainier treble. Haven’t heard one, so can’t say for sure.
     
  12. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I've only found one real review on it and it seemed to indicate that about the treble. I'm still trying to chase down a Crescent here in China for a non-inflated price but I may just check out the Spaceship for 15 bucks.
     
  13. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    I'm working on a full review of the Fostex TM2 as a true wireless IEM adapter. Currently using the stock MMCX module with the Sony XJE-MH2 and the Fitear modules with my Monet 17. I'd also put them on the ACS T1 but my pair uses a Linum connector.

    This is the first true wireless adapter (and wireless IEM solution in general) that I've used that isn't embarrassingly bad. It's actually not worse than listening to IEMs straight off the phone. You get 10 hours of battery life, 50m+ range, pretty nifty controls, support for major BT codecs. Both the right and left side can be the master and paired to different devices as default (great for changing between laptop and phone connections).

    If you're looking for a really robust true wireless solution for travel/gym/commuting, check these out. The one issue is that I haven't found a US supplier for the non-MMCX modules. There are dealers in Hong Kong who will ship those to the states, though.
     
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Any idea on output impedance? I've heard the TRN BT20s is at least 5 ohms or maybe much more. Hoping the TM2 is 1 or less. Then next concern is hiss with CFA iems, although I can't hear hiss like I used to.
     
  15. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Hmm, I could measure that. The TRN is pretty crappy compared to these, not just in sound quality but in finishing and reliability.

    There is noticeable hiss with the XJE-MH2 but not with the less sensitive Monet. CFA might be a problem because of the sensitivity, but I can't imagine noise floor being a problem unless you're listening to them in a really quiet room. The fact that they can drive the Monet reasonably well is to me the more impressive part.

    I might be putting money down on the Fitear Titan, and if I do I want to have those in hand before posting a review. Won't be going to the gym with that setup, obviously.
     
  16. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    You can get the non-MMCX modules from Amazon Japan via AmazonGlobal international shipping:

    2-pin:
    https://www.amazon.co.jp/FOSTEX-TM2C2P-TM2専用交換ケーブル-フレキシブルショートケーブル-CIEM2pinタイプ/dp/B07S8ZGTTK/

    FitEar:
    https://www.amazon.co.jp/FOSTEX-TM2F2P-TM2専用交換ケーブル-フレキシブルショートケーブル-FitEar2pinタイプ/dp/B07SC5YFTS/

    I got the 2-pin module delivered to Europe within four days.

    I have both the Fostex TM2 and TRN BT20S. Contrary to what price difference would suggest, there's not a big difference in sound quality to my ears. The TM2 drive IEMs with maybe a tad more "authority", but the BT20S sound pretty decent too.

    However, I've only tried them with DDs so far. And sadly, I don't know the TM2's output impedance.

    When it comes to ergonomics, I actually prefer the much cheaper BT20S earhooks. They have a nice firm grip around your ears and hold the IEMs securely in place. The TM2 fit rather loosely in comparison and it sometimes feels, as if the IEMs are holding the earhooks in place and not the other way round. Oh, and their touchpad is a pita imo... nevertheless, if you need volume control on the hooks, they're the only ones to offer that feature.

    Here are pics of both with the FDX1 (side note: I taped the touchpad on the TM2 ;)):

    [​IMG]

    :[​IMG]
     
  17. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    What's your problem with reliability? I've done 2-hour+ hikes to test them outside, one day with the BT20S, the other day with the TM2. Didn't experience a single dropout on any of them.
     
  18. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    These look very interesting. I was wondering what to do with my modded FD01s after the drop version arrives. Guess I could turn them into true wireless IEMs for the gym (I'm getting pretty tired of the Galaxy Buds' dropouts, plus they only sound good enough to use for podcasts).

    Would be interested to hear how these hold up to longterm sweat exposure. How does the plastic/rubber quality look? @deafdoorknob's Kable Kondom™ will probably help at the MMCX connection.
     
  19. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    The FH7 definitely has moar bass than the Andro, and I have the FH7 queued up as my next major IEM purchase. However, I didn't like the Andro (sounded echoey and had no sub-bass, to me), so YMMV.
     
  20. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    That's exactly what I did with my FW01 woodies after I got the FD01. I turned them into TWS for outdoor activities.

    So far my BT20/BT20S have held up well. However, sweat exposure has only been moderate in my case. But tbh, at $35 for the BT20S, I don't worry all that much...

    Regarding dropouts, ime all three earhook models (BT20/BT20S/TM2) have the same weakness: they seem to communicate between left an right earpiece behind your neck. And if this connection gets blocked, e.g. by a backpack, you'll experience dropouts. I'm not a gym goer, but I imagine this might be an issue in some cases.
     

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