IEM general discussion thread

I don't hear the upper mid dip at all. But I am sensitive in that area. It seems like they're tailoring them to prevent sibilance despite being sparkly.

 

I heard the Pinnacles briefly when I was demoing the Jupiters.

Oh I see another Canadian fellow. Welcome aboard and make your introductions at the new member thread!

 

Besides isolation is there a difference in the sound of a CIEM vs an IEM? I know that many companies, like Noble Audio, offer universal and custom versions of many models. Is there anyone that has a custom version that has also heard the universal that can comment?

 

In terms of isolation, foam tips on a universal can have better measured isolation than either silicon or acrylic customs. John Moulton posted the study somewhere on HF long ago. I think we might have been talking multi-flange foams like etymotic, but still, it's interesting to see.

Having said that, some people have ear canal geometries that really do best with customs for fit, comfort, and isolation.

 

Also, depending on the manufacturer, they'll test the IEM while making it to match left versus right, and match to their target response. Some custom IEM videos on YouTube have shown manufacturers doing this, and I know that Noble does it, for instance, as they've mentioned it to me in an email. This might be a difference between the low and high end of CIEMs, or they may all do it, I'm not sure. Of course, just like drivers, manufacturers may also have different tolerances for what they consider "good enough" to release as representative of that particular IEM.

I think another part of getting a bassier response is the issue of compressing air when inserting IEMs, which is partially alleviated by using foam tips, depending on how deep they're inserted. For something like shoving silicone tips inside the ears with a non-vented IEM, though, you're definitely going to be compressing some air inside the ear canal, which definitely affects the perceived volume and quality of sound, since it puts pressure on the eardrum. With a proper insertion of customs, ideally you're not compressing or creating negative pressure (as may happen with a universal fit that starts to be pulled out while still maintaining a seal). It's very hard to get that perfect equal-pressure seal with silicone. For instance, if you look at

which is Etymotic's insertion video, you're definitely going to be creating some sort of pressure change inside the ear canal; whether or not this is beneficial to the response of their IEMs is up for debate.

I agree, foam tips can definitely beat custom IEMs in isolation. Silicone CIEMs also do a very good job at sealing; the way they bend to the ear canal and flex provides a very resilient and sturdy seal.

I think this is why tip selection and fit is so important with IEMs. To elaborate, for me, the triple-flange Etymotic tip provides a great seal, since my ear canals narrow rapidly as they approach the first bend. If you look at a lot of CIEMs, it's pretty crazy how much variation there is. Some people's ears don't narrow much at all, or bend as much as others. Some people's first bend will be further back than others', which will make things like silicone single-flange tips fit better.

Here's one example. The first person here has very wide ear canals before it gets to the first bend, which is rather deep, then the canal starts to narrow. This person would, IMO, be a better candidate for universals than others due to the fact that they can shove something big in there. However, they probably wouldn't like Etymotic triple flange, since the canals don't narrow much and wouldn't benefit from the tapering shape. It would probably go too deep. The second person has much narrower ear canals, and they're long, so they would probably have a harder time getting a good seal with anything other than smaller tips, and a harder time getting a deep seal since the canals are consistently narrow throughout.

https://www.instagram.com/p/0MFsqewjJ1/?taken-by=nobleaudio
https://www.instagram.com/p/6Tl71GQjPv/?taken-by=nobleaudio

 

Have you found a preferable tip with the P1? Have you thought of trying the Oriveti Primacy ?

 

Been using the stock double flanged with the P1, sounds nice to me, definitely a small dip whereever the hi-hats are though. At least to my ears.

 

Yes. Shouldn't be a problem at all.

These sound like what I have been looking for except for the whole needing an amp part. Typically when I want to use IEM's, I am in minimalist mode and will just be using my phone.

 

Pinnacles are very nice. Great build quality, great isolation, pleasant sound. They sound a lot like an HD600 to me, including the lack of bass. But they're little tanks that fit me perfectly so I'm keeping them.

 

And as an aside, I'm really glad to see they made a great headphone. I've always been a fan of them as a company so it's nice to see.

 

So if you are shopping around for a CIEM, would trying out the universal version be close enough to make a decision before committing to a custom fit version?

 

Short answer is yes.

Side note: you won't have much resale value for CIEMs. Buy only if you absolutely love them.

 

I don't generally buy things with intent to resale, especially with CIEMs. I am already too busy chasing the mythical audiophile dragon with headphones, speakers, amps and DACs to be concerned about whether I am getting the best audio experience from my CIEMs. I just need them to be "good enough".

That being said, there are some companies that will reshell your CIEMs for a fee if you transfer ownership. I believe Noble Audio does this.

 

Sony EX-1000 yay or nay?

 

I would pick Ocharaku Kuro or Kaede instead of EX1000

 

Yay, they have a 7khz spike, but otherwise quite nice. Even the spike has something about it.

 

Can anyone that has heard the Noble K10 and the Fitear 334 compare the two?, I'm planning on visiting japan and would do shameful things for a pair of fitears so i'm trying to turn my attention to another custom.