shotgunshane’s IEM (custom and universal) recommendations, favorites and classics

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Thanks! I’d prefer to avoid EQ if possible but the eventual use case for this will be a DAP that has excellent EQ options built in so it could be worth it if the IEM is really exceptional in every other way. I'll look at the LX.
     
  2. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    I completely agree. I use a Qudelix 5K with my LCD-i4 with balanced cable. It's pretty darn good, but all the trade-off's of being open make them a weird choice, but it also opens up the spaciousness. It looks like the Shuoer S12 is popular too. I'm personally waiting to see xMEMSx tech in in-ears and I'm hoping Audeze figures out a way to make a TWS version of something like the Euclid with ANC and a high bitrate codec option. DSP is only going to get better along with the rest of wireless tech. (IMO)
     
  3. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    So this is a probably a rubbish suggestion since a) I've not heard them and b) they're not the same type of IEMs as the Timeless, but.... what about the CFA Dorado 2020? They're discounted on Drop and are said of have an engaging, fun and musical presentation, if a little V shaped. I know @Rockwell is a big fan. Other than the more expensive CFA Supermoon and the open Audeze IEMs, I don't think there's other planers that are clear upgrades over the Timeless. If you can find the Technics TZ700 cheap you may also be satisfied. They have really good bass and even but slightly weighty tuning like the Timeless.
     
  4. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    '
    Dorado has some dips in the mids and consequently it's a tuning profile that is not for everyone-- definitely a try before buy situation. What about the Dunu Zen Pro? The Penon Serial is another IEM I've heard lots of great things about (but haven't heard myself yet). There is also the Sennheiser IE600. A left field rec (that I can't comment on as I have not heard them yet are these 634ears single DD IEMs.

    https://634ears.com/

    They've been gathering some positive word of mouth lately (but, again, I haven't heard them myself yet).
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Thanks for the recommendations! Just to be clear, I’m not sticking only to planars. Could be any topology as long as it has similar sound qualities.
     
  6. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Supermoon is the most logical "big leap up" from the Timeless but as of now it's only available as a custom (and is out of your stated price range). Fortunately there are lots of great single DD, or DD based IEMs out there!
     
  7. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Yeah! Zen Pro is definitely on my shortlist. HFM does have an open box RE2000 Silver for $300, I remember it got some positive responses here and elsewhere when it first came out. Wondering if that’s a good buy today or I can do better.
     
  8. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    That's a hell of a deal for that IEM. I've never heard it though. Hifiman house sound is focused on top end clarity and resolution from what I can gather. That IEM used to be like $2000. In fact I remember a gaff in an interview with the someone from Hifiman upon its release where he accidentally referred to it as the "RE2000 dollars".
     
  9. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Yeah, that's what I thought! Although the silver version has been on permanent "sale" for $800 for a long time, so it's not quite as spectacular of a deal as if they were still $2k. Still, for the price it seems like it would be worth at least trying.
     
  10. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Fun video from Timmy at Gizaudio, where one of his friends tries to determine budget or expensive iem set while blinded:

     
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Found an IEM I’m really interested in trying/reviewing. Very small Indonesian company called 7th Acoustics. The model is called Supernova. Only a few reviews out there but Super Reviews (YouTube) and Precogvision (headphones.com) give it very favorable reviews.

    Here is Super Reviews squiglink:
    upload_2023-4-1_15-7-49.png

    It’s 6 armatures with slightly relaxed upper midrange and excellent extension at both ends. Reportedly they are using a horn effect on the treble to reduce peaks and create a smooth extension.

    They don’t have a website that I can find and appear to do sales from Facebook. Some really nice abalone faceplate options, as well as other designs. The Supernova is $750. Supposedly they also have a tribrid in prototype coming out later this year.
     
  12. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Weirds me out when a company selling $750 products only has a Facebook page.
     
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  13. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    Minimal IT setups is the norm for small South East Asian setups (Elysian Acoustics, Soranik)... except for Singaporean companies, anyway.
     
  14. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    +1 on this...

    For some reason the Shure/Ety/Westone size is the best fit for my ear. I keep hoping for a home run with that size nozzle, but most seem to use the huge bore tree trunk sizes. I know there isn't much Shure love but @Crinacle thought they were adequate IIRC.
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I’ve started discussion about ordering a set with them. They have a web site in development but who knows when it may come out. Current lead times are about a month. I’ll cover the ordering process in the review I eventually write.
     
  16. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Have you tried the new Sennheiser IEM lineup? I have tried the 900 and 600 and they both fit really well for my ear shape. Little smaller than Westone/Shure. Ety is just different unless you are talking ERX or whatever the new one is called.
     
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    There's an IE 600 for sale in the FS forum right now... ;)

    They are incredibly small, and feel like they disappear once inserted.
     
  18. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    It's not the size of the IEM, it's the nozzle that seems to be a PITA for my tiny rear-holes. Anything larger than the ETY size just shimmies out of my ear. I get mixed results with the Senn size, which I think is one size up (using the Comply website guide). They're definitely worth a shot, though & on my radar.
    I know it's killing me!! If my financial ducks were in a row I'd jump on that crazy good deal. Someone should, and quickly IMO.
     
  19. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Shuffled some things on the first post; general house cleaning. Moved several things out of the Recommended list, as they are either replaced or just no longer relevant. Moved all the old Campfire entries to Legends, as well as a couple of others; added AirPods Pro to Recommended; moved a few to Retirees.

    Hopefully 2023 brings some new items to add to the list, as well as some loaner tours.
     
  20. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    @shotgunshane update Airpod Pro to Airpod Pro 2. Airpod Pro 2 creams all over the original one with actual decent rumble on the low end, better tech on separation during the mids, and going for a nice warm neutral for anything you throw at it. I know me and others feel the same way.
     

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