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

I just acquired my A91 and I think the bass is pretty strong running through my Hifiman 901s. The mid and upper bass is stronger than SE846 with white filter. The sub bass though is not as far reaching/solid as the 846, but it does not sound obviously rolled off to me either. As you said, maybe the sealing or the coverage of the bass vent.

 

Well personally I prefer the Fidue A91 over Campfire Andromedia.

Granted the Andromedia sounds really exciting(excellent transient response) with good clarity/transparent sound, the A91 is more natural sounding and less fatiguing for long listening.

I feel A91 should be really sublime once you can find a good bass improving tip/flange/foam to pair up with.

 

Have you ever tried the Sony Ex800st/7550? They are my favorite Sony IEMS. They also have some, if not, the hardest hitting bass I've ever heard. Great sub bass. That's with the ports taped, without tape, they still hit extremely hard.

 

I think the EX1000 are pretty similar to the EX800st/7550? The MDR-Z5 should have pretty similar bass response to these iems given all have the same sized 16mm dynamic driver.

 

Just randomly tried the Sennheiser Momentum In Ear. It's very awesome sounding for asking the price. Other than a very mild recess in the mid range, sonically it does alot of things right: Good powerful Bass, Good Wide Soundstage, Clear non sibilant Treble. It certainly beats Fischer Audio's Omega series(Ace,Spark,Twin) in terms of overall clarity.

Won't have any problems recommending this iem to anyone.

 

They have the ios and android version, should be just under $80 for the red and $100 for the black chrome color.

Resolution is great(Very High clarity at this price), the very mild recess mids just takes abit off the plankton(I am being very critical here) but it captures most of goodness of the sound details. On a noisy train commute, I doubt you notice the very slight detail loss. The imaging is excellent, instrument does have it's own layering and space, would say it is on par with excellent JVC woodies imaging. Build quality is typical of a high quality Sennheiser. It certainly is more refine(treble) sounding than RHA MH600 which has harsh spiking treble.

There is one user review on amazon mention that the Black chrome version has improvement: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2S986MYHHBJ4H?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl:

Red chrome:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Ear-iOS-version/dp/B00N3RFFZ2/
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum--Ear-Android-version/dp/B00N3RFFV6/

Black Chrome:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Ear-iOS-version/dp/B013WQIO6K/
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum--Ear-Android-version/dp/B013WQINNE/

 

It sounds quite like Vsonic GR-07 Classic's level of bass on your list, just a hair more punchy.

 

Just recieved the Sony MUC-M12SM1 upgrade cable for the XBA-Z5 a few hours ago. Here are my initial impressions:

• After the cable upgrade, the Sony Z5 sounds much faster in transients, It is now as fast as Campfire Andromedia in presenting explosive dynamics or rapid piano pressing.
• The distant/smeared female vocals also has been diminished to the point where it's not noticeable anymore.
• (Source-inherent)Recording hiss is even more noticeable from the increased brightness/airness
• Bass has a much deeper, extended rumble and more powerful sounding bass punch. Drums now have a more tactile sound.
• Much Increase depth in the soundstage (very recording dependent), live concerts now has very noticeable stage depth.
• L/R stereo separation/panning seems even more distinct.
• Even before the cable upgrade, the Z5 has superior loudness/power handing, now with the new cable, it's power/loudness handling performance got even better, my earsdrums cannot handle what the Z5+upg. cable can output. You can push the Z5 to the most extreme loudness(Sony ZX2 @100% volume, sound adj app disabled) and it still presents zero hint of cracking/graininess/shouty-ness/unbalanced frequency response.

I feel with the cable upgrade, the XBA-Z5 has exceeded the EX1000 in terms of overall technical performance. Maybe those who find the Z5 to be lackluster/stringent sounding(comparing to XBA-A3's more lively sound) should try the upgrade cable, it certainly liven the sound of the Z5 by quite a significant level. Once you factor in the cable upgrade, the Z5 certainly exceeds JVC Woodies in terms of performance as a pure basshead iem(better boom, better punch, better rumble).

One special property of the XBA-Z5 is the way cymbals sound on them. Somehow on the Z5, cymbals has a brighter and sharper(more metalic feel) sound vs other any TOTL iem/headphones(even famed fischer audio dba-02 isn't matching z5's cymbal sharpness), this also applies to the triangle instrument, where the ding has a much sharper tone to it. I am guessing maybe it has something to do with Sony's propriety magnesium based balanced armature.

 

@shotgunshane, Deca have arrived, thanks for the recommendation. Mike has nailed the tuning on these; resolving, extended and perfectly balanced. I am finding it hard to think of anything I would change about them.

 

They probably go the deepest out of all of the BA IEMs I have owned, just bottomless bass. Great texture too.

Deca is all about restraint; nothing overdone, just perfectly balanced. Definitely not for bass/treble heads. No regrets selling my UERR to help pay for these. You were spot on when you described them as UERR 'done right'.

The universals are tiny.

 

I'd love to see measurements. Thanks for your impressions!

 

Any recommendations for a iem that has a similar signature to the Fostex THX00?
Especially the sub bass.

 

Hey @shotgunshane , now that Deca's in the house, would you be able to recall some details about the PS4 and/or the Perfect Seal lineup?

I got the Martians based on your review, and they're pretty enjoyable but a bit too polite. They just can't pass the Bay Area train test for isolation and I would get fatigue about six hours in, when they don't last more than ~30 minutes in my ears. But otherwise, they had the perfect treble that I've heard (sufficiently colored and not in the least bit hot). They make the Music Two seem really colored and warm (and also fun) in comparison.

I guess I'm not looking for a balanced signature, more of a colored one, almost like the Westone UM2s. What would you recommend from the Perfect Seal lineup?

 

Tried the Jomo 6R today. It's a Westone 4R/UM Merlin like signature but with better clarity and deeper bass. It's a very musical(smooth sounding) iem but lacks the speed of andromedia.