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

It doesn't have the Westone warm sound, it's much clearer in the mids but the treble region sounds a lot like Westone/Merlin, kind of rolled off at 7khz-8khz region. It's non fatiguing for sure but it's not analytical/sparkling enough.

my listening environment wasn't ideal as it was something like mini-ces event.

 

Finally got around to skimming through this thread. Thanks for the awesome list and comparisons!

Is it possible to find a demo version of the Deca anywhere to try out? They sound like something I would get to upgrade from the UERMs down the line. I like the Andromedas but I find the impedance matching a PITA and the bass to be too much when the OI is less than 2. If they were available in customs then I'd be more interested in the Andromedas.

Also, could I ask how much the intro pricing for the decas was?

 

I believe the Perfect Seal guy is open to sending out universal demos with a deposit, but I think they are shutting down shop from the 20th until early-mid October. Intro deal was $1050 if you liked their FB page, so $400 off.

 

Thanks! I'll contact them and see if I can get that demo before they close shop.

 

So, I have had the new 4 driver custom from inearz for about a month. The setup is like the Jupiter, 2+2 with 4 larger drivers. I am not saying they sound like the Jupiter, but have a similar driver arrangement. I know that they are easily the most complete iem that I have owned. They are lacking in the sub bass volume, but they still have some presence there. In comparison to Noble 4 and 6, they hit the middle ground. Plenty of resolution without sounding too warm or too thin. I wish I would have went custom sooner.

 

@shotgunshane

Between savannah and savant which one is more neutral, reference type, less bassy, and a bit bright sounding?

 

Ahem. Not @shotgunshane, but...

Can't speak to the Savannah, but the Savant is not neutral. Tellingly, Noble describes it as "balanced" on its shop page. That may be, though I still didn't care for it. To my ears, it sounded exactly how @Marvey has described it. I may have found it even less pleasant to listen to than he did, I think. Just a weird, uneven sound. This was before Noble introduced aluminum shells, however. Maybe that made a positive difference?

You may want to take a look at the Campfire Orion. Definitely a capable/affordable reference, although it sounded rather "skeletal" for my taste. Fit can be a bit tricky for some, too.

 

Hopefully shane doesn't mind me replying, but the Savanna is more neutral, reference type, less bassy and a bit bright sounding.

 

I bought the N4 (the precursor to the Savannah) and the Savant at the same time. The N4 so easily outclassed the Savant that I returned the Savant within a few days. Even after I got "better" IEMs like the K10, Andro, and Katana, I have kept the N4s around (though my fiancé uses them as her day-to-day earphones) because of how uniquely nuetral and great-sounding they are.

 

thank you for all your reply mates...i will go for savannah then...

 

'some early hype' is an understatement for what's happening at HF atm.

 

I'm contemplating getting a pair of these as I'm in the need for a pair of universals. I have never owned a pair of hybrids before. Curious to see what they bring to the table. My sole experience with IBasso also provides some reassurance that their QC/build is respectable as compared to other Chinese brands.

On the other hand, the hype on Head-fi for these is ridiculous. Broad, sweeping statements. No contextualization. One particular poster repeating 'these are great' in 20 different ways (now I know how to amass 6.1k posts on an audio forum within half a year).

Most likely I'll still go for them within the next 2 days. I don't have the prerequisite tools to make any in-depth comments or comparisons but I'll provide my general assessment on them.

 

"These are TOTL!"
"Yes, definitely!"
"Totally!
"I'm not so sure..."
"...okay I burned them in for exactly 111.11 hours and now I agree! TOTL!"
"What about them is TOTL?"
"How TOTL they are!"

Total circle jerk of a thread.

 

Actually it's just the few usual suspects. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any insight on their part.

 

ES2 are 2 drivers, 2 way & ES3 are 3 drivers, 3 ways