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

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

Page 19 of 126
  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    shotgunshane, Oct 18, 2016
    #361
  2. Dash

    Dash Friend

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    @shotgunshane , how much do you know about the new Campfire audio iems?
     
    Dash, Oct 18, 2016
    #362
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Next to zero. I hope to see some measurements or get on a tour of there is one for them.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 18, 2016
    #363
  4. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    Because the first post hasn't been updated in a while, I thought I'd ask:
    Are there good options below $50? Just something inoffensive and with decent isolation, as a spare pair.

    I liked the Tenore when I tried it, though I must not have gotten a great seal, because it never seemed bassy to me. Can't get it now though--out of stock or overpriced where I am.
     
    Eric_C, Oct 18, 2016
    #364
  5. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    SoundMAGIC E10 maybe? V-shaped but they come with comply tips last time I checked so you should be good on isolation. The E80s which I had used to be my top rec at that price but they've increased the price to 75 now. I still think they're very much worth it, but I'm not sure if you're after bass since they're more mid-centric.

    edit: Also check out Shozy Zero and Meze Neo 11.
     
    k4rstar, Oct 18, 2016
    #365
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Soundmagic E10 and Shozy Zero are good recommendations. Also the Ostry KC06 variants are really good too.if you want something close to the Tenore but more bass, the Quadbeat 3 would be a good choice.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 18, 2016
    #366
  7. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    Shozy Zero and Meze 11 look interesting, and I like the aesthetics on both.
    Tried the E10 before; while the price is good I thought it was a little boring (but yes, I realise I need to stick to my priorities).
    Would love to try Quadbeat 3! Can't find it locally though.

    Thanks you guys.

    [Update] got a Fidue A31s because it was cheap--half the price of a Shozy Zero--and pleasantly warm sounding.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
    Eric_C, Oct 18, 2016
    #367
  8. mrweirdude

    mrweirdude Asshole lowballer - acquaintance

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    @shotgunshane You recommended the Empire Ears Zeus and the Spartan, what do you think of the Athena and Hermes?
     
    mrweirdude, Oct 19, 2016
    #368
  9. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I like Athena. It's the natural choice as a replacement for the old EarWerkz Legend. It's a midcentric sound but EE has somehow increased the clarity and resolution compared to that old model. I could easily recommend Athena to someone wanting a slightly greater bass emphasis and more intimate focus on vocals.

    Hermes takes that same sound and warms it up a lot. It's both bassier and warmer. I'm not a fan. Some obviously like it but I'd recommend demoing it first.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 19, 2016
    #369
  10. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    So all this hoopla around the campfire has left me reminiscing about my experiences with dynamic drivers. And I have some questions if anyone feels inclined... :)

    1) Has there ever been a "reference" dynamic? What is as close as it gets? I really do a HD600/HD650 ish sound (I guess I'm looking at universals...)
    2) A lot of dynamic drivers do seem to be too bassy (for my taste) or v-shaped. Is that the technology or the tuning? I know that the Hifiman stuff is glorioulsy mid-centered so maybe its just turning.
    3) I've really enjoyed some dynamics. Maybe over the long run, had more enjoyable reactions to dyamics than BA's. But they always seem to have isolation problems, which seems to nix . (An exception is the Shure Se215). Is that because of the vent holes I hear about? In hindsight, I think there would have been a lot of dynamics I could have hung out with longer if there were better isolation.
    4) Any experience with the SE215? I'm curious what your impressions are? @shotgunshane
     
    imackler, Oct 19, 2016
    #370
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The closest dynamics to reference are the early Sony EX series: 600, 7550 and 1000. The 600 and 1000 are slightly more neutral sounding than the 7550 but are also more peaky in treble. Bass, however, is fabulous- It sounds effortless, I think in part due to its very large and very rigid drivers.

    I suppose most are tuned more bassy to reach more consumers. There aren't many tuned for a more neutral response. The older Hifiman iems were really nice sounding, with more neutral tunings, but were damped a lot more than say the Sony's. So they have a more closed in, less dynamic feel to them.

    Not all dynamics are vented with big open vents. Many are practically sealed with tiny pressure vents only. I can't remember the SE215 design but it's probably similar. Less venting or just a de-pressurizing vent will allow for more isolation but I also find you give up something in SQ as well. Definitely a trade off.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 20, 2016
    #371
  12. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Is the 7550 more mid-centric?
     
    imackler, Oct 20, 2016
    #372
  13. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Correct. The treble is more subdued and there is perhaps a hair more bass. The end result is a more midcentric, stage monitor type signature.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 20, 2016
    #373
  14. Dino

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    Is this the Sony MDR7550?
     
    Dino, Oct 20, 2016
    #374
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Yes, the Sony 7550.
     
    shotgunshane, Oct 20, 2016
    #375
  16. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    It's the same as the Sony Ex800st, for those curious. These are one of my favorite IEMS, ranked 3rd. For serious bass, tape that vent!!! It's one of the hardest hitting iems I've ever heard.

    They also respond very well to eq.
     
    Warrior, Oct 20, 2016
    #376
  17. Vanheim

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    I'm interested in how would the UM martian compare to the Sony ex1000. Is the martian worth being $300 more than the sony's?
     
    Vanheim, Oct 20, 2016
    #377
  18. cocolinho

    cocolinho Acquaintance

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    Now you all made me curious about these oddities Sony 7550/EX1000, I don't thank you :D
     
    cocolinho, Oct 21, 2016
    #378
  19. mrweirdude

    mrweirdude Asshole lowballer - acquaintance

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    With the Vegas turning out to be pretty bassy apparently, the EX1000 is still top dog for anyone who wants a top-tier Dynamic IEM with a relatively reference tuning
     
    mrweirdude, Oct 21, 2016
    #379
  20. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Wrong thread I posted in.

    I don't know. I need more time with eq settings off... Just don't think I can deal with listening to my iems like this for very long. Lol

    I will have my ex1000 back next weekend for a proper comparison.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2016
    Warrior, Oct 21, 2016
    #380
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