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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 7 of 126
  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    The Martian is perhaps the most cohesive hybrid I've heard. They've tuned a bump in the middle mids which gives is very focused center image- that may or may not affect ones perception of cohesion with perceptible dips on either side of it- but the integration of technologies is well done, if that makes some sense.
     
    shotgunshane, Jul 16, 2016
    #121
  2. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Just read your review, sounds like an excellent IEM, and I will definitely be ordering it. Just jumped right to the top of my list. I'm hoping their is sufficient bass for me. If not, I'll move on. I've been enjoying different signatures lately anyway, a departure from the norm, full out bass.

    My current goto iem is the Tralucent Plus 5, definitely not a basshead iem, but it's my current number one. Sounds like the Plus 5 and Martian might be similar.
     
    Warrior, Jul 16, 2016
    #122
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I haven't heard the plus5 but from what I've read, I think it may sound a good bit warmer than the Martian but that's just me guessing.
     
    shotgunshane, Jul 16, 2016
    #123
  4. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Probably, Gavin tunes everything on the warm side. What I do like is that the Plus 5 isn't quite as warm, the mids are leaner that the Ref 1. Sounds a lot clearer.
     
    Warrior, Jul 16, 2016
    #124
  5. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I'd like to hear the Plus 5 sometime. Ref 1 never really interested me but the original 1+2 was quite a lot of fun.
     
    shotgunshane, Jul 16, 2016
    #125
  6. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    It's a great IEM. Much different than the Ref 1, which I love. Used to be my favorite, but I'm enjoying the Plus 5 a but more. I was shocked that I did.
     
    Warrior, Jul 16, 2016
    #126
  7. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    One thing to bear in mind about the Martian, Warrior, is the bass is relatively restrained. It's got outstanding depth and texture, but the quantity is not what I'd typically associate with "bass head" levels. Fair warning! You've been outspoken about your preferences in the past. ;)
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2016
    Huxleigh, Jul 16, 2016
    #127
  8. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Lol, yes I have!! I'm trying to broaden my musical horizons... I've owned only bassy IEMS for the most part. I think the iem with the least bass I own is either the Plus 5 or the Heir 8.0. Hard to say which has more, but neither I'd consider basshead levels. Close, but just a bit shy. Thanks for the additional warning, it's been noted!! ;)
     
    Warrior, Jul 16, 2016
    #128
  9. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    I purchased a Mojo to accompany the Martian, and, I gotta say, there's shockingly little difference to my ears between the Mojo and my iPhone 6s Plus. Perhaps a touch more refinement from the Mojo, but it's subtle. Make of that what you will. In any case, the Martian is clearly rather easy to drive.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2016
    Huxleigh, Jul 16, 2016
    #129
  10. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    @shotgunshane

    Can you help me to describe about the differences from customart music two vs uerm?

    I've been read your review on cymbavacum, and now I'm curious to find a CIEM that sounds closer to ety er4 family and UERM
    Thank you in advance
     
    mulolomu, Jul 18, 2016
    #130
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    First I should describe some general differences in the UERM and ER4S. The Ety goes for a strict diffuse filed tuning, whereas the UERM was tuned with input from Capital professionals for a reference tuning.

    1. UERM sounds a little brighter- it's middle treble around 10k is more elevated. So overall it sounds airier and wider in scope.
    2. The ER4S sounds very forward in 2k~4K, whereas the UERM is a hair laid back here; especially in direct comparison.
    3. The UERM has slightly boosted mid bass compared to the ETY (the ER4S starts tailing off in lower mid bass (~100hz)). Both roll off deepest of sub bass (under 50hz).

    Personal thoughts: the UERM doesn't hold to any frequency response target theory (I even asked UE about this- they tuned it to sound more like the monitors used in the Capital studios at the time) like the Ety but it sounds more neutral to me. It's bass is more in line with its treble in spl, whereas the Ety comes across as a bit n shaped to my ears, however with diffuse field compensation it is arguably more linear. That Ety upper mid bump sounds louder than bass and treble to me. There are plenty that would disagree.

    In an overly simplistic recommendation- go UE4 for UERM sound on the cheap; go Music Two for Ety sound on the cheap. Be sure and check my comparison of the Music Two and ER-4S in the Cymbacavum review, as it's really not a custom version of the ER-4. As far as I've found, unfortunately, there really is no such thing but it's closer to the Ety sound than the UERM sound, if that makes sense. I no longer have the Music Two, so take those differences in the review and compare to my ER4S and UERM thoughts above.

    I've not mentioned the UERM replacement, the UERR, which is a significant deviation from the RM IMO. The RR is darker than the RM with the deviation coming from all treble being shelved 5k and up. When it comes to this newer 'modern' take on neutral, I think the Perfect Seal Deca is a much better reference signature than the RR. A comparison of those two can be found in the Perfect Seal thread at HF.

    Not sure if I helped but probably prompted more questions, lol.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2016
    shotgunshane, Jul 18, 2016
    #131
  12. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    Thank you for your detailed comparison and info @shotgunshane

    Is there any CIEM built based on diffused field tuning like er4 on the market right now?
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2016
    mulolomu, Jul 18, 2016
    #132
  13. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Not that I know of. Canalworks made a sort of homage to the ER4 with their L05QD2. It uses the same driver in the ER4 (or the Sonion equivalent, I can't recall) but instead of one, they use 4 per ear. It is crossover-less and all 4 are run full range. Those that have heard it have described it as an ER4 on steroids. But it's $1,599 SGD at Null Audio: https://www.null-audio.com/products/canal-works-cw-l05qd-quad-driver-custom-in-ear-monitor

    I always wanted to try that one but couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a custom blind.
     
    shotgunshane, Jul 18, 2016
    #133
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    shotgunshane, Jul 18, 2016
    #134
  15. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    Wow...thats too pricey...

    Also have been considering the hum reference, but I'll giving up on their price too...the most expensive 2 drivers ciem on the market right now..

    After all, I want to find a CIEM that have a very revealing treble detail (like ocharaku flat-4 house sound) but with a slight forgiving and smooth nature, with great and accurate timbre.
     
    mulolomu, Jul 18, 2016
    #135
  16. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I'll be demoing the Jomo 6R soon. It's supposedly a neutral reference.
     
    shotgunshane, Jul 18, 2016
    #136
  17. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    mulolomu, Jul 19, 2016
    #137
  18. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    @shotgunshane:

    Have you tried the JVC Woody Series? Dynamic driver iem with wood diaphragm: FX1200/1100, FX850 etc.
    It's well regarded for its natural timbre sound.
     
    Madaboutaudio, Jul 19, 2016
    #138
  19. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    I have FX850 on my possesion, for sure FX850 is a basshead IEM, but in a positive ways...the bass punch hard, dig down low, but yes its live up the hype, it has a truly nice timbre overall from bass to treble with great texturing capabilities...not as bloated as other mediocre basshead IEMs.
    In general, it has v shaped sounding, but the mid have a good body and great clarity, so i will call it pretty natural sounding mid, not too recessed or distant or thin.

    My FX850 is unmodded.
    Tried the FX1100/1200 didnt like it, it sounds muffled to my ears, not as clear as FX850
     
    mulolomu, Jul 19, 2016
    #139
  20. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    I feel that the JVC woodies are punching their weight against BA iems(SE846) which cost 3-4 times more. Here's a quote(which I totally agree) from an audio store staff in my country:

    TOP in class:
    http://vgp.phileweb.com/vgp2016_summer/vgp_p2_12.html
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2016
    Madaboutaudio, Jul 19, 2016
    #140
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