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

Just compared the FX850 and FX1100/1200(both new out of box).

Both have the JVC house boomy bass profile, but what is surprising is that the FX1100/1200 differs quite greatly from the FX850, as in it sounds more like Audeze LCD /Westone 4R. It's kinda lounge like sound, which can sound muffled but free from any sibilance or treble harshness. It is very lush and laid back. FX850 has abit of 6-7khz brightness which is totally absent in FX1200/1100. Also the FX1200/1100 seems to have a wider studio size soundstage, which makes music don't sound in your head like 95% of the BA iems.

FX1100/1200 would sound really nice with slow jazz and acoustic/unplugged music but may fail quite badly in other genres like trance, metal and etc.

I think the FX1200/1100 can be further tuned with silver cables or sound good with brighter sources.

 

I went down to Ultimate Ears in Irvine recently for a demo.

They had this weird live sound demo where they used the UE18 and EQ profiles to replicate the rest of their line. While this may give you an idea of the sound signature (except for the UERR, the UERR profile sounded horrible), it is in no way indicative of the sound quality of any of UE's iems. I would stay away from this if you see it at any events.

They only had UE7, UERR, UE18, and PRM universals. Unfortunately there was no UE4 universal, so I could not compare the UE4 to the UERR in order to make a decision.

The sales staff was accommodating, but the knowledge and marketing is definitely geared more towards bands than audiophiles. I took scans, but my search continues... The RR was a tad too dark for me.

 

@Madaboutaudio

Your finding matched with my impression about FX850 vs FX1100

The 1100 obviously sounds lusher, tamed on upper register and more linier overall.
But the more energetic treble from 850, make it more lively and give a little bit more sense of clarity.
Overall, 1100 is mature and refined, 850 is dynamic and fun.

 

I think my favorite thing about the UM Martian is how capably it handles every genre of music that I throw at it. I'm not one for headphones/IEMs with niche sound signatures. The Martian simply crushes everything I send its way, and I love that.

This was a damn good recommendation, @shotgunshane. Your Cymbacavum review is fully in line with my own experience. I'd like to do a write-up on here for the benefit of anyone else who might be interested in this unusually excellent hybrid.

Purely for curiosity's sake, would you care to comment on the Martian v. Andromeda? I'd expect they're rather different aliens.

 

Which one isolates better? I see the martian has a porting hole whereas the Andromeda doesn't.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the shoot-from-the-hip take. From the your description and that of others, I'd imagine that the Andromeda might be a bit more technically adroit than the Martian. But I suspect that I'd miss the dual-dynamic bass of the Martian if I had the opportunity to pick between the two. The texture is just outstanding, really.

Disclaimer: In case it's not clear, I've not heard the Andromeda myself. I'm simply speculating above.

To compare the Martian to a Campfire IEM which I've actually had the benefit of hearing, I decisively prefer it to the Jupiter. I heard the latter on a loan, and (at a slightly lower price no less) I'd say that the Martian is notably more transparent. I can see how some might enjoy the Jupiter's coloration, but I prefer the Martian's balanced tuning. It's just more natural to my ears. Both IEMs are certainly competitive with one another, but the Martian wins handily on value. And, in my ears, comfort too.

To answer your question @JewBear, I agree with @shotgunshane. The Campfire IEMs will likely isolate slightly better than the Martian if you can secure a snug fit. I found that unpleasant, personally.

Somewhat embarrassingly, I can also report that a long overdue haircut has markedly improved the fit of the Martian. Funny how that works out!

 

A follow up, if you don't mind. How does the Andromeda isolation compare to Shure or other in ears (besides customs)?

 

Dang, you guys had me trawling through the 2nd hand IEM market in HK, just a few questions:

• How does the FX850 differ from FX750 in terms of sig and technicality?
• Is the EX800ST a generally warmer sig than the EX1000 outside of the 7k peak in the latter?

Thanks

 

@shotgunshane, any thoughts on the Focal Sphears?

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/708427/the-new-jvc-fx850-woodie-perfection-a-review/600#post_10494780

 

The Spartan-IV sounds pretty appealing as does the AR6 (the reviews on your website are very informative). I guess it'll be between the UE4, Spartan, and AR6. Essentially, it is about how much I'm willing to spend blind (or deaf) .

 

Let me know which one you go for, I'm also keeping a close eye on the Spartan and AR6 but like you don't want to go into customs blindly.