Ultimate Ears UE18+ Pro ToGo (universal)

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements - La Cenric's IEM Playhouse' started by Crinacle, Jul 4, 2017.

  1. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    [​IMG]
    Foreword: The UE18+ is the update to UE's original UE18 flagship, using their top-firing "true-tone" drivers in a 3D-printed chamber system. The included wide-bore tips makes the sound harsh and borderline sibilant so I'd highly recommend using small-bore (spinfit-esque) tips for the best sound.

    Frequency Reponse (small-bore)
    FR (CM) (smallbore) v2.png

    Frequency Reponse (wide-bore)

    FR (CM) (widebore) v2.png

    Frequency Response (foam)
    FR (CM) (foam).png

    Impedance changes
    Impedance.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2017
  2. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    Miscellaneous measurements.

    Impulse (small-bore)
    Impulse (L) (smallbore).png Impulse (R) (smallbore).png

    CSD (small-bore)
    CSD (L) (smallbore).png CSD (R) (smallbore).png

    THD (small-bore)
    THD (L).png THD (R).png
    Analysis
    • The UE18+ is... neutral? I'm afraid to say neutral since it sounds so different from the UERM, yet when you listen to it in a vacuum no part of the frequency response really stands out. If not neutral, it's at least "balanced".
    • The UERM sounds clearer and thinner. On the other hand, there's something about the UE18+ that makes it sound more "right" as whole. The timbre and tone presentation is top-notch and I'm really considering making it my benchmark from here on, replacing the UERM.
    • As mentioned, wide-bore tips make the UE18+ sound borderline sibilant. Almost made me wonder if I got a dud set. Not as bad as I thought on second listen. Maybe I got a better fit.
    • Foam tips make the UE18+ sound congested and darker. Some may like it, I don't.
    • Surprisingly stable with impedance. But expect definitely audible differences on different OI devices.
    • With the small-bore tips, the UE18+ is neutral/balanced, remaining somwhat within the 5dB swing range until the 7k spike (shifting with insert depth). With the small lower frequency boost, the UE18+ sounds less thin and cold than the typical reference monitor. (Think UERM, Hidition NT6, ER4SR etc.)
    • Impulse looks weird, for sure. Still need to read up on how to interpret them. (For now, I'll just post them for prosperity)
    • Typical THD and CSD numbers. Nothing out of the ordinary for a BA system.
    • Overall, an impressive flagship by UE. It's what the UERR should've been.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2017
  3. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,594
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near Munich, Germany
    D2 midrange distortion? I remember the UE4 had a similar distortion pattern, but D3 in the midrange that sounded a bit weird when cranked up. The TDK BA200 I think is similar to the UE4. D2 might be less weird than D3.

    Is the peak in the treble insertion depth related like with a TWFK or does it stay even without the coupler like it does with the UERM?
     
  4. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    I was initially confused when I saw "ToGo" since that's a FitEar model range - was expecting some UE X FitEar collab.

    That 8kHz spike is intense, but the UERM (Marv) (Yours) has a similar one at ~9kHz. Surprisingly absent from the UERR, which might be why it's regarded as very un-UERM-like.
     
  5. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    As someone who's used to the BA sound I'm not very sensitive of the typical D3 weirdness that BAs exhibit. I'm also not very anal about THD measurements unless they break 0.5%. But since the UE18+ is using a weird driver config with "roofless" drivers (actually firing through a hole in the top) there might be some anomalies, though from the first measurements there doesn't seem to be anything too substantial.

    Effects on insert depth
    Insert depth.png

    Effects of canal size
    canal size.png
    Test measurements for insert depth and canal size done on my vinyl-tubing + IMM6 + special compensation rig as the IEC711 is too rigid for any modifications. As you can see, yes the spike shifts with insert depth. Which is why always take data above 7K with a huge grain of salt, but a spike on the 711 usually translates to a "upper treble spike" 90% of the time. As it exists both on the 711 and on 8mm/10mm vinyl tubing, I would bet a lot of money that it's not coupler resonance but rather an actual audible spike (that shifts with insert depth, I'll reiterate again).

    Also, a canal difference test in case you have abnormally large earholes. I was bored. :)
     
  6. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    536
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Always curious about one thing. If you say they sound bad with wide tips and much better balanced with narrow tips, which sound one can expect when going custom. Hmm...
     
  7. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    UE18+vsUERM.png
    That's always the stickler with demo units vs actual customs. I might reshell these in the future but I'm not sure who's up to the task since the UE18+ is a relatively new product in the scene.

     
  8. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    The UE18+ does come in custom form, don't they?
     
  9. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    UE does not offer ownership transfers or reshelling. A used or universal 18+ will definitely have to go through third-parties.
     

Share This Page