IEM general discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Griffon, Nov 1, 2015.

  1. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    FutureSonics MG6HX (darker) or MG5HX.
     
  2. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    UERR comes to mind for the upper mids/treble requirement.
     
  3. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Likes Received:
    132
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Disclaimer on the gear:

    Generated using the Vibro Veritas coupler and ARTA software. Ken Ball (ALO/Campfire) graciously provided me with measurement data which I have used to recalibrate my Veritas so that it mimics an IEC 711 measurement standard (Ken uses two separate BK ear simulators, we measured the same set of IEMs, and I built my calibration curve from shared data). I do not claim that this data is 100% accurate, but it is very consistent, and is as close as I can get to the IEC 711 standard on my budget. I suspect it is slightly down at around 9-10 kHz, but seems reasonably accurate through the rest of the spectrum.

    When measuring I usually always use crystal foam tips (so medium bore opening) - and the reason I use them is for very consistent seal and placement depth in the coupler. I use the same amp (E11K) for all my measurements - and output is under 1 ohm.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Likes Received:
    132
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Shane is that the new revision of the B200? I have a pair coming. Must talk to Marv about sending some of these on tours (also need to talk to the Manufacturers - but am sure they would appreciated the coverage).
     
  5. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,594
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near Munich, Germany
    @Brooko Do you have another TWFK IEM to compare to? Am I reading these right in that these should be comparable to the uncompensated Rin-Choi or IF graphs? In that sense it does make sense that I found them U-shaped. The 7kHz peak is insertion depth related, right? The inearspace measurements looked fine.
    Frankly I was surprised by how much bass and treble there was given the other measurements I've seen. The inearspace UERM measurements didn't look that different. Your FR graph makes more sense in that regard.
    The bass driver is ported with these, compared to regular TWFKs which are sealed, right? Maybe closing the port fixes the bass. I wonder how distortion compares to the other TWFKs. Rin's measurements showed far higher distortion for the R50 than the B2, so I'm betting these are closer to the R50. Even then TWFKs always have quite a bit of distortion.
     
  6. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Likes Received:
    132
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    New Zealand
    If you can let me know some other TWFK based IEM's which you'd like a reading on, or could point me to a list which would give me something you can relate to - I'll see what I have :)

    I've never tried seating any further in the coupler - because I try to always get a very consistent depth (and always use the same tips). The comment on the insertion depth was more anecdotal that anything. there was some debate on HF about the peak, and we tracked it down (in part) to the fact that guys with shallower insertion seemed to be getting more lower treble energy. Some of it could have been individual preference. I'm usually more tolerant to a bit of 7 kHz so its got to be pretty peaky to turn me off.

    RHA's CL1 was one I couldn't understand others saying that the treble was done well. That thing shrieked!
     
  7. Crinacle

    Crinacle Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate IEMW MZR
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    812
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SG
    Home Page:
    TWFK stuff from Tyll (raw, no comp):

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Likes Received:
    132
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Pretty sure his q-Jays measurement are the originals - because he had them on his blog in 2011. The new version are very different.
     
  9. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    No, the B2 Pheonix is different from the B200 v2. The B2 Pheonix is a limited production revival of the classic B2/DBA02.

    Raz said the TWFK and internals are the exact same as the classic B2. Just different housing and cable.
     
  10. Dash

    Dash Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    279
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Florida
    I have found the sound of the Noble x very pleasing. The downward sloping signature is perfect for my ears. If in the future, I wanted to pursue the same signature but with better resolution, layering and extension...where would I go?

    I listened to @MuppetFace description of the K10u and thought about that. I have also thought about the Jupiter.

    Any thoughts or suggestions?
     
  11. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    @Dash I'd be interested in seeing what people think about the Lyra 2 as well. I really enjoyed the Lyra 2 as a HD650 flavor of iem, more so than the Noble X, but I feel they're in the same genre. Something about dynamic drivers just does it for me though...
     
  12. briskly

    briskly Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    59
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    New York
    How is the B2 Phoenix meant to differ from the B200?
     
  13. Dash

    Dash Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    279
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Florida
    @imackler , I just sold the Lyra2. I understand what you mean about the coherence of dynamic drivers. I loved the lyra2 initially, but grew tired of how forceful it was. Subtlety was not a strength. Every note came across with tons of intensity. I also didn't like how stuffy it sounded. I am not sure if that is lack of soundstage or extension.
     
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    I very much agree with @MuppetFace description of the K10. If you are really digging the X, the K10 may be the way to go if you are looking to up the performance in a similar family sound.
     
  15. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    From the reviews and measurements I've seen, the B200 would be a warmer, more relaxed/laid back iem.
     
  16. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    170
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    China
    And do YOU like the K10 ?
     
  17. Brooko

    Brooko Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2017
    Likes Received:
    132
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Did you get a chance to hear the Lyra 1? Despite many of the reviews talking about a lot of differences, most of it (for my ears anyway) was simply the sensitivity. Once volume matched they are pretty much identical. I know what you mean about the Lyra though. They're not my usual preference (in terms of signature) but I thoroughly enjoyed them.
     
  18. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    I’ve been able to loan one for a week. It’s a nice iem and I can appreciate what it does. Is it for me? No, I don’t have any desire to own one.
     
  19. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    hong kong
  20. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,893
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seattle
    Somewhere along the line, I signed up for an HF IEM loaner tour that I completely forgot about, from a company that I’d never heard of: Hidition. I got a PM here on SBAF and was totally confused about an IEM that I knew we didn’t have on tour. Regardless, the IEMs found their way to me. I don’t have much to say about their NT6 and NT6 pro, but the Viento-R is certainly worth writing about.

    I’m sure many people here will dislike the Viento-R (thinking of @Marvey and @Hands), but it’s what I’ve been looking for. In simplest terms, it feels like a bright evolution of the UERM, with a hint more sub-bas and a slight bump in the 2-4khz region. While on the bright end, the treble does not have any funky peaks going on.

    This IEM comes with several switches. I like it in “flat” mode and won’t really be writing about the switches past this paragraph. They’re very tastefully implemented and don’t f**k anything up. With the bass boost on, you’ll get a few DB of bass boost. However, you’re not going to want to pull this IEM out to blast Kendrick Lamar’s new album while at the gym with the flip of a switch. There are other IEMs for that. This switch does decent job at elevating the level on the bass of something in the ballpark of Diana Krall’s ‘Live in Paris’. The same thing goes for the mid-boost, which I spent less time playing with.

    Information is a little sparse on pricing, but as I understand, the Viento-R is 1300 USD base with the switches. Their site says it’s 900 USD without switches, configured in whatever switch variety you desire. I’m opting for flat mode, and that’s what the rest of this will be written as.

    Over 90% my listening done with this IEM was with the WM1A. This is great pairing and I didn’t have the desire to switch over to much else. It plays nice with my iPhone 6S, which I cannot say for the Andro. Vocals can get a hair on the edgy side out of my phone, but everything still feels acceptable. I also gave this a run on the MD x Grace SDAC/ MD x Cavalli LCX. This pairing plays nice, but bass levels are a little lower and things like audience clapping on live albums can bite a little too hard (I’m looking at you 'Hell Freezes Over').

    The bass levels on this IEM venture more to the neutral category and have less prominence than almost any IEM that finds my way. (I complain bassy IEMs all the time, though.) The bass carries a nice amount of heft when we’re listening to the aforementioned ‘Live in Paris’ album. It’s really enjoyable with most jazz, pop, and classic rock. I ran though nine Pink Floyd albums on this and didn’t have the desire to change much about the bass. However, I often find myself wanting more impact when listening to more energetic music, such as Courtney Barnett’s album “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I just Sit.’

    Working out of the bass region, mids give a nice up-front vocal presentation (a real win for me). And when we get back that Courtney Barnett album, snares and guitars have nice force to them.

    Venturing into treble, the Viento-R is on the brighter side. If you like the HD800, you may like this. If you bitch about HD800 treble, stay away. Female vocals don’t carry any more sibilance than you’ll find on the gamut of most headphones out there, but I can get a slight edge of sibilance on some recordings with male vocals. It’s not to the level that it bothers me, but I do notice it over other IEMs. ‘Hell Freezes Over’ and Kanye West’s ‘808s and Heartbreak’ come to mind in this regard. On the aspect of air, this does’t have much as the Andro, but it’s got a healthy amount that doesn’t drag me in one direction or the other.

    The Viento has some of the best imagining I’ve seen in an IEM (I’m actually failing to think of a better IEM in this regard). It’s certainly not HD800 like, but reminds me more of an HD600. The same goes for the soundstage. I hate making comparisons to full-size headphones in this regard, but here I am.

    All in all, I really like these, especially at 900 USD. I’ll be in Korea at some point next year, and I’m leaning to a ‘strong buy’ on the Viento-R.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2017

Share This Page