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

Thank you very much. That was very helpful to understand the differences. If I understood correctly, Heaven series use BAM tech so offer more bass quantity like dynamic driver and new F series offer more typical BA sound. Have I understood correctly?

 

Almost give up on Andro because my rightt ear canal is very oval (height is almost 2x width). So far large Spin Fit is the best. Any advice of oval silicone tips?

 

Klipsch makes some for the X10 (I think?). Your audio shop may have some.

Edit: They sell them in packs.

 

I don't own an Andro, but based on pics of the nozzle, the Klipsch bore size seems too narrow.

 

I think they're about the size of Sony Hybrids so you can stretch them over the tip.

 

It's been some time since I used Klipsch tips, but I remember the stem as less stretchable and made out of thicker silicone than the Hybrid's.

Besides, I'm afraid even if you manage to mount them, the reduction in bore size from nozzle exit to bore exit will likely mess up treble response due to reverse horn effect.

 

On second thought @TRex, the oval Beyerdynamic AK T8iE or Xelento tips might do the trick. Their bore size seems to match the Andros much better than the Klipsch tips. I can't find out whether Beyerdynamic sells them separately, but it might be worth asking.

 

Hi all,

I'm new, but have been lurking for about 6 months. To briefly describe where I am at in my audio journey is that I'm still discovering where my preferences and preferred signature lies. I will ask you to excuse my audio vernacular in advance, as I'm still learning the proper way to describe sound. Also, my experience is mostly with headphones; thus, I will have to use them as references. I own the following:

DAC: Odac, Emotiva Dc-1, LG-V10 (ESS SABRE 9018)
Amp: O2, Emotiva Dc-1, Lg-V10, Pioneer Sa-9800
Headphones: HD 650, HE-500, Q701, V-moda m80
IEM: Etymotic HF5
Speakers: Dahlquist DQ-18, Infinity Prelude P-FR

The etymotics were my real first wow experience, and I still love them for their detail and separation, but they have obvious shortcomings for some genre. They lack bass and texture. Both the Q701 (bass modded) and the he-500 sound excellent, but I must admit they never really blew me away. Until having a friend gift me the hd650, I never realized how fatiguing the Q701 was. And despite many people's feelings that the he-500 are technically superior in most dimensions to the hd650, I find it to lack in the way it lays presents the soundstage. It just doesn't seem to separate instruments in way that feels natural to me and seems to lack the 3dish dynamic presentation of the hd560. I experience the he-500 as kind of a wall of sound, and it does not strike me as musical as the hd650. Though I will say I prefer the he-500 for electronic music.

Anyway, I'm here because I'm obviously interested in the purchase of some high quality iems. I am a bit infatuated with the hd-650s. I find them very organic, musical, textured, relaxed, and obviously smooth. I enjoy the laid back treble and how I can listen to them for hours. In addition, nearly all songs are enjoyable on the hd-650, no matter how badly recorded and mastered. Like I said I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was with the Q701. My main use of the iems would be for work. I currently use my hd650 at work, but I would like something with a bit more isolation and when hunched over doing paperwork the hd-650 can grow tiresome on the neck. If I had to ask what could be improved on the hd650 signature, it would be more bass extension particularly sub-bass presence. Perhaps it could use a touch more treble, but I'd really like to avoid anything fatiguing. I unfortunately am not technical enough to be able to lay out the offending frequencies, but I believe I am sensitive to some of the higher frequency ranges. Before the he-500, I original bought the he-400, and found it terribly sibilant with every consonants, I could not stand it. I sent it back. Even the he-500, can be bright to me at times.

In terms of form factor I would likely prefer universal, but could also go custom if it the sound profile is what I'm looking for. I would like to put a cap at 1k, but would press that budget a bit, if a product were truly worth it and right for me. I am also very open to saving money with a lower-priced iem, I like a good value. Right now in reading through this forum and one that caught my attention is the sony 7550. How would this fit me given my preferences? I was hoping to possibly make this purchase to enjoy on a ski trip toward the end of March; however, in reading up on the sony 7550, I worry about the wind noise on the mountain. A new toy for the mountain would be nice; however, I only go boarding once per year, so it really is not a deciding factor. Something that is musical, detailed (but not fatiguing), and good across rock, indie, electronic, acoustic, and jazz regardless of the quality of recording (but can scale with recording) is what I'm looking for.

I'll stop rambling. Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I love the 7550s, one of my favorite IEMS. I molded mine, if you want to call it that, by taping the vent. That will solve the wind noise issue, but it increases the bass, dramatically.

 

Appreciate the feedback. In considering your past forum posts and your quote claiming to be a "basshole", I suspect that I couldn't withstand that kind of punishment. Your a brave man, that sounds intense! I look for bass to be the foundation for the rest of the music to stand upon. I'd prefer it not to be the lead role, but instead the supporting actor that makes the whole production work (a la Danny in Bloodline). If that makes any sense.

 

I believe the 7550 would fit your preferences. However, I'd only recommend them for indoor use. For outdoors, a modded Fostex 02n would be a perfect complement to the Sonys.

Or alternatively, I'd suggest the Porsche Design Motion One (made by KEF) as probably the most versatile option. You'll get detachable cables and a wireless neckband in the box, so you can use them wired indoors and wirelessly (via BT/aptX) while skiing / boarding, which is pretty convenient ime.

 

The Beyerdynamic AKT8 ie is the single most amazing in ear headphone I have ever experienced. If you have heard their T1 and T5 and like it, you will love this in ear. The fidelity is like nothing I have heard in anything. They are so small! They have been in my ears for many long hours, especially airline flights, without any discomfort. I did not think it was possible to get to this high level of sound in something this small. Unreal. They are my top of the line, end game and even now reference, and any other expression used today.

 

i think that you might enjoy CA's Lyra2 or perhaps the Massdrop Noble X if windnoise is a huge concern. Lyra 2 reminds me of my hd650 somewhat but with more extension on both ends esp the sub bass.

 

I am also looking for an IEM version of HD 650. I like lush warm clear mids, nice extended sub-bass, and dark treble. I like using RE400, RE600, Carbo Tenore, Shozy Zero, ER4p with red filter. I just got Campfire Andromeda and I am using it with a low impedance DAC/AMP and Comply Tx-400 tips to tame the treble a bit. I like it over all of my other IEMs despite the fact that the treble is a bit energetic for me.

 

I use my MG6pros for that, but they are customs.

I did like the Radius TWF11K, that had lush clear mids, dark and smooth sounding. But that was radius competing for worst ergonomics in an IEM award, not sure if later models are better.

 

Unfortunately, they're not.

 

So I'm travelling with the TE-02Ns, metal grill removed and with comply with wax guard. The sound is a little smoother and fuller than in stock form, and because the seal is better, the bass is a little better. At 30 USD they're a remarkable travel option: you don't have to stress about them and baby them and yet get performance that is close enough to ToL - especially in noisy environments - that you can just enjoy your music. They do seem to like a little power though and I've not yet tested them from my phone.

From memory I like them significantly better than the two other giant killers I've tried - the Tenores and the MH1s. Less warmth and bass but much better balance, transparency/detail and separation. They do especially well with electric guitars - just the right mix of body and bite.

Still wish for a bit more bass that makes itself heard over airplane/train/crowd noise.

 

If they have teabags where you're staying, you might try to cannibalize one of them and place small pieces over the nozzle before you put your tips on.
Pics here (scroll down): http://www.head-fi.org/t/766183/flare-audio-r2pro-kickstarter-campaign/1695#post_11806210
This dampens treble a little more and tilts the overall sound balance slightly towards the low end.

In other news, it seems the TE-02n are being discontinued (at least in Europe) and getting hard to find. Bummer.

And in still other news, the new TE-04 can hardly offer consolation. IMHO they're nicely made basshead IEMs with better cables and ergonomics than the 02n... but sadly don't have the latter's giant killer qualities.

 

Not sure if I should ask here or in the General Advice Thread.
What has been the most comfortable universal IEM around here that people have experienced?
Soundqaulity is not the main focus here, but something that could be worn for hours during outside activities. (Excellent isolation would be a bonus) So far for met the Shure 215 has been the most comfortable and I remember Shotgunshane like the Westones for their fit.
How about Earsonics?

 

Any custom (or custom tips) feels better for me. Silicone tips causes my ears to be slightly sore (due to the pressure needed to have a seal), and foam tips itch for me.