Universal Alternatives to UERM...

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by kapanak, Sep 30, 2015.

  1. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I find that interesting about the Tenore. Is it because of its sonic qualities alone or the ratio of quality to value makes it an easy choice for out and about wearing?

    Have you heard the Noble 4? My curiosity is peaked after reading the recommendations for it on this thread.

    I keep falling back to a ER4S, but am never really satisfied... I get a little fatigued by the brightness after a while and, I don't often miss it, but when I do the sub-bass is just not there.
     
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The Tenore just has really good tonality. It's a little too boosted in bass, so it can smear some details. Buts it's very smooth and very well extended in both directions. It makes for a great beater that's not too far off from a neutral reference.

    I love the ER-4S treble but it's definitely missing some bass. I only listen to it with EQ. Fit caused me to sell it. Just not very fun to have it crammed so deep in the ear.

    The noble 4 universal had a large 6k peak. Supposedly the custom doesn't have it and is a nice midcentric take on neutrality. At any rate I found the uni's 6k peak grating and to negatively affected treble timbre and realism.
     
  3. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I still haven't gotten customs yet.. maybe some day. I'll have to pick up a tenore. I've had way too many pairs of ER4S. As long as I stick to acoustic music, I don't miss the bass too much. Its really dated with anything electronic though (imo). I'll look forward to hearing about the Jupiter and Adel if you get them.
     
  4. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Noble 4U is an excellent monitor if you want a clean, mid focused but otherwise neutralish presentation. I have no hesitation in recommending them. Head-fi convinced me I couldn't be happy just with N4's and that I needed TOTL IEMs but I have since sold two higher tier Noble models and have kept the N4. Like ER4S, they are at their best with deeper insertion, although you can't actually get them in as far as ety's.

    I don't get any fatigue with my N4 uni's for some reason. I can literally listen to them all day. Maybe Linum Bax does something to them in my setup...

    I had to take Savant out after 30 minutes or so though, there is something wonky about them.
     
  5. Kunlun

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    With the Noble 4, there is always the silicone shell custom 4S as well as the acrylic shell custom (which I have--you can hear the lift in the treble, but it's not overly troubling at the volumes I listen, which are mildly loud with a care to keeping my hearing).
     
  6. money4me247

    money4me247 Friend

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    from my by-ear testing at RMAF I would say the Noble 4 definitely sounds brighter than what I would be looking for. the UERM did not sound bright to my ears, but was a tad bit boring (which I think is a compliment) as no real glaring FR emphasises heard on my part. for daily noncritical pleasure listening I would say the savant & the noble 6s fit me the best (a subtle bit more bass boost which I like). for a reference pair, the uerm. for a bit more treblehead-ish preferences, the noble 4.

    just imo. ymmv
     
  7. EricR

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    64 Audio (aka 1964 Ears) has released the U Series, their universal equivalent of their A Series CIEM line-up with the ADEL technology.

    I've only had shirt time with UERM at a meet, but think I got an understanding of what it's like and why people really enjoy it.

    Going from that memory I'm pretty certain anyone who likes the UERM would be seriously impressed by the A10 (custom) or U10 (universal). If budget is an issue the A6 or U6 are well worth seeking out a listen as well.

    For those wanting a bit warmer signature (without loosing any of the detail or sparkle up top) I highly recommend the A12 or U12.

    -Eric
     
  8. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I can vouch for the 64 Audio Universal series as I listened to them pretty extensively at RMAF. The one that was by far the most impressive was the U12 but the U6 also sounded really good.

    In regards to Noble Universal series I felt that the U10 was extremely underwhelming as was the savant just too many things were going on in the music and it was a little difficult to hear all the details of the instruments but the Noble 6U was absolutely amazing.

    Unfortunately I felt that for Noble U6 at $999 that is pretty expensive and so was the 64 Audio U12 at $1599. I guess at this point you are either mainly a prime portable user or you have a sweet desktop rig and basically are all upgraded out and now need that sound in your portable setup.
     
  9. shotgunshane

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    How was the fit of the 64 Audio uni's? The nozzle angle is cause for concern with it angling away from the body. I've seen one HF user show pictures of their problematic fit. I usually have issues getting a good seal with iems that have extreme angles on uni's nozzles.
     
  10. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    For me it was fine and I know universals can be sometimes a little weird for fits with some people but to me tip rolling is the way to go.

    I feel like most ciem companies are looking to dig deeper into the ear canal with their universals for the perfect fit which for some is going to sound uncomfortable. For me they sounded good though and had good fit.
     
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    That's just it, I can't get anything deeper than shallow fit if the nozzle has an extreme angle away from the housing. Now a straight nozzle is easy to get any desired depth of fit.

    Maybe I can get someone at HF to take pics side by side with other popular uni's.
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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  13. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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  14. EricR

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    Mine are the A12 in universal form (made back in the Spring ) so I can't be sure if the angle is exactly the same as on the U Series being made now.

    That aside, I've one ear canal that angles forward a bit and another that angles upward considerably and find the fit secure and comfortable.

    I'm using some large silicone tips (from Noble IIRC) and NOT going for a deep insertion. No pain or loss of seal due to movement and I find the soundstage a bit improved.
     
  15. burnspbesq

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    I nearly bought the Savant on the spot on Saturday. It makes the PR sound insubstantial by comparison, without losing the timbral accuracy and excellent imaging that drew me to the PR in the first place.

    I did notice a bit of what sounded like thickness/congestion on a heavily compressed, overly busy mainstream Nashville recording ("Bombshell," from the Ashley Monroe album The Blade), but no worse than on the UERM, which leads me to believe that it's the track, and not the Savant, that's to blame).
     
  16. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I have decided the the Noble 6 is going to be my UIEM when I get everything I need to setup (unless I find something much better in the next 6 months). Need the Yggdrasil stat!!!!
     
  17. Judeus

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    whats the consesus on the k10?

    is it worth the circle jerk I costanty see about it?
     
  18. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    IMHO, no. Fun but overdone. Syrupy. I like my N4 though.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2015
  19. HitmanFluffy

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    I thought it was pretty far from neutral, darkish with one of those smoothed-over treble signatures. I can see why people like it, but its nowhere near the UERM on technicalities or dynamics. Noble's strong free review unit game keeps them on top though.
     
  20. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Not worth the price, but for those wanting a smoother sound it's a good option.
     

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