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

Can you provide short review of Silver Sonic Cable? I have been exchanging emails with the guy and about to pull trigger on Bugle cable

 

the cable is quite well made, the slim 3.5mm jack is very case friendly and i find it be on par with similarly priced asian made cables (ie Effect/Labkable...) like other tightly woven cables, it doesn't tangle easy but could be more pliant (alo litz remains the winner on this front). microphonics is on the acceptable but not non existent part of the spectrum.

Compared to the stock 7n cable, the silver sonic subjectively improves microdetails and tonal density of the upper mids and lower treble, but it's less "tone control"-like and more a subtle increase in clarity that thankfully doesn't make the already forward ex1000 treble harsh or bright. The soundstage seems better delineated compared to the stock cable (truth to be told tho, the sony connectors did not make cable swapping easy and the objectivists can chalk it all up to the placebo effect)

From what i've read in japanese mags, the bugle should be more "musical" with denser lower mids, but i didn't get a chance to audition it.

 

Thanks! I am looking at them and probably order one of them. If Noble X is available now, I will order in a blink. I assume that FLC8s does not fit my requirements, right?

 

I second the RE600 recommendation, but have to point out that their cable quality is an insolence considering their MSRP.

Besides that, you might want to give the KEF M200 or the new Porsche Design Motion One (made by KEF) a listen.

Having said that, I personally don't know any IEMs that I'd consider significant upgrades to e.g. the ER4Ps or the Tenores.

 

Thanks! I am looking for its FR curve, but couldn't find one. Looks interesting from your review at cymbacavum.

 

doubled post

 

I recently auditioned Andromeda.
I found the vocals sound a little harsh for me.
Everything else is fine.
I do enjoy the amount and the depth of bass, the clarity and the soundstage.
The distortion guitar, the bass, the cymbals and the drums are aggressive as hell!
Any other IEM suggestions that give the Andromeda soundstage and bass but smoother vocals?

I also auditioned W80, Vega, Roxanne for comparison.
I liked the vocals on W80.
Also, the amount of bass is moderate.

 

What did you hear the Andromeda with? They're quite picky with sources.

 

Try something along the lines of:


Peaks:
4.6 dB @ 1000 Hz, BW: 4.22 oct (Q=0.24)
-14.0 dB @ 3700 Hz, BW: 1.23 oct (Q=1.14)
10.4 dB @ 7200 Hz, BW: 1.33 oct (Q=1.05)

Really, try it before you sell.

 

I listened to Andro with my daily player. Sony F series. Any recommendations on DAP that fits Andro?

 

I tried the AK300 by Astell & Kern at a meet with my Andromeda and was very impressed. Definitely would consider it as my first choice if I had the coin.

 

The most recommended player for the Andromeda that trusted ears have heard is the Sony ZX2.

 

Which IEMs have the most realistic timbre for acoustic music?

I love the Andros but I feel they don't do timbre very well. Maybe its a BA thing - the Andros are my first BAs. But even my B&O A1, a bluetooth speaker, captures the snap, reverberation and decay of classical guitar strings better than the Andros IMO.

With the Andros it sounds almost like sounds are being squirted in high intensity - like with an inkjet printer - rather than emanating from a large reverberating surface, like an instrument.

 

Wow that was fast, thanks! Have you tried the Vega or Dorodo? Can hybrid give the realistic timbre of DDs? Are the 7550s a worthy alternative to the EX1000? I thought I remember reading they lack the latter's nasty treble spike.

 

@Stuff Jones

Or if you could tolerate some peakiness and brightness, you can try ocharaku flat4 lineup...especially kaede or akazakura (ive been told that this version is slightly warmer than kaede, mine still on the way, i will give you an updates if it arrived)...altough they have some "fucked up" response, but to my ears they are still one of the best timbre for acoustic especially string instrument.