InEar ProPhile 8 Measurements and Review (Stream of Consciousness)

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Oct 5, 2017.

  1. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Wow, such variability in impressions of these IEMs! My PP8s are for travel with a DAP (QP1R first, now QP2R), 1 flange Spinfits (I think, I'm traveling so I don't have the whole kit with me). My travel music collection is mainly modern orchestral, chamber, pano, jazz. Nothing too edgy or fast. No pop or rock, few vocals. Currently on a train from Paris to Amsterdam listening to Anouar Brahem's "Blue Maqams," one of my favorite travel albums. Dave Holland's bass and Jack DeJohnette's kick drum are anything but muddy, and they blend very well with the lower notes from Brahem's oud and Django Bates's piano. Highs from DeJohnette's cymbals and Bates's piano are clean, fast, not shrill. Oud notes have detailed texture, good decay. Compared with the same album on my speaker system or with their live performance I heard in Zurich, not the same (of course), but in no way jarring.
     
  2. Nordpol Anton

    Nordpol Anton New

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    Thanks, that was a good idea! What you said, more air. I am listening with the spiral dots.

    Edit: Which silver cable do you have?
     
  3. Negura

    Negura Friend

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  4. Nordpol Anton

    Nordpol Anton New

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    Listening with Hansound Redcore cable: IMO it pairs very well with the PP8. Differences to stock cable: it´s heavier, haha. it looks beautiful, if you like the color red and it pairs with your lipstick. jokes beside: it definitely helps with upper end extension. which also helps with the soundstage and widenes it a bit, as far as I hear it, in all directions. sub bass is a bit attenuated, but bass overall is solidified and tightened, also a bit more lower mids, which doesn't make them so lean anymore. also it attenuates the upper mids a bit, which is great because on some tracks it was sharp sounding (at least with my Calyx M DAP and the Symbio N Peeled tips). Very balanced sound.
     
  5. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    Decided to try these IEM's to see what the fuzz is about with the TOTL IEM's.

    I received them about 2 weeks ago.I really like the sound of these, but the fit is simply not good for me. Considering that I can wear the Stagedivers for hours without any problems this was quite an unexpected surprise to me. I can get about 30min before my ears need a break. I think they are slightly to big for me and press just presses all the wrong places inside my ears.

    Soundwise, the best thing about these are the density, solidity and clarity of the sound, something which Purrin also mentioned. Guitars have a fantastic crunch and bite. Best of all it had no excessive sibilance. Sound great out of the ZX300, less so out of the RME ADI-2, as the upper mids seems to harden up. Probably an IO thing. The do not seem extended very high nor have a huge about of space between instruments, but this seems to be tuning for most "studio" type sounds these days. Compared to the SD2 they have a more focused upfront sound. The SD2 reminds me quite a bit of the HD650 ( softish bass, excellent tonailty, sligh veil, that makes it very enjoyable for listening)

    For tips, I had the best luck with the included silicon tips. The normal silicons offered the smoothest and most even sound for . This is also the case with the StageDiver SD2. Did not like the sound of the spinfits and also for my ears, they also did not isolate well with them (I have not found an IEM where I like what they do to the sound). Foams was even worse fit wise.
    The SD2 sounds smoother and less dynamic than the PP8, but considering the price difference I can live with that.

    The PP8 is better, but as a IEM for on the go usage I do not think I can justify its value.


    Something more fun would probably suit my needs better. I will try the StageDiver SD5 next to see how that compares.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2019
  6. Nordpol Anton

    Nordpol Anton New

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    Did you try the PP8 or the PP8s? The „s“ Version has the same sound but in a smaller housing.
    I listen to them with the Symbio N peeled tips. I don’t Best fit, best sound, at least for me. They are not listed at the Symbio website but if you send them a message you can also buy them. Then „N“ fits onto the smaller bore of the PP8.
     
  7. Poleepkwa

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    I had the normal sized version. I will have to order some Symbios and Spiral Dots for sure.
    None the less these were nice to try and see what the 3.5 x price increase over the SD2 brings to the table.
    To be honest for that money I want to have something that does not take a lot of effort to be comfortable.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2019

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