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

That make sense. Honestly I just been using a 4.4mm > 1/4 adapter since I personally didn't find a benefit of using 4-Pin Input for IEMs. For $400 I do believe this might be the only IEM amp you will ever need.

 

@shotgunshane thoughts on how the FDX pairs w/ the THX amp? How does the FDX scale?

 

Maybe, I just got my FDX1 pair today and I noticed slightly more bass slam with THX than using ZX2 or WM1A. I'm using the green nozzles after doing the rubber band color adjustments (green/blue rubber bands were on the wrong nozzles).

 

After considering a bunch of different iems in various price brackets i decided to not go full out for my first iem. So i figured around 500 bucks would be good. And after checking the various options the only one that appealed to me was the Sony IER-M7. Should have them next week, had to import them since they're not available in Europe.

@shotgunshane During my searches i saw you expressed interest in the M7/M9, did you have chance to hear them yet?
Curious about your impressions

 

Will do!

 

So had some time with the M7 and overall i’m quite happy with it. It’s easy to listen to all day with a slightly dark tuning that lets you just focus on the music. Honestly nothing stands out frequency wise, certainly nothing that will assault your ears at least.
There is some slight coloration in the upper mids and lower treble but it’s tastefully done, vocals are really good on this with good texture and details. Definitely the star of the show imo.
As for the treble it is extended enough and never grating or harsh, cymbals sound just right with enough shimmer.
Bass is nicely textured and extended but lacks a bit in heft. Guess this is the BA bass people are talking about. Still acceptable given the other strengths.
Headstage is actually quite good and I’m impressed with the depth it’s able to pull off. A slight tendency to the the 3 blob effect but again more than acceptable. Air is good and spacious.

As for fitment none of the included tips really worked for me. The ones that fit, the ML and M hybrid silicone tips had crazy bone conduction that give me a headache when walking. That got fixed with some Comply T-200 tips. I used Tyll’s method to insert them and i don’t notice any treble roll off or muddying so that was good.

Cable microphonics are pretty much non existant even without using a clip. Really high quality cable i must say.

Overall presentation and packaging is really good.

Gear used is the apple lighting dongle at first but that died after a week. Then i got Dragonfly cobalt and that one synergises really well with the M7. No nasty ESS sabre glare or overly sharpness just right imo. Probably more durable as well though fitment with the apple CCK adapter is a bit shit, it cut out a few times because there is a wiggle when connected to the dragonfly. I made a small paper shim and put it on the usb plug and it’s now solid.

Still have to make an adapter cable so i can try it on my big headphone rig. I reckon it will be even better since these M7 do seem to scale.

Unless you’re a v-shape fanatic this is highly recommended and a steal at 500 bucks.

 

I have a giant confession I need to make guys. @shotgunshane might be aware of this......

I haven't touched my Andros ever since getting the HA-FDX1.

The more I listen to it, the more I fully understand/appreciate the appeal of DDs over BAs. Don't get me wrong, Andros on a tech level is better than the FDX1. However, the FDX1 sounds more "right" to my ears. I think maybe the BAs is just pulling too much information than a DD?

Quite scary that @james444 madness got us something crazy on the value end.

 

What is everyone's favourite bluetooth "system" for the FDX1? I've tried it with the TRN 20S but felt like it wanted more power. Now I'm looking at the fiio BTR5 (how do you mount it comfortably when just wearing a shirt? Routed to waistband?) and the new FIIO neckband thing which looks reasonable.

 

Yep, totally agree here, DDs just sound "right" to me too. I think it may be that dynamic drivers have better cohesion (there's no need to handle crossover/deal with interference), and also they have more bass slam in my experience. I also sold my andros and ended up buying a DUNU LUNA after extensive audition (will sell my FDX1 too, mainly for usability reasons -- too heavy for me to use regularly. They sound great technically and are a terrific value, but just uncomfortable for me, also were a bit too lean for my personal tastes).

 

I would love a rec for a similarly priced (and level of quality) 2 Pin cable if anyone has one...

 

The $79 Tanchjim Blues is another great one for bed/sleep. Built well...and just the size of a bean, these sit flush in the ear and don't stick out at all.

Tonality is neutral with some brightness added by that 2.5 kHz peak. Wide soundstage, fantastic speech intelligibility, very good resolution.

Spoiler: Tanchjim Blues FR

 

Hey everyone. I'm trying to find an upgrade to my it03.

I tried the FDX1 and the highs were very tinny, grainy and sharp while the bass was anemic at best. I promptly sent them back (Drop's service was amazing). I also did not burn them in and found out I could have had a defective pair.

I moved on to try the ISN H40. Amazing soudstage, but pretty much a colossal failure on every other front. Sibilance galore, bass bloom into every song, regardless of genre. Totally fell for the headfi hype.

I'm about to just pull the trigger on the it03 again, but I wanted to see if anyone had opinions on a decent upgrade in the same price range.

Love the U shape and bass quantity of the it03, but it doesn't quite slam fast/hard enough. I like the mids a lot for clarity but would like a tad more note weight. Highs are just fine to my ears. Soundstage is amazing for imaging but would really like a more 3D presentation/larger stage.

Any recommendations?

 

Modding Your Internal Hardware: How To Remove Upper-Midrange Peaks With Audiophile Olive Oil


THE PROBLEM

What? Audiophile olive oil? Who has not had the disappointing experience of unboxing a long expected earphone and then be shocked by an overly harsh and hard sound perception. Such hardness is typically introduced by peaks between 2 and 4 kHz, the most sensitive frequency segment for the human ear. Or not? It has been established that Asian provocative ears are less sensitive to shrillness and shoutiness, in fact such sonic liveliness is deemed desirable [our article on nasty peaks]. Western ears are more cautious towards uberrepresented frequencies, but the western markets are negligibly small in comparison so that Chi-Fi tuners frequently do not offer special consideration. European and North American customers have no choice but deploy either (reversible) modding techniques or add third-party devices.

Spoiler: Read more...

We have discussed on our blog before that the cheapest way of altering sound in an earphone is changing the stock tips [our article on eartips]. Narrow-bore tips typically yield a deeper, tubier soundstage, whereas wide-bores attenuate bass and reveal treble. The second cheapest way of changing sound is (reversible) modding [our reversible modding principles]. Micropore tape over nozzles can work wonders with that peaky upper end. If you are a lawyer or heart surgeon, or another rich twit, you may try your luck with pricey cables or calm the sound of your expensive however aggressive earphone with the distant memory of your pleasant unboxing experience.

But have you ever considered not altering the external hardware, i.e. earphones, but rather manipulating the internal hardware, i.e. your very own ear canals? Humans manipulate their hardware all the time for all sorts of purposes, from working out in the gym for fitness, through seeking healthy improvements by medications or supplements, even plastic surgery, to doping in professional sports.


THE SOLUTION

Researchers at the “Max Planck Institut für Strömungsforschung” in Germany have discovered an amazingly simple way of smoothing perceived sound by smoothing your ear canals to minimize internal distortion and resonance. To achieve this, the researchers first shaved the accessible frontal part of the ear canal and then lubricated the inner walls. In order to achieve maximum smoothness, the lubricant has to be of a favourable viscosity.



The smoothening effect of audiophile olive oil is reflected by the frequently response.

Viscosity is defined as a measure of the internal friction, that is the resistance of a liquid against being moved/deformed. According to the researchers, the viscosity of the fluid in the ear has to be just right so that the thin film covering the ear canal does not tear when the earpieces are inserted. Dr. Schnuckelbein, who was leading the team of the Max Plank Institute, told audioreviews.org that olive oil fulfills all these requirements. But hold it, not any cheap olive oil does the job. The one that works best comes from the Argana valley in Morocco and from various locations of Tunesia.


PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIES

Other reviewers confirm my positive experience. The Crinch reports that the lubrication of the olive oil put his graph tool into an endless spin. The Audiotool found the oil useful for removing rust from himself, and the ant-eater uses it for frying up his dinner, too. Not sure how the Contraceptionst deployed it but primate audio failed to superimpose graphs of different earphones after too generous an application…they simply slipped off each other. Alaskan good girl bad girl (AGGBG) eventually even smoothened out her foul language with the oil so that Discord were forced to rename themselves to Concord. Co-blogger KopyOkaty, finally, was very successful in restoring his hearing and recover from his moderate deafness. Only Dead-Fi remained dead, even with the finest audiophile olive oil.


CONCLUDING REMARKS

In summary, audiophile olive oil is way more effective and versatile than snake oil for improving one’s listening pleasure. Applied together with hard liquor, it creates a sensation of optimistic listening, promotes expectation bias, and it has been proven as a good tool against buyer’s remorse. Last but not least it is is much cheaper than snake oil, too. You can order a 10 ml bottle of audiophile olive oil from us for only $49.99; worldwide shipping and a free pipette included. Hey, after all, we have to start making some money.

And since we can’t do this every day, our special offer will expire on 2nd April 2020.