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

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    The NF Audio NM2+ are a really intriguing IEM. Technically they're better than any DD I've heard, outside maybe the Rhapsodio Galaxy 2, which I hated. They're fast, punchy, textured, detailed, wider than any DD I've heard and have very accurate imaging.

    Build and fit (for me) are excellent. Price is 170.

    Their frequency response very much errs on the bright side, with a mid bass hump that makes the lower mids warm rich. Cellos sound great. There's a bump around 4k and then again at 8k. Eartip rolling helps, but the narrow tips that tame the brighteness also make them less detailed and wide sounding.

    At the beginning I got tired after listening for a few hours. Some non acoustic tracks were unlistenable. However through brain and/or driver burn in I don't notice the brightness nearly as much. There's still some tracks that are too bright, but for acoustic music they're excellent and they are enjoyable for about 80 percent of the music I listen to overall.

    I tried a micropore mod to tame the upper mids, but it muted the treble too much.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  2. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I bought one of these on Drop. Should be here later in the month. Measurements look tonally similar to the Dunu Luna, so should be in the neutral realm. I do worry about the similar emphasis in the upper mid to lower treble transition. Hopefully can play with some foam in the tip to tame it.
     
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    While waiting on the NM2+, I was wondering if any modders out there can recommend some sources for foam? @james444 @E_Schaaf anyone else?

    Looking for some open/loose cell foam or similar material. James444 found open cell filter material did a better job of lowering upper mid/lower treble peak in Luna without impacting middle and upper treble as much as say micropore tape. Also, any links to possible sticker filters that aren’t silly expensive might be worth trying too.
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Found this foam on AliExpress as well as some sticker filters.
    https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMbrZYN
    If any work well on NM2+ 4K peak, I’ll have try on the FDX1 as well.
     
  5. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Adding the Sony IER-M9 to the list. Also quoting my M7 thoughts below, as the two are really, really similar.

    The Sony IER-M9 is the big brother to the M7, adding an additional armature for treble resolution if I'm not mistaken. Here is comparison of measurements from Crinacle's site. Red is the M9 and green is the M7. As you can see, the differences in measured response are very, very small.
    Sony IER.jpg

    Sony IER-M9 general sound thoughts:

    Andromeda OG sounds less thick, less warm. It also sounds clearer, even if a bit less precise (more hazy) in the midrange. I would need to compare the M7 and M9 back to back to say for sure, but M9 seems slightly less warm in perception due to it’s slightly increased upper mid and treble presence over the M7. This slightly better balance may offer better resolution when compared to the M7 but this is really coming down to slight frequency response changes.

    M9 treble sparkle is lower in frequency response than Andromeda and as a consequence sounds a hair harder in treble. This is all relative though, as the M9 treble isn’t elevated. This hardness is very minor in the grand scheme of things. For instance the Ara treble is certainly more present and harder than the M9.

    Like the M7, the M9 is lacking in overall dynamics and really needs to be turned up to sound it’s best. Also like the M7, the M9 stage is pretty intimate yet refrains from being in your face. Andromeda walks all over the Sony’s when it comes to staging. Seeing as how many Campfire Audio upper end models excel at staging, I really have to chalk this up to the spoutless armatures and the resonator box employed in most of their high end models now.

    M9 shells and cable seem really similar to the M7. Very easy fit and comfort. Great cable ergonomics; although the Z1R cable is even better. Sony always delivers great a great accessory package and the M9 doesn't disappoint. Seeing as the M7 is half the price of the M9 new, it's a little difficult to justify the price difference. If buying new, I'd get the M7 over the M9 but if you can get a good deal on a used or sale price, the frequency response difference might be worth it, unless you prefer a slightly darker and smoother response.

    I really want to thank the awesome SBAF members for loaning me the M7 and M9. This is why this place is so special.



     

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  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Also need to mention removing the Dunu DK-2001 from the current list and placing on the retired list. Dunu is moving on form this model to make place for the Zen and whatever the DK-2001 replacement may be. Really looking forward to the Zen, which is currently in prototype but may be a contender for the list as single dynamic driver if final production decisions pan out.
     
  7. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    Question on the Dunu Luna with its pure Beryllium diaphragm: does it need break-in? I do generally not believe in such, however was told Beryllium profits from break-ins.
     
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Well that’s a Pandora’s box of opinion!
    And in my opinion, fit, mood, tips and mastering matter more than iem break-in. Anything more than a couple of nights of run-in is a massive waste of my time. Extended use (meaning in the ear) does allow the brain to adapt, so there’s that.
     
  9. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    shotgunshane, get a more dynamic sound and just more of every thing from your newi Sony M9s. If you don't believe in cables, this one will make you a believer. it's the CEMA Tianwaitian. It is the best $500 cable I have ever experienced.

    A7C9E150-FCE3-4589-BF92-E2358BA3D2D8_1_201_a.jpeg
     
  10. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    This is a thoroughly broken-in Luna demo unit measured against the brand new unit I bought later on. From my pov, it not only speaks against any significant break-in effects, but also for impressive inter-unit consistency.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    I had no doubt that this would be result. I am presently testing an iem with a "pure Beryllium" diaphragm at an incredible $160. I would expect the driver to be fast, however this is not the case. It is boomy at the low end and smears over a recessed midrange congesting the lower half of the frequency spectrum.

    The question is can this be a grade 1 Beryllium diaphragm? I think the question has already been answered.
     
  12. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    I guess that this is state of the art when it comes to IEMs. Sitting here listening to Thie Monarchs through a Penon Totem cable from my A & K SE 200. listening to London Grammar, Jack Johnson, Moody Blues.....etc HiRez files randomly selected.
    Big soundstage, great tone and resolution. Makes me wonder if its as good as Utopia/Stratus system.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Nice impressions!
    Does the M9 address the rubbery tonality that seems to get worse as you move down in FR in the M7? That’s my only problem with them, if not for that they might be my favorite iem. But that tonality is pretty bad. For me anyways.

    if all they did was add an extra BA for treble (of course all they care about is fuckiing treble) then I’m guessing it’s unchanged...
     
  14. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Interesting they repeatedly call it cotton when it’s obviously foam.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    have you tried the Ortofon tips? I believe they are @shotgunshane ’s favorite tips. I have the opposite problem as you, I have large ear canals and silicone tips even if the biggest ones fit at first get soft when warm then are all loose.

    the Ortofon tips are small narrow and long I bet if any tips would work they’d be a good bet.

    also if you have to use foam tips, try the Riyo tips available on Amazon. Best foam tips I’ve tried for not muting transients or dulling the sound.
     
  16. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I didn’t hear them side by side but the M9 seemed slightly less warm and wooly down low. I’m not sure what you mean by rubbery on M7 but I did think the M9 was a tad cleaner. Would have liked to direct compare to know if this is just due to the slight change in frequency response balance and/or something else. While the M9 was slightly better balanced, it’s also a little less smooth to my ears up top with a hint of hardness.
     
  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Anyone with an M9 want to loan me theirs when my M7 comes back from Marv and a short loaner tour so I can compare them side by side?
     
  18. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The NF Audio NM2+ arrived.

    First the good-
    Pretty nice stock cable. Chinese manufactures have really upped the stock cable game nowadays. No more Plastics1 garbage. The housings are pretty nice too. All metal and seemingly well made. This is a good looking in-ear.

    Now the bad-
    Holy balls this is an annoying tuning! Take the stock JVC FD01 or FDX1 tunning, without modded nozzles, and give it more upper mid and lower treble presence.

    7375AAA2-D2C3-426B-B736-4DDE8203DB4D.jpg

    Here it next to the reference FDX1 filtered nozzles:

    90FB4E8A-CE99-4261-B500-A0A810DD9DF0.jpg

    I couldn’t rip them out of my ears fast enough. More upper mid/lower treble transition shout with a helping of extra sibilance. Not good.

    After my initial shock and looking to see if I could return them (I can’t), I remembered I had planned to try and mod them. For now I tried 1 layer of micropore tape and it brought them a lot closer the FDX1 tunning. Still troublesome but now I can begin to see some potential.

    There’s some sub bass roll off, so maybe covering the front vent will help a little with that. And maybe dual layers of micropore tape? Or possibly some AliExpress sticker filters (yet to arrive)? Or Moondrop nozzle filters like the Starfield has (those do a lot to shape the Starfield sound)? Maybe a blue-tac mod on the existing nozzle screen like my Fostex TE02n mod measured here? Maybe some loose cell foam under the nozzle screens? Definitely some potential and it will take some exploration when I have the time.
     
  19. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Ordered NF Audio NM2+ on BF Haven't arrived, but now expect them to suck. Taught me not to buy IEMs without checking Crinacle list. I read one good hype review. Started to buy the Tanchim Oxygen .
     
  20. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    My NF NM2+ arrived on Wednesday. I put off trying them until this morning due to shotgunshan,s review. I installed tips and Penon Fiery all copper cable, plugged them in to Sony ZX300 and let her rip. No break in, but I did not feel that I needed to rip them out of my ears. Sounded pretty good if not a touch bright. They sounded balanced and detailed.
    Notice: I am an older, 72 year old man. My hearing is not as good as when I was young. Bright does not bother me much.
    I am going to break these in for about 100 hours , then post a mini review in this post.

    Next day: No sibilance, but they must be bright to young listeners. Switched to "Bass" tips--better. So far a great detailed IEM for old duffers.

    Tuesday afternoon.
    It is true about breaking in DD IEMs. They are just tiny speakers. Don't trash those NFs Shotgun shane. Hook them up to something and play music through them for about 100 hours. Even with the "bass" tips, these IEMs are not Bassy like some other DD IEMs. In fact they are just the opposite . The copper cable and the touch of warmth of the R6 Pro help cut the bright signature. They are clean and very clear. Resolution is first rate. A first rate monitor for the old duffers . You do not have to wonder what the lyrics are to what you are listening to.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2020

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