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

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

  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    What’s considered the most resolving iem with the best microdynamics?
     
  2. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    I think @Zhanming057 once mentioned the Shure KSE1500/1200 as being highly resolving, neutral IEMs but they need a dedicated amp. (I've not heard them).
     
  3. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Of the ones I've heard, The Shure e-stats are definitely a nomination although as @Tchoupitoulas points out, they need the dedicated amp. I'd skip the 1500 since the onboard DAC isn't great, and you'd be better off running them from a good portable DAP. People do mod the KSE headphone bit to go on desktop E-stat amps, but that ruins them for portable use.

    The crack nomination is the Stereo Pravda SB-7 https://www.stereopravda.com/products/5/33/ which is linear, beautifully neutral, and causes blinding cranial pain when fully inserted. Now, the searing pain of the driver literally pushing up against your eardrums may or may not be a dealbreaker, but you didn't ask about comfort.

    For something painless and not requiring a dedicated amp, I'd say the A18t is a decent choice. although multi-BA resolution isn't really the same as big can resolution, and it's hard to draw a direct comparison. More recently the Inear PMX has also impressed me, although I no longer have the A18t to compare it to.
     
  4. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    I fixed the upper midrange by covering the nozzle with micropore tape by 80-90%. Measurement corrected with tube coupler to match Crinacle's IEC 711 coupler. Correction file by co-blogger @Biodegraded.

    Audible: result: no muffling of the midrange or any other part of the frequency spectrum...just less pain in the ears. This mod did not work for the Moondrop SSR; the upper mids stayed the same only the treble rolloff occurred earlier.

    We also compiled the complete reversible modding wisdom of @james444 (with his permission) to have it handy in one place: https://www.audioreviews.org/modding/

    Disclaimer: the raw measurement is adjusted by an empirical correction that attempts to emulate measurements from an imitation B&K IEC60318-4 system as used in the Crinacle database. This corrected database is internally NOT CONSISTENT. The degree and position of the inconsistencies are NOT PREDICTABLE .


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
  5. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Although it's not the IEM bible, a check of crinacle's IEM list might be a good place to start. I have bought a few IEMs lately after consulting it and they are everything described there. Sony M9, Theie Monarch, Moondrop Blessing 2.
     
  6. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Thank you Brause
     
  7. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Covering the NM2+ nozzles completely with micropore tape was not enough for me. That brought it closer to the FDX1 but was still too much. 2 layers then causes it to be too warm. I also tried some acoustic foam from AliExpress under one layer of micropore tape and it made really wooly. There may be other types of foam that would work better.
     
  8. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Of the ones I've heard I would nominate the Anole VX. The UM MEST I've got on hand right now is also excellent in that regard.
     
  9. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    On the one hand, I don't think I'd put the VX quite up there with the A18t and qdc in particular has a bit of the design by committee problem re: tuning. And I say this as a former owner of the 8SS and current owner of the 8CH.

    On the other, they have lightning fast turnaround and they're probably one of the 2 or 3 best-built CIEM brands on the market. Lots of cool customization options too - see my pair below. Definitely worth checking out. I still get a lot of use out of the 8CH and I'd use them even more if not for the reverse polarity pinout that qdc insists on using.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    What pinna gain would you find tolerable? And...is that 10 kHz spike real or resonance?

    Disclaimer: the raw measurement is adjusted by an empirical correction that attempts to emulate measurements from an imitation B&K IEC60318-4 system as used in the Crinacle database. This corrected database is internally NOT CONSISTENT. The degree and position of the inconsistencies are NOT PREDICTABLE .


    [​IMG]
     
  11. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    To my ears, pinna gain sounds most accurate around 2.5k. The latest trends to push this towards 3k and beyond can be bothersome. The NM2+ peaks at 4K and I typically will hear harshness and grain in peaks between 4 and 5k. Also the, due to the shallow fit, it peaks again between 7 and 8k. The whole signature comes across as analytical.
     
  12. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Yes, very analytical.
    I have a severe drop out between 4K and 5K due to using high powered firearms. Nothing bright between 7 and 8K, just not as bad, so NM2+ at this time is just quite analytical and very "live" sounding.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    this one looks interesting. I think most “highly resolving” iem’s are really just going to be bright porkers with bumps or peaks in the clarity zone. But this one looks like it might be flat. It’s expensive as hell though. I contacted them about a loaner:) they probably won’t respond as most companies just seem to want to send demo units to youtube shills.
     
  14. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Doesn't hurt to ask. You can probably find someone here who might lend you a pair too, they're not exactly rare IEMs.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  16. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    I may try these sponges...

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    I can also personally recommend QDC, I'm very happy with my 8CS.
    Been to their offices / manufacturing few times, that's cool place :)

    Just curious, what issue are you facing due to reversed polarity on the pins?
     
  18. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Can't put them onto any TWS units. Usually they're standard 2 pin or MMCX.
     
  19. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Added the Audiosense DT200 (msrp $150) to the In Retrosoect section:

    “Audiosense
    DT200
    Dual armature universal. Sounds like a slightly bassier, warmer LS200 (see below). The added upper bass warmth and sub bass boost is slight but made for a thicker note than the LS200, while becoming a bit too sleepy and boring. Otherwise a very impressive in-ear for the money.

    Basically these fell just short of making the current recommended list. For $150 or less, they are a really good dual balanced armature in-ear. Not sure if it’s the same 2 BA set up as the LS200 but it was instantly recognizable as a similar signature. The problem becomes in what scenario would I ever recommend this over the Moondrop Starfield, which retails for a good amount less? Not any unless someone insisted on balanced armatures at the 100~150 pice point.

    Overall the LS200 is leaner and more neutral. Top end is almost identical, according to measurements, and the difference boils down to the bass. The DT200 has more upper bass warmth and more sub bass presence. While the difference in measurement are minimal, the difference in signature comes across a little more pronounced. While my memory of the long gone LS200 was of a leaner and livelier signature, the DT200 comes across as fairly natural (for a BA) but lacking macro dynamically. While it sounds very good, it’s just a bit boring and dull at times.

    Build was great. The housings are acrylic and small. They fit flush in the ear and had a nice silver carbon fiber faceplate. The cable was pretty nice, a cut above, and what we’ve come to expect from Chinese manufacturers. Oddly it came with a fairly large and long pelican style carrying case. Too big to be useful.

    It seems Chinese manufacturers have really upped the in-ear game at all price levels. Add Audiosense as another manufacturer to watch.
     
  20. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    E7D8A5EA-DA04-44FE-BC51-2C1560C681FB.jpeg

    While this comparison shows the DT200 only being more elevated in sub bass, it was definitely warmer and suffier compared to my notes and memory on the LS200, which came across as lean at times. Regardless, the DT200 measures really well.
     

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