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

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

  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    The Sony M7 and M9 are completely different. They laidback and warm. More of a complement than an upgrade, assuming you are wanting something similar to the FD01/FDX1. In that case I’d consider the Dunu Zen.
     
  2. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Unique Melody 3DT (triple DD) are a nice alternative for those who love the JVC FD01/FDX1.

    You can get these from MusicTeck or HiFiGo.

    [​IMG]

    Just like with the JVCs, stock FR (without damping) is a bit too treble happy in my book. But it can easily be modded with a simple strip of micropore tape across the nozzle.

    (DF compensated; red = UM 3DT stock, yellow = 50% nozzle coverage, blue = 80% nozzle coverage, green = 90% nozzle coverage, gray = JVC FDX1 w. ref. filter)
    [​IMG]

    Blue (80% nozzle coverage) is my favorite tuning. Note that even though lower treble is damped, high treble extension is actually improved by 80% nozzle coverage or more.

    These are the main differences of a modded 3DT (blue tuning) to the reference FD01/FDX1:
    • Over-ears only (stock cable with earguides)
    • Doesn't exude JVC level solidness, but is lighter / more comfortable to wear for longer stretches
    • Bass is ever so slightly punchier and more fun (but still tasteful and not overdone)
    • Slightly less forward / obtrusive upper mids
    • Slightly better instrument separation
    • Slightly larger stage
    All subjective impressions, of course. Overall, these are very nice, dynamic and engaging IEMs. And out of those I've heard, the closest sounding to the JVCs. They're three dynamic drivers vs. one, but fully coherent to my ears.

    How much of an upgrade? I'd say, rather a subtle than a big one... depending on how important the mentioned differences might be to you. But they definitely deserve a recommendation, if you like DD sound and the FD01/FDX1.
     
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  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    James, I’ve loved every IEM you’ve recommended to me, and I share your love of DD IEMs, and I have a shit ton of micropore tape, and it’s my birthday this weekend…so I ordered a pair of the UM 3DTs and will report back with my thoughts.
     
  4. luisdent

    luisdent Facebook Friend

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    i like the jvc but I've gone through three sets from drop with horrible channel imbalances. i post measurements later, but I'm talking one channel has 5db more 10-600hz with also having 3-4db more treble past 10k... another set varied in the bass a little less but more in the treble. the third set was similar to the second. frustrstingly, i fouldnt even match 2 out of the 6 individual drivers close enough to be considered normal to me...

    given that, my impression is that if you got a perfect set it would be one of the best around for the price for sure. l with the medium filters.

    anyhow, other then the UM, can anyone recommend an alternwtive to the illumination that is more isolating? illumination is nearly perfect response for me. have tried and like the tanchjims (hana, darling, o2) but they lack something refined that illumination has. I'm very much digging the dunu ets112, but it's on the laid back side for me. not sure if I could use it as my main iem. but it really does nothing wrong. it just doesn't have that single DD thint the illumination does. but it has beautiful, if not a bit laid back, upper treble... bass is also very good. mids I'm not sure. infeel like maybe the BA is throwing it off, but maybe it's just something else. it seems somehow not textured or detailed in the mids as much. but overall it is very very good.

    any other recommendations based on those sort of signatures?
     
  5. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Potentially SoftEars Turii. Hopefully one day I can get ears on it. Although it does appear to have the same/similar venting system as Illumination.

    Illumination Turii.png


    Maybe @james444 can chime in if he’s found any Etymotic like high end dynamics.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2021
  6. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    I owned the 3DT for a bit and performed the aforementioned mod...can confirm it improves the bass and tames the lower treble/upper mids a wee bit. Despite having 3 DDs the 3DT is not a bass monster at all...but it has a wonderful natural instrumental and vocal timbre.
     
  7. luisdent

    luisdent Facebook Friend

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    i see that one. a bit pricey for me, but I'd love to hear it.
     
  8. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    I think the closest DD I've ever measured to ER4S is the Evos Palais:

    (DF-compensated; red = ER4S, blue = Evos Palais)
    [​IMG]

    It's a somewhat older model from a few years ago and it's not really high end. But it has beryllium drivers and sounds pretty amazing in my book. Definitely worth a try for Ety fans.

    There's still one on Amazon UK, for a very low clearance price:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/MTV-Palais-Hi-Res-Earphone-Microphone-Sliver-Black/dp/B01N33QDC4
    (disregard the part about Bluetooth in the description, this thing is wired and not BT)
     
  9. Tekker

    Tekker Facebook Friend

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    Anyone that can recommend me an IEM like the Final E5000, but with less 3 - 4khz emphasis?
     
  10. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Haven't heard them, but going by measurements I'd look into the Sennheiser IE300/400/500 series.
     
  11. Tekker

    Tekker Facebook Friend

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    Have you heard the IE300/400/500?
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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  13. cn11

    cn11 New

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    Turii is really good. Compared to RSV side-by-side, the clarity and transparency is another level again. Isolation is pretty poor though with the large amount of vents.
     
  14. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Have you heard any of the large body Campfire Solaris models (OG, LE, SE)? Curious as to the size of the Turii against those. From pictures it looks rather large.
     
  15. cn11

    cn11 New

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    The Turii is actually surprisingly small. When I opened the package, I was expecting the shells to be around the same size as the RSV, but you can see how small they are by comparison. But it's also surprisingly heavy for its size. Not so much though that fit is impossible or anything....

    I haven't had a Campfire IEM since the very original Andromeda, so it's been ages!



    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    @shotgunshane Any chance on getting the new Senn IE900s in for a loaner tour? The quest for the elusive TOTL Goldilocks DD continues...
     
  17. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I believe @purr1n may be picking an IE900 up.
     
  18. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Per some first impressions, the mids might be too weird for the price bracket.
     
  19. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Mids on the IE800 and IE800S suck balls and the 900’s measurement shows a similar midrange tuning. I have no idea why they are sticking to this weird tuning for the mids on all their IEMs. It’s funny to think that these are made by the same company that makes the 650 and 600.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I guess we'll take one for the team. No idea when it will arrive. I'm pretty sure Sennheiser has me on a send to last list.
     

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