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Top Tier Universal Iem Comparison Chart And Information

average_joe
By: average_joe
Posted 05/07/10 • Last updated 05/08/10 • 34726 views • 10 comments

Will enter the info in table format in the near future.

 

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IEM MSRP Street $, US What it does Better Than Others Strengths Weaknesses Sound Sig Ergonomics/fit Notes DAP/amp synergy Chart Reviews Supporters
EarSonics SM3 (Triple BA) $395 $425 Most true to life/accurate/realistic music reproduction; dynamics; instrument separation/ presentation; transparency Speed; detail; very deep bass with ultimate power; great overall space; very resolving; very transparent; liquid presentation   Warm, full sound with great space and accurate reproduction the true space and mic location Great isolation; Over the ear, monitor style. Deep tips gives better bass, shallow tips more treble. Ony tips included are 2 pair of the same size comply Equal to or better than the other IEMs at everything! Sensitive to recording quality, which can bring out the best or worst of a recording Very sensitive; easy to drive; you will notice improvements from better DACs     Zeo, averge_joe, KLS
Ortofon e-Q7 (Moving Armature) $429 $330 Transparency; near perfect overall music presentation Bass and mids are top notch, detail and accuracy Treble sometimes not on par with the rest of the spectrum (less smoothness); slightly grainy Slightly mid forward presentation; perfectly integrated bass and treble; more treble and less bass than the GR8; similar to the CK10 Many report serious fit issues due to size and shape of housing and short nozzle Similar to the GR8 (per ClieOS, the GR8 and e-Q7 do not have the same driver, but same family of drivers)
 		 Improve with an amp, especially in the treble region
 

Chart

   the search never ends, grokit, Pianist
 
JVC/Victor FX700 (dynamic) N/A $332 Best lower half of the spectrum for a dynamic driver Great clarity and detail across the spectrum; exceptional bass; very good space and soundstage Treble can seem a bit artificial; vocals in the upper mid region not as natural as some others Slightly warm with good treble extension and mids that are inline with the rest of the spectrum; enhanced bass and treble Poor isolation; Longer nozzle than the FX500; Easy to wear both over the ear and cables down   Easy to drive     James444

Comments (10)

UserFriendly 4/5/11 at 7:30pm
Why are there only 3 earphones?
PhoenixClaw 5/17/11 at 8:41am
Where can I get the full-sized picture?
Sil3nce 7/30/11 at 11:08pm
Because after trying out these three earphones, you'll be set :) jUST KIDDDING, you'll want more.
alphaman 8/28/11 at 11:58am
Like the review format. HOWEVER: don't agree with many of the conclusions. E.g., I bought the SM3v2 after several rave reviews. V. v. disappointed in them. My go-to IEM and, FTM, my go-to transducer (cans, speakers): Senn IE-8. You can check my Profile page to see my comparison references.
Syros 10/4/11 at 12:30am
Great summary, thank you!
hamzatm 2/17/12 at 4:24am
awesomeness, thanks a lot
parkdenn 2/22/12 at 7:21pm
I'll let better engineering types be the true technical judge but the
new alclair.com trips and most importantly unbeatable customer service
are the winners for me.
Gilly87 7/30/12 at 5:10am
"Ultimate power" is too strong of a term IMO in reference to SM3's bass. TF10 bass crushes the power of SM3 at higher volumes, and doesn't distort at higher volumes or when EQ'd.
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