Can you compare with the Timeless ?

I had the same problem of tactility with the Timeless but I finally realized it was because my favorite set is the FH7 which makes everything sound boring in comparison.

Very detailed review and pictures, thanks.
Seeing all the rave reviews, I'm tempted to add these to my collection, even though I really don't need them as very happy with all that I have so far.
This 'hobby' can indeed be a bit dangerous, even at this end of the budget.

I wish Timeless had this shells. Looks more comfy.

where did you read that YouTube has a 15kHz cut-off i thought it was using 160kbps opus 251 audio codec when playing vp9 videos ?

@amanieux If things changed I don't know. But from what I am aware of, the Opus playback is just a recoding of the 125kbps AAC format. So you aren't getting the original audio a video was uploaded in & the cutoff remains there.

But this stuff changes over time & I wouldn't be surprised if I am outdated on this info.

Oh and I am in context of free access to YouTube videos, not the paid subscription YouTube Music app. I was just streaming YouTube randomly for that part. (Just to reassure, the review was not done off of YouTube, but my offline music. Just that part was a fun observation when using my more portable gear & YouTube. )

Great review thank you for the thoughtful detail. Sorry to ask a question I'm sure I can find by searching here, but do you have a recommendation for classical, jazz, blues and some rock for around this price point, perhaps better than this s12?

@racerm5 For me, the iem Thieaudio V16 iem or the EE Odin for classical, jazz, and blues.

For rock, the same iems can be used, but....I find the Ibasso Dx300 dap with the original amp module amp11mki would be the best pairing for rock. Why? Because the dx300/ampmki has a compensation to the presence region gain that makes these iems so well for jazz/etc & pushes it back a big step. Makes the iems perfect for rock without having to resort to an EQ.



If hoping for something less expensive, a TRN MT1 affordable iem plays the niche role really for jazz/classical presentation.

Sorry, one last question...I've read s12 comparisons to the timeless. One reviewer of only the timeless said it was much better, less sibalence better soundstage and a few other comments with a $40 upgraded cable. Timeless + cable would be a big stretch financially, but I could try to save up if you think that combo would greatly outclass the s12 (+ perhaps an upgraded cable).

@racerm5 S12 is good, but the matter of more or less sibilance between Timeless and S12 depends on luck with your fit it seems.

This is a big margin in variability in people reporting between which is more/less sibilant. It'll come down to luck with your inner ear fit.

S12 may seem smaller, but it rrally comes down to the nozzle-angle and not the size of the iem shell for this fit-issue. Some people ears may fit the Timeless nozzle angle better, and some will fit the S12 better. Human ears are not clone of one another.

There doesnt seem to be clean conscience winner between them.

"...extra dot to help with insertion orientation" how is it used?

So if you are referring to the dot on the 2pin cable plugs. You want to plug both sides to have the dots facing the same way.
Whether to the backside of the iem together.

Or to the front side together.

The important thing is the dot face the same direction so things don't end up out-of-phase.

Without the dot, you got to listen to how your iems sound, and then flip one of the 2pins fix the uncanny wide sound.