Multiple IEM Shootout v.3 - Page 5

Unfortunately I am in neither the place nor have the will to involve in headphone business. I enjoy how it is now, as a hobbyist.

SQ rating is based purely on how the IEM sounds, price is not a concern. First is the discovery phase where I'll spend some time on each IEM for several days, usually on random albums. Then I move to audition phase with two of my reviewing CDs trying to categorize the general sound signature (plus strengths and weaknesses). After that is the comparative phase, which I pull out a bunch of previously reviewed IEM listening/comparing back and forth to determine the relative position where the IEM-in-review should fit into the established rating. Most of the actual review is done by this phase. Last is the decision phase where I reconsider the points I given before finishing up the review.This is the time I take a step back and ask myself for all the reasons in giving the score - why it has such a ranking and not another, why it is ahead of some IEMs but below some others.

Value rating is more dynamic. Beside SQ, I also put the IEM physical properties (design, built quality comfort, etc), street price, warranty, accessibility, customer service, and the rule of diminishing return under consideration. It is basically a self evaluation of "how willingly am I going to pay for this IEM?" A Sonic Diamond is generally awarded when I feel like 'This IEM is still worth the price even if I have to pay double."

Note that, as much as I like to be as objective as possible, this is still a man's opinion. For that, I intentionally include a hidden 'margin of taste' factor in every rating. For example, even if a pair of IEM isn't as analytical or as controlled as (or any other audible factors) than other IEM, I'll still rank it high if I believe it is more enjoyable and emotional sounding as a whole. After all, it is my belief that music is more than the precise replica of each and every note.

To me, the fundamental rule of the rating is simple: I want to give a rating that I can look back after a certain period of time (may it be a week or a year) and still feel justifiable to have given such a rating to such an IEM.

Hope these make things clear

The review on MEElectronics IEM will be added in the next few days, if that interests you.