Do any of the top customs you've had experience with offer a down style cable option, one that does not loop behind your ear but hands downward like a normal earbud?  I really enjoy my livewire customs which have a 360 degree rotating input, looking to really move up in the world of customs as it seems the best choice for hearing loss. The Livewires are good but do not satisfy my needs at all.  I cant really enjoy my full size headphones right now, but I can enjoy the iems.  The problem I am having now is that I am a sound stage nutcase and want the absolute largest, most spacious sound presentation available. Any thoughts on what might suit my ears best?

Hi ljokerl, would it be possible for you to share the spreadsheet that the chart on the first page comes from (the one that lists all the IEMs and score by category)?  Maybe as a downloadable Excel sheet, or a protected Google Doc?  It would be a big help in terms of sorting the list to include only the categories we might be concerned with for a particular purchase.
 
Hopefully this wouldn't really be any work, as I'm sure that list is already in a spreadsheet.  If you don't want to share it, no worries, just an idea.  Thanks for the great reviews!

Completely agree with your E3m review and will add that the lower models have similar sigs. It's too bad because they actually did some effort into these.

Quote:

ljokerl said:

They are but you asked for my one pick and the ER4S would be it, I think. The GR01 is close but comparing it to the ER4S I still think the ER4S is a bit more flatter through the midrange.
 
That said, I don't think the RE0 is sibilant at all so I am not sure if there is some auxiliary issue with treble-prominent earphones in your particular case. I've certainly had worse sibilance accentuation out of the GR07 and GR01 than the RE0.
 

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Thanks again ljokerl,
 
I have narrowed my choice down to the ER4S, RE272, HF5, and GR01. I will most likely choose the ER4S because of your recommendation, however the below review has cast some doubt on my mind!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/575188/re272-review-and-comparisons-to-er-4p-hd650-ath-ck10-ie8
 
From your perspective - I would become frustrated in responding to inexperienced noobs like myself, more so considering you reply everyday!
 

Joker, is a fast decay generally good or bad? Or is it vice versa?

Quote:

suman134 said:

really nice review , i like the ue 500 / 400 , what about the ue 600 review ?

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I don't have a UE600, I only had an old SuperFi5 for review.
 


Quote:

swbf2cheater said:

Do any of the top customs you've had experience with offer a down style cable option, one that does not loop behind your ear but hands downward like a normal earbud?  I really enjoy my livewire customs which have a 360 degree rotating input, looking to really move up in the world of customs as it seems the best choice for hearing loss. The Livewires are good but do not satisfy my needs at all.  I cant really enjoy my full size headphones right now, but I can enjoy the iems.  The problem I am having now is that I am a sound stage nutcase and want the absolute largest, most spacious sound presentation available. Any thoughts on what might suit my ears best?

Click to expand...

I only have one top-level custom, really. I know a few companies do offer cable-down, though not necessarily with detachable cables. I believe Starkey is one, but no hands-on experience with their products here. Average_joe might be able to throw out a few more options.
 


Quote:

nyonya said:

Hi ljokerl, would it be possible for you to share the spreadsheet that the chart on the first page comes from (the one that lists all the IEMs and score by category)?  Maybe as a downloadable Excel sheet, or a protected Google Doc?  It would be a big help in terms of sorting the list to include only the categories we might be concerned with for a particular purchase.
 
Hopefully this wouldn't really be any work, as I'm sure that list is already in a spreadsheet.  If you don't want to share it, no worries, just an idea.  Thanks for the great reviews!

Click to expand...

There is a link to a downloadable spreadsheet on the front page, below the table. It hasn't been updated in a few months due to lack of interest but you can always PM me your email address and I'll share the latest version when I get a chance.
 


Quote:

goodvibes said:

Completely agree with your E3m review and will add that the lower models have similar sigs. It's too bad because they actually did some effort into these.

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Thanks, and good to know. They do seem like a pretty polished product, just putting too much emphasis on too little of the spectrum for me.
 


Quote:

the neverhood said:

Thanks again ljokerl,
 
I have narrowed my choice down to the ER4S, RE272, HF5, and GR01. I will most likely choose the ER4S because of your recommendation, however the below review has cast some doubt on my mind!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/575188/re272-review-and-comparisons-to-er-4p-hd650-ath-ck10-ie8
 
From your perspective - I would become frustrated in responding to inexperienced noobs like myself, more so considering you reply everyday!
 

Click to expand...

Note that I've never heard the ER4P, only the ER4S, which I've owned twice now.
 


Quote:

xinn3r said:

Joker, is a fast decay generally good or bad? Or is it vice versa?

Click to expand...

 
You don't really want things to decay too fast or too slow - one results in a loss of musical detail because you lose note sustainment and the other usually results in a loss of resolution.
 

Quote:

ljokerl said:

 
You don't really want things to decay too fast or too slow - one results in a loss of musical detail because you lose note sustainment and the other usually results in a loss of resolution.
 

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Ah I see, so it needs to be "just right", thx joker
Also, I know this is a stupid question, but bear with me, is a shirt clip supposed to be used over or under the Y-Splitter?

Quote:

xinn3r said:

Quote:

ljokerl said:

 
You don't really want things to decay too fast or too slow - one results in a loss of musical detail because you lose note sustainment and the other usually results in a loss of resolution.
 

Click to expand...

Ah I see, so it needs to be "just right", thx joker
Also, I know this is a stupid question, but bear with me, is a shirt clip supposed to be used over or under the Y-Splitter?

Click to expand...

 
Most manufacturers who pre-install the clip for you always do it under the Y-split.  From memory, MEE and Etymotic both did this. 

 
Quote:

xinn3r said:

Ah I see, so it needs to be "just right", thx joker
Also, I know this is a stupid question, but bear with me, is a shirt clip supposed to be used over or under the Y-Splitter?

Click to expand...

Keep in mind that the exact "just right" may vary from person to person.
 
And +1 to above  - never seen a clip mounted above the y-split.
 

Quote:

swbf2cheater said:

Do any of the top customs you've had experience with offer a down style cable option, one that does not loop behind your ear but hands downward like a normal earbud?  I really enjoy my livewire customs which have a 360 degree rotating input, looking to really move up in the world of customs as it seems the best choice for hearing loss. The Livewires are good but do not satisfy my needs at all.  I cant really enjoy my full size headphones right now, but I can enjoy the iems.  The problem I am having now is that I am a sound stage nutcase and want the absolute largest, most spacious sound presentation available. Any thoughts on what might suit my ears best?

Click to expand...

The Aurisonics AS-1 comes in a cable down option!
I have the generic version off them and they are fantastic earphones!

Joker, 
I have been looking at the etymotics for long time and fine them something i really want to try as someone has offered them for a trade with me for my HD580s. They are something i love but do not use them enough as i am hardly in. Now i am wondering how they may compare to say the dba-02s so i can get a good idea if i really want them.
 

Hi Joker,

Traded my ASG-1 for the TDK BA200 from a guy from Singapore. Stunning phone. It sounds like a smooth GR07. Ranks up there with the best items I've tried.

Quote:

swimsonny said:

Joker, 
I have been looking at the etymotics for long time and fine them something i really want to try as someone has offered them for a trade with me for my HD580s. They are something i love but do not use them enough as i am hardly in. Now i am wondering how they may compare to say the dba-02s so i can get a good idea if i really want them.
 

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Do you have a DBA-02? They really won't be too different so I doubt you'll want both. I think the DBA-02 has a more well-rounded presentation than any Ety I've tried but otherwise it is at best on-par with a well-fitted ER4S in terms of balance and resolution, with maybe slightly better note thickness in certain regions.
 


Quote:

gasdoc said:

Hi Joker,
Traded my ASG-1 for the TDK BA200 from a guy from Singapore. Stunning phone. It sounds like a smooth GR07. Ranks up there with the best items I've tried.

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Unfortunately I haven't heard them but they seem impressive.

Joker, I am curious what the single driver Audeo PFEs lack compared to the best in your opinion. Anything else apart from the slightly peaky treble, limited bass presence and perhaps a slightly "3 blob" soundstage? I am so impressed with them and I think they sound better than Etymotic ER4S personally because I find PFE more dynamic and with a more 3D soundstage while retaining the great transparency of the Etymotics. I also feel PFE is better than RE0 and DBA-02 being clearer and faster than the former with better timbre in the mids and much more dynamic and balanced than the latter with tighter bass and less aggressive, more subtle treble.

IMO, PFE is just a great all arounder. Great set of compromises. I like the gray filters but you do get a little too much upper mid presence along with the greater inner detail and extension. Not quite ringy but not quite as neutral as ETs. Rounder bottom. Black filters are less informative but warmer.