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Multi-IEM Review - 352 IEMs compared (Pump Audio Earphones added 04/03/16 p. 1106)
Jul 25, 2011 at 10:34 AM Post #3,631 of 16,931
 
Quote:
eric_c said:
Do UM IEMs use Westone cables?
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Not by default but you can have a Westone socket fitted on request.


Quote:
shufny said:
It's a bit sad to hear that. I'm real curious how something like the Miracle fares against a Qualia. I was really blown away by those. I hope I can audition some other high-end sets this year, because somehow I doubt I'll like anything more than that.
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I haven't heard the Qualia but I've auditioned the LCD-2, which is quite fantastic, and I don't think it has a clear SQ advantage over the Miracle except in sheer bass power.
 
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM Post #3,632 of 16,931
"...and dynamics are better than with any other BA earphone I’ve heard so far. The Sony EX1000 was often able to keep up..."

 And again with the scoring. First it would be unusable if every large step would be like a 2 points jump, and we would have maybe 60 phones between 7.00 and 7.05. Second: .5 is more than twice as big as .2. And finally the last 5% is way more difference than it is in the middle. It's substantial because the Miracle is better (and as the score suggests, maybe not by much) in every way than all of the universals. There is no "but".
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM Post #3,633 of 16,931


Quote:
dervishd said:
As always, an excellent review.
 
I agree with you: throwing more money not always gets you an equivalent increase in quality, but nonetheless I think that a pair of customs is worth the economical pain. Of course I'm not referring to 1000$ customs, and of course I don't have a pair of customs, but sometimes one spends a quite amazing amount of money looking for the "perfect" phones, so it may make sense to spend it all at once and get customs.
 
When I say "perfect" I don't mean the ultimate sound-miraculous phone, but a phone you really like, with the amount of isolation you want, the comfort you want, the sound signature you want, the looks you want (why not?), etc. Sometimes you're lucky and you find a cheap pair of phones which fulfil your needs, but other times you have to sacrifice one aspect to get other.
 
I can't remember how many times I've lived that. I get a new pair of phones which sound exactly how I want, only to discover they fit like crap and isolation is subpar, or the cable is in auto-tangle mode all the time, or they cause me pain after half an hour, or they slide out of my ears, etc. Customs looks like the way of solving all the issues at once.
 
Still, price is prohibitive for me. But hoping is free 
ksc75smile.gif

 
Thanks a lot for the review, really, a great work like usual.
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Seriously, i could not agree more. And another great review / impression, joker. Many thanks!
 
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 2:37 PM Post #3,635 of 16,931
My experiences with finding iems that fit me so far have been unsuccessful. I'm wondering if I should just abandon them altogether...
 
The bullet/plug style ones do not fit me at all and just feel awkward. Wearing them cord up is worse than cord down. The angled over-ear type are better, but still a little odd. I've got a Miu Audio MR2 that sort of fits, but it's hard to get a seal and my right side sticks out at a funny angle no matter what I do which makes me think I've got a significant difference in ear shape from one side to the other. I feel like I want a sharper angle to the nozzle for them to fit better as well. Anyone have any ideas for me?
 
On a related note, is there a proper naming convention for iem shapes? I usually call them bullet/plug for the straight ones, and the angled over ear ones I tend to call universal, but I don't know if that's right.
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM Post #3,636 of 16,931
edvardd said:
1. Joker havn't listened to other customs and now many people will buy Miracle without listening to other high-end customs. Also his rating system might have to be changed if customs are to be included this roundup.
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Let's not forget these are joker's observations based on his experiences.. Of course he hasn't listened to all the other customs, how is that even possible from an economical standpoint?  As he listens to other customs, I would expect him to adjust scores.  What if he does eventually hear something better than the UM Miracle? The Miracle is the best IEM he's heard to date, so obviously it's going to score a 10 to his ears.  When SA releases the CT20 (
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) and Joker reviews it, it could become the best IEM he's heard and the Miracle might get knocked down a few points.
 
I don't see anything wrong with continually adjusting scores.. in fact, it's necessary.  I'm completely ok with the reviews having fluid scores that change based on the industry, technology, pricing, and what's available.. I hope those reading can also take that into account.  For the breadth and concise nature of all his reviews, this isn't a static, finished project.. these reviews aren't the end all be all.. and at the end of the day, it's still one man's personal observations and should be treated as such.
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:31 PM Post #3,639 of 16,931


Quote:
edvardd said:
That would then mean that if some other custom is better, then the Miracle might get a 9 then, and he would have to lower all the scores of the others. Is that what you mean?
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That's what he's been doing for awhile now.  What's the problem w/ that?
 
If people want to buy a Miracle ranked at 10 over other customs he hasn't heard or ranked that's not his problem.  I don't see ranking them 9.8 changing anyone's processes who would behave in such a way.
 
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:34 PM Post #3,640 of 16,931
By IjokerI
Quote:
the treble of the IE8 is more impressive when taken out of context
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Been listening again to these in the last few days. Been hidden in a dark zipped case for over a year. Read your review of these again.
What a cracking comment above. Funny how your brain gets trained in clarity. My MTPC`s made these sound almost muddy in clarity, muddy is a bit harsh but I always thought of them as having a veil hence I bought something else (MTPC).
 
Now that my brain has overcome the initial shock of hearing something different again, the IE8`s do have treble and they do in an effortlessly and fun way, just bang the sound out.
I think it is time for a new pair of IEMs to hit the dark zipped world for a period and let these back out to be enjoyed once again now that the owner understands what he purchased was actually musical value.
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:37 PM Post #3,641 of 16,931


Quote:
musicalchillies said:
 
 
Been listening again to these in the last few days. Been hidden in a dark zipped case for over a year. Read your review of these again.
What a cracking comment above. Funny how your brain gets trained in clarity. My MTPC`s made these sound almost muddy in clarity, muddy is a bit harsh but I always thought of them as having a veil hence I bought something else (MTPC).
 
Now that my brain has overcome the initial shock of hearing something different again, the IE8`s do have treble and they do in an effortlessly and fun way, just bang the sound out.
I think it is time for a new pair of IEMs to hit the dark zipped world for a period and let these back out to be enjoyed once again now that the owner understands what he purchased was actually musical value.
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This is why you need to A/B phones.  The human ear and brain is very resilient and adaptable.    
 
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:38 PM Post #3,642 of 16,931
Quote:
cliffroyroycole said:
 
Or maybe increase the scale from 1-50, or 50-100, so there is more room for scaling the scores. Though of course I don't expect Mike to go back and rescore all 184 IEMs. Now that would be a PITA.
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Considering that he just did that after including the Miracle, I don't think he would want to rescale it again
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Even grades like A+, A would bring back the same debate at one point of time or the other. Numerical scores are better in that they allow a relative comparison between IEMs that fall within the same tier in terms of SQ. No matter whether the score is out of 50 or 100, it would once again lead to the same questions. Personal differences with scores will continue to exist no matter what.
 
The point is read the score to see which tier the IEM falls into, it's peer group, how it's ranked relative to them, BUT read the sound description, see the features (Comfort, Isolation, Build Quality) and decide if it suits you. Without a SQ score, I certainly would be lost as I cannot be expected to read all 130,000+ words to find the right IEM. At least, that's how I use this vast resource.
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:43 PM Post #3,643 of 16,931
Hi Anaxilus again.
 
Very true, weird, but true. IE8`s amped almost seem what I am looking for but I already had them?
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:44 PM Post #3,644 of 16,931


Quote:
anaxilus said:
 
Have you tried the GR07?  I love the adjustable nozzles and fit.
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I have not. Are there Canadian/US dealers? Or I guess I'll keep an eye out on the sale forums. Are there any other iems with adjustable nozzles?
 
Jul 25, 2011 at 3:48 PM Post #3,645 of 16,931


Quote:
armaegis said:
I have not. Availability for stuff in Canada is rather limited, but I'll keep an eye out on the sale forums. Are there any other iems with adjustable nozzles?
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Not that I can think of off hand.  They are built very well too.  One of my favorite universal IEM designs by far.  ClieOS has some nice pics in his review.  That may help you figure out if they will fit you or not.
 
 
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