Multi-Custom In-Ear Monitor Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion (Check first post for review links & information)

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tomscy2000 said:

I only got to listen to Tomo's personal pair (he was in town for business, so we met) and his ears didn't fit too well into mine, so I had to struggle with the fit. From what I was able to hear, however, it sounded quite promising. The bass was ample, but yet tight and never intrusive, while the midrange was nicely intimate, and like you mentioned very liquid smooth, with a pleasant bit of warmth. I couldn't get a good feel for the imaging or detail level, though, as the fit was just not the best. I think I'll get to hear the universal version in a few weeks, though, so that'll be interesting. Word is, Rooth will be revamping their packaging soon, and they're working with Japanese designers. They're not quite yet ready with the universal LS-X5, as they're still finalizing the shape of the mold to fit as many ears as possible.

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In my experience, using another person's CIEMs may be better than a demo, but I have one data point (both a demo and another's CIEM).  Thanks for the LSX5 update.  I would love to have another CIEM from the Rooth lineup, either the LS8+, LS6, or LSX5.
 
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lypforever said:

@tomscy2000 + Joe : why don't you give FrogBeats C4 a try ) this C-IEM is really really good xD

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I think I will be giving the C5 a try at some point in time.
 
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tomscy2000 said:

For reasons I won't get into here, I have cause to believe that the C4 and the 4.A sound extremely similar.

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Hmmm, interesting.  I wouldn't have guessed that, but then I haven't heard the C4.
 
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metalboy said:

 
No I think the NT6 Pro is clearer than all other custom iems I have heard and the V6 is in second place. I find the Heir 8A to be less clear than the V6. The i9pro is not in the same league as NT6 Pro, 8A, and the V6. I like it anyway except the fit. Its really fun sounding.
 
I have only one problem with the V6. The bass isn´t the most detailed but I have only used them for like 3 hours. Mids and treble are amazing.  I need to burn them in when I have time. On the NT6 Pro 200+ hours, I9Pro 30+ hours.

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I was just surprised because the NT-6 pro, at least for me, has a crystal clear clarity that is unmatched from what I have heard in part due to the presentation.  I can understand the i9pro falling behind as the clarity is a good deal less than my 8.A.
 
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lypforever said:

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3nenbgumi said:

Actually that's saying something, since I think obviously there is a discrepancy in performance of the 4.A and the 4.Ai. If even the demo stock can actually perform differently from the real deal, then it's more than likely that the bona fide customs and its universalised sibling will differ in many ways also (aside from the core sound signature, of course). Would you mind elaborating on the comparison, aside from neutrality?

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i don't know if there is some different between the 4.A and 4.Ai because i don't have the 4.A but my friend do have it and he will recieve the 4.A next week . but i don't think there is a huge different between the 4.A and 4.Ai and overall sound they're still share the same core characteristics .
But the C4s vs 4.Ai ( or 4.A ) is another different story , the C4s sound quite different to­ the 4.Ai . sound on the C4s a little bit thicker than the 4.Ai . Bass on the C4s much deeper and much more impact than the 4.Ai . Mid is  smoother on the C4s . For the treble part , i find the 4.ai has a brighter and a bit thinner treble compare to the C4s . the C4s has the biggest soundstage and the best image i've ever heard . it's even better than my Fitear 334 not just the 4.Ai . ( also better than UERM )

For overall sound , i have to say the 4.ai is still far to catch up c4s

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I guess the differences could be the difference between effectively a demo vs. the real thing.
 
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kiteki said:

 
I'm not sure if CX has been changed since the LS series, I suppose I could try emailing GL and asking..., you never know if he may have tweaked some small details like crossovers, driver placement, filter placement (never know if he'll tell us either).
 
It was just a playful conclusion, I haven't heard a single LS or CX model, but the Singapore and Hong Kong agents have, and after comparing the JH11 / JH13 / JH16 three seperate times I couldn't personally detect any advantage in the JH16 =(, I found the JH11 more intact sounding, even if that's contrary to price and number of drivers.
 
That's where I was coming from with my "all hype" remark... Ok sure, it's not all hype, but I think there was a little hype and human instinct present with the JH16.
 
What I insinuated with my FreqPhase comment is you can't apply that technology to a single driver IEM, since there is nothing to 'fix' there, so the new iteration of the JH16 is in fact 'fixing' something, like an athlete that needs to go to the doctor.

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Let us (or me) know what GL says.  Also, my experience with the JHA demos is that they stink, so if you don't buy one, you will think much less of them.  But, I do state how they perform in my review, but it seems the FreqPhase may fix at least some of my issues.

I think i'll have an answer between the heir 4.A vs Frogbeats C4 , when my friend's 4.A arrive .
For te 4.Ai and 4.A , i never expect it has much different , i don't think the 4.A can sound extremely similar to the C4s especially the bass . i do believe the 4.A can't do that deep and impact bass like the c4s because it's very huge distant between bass and soundstage on C4s vs 4.Ai ) . And i do believe FR do not tell the whole story ) even they are using the same drivers

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lypforever said:

I think i'll have an answer between the heir 4.A vs Frogbeats C4 , when my friend's 4.A arrive .

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YGPM

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kiteki said:

 
The Singapore distributor uses a CX6 himself too, instead of a CX8.  I like the CX series better than LS, since the CX's are still crafted by the sole inventor of CX / LS.  UM is a joke, i.e. 6-month turn-around times.
 
Conclusion:  CX6 is the best model.
 
Edit:  Not necessarily the best-looking though, I asked for a tiny bit of orange on the tips, he made it gushing with red.

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Haha, on the Chinese forums I've seen a few complaints about build qualities. At least the tuning's done right! I think the CX8 and LS8 are different right? I seen quite a few people trying to sell the CX8 after getting JH13/16 or other customs. I wonder if I can get a demo somewhere...
 
UM has a what?! You're kidding me right?
 
 
@Joe: The demos of JH hopefully do stink, because the 13 and 16 demos I heard were terrible. Extremely boomy bass. Though my friend with the 16s said there was much less bass in the actual ones. This might be true since my UERM demos had a lot of bass too, and when the actual ones came it felt like there was only about half that amount! However, another friend of mine said he didn't like the JH because he felt that the bass, mids and treble sounds too disconnected when playing music.
 
 
Also on a different story, I found that changing cables on UERM destroys the original balance and neutrality it has...it just sounds...bad with a different cable so far. Hopefully there will be a good cable that matches my taste. 

xymordos said:

 
@Joe: The demos of JH hopefully do stink, because the 13 and 16 demos I heard were terrible.

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Did they have nozzles and universal tips, or were they like averagely-shaped custom IEM's?  The ones I demoed were the latter.
 
Yes, I've seen enough people complain about UM waiting times to leave a distaste, even if they have excellent looks and such.
 
Can you link to some Chinese threads on the CX series? =), which forums?  I may have missed some info, you know, since I don't use Chinese search engines. =)

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Originally Posted by LyPForever /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
i don't think there is a huge different between the 4.A and 4.Ai and overall sound they're still share the same core characteristics .

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For comparisons from people who have actually heard both:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/625466/heir-audio-world-tour#post_8662094

http://www.head-fi.org/t/625466/heir-audio-world-tour/165#post_8893253

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sinocelt said:

 
For comparisons from people who have actually heard both:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/625466/heir-audio-world-tour#post_8662094

http://www.head-fi.org/t/625466/heir-audio-world-tour/165#post_8893253

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So how do you feel about Fitear 334 vs 4.A soundstage , image , bass and treble part ??? . I don't know how the 4.A sound like and i dont know the 4.A can beat the fitear 334 soundstage and bass part or not , but from what i've heard the C4s beat my fitear 334 in soundstage , image , treble and bass no doubt . For the midrange part , My 334 still the best i've ever heard but the distant from C4s to Fitear 334 is not so far
Btw , i'll have the answer next week and i'll post my friend impression here about the 4.A vs C4s

lypforever said:

So how do you feel about Fitear 334 vs 4.A soundstage , image , bass and treble part ??? . I don't know how the 4.A sound like and i dont know the 4.A can beat the fitear 334 soundstage and bass part or not , but from what i've heard the C4s beat my fitear 334 in soundstage , image , treble and bass no doubt . For the midrange part , My 334 still the best i've ever heard but the distant from C4s to Fitear 334 is not so far

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Sorry, but I'd need to listen to the TG!334 again to feel confident in making a detailed comparison. One thing is sure, however: the TG!334 has a more expansive soundstage -- which may or may not translate as more detailed imaging, I can't remember; I do remember that the HD800 has a more expansive sounstage than the 4.A but that this more expansive soundstage doesn't translate as proportionally better imaging, as the 4.A, while more intimate, is very precise when it comes to separation and placement of instruments.

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sinocelt said:

  Sorry, but I'd need to listen to the TG!334 again to feel confident in making a detailed comparison. One thing is sure, however: the TG!334 has a more expansive soundstage -- which may or may not translate as more detailed imaging, I can't remember; I do remember that the HD800 has a more expansive sounstage than the 4.A but that this more expansive soundstage didn't translate as proportionally better imaging, as the 4.A, while more intimate, is very precise when it comes to separation and placement of instruments.

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The 334, to me has not a more expansive soundstage, but a more accurately proportioned one. Even the vocals are quite forward in space, they are perfectly dimensioned in height, width, and depth. On the other hand, the 4.A feels more spread out in terms of soundstage. It spreads high frequencies out wider and farther than the 334 does, leading most to believe that it has a wider soundstage and better instrumental separation. However, I don't necessarily feel that this is a superior aspect. Vocal height/depth is also lacking compared to the 334's.

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kiteki said:

 
I'm not sure if CX has been changed since the LS series, I suppose I could try emailing GL and asking..., you never know if he may have tweaked some small details like crossovers, driver placement, filter placement (never know if he'll tell us either).
 
It was just a playful conclusion, I haven't heard a single LS or CX model, but the Singapore and Hong Kong agents have, and after comparing the JH11 / JH13 / JH16 three seperate times I couldn't personally detect any advantage in the JH16 =(, I found the JH11 more intact sounding, even if that's contrary to price and number of drivers.
 
That's where I was coming from with my "all hype" remark... Ok sure, it's not all hype, but I think there was a little hype and human instinct present with the JH16.
 
What I insinuated with my FreqPhase comment is you can't apply that technology to a single driver IEM, since there is nothing to 'fix' there, so the new iteration of the JH16 is in fact 'fixing' something, like an athlete that needs to go to the doctor.

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I don't think the 16 was intended for it's most common use of consumer easy listening but instead fr pros that need embellished extremes on stage etc. It likely gets bought because it's the most expensive in the line and therefor assumed 'best'. Of course, it's enhancements are also knowingly favored by others. Our founder, Jude, owns both the jh11 and 13 and strongly feels differently than you do about the comparison. Perhaps it has to do with the universal versions you heard as Joe suggested. Not something to make grandiose revelations about. When I heard the universals, it wasn't with rubber tips and some stiff 1 time use memory foam that was a bit painful to get in right. My impessions were similar to what I get from owners comments.
 
The 'FIX' is one that you won't find in other multi driver CIEMs so by your standard, they are all broken, including your preferred jh11 .
 
Preference is a wonderful thing but when a personal preference becomes a directed technical condemnation over the previous lack of a proprietary improvement not used by others, it's gone too far.

Hello,
 
 
I am looking to buy a new pair of IEM's for mainly Japanese music. I already read a lot of reviews including Joker's detailed review.
 
 
MUSIC- Some of the music I listen to are ayaka, YUI, Emi Fujita, Natsukawa Rimi, Utada Hikaru, Namie Amuro, BoA, Thelma Aoyama, SCANDAL, Luna Sea, X Japan, ONE OK ROCK, UVERworld, High and Mighty Color, Miyavi, The Gazette, L'Arc~en~Ciel and some K-pop.
 
 
GENRES- Female vocals, rock/metal, pop, acoustic, jazz, blues
 
 
SOUND PREFERENCES-

1. Clarity, airy/transparent

1. Articulate

1. Mids
2. treble must be smooth (not harsh or too bright)
3. good soundstage- feels as if you’re listening to a live concert
4. not a too bassy as I’m not much of a basshead. The eq-7’s bass is adequate for my needs.
5. vocals a bit more forward than instruments. I like vocal centric headphones but I also want instruments to be engaging.
6. good imaging (able to pin point where instruments are and not congested on complex passages.)  

 
 
SOURCE- Sony Walkman Z, but I also have an Cowon J3. No amp.
 
 
I can't seem to decide between getting an universal IEM like the ck100 or ck100PRO or invest more on a pair of customs.  Are there any that match my tastes. Budget will be around $500.
 
 
Thanks.

goodvibes said:

The 'FIX' is one that you won't find in other multi driver CIEMs so by your standard, they are all broken, including your preferred jh11

.

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I think Jude has the JH13 and JH16, not JH11.
 
Yeah, they ARE all broken, but some more broken than others lol.

LOL  If not now, he had them.

LOVE MUSIC...
 
Around $500, lots of Jap vocal music, I think you should get a universal.  Didn't you know, BoA uses the CK100Pro.

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kiteki said:

  LOVE MUSIC...  Around $500, lots of Jap vocal music, I think you should get a universal.  Didn't you know, BoA uses the CK100Pro.

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I think she used it to film this, and then stopped...
 
The CK100PRO is a good choice, but I fear the sibilance might be a deal breaker. Otherwise, it's perfect. Make sure you use good recordings. The CK100PRO even brought out sibilance in Milestone, even though the song is supposed to showcase the earphones... the pin drop in the commercial sounds awesome with them, though... as with the owl flutter... LOL