What will I miss from full sized If I switch to customs?

I'd say that one thing you'd be hard pressed to find in an IEM is sound stage.  As good as they are, and there are some very good customs out there, they are going to lack some of spaciousness.
 

As far as bass impact and details, it would depend on which IEMs and headphones you were comparing.

If you aren't looking for isolation or portability why would you want to consider custom IEM's?

Soundstage is the only area that may lack.  Bass would be a nonfactor

Detail might be, depending on what headphone you were talking about.  I don't think my customs can hold a candle to the details from my HD-800s, and I doubt many IEMs can.... again, it really depends on what is going to get compared.  

I know there are some that prefer IEMs to full sized, but I think I agree with the majority that you can do better with full sized.  If I could only have one, I'd go custom IEM for the versatility of great sound, portable, etc... but if SQ is the ultimate goal I'd say go full sized.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shipsupt 

 

Detail might be, depending on what headphone you were talking about.  I don't think my customs can hold a candle to the details from my HD-800s, and I doubt many IEMs can.... 

Hmmm.  Having owned the JH13, I would be surprised any headphone could attempt to keep up with it's level of speed, transparency and detail.  It is literally mind boggling.  Too much that I got rid of it.

But certainly the headphone will have a more natural presentation.

Well, that is what makes customs difficult... I've not heard the JH-13.  That said, having heard the HD-800 I could say some of the same sort of thing about finding it hard to believe an IEM could stack up...

But I think we're really on the same page here....

Such a crazy hobby... a thread like this has me thinking I need to try more customs!  ha ha ha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masqmotumbo 

I am considering customs because I just want the best sound quality possible, if customs provide better sound quality for the same amount of money of a full sized can then I will probably get customs. However if they are the same well I will have to consider other things.

 

I would be buying either top tier full sized cans (HD800, T1, etc...) or top tier customs (JH16, ACS.... etc).

 

If i do go for customs, JH13 and JH16 are up there on my list. Would you say the JH13 is analytical to the point of being boring? What do you mean a more natural presentation? More musical? 

 

 

 

- If I get customs do I need/benefit from an amp or dac?

- If so, I can't get just any amp/dac for customs right?

 

 

Also if it helps I currently own Fa-002w and absolutely love them. And I mainly listen to EDM and classic rock, though I do have various other genres I listen to.

 

thanks!

You will loose some overall size of the presentation with a custom IEM, but you will get better coherence across the soundstage (through your head).  

My absolute favorite CIEM for classic rock is the SA-43 as it recreates the space better with that genre than any of my other custom IEMs.  Here is my review, and another review.

The SA-43 does benefit greatly from an amp, but if you do get a top full sized headphone you will need to spend on a properly matched, quality source and amp.  My review has source matching (as do all my reviews).

Listen to this guy he is best out of the best for giving advice on custom :D
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

You will loose some overall size of the presentation with a custom IEM, but you will get better coherence across the soundstage (through your head).  

 

My absolute favorite CIEM for classic rock is the SA-43 as it recreates the space better with that genre better than any of my other custom IEMs.  Here is my review, and another review.

 

The SA-43 does benefit greatly from an amp, but if you do get a top full sized headphone you will need to spend on a properly matched, quality source and amp.  My review has source matching (as do all my reviews).

JH13 is anything but boring.  Freakish amount of speed, detail and transparency.  Jerry Harvey threw in some very low bass to keep the presentation not so flat and neutral but it is certainly no bass monster.  In fact, some people think it lacks mid-bass which is what makes many IEM's fun and full-sounding.  But if that's what you want you should probably be looking at JH16 instead anyway.  Amp certainly not required but definitely will improve the sound and unleash more potential.  Highly recommended.

I 2nd the fact that "average joe" certainly knows his stuff.