The most overrated IEMs - Page 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst 

In my opinion, they really are not worth the extra amount, sonically.

I would say the same in regards of comfort, given so many reports of hassles around, and need of refitting, but the thing is that even a JH13 sounds small, and like a IEM. Back then when I owned one, others agreed with me that it sounded slightly smaller than a Triple.fi 10 Pro. Also it wasn't perfect, the midrange wasn't lively enough, detail retrieval was good, but not electrostatic-like; the highs were very slightly metllic. Best iem I tried, regardless. But still in the same tier with the Apuresound ER4P, UM3x and the likes.

Also, using the JH13 out of a DAP, which is the way it is intended to be used, is really limiting it. Out of a 1500 usd home rig they sounded much better, tonally and detail-wise... but still small, and still less special than a audiocats-modded Babystax setup out of the same source. Impossible to pretend that it could compete witht the bigger guys, yet, back then, many people used to say that.

 

Also very fragile.

Well that is a subjective thing and not all Custom IEMs are the same or even similar for that matter. I have a universal fit version (Company is TBA) and it is a significant upgrade over all universal IEMs I have tried to date. The sound staging is rather large as well. Reminds me of the IE80s massive sound stage but with a lot more detail. With this type of sound stage I am more apt to think I'm wearing full size headphones opposed to IEMs. Plus the portability and comfort are better than a full size headphone. YMWV.

The Triplefi10 were the most frustrating. I loved the sound signature, but they are so uncomfortable. I think the company designed these from a 12 century torture device. However, If you can get a comfortable fit, which is hard for me, they do sound great.

PS. I'm a little disheartened to see so many Klipsch S4 in this thread. I have a pair coming in tomorrow, damnit. Haha.

At least you know what to expect... Hopefully placebo won't play a roll though ;)
 

Yea, I'm still focusing on the good I've read. I'm not looking to be blown away. I just want a comfortable, good sounding IEM with the sound signature I generally like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bcool06 

The Triplefi10 were the most frustrating. I loved the sound signature, but they are so uncomfortable. I think the company designed these from a 12 century torture device. However, If you can get a comfortable fit, which is hard for me, they do sound great.

It is true that the fit is not great, but that does not make them an overrated IEM.   I haven't seen many post praising the TF10 for their comfort, after all. 

Yea, but I'm considering comfort and sound as a compound. They're pretty highly touted, and for their sound, I can see why. But they are the most uncomfortable IEM I've ever used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bcool06 

Yea, but I'm considering comfort and sound as a compound. They're pretty highly touted, and for their sound, I can see why. But they are the most uncomfortable IEM I've ever used.

LOL.   They are truly uncomfortable, but man, do they sound good.  The cable is also another horror story.  But have I told you that they sound really good? 

The TF10s are my office, while I work, IEM.  They only work for stationary music listening sessions.  I've read that some people use them at the gym...they must put some crazy glue on the tips before their workout. 

Your experiences couldn't be any more different than my own!

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst 

All custom IEM's, in my opinion...

Yet you've had/heard only one based on reading your posts.  You mentioned they sounded much better out of your desktop gear but weren't willing to drive them to their potential in a portable scenario.  You also seem to be attacking all IEMs, not custom IEMs so I'm not sure how useful your comments are when all IEMs seem to suck for you.  Have you tried any vented/ported ones like the Ex1000 or FX700?

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst 

Ety ER4S are not as good as ER4P. I don't know now, but 4-6 years ago the general consensus was that the S were better, because the iPods back then had a impedance mismatch with the P, resulting in a bass drop off. Then, the consensus has gradually changed the subsequent years. In my opinion the P are much better, more natural and listenable, free from the sibilant peaks of the ER4S.

Totally disagree, the P is the sibilance monster to my ears.  I can't listen to them for more than 2 songs!  You might just have a gear mismatch using the S w/ a poor source.  The P is the less neutral of the two.  I think it might be useful to caveat your impressions to say you don't believe in driving hard to drive IEMs w/ better portable gear than an iPod.

______

x2 on the S4 and 500/530.  The SM3 too for me as my ears don't get $300-$400 of sonics from them and they never drop down to a price I'd justify their sound at.  Same for the Grados though the GR10 I heard was defective apparently, the GR8 wasn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvergun 

 

LOL.   They are truly uncomfortable, but man, do they sound good.  The cable is also another horror story.  But have I told you that they sound really good? 

 

The TF10s are my office, while I work, IEM.  They only work for stationary music listening sessions.  I've read that some people use them at the gym...they must put some crazy glue on the tips before their workout. 

I do admit their sound is my favorite in my collection... when I can get them to stay in. Haha, I don't know how people work out with these, unless they have some behemoth ears.

^ Guess that would be me. I actually found them more comfortable before I got them turned into customs :P
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Totally disagree, the P is the sibilance monster to my ears.  I can't listen to them for more than 2 songs!  You might just have a gear mismatch using the S w/ a poor source.  The P is the less neutral of the two.  I think it might be useful to caveat your impressions to say you don't believe in driving hard to drive IEMs w/ better portable gear than an iPod.

Anaxilus, talking about "caveats" you really wrote to the wrong person.

I have tried Etys in a huge number of higher end setups, the best results were using an Apuresound ER4P out of a CKKIII amplifier and modded Museatex Bitstream. I have also tried them with the same amp and an Assemblage 3.0.

I have compared them with S, continuously.

I have used ER4 with a Burson amplifier, and also out of my Eximus DP-1, which I think might be 'slightly' better than the usual iPod.

To me, the Apuresound ER4P with CKKIII and the Bitstream bore the most interesting results, slightly better than the P, which was also awesome. They were easily as good as the Tamboti Thunderpants out of the same setup.

The ER4S, in every comparison, are drier and more easily more sibilant.

What gear do you use with your Etymotic? What eartips have you been experimenting with?

Cheers!

By the way, not at all: I am not been attacking IEMs, actually I think they have a natural advantage (speed) over most cans, which in turn I have had often found underwhelming after having been using the better IEMs (until I started with Electrostats, and very few good dynamics/orthos).

The topic is IEMs here, otherwise I'd be nitpicking over full cans :D

I really liked the UM3x for example, I love Etys. I think for pure portable use the UM3x are better, but for me, unfortunately, they tend to lose seal often, while the Etys are the most comfortable, I can even run without losing the fit.

Maybe I used a bit strong words about the JH13, but when they were out, they were incredibly hyped, and recognized not just to be the best custom IEMs available, but also often put toe to toe with Omega 2 and similar gear (as often happens with exciting new toys). The difference between universal fit IEMs and customs is often made huge; but even if a custom IEM is a leap over a (much cheaper) universal IEM, an averagely priced 'stat, is many, many leaps over custom IEMs.

You do make a point though, in that, if one wants to invest in an iBasso DX100, in a HifiMan 801, or a Korg MR2 (the last was suggested to me as a great sounding portable by dr. Gilmore), and uses portable music as its main headphone listening source, the JH13 are easily the best end-gamer in such situation.

Personally, after having heard the best 'Stats, if I had to stay portable-only, I'd rather choose a very good universal IEM, without the feel of missing anything: I'd be missing something either way.

Hope I'm throwing a reasonable view.