Heir Audio 4.Ai - Appreciation/Impression/Review Thread - Page 80

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdriver 

I can only use some of that info because I believe the 535 frequency curve is correct. The notion of “veiled sound” and lack of bass (to me) are indicators of possible seal issues. As small as my ears are, I have trouble with the newer (smaller sized) triple-flange Shure tips (and bass output). I noticed the 4.Ai tips were larger than the first flange of the Shure tips in the video.

 

Enough people have talked about the clarity of the 4.Ai that I can make a notation of that as a definite asset. Better treble, check. Some say the 4.Ai has good bass, some say otherwise. I tend to believe that it has adequate bass, but maybe not the rumble needed for Rap music. I also note that the “distortion review claim” is probably erroneous (and not likely under normal use anyway). I only use earphones at high volume for just  a few seconds at a time (just to see how big the sound can get).

Just so you know, the perception of human hearing is extremely malleable. People can easily adapt to bass-heavy or bass light earphones over time. I've had reputed bass monsters seem bass light to me before, and had Etymotics sound very ample in the bass section as well. Adaptation/sensitization isn't purely restricted to the bass either, so just because you might think the 535 frequency curve is correct, doesn't mean it is, or that you'll think so anymore after spending a few weeks with another IEM. I'm not trying to say that you'll definitely take to the 4.Ai like a fish to water, because you may very well not, but it's not as clear cut as "the SE535 sounds right to me, so I can't base my thoughts off of this guy". I know not everyone has the luxury of being able to try out products before buying, but that's really the best way to go. If there are any people with the 4.Ai around you, try to see if you can arrange a meet to listen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdriver 

 

Speaking of tangents: It would be nice if the inserted portion of a custom could be removable. That way a manufacturer could sell a foam temporary (sent with the original) in case of a bad fit. That way a reshell wouldn't cost a user his/her IEM for an extended period. In fact, a reshell wouldn't be necessary (just a redo of the insertion portion). How about it Heir?

You mean something like this? (in a hearing aid):

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK-Guy 

 

not when people start ranting on about other brands with no apparent interest in Heir products... I was about to press the button on the 535's (red ltd ed) when a fellow WM-Z owner started raving about his Heir 4.A's (ok a few others were on about how good their JH16's sounded with the WM-Z, but I didn't want to go to that expense), that is when I decided to investigate further. CIEM's could be a problem for me so I asked The-Wizard his thoughts & he informed me of the then upcoming 4.Ai which I got... I may not have the experience of portable/desktop equipment like some on this forum, in fact I'm just like a fetus all snug in womb that's just poking his head out for a gander to suss out what the score is musically, that said, I have fantastic ears and know a good product when I hear it.

 

Viva la 4.Ai revolution... Castro might of said that... Cuban's huh, what do they know of music.

Comparing a headphone with other headphones, including the bits where other headphones sound better to a reviewer, all a natural and necessary part of any headphone review and impression thread. Anything else would just be called "marketing".

...says the guy with two Heir IEMs who also metions the brand and it's creator in his signature. And uhm... Some of you might know the name of my avatar. 

Oh and if anyone wants comparisons between the 4.Ai and 8.A let me know. My 4.As are currently traveling with a mate of mine in Norway... When he left, he was dead set on the 3.Ai as his iem of choise, now he's having trouble deciding exactly what finish to go with for his 4.A customs. 

I should be getting them back in a week or so and will be bringing them with me to use with my DX100 at work. Will be feeding them everything from Rammstein to Ravel, from Disturbed to Deadmau5 to Debussy. 

And I would agree that the 4.Ai is just so very slightly on the warm, comfortable side of neutral.

@Tomscy2000—Do the bass monsters sound shy (and Etys bassy) in an A/B? I agree about perception (and not knowing or caring is, indeed, bliss). If I think I'm in “sound heaven”, --I am. However, if I thought that, I wouldn't be looking to move up. I still have every earphone/headphone and players in my profile. I like to maintain reference points and compare things.

I don't doubt the veracity or sincerity of the reviewer(s), if I used those small triple-flanges, I'd conclude the same thing. Tip(ing) ain't easy (and neither is pimpin'--or so I'm told). I haven't found a manufactured shipped tip yet that works for me (as is).  I'm reminded of what it took to get some Kicker 12s to hit real deep in my car trunk. It took an amp (and electrical delivery) upgrade, enclosure change, positioning, Dynamat, and insulation. In the end, same speaker, but better/tighter/deeper/punchier bass.

Thanks for posting that video! That's what I'm talking about. It's a lot of competition in earphone world and some creative manufacturer is going to put it altogether. Jude's video with Jerry Harvey helped put the JH16 (freq-phase) at the top of my potential CIEM list. That new way of taking ear impressions look promising too. And, if you can do customs in a way that works better for customers, it will give you a leg up. Providing convenience is the pathway from niche to mainstream.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdriver   @Tomscy2000—Do the bass monsters sound shy (and Etys bassy) in an A/B?

I'm sorry, but what's your point?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixthFall 

hey, I can't say that they would match the feeling of the 535's mids, thst's like comparing apples to oranges. The 535 was a very mid forward IEM, which I loved, but I felt that the mids sort of masked the other frequencies. The 4.ai's mids are still slightly forward (only very slightly so), so while they may not have the same lushness that the 535's do, they are better technically. However, the mids on the 4.ai are no slouch, they are fantastically clear and very accurate. All that said, it really comes down to a compromise of sorts: do you want the lushness of the 535's at the cost of rolled off highs and sub par bass, or do you want the accurate, non offending, technically profficaint 4ai's?

 

Now, I hope you dont take all this as me downplaying the mids on the 4.ai, because that's not what i wanted to do, the mids on the 4.ai are excellent, they are super clear and lightning fast and they work really well with pretty much anything. 

 

Overall, I think you would like the 4.ai, I was in the same boat as you, and I have not regretted the change at all.

Hi SixthFall and every helpful folks for chipping in with all your personal findings and perceptions of the 4Ai. Really sorry for the misunderstanding I've created with my post and what I meant to say was wanting a iem which improves on the top and bottom end while have a close resemblance in presentation to the mids of the SE535. Will try to find a 4Ai owner around my area and listen to and decide for myself. As for the 8A, please don't hold any doubts in regards to the mids as they are very very good,  and I think worthy for a flagship product. They are lush, engaging and carries a lot more details and control over the SE535 but maybe a little different in presentation. Cheers and let's move on to the 4Ai.

I just finished listening to Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut" with the 4.Ai's. It was nothing short of amazing! Tonally it felt spot on, just the right amount of punch and weight in the bass and all those little details they threw in have never had such clarity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomscy2000 

 

I'm sorry, but what's your point?

I posted a poorly phrased sentence that was not meant to challenge your thesis (which I agreed with in the very next sentence). What I meant to ask was how dramatic was the difference in a direct comparison (assuming you eventually made one)? I can go from the IE8 and not feel that much of a drop off to the 535. I'd actually prefer bigger bass than any of my earphones can muster (in my current portable environment).

Anyway, back to the topic

I still don't know what you're trying to say; what are you comparing to what? It's confusing.

Anyways, to limit confusion, I'm only going to rehash this once: your best bet is to try to find someone with a 4.Ai and ask if you can try it out. That way, you'd know for yourself what it sounds like, instead of going by personal references that we don't fully understand or by others' impressions that you don't fully trust.

Shure 535 bass is slightly elevated,  extended and about 5 db up relative to a Etymotic 4PT.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSE535.pdf

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/EtymoticER4PT.pdf

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

Shure 535 bass is slightly elevated,  extended and about 5 db up relative to a Etymotic 4PT.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSE535.pdf

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/EtymoticER4PT.pdf

Look at the grey raw graphs.  The only difference really is that the Etymotic has a larger resonance spike... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo888 

Hi SixthFall and every helpful folks for chipping in with all your personal findings and perceptions of the 4Ai. Really sorry for the misunderstanding I've created with my post and what I meant to say was wanting a iem which improves on the top and bottom end while have a close resemblance in presentation to the mids of the SE535. Will try to find a 4Ai owner around my area and listen to and decide for myself. As for the 8A, please don't hold any doubts in regards to the mids as they are very very good,  and I think worthy for a flagship product. They are lush, engaging and carries a lot more details and control over the SE535 but maybe a little different in presentation. Cheers and let's move on to the 4Ai.

Well said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I appreciate the unsolicited advice (as well as the non-answer answer to my only question).

This really is about the 4Ai and the more impressions and observations, the better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorensiim 

Oh and if anyone wants comparisons between the 4.Ai and 8.A let me know. My 4.As are currently traveling with a mate of mine in Norway... When he left, he was dead set on the 3.Ai as his iem of choise, now he's having trouble deciding exactly what finish to go with for his 4.A customs. 

 

I should be getting them back in a week or so and will be bringing them with me to use with my DX100 at work. Will be feeding them everything from Rammstein to Ravel, from Disturbed to Deadmau5 to Debussy. 

 

And I would agree that the 4.Ai is just so very slightly on the warm, comfortable side of neutral.

I would love a comparison of the 4.ai to the 8.a  Not that I could afford the 8.a right now, but I'm curious, and I know others will want to read it.