Earsonics SM64: The Impressions Thread
May 27, 2013 at 5:12 AM Post #526 of 1,656
My god I just realise that people are comparing the Sm64 high mids/low treble transition with the 4AI?....
 
To my own ears, the 4Ai can be sometimes harsh, almost sibillant where the Sm64 are sweet and natural... graph or not, the dip/pikes are supposed to be an answer to ears perception to try to propose, at the end a balanced/realistic sound no (at least these two models)?
 

Every ear is different and mine tend to prefer the Sm64... cymbals sound like TSSSSSsssssssssssssssssss and not Tschhhssshhh....

 
But at the end, I think it depends on earing capabilities and sensitivity that can be different from one person to another. 
 
May 27, 2013 at 7:22 AM Post #527 of 1,656
^That was me, and it's not a side by side, as I no longer have the borrowed pair, but at the time that was my impression. The way the detail is sharper less syrupy compared to the W4 or SM3 or.....heck most of the mid centric stuff I've heard. 
 
The thing I noticed is the bass response difference (of course), between the two. I even told the owner in conversation, that the bass response in most IEM's tends to "get in the way" of the details. To me that's the largest difference in focus on the higher tier IEM's, detail or balance. 
 
But you're right it all comes down to the listener's ears too. Etymotic is not "balanced" to my ears, they don't sound live. They are detalied, but not life-like. The 4.ai is warmer, but still along the same path as an Etymotic er4 (to my ears), although the soundstage and bass extension are also better. Then the SM64 comes along with the treble and mid detail, and yes perhaps not the treble harshness you hear, but I attribute that more to the bass 'distraction' if you will, than the treble response. Just my theory anyhow. But the Heirs were not harsh to me. I get more strange peaks (and sibilance) out of the Westone 4. 
 
The note presentation, depth of field, transparency (if I understand that term correctly), crispness and general upper mid lower treble texture all reminded me of the 4.ai. 
 
Maybe my ears are crap. I wouldn't be surprised, I am getting older....
 
May 27, 2013 at 7:35 AM Post #528 of 1,656
I am also getting older..
triportsad.gif
.and strangely, the W4 had no harshness to my ears...
 
And for the sm64 bass focusing more in that aerea so, less focus on the treble "weakness", to my ears, it's not that at all. 
 
I really come to conclusion that it' s really depending on our perception of sound... for me, and I insist, for me, the heir 5.0 had the same "weakness" in the medium/treble transition than the 4Ai, perhaps even more. 
 
No problem at all in this frequ aerea with Westone 4, Sm3, EM4, EM6, Sm64, Shure 535 and so on... so even if it could be my ears, I also have some references that allow me to know where to place a product considering my own tastes...but perhaps you are right, I'am also getting older....:) I hope not to become deaf...
 
May 30, 2013 at 1:11 AM Post #530 of 1,656
Anyone knows how long do we need to burn in this iem?


Please don't mind me asking, but why do you feel there's a need for burn in? Do they not sound good out of the box? I'm asking because doesn't the need/desire for burn in usually arise when someone encounters an issue with a certain aspects of the sound signature, such as issues with the treble, or bloated bass, etc.
 
May 30, 2013 at 5:14 AM Post #531 of 1,656
Cos usually when it comes to audio stuffs, burn in tends to improve the sound quality...I didn't mean to say it is not good out of the box...but if burn in can improve it, why not then? I believe most wont settle for less when they have access to a better one?
 
May 30, 2013 at 5:31 AM Post #532 of 1,656
Quote:
Cos usually when it comes to audio stuffs, burn in tends to improve the sound quality...I didn't mean to say it is not good out of the box...but if burn in can improve it, why not then? I believe most wont settle for less when they have access to a better one?

Usually? I see more and more people who doesn't believe in burn-in process and call it brain-in. It depends on the gear if you ask me. I would keep on listening to my gear without applying any special process, they will find their best condition asap anyway.
 
May 30, 2013 at 7:04 AM Post #533 of 1,656
Quote:
Usually? I see more and more people who doesn't believe in burn-in process and call it brain-in. It depends on the gear if you ask me. I would keep on listening to my gear without applying any special process, they will find their best condition asap anyway.

 
There's no proof either way my friend.  Proving brain-in would require a brain scan, at the very least while listening to the headphones.  There is no known working technique to do that as of right now.
 
May 30, 2013 at 7:56 AM Post #536 of 1,656
Quote:
 
There's no proof either way my friend.  Proving brain-in would require a brain scan, at the very least while listening to the headphones.  There is no known working technique to do that as of right now.

This is a friendly, explaining comment including his and general overview. The rest of the users preffered to attack I don't know why. All I am saying, as tinyman stated, some believe in one way while others believe in another way. There is a proof or not? I honestly don't know. I saw many comments showing, before burn in they hate their gear, after giving some time they like it or the 180 degree opposite.
 
What I don't like is, putting a special system on repeat and leaving the gear work in the drawer all night. Just use the damn thing with your own pace, it will settle in time anyway.
 
May 30, 2013 at 9:36 AM Post #537 of 1,656
What I don't like is, putting a special system on repeat and leaving the gear work in the drawer all night. Just use the damn thing with your own pace, it will settle in time anyway.

Yup, that's the way it should be handled if you ask me. I think it's not that common that people like their new IEMs right out of the box. I always needed some time to get used to the new sound signature. Call that process brain-in or whatever you like, but I think that is what most people are going through.
Possible that burn-in is a thing, but I don't really care about it though.
 
May 30, 2013 at 10:02 AM Post #539 of 1,656
It takes me 2 weeks being familiar with new SS of SM64 after finishing Tfi10. It can be call Brain- in =)) . But treble of Sm64 still affects to me untill now

Dito.
A little bit EQing works wonders.
 
May 30, 2013 at 11:31 AM Post #540 of 1,656
In my experience, chances are that if I really dislike the way something sounds right out of the box, no amount of "burn-in" will magically transform the sound signature. Though, there are a few exceptions, and truthfully, that's hardly ever the case, since the 'honeymoon phase' is quite strong in this hobby of ours. Not to mention, I've rarely ever disliked a product to such an extent right out of the box. Then there's also having to acclimate oneself to a completely new/unique sound signature, which may require extended listening until the sound finally settles in.

Bottom line, the way I see it, if you believe that something sounds good out of the box, and that the sound will improve with further use (to whatever extent), then continue enjoying them, and let any improvement(s) naturally take its course. Besides, listening for any improvement upon further use is also an experience, in and of itself.
 

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