FANTASTIC review, comparison, and contribution, Joe.
Thanks!
I agree with so many of your impressions.
Especially: the impression that mid/upper mids are the emphasis and that they are
really clear. (I don't find the treble that harsh though.)
TREBLE: The strangest thing for me is that I first thought they were rolled off in the very high mids and treble.
Pink Floyd's "Time" intro
didn't sparkle at first. Don't know what was going on but
now it does not lack there at all for me.
Now it seems like they come <up to the edge> and deliver for me but without being "grating" or fatiguing.
(But, I do see where it could be a "cold dip" if coming from another signature.)
MIDS: Mid/Upper Mid lover's dream. Not overly "creamy" or "thin".
BASS: Each time that I think that I want more bass and I EQ it,
I end up preferring it without.
I really prefer "tuning" the sound and performance with the source/amp combo.
When I want a visceral bass impact with lots of air movement, I switch to big cans like HF2...
IN GENERAL: I don't find the UE RM fatiguing at all and still marvel at how nice the fit is and how nice they sound.
I especially love the UE RM with the iQube V2 as a transportable amp (nice bit of extra bass quantity) with great linearity throughout the range.
I also love the UE RM with mini^3 and Pico Slim but do find the Slim a little upper mid/treble-centric also, so I combine with Sony X for a
very small system +
warmer sound (even with no EQ or effects used). The Sony X can seem a little lacking in resolution with Slim/RM, however (WAV files).
Sony X with Pico Slim footprint (might have to get a smaller LOD):
When I get my
mini^3 back (it may have a little more bass quantity), I'll compare it to the Slim again but the Slim (so far) seems like the "really portable amp for iems" if it pairs well with your gear/sound preferences.
I think I will probably end up with RM/Slim/iPhone combo as primary...especially when I get the 5.
Here's with 3gs:
This is what I am keeping my UE RM in for reducing moisture (I copied mkubota):
(That's a Pelican with a re-usable dessicant pack.)
Smallest case I can get them into (TF 10):
OK.
Gotta get back to work...