[tarhana]

1. LZ-A4
2. Flare R2A (worse treble than 3, 4 and 5 but it has nice bass and mids)
3. Rockjaw Resonate
4. 1more Triple Drive
5. Ostry KC06
6. KZ ATE

 

[faithguy19]

1. Audeze iSINE 20
2. Campfire Audio Andromeda
3. 1964 Ears V3
4. Dunu DN-2000J
5. FLC8S
6. Noble X
7. Aurisonic Rockets
8. Westone 4
9. MeeAudio Pinnacle P1
10. Brainwavz B2

 

[Eric Smith]

Own or have Owned:

1. Unique Melody Maestro V2 universal
2. Earsonics S-EM9 universal
3. Empire Ears Zeus XRA universal
4. JH Audio Layla 2 universal
5. 64 Audio U12 Adel
6. 64 Audio U12 Apex
7. Noble Audio K10U
8. Shure SE 846

 

[ezekiel77]

Own or have Owned:

The Maestro must be something special.

 

[nogi replicant]

1. Final Lab ii (own)
2. Empire Ears Zues XRA (own)
3. Noble Katana (owned)
4. AKG K3003 (owned)
5. Final Lab 1 (owned)
6. Fitear Parterre (owned)
7. Noble K10ua (owned)
8. Dita Answer Truth (own)
9. Senns ie800 (owned)
10. UM Merlin (owned)
11. Fitear F111 (owned)

Next acquisition will be the Tia Fourte so interested to see where it lands in the mix.

 

[golfinggino]

mine is a simple list of what I own

isine 10
ue 11 pro
dunu dn-1000
1more triple driver
akg that comes with the galaxy s8 and numerous other low end earphones

 

[ezekiel77]

A small update after a few acquisitions and comparisons. My preference remains the same, neutral with slight warmth and a big soundstage.

1. Advanced Acousticwerkes W900
The HD800S has been my go-to for a reference, yet pleasant all-rounder. In comes this guy who competes blow-for-blow with my full desktop rig. Just a touch of warmth in the bass, insane detail levels and transients, and the best treble I've ever heard in an IEM. Game over? Game on!

2. 64 Audio Adel A12
The king of imaging, depth and separation, with a very likeable signature to boot. Warm and immersive without being closed in. Paired with the correct source and cable, it stands tall even amongst current flagships. I can't afford A18 anyway lol.

3. Oriolus MK2
Arise, airmaster. Cast your midfi pricing bias aside and line up amongst the best IEMs. A fun tuning done right. Bloomy bass, sweet mids, detailed treble, and air, air, air.

4. Rhapsodio Galaxy V2
Coherence and details up the wazoo, but not as smooth as originally thought. A few friends can't tolerate the 5Hz peak that is characteristic of Rhapsodio IEMs. Superb bass and treble, but mids are drier and thinner than many people might like. Still my showcase single dynamic, and the metal housing looks boss.

5. Campfire Audio Andromeda (sold)
Before I heard W900, I thought Andromeda was it. This was the kind of treble I'd like to hear for the rest of my life. The balanced tuning also makes it a great all-rounder, not to mention the awesome soundstage size. But alas, the courtship was not meant to be, as the fit bothered me enough to sell it eventually.

6. Perfect Seal AR6
Oftentimes in our sonic conquests, we want boosted bass, boosted mids, boosted treble, biggar stage, moar imaging, everything! The AR6 is the palette cleanser, the home button. Neutral and lightning quick with excellent extension in both ends. It's a home button worth pressing.

7. Ocharaku Akazakura
The resident unicorn of the collection has the best DD bass I've ever heard, and an amazing out-of-the-head soundstage width. The wood housings work some special Mojo to give the mids and vocals some amazing texture and timbre, but the IEM is quite unforgiving for poorly-recorded tracks.

8. CustomArt Harmony 8.2
The mids machine of the group. They are organic, captivating and natural as hell. Details are a bit too smoothed out, but that makes this IEM a favourite to relax with. CustomArt's stellar customer service and superb fit are commendable too.

9. JH Audio JH13 Pro FreqPhase
The genre specialist, rock music comes alive with the JH13. The first notable TOTL CIEM and the only IEM to score 10/10 in SQ for ljokerl. Fast, aggressive, punchy, and cocky. Not for vocal lovers, but one of the most fun IEMs to have.

10. AK T8iE MkII (sold)
I miss this fella. Owned it for a month with fond memories. The sound was dynamic and instantly accessible, with class-leading imaging that puts you in the centre of the action. Also the most comfortable universal IEM I've owned. I can only imagine what Xelento has improved on.

The list has been condensed since the others have been sold and my memory is wonky.

 

[Zoide]

3. Oriolus MK2
Arise, airmaster. Cast your midfi pricing bias aside and line up amongst the best IEMs. A fun tuning done right. Bloomy bass, sweet mids, detailed treble, and air, air, air.

~$1000 is "midfi pricing"?

 

[ezekiel77]

~$1000 is "midfi pricing"?

You can get the China version from AliExpress. On sale days I've seen them go for $748. Not midfi per se, but compared to the other TOTLs, it's cheap!

 

[EagleWings]

A small update after a few acquisitions and comparisons. My preference remains the same, neutral with slight warmth and a big soundstage.

1. Advanced Acousticwerkes W900
The HD800S has been my go-to for a reference, yet pleasant all-rounder. In comes this guy who competes blow-for-blow with my full desktop rig. Just a touch of warmth in the bass, insane detail levels and transients, and the best treble I've ever heard in an IEM. Game over? Game on!

2. 64 Audio Adel A12
The king of imaging, depth and separation, with a very likeable signature to boot. Warm and immersive without being closed in. Paired with the correct source and cable, it stands tall even amongst current flagships. I can't afford A18 anyway lol.

3. Oriolus MK2
Arise, airmaster. Cast your midfi pricing bias aside and line up amongst the best IEMs. A fun tuning done right. Bloomy bass, sweet mids, detailed treble, and air, air, air.

4. Rhapsodio Galaxy V2
Coherence and details up the wazoo, but not as smooth as originally thought. A few friends can't tolerate the 5Hz peak that is characteristic of Rhapsodio IEMs. Superb bass and treble, but mids are drier and thinner than many people might like. Still my showcase single dynamic, and the metal housing looks boss.

5. Campfire Audio Andromeda (sold)
Before I heard W900, I thought Andromeda was it. This was the kind of treble I'd like to hear for the rest of my life. The balanced tuning also makes it a great all-rounder, not to mention the awesome soundstage size. But alas, the courtship was not meant to be, as the fit bothered me enough to sell it eventually.

6. Perfect Seal AR6
Oftentimes in our sonic conquests, we want boosted bass, boosted mids, boosted treble, biggar stage, moar imaging, everything! The AR6 is the palette cleanser, the home button. Neutral and lightning quick with excellent extension in both ends. It's a home button worth pressing.

7. Ocharaku Akazakura
The resident unicorn of the collection has the best DD bass I've ever heard, and an amazing out-of-the-head soundstage width. The wood housings work some special Mojo to give the mids and vocals some amazing texture and timbre, but the IEM is quite unforgiving for poorly-recorded tracks.

8. CustomArt Harmony 8.2
The mids machine of the group. They are organic, captivating and natural as hell. Details are a bit too smoothed out, but that makes this IEM a favourite to relax with. CustomArt's stellar customer service and superb fit are commendable too.

9. JH Audio JH13 Pro FreqPhase
The genre specialist, rock music comes alive with the JH13. The first notable TOTL CIEM and the only IEM to score 10/10 in SQ for ljokerl. Fast, aggressive, punchy, and cocky. Not for vocal lovers, but one of the most fun IEMs to have.

10. AK T8iE MkII (sold)
I miss this fella. Owned it for a month with fond memories. The sound was dynamic and instantly accessible, with class-leading imaging that puts you in the centre of the action. Also the most comfortable universal IEM I've owned. I can only imagine what Xelento has improved on.

The list has been condensed since the others have been sold and my memory is wonky.

If I have to pick 4 people, whose writing style I envy on Head-Fi, that would be you, Nic, Malevolent and Deezel177.

Love the way you have described the AR6 particularly.

 

[ezekiel77]

If I have to pick 4 people, whose writing style I envy on Head-Fi, that would be you, Nic, Malevolent and Deezel177.

Love the way you have described the AR6 particularly.

Thank you very much Vishnu. I do love writing, but the output is slow bcos real life is a more pressing concern!

 

[EagleWings]

Thank you very much Vishnu. I do love writing, but the output is slow bcos real life is a more pressing concern!

For sure. Even your short impressions are a pleasure to read.

 

[canali]

A small update after a few acquisitions and comparisons. My preference remains the same, neutral with slight warmth and a big soundstage.

1. Advanced Acousticwerkes W900
The HD800S has been my go-to for a reference, yet pleasant all-rounder. In comes this guy who competes blow-for-blow with my full desktop rig. Just a touch of warmth in the bass, insane detail levels and transients, and the best treble I've ever heard in an IEM. Game over? Game on!

2. 64 Audio Adel A12
The king of imaging, depth and separation, with a very likeable signature to boot. Warm and immersive without being closed in. Paired with the correct source and cable, it stands tall even amongst current flagships. I can't afford A18 anyway lol.

3. Oriolus MK2
Arise, airmaster. Cast your midfi pricing bias aside and line up amongst the best IEMs. A fun tuning done right. Bloomy bass, sweet mids, detailed treble, and air, air, air.

4. Rhapsodio Galaxy V2
Coherence and details up the wazoo, but not as smooth as originally thought. A few friends can't tolerate the 5Hz peak that is characteristic of Rhapsodio IEMs. Superb bass and treble, but mids are drier and thinner than many people might like. Still my showcase single dynamic, and the metal housing looks boss.

5. Campfire Audio Andromeda (sold)
Before I heard W900, I thought Andromeda was it. This was the kind of treble I'd like to hear for the rest of my life. The balanced tuning also makes it a great all-rounder, not to mention the awesome soundstage size. But alas, the courtship was not meant to be, as the fit bothered me enough to sell it eventually.

6. Perfect Seal AR6
Oftentimes in our sonic conquests, we want boosted bass, boosted mids, boosted treble, biggar stage, moar imaging, everything! The AR6 is the palette cleanser, the home button. Neutral and lightning quick with excellent extension in both ends. It's a home button worth pressing.

7. Ocharaku Akazakura
The resident unicorn of the collection has the best DD bass I've ever heard, and an amazing out-of-the-head soundstage width. The wood housings work some special Mojo to give the mids and vocals some amazing texture and timbre, but the IEM is quite unforgiving for poorly-recorded tracks.

8. CustomArt Harmony 8.2
The mids machine of the group. They are organic, captivating and natural as hell. Details are a bit too smoothed out, but that makes this IEM a favourite to relax with. CustomArt's stellar customer service and superb fit are commendable too.

9. JH Audio JH13 Pro FreqPhase
The genre specialist, rock music comes alive with the JH13. The first notable TOTL CIEM and the only IEM to score 10/10 in SQ for ljokerl. Fast, aggressive, punchy, and cocky. Not for vocal lovers, but one of the most fun IEMs to have.

10. AK T8iE MkII (sold)
I miss this fella. Owned it for a month with fond memories. The sound was dynamic and instantly accessible, with class-leading imaging that puts you in the centre of the action. Also the most comfortable universal IEM I've owned. I can only imagine what Xelento has improved on.

The list has been condensed since the others have been sold and my memory is wonky.

great thread ... really enjoying reading the variety of choices.
I've subbed to this as i'm trying to kick it up a few notches without going crazy.

currently I have the FLC 8S and while I love their fit, i'm now itching to try more refined SQ, even if I have to pay more....
might wait for the FLC Celeste TOTL but who knows about price and SQ (should be out in a few months, I think)

using mojo/ipod as portable, so only midfi, I know.

shotgunshane and one other had also mentioned those advanced acouticswerks w900 iems as being fab but still pricey @ cdn$2600.00...will keep an eye out for used.

I am also considering the isine 20 (but don't isolate fully) or the campfire vegas...

 

[ezekiel77]

great thread ... really enjoying reading the variety of choices.
I've subbed to this as i'm trying to kick it up a few notches without going crazy.

currently I have the FLC 8S and while I love their fit, i'm now itching to try more refined SQ, even if I have to pay more....
might wait for the FLC Celeste TOTL but who knows about price and SQ (should be out in a few months, I think)

using mojo/ipod as portable, so only midfi, I know.

shotgunshane and one other had also mentioned those advanced acouticswerks w900 iems as being fab but still pricey @ cdn$2600.00...will keep an eye out for used.

I am also considering the isine 20 (but don't isolate fully) or the campfire vegas...

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had with FLC8, such a vibrant and engaging sound, and so flexible with the tuning! In my books it's still the very best in the price bracket. My pal drives it with the Mojo (I sold both FLC8 and Mojo to him) and is rocking out to it everyday. A damn good setup.

W900 is different... less fun and bass, more refined and spacious, breathtaking detail and treble. If you follow flinkenick's TOTL shootout thread there's new poison every week. Can't really comment on iSine20 and Vegas since I haven't heard them. I've heard iSine10 before though... the sound reminds me of good earbuds.

 

[canali]

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had with FLC8, such a vibrant and engaging sound, and so flexible with the tuning! In my books it's still the very best in the price bracket. My pal drives it with the Mojo (I sold both FLC8 and Mojo to him) and is rocking out to it everyday. A damn good setup.

W900 is different... less fun and bass, more refined and spacious, breathtaking detail and treble. If you follow flinkenick's TOTL shootout thread there's new poison every week. Can't really comment on iSine20 and Vegas since I haven't heard them. I've heard iSine10 before though... the sound reminds me of good earbuds.

thanks!
i decided today to try the AK T8ie mkii. from a fellow headfier.
i've already tried the Aurisonics One plus and they had the bass but not the details (imo) of the FLC 8S.
(it will be interesting to see what Forrestwei delivers with the upcoming TOTL flagship 'Celeste')