Excellent review!
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
pancakesize
Hisoundfi
Wow, that 9k spike looks like a deal breaker.
HiFiChris
@Hisoundfi
On my pseudo-calibrated and compensated measurement with the Veritas, the Primacy shows an even greater peak in the upper range (and I also hear it when doing a sine sweep), but sounds quite a bit smoother in the upper treble, and so does the A83 which is bright up there but imho very natural and not metallic.
The reality of FLC-8s's upper treble is (to my ears) somewhere between my graph and InnerFidelity's professional coupler measurement (not as narrow as on my graph but also not as broad-banded as on Tyll's).
To my ears, FLC8s's upper treble is clearly less present and less ringing than the SoundMAGIC E80's narrow-banded 8 k peak that is clearly more above the ground-line (using the large bore single-flange tips), but typically for a BA-treble with a slightly metallic attack appearance.
Also keep in mind that my Veritas plots aren't 100% correctly calibrated/compensated and that one should add around 5 dB around 3 kHz as well as between 5-10 dB around 6 kHz with most of them to get closer to Tyll's or Rin's compensated plots.
To my ears, the upper treble is closer to KC06A's intensity (using its "treble" tips), but with a more "BA-character" to it (and it is also less distinctive than Brainwavz M3's with the included "Sony" tips, but again with a more BA/TWFK-appearance to it).
I agree thought that it can trigger some sibilance with some recordings, especially if one is listening at greater than average volume levels.
On my pseudo-calibrated and compensated measurement with the Veritas, the Primacy shows an even greater peak in the upper range (and I also hear it when doing a sine sweep), but sounds quite a bit smoother in the upper treble, and so does the A83 which is bright up there but imho very natural and not metallic.
The reality of FLC-8s's upper treble is (to my ears) somewhere between my graph and InnerFidelity's professional coupler measurement (not as narrow as on my graph but also not as broad-banded as on Tyll's).
To my ears, FLC8s's upper treble is clearly less present and less ringing than the SoundMAGIC E80's narrow-banded 8 k peak that is clearly more above the ground-line (using the large bore single-flange tips), but typically for a BA-treble with a slightly metallic attack appearance.
Also keep in mind that my Veritas plots aren't 100% correctly calibrated/compensated and that one should add around 5 dB around 3 kHz as well as between 5-10 dB around 6 kHz with most of them to get closer to Tyll's or Rin's compensated plots.
To my ears, the upper treble is closer to KC06A's intensity (using its "treble" tips), but with a more "BA-character" to it (and it is also less distinctive than Brainwavz M3's with the included "Sony" tips, but again with a more BA/TWFK-appearance to it).
I agree thought that it can trigger some sibilance with some recordings, especially if one is listening at greater than average volume levels.
MMansell
Nicely done! good job!
"even most people with (very) small ears should be able to get a really good fit and comfort with the FLC8s."
a couple of questions:
1. are the nozzles on the small side or are they about average?
2. does the 90 degree nozzle make them less secure in ear? or uncomfortable when pressed against the head by for example a pillow? ( I know it's a stupid question, but I had to ask
)
"even most people with (very) small ears should be able to get a really good fit and comfort with the FLC8s."
a couple of questions:
1. are the nozzles on the small side or are they about average?
2. does the 90 degree nozzle make them less secure in ear? or uncomfortable when pressed against the head by for example a pillow? ( I know it's a stupid question, but I had to ask
) 
DJScope
Wow! Killer review! Great job!!
HiFiChris
@MMansell
1. Although the general size is small, the nozzles are rather averagely sized/larger than average.
2. Well, that actually depends on your ears' and ear canals' shape. I find this angle (that the Oriveti Primacy has as well, by the way) to be just as comfortable and secure as Shure's or Westone's. Can't comment for the average ear, but I can lay down to the side with my ears against the pillow with these in-ears without any problems - but because of my quite wide and straight ear canals and large ears, I am not the best "John Doe" to comment on that - better ask the question in the FLC8s thread.
1. Although the general size is small, the nozzles are rather averagely sized/larger than average.
2. Well, that actually depends on your ears' and ear canals' shape. I find this angle (that the Oriveti Primacy has as well, by the way) to be just as comfortable and secure as Shure's or Westone's. Can't comment for the average ear, but I can lay down to the side with my ears against the pillow with these in-ears without any problems - but because of my quite wide and straight ear canals and large ears, I am not the best "John Doe" to comment on that - better ask the question in the FLC8s thread.
seanwee
Highly detailed review !!! A comparison with the Legendary Etymotic ER4 would be the cherry on the cake!!!
HiFiChris
@seanwee
Although I personally don't see much sense in a comparison of a single-BA with a hybrid IEM, here you go:
Mighty, Legendary ER-4S vs. FLC8s (Filter Combination #7):
Sound Sig: Both aren't far from each other, though the ER-4S is the more flat sounding of the two (not so much in the bass, but especially in the middle treble where the FLC8s sounds more relaxed and the Etymotic spot-on, but also more fatiguing over longer listening sessions). ER-4S's mids are more "in your face" because of the more up-front presence area.
Resolution: Victory for the FLC8s - complex, overloaded and fast tracks are audibly better handled by the Chinese. More transparency, more minute details, better control, faster bass.
Naturalness/Coherency: Daddy ER-4S is the king - just few IEMs sound as natural, realistic and accurate as the Ety in my ears. Once again, as with most IEMs that are compared to the Ety, it is especially the American's treble that sounds very flat, even, lifelike and refined, also beating my UERMs' treble evenness and refinement (the FLC8s sounds bit more metallic and less refined but higher resolving). As a single-driver with just one type of drivers, the ER-4S sounds a bit more coherent.
Soundstage: I never found the ER-4s's soundstage to be any small at all - no congestion, very good 3D-placement, very natural. FLC8s's width is probably more extended, but the ER-4s has got more spatial depth and is imho a bit better balanced in terms of width vs. depth. Where the FLC8s however wins is precision: instrument separation, separation and portrayal of emptiness are better with the FLC8s.
-> The FLC8s clearly wins on the technical side, however the ER-4s sounds more realistic and authentic to me (which is the case for most IEMs that I'd compare the ER-4S with).
Although I personally don't see much sense in a comparison of a single-BA with a hybrid IEM, here you go:
Mighty, Legendary ER-4S vs. FLC8s (Filter Combination #7):
Sound Sig: Both aren't far from each other, though the ER-4S is the more flat sounding of the two (not so much in the bass, but especially in the middle treble where the FLC8s sounds more relaxed and the Etymotic spot-on, but also more fatiguing over longer listening sessions). ER-4S's mids are more "in your face" because of the more up-front presence area.
Resolution: Victory for the FLC8s - complex, overloaded and fast tracks are audibly better handled by the Chinese. More transparency, more minute details, better control, faster bass.
Naturalness/Coherency: Daddy ER-4S is the king - just few IEMs sound as natural, realistic and accurate as the Ety in my ears. Once again, as with most IEMs that are compared to the Ety, it is especially the American's treble that sounds very flat, even, lifelike and refined, also beating my UERMs' treble evenness and refinement (the FLC8s sounds bit more metallic and less refined but higher resolving). As a single-driver with just one type of drivers, the ER-4S sounds a bit more coherent.
Soundstage: I never found the ER-4s's soundstage to be any small at all - no congestion, very good 3D-placement, very natural. FLC8s's width is probably more extended, but the ER-4s has got more spatial depth and is imho a bit better balanced in terms of width vs. depth. Where the FLC8s however wins is precision: instrument separation, separation and portrayal of emptiness are better with the FLC8s.
-> The FLC8s clearly wins on the technical side, however the ER-4s sounds more realistic and authentic to me (which is the case for most IEMs that I'd compare the ER-4S with).
raze94
Great review but Im on the fence on these at $480. Im more inclined to blindly try out the Pai MR3 or MR2 for half the price of these. If you were buying a pair for yourself what would you put your funds towards?
HiFiChris
@raze94
Both offer exceptional value for their price. When it comes to isolation, soundstage depth and bass speed, I think I would probably pick the Pai. Regarding overall resolution (especially in the mids), minute detail retrieval and separation, I would however choose the FLC, especially as it isn't only an extremely versatile but also technically excellent IEM.
By the way, you're referring to the price in CAD and not USD, aren't you?
Both offer exceptional value for their price. When it comes to isolation, soundstage depth and bass speed, I think I would probably pick the Pai. Regarding overall resolution (especially in the mids), minute detail retrieval and separation, I would however choose the FLC, especially as it isn't only an extremely versatile but also technically excellent IEM.
By the way, you're referring to the price in CAD and not USD, aren't you?
