[tmorterlaing]

Honestly looking at the music you listen to, which is very different from my tastes, you'd probably enjoy the v8 more. The v6s have a much more mid centric sound.

Btw, I don't believe the v8 have a small soundstage- they sound much darker, and the warmth makes it sound more intimate, but they definitely are not a "studio" like presentation. Listen past the warmth and the bass, and you'll hear the mids and the treble in the distance. They're not closed in at all.

Sorry to be a massive bore, but I just need to make sure we're on the same page - I thought 'dark' was a bad thing in a signature, and different to warmth:
http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/bbs/stereophile_audio-glossary.html
Is that what you mean? Or did you just mean warmer haha!
 
I suppose at the end of the day this is an $899 iem from 1964, so the chances of it sounding 'too' anything are relatively limited, in a vacuum right? It's more just down to personal preference - but the chances of these actually sounding bad to my ears should be pretty slim at that price...
(And yes I know, price=/= excellence always, but I DO believe it's a good benchmark when dealing with reputable companies). 

 

[tmorterlaing]

  Where?

http://www.theheadphonecompany.co.uk/headphones/1964-ears-1964-ears-1964-v8-eight-driver-custom-in-ear-monitors.php
 
I've spoken to the main guy there a few times - he was quite reassuring they all sound good, otherwise they wouldn't sell them! He gave me the impression that they're aimed at musicians, so I don't think you'd necessarily have to pay the deposit if you were Thom York haha! But I don't know. Also last I heard it was £35....

 

[jelt2359]

  Sorry to be a massive bore, but I just need to make sure we're on the same page - I thought 'dark' was a bad thing in a signature, and different to warmth:
http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/bbs/stereophile_audio-glossary.html
Is that what you mean? Or did you just mean warmer haha!
 
I suppose at the end of the day this is an $899 iem from 1964, so the chances of it sounding 'too' anything are relatively limited, in a vacuum right? It's more just down to personal preference - but the chances of these actually sounding bad to my ears should be pretty slim at that price...
(And yes I know, price=/= excellence always, but I DO believe it's a good benchmark when dealing with reputable companies). 

I use darkness to mean warmth, although darkness is on the end of 'too warm' for me. It is not a bad thing. Preferences matter. FYI, I find my JH13s too warm too (argh, that mid-bass hump). The K10 is about the limit of where I'd go in terms of accepting warmth- and most find it merely to the warm side of neutral.
 
Warmth has its benefits. You hear an enveloping sound that can seem more musical- think a 'very very good club', and that's what warmth sounds like. I guess you'll prefer warmth because frankly your music has a lot more chance of being played in a club than mine. I like it too, and for such instances I reach for my JH13, but for most of my music, it's too warm.

 

[Smurfs2010]

The v8 is detailed. The mids are recessed, though- so if you're big on vocals these won't be your choice.

A big soundstage is not always better. Some people like iems exactly because they give a close, focused, in your head sound.

The v8 has the perception of a smaller soundstage, but they're not really smaller. It's just that typically a brighter phone gives the perception of more details and wider soundstage.

Mids recessed?  I know we all hear a bit differently but the mids are NOT recessed.  I have been rotating between ASG 2.5, PFE232, UMPro30 and  V8s over the past 2-3 months and between all those IEMs, the V8 mids are prominent (and not in a bad way).

 

[tmorterlaing]

OK better questions before I completely give up (now there's a few more people in the mix hehe!)
Question - my eclectic taste in music. Will it sound good one a V8? (Genre-epitomising example in each one )
Theyre in order of amount I listen to (but that is NOT preference, just what I have more of on my dap!)
 
Pschedelic (if that can be called a genre): If you guys have heard of these guys I'm surprised! Most people seem to hate it... :s So don't judge! but – The Orb, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Entheogenic, Argaman, Shwex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkxBjKM_b44
 
Rock/Alt: Things like Radiohead, Gorillaz, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine inch Nails, Puscifer, Amplifier (amazing british band by the way, if you've never heard of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-OHRup75c )
 
Hip Hop: Pretty much exclusively the album Amplified by Q-Tip ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5tiil5qhq8 )
 
EDM: When I'm in the mood, I LOVE EDM. Vitalic, Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Benassi. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHuBJpDEtMc )
 
'Electronic stuff': Kidkanevil, Long Arm, Little Dragon
 
I probably listen mostly to the last of that lot, but absolutely love the others and would be shame for them to be ruined by lack of clarity. I suppose the main things I worry about are some of the more acoustic numbers by Gorrilaz, I still want to hear the guitar scratching and the little rustles! But mostly worry about the electronic stuff - that stuff is very detailed and quite sort of 'HD sounding'. If it was played through a dark/ muddy iem, it would probably sound awful (this kind of thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIs0crK549w )
 
Before you say it, I know the bass on the EDM will be amazing on the V8, but most of those artists also have quite multi layered songs with lots not to be missed on the high end as well - will the V8 disappoint do you think?
 
 
And then I'll shut up. Honest. Unless someone comes here and is like "so I listened to the V8 - it's TERRIBLE. The V6S is infinitely better in every way". In which case I'll have no choice...

 

[jelt2359]

  Mids recessed?  I know we all hear a bit differently but the mids are NOT recessed.  I have been rotating between ASG 2.5, PFE232, UMPro30 and  V8s over the past 2-3 months and between all those IEMs, the V8 mids are prominent (and not in a bad way).

I love the 232 as well. I actually think the V8 and 232 have mids that are very similar. In comparison the 846 has mids that are very prominent and forward. The 232 has an airier, more laid back midrange. It also has a very nice, tight bass. The V8 however has a warmth and mid-bass that really envelopes the midrange, making vocals sound distant and a bit recessed. 
 
I was personally very surprised by this, and had to go back to the v8's a few times to confirm what I was hearing, especially a-bing against the V6S. My first audition with the v8 a few weeks ago didn't go well at all, and when I read up more about them I resolved to give them a second chance and listen much more carefully. After this second audition, I must say I can certainly see the technical merits of the V8- they're detailed, and have a good soundstage. They're just not for me.

 

[Smurfs2010]

  OK better questions before I completely give up (now there's a few more people in the mix hehe!)
Question - my eclectic taste in music. Will it sound good one a V8? (Genre-epitomising example in each one )
Theyre in order of amount I listen to (but that is NOT preference, just what I have more of on my dap!)
 
Pschedelic (if that can be called a genre): If you guys have heard of these guys I'm surprised! Most people seem to hate it... :s So don't judge! but – The Orb, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Entheogenic, Argaman, Shwex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkxBjKM_b44
 
Rock/Alt: Things like Radiohead, Gorillaz, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine inch Nails, Puscifer, Amplifier (amazing british band by the way, if you've never heard of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-OHRup75c )
 
Hip Hop: Pretty much exclusively the album Amplified by Q-Tip ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5tiil5qhq8 )
 
EDM: When I'm in the mood, I LOVE EDM. Vitalic, Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Benassi. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHuBJpDEtMc )
 
'Electronic stuff': Kidkanevil, Long Arm, Little Dragon
 
I probably listen mostly to the last of that lot, but absolutely love the others and would be shame for them to be ruined by lack of clarity. I suppose the main things I worry about are some of the more acoustic numbers by Gorrilaz, I still want to hear the guitar scratching and the little rustles! But mostly worry about the electronic stuff - that stuff is very detailed and quite sort of 'HD sounding'. If it was played through a dark/ muddy iem, it would probably sound awful (this kind of thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIs0crK549w )
 
Before you say it, I know the bass on the EDM will be amazing on the V8, but most of those artists also have quite multi layered songs with lots not to be missed on the high end as well - will the V8 disappoint do you think?
 
 
And then I'll shut up. Honest. Unless someone comes here and is like "so I listened to the V8 - it's TERRIBLE. The V6S is infinitely better in every way". In which case I'll have no choice...

 
I listen to Tool, A Perfect Circle, Muse, Live, Nickelback, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and a bunch of other acoustic and live performances on the V8 and they have not failed to shine.  I think electronic music would be best served by a dynamic driver IEM but V8 will hold up well.  Just my $0.02.

 

[tmorterlaing]

   
I listen to Tool, A Perfect Circle, Muse, Live, Nickelback, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and a bunch of other acoustic and live performances on the V8 and they have not failed to shine.  I think electronic music would be best served by a dynamic driver IEM but V8 will hold up well.  Just my $0.02.

I didn't know anyone still listened to Nickelback XP

 

[Smurfs2010]

  I didn't know anyone still listened to Nickelback XP

LOL!!!  I knew I was going to get sh!t for that.  I still listen to Master Ace in the hip hop category if anyone knows who that is.

 

[jelt2359]

  OK better questions before I completely give up (now there's a few more people in the mix hehe!)
Question - my eclectic taste in music. Will it sound good one a V8? (Genre-epitomising example in each one )
Theyre in order of amount I listen to (but that is NOT preference, just what I have more of on my dap!)
 
Pschedelic (if that can be called a genre): If you guys have heard of these guys I'm surprised! Most people seem to hate it... :s So don't judge! but – The Orb, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Entheogenic, Argaman, Shwex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkxBjKM_b44
 
Rock/Alt: Things like Radiohead, Gorillaz, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine inch Nails, Puscifer, Amplifier (amazing british band by the way, if you've never heard of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-OHRup75c )
 
Hip Hop: Pretty much exclusively the album Amplified by Q-Tip ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5tiil5qhq8 )
 
EDM: When I'm in the mood, I LOVE EDM. Vitalic, Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Benassi. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHuBJpDEtMc )
 
'Electronic stuff': Kidkanevil, Long Arm, Little Dragon
 
I probably listen mostly to the last of that lot, but absolutely love the others and would be shame for them to be ruined by lack of clarity. I suppose the main things I worry about are some of the more acoustic numbers by Gorrilaz, I still want to hear the guitar scratching and the little rustles! But mostly worry about the electronic stuff - that stuff is very detailed and quite sort of 'HD sounding'. If it was played through a dark/ muddy iem, it would probably sound awful (this kind of thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIs0crK549w )
 
Before you say it, I know the bass on the EDM will be amazing on the V8, but most of those artists also have quite multi layered songs with lots not to be missed on the high end as well - will the V8 disappoint do you think?
 
 
And then I'll shut up. Honest. Unless someone comes here and is like "so I listened to the V8 - it's TERRIBLE. The V6S is infinitely better in every way". In which case I'll have no choice...

You'll be fine with the V8. They don't sound muddy or lack clarity.

 

[nmatheis]

Enough already tmorterlaing! I command you to enjoy your V8!!!

Seriously though, you're asking the same questions over and over, and you're getting the same answers over and over. I know its a lot of money, but if you're not willing to buy sound unheard, so to speak, maybe you should cancel your order - or try and find someone in UK from the headfi community with V8 and buy them a beer or something in exchange for a listen. Or maybe there's a UK company making CIEM you could visit and purchase from?

 

[tmorterlaing]

Enough already @tmorterlaing! I command you to enjoy your V8!!!

Seriously though, you're asking the same questions over and over, and you're getting the same answers over and over. I know its a lot of money, but if you're not willing to buy sound unheard, so to speak, maybe you should cancel your order - or try and find someone in UK from the headfi community with V8 and buy them a beer or something in exchange for a listen. Or maybe there's a UK company making CIEM you could visit and purchase from?

Haha fair point although in my defence -
 
1) Whilst it is the same line of questions, it's aimed at different people (hence why I quote and don't just ask generally). I'm essentially doing a poll of opinions about a number of sound signature factors, and whist I understand that's not brilliant for anyone wanting to do general reading about 1964ears iems, it will definitely help extract more information for anyone in a similar dilemma. It comes from the position of having only about 3 reviews on the entire internet for the V8s, non of which make direct comparisons to other iems – I'm basically extracting reviews from everyone who has them haha! And I'm aware people here are being incredibly kind and patient with the amount of typing they're putting in my direction. if I could pay everyone back somehow, I would.... . 
2) I already said, access to them in the UK is pretty much impossible - and I'm not paying £35 just for a listen. 
3) It's for the U8 - the only reason I keep saying V8 is so people don't start to say 'no one has heard the U8. And because it's for the U8 if I cancel this order I'll probably miss out on one of the biggest discounts anyone can get from 1964Ears
 
None of this would've happened if a certain pair of U8s weren't bloody broken moments before the kickstarter was over (I'm looking at you Joker....you ruined everyone's life with that XD )

 

[starfly]

  LOL!!!  I knew I was going to get sh!t for that.  I still listen to Master Ace in the hip hop category if anyone knows who that is.

Nickelback??? man....

 

[Malevolent]

  I didn't know anyone still listened to Nickelback XP

 
I still listen to some Debbie Gibson. I guess that's more old school. 

 

[Kerouac]

Enough already @tmorterlaing! I command you to enjoy your V8!!!
 

 
No @tmorterlaing, you should really, really, really order the V6S!!!!!

But hey, I've never heard the V8. I hope you can still sleep at night and that you're not staring at the ceiling all the time thinking about the V6S vs V8 dilemma
 

 
From all the bands mentioned above I also have The Orb, Shpongle, Radiohead, Gorillaz, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine inch Nails, Amplifier (yes, great band indeed), Little Dragon, Tool and A Perfect Circle on my DAPs and it all sounds great to my ears with the V6S.
 
I chose the V6S mainly because of the soundstage and I just prefer to adjust some bass (by bass boost or eq) to the soundsignature when the music asks for it. I would not like it if it was there all the time. This is why I also chose the StageDiver SD2 over the SD3 in the past. No regrets till now...