So as I get to the end of my month-long return window with the Timeless, I've gone through what feels like a lifetime with them and listened to well over 2000 songs (I know because I had 2 1K playlists to go through lol) including my favorites multiple times. In summary:
1. The driver makes a difference: This tuning would be unacceptable for my tastes. That this amount of mid-bass didn't immediately ruin my listening experience makes me excited to see what happens when one of these is tuned properly.
2. EQ is required for me. 2 weeks in, started using the Harman/Oratory1990 tuning and never looked back. Harman is really the tuning that works best to my ears (or at least a tuning with a flat low-mids). The detail and sense of clarity is still far above my typical 1DD sets (looking at you KXXS). EQ also fixes the narrowness and depth of the soundstage for my ears (after all these are conjured PERCEPTIONS of something that isn't happening in my ear-canals).
3. However, when not critically listening, what they add is not easy to quantify. Which leads to my final conclusion...
4. If I'm going to EQ this every time I listen to it, then why not get the cheaper S12 or P1 Max instead? Why the Timeless vs any other 1Planar set?
So these are likely going back (a few days left) but have set a new standard of what I expect at this price point (coherence, detail, lack of distortion) but also reinforce my sneaking suspicion that it's the tuning that's making the major difference for me outside of a quiet A/B session.
Bring on the Harman tuned version 7Hz!
I disagree with the following statements:
1. These are not as detailed as X. I just don't hear this and stand by my hearing ability (playing music by ear, lots of statements have been made about accuracy over the years). I have never heard any new detail even on kilo-buck sets.
2. These are flat and boring/not dynamic. Not any worse from what I've heard over the years. The stock/heavy mid-bass gives this impression. Low distortion makes these just as dynamic or more.
3. The original cables are fine. Big no on this one (and eating my own prior opinions on this one). First time I've ever heard a cable made a difference.
If cheaper options didn't exist, I'd keep these and just use them with EQ. 1DD is no longer going to cut it for my ears anymore (only exception are sets with HDSS which seem to have the same effect on my ears - less distortion).
I know but i was asked by someone here to compare them.
My bad, in order to compare IEMs, I try to get them to sound the same. I find that even minor adjustments in one frequency band makes such vast differences that it's hard to compare. Like EQ'ing down 13k (as suggested in the Precog thread) affects sub-bass rumble lol.
Funny I don't really "compare" my IEM's..I like both apples and oranges, add in a change of source, sprinkle a cable swop and that's how I like my music
That's an interesting way to look at it. I'm always chasing a specific sound. It's Harman with additional upper treble extension (because I hear bass more than any other instrument, I like that mid-bass scoop to equalize things). So the more IEMs deviate from that, the less I'm going to listen to them. But I see your point. Do you use different sets for different genres?
Edit: I should mention the fit is definitely finicky for me. Xelastecs are the only tips that work for more than 30 minutes. With MS Xeleastecs, I can use them all day no prob.
I don't judge I just change lol.
