[Duncan]

I've joined this little elite group...

Serial number in the 24xxx range, so there are obviously quite a few out there!

Going to play with the tips when I get home, but right now more than happy with the JVC Spiral Dots

 

[tienbasse]

I've joined this little elite group...

Serial number in the 24xxx range, so there are obviously quite a few out there!

Going to play with the tips when I get home, but right now more than happy with the JVC Spiral Dots

You tend to get the most bass and soundstage out of the Spiral Dots, but you can try yellow Spinfit too if you like, they fit well on the oval nozzles and yields slightly less bass. I couldn't try other tips because I need XXL size tips so these are the only 2 options for me.
But I'm curious to know your findings with tip trials.

 

[Duncan]

Agreed re the bass, which was quite shocking!

My personal favourites from the tips I have on my person are the Sennheiser CX500 large... Lower the bass a notch, and lift the treble slightly, more balanced for sure!

 

[tienbasse]

If you want to be shocked with huge overblown mid-bass: Spiral dots and a cable with big section monocrystal copper strands. Basshead fart!

Otherwise, for more balanced sound with reasonable mid-bass hump, leave any SPC cable on (MK2 comes with a decent one, unlike MK1), and fiddle with various tips to adjust treble decay.

For mine, I've been using an iBasso CB12 balanced cable (mixed silver + copper strands, good thick cable with no tangle and still very pliable). But a FiiO SPC balanced cable works nicely as well and is cheaper (about 35$).

 

[oldmate]

Got a 6 pack on ice - some early Lucky Peterson loaded onto my DX90 (which BTW is a good pairing with these) - it's going to be a great day.

End Game IEM's for me.

 

[Duncan]

I'm genuinely staggered by the soundscape, layering, texture and tonality of these - vocals sound sublime!

I had a moment of sheer joy, hearing the first few bass notes on Tracey Chapmans "Fast Car", brought a genuine shiver down my spine, and a smile on my face.

Genuinely smitten

As a side note I can say straight away that I prefer these to my AK Laylas… going to have to do a head to head with the RE2000 I think!

 

[Peter Hyatt]

Is the 799 price tag at Amazon the general best out there?

 

[Katun]

Is the 799 price tag at Amazon the general best out there?

For now. It dipped down to $699 for awhile a few weeks ago.

 

[Peter Hyatt]

was that an Amazon price? They fluctuate a lot as sellers use a computer program to gauge.

 

[Katun]

No, I don't think Amazon ever sells these. There is no recorded pricing history on camel.

It was a third party seller fulfilled by Amazon, similar to the one currently selling for $799.

 

[oldmate]

For once it looks like we Aussies get something cheaper than the rest of the world.

https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/astell-kern-t8ie-mk-ii-in-ear-headphones

We usually get stung with a living in Australia Tax and price collusion between retailers.

 

[Duncan]

For once it looks like we Aussies get something cheaper than the rest of the world.

https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/astell-kern-t8ie-mk-ii-in-ear-headphones

We usually get stung with a living in Australia Tax and price collusion between retailers.

Damn! That's a good price!

Me being me, typically impatient, I paid £799 (full UK retail) on Saturday! Strangely, I still find them, even at that price, to be good value (I suppose the Selfridge 2yr warranty helps sweeten the bitter pricing pill)

Further thoughts from me, the Sennheiser CX500 tips are still the best I have, a lot of others are too bassy, the Senns are quite balanced, also (quite unsurprisingly) the best synergy I have with my gear is with my aged AK120 Titan - a very good combination (with the "Pro" EQ on)

 

[oldmate]

best synergy I have with my gear is with my aged AK120 Titan

Using my trusty old DX90. Awesome combo.

I purchased the 1990's a couple of weeks ago and if I had gotten these 1st I don't think I would have.

Glad you like them but ouch, 799.00 pounds is a lot.

 

[alphanumerix1]

For once it looks like we Aussies get something cheaper than the rest of the world.

https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/astell-kern-t8ie-mk-ii-in-ear-headphones

We usually get stung with a living in Australia Tax and price collusion between retailers.

oh wow that price is actually quite attractive for us aussies.

 

[Duncan]

How could I forget my favourite tips of all time? Have been doing too much tip rolling, and forgot all about them...

Sony MH1 (large), don't know what Sony did with these, but they simply cannot do anything wrong with any IEM they're attached to...

My new favourite combination!

I take that back, the MH1 tips aren't as open sounding as the Sennheiser CX500 ones, the MH1s are warmer, but closed in in comparison.

Oh, and not meant in a bad way, however whilst tip rolling, I did an a/b with my trusty RHA T20i, nothing against them, however they sound quite poor in comparison (congested, dark, and boomy), definitely made a good choice to pick these up... Still happy!