[gjg]

Hello All:
What IEM out there comes closest to a combination of the bass presence and soundstaging ability of the Sennheiser IE-8 and the analytical, detailed treble of the ER-4P/S? I love the IE-8's in general, but on some music (acoustic jazz comes to mind first) I'd rather listen with the Etys. I was just curious if there is anything else that has a compromise of the strong points of these two without any MAJOR faults of their own. For source I have an iPod Touch 2nd gen, sometimes run through Mustang P-51. Suggestions?

TIA,
Greg

 

[decay]

High-end customs:
Ear Monitor, UE11Pro, JH13Pro, ES3x

UM3X *MIGHT* be close if you pair it with UM56

 

[dosley01]

Let us all know if you find it!

 

[steviebee]

(Sorry, I gotta say it) - Add Triple.Fi 10 Pro to yr to-try list: excellent powerful bass, but not boom, sparkling treble detail, but not harsh

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steviebee /img/forum/go_quote.gif (Sorry, I gotta say it) - Add Triple Fi.10 Pro to yr to-try list: excellent powerful bass, but not boom, sparkling treble detail, but not harsh

I think it is very analytical, with a lot of detail. I think it might be what you are looking for.

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by decay /img/forum/go_quote.gif High-end customs: Ear Monitor, UE11Pro, JH13Pro, ES3x UM3X *MIGHT* be close if you pair it with UM56

I heard the UE11, JH13, UM3X, and W3 at Can Jam. My vote would go with the UE11 or possibly the JH13 (but I didn't get a good seal with the foam tips that were used). I did a good amount of A/Bing the UM3X and W3 vs. the IE8 and to me the UM3X sounded boring compared to the other two, probably because of relatively flat response. The W3 sounded very close to the IE8, but smaller stage with more forward and slightly more detailed presentation. I did prefer the W3 presentation on some acoustic live rock/pop, but overall preferred the IE8 more often.

 

[Bilavideo]

The IE8 again? Why are you pulling me to the dark side?

 

[decay]

Welcome back to the dark light, you'll find it's quite seductive here.
Enjoy your stay!

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilavideo /img/forum/go_quote.gif The IE8 again? Why are you pulling me to the dark side?

Just because the IE8 is my cup-o-tea doesn't mean it will be everybody's, even the OP is looking for something else. I guess I am lucky I found something I really like after overcoming the initial fit issues.

With time I could like something better, but who knows, as the IE8 isn't perfect!

There, did that push you away?

 

[mark2410]

erm now i know ive hardly ever listened to the IE8 unamped (which could be making all the difference) but i find its treble to be more or less as hyper detailed as the er4. not quite but so very very close.

maybe its your source thats just not giving the IE8 the signal it needs to shine?

other suggestions x2 on the triples maybe but i find the treble better on the 8, the RE-0 supposed to be super detailed or its new sibling the RE-3

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark2410 /img/forum/go_quote.gif erm now i know ive hardly ever listened to the IE8 unamped (which could be making all the difference) but i find its treble to be more or less as hyper detailed as the er4. not quite but so very very close.

I find the detail of the IE8 to be very good across the spectrum, but the mids are laid back and the presentation is smooth, so you kinda have to listen for the details sometimes, especially in the mids. For example I think the W3 has a little more mid detail, but they might be similar since the W3 mids are much more forward than the IE8 (brings the detail to the forefront). And bass detail is spectacular IMO.

 

[HONEYBOY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I find the detail of the IE8 to be very good across the spectrum, but the mids are laid back and the presentation is smooth, so you kinda have to listen for the details sometimes, especially in the mids. For example I think the W3 has a little more mid detail, but they might be similar since the W3 mids are much more forward than the IE8 (brings the detail to the forefront). And bass detail is spectacular IMO.

The details produced by the IE8s are more wovenly intermingled into the music than most other IEMs I listened to. It's this spectacular coherency that I love about the IE8s. The UM3X and the W3 did made those upfront details more apparent but am gonna go out on a limb and say the IE8s were better at portraying much better textural details than those two.

Alright, seems like everytime I make a post it must include something about the IE8s haha
Nevertheless, I think The OP might just have that "bastid" child that he's looking for. As myself and a few others have posted elsewhere certain tip arrangements and insertion depths can heavily reduce the bass presence that allows the treble to bloom and gave a better sense of perceived air around instruments. this might very well be the ticket to providing what is perceived to be missing whilst using the IE8s for "acoustic Jazz.

Since the IE8s won't be the best at everything I think your description :a combination of the bass presence and soundstaging ability of the Sennheiser IE-8 and the analytical, detailed treble of the ER-4P/S is very reminiscent of the triple fi 10 pro. Whilst the IE8s convey high frequencies more realistically to me in that higher frequencies attenuate with distance/depth than lower frequencies, the Triple fi 10 pro certainly have a more "sparky treble". It is this sparkly nature of the higher frequency that the triple fi 10 deliver, that you might just be looking for.....

Cheers and Good luck finding that "bastid", I mean person child

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONEYBOY /img/forum/go_quote.gif The details produced by the IE8s are more wovenly intermingled into the music than most other IEMs I listened to. It's this spectacular coherency that I love about the IE8s. The UM3X and the W3 did made those upfront details more apparent but am gonna go out on a limb and say the IE8s were better at portraying much better textural details than those two. Alright, seems like everytime I make a post it must include something about the IE8s haha Nevertheless, I think The OP might just have that "bastid" child that he's looking for. As myself and a few others have posted elsewhere certain tip arrangements and insertion depths can heavily reduce the bass presence that allows the treble to bloom and gave a better sense of perceived air around instruments. this might very well be the ticket to providing what is perceived to be missing whilst using the IE8s for "acoustic Jazz. Since the IE8s won't be the best at everything I think your description :a combination of the bass presence and soundstaging ability of the Sennheiser IE-8 and the analytical, detailed treble of the ER-4P/S is very reminiscent of the triple fi 10 pro. Whilst the IE8s convey high frequencies more realistically to me in that higher frequencies attenuate with distance/depth than lower frequencies, the Triple fi 10 pro certainly have a more "sparky treble". It is this sparkly nature of the higher frequency that the triple fi 10 deliver, that you might just be looking for..... Cheers and Good luck finding that "bastid", I mean person child

With extended comparing of the PFE (and ADDIEM) vs. the IE8, I have to agree that the texture sounds more realistic to me. Both have better separation of the instruments IMO, but the IE8 sounds more realistic as the music seems cohesive whereas the other 2 break the music into parts.

I didn't get a long listen to the UM3X or W3, but they seemed to also somewhat bring out the detail in a possibly more than natural way (at least to my ears), but not having a long listen, my opinion can change with more listening time.

So, maybe the PFE with grey filters can be the answer as they do have excellent detail and the soundstage is pretty close to the IE8, but they do favor the upper mids/treble.

And tip choice is an interesting angle, foam sucks out the treble, silicon ups it. But for me, the shape only allows for 1 insertion depth (unless I use a spacer)!