Best IEMs for classical music?

[ChristopherW]

Hi

I'm quite satisfied with my current cans (HD800s), however I'm looking for a similar (or quite good) sound quality in portable headphones. I listen to classical music only. How do you think, which IEMs would be the best for classical music? Let's say up to 1000$. Player - SR15.

Of course the Etymotic ER4SR or F7200 comes to mind at first, however I would like to avoid this kind of earphones due to the lack of comfort during long sessions.

Right now the best proposition I've got is the Empire Ears EVR, but I would like to know your ideas.

Please help

 

[FlowLikeWater]

hi friend,

Sony IER M9 will prbly be ur best option, hands down one of the best IEMs period, and under $1k u will be hard pressed to find competition, pls check out reviews and other info (like Crinacle, Aminus, the IER M9 thread, etc etc)

good luck

 

[Deolum]

For me the best IEM is a InEarProphile 8. For classical music it should be very good however it's good for every kind of music since it just delivers the music as it is, neutral and uncolored.
Maybe there are some IEMs which are more specialized for classical music only.

 

[Tristy]

Campfire Audio Atlas. It’s great for classical music. Very atmospherical and emotional.

 

[ChristopherW]

With that bass? Controversial, I would say

 

[Tristy]

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

 

[Tristy]

With that bass? Controversial, I would say

Have you tried it?...

 

[surfgeorge]

Sony IER-M9 should be a very good option indeed, but a little hard to get for us Europeans, and prices fluctuate.
You can buy them from Accessory Jack and ask them to declare a lower value to reduce customs, but you'll still be well above €1000. (I have heard them, have bought them some weeks ago, but due to Covid they are stuck with a friend abroad...)

Another IEM I like a lot for Classic is the Sony EX1000, also a "classic" IEM. Used ones in good condition should be between €300 and €400. They have a very wide soundstage, lots of clarity and detail, extremely well done bass (fast, textured, extended, neutral but powerful) but their weakness is a slightly spiky treble range, which makes them a little intense to listen to. Not the best for listening in the background. And their fit is a bit weird and isolation is low.

Another IEM that I also like a lot for classic is the relatively cheap DROP FDX1 (or modded FD01 or FD02) from JVC.
The FDX1 hast the advantage of coming with 3 nozzles with different filtering (empty, light, medium filter) to influence the brightness. This one is very musical and lets me enjoy the music as a whole, as an emotional statement without being distracted by details that are pushed forward. The details are there, but presented in a smooth way. Only downside for classic is maybe a slightly lean lower mid section, here I'd sometimes like some more weight for Chello. But I mostly realize that when I compare with somethinng like the Astell & Kern T8iE which have a pretty massive boost in the lower frequencies.

Talking about boosted low end - with the clarity of the T8iE MKII and the stock tips (which really tame the low end) I have to say they are also excellent with classical music. Beyerdynamic Xelento should be very similar. For me they combine the smoothness of the FD02 with the intensity of the EX1000.

 

[IEMusic]

Another IEM that I also like a lot for classic is the relatively cheap DROP FDX1 (or modded FD01 or FD02) from JVC.
The FDX1 hast the advantage of coming with 3 nozzles with different filtering (empty, light, medium filter) to influence the brightness. This one is very musical and lets me enjoy the music as a whole, as an emotional statement without being distracted by details that are pushed forward. The details are there, but presented in a smooth way. Only downside for classic is maybe a slightly lean lower mid section, here I'd sometimes like some more weight for Chello. But I mostly realize that when I compare with somethinng like the Astell & Kern T8iE which have a pretty massive boost in the lower frequencies.

Talking about boosted low end - with the clarity of the T8iE MKII and the stock tips (which really tame the low end) I have to say they are also excellent with classical music. Beyerdynamic Xelento should be very similar. For me they combine the smoothness of the FD02 with the intensity of the EX1000.

I second the JVC FDX1/FD01. That is currently my best IEM for classical music, and I fully agree with everything surfgeorge wrote (cello, etc).

Speaking of the Xelento, and the aforementioned CA Atlas, the other day I just happened to compare them with Crinacle’s graph comparison tool, and found it interesting.

 

[ChristopherW]

I've also done more research and from the cheaper iems shanling me100 and shozy BG seem quite alright as well

 

[surfgeorge]

I second the JVC FDX1/FD01. That is currently my best IEM for classical music, and I fully agree with everything surfgeorge wrote (cello, etc).

Speaking of the Xelento, and the aforementioned CA Atlas, the other day I just happened to compare them with Crinacle’s graph comparison tool, and found it interesting.

I did that comparison too - and I find 2 things interesting.
Crinacle writes about the Atlas: "Gobs of bass with added treble sparkle that prevents complete congestion and muddiness."
And about the T8iE (similar to Xelento): "Hard-to-dislike tuning with excellent clarity and resolution "

I have the T8iE and I do not hear that huge bass with the original tips. Yes, they have bass, and are warm, but only with Spinfit tips does the bass really become dominant. With the original tips they are great for classic, with a very good body, more than my other more neutral IEMs.

So I am taking the graphs as an indicator, but I realized that a graph doesn't tell the whole story...

 

[524419]

Best for Classical music that I have heard are the LCDi4 and RHA CL2.
Both are planars and do instrument timbre exceptionally well.

 

[IEMusic]

I did that comparison too - and I find 2 things interesting.
Crinacle writes about the Atlas: "Gobs of bass with added treble sparkle that prevents complete congestion and muddiness."
And about the T8iE (similar to Xelento): "Hard-to-dislike tuning with excellent clarity and resolution "

I have the T8iE and I do not hear that huge bass with the original tips. Yes, they have bass, and are warm, but only with Spinfit tips does the bass really become dominant. With the original tips they are great for classic, with a very good body, more than my other more neutral IEMs.

So I am taking the graphs as an indicator, but I realized that a graph doesn't tell the whole story...

Oh, certainly not. Although the Xelento/T8iE is V-shaped, It’s not really described as such. Almost every reviewer states that they are exciting, but well balanced, with amazing clarity.

Not to hijack the thread, but how would you compare the resolution and detail retrieval of you T8iE to your FD02?

 

[French Potato]

Hello everyone, well I have the same request but with a tiny budget of 150$ ... among Moondrop Starfield, BQEYZ Spring1, Thieaudio Legacy 3, TinHifi T4 etc ... which one would you consider for that type of symphony ?

 

[IEMusic]

Hello everyone, well I have the same request but with a tiny budget of 150$ ... among Moondrop Starfield, BQEYZ Spring1, Thieaudio Legacy 3, TinHifi T4 etc ... which one would you consider for that type of symphony ?

Out of those 3, I think perhaps the Starfield (Harman-ish) would be best for classical music. The L3 are very good also, though they probably stray further from neutral vs Starfield. Others to consider would be the Tin HiFi T4 (actually quite competitive with the JVC FDX1), and one I think is actually quite great for classical music and vocals is the Tin T2. It‘s not a very detailed IEM, but the tuning is very nice with classical music.

(Oops, I missed that you already mentioned the T4. The T2 is more neutral sounding than the T4.)