Cost No Object Portable Set-up Without an Amp

[styler]

i need some headfi opinions. i would like to have the ultimate portable set up but one that is truly super portable. Price range for entire setup 1500-2500.
 
constraints:
1. no open back phones - IEMs or closed only; must not disturb those around me.
2. no amp, i want this set up to be as simple and light as possible - no bags/cases etc. would love to place a player in my back pocket and be able to forget about it.
3. no custom earmolds, i'm not where i can get that done
4. 90% + listening will be rock and jazz, pretty much zero classical
5. i would prefer to sacrifice treble for fuller sound but i am not a bass-head
6. definitely want the ability to play hires files
 
other considerations:
have always liked the Shure and Ety headphones; for open backed i have like the Audeze LCD2 and the Senn hd650. have some akg701s that i dont dislike but they dont excite me much.

 

[lee730]

Hey Styler look into the 1Plus2, Flat 4, Fit Ear 334, AKG3003, IE800 for TOTL universal IEMs.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/623514/tralucent-audio-1plus2-iem-appreciation-impressions-thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/665338/tralucent-audio-1plus2-review-caution-long-read/15#post_9470823

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634902/ocharaku-flat-4-kaede-maple

http://www.head-fi.org/t/642191/ocharaku-flat-4-sui-the-sound-of-tea

http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/610145/akg-k3003-impressions-reviews-discussion#post_8384157

http://www.head-fi.org/t/605438/sennheiser-ie800-iems
 
Regarding a source for your IEM/headpones the DX100, Studio 3rd ANV, Tera Player, AK100/RWA AK100, AK120 are among the very best in sound quality. They are also releasing a DX50, Fiio X3 & X5 (at some point) as well as other products in the future.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/592076/ibasso-dx100-24-bit-for-bit-pg-1-reviews-impressions-downloads-video-new-firmware-1-4-2

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634747/hisoundaudio-studio-v-3rd-anniversary-edition-review

http://www.head-fi.org/t/658495/altmann-tera-player-impressions-reviews-discussion/345#post_9470269

http://www.head-fi.org/t/630288/the-new-iriver-ak100-a-high-end-dap

http://www.head-fi.org/t/663188/the-astell-

kern-ak120

http://www.head-fi.org/t/663600/impression-fiio-x3-high-fi-low-price


I hope this helps. Good luck .

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

Hey Styler look into the 1Plus2, Flat 4, Fit Ear 334, AKG3003, IE800 for TOTL universal IEMs.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/623514/tralucent-audio-1plus2-iem-appreciation-impressions-thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/665338/tralucent-audio-1plus2-review-caution-long-read/15#post_9470823

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634902/ocharaku-flat-4-kaede-maple

http://www.head-fi.org/t/642191/ocharaku-flat-4-sui-the-sound-of-tea

http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal

http://www.head-fi.org/t/605438/sennheiser-ie800-iems
 

 
Hmm... links provided for all IEMs you mention, including two links for the 1plus2 (your favourite IEM) and even an extra link for the $400 Flat-4 SUI (which you also own and enjoy so much), but no link for the AKG K3003.
 
----------------
 
Here's a link to the AKG K3003: http://www.head-fi.org/t/610145/akg-k3003-impressions-reviews-discussion#post_8384157
 
There's a new TOTL $1,000 IEM by Shure, the SE846, which will be released next month apparently — there are some very positive impressions posted already: http://www.head-fi.org/t/663180/shure-se846-a-new-in-ear-flagship-from-shure-finally-impressions-p26-28
 
There's a new IEM (~$900) that seems to have quite impressive SQ, the Japanese-made FitEar Parterre, though this one's pretty hard to get at present as FitEar manufacture these by hand in very small batches: http://www.head-fi.org/t/662182/fitear-parterre-appreciation-thread
 
There's also the ~$1,100 FAD FI-BA-SS which is very highly-regarded by several experienced Head-fiers
 
Perhaps also worth checking is the new $500 Aurisonics ASG-2: http://www.head-fi.org/t/664613/review-aurisonics-asg-2-stealth-comparisons-to-tg334-senn-ie800-and-flat-4-in-2nd-post
 
EDIT: styler, if you like Etymotic IEMs, you may also want to look into the ~$600 FitEar F111, which was inspired by the ER-4S and, according to some, seems to have (slightly) better sonics than the latter — it certainly has better ergonomics and it does not require an amp like the ER-4S: http://www.head-fi.org/t/619034/fitear-f111-impressions-reviews-discussion-previously-to-go-111

 

[LFC_SL]

Quote:

5. i would prefer to sacrifice treble for fuller sound but i am not a bass-head

 
In budget and mid-range earphones and headphones, manufacturers tend to play it safe and lean towards the bass-biased consumer sound. As a consequence you have a whole section of the customer base assuming they do not like treble because all they have ever experienced is this horrible bright / tinny sound with no definition or control. Of course the more you compress your music and utilise lower bit rate, the more treble suffers.
 
Once you hear treble done right it is like cleaning your window. An entire new perspective is revealed. You will re-listen to songs you thought you knew like the back of your hand and they have a new dimension.
 
It is pretty much a daily occurrence someone will say if they have to accept compromise then it will be treble (not that I understand why you would compromise if money is no object). I would bet 90% of the posters have not heard treble done right. Not sure why you would listen to jazz without treble done right either!

 

[styler]

Quote:

 
 
 
It is pretty much a daily occurrence someone will say if they have to accept compromise then it will be treble (not that I understand why you would compromise if money is no object). I would bet 90% of the posters have not heard treble done right. Not sure why you would listen to jazz without treble done right either!

 
ive made big efforts to hear treble done properly but its hard to do in portable gear and usually someone has to sacrifice something... i'd really not like bight headphones. the worst audio component i've heard in years was one that many here like: Burson headphone amp - single brightest component i've heard, thought it would make my ears bleed.

 

[kkcc]

ive made big efforts to hear treble done properly but its hard to do in portable gear and usually someone has to sacrifice something... i'd really not like bight headphones. the worst audio component i've heard in years was one that many here like: Burson headphone amp - single brightest component i've heard, thought it would make my ears bleed.

I have now settled with AK120+FT334+twag v3 8-conductor as my portable/mobile setup. This gives me good resolution, balanced response (I came from ER4S...), with enough tight and fast bass, lush mid, and good treble clarity. The treble and soundstage (width) improved a lot with the twag v3 compared to stock. But if your preference is a more intimate and warm sound, the stock 001 fitear cable is good. YMMV