Crimson, tia Trio or U12t?

[sammm]

I've been looking around a bit for an IEM as an upgrade/sidegrade to the Dunu Mirai and Headphones.com sells an open box U12t and Tia Trio for $1600, and even including shipping and import fees it'll cost around £1500. Tbh I'm pretty sold on the Crimson already but it's hard for me to pass up the tia Trio with it's DD bass, or the U12t because of the convenience of not needing a good source, and ofc it's nice to get a brand new IEM as opposed to an open-box one.

I'd assume the Trio probably has better bass in general because it has a DD (allegedly one of the best) but I think the Crimson might have a better initial attack (slam) based on reviews? In general I think I want a "faster" sounding IEM, but I'm not sure how much of a trade off in impact there is between the BAs in the Crimson compared to the Trio's DD. As for general technicalities, from what I've read the U12t might be better than the Trio, but maybe not as good as the Crimson? Perhaps depending on the source? I have a Questyle M15i on the way so I'll have a good enough source for the Crimson I think, and I have a Topping G5 for desktop use if that benefits the Crimson in any way.

I haven't tried an IEM with BA bass yet, but I also haven't used many flagships, or even kilobuck IEMs yet either (just the Mirai) and I'm just not sure if even the best BA bass will leave me unsatisfied, but the Trio hasn't got a lot of recent reviews. The U12t seems to be a good all rounder with what many consider to be the best BA bass performance, but again I'm not sure how it can compete with even a decent DD such as the one the Moondrop Variations uses (nice texture but not particularly impactful, decent slam, however) and I'm also not sure it has that engagement factor. As mentioned before, I'm pretty much convinced on the Crimson but the lack of a DD, reviews constantly mentioning "for a BA" when describing its bass as well as the requirement for a good source and the potential for it to scale more with better sources steers me more towards the Trio or U12t. A lot of the talk about sources mention smoothing out the treble, but I don't think that would bother me that much. Most reviews of the Mirai called it a brighter IEM but I personally just hear it as having "present" treble, not harsh or fatiguing, or even particularly emphasised so I think I'm a pretty treble tolerant person.

What I like about the Mirai is the texturing and decay of vocals and how it captures reverb, the treble extension and the layering and spaciousness of the IEM, however what I'm looking for in an upgrade is more slammy bass with good (not necessarily best in class) impact (the Mirai has pretty fast decay but the initial hit seems more delayed?), more mid bass in general, and a more energetic, gripping IEM. If it's helpful I mainly listen to K-Pop, hardstyle and other similar genres (uptempo, etc.), and some rap. If anyone has tried these IEMs and could point me towards the right choice that would be much appreciated =)

 

[dunring]

What are you plugging into? I'm getting back into the IEM collection with warm weather coming, and source is so important for the higher end ones I have.

 

[sammm]

What are you plugging into? I'm getting back into the IEM collection with warm weather coming, and source is so important for the higher end ones I have.

Right now I’m using a Topping G5 when I’m at my desk and an Apple dongle with my phone but I do have a Questyle M15i arriving at some point this week probably.

 

[phoebephilo]

I'm also looking for IEMs within the same price range and also listen to similar genres. Along with the IEMs you listed, another one that I'm looking at is the Gaea. However, like you, I'm pretty convinced on the Crimson. If you decide to settle on one, please give an update! Thanks!

 

[sammm]

I'm also looking for IEMs within the same price range and also listen to similar genres. Along with the IEMs you listed, another one that I'm looking at is the Gaea. However, like you, I'm pretty convinced on the Crimson. If you decide to settle on one, please give an update! Thanks!

Honestly I'm personally just gonna go with the Crimson. The Gaea has a DD for the bass, but other than that I can't think of a reason to choose that over the Crimson. It has more upper mids and lower treble ig if that's what you want.

 

[phoebephilo]

Gaea has a DD for the bass, but other than that I can't think of a reason to choose that over the Crimson. It has more upper mids and lower treble ig if that's what you want.

Yeah, I think I'm going to do the same. The only thing that worries me is the shape of the shell. I've had a bit of trouble with the fit of shells that aren't contoured (ie. the Pilgrims). I guess since the Crimson is 4BA it should be pretty easy to get it reshelled.

 

[sammm]

Yeah, I think I'm going to do the same. The only thing that worries me is the shape of the shell. I've had a bit of trouble with the fit of shells that aren't contoured (ie. the Pilgrims). I guess since the Crimson is 4BA it should be pretty easy to get it reshelled.

I wouldn't know anything about reshelling IEMs but I think because of the technologies n stuff in the Crimson maybe it won't be so easy? They're also unvented so if that bothers you maybe it's best to look at other options. You could try the Trio in that case, you can find them open-box for $1599 and you could find them use for even cheaper I think.

 

[phoebephilo]

I wouldn't know anything about reshelling IEMs but I think because of the technologies n stuff in the Crimson maybe it won't be so easy? They're also unvented so if that bothers you maybe it's best to look at other options. You could try the Trio in that case, you can find them open-box for $1599 and you could find them use for even cheaper I think.

You might be right about the reshelling, there doesn't seem to be much posts/information on ciems and reshelling recently.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Trio! I'm pretty sure I'd rather have a brighter sounding iem, but will have to do a bit more research on the Trio. I feel like warmer sounding iems don't do too well on busier tracks and separation of details is really important to me. However, I have yet to try an iem above $1000, so I'm not sure if there is any differences in that price bracket.

 

[sammm]

You might be right about the reshelling, there doesn't seem to be much posts/information on ciems and reshelling recently.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Trio! I'm pretty sure I'd rather have a brighter sounding iem, but will have to do a bit more research on the Trio. I feel like warmer sounding iems don't do too well on busier tracks and separation of details is really important to me. However, I have yet to try an iem above $1000, so I'm not sure if there is any differences in that price bracket.

I've only tried 1 kilobuck IEM (the Mirai) but I have tried a lot of "mid-fi" IEMs if you will (Moondrop Variations, I/O Volare, FiiO FD5 if that counts, Kiwi Ears Quintet) and the difference between mid-fi and more expensive IEMs is that whilst no individual aspect will be like way better but rather every aspect of it's performance (or most) will be pretty good. The Mirai has good vocal texturing like the Volare with a similar level of thump but more bass texture like the Moondrop Variations as well as better treble extension and definition. No individual aspect will be way better imo but as a whole the Mirai just does everything I like about the "cheaper" IEMs but better and all at once.

 

[phoebephilo]

I've only tried 1 kilobuck IEM (the Mirai) but I have tried a lot of "mid-fi" IEMs if you will (Moondrop Variations, I/O Volare, FiiO FD5 if that counts, Kiwi Ears Quintet) and the difference between mid-fi and more expensive IEMs is that whilst no individual aspect will be like way better but rather every aspect of it's performance (or most) will be pretty good. The Mirai has good vocal texturing like the Volare with a similar level of thump but more bass texture like the Moondrop Variations as well as better treble extension and definition. No individual aspect will be way better imo but as a whole the Mirai just does everything I like about the "cheaper" IEMs but better and all at once.

Never thought about it this way, seems to make a lot of sense!