[Ethan Groover]

not thinking of selling my Zeus , but this is bad for people who wan to sell their EE ciems. curious why/when this happened

A common complaint I've heard among manufacturers is that reshell work often draws too many resources away from developing brand new products. It's a fair and - most probably - true argument, but it is definitely sad to see.

Reshelling an iem to a new owner is the same as making the unit brand new. We have to make a new shell, rebuild the internals, and also tune the iem to the new owner's canal shape.
I would love for us to still offer re-shells but it is far too costly for us and we lose a lot of resources on it :/

 

[proedros]

@Ethan Groover is there any cutoff date - like models purchased before (set date) have one chance of 3rd party reshell ?

btw when did you guys announce it ? maybe EE iems bought before the 'no reshell' announcement can be reshelled once ?

 

[boblauer]

A common complaint I've heard among manufacturers is that reshell work often draws too many resources away from developing brand new products. It's a fair and - most probably - true argument, but it is definitely sad to see.



My #1 recommendation to you would probably be the EVR. It's vocal-focused, intimate and clear ala Spartan. If you don't mind significantly more bass and a warmer timbre, the Vantage is a fine choice as well. I'd only recommend the Phantom if you're ready for a wild shift from the Spartan. The Phantom is warmer, thicker, more vocal-forward, less sparkly, etc. It's an IEM that truly lets you delve into the colours of the recording, unlike the clarity-focused and articulative nature of the Spartan. But, for your choice of genre, you couldn't go wrong with the Phantom either.

Daniel what about Bravado coming from the Spartan, just to set the table correctly my Spartans are circa 2016 no ADEL CIEM's. I love them and will not replace them for critical/analytic listening; want a complement or maybe even slightly opposing signature to them. Source is PC(mostly 44.1 - 96 FLAC) USB>Foobar 2K> Bimby>Cavalli LC Version 2 as I would not use these on the go(have enough of those for several people really need to purge) budget is 1K (I have the income just have too many hobbies that I don't want to give up). At SoCal Can Jam I really just want to listen to couple choices and purchase other wise I'll never decide. BTW all things being equal I would purchase from EE just because the folks behind the company. Thought appreciated as are anyone's else.

 

[davidcotton]

I would love for us to still offer re-shells but it is far too costly for us and we lose a lot of resources on it :/

Reshelling really seems to have gone out of favour with the majority of the ciem manufacturers, not just EE.

 

[Ethan Groover]

Daniel what about Bravado coming from the Spartan, just to set the table correctly my Spartans are circa 2016 no ADEL CIEM's. I love them and will not replace them for critical/analytic listening; want a complement or maybe even slightly opposing signature to them. Source is PC(mostly 44.1 - 96 FLAC) USB>Foobar 2K> Bimby>Cavalli LC Version 2 as I would not use these on the go(have enough of those for several people really need to purge) budget is 1K (I have the income just have too many hobbies that I don't want to give up). At SoCal Can Jam I really just want to listen to couple choices and purchase other wise I'll never decide. BTW all things being equal I would purchase from EE just because the folks behind the company. Thought appreciated as are anyone's else.

To quote @GizmoThunder:

Hello everyone, I've been enjoying lurking this thread for a little while but I got a chance to hear some of the new line recently and I figured I'd pitch in.
I AB tested the new Bravado (universal) against my custom Spartans this past weekend. I've had Spartans since September, use them on the daily. Some observations:

Spartan IV:

Treble: Comfortably adequate, only harsh with a bad mastering job.
Mids: Satisfying through the midrange, not overbearing or harsh. Neutral.
Bass: Always sufficient, always far from overpowering. A bit more punch would be welcome.​

Bravado:

Treble: Comparable to that of the Spartan - lovely.
Mids: Just a bit more forward than the Spartan. Conveys emotion very well.
Bass: Deep, steady bass. Extremely satisfying and tight.​

If the Spartans were CS Lewis, the Bravado would be F. Scott Fitzgerald. Still love my Spartans, but between the two I'd prefer the Bravado.

I would agree with his observations for the most part as well. The Bravado has slightly more forward vocals than the Spartan, slightly less treble quantity, and a much tighter, punchier, full bass response in comparison. I don't know exactly what your listening preferences are- whether that makes the Bravado more or less attractive to you, but either way, I hope that helps!

 

[goodvibes]

I agree that upgrading the source should be strongly considered, but for some reason, maybe someone doesn't want to do that. If money is not an objection, then the X would still give a better sound (subjectively, than the Bravado). Heck, I got the Bravado for my wife for this very reason. It's all just personal. Will the X give better sound than the Bravado with the same source? Most probably. Balanced is not always best. It totally depends on teh amp and how it's implemented. I have an AK380cu with matching amp and didn't get the balanced cable for my Phantom's. I will eventually get a balanced one for my Ayre QX5 if I don't sell it.

. See above comments on balanced. I know two folks who have tried my AK380cu in balanced with the Phantom's and felt single ended was the way to go. It's not always the best. My 2 channel gear from Ayre need to be run in balanced mode or you will lose the magic. That came directly from Charlie Hansen who was chief designer as well as my ear on many occasions using many different cables and inputs.

Typo "isn't". Corrected.

 

[ctsooner22]

Typo "isn't". Corrected.

Sorry, I don't follow? What have I missed? Thanks.

 

[goodvibes]

Sorry, I don't follow? What have I missed? Thanks.

Meant to post that balanced isn't automatically better. somehow the n't didn't make it.

 

[boblauer]

To quote @GizmoThunder:

I would agree with his observations for the most part as well. The Bravado has slightly more forward vocals than the Spartan, slightly less treble quantity, and a much tighter, punchier, full bass response in comparison. I don't know exactly what your listening preferences are- whether that makes the Bravado more or less attractive to you, but either way, I hope that helps!

Thank you helps immensely. Sounds complementary to Spartan which is good. As far as listening preferences and genres they are way too wide and scattered and would derail the conversation. About the only thing I don't listen to is modern pop music.

 

[ranfan]

In my situation I just got the Spartan in Jan 2018 and now got an itch for either Phantom or Vantage or Bravado...I have been torn which one will be the best upgrading CIEMs or IEMs to Spartan? I usually listen to mostly vocals, some classical musics and seldomly instrumentals. Thank you.

I'd highly recommend the Zeus. Zeus-XIV for a heftier bass, and R for a lighter linear presentation. Coming from a Spartan user myself, I really like how the Zeus quite significantly improve, while maintaining a similar neutral sound character. Most apparently are the top-class resolution, and far-reaching extensions on both ends. The accurate portrayal of each notes, and realistic vocal sound makes it a good monitor to listen to classical, and vocal tracks. Furthermore, the bass quality underlying the Zeus' presentation is high with enough quantity, so to not affect the balance of the midrange, and take away the spotlight. Something that I like over the newer flagships.

 

[fuhransahis]

Phantom ensemble is complete now that the matching case for the DX200 arrived

 

[singleended5863]

Phantom ensemble is complete now that the matching case for the DX200 arrived

Very nice!
How does the Phantom sound with DX200?

 

[fuhransahis]

Very nice!
How does the Phantom sound with DX200?

With DX200 and Amp 4 specifically: I can't recommend it more highly.

Edit: to make the answer a bit less vague, check out the impressions of the Phantom on the Empire Ears thread and/or Ranking the Stars. I've posted impressions there as have others. What the DX200 with Amp 4 does is ensure you bring out the best of the Phantom - fantastic, extremely deep but balanced and phenomenally articulate bass, mids and vocals that are so vivid, holographic and lively that you can't help but be fully immersed in the soul of the music, and clear, extended, natural treble to tie it all together. All with the most natural timbre you can ask for and a tonal balance that shifts from song to song depending on how the music is meant to be heard - the gear disappears and nothing is left but pure, glorious music. Unless you like Justin Bieber. Then shame on you!

 

[ezekiel77]

Phantom ensemble is complete now that the matching case for the DX200 arrived

And now for a matching cable... Hansound Redcore comes to mind!

 

[fuhransahis]

And now for a matching cable... Hansound Redcore comes to mind!

That's an evil and wonderful thought I've always loved the design of that cable! Wonder how it would pair with the Phantom. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...............