I can’t find a reference to those ear tips - am I correct in assuming they’re from Final Audio? Are they one of the ones pictured on the following page?
http://snext-final.com/en/products/accessories/detail/earpiece.html
So far, I’ve gotten a good fit and seal with the M bass tips. For comparison, on the FH5, I used the L bass tips, with 1.5 mm square profile o-rings added to help the shell clear the inferior crus. Noticeably deeper insertion on the FA7, but not out of the ordinary for IEMs. I found that wind noise is noticeably reduced (as compared to the FH5), and I’m having no issues maintaining a seal when running or mountain biking.
I’m still playing with EQ; the clinical presentation in the upper range is quite revealing of recording details, to the point where I could see how HBB’s preference for classic rock might steer him away from these. It’s really only noticeable when there are some issues in the mix/mastering, such as the sibilant “s” sounds in Queen’s “Under Pressure”, or the band-limited monochromatic hard-panned crash cymbals in the Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Running”, for example. In other recordings, you can sometimes clearly distinguish some of the punch-ins and synthesizer fills on the FA7 that the FH5 may more euphonically smooth out. One of the interesting side effects is how much that affects perceived channel separation.
I still marginally prefer the FH5’s rendering of electric bass guitars, but that may have something to do with my current FA7 EQ settings and general acclimation, which are both works in progress.
Overall, I’m enjoying these quite a bit. I hear new things in my recordings.