I like the Eletech Baroque and the original Spiral Dots. Also heard good things about ddHiFi ST35.
Fir Audio Thread - Discussion and Impressions
OhmsClaw
500+ Head-Fier
Crystals. or Xelastic. I prefer Crystals for the sub-bass being a hair better and they're less sticky and will last longer. Both tips are 22$ for 2 sets, at least in the states. Wide-bore in general will be better on these iems.
NOTE: Order 1/2 size down in Xelastic or they wont fit.
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Maybe you can try the new and improved SymbioW too
Does crystals/xelastics give a significant improvement soundwise coming from stock tips?
OhmsClaw
500+ Head-Fier
I think symbio's are abhorrent; muddy bass, narrow stage, sharp upper mids/lower treble. Both wide nozzles give better staging and sound over stock. I've got a tackle box full of Symbio W and Peels (old ones), Final E, Crystal, Xelastic, Foams (non descript), Azla Earfit Lights and Standard. I re-ordered Crystal's in M and MS for all my IEM's. The first tips i went with for long nozzle were CP360's as they were shorts, but they were kinda just all bass and narrow nozzle (that nozzle elastic, the colored bit) wore out after regular cleaning (remove and replace) causing them to free spin.
Edit: I also have fresh Divinus Velvets which ARE nice. But not better than Crystals for me... collapse the stage a bit on Rn6 (red Atom)... waste of 20$. Maybe i'll throw em on my Andromeda Gold's when those AZLA lights wear out.
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Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Been spending some time with the FIR E12 demo unit from Jaben SG courtesy of @Uncle Wilson.
I don’t see much talk about the E12, even on this thread. My guess is that it is still being released and most encounters with it will be at the shows. One thing I did notice about it is that the stock silicon ear tips did not quite fit me. Which is unusual. The foam tips did a great job however. Unlike the usual foam tips, it seems a bit longer to fit the longer nozzle and it does not impair the treble extension which is good. I am currently using them with Eletetech’s Baroque ear tips.
It is still early days but it is nice to have a single DD that covers the full range of the sound spectrum. I am sure it will continue to evolve and open up further as it burns in. When I had fit issues with the stock ear tips, I will confess that I thought the E12 sounded terrible. But once I got the right ear tips, I found the E12 very enjoyable.
The other thing I have noticed about the E12 is it seems to be pretty easy to drive.
I don’t see much talk about the E12, even on this thread. My guess is that it is still being released and most encounters with it will be at the shows. One thing I did notice about it is that the stock silicon ear tips did not quite fit me. Which is unusual. The foam tips did a great job however. Unlike the usual foam tips, it seems a bit longer to fit the longer nozzle and it does not impair the treble extension which is good. I am currently using them with Eletetech’s Baroque ear tips.
It is still early days but it is nice to have a single DD that covers the full range of the sound spectrum. I am sure it will continue to evolve and open up further as it burns in. When I had fit issues with the stock ear tips, I will confess that I thought the E12 sounded terrible. But once I got the right ear tips, I found the E12 very enjoyable.
The other thing I have noticed about the E12 is it seems to be pretty easy to drive.
OhmsClaw
500+ Head-Fier
Gotta include impressions on the DMP!Been spending some time with the FIR E12 demo unit from Jaben SG courtesy of @Uncle Wilson.
I don’t see much talk about the E12, even on this thread. My guess is that it is still being released and most encounters with it will be at the shows. One thing I did notice about it is that the stock silicon ear tips did not quite fit me. Which is unusual. The foam tips did a great job however. Unlike the usual foam tips, it seems a bit longer to fit the longer nozzle and it does not impair the treble extension which is good. I am currently using them with Eletetech’s Baroque ear tips.
It is still early days but it is nice to have a single DD that covers the full range of the sound spectrum. I am sure it will continue to evolve and open up further as it burns in. When I had fit issues with the stock ear tips, I will confess that I thought the E12 sounded terrible. But once I got the right ear tips, I found the E12 very enjoyable.
The other thing I have noticed about the E12 is it seems to be pretty easy to drive.
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Haha! In due course, perhaps.
Oh wow single DD? i need to try that!
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Yeah... I have a soft spot for single DD IEMs. Tuning is such a challenge to get a full range IEM. Well, I will say that the mids are really nuanced. Hope you have a place near you to try out the demo. Do remember what I cautioned about ear tips.
Seems like I'm the only E12 owner that pre-ordered and posted so far.
Ja, fit and eartips are important for E12 to make the most of its Tactile Bass and signature. My go to are Crystals which maintain bass and impact.
Question, does your demo unit have mesh screens in the nozzle?
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
My most fav is Spinfit W1.
Agree @OhmsClaw that the standard eartips somehow a bit muddy and sharp at the same time. Not to mention that W1 prove bigger soundstage image as well.
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
what should I be looking for?
what should I be looking for?
Does the demo E12, nozzles does it have a protective mesh screen to prevent debris from entering the IEM or is it open/no screen as shown with my E12 (see attached)?
All of my IEMs have a mesh covered nozzle except for E12.
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Personally I find it difficult to compare the RU7 to the W4 because the possible configuration that the W4s can do is too vast. However, the W4 in it's default configuration is a tad more neutral, slightly clearer details and slightly thinner sounding compared to the RU7 which I find, has a thicker and warmer tone. That being said, the W4 in some configurations can sound warm and thick as well.
Hence in the original post, I focussed about the background noise part, which is the most obvious.
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