[aaf evo]

And where sit the Erlkonig between those 2 ( Elysium & FIR M5) ? It is not on your list ??

haven’t heard it yet, I will in a few weeks. @toaster22 can help with that.

 

[toaster]

i put these three on equal footing, up there with the a18, as the 4 best iems i've heard.


elysium - best vocals i've ever heard, incredible mids, bass light (but still incredible) - phenomenal overall sound and incredibly unique tuning

m5 - hyper-exciting v shape (i stand by my comments on this being a v, despite the debate on the subject) incredible for electronic and pop music

erlkonig - much closer to the m5, somewhere between the m5 and the a18 in that it's hyper detailed (possibly the most detail i've ever heard) but also astoundingly musical and exciting in a similar way that the m5 is exciting. the bass is also monstrous, and the stage is massive. this very well may be the best all-ba iem i've ever heard. as an overall package, it's very special. overall tuning is not as unique as the elysium, but the sound on a whole is just magnificent all-around. so much detail, so much headroom, so effortless. i never thought i'd buy another universal iem...i feel like i very well may pick up the erlky at some point...NOT looking forward to sending this away over the weekend...

i think the elysium must be bought for vocals alone but one could probably choose between the m5/erlkonig, because they are somewhat similar sounding.

...or just buy all 3.

 

[bmichels]

i put these three on equal footing, up there with the a18, as the 4 best iems i've heard.


elysium - best vocals i've ever heard, incredible mids, bass light (but still incredible) - phenomenal overall sound and incredibly unique tuning

m5 - hyper-exciting v shape (i stand by my comments on this being a v, despite the debate on the subject) incredible for electronic and pop music

erlkonig - much closer to the m5, somewhere between the m5 and the a18 in that it's hyper detailed (possibly the most detail i've ever heard) but also astoundingly musical and exciting in a similar way that the m5 is exciting. the bass is also monstrous, and the stage is massive. this very well may be the best all-ba iem i've ever heard. as an overall package, it's very special. overall tuning is not as unique as the elysium, but the sound on a whole is just magnificent all-around. so much detail, so much headroom, so effortless. i never thought i'd buy another universal iem...i feel like i very well may pick up the erlky at some point...NOT looking forward to sending this away over the weekend...

i think the elysium must be bought for vocals alone but one could probably choose between the m5/erlkonig, because they are somewhat similar sounding.

...or just buy all 3.

AHHHH this make me reconsider my short list, adding the erlkonig to it !

The main question for me become of course : can the Erlkonig or the M5 replace my SHURE KSE1500 ?

(And is the Erlkoning as smal and confortable in the ear than the Shure which is very tiny inside the ear)

( I am feed-up carying and charging an extra Amplifier, and to be honest, I also have the dream of adding some "fun" without loosing the uber-details of the SHURE)

 

[Lucidmotion]

@bmichels

See my previous comments on the Erl, can help - it's my perspective on it of course. Fit isn't too great. Super heavy in ear.

Also if you take toasters comments on M5 being similar to it, why pay almost a full $2000 more on the Erl, when it's only Uni? M5 can go custom and you can add any custom art you want no extra charge and great cable stock + 3 year warranty and refits for resale.

To my ears and taste, there is just more in the M5 overall and not any shortcomings to sacrifice soundwise. It's not a - "oh it's less money so I'll get it even though the sound isn't as good"

It's - better - or - as good - depending on taste.

For me also, VS the Shure. Sound alone - beats it silly. Not to mention convenience factors of no extra amp + can custom fit etc. Engagement, technicality, musicality. Salivating mouth and body shivers on order for special delivery.

@aaf evo
I agree with your statements in the Elysium. I have almost the same sound interpretation of them. The vocals are stellar. The bass isnt a full whoomf to compare with it is where it fell short for me a little. But then again I believe once you hear the M5 extensively - the low end on other IEMs will always be lacking in detail and delivery and just perfection of transmission true to source.

I went M5 for price, warranty, no addition charge custom, wanted to go with a new brand to help, and because cable is much better, and the low end gravitas that isn't lacking in mid range compared to Elysium. The mids of both are wonderful, the Elysium has some pull here but to me the M5 isn't lacking - it's just its own way of doing it. And the overall sound works more all broadly with many different types of music. So all together, the package of the M5 made more sense for my tastes and eclecticism in music.

 

[aaf evo]

@bmichels

See my previous comments on the Erl, can help - it's my perspective on it of course. Fit isn't too great. Super heavy in ear.

Also if you take toasters comments on M5 being similar to it, why pay almost a full $2000 more on the Erl, when it's only Uni? M5 can go custom and you can add any custom art you want no extra charge and great cable stock + 3 year warranty and refits for resale.

To my ears and taste, there is just more in the M5 overall and not any shortcomings to sacrifice soundwise. It's not a - "oh it's less money so I'll get it even though the sound isn't as good"

It's - better - or - as good - depending on taste.

For me also, VS the Shure. Sound alone - beats it silly. Not to mention convenience factors of no extra amp + can custom fit etc. Engagement, technicality, musicality. Salivating mouth and body shivers on order for special delivery.

@aaf evo
I agree with your statements in the Elysium. I have almost the same sound interpretation of them. The vocals are stellar. The bass isnt a full whoomf to compare with it is where it fell short for me a little. But then again I believe once you hear the M5 extensively - the low end on other IEMs will always be lacking in detail and delivery and just perfection of transmission true to source.

I went M5 for price, warranty, no addition charge custom, wanted to go with a new brand to help, and because cable is much better, and the low end gravitas that isn't lacking in mid range compared to Elysium. The mids of both are wonderful, the Elysium has some pull here but to me the M5 isn't lacking - it's just its own way of doing it. And the overall sound works more all broadly with many different types of music. So all together, the package of the M5 made more sense for my tastes and eclecticism in music.

Yep I agree with your last three sentences, I find the M5 to fit more genres than the Elysium but the genres/songs that the Elysium works well with IMO it’s in a league of it’s own, it’s a very very captivating/addicting sound. That’s why I’m still not totally ruling out buying one. I’m not sure I need 3 CIEMs though XD

 

[Lucidmotion]

I also don't subscribe to this 'V - shaped' sentiment. Firstly - if you ignore all other elements besides the mids and compare them directly - A/B to other mids in other TOTL IEMs - there is no direct points I see where they are lacking.

In places I see the mids much better then a large amount of IEMs in fact. Also they do not feel 'pulled back' in the mix. They sit and sound as they should. Now, where I think this distinguishment is being made is that the 'outstanding' factors of the M5 are the absolutely gorgeously done low end and the superb clarity and technicality and transients of the electrostats in the highs. Because these pull so much of your attention and are done well above the average mark, most are speaking about these two factors. In turn this is giving a perception of the mids being recessed or 'V'. This isn't the case to my ears. It seems to be that those two parts are just done well and above what most are used to hearing and grab your attention, the mids are done rather well as well, however they aren't as 'revolutionary' as the rest. They are just wonderful and fit well with the rest.

To me, they have some of the best vocals I have heard, close to Elysium. A different flavor for sure then the Elysium, but V shaped? - not in my hearing perceptions. But possibly your attention may be drawn to the other frequencies? Could be, however I think the blend between them all is superb and I don't find myself sitting in any on particular place of listening, just experiencing the whole piece of music as is.


And just for electronic music or pop music is definitely out of my agreement range. I don't even listen to these two genres but just about every single other one I do. And they are sitting fairly at the top of performance and entertainment in all these genres and songs

 

[Moai]

AHHHH this make me reconsider my short list, adding the erlkonig to it !

The main question for me become of course : can the Erlkonig or the M5 replace my SHURE KSE1500 ?

(And is the Erlkoning as smal and confortable in the ear than the Shure which is very tiny inside the ear)

( I am feed-up carying and charging an extra Amplifier, and to be honest, I also have the dream of adding some "fun" without loosing the uber-details of the SHURE)

Ah interesting! I think we might be going through a similar process.
After having my Shure KSE1200 for a little more than a year now, I realised I wasn’t using it that much. And I think it might be largely due to the amplifier, which is slightly cumbersome on the go, to say the least. I also love the detail of the KSE but started longing for something a bit more relaxed and I guess also “fun”.
As a result I started auditioning a few other iems, and after demoing 64’s u12t and u18t, FiR’s m3, m4 and m5 and VE’s VE8 and Elysium, I finally decided to go for the Elysium and ordered a pair two days ago! It was a very hard choice as all these iems were incredible and all had their merits.
So now you got me curious to what you will choose in the end .

 

[bmichels]

Ah interesting! I think we might be going through a similar process.
After having my Shure KSE1200 for a little more than a year now, I realised I wasn’t using it that much. And I think it might be largely due to the amplifier, which is slightly cumbersome on the go, to say the least. I also love the detail of the KSE but started longing for something a bit more relaxed and I guess also “fun”.
As a result I started auditioning a few other iems, and after demoing 64’s u12t and u18t, FiR’s m3, m4 and m5 and VE’s VE8 and Elysium, I finally decided to go for the Elysium and ordered a pair two days ago! It was a very hard choice as all these iems were incredible and all had their merits.
So now you got me curious to what you will choose in the end .

you do not mention the Erlkonig ! did you auditioned it also before making your choice ?

 

[macdonjh]

...This isn't the case to my ears. It seems to be that those two parts are just done well and above what most are used to hearing and grab your attention, the mids are done rather well as well, however they aren't as 'revolutionary' as the rest. They are just wonderful and fit well with the rest.

To me, they have some of the best vocals I have heard, close to Elysium. A different flavor for sure then the Elysium, but V shaped? - not in my hearing perceptions. But possibly your attention may be drawn to the other frequencies? Could be, however I think the blend between them all is superb and I don't find myself sitting in any on particular place of listening, just experiencing the whole piece of music as is.

And just for electronic music or pop music is definitely out of my agreement range. I don't even listen to these two genres but just about every single other one I do. And they are sitting fairly at the top of performance and entertainment in all these genres and songs

I generally agree. I think, "...those two parts are just done well and above what most are used to..." reinforces what we've been struggling to describe about the M5. Some (mvvRAZ?) have described the sound as neutral and the presentation as V-shaped. A pretty fine point, but I think I agree with that, and Lucidmotion, here. I didn't find the M5 mids to be recessed, in the sense that vocalists seemed to be performing in another room or without a microphone. Conversely, on almost every track I listened to, I didn't find the bass to swamp the rest of the music or the highs to induce bleeding.

Because of the above, I wouldn't relegate the M5 to a specialist role for electronic or pop, either. Of course my own prejudice is I'm not looking to assemble a collection of specialists, anyway. I am searching for an IEM capable of presenting everything I listen to in a pleasing way. I completely understand I won't find one perfect for every genre, but so be it. The M5 is pretty close to what I'm looking for. But then, I remember the M4 being that way, too. And the M3 is just so fun. Oh, hell, I need them all back.

John2e?

 

[Jeffyue]

Burned for an afternoon and overnight, and my M5 makes my eyes set when I listen to some vocal recordings.

No, it is not V-shaped. The low and high r extended and presented better (compared to my A18t), WITHOUT compromising the mid. I used to think A18t give u a better soundstage but push the vocal a bit too far away. M5 gives a different pics, and now I can enjoy the vocal AND the bass+rumble and treble TOGETHER. To me it s a more complete presentation.

I did own MD Zeus a short while (before it died). The vocal is magical and holographic, but the low is not good enough for my taste. I m not really a bass head, but I do appreciate a proper presentation of it. I just feel the overall sound is not "correct" with Zeus' bass, even though the vocal and sound treble does nice.

I have similar impression when I tried Ely and Elysium. The vocal and treble does sound nice, but the bass is not my type, and the overall sound sig is not my cup of tea.

That's why I pick M5 to complement my A18t. M5 for intimate vocal and live acoustic stage music, and A18t for orchestra and opera.

 

[toaster]

m5 is a fantastic complement to the a18, no doubt.

 

[Infoseeker]

From the description of the m5. I wonder how much diminishing returns I would get coming from a Shuoer EJ07. Seems similar.

 

[jrbgarcia]

From the description of the m5. I wonder how much diminishing returns I would get coming from a Shuoer EJ07. Seems similar.

Meh. After hearing the tape, I wouldn't expect much from this brand at all.

 

[Infoseeker]

Every company has its lower end products. Don't let the 1st impression decide things.

No company is all hits.

 

[soLicitous]

Anybody have any insight on how the fir IEMs scale with sources?

I'm fairly limited with only an iPhone and iFi Micro iDSD BL. I don't notice any huge difference, the iDSD BL does add a bit of weight/warmth with the M5 it seems.