@Arysyn glad it worked out for you. Was a little worried since the Flares are quite a bit less efficient than many IEMs. In theory, they would benefit less from the iematch. But, I learned long ago, you just have to listen and see if something works.
Your preferred frequency response may need updating again. Please don't turn into a bass head.
Enjoy the music. That's what it's all about.
There've been times when I've wondered why there isn't a website offering a free downloadable software tool to accurately and quickly, effortlessly, and accurately analyze the frequency response of various audio options, such as the dac/amp source alone, or together with the headphones/earphones in combination.
Not only would such a software tool be incredibly helpful/useful, the website could list every result for people to read for a better understanding of their audio device, specifically through frequency response. In my case, I could use this to see how the Meridian Explorer2 and the ifi iematch are changing the sound through the FlaresPro.
Now, there is an irritating situation the iematch causes from this, though it certainly is better than having the fizz. The iematch ultra setting eliminates the fizz in the particular music that is tuned preferentially towards the playback within the large extended treble bump in the treble region of the FlaresPro. However, the music where the fizz isn't an issue without the iematch during playback, those songs have bad breakup during the playback in the ultra setting. Reminder, this only happens in the ultra setting, not in the high setting.
The music where the fizz is present without the ifimatch, plays wonderfully in the ultra setting, especially with the fizz eliminated and the bass sounding amazing. It does require higher volume and the importance of lowering the volume when changing from the ultra setting to the high setting, which is required when listening to music that doesn't fizz during playback without the iematch. The requirement is due to the bad breakup that is noticeable in the ultra setting not allowing for audible playback in the ultra setting with this music, and can produce a volume shock when changing to the high setting.
On the high setting, while music that has the fizz during playback without the iematch can be played in the high setting with the iematch, the fizz is only reduced somewhat, not eliminated during playback. In order for the fizz to be eliminated during playback, the ultra setting needs to be in use. Also, the high setting increases bass quantity quite a bit. Music without the fizz has increased bass in contrast to listening to it without the iematch during playback.
So, to summarize this :
Note - Certain music makes a fizzing noise/sound during playback of certain music while listening to the FlaresPro without the iematch during playback. This fizzing hasn't been proven conclusive, but there are those, such as myself, who hear it, and some who do not hear it. Its currently believed by me to be a side effect only heard in certain music that is tuned preferentially towards the playback within the large extended treble bump in the treble region of the FlaresPro. - End of Note
High setting - Can be in use for both types of music (both music that fizzes and music that doesn't fizz during playback without the iematch). Music with the fizz sounds extra bassy on the high setting, and the fizz remains audible, although reduced in contrast from not having the iematch during playback. Music without the fizz just sounds extra bassy in the high setting.
Ultra Setting - Music with the fizz sounds wonderful having it eliminated on the ultra setting, as does the bass. However, the volume needs more power to it. Music without the fizz isn't audible in this setting, due to bad breakups in the sound during playback.
The annoyance with this is switching settings between the types of music, and checking volume levels whenever they are switched. The only compromise is to have the iematch on the high setting at all times while utilizing an equalizer in order to reduce the bass, while putting up with the slight fizz. Still, I'd rather leave it in the ultra setting where the fizz is gone, the bass being great with no EQ at all, and hopefully find a way to eliminate the audio breakups during the music that doesn't produce a fizz.
In the meantime, I'm still really glad there is a way to eliminate the fizz. Thanks again to barondla!
