[vilhelm44]

Morning all, hope you're keeping well. I was wondering if anyone can help with a sibilant issue I've been having. I've noticed a lot of vocals have been sounding overly harsh over the last 6 months and I've not noticed this before. I'm currently using N6ii with E02, VE8 and Eletech Iliad, and wondered if anything in that chain was causing it? I was using WM1A, Paw 6000 and LPGT (was hearing more sibilance with the Lotoos) previously. I've tried lowering EQ at around the 8k mark which helps but that makes the treble a bit muffled.

Can you recommend any EQ or hardware improvements please for smoother high end to cut this out? Maybe a new monitor or copper cable etc? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as it's driving me nuts at the moment!

 

[mvvRAZ]

Morning all, hope you're keeping well. I was wondering if anyone can help with a sibilant issue I've been having. I've noticed a lot of vocals have been sounding overly harsh over the last 6 months and I've not noticed this before. I'm currently using N6ii with E02, VE8 and Eletech Iliad, and wondered if anything in that chain was causing it? I was using WM1A, Paw 6000 and LPGT (was hearing more sibilance with the Lotoos) previously. I've tried lowering EQ at around the 8k mark which helps but that makes the treble a bit muffled.

Can you recommend any EQ or hardware improvements please for smoother high end to cut this out? Maybe a new monitor or copper cable etc? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as it's driving me nuts at the moment!

I don’t think a cable can sort that out in all honesty... I thought the VE8 demo is rather sibilant but I didn’t know any of the custom owners also had that experience

As far as monitor recommendations go, the A18S might fit you rather well considering it has the warmth of the VE8 in the bass, but is 100% sibilance free. It’s also airier and more technical imo

my other rec would be the elysium, but I’m not sure if the bass would be enough for you coming from the VE8

 

[Wyville]

Morning all, hope you're keeping well. I was wondering if anyone can help with a sibilant issue I've been having. I've noticed a lot of vocals have been sounding overly harsh over the last 6 months and I've not noticed this before. I'm currently using N6ii with E02, VE8 and Eletech Iliad, and wondered if anything in that chain was causing it? I was using WM1A, Paw 6000 and LPGT (was hearing more sibilance with the Lotoos) previously. I've tried lowering EQ at around the 8k mark which helps but that makes the treble a bit muffled.

Can you recommend any EQ or hardware improvements please for smoother high end to cut this out? Maybe a new monitor or copper cable etc? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as it's driving me nuts at the moment!

Are you sure that you are sensitive to 8kHz? I sometimes EQ the lower treble down a few dB and find that 6kHz works best for my sensitivity. It does change the signature a bit of course.

Other then that, I would suggest looking at what has changed over the last 6 months. If you never had this issue there has to be a reason for it. If your gear has changed, you can change back to your old gear from where you last remember you did not have the issue. If you still have it, then it might suggest a change in fit or even just a change in your sensitivity. Are the VE8 custom? If so, did you loose or gain weight? More or less stress? It could be something unexpected that affects the seal of the CIEMs. I would try to systematically go over every possible factor before buying anything new.

 

[vilhelm44]

I don’t think a cable can sort that out in all honesty... I thought the VE8 demo is rather sibilant but I didn’t know any of the custom owners also had that experience

As far as monitor recommendations go, the A18S might fit you rather well considering it has the warmth of the VE8 in the bass, but is 100% sibilance free. It’s also airier and more technical imo

my other rec would be the elysium, but I’m not sure if the bass would be enough for you coming from the VE8

Are you sure that you are sensitive to 8kHz? I sometimes EQ the lower treble down a few dB and find that 6kHz works best for my sensitivity. It does change the signature a bit of course.

Other then that, I would suggest looking at what has changed over the last 6 months. If you never had this issue there has to be a reason for it. If your gear has changed, you can change back to your old gear from where you last remember you did not have the issue. If you still have it, then it might suggest a change in fit or even just a change in your sensitivity. Are the VE8 custom? If so, did you loose or gain weight? More or less stress? It could be something unexpected that affects the seal of the CIEMs. I would try to systematically go over every possible factor before buying anything new.

Hi guys, thanks for getting back, really appreciate the feedback. I have put a few pounds on since lock down and definitely more stressed, that's for sure. Does that have a big effect then? It's something that didn't cross my mind. I haven't got my old gear anymore so would have to re buy that to make sure. The VE8 are custom but the fit still feels fine and not looser. All very frustrating to say the least and not enjoying my gear at all right now, which is a downer.

 

[Wyville]

Hi guys, thanks for getting back, really appreciate the feedback. I have put a few pounds on since lock down and definitely more stressed, that's for sure. Does that have a big effect then? It's something that didn't cross my mind. I haven't got my old gear anymore so would have to re buy that to make sure. The VE8 are custom but the fit still feels fine and not looser. All very frustrating to say the least and not enjoying my gear at all right now, which is a downer.

A few pound (or "corona kilos" ) probably won't make much of a difference, but with stress it can cause you to tense certain muscles (I grind my teeth when I am stressed) and that could potentially affect the fit. Equally, stress could make you mentally fatigued and more sensitive to areas of the frequency range that can be fatiguing as well. I'm by no means a doctor and this is just anecdotal, but I have it when I am mentally fatigued (which happens regularly due to my ADHD) that I am less tolerant to treble. It can at times make my current IEMs too much for me and I need a few days before I can enjoy them again. Just a thought, but it might be something to think about.

 

[vilhelm44]

A few pound (or "corona kilos" ) probably won't make much of a difference, but with stress it can cause you to tense certain muscles (I grind my teeth when I am stressed) and that could potentially affect the fit. Equally, stress could make you mentally fatigued and more sensitive to areas of the frequency range that can be fatiguing as well. I'm by no means a doctor and this is just anecdotal, but I have it when I am mentally fatigued (which happens regularly due to my ADHD) that I am less tolerant to treble. It can at times make my current IEMs too much for me and I need a few days before I can enjoy them again. Just a thought, but it might be something to think about.

Thank you for the info, it's very helpful. Maybe I'll rest my ears for a few days and go back and see how it sounds. How annoying eh? We should be allowed to enjoy our gear in peace in these stressful times

 

[Wyville]

Thank you for the info, it's very helpful. Maybe I'll rest my ears for a few days and go back and see how it sounds. How annoying eh? We should be allowed to enjoy our gear in peace in these stressful times

Yeah, it's very annoying when only more stress is added because you can't relax with your tunes. Hope a few days rest will help, even if it's just a little.

 

[fiascogarcia]

Morning all, hope you're keeping well. I was wondering if anyone can help with a sibilant issue I've been having. I've noticed a lot of vocals have been sounding overly harsh over the last 6 months and I've not noticed this before. I'm currently using N6ii with E02, VE8 and Eletech Iliad, and wondered if anything in that chain was causing it? I was using WM1A, Paw 6000 and LPGT (was hearing more sibilance with the Lotoos) previously. I've tried lowering EQ at around the 8k mark which helps but that makes the treble a bit muffled.

Can you recommend any EQ or hardware improvements please for smoother high end to cut this out? Maybe a new monitor or copper cable etc? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as it's driving me nuts at the moment!

You might want to tinker with the 500 to 1000k level on EQ if it's vocals that are sounding harsh? That seems to have greatest effect on vocals for me, at least on my Sony WM1Z. Using IER-Z1R, Fourte, and Elysium. IMO

 

[vilhelm44]

You might want to tinker with the 500 to 1000k level on EQ if it's vocals that are sounding harsh? That seems to have greatest effect on vocals for me, at least on my Sony WM1Z. Using IER-Z1R, Fourte, and Elysium. IMO

Thank you, will have a play around to see if that helps

 

[Sound Eq]

Thank you for the info, it's very helpful. Maybe I'll rest my ears for a few days and go back and see how it sounds. How annoying eh? We should be allowed to enjoy our gear in peace in these stressful times

its definitely stress, rest ur ears for a week and hope u will enjoy ur gears again. it happens to me as well, when for few days i am in absolute bliss using my gears then for few days i can not even listen to anything and everything sounds just bad. it happens with iems way more than with headphones for me

also have more than one iem to rotate that is another thing i do

 

[mvvRAZ]

Okayy let's go with some preliminary impressions of the MMR Thummim

Since 2019/2020 is a sort of reviewer wars season, the MMR Thummim has been sent to me in exchange for an honest review - I will however have to send it back in a few weeks should I choose to not purchase it, but (spoiler alert) the only way I'm sending this back is if I go deaf between now and tomorrow somehow. No incentives for a positive review have been provided

The first thing that most people are concerned about is the fit - the rough edges and large shells don't look especially inviting, but I personally found them to be quite comfortable after experimenting with a variety of tips. I don't even have "break in" discomfort (which I had with both the Andromeda and the Z1R) and I'm saying that after having had them in my ears for the past 6.5 hours without taking them out for more than 10 minutes

Writing impressions of the Thummim is something I'm finding especially difficult because of how obsessed I've become with them over the course of the day. They're quite simply put one of the most magnificent pieces I've come across

The bass is on the slow side - extremely drawn out decay, very reminiscent of the IER Z1R. The midbass on it feels a bit more pronounced than that of the Z1R however, slightly punchier. The subbass is exceptional, with amazing texture and rather elevated presence. Might just be my favourite bass presentation out of anything I've heard. I'm also glad MMR decided to be bold with the DD tuning and let it do what it does best

The midrange is quite simply put the best BA midrange I've ever come across. It is thick, textured and relatively neutral in quantity. The bass and treble both have a lift, pushing the Thumimm towards a gentle V or rather, U shape, but as far as raw mids are concerned, I don't think I've heard much better except for those of the VE Elysium. The Elysium has flat bass, elevated mids and rather flat highs, which give it the midrange much more attention than what it gets in the Thumimm

Joseph over at MMR has been able to create a monitor with not only my favourite bass, but also what might just be the best treble I’ve heard to date. It balances sparkle and speed really well, making both EDM and live performances/rock/metal extremely pleasant to listen to

The good news don’t end with the tonality however, as the Thumimm is very technical. The staging is nothing short of incredible, being both wide and holographic. The only other IEMs that have been able to impress me as much are the 64 Fourte and A18S. It is also very detailed, with excellent separation - the A18S still retrieves a bit more detail than the Thumimm, but let’s face it, the A18S is in a league of its own where detail is concerned

Full review with packaging, cable and all the cool tech in the Thumimm coming soon!

 

[toaster]

love how the angles on the iems match the angles on the eletech plug.

those things look downright crazy...

 

[mvvRAZ]

love how the angles on the iems match the angles on the eletech plug.

those things look downright crazy...

The split is actually made from the same material as the shells (titanium) - the standard Plato has a slightly different design

 

[F700]

Equally, stress could make you mentally fatigued and more sensitive to areas of the frequency range that can be fatiguing as well. I'm by no means a doctor and this is just anecdotal, but I have it when I am mentally fatigued (which happens regularly due to my ADHD) that I am less tolerant to treble. It can at times make my current IEMs too much for me and I need a few days before I can enjoy them again. Just a thought, but it might be something to think about.

Very important opinion and advice given here. Mood, stress and health affect perception of sound. It actually is quite logical, but it gets forgotten nevertheless. Thanks for this welcomed reminder. Maybe it's also one of the reason why it's important to have slightly different sound signature setups at hand sometimes...

To another extent, it is also not recommended to listen to too many setups a day (i.e. CanJam or similar marathon testing). It fatigues your ears and reduces accuracy while listening. You can miss something great doing so. Think wine testing or parfumes smelling. It sores your senses if you give them too much of good or bad things to experience.

 

[gnahra]

Okayy let's go with some preliminary impressions of the MMR Thummim

Since 2019/2020 is a sort of reviewer wars season, the MMR Thummim has been sent to me in exchange for an honest review - I will however have to send it back in a few weeks should I choose to not purchase it, but (spoiler alert) the only way I'm sending this back is if I go deaf between now and tomorrow somehow. No incentives for a positive review have been provided

The first thing that most people are concerned about is the fit - the rough edges and large shells don't look especially inviting, but I personally found them to be quite comfortable after experimenting with a variety of tips. I don't even have "break in" discomfort (which I had with both the Andromeda and the Z1R) and I'm saying that after having had them in my ears for the past 6.5 hours without taking them out for more than 10 minutes

Writing impressions of the Thummim is something I'm finding especially difficult because of how obsessed I've become with them over the course of the day. They're quite simply put one of the most magnificent pieces I've come across

The bass is on the slow side - extremely drawn out decay, very reminiscent of the IER Z1R. The midbass on it feels a bit more pronounced than that of the Z1R however, slightly punchier. The subbass is exceptional, with amazing texture and rather elevated presence. Might just be my favourite bass presentation out of anything I've heard. I'm also glad MMR decided to be bold with the DD tuning and let it do what it does best

The midrange is quite simply put the best BA midrange I've ever come across. It is thick, textured and relatively neutral in quantity. The bass and treble both have a lift, pushing the Thumimm towards a gentle V or rather, U shape, but as far as raw mids are concerned, I don't think I've heard much better except for those of the VE Elysium. The Elysium has flat bass, elevated mids and rather flat highs, which give it the midrange much more attention than what it gets in the Thumimm

Joseph over at MMR has been able to create a monitor with not only my favourite bass, but also what might just be the best treble I’ve heard to date. It balances sparkle and speed really well, making both EDM and live performances/rock/metal extremely pleasant to listen to

The good news don’t end with the tonality however, as the Thumimm is very technical. The staging is nothing short of incredible, being both wide and holographic. The only other IEMs that have been able to impress me as much are the 64 Fourte and A18S. It is also very detailed, with excellent separation - the A18S still retrieves a bit more detail than the Thumimm, but let’s face it, the A18S is in a league of its own where detail is concerned

Full review with packaging, cable and all the cool tech in the Thumimm coming soon!

Thanks for this...very interesting - fascinating, almost, considering the price of these things!
Any chance you've also heard their more attainable uni's, the Homunculus? I believe they share some of the same driver technologies...

Thanks!