[ranfan]

There have been times whilst at work (where I do most of my listening)where I do envy the earbuds only crowd. Just pop them in and start listening to music. For me that wouldn't work as I need the isolation to block out the crap going on around me so I can actually concentrate on what I'm meant to be doing, plus I could never get earbuds to stay in anyway.

I guess your audiologist is right Have you tried looping it over-ear like usual IEM? My earbuds stay in relatively well with either method.

"Everyone's ears are unique, you just happen to have a set of ears that are more unique than most" - David's audiologist.

 

[subguy812]

I must say I am enjoying my XR, especially on the XIV setting, more than I did the Adel version. I am playing with cables and ear tips now to perfect the sound to my liking. I have an Ares II on the way and am looking forward to hearing them.

 

[Jackpot77]

I have to say, I am very interested to find out how the Zeus stacks up against the other top picks in Nick's final 5 now. Had my XRs (CIEM version) in almost all weekend with the demo QP2R unit I have to give back at Canjam and the sound just keeps getting more enjoyable as my brain adjusts to the tuning.

I'm usually a fan of thicker bass like the Vega (and cut my teeth on the old Aurisonics ASG 2.5), but there is something just so clear and still musical about the Zeus I will be fascinated to see how it stacks up against the other TOTL contenders for the crown. Sadly, don't have the money to buy any more high end gear at the moment, but would still love to know what areas the Zeus can be bested in.

 

[ranfan]

I have to say, I am very interested to find out how the Zeus stacks up against the other top picks in Nick's final 5 now. Had my XRs (CIEM version) in almost all weekend with the demo QP2R unit I have to give back at Canjam and the sound just keeps getting more enjoyable as my brain adjusts to the tuning.

I'm usually a fan of thicker bass like the Vega (and cut my teeth on the old Aurisonics ASG 2.5), but there is something just so clear and still musical about the Zeus I will be fascinated to see how it stacks up against the other TOTL contenders for the crown. Sadly, don't have the money to buy any more high end gear at the moment, but would still love to know what areas the Zeus can be bested in.

One comparison in this shootout made so far (AFAIK) for the Zeus, and that was against UE18+ Pro:

Spoiler

Empire Ears Zeus-XIV ($2099)
Zeus and the UE18+ Pro don’t have too much in common, while not being completely different either. You could say they find each other in a midcentric signature, but that wouldn’t quite capture how truly different they are. Zeus for instance has a larger, more 3D stage, while it’s more neutral in tone. The UE18+ Pro in turn is significantly warmer, and sounds more natural. But more than anything, this is the battle of the vocal specialists.

Zeus impresses with the quality of its stage. Its width is roughly similar to the UE18+ Pro, but it adds a good deal more depth. Importantly, its layering is more precise, as is its imaging. As a result, the image feels more organized, resulting in better separation, as well as a larger degree of three-dimensionality.

Their bass again is quite different. The UE18+ Pro’s relies more on audiophile qualities such as better low-end extension, and a more natural tone. In addition, its speed is slightly quicker. Zeus however delivers slightly more impact in its hits, partially due to a slightly greater quantity, while its relatively lifted treble provides more clarity in its hits.

But its in the midrange where the true battle is fought, with two of the most impressive midranges facing off. The UE18+ Pro’s midrange is smooth and warm. Its tone is exceedingly natural, an iem built for instruments, as well as vocals. Its vocals are elegant, subtle, and incredibly realistic. Zeus can’t play the UE18+ Pro’s game, but it can beat it on different terrain. For starters, Zeus’ bests the UE18+ Pro in midrange transparency. But more importantly, it impresses with a more denser, solidified vocal – raw vocal power. You listen to Bruce Springsteen with the UE18+ Pro; for Bocelli, you go with Zeus.

Zeus treble is close to neutral, both in terms of tone and quantity. It isn’t particularly bright, but it isn’t warm either. The UE18+ Pro’s treble in turn is the mere definition of a warm and natural sounding treble, besting Zeus in both its timbre and smoothness. Zeus’ treble however is slightly more precise in its definition, resulting in a more detailed treble presentation. While both have good top-end extension, the UE18+ Pro’s is slightly greater.
http://theheadphonelist.com/rank-8-ultimate-ears-ue18-pro/3/

 

[proedros]

as curious as i am learning which iem wil be number 1,2,3,4,5 , i am way more curious to see their total scores , how they sound and where they excel/come short (if you can say such a thing for a top-5 totl iem)

seeing that numbers 10-6 are all in the 87 area , the differences are smallish so i am curious how much better no1 or 2 will be , grade-wise

i would have said that 'logic predicts a18-se5-zeus to score top-3' but with Nic anything is a possibility now

 

[Morimoriya 62]

I don't thinking A18 No #1 The main battle between Empire Ears Zeus-XIV and Unique Melody Maestro V2.

 

[eldss]

I have the feeling that the Maestro V2 is next to fall. And also a feeling that Nick is gonna pick the Zeus-XIV, as his #1.

 

[proedros]

page 162 has the 10 people still in the hunt for the prizes (=those that picked either warbler/maestro in their top-5 so they have 4/5 correct guesses)

as i was curious how each remaining iem scores in their charts , so here goes what places they get in the remaining top-5 predictions

Empire Ears Zeus : 5 , 3 , 3 , 1 , 1 , 1 , 2 , 2 , 1 , 1 (10 votes, no votes at no4)
Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate : 2 , 2 , 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 3 , 3 , 2 , 2 ( 10 votes)
1964 Audio A18 Tzar : 4, 1 , 4 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 1 , 3 , 3 (9 votes , no votes at no5)
Unique Melody Maestro V2 : 1 , 5 , 5 , 4 , 5 (5 votes , no votes at no 2,3)
Warbler : 5 , 4 , 1 , 5 , 5 (5 votes , no votes at no 2,3)

if you can decipher which 2 people guessed which 2 iems correctly , let me know

i would say it's probably someone who either guessed the correct place of warbler/maestro , since they are the ones with the fewer votes

i also don't think zeus is no1 , too many people picked it so this seems contrary to the results Nic announced

well , patience



ps : black9white has the exact same predictions as Kerouac , it would be very awesome if both have guessed 2/5 exact places (which is what Nic said the winners did)

 

[proedros]

here are the 10 people still in the race for the prizes

@ranfan

unique melody maestro v2
spiral ear 5-way ultimate
noble katana
1964 audio a18 tzar
empire ears zeus-xr adel

@San Man

1. Tsar
2. SE5
3. Zeus
4. W900
5. Warbler

@ChrisSC

1. SE-5
2. AAW900
3. EE Zeus
4. 1964 A18 Tzar
5. Maestro v2

@PsiCore

1. Empire Ears Zeus-XR ADEL
2. 1964 Audio A18 Tzar
3. Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate
4. Noble Katana
5. Unique Melody Maestro V2

@Nekrosov

1. Empire Ears Zeus-XR ADEL
2. 1964 Audio A18 Tzar
3. Advanced AcousticWerkes W900
4. Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate
5. Unique Melody Maestro V2

@pfloyd

1. Empire Ears Zeus-XR ADEL
2. 1964 Audio A18 Tzar
3. Advanced AcousticWerkes W900
4. Unique Melody Maestro V2
5. Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate

@rookie2009

tzar
zeus
se5
warbler
samba




@EagleWings

1) Warbler Prelude
2) EE Zeus
3) SE 5 Way
4) UE 18+
5) UM Maestro 2

@Kerouac

• Empire Ears Zeus XR Adel
• Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate
• 1964 Audio A18 Tzar
• Dita Audio the Dream
• Warbler Prelude

@ black9white (same predictions as Kerouac )

• Empire Ears Zeus XR Adel
• Spiral Ear 5-Way Ultimate
• 1964 Audio A18 Tzar
• Dita Audio the Dream
• Warbler Prelude

 

[EagleWings]

Trying the A18 demo at the RMAF Canjam did more damage than good for me. Had I not tried it then, there is a chance I might have included in the top 5 prediction.

I am guessing the unit they brought to the show was not the final production version as it didn't exactly sound top tier. Well played 64Audio..

 

[twister6]

Trying the A18 demo at the RMAF Canjam did more damage than good for me. Had I not tried it then, there is a chance I might have included in the top 5 prediction.

I am guessing the unit they brought to the show was not the final production version as it didn't exactly sound top tier. Well played 64Audio..

Yes, both U18 and TIA Fourte I heard at CanJam NYC sounded different from the final production tuning I'm hearing now.

 

[ranfan]

as curious as i am learning which iem wil be number 1,2,3,4,5 , i am way more curious to see their total scores , how they sound and where they excel/come short (if you can say such a thing for a top-5 totl iem)

seeing that numbers 10-6 are all in the 87 area , the differences are smallish so i am curious how much better no1 or 2 will be , grade-wise

i would have said that 'logic predicts a18-se5-zeus to score top-3' but with Nic anything is a possibility now

This seems fun As I recall, Nic said that the first ranker received an average of ~ 89 points. So there won't be a huge point gap between one another. They're all good in each way.

I don't thinking A18 No #1 The main battle between Empire Ears Zeus-XIV and Unique Melody Maestro V2.

Both top of their class, Zeus with its resolution, and Maestro with its tone. Curious which bass will score higher hehe? I think main battle should be Maestro v Prelude, 12-BA v 1-BA drivers both aiming to create natural sound

 

[Deezel177]

Managed to audition something interesting today, which were U18's with carrot modules (AKA U18's with the APEX modules disabled).

Funnily enough, the C18's (as I'll call them) sounded very much like my custom Zeus-XR. I'm not sure whether they sounded closer to the R or the XIV configuration, but in terms of tonality, frequency response, soundstaging, and imaging, they were very much on par with one another.

The only differences I noticed were a slightly sparklier treble with a longer decay and slightly better micro-detail retrieval on the C18. The carrot module really helped tame the super energetic tia treble and added body to the midrange.

Although, all in all, it made the sound more natural, I felt it diminished the signature tia sound present in both the U18 and the forte, and made it somewhat unappealing for someone who already owns the XR. Though, if you're already looking at the U18, and you wished it had a more bodied and natural sound, carrot modules are truly key.

 

[proedros]

so zeus xr is a18 level ? good to hear , now i am even more anxious to get mine

 

[flinkenick]

Brief impressions EM10

(pic from EarSonics, but design is always black and gold symbols)

So I received the EM10 on Friday. Out of the box, the EM10 sounded very transparent, with nice body in the midrange, but rather cold. So I put the EM10 on to burn for two days, and the higher frequencies settled in revealing the EM10’s intended sound, which is very balanced, and especially beautiful.

The EM10 has a beautiful tone, with an emphasis on excitement and musicality. Yet, it’s very smooth, with some natural elements in its signature. Keywords here are ‘melodic’, or ‘euphonic’. It’s a joyous sound that enhances the upper mids, but doesn’t sound bright by any means. The key to its tuning lies in a lift in its upper mids/and lower treble, but essentially, followed by a dip in the mid treble region. As a result, the treble itself is very smooth. It’s a tuning that is close to the A18 (M20) in tone. In addition the EM10 has nice body in its vocals, resulting from a 1-3 KHz bump. Finally, it’s finished off with a punchy well-defined bass, with a linear relation between sub- and mid-bass. It’s a typical type of bass that we like to see – fun and engaging.

The EM10 has an exciting tuning that makes me want to spend more time with it than I currently have, due to the shootout. It’s signature is extremely pleasing, almost the very definition of musical (at least mine), and its transparency is well above average. If this all sounds too good to be true, it’s because the EM10 comes with a downside of its own – its stage leans towards intimate. It’s roughly the same as the S-EM9 in overall dimensions, but the EM10 follows a similar issue as the Samba and Flamenco. Both the S-EM9 and Samba have a smallish to average stage, but excel in separation because of their optimized relationship between the note thickness and stage dimensions. However, when you add more body to the sound with a similar-sized stage (as with the EM10 and Flamenco), the stage automatically feels smaller, and the separation is not as effortless.

However, this is me being critical as usual. Make no mistake, the EM10 is a truly fantastic-sounding ciem, and without a doubt, EarSonics’ best so far. It’s a melodious yet smooth tuning, that simply just sounds very good. I can see this becoming a personal favorite on short term.

This is what I would say it roughly looks like in a graph :