[twister6]

Jewel owners: how well can Jewel be driven by good dongle DAC like W2 or the RU6 ?

Either one can drive Jewel without a problem, but I prefer pair up synergy of Jewel with W2.

 

[efftee]

Because objectively to me the Annihilator is very similar but tuned better, but it's a "lesser" quality sound in the bass and mids. I think Annihilator has superior treble though.

So I'd say...

Annihilator > Jewel in:

Bass quantity (which is important to me)
Upper mid range/treble smoothness, not by a tuning thing but the way I hear the note edges
Wider stage
Better dynamics

Jewel > Annihilator:

Bass quality
Micro detail
Has a more "3D" image whereas I hear Annihilator to be more spread out in width
Timbre

When I go back and forth my ears are more drawn to the Annihilator sound, but there's something about the way the Jewel presents detail that's very addicting.

ok, but how would converting the Jewel to customs change the grand scheme of things? Unless… you think… you might… sell the Jewel… soon?

 

[aaf evo]

ok, but how would converting the Jewel to customs change the grand scheme of things? Unless… you think… you might… sell the Jewel… soon?

I’m exercising patience with this one, something I don’t really have. Which is another thing actually, Aroma says 1-2 months for a CIEM Jewel. I waited 3 damn months for my CIEM Annihilator, it’s mental torture waiting that long.

 

[efftee]

I’m exercising patience with this one, something I don’t really have. Which is another thing actually, Aroma says 1-2 months for a CIEM Jewel. I waited 3 damn months for my CIEM Annihilator, it’s mental torture waiting that long.

Ah ok, so it's the wait that is the concern. Easy as pie. Order the Custom Jewel. When it arrives, sell your Universal Jewel at $450 off. You'd have paid the same amount to get your universal reshelled to custom, and someone gets to enjoy the Jewel as a discount! Win win.

 

[MatW]

Ah ok, so it's the wait that is the concern. Easy as pie. Order the Custom Jewel. When it arrives, sell your Universal Jewel at $450 off. You'd have paid the same amount to get your universal reshelled to custom, and someone gets to enjoy the Jewel as a discount! Win win.

No, that would be the smart thing to do, but he likes to sell his universal and then wait a long time for the custom. Based on a true story…

 

[aaf evo]

No, that would be the smart thing to do, but he likes to sell his universal and then wait a long time for the custom. Based on a true story…

Hahaha two months to the day from the order to the delivery. Just to sell it the day after.

 

[kevin638880]

XE6 bass to me absolutely destroys what the Phonix is capable of so it was a quick death. They both have a similar ish type presentation but the XE6 really doubles down on the warmth and lower mids. Didn’t make sense to keep the Phonix anymore.

So what changed your mind over Jewel? If I recall you weren’t too impressed either at first with it, or maybe I’m confused?

Luckily bass doesn't matter for me as much. I don't mind having good bass (ala EXT) but I won't miss it either.

It did not impress me as in it didn't win over my personal tuning preference, but I appreciate what it actually is. It is also a different signature from the rest of what I have and it is available in CIEM, and I wanted to add a CIEM, so technically this is the only sensible option (unless I go to the FitEar/Just Ears route).

And my friend is looking for an Odin and I am planning to sell it to him, so the Jewel technically is an upgrade.

 

[aaf evo]

Luckily bass doesn't matter for me as much. I don't mind having good bass (ala EXT) but I won't miss it either.

It did not impress me as in it didn't win over my personal tuning preference, but I appreciate what it actually is. It is also a different signature from the rest of what I have and it is available in CIEM, and I wanted to add a CIEM, so technically this is the only sensible option (unless I go to the FitEar/Just Ears route).

And my friend is looking for an Odin and I am planning to sell it to him, so the Jewel technically is an upgrade.

Gotcha, makes sense. I think it takes a bit of time to get used to the Jewel sound, the 6 EST on paper makes you focus on treble more at first but the magic in that IEM to me is 100% in the mid range.

 

[kevin638880]

Haven't heard Jewel (or annihilator) yet but Elysian X could slot nicely in your collection. It's the one specialist IEM that I am tempted to revisit. Also as Bobby has mentioned, the thicker, warmer and punchier XE6 would also be a unique option. But not a tuning/signature that'll appeal to everyone.

Yeah I've read good things for the X, but it is not available in CIEM, if I recall correctly?

 

[kevin638880]

Gotcha, makes sense. I think it takes a bit of time to get used to the Jewel sound, the 6 EST on paper makes you focus on treble more at first but the magic in that IEM to me is 100% in the mid range.

I remember I really enjoy live performances on the Jewel due to the staging.

Vocals....yeah I gave up trying, I have come to accept that anything not named Erlk/Phonix I will not prefer It is like once in a while I enjoy a change of taste and taking something like the Elysium midrange over dense/heavy (especially early mornings when travelling to work), but there really is no question if I have to pick one for my perference.

So basically I have been using other metrics for my purchasing decisions, mainly looking for different tunings or suitability for different genres of music.

 

[efftee]

Yeah I've read good things for the X, but it is not available in CIEM, if I recall correctly?

Nah, not available in CIEM and soon, not available in any form at all. It will be discontinued when current stocks sell out. If you're able to give the DC Ti a listen, where you're at, you should -- might come to like it more than the Jewel...

 

[aaf evo]

I remember I really enjoy live performances on the Jewel due to the staging.

Vocals....yeah I gave up trying, I have come to accept that anything not named Erlk/Phonix I will not prefer It is like once in a while I enjoy a change of taste and taking something like the Elysium midrange over dense/heavy (especially early mornings when travelling to work), but there really is no question if I have to pick one for my perference.

So basically I have been using other metrics for my purchasing decisions, mainly looking for different tunings or suitability for different genres of music.

The Jewel staging is great, it’s very immersive in its presentation. Doesn’t just focus on being super open/spread out but rather placing you in the middle of your music.

That is the route I have gone with my CIEMs. Except I think I picked the perfect trio because everything else I listen to now overlaps at some point.

I heard the FiR Kr5 and while I enjoyed it the bass didn’t match XE6 and the treble didn’t match the Annihilator I couldn’t really find any reason to add it to my collection.

 

[kevin638880]

The Jewel staging is great, it’s very immersive in its presentation. Doesn’t just focus on being super open/spread out but rather placing you in the middle of your music.

That is the route I have gone with my CIEMs. Except I think I picked the perfect trio because everything else I listen to now overlaps at some point.

I heard the FiR Kr5 and while I enjoyed it the bass didn’t match XE6 and the treble didn’t match the Annihilator I couldn’t really find any reason to add it to my collection.

3 is enough to cover most things I think. Anymore is basically just impulse buying

So what is happening with your M9

Nah, not available in CIEM and soon, not available in any form at all. It will be discontinued when current stocks sell out. If you're able to give the DC Ti a listen, where you're at, you should -- might come to like it more than the Jewel...

Yeah I'll have a go at that too, but then I am hearing horror stories on how awful it sounds without a powerful source (typical reaction from my local community, I suppose). Not sure how different the demo will be to the CM tho, and DC Ti does not have a universal version.

 

[normie610]

The Jewel staging is great, it’s very immersive in its presentation. Doesn’t just focus on being super open/spread out but rather placing you in the middle of your music.

That is the route I have gone with my CIEMs. Except I think I picked the perfect trio because everything else I listen to now overlaps at some point.

I heard the FiR Kr5 and while I enjoyed it the bass didn’t match XE6 and the treble didn’t match the Annihilator I couldn’t really find any reason to add it to my collection.

I just pulled the trigger on XE6 and you’re to blame

 

[arijitroy2]

I just pulled the trigger on XE6 and you’re to blame

I am almost there myself, just deciding this or KR5. I'll wait for the Phonix to come first though and see which way to go!!