[SeeSax]

So buy the warbler then. Sometimes a 4 * product can be as good as a 5* one in the right system. It's all about synergy rather than $$$.

but either way, looks like you will end up with a pretty bad ass iem

I don't think my sarcasm came through as intended. Anyway, I would love to buy the Warbler and am hoping they decide to make a universal. No customs for me unfortunately.

 

[Deezel177]

I don't think my sarcasm came through as intended. Anyway, I would love to buy the Warbler and am hoping they decide to make a universal. No customs for me unfortunately.

Warbler told me they're currently working on a universal version and demo unit but progress is, in their own words, "...slow." I'm assuming it's because of their propriety acoustic chamber technology. Fingers crossed though

 

[Virtu Fortuna]

I think Nic's done a great job with this shootout and I must say his approach is very correct and audiophile oriented towards all IEMs that participated.

While giving scores is never easy and there are always many factors and preferences regarding which one is the best, he remarked right off the start that each of these IEMs are great on their own.

Congrats to Warbler to create what it seems like an extraordinary CIEM. I hope they'll catch the demand after the shootout ends lol.

 

[ChrisSC]

I just did the math and you technically have two possible Top 3 orders. According to Nic's post above, the no. 3 is locked and the Top 2 are up in the air. Now, to find the one guy who guessed all 5 correct with 2 in the correct spot... (considering the 2 spots he guessed correctly are the Top 2; otherwise his post holds no merit to the equation)

I'm pretty sure that Nic said that awhile ago before switching up his order, but I could be wrong

 

[dongster]

Correct. Which is why I consider the VE8 almost worth its price tag... Almost...

can you please elaborate a bit?
are you saying the ve8 is not bright but very black background? so its detailed while tonally accurate?

And im guessing "almost worth its price tag" is considering the fact you can get a Zeus-XR with 300 less?

 

[fuhransahis]

Wonder what the next Warbler IEM will be like. I'd say I'll wait but it may be another 6 years

 

[PinkyPowers]

can you please elaborate a bit?
are you saying the ve8 is not bright but very black background? so its detailed while tonally accurate?

And im guessing "almost worth its price tag" is considering the fact you can get a Zeus-XR with 300 less?

Tonal accuracy is indeed VE8's specialty. It doesn't do anything to wow you, not in treble, bass, or mids, but it achieves one hell of a natural sound. It is profoundly realistic, to the point I was a little bored by it.

But if tonal accuracy is your top priority, this is a prime option.

And yes, it does have a good blackness to its background. And while the details and resolution are there, they are not presented in a way meant to impress you. Again, very natural and realistic. Not hyper realism.

 

[Overkill Red]

Had the chance to try a friend's Prelude (our ears are very similar) awhile ago, comparing it to many CIEMs and UIEMs, and I can see why it takes #4. Wanted to write something up in case anyone was really doubting like I was before.

Firstly, I feel that it's midrange tone is unmatched in its price range and it even gives the flagships a run for their money depending on your tone preferences. A truly beautiful sound that really clings to you after a few listens, especially going back and forth between the Prelude and something like a Zeus or Samba. Clarity may not seem high due to the warm tone, but I haven't heard an iem at this price that evenly articulates every note within the midrange (no emphasis on one range over the other), which does indeed lead to great transparency and a highly natural sound.

Have to agree with Nic that the treble is nicely tuned. It reminds me of a smoky music bar in a way, very warm and comfortable but not the clearest at times. People who don't listen to genres which require very sparkly treble will enjoy it I think.

The Prelude's weakness overall, however, is extension at the bass and treble regions. The bass, as Nic has noted, really doesn't extend very far and it failed a few bass tests that the higher end IEMs had no issues with (midbass for a single driver iem still kinda banging though, great job Warbler). Treble didn't suffer from this as badly but the rolloff is there. I think it's a consequence of having just a single driver. (On a side note, the soundstage size also suffers from the single driver design I believe..)

All this though, combined with easily above average technicalities (coherence, imaging, etc.) and a pretty good soundstage, leads me to think that as an overall package the Prelude is the king of the under $1900USD category (IMHO, YMMV, 2c of salt...). It could even take sales over more expensive IEMs just with its tonality. Its really that unique.

Take these impressions as you will, but I just felt like I owed it to Warbler to write this, seeing as I was filled with so much doubt over the past few weeks Really awesome job with the Prelude.

 

[subguy812]

Tonal accuracy is indeed VE8's specialty. It doesn't do anything to wow you, not in treble, bass, or mids, but it achieves one hell of a natural sound. It is profoundly realistic, to the point I was a little bored by it.

But if tonal accuracy is your top priority, this is a prime option.

And yes, it does have a good blackness to its background. And while the details and resolution are there, they are not presented in a way meant to impress you. Again, very natural and realistic. Not hyper realism.

I agree...a good all arounder. Jack of all trades master of tonal accuracy.

 

[Deezel177]

I'm pretty sure that Nic said that awhile ago before switching up his order, but I could be wrong

Fair point

can you please elaborate a bit?
are you saying the ve8 is not bright but very black background? so its detailed while tonally accurate?

And im guessing "almost worth its price tag" is considering the fact you can get a Zeus-XR with 300 less?

Yes, I told a fellow Head-Fi'er via PM that what makes the VE8 special is its tonal accuracy and warmth, and the method with which it achieves its TOTL resolution; darkening the background so micro-details come through effortlessly despite their inherent warmth. @PinkyPowers explained it perfectly. The "price tag" thing was honestly more of a joke than anything, but it's honestly a very difficult price to swallow for an 8-driver. Granted, it is more than likely the best 8-driver IEM I've ever heard, but still, it's steep as heck. I also wouldn't buy an XR over the VE8, nor would I do the opposite; they are two very different IEMs doing different things especially well.

 

[knopi]

Great review @flinkenick
Also, because of its forgiving nature, I was able to revisit some of my favorite albums that sound harsh on the Zeus. As my friend puts it; "It's one of the easy-go-to iems. It's not the best in any category, but you might reach for it the most. It's very direct, smooth, natural and forward."

This remind me a little of describe Audeze LCD in some ways, LCD is not the best in term of technicality but in term of listening, natural tones/tonality (with still great accuracy, clean, atmosphere, dynamic) and many people will like it prefer it grab it over better headphone. Definitely I would like to get demo of Prelude if it will be chance in future.

 

[FastAndClean]

the next Prelude model will be with one driver again but open one similar to Tia driver, that way they will remove treble extension issue, you hear that from me first, hey i just gave them excellent idea

 

[Wyville]

I don't think my sarcasm came through as intended.

I got it!

Anyway, I would love to buy the Warbler and am hoping they decide to make a universal. No customs for me unfortunately.

I'm in the same boat, no more customs for me. I dare say that now my left ear has recovered I can wear CIEMs for brief periods, but I notice that even with double flange tips I have to get them in right or it can cause trouble. So now I have a list of TOTL "dream IEMs" that all have universal options available (U12, Maestro V2, UE18+ Pro, H8.2) and two that will come at some point in the future (Warbler, Harmony FIBAE). Quite a list of options, but at least I have the time to think about it.

 

[dongster]

hi Deezel177, PinkyPowers,

thanks for the feedback

Whats the advantage of having more drivers in the same frequency band?

I've seen explanation like allows less movement per driver thus less distortion.
But out of all these CIEMs that boast a high driver count,
A18, Tia, Zeus, VE8, Jomo Samba, UM Maestro, SE5, AAW W900,
I only found the AAW published THD on official website.
Which is a notable omission, considering how much this industry by its very nature likes to put impressive things in its marketing.

I've also seen explanation as allowing more freedom to design, but its the same frequency band, all of the 1-8 drivers in that same frequency range are acting the same. Cant imagine/find how it enables freedom.

 

[seamon]

This remind me a little of describe Audeze LCD in some ways, LCD is not the best in term of technicality but in term of listening, natural tones/tonality (with still great accuracy, clean, atmosphere, dynamic) and many people will like it prefer it grab it over better headphone. Definitely I would like to get demo of Prelude if it will be chance in future.

Imo the newer LCDs are very proficient technically. Bass extends better than HD800 and soundstage and micro detail wise, they are no slouch either.