Going fully Wireless IEMs. Too soon? Or are we there yet?

[BigZ12]

Why switch then if the stock tips sound good?

Two reasons:
I often "save them" for when I sell the TWS seconhand. (easier to sell when the ad says that the original tips are unused)
As I wrote before, the size difference between M and L are too big. I would like some M+...(have to use M in left ear, and L in right.. don't like that either)

 

[maegnificant]

Two reasons:
I often "save them" for when I sell the TWS seconhand. (easier to sell when the ad says that the original tips are unused)
As I wrote before, the size difference between M and L are too big. I would like som M+...(have to use M in left ear, and L in right.. don't like that either)

I see. Maybe try out Liquid Silicone or Eletech Baroque tips. I also use Divinus Velvet on my TWS.

 

[BigZ12]

I see. Maybe try out Liquid Silicone or Eletech Baroque tips. I also use Divinus Velvet on my TWS.

All of the ones you're mentioning seems like they're open without any internal filter.
The original tips have a unusually dense filter, and I think that is why they don't sound sibiliant compared to open tips...
The "strangest" original tips both in nozzle width and filter density I have seen...

 

[maegnificant]

All of the ones you're mentioning seems like they're open without any internal filter.
The original tips have a unusually dense filter, and I think that is why they don't sound sibiliant compared to open tips...
The "strangest" original tips both in nozzle width and filter density I have seen...

Maybe try Sennheisers tips?

 

[Tommy C]

All of the ones you're mentioning seems like they're open without any internal filter.
The original tips have a unusually dense filter, and I think that is why they don't sound sibiliant compared to open tips...
The "strangest" original tips both in nozzle width and filter density I have seen...

While I haven’t tried the Pi8 I know exactly what you mean. I had a pair of IEMs that had the same behaviour.
No filters was no bueno.
The Sony Hybrid tips have a dense filters and funny enough the XM5 with regular tips while they don’t sound harsh they are definitely too hot for me playing certain songs and ANC takes a big hit.

 

[Thesonofkrypton]

Got the Bowers Pi8 yesterday and after a night with them I'm very happy with the sound.

I wouldn't say they are leap and bounds above the market leaders in my opinion, which can be had for about £200-220 at the moment, definitely not £130-150 better.

Not the best out the box experience especially with right ear bud not working and constant beeping after getting them but both resolved with a factory reset.

I have the Sony Wf-1000xm5 and Nothing Ear 2024 and I have to say the Nothing is such a great deal, as it's closer to the Bowers sound wise than the Sonys. Nothing uses a 11mm Ceramic Driver I believe, Bowers a 12mm and the Sony is 8.4mm. It's the sound personalisation on the Nothings that make it so good.

Back to the Bowers, some takeaways:

- Smaller than they appear in photos.
- More comfortable than expected. Not as comfortable in the ear as the Sony (as they're smaller) but pretty good. Nothing Ear is more comfortable though.
- Case is nice, bigger than Sonys but that Hinge is top shelf, very satisfying to open and close.
- Wish it came in more colours, chose black but would have opted for a dark green or grey/charcoal if they had it.
- ANC is good but not great. Doesn't touch the Sonys. Is probably on par with the Nothings.
- Overall sound quality is amazing after spending 24 hours adjusting to them. Probably the best you're going to get sound wise on bluetooth.
- Transmission via the case gives the sound a nice boost, everything feels grander, very very nice. Big fan of this.
- Bass is better than Sony imo, cleaner, tighter.
- I like the warmth of the Sony, you get slightly less with the Bowers but more clarity on the top end.

Overall I think the Bowers succeeds in pushing the envelope in sound quality even though it's just half a notch, their tuning is great on these, should please a lot of the demographic out there. I still believe that sound for pound you're better off with something like the Sonys or Nothing but if you want the absolute best and willing to pay, then the Pi8 is it.

 

[MonochromeFashionLawyer]

Two reasons:
I often "save them" for when I sell the TWS seconhand. (easier to sell when the ad says that the original tips are unused)
As I wrote before, the size difference between M and L are too big. I would like som M+...(have to use M in left ear, and L in right.. don't like that either)

It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who avoids using stock tips for the day I resell the set. I prefer to tip roll anyways. Now if it’s possible I can order some extra OG tips, then I’d definitely use them for tip rolling.

 

[Ghisy]

The AZ60 were nice and the M2 were just a bit more feature rich, so at a good price would be good. Signature was a bit on the warm side.

Thanks, I almost ordered them but found out battery life is barely 5 hours using LDAC. Kind of a bummer.

 

[BigZ12]

While I haven’t tried the Pi8 I know exactly what you mean. I had a pair of IEMs that had the same behaviour.
No filters was no bueno.
The Sony Hybrid tips have a dense filters and funny enough the XM5 with regular tips while they don’t sound harsh they are definitely too hot for me playing certain songs and ANC takes a big hit.

Thanks.
Could you link me up to some Sony tips with the dense filter? I only find some EX11, and I don't see any internal filter?

 

[erockg]

But they are quite sibilant with "open" tips?? Is it only me that think so??
Really unpleasant with all my tips, like Spinfit CP350, JVC Spiral dot, Final E-type etc..

The only tips that sound good are the original ones and some old Comply Foam Smartcore I found...

I’m not having that issue. I love the way they sound and do not feel that any of the tips. I’ve tried have increased or limited any sibilance. But I’m older so maybe I’ve lost that frequency in my hearing.

 

[BigZ12]

I’m not having that issue. I love the way they sound and do not feel that any of the tips. I’ve tried have increased or limited any sibilance. But I’m older so maybe I’ve lost that frequency in my hearing.

I'm blessed with great hearing at an age of 55... And there's no doubt, what so ever, that an open tip make them sound noticable sibilant compared to the original ones.

But now I will stop talking about it. Maybe I can report back if I find some other tips with a quite dense internal filter.

(Of course still open to alternatives if you guys have something to recommend)

 

[Tommy C]

Thanks.
Could you link me up to some Sony tips with the dense filter? I only find some EX11, and I don't see any internal filter?

The original Sony foam tips are pretty difficult to come by.
I was searching for alternatives and when I got the XM5 and found these.
They are designed to fit the XM5. Not sure if they fit the Pi8 though.

 

[BigZ12]

The original Sony foam tips are pretty difficult to come by.
I was searching for alternatives and when I got the XM5 and found these.
They are designed to fit the XM5. Not sure if they fit the Pi8 though.

The Pi8 have a quite small and narrow nozzle, so I don't know either.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[dweaver]

Thanks.
Could you link me up to some Sony tips with the dense filter? I only find some EX11, and I don't see any internal filter?

If you need a tip with a filter the Technics tips have that and I believe you can order those tips from Panasonic.
https://panasonic.encompass.com/item/12794312/Panasonic/PNZSDAZ60K/

 

[erockg]

I'm blessed with great hearing at an age of 55... And there's no doubt, what so ever, that an open tip make them sound noticable sibilant compared to the original ones.

But now I will stop talking about it. Maybe I can report back if I find some other tips with a quite dense internal filter.

(Of course still open to alternatives if you guys have something to recommend)

You are a relic compared to me. I’m only 52 . Kidding of course. That said, I’ve listened to way too much heavy stuff that way too loud of a volume. I’m using mine right now with the spinfits and I just love them. They are my go to tws right now. Seem to have found a nice EQ and fit over here.