[Horacio]

Hello.

Looking for IEMs around u$400, to pair with iFi xDSD.

I currently use Oppo PM3 but need something smaller for travel. Also have ancient Etymotic ER4 and the AKGs that came with my Samsung S8 that I use as travel earphones.

Looking around these are in my short list:
AKG N40
Shure SE535
Westone UM3X
Moondrop Kansas Pro

Are any of these significantly above/below the others? Other better options I should consider?

Thank you!

 

[surfgeorge]

There are a couple of questions that will make it easier to recommend the right IEM, like what kind of signature you like, whether you prefer dynamic drivers or balanced armature characteristics, how important is isolation (since you'll use them for travel I assume that's important...)

Personally I prefer DD, I found them to be more musical, coherent and better value in the price range you are looking at.

To your listed IEMs:
I had the Kanas Pro and it really got me started in IEMs. This review (German) got me interested: http://headflux.de/moondrop-kanas-pro-edition/. I was really impressed but after some weeks with them I started to realize that I perceived 2 issues, one was with timbre which could sound a little off and another one was a lack of speed and energy in the mid bass section. Sub bass was strong but a bit slow. That got me started to look for improvement, ending up with the JVC FD02 and the EX800ST

The AGK N40 had my interest when I saw them for ~€150, down from the MRSP of 400, but then I found this review on headflux: http://headflux.de/akg-n40/ It is rare to read a critical review, and this one made me decide I won't spend the money.

Recommendations:
The Tanjim Oxygen seems to be a very good alternative to the Moondrop Kanas Pro. I listened to it in a store for a short time and it seemed to have similar characteristics (transparent, detailed and smooth sound) but more balanced than the KPE, with more even bass. Check the Oxygen thread, there are direct comparisons.

My personal favorite is the JVC HA-FD02 with a simple mod and a cable upgrade. I have written a lot about them in this thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/jvc-ha-fd01-class-s-solidege.868414/page-13#post-14870966
Short summary:
They are comfortable, play any kind of music well, but they are particularly great for vocals.
I bought them as an upgrade to the chinese Moondrop Kanas Pro, and while those were good enough to get me hooked on IEMs, the FD02 with the mod is just a lot better at almost the same price.
Timbre is very accurate (I am very ciritcal with classic music), bass is weighty and hits hard (although not as fast and textured as the Sony EX800) overall all frequencies are clear, detailed and smooth. Male and female vocals are equally well reproduced, very musical and emotional. Treble is very even without spikes or dips, smooth and extended and and allows listening at high volume.
They are, however only available from Amazon Japan. Easy enough to buy, but returns might be difficult.

If you want more bass and a smooth and detailed mid/treble section, I'd check out the Sony XBA-N3.

 

[Raketen]

May help future commenters if you mention sound preferences or thoughts on what you like and dislike about the ones you already have.

+1 Sony XBA-N3. I've become too much of a schill for this IEM, but only because it's relatively easy to recommend as an all-rounder, unless you are bass averse. If you already have ER4 & appreciate variety, it offers quite different sound.) If you are bass averse or prefer brightness, Jay's q-Jays are a a really well made tiny set of IEMs with a great hard case ideal for travel, but do come with a risk of sibilance (personally can only use them with the foam tips.). In my experience both of these can go pretty well straight from phones with decent audio.


Leftfield recommendation: I like to have a set of classic style earbuds for travel, in addition to an IEM. They can offer an open style of sound compared to IEMs, nice for listening in hotel rooms or quiet places. They also tend to be relatively affordable & make a good backup. Check out the Earbuds Round-Up thread.

 

[Horacio]

Thanks for the insights!

I don't know enough to tell between dynamic driver and balanced armature. I don't know if I've heard them.

What I don't ike about the Etymotic is their thin midbass/bass. I've had them for about 15 years and back them there weren't a lot of options and these were good at the time.
The Oppo I like their sound, but are too large for business travel (where only carry-on luggage makes space become premium).

Indeed, isolation is important. I listen to a lot of rock, blues, jazz. Definitely not bass averse, maybe on the contrary - to the extent it's not being exaggerated vs what's in the recording.
Comfort is important as I'll use them 3 to 5 hours in a row.
Reliability is very important. I live in Argentina and while buying from overseas can be done, dealing with warranty and/or repairs is a PITA.

You gave me good new models to look into. Will do and follow up.

 

[Horacio]

Did further reading.

The Sony EC800ST is meant for studio monitoring and hence isolation is poor. So I have to discard despite the very good reviews and outstanding soundstage.

The Sony XBA-N3 seems a good candidate. Also the JVC HA-FD2, although I wonder is I can get the microphone 3M tape around here. Which Nobunaga cable did you buy? Likewise, wondering if I can buy these if I don't go to Japan.

 

[surfgeorge]

Did further reading.

The Sony EC800ST is meant for studio monitoring and hence isolation is poor. So I have to discard despite the very good reviews and outstanding soundstage.

The Sony XBA-N3 seems a good candidate. Also the JVC HA-FD2, although I wonder is I can get the microphone 3M tape around here. Which Nobunaga cable did you buy? Likewise, wondering if I can buy these if I don't go to Japan.

Yes, the EX800ST is useless for travel due to the lack of isolation.

Amazon Japan ships the FD02 worldwide (or at least to EU) including handling importation. But you need to open an account on the JP site. 3M Micropore tape is available for €3 on Amazon as well.
I bought the Nobunaga Yuuzen (3,5mm SE)

 

[serman005]

IT04.

 

[Horacio]

My personal favorite is the JVC HA-FD02 with a simple mod and a cable upgrade. I have written a lot about them in this thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/jvc-ha-fd01-class-s-solidege.868414/page-13#post-14870966
Short summary:
They are comfortable, play any kind of music well, but they are particularly great for vocals.
I bought them as an upgrade to the chinese Moondrop Kanas Pro, and while those were good enough to get me hooked on IEMs, the FD02 with the mod is just a lot better at almost the same price.
Timbre is very accurate (I am very ciritcal with classic music), bass is weighty and hits hard (although not as fast and textured as the Sony EX800) overall all frequencies are clear, detailed and smooth. Male and female vocals are equally well reproduced, very musical and emotional. Treble is very even without spikes or dips, smooth and extended and and allows listening at high volume.
They are, however only available from Amazon Japan. Easy enough to buy, but returns might be difficult.

If you want more bass and a smooth and detailed mid/treble section, I'd check out the Sony XBA-N3.

Surfgeorge,

Looking at the frequency response for the unmodded/molded JVC from post 188 in the thread you pointed to, I'm wondering about the heightened midrange region. You say these are especially good for vocals and that would seem to fit with that frequency response.
But then I am familiar with loudspeakers responses in rooms rather that IEMs. For IEMs, is the target curve similar to loudspeakers in a room? If so these JVC look like they might sound thin. But you are saying otherwise so wanted to circle back.

Would these be good for rock, blues, jazz? Looking for tuneful, textured bass. Not heightened one-note bass, not bloated. But not thin either.

 

[surfgeorge]

@Horacio , the target frequency response for IEMs is very different from speaker systems in a room, since the ear has a quite strong influence on the frequency that actually reaches the tympanum and the IEM bypasses some of the ear, particularly the outer ear, the pinna. There are different target curves, with the Harman and Diffuse Field targets being used most often.
The Harman curve is based on research about preferences though, rather than a scientific approach trying to achieve a flat "perceived" response. As such the target is being "updated" regularly.

Harman target 2017-18
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw03hYwar4yqv728FWxGH7zq&ust=1557917422836664

Crinacle's measurement of the FD02:
(If you compare, my measurements are off below 500Hz, above 500 they are quite close)


The FD02 is bright in stock form, sounding very clear. Not bright like sibilance or piercing treble, but bright like lots of high mids/low treble energy.
The mod tames that, and turns a bright/cool signature into a moderately warm one which can be adjusted to taste. The clarity and detail remain to a good extent.

They are not thin at all, but also don't make the voices sound thick, rather a little intimate and emotional.
The bass is more present than in most speaker systems, and is a little north of neutral. It is far from a bass head IEM but it has a lot more weight and authority than my stereo system for sure. Not bloated, boomy of flabby, rather tight and tasty. A kickdrum kicks, a bass string has thickness.

I hope you get a feeling for what I am describing. It's not lean, but it is capable of showing low frequencies that are more of a background noise on my stereo.
And the bass never bleeds into the upper frequencies.
"Jazz Variants" form O-Zone Percussion Group is great for example....

 

[Horacio]

Quick update, and more questions

I purchased the FD02. Will take about 3 weeks to get. The Nobunaga cable will be a next step. Any comparable cable available in the US?

Amp? I had iFi nano iDSD and sold it thinking on iFi xDSD. Good choice? I like the practicality of bluetooth freeing the dac/amp from the wired phone. But how about sound quality? Better to go with iFi nano iDSD BL or Chord?

 

[surfgeorge]

Quick update, and more questions

I purchased the FD02. Will take about 3 weeks to get. The Nobunaga cable will be a next step. Any comparable cable available in the US?

Amp? I had iFi nano iDSD and sold it thinking on iFi xDSD. Good choice? I like the practicality of bluetooth freeing the dac/amp from the wired phone. But how about sound quality? Better to go with iFi nano iDSD BL or Chord?

I hope you'll like the FD02 as much as I do.
Regarding the Nobunaga cable - soundwise it's excellent, but it's a bit disappointing that the copper seems to be oxydizing under the insulation where it gets exposed to moisture.
I will build a pure silver cable soon and give it a listen.

For the DAC/Amp I am using the Mojo and this is an investment I never regretted. You can read plenty on the Mojo thread or check out the Youtube reviews, I found the one from Currawong and Hans Beekhuizen very good. Comapared to my Sony ZX2 the Mojo is simply a lot more musical.
PM me if you have any questions about the FD02 mod.

 

[Horacio]

Great to know about the cable!!

Yes, the Mojo is very tempting. My issue is the Poly seems too expensive to enable wireless operation from the phone, which would be practical.

How do you use the Mojo? Wired to a phone? How do you do that, carry it? How practical do you find it for walking around airports, for example, where you need to access the phone (boarding pass, etc) while also listening, or even walking with the Mojo and phone in a pocket?
This is why detaching the dac from the phone looks appealing to me.

Thank you!

 

[surfgeorge]

Great to know about the cable!!

Yes, the Mojo is very tempting. My issue is the Poly seems too expensive to enable wireless operation from the phone, which would be practical.

How do you use the Mojo? Wired to a phone? How do you do that, carry it? How practical do you find it for walking around airports, for example, where you need to access the phone (boarding pass, etc) while also listening, or even walking with the Mojo and phone in a pocket?
This is why detaching the dac from the phone looks appealing to me.

Thank you!

I use the Mojo stacked with a HiBy R3 for offline use (256GB micro SD card) with a 3D printed 2-part housing and transport box for protection.
Theoretically the R3 also supports Tidal, but that is not ideal, because the Mojo picks up interference from the R3's Wifi when stacked and the R3's Tidal interface is so basic that it's only good for playing a playlist or album. If I really use the R3 for Tidal, I split the stack and put Mojo and R3 next to each other.
So for Tidal I mostly connect the Mojo to the phone or iPad via a Meenova cable.

I don't often use the stack while walking, and when I do, I keep the stack in a jacket pocket.
But for the longest time I wanted to design a variant of my transport box that supports a belt clip.
You can also control the R3 from your phone via the HiBy App, so you could theoretically have it on the belt and navigate with the phone.
Need to find time to do that, but it's another big design challenge.

Pcitures of my solution:

 

[Horacio]

Very cool. Maybe I can devise something similar, but with Mojo and phone, without the orange box? Those are 90 degree USB connectors between Mojo and HiBy? Did you make that cable yourself?

 

[surfgeorge]

Very cool. Maybe I can devise something similar, but with Mojo and phone, without the orange box? Those are 90 degree USB connectors between Mojo and HiBy? Did you make that cable yourself?

For Mojo/phone combo I bought a solution from MITER at e-earphones in Tokio. It was labeled for iPhone 7 but also fits my iPhone 6.
Simple fake leather case for Mojo, plastic sleeve for phone and 2 magnets to lightly fix them. Cost me like $10-15.

For the cable I know and have 3 from USB-C Mojo.
Shanling and Fiio sell cables to micro-USB (which bypass the HiBy volume control)
HiBy sells a cable to 3,5mm coax, mechanically the best solution, sounds a bit smoother and volume control on R3 remains active.