[monsieurfromag3]

Hello friends, I again, after searching a lot and seeing that an IMR RAH came out at a price similar to that of the Dark Matter, I have made the decision to go for the Avalon or Dark Matter.

I do not know if someone, please, in what is known, could describe to me the sound of each one (I know that there is almost no information and that until not testing you can not know anything) and to your understanding which of these 2 would serve me better for genres Metal and Rock friends.

PD: For people who listen to these genres, what combination of filters do friends use?

Greetings

I’d say it depends on what subgenres and types of recordings you’re into. If you like stadium or festival atmospheres, and/or your music is fast and technical, the Avalon seems like the better bet, as everything points to a supreme soundstage and very articulate presentation.

However what IMR has taught me above any other brand is the importance of bass to confer rock and metal their physicality. In the dedicated metal thread here on Head-fi a lot of the talk revolves around multi-BA Chinese iems. Quick and precise I’m sure, but I’d rather be charged by an IMR-powered drum kit with its crazy low-end slam.

As for me the Avalon was lost once Bob described its bass as “a touch faster and cleaner” I want the decay and the grit, and the “ultimate attack” Bob attributes to the Dark Matter. The vast majority of the things I listen to were recorded in a studio, most of the remainder in a live but intimate setting, so a “star field of sound”, again quoting Bob’s words on the Avalon, wouldn’t even reflect the truth of my music.

So, i had already been witness of Bob’s impressive customer service, once, the mail lost my halcyon and edp’s and he sent me a brand new pair of each, no questions asked, no nothing.

My ozar started to make something really funny, the left earphone was sounding off, sort of like if the bass was fading, suddenly had it sounding less prominent, talked to bob about it, next thing i know i got a expedited shipping number in my mail, i was impressed how the man was so attentive (as always) i ended up ordering a pair of elans, dude threw a little bonus along which i was like … MAN… why are you so god damn nice!!!?

Anyways… just a kind reminder that this dude is the real deal, super stoked about Dark Matter, after using the elan for a couple of hours, i was so impressed, its funny, it feels like an internal room with the DD sounding overly supportive, the mids feel vivid, its a weird experience, i never had experienced BC drivers before so its a bit strange.

Bob is a myth by now, an angel for IMR customers, yet still casting that boogeyman shadow from the Trinity era - thankfully more faded with each passing season and the testimonials accumulating in this thread.
So you got the Ozar and Elan, and you chose the Dark Matter over the Avalon? Is the Elan much better than the Ozar?

 

[AlexCBSN]

I’d say it depends on what subgenres and types of recordings you’re into. If you like stadium or festival atmospheres, and/or your music is fast and technical, the Avalon seems like the better bet, as everything points to a supreme soundstage and very articulate presentation.

However what IMR has taught me above any other brand is the importance of bass to confer rock and metal their physicality. In the dedicated metal thread here on Head-fi a lot of the talk revolves around multi-BA Chinese iems. Quick and precise I’m sure, but I’d rather be charged by an IMR-powered drum kit with its crazy low-end slam.

As for me the Avalon was lost once Bob described its bass as “a touch faster and cleaner” I want the decay and the grit, and the “ultimate attack” Bob attributes to the Dark Matter. The vast majority of the things I listen to were recorded in a studio, most of the remainder in a live but intimate setting, so a “star field of sound”, again quoting Bob’s words on the Avalon, wouldn’t even reflect the truth of my music.


Bob is a myth by now, an angel for IMR customers, yet still casting that boogeyman shadow from the Trinity era - thankfully more faded with each passing season and the testimonials accumulating in this thread.
So you got the Ozar and Elan, and you chose the Dark Matter over the Avalon? Is the Elan much better than the Ozar?

I went with dark matter though after testing the Ellan, I will purchase Avalon without hesitation, double bc makes sense for the mids, in a way that they sound even better… wait for it … waaaaaaaiiiiiiiiit fooooooor iiiiiit… they sound way better than my… oh man (gulp…) (sweat in my forehead) this statement is quite hard to say…

Ellan mids sound way better than my pb1 and edp… and believe me, edp it’s my mids porn headphone, it goes a long way, imo not even edp+ could reach it, heck, using ellan I’m still catching details in albums I’ve been hearing for over 20 years, yesterday I listened Metallica’s black album and I was like “ehm… that’s new…” it’s just the way it translates into your head and the bass and some parts of the treble in the back, its like a surround system though bass its in the sideways instead of the middle of the scene, so I was like “I don’t want a V shaped sound” but now it makes total sense, the mids in the center, galloping bass in the sides and the electros just placing the details with outstanding precision

 

[weexisttocease]

Hello friends, I again, after searching a lot and seeing that an IMR RAH came out at a price similar to that of the Dark Matter, I have made the decision to go for the Avalon or Dark Matter.

I do not know if someone, please, in what is known, could describe to me the sound of each one (I know that there is almost no information and that until not testing you can not know anything) and to your understanding which of these 2 would serve me better for genres Metal and Rock friends.

PD: For people who listen to these genres, what combination of filters do friends use?

Greetings

Bob said both will work exceptionally well with prog/rock/metal/instrumental.

 

[bunchi99]

WHAT? Man, I thought I was done. I so wanted to be done.....

May I ask if anyone has any info about the custom? I so so want IMR CIEM, already placed order for the Avalon, just wonder if the ciem would be new models, or current models which can be made into CIEM? I am ready to get my ear impression immediately if so... Many thanks in advanced.

 

[Poganin]

May I ask if anyone has any info about the custom? I so so want IMR CIEM, already placed order for the Avalon, just wonder if the ciem would be new models, or current models which can be made into CIEM? I am ready to get my ear impression immediately if so... Many thanks in advanced.

I suggest you write IMR directly as they will be able to answer all your questions much better than any of us here.

 

[Skullar]

May I ask if anyone has any info about the custom? I so so want IMR CIEM, already placed order for the Avalon, just wonder if the ciem would be new models, or current models which can be made into CIEM? I am ready to get my ear impression immediately if so... Many thanks in advanced.

I somehow doubt its going to happen within the next 6 months. So you just go buy some cables or a dap in the meantime to keep you busy

 

[JosiahAnduril]

Just thought I'd ask if anyone has any observations or reviews of the Ozars yet. Thanks!

 

[AlexCBSN]

Just thought I'd ask if anyone has any observations or reviews of the Ozars yet. Thanks!

Pretty fantastic, soundstage is really tall but not as wide as other imr iterations, mids are sublime, bass needs a bit of time to fully come out, though ootb they sound pretty good, what i love its the decay speed, its way more natural than other imr’s for example, my 500+ hours zenith has a massive bass quantity though its decay its rather fast and a bit hollow, its not something bad, but there’s some tracks that need a bit of a more natural decay, specially in 70’s and 80’s rock, with ozar decay is a bit more natural.

Treble extension is really good, although i have to say that treble is not my cup of tea, maybe for some is a wee lacking, though i haven’t heard any bad comments

 

[armyman_kr]

Pretty fantastic, soundstage is really tall but not as wide as other imr iterations, mids are sublime, bass needs a bit of time to fully come out, though ootb they sound pretty good, what i love its the decay speed, its way more natural than other imr’s for example, my 500+ hours zenith has a massive bass quantity though its decay its rather fast and a bit hollow, its not something bad, but there’s some tracks that need a bit of a more natural decay, specially in 70’s and 80’s rock, with ozar decay is a bit more natural.

Treble extension is really good, although i have to say that treble is not my cup of tea, maybe for some is a wee lacking, though i haven’t heard any bad comments

I am currently at around 400hr mark with the Ozar and agree with the assessment from @AlexCBSN. Compared to the Aten (not R2 but the later version), the highs and mids sound noticeably more polished and present. The only downside I have is the rather weak bass, especially when compared to the Aten. Even with the black nozzle, there isn't much weight and doesn't seem to extend low as much. Thankfully, the Ozar responds well to EQ'ing and I am able to bring up the low ends to where I like. Still have my fingers crossed that the low end would come out more past the 500hr mark.

 

[AlexCBSN]

I am currently at around 400hr mark with the Ozar and agree with the assessment from @AlexCBSN. Compared to the Aten (not R2 but the later version), the highs and mids sound noticeably more polished and present. The only downside I have is the rather weak bass, especially when compared to the Aten. Even with the black nozzle, there isn't much weight and doesn't seem to extend low as much. Thankfully, the Ozar responds well to EQ'ing and I am able to bring up the low ends to where I like. Still have my fingers crossed that the low end would come out more past the 500hr mark.

Totally agree aten5 has the upper hsnd in bass and soundstage. An addictivd iem indeed

 

[weexisttocease]

Preparing my brain for Dark Matter.

 

[AlexCBSN]

Sometimes i forget how fun this hobby is, so many people trying new stuff, im about to purchase (hopefully) Avalon and fiio fd7 (still wondering about that new drop jvc woody though) but right now im listening to my zeniths, funny how the new dunu falcon advocates for people to try different damping materials for it, my first approach with this forum was about modding some grado headphones I had, then I kept going down the rabbit hole, I read people using custom filters with the r1 and a couple more with the zenith

It's fun sometimes to try new stuff with our gear, my zenith have a Sony memory foam piece (from the insides of a ex1000 foam filter that im not using) and light stuffed cotton swab. Blue bass filter from my r2 and blue top.

Bass has detail and perfect depth, actually sub bass is amazing, one of the most detailed I own, mids are alive and crunchy with the perfect hint of mellowness and violence, something perfect for my taste, treble is not a mess anymore, but it does sound clear. Soundstage is not a flat pancake anymore and became really expansive, now it is worth it to have open vents

Who knows, maybe I'll try a new material and get something better, the point is to play around

 

[NoaHimesaka]

Got my Astra Ultraque back from repairing - and it's even more amazing! I was using TINHiFi P2 as a substitute, it was technical but not musical enough for my ears. And now my Astras are back, I can enjoy musics at their fullest - bassy, punchy but clean, shining highs and crystal clear vocal with amazing staging! Enjoying at home, school, and everywhere! Wanna buy Avalon but I'm broke

 

[dakchi]

photos of the prototype posted on Facebook

 

[NellieG]