warriorpoet
500+ Head-Fier
...and whether you ordered previous models. He gives a very generous loyalty code with new IEM purchases.
IMR R2 Aten Thread
- Thread starter warriorpoet
- Start date
True, if you purchased any earlier IMR products you will get an additional 35% discount.
The Aten with a true Hifi DAC. Genuinely takes the staging to the next level. It's like being in the cinema with this pairing. Pink bass filter and gold tops.
nlowran
100+ Head-Fier
Found my signature, black tips on pink. Be warned it isnt very forgiving on bad sound quality.
bogginhead
Banned - AKA Lee McDonaldUnreturned Tour Gear, Sells Borrowed Gear, Incomplete Trades
Not sure if you guys have forced yourself to sit through HBB's garbage smear video, but my fiance apparently decided to let the blind fanboys there have it in the comment section a night or two ago, lol. Hilarious...and I have a bad-ass woman (thank you, God!!!)
jeffhawke
500+ Head-Fier
This is what I posted on this thread almost 30 pages back: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/imr-r2-aten-thread.910206/page-9#post-15092461 I also posted it in the IMR R1 thread, and I got this exhaustive and appreciable comment by @Currawong (speaking in a personal capacity, not as moderator) a few hours ago. He is obviously (and rightly) piqued also by HB dragging Head-fi into this, but the general point he's making about spreading unsubstantiated BS has unfortunately so much relevance in the real world, especially nowadays.
bestbacon
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Posts
- 57
- Likes
- 96
You're absolutely right these IEM's are much more particular about the source quality vs the Zenith. Still burning in but I've already had to make the jump to Tidal Hifi in order to get music to sound more organic, especially with vocals.
I'm enjoying mine very much and have changed to Red nozzles with Gold filter.
jsmiller58
Headphoneus Supremus
There is no doubt plenty of people were burned by Trinity, including some very high profile head-fiers who despite being burned by Trinity post some very nice things on this thread about IMR products (says something about their character). There is no doubt that Bob was the face of Trinity for much of the campaigns. And there is apparently some connection through family members to Trinity ownership. But it is a far cry from that to accusing Bob of personally being responsible, or for taking Trinity money and using it to start IMR. Those are very comforting accusations to those burned - it gives them a bad guy to focus their hate on - but a far cry from proof.
I was a Patreon of HBB for a while, including the $50/mo contributions while he was doing special draws, and more on top of that for things like the DAP draws.
I have no problem with someone attacking or hyping products all day, any day. But spreading the same unsubstantiated accusations and smearing someone, with the add on that since he has a broad platform that it worked up others into a lather, is too much for me.
I pulled my Patreon support immediately when I watched that video. It’s a free internet, and within some pretty broad boundaries one can say what they want. But I don’t have to support it with my money.
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masterpfa
1000+ Head-Fier
How does one get these discounts?
Guess what I will be watching next, I have never watched it all the way through
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You should have received it via email some time ago. If not just shoot an email or a Facebook message to Bob.
masterpfa
1000+ Head-Fier
I will send him an email in that case
Thanks
warriorpoet
500+ Head-Fier
Good grief, this is so good. Somehow I am simultaneously in the front row and listening to the instruments all around me at the same time.
LG G7
Tidal -> UAPP
ALO Audio Rx
IMR R2 Aten ( pink/ pink ) Dekoni Mercury tips
LG G7
Tidal -> UAPP
ALO Audio Rx
IMR R2 Aten ( pink/ pink ) Dekoni Mercury tips
warriorpoet
500+ Head-Fier
This is likely my last post on this topic, as I've had several days of consistent results, and even changing equipment today (From G7/ Mojo to G7/ ALO Rx) confirmed the same combinations.
After burn-in, and the first time I've EVER noticed significant changes during burn-in, here are my final combinations by preference (Filter/ tip).
1. Pink/ pink- great general use combination, balanced but not "reference," clear, articulate, girthy in the bass, but not overwhelming or over-warm, just a solid general listening combo with wide staging and proper (but not exceptional) detail retrieval. It's the most consistent and coherent of the filter combinations I've tried through my sources.
2. Red/ red- More dynamic, impactful, visceral in the bass and crystalline in the highs. This is about as V-shaped as I get, and it's a great way to listen to modern musical styles. Pop, hip hop and similar beat-driven genres benefit most from this combo, but it can get a little thick in the mid-bass region. Soundstage is HUGE, while detail retrieval takes a back seat to overall presentation.
3. Green/ black- This is a very vocals-forward, "reference" tuning that balances well enough, but the real purpose of this combo is to draw out details, textures and nuances in the music. This is a great combo for live recordings of rock shows, for instance, or to pull that last little bit of detail from a baritone aria. While some might like the overall tone for general listening, this combo isn't really what the Aten does best, but can be useful in certain circumstances. It does showcase the incredible versatility of these IEMs.
4. Gold/ blue- a specialist combo that turns the Atens into a tube-driven console record player. Really, it does a marvelous job of recreating that intimate, warm feeling I grew up with. For me, it's an instant nostalgia trip- I fell in love with music in front of one of those record players, and every time I use this combo, it brings me back. Gold/ blue isn't articulate, it isn't detailed, it isn't even particularly spacious, but it's magic, nonetheless.
Isolation? Not much. Volume can overcome this to an extent, but lawnmowers, air conditioners and motorcycle gangs are the Aten's kryptonite. No one would suggest a set of Sennheiser HD 600s for isolation, and they shouldn't expect supreme isolation from R2s, either. That said, these have soundstage to die for, and a tangible sense of space unmatched by any other IEM I've tried. The Atens are an experience as much as (or even more than) they are a product. If that sounds like your cup of tea, well, you have found your IEMs, with 2 potential caveats.
1. They are a challenging fit. What I mean by that is that I have very large ear canal openings, and finding a fit that did not irritate my ear was a challenge. Our 5' 1" daughter can't wear them at all- they simply do not fit inside her ears. With enough tenacity, they will fit the majority of folks in-between, but they aren't as easy or universal as, say, Shures, Westones or any number of recent semi-customs.
2. They are a boutique product in every sense. Expect small niggles like mandatory burn-in (yes, really), sometimes difficult and finicky filter/ tip installation, some minor cosmetic issues, etc. If you enjoy the charm of bespoke products, these will be right up your alley. If you're an OCD perfectionist, you may find some minor irritants. I fall into the former camp, and I am in love.
After burn-in, and the first time I've EVER noticed significant changes during burn-in, here are my final combinations by preference (Filter/ tip).
1. Pink/ pink- great general use combination, balanced but not "reference," clear, articulate, girthy in the bass, but not overwhelming or over-warm, just a solid general listening combo with wide staging and proper (but not exceptional) detail retrieval. It's the most consistent and coherent of the filter combinations I've tried through my sources.
2. Red/ red- More dynamic, impactful, visceral in the bass and crystalline in the highs. This is about as V-shaped as I get, and it's a great way to listen to modern musical styles. Pop, hip hop and similar beat-driven genres benefit most from this combo, but it can get a little thick in the mid-bass region. Soundstage is HUGE, while detail retrieval takes a back seat to overall presentation.
3. Green/ black- This is a very vocals-forward, "reference" tuning that balances well enough, but the real purpose of this combo is to draw out details, textures and nuances in the music. This is a great combo for live recordings of rock shows, for instance, or to pull that last little bit of detail from a baritone aria. While some might like the overall tone for general listening, this combo isn't really what the Aten does best, but can be useful in certain circumstances. It does showcase the incredible versatility of these IEMs.
4. Gold/ blue- a specialist combo that turns the Atens into a tube-driven console record player. Really, it does a marvelous job of recreating that intimate, warm feeling I grew up with. For me, it's an instant nostalgia trip- I fell in love with music in front of one of those record players, and every time I use this combo, it brings me back. Gold/ blue isn't articulate, it isn't detailed, it isn't even particularly spacious, but it's magic, nonetheless.
Isolation? Not much. Volume can overcome this to an extent, but lawnmowers, air conditioners and motorcycle gangs are the Aten's kryptonite. No one would suggest a set of Sennheiser HD 600s for isolation, and they shouldn't expect supreme isolation from R2s, either. That said, these have soundstage to die for, and a tangible sense of space unmatched by any other IEM I've tried. The Atens are an experience as much as (or even more than) they are a product. If that sounds like your cup of tea, well, you have found your IEMs, with 2 potential caveats.
1. They are a challenging fit. What I mean by that is that I have very large ear canal openings, and finding a fit that did not irritate my ear was a challenge. Our 5' 1" daughter can't wear them at all- they simply do not fit inside her ears. With enough tenacity, they will fit the majority of folks in-between, but they aren't as easy or universal as, say, Shures, Westones or any number of recent semi-customs.
2. They are a boutique product in every sense. Expect small niggles like mandatory burn-in (yes, really), sometimes difficult and finicky filter/ tip installation, some minor cosmetic issues, etc. If you enjoy the charm of bespoke products, these will be right up your alley. If you're an OCD perfectionist, you may find some minor irritants. I fall into the former camp, and I am in love.
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Ludwig1968
100+ Head-Fier
Many thanks for your report. I've gone red+red and..... i'm in love too. Atens are very sweet IEMs. Red+red trebles are slightly smoother and cleaner than my former setting, red+green. While i'm writing i am listening to Fairport Convntion, wide and deep soundstage, i'm in the first row...... detail and dynamic are also good. Good devices, exxcellent Q/P. Good work by Bob! Can't imagine what will be the Rah with the planar driver. I'm a fan-owner of planar EMIT tweter.
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