archdawg
500+ Head-Fier
The R1, R1Z (I own both) and R2 are relatively simple hybrid designs with a ceramic driver (plate) on top of a large DD. What fascinates me is the sound and efficiency of those piezos. I usually listen at fairly low volumes (~60dBa) and don't have to raise the volume to enter something of an pronounced or exclusive sweet zone of the ceramic drivers - Kudos to that!It’s a very sound move imo.
I don’t think any size was mentioned for the planar driver.
Actually I wonder how the whole design works. I haven’t asked. The R1, R1Z and R2 all work in the same way, with, as I understand it, a beryllium driver plus a ceramic one. Or are they one and the same, a “composite hybrid”? How that particular assembly works is a mystery to me. What handles what? Is there an alien in my iems?
I have even less of a notion of the way the planar driver fits into this scheme. Any conjecture out there? The freq response was extended with the R2, which can be expected with a new driver. Now low freq goes even lower with the RAH - we’re way beyond human perception anyway but it suggests something is afoot in the bass region. At the same time the bass is supposed to remain hefty, and I don’t picture IMR veering towards lightweight planar bass anytime soon.
Final’s latest B series has two items with double drivers (BA + DD in the B1 and 2xBA in the B3) that distribute the frequency response without a crossover network. Final are true envelope pushers - just look at the Make range! I wonder how Bob cooks the IMR sauce.
Anyways, while everyone seems to agree on the amazing width of the spatial reproduction of those IEM @Dobrescu George mentioned the "paper-thin" depth of the soundstage and @gLer mentioned "the Zenith kept most instruments on the same plane". While I wouldn't exactly agree on "paper thin" I do get their points. I spent quite a bit of time with my standard test tracks running through the IMRs in all possible configurations (rolling filters, back vent open/close) and have to admit that the reproduction of stage depth and height isn't exactly the strong suit of those phones and the main reason that keeps me from pulling the trigger on the Aten which basically sport the same hybrid config as their predecessors.
Regardless of how much I like my older piezo'ed IMRs I'd be happy with a single DD IMR, as long as it's playing in the same league as the Atlas and 1650/1670, lol.I'd really like an IEM from him with the 15mm DD and a Plannar for the mids and highs in the Aten chassis. I've preordered the Rah but I can't help feeling dropping the Piezo for a special edition Aten would be magnificent as a super smooth all day IEM.