[zikarus]

Will do the Enigma is getting more ear time at the moment while it burns in. Does the copper cable warm up the signature? I'm using a copper silver alloy cable cos it looked pretty lol

Still testing but in lack of time for more cable rolling experiments atm. To date I liked the Code 24 best with the 3T - very refined and balanced imo - but the 24 has meanwhile been switched to my Enigma (which also gets almost 75% of my available playtime ...

So I took the 24c for the 3T instead. Good for now, but I will try some other cables somewhen and report back my findings... Following the 24 I think the 24c is a bit behind in upper mids/treble refinement. So maybe another SPC or something like the TRI Wolfram or a (darker sounding) silver-/palladium cable might be an even better match...

 

[Hypops]

What is a good mid-fi IEM (for convenience, lets say below 400 USD) that you consider to have a relaxed presentation?
Relaxed presentation = no forward upper-mids or treble. (My ears are sensitive to upper mid-range forwardness like the Variations or EE Odin. Treble should not be peaky as it needs to work with a variety of genres and production qualities). I need the IEMs for the office, where I cannot install an EQ on the system.

I thought going for the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk2, since their DSP cable can be used to EQ and they sound quite good for the price. But it might be better to use an IEM that is relaxed out of the box.

In that price range and with that tonal profile, I really like my Orchestra Lite (~$250). It's a bit forward at around 1.5kHz, but then stays relaxed throughout the upper mids and treble. For me, the combo of a slightly forward mid-midrange plus a recessed/relaxed upper mid and treble makes for a warm, cozy listen IMO. I spent a stupidly long time trying out and researching IEMs with similar profiles before deciding on the Orchestra Lite. It's a cheaper rendition of something like the OG Dunu SA6.

I'm also curious to try the Hinsenior Mega5P Ultra which has a tonal profile like what you're looking for (and costs ~$240), but haven't heard it myself.

 

[Ferdinando1968]

Penon Fan 2 perhaps ?

I hated them I believe for the exact reasons you are seeking as best I understand, I don’t bother with graphs.

To my ear they lacked energy in the upper ranges of female vocals which made them sound lacking life in that region but that might be what you are after. Many people like them a lot. What to me is a flaw might be great for you.

Anyone else have an opinion on the Fan 2 for non forward upper mids and relaxed treble ?

You're probably right, but I still love their sound.
They don't excel in either bass or treble, but I like their overall sound performance

 

[BS5711]

You're probably right, but I still love their sound.
They don't excel in either bass or treble, but I like their overall sound performance

You are certainly in the majority

 

[PeacockObscura]

You are certainly in the majority

The Fan 2 is s perfect example of a loss leader product. Cheap entry great quality build and sound signature that offends very few. I got them and went wow these are great I wonder what their expensive stuff sounds like. Only to be disappointed by everything. Not because they sound bad just because the difference between the Fan 2 was small compared to the price hike you have to pay to move up.

 

[BS5711]

The Fan 2 is s perfect example of a loss leader product. Cheap entry great quality build and sound signature that offends very few. I got them and went wow these are great I wonder what their expensive stuff sounds like. Only to be disappointed everything. Not because they sound bad just because the difference between the Fan 2 was small compared to the price hike you have to pay to move up.

Interesting.

I would have been keen to try the more high end Penon products if it wasn’t for the advertorial that the Penon thread is ! I will direct my funds elsewhere ta very much.

 

[PeacockObscura]

Interesting.

I would have been keen to try the more high end Penon products if it wasn’t for the advertorial that the Penon thread is ! I will direct my funds elsewhere ta very much.

Mine is a single opinion many others love the Penon offerings I got the 10th AE and was underwhelmed but many love that iem I just feel there's many better options for the $500 price.
It boils down to taste the Fan 2 was under $150 in sales period. For that price it's a steal my expectations were elevated by the Fan 2 the 10th AE didn't live up to the expectations.

 

[Ferdinando1968]

It boils down to taste the Fan 2 was under $150 in sales period. For that price it's a steal my expectations were elevated by the Fan 2 the 10th AE didn't live up to the expectations.

In fact, I got it for about that price with the Penon mailing list.
And it seems like a steal to me too at that price.

Regarding the Penon sound, I cannot give judgments on their TOTL (having never tried them, I only have Serial, Quattro, Turbo and Fan2), but I think that their tuning is not for everyone or for all musical genres.
You have to like it.

However, I would like to say that they are tunings with a strong personality, which you can love or hate, but which do not leave you indifferent.

 

[PeacockObscura]

In fact, I got it for about that price with the Penon mailing list.
And it seems like a steal to me too at that price.

Regarding the Penon sound, I cannot give judgments on their TOTL (having never tried them, I only have Serial, Quattro, Turbo and Fan2), but I think that their tuning is not for everyone or for all musical genres.
You have to like it.

However, I would like to say that they are tunings with a strong personality, which you can love or hate, but which do not leave you indifferent.

That's perfectly put if you don't jive with an iem doesn't mean it's bad just not for you.

 

[nikbr]

What is a good mid-fi IEM (for convenience, lets say below 400 USD) that you consider to have a relaxed presentation?
Relaxed presentation = no forward upper-mids or treble. (My ears are sensitive to upper mid-range forwardness like the Variations or EE Odin. Treble should not be peaky as it needs to work with a variety of genres and production qualities). I need the IEMs for the office, where I cannot install an EQ on the system.

I thought going for the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk2, since their DSP cable can be used to EQ and they sound quite good for the price. But it might be better to use an IEM that is relaxed out of the box.

This all lead my mind to one IEM I feel has not gotten the attention it deserves, AüR Audio Aurora. I welcome you to check out the reviews here on Headfi. Smooth treble, lush mids and textured bass.

 

[zikarus]

Had a bit of playtime today and tried a few cables on my 3T154:

8w ivipQ-99, Xinhs S06 8w silver-palladium, Nicehck Moongod, 8w Ares and Fusion1.

In the end I liked the ivipQ best (despite the somewhat questionable hardware (which is not as on the pictures shown but more the golden blingy type )
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHNCY19

Testtracks used were mainly:



The first track was chosen because it is quite bright and on the verge of sibilant to my ears. I was looking for a cable that helps taming the upper mids / treble on the 3T a little bit. The second track I often use for test-sessions as - besides a lot of things going on in it - it has some nice basslines which show an IEMs subbass capabilities quite well.

Happy Labour Day...

 

[PeacockObscura]

Still testing but in lack of time for more cable rolling experiments atm. To date I liked the Code 24 best with the 3T - very refined and balanced imo - but the 24 has meanwhile been switched to my Enigma (which also gets almost 75% of my available playtime ...

So I took the 24c for the 3T instead. Good for now, but I will try some other cables somewhen and report back my findings... Following the 24 I think the 24c is a bit behind in upper mids/treble refinement. So maybe another SPC or something like the TRI Wolfram or a (darker sounding) silver-/palladium cable might be an even better match...

This ibasso 3T-154 is a special DD at the moment using a Xhins KSO1 8w 7n bright and Dark copper cable with penon Black Liquor ear tips the performance of the driver is stupid good for the money hard to believe it's a single driver iem. The stage is incredibly spacious with really excellent dynamics and transients. The only down side I can see is it's a huge shell. Not for small ears.

 

[PeacockObscura]

I've been thinking a lot lately about my preferences and how to pin them down to a concise description. I see so many reviews with the reviewers showing there preferred frequency graphs. So I picked 10 of my favourite iems ranging from sub $100 to $1k plus only to find many different sound signatures from Harmon 2019, nuetral balanced to basshead. I don't have a preferred frequency graph. My main preference is.. iems that give me goosebumps. That make my music pleasurable. I'm eclectic, I listen to many genres with over 50,000 tracks spread across many sources all with different dacs.
Being tied to one signature/frequency graph just isn't logical for me it's what album, iem, source combination plays music to give me the required emotional response.

 

[warrenpchi]

I've been thinking a lot lately about my preferences and how to pin them down to a concise description. I see so many reviews with the reviewers showing there preferred frequency graphs.

I can totally get where you're coming from.

I've noticed that tonality is generally the lessor of many concerns for me. Since I listen to almost every genre out there, I accept that different tonal signatures have their place, almost like musical use cases. I tend to prize detail and resolution first and foremost (especially low-level detail), followed by coherency, and then followed by either dynamics or staging/imaging (depending on driver complement). This prioritization has generally served me well over the years, as high-performing units tend to excel at detail, dynamics, staging, etc. whereas poorly performing units make a hash of all that regardless of their FR.

 

[thaslaya]

I've been thinking a lot lately about my preferences and how to pin them down to a concise description. I see so many reviews with the reviewers showing there preferred frequency graphs. So I picked 10 of my favourite iems ranging from sub $100 to $1k plus only to find many different sound signatures from Harmon 2019, nuetral balanced to basshead. I don't have a preferred frequency graph. My main preference is.. iems that give me goosebumps. That make my music pleasurable. I'm eclectic, I listen to many genres with over 50,000 tracks spread across many sources all with different dacs.
Being tied to one signature/frequency graph just isn't logical for me it's what album, iem, source combination plays music to give me the required emotional response.

For me I usually prefer warmth due to treble sensitivity. But the absolute most important factor is the vocal presentation. If there is shout or sibilance or if the timbre is off then I'm instantly taken out of my happy place. Bass is 2nd most important but honestly if I need a basshead set it's more for fun so the vocals aren't as important anyways.