[sideways]

Listen to Streets of Philadelphia... the emotional impact brought a tear to my eye... and I got this for 50 bucks!!

I'm still trying to grasp the concept of a $50.00 item that could possibly be an end game... almost impossible to say that out loud in the game of audio!!

 

[Slater]

That's why you should trust your own ears and not some popular reviewer on the internet.

I have seen these called "shouty" and "bass-free". However, I don't find them shouty and they definitely have bass - it's just not the main characteristic of the sound.

Everyone's ears are different and different IEMs suit different people. A review is just someone's opinion.

Of course, if something gets a lot of unanimously bad reviews then it's probably better to heed the warning. However, it's often better to trust your own ears and make up your own mind.

They are bass light because they are tuned that way. I mean, if they were V shaped, people would have bellyaches that they had too much bass. So they give us something different, and people bellyache that they don’t have enough.

It’s different strokes for different folks. That’s why I got a pair and used my own ears to judge them, and I really like them.

And yes, they can get shouty if you listen at a super high volume. A lot of headphones do the exact same thing. I don’t listen at a high volume (to save my hearing), so maybe that’a why they sound good to me. I also only listen at a quiet home. If I was trying to use them on public transit or out and about where there is loud environmental noise, I’d feel the need to turn them up louder. So that may be what’s going on with some people’s impressions as well.

Either way, it’s no big deal if someone doesn’t like the sound tuning. We are certainly lucky enough to have so many earphone choices available nowadays. So if someone doesn’t like the SSR, it’s fairly easy to find an earphone they do like

 

[Brave Heart]

Listen to Streets of Philadelphia... the emotional impact brought a tear to my eye... and I got this for 50 bucks!!

I'm still trying to grasp the concept of a $50.00 item that could possibly be an end game... almost impossible to say that out loud in the game of audio!!

I have headphones and IEMs that cost multiple times as much as these. Of all those IEMs I think I like these best.

I am tempted to buy a few more pairs as spares and to give as gifts. They are THAT good.
My girlfriend still uses the earphones that came with her phone. I might get her a pair too.

 

[Brave Heart]

They are bass light because they are tuned that way. I mean, if they were V shaped, people would have bellyaches that they had too much bass. So they give us something different, and people bellyache that they don’t have enough.

It’s different strokes for different folks. That’s why I got a pair and used my own ears to judge them, and I really like them.

And yes, they can get shouty if you listen at a super high volume. A lot of headphones do the exact same thing. I don’t listen at a high volume (to save my hearing), so maybe that’a why they sound good to me. I also only listen at a quiet home. If I was trying to use them on public transit or out and about where there is loud environmental noise, I’d feel the need to turn them up louder. So that may be what’s going on with some people’s impressions as well.

Either way, it’s no big deal if someone doesn’t like the sound tuning. We are certainly lucky enough to have so many earphone choices available nowadays. So if someone doesn’t like the SSR, it’s fairly easy to find an earphone they do like

Yeah, you're probably right about the shoutiness but I don't listen to them at high volumes either (for the same reasons!).

And yes, we really are spoilt for choice these days with all the different earphones that are available at all price points. It's easy to find one that suits you.

 

[Slater]

I have headphones and IEMs that cost multiple times as much as these. Of all those IEMs I think I like these best.

I am tempted to buy a few more pairs as spares and to give as gifts. They are THAT good.
My girlfriend still uses the earphones that came with her phone. I might get her a pair too.

Give her a fancy set like this

 

[Brave Heart]

Give her a fancy set like this

Which model are they?

 

[Slater]

Which model are they?

SSR with custom back covers and polished stainless socket screws.

 

[hi-fi amateur]

Any illumination impressions yet?

 

[Brave Heart]

SSR with custom back covers and polished stainless socket screws.

Did you do that? That's pretty cool.

 

[Slater]

Did you do that? That's pretty cool.

Yessir. Thanks.

Here’s a few other random things I’ve done (by no means comprehensive):

Spoiler: Mods

 

[Melliflow]

I've been enjoying the Illumination for the past few days and I'm not much of a hype or shilling type of person when it comes to audio, but I do really prefer it over my Blessing 2.

Had a few conversations online with a few people about my impressions on it, especially when put up against the Blessing 2. There's a lot of improvements in many aspects which I'll touch on when I revise my overall impressions on the set. Until then, it's safe to say for me personally, it's a more naturally pleasant sounding, technically superb and overall is a well tuned single DD IEM.

 

[KnightCaeli]

I've been enjoying the Illumination for the past few days and I'm not much of a hype or shilling type of person when it comes to audio, but I do really prefer it over my Blessing 2.

Had a few conversations online with a few people about my impressions on it, especially when put up against the Blessing 2. There's a lot of improvements in many aspects which I'll touch on when I revise my overall impressions on the set. Until then, it's safe to say for me personally, it's a more naturally pleasant sounding, technically superb and overall is a well tuned single DD IEM.

Wow, great shots; those shells are really something eh! Love how the light reflects off the ripples. Looking forward to your full impressions. Love the box art too.

 

[Strifeff7]

Yessir. Thanks.

Here’s a few other random things I’ve done (by no means comprehensive):

Spoiler: Mods

wow,

 

[surfgeorge]

I've been enjoying the Illumination for the past few days and I'm not much of a hype or shilling type of person when it comes to audio, but I do really prefer it over my Blessing 2.

Had a few conversations online with a few people about my impressions on it, especially when put up against the Blessing 2. There's a lot of improvements in many aspects which I'll touch on when I revise my overall impressions on the set. Until then, it's safe to say for me personally, it's a more naturally pleasant sounding, technically superb and overall is a well tuned single DD IEM.

Looking forward to hearing more about it!
The Blessing 2 is good but I am looking for more, a single DD IEM with the technical ability of the DUNU Luna and a balanced tuning like what we a have seen from Moondrop lately at around $700 would be perfect. I am keeping my eyes on the Illumination and the DUNU Zen...

 

[Blurry]

Which of these would be a good pairing for the blessing2 if anyone knows