Multi-Custom In-Ear Monitor Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion (Check first post for review links & information)

[ChrisSC]

Hey Joe,
 
what's in the queue for upcoming reviews?
 
(please say UM PP6) 

 

 

[average_joe]

Dream Earz now offers recessed sockets for an extra $30!
 
And I forgot to mention that one of the reasons the new Spiral Ears 3-way pro was released was to give an alternative to people that can't fit the 5-way in their ears.
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The bass and the mids are back on with the polarity switched, I guess you're right about the polarity. However, I can still hear  a bit difference between the stocks, the earsonics stock has better control and tighter bass, but the differences are minor so I guess it could be a result of different stages of oxidation, aging and burn- in of the cables.

 
The twists in a cable as well as using different wire types (even if they look similar from the outside) will affect the electrical properties of a cable (capacitance and inductance), and typically CIEM design is done with a specific cable, so changing the electrical properties will affect the sound.  The UE cable is configured differently than most stock cables, so the sound typically will be different.  
 
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As for Alien and its "marketing":
 
Right....

 
So if you look closely on the upper earpiece you'll notice regular off-shelf Sonion 2369. Which is really great mid/tweeter anyways but it's not proprietary.
 
Just my 5 cents
 
 
OH btw. my 1k post

 
Congrats on your 1K post!  And thanks for pointing out the marketing bit...many companies in various industries use false marketing to try to deceive customers, looks like there is one in the world of custom IEMs.
 
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Hey Joe,
 
what's in the queue for upcoming reviews?
 
(please say UM PP6) 

 

 
Ambient Acoustics AM4 pro (should be posted this week), NT-6 pro, LCM-5, and several other CIEMs I am not yet at liberty to mention.  I am still awaiting more details on the PP6, but I should at least be able to hear a demo if not my own customized version, and demo or customized will determine the depth of my review.  And also I have some amps (Shonyun) and cables for review.

 

[average_joe]

My Ambient Acoustics AM4 pro review has been posted here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/623180/custom-iem-review-ambient-acoustics-am4-pro-great-for-reference-or-stage
 
Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.  It is a neutral monitor that performs very well for the price.

 

[discretesound]

Hey Joe, can you give a brief comparison between heir 8a and akg k3003? Thanks

 

[average_joe]

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Hey Joe, can you give a brief comparison between heir 8a and akg k3003? Thanks

 
Unfortunately I no longer have the K3003 as it was a loaner.  However, you should be able to get a feel as the EM4 and 8.A are not too far off (read my comparison from the 8.A review) and then read my comparison between the EM4 and K3003 which will hopefully give you a decent picture of how they compare.

 

[tupac0306]

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Hey Joe, can you give a brief comparison between heir 8a and akg k3003? Thanks

Go with K3K3 if i were u

 

[discretesound]

Go with K3K3 if i were u

May I ask why?

Unfortunately I no longer have the K3003 as it was a loaner.  However, you should be able to get a feel as the EM4 and 8.A are not too far off (read my comparison from the 8.A review) and then read my comparison between the EM4 and K3003 which will hopefully give you a decent picture of how they compare.

Thanks! Will do

 

[tupac0306]

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May I ask why?

Thanks! Will do

k3k3's sound is more balanced and it has more resale value. 8.a's sound is somewhat unbalanced to my ears so IMO they might not be the one for everybody. Just my opinion though. 

 

[colinharding]

Unbalanced or colored?  From what I've read Heir audio seems to have a somewhat eq'd sound compared to the more "true to the recording" monitors.

 

[average_joe]

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May I ask why?

Thanks! Will do

 
What are you looking for?  There are differences in more than just sound, including isolation and comfort, and as mentioned resale.  Although Heir is the one company that would retain a higher resale value because of the $70 reshell for the next 2 owners.  
 
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Unbalanced or colored?  From what I've read Heir audio seems to have a somewhat eq'd sound compared to the more "true to the recording" monitors.

 
You are making tradeoffs IMO with both if you want a true neutral sound.  I think both are very good in their own way, but it depends on what you want.  Due to comfort issues, I can't wear the K3003 for extended periods of time.

 

[LouisLoh]

Hey Joe, 
 
Any comments on JH13/6 on RoCoo BA vs DX100?

 

[average_joe]

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Hey Joe, 
 
Any comments on JH13/6 on RoCoo BA vs DX100?

 
I added the RoCoo BA, 801 + GAME card, and DX100 to my JH16 review.

 

[discretesound]

What are you looking for?  There are differences in more than just sound, including isolation and comfort, and as mentioned resale.  Although Heir is the one company that would retain a higher resale value because of the $70 reshell for the next 2 owners.  

My main criteria is sound and comfort. Not too fuss about re-selling my iem, I usually just keep them. I own a UM remolded triple.fi and my issue with it is ear wax stuck on the bore can get pretty hard to clean since I have a wet ear wax. With the AKG I can order a custom  ear sleeve and wash if I need to. Just wondering of the sound quality of customs is miles ahead of the AKG.

 

[7nationarmy]

Hey just to point out the Aurisonics AS-2 should be single dynamic+dual BA, instead of single-single (under your manufacturers list). Keep the reviews coming, and thumbs up for a great thread

 

[average_joe]

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My main criteria is sound and comfort. Not too fuss about re-selling my iem, I usually just keep them. I own a UM remolded triple.fi and my issue with it is ear wax stuck on the bore can get pretty hard to clean since I have a wet ear wax. With the AKG I can order a custom  ear sleeve and wash if I need to. Just wondering of the sound quality of customs is miles ahead of the AKG.

 
Do you have a hearing aid cleaner?  Also, a canal with the inverted shape like that of the aud-5X is supposed to stop wax cerumen from getting in the sound tubes.
 
From a sound perspective, there is a difference to my ears between similarly priced CIEMs and the K3003, with the K3003 having more issues.  There are tradeoffs with everything, even above $1K, but there are fewer tradeoffs.  The K3003 is a very nice design and something that gives much higher performance than any other universal I have heard save the To Go 334 (which has quite a different sound sig).  If your other IEM is a reshelled TF10, chances are you will be more than happy with the K3003 as the performance is far superior (although I find the TF10 takes a big step up with some aftermarket cables).  Are custom IEMs miles ahead of the K3003, no, just ahead to my ears.
 
One of my main issues with the K3003 is the fit, which I had issues with causing discomfort, even with the best configuration.  I tried about 20 different tips and still ended up with a less than ideal situation, but if you are going to get custom sleeves, that could solve the problem.  I suggest reading more about both as there are a lot of reviews/thoughts that are both good and bad and seeing what resonates with you the most.
 
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Hey just to point out the Aurisonics AS-2 should be single dynamic+dual BA, instead of single-single (under your manufacturers list). Keep the reviews coming, and thumbs up for a great thread

 
Thanks, updated!