[rangerid]

I am really looking forward to that jh16, sa43 and the 5 way to be honest, all of which are top of the list for customs in the future...

 

[i2ehan]

Impatiently awaiting the JH16 impressions.

 

[kiteki]

average_joe I am seeing 1680 CNY for the Rooth LS2 on their erji.net thread, that is $260 USD, a pretty competetive price for a dual-driver custom IEM seeing as universals like the ck10 cost more than that, let alone the J-phonic.
 
[size=x-small]Frequency response: 20Hz-18000Hz[/size]

[size=x-small]灵敏度：118dB[/size]​

[size=x-small]Sensitivity: 118dB[/size]

[size=x-small]阻抗：27欧姆[/size]​

[size=x-small]Impedance: 27 ohms[/size]

[size=x-small]两单元两分频设计,低频有力,中频厚实，高音清澈，灵敏度高。[/size]​

[size=x-small]Two-unit two-way design, powerful low-frequency, [size=x-small]thick[/size] intermediate frequency, clear treble, and high sensitivity.[/size]
 
 

 

[dogears]

^Nice

 

[average_joe]

Let us know how it sounds 

  I wonder if they have the same sound signature as the LS8, which could be a good, exciting thing!
 
Quote:

average_joe I am seeing 1680 CNY for the Rooth LS2 on their erji.net thread, that is $260 USD, a pretty competetive price for a dual-driver custom IEM seeing as universals like the ck10 cost more than that, let alone the J-phonic.
 
[size=x-small]Frequency response: 20Hz-18000Hz[/size]

[size=x-small]灵敏度：118dB[/size]​

[size=x-small]Sensitivity: 118dB[/size]

[size=x-small]阻抗：27欧姆[/size]​

[size=x-small]Impedance: 27 ohms[/size]

[size=x-small]两单元两分频设计,低频有力,中频厚实，高音清澈，灵敏度高。[/size]​

[size=x-small]Two-unit two-way design, powerful low-frequency, [size=x-small]thick[/size] intermediate frequency, clear treble, and high sensitivity.[/size]
 
 

 

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

I am really looking forward to that jh16, sa43 and the 5 way to be honest, all of which are top of the list for customs in the future...

 
Quote:

Impatiently awaiting the JH16 impressions.

Sorry I missed this yesterday...there has been a perfect storm of non-head-fi stuff going on for me this summer so my reviews are taking longer than expected.  And throw the LS8 in with the JH16, SA-43, and SE 5-way as it is competitive.
 

 

[average_joe]

Starkey SA-12 review has been posted here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/563092/starkey-sa-12-canal-sized-dual-driver-custom-iem and the summary and links in the first post of this thread have been updated.
 
On to other reviews...
 
And please feel free to ask questions, general or specific, in this thread.

 

[Poetik]

I just have a few general questions about custom IEM's in general and I've read your thread but could use a bit more of your thoughts. 
 
I want something that is impactful in the bass yet tight at the same time with not too much midbass bloat.  I've not sure if I truly prefer a dynamic driver since it doesn't offer the best of isolation.  Do you honestly prefer the isolation of a closed shell with balanced armatures presenting the bass or would you prefer an open vented custom with a dynamic presenting the bass? I know they both have their positives and negatives but I honestly don't really mind the openess of the ie8.  I'm just wondering if I'm going to be missing out on a huge chunk of detail if I get an open vented custom as opposed to a fully closed shell.
 
I need the mids to be present and I also need the highs to have a bit of sparkle.  I absolutely cannot stand it when the highs are subdued / recessed / rolled off.  When it's like that, it almost feels like I'm completely missing out on the detail.  I don't really want it to be sibilant either so I was thinking maybe the Unique Melody house sound is what I'm looking for?
 
I guess what I'm looking for is something with a sub bass boost, not too much midbass boost, clear mids, and highs that sparkle but aren't quite sibilant.  Lol maybe I'm chasing a wild goose but it seems nearly impossible to find what i'm looking for.
 
Any help that you can offer is greatly appreciated Joe,
 
I honestly can't wait to read your impressions on the UM Merlins.

 

[i2ehan]

Quote:

I guess what I'm looking for is something with a sub bass boost, not too much midbass boost, clear mids, and highs that sparkle but aren't quite sibilant.  Lol maybe I'm chasing a wild goose but it seems nearly impossible to find what i'm looking for.

I apologize if it has little to no place of mention here, but the wild goose you're chasing for can more than likely be found here, albeit in the realm of universals, and not customs.

 

[kiteki]

 
Quote:

Starkey SA-12 review has been posted here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/563092/starkey-sa-12-canal-sized-dual-driver-custom-iem and the summary and links in the first post of this thread have been updated.
 

*click's fervently*
 

 

[kiteki]

Should we ask questions about the SA-12 in this thread or the SA-12 review thread?

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

I just have a few general questions about custom IEM's in general and I've read your thread but could use a bit more of your thoughts. 
 
I want something that is impactful in the bass yet tight at the same time with not too much midbass bloat.  I've not sure if I truly prefer a dynamic driver since it doesn't offer the best of isolation.  Do you honestly prefer the isolation of a closed shell with balanced armatures presenting the bass or would you prefer an open vented custom with a dynamic presenting the bass? I know they both have their positives and negatives but I honestly don't really mind the openess of the ie8.  I'm just wondering if I'm going to be missing out on a huge chunk of detail if I get an open vented custom as opposed to a fully closed shell.
 
I need the mids to be present and I also need the highs to have a bit of sparkle.  I absolutely cannot stand it when the highs are subdued / recessed / rolled off.  When it's like that, it almost feels like I'm completely missing out on the detail.  I don't really want it to be sibilant either so I was thinking maybe the Unique Melody house sound is what I'm looking for?
 
I guess what I'm looking for is something with a sub bass boost, not too much midbass boost, clear mids, and highs that sparkle but aren't quite sibilant.  Lol maybe I'm chasing a wild goose but it seems nearly impossible to find what i'm looking for.
 
Any help that you can offer is greatly appreciated Joe,
 
I honestly can't wait to read your impressions on the UM Merlins.

 
Quote:

I apologize if it has little to no place of mention here, but the wild goose you're chasing for can more than likely be found here, albeit in the realm of universals, and not customs.

Disclaimer: my perspective is based on listening to several top-tier custom IEMs and a negative to me might not be apparent or an issue to others...

Starting with the post from i2ehan, I don't think that is the right answer, although it might be depending on what you really want overall.  I have had experience with 2 of the 4 IEMs in that thread and have owned siblings of the the other two.  I am pretty sure that i2ehan was referring to the EX-1000, and while it is somewhat similar, it depends on what you want to spend and how close you want to get to what you are looking for.  The EX-1000 and FX700 don't isolate all that well and the EX-1000 has wind noise when outside.  While both are good and offer great clarity (especially the EX-1000), the bass on the EX-1000 is a little on the light/thin side and while the treble is enhanced, it isn't all that extended.  The FX700 bass is on the enhanced side, but neither are overly warm (EX-1000 is a little on the cold side).  The EX-1000 sounded pretty bright to me in comparison with many of my custom IEMs including when using a warm source such as the 801.  The e-q7, while the closest to what you are looking for doesn't have treble sparkle not a large soundstage space except when I used it with the Rx amp.  The GR8 did not fit the bill and I am not sure if the GR10 or e-q5 would.

If you want to spend to get a top-tier custom IEM the SA-43 and SE 5-way will get it done for you.  The SE 5-way is more detailed, refined, and to me sounds more realistic, but the SA-43 is more spacious and you can change the sound with the bass switches.  Both have bass that can rival dynamic bass drivers and beat many if not all of the dynamic drivers I have heard, although the 5-way bass is superior to the SA-43 bass.  BA bass is tighter with more detail and speed than dynamic bass and usually dynamic bass has more sub-bass rumble.  Both aren't overly warm, although they have a thickness and some warmth to them while not affecting clarity.
 
The mids of both are fairly neutral, however I would say the SA-43 is flatter with the presence switch off.  The 5-way has a mid richness that brings it slightly forward but it still has better resolution and clarity than anything else I have heard.  Treble of the 5-way is extended as far as the ear can hear and has some nice air.  The SA-43 treble is not recessed at all and quite good, although not as extended or airy as the 5-way.  If you don't have the 5-way or LS8 for comparison, the SA-43 treble is exceptional!  Both are spacious, but the SA-43 is far superior in this regard.
 
After a day of listening (I have put in some time in the past) to the JH16, LS8, and SA-43 with some A/Bing, I have come to some basic conclusions, although this was with only one source: HUD-MX1 (opa1611 op amp) -> Stepdance.  The SA-43 is more spacious than the other two and can mimic the JH16 frequency response pretty closely with the presence switch off and the extra bass switch on.  Both the LS8 and SA-43 have a more 3D presentation than the JH16, and the LS8 is more dynamic and exciting to the JH16's more neutral presentation, although brighter and warmer at the same time due to a note that is thicker/more sustained.  Both the SA-43 and LS8 are a little richer in presentation next to the more analytical JH16.  The JH16 can pump out the bass, more than the LS8, but I am still not sure about the SA-43 vs. the JH16 in this regard.  While the LS8 is brighter than the JH16, they are closer than I would have thought.  Really, both could fill your need, but from a frequency response I would say the JH16 would be closer to what you are looking for.  Of course, I am still forming my opinions on the performance differences and need to use many different sources and more variety of music.

So, the signature you are looking for is there, but there are different flavors.  Moving down the price range the TS842 has somewhat recessed mids, so that would be out.  The SA-12 might not have enough sub-bass rumble although it is warmer than the EX-1000 with excellent clarity, a more balanced sound to my ears, and better treble extension at the cost of a smaller soundstage.  The X3 is kinda warm and I am not sure about the CS at Kozee at this time.  The DRM Earz 4X actually pretty much fits the bill but I need to get more time with that.  Overall the 4x is close to the JH16 sound signature but does have less spaciousness.  The Mi-3 lacks the bass you are looking for, the EP-10 Plus is very warm to the point of a veil, the Fabs may be a little too flat, and the EM3 Pro is very thick and the treble isn't sparkly.

I will be getting the Merlin at some point as you mentioned as well as the Wan Xuan i9pro which uses a 14mm dynamic driver, so it is similar, at least in operation, to the Future Sonic products in addition to some others in the near future.  I am also working on a ratings chart, but I want to make sure it is done right before I publish it and am working on how to present the data and rank the items in the chart.  If you still have questions, please let me know as I know I said a lot and there may be some things that need clarification (and I wrote this in bits and pieces as my weekend/Monday has been extremely busy).

Quote:

Should we ask questions about the SA-12 in this thread or the SA-12 review thread?

 
Either is fine, but if it is SA-12 specific, the SA-12 thread may be easier for others to find later.
 
 

 

[i2ehan]

Quote:

Disclaimer: my perspective is based on listening to several top-tier custom IEMs and a negative to me might not be apparent or an issue to others...

Starting with the post from i2ehan, I don't think that is the right answer, although it might be depending on what you really want overall.  I have had experience with 2 of the 4 IEMs in that thread and have owned siblings of the the other two.  I am pretty sure that i2ehan was referring to the EX-1000, and while it is somewhat similar, it depends on what you want to spend and how close you want to get to what you are looking for.  The EX-1000 and FX700 don't isolate all that well and the EX-1000 has wind noise when outside.  While both are good and offer great clarity (especially the EX-1000), the bass on the EX-1000 is a little on the light/thin side and while the treble is enhanced, it isn't all that extended.  The FX700 bass is on the enhanced side, but neither are overly warm (EX-1000 is a little on the cold side).  The EX-1000 sounded pretty bright to me in comparison with many of my custom IEMs including when using a warm source such as the 801.  The e-q7, while the closest to what you are looking for doesn't have treble sparkle not a large soundstage space except when I used it with the Rx amp.  The GR8 did not fit the bill and I am not sure if the GR10 or e-q5 would.

 
Indeed, it's the EX1000 I speak of. While I still stand behind my recommendation, based on what little experience I have, when compared to that of someone such as yourself, I always appreciate and value your insight my friend. In truth, there's really no "right" answer per se. In your own words, it depends on what you want to spend and how close you want to get to what you are looking for, to which I couldn't agree more.

 
P.S. Can't wait to read your JH16 impressions my friend!

 

[Tronz]

* Reads first page * ... Ummm, I'm speechless. Someone help me.

 

[i2ehan]

Quote:

* Reads first page * ... Ummm, I'm speechless. Someone help me.

 
Ay! get in the back o' the line, you!