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

Jul 18, 2014 at 11:12 AM Post #3,827 of 4,841
average_joe said:
  It might not be a trombone, but the first (to my knowledge) silicone shelled hybrid CIEM has been made: the Perfect Seal Fusion 11.  Nice coherence and interchangeable plugs allow changing the bass level.
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Interesting stuff.
 
average_joe said:
  Sure, the UE18 sells, but I can't imagine people buying it after comparing it with other similarly priced products.  I think the UE11 is better, and pretty much everything else in their lineup.  To me, it is like they tried to be all things to all people and ended up with a bit of a mess.  Maybe having a customized version would change my thinking, but I am not sure I would even want to try.
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I too think the UE11 is better. It's safe to say the UE18 is not one of UE's better achievements, and it was probably a bit of a scramble to get it out after the Logitech acquisition amidst a time when Logitech was short on cash all around (they bombed on Google TV). Hopefully they come out with something that's good as a replacement. Sure, the PRM is cool, but it's not a practical solution for those that want something ready-made, and it's expensive. Honestly, they could probably release the PRM is "0000" form and it'd probably be a hit (though I'd still prefer the UERM).
 
average_joe said:
  There are so many options out there these days from so many manufacturers.  I wonder if the Stage 4U would lose any of the magic I thought the regular Stage 4 has in the presentation in exchange for accuracy?  If there was only more time in a day!
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The 4U has probably the most accurate midrange reproduction in the entire Stage line, though, the Stage 5 included. So it has its own "magic" in its savant-like ability to monitor voices. There are lots of "dry" sounding IEMs that are nevertheless very impressive. The ER4, for one, and the CW-L05QD another. I haven't heard the NT6, but perhaps it has a bit of that trait as well.
 
Anyway, I've finished my brief overview of the Rhines Stage lineup, up on CYMBACAVUM.
 
​
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 12:42 AM Post #3,828 of 4,841
Check out my new musician's buyer's guide.
jemsound said:
Average Joe,
Thank you so much for compiling this comprehensive CIEM resource.
I was wondering if you or others could give me some advice. I would like to purchase my first set of CIEMs, after having enjoyed a number of universal IEMs for many years, including the ER-4 and Triple-Fi. The problem is that I have developed moderate high frequency hearing loss, roughly the same in both ears. My preference is for relatively bright sound that presents a lot of detail with clarity and some sparkle in the treble range, and a fairly neutral sound with clarity and good instrument separation throughout. I listen to a lot of classical music and jazz, but enjoy every genre. If hearing loss weren't an issue, after reading your reviews I would probably choose the NT-6. My question is, given my high frequency deficit, would I be better off (not considering money) choosing the UE PRM with the intention of adjusting up the higher end, or perhaps the NT-6 pro because of its treble enhancement? I appreciate any help in thinking this through.
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The PRM could work, and that was one of the considerations that went into the concept.  The NT-6 pro does offer boost at both ends, so the treble should work for you, but you will have some added deep bass.  The nice thing about the depth of the bass boost is that it doesn't typically interfere with softer sounding tracks as they typically don't have much deep bass anyways.  The NT-6 may work as well and just use an EQ for the treble if necessary (although I typically don't advocate the use of EQs).
 
I think it comes down to how you want your music presented.  If you want lots of instrument separation and uber-articulation, go for the NT-6 pro.  If you want a warmer, more spacious sound and can get the treble to where you want it, go for the PRM.  Let me know your additional thoughts.
 
tomscy2000 said:
   
Interesting stuff.
 
 
I too think the UE11 is better. It's safe to say the UE18 is not one of UE's better achievements, and it was probably a bit of a scramble to get it out after the Logitech acquisition amidst a time when Logitech was short on cash all around (they bombed on Google TV). Hopefully they come out with something that's good as a replacement. Sure, the PRM is cool, but it's not a practical solution for those that want something ready-made, and it's expensive. Honestly, they could probably release the PRM is "0000" form and it'd probably be a hit (though I'd still prefer the UERM).
 
 
The 4U has probably the most accurate midrange reproduction in the entire Stage line, though, the Stage 5 included. So it has its own "magic" in its savant-like ability to monitor voices. There are lots of "dry" sounding IEMs that are nevertheless very impressive. The ER4, for one, and the CW-L05QD another. I haven't heard the NT6, but perhaps it has a bit of that trait as well.
 
Anyway, I've finished my brief overview of the Rhines Stage lineup, up on CYMBACAVUM.
 
​
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UE overall has some great products, and I have recommended 3 in my musician's buyer's guide.  The 18 is what it is and I hope they replace it some day, but I won't hold my breath.  The PRM is way better, so they would need to best that CIEM.
 
Thanks for sharing your great Rhines write-up.
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 8:44 AM Post #3,829 of 4,841
I must say, I did find the Stage 2/3/4 demos very musical (even though they were far from reference, in terms of freq response).
 
I'm interested to hear the Stage 5
 
Jul 20, 2014 at 11:56 AM Post #3,830 of 4,841
average_joe said:
  UE overall has some great products, and I have recommended 3 in my musician's buyer's guide.  The 18 is what it is and I hope they replace it some day, but I won't hold my breath.  The PRM is way better, so they would need to best that CIEM.  
Thanks for sharing your great Rhines write-up.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks. You know, they could probably also create a variant of the UE900 for semi-pro/enthusiast purposes. It's too bad InEar's StageDiver already had the idea, but I think UE can do an even better job with the universals based on real ears kind of thing. They have a ton of ear molds both in storage and scanned into their database; they can probably sort those shapes by metadata, i.e. gender, ethnicity, height, weight, etc. and obtain a 98+ % fit rate even with universal fit. I thought of something like this a while ago and even thought of talking to them about it, but I never got around to telling them about it.
 
mython said:
  I must say, I did find the Stage 2/3/4 demos very musical (even though they were far from reference, in terms of freq response).
 
I'm interested to hear the Stage 5
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It'd be nice if they did a Stage 1 rather than a Rookie model. Not sure if you read the writeup, but the Stage 5 is not exactly reference either, and is probably the brightest of them all, though it does have a ton of detailing and again it brings the music.
 
Aug 4, 2014 at 2:13 AM Post #3,832 of 4,841
A brief impression of the Lear LCM BD4.2 & LUF BD4.2 has been posted in my review preview page.
 
Also, two new cable reviews have been posted.
 
I am working on catching up on some of my reviews that have been in the works for a while...
 
Aug 4, 2014 at 2:36 AM Post #3,833 of 4,841
The review preview page link is inoperative... at least for me it is...
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Aug 4, 2014 at 2:42 AM Post #3,834 of 4,841
Aug 4, 2014 at 9:30 AM Post #3,835 of 4,841
I generally agree with your sentiments on the Lear BD4.2 thus far. It's a bit of a tricky CIEM because it's very transparent, so I initially thought it was more analytical.... which turned out to be the DAC/amp I was using, not the BD4.2 itself. The Lear can be warm and smoother, or brighter, or whatever, depending on the associated gear.
 
UM PP6 is a good comparison to make since they do kinda go for the same thing. Will be interesting to see if Lear can achieve what UM set out to do, without needing the active crossovers and such.
 
Aug 4, 2014 at 12:40 PM Post #3,836 of 4,841
That's really interesting what you are guys saying about LEAR that IEM definitely got my attention.
Can you tell what BA drivers are inside? Is it typical dynamic TWFK set up? Nevermind it's DTEC +2xFK, very impressive look inside. Now I'm even more interested :)
 
Aug 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM Post #3,837 of 4,841
Aug 8, 2014 at 11:05 AM Post #3,838 of 4,841
Aug 8, 2014 at 11:11 AM Post #3,839 of 4,841
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