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

[Mini0510]

I see. so the EX1000 is neutral, slightly on the bright side?
 
I am very happy with FX700's sound signature. Maybe I will be ok with slightly less bass. Everything else is probably perfect.
Aside from bass quantity, does the LS8 do everything that FX700 does if not better?
 
and I am only going to use an iphone 4 or ipod touch 4 as my source. You mentioned that LS8 and iphone isn't a good match up. So will I hear improvements over the FX700? Or do I need to use the Clip+? I hope the difference is minimum.

 

[AstralStorm]

Quote:

 

Even those charts really don't tell the whole story IMO and there are some things that only the ear can really pick up, at least for now.  I am sure there are enough things that can be charted to really tell what is going on, eliminating the need for ears, but to my knowledge some of the tests I think would be needed don't exist.
 
How can you extrapolate the 5-way performance from the NT-6 review?

Easily, there's a direct comparison in the review. Since I have the charts for NT-6 as well, I can hazard a guess at what SE-5 is.
 

 

[adlerk76]

FANTASTIC review, I think that your info is the best on the net.  You covered every question I had about custom monitors. Thanks,

 

[tupac0306]

Totally agree!
 
Quote:

FANTASTIC review, I think that your info is the best on the net.  You covered every question I had about custom monitors. Thanks,

 
 

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

I see. so the EX1000 is neutral, slightly on the bright side?
 
I am very happy with FX700's sound signature. Maybe I will be ok with slightly less bass. Everything else is probably perfect.
Aside from bass quantity, does the LS8 do everything that FX700 does if not better?
 
and I am only going to use an iphone 4 or ipod touch 4 as my source. You mentioned that LS8 and iphone isn't a good match up. So will I hear improvements over the FX700? Or do I need to use the Clip+? I hope the difference is minimum.

Yes and yes.
 
For the source differences, the LS8 should outperform the FX700 from the iPhone.
 
Quote:

Easily, there's a direct comparison in the review. Since I have the charts for NT-6 as well, I can hazard a guess at what SE-5 is.

OK, I haven't been able to extrapolate charts in my head, but I do try to compare so people can get a good feel for how things stack up.

     Quote:

FANTASTIC review, I think that your info is the best on the net.  You covered every question I had about custom monitors. Thanks,

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Totally agree!
 

Thank you both!
 

 

[Sweden]

This is one of the better work I've seen in all of audio.
I'm curious to why you haven't added the Hidition NT-6 yet to this list that you did an excellent job reviewing.
What custom that you haven't had the chance to listen to are you most eager to try out?  

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

This is one of the better work I've seen in all of audio.
I'm curious to why you haven't added the Hidition NT-6 yet to this list that you did an excellent job reviewing.
What custom that you haven't had the chance to listen to are you most eager to try out?  

Thank you!
 
What list have I not added the NT-6 to?  It is listed under IEM review summary and is in the chart at the top of the first post of this thread, and the summary is currently the 2nd to last in that same thread.  I may have forgot to change the manufacturer section, is that what you are referring to?
 
The list is long, but here is my short list (not including what I will be reviewing)...
JH-3A, 8.A, FitEar MH335DW, ES5, mg6pro, Miracle 
And my extended with list (and a wish for more time!):
A3, JH5, FitEar Private 333, Compact Monitors Stage 4, G Customs CX8, Stage 93 Stage 6, something from Puretone.
 
If time permitted, I would like to try all the entry level stuff as well, but in due time!

 

[Mini0510]

     Quote:

Yes and yes.
 
For the source differences, the LS8 should outperform the FX700 from the iPhone.

 
1. how much does source matter? can't I just crank the iPhone volume to 70%?
 
2. does LS8 has more bass and deeper bass than EX1000? Im definitely ok with slightly less bass than FX700, just not significantly less.
 
3. and does FX700 has more treble extension and presence than JH16?

 

[Sweden]

 


 
Quote:

 

Thank you!
 
What list have I not added the NT-6 to?  It is listed under IEM review summary and is in the chart at the top of the first post of this thread, and the summary is currently the 2nd to last in that same thread.  I may have forgot to change the manufacturer section, is that what you are referring to?
 

 
 Apparently I'm as blind as a bat. I think it can be some neurological deficit. 

  

 

 

[average_joe]

 
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     Quote:
 
1. how much does source matter? can't I just crank the iPhone volume to 70%?
 
2. does LS8 has more bass and deeper bass than EX1000? Im definitely ok with slightly less bass than FX700, just not significantly less.
 
3. and does FX700 has more treble extension and presence than JH16?

1. Volume does not = quality.  The LS8 is very sensitive and may go louder than FX700 with an iPhone, it is taking advantage of the higher performance of the LS8 vs. the FX700, and you need a better source path to really create the separation between the two that is possible.
 
2. From the fit I was getting with the EX1000 (I had over a week with them and tried every ear tip I own that would fit), yet.
 
3. I don't know that since I didn't test the FX700 (or don't recall doing so).  The JH16 is brighter than the FX700 as it has a peak in the upper midrange/lower treble.
 
 
Quote:

 Apparently I'm as blind as a bat. I think it can be some neurological deficit. 

  

No prob, glad you found it now!

 

[kingice10]

treble extension is both experienced on both but the FX700 has more sparkle. My JH16 is a bit smoothen up as presented.

 

[average_joe]

 
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treble extension is both experienced on both but the FX700 has more sparkle. My JH16 is a bit smoothen up as presented.

So, they both extend the same, however the FX700 is brighter?  Which has more detail and how does the note decay compare?
 

 

[kingice10]

Yes, the FX700 is brighter...the sparkle is definitely heard on the FX700 like cymbals crash are more realistic on them.
 
Yet for treble detail, the JH16 is more pronounced, only smoothened up compared to the FX700. Note decay also for JH16 is faster.

 

[Mini0510]

Quote:

Yes, the FX700 is brighter...the sparkle is definitely heard on the FX700 like cymbals crash are more realistic on them.
 
Yet for treble detail, the JH16 is more pronounced, only smoothened up compared to the FX700. Note decay also for JH16 is faster.

ya thats what I thought. Not many people think that the JH16's treble is very extended. Or else I would plan to buy JH16 for sure.
how does your JH16 sound on your iPhone 3GS compare to FX700? iPod Touch and iPhone are the only source I'm going to use.

 
Quote:

1. Volume does not = quality.  The LS8 is very sensitive and may go louder than FX700 with an iPhone, it is taking advantage of the higher performance of the LS8 vs. the FX700, and you need a better source path to really create the separation between the two that is possible.
 
2. From the fit I was getting with the EX1000 (I had over a week with them and tried every ear tip I own that would fit), yet.
 
3. I don't know that since I didn't test the FX700 (or don't recall doing so).  The JH16 is brighter than the FX700 as it has a peak in the upper midrange/lower treble.

Do you still have your FX700? If not, can you compare LS8 with another top tier universal on the iPhone 3GS or 4?
 
it seems that you are implying that LS8's performance suffers greatly from the iPhone and it sounds almost the same as FX700, maybe a bit better. 

Or I'm not understanding you correctly.
 
does i.Fuzen HP-1 amp work well with LS8? I really like the case amp design.
 
 

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

Yes, the FX700 is brighter...the sparkle is definitely heard on the FX700 like cymbals crash are more realistic on them.
 
Yet for treble detail, the JH16 is more pronounced, only smoothened up compared to the FX700. Note decay also for JH16 is faster.

More realistic from a decay standpoint?  And are you saying the JH16 has more detail with a smoother presentation and less brightness?  In sweeps my JH16 extends OK, then drops off and comes back, which is odd and I do find the JH16 notes to be fast. 
 
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ya thats what I thought. Not many people think that the JH16's treble is very extended. Or else I would plan to buy JH16 for sure.
how does your JH16 sound on your iPhone 3GS compare to FX700? iPod Touch and iPhone are the only source I'm going to use.

 
Do you still have your FX700? If not, can you compare LS8 with another top tier universal on the iPhone 3GS or 4?
 
it seems that you are implying that LS8's performance suffers greatly from the iPhone and it sounds almost the same as FX700, maybe a bit better. 

Or I'm not understanding you correctly.
 
does i.Fuzen HP-1 amp work well with LS8? I really like the case amp design.

I think part of the phenemonon that leads to the perception of a lack of extension is the peak in the lower treble/upper mids, or varying in ear response. A 711 coupler isn't too accurate above 8KHz or so, so tuning with that instrument may make it difficult (but this would be true for more manufacturers than just JHA).
 
I don't have the FX700 any more, and the only high end universal IEM I have are the TF10 and SM3. I have a friend with the GR07, but that sounds rather uninvolving to me among other things. And the LS8 is easy to drive and shreds the TF10 and SM3 from my iPhone. 
 
The i.Fuzen does improve the LS8 performance, mainly through the more spacious presentation, which helps improve other hings such as instrument separation.