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

[Mini0510]

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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. 
 

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. 
 

is the improvement of i.Fuzen significant or just slightly? it nice to hear that the LS8 is easy to drive.
and LS8 is more 3D than SM3? Thats hard to believe. It a good thing I guess.
 

 

[average_joe]

 
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is the improvement of i.Fuzen significant or just slightly? it nice to hear that the LS8 is easy to drive.
and LS8 is more 3D than SM3? Thats hard to believe. It a good thing I guess.

The improvement doesn't seem all that large when I go from the HPO to the i.Fuzen, but when I then go back to the HPO I loose the sense of space and the little things that improve the sound a good deal to my ears.  If you just casually listen, it might not be as large of a difference for you.
 
The LS8 doesn't have the same depth to width ratio of the SM3, with the SM3 having more depth vs. width, but the LS8 soundstage overall is larger by maybe 1/3rd or so. There will be a better sense of depth with the SM3, but a much larger sense of space with the LS8.
 

 

[Mini0510]

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The improvement doesn't seem all that large when I go from the HPO to the i.Fuzen, but when I then go back to the HPO I loose the sense of space and the little things that improve the sound a good deal to my ears.  If you just casually listen, it might not be as large of a difference for you.
 
The LS8 doesn't have the same depth to width ratio of the SM3, with the SM3 having more depth vs. width, but the LS8 soundstage overall is larger by maybe 1/3rd or so. There will be a better sense of depth with the SM3, but a much larger sense of space with the LS8.

oh ok. Im probably not going to use an amp.
 
 

 

[dogears]

Hi Chief,
 
What is the strongest point of FX700 vs the monitors on your sig? And to which universal do they sound closest?
I think I would like to own a DD based IEM primarily for that DD bass --- and hoping to find something like the MDR7550 (bass to die for!) with a warmer midrange [and hopefully with the treble presence of DBA02 ]
TIA!
 
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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.

 

 

[kingice10]

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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. 
 

Realistic on the sense that I am hearing the way the cymbals is supposed to hear more on the FX700 than the JH16. This was one of the timbre issues that I have on the JH16. Although some other factors make it up on the presentation of the JH16, I still find them lacking on treble crisp because of their smooth presentation. So they are less bright.

 

[kingice10]

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Hi Chief,
 
What is the strongest point of FX700 vs the monitors on your sig? And to which universal do they sound closest?
I think I would like to own a DD based IEM primarily for that DD bass --- and hoping to find something like the MDR7550 (bass to die for!) with a warmer midrange [and hopefully with the treble presence of DBA02 ]
TIA!

Sorry I'll send you a PM because this is average_joe's custom iem's discussion.
 

 

[dogears]

I think joe wouldn't mind - he's very open minded. Hence I posted my question here

 

[kingice10]

FX700 strongest point is the timbre. I still cannot find an iem that presents stringed instruments like the FX700. The FX700's presentation on them is surreal. It's like hearing the body of the instruments resonate in your ears.
 
I won't be ranting on the JH16 if I didn't have other iems to compare. The JH16 is excellent as they are but still have weaknesses.

 

[average_joe]

 
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oh ok. Im probably not going to use an amp.

To me, subtle differences can make a large difference in overall enjoyment, but this isn't the case for everyone.  Also, the more resolving the headphone/IEM, the more the source matters (as well as source material).
 
Quote:

Hi Chief,
 
What is the strongest point of FX700 vs the monitors on your sig? And to which universal do they sound closest?
I think I would like to own a DD based IEM primarily for that DD bass --- and hoping to find something like the MDR7550 (bass to die for!) with a warmer midrange [and hopefully with the treble presence of DBA02 ]
TIA!

Maybe the i9pro
 
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Realistic on the sense that I am hearing the way the cymbals is supposed to hear more on the FX700 than the JH16. This was one of the timbre issues that I have on the JH16. Although some other factors make it up on the presentation of the JH16, I still find them lacking on treble crisp because of their smooth presentation. So they are less bright.

OK, that makes sense, but not all CIEMs present the treble the same way the JH16 does, and I term it bright and on the analytical side.  
 
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FX700 strongest point is the timbre. I still cannot find an iem that presents stringed instruments like the FX700. The FX700's presentation on them is surreal. It's like hearing the body of the instruments resonate in your ears.
 
I won't be ranting on the JH16 if I didn't have other iems to compare. The JH16 is excellent as they are but still have weaknesses.

Is the body of the instrument resonating in your ear the correct sound, or the preferred sound?  Is that what you think you would experience on stage or in the audience of a live performance?  Also, the FX700 and JH16 both have similar proportioned soundstages while just about every other CIEM has different shaped soundstages with more depth, giving a sense of space, image placement, and instrument separation that is different, making me feel it is closer to the real thing.  That alone helps me with the realism, and then decay is the next part as even when you have a faster decay but proper proportions, it just places a different focus on things vs. a thicker sound.
 
I have been thinking of getting some top tier universals for benchmarks, but I am not sure when/if I will pull the trigger.

 

[Mython]

I have been thinking of getting some top tier universals for benchmarks, but I am not sure when/if I will pull the trigger.

AKG K3003..?

 

[average_joe]

Might be closer than you think

 

[Sinocelt]

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Might be closer than you think

iBuds?
 

 

[Mython]

The K3003 intrigues me but I remain skeptical that it can truly match a top-end custom of equivalent price (might best a Sony EX-1000, perhaps, which in itself would be a noteworthy achievement for something so compact).
Although I don't doubt that AKG know how to create a damned good-sounding high-end IEM, the K3003 seems greedily overpriced to me, and the cringe-worthy inclusion of an iPod inline remote smacks of low-end 'Apple fanboi' wannabe 'bling' gadgetry, from where I'm standing.

but in spite of these marketing gimmicks and blatantly greedy tactics, I'm confident the K3003 will sound very nice indeed. Should be more like $750, though...

 

[average_joe]

 
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iBuds?

I can't afford the time to put them in my ears
 
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The K3003 intrigues me but I remain skeptical that it can truly match a top-end custom of equivalent price (might best a Sony EX-1000, perhaps, which in itself would be a noteworthy achievement for something so compact).
Although I don't doubt that AKG know how to create a damned good-sounding high-end IEM, the K3003 seems greedily overpriced to me, and the cringe-worthy inclusion of an iPod inline remote smacks of low-end 'Apple fanboi' wannabe 'bling' gadgetry, from where I'm standing.
but in spite of these marketing gimmicks and blatantly greedy tactics, I'm confident the K3003 will sound very nice indeed. Should be more like $750, though...

The price is hefty, but I will not be skeptical until I hear them.  I am not sure how you can put a price on them like $750 and not the full price.  While the entry level AKG IEMs may not be great (they are old), AKG does make some very nice headphones and is well respected in the world of pro audio.  I am eager to hear them and see how they stack up...I have received enough requests for comparisons!

 

[Mini0510]

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To me, subtle differences can make a large difference in overall enjoyment, but this isn't the case for everyone.  Also, the more resolving the headphone/IEM, the more the source matters (as well as source material).
 

I have most 320kps mp3 or m4a. Does FLAC make a difference with LS8? It definitely does not to my ears with the FX700 or Monster Turbine.
 
so how much difference is there with i.Fuzen HP-1 amp?
 
and does LS8 has significant bass quantity that FX700?