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5 way doesn't have dark treble at all. In fact, it has the best extended treble in my CIEMs. I suggest you upgrade your source first, you will heard the difference.
It has very extended treble, yes, but it's shelved and "non-fatiguing". Specifically, it is linear right up to 3.5kHz. Afterwards, it rolls off slowly, smoothly but surely: -4 dB @ 6k, -8 dB @ 8k, -12 dB @ 20 kHz - but everything is there, unlike some other armature IEMs. Bass is boosted with +7 dB @ 100 Hz, but +3 dB @ 200 Hz, very interesting "peak" shape. Extremely minor subbass rolloff, smaller than many dynamic drivers..
The bass boost and huge impact magnifies the difference, giving SE-5 a bass slant. This is most annoying with classical and other acoustic music, as well as some kinds of electronica.
I'll try a reshell, but I suspect that's just the way they were tuned - sounding similar to Audeze LCD 2 (closer to rev2).
Yes, I've checked the sources - this source (Audiotrak Prodigy Cube) is actually the brightest of all of them (funny, since it's OPA2134 w/ JRC for current), near zero impedance and drives SE-5 admirably. I've also checked some others, like Arrow, Nuforce and FiiO desktop amps as well as HifiMan 802 DAP - they're all noticeably darker.
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What does the TWFK 6k peak sound like? They have a bigger peak at 2.9khz from the graph though.
The 9k peak actually works fine for me (referenced to 500 Hz, it's 0 dB - it shows up as a peak ref. 1kHz; but bass is then far too loud and warm), the 6k one clashes with my HRTF and is most prominent with shorter foams. This 6k peak can be reduced by certain silicone tips or extremely deep fit, but it is still bit resonant and harsh (not exactly sibilant fortunately).
The peak mostly distorts soundstage, putting it "on my face" instead of "in the front".
In comparison, RE272 is linear in highs and bass with a 3kHz dip and a small 4kHz dip (due to the foam filter?), giving it a bit overly smooth sound. Unmodded, they have pretty little bass and bass impact. When I modded them with foam to absorb resonances (or just opened their back), they gained some real bass impact and a slight subbass boost, went a bit less smooth and faster, making them even better.
They destroy my TWFK Brainwavz B2 utterly in everything except higher mids, but SE-5 is another league (when equalized), probably due to full, large, heavy shell giving nice bone conduction.
However, the fit is quite terrible - long strain relief is pushing against my ears, tips have a tendency to go too deep and close or lose seal. Isolation is also quite low.
The tricky part is that you cannot really remove them from their case - I've managed to destroy 3 out of 4 drivers by trying. (voice coils torn, these things are delicate) I'll try once more, but with a different approach - Hammertime - destroy the case completely to get at the driver.
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Since Starkey is still sold, I can add Starkey SA-43 to the list of watched CIEMs. I'm on to trying the two other companies making ear impressions locally (Geers and Audiovox).