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

[Love Music]

Thanks for the recommendation average_joe, will do a bit of research on them to see if they are what i'm looking for. Price is actually quite reasonable for a 8 BA.

 

[davidcotton]

 
Cosmic Ears MA2

 

[IronLung]

Hello, head-fiers. I'm running for the following ciem (currently I use UM Merlin, which will soon go to the lab on Refit for my wife).
 
I would like to hand the following ciem was neutral as possible, and the analytical (not U-shape!). What ciem would you suggest that would fit this category?
Most of my favorite headphones still Etymotic ER4-S (unfortunately they were uncomfortable). Are UM Platfrom Pure 6 neutral and analytical?
The budget is practically unlimited.

 

[ALRAINBOW]

I have them and very neutral but not as much analitical more musical
But yet has great detail in bass and lower mids overall the most accurate ciem
I own. If you wish ask me some question and I will answer

 

[ItsMeHere]

Quote:

Hello, head-fiers. I'm running for the following ciem (currently I use UM Merlin, which will soon go to the lab on Refit for my wife).
 
I would like to hand the following ciem was neutral as possible, and the analytical (not U-shape!). What ciem would you suggest that would fit this category?
Most of my favorite headphones still Etymotic ER4-S (unfortunately they were uncomfortable). Are UM Platfrom Pure 6 neutral and analytical?
The budget is practically unlimited.

You might want to check out the LEAR LCM-5 + LEAR's "monitor sound" adapter. This is a very neutral CIEM with the adapter.

 

[project86]

UM PP6 is great but I wouldn't call it the most neutral or analytical sounding IEM out there. The Lear LCM-5 with adapter is a possible good fit, as is the Cosmic Ears BA4 which is incredibly neutral to the point where some people will find it boring. 
 
Do you like the Merlin or no? If so, the Miracle has a lot of similarities but in a more neutral package. 

 

[tomscy2000]

Quote:

Cosmic Ears BA4 which is incredibly neutral to the point where some people will find it boring.

 
"boring" ? Uh oh, you now have my interest... lol

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Hello, head-fiers. I'm running for the following ciem (currently I use UM Merlin, which will soon go to the lab on Refit for my wife).
 
I would like to hand the following ciem was neutral as possible, and the analytical (not U-shape!). What ciem would you suggest that would fit this category?
Most of my favorite headphones still Etymotic ER4-S (unfortunately they were uncomfortable). Are UM Platfrom Pure 6 neutral and analytical?
The budget is practically unlimited.

 
How would you describe the Merlin and ER4-S?  What are the differences between these two?  The more detail you can give, and what characteristics you want/don't want will help with a more accurate recommendation. 
 
I haven't heard the Cosmic Ears CIEMs, but the LCM-5 is neutral and relatively close to the ER4.  The PP6 has a U shaped presentation, meaning the deep bass and treble are boosted, plus the note presentation (the attack and decay) is more organic vs. the analytical presentation of the ER4.  
 
The Dream Earz aud-8X is a form of neutral with a bass tilt, however what might fit you best is the Rooth LS6, which is extremely neutral.  It is on the analytical side, but there is a very liquid and musical quality to it while not sacrificing detail or overall technical performance.  
 
Another option which I find is exceptional is the NT-6 with the Whiplash Hybrid V3 cable, which is much more neutral than just the NT-6, which I find on the bright side of neutral.  The performance is exceptional to my ears.
 
With an unlimited budget, I would recommend getting the sound signature that fits you best with the highest technical performance and then spending on your source chain and possibly a cable to improve the sound further.

 

[IronLung]

Quote:

 
How would you describe the Merlin and ER4-S?  What are the differences between these two?  The more detail you can give, and what characteristics you want/don't want will help with a more accurate recommendation. 
 
I haven't heard the Cosmic Ears CIEMs, but the LCM-5 is neutral and relatively close to the ER4.  The PP6 has a U shaped presentation, meaning the deep bass and treble are boosted, plus the note presentation (the attack and decay) is more organic vs. the analytical presentation of the ER4.  
 
The Dream Earz aud-8X is a form of neutral with a bass tilt, however what might fit you best is the Rooth LS6, which is extremely neutral.  It is on the analytical side, but there is a very liquid and musical quality to it while not sacrificing detail or overall technical performance.  
 
Another option which I find is exceptional is the NT-6 with the Whiplash Hybrid V3 cable, which is much more neutral than just the NT-6, which I find on the bright side of neutral.  The performance is exceptional to my ears.
 
With an unlimited budget, I would recommend getting the sound signature that fits you best with the highest technical performance and then spending on your source chain and possibly a cable to improve the sound further.

 
Thanks to all who responded to my request. And you, Joe, for the detailed answer.
 
1. I would describe the sound signature of Merlin, as fat, with deep bass (often inflated, where I do not expect it, and a bit redundant), upturned peak on vocals (which is especially annoying).
 
As for the ER-4, I will describe the sound signature: perfectly smooth middle freq., without unpleasant peaks, but almost no high frequency and a bit not enough bass.
 
2. I do not quite understand what you mean by: "I would recommend getting the sound signature that fits you best with the highest technical performance".
It is to see a doctor-audiologist for my biological audiogram?
 
p.s.
Guys, I apologize for my bad English, to write a response I have to use Google.translate: D

 

[tomscy2000]

In the last five posts, people have written the word "neutral" 10 times... lol

 

[IronLung]

Quote:

In the last five posts, people have written the word "neutral" 10 times... lol

Haha This is because not a neutral sound signature bored. Wants "sip of clean water."

 

[TekeRugburn]

Westone es5 is pretty neutral from what i have read
 
my recommendation is jh13.  i have them and they seem pretty spot on.  Doesnt add much if anything to recordings.  Whatever you're supposed to hear from the recording is what you get.  Crap recordings sound like crap.... beautifully done recordings is like sunshine in the summer.

 

[average_joe]

Thanks to all who responded to my request. And you, Joe, for the detailed answer.
 
1. I would describe the sound signature of Merlin, as fat, with deep bass (often inflated, where I do not expect it, and a bit redundant), upturned peak on vocals (which is especially annoying).
 
As for the ER-4, I will describe the sound signature: perfectly smooth middle freq., without unpleasant peaks, but almost no high frequency and a bit not enough bass.
 
2. I do not quite understand what you mean by: "I would recommend getting the sound signature that fits you best with the highest technical performance".
It is to see a doctor-audiologist for my biological audiogram?
 
p.s.
Guys, I apologize for my bad English, to write a response I have to use Google.translate: D

1) thank you for the description. Do you want a similar midrange to the ER4, but with better bass and treble? It seems like the Merlin is too bass heavy and mid forward. I would tend to recommend the LCM-5 or LS6 in that case.

2) sorry if I wasn't clear. What I am saying is, try to get the sound as close to the way you want it as possible. I define sound signature as the unique frequency response, sound stage presentation, and note attack/decay characteristics. I hope that translates OK.

No problem on using Google translate; you are very understandable!

In the last five posts, people have written the word "neutral" 10 times... lol

I was 50% of that!

Haha This is because not a neutral sound signature bored. Wants "sip of clean water."

"Sip of clean water" reminds me of the LS6.

Westone es5 is pretty neutral from what i have read

Neutral is in the eye of the beholder, but I don't think the ES5 fits the bill. I would say the ES5 is closer to the Merlin (from the demo i heard and talking with some owners) than the ER4.

 

[IronLung]

Quote:

1) thank you for the description. Do you want a similar midrange to the ER4, but with better bass and treble? It seems like the Merlin is too bass heavy and mid forward. I would tend to recommend the LCM-5 or LS6 in that case.

2) sorry if I wasn't clear. What I am saying is, try to get the sound as close to the way you want it as possible. I define sound signature as the unique frequency response, sound stage presentation, and note attack/decay characteristics. I hope that translates OK.

"Sip of clean water" reminds me of the LS6.
 

 
What is the main difference between the LCM-5 & LS-6?
In your review of the LCM-5, you wrote that not a good enough detail in these ciem. Loss of detail in the lower-back or mid range?
 
Have there been any measurement LCM-5 & LS-6, it would be interesting to look at their graphs.

 

[ace8888]

I'm interested in the Rooth LS6 as well... sent you a pm ironlung.