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

[Nulliverse]

Quote:

Should be getting a mi performer on wednesday from Minerva.  They've redone the whole line so it's just two iems now.  The aforementioned performer which is a half shell by default (you can request to have full shell) and the performer pro which apparantly is a redone dual ba.  These supercede the mi 1 2 and 3's.  Curious about the pro now.  If it is a dual ba then it could take on the ageing acs t2 for about £100 or so less.  Hopefully my right ear still plays nice er with the silicone then the luck I've had with acryllic!  Mind you someone should tell minerva to redo the website!  Paid rush for it to be done (I've been at this too long now to care, and thanks to all who I've bothered with pm's, you know who you are).

 
Yes, I too, am interested in the new Minerva range. I believe that, as the Mi-3 replacement, the Mi-Performer Pro is a 3-way triple BA. I could be wrong though. I emailed Lee about it a while ago, who described it as "delivering a more expansive soundstage and more detailed highs, in a design that is both more robust and more aesthetically appealing." £375 is an inviting price, too. There's not a huge amount of competition here in the UK, so Minerva have all the right ingredients, bar audiophile targeted marketing initiatives.
 
Will get in touch with Lee again and ask for more info.  

 

[tomscy2000]

Quote:

  Yes, I too, am interested in the new Minerva range. I believe that, as the Mi-3 replacement, the Mi-Performer Pro is a 3-way triple BA. I could be wrong though. I emailed Lee about it a while ago, who described it as "delivering a more expansive soundstage and more detailed highs, in a design that is both more robust and more aesthetically appealing." £375 is an inviting price, too. There's not a huge amount of competition here in the UK, so Minerva have all the right ingredients, bar audiophile targeted marketing initiatives. Will get in touch with Lee again and ask for more info.  

No. The Performer Pro is a 2-way dual BA. They used the Mi-3 page as a template on their website and accidentally kept the "triple driver" description, which has since been corrected/removed.

 

[Mython]

I remember discussing multi-BA designs with Lee, some time ago, and he mentioned then that he is not a big believer in 'more BAs = better', and this would appear to have been the philosophy in designing the updated Minerva range.
 
The price point is reasonable.
 
However, I'm not sure I'm convinced that 2 BAs is sufficient to achieve really decent full range extension at both ends of the spectrum, and really decent performance all the way in between.
 
Even the Fabs reviewed by Joe (first page of this thread) use a dual bass driver.
 
I shall watch for reviews of the new Minerva with interest.

 

[Nulliverse]

Quote:

No. The Performer Pro is a 2-way dual BA. They used the Mi-3 page as a template on their website and accidentally kept the "triple driver" description, which has since been corrected/removed.

 
Thanks for clearing this up.
 
 

I remember discussing multi-BA designs with Lee, some time ago, and he mentioned then that he is not a big believer in 'more BAs = better', and this would appear to have been the philosophy in designing the updated Minerva range.
 
The price point is reasonable.
 
However, I'm not sure I'm convinced that 2 BAs is sufficient to achieve really decent full range extension at both ends of the spectrum, and really decent performance all the way in between.
 
Even the Fabs reviewed by Joe (first page of this thread) use a dual bass driver.
 
I shall watch for reviews of the new Minerva with interest.

 

Agreed. They would have to be some pretty fine drivers to pull it off.   

 

[piotrus-g]

Quote:

Agreed. They would have to be some pretty fine drivers to pull it off.   

Well, they are. Technology is the same as TDK BA200 - which are rather praised around the globe

 

[Nulliverse]

Well, they are. Technology is the same as TDK BA200 - which are rather praised around the globe

I own and praise the BA200. I'm not sure I'd pay £375 for a customized version, though.

Implementation and tuning could enhance the capability significantly, of course, but I do still wonder whether extension at both ends would be limited relative to the competition (at that pricepoint).

There's only one way of finding out!

 

[piotrus-g]

Given the fact these are silicone IEMs they must be using non-vented version of that driver - vs. vented in BA200. Sound will be quite dramatically different. tighter bass, more accurate sound, but also lesser bass extension.

 

[average_joe]

I have posted another amp review...the Lear FSM-02 V2 in the 2nd post of my multi-amp review thread.  The amp is an exceptional performer.  I have also compiled a png chart here in an attempt to make comparisons easier.
 
Thanks for sharing the info on the new Minerva.  I think a dual driver can possibly sound very, very good.  The single bass driver in the LE3b was honestly shocking to me with the combination of bass depth, impact, and tightness all with enhanced bass; the best I have heard from a single driver option.  Typically, one of those three characteristics suffers (yes, still working on the review, but you can read a bit here).

 

[piotrus-g]

Quote:

Thanks for sharing the info on the new Minerva.  I think a dual driver can possibly sound very, very good.  The single bass driver in the LE3b was honestly shocking to me with the combination of bass depth, impact, and tightness all with enhanced bass; the best I have heard from a single driver option.  Typically, one of those three characteristics suffers (yes, still working on the review, but you can read a bit here).

Better than SE5way? :>

 

[davidcotton]

Quote:

I have posted another amp review...the Lear FSM-02 V2 in the 2nd post of my multi-amp review thread.  The amp is an exceptional performer.  I have also compiled a png chart here in an attempt to make comparisons easier.
 
Thanks for sharing the info on the new Minerva.  I think a dual driver can possibly sound very, very good.  The single bass driver in the LE3b was honestly shocking to me with the combination of bass depth, impact, and tightness all with enhanced bass; the best I have heard from a single driver option.  Typically, one of those three characteristics suffers (yes, still working on the review, but you can read a bit here).

Well got my mi's today.  Paid Rush order on friday before 10 am got them today at work before 10 so that's not bad going.  Fit seems ok so far (phew!) no judgement on sound yet (too early) but so far so good.  Pics later.  Slightly redone cable (same as mi3 but now in a sheath to make it manageable) and a better plug as standard.  They are another model that compliments the clip plus nicely. 

 

[Nulliverse]

Quote:

I have posted another amp review...the Lear FSM-02 V2 in the 2nd post of my multi-amp review thread.  The amp is an exceptional performer.  I have also compiled a png chart here in an attempt to make comparisons easier.
 
Thanks for sharing the info on the new Minerva.  I think a dual driver can possibly sound very, very good.  The single bass driver in the LE3b was honestly shocking to me with the combination of bass depth, impact, and tightness all with enhanced bass; the best I have heard from a single driver option.  Typically, one of those three characteristics suffers (yes, still working on the review, but you can read a bit here).

 
Fantastic review and excellent comparison chart. Thanks! On the subject of amps, are you using the 627 with the DX100 much? 
 
 

Well got my mi's today.  Paid Rush order on friday before 10 am got them today at work before 10 so that's not bad going.  Fit seems ok so far (phew!) no judgement on sound yet (too early) but so far so good.  Pics later.  Slightly redone cable (same as mi3 but now in a sheath to make it manageable) and a better plug as standard.  They are another model that compliments the clip plus nicely. 

 
Great. So quick. Looking forward to your impressions!

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Better than SE5way? :>

 
Lol, even though that CIEM is "5-way," I still consider it to have 2 bass drivers.  A little elaboration: the performance requires excellent amplification (I was listening to it today again).  For example, it wasn't all that impressive with the Leckerton and while the bass was quite nice with the new Shonyun 306A, the deep bass was rolled off.  From the DX100 it was much better and the Portaphile 627 really kicked it into gear.  Also, the competitors I was thinking of include the now discontinued Mi-3, SA-12, IERM, Reference, and T1 Live!.  Of course, the Music One also is scales quite well and is extremely musical and surprisingly capable with higher end amps. 
 
Quote:

Well got my mi's today.  Paid Rush order on friday before 10 am got them today at work before 10 so that's not bad going.  Fit seems ok so far (phew!) no judgement on sound yet (too early) but so far so good.  Pics later.  Slightly redone cable (same as mi3 but now in a sheath to make it manageable) and a better plug as standard.  They are another model that compliments the clip plus nicely. 

 

 
Quote:

 
Fantastic review and excellent comparison chart. Thanks! On the subject of amps, are you using the 627 with the DX100 much? 
 
 
Great. So quick. Looking forward to your impressions!

 
Thanks!  No, not too much for reasons of convenience, just when I really want an extra kick.

 

[davidcotton]

HALF A SHELL'S BETTER THAN NONE :-
 
MINERVA MI 1 HALF SHELL (full shell available on request)
 
 
 
 

 
Picture courtesy of Minerva and tomscy2000 (couldn't take a picture that good if I tried).  Mine look like that.  Flawless shells, no bubbles and a decent fit.  That's a first for me as I usually struggle, maybe my ears just prefer silicone to acryllic?  Even funnier is that my normally troublesome right ear gets a perfect fit straight away and the left ear I have to play with a little bit but still get it.  Sound for  a single driver is perfectly acceptable and whilst it won't win any awards for sound for a good comfortable well isolating fairly cheap ciem in the uk (£195, minus a £10 if they have impressions on file) it's worth considering.  It's interesting to see how it's evolved over 3 or so years as you can see from this old website article photo http://www.minerva-hearingprotection.co.uk/review-minerva-mi-1-custom-headphones-that-don-t-break-the-bank.html
 
I was glad I had them today as my machine at work decided to develop a bit of a fault and was making a hell of a racket.  Popped these in, shoved a bit of Magnum's on The Thirteenth Day (check these guys out if you are in to rock in anyway) and it was a question of what noise? 
 
I've had a couple of issues with Minerva (all sorted amicably at the time it has to be said) and I still don't like the way they charge for things most other companies do for standard (£10 extra for a black colour? Come off it!) but on the basis of this transaction I wish them well.  I am interested in the pro but after the issues I had last time (3 fittings couldn't get my left ear correct) I wasn't willing to risk it.
 
 
Minerva aren't the only ones who do a half shell ciem as I've mentioned these guys before.
 
 
COSMIC EAR's MA1 with sansa clip plus, CIEM goodness for £130 (plus cost for card, postage and impressions so under £200) what's not to like?
 
For comparison from earlier in the thread a shot of my Cosmic Ears MA1's  :-
 

 
So you can see the obvious similarities.  As I use these at work I prefer this style of customs as they are a lot less unobtrusive and sit flush in the ear much more naturally whilst isolating much better than the universals.  I do prefer the way minerva have done the cabling to cosmic as I had issues with CE's strain relief (now sorted and quick too!) pressing against my right ear preventing fit, apparantly (as per usual!) they had never had that issue before!   Cosmic Ears also do a dual ba version with a bit more bass called the MA2 the new version of which (both MA1 and 2) will come with detachable cables.
 
 
Cheers

 

[Deviltooth]

Can you compare the CE and minerva single drivers based on sound quality?

 

[Nulliverse]

Quote:

HALF A SHELL'S BETTER THAN NONE :-
 
MINERVA MI 1 HALF SHELL (full shell available on request)
 
 
 
 

 
Picture courtesy of Minerva and tomscy2000 (couldn't take a picture that good if I tried).  Mine look like that.  Flawless shells, no bubbles and a decent fit.  That's a first for me as I usually struggle, maybe my ears just prefer silicone to acryllic?  Even funnier is that my normally troublesome right ear gets a perfect fit straight away and the left ear I have to play with a little bit but still get it.  Sound for  a single driver is perfectly acceptable and whilst it won't win any awards for sound for a good comfortable well isolating fairly cheap ciem in the uk (£195, minus a £10 if they have impressions on file) it's worth considering.  It's interesting to see how it's evolved over 3 or so years as you can see from this old website article photo http://www.minerva-hearingprotection.co.uk/review-minerva-mi-1-custom-headphones-that-don-t-break-the-bank.html
 
I was glad I had them today as my machine at work decided to develop a bit of a fault and was making a hell of a racket.  Popped these in, shoved a bit of Magnum's on The Thirteenth Day (check these guys out if you are in to rock in anyway) and it was a question of what noise? 
 
I've had a couple of issues with Minerva (all sorted amicably at the time it has to be said) and I still don't like the way they charge for things most other companies do for standard (£10 extra for a black colour? Come off it!) but on the basis of this transaction I wish them well.  I am interested in the pro but after the issues I had last time (3 fittings couldn't get my left ear correct) I wasn't willing to risk it.
 
 
Minerva aren't the only ones who do a half shell ciem as I've mentioned these guys before.
 
 
COSMIC EAR's MA1 with sansa clip plus, CIEM goodness for £130 (plus cost for card, postage and impressions so under £200) what's not to like?
 
For comparison from earlier in the thread a shot of my Cosmic Ears MA1's  :-
 

 
So you can see the obvious similarities.  As I use these at work I prefer this style of customs as they are a lot less unobtrusive and sit flush in the ear much more naturally whilst isolating much better than the universals.  I do prefer the way minerva have done the cabling to cosmic as I had issues with CE's strain relief (now sorted and quick too!) pressing against my right ear preventing fit, apparantly (as per usual!) they had never had that issue before!   Cosmic Ears also do a dual ba version with a bit more bass called the MA2 the new version of which (both MA1 and 2) will come with detachable cables.
 
 
Cheers

 
Interesting impressions.. Thank Davidcotton. I'd be interested to hear Cosmic Ears sonic comparisons too.