Multi driver Iems vs single driver Iem's

[Akin]

A question came to mind as I don't have the oppurtunity to try a lot of iems and headphones in my country. How do the two compare? I know it is not possible to say one is def. Better than the other, but are there any significant differences? Better instrument seperation? Or maybe a difference in soundstage. Or would it be generalized as in some better than the some, some better than others?

Just wondering,

Akin

 

[Akin]

Bump

 

[Viperkun]

[size=x-small]Here are a couple of threads for you to peruse through on this topic which covers alot of points from different angles.[/size]
 
[size=x-small][size=x-small]http://www.head-fi.org/t/364089/single-driver-vs-multiple-drivers-my-thoughts-on-the-trend[/size][/size]
[size=x-small][size=x-small]http://www.head-fi.org/t/591583/crossover-multi-driver-vs-single-driver[/size][/size]
 

 

[Akin]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

 

[Jeremypsp]

It depends. Some dynamic drivers can perform as well as Triple or Quad balanced armatures like how the EX-1000 and FX700 is considered on par with things like the Westone 3 and 4. When it comes to single balanced armatures, the ER-4 and HF5 are both very good ones, and the separation on them can easily compare with those with multiple drivers. So basically there is no significant difference, all depends on the way the drivers are tuned. 

 

[Akin]

Thats what I thought actually. One kind can't be absolutely better than the other imo

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

Thats what I thought actually. One kind can't be absolutely better than the other imo

True, it really depends a lot on the tuning, like how 3 driver customs in the market can match or even beat 6-8 driver ones. 

 

[Akin]

8 drivers? :O Can you give me an example?

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

8 drivers? :O Can you give me an example?

JH16  

 

[Akin]

I know about the Jh16's and Ive always wondered about the pricing on them. But which Iem surpasses them though?

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

I know about the Jh16's and Ive always wondered about the pricing on them. But which Iem surpasses them though?

Not really surpass as it is quite a matter of preference, but stacks up well against it. But the Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors, Westone ES3x and FitEar Private 333 are good competitors of it with only 3 drivers. Never had a chance to try them though... 

 

[Akin]

Well yeah, different people like different sound sigs.

 

[ProjectDenz]

I'm biased because I'm sitting here with a pair of JH13's but I feel that the major difference between these 6 drivered iems and the other dynamics/single/multiple drivered iems is that they seem to fix the sonic deficiencies of these other iems, which is what I feel is the advantage of having a bit more drivers.
 
The SE530 for example is a nice iem but it's treble and bass does not extend very well. The TF10 is nice but it's mids are lacking and the bass does not extend to well and the highs are quite unrefined.
 
But that's based off my own experiences.

 

[Akin]

How are the tf10s nice if it is lacking in every frequency? Or is it just because you are used to the jh13s?

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

I'm biased because I'm sitting here with a pair of JH13's but I feel that the major difference between these 6 drivered iems and the other dynamics/single/multiple drivered iems is that they seem to fix the sonic deficiencies of these other iems, which is what I feel is the advantage of having a bit more drivers.
 
The SE530 for example is a nice iem but it's treble and bass does not extend very well. The TF10 is nice but it's mids are lacking and the bass does not extend to well and the highs are quite unrefined.
 
But that's based off my own experiences.

More drivers do fix the sonic deficiencies, although a professionally tuned 3-4 driver IEM would be able to fix the sonic deficiencies as well as a not as good tuned 6-8 driver IEM.