Multi driver Iems vs single driver Iem's

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

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

I think he meant when compared to the JH13s. In actual fact, the TF10's highs are quite good, mids may be lacking, but bass extends deep. The SE530 has a high roll-off, and the bass isn't deep, but the mids are very good. 

 

[proton007]

More drivers also means the frequencies need to be separated, as each driver performs between a certain range of frequencies. The design and complexity of the circuitry behind the drivers creates a whole lot of variability and scope for tuning.
You might have noticed that a woofer + high freq driver (2.0) can sometimes deliver better performance than a lot of 2.1 speakers.
 
But I always wonder this: Most commonly, the audio source is already merged, i.e. various instruments + vocals are combined together during production. Has anyone tried to record these separately and then merge them only when playing back? 
 

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

More drivers also means the frequencies need to be separated, as each driver performs between a certain range of frequencies. The design and complexity of the circuitry behind the drivers creates a whole lot of variability and scope for tuning.
You might have noticed that a woofer + high freq driver (2.0) can sometimes deliver better performance than a lot of 2.1 speakers.
 
But I always wonder this: Most commonly, the audio source is already merged, i.e. various instruments + vocals are combined together during production. Has anyone tried to record these separately and then merge them only when playing back? 
 

Yes, less drivers means better coherence. 

 

[Akin]

Coherence?

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

Coherence?

I think it means how well the drivers are able to articulate, like how well they synchronize together. 

 

[Akin]

İve read that with single drivers one range can get shyer when others get pumped in, doesnt that disappear with multi drivers?

 

[Jeremypsp]

Quote:

İve read that with single drivers one range can get shyer when others get pumped in, doesnt that disappear with multi drivers?

Hmm, well, single balanced armatures will have a flatter sound compared to multiple ones, because multiple drivers are used to make up the loss of balanced armatures to make it sound more like a dynamic driver. That means single balanced armatures will be overall more balanced and would be able to synchronize better. 

 

[Akin]

How does a single driver syncronize?

 

[planx]

Quote:

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. 

Technically everything made is a "professional" product because it is made by "professionals" which is their "profession"
 

 

[Pianist]

My favorite IEMs are all single driver. IEMs like Etymotic ER4, Ortofon e-Q5/5-Q7, Hifiman RE0/262/272, Sony EX600/1000, Phonak Audeo PFE or Ultimate Ears 600 sound more enjoyable to me overall than pretty much any multi driver I tried. I also find that single driver balanced armatures, if designed well - IEMs like ER4, PFE and UE600 - can match or exceed the technical ability of multi driver armature IEMs. I haven't heard any BA multi driver yet that I can say sounds more accurate than a single driver BA can sound.

 

[tinyman392]

My honest opinion: driver count doesn't mean jack...  Tuning does. 

 

[Mooses9]

Quote:

My honest opinion: driver count doesn't mean jack...  Tuning does. 

 
what about when you add multi drivers with tuning?
 
i prefer a multi balanced armature iem one that is going to have separate armatures for each mid high and low. i personally feel the separation of freq is better, instead of having just one driver performing the frequencies.

 

[ProjectDenz]

Quote:

My favorite IEMs are all single driver. IEMs like Etymotic ER4, Ortofon e-Q5/5-Q7, Hifiman RE0/262/272, Sony EX600/1000, Phonak Audeo PFE or Ultimate Ears 600 sound more enjoyable to me overall than pretty much any multi driver I tried. I also find that single driver balanced armatures, if designed well - IEMs like ER4, PFE and UE600 - can match or exceed the technical ability of multi driver armature IEMs. I haven't heard any BA multi driver yet that I can say sounds more accurate than a single driver BA can sound.

I take it you never heard any of the JH series or other customs around then?

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

 
what about when you add multi drivers with tuning?
 
i prefer a multi balanced armature iem one that is going to have separate armatures for each mid high and low. i personally feel the separation of freq is better, instead of having just one driver performing the frequencies.

I still feel that if you work hard enough in the tuning, you can get an IEM with less drivers to have the same quality as one with more.  Just look at the PFE232 vs Westone W4. 

 

[ProjectDenz]

True, but could a singer driver ever compete with UM, JH or UE's flagships?