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Hi Joker,
I own both Fisher Audio DBA-O2 mk2 and PFE 121. I use them both with a JDS Labs O2 amp. Source is Ipod Classic. Material is mostly mp3 320 and above, and ALAC.
The DBA amazes with slightly better all round speed, and fast accurate bass. It sounds aggressive - both mids and treble. The PFE (with grey filters) is silky smooth in mids and treble, and its base a hair slower than the DBA. I like the more analytical and aggressive sound of the DBA.
However, I am bothered by sibilance in the DBA which is completely absent in the PFE. I have tried multiple tips (comply foam were surpsisingly not good at all). Maybe it is due to some poorly mastered stuff which it doesn't tolerate, but it is quite bothersome, I need to use the EQ to tone it down.
The question is, would a RE-272 be a better option for my prefered sound signature ( paired with the O2 amp)? I don't plan to move to a semi or fully balanced amp anytime soon.
Many thanks
If your definition of accurate is DBA-02 mkII, then you haven't heard accurate bass yet. It has some weird decay, kind of a hash, in midbass. Subbass lacks impact a bit and is mostly heard, but it is quite a bit better than armatures of old. Heck, mkI/B2 has better bass handling with less of a midbass bump, but still not stellar.
If you're bothered about DBA's sibilance (or rather calling it straight, ringing), then RE-ZERO would be probably the best pick, barring that, RE-262 or maybe RE-272 indeed. If you manage to grab RE-ZERO and have a great fit, then you'll hear truly accurate bass. (262 is very slightly worse, 272 is choked) RE262/RE272 might be perhaps too smooth due to dips in 3-4k range.
The other near hits (GR07, EX1000) have sibilance issues.
The fully balanced thing is a joke with IEMs. You should never need that and the difference is none (via ABX here; tested on FiiO E17) vs a competent unbalanced output amp given a short lead cable.
One issue with Hifimans you might or might not run into is the cable, which for me hardens near the ear pieces - this is a critical flaw, as a brittle cable in this place will break sooner or later.
I'm looking for another IEM with nice fit and without this issue, dynamic driver - or some hardcore modder who can open and replace the cable with something more respectable, perhaps increasing "cup" damping with better foam (Comply) while doing so.
For me, the best RE fit is with reversed or trimmed small Comply T400. (perhaps small Ts400 would work too, need to order some more soon) The main issue of this fit is that comply cause midbass to elevate slightly.
Have a picture of a high accuracy eq of RE-ZERO with Comply T400 Small reversed, reference 500 Hz:
RE272 is very similar, but needs a few dB bass boost and more of a boost at 3k. RE-ZERO stays (almost completely) within +/-6 dB 25-16.5k.
The general signature stays close with silicones with more peaking at the highest end (not good), slightly more mids (not good) and slightly flatter midbass (ok).
Insertion depth is not critical, but the ear canal must not be stretched stiff.
For comparison, here's one for Brainwavz B2 with Comply P Slim (which is same as DBA-02, very similar to DBA-02 mkII), also reference 500 Hz:
This peak goes to -36 dB. (-12 dB vs reference.) Insertion depth is critical - shallower insertion exaggerates the peak further and adds weird peak/dip pairs in the highs.
Medium Comply T100 (such as included) sound very similar with tiny bit worse bass quality. Note that this bass cut is similar to RE272's, slightly less pronounced.