New custom IEM company - Custom Art: discussion, review, and impressions thread

[Aradea]

@piotr: will we expect FIBAE 2 to have an improved bass (quality and quantity) over the music two and Ei.3?
I auditioned both several times back and forth last weekend, in search for a fun IEM to compliment my Noble Savant. But somehow I was always wanting more bass and midbass impact.
Any thoughts?

*Minor update: this "fun" IEM that I am searching for is mainly for listening top 40 songs, pop, RnB and alternative rock.

 

[piotrus-g]

@piotr: will we expect FIBAE 2 to have an improved bass (quality and quantity) over the music two and Ei.3?
I auditioned both several times back and forth last weekend, in search for a fun IEM to compliment my Noble Savant. But somehow I was always wanting more bass and midbass impact.
Any thoughts?

*Minor update: this "fun" IEM that I am searching for is mainly for listening top 40 songs, pop, RnB and alternative rock.

hey, yes! FIBAE 2 will have more bass than both music two and Ei.3. Sound of FIBAE2 is more engaging, thicker and bolder than those two. I think if you're looking for IEM with more bass than Ei.3 but with with resolution of music two, then the new model would be for you

 

[Aradea]

hey, yes! FIBAE 2 will have more bass than both music two and Ei.3. Sound of FIBAE2 is more engaging, thicker and bolder than those two. I think if you're looking for IEM with more bass than Ei.3 but with with resolution of music two, then the new model would be for you

Great! Cant wait for the demo unit ready at Jaben Jakarta

 

[epilogue]

Is tomorrow the big day? Hmmm

 

[MXRaia]

April 1 announcement, as always? Let's hope

 

[Rozenberg]

My wallet is ready

 

[daulagiri]

I hope it's not Piotr's April Fool joke idea.. *anxious*

 

[Wyville]

My wallet is ready

Mine isn't...

 
But on the plus side, the lovely Gisele (UK distributor) informed me that my Ei.3 are just about done and should be shipped soon. I really look forward to seeing how the design turned out, how they fit and of course to hear that lovely sound again.

 

[parabellum777]

Message on Facebook:

Hi!

At the beginning of the year we mentioned some changes that are coming to Custom Art ...so here we go.

1. First and for most FIBAE™ pricing and pre-order:
- FIBAE™ 1 MRSP will start at 1200PLN / €300, The single driver is going to be available as acrylic only, detachable cables only.
- FIBAE™ 2 MRSP will start at 1900PLN / €475, the 2-driver will come as both acrylic and silicone, but detachable cables only.
- Pre-order pricing will be -10% on Single driver and -20% on Dual driver, plus free Economy shipping within European Union!
- Pre-order date to be announced.
- Pre-order limited to 20pcs per model (and 5pcs per distributor) or 1 month.
- Standard 4-5week turnaround.
- No upgrade or side-grades possible due to change in technology.

2. Music One and Music Two production will effectively end on June 30th 2017. They will still be supported under warranty and ownership transfers. Before 30th of June customers will be able to purchase both standard and FIBAE™ products.

3. We are increasing price of Ownership Transfer from 300PLN/€75 to 340PLN/€85. Effective 7th of April 2017

4. We are removing price difference between EU and non-EU for all products, accessories and all services. Effective 7th of April 2017

5. We are ending Remolds and Reshells for third party products (customs and universals) effective April 1st. Products previously reshelled by us will still be supported under Ownership Transfer.

6. Matte finish for silicone IEMs will no longer be available, due to varying outcome of lacquering layer resulting in overall unappealing looks. Popularity of this finish is relatively low so we feel that keeping this option is no longer vital.

Thank you for understanding and your constant support!

 

[Rozenberg]

Aw dammit the FIBAE 1 is making my friend crazy because he kinda wanted to demo the Ei.3 but the PO pricing of the FIBAE 1 is too good for him to pass.
 
Now I'm thinking maybe I should get the FIBAE 1 too instead of Ei.3 or Pro330v2 since @piotrus-g mentioned about its soundsig being brighter and detailed.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA what a dilemma

 

[adrift02]

hey, yes! FIBAE 2 will have more bass than both music two and Ei.3. Sound of FIBAE2 is more engaging, thicker and bolder than those two. I think if you're looking for IEM with more bass than Ei.3 but with with resolution of music two, then the new model would be for you

I like the Ei.3's bass just fine (and love the mids), but found the high end a bit too recessed. Being that I haven't heard the Music Two, how will the FIBAE2 compare in that area? For context, I don't like too much high end as I'm very sensitive to sibilance and had a hard time upgrading from the RE-400 for that reason -- I wanted a combo of great mids with a bit more low end and polite, yet detailed highs. The Ei.3 mostly hit the mark (I can EQ the high end), but would be interested in how the FIBAE2 is tuned...

Also, did I miss an official announcement/info on the FIBAEs? Can't find that anywhere and just heard about them from the Facebook post.

 

[proedros]

Message on Facebook:


5. We are ending Remolds and Reshells for third party products (customs and universals) effective April 1st. Products previously reshelled by us will still be supported under Ownership Transfer.

 

 
@piotrus-g  oh no this is huge bummer - you were the only EU reshell company , with great job and even greater service and prices 

 

[Deezel177]

  Aw dammit the FIBAE 1 is making my friend crazy because he kinda wanted to demo the Ei.3 but the PO pricing of the FIBAE 1 is too good for him to pass.
 
Now I'm thinking maybe I should get the FIBAE 1 too instead of Ei.3 or Pro330v2 since @piotrus-g mentioned about its soundsig being brighter and detailed.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA what a dilemma

 
IIRC (though I didn't demo them side by side so take this with a grain of salt), the FIBAE 1 is brighter than the Ei.3, but has less treble sparkle than the Pro330v2. The Pro330v2 is, in turn, not as bright as the Music Two or the FIBAE 2 (which are about equal in brightness and treble sparkle).
 

I like the Ei.3's bass just fine (and love the mids), but found the high end a bit too recessed. Being that I haven't heard the Music Two, how will the FIBAE2 compare in that area? For context, I don't like too much high end as I'm very sensitive to sibilance and had a hard time upgrading from the RE-400 for that reason -- I wanted a combo of great mids with a bit more low end and polite, yet detailed highs. The Ei.3 mostly hit the mark (I can EQ the high end), but would be interested in how the FIBAE2 is tuned...

Also, did I miss an official announcement/info on the FIBAEs? Can't find that anywhere and just heard about them from the Facebook post.

 
The FIBAE 2 is pretty much as you have described. Its highs are sparkly, airy, and linear, but never sibilant or harsh. Its mids are rich yet clear, for extra musicality. And, its bass is extremely fun and engaging; a stark contrast to the Music Two which is dearly missing bass.

 

[Rozenberg]

IIRC (though I didn't demo them side by side so take this with a grain of salt), the FIBAE 1 is brighter than the Ei.3, but has less treble sparkle than the Pro330v2. The Pro330v2 is, in turn, not as bright as the Music Two or the FIBAE 2 (which are about equal in brightness and treble sparkle)

Thx for the short impression. At this point I'm pretty much set on the 330v2.

Meanwhile my friend still having dilemma between Ei.3 and FIBAE 1. One thing he is unsure about the FIBAE 1 is whether it has good bass or not. If it turned out to be something like Etymotic ER4, he might not like it lol.

 

[Wyville]

Meanwhile my friend still having dilemma between Ei.3 and FIBAE 1. One thing he is unsure about the FIBAE 1 is whether it has good bass or not. If it turned out to be something like Etymotic ER4, he might not like it lol.

Because the two lines will be sold together for a few months it might be helpful for your friend to wait for the first reviews to come up? I would expect that perhaps one or two of the early reviewers will have heard the Ei.3 and can do a comparison. Edit: Of course the Ei.3 is not yet being replaced (if I understand correctly), so there should be even more time.
 
If your friend has an opportunity, then auditioning them at one of the trade shows might be even better. Because I am preparing a full review of the Ei.3 I thought about popping in at Headroom in London last week because I knew the FIBAE 1 and 2 would be there, but I did not yet have my Ei.3 (which are on their way now) to do a side-by-side comparison. (Not that I am an expert or anything, I have just been enjoying learning about signatures and how to hear subtle differences.)