New models from Flare Audio - Flare Studio, Studio Pro and Studio Master IEMs

[shiftywxm]

Possible...

Um... I replied to your previous reply on the edit I did on my own previous one

Just read it. Thanks for explaining it, very interesting reading.

 

[melibond]

Just read it. Thanks for explaining it, very interesting reading.

You're welcome

 

[shiftywxm]

Just visited the Flare website to see if they did another release three weeks in a row and guess what? They have. Studio Master version joines the Studio and Studio Pro. Looks like we now have the R or S EARS model in the studio line now. Shape-wise it looks the same as the Pro version with just a grey faceplate instead of the black. It doesn't say that it is metal, so I assume it's just a different colour for the 3d printing. The big difference is the driver is beryllium as it as in the R and S Ears. Prices have jumped up to £139.95 (wired), £149.95 (bluetooth) and £169.95 (combo wired & bluetooth). Don't think I'll have the spare cash to buy this month to be able to see what the differences are, but when I do get one, I'll report back.

 

[melibond]

Just visited the Flare website to see if they did another release three weeks in a row and guess what? They have. Studio Master version joines the Studio and Studio Pro. Looks like we now have the R or S EARS model in the studio line now. Shape-wise it looks the same as the Pro version with just a grey faceplate instead of the black. It doesn't say that it is metal, so I assume it's just a different colour for the 3d printing. The big difference is the driver is beryllium as it as in the R and S Ears. Prices have jumped up to £139.95 (wired), £149.95 (bluetooth) and £169.95 (combo wired & bluetooth). Don't think I'll have the spare cash to buy this month to be able to see what the differences are, but when I do get one, I'll report back.

This sucks for me... I live on social funds, so, won't be able to upgrade anytime soon. Also, had to pay more than 25% in import taxes.

Edit : Nevermind, it's twice the price. I wouldn't've afforded it anyways.

 

[shiftywxm]

25% in import taxes? Ouch! I'm in the UK, so postage isn't an issue for me with them, but I'm assuming that shipping was extra as well? UK international postage appears to be quite expensive lately.

 

[melibond]

25% in import taxes? Ouch! I'm in the UK, so postage isn't an issue for me with them, but I'm assuming that shipping was extra as well? UK international postage appears to be quite expensive lately.

Shipping was free... now, surprising since, there was import tax.

I payed 25 euros, out of the 85 I payed for the earphones (FAYE-AFF-SEP24). So, I may've payed for them to ship it from the import, to me on top of import fees.

The code is 15% off. It says september, but, it worked, so, worth a try (it was 99/100 otherwise. Euros.).

 

[Haden2866]

Thanks @shiftywxm for putting the work in on this thread.
Good to see Flare have replicated the EARS range (I have R, which I love), near enough, with what seems like improvements to their in-house 3D printing quality vs. the E-Prototype (which I didn't try).
The new design looks like a big improvement over the 'interesting' triangular EARS.
Kudos to Flare for lowering the price point and staying true to their mission to bring their innovation, and Mirror Image Sound really is a breakthrough, to the masses.
Still can't be worn 'up' but otherwise look good.
To the folks on here describing the sound as 'bloated' or 'bass heavy' I would respectfully suggest something is wrong, either a quality control issue or, more likely, an issue with fit and /or tip selection.
Or maybe the presentation is so different from other single DD IEMs that a little brain burn-in is required.
An amazing achievement for the price and, if my R is anything to go by, an outstanding pro quality monitoring tool. Congrats Flare.
I'll get a Studio Monitor pair when they are released to Amazon (I have a voucher) and report back.

In the interest of balance:

- Bluetooth module looks like USB micro still
- the Bluetooth module on my R model (which looks like the same one) got destroyed by one sweaty session down the Fatboy Slim (that's the gym)

 

[SexAndManCity]

Thanks @shiftywxm for putting the work in on this thread.
Good to see Flare have replicated the EARS range (I have R, which I love), near enough, with what seems like improvements to their in-house 3D printing quality vs. the E-Prototype (which I didn't try).
The new design looks like a big improvement over the 'interesting' triangular EARS.
Kudos to Flare for lowering the price point and staying true to their mission to bring their innovation, and Mirror Image Sound really is a breakthrough, to the masses.
Still can't be worn 'up' but otherwise look good.
To the folks on here describing the sound as 'bloated' or 'bass heavy' I would respectfully suggest something is wrong, either a quality control issue or, more likely, an issue with fit and /or tip selection.
Or maybe the presentation is so different from other single DD IEMs that a little brain burn-in is required.
An amazing achievement for the price and, if my R is anything to go by, an outstanding pro quality monitoring tool. Congrats Flare.
I'll get a Studio Monitor pair when they are released to Amazon (I have a voucher) and report back.

In the interest of balance:

- Bluetooth module looks like USB micro still
- the Bluetooth module on my R model (which looks like the same one) got destroyed by one sweaty session down the Fatboy Slim (that's the gym)

You say ‘can’t be worn up’, how do you mean? If you flip-reversed them like with the EARS and paired with a cable that goes around-ear, wouldn’t they have a similar profile to a lot of IEMs?

 

[Haden2866]

You say ‘can’t be worn up’, how do you mean? If you flip-reversed them like with the EARS and paired with a cable that goes around-ear, wouldn’t they have a similar profile to a lot of IEMs?

Maybe. I gave up wearing the EARS upside down, it quickly became annoying.
Maybe @shiftywxm could give us a view of how Studio work worn 'up'

 

[Pepocoyo]

Maybe. I gave up wearing the EARS upside down, it quickly became annoying.
Maybe @shiftywxm could give us a view of how Studio work worn 'up'

Hi, are you using EARS R model and Sony M9 too? Can you compare both earphones a little bit, i have the S model but i see a very good M9 offer at my local store.

Anw, i found this on facebook. Flare says that they have improved the manufacturing process so we can have the price point that even lower than e prototype but better than all of previous models (including EARS R/S model with Master version). Better but cheaper how do you think...

 

[SexAndManCity]

Maybe. I gave up wearing the EARS upside down, it quickly became annoying.
Maybe @shiftywxm could give us a view of how Studio work worn 'up'

I’ve been wearing my EARS R model upside down now for absolutely ages. I bought a short 3.5mm cable with over ear loops, which I paired with a Fiio BTR5, and recently I got a DAC cable from Hidizs which also has ear loops so they’re staying upside down for good as far as I’m concerned.

 

[shiftywxm]

Maybe. I gave up wearing the EARS upside down, it quickly became annoying.
Maybe @shiftywxm could give us a view of how Studio work worn 'up'

I’m away for a few days, but I’ll try to take a photo when I get back. I tried upside down with the EARS and it didn’t work for me, but I’ll try.

 

[Haden2866]

Hi, are you using EARS R model and Sony M9 too? Can you compare both earphones a little bit, i have the S model but i see a very good M9 offer at my local store.

Anw, i found this on facebook. Flare says that they have improved the manufacturing process so we can have the price point that even lower than e prototype but better than all of previous models (including EARS R/S model with Master version). Better but cheaper how do you think...

M9 has the best treble I've heard on an IEM set, although I haven't heard that many. I find it a good complement to the Flares for that reason. M9 has many, many fans. When I'm in the mood for a really deep listening session I often reach for them. I got mine at a good price and have no regrets - will keep them.

 

[scheiderichdmd]

I've got the E-Proto and EARS S model, but the cable went on my proto so never got a chance to compare directly. How does the S compare sonically, given the different housing and improved driver spec - better, worse or just different?

Think I've owned almost all the Flare IEM models since the original KS campaign at various points - the one I regret selling as the Gold. Loved the Pro2 and Pro2HD, but there was something organic about the sound of the Gold that I really haven't found too much in other gear.

The S comes close, and I agree, once you get used to the presentation then you realise there is a lot of detail in there - definitely a lot more than you expect to hear after you first hit that wall of bass.

i still have a pair of the gold, but the left channel went out. I'm going to try to see if they can be repaired at Flare. They said it might not be able to because of lack of parts. I really miss those too. I just saw the Flare Master Studio, and am very intrigued. i would love to get something similar to the golds.