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

[Pepocoyo]

I also have the QKZ Q1 cable and it works great. Also have another cable , but from a company in the US though, called Hart Audio Cables coming today. Also have the Effect Audio Ares S II with Con-X and Term-X connections that I use with the Studio Master, my S Model, or any other IEM I may have and use. Hope this helps.

Hi, im considerinh about the Master how it vs the S model? Is Master any better?

With respect, I still think something is off here.
My EARS R have, IMHO, pretty accurate bass that I trust - as a hobbyist producer I've mixed and mastered many tracks exclusively on my EARS R that translate extremely well onto other systems. I would expect Studio / Pro / Master to be as good or better, since pro audio is a key customer segment for Flare. Gary Langan founding member of The Art of Noise advocates for them, the guy that built Metropolis Studios. Maybe he just likes ridiculous bass idk /j.
Having said that, if you really can't get then to fit right, and you're apparently not the only one, then these are clearly not for you, a shame.
What's your reference IEM? What does good bass reproduction sound like for you?

Yeah, i really love how the S model sounds too, the bass is just enough for me, but i wish there are more mids. If the master is a brighter version of S model, it seems like good deal with me

 

[SexAndManCity]

Bass toned down when I switched from Foams to Silicon ear tips (obviously), but I stress that people consider it, because I haven't used anything but foam since the very first time I used them many years ago. I found the FLARE audiophile Earfoams to be the perfect size and fit, and I replaced everything I use with them, but the EARS definitely benefit me switching to silicon, because of the deeper fit and the (ever so) slightly lighter bass.
Having said that, I switched my TWS buds to silicon too last week (partly because of a better fit in the charging case), but I think I'm going to go back to a fresh pair of foams because the silicon don't quite work, so it really isn't a 'one tip fits all' situation.

Hello gang,

Got a pair of flare studio master and I am looking to replace the included 3.5mm cable due to poor microphonics.
This is my first pair of iems with mmcx connector, so naturally, I thought that any mmcx cable will work since the connectors used aren't proprietary.

It turns out that I was wrong. I bought a metal series cable from campfire audio and they don't fit.

Anyone kind enough to recommend a proper replacement cable that has no microphonics?

I have the ST2 Pro USB-C DAC cable from Hidizs which complements the EARS very nicely:

https://www.hidizs.net/products/st2-pro-usb-c-dac-digital-earphone-cable-mmcx

It comes in 2 colours with 2-pin & MMCX options.
Designed to be worn around the ear.

Mic seems to be good, the cable has a nice soft braided finish and the integrated USB-C DAC keeps things lightweight when you're on the move.

 

[shiftywxm]

Hi, im considerinh about the Master how it vs the S model? Is Master any better?



Yeah, i really love how the S model sounds too, the bass is just enough for me, but i wish there are more mids. If the master is a brighter version of S model, it seems like good deal with me

@Pepocoyo , I would say that the Masters are a step up from the S EARS. For a start, the form factor is just so much better and using them switched around so that the cable goes around the ear makes them so much more comfortable. As for being a brighter version, I wouldn't say that they are brighter per se. When I first tried the studios, I initially thought that they were brighter, but after listening more, I went more to thinking that because everything was better controlled and cleaner/clearer, that more of the mids and treble were audible. I'll have to do a bit more a-b'ing between the Master and S EARS at some point, but I'm just really enjoying the Masters at the moment.

I'd also recommend the Master version over the Pro version, they bring slightly more detail. Also, I think that they do need a bit of burn-in. My masters are definately sounding better even after just under two weeks of use.

 

[Remiam7]

@Pepocoyo , I would say that the Masters are a step up from the S EARS. For a start, the form factor is just so much better and using them switched around so that the cable goes around the ear makes them so much more comfortable. As for being a brighter version, I wouldn't say that they are brighter per se. When I first tried the studios, I initially thought that they were brighter, but after listening more, I went more to thinking that because everything was better controlled and cleaner/clearer, that more of the mids and treble were audible. I'll have to do a bit more a-b'ing between the Master and S EARS at some point, but I'm just really enjoying the Masters at the moment.

I'd also recommend the Master version over the Pro version, they bring slightly more detail. Also, I think that they do need a bit of burn-in. My masters are definately sounding better even after just under two weeks of use.

I have to agree with this assessment of the Studio Master vs S model. From my ears, the treble has no sibilance whatsoever and would not say it’s brighter than the S model.

 

[Dazzlarrr]

Have the Master's... Everything sounds to the right (no, there's nothing wrong with my fitting).

Driver flex is better, but, still present in one of them, soundstage is just as non-existent. Detail is a little better, and mids are fuller, bass is a little more controlled, but, it muddies the mids just as much as the studio. Treble is still too high, so, as is, tuning is the same/v shaped.

Will update when I EQ them.

Still undecided on wether I will keep them...

So far, the more I go back to my RHA T20, and forth to the flare's, it's evident the forward gain due to the canal shape isn't enough to make up for the loss in soundstage. The gain isn't that much also...

And, poor construction overall again... Connectors are half mindfully chosen and installed... One of them is easy to disconnect while the other isn't... Not looking good.

This is still a prototype.

This is interesting. I got my studio master delivered today and I am underwhelmed. I also have a pair of RHA T20 and been looking to find something that might be better. So far, this doesn’t look to be the answer.

Reading through the comments, do I persist with burn in? Or are the T20s better?

 

[Haden2866]

This is interesting. I got my studio master delivered today and I am underwhelmed. I also have a pair of RHA T20 and been looking to find something that might be better. So far, this doesn’t look to be the answer.

Reading through the comments, do I persist with burn in? Or are the T20s better?

I would say persist. If I remember correctly, RHA tend to be somewhat treble-forward. It's likely that switching to the Flares will take some recalibration of what sounds 'normal' - this is often called 'brain burn-in' on these forums. It may, or may not, also be the case that the sound changes over time due to physical and/or mechanical changes to the the dynamic driver. In my experience this is likely to affect the bass more than the top-end, if there are indeed any changes.
I have a set of Sony M9's which are thought to have wonderful treble response. When I switch to them after using my Flare EARS S (crowd-sourced precursor to Studio line), the treble on my M9 sounds exaggerated.
Flare Studio may not wow you - there is no headline-grabbing standout frequency response, but if you stick with them you might just come to appreciate how game-changingly transparent they really are. With time you may learn to listen deeper into your music than you are currently used to.
As with many, if not most or even all IEMS, tip selection and fit is important, so the advice here is to try a few different types and sizes. My personal advice is to size slightly down if in doubt. I use Spinfit W1 M.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Dazzlarrr]

I would say persist. If I remember correctly, RHA tend to be somewhat treble-forward. It's likely that switching to the Flares will take some recalibration of what sounds 'normal' - this is often called 'brain burn-in' on these forums. It may, or may not, also be the case that the sound changes over time due to physical and/or mechanical changes to the the dynamic driver. In my experience this is likely to affect the bass more than the top-end, if there are indeed any changes.
I have a set of Sony M9's which are thought to have wonderful treble response. When I switch to them after using my Flare EARS S (crowd-sourced precursor to Studio line), the treble on my M9 sounds exaggerated.
Flare Studio may not wow you - there is no headline-grabbing standout frequency response, but if you stick with them you might just come to appreciate how game-changingly transparent they really are. With time you may learn to listen deeper into your music than you are currently used to.
As with many, if not most or even all IEMS, tip selection and fit is important, so the advice here is to try a few different types and sizes. My personal advice is to size slightly down if in doubt. I use Spinfit W1 M.
Let us know how you get on.

Thank you for your reply. The brain burn in makes sense and seeing as Flare have the 100 trial period, I will persist.
I have a couple more questions that maybe you could help with? In terms of fit, should they sit deep inside the ear canal? Struggling to work out what’s best! I do have some Spinfit tips so can try them out, although not sure what what size they are.

I’m also using them with a Fiio JM21 but I’m still undecided if I like that as well as I keep have software issues. Would a portable DAC on an iPhone be a good option? I’ve been looking at the Qudelix 5K.

Sorry for the questions. I want to up my game on music listening, I’ve updated my home office recently and found that straightforward. But personal music is a minefield!!

 

[shiftywxm]

Thank you for your reply. The brain burn in makes sense and seeing as Flare have the 100 trial period, I will persist.
I have a couple more questions that maybe you could help with? In terms of fit, should they sit deep inside the ear canal? Struggling to work out what’s best! I do have some Spinfit tips so can try them out, although not sure what what size they are.

I’m also using them with a Fiio JM21 but I’m still undecided if I like that as well as I keep have software issues. Would a portable DAC on an iPhone be a good option? I’ve been looking at the Qudelix 5K.

Sorry for the questions. I want to up my game on music listening, I’ve updated my home office recently and found that straightforward. But personal music is a minefield!!

As I've said a few times, they definately take a while to get used to the sound that they produce. I sent my first set of e-prototypes back thinking that they weren't for me, but I gave them another go and stuck with them. I'm so glad I did! In terms of fit, try to go down a size from your normal eartip size. These do go down a bit more into the ear canal, but they're not really deep ones like the etymotic would be. When I insert them, I always pull my ear out and up to help insertion. It's a bit hard for me to describe unfortuanately as I'm so used to putting them in that I just do it by feel now. When I first started, I made sure that music was playing whilst inserting them as when they are not in the correct placing they can sound a bit muffled - as soon as they are correctly placed that muffling goes away.

Also, I've got a Qudelix 5k here, so I'll give it a play later today and get back to you as to how they sound with it. I was considering getting a JM21 myself as my Hiby R5 is on it's last legs, so it's interesting to hear that you are having software issues with it.

No need to apologise for asking the questions, it's always good to get opinions on these things!

 

[Dazzlarrr]

As I've said a few times, they definately take a while to get used to the sound that they produce. I sent my first set of e-prototypes back thinking that they weren't for me, but I gave them another go and stuck with them. I'm so glad I did! In terms of fit, try to go down a size from your normal eartip size. These do go down a bit more into the ear canal, but they're not really deep ones like the etymotic would be. When I insert them, I always pull my ear out and up to help insertion. It's a bit hard for me to describe unfortuanately as I'm so used to putting them in that I just do it by feel now. When I first started, I made sure that music was playing whilst inserting them as when they are not in the correct placing they can sound a bit muffled - as soon as they are correctly placed that muffling goes away.

Also, I've got a Qudelix 5k here, so I'll give it a play later today and get back to you as to how they sound with it. I was considering getting a JM21 myself as my Hiby R5 is on it's last legs, so it's interesting to hear that you are having software issues with it.

No need to apologise for asking the questions, it's always good to get opinions on these things!

I’ll do playing around with them today and see how I get on. Thoughts on them with the Qudelix would be appreciated, thank you.

The issues I’ve had with the JM21 have been:

Spotify not saving to the SD card.

Amazon music not wanting to save to the SD card (although that seems to be ok now).

Artwork sometimes having a red line down it (that’s a new one).

Playing my own saved music sounding ok to suddenly being loud and distorted.

EQing being ok to suddenly sounding different the next day.

Being completely unresponsive if I switch to Pure Music Mode.

I know some of that isn’t just software but thought I’d list. It does sound great though and it could be just my bad luck with a faulty unit.

 

[Haden2866]

I'm a fan of dongle DACS and think this might be a good option. It depends if you have a collection of your own music e.g. FLAC files - with an iPhone its not easy to store and play these since no more microSD card. If you are largely streaming then iPhone works well - you benefit from the high-spec performance and mature OS.
I have a Cayin RU7 dongle which is just terrific.
Haven't heard 5K so can't comment. It probably has more features than I would use.

 

[Dazzlarrr]

I'm a fan of dongle DACS and think this might be a good option. It depends if you have a collection of your own music e.g. FLAC files - with an iPhone its not easy to store and play these since no more microSD card. If you are largely streaming then iPhone works well - you benefit from the high-spec performance and mature OS.
I have a Cayin RU7 dongle which is just terrific.
Haven't heard 5K so can't comment. It probably has more features than I would use.

You’ve nailed it with the OS. Don’t get me wrong, the Fiio OS is usable but it’s nowhere near as slick as IOS.

Whilst I have my own collection, 99% of it can be streamed/downloaded.

 

[Haden2866]

You’ve nailed it with the OS. Don’t get me wrong, the Fiio OS is usable but it’s nowhere near as slick as IOS.

Whilst I have my own collection, 99% of it can be streamed/downloaded.

There we are then. Dongle yourself daft, I would. There are some fabulous ones out there.

 

[MaxenceT]

Hello, I follow your exchanges here and it's interesting to see your opinions. I'd like to share with you my latest experience with Flare Audio. I bought the ProHD2 4 years ago which I loved terribly, unfortunately they have aged very badly and one earphone stopped working a few days ago. The after-sales service replied that there was nothing they could do since… 4 years! Although they knew that the fault lay with the flimsy cables. Just a proposal for a 20-30% discount on the site. I'm going to follow your feedback on the Masters just out of curiosity, but for my part I won't be buying anything from them again in view of their current after-sales policies. Some may find that a bit pushy on my part in view of 4 years, but I expected more from this brand. I hope the overall quality of the Master is better ! And maybe the futur SAV will be too, or not…
Cheers

 

[Nipper Reed]

I could never keep an iem for 4 years, in fact I sometimes have them less than a month and move them on.

 

[MaxenceT]

I could never keep an iem for 4 years, in fact I sometimes have them less than a month and move them on.

Oh god, are you want to try them all?