[ranfan]

Isabellae came in sooner than expected.

So if this is Oriolus house sound, I need to grab the Traillii soon.

Looking great. Lovely pictures. Congrats on getting them (and so soon too) Share us what you think when you get the chance. And please enjoy!

 

[MatW]

Compared to my current favorite Tansio Mirai Spark

That graph gives me Odin vibes... Looks very forward. I look forward to your impressions.

 

[snapandslide]

Compared to my current favorite Tansio Mirai Spark

On a side note, that Spark graph looks really interesting.

 

[Scubadevils]

On a side note, that Spark graph looks really interesting.

Spark-ly things to tempt our wallets... what harm could just one more do?!

 

[xenithon]

The more I read impressions, and what seems to me mirrored in the graphs, the more it’s likely I won’t jump on this just yet. It was between the Isa and IE900 and the latter leans toward ticking two important boxes - sub bass focus and non-fatiguing treble. Which is quite the opposite of how the Isa seems to be tuned.

 

[snapandslide]

The more I read impressions, and what seems to me mirrored in the graphs, the more it’s likely I won’t jump on this just yet. It was between the Isa and IE900 and the latter leans toward ticking two important boxes - sub bass focus and non-fatiguing treble. Which is quite the opposite of how the Isa seems to be tuned.

I just cannot make my mind up on the Isabellae - I agree it seems a bit fatiguing. From what I read with the IE900, it seems the treble is just on the edge of being a bit peaky. Also a big difference in price we can't ignore.

 

[xenithon]

I just cannot make my mind up on the Isabellae - I agree it seems a bit fatiguing. From what I read with the IE900, it seems the treble is just on the edge of being a bit peaky. Also a big difference in price we can't ignore.

On the edge yes but not sibilant, and I believe less elevated upper mids.

Granted it is double the price. I think if I didn’t own Traillii the Isa would appeal more, to get a taste of the Oriolus sound.

 

[Scubadevils]

I just cannot make my mind up on the Isabellae - I agree it seems a bit fatiguing. From what I read with the IE900, it seems the treble is just on the edge of being a bit peaky. Also a big difference in price we can't ignore.

Maybe you can get to try the IE900 soon in a shop? Seriously, absolutely no treble issue for me - as I noted in my initial impressions, there is more than I thought I might like but it seems some brilliant engineering has these tuned in a way that you have magic treble that gives wonderful detail but without any harshness, sibilance etc. But indeed there is quite a difference in price.

 

[snapandslide]

On the edge yes but not sibilant, and I believe less elevated upper mids.

Granted it is double the price. I think if I didn’t own Traillii the Isa would appeal more, to get a taste of the Oriolus sound.

Wanting a feel of the Oriolus sound is pretty much the only reason to get the Isa in my mind - though I hear the Triallii is less forward in the upper mids plus better sub bass and obviously soundstage - so I'm a little curious how it can maintain some of the Triallii tonality!

Maybe you can get to try the IE900 soon in a shop? Seriously, absolutely no treble issue for me - as I noted in my initial impressions, there is more than I thought I might like but it seems some brilliant engineering has these tuned in a way that you have magic treble that gives wonderful detail but without any harshness, sibilance etc. But indeed there is quite a difference in price.

Jup I think I definitely need to try the IE900 soon. Any ideas when a 4.4mm will be available, or you happy driving them with the 3.5mm?

 

[Scubadevils]

Wanting a feel of the Oriolus sound is pretty much the only reason to get the Isa in my mind - though I hear the Triallii is less forward in the upper mids plus better sub bass and obviously soundstage - so I'm a little curious how it can maintain some of the Triallii tonality!



Jup I think I definitely need to try the IE900 soon. Any ideas when a 4.4mm will be available, or you happy driving them with the 3.5mm?

They come with 2.5, 3.5 and 4.4mm cables - just the IE300 comes with 3.5mm as standard... plugged into the 1A

 

[ranfan]

The more I read impressions, and what seems to me mirrored in the graphs, the more it’s likely I won’t jump on this just yet. It was between the Isa and IE900 and the latter leans toward ticking two important boxes - sub bass focus and non-fatiguing treble. Which is quite the opposite of how the Isa seems to be tuned.

I think, if you like the bass on the Traillii then the IE900 would be a closer resemblance of its DD counterpart. At least out of some I've tried. As for its BA counterpart, I think the V14 is a good candidate Tonally, I think the Isa would be brighter with more presence in the upper-mids than the Traillii. The Traillii is relatively wetter, more organic-like, while the Isa sounded cleaner, and somewhat colder more transparent. Midrange-wise, I think the IE900 would be good too for those who like the Traillii, as they both have less 'exciting' calmer upper-mids (3~4kHz region). It all depends on taste (and playlist) in the end. Despite their single DD configuration, they both sound quite differently from one another. One with more focus on sub-bass, the other has a brighter tuning. I hope to get to try them both again

 

[ranfan]

Question, do we have any measured FR of the Traillii available? I'm curious to see one someday

Spoiler

Here're the known FR of the Isa alongside IE900

 

[Rockwell75]

I think, if you like the bass on the Traillii then the IE900 would be a close resemblance of its DD counterpart. At least out of some I've tried. As for its BA counterpart, I think the V14 is a good candidate Tonally, I think the Isa would be brighter with more presence in the upper-mids than the Traillii. The Traillii is relatively wetter, more organic-like, while the Isa sounded cleaner, and somewhat colder more transparent relatively less coloured. Midrange-wise, I think the IE900 would be good too for those who like the Traillii, as they both have less 'exciting' calmer upper-mids (3~4kHz region). It all depends on taste (and playlist) in the end. Despite their single DD configuration, they both sound quite differently from one another. One with more focus on sub-bass, the other has a brighter tuning. I hope to get to try them both again, maybe on Monday? Because I think the IE900 sounded good as well, but more low-key.

Reading this is giving me a bit of pause...the upper mid region seems to be a make it or break region in IEMs for me. If it was any brand other than Oriolus I might consider cancelling my order.

Compared to my current favorite Tansio Mirai Spark

I would be curious to see an IER Z1R comparison if that's feasible for you.

 

[tgx78]

@Rockwell75 haven’t done any a/bing yet but here is a graph

 

[tgx78]

Oriolus Isabellae

The Bass of the Isabellae has a good balance of quantity and control in the IEM realm. Though it is clearly not as impactful and subwoofer like some of the hybrids (QT-9 MKII, Globe, ME700 lite) or tribrids (Bravado MKII, Monarch, Volt etc.) I have sampled lately. It does sound quicker and nuanced than most of my DD or multi DD earphones. The response of the Isabellae is quite linear and has enough depth and a good extension. Bass on the whole is more mid-bass biased and I personally would've preferred a slightly more rumble (aka sub-bass presence) to make the lower midrange a little more neutral.

The midrange is clean and clear sounding and attempts to strike a balance between dry yet detailed and the smoother yet thicker sound. The Isabellae is still not a neutral IEM and there is definitely a hint of warmth to the midrange, but it is more on-level with the Oxygen, Zen than the Xelento or CA Atlas. In terms of overall balance, the midrange is not as dynamic as the bass nor aggressive as the treble and has a tendency to become slightly subdued at my listening level of around 75-80dbs. I would probably describe overall signature as a shallow v-shaped and on a several occasions I ended up catching myself thinking that the pushy nature of the treble can be detrimental to the overall musical experience.

As hinted above, the treble of the Isabellae is quite prominent and pushed to your face. It is not harsh or sibilant but depending on your age and hearing abilities, this might cause a bit of problem. When listening really well mastered and clean sounding classical music, abundant treble boasts plentiful sparkle and clarity but with not-so-well recorded stuff prepare yourself to a bit of overly-exciting top end.

Note that I am using a quite analytical source currently and my experience might change with the Shanling M8 which will arrive next week. I will update again after then.