Yeah, mastering quality is definitely very important.
Precog's IEM Reviews & Impressions
- Thread starter Precogvision
- Start date
Why is that a head scratcher? A cable is going to still be the same cable regardless of whether i am running mp3 320kbps or flac
Because if you are going to purchase a $5000 cable, you clearly care about the highest fidelity at any cost. Spotify isn't consistent with that choice criteria. In fact, it may be lower quality now than Apple Music, Amazon Music, Qobuz and Tidal. I realize that Spotify is superior in ways other than SQ and is the reason why I still love Spotify, but the combination is an unusual one.
You must have missed the part where I said I am patiently waiting because Spotify is bringing HiFi eventually…
The only other streaming app I’d use is Apple Music and lossless isn’t available on android yet anyways.
Interesting discussion...this is a work in progress for me and could change tomorrow, but tentatively I would say:
Mental State & Attitude – 50%
Transducers 15%
Source – 15 %
Source/transducer Synergy 10 %
File (mastering) 5%
Tips 2%
Cable 2%
File (bitrate, assuming at least 320) 1%
I've really come to appreciate how much a good source and synergy can really add to a setup.
Mental State & Attitude – 50%
Transducers 15%
Source – 15 %
Source/transducer Synergy 10 %
File (mastering) 5%
Tips 2%
Cable 2%
File (bitrate, assuming at least 320) 1%
I've really come to appreciate how much a good source and synergy can really add to a setup.
Hence my proviso: The above doesn't apply to all IEMs though, as I find some IEMs are less susceptible to cable/tip rolling.
I like some of the other criteria above, like synergy and mental state, although those are quite 'esoteric' and more difficult to define. I know for myself if I'm in a mood or not really clicking with the music, I switch it off and do something else. And if I'm not listening critically (just background or while working) then pretty much none of the criteria actually matter.
QDC Anole V14 Impressions
Listening impressions are using the stock setting; all switches OFF. This’ll be a quick one because the V14 is more or less a VX in terms of tuning. You can read my VX review here. So what has changed then, you ask? The biggest difference would be treble to my ears. Not only does the V14 have slightly more mid-treble, but I should also point out that the V14 uses four of the Sonion EST drivers. You already know my opinion on these drivers - I don’t like them. And surprise, but I don’t like the V14’s implementation either. Whereas the VX leaned plain plasticky in the treble, the V14 has veered in the opposite direction with a jarring, metallic tactility. And for what? It neither extends further than the VX, nor does it sound particularly faster. Furthermore, I use the word jarring because the V14's coherency has taken a hit as a result.
Now, I do hear an improvement to the V14's midrange and bass transients. The V14 is more downwards-sloping in midrange transient attack if not equally as defined as the VX. In the past, I've lambasted the VX for having zero bass texture. The V14’s a substantial improvement in this regard, while maintaining that effortless extension too. In fact, I'd say this is damn good BA bass. In general, macrodynamics have seen an improvement. VX had a consistent upwards compression. Comparatively, the V14 leans somewhere more towards the middle-to-downwards skewed, particularly in the bass and midrange transients. Notes don’t come off as weightless or plasticky. But here's the catch: This juxtaposition is all the more reason for why the midrange and bass sounds "off" contrasted to the treble's sharper, slightly grating attack.
To be clear, I think this is a very good IEM. It's certainly better than any other BA/EST IEM I've heard to date and can play at the flagship level no problem. I’m sure some will even consider it to be a successor to the VX! But if you're asking me? While it improves upon a lot of my issues with the VX, it takes a step back in others. I think it’s more so a different flavor, then. And not necessarily for the better. This could've been a great IEM, but the subpar treble response mars it from greatness for me. And when you consider that the EST treble is supposed to be one of the V14's main selling points...well, you can see why I'm not quite sold.
Score: 6/10
Might bump the score up one point in the future, I'm not sure. I think the VX probably also needs a score re-work.
Listening impressions are using the stock setting; all switches OFF. This’ll be a quick one because the V14 is more or less a VX in terms of tuning. You can read my VX review here. So what has changed then, you ask? The biggest difference would be treble to my ears. Not only does the V14 have slightly more mid-treble, but I should also point out that the V14 uses four of the Sonion EST drivers. You already know my opinion on these drivers - I don’t like them. And surprise, but I don’t like the V14’s implementation either. Whereas the VX leaned plain plasticky in the treble, the V14 has veered in the opposite direction with a jarring, metallic tactility. And for what? It neither extends further than the VX, nor does it sound particularly faster. Furthermore, I use the word jarring because the V14's coherency has taken a hit as a result.
Now, I do hear an improvement to the V14's midrange and bass transients. The V14 is more downwards-sloping in midrange transient attack if not equally as defined as the VX. In the past, I've lambasted the VX for having zero bass texture. The V14’s a substantial improvement in this regard, while maintaining that effortless extension too. In fact, I'd say this is damn good BA bass. In general, macrodynamics have seen an improvement. VX had a consistent upwards compression. Comparatively, the V14 leans somewhere more towards the middle-to-downwards skewed, particularly in the bass and midrange transients. Notes don’t come off as weightless or plasticky. But here's the catch: This juxtaposition is all the more reason for why the midrange and bass sounds "off" contrasted to the treble's sharper, slightly grating attack.
To be clear, I think this is a very good IEM. It's certainly better than any other BA/EST IEM I've heard to date and can play at the flagship level no problem. I’m sure some will even consider it to be a successor to the VX! But if you're asking me? While it improves upon a lot of my issues with the VX, it takes a step back in others. I think it’s more so a different flavor, then. And not necessarily for the better. This could've been a great IEM, but the subpar treble response mars it from greatness for me. And when you consider that the EST treble is supposed to be one of the V14's main selling points...well, you can see why I'm not quite sold.
Score: 6/10
Might bump the score up one point in the future, I'm not sure. I think the VX probably also needs a score re-work.
ClarenceKyle
New Head-Fier
I did the on-line test of 320 vs FLAC and also ended up random. So that's fine, I accept I can't tell the difference.
With my home speaker system I'd gone the route of playing around with both speaker cables and interconnects. While I did think I was changing the sound, after many years I decided that if I had to listen so carefully to tell, most likely it was placebo effect. So with my IEMs I've used 3rd party cables more as 'insurance', 'just in case,' but haven't spent much on cables. For regular IEMs though, tips make a huge difference just due to fit and positioning of IEM in ear.
What I'm trying to figure out is I remain convinced SACD is better than regular CD. I've heard so many SACDs that are closer to live orchestras or jazz combos than CDs. But I've never A/Bd the same disc as my SACD player did not allow selecting of dual-layer tracks. So a real difference? Placebo? Or just on average much better mastering?
With my home speaker system I'd gone the route of playing around with both speaker cables and interconnects. While I did think I was changing the sound, after many years I decided that if I had to listen so carefully to tell, most likely it was placebo effect. So with my IEMs I've used 3rd party cables more as 'insurance', 'just in case,' but haven't spent much on cables. For regular IEMs though, tips make a huge difference just due to fit and positioning of IEM in ear.
What I'm trying to figure out is I remain convinced SACD is better than regular CD. I've heard so many SACDs that are closer to live orchestras or jazz combos than CDs. But I've never A/Bd the same disc as my SACD player did not allow selecting of dual-layer tracks. So a real difference? Placebo? Or just on average much better mastering?
Agree with everything you say.
There are definitely IEMs that are affected more by tips rolling than others. But in my case, all the ones I have tried, at least a little I have noticed the change in sound between small bore tips and wide bore tips.
Also in my case, I have not yet been able to notice sound differences between different cables. Better for my wallet
.
Next myth to bust is how much better the balanced output is compared to single-ended 
mvvRAZ
Headphoneus Supremus
I don't think it is at all? It's just an accepted standard in the audiophile community because "mommy told me I'm special"Next myth to bust is how much better the balanced output is compared to single-ended
woodcans
Headphoneus Supremus
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But wouldn’t we need an Orpheus SE vs Orpheus bal A/B test to know for sure…
I can't hear any difference between 3.5mm single ended versus 4.4mm balanced out of my HiBy R5. I certainly prefer the 4.4mm connector though, simply because it's more robust. That alone will keep me sticking with 4.4mm.Next myth to bust is how much better the balanced output is compared to single-ended
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Have you heard the Sonion estats in… Traillii ?QDC Anole V14 Impressions
Listening impressions are using the stock setting; all switches OFF. This’ll be a quick one because the V14 is more or less a VX in terms of tuning. You can read my VX review here. So what has changed then, you ask? The biggest difference would be treble to my ears. Not only does the V14 have slightly more mid-treble, but I should also point out that the V14 uses four of the Sonion EST drivers. You already know my opinion on these drivers - I don’t like them. And surprise, but I don’t like the V14’s implementation either. Whereas the VX leaned plain plasticky in the treble, the V14 has veered in the opposite direction with a jarring, metallic tactility. And for what? It neither extends further than the VX, nor does it sound particularly faster. Furthermore, I use the word jarring because the V14's coherency has taken a hit as a result.
Now, I do hear an improvement to the V14's midrange and bass transients. The V14 is more downwards-sloping in midrange transient attack if not equally as defined as the VX. In the past, I've lambasted the VX for having zero bass texture. The V14’s a substantial improvement in this regard, while maintaining that effortless extension too. In fact, I'd say this is damn good BA bass. In general, macrodynamics have seen an improvement. VX had a consistent upwards compression. Comparatively, the V14 leans somewhere more towards the middle-to-downwards skewed, particularly in the bass and midrange transients. Notes don’t come off as weightless or plasticky. But here's the catch: This juxtaposition is all the more reason for why the midrange and bass sounds "off" contrasted to the treble's sharper, slightly grating attack.
To be clear, I think this is a very good IEM. It's certainly better than any other BA/EST IEM I've heard to date and can play at the flagship level no problem. I’m sure some will even consider it to be a successor to the VX! But if you're asking me? While it improves upon a lot of my issues with the VX, it takes a step back in others. I think it’s more so a different flavor, then. And not necessarily for the better. This could've been a great IEM, but the subpar treble response mars it from greatness for me. And when you consider that the EST treble is supposed to be one of the V14's main selling points...well, you can see why I'm not quite sold.
Score: 6/10
Might bump the score up one point in the future, I'm not sure. I think the VX probably also needs a score re-work.
I appreciate your reviews, I learn from every post.
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