Clay49
100+ Head-Fier
Hi folks,
I have been peppering this Help section of the forum with questions over the last 10 days or so about headphone amps, CD players, etc, as I have been grappling with some hearing loss issues (just my upper treble region where vocal sibilants and tight high-hatsounds and shakers reside. I’m also missing the high “hiss” of leaves rubbing together in the trees as the wind rustles with the approach of storm. But, I am 60 now, and am finding that it’s a pretty common malady for us young seniors!
At any rate, I have some fine headphones: HiFiMan HE1000 V2 and Sennheiser HD 800S, both equipped with Moon Audio Silver Dragon cables, so these cans deliver the goods, for the most part. I used the headphones in conjunction with a small Grace Design CTH+SDAC that MassDrop put out a few years ago (has one single 6922 tube). I also have a set of Empire Ears Legend EVO, which are magnificent, also with Silver Dragon cable. I do most of my listening, at the moment through my A&K KANN Alpha DAP (I also have the A&K CD Ripper, and have transferred most of my collection to the DAP at this point.
I am coming to the realization that headphones just aren’t going to get me where I’d like to be, not like the EVO does. These IEM’s actually give me the sounds that I’m “not supposed to be hearing” where the headphones don’t. I’m also getting ready to audition a set of EE Odin and their ESR MKII IEM’s as well, just to compare several different ones in the Empire Ears line.
That being said, I’m planning to sell both of my headphones, and will have some additional funds to put toward “the best IEM’s on the planet”. Yes, Yes,...I’ve been around here long enough to know that all of this is so highly subjective and one man’s “end game IEM” is another man’s “are you kidding me?” experience altogether. I’ve also seen the Crinnacle IEM chart, as well as few others, so I’m taking notes there as well.
My question I’d like to pose to you serious IEM users: Which IEM would you say has the best clarity, depth, soundstage (both height and width), solid (natural) bass, articulate warm mids, and clear highs. I lean toward the critical side of listening (since I have been a professional musician all of my life), so I want to hear what’s in the mix, just not to the point of harshness (I had a set of Adam A7X monitors with ribbon tweeters that were too raw and almost strident).
Would love to make a list of what you guys esteem the most, as I have benefitted greatly from many of you during my short time here.
Thanks!
I have been peppering this Help section of the forum with questions over the last 10 days or so about headphone amps, CD players, etc, as I have been grappling with some hearing loss issues (just my upper treble region where vocal sibilants and tight high-hatsounds and shakers reside. I’m also missing the high “hiss” of leaves rubbing together in the trees as the wind rustles with the approach of storm. But, I am 60 now, and am finding that it’s a pretty common malady for us young seniors!
At any rate, I have some fine headphones: HiFiMan HE1000 V2 and Sennheiser HD 800S, both equipped with Moon Audio Silver Dragon cables, so these cans deliver the goods, for the most part. I used the headphones in conjunction with a small Grace Design CTH+SDAC that MassDrop put out a few years ago (has one single 6922 tube). I also have a set of Empire Ears Legend EVO, which are magnificent, also with Silver Dragon cable. I do most of my listening, at the moment through my A&K KANN Alpha DAP (I also have the A&K CD Ripper, and have transferred most of my collection to the DAP at this point.
I am coming to the realization that headphones just aren’t going to get me where I’d like to be, not like the EVO does. These IEM’s actually give me the sounds that I’m “not supposed to be hearing” where the headphones don’t. I’m also getting ready to audition a set of EE Odin and their ESR MKII IEM’s as well, just to compare several different ones in the Empire Ears line.
That being said, I’m planning to sell both of my headphones, and will have some additional funds to put toward “the best IEM’s on the planet”. Yes, Yes,...I’ve been around here long enough to know that all of this is so highly subjective and one man’s “end game IEM” is another man’s “are you kidding me?” experience altogether. I’ve also seen the Crinnacle IEM chart, as well as few others, so I’m taking notes there as well.
My question I’d like to pose to you serious IEM users: Which IEM would you say has the best clarity, depth, soundstage (both height and width), solid (natural) bass, articulate warm mids, and clear highs. I lean toward the critical side of listening (since I have been a professional musician all of my life), so I want to hear what’s in the mix, just not to the point of harshness (I had a set of Adam A7X monitors with ribbon tweeters that were too raw and almost strident).
Would love to make a list of what you guys esteem the most, as I have benefitted greatly from many of you during my short time here.
Thanks!
