Kind of random post, but I double checked if the EP-NI1000 still are my favorite solution and wanted to share the result.
Yes, they are still the best for my preferences, provide clean and impactful sound. Bass is deep and clean, maybe a bit too forward in the midbass, but the quality is soo good!
I did experiment with my Chord Mojo2's EQ features, reducing midbass (sub-bass shelf 3+ and mid-bass shelf -3dB) which makes the M9 a sound cleaner and more neutral.
All silicone tips seem to have some high frequency refelections that create like a veil, obscuring detail. I cannot be sure if the EP-NI1000 just prevent such refelections or if there's some attenuation of certain frequencies, but I simply like the result. The big Caveat is that the EP-NI1000 seem to be out of stock everywhere except some rip-off offers for €49 for 1 (!!!) pair... Not even Amazon Japan has them...
Side note - the trigger for playing with tips again was that I bought a used IER-Z1R on the classifieds and was trying to check which tips might help me to get the deep fit the Z1R supposedly need for best SQ! Should get them in a week.
Edit: I think I should elaborate a bit more after giving my impressions of the ProMission X above...
The short time I had with the PMX left me impressed and I was playing with the thought of gifting it to myself as a birthday present but I also knew that I needed to take my impressions with a big grain of salt since the test was short and without my usual points of reference. Additionally I really can't justify €2100 for an IEM right now. I checked for opinions and feedback and got a short
from Precogvision and found another
review by Aminus
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ami...-rants-and-reviews-stuff.911048/post-15298999
All this made me give up the idea of getting a PMX but somehow put the IER-Z1R back in the spotlight. I have heard the Z1R in 2018 and liked it a lot, it has a mild V-shaped signature maybe a little similar to the PMX, it's universally regarded as a top IEM and buying used would reduce my risk of financial loss if I didn't like it (or could not get a good fit...). So I started looking at the classifieds on Friday, Saturday morning I found a good deal from a reliable head-fier and BAM, closed the deal!
Mission accomplished, found a nice BD present, limited financial risks and finally I will have a TOTL in my collection!