I have the IM03 and the A83 now. Have them both with me switching off with the Fiio X1. Wonderful synergy with both earphones and this DAP (using a 128gb micro card). First, the IM03 is the best universal 3-BA IEM I've ever heard. This is what I wished the TF10 sounded like (leaning toward warm, but with details and clarity of some of he cooler sounding BAs I've heard). And the bass is just wonderful and visceral (the sub-bass really reaches down for an all BA IEM). Is it basshead levels? No, but I can't see a basshead being disappointed with the bass. Plenty of sub-bass, but in nice balanced sound. Mids are wonderful too. I don't have the SE535 anymore, but I still have my SE530 (wrapped up in duct tape but still playing). Well, the IM03's mids handily competes with the SE530's mids. The highs have more sparkle than the SE5530. To be honest, I haven't been this impressed with an all-BA universal since the TDK BA200 and Doppios (and the IM03 beats the BA200 from head to toe). Doppios may have more clarity and transparency, but the sound is not as full as the IM03. This may be the most natural sounding all BA universal I've heard too (since the BA200). I love it. Does it beat the dual push-pull dynamic ATh-CKR9 and CKR10? No, but in some ways the three are even in sound quality. The Sound signatures are nothing alike, but all three have excellent bass. Actually, the CKR series has great bass to my ears. I prefer the CKR series (especially the CKR 10), but the IM03 isn't that far behind to my ears. One other thing about the IM03. It is really tip dependent to get the optimal sound out of it. The stock tips will not do. The way the nozzle is shaped, it's long and thick. I needed a wide bore large tip to get any type of good seal (seal is imperative), but most tips I tried failed for me. This included my got JVC Spiral Dots, UE900 and UETF10 tips. And foam tips suck the life out of the sound to me. So I've settled on some wide obscure large wide body silicon tips (an old pair Senn IE8 single-flange, and a couple pair that I don't know where they came from). Those are backups. But then I kept thinking about using a silicon tips that doesn't have such a wide bore, but has never let me down with BA universals before. Those tips would be the large Phonak grey silicons. Wow! Eureka!! These tips give me the perfect seal and sound. The IM03 doesn't need a deep seal inside of your ear canal, but it needs a solid seal. The Phonak serves this purpose. I am a happy camper.
Now, for the Fidue. I've been listening to it out of the box for about 15 minutes. I'm using the large single flange silicon stock tips. Out of the box, it has bass (sub bass included), but it's not as deep as the IM03's bass. This is not bothering me though. I expect the bass to get better as the dynamic driver opens up. The mids and highs, however have a beautiful yet smooth clarity and transparency out of the box. Comparing to the T-Peos and Dunu triple-hybrids I've heard (1 dynamic and 2-BA), I would say those two brands of hybrids had a harsher sound to my ears than the A83. Actually, the A83 is not harsh sounding at all. The Dunu 1000 and H-200s had deeper bass, but I wouldn't say the bass was better than the Fidue bass. I am going to tip roll when I get home and burn the Fidue, but out of the box I am very pleased. And yes, although I can't call it right now, I can state that the Fidue is pointing in the direction of being the best universal triple hybrid I've heard next to Aurisonics AS-2 (still king for me). Some great products are out guys. I just saw the A83 on amazon for $259. If that's price is still there, run don't walk! It's a steal at that price. ijs
