The discovery thread!

[kmmbd]

I was about to type a planar IEM.

The best "budget" planar even now: second hand Audeze iSine 10 (or if you can find a B-stock one) with the Cipher cable (which makes it iOS only). The Cipher V1 cable (much rarer) has excellent tonal balance and the Cipher V2 is more V-shaped but still technically great. Both have the best staging/imaging under $1000 (along with the iSine 20) and the bass is pretty good. Issue is: these are open-back for the most part and has zero isolation. Also they are very uncomfortable. I bought two of them and sold both so yeah despite having some good stuff I don't find any use for them. However, if you can deal with the fit - they are as good a planar IEM as any (with the Cipher cable, stock tuning is awful).

Should I guess planar and closed back don't mix?

Not necessarily, since Audeze has a closed back iSine and those sound decent (though very expensive). But making closed-back headphones in general is more challenging than open-backs and in case of IEMs the enclosure is very small so not much room to diffuse the resonances etc. Also, small planar diaphragms in general don't sound any better than a competent dynamic driver or BA driver array. They are more novel than really good at anything in the sound department.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Thanks for the info. I was curious how planar sounds like so I decided to order the 7hz timeless. If the QC is good it will be fine for my needs.

 

[JEHL]

The best "budget" planar even now: second hand Audeze iSine 10 (or if you can find a B-stock one) with the Cipher cable (which makes it iOS only). The Cipher V1 cable (much rarer) has excellent tonal balance and the Cipher V2 is more V-shaped but still technically great. Both have the best staging/imaging under $1000 (along with the iSine 20) and the bass is pretty good. Issue is: these are open-back for the most part and has zero isolation. Also they are very uncomfortable. I bought two of them and sold both so yeah despite having some good stuff I don't find any use for them. However, if you can deal with the fit - they are as good a planar IEM as any (with the Cipher cable, stock tuning is awful).




Not necessarily, since Audeze has a closed back iSine and those sound decent (though very expensive). But making closed-back headphones in general is more challenging than open-backs and in case of IEMs the enclosure is very small so not much room to diffuse the resonances etc. Also, small planar diaphragms in general don't sound any better than a competent dynamic driver or BA driver array. They are more novel than really good at anything in the sound department.

If my understanding of loudspeakers can somehow translate into a headphone. I like to think that the closed back is the acoustic suspension of headphones, or a bass reflex if the closed back has a vent, like my BLON BL-03 and most DD iems for example (hopefully IEMs are more similar than different in this regard). While the open back is either an open baffle if coupling is not airtight while it's an infinite baffle if it is. And to my understanding open/infinite baffle offers THE tightest sound of any type of speaker driver mounting.

I also wonder why open back IEM is such an alien concept. It's not like I ALWAYS need noise isolation.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

If my understanding of loudspeakers can somehow translate into a headphone. I like to think that the closed back is the acoustic suspension of headphones, or a bass reflex if the closed back has a vent, like my BLON BL-03 and most DD iems for example (hopefully IEMs are more similar than different in this regard). While the open back is either an open baffle if coupling is not airtight while it's an infinite baffle if it is. And to my understanding open/infinite baffle offers THE tightest sound of any type of speaker driver mounting.

I also wonder why open back IEM is such an alien concept. It's not like I ALWAYS need noise isolation.

I wish for open-back IEMs as an innovation. The last days I tested out an open-back earbud which sounded very good.

 

[H T T]

I wish for open-back IEMs as an innovation. The last days I tested out an open-back earbud which sounded very good.

There are a number of “open” IEMs. The FiiO FD5 is pretty much open-backed, being the first one that came to mind.

 

[Jmop]

The in-ear XMR4s measure real nice.

 

[JEHL]

There are a number of “open” IEMs. The FiiO FD5 is pretty much open-backed, being the first one that came to mind.

Although the degree of openess seems kinda underwhelming compared to the Goldplanar GL20 or the Audeze iSine series. More like a vented design rather than open. But I'd love to audition the FD5 if I could.

That being said I've heard the GL20 in particular offers unmatched technical performance at its price bracket at the expense of EQ being a MUST. I'd like to think that this is mostly due to how open it is. But what do you all think. Do you think being 28mm planar driver played a bigger role, or the open back design of the housing?

 

[kmmbd]

I wish for open-back IEMs as an innovation. The last days I tested out an open-back earbud which sounded very good.

Open-back isn't really feasible for many IEMs as it doesn't really help with diaphragm back-pressure for dynamic drivers (and in BA drivers I don't think it's a feasible concept unless you're talking vented BA, even which mostly needs a small vent). The issue with earbuds is that most of them have poor bass response and the ones with good bass are still a far cry from the bass you get in IEMs (the ones with good bass, that is). Most of the bass reflex chambers in IEMs (or similar concepts) are of closed back variety (e.g. Sony IER-Z1R), though not all of them (e.g. Dunu's ACIS). In the end, there is also the part about market demand. People use IEMs to isolate themselves from the surrounding for the most part, very few would use IEMs that has zero isolation while commuting, for example. Demand dictates production.

Although the degree of openess seems kinda underwhelming compared to the Goldplanar GL20 or the Audeze iSine series. More like a vented design rather than open. But I'd love to audition the FD5 if I could.

FD5 doesn't really sound open to me. The Dunu Falcon Pro, for example, has a much more open signature due to more elaborate front-venting (and worse isolation, as a result).

Speaking of Dunu, the OG Titan 1 is still one of the most open-sounding IEMs out there.

Another IEM that was open-back before being open-back was cool: JVC FX700 (Woodie).

So yes, open-back IEMs are still in the proof-of-concept phase I think, and it will be a while (if ever) we see them being mainstream.

 

[r31ya]

I think tfz tequila is loved for its semi open back design

Kz zs7 also have semi open back that gave it some air in its sound

 

[kin HGD]

Oh! I know the issue. You didn't wear the 3D glasses....

3D glasses, nice joke.

 

[FlacFan]

Philips Fidelio S2 - truly open back IEM. Got mine seven or eight years ago...time to get them out again and see how I hear them today.

Cheers

 

[HealPerson]

Just got shipped BGVP DH5 today and very confuced now cause of this impression:

 

[Libertad]

Shozy's blackhole is about as open back as an iem can get and so is the blackhole mini

Not my image just one of the ol Google machine image search

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Just couple words cause of language wall.
Like NX7 MK3 alot. Bass is the fastest i ever heard, pretty much detailed, not the deepest though. Oh10 much deepeer and punch is heavier, but slower. Mids are recessed. Can't tell I'm missing them, but it's a bit upset and you can feel it easily by comparing. Highs. They are just WOW, pearl of these iems. Crystal, lengthy. Acoustic/electro guitars, plates, piaono are fantastic! Soundstage stage is pretty ok for me, i was afraid it could be worse cause i was reeding here. Fitting is very good, they are very light.
Can't tell they are everyday iems, I'm getting tired of that agressive sound. But they are wonderful for fast and hard tracks.

YAY! Someone else who took the time to buy the NX7 mk III and not listen to the armchair audioholics. They are amazing for the price, are extremely technical, and yes, that dual CNT bass is just fast as lightning. Great for metal and hard rock.

 

[ZAXon 7]

YAY! Someone else who took the time to buy the NX7 mk III and not listen to the armchair audioholics. They are amazing for the price, are extremely technical, and yes, that dual CNT bass is just fast as lightning. Great for metal and hard rock.

how do NX7 MK3 compare to GK10?

edit. find your comparison in older posts, thanks!!!