Of course more good options at a cheaper price is good. I still like my $$$$$$ IEMs and still want to buy more if I can, but it's getting less and less compelling. Anyhow, what I meant is last year, it was such an excitement when I listened to the P8 and realise that a budget friendly(friendlier) option can really trade blows with the likes of Andromeda 2020 on technical performance without breaking a sweat. It was something special. And now more and more sets can do that. It feels like my "hunt" has finished.
I'm starting to appreciate good treble quality vs having a lot of 14kHz (aka 64 audio style). Some IEMs render cymbals, hats, trumpets, and harmonics in general with such details and nuances, without piercing or having a lot of extra "air." This is something I wish to understand more in the future. How does that happen.
Now, if only ChiFi can do the same progression magic with DAP and DAC/AMP. R8II/M17 sound at $500, anyone?
12-13khz where the technicalities (imaging) are, I guess quality of the drivers can't lie, and with good damper implementation. Too bad I just open Crin's measurement cause the only place I found Sony IER-Z1R without damper was there when he was using IEC711 but not anymore since he replaced with B&K measurement system.
Sony tuned their IEM with extreme treble (differently for different model) but same damping tech, with extreme treble first, then damped by high density foam to absorb edges, so their trebles are detailed yet so smooth (and sounded more natural). The foam density and quantity really matters here, I have different density tuning foam for mods, and small amount differences when cutting can make different sound so measurement rig is really needed here to mod with foam.
Something like knowles damping also can be used in the tube, with similar concept, tune the trebles extremely high, then reduce back with damper to bring smooth yet detailed trebles, because raw trebles can be piercing not because of the tuning amount, but because of the tail, the reverb of the edge on transient attack on high frequencies.
I guess there are less than 20% of audiophiles are enjoying by high extension. Maybe due to music styles they are listening to.
nope, I guess manufacturers just too rely on harman target, based on 800 people hearing? which majority aren't audiophiles maybe.
the top tier IEMs always have this high extension, just take a look on Subtonic Storm, Symphonium Crimson, 64audio u12t, Volur, u18s, u4s, Sony IER-M9, IER-Z1R, UM Mests, Thieaudio Monarchs and Prestiges,etc
They just don't get it yet, like what they do with high pinna gain = more clear voices with +15db pinna gain few years back. Hopefully, they will start to do this, like Pula PA02 for example, people reception also good, whatever the genre they are listening.
I also hoping the budget level can be better, I admit they are getting better and better recently, and the competition is tight here. Meanwhile we, as consumer is the winner in the end, maybe not quite a giant killer but we can get a close ones in near future.