The discovery thread!

[DeadwoodHero]

Hey folks,

I had some time this morning and decided to measure all the different after markter tips I aquired since starting the hobby. I used the Hisenior Mega5-EST since I found these to be a fairly neutral set. I also used Divinus Velvet (reular bore) tips as my refence point since they are my go to when getting new IEMs.

I used Room EQ Wizard with a clone 711 coupler to measure the frequencies, only on the right channel. I did four sweeps per measurement. All graphs were normalized at the 85 dB at 1 kHz. Tips were inserted as deeply as possible to achieve the best seal.

I found some interesting things: most ear tips only had an impact on the region above 3 kHz (Coreir Brass, Eletech Baroque, Final Type E, Penon Liquer, Render, Spinfit CP100, Spinfit W1, Tangzu Sancai Wide Bore.

The Tangzu Sancai (regular bore) measure identical to the Divinus Velvet (regular bore), which is nice since I often reached for the Sancai when I had issues with pressure build-up with the Velvets.

The only tips I found that had an impact on the lower frequencies were the Divinus Velvet Wide Bore and the Dunu S&S, both elevating the sub-bass, bass and lower mid area slightly ~ 1 to 2 dB. The Divinus Velvet Wide Bore also had an impact on the presence and brilliance are with slight elevation of ~ 1 to 3 dB between 5 to 8 kHz followed by a decrease from 8 to ~ 12 kHz. Dunu S&S were almost similar in these regions.

Some ear tips (Eletech Baroque, Final Type E, Moondrop Spring Tips and Spinfit CP100) showed a weird bend around 150 Hz. Don't know what to make of this.

It is interesting to see how tips have an impact on the frequency response. While most show only changes in the region beyon 3 kHz, some also drastically impact the bass and (lower) mids. I would have expected some tips to have a bigger impact on the frequency response tho. The Coreir Brass, for example, I expected to impact the whole upper mids and treble region. Or the Render tips, which are a hybrid foam tip with an outer silicone layer, to elevate the bass.

Overall, I think the most important thing about tips are fit, comfort or seal which are always subjective. They are capable of changing the frequency response and therefore the sound of IEMs, but these changes often fall into the area of marging of error, unit variance or (acceptable) channel imbalance.

Attached you find the graphs of all measured tips. Always included are the graph of the Divinus Velvet (regular bore) as a reference points.

I might redo these measurements once I have acquired some more tips.

Thanks for reading!

My god what a fantastic post this is. Mods can we get a post here !!??

 

[Syan25]

Hey folks,

I had some time this morning and decided to measure all the different after markter tips I aquired since starting the hobby. I used the Hisenior Mega5-EST since I found these to be a fairly neutral set. I also used Divinus Velvet (reular bore) tips as my refence point since they are my go to when getting new IEMs.

I used Room EQ Wizard with a clone 711 coupler to measure the frequencies, only on the right channel. I did four sweeps per measurement. All graphs were normalized at the 85 dB at 1 kHz. Tips were inserted as deeply as possible to achieve the best seal.

I found some interesting things: most ear tips only had an impact on the region above 3 kHz (Coreir Brass, Eletech Baroque, Final Type E, Penon Liquer, Render, Spinfit CP100, Spinfit W1, Tangzu Sancai Wide Bore.

The Tangzu Sancai (regular bore) measure identical to the Divinus Velvet (regular bore), which is nice since I often reached for the Sancai when I had issues with pressure build-up with the Velvets.

The only tips I found that had an impact on the lower frequencies were the Divinus Velvet Wide Bore and the Dunu S&S, both elevating the sub-bass, bass and lower mid area slightly ~ 1 to 2 dB. The Divinus Velvet Wide Bore also had an impact on the presence and brilliance are with slight elevation of ~ 1 to 3 dB between 5 to 8 kHz followed by a decrease from 8 to ~ 12 kHz. Dunu S&S were almost similar in these regions.

Some ear tips (Eletech Baroque, Final Type E, Moondrop Spring Tips and Spinfit CP100) showed a weird bend around 150 Hz. Don't know what to make of this.

It is interesting to see how tips have an impact on the frequency response. While most show only changes in the region beyon 3 kHz, some also drastically impact the bass and (lower) mids. I would have expected some tips to have a bigger impact on the frequency response tho. The Coreir Brass, for example, I expected to impact the whole upper mids and treble region. Or the Render tips, which are a hybrid foam tip with an outer silicone layer, to elevate the bass.

Overall, I think the most important thing about tips are fit, comfort or seal which are always subjective. They are capable of changing the frequency response and therefore the sound of IEMs, but these changes often fall into the area of marging of error, unit variance or (acceptable) channel imbalance.

Attached you find the graphs of all measured tips. Always included are the graph of the Divinus Velvet (regular bore) as a reference points.

I might redo these measurements once I have acquired some more tips.

Thanks for reading!

That's really interesting..not sure I could hear the difference between them myself.

 

[MakeItWain]

Is it because they are DUNU?

I think the implementation of all the planar and BA was well done so I didn't notice any off putting timbre. But, keep in mind, this is show room impressions so subject to change. But, from what I heard, I liked it and I'd like to hear it again.

In stock form onix is warmer. But ka15 has PEQ to play with so u can make it any tonality you wish for (ie more versatile).

Yup. Meant warmer earlier. Sleepy post was incorrect.

 

[superuser1]

Sound Rhyme SP01 with clear nozzle is impressing me. Just changed the stock cable.

 

[Vonbuddy]

I think the implementation of all the planar and BA was well done so I didn't notice any off putting timbre. But, keep in mind, this is show room impressions so subject to change. But, from what I heard, I liked it and I'd like to hear it again.



Yup. Meant warmer earlier. Sleepy post was incorrect.

Did any other iems or sources impress you?

 

[OceanOfLight]

Can anyone provide information?

DK 3001 BD, 1 DD+4BA+4Planar hybrid drivers.
(Source: https://x.com/DUNU_Headphone/status/1837410621329232141)

 

[MakeItWain]

Tell me your impressions about the Shock!

It was... Shocking

But, seriously, it was shocking how much I ended up liking them considering, and this is not a dig or meant to offend so I apologize in advance if it comes off as it, how it can feel like they're pushed a -bunch- and hyped up and flowery and almost full of hyperbole.

So, I think the best way I can compliment them really is that the hype is real, they are excellent, and the tuning that was set from the unit I tried (these were all personally dialed in by others since these were personal sets by other Head-Fi'ers - thank you to @EnigmaFotos - @TimmyT916 - @emdeevee for allowing me to listen to your units) left me way impressed and interested to hearing more.

In fact, I'm thinking about picking up the Fan 3 right now to further dig in (maybe not the Shock or Rival levels at this time ) since, to my ears, they weren't leading the competition in their price bracket (i.e. bass or full extension on treble) but the implementation of the BC made them very engaging and more immersive than the competition. This is strictly based on show room impressions as well which is definitely why I want to pick up and do further listening.

 

[MakeItWain]

Did any other iems or sources impress you?

I meant to go try more (my plan was to run for the Kensei or the RU7) but I was all over the place and there was too much to listen to. But, I did happen to listen to this thing:

Yeah. I get it. It's really good. Lot of head room, clean and transparent/neutral sound but dynamically more engaging (nuances like micro and macro dynamics were just easier to tell and sound stage was definitely more enhanced). It's a bomb dongle DAC, I'm not even going to hate. Doesn't replace a full desktop DAC/amp or separate components but it's got great performance for it's size.

For IEMs, I'm going to put up a written breakdown aaand I actually recorded a video with @EnigmaFotos literally once CanJam was over so looking forward to sharing that here and confirming a few things we heard. Also confirming things I can share because my 'show stopper' is freaking insane.

 

[Lexington99]

Joyce just dropped an interesting first-impression video at the Headphone Expo, check it out:



Also, am I an asshole for a) noticing the faceslim-filter and b) pointing it out?

Joyce, you are stunning regardless.

 

[Syan25]

I meant to go try more (my plan was to run for the Kensei or the RU7) but I was all over the place and there was too much to listen to. But, I did happen to listen to this thing:

Yeah. I get it. It's really good. Lot of head room, clean and transparent/neutral sound but dynamically more engaging (nuances like micro and macro dynamics were just easier to tell and sound stage was definitely more enhanced). It's a bomb dongle DAC, I'm not even going to hate. Doesn't replace a full desktop DAC/amp or separate components but it's got great performance for it's size.

For IEMs, I'm going to put up a written breakdown aaand I actually recorded a video with @EnigmaFotos literally once CanJam was over so looking forward to sharing that here and confirming a few things we heard. Also confirming things I can share because my 'show stopper' is freaking insane.

Thank you very much! Your input is always appreciated

 

[Goggie]

Good job!

As for your query above, the ears take the entire frequency response as a whole. We don't just hear the 3 kHz band in isolation.

So for eartips that boost the 3 kHz, that will make the bass sound less, and vice versa.

Good point, a change in one part of the frequency does of course affect how the others are percieved. That has to be taken into consideration when looking at graphs (in general).

 

[Nimweth]

Just arrived: Kiwi Ears KE4. Impressions soon, burning in now.

 

[Vonbuddy]

 

[Ineras]

Crinacle humor on point in this vid.

 

[Dsnuts]

Good point, a change in one part of the frequency does of course affect how the others are percieved. That has to be taken into consideration when looking at graphs (in general).

This tip on tips was very helpful which will not go unnoticed. I posted a link to it on the front page. Thanks for contributing