The Hybrid IEM Thread... The Best of Both Worlds?

[ezekiel77]

Teo (@TEOSJ) at LMUE really likes them and sent me a pair to tour around the US. @hakushondaimao's also got a pair to tour around Canada. We'll get the tours rolling after we've had some time to get to know and review the FLC 8S.

@hakushondaimao's first words to me about them were something along the lines of: These are really good, why aren't they more well known? We need to get the word out!
 

I actually bought the FLC8 based on a single review by ljokerl. That time there were no other reputable reviews around. He rated the sound very highly... only the Fitear TG334 scored higher in the sound department among universals. I was really attracted by the form factor and phenomenal tuning capabilities.

Didn't suggest to FeedingNation bcos I thought it was out of his budget.

 

[nmatheis]

Cool ezekiel77. How're you liking them?

 

[ezekiel77]

Cool @ezekiel77. How're you liking them?

My favorite hybrid, and one of my favorite universal IEMs overall. Love the balance and tunability. But I've settled on red subbass, grey bass and gold nozzle which is exactly my sound preference. Hope the tour will let more people know about this great pair of hybrids. I didn't jump on the mid-tier hybrid train (DN2k/J, A83, Deltas) because I was already very satisfied with this.

 

[ajaxender]

FLC8/s is interesting. On the other hand, and still relevant to this thread, so are the new Dunu hybrids, Aurisonics Bravos (Forte and Harmony) and the Trinity Atlas and Phantom Bass. Among others, I'm sure, but those are the new/upcoming hybrids I'm keeping an eye on. Will be interesting to see how they all pan out. 

 

[H20Fidelity]

Ocassionally capable products release but never receive the forum attention they deserve, personally I found the Astrotec AX60 hybrid quite good however there was simply no interest. It would be a shame if FLC8 went down that same path. Unfortunately, I haven't heard FLC8.

 

[nmatheis]

  Ocassionally capable products release but never receive the forum attention they deserve, personally I found the Astrotec AX60 hybrid quite good however there was simply no interest. It would be a shame if FLC8 went down that same path. Unfortunately, I haven't heard FLC8.

 
After I tipped him off, Igor's getting a pair of FLC 8S to review and tour in Oz. PM him and get a listen @H20Fidelity.

 

[Midgetguy]

  Ocassionally capable products release but never receive the forum attention they deserve, personally I found the Astrotec AX60 hybrid quite good however there was simply no interest. It would be a shame if FLC8 went down that same path. Unfortunately, I haven't heard FLC8.

The AX60 passed through my radar at one point, but I had the A83 at that point and the Supra 2, needed to replenish funds and some of the reviews I read set it as good, but maybe not as worth its price point as something like the A83. The FLC8 definitely seems like it's worth its price point, maybe I'll buy a set some day if I can find it.

 

[H20Fidelity]

The AX60 passed through my radar at one point, but I had the A83 at that point and the Supra 2, needed to replenish funds and some of the reviews I read set it as good, but maybe not as worth its price point as something like the A83. The FLC8 definitely seems like it's worth its price point, maybe I'll buy a set some day if I can find it.

I don't remember AX60 entirely well, I know it had a fair amount of bass and a decent soundstage. Also had a screw on adjustable filter system, maybe I found the mids a little too warm overall? I think at that time I was a complete analytical fanboi though. Would all be logged in the thread I guess..

 

[Midgetguy]

I don't remember AX60 entirely well, I know it had a fair amount of bass and a decent soundstage. Also had a screw on adjustable filter system, maybe I found the mids a little too warm overall? I think at that time I was a complete analytical fanboi though. Would all be logged in the thread I guess..

I'm really liking hybrid setups, but the only downfall I've had from the ones I've tried so far is that all of them are vented dynamics and the vents weren't exactly small either. It would be interesting to see the dynamic drivers from either the Flare R2 or Aurisonics Rockets in a hybrid IEM since both of those single dynamic IEMs don't seem to have vents on the shells at all. Personally, I think the Flare R2A does a great job in the bass department which was a really weird feeling cuz I couldn't find a vent and cuz it's such a small driver. I'd be very interested to see that put along side a couple of good BAs into one unit.

 

[nmatheis]

H20Fidelity: I remember reading AX60 had strong bass and bright treble - a v-shape. I thought it was up your alley in an H300 sorta way.

Midgetguy: You're just North of me, man. You should sign up for the FLC 8S tour when I announce it. Get a week with them in exchange for some impressions and/or a review.

BTW, LMUE sells them

 

[Midgetguy]

@H20Fidelity: I remember reading AX60 had strong bass and bright treble - a v-shape. I thought it was up your alley in an H300 sorta way.

@Midgetguy: You're just North of me, man. You should sign up for the FLC 8S tour when I announce it. Get a week with them in exchange for some impressions and/or a review.

BTW, LMUE sells them

I'll have to think about it. I would, but honestly I wouldn't be doing the tour justice cuz I wouldn't be able to post up a review. I still haven't even put up a review of any of the stuff listed in my profile, but I really should lol. I just haven't gotten around to it at all. And I've had some for a couple years too, still have done it, just really bad at putting what I hear into words that are of any use

. If you happen to be up in Seattle at any point with a set though, drop me a line! Haha

 

[H20Fidelity]

I'm really liking hybrid setups, but the only downfall I've had from the ones I've tried so far is that all of them are vented dynamics and the vents weren't exactly small either. It would be interesting to see the dynamic drivers from either the Flare R2 or Aurisonics Rockets in a hybrid IEM since both of those single dynamic IEMs don't seem to have vents on the shells at all. Personally, I think the Flare R2A does a great job in the bass department which was a really weird feeling cuz I couldn't find a vent and cuz it's such a small driver. I'd be very interested to see that put along side a couple of good BAs into one unit.

What wrong with having vents for you? I can only think of isolation?

H20Fidelity: I remember reading AX60 had strong bass and bright treble - a v-shape. I thought it was up your alley in an H300 sorta way.

Midgetguy: You're just North of me, man. You should sign up for the FLC 8S tour when I announce it. Get a week with them in exchange for some impressions and/or a review.



BTW, LMUE sells them

H-300 was lethally bright, I got rid of them in the end because something told me, 'you keep listening to these you're going to do permanent damage to your ears'. Thier bass was amazingly good, I'd rate the texture and clarity of H-300 dynamic driver above Tralucent 1Plus2!

 

[Midgetguy]

What wrong with having vents for you? I can only think of isolation?

Surprisingly no. I've never had an IEM with vents that were necessarily terrible with isolation, certainly none where I felt like the isolation was an absolute mess of a problem. My issue is more with the placement of the vents as opposed to the fact that they exist. If they face the ear, then not too much of a problem, but most vented IEMs have the vent pointing away from the ear (Trinity IEMs for example). And I do a lotta movement that is faster than strolling: I run with IEMs and I ride my scooter to work. At speeds faster than walking, the wind noise is a significantly bothersome issue with IEMs where the vent faces away from the ear. So if something like Flare's dynamic driver was used, there wouldn't be much need for a vent and we could still have a great hybrid IEM.

 

[garcsa]

FLC8S  250,- USD on LMUE : http://www.lendmeurears.com/flc-technology/

 

[Raddiqal11]

Hello all! I have just posted a review on the Rooth LSX5. One of the finest hybrids available. Mind you there was a crack on the left shell and i used it only with Effect Audio SPC and ihifi 770C.

http://www.head-fi.org/products/rooth-lab-ls-x5/reviews/14602

Hoping for some objective feedback!d