"The Lab"

[nmatheis]

Luckily I'm tight with their new C.O.O. and know their new lab space intimately because they're leasing my old work site, lol. Crazy world, eh :wink_face:

 

[x RELIC x]

Luckily I'm tight with their new C.O.O. and know their new lab space intimately because they're leasing my old work site, lol. Crazy world, eh :wink_face:

It was meant to be!

 

[twister6]

Luckily I'm tight with their new C.O.O. and know their new lab space intimately because they're leasing my old work site, lol. Crazy world, eh

 
That is a great news Nik!!!  Will keep my fingers crossed for you, bud!
 
Btw, during the interview and contract negotiation, they have to add a clause to allow you some free time to work on reviews; to compensate for lose of funemployement time previously allocated for audio gear testing and reviewing 

 

[Mr Trev]

I try to go for the Savant but end up getting sucked in to the Kaiser. The choices were either going for the less expensive plain black SLA CIEM with a 10 day turn around or a custom design with the regular CIEM from Noble with a 2 month turn around. Pretty much settled on the SLA. I'll be grabbing these as a compliment to the Angie as they are reported have more warmth and are smoother than the Angie.

Kind of stupid because I really don't need anything else, but I love a good deal!!

 
General question bout this. Does having 10+ BA really make a difference? I understand the idea that having more tiny BAs you can move as much (or more) air - eg. 2-6.5" drivers vs 1-8", as well as having drivers tuned for specific frequency ranges. It does kind of make me wonder if this isn't getting into the territory of marketing BS, like having 40 jewel watches. Or 32/384 music

 

[x RELIC x]

General question bout this. Does having 10+ BA really make a difference? I understand the idea that having more tiny BAs you can move as much (or more) air - eg. 2-6.5" drivers vs 1-8", as well as having drivers tuned for specific frequency ranges. It does kind of make me wonder if this isn't getting into the territory of marketing BS, like having 40 jewel watches.

Good question. Don't know. I was soooo close to grabbing the Savant but didn't want to miss out on the very low end so I went with the K10. If the K10 had the same sound signature with 1 or 2 drivers with the same rep I'd have bought it. I wanted to try custom.... there was a sale with a relatively quick turn around on a product with a good reputation so I jumped in.

I think there has to be something to the driver count but I imagine you really need to know what you're doing else the whole cohesion could be a complete mess. When I heard the 8 driver Angie for the first time the cohesion and resolution absolutely blew me away. I REALLY value detail and resolution so if the multi driver IEM can focus better on a particular frequency range in these regards I'm happy.

Apparently the treble on the K10 is very smooth yet it has 2 drivers for the treble and 2 drivers for the ultra treble. Is it marketing crap given the 2 driver total Savant has a very resolving signature? Or is the treble resolution much better on the K10 and the relatively bass light Savant makes it just seem more resolving?

 

[nmatheis]

That is a great news Nik!!!  Will keep my fingers crossed for you, bud!

Btw, during the interview and contract negotiation, they have to add a clause to allow you some free time to work on reviews; to compensate for lose of funemployement time previously allocated for audio gear testing and reviewing 

LOLZ! I know that's the first thing that's got to get cut back. It's been a fun ride, but I'm ready to get back in the saddle

 

[nmatheis]

Mr Trev: I should have a CIEM demo kit with some having 10+ drivers in soon. I know 6-8 makes a pretty big difference over 3-4 in the lineups I've tried before. 3-4 are still really good, but 6-8 had a much better sense of dynamics & space - placement, separation, soundstage.

 

[Mr Trev]

I know I can't really judge due to not having heard any multi BAs myself - I'd still like to get a pair eventually (probably not custom). But I do know from my stereo days that there are plenty of 2 way speakers that can go toe to toe with a 4 way design (minus the bass, you just can't fight physics).

 

[nmatheis]

Oh yes, there are plenty of 3-4 driver IEM that I've heard can battle IEM with crazy-high BA count. No doubt a lot of it has to do with how good the engineer is. I was just commenting that in the lineups I've heard, there's been a noticeable positive difference as you increase driver count. No way in hell does the performance increase keep up with the increasing cost to my ears, but if you've got the money and want to pay 2x to get 25% increase in SQ - why not

And try to get on some CIEM tours Mr Trev. It's really the only way most of us Westerners can get a taste before plunking down the big money. I've checked out the CustomArt and pre-ADEL 1964 EARS lineups. Perfect Seal is next. Should get those later this week. After that is Empire Ears. It's a really fun way to see just how far the CIEM engineers are pushing things these days!

On a somewhat related note. Did you guys see those new hybrid IEM with AMT, dynamic, and planar drivers? Planars in an IEM? Dayum! I want a listen so bad!!!

 

[x RELIC x]

Isn't the biggest benefit of using multiple BA drivers because BA drivers suck at producing a wide frequency range? The complexity goes up exponentially as you add drivers, so does the price. Dynamic drivers are more flexible with regard to frequency range AFAIK. At least that's what I think I understand about it.

 

[nmatheis]

Isn't the biggest benefit of using multiple BA drivers because BA drivers suck at producing a wide frequency range? The complexity goes up exponentially as you add drivers, so does the price. Dynamic drivers are more flexible with regard to frequency range AFAIK. At least that's what I think I understand about it.

 
Sure, all I was saying is that you start to reach a point where the sonic benefit doesn't really keep up with the money you're shelling out. I understand that's a broad generalization, but that's been my feeling. For instance, in the 1964 EARS lineup, V3 and V6S are very similar. Same with V4 and V8. Both of the higher models cost about 1.5X as much as their lower driver count siblings. Do they sound 1.5X as good? Not to my ears - probably about 1.25X better. Would I spring for them over their little brothers? Hell yes, I would. I almost popped for V6S last Black Friday, but it was at the same time as the ADEL Kickstarter so I decided to wait and see how the ADEL-ification played out.

 

[x RELIC x]

Sure, all I was saying is that you start to reach a point where the sonic benefit doesn't really keep up with the money you're shelling out. I understand that's a broad generalization, but that's been my feeling. For instance, in the 1964 EARS lineup, V3 and V6S are very similar. Same with V4 and V8. Both of the higher models cost about 1.5X as much as their lower driver count siblings. Do they sound 1.5X as good? Not to my ears - probably about 1.25X better. Would I spring for them over their little brothers? Hell yes, I would. I almost popped for V6S last Black Friday, but it was at the same time as the ADEL Kickstarter so I decided to wait and see how the ADEL-ification played out.

Oh yes, we're in agreement there. The trouble for me personally is I put 90% value (preference) in that last ten percent improvement. Others don't have the same gauge.

Edit: I've been looking at the 1964 V6-S since it was announced but wasnt ready for customs yet. Now that I think of it why didn't I get the V6-S?

 

[nmatheis]

@x RELIC x: I think the farther we get in this "hobby", the less resistance we have against paying for that last 10% improvement 

 
And yes, V6S is a very nice CIEM. When I demoed it, I was soooo ready to pull the trigger on it. Then that ADEL thing happened, and it made me waver. Oh well, I've certainly had fun since then!

 

[x RELIC x]

@x RELIC x
: I think the farther we get in this "hobby", the less resistance we have against paying for that last 10% improvement :wink_face:

And yes, V6S is a very nice CIEM. When I demoed it, I was soooo ready to pull the trigger on it. Then that ADEL thing happened, and it made me waver. Oh well, I've certainly had fun since then!

Agreed 1000%

Have you heard the Adel at all?

 

[nmatheis]

Nope. I visited them in their old location before they had any ADEL demos out. I should head over there before I'm gainfully employed again and take a test drive!