The status (2025) of Balanced Armatures...

[Seyley]

I'm in the market for 'another' pair of CIEMs. I've narrowed it down to two. Whilst some information is provided on the sales page or the site reviews, one (or a number of things are missing).

Before I expand, I will accept responses from members that I may be over thinking things, but I would still like some feedback.

The status of Balanced Armatures (BAs), do we have an article on the latest version of (for example) Knowles BAs?
Are they still top dog?
What is their best version? Should you try and find a CIEM maker that is using the 2023 version as these are regarded as unbeatable for sound quality?
Have Knowles been overtaken by a company out of China for example?
Is it likely that companies maybe using version 2 of a type of BA rather than the latest, but more expensive 3.2? How could the purchaser of the CIEMS be able to ascertain that the kit inside is the 2025 version of components

Hopefully the abover questions give you an overview of what my enquiry is trying to generate.

To repeat, for some, it may be the case of who cares. But for others, it may be a case of being able to have this information either provided by the constructors or available in the reviews, thereby providing more info to help with choice.

Even a singular article generated by this site on the status of BAs 2025 (and the like), would be useful. If we can do it for cables and other components then perhaps this might be worthy.

Seyley

 

[AboveNBeyond]

an article on the latest version of (for example) Knowles BAs

I don't think so, last time I tried myself, got kinda lost in the driver naming schemes, also didn't find proper release dates for drivers.

Are they still top dog?

More or less overtaken by Sonion.
A good example where you can currently get quality sounding CIEM with BA-only or BA+EST hybrids would be Canpur, they use full Sonion setups, disclose all driver models used and implement them very well, for example custom vent canal for subwoofer, they work closely with Sonion and were the first to introduce latest-gen Sonion BA-based bone conductor drivers in CP622B iem. From what I've seen pretty sure they use latest gen drivers in most if not all models.

 

[Seyley]

I don't think so, last time I tried myself, got kinda lost in the driver naming schemes, also didn't find proper release dates for drivers.

More or less overtaken by Sonion.
A good example where you can currently get quality sounding CIEM with BA-only or BA+EST hybrids would be Canpur, they use full Sonion setups, disclose all driver models used and implement them very well, for example custom vent canal for subwoofer, they work closely with Sonion and were the first to introduce latest-gen Sonion BA-based bone conductor drivers in CP622B iem. From what I've seen pretty sure they use latest gen drivers in most if not all models.

Thanks for this feedback. Highlights my lack of awareness of other makes of BAs.

I still think, (maybe I'm in the minority), rather than the manufacturers and reviewers simply offloading us with this earphone has 6 drivers and that one over there has 8 hybrid drivers. Therefore get on and buy the 6 or the 8... There should be more detail.

To labour my point:
My JH Audio Roxanne (Custom) is 7 years old. I very much doubt if the same model has the same components that I had 7 years ago. The newer versions may attract (under a further review) a - 0.1 or 0.2 higher or negative rating score compared to the reviewed set from 7 years ago. Yet buyers can only get assistance on choice from those early reviews unless a user happens to upload a well thoughtout assessment.

Maybe it's time for manufacturers to refer to their products as JH Audio Roxannes 25 (as the latest version) and for them to send out regular examples for updated reviews.

 

[AboveNBeyond]

Maybe it's time for manufacturers to refer to their products as JH Audio Roxannes 25 (as the latest version) and for them to send out regular examples for updated reviews.

This happened to Letshuoer Cadenza 12 as the new "Cadenza 2024" version was introduced due to some discontinued drivers. This is the only example I can think of off the top of my head. Usually companies just introduce new and different models rather than straight updates of old products.

Do you mix or perform with Roxannes? I always had a hard time understanding how people do this with this boomy mid-bass, veiled upper mids and absence of high frequency brilliance.
Driver count is a rudiment from the past but still a good marketing instrument however it has very little do with sound quality nowadays, 1 Dynamic subwoofer + 3 BA can sound great.
Also, not disclosing drivers or saying "Custom drivers" became a popular cost-saving technique, especially since last year. Some companies used "custom drivers" term but in reality it turned out to be cheap Bellsing BA (lowest quality knock-off drivers). Even though Knowles and Sonion fully allow to disclose if their drivers are used in default or whatever customised version, so you would think it would actually be beneficial to disclose their usage as a good quality control point of iem but usually it is bieng covered by the fact that most customers don't care.

Spoiler: Roxanne and Jolene sound signatures

 

[originalsnuffy]

Since there is some pretty good knowledge of balanced armature drivers, here is a related but somewhat obscure question. The original FLC 8S used a well known BA; and I recall it being Knowles. The supplier was changed for the 8N and 8D model, but never disclosed. Any good guesses as to the source for the 8N or 8D?

 

[Seyley]

This is the content I want included..... minimum.

"The precise grouping is a single 10mm dynamic driver with a Lithium-Magnesium alloy diaphragm for the lows, 4 custom Knowles BA for the mids and highs, and a whopping 8 Sonion EST drivers for everything above 6k."

 

[lairpost]

Since there is some pretty good knowledge of balanced armature drivers, here is a related but somewhat obscure question. The original FLC 8S used a well known BA; and I recall it being Knowles. The supplier was changed for the 8N and 8D model, but never disclosed. Any good guesses as to the source for the 8N or 8D?

A clone with no name, or the same name/number Knowles uses.

@Seyley 'regular' people don't know or care about any of this. It's only us weirdos on forums like this that are even aware of branded drivers...I would argue it simply doesn't matter what produces the sound. The only thing that matters is the end result, in your ears, interpreted by your brain. Which is all much more than just the brand of the drivers. How about the RLC network? How about the acoustic chamber or tunnels? I bet most of have heard some really bad sets with Sonion and Knowles drivers. BGVP DMA was one for me.

Everything else is just words, comments, speak. Sure, if you really match up well with numerous of the sets by a single reviewer you can trust what they hear and communicate but otherwise they must be demo'd in your ears.

I would not commission a custom IEM these days. There are simply too many semi-custom and hundreds of different tips to roll that I doubt you'll be able to beat them...and if you do it will still only be one, single set with a single sound profile (or if super lucky the switches or nozzles do something for you).

How much are you budgeting for the CIEMs? If it's <$500 USD, ok but any more than that I'd be demoing all the sets <$500 you can find. You'll likely end up with 2, 3, 4 sets that you all like for different reasons. It also mitigates the risk of losing or breaking the single set.

 

[Seyley]

I much prefer CIEMs versus Universals. I will be going down that route....again.

 

[Aevum]

was it Knowles that sued Bellsing for cloing their armatures and banning several companies from selling their products in the us ?

 

[Erkil]

was it Knowles that sued Bellsing for cloing their armatures and banning several companies from selling their products in the us ?

Yes

 

[AboveNBeyond]

regular' people don't know or care about any of this. It's only us weirdos on forums like this that are even aware of branded drivers...I would argue it simply doesn't matter what produces the sound. The only thing that matters is the end result, in your ears, interpreted by your brain. Which is all much more than just the brand of the drivers.

Another guy is missing the point hardcore.
I'm not even gonna talk about low quality control, unit variance, ringing treble peaks, possible hearing safety certification absence of clone/Bellsing drivers.
Companies shovel 1000+ sets with 3$ clone drivers under the cover of "Custom" drivers because of this attitude you suggest. You're being ripped off. Do you get technical specifications when you buy video card for your PC or a new phone? Can you compare it with your old devices by specs? Well guess what this hobby is no different from other electronics but it shifts to some religious cult because companies don't disclose stuff.

 

[Seyley]

Laughing, I wasn't quite sure how to respond to your note without exposing myself more. But hey.

I'm into my domestic floor standing computers and yes I do check the components of my GPUs, MBs, memory. There are many software variants to test the hardware for validity and performance checks.

But in the absence (of course, I may have missed it) of an artical from those in the industry specifying that Knowles and/or Sonion are 'dealing it' with particular drivers in 2025. Then I'm in the dark.
Additionally I couldn't tell you which manufacturer drivers are installed in various Universal or Custom in-ear monitors, but we are told about the monitors 'acoustic shells' and their 'Shock Dampening Membrane' (as examples).

As I said in my original post, I may be overly thinking the issue. But as I prefer Custom In Ear Monitors, which as we know, can't be pre-tested. I would like to reduce the probablity of disappointment by being aware of the components being installed.

If Knowles and Sonion bring no real differences when compared to each other, then the subject is moot.