The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[Xinlisupreme]

They look fantastic - can't wait to hear your impressions, especially with Thunder

Plugged P37 on Dark Sky, cables are new needs a bit of burnin.
Aroma’s gang is at home right now.
Cable is very soft, 4.4 plug is very beautiful and connection is solid.

 

[Rockwell75]

So in my mind and experience music is performance, there is an audience and a performer. I think this is why staging is so important to me in my choice of gear and my judgements of “correct”.

This gets to the heart at what I am after with the listening process and where it might be different for many. In a way I'm seeking to dissolve the whole subject-object distinction altogether and be left with pure feeling. I don't mean immersion in the sense of physical proximity in that I'm sitting real close and can analyze all the micro detail-- I mean in the sense that I'm connected to the experience in some fundamental internal & direct way. It's an experience of emotional connection and not so much the intellectual analysis that results from a clear subject-object distinction. Im probably not explaining this very well but I'm doing my best lol. Anyway this is why I prefer DDs over BAs as they are more adept at evoking a "feeling" response, and where I think something like EXT's true strength is despite all the ways you could say, accurately, that it trails behind more technically accomplished IEMs like Jewel or Traillii.

I really like certain aspects of both the EXT and XE6..

Within their own domain (as distinct from another category of IEMs like the Bird, Jewel etc.) they're perfectly complimentary and right up my alley. If the Dorado 2020 didn't exist I'd be scheming to get the Xe6.

I've yet to try the Red Tonkotsu...that'll be my next choice! Might be a @Sifo @riverground @Rockwell75 ramen fest if you're in town Rock.

Gotta add @KuroKitsu to the mix. I might seriously look at flying to Toronto this summer for a weekend or something just to make this happen (along with a few non audio friends I'm overdue for a visit with.

NE4

My favorite of the 3 and likely a summer purchase. I understand how @metaljem77 decided to order them on the spot at canjam. These are, as others have said, the most balanced of the trio. Here I get kinetic bass with no compromises elsewhere, but also nothing particularly special elsewhere. I can put these in and listen to a shuffle of the varied genres I listen to and not feel lacking at any point. Mids/vocals are decently forward, treble is smooth, exceptional kinetic bass, technicalities largely on par with totl (assuming we consider Trailli/Jewel in a different category….totl+ ?). Oddly enough I feel I get the greatest kinetic bass sensation with this set, haven’t figured out why.

If I had to pick one of the 3 Frontier series to be my only IEM the Ne4 would be it.

Further to the discussion on 'presentation vs immersion' above, I offer as Exhibit A: Mary Magdalen in Ecstasy, by baroque artist Caravaggio (one of the primary inspirations of my photographic style).

​

What I'd like to point out here is that, if you delve into the details, your eye is first drawn to the light skin, hands and upswept head of the model, and purposefully so. But Caravaggio's genius is not in the depiction of the 'heart and soul' of the painting (the subject), but rather in how the light on the subject gains its emphasis from the darkness around it.

If I were to briefly and unacademically relate this to the tonal structure of a piece of music, the midtones that are the immediate focus area is the midrange, the 'subject', but the subject owes its prominence to the darkness, the low tones, which I equate to the bass. The treble plays a smaller supporting role in defining the highlights around the midtones, and better separating the midtones from the darkness/bass.

In the music I listen to (mainly female vocal indie, pop or folk), the sweetness of the voice is the subject, but it owes its sweetness to the strumming of the bass, the pluck of the strings, or the low rumbling decay of the gentle drum. Taken individually, I can immerse myself in the voice alone, or the bass massage in my skull, but I'm always aware of how it's presented to me as a whole. Taking a step back, I enjoy the presentation of the song, while appreciating the various elements and details that combine to make the song what it is to me.

PS. Like anything art related, this is purely my interpretation based on my preferences and world view. YMMV.

Interesting analysis. Im right with you on not being so interested in "delving into details" and feeling a sense of losing the forest for the trees in doing so-- that's the precise reason I don't go for IEMs defined by their detail & technical prowess like Odin. They're amazing in their own right but so detailed they take me out of the experience somewhat. YMMV etc.

 

[Rockwell75]

claudW, you are like the grizzled audio hit-man who can't step away.

"Phoenix, it'll be my last". Cigarette smoke hung new in the air, mixing with the fading specter of gunsmoke.

Shot rings out

"IE900, had to try it. Last one." A slow, booming echo like fading thunder as footsteps paint a trail closer to the door.

Shot rings out

"QDC, heard a lot of good things on this one. One last pick-up"

Remaining IEM's visibly nervous

I hope you enjoy the Z1R sir, a notable IEM in the way the HD800 stands on for headphones. Will be interested to see what your next last set will be, I've been eyeing those QDC's as well.

I'm almost certain my next IEM will be one of CFA's new ones-- ideally a universal Supermoon but if not that then perhaps the custom.

 

[claud W]

Effect audio signature series prototypes P37 and P38 arrived!
Thanks @JordonEA and @EffectAudio for your trust and opportunity you gave me.

This will be as much fun as an IEMphile can have ! You lucky dog you!!

 

[claud W]

claudW, you are like the grizzled audio hit-man who can't step away.

"Phoenix, it'll be my last". Cigarette smoke hung new in the air, mixing with the fading specter of gunsmoke.

Shot rings out

"IE900, had to try it. Last one." A slow, booming echo like fading thunder as footsteps paint a trail closer to the door.

Shot rings out

"QDC, heard a lot of good things on this one. One last pick-up"

Remaining IEM's visibly nervous

I hope you enjoy the Z1R sir, a notable IEM in the way the HD800 stands on for headphones. Will be interested to see what your next last set will be, I've been eyeing those QDC's as well.

I wonder how many times since the first of the year I have said that some IEM will be my last purchase of the year. I am going to try very hard this time.

 

[Scubadevils]

Nice new Turii Ti - €2,372 which I'm guessing is about $2,500...

https://hifigo.com/products/softears-turii-ti-titanium-in-ear-earphone-1

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Effect audio signature series prototypes P37 and P38 arrived!
Thanks @JordonEA and @EffectAudio for your trust and opportunity you gave me.

Very nice. I recently got a shipping notice as well for the demo cables. They will arrive soon.

 

[JS27]

I'm almost certain my next IEM will be one of CFA's new ones-- ideally a universal Supermoon but if not that then perhaps the custom.

I hope the actual prices are more in line with historic CFA pricing (from what was shared on the four new/pending models)....but I'll end up getting at least one from that mix. Really enjoy CFA, they and VE are my two besties on the IEM side. I actually thought on the Supermoon....I just don't have a mighty need for another planar in IEM form (I forgot I put in an order for new planar from IMR that should be on it's was this month). It appears like the Supermoon uses whatever base OEM (or close to) planar that started with Timeless. That's a darn fine driver and I bet that CFA will be the superior application of it.....I just fear it will be $1500 that collects dust in my case.

I wonder how many times since the first of the year I have said that some IEM will be my last purchase of the year. I am going to try very hard this time.

Staring down at the Z1R laying silently in his collection, claudW wondered aloud "How many times. It has to end." Looking down to his phone, in the mass of pixels the Aroma Thunder took shape. A hard morning slug of bourbon joins the resting place of its forebearers. "I hear good things" as a knowing smile slowly etches across his face.

I appreciate your no-nonsense march through many IEM's I'm curious about, buy what makes you happy sir. Speaking just for myself, I'm finding IEM's are like M&M's compared to how I purchased headphones or desktop Amps/Dac's. I'm not sure why....in the HP/desktop world its never hit me in an impulse buy/chase em' all vibe. But aaaaaaalllllll these IEM's in their nifty little shells, I get one and am thinking about the next. I don't listen to IEM's enough (as a whole in my audio diet) to get true worthwhile value chasing $2K+ sets each month. Looking to aim at a couple big targets in a year and fool around with sub $1K impulse buys like the Advar. Gonna' try real hard, not sure how successful I'll be. But I'll try. Or at least try to try.

 

[kevin638880]

Effect audio signature series prototypes P37 and P38 arrived!
Thanks @JordonEA and @EffectAudio for your trust and opportunity you gave me.

trying them this week as well!

 

[Xinlisupreme]

After 1h I think P38 match very well with BA IEM as Star

 

[claud W]

trying them this week as well!

Will there be a discussion about the Effect prototypes here by those who received them?

 

[Rockwell75]

Been awhile lads, hows it going?

Hey man long time no see...how are you? And what are you listening to these days? Good to see you here again.

Sony Z1R will be my last IEM I purchase in 2022.

lol...famous last words.

Really enjoy CFA, they and VE are my two besties on the IEM side.

Add on Oriolus and I'm right there with you. CFA for the fun factor and willingness to experiment and VE & Oriolus for their peerless tuneful tuning. I'm really excited about the new Oriolus hybrid that was teased at the Fujiya show in Tokyo....it's only like $1500 (only, lol) but if it's something of a re-buff of the Reborn it could be very special indeed.

appears like the Supermoon uses whatever base OEM (or close to) planar that started with Timeless. That's a darn fine driver and I bet that CFA will be the superior application of it.....I just fear it will be $1500 that collects dust in my case.

100% I've been jonesing for a more robust planar IEM experience since having the Timeless and CFA really threw me for a loop when they announced Supermoon. So far reports have been overwhelmingly positive. Can't wait for more news on the other ones.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Sony Z1R will be my last IEM I purchase in 2022. There has been so much discussion on this thread and others about this IEM from fit problems to its age. It seems that every true IEMphile that can afford its now semi reasonable price and does not have a fit problem, should have a set.I have read so many posts and seen its ranking on so many lists that I must have them.
The IE 600 is the first for breakin. Since their ultimate destination is my beach house, they will provide tunes on the drive down and then continue breakin on my beach iMac .
The QDC Solo will be next then the BQEYZ Autumn.

I think there is a higher probability that you will purchase another IEM in 2021 than not buying another one in 2022.

 

[claud W]

I think there is a higher probability that you will purchase another IEM in 2021 than not buying another one in 2022.

2021?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

2021?

Yes, time travel.