[RTodd]

Yeah, I hear you…

Putting my rarely used in real life Executive MBA to use, my thought on all of this is from both the business owner and consumer side, the numbers in our hobby, especially those of us playing at the TOTL and/or luxury level that would be interested in something like this (count me in), is likely such a minuscule number… I don’t see how the math would work on all sides for such a thing to be long term sustainable much less viable for scalable growth.

Some thoughts about this rental concept.

Cottage industry. The new rental business, would obtain discounts, possibly even some free sets if manufacturers thought this would get them exposure. They would than rent and keep track of activity for each batch of specific sets. As demand subsides they would sell off some or all of those sets. If that company broadened their offering to other items like DAPs Headphones Amps and other higher end 2 channel components the business could turn enough revenue.

Insurance costs could be high.

They would also need to build a technical process with technicians to be able to fully test and restore items when they return. Assuring satisfaction of customers so they come back.

There would be a need to make sure before going live on line that all products are covered. And then figure out how much money to pay the search engines so your new business comes up on searches for items to capture eyeballs.

Someone would have to be passionate about these products and be willing to invest.

If an existing distributor were to take this on that may work easier as they will already have some of the needed infrastructure. It is important to keep this new business brand agnostic, if it was an existing distributor they would likely need to create a new website and business name and not tie the two together in the marketplace, as their best brands and their contracts for distribution could be in jeopardy should they make the connection obvious.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

There are many reasons why it wouldn't work but I like the idea of creating an exclusive club with 24 members. Each member would contribute $2500 to a two-year membership. The club purchases 24 pairs of IEMs in the $1.5k - $3.5k price range. Each of those IEMs goes on a month-long tour to each of the members in turn. Everyone should post impressions on a members-only forum. At the end, a random draw is held and each member receives one of the pairs of IEMs to keep. The draw would have to be entirely random to be fair; I guess members could trade with one another after the draw, if they wanted.

The first obvious downside is that you may end up with a pair of IEMs that you don't like that are worth only $1.5k new (and much less used) whereas someone else might receive their favorite pair worth $3.5k. A second obvious downside is that the IEMs will get a lot of wear and tear over the course of two years. It would only really work within a single region of the world, be it Asia, Europe, or N. America. And, of course, you'd have to be very careful about who to include in membership as you wouldn't want anyone to go awol with IEMs.

But the upside is that for just over $100 a month (plus shipping), you get to audition 24 IEMs and still have something to show for it at the end. And it'd be a fun, communal experience. [edit: but are there 24 IEMs worth including in this price range?]

 

[gLer]

First impressions of the LPGT are fantastic - listening to the following album via Jewel and the detail, imaging, layering are phenomenal - I've honestly never heard anything like it... the pitch black background is like this total blank canvas, where the instruments effortlessly present into the picture, creating an absolutely beautiful overall presentation - I can't find the right words, but heart is absolute pounding while listening, stunning.

Hearty congrats mate! You have there the ultimate neutral reference summit-fi DAP. In my experience with it, it adds almost nothing to the music...in a good way. Utterly transparent, ink black background, outstanding UI, fast, super resolving, fabulous build quality. If you want to hear what an IEM sounds like, that's the DAP to use. I think Alex (@twister6) uses it as the reference DAP for all his reviews. Enjoy!

 

[dleblanc343]

Great description!

For some reason they don't sound veiled at all to me though IMHO. But I can understand how the massive slam can make it sound that way. The clarity and stage is amazing. I can't believe i can jump from my kilobuck iems to this one without feeling I'm missing anything.

Did you do the filter mod where you remove the plastic and foam from the nozzle? See here https://www.head-fi.org/threads/review-sony-mdr-7550.679045/page-16#post-15526963

I did not ever try modding it - preferred not tampering with it as I found the sound pretty dynamite for how cheap it is.

There's literally nothing in existence better under $400 in iem's, unless it's a used pair of EX1000 (though it's definitely more sharp/ diffuse field neutral so not for everyone).

Never was a fan of Sony in audio, but they have gained my utmost respect when it comes to leading the market in iem's, era-adjusted. All their flagships are great product.

 

[ljnew]

I did not ever try modding it - preferred not tampering with it as I found the sound pretty dynamite for how cheap it is.

There's literally nothing in existence better under $400 in iem's, unless it's a used pair of EX1000 (though it's definitely more sharp/ diffuse field neutral so not for everyone).

Never was a fan of Sony in audio, but they have gained my utmost respect when it comes to leading the market in iem's, era-adjusted. All their flagships are great product.

Yeah it's one of my best purchases in this hobby when it comes to quality to price ratio. Imho, price aside, they're still awesome. Very fun and engaging.

I tried the JVC 1800 and I'm not a fan. It has the stereotypical boomy bass v shaped recessed mids. Made my music sound boring imho..

Sony ex8000st has fun quality bass with reference sound as it was made for studio monitoring. Really impressed but i can see how the bass can be overbearing for some.

Also the bass might get in the way of some of the details in the mids, but i was having too much fun to notice!

 

[StanleyTAI]

IIRC, LPGT was partly used for tuning Jewel...(?)

@StanleyTAI

Aroma's product tuning with LPGT.

 

[truongmusic]

lotoo TI is a great source. it makes every IEM so much better.

 

[Scarlets Eyes]

Is QDC ANOLE VX more detailed than Susvara, Abyss 1266 and others ?

 

[Deferenz]

I want to check if anyone has used a particular online retailer - HomeAV Direct - homeavdirect.co.uk

I’m looking at something on there but I’m a bit hesitant when I don’t know who they are.

 

[Rockwell75]

Totals

IEMs

1) Oriolus Traillii x19
2) 64 audio a/u12t x16
3) VE EXT x14
4) VE Phönix x14
5) EE Evo x13
6) FiR XE6 x13
7) Aroma Jewel x12
8) Sony IER-Z1R x13


9) EE Odin x9
10) Sennheiser IE900 x9
11) UM MEST Indigo x9
12) Elysian Annihilator x7
13) Elysian X x6
14) EE Legend X x6
15) Oriolus Isabellae x6
16) Campfire Supermoon x5
17) Dunu Zen Pro x5
18) VE Elysium x5
19) 64 Fourte Noir x5
20) UM Mason x5
21) VE Erlkonig x5
22) Oriolus Szalayi x4
23) Technics EAH-TZ700 x5
24) UM MEST MKii x4
25) UM Red Halo/LE Jardin x4
26) 64 a/u18s x3
27) 64 audio Fourte x3
28) 64 audio Tia Trio x3
29) CFA Dorado 2020 x3
30) CFA Solaris x4
31) MMR Thummim x3
32) QDC Anole VX x3
33) Sennheiser IE600 x3
34) 64 Audio u6t x2
35) Aroma Ace x2
36) Fir KR5 x2
37) Fir Ne4 x2
38) Noble Viking x2
39) Meze Advar x2
40) Noble Kublai Khan x2
41) Rhapsodio Eden x2
42) Softears Turi x2
43) Sony XBA N3 x2
44) Thieaudio Monarch MKii x2
45) UM MEST OG x2
46) Yanyin Moonlight x2
47) JVC HA-FW10000
48) Dunu Luna
49) 64 a/u18t
50) Soranik Bastille Audiophile
51) Noble Sultan
52) Hidition Viento
53) CFA Andromeda S
54) Sony IER M9
55) Nostalgia Audio Camelot
56) Canalworks U91 PSTS
57) Ambient Acoustics MAD24
58) Tri Starlight
59) Penon Vortex
60) IMR Ozar
61) Final A4000
62) Tin Hifi P1 Max
63) Hifiman RE800
64) Hyla TE-5B
65) Jomo Trinity Brass
66) Earsonics Stark
67) EE Zeus
68) Noble K-10
69) Jomo Flamenco
70) Dita Perpetua
71) Inear Profile 8
72) IMR Dark Matter
73) Softears Cerberus
74) Softears RSV
75) 64 Audio Nio
76) EE Legend X SE
77) DC Ti
78) Aroma Thunder
79) QDC Solo
80) Raptgo Hook
81) Lime Ears Pneuma
82) Thieaudio V16
83) Final shichiku.kangen
84) Obravo Ra C Cu
85) Oriolus MK II
86) CCR CRA+
87) Hifiman RE2000
88) Cayin Fantasy
89) Tin Hifi T5
90) Moondrop Illumination
91) Acoustune HS1551CU
92) 7Hz i99
93) Vision Ears VE8
94) EE Bravado MK 1
95) Noble Audio Savant
96) Campfire Andromeda 2020
97) Rhapsodio Infinity mkII
98) Rhapsodio Supreme mkII
99) Earsonics Grace
100) Earsonics EM32
101) Earsonics EM10
102) Custom Art Fibae 7 Ultimate
103) Shure KSE-1200
104) Astell&Kern AKT8ie mkII

Full Size

1. Hifiman Susvara x7
2. Abyss 1266 Phi TC x6
3. Focal Utopia x5
4. DCA Stealth x3
5. Sennheiser HD800 x4
6. Stax SR-X9000 x3
7. T+A Solitaire x3
8. ZMF Atrium x3
9. Audeze LCD-4 x2
10. HEDDphone x2
11. Verite C x2
12. Sennheiser HD800S
13. Sony MDR-Z1R
14. Meze Empyrean x2
9. Verite Open
10. Real SR1A
12. Audeze LCD-R
15. HD 6XX
19. Grado GS3000
20. DCA Ether C Flow
21. Sony MDR Z1R
22. Audeze LCD 3
23. ZMF Auteur
24. Meze Elite x2
25. Stax SR Omega
26. Sennheiser HE60
27. Audio Technics ATH-W11
28. Audeze LCD X
29) TH900
30) Focal Stellia
31) Sony MDR-Z7M2
32) Audeze LCD 2

Buds

(1) Yinman 2.0 600Ω Limited Edition
(2) Yincrow RW-2000
(3) tgxear tofino
(4) Moondrop Chaconne

Tuning is not the entirety of iem design and should not be looked at that way, imho. It's how the FR is adjusted, that's it.

Texture, staging, dynamics, coherency, etc. are all aspects I don't consider part of tuning an IEM. They are part of designing an IEM, and can't be generalized based on the individual component sourcing, price, and inclusion or lack thereof.

It's like saying all daps with the same DAC chip sound the similar because of one (less important) myopic aspect.

Well said.

Try as they may, I can't see Jewel or Xe6 or any of the Mason clones sitting on the Iron Throne

lol someone needs to photoshop a bird on top of an Iron Throne.

Jewell may have the best chance from the current crop, just have to wait for everyone’s infatuation stage to end.

Yeah I think something needs to be around for at least a year to really earn its stripes. Traillii passed that test, though many doubted it would. Jewel and Xe6 still have a while to go.

Deflowered by a bouquet of a dozen BAs
inside the U12T.

LMAO love it.

Here’s my first kilobuck IEM, bought in 2017.

I've still never heard either iteration of Vega.

SE846 then funnily enough it was your pair of Anole VX that bumped me into the kilobucks! IIRC, VX came to me and you got the newer Solaris with the fancy shells...?

Wow that was right on the cusp of 2020 before the world went mad. I'm almost nostalgic for those old days. The VX was the first (and last) time I really tried to make a go at having an all BA IEM as my one and only. Sadly BA timbre is not my thing,.

ockwell75 said:
Survey: What deflowered you into the TOTL realm?

CA Solaris SE

Nice I want to purchase one again sometime. Do you ever listen to it for old time's sake? It still holds up imho

This dealer will have 2 rooms at CanJam Socal. It will be for members and by invitation only. So, if anyone needs an invite, let me know and I will see if I can help you arrange for it.

I would love the experience but I have no intention to buy anything and wouldn't want to take a spot away from someone who might.

True. If I were looking for a kilobuck one-and-done IEM it would be IER-M9.

I'm surprised at how many people got their feet wet with Shure. You don't hear much from them anymore.

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

Of what I've heard so far I would choose then Dunu Zen Pro.

 

[WilliamBlake]

Totals

IEMs

1) Oriolus Traillii x19
2) 64 audio a/u12t x16
3) VE EXT x14
4) VE Phönix x14
5) EE Evo x13
6) FiR XE6 x13
7) Aroma Jewel x12
8) Sony IER-Z1R x13


9) EE Odin x9
10) Sennheiser IE900 x9
11) UM MEST Indigo x9
12) Elysian Annihilator x7
13) Elysian X x6
14) EE Legend X x6
15) Oriolus Isabellae x6
16) Campfire Supermoon x5
17) Dunu Zen Pro x5
18) VE Elysium x5
19) 64 Fourte Noir x5
20) UM Mason x5
21) VE Erlkonig x5
22) Oriolus Szalayi x4
23) Technics EAH-TZ700 x5
24) UM MEST MKii x4
25) UM Red Halo/LE Jardin x4
26) 64 a/u18s x3
27) 64 audio Fourte x3
28) 64 audio Tia Trio x3
29) CFA Dorado 2020 x3
30) CFA Solaris x4
31) MMR Thummim x3
32) QDC Anole VX x3
33) Sennheiser IE600 x3
34) 64 Audio u6t x2
35) Aroma Ace x2
36) Fir KR5 x2
37) Fir Ne4 x2
38) Noble Viking x2
39) Meze Advar x2
40) Noble Kublai Khan x2
41) Rhapsodio Eden x2
42) Softears Turi x2
43) Sony XBA N3 x2
44) Thieaudio Monarch MKii x2
45) UM MEST OG x2
46) Yanyin Moonlight x2
47) JVC HA-FW10000
48) Dunu Luna
49) 64 a/u18t
50) Soranik Bastille Audiophile
51) Noble Sultan
52) Hidition Viento
53) CFA Andromeda S
54) Sony IER M9
55) Nostalgia Audio Camelot
56) Canalworks U91 PSTS
57) Ambient Acoustics MAD24
58) Tri Starlight
59) Penon Vortex
60) IMR Ozar
61) Final A4000
62) Tin Hifi P1 Max
63) Hifiman RE800
64) Hyla TE-5B
65) Jomo Trinity Brass
66) Earsonics Stark
67) EE Zeus
68) Noble K-10
69) Jomo Flamenco
70) Dita Perpetua
71) Inear Profile 8
72) IMR Dark Matter
73) Softears Cerberus
74) Softears RSV
75) 64 Audio Nio
76) EE Legend X SE
77) DC Ti
78) Aroma Thunder
79) QDC Solo
80) Raptgo Hook
81) Lime Ears Pneuma
82) Thieaudio V16
83) Final shichiku.kangen
84) Obravo Ra C Cu
85) Oriolus MK II
86) CCR CRA+
87) Hifiman RE2000
88) Cayin Fantasy
89) Tin Hifi T5
90) Moondrop Illumination
91) Acoustune HS1551CU
92) 7Hz i99
93) Vision Ears VE8
94) EE Bravado MK 1
95) Noble Audio Savant
96) Campfire Andromeda 2020
97) Rhapsodio Infinity mkII
98) Rhapsodio Supreme mkII
99) Earsonics Grace
100) Earsonics EM32
101) Earsonics EM10
102) Custom Art Fibae 7 Ultimate
103) Shure KSE-1200
104) Astell&Kern AKT8ie mkII

Full Size

1. Hifiman Susvara x7
2. Abyss 1266 Phi TC x6
3. Focal Utopia x5
4. DCA Stealth x3
5. Sennheiser HD800 x4
6. Stax SR-X9000 x3
7. T+A Solitaire x3
8. ZMF Atrium x3
9. Audeze LCD-4 x2
10. HEDDphone x2
11. Verite C x2
12. Sennheiser HD800S
13. Sony MDR-Z1R
14. Meze Empyrean x2
9. Verite Open
10. Real SR1A
12. Audeze LCD-R
15. HD 6XX
19. Grado GS3000
20. DCA Ether C Flow
21. Sony MDR Z1R
22. Audeze LCD 3
23. ZMF Auteur
24. Meze Elite x2
25. Stax SR Omega
26. Sennheiser HE60
27. Audio Technics ATH-W11
28. Audeze LCD X
29) TH900
30) Focal Stellia
31) Sony MDR-Z7M2
32) Audeze LCD 2

Buds

(1) Yinman 2.0 600Ω Limited Edition
(2) Yincrow RW-2000
(3) tgxear tofino
(4) Moondrop Chaconne



Well said.



lol someone needs to photoshop a bird on top of an Iron Throne.



Yeah I think something needs to be around for at least a year to really earn its stripes. Traillii passed that test, though many doubted it would. Jewel and Xe6 still have a while to go.



LMAO love it.



I've still never heard either iteration of Vega.



Wow that was right on the cusp of 2020 before the world went mad. I'm almost nostalgic for those old days. The VX was the first (and last) time I really tried to make a go at having an all BA IEM as my one and only. Sadly BA timbre is not my thing,.



Nice I want to purchase one again sometime. Do you ever listen to it for old time's sake? It still holds up imho



I would love the experience but I have no intention to buy anything and wouldn't want to take a spot away from someone who might.



I'm surprised at how many people got their feet wet with Shure. You don't hear much from them anymore.

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

Of what I've heard so far I would choose then Dunu Zen Pro.

Well, for the few iems I tried I think I'd stick with dorado 2020 although I love VxV too.
@Rockwell75 really envying your supermoon, wish to manage buying a pair one day

 

[gLer]

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose?

Does that include used price? I reckon many here bought far more expensive IEMs for ~$1200 on the used market than they did retail. I know I did.

If it does, Z1R (obviously). If not...hmm...probably Meze Advar, of the sub-$1200 IEMs I've heard.

 

[truongmusic]

Totals

IEMs

1) Oriolus Traillii x19
2) 64 audio a/u12t x16
3) VE EXT x14
4) VE Phönix x14
5) EE Evo x13
6) FiR XE6 x13
7) Aroma Jewel x12
8) Sony IER-Z1R x13


9) EE Odin x9
10) Sennheiser IE900 x9
11) UM MEST Indigo x9
12) Elysian Annihilator x7
13) Elysian X x6
14) EE Legend X x6
15) Oriolus Isabellae x6
16) Campfire Supermoon x5
17) Dunu Zen Pro x5
18) VE Elysium x5
19) 64 Fourte Noir x5
20) UM Mason x5
21) VE Erlkonig x5
22) Oriolus Szalayi x4
23) Technics EAH-TZ700 x5
24) UM MEST MKii x4
25) UM Red Halo/LE Jardin x4
26) 64 a/u18s x3
27) 64 audio Fourte x3
28) 64 audio Tia Trio x3
29) CFA Dorado 2020 x3
30) CFA Solaris x4
31) MMR Thummim x3
32) QDC Anole VX x3
33) Sennheiser IE600 x3
34) 64 Audio u6t x2
35) Aroma Ace x2
36) Fir KR5 x2
37) Fir Ne4 x2
38) Noble Viking x2
39) Meze Advar x2
40) Noble Kublai Khan x2
41) Rhapsodio Eden x2
42) Softears Turi x2
43) Sony XBA N3 x2
44) Thieaudio Monarch MKii x2
45) UM MEST OG x2
46) Yanyin Moonlight x2
47) JVC HA-FW10000
48) Dunu Luna
49) 64 a/u18t
50) Soranik Bastille Audiophile
51) Noble Sultan
52) Hidition Viento
53) CFA Andromeda S
54) Sony IER M9
55) Nostalgia Audio Camelot
56) Canalworks U91 PSTS
57) Ambient Acoustics MAD24
58) Tri Starlight
59) Penon Vortex
60) IMR Ozar
61) Final A4000
62) Tin Hifi P1 Max
63) Hifiman RE800
64) Hyla TE-5B
65) Jomo Trinity Brass
66) Earsonics Stark
67) EE Zeus
68) Noble K-10
69) Jomo Flamenco
70) Dita Perpetua
71) Inear Profile 8
72) IMR Dark Matter
73) Softears Cerberus
74) Softears RSV
75) 64 Audio Nio
76) EE Legend X SE
77) DC Ti
78) Aroma Thunder
79) QDC Solo
80) Raptgo Hook
81) Lime Ears Pneuma
82) Thieaudio V16
83) Final shichiku.kangen
84) Obravo Ra C Cu
85) Oriolus MK II
86) CCR CRA+
87) Hifiman RE2000
88) Cayin Fantasy
89) Tin Hifi T5
90) Moondrop Illumination
91) Acoustune HS1551CU
92) 7Hz i99
93) Vision Ears VE8
94) EE Bravado MK 1
95) Noble Audio Savant
96) Campfire Andromeda 2020
97) Rhapsodio Infinity mkII
98) Rhapsodio Supreme mkII
99) Earsonics Grace
100) Earsonics EM32
101) Earsonics EM10
102) Custom Art Fibae 7 Ultimate
103) Shure KSE-1200
104) Astell&Kern AKT8ie mkII

Full Size

1. Hifiman Susvara x7
2. Abyss 1266 Phi TC x6
3. Focal Utopia x5
4. DCA Stealth x3
5. Sennheiser HD800 x4
6. Stax SR-X9000 x3
7. T+A Solitaire x3
8. ZMF Atrium x3
9. Audeze LCD-4 x2
10. HEDDphone x2
11. Verite C x2
12. Sennheiser HD800S
13. Sony MDR-Z1R
14. Meze Empyrean x2
9. Verite Open
10. Real SR1A
12. Audeze LCD-R
15. HD 6XX
19. Grado GS3000
20. DCA Ether C Flow
21. Sony MDR Z1R
22. Audeze LCD 3
23. ZMF Auteur
24. Meze Elite x2
25. Stax SR Omega
26. Sennheiser HE60
27. Audio Technics ATH-W11
28. Audeze LCD X
29) TH900
30) Focal Stellia
31) Sony MDR-Z7M2
32) Audeze LCD 2

Buds

(1) Yinman 2.0 600Ω Limited Edition
(2) Yincrow RW-2000
(3) tgxear tofino
(4) Moondrop Chaconne



Well said.



lol someone needs to photoshop a bird on top of an Iron Throne.



Yeah I think something needs to be around for at least a year to really earn its stripes. Traillii passed that test, though many doubted it would. Jewel and Xe6 still have a while to go.



LMAO love it.



I've still never heard either iteration of Vega.



Wow that was right on the cusp of 2020 before the world went mad. I'm almost nostalgic for those old days. The VX was the first (and last) time I really tried to make a go at having an all BA IEM as my one and only. Sadly BA timbre is not my thing,.



Nice I want to purchase one again sometime. Do you ever listen to it for old time's sake? It still holds up imho



I would love the experience but I have no intention to buy anything and wouldn't want to take a spot away from someone who might.



I'm surprised at how many people got their feet wet with Shure. You don't hear much from them anymore.

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

Of what I've heard so far I would choose then Dunu Zen Pro.

My phoenix My favorite iem. on top

 

[Rockwell75]

Does that include used price? I reckon many here bought far more expensive IEMs for ~$1200 on the used market than they did retail. I know I did.

If it does, Z1R (obviously). If not...hmm...probably Meze Advar, of the sub-$1200 IEMs I've heard.

No for this poll let's stick with MSRP-- used price complicates things too much.

 

[Rockwell75]

My phoenix My favorite iem. on top

Yup I was happy to see my beloved EXT near the top also. Maybe my tastes aren't so degenerate after all