[Rockwell75]

Okay. I did some additional listening of Anni with Martini cable across multiple genre of music. The big difference between N8ii and M2 is that N8ii is very tight and clean like a studio recording. M2 has a bigger sub bass emphasis and sounds more like listening to music in a Club with boosted bass. Both sound great. Depends on preference. I like both.

In listening to very bassy music like modern pop, Soul and R&B music, I am liking N8ii more because I like a more controlled bass for this genre of music.

When I go to Rock, I am mostly preferring M2, but sometimes N8ii and it depends on what a specific track needs to sound best. For Sultan of Swing, I prefer M2 with this track. Sound is a bit more forward and lively. N8ii sounds a bit too clinical. For Boston More than a Feeling. Same impression. Now, Sheryl Crow. All I Wanna Do. This sounds better with N8ii because the cleaner presentation is nicer to my ear.

Switching to Classical. Mozart Violin concertos. Much prefer M2. Has a slightly darker tonality than with N8ii. Instrument separation is far better with M2. I prefer Anni this genre over the prior 2.

So, it's a split decision on which I like more for Anni. It is probably also different when paired with Venom. I'll wait to get RS8 to do more testing.

Awesome rundown...very helpful thanks.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Dang. I cable rolled to Venom cable. This sounds a lot better. The sound is much more lively and bigger with this cable over Martini on both DAPs.

 

[Rockwell75]

Dang. I cable rolled to Venom cable. This sounds a lot better. The sound is much more lively and bigger with this cable over Martini on both DAPs.

lol...damn you.

I imagine a Pentaconn Venom is pretty hard to come by.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

lol...damn you.

I imagine a Pentaconn Venom is pretty hard to come by.

@dams just sold one or has one for sale. If it's still for sale, buy it.

If not, you can buy it from Hong Kong. That's where I got it. Or, ask Andrew if he will carry the P-ear version of Venom.

 

[Rockwell75]

@dams just sold one or has one for sale. If it's still for sale, buy it.

If not, you can buy it from Hong Kong. That's where I got it. Or, ask Andrew if he will carry the P-ear version of Venom.

I can't swing it right now. If I wind up keeping Annihilator then I'll start seeking upgrades in the chain. First up would be a DAP, then cable. This will be a project for the new year though.

 

[tone.texture.soul]

I sold my a18t for $1200 or so and helped the new buyer get it remolded. After I heard and acquired erlky, i just didn't listen much to the a18t anymore, so it got sold.

Now, both the a18t and erlky are long gone, and I have multiple cables that are $3k+ retail...one of which isn't even connected to an iem right now. Considering that fact, it seems ridiculous to have parted with a custom set as good as the 18 for $1200.

With the 1950 cable, the a18t was the first iem that really blew my mind...if you keep it, make sure you listen with that cable if you haven't already.

50's cable was absolutely the best pairing I heard with the 18t, agree 100%. Funny enough I just bought the 1950s Shielding today, having parted with it a while back I miss it

 

[Damz87]

I am listening now. It sounds great. I have it on 80/120 on high gain playing back at about 75 db. It's more elevated than my other IEMs, but it still has plenty of head room. I am going to a/b test it a bit with N8ii and RS6+C9 to verify which DAP I prefer.

I agree that 1ZM2 has more than enough power for Annihilator. One thing I’d say though is 80/120 high gain is quite a bit louder than 75dB

 

[aaf evo]

I agree that 1ZM2 has more than enough power for Annihilator. One thing I’d say though is 80/120 high gain is quite a bit louder than 75dB

I was thinking this too. I used Annihilator on high gain around volume 70 with WM1Z-M2 and even that I’m fairly certain was a bit louder than 75dB.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I agree that 1ZM2 has more than enough power for Annihilator. One thing I’d say though is 80/120 high gain is quite a bit louder than 75dB

Sounds like I need to recalibrate my personal dB perception. Or, my hearing is going bad.

 

[claud W]

Sounds like I need to recalibrate my personal dB perception. Or, my hearing is going bad.

At your age, your hearing is going bad.

 

[wazzupi]

How are the Fir IEMs going for you?

Great ! I think I like the XE6 more I'll be sending them to the next person in a few days.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I am testing the levels on my Airpods Pro. This is 75db and it is my normal listening level. If I am going to sleep, it is a lot lower than this level. At this level, I wouldn't be able to sleep. Let me volume match on Anni without looking at the volume indicator and give you a reading.

edited to note: After volume matching to my iPhone volume level reading 76 db below, the 1ZM2 is on 77/120 on high gain. Now, at this volume, there is a lot more bass on the 1ZM2 at times, is that giving me more gain and I don't perceive it on the APP? I am volume matching to the vocals.

I use my normal listening level to give my perception of dB. Maybe I need to get a decibel meter to check it.

 

[Scubadevils]

Spent most of today in Dublin city centre with my wife and kids, quite a Christmas vibe and wonderful atmosphere. A highlight was meeting these two wonderful 'Leonberger' dogs - one of them a 6 year old therapy dog who spends time in retirement homes, schools and hospitals - the other a 16 month in training to become a therapy dog, and due to be assessed soon. They have such a beautiful temperament, so friendly and obedient. We spent at least 30 minutes chatting with the owners, a fantastic interaction. They are absolutely enormous creatures!

Grafton Street, Dublin - feeling very festive already.

 

[rantng]

Spent most of today in Dublin city centre with my wife and kids, quite a Christmas vibe and wonderful atmosphere. A highlight was meeting these two wonderful 'Leonberger' dogs - one of them a 6 year old therapy dog who spends time in retirement homes, schools and hospitals - the other a 16 month in training to become a therapy dog, and due to be assessed soon. They have such a beautiful temperament, so friendly and obedient. We spent at least 30 minutes chatting with the owners, a fantastic interaction. They are absolutely enormous creatures!





Grafton Street, Dublin - feeling very festive already.

Speaking of enormous dogs, calling @Wyville

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I was thinking this too. I used Annihilator on high gain around volume 70 with WM1Z-M2 and even that I’m fairly certain was a bit louder than 75dB.

I am testing it now. It depends on the type of music you are listening to. If it is very bassy music, there is more dB. If it is not, the db is lower. I volume matched to my APP which gave me readings in the 75 db range which is very consistent with my listening levels. I volume match to the vocals. Then, when the bass came in, the volume was lot louder on the M2 than the APP so I think the DB was higher. I need to get a meter to test it.