Hello Coolers.
This is a note of thanks. I have been lurking here the last couple months soaking up all the current intel on new and good releases. This is a very active and informed community and I really appreciate the friendly demeanor.
I come and go on Head Fi and have been doing so for years. This year found me buying Solaris, Penon Serial, ISN H40 and recently UM Mext. All used as this is where the tried and true value lies for me. The H40 was the redundant and unnecessary purchase but I really like the way it looks and I got it for a song. That said, for
nostalgic reasons I pulled out from retirement the Shure E500 that I purchased new 15 years ago because of feedback found on Head Fi and found even the H40 bested it. The Shure was gold to me for years and I loved it. Technology has definitely come a long way and now more than ever the forest of quality earphones is dense. I definitely look to the fine folks here to help find those special trees located within.
I will be back and look forward to what new delights are being served up. I do plan on attending Can Jam New York next year and hope to meet some of you gentlemen there.
Best,
Barry
Cheers man glad you've been enjoying the community. I think those of us in this hobby right now are fortunate to be witnessing something of a golden age of IEM development and innovation-- I've only been that this 4 years but the growth of capacity and technology of IEMs even in that time has been tremendous and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Yeah it's definitely why I've amassed quite a large collection of tips, pretty much buying any new release the minute I'd hear about them. The combination of the massive difference for fit and comfort, along with the huge difference in sound - much more so than cables in my experience.
Some of my favourite tips over the last couple of years... in no particular order:
- SpinFit W1
- Acoustune AET07
- Spiral Dot++
- Symbio W / F
- Tanchjim T300 (wide bore)
- Azla Short / Standard (in both regular or light variants)
Have you ever tried the Azla Crystals?
I have heard nothing but good things about all the 64 Audio stuff, and I'm tempted to check them out, but visually I find them very, well, bland. I know, I know--the sound should be first and foremost. But back when I bought my first (and only) CIEMs, Noble was the only company doing these beautiful, visually gorgeous handcrafted acrylic shells. Nowadays it seems even the cheapest Chinese manufacturers are making their stuff looks beautiful. I'm certain they sound great, but it's hard for me to muster the same level of excitement looking at 64 Audios or Westones that I get looking at any of the Empire Ears stuff, or Thieaudio, or most of Nobles current offerings. My exception there is the ragnar--not certain I could ever bring myself to own them, even at discount. The shells just aren't very interesting visually.
Their IEMs for the most point look how they sound-- straightforward and to the point. I gotta say the Fourte Blanc looks rather nice.
Unrelated, I know it doesnt get much or really any love around here, but I keep coming back to my Duo. Its great. Such a pleasant set to listen to. I even popped in my szalayi and it just didnt do it for me. Probably will be going up for sale if anyone is interested.
Duo is solid-- if I it isolated better I'd probably still have it.
I am stunned that @aaf evo would sell the SP3K
I never get surprised when anyone sells anything anymore. We're all on a journey.
That makes Supermoon quite the high value for money... Trifecta uni only so to me it's disregarded
I have been away for a while need to give this a look... although I just went for the Sharona so...
Don't discount Trifecta so fast...at least until you've heard it. Pound for pound possibly the most impressive IEM release of a very impressive year imho
Gaea's Elysian treble is really impressive. I'd never imagine something could be so well extended without any hint of harshness or sibilance. Only thing is that it makes female vocals 10 years younger....I suppose that isn't too much of a problem for Jpop
+1 one for Gaea's treble...it's so well articulated and pleasant to listen to. One of the out-of-nowhere surprised hits of the year for me. It's amazing how a simple demo can lead to a cascade of events. I picked it up almost absentmindedly at Musicteck's booth at CanJam not knowing much about it, which lead me to seeking out a demo unit and ultimately going in on Annihilator.
Please tell me everyone that says phonix has good mids isn't using stock cable...
I thought it sounded great with the stock cable.
Talking about the mids, I have to say that despite dabbling in the recent heavy hitters (Traillii, Phonix, Jewel and the FuSang), I am still completely wowed by the Elysium. Especially once paired with a cable like Ode to Laura! Really solves the anemic bass issue. Currently vibing in excitement to see what our famed doctorjuggles can come up with his flagship copper cable as well.
+1 Elysium is a gem of an IEM and was my gateway to appreciating emotive seductive mids. Of all the IEMs I've heard Elysium benefits the most from lots of power.