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

[Andricop]

If you put 2 iem inside, it cant be fit with the iem plugged to dap.


But if you only put 1 iem, it can be fit when it plugged to dap.

Great! Thanks for testing

 

[drftr]

Why is streaming not just music? What difference does it make if it comes from an SD card or from an Internet data stream?
Streaming just makes it so much more comfortable, but it's just music all the same.

And existing Android applications (both streaming and local playback) make it easier to manage lists, favorites, etc. compared to DAPs without Android. With this, listening to the music you like the most in the way you like the most is much simpler.

I understand that there are people who simply choose an album or a folder and press play, but some of us like to be able to choose from more options. And both options are equally just music.

With just music I meant that you don't need apps, internet connection, subscription, etcetera. That's all there was to it.

drftr

 

[Tex Irie]

Starting to pack for my trip to Seattle tomorrow, and of course before a single shirt or pair of socks are considered, I must prioritise my audio gear I bought this ‘Tomtoc’ bag especially for the trip, one I can pop in my backpack and keep everything in one place - yet to fully decide, but currently packed:

1. LPGT
2. M6U
3. IE900
4. Fibae 5
5. Turiii Ti
6. XM4

Nostalgia Audio Camelot review unit incoming, arrives the day after I get home… a nice way to recover from jet lag!

Safe Travels, Enjoy your trip! I wonder how the Camelot sounds? Looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[Rockwell75]

Epic post and thanks especially for your honest words about the Annihilator, my no1 top contender for the next purchase. Unfortunately, I will (probably) not be able to try it out first and need to buy based on what people say. I'm intrigued by the best-in-class treble but an expensive IEM with great mids&treble but mediocre and shy bass sounds like a pass for me. I don't think I can enjoy my music with mids and treble alone.

I've never heard the Ely but the EXT and found it to be one of the best IEMs I've ever heard. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find a good fit without hurting my ears so I had to send the demo set back without purchase.

Bummer. What do others think about that? It's not the first time I read something about the "bass problem" with the Annihilator.

I can speak to this as someone who hated the bass on Annihilator when I demoed it at SoCal last year but came to a greater appreciation of it when I owned it for a few weeks in the fall. I don't consider myself a basshead but if the bass on an IEM doesn't minimally satisfy me I won't like it no matter how good anything else is. At the very least I need some degree of foundational solidity even if the bass isn't the star of the show overall. For me the bass in the Annihilator falls squarely in the category of "simply adequate, not great"...but it is in fact adequate. On my listening sessions with it I never found myself going "wow that's great bass"...but I never found myself missing anything either. The bass just there-- purely utilitarian. The big caveat in this case is that the IEM has other things going for it-- the big 3 for me would be tonal balance, technicalities up top and superb treble tuning-- that for me place it easily in the category of truly great IEMs out there. It's interesting to me when I see people citing bass as a deal breaker on the Annihilator but who also love the Mentor, an IEM whose bass simply did not work and undermined the rest of the presentation for me. Just another classic example of how we all hear things differently and how important it is to hear something for yourself in order to properly assess it. I will say also that Annihilator and its bass may be quite source dependent. A nice meaty source-- like M6U, for example-- is spectacular. YMMV and all that.

 

[firesign]

With just music I meant that you don't need apps, internet connection, subscription, etcetera. That's all there was to it.

drftr

Likewise, Android apps allow you to manage and play local music much more comfortably.

I also prefer to listen to music from the SD card, I use streaming only to discover new bands and albums. But all the non-Android DAPs I've tried are pretty poor in their list management etc.

 

[Scubadevils]

Love your Tomtac bag. What model is it?

On Amazon US -

tomtoc Electronic Organizer Accessory Tech Pouch for MacBook Charger, Cables, Power Bank, Hard Drive, Travel Cords, Water-resistant Storage Bag with Removable Card Slots for USB Adapter, Memory Card (Navy Blue)

https://a.co/d/fvQ9rvH

 

[Scubadevils]

Safe Travels, Enjoy your trip! I wonder how the Camelot sounds? Looking forward to hearing about it.

Thank you, a busy work trip but I’ll certainly find time for a wander in Seattle too.

Yes I’m curious to hear Camelot, the handful of reviews and impressions speak highly anyway - I’m taking time off work shortly after I get back to properly immerse myself in music for a few days - in serious need of a break, chaos since January at work!

 

[drftr]

But all the non-Android DAPs I've tried are pretty poor in their list management etc.

Agreed. It's super simple and not very well implemented by most.

drftr

 

[Tex Irie]

Thank you, a busy work trip but I’ll certainly find time for a wander in Seattle too.

Yes I’m curious to hear Camelot, the handful of reviews and impressions speak highly anyway - I’m taking time off work shortly after I get back to properly immerse myself in music for a few days - in serious need of a break, chaos since January at work!

You're welcome @Scuba Devils . I'm sure there are a lot of cool places in Seattle to go wandering. Enjoy your time off as well!

 

[CodenameBK201]

Memes have poisoned me. Ended up picking up the Cass Elliott singles albums and have been running this on repeat for the past half a day. I am unironically really enjoying it:

 

[firesign]

I am (impatiently) waiting for my AüR Audio Neon Pro to be manufactured and shipped. I really want to try them...


But while they arrive (I still have to wait a long time ) I'll be entertained with another new toy.

I really think there are few IEMs that are as good for the style of music I listen to (rock/prog/metal) than these Mest MK2.

 

[Frankie D]

Terrific impression, Frankie, thank you for spending time to write them!

I hope that my Multiverse Mentor would be out for delivery today - can’t wait to compare them with Traillii before sending the Bird for repairs.
Really worrying now for the timbre and overall sound quality though We don’t have new UM products where I live, so it was another blind buy.
Let’s see how it goes.

Assuming the fit is fine, I would think anyone who likes the Bird will like the Multiverse Mentor.

 

[marcus2704]

I cant imagine that anyone would be anything other than highly impressed by the Mentors. I guess though, there is always THAT person

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I cant imagine that anyone would be anything other than highly impressed by the Mentors. I guess though, there is always THAT person

I can. I know experts in the biz who believe that Mentor is midfi in quality. It's not me, but it just goes to show you that in a subjective hobby, opinions will vary dramatically.

 

[Frankie D]

I can speak to this as someone who hated the bass on Annihilator when I demoed it at SoCal last year but came to a greater appreciation of it when I owned it for a few weeks in the fall. I don't consider myself a basshead but if the bass on an IEM doesn't minimally satisfy me I won't like it no matter how good anything else is. At the very least I need some degree of foundational solidity even if the bass isn't the star of the show overall. For me the bass in the Annihilator falls squarely in the category of "simply adequate, not great"...but it is in fact adequate. On my listening sessions with it I never found myself going "wow that's great bass"...but I never found myself missing anything either. The bass just there-- purely utilitarian. The big caveat in this case is that the IEM has other things going for it-- the big 3 for me would be tonal balance, technicalities up top and superb treble tuning-- that for me place it easily in the category of truly great IEMs out there. It's interesting to me when I see people citing bass as a deal breaker on the Annihilator but who also love the Mentor, an IEM for me whose bass for me simply did not work and undermined the rest of the presentation for me. Just another classic example of how we all hear things differently and how important it is to hear something for yourself in order to properly assess it. I will say also that Annihilator and its bass may be quite source dependent. A nice meaty source-- like M6U, for example-- is spectacular. YMMV and all that.

As the Multiverse Mentor uses bone conduction, if you do not have the proper fit, you will not hear all of its qualities. That could be why you did not care for it. That is why I always say never underestimate the value of the fit. It is so important to find tips that really work for you.