[OhmsClaw]

That sounds odd especially since it is an EE project as well. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. I simply wanted to know. I understand that more money does not mean better sound. However, it is rare in US to be able to demo iems before purchasing. Simply wanted to know what all the fuss is about. To me inflating prices is a thing in recent years across everything.

If you add 2K on-top of a 3K unit it's an automatic 20-40% bump in sound quality (via expectation bias)

Looks like TOTL flation has blown past 3K and 8K is now the "because we can" MSRP.

 

[OhmsClaw]

Here's some brief impressions from this past weekend, unfortunately a large majority of my photos won't upload to Head Fi so I'll just share a few.

Thursday night I got in quite late, had a late night dinner and went back to the hotel to get some rest.

Early Friday morning I went down to visit the 9/11 museum and memorial. Absolutely incredible and emotional place and exhibit but 100% worth seeing at least once if you are in New York. Shortly after that it was lunch at Carragher's bar and grill, being a Liverpool fan this was a MUST try for me. It's Irish-American cuisine and the chicken curry there was to die for! If you've had chicken curry in England and then chicken curry in America, you know they are not the same. This tasted just like how I expected it to be back in England and it was fantastic.

Friday night's view from the Summit @ One Vanderbilt, easily the best view I've had in Manhattan. Lovely atmosphere as well with a few exhibits and a nice cocktail bar on the 93rd floor.



Late night walk through Grand Central, absolutely beautiful inside here and my god this place is MASSIVE.



I headed into CanJam Saturday right at opening after an amazing breakfast with @bigbeans and his father.. naturally I shot straight to the MusicTeck table to knock out as much as I could ASAP.

UM Mason... This was fairly decent. It was a neutral warmer tonality with a good sense of body and texture, I found the upper mids a bit too relaxed for my tastes but overall a more library-friendly version of the Mason line. I still prefer the Multiverse Mentor.

Traillii Ti, I was quite impressed with this overall but I couldn't get over the price tag given the OG Traillii can be had for $3k now on the used market. It felt like this was a little leaner and more clarity based with less of a mid bass emphasis and more of a sub bass focus. It was still very excellent but again at $8.5k in 2024, no thank you.

Elysian Pilgrim, 1 DD 3 BA and I think priced around $400? This was a highlight of the show for the price to performance ratio. Very Elysian-esc in tuning but I largely prefer the bass quality here compared to the Annihilator or X, it didn't have that dryness or lack of texture that I associate with those two releases. I did find the treble a tad too energetic and missing some refinement but overall I think this one will be a hit when it's available.

QDC Emperor... a warmer tilted QDC-sounding IEM with lots of details and high resolution but I was quite disappointed by the DD bass in this set. It decayed incredibly fast and honestly I could have been convinced this was a BA driver handling the lows instead. Overall it was underwhelming for me.

Fatigue set in very fast for me Saturday, the show floor was packed and ambient noise levels meant you had to really crank up everything to be able to listen properly. As a quiet listener that isn't really my vibe when it comes to auditions. Shortly after the MusicTeck booth I left to go have a bottomless mimosa brunch with Head-Fi'er @tawmizzzz and some of his co workers.

After more mimosas than I can count we headed back to CanJam and the show floor was even more packed, it was a large contrast to the more relaxed vibes that were at CanJam Dallas. At this point I had lost interest in listening to anything else for the day so I left quite quickly and went to go meet up with some friends in the city for some beers and darts, followed by dinner at Hard Rock Cafe and some more cocktails with @tawmizzzz , I think I might have gotten him a little too tipsy but it was a great night with even better company.

Sunday morning the show floor was far less hectic but still overall busy, and I was able to really knock out a bunch of auditions.

The AK SP3000T was quite impressive, it was not your typical AK sound and went for something the was more musical and bodied which I think offered a very nice side grade option to the SP3000. Build quality was impressive and exactly what you'd expect from an Ultima product. I am looking forward to spending more time with this when demo units will be available, but I couldn't reach a conclusion regarding how much I enjoyed it with the show floor environment.

I also spend a little bit of time with the AK x EE NOVUS, this sounded like a warm tilted/mid bassy set with good tonal balance and high levels of details and technicals. As you'd expect from the w9+ drivers, sub bass was deep and well textured but I felt it was missing a bit of that "airy" bottom end I usually prefer. Regardless I thought it was very impressive but maybe a tad over priced. The IEM was on the larger side but I had no issues with fit and the build quality was by far the best I've seen from anything EE related.

The Lotoo Mjolnir, this honestly just blew me away almost instantly. The build quality is fantastic and it looks the part too. It's smaller in person than you'd expect from pictures but very much transportable/desktop sized. I already placed an order for this yesterday and I will receive this tomorrow. The was more neutral in tonality but the way this was able to capture levels of detail, resolution, transparency, and texture was just unlike anything I've experienced before with IEMs, and it did it all so effortlessly and in an organic nature that felt like it wasn't forcing you into hearing it but rather laying it out in front of you instead for you to enjoy. I have heard from some trusted ears who have more experience in desktop level gear that the price to performance on this isn't anything special, but I couldn't find myself caring because the emotional reaction I had listening to this was priceless. One of my test tracks "it's been a while" by Staind just left me speechless. The bass texture, the weight behind his voice while not needing added warmth to achieve it, the details and spacious imaging... it was one of the most overwhelming experiences I've had and I was fighting tears the entire time listening to it (or maybe I was just tired and needed more sleep after Saturday night's debauchery ) Either way I loved it and I can't wait to spend more time with it.

I spent the majority of my Saturday hanging out at the SG trio booth of Symponium, Subtonic, and NightJar. This booth was PACKED the entire time on both days and deservedly so. These companies are putting out some of the best products money can buy so seeing the lines of people waiting to audition stuff wasn't even remotely surprising. I cannot sing enough praise around this booth and everyone that was working it. They were all so wonderful and are genuinely some of the most kind souled and full hearted people I have ever met. The passion these guys have for the hobby is intoxicating and I am looking forward to giving these companies my business because I know it will lead to even better products down the road.

I finally got to hear the Crimson and upcoming model Titan. Crimson was awesome, depending on what tracks I was using it sat somewhere between a U shape and W shaped tonality but came off neutral in the mid range with an elevated sub bass response and slightly elevated treble. I could see the highs on this maybe being a bit too much for some people but using CP145 tips and DX260 I had no issues with it. The treble was elevated enough to give the top end some life and excitement but I didn't find it sharp or spicy. The bass was also incredibly impressive for BA drivers, what they've achieved here with a 4 BA setup is quite astonishing.

The Titan is their new IEM that should be out soon. This was warmer and smooth but with a massive DD bass response that was incredibly satisfying to listen to. Detailing was still fairly good as well and I can see this being popular amongst watercoolers. It also had a lovely looking blue shell and cable that I thought was really a looker.

The NightJar Duality was every bit as impressive as it was when I heard it in CanJam Dallas and my initial impressions of it were justified again after hearing it in New York. This is a must-buy for me and it should be available in June/July ish if everything goes well. This IEM is unbelievably fun with an addicting bass shelf but manages to still keep excellent timbre and impressive detailing for an all DD setup. I can't wait for this.

I like to stay open minded and I got curious and auditioned the Subtonic Storm again to see if my opinions would change on it. I've stated here before that I really don't like how the Storm stages, at least from the DAPs I have tried it with (SP3000, N30 LE, and DX260), but pairing this with the PB5 completely changed my opinion on it. Not only did it smoothen out the treble and reduce the slightly dry timbre but it also felt like the faceplates of the IEM were removed and it could finally stage/expand the way I wanted it to and no longer felt boxed in. The added width and more spacious imaging took this to a level that I thought is probably the highest fidelity sound available right now. I think the regular edition is going to be available in April or May and I have every intention to rebuy it after hearing it again with the PB5, I highly recommend that pair up. I did try it from the D16 straight but it didn't quite do it for me. It was still impressive in its own right but I felt it was missing personality. The dynamics felt softened and treble was a little too blunted for me and missing that vibrant detail that I enjoy with the Storm. I also got to test with with the 8 wire Sovereign which I think is a $13,000 cable and the MASSKobo 465 AMP, which is like $17,000? It was damn impressive especially in how the 465 was able to handle the bass and overall note weight but I just couldn't appreciate it enough given how strong diminishing returns are hitting here. Either way, I think Storm + PB5 is an endgame setup.

There were some other stuff I got to test but overall these are what stood out to me the most... the Mjolnir, Storm, and Duality are all products I want to own. Mjolnir has been purchased and I will be waiting for the release of the RE Storm and the Duality.

I got to meet so many new faces and most of these people I have been chatting to for years. I really had the best time and I am looking forward to linking up again in SoCal and Dallas later this year.

Does the duality have more or higher quality BASS than the singularity?

 

[aaf evo]

Does the duality have more or higher quality BASS than the singularity?

To my ears.. both. But I didn't A/B them or really critically listen to the Duality since I tried it already. I just know that what I have heard over both auditions in Dallas and NYC that I have to have it.

 

[OhmsClaw]

I'm in for one as well. It's gonna be $499 and I'm going to pre-order if possible.

My random thoughts from my first CanJam. I focused on all IEM's besides going to hear the Caldera open and closed.

Overall at CanJam I learned I do want to get the ZMF Caldera (open-backed) as my end game full-size cans, because otherwise I am focused on IEM. Their 3K plus price point will require saving so will be down the road. The Elysian Pilgrim, I want them, and will just be a buy when they comes out. At $499 it's a no brainer. I've always thought that this hobby was getting way way overpriced, and those prove what can be done without doing the whole marketing hype FOMO stuff like brands do in all hobbies. But I'm looking at you especially UM Mason $8k plus IEM's. That's why those prices insult my intelligence. I understand the scarcity thing and price points creating value and show-off cred, but still, it's a bit much.

I also learned that the Volur, which I own, are really really good. I'm talking about for my own personal all-rounder category. A set of IEM I can just grab and it doesn't matter where my playlist goes, it's going to just sound damn good. To me, but I also think not enough people have heard them maybe, because they are rarely talked about in threads like these.

A couple guys at the Bloom stand agreed, they keep waiting to hear something better than the Volur as an all-rounder for them, but nothing shows up. Not like things don't get close or anything, but there is no obvious choice to dethrone them for our tastes. I keep having FOMO to get other things, but it was great to A/B today and a month ago at MusicTek as well.

Of course music preferences will make anybody's all rounder change. If you are primarily classical music-based, or acoustic music based, or just this or that, look elsewhere. But for my music, which is indie rock, indie pop, beat driven indie, rock, classic rock, some EDM, '80's classics, '90's grunge, some classical, and funky jazz primarily, the Volur are it to me.

I have A/B'd them before with some heavy hitters and did so again today. Every-time I put them on after hearing an IEM, whether the Rn6 or the Onyx or VEX, or anything else, I was always like, damn, the Volur hit the spot just fine. These just do it all for me. I think it all comes down to very small subjective things - one might like the Rn6 slightly better or what not, etc..of course I was very impressed by the Rn6, it's a similar ride. I heard some Canpur and the Wei Fan a few weeks ago too. Sure if I was rich rich, I'd have numerous 3-5K IEM's, but I have to think about money too. And I don't want to be a guy who comes back after six months of not posting and says, I had to take a break from this addiction, like I've seen happen.

The Anni 2023 I was like, where's the beef? No tip rolling or eq'ing or cable whatever could fix that bass for MY tastes. But if you are more into acoustic music or classical, they might be a perfect fit. This is why it's so important to know what music someone listens to when suggesting an IEM. But those Pilgrim, they do know how to make bass! Looking forward to more stuff from Elysian.

Another random thought - the Grand Maestro was great but I felt the mids were a bit too recessed with the switch off and then a bit too forward with the switch on. The gentleman there was really nice and asked for feedback. I said they are impressive just the mid/high spot should have an option in between the two they have now. Just at least to my ears. If they come out with a new version, I would like to look into them.

I tried the Trifecta a bunch. They are definitely not an all-rounder to me. But for my musical tastes, they are so good when they are good, and they are good enough for enough music that it would be nice to have in my collection. It's enough music they are good with in their way, that I could eventually justify trading or paying 2K for them. But when they miss, it's mediocre. So can't be an all-rounder to me, though I will try to acquire them.

Also, I'm not into IEM's that just sound good from one source or what not. So I don't even want to get into that rabbit hole. My budget and IEM preferences mean I want an IEM with flexibility on what to pair it with. If it can't sound good from lots of sources, I don't need it.

Looking forward to next year. Considering it's about a 30 minute commute for me door to door with mass transit, I couldn't not go now.

Which genre's did the Trifecta miss for you? And which tracks were hitters!

 

[CodenameBK201]

Canjam for me mostly highlighted the feeling of being alone in a crowded room. Glad other people had a good time though. Useful demoing stuff, but I'll probably be off head fi/this thread and out of the hobby for the foreseeable future. It's been fun.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

I debated doing a blind buy since everyone seems to love it, but I'm not totally sure for the price. Once you get into that bracket I feel like you can at least in theory get a lot more technical prowess for not much more, especially if you can find a deal. Not to say it isn't potentially great. They're still scarce on the classifieds for the time being. I like hearing good things though.

I would be careful with a blind buying singularity just because of the fit.. it is an extremely short nozzle just keep that in mind, but if it does fit I can see it being very comfortable .. for me I had to use a slightly extended tip to fit it decently

 

[Deezel177]

Anyone attending Singapore can jam.. New York was so good but I want more

I'm pretty sure we have at least 10 (including myself) confirmed from the regulars on this thread alone.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

I was interested in having Project M since it has good treble as my travel IEM but might look into Pilgrim instead. Is the Pilgrim better than Gaea in other ways aside from the bass? (Things such as treble, mids, resolution, dynamics, etc.) Thanks!

Imo I think Gaea is more of a upper mid range, female vocal specialist That was a little bit more exciting and resolving than pilgrim ..you can definitely tell they’re in the same family pilgrim being a little more versatile but Gaea is a little bit more extreme

 

[drftr]

Canjam for me mostly highlighted the feeling of being alone in a crowded room. Glad other people had a good time though. Useful demoing stuff, but I'll probably be off head fi/this thread and out of the hobby for the foreseeable future. It's been fun.

I felt the same in Singapore and walked 20 rounds without knowing what to do. It was meeting the Cooler crew that made it worthwhile, and then some. Going forward I will just use the official show as an excuse, but I will be going there for meeting old and new friends.

drftr

 

[OhmsClaw]

I shared some of my opinion of the Singularity in the Symphonium thread.

Singularity impressed me so much, I'm considering it one of my next major IEM purchases.

This is why I'm hanging on for Duality impressions/measurements this summer

 

[PHLHarmonic]

I would be careful with a blind buying singularity just because of the fit.. it is an extremely short nozzle just keep that in mind, but if it does fit I can see it being very comfortable .. for me I had to use a slightly extended tip to fit it decently

I've read about fit issues but never really understood how a short nozzle is all that terrible. I could see that it might not fit certain eartips well and that you have less length to try and jam all the way into your ear, if it's a security issue.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

I've read about fit issues but never really understood how a short nozzle is all that terrible. I could see that it might not fit certain eartips well and that you have less length to try and jam all the way into your ear, if it's a security issue.

Basically the shell comes in contact with the outer ear before the nozzle gets in the ear .. similar issues with ie900/600 but some tips can fix it , just sucks if your favorite tip is on the shorter side

 

[PHLHarmonic]

Basically the shell comes in contact with the outer ear before the nozzle gets in the ear .. similar issues with ie900/600 but some tips can fix it , just sucks if your favorite tip is on the shorter side

I understand that. I think my ears are small enough where I prefer the shell and nozzle to be on the smaller side so they don't jut out and it ends up being less of a problem.

 

[gLer]

Canjam for me mostly highlighted the feeling of being alone in a crowded room. Glad other people had a good time though. Useful demoing stuff, but I'll probably be off head fi/this thread and out of the hobby for the foreseeable future. It's been fun.

Howcome? Sad to see you go.

 

[PixelSquish]

Canjam for me mostly highlighted the feeling of being alone in a crowded room. Glad other people had a good time though. Useful demoing stuff, but I'll probably be off head fi/this thread and out of the hobby for the foreseeable future. It's been fun.

that sounds a little sad? You ok brother? You look like you have some good gear to take a break with!

Which genre's did the Trifecta miss for you? And which tracks were hitters!

For the beat driven Indie 'pop' for lack of a better word, the Trifecta mostly killed it. I was tapping my feet and just smiling in my chair. Maybe one track I didn't like as much. I switched over to some Indie rock - specifically Young the Giant. I thought it was a bit messy. Not bad at all, still nice, but I preferred the Volur without a doubt.