[thaslaya]

Just to be clear, you're welcome here. And as @wolfstar76 pointed out, a lot of the IEMs we love here aren't very high priced in the grand scheme of things. For example, for many months now, @Rockwell75 has been smitten with Campfire's Bonnevile, which isn't that much more than a kilobuck. Like some others here, I love Bellos Audio's X4, which is under a kilobuck. Like @Zachik, I also love Noble's Stage 3 and that's $600. Also, I seem the remember Timsok's TS-316 also being a hit here with some, and that's only $500. Now that I think about it, we're all over the place!

Thanks I appreciate the warm welcome. I've only been exploring iems for about a year and the most expensive thing I've heard is the Dunu SA6 Ultra. Sometimes when I read the posts here it's like everyone is talking of fine dining and I'm pounding my 20 piece McNuggets and nodding my head along to the conversation

 

[Ace Bee]

This is not a mere platitude, but a timely reminder in a landscape of much disharmony, unease and anxiety. Despite this, I see respite in the community speaking a common language for the love of music and appreciation of audio gear. Here’s to many more pages of illuminating discourse and the start of beautiful friendships

It's always a delight reading the wonderful narratives of your feelings. Do you write professionally as well?

 

[metaljem77]

It's always a delight reading the wonderful narratives of your feelings. Do you write professionally as well?

Thank you for your kind words. My profession often sees circumlocutory writing, which I find tedious. I was a voracious reader but I regret not being diligent enough in my younger days on the science side of things. I’m in awe when I see members posting about graphs, audio science measurements etc.

 

[emdeevee]

I've been doing a lot of reviews lately for lower budget things. I'm guessing that wouldn't be of much interested here in the Watercooler seeing as how most people are at TOTL level?

I don't know about that...

While this thread tends to focus on the TOTL, it's not exclusive to that price wise. I believe this thread is almost as open to discoveries as the Discovery thread, it's just got higher expectations, so no discovery for discovery sake.

For instance, I've been getting very attached to the TSMR X, a $400 chifi iem, and I feel it's worthy of posting about to this community. It has attributes that I feel confident folks here would be interested in especially at the price point.

I don't think Watercooler means it has to be expensive, but it needs to be unique or a specialist if it's below the radar to get noticed, IMHO.

 

[Neweymatt]

I've been doing a lot of reviews lately for lower budget things. I'm guessing that wouldn't be of much interested here in the Watercooler seeing as how most people are at TOTL level?

You guess wrongly.

Despite the crazy multi-kilobucks I've spent on various high-end IEMs, there is always a place for the sub-1k stuff. I keep my expectations in check and I'm never disappointed...

Thanks I appreciate the warm welcome. I've only been exploring iems for about a year and the most expensive thing I've heard is the Dunu SA6 Ultra. Sometimes when I read the posts here it's like everyone is talking of fine dining and I'm pounding my 20 piece McNuggets and nodding my head along to the conversation

... because what's wrong with McNuggets? Well, when Macca's POS systems are working and they can sell them to you anyways...

I picked up the $40 CCA Trio a few weeks ago, and I'm really liking it as something to keep in my bag I take to work and just grab when I'm out for the day. Bottomless sub-bass with a surprisingly large stage when given a bit o' juice, and wonderful coherence from its 3xDDs. I loaned it to a colleague the other day when he needed something to use while we were between meetings at a coffee shop and he was blown away compared to his AirPods2 that he forgot to charge.



A really great budget-fi basshead's delight.

 

[Scubadevils]

I sure would. Did you have a chance to try the A8000 since 2022? I'll have them when we meet.

Oh great, I’ve yet to try the A8000 and one I’ve long been curious about!

 

[phiemon]

Oh great, I’ve yet to try the A8000 and one I’ve long been curious about!

For the first time in my life, I understood what treble fatique means with the A8000. Really very unpleasant...

Oh well, the second time was with Viking Ragnar. Also very unpleasant...

 

[Scubadevils]

For the first time in my life, I understood what treble fatique means with the A8000. Really very unpleasant...

Oh well, the second time was with Viking Ragnar. Also very unpleasant...

Yes I’ve read many divisive reports on the A8000 for that reason.

 

[phiemon]

Yes I’ve read many divisive reports on the A8000 for that reason.

I have the impression that the upper-mids/(low-)treble area is the area that is most problematic to tune. It seems to be THE dealbreaker for most of us. I wonder why at least experienced manufacturers can't manage this. Or do they not want to understand it?

 

[gLer]

I have the impression that the upper-mids/(low-)treble area is the area that is most problematic to tune. It seems to be THE dealbreaker for most of us. I wonder why at least experienced manufacturers can't manage this. Or do they not want to understand it?

Many people like it spicy. I know many, many top enthusiasts that consider Ragnar the best IEM available. Thankfully there's a lid for every pot in the hobby; for every IEM that doesn't work for you there are plenty of excellent choices at every price point.

 

[phiemon]

Many people like it spicy. I know many, many top enthusiasts that consider Ragnar the best IEM available. Thankfully there's a lid for every pot in the hobby; for every IEM that doesn't work for you there are plenty of excellent choices at every price point.

Very interesting. On the other hand, that wouldn't be particularly strange either. I had that phase too - the spicier, the better. I still sometimes have moments where I wish I had more treble in my IEMs. In fact, I often miss Viking Ragnar and I had considered buying it again. I was just too slow and missed out on the Prestige version in the Classified. I'm sure I'll never find such an offer again, what a pity. Pairing was certainly the problem I had with Viking Ragnar. The N30 with tube should be perfect.

In the meantime I have been converted DD-basshead. And while we're on the subject of treble and dd: I was able to hear the Z1R. It just had too much treble for me. It was almost metallic, no doubt because I'm used to my IEMs, and thin sounding.

 

[Deezel177]

I have the impression that the upper-mids/(low-)treble area is the area that is most problematic to tune. It seems to be THE dealbreaker for most of us. I wonder why at least experienced manufacturers can't manage this. Or do they not want to understand it?

It’s also a very region-specific thing. Final and Noble’s biggest markets are in Asia, who tend to prefer lots of treble for their female vocals and acoustic guitars. Noble also have warmer alternatives like the Ronin and, according to most CJ NY reports, the Onyx.

 

[Scubadevils]

I have the impression that the upper-mids/(low-)treble area is the area that is most problematic to tune. It seems to be THE dealbreaker for most of us. I wonder why at least experienced manufacturers can't manage this. Or do they not want to understand it?

Yes it’s an area that I would say actually fascinates me as even some of my favourite sets have touched on this zone and caused me problems. On the flip side it’s this region that I feel can be the fine line between pushing the right euphoric buttons as say strings etc elevate into this area and send shivers of joy through me, or absolutely attack my eardrums… or indeed not enough energy in that region and it lacks bite or sufficient engagement. Definitely a tricky zone in my experience.

 

[phiemon]

It’s also a very region-specific thing. Final and Noble’s biggest markets are in Asia, who tend to prefer lots of treble for their female vocals and acoustic guitars. Noble also have warmer alternatives like the Ronin and, according to most CJ NY reports, the Onyx.

Yes, indeed. I have now also understood that this depends on the region.

Ronin is the IEM I was most hesitant to sell. I've never gone back and forth like I did with it. Fantastic IEM, but again it didn't have enough energy on top for me, the dynamics and the stage were a bit flat in comparison. But don't get me wrong: everything was really on top level. I'm talking here about minimal differences to other sets of mine, but these are significant when you consider the price for an IEM that I ultimately couldn't enjoy as much in comparison.

Yes it’s an area that I would say actually fascinates me as even some of my favourite sets have touched on this zone and caused me problems. On the flip side it’s this region that I feel can be the fine line between pushing the right euphoric buttons as say strings etc elevate into this area and send shivers of joy through me, or absolutely attack my eardrums… or indeed not enough energy in that region and it lacks bite or sufficient engagement. Definitely a tricky zone in my experience.

Very nice description of the problematic!

 

[Beh0lder]

Empire ears does make some pretty interesting iems. I enjoyed the Odin. That and the Odyssey were the ones I owned. Have heard mixed things regarding the EE Raven. Is it still worth picking up or demoing?

Demo is well worth it, IMO it's their most refined and all rounder IEM. They are quite large and while discomfort is minimal, it might be an issue.