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

[Rolu]

Interesting!! Would you say the silver bird goes for a more mid range centric tuning, while the Elysian X goes for a more treble tuning ? Just going by what both companies are known for

The TTi balances out the midrange centricity of the JP and hence it works even better across genres.

Elysian X has a more natural tuned treble compared to Anni23 and doesn't suffer from any of its thinness in the mids. Bass tighter and better done too.

Compared to TTi, X is more v-shape, has better dynamics, and feels higher res.

My overall pick is the TTi as I'm a sucker for natural sound profile and timbral accuracy.

 

[PassionForMusic]

The TTi balances out the midrange centricity of the JP and hence it works even better across genres.

Elysian X has a more natural tuned treble compared to Anni23 and doesn't suffer from any of its thinness in the mids. Bass tighter and better done too.

Compared to TTi, X is more v-shape, has better dynamics, and feels higher res.

My overall pick is the TTi

X>2023 by a mile. Anni 2021 has best treble. X has best overall presentation of Annihilator in my opinion. I also believe Rolu agrees with me.

I would agree that the TTi is an amazing set. I could see picking it over the X honestly. Rolu likes his mids more and I prefer my treble more. I would say X>Bird. I think Bird TI>X. However, you going to the summit of summit-fi at that point and we are splitting hairs at that point.

Rolu I managed to get the Lotoo Mjolnir working. I will get you some sound impressions soon. @tjzurlaaa Hold on, we are waiting to play mad scientist with Rolu. He is getting the Sony DMP-Z1 Digital Audio Pllayer. We doing comparisons with Elysian X and other high end audio gear. However, we are waiting for him to get his sent out.

Rolu glad you like the Bird TI, happy I was able to help you find what appears to be your new favorite iem or one of them. Strongly suspect it is the fixing of the fit issue. Out of curiosity with your iems what tips do you two typically use?

​

 

[drftr]

Supreme v3 original

We need more of your fantastic creations out there in the wild, Sammy. Some of the most impressive IEMs I have ever heard - were it not for their spicy treble and weight. But for the rest? Pfff...

Can't wait for a Supreme v5 that tones down treble, weight, and price

drftr

 

[Deezel177]

Interesting!! Would you say the silver bird goes for a more mid range centric tuning, while the Elysian X goes for a more treble tuning ? Just going by what both companies are known for

The X has a surprisingly full and chesty sound with a smooth, silky treble. I’d say it’s more substantial than the ethereal, floaty-sounding Anni with a much more textured, solid bass too. To a degree, it reminded me of a Fei Wan with fuller mids and a bit less treble spice.

 

[drftr]

To a degree, it reminded me of a Fei Wan with fuller mids and a bit less treble spice.

drftr

 

[phiemon]

The X has a surprisingly full and chesty sound with a smooth, silky treble. I’d say it’s more substantial than the ethereal, floaty-sounding Anni with a much more textured, solid bass too. To a degree, it reminded me of a Fei Wan with fuller mids and a bit less treble spice.

This is really interesting and helps a lot. If Anni has a more ethereal presentation, I would certainly like X less. I recently switched the W1 with the CP145 as the latter are lighter sounding and have more air.

 

[PassionForMusic]

To anyone who did attend CanJam Dallas was there any special moments from the show?

 

[PassionForMusic]

This is really interesting and helps a lot. If Anni has a more ethereal presentation, I would certainly like X less. I recently switched the W1 with the CP145 as the latter are lighter sounding and have more air.

If you like airy treble for days get the Anni 2021. To me the X is a more cohesive sound signature. CP145 is a good set for air at a fair price point. Phiemon what sound signature do you look for in your iems. I might be able to help you find something you would enjoy.

 

[phiemon]

If you like airy treble for days get the Anni 2021. To me the X is a more cohesive sound signature. CP145 is a good set for air at a fair price point.

I had already thought about Anni 21, but I don't remember why I thought I would like 23 better in the end.

Phiemon what sound signature do you look for in your iems. I might be able to help you find something you would enjoy.

I have enough IEMs, thanks. At the moment I might be - I have to see how they will be - interested in Storm, Dio, Cheap Chronicle, Mentor 2, Trifecta 2 and Traillii 2 but I don't think that you can help me here

 

[Tabikinoya Cephas]

X is hard to find even in secondary market. I still can buy the rest of the iems that are mentioned from second hand dealers, but X in good condition is a rare find in my country.

 

[Tanalasta]

If you like airy treble for days get the Anni 2021. To me the X is a more cohesive sound signature. CP145 is a good set for air at a fair price point. Phiemon what sound signature do you look for in your iems. I might be able to help you find something you would enjoy.

X is perhaps Elysian's best released IEM to date. It is incredibly cohesive with few flaws and technically excellent. It also has the "X" factor (pun intended) and responds well a cable change. I rolled off the Liquid Links Venom which has a low end lift to the Eletech Ode to Laura and it's my "go to" IEM.

I only had a brief time with Anni but my faint audio memory places Anni more sparkly in the treble, with X having the nod for the more textured, sub-bass quality as well as technicalities and coherence.

*edit - scrolling back I would concur with Rolu's impressions of X. In context - I haven't heard the silver bird but my impressions of X and owning the Trailii JP*

 

[DAS OHR]

I have tested the Pentaconn Coreir for a few weeks. At first, I found them quite good on the Oriolus Traillii. However, I also really wanted to like them. For one thing, because of the price. For another, because they look sexy and are superbly made. I found them to be very neutral sounding. The timbre felt very realistic across the frequency spectrum. Only the stage became noticeably narrower. The fact that they do not deform because of the brass ring I thought was a gamechanger. However, the disadvantage of the ring is that they do not adapt to the ear canal, so can press strongly. With my narrow ear canals builds up too much pressure. So the Coreir are unfortunately too uncomfortable for me.

It takes me months to find the right tips for my IEMs. Professionals just pull the right ones out of their sleeves.

In August last year, I wrote here that the Pentaconn Coreir tips were uncomfortable. I tested them with Traillii back then. The fact that they almost hurt me was probably due to the fact that the nozzle protruded from the bird at such a dramatic angle that it caused these really unpleasant irritations in my ear canal. In short, I practically never touched the Coreirs again. Even with other IEMs, I only ever tried them out very briefly. As a general rule, I don't wear IEMs that protrude further out of the ear quite so confidently, so I don't quite like them that much.

But in terms of sound, they are clearly superior to all the others I have tested so far with APX and Orphy S and DX320 Max in almost all disciplines and across all genres. And they are also comfortable this time. And they actually get stuck in the ear less often than the Spinfit W1. Some have warmly recommended the Coreirs with APX SE. Me too. And it's kind of nice to put a smile on people's faces when they see my hearing aids in these times. I'm exaggerating. Pic: Spinfit Omni versus Coreir Brass.

 

[mikaik]

Although I don't have the experience of regular reviewers, or simply of many of you here, I wanted to share my opinion on the Maven II with the others. If you're interested, you can find it here.

 

[aaf evo]

To anyone who did attend CanJam Dallas was there any special moments from the show?

I’ve mostly been focusing on daps to find a LO/portable for Fugaku. But I’ve tested a bunch of IEMs too. No real standouts for me so far or at least nothing that I haven’t already heard before…

LP EA4 tube amp… quite smooth and full sounding but super engaging and not overly warm or rolling off highs either… I probably prefer this to C9ii but I think it’s got less tweaks to it overall so it’s more about fine tuning the EA4 sound versus the C9ii which is like a Swiss Army knife.

I was very impressed with my friends LP6 7th Anniversary Edition… the best r2r dap I’ve heard by a solid margin imo. It has a well balanced but powerful sound with great techs. I can see why it’s got a massive following. It doesn’t sound too warm like the P6 Pro black/gold and it’s got a much more refined signature versus the RS8… I get the enthusiasm behind it.

SP3000M has been my disappointment so far, it sounds small and fuzzy with its image which I felt the regular SP3000 didn’t have this issue. I also hear it to be very flat sounding and not having much sense of depth or layering. The sound leans warm and slightly mid bassy and I don’t get that same precise sounding / highly detailed signature that I love with the OG SP3000. I wish I liked it more as the size is amazing and it would have been a perfect source for Fugaku. In a direct A/B to SP3000T OP amp mode I think the M is inferior, so for me it is not an SP3000 in a smaller chassis. I’ll try it again later today with fresh ears and an open mind to see if my thoughts change but I’ve used it several times so far and it’s just not doing it for me at all. I want to love it though…!

Cayin N6iii has been solid, kinda warm ish but good upper mids and treble detail too. Solid techs for the price as well. The tonality does sound a bit digital for me but overall I seem to be enjoying this dap the most as far as offering a lot for not much price wise and in a DAP body that still feels relatively portable. I need to spend more time with it today. Leo let me borrow a unit overnight so I’ll get listening to that soon in my room.

LPGT2 was great as excepted… very “Lotoo sounding” with a clean / neutral leaning signature and a much better amp section than their previous DAPs. It reminds me a bit of the Mjolnir but with a little more slam and a more in head soundstage whereas Mjolnir can produce a sound that feels borderless if the track calls for it. It’s a little ugly but it sits well in your hand and it’s still somewhat pocketable. Given it doesn’t have android I don’t have interest in it for a portable but if it did I’d want to own one.

BGVP Phantom SE from MT was pretty solid for the price, I think it’s $1099? It has a deep sub bass and a well balanced tonality, just overall not much to nitpick but nothing that’ll blow your mind either.

I tried it in SoCal briefly but I wanted to try it again, but I really enjoyed the Macbeth + Ambition cable too, I get why it’s got a mini cult following. My main gripe with it is that it’s missing something “special” that I feel makes it hard for me to really get excited about, and I find tracks that are already vocal forward that the Macbeth can push this too far at times but overall it’s not an issue.

Overall in terms of just pure sound quality I don’t think the Fugaku is matched for my tastes, but the hunt for a source to use on the go instead of MUB1 is on.

I am getting started nice and early in my room with the N6iii before I get some breakfast

 

[drftr]

Although I don't have the experience of regular reviewers, or simply of many of you here, I wanted to share my opinion on the Maven II with the others. If you're interested, you can find it here.

Very well written and accompanied by great pics. Makes me want to pull the trigger rrrright now.

drftr