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

[mikaik]

Although very true, once you have read 15-20 reviews from a reviewer while having heard a few of the IEMs yourself, at least you get a pretty good idea about the differences between the IEMs. But if time and time again you don't agree with what that reviewer concluded it's better to move on and look for someone who seems to listen the same way you do and appreciates the same kind of tuning and/or technicalities.

drftr

That is how I've decided to get the Maven 2, mostly based on @twister6 's comparison with the Mest 3, but also other people's opinions. Couldn't be happier with my decision. It took a bit of triangulating to reach a conclusion, but in the absence of a possibility to try stuff, it is the only way.
One thing I don't base my decisions on is FR graphs, I don't feel I have enough experience to draw a meaningful conclusion from them. Plus, I'd have to carefully check the provenience of the graph, is it from a reliable source, meaning has the test been done accurately with precise enough equipment? Too many unknowns. I do look at them, of course, I try to experiment with EQ based on them, to learn...

 

[Trance_Gott]

My mouth got all watery just unboxing these, should I seek help?

When someone can help you to find a IEM with better mids please tell me then.
Enjoy these are swesome, really! My review will come in a few days.

 

[thaslaya]

Hey WC! Just posted my latest review for Letshuoer's flagship IEM, the Cadenza 12 (Head-fi and blog). I really like this one and I think it's super impressive for the price. @Leonarfd also thinks highly of it and now I understand why. I was even able to compare it to some big hitters like Anni and Diva too (spoiler: Cadenza 12 beats them both easily! atleast for me). Check out the full review if you have time. Thanks!

 

[RTodd]

That is far from a given, my friend. It's precisely this that we cannot know while here. Perhaps if we operate from the premise that there are no givens we would all get along better.

Given self awareness
Nature tries to stay relevant
AI takes over thought
Simplifies everything
The tool becomes the master
AI instructs what to consume
Yet remains incognito
Not a mission to dehumanize
Still fear of loss speaks
And AI answers it will be okay

 

[Ike1985]

Ahhh, perfect fit!

You aren't allowed to sell Clara that quickly. Please elaborate why you are selling so I can also lose interest in it.

 

[aaf evo]

You aren't allowed to sell Clara that quickly. Please elaborate why you are selling so I can also lose interest in it.

As a relatively low volume listener I find them too sensitive, so I either pick up on noise through my DAP or I don't have the volume control I like. There are some exceptions like the N6iii C201 card which is both relatively dark in background and has decent volume control but I am not too fond of the synergy.

 

[wolfstar76]

Today's finding: Snake Blood



Born Slippy



Low Burn

 

[maegnificant]

This video made me think a lot and I feel very small in consequence. A very educational production. What keeps me going is the thought of a documentary about sweden, cued in by a flamenco guitar trio, yodeling a waltz. That is actually an accurate way of comparing the way we keep misrepresenting the rich cultural heritages of these regions and have been for hundreds of years. It is shocking to me how close to actual colonialism times we are still when it comes to the topic of music in pop culture. Hopefully we can overcome this kind of western bias more and more and leave more freedom to everyone to discover the artistry and tradition of all cultures.

 

[Takeda`1537]

Yeap you nailed it with how these seemingly minute details can influence someone's perception. Thats why IMO it seems a little hard to digest second hand reviews...because these details can be hard to mention and one could also end up looking like an ingrate asking every reviewer how they tested, what songs, what volume etc.. I honestly appreciate the effort one puts into reviews, but its never a good idea to solely rely on reviews in order to purchase because such differences in each users ideal setting.

Testing and giving IEMs a try before a purchase is always the best way to get to an informed and, de-risked, purchase. This said after a some experience it is possible to have some good points of reviews reference that can provide good pointers. For example, what I look for in reviews are:
- pointers to potential misalignment with my preferences. If you read enough reviews and do not get into rushed purchases there is a good chance that you would get a red-light pointer (for example in my case .. any tiny mention of bass bloating or lack of air raise an immediate stop-purchase question mark)
- work out which reviewer has sound preferences that are closer to yours (tonality and amount of technicalities), this way you have another good reference that can help quite a bit in re-risking purchases
- in case of any doubt, I just wait until I have a have a chance to test.

 

[Aetherhole]

As a relatively low volume listener I find them too sensitive, so I either pick up on noise through my DAP or I don't have the volume control I like. There are some exceptions like the N6iii C201 card which is both relatively dark in background and has decent volume control but I am not too fond of the synergy.

All it takes is one nagging issue, regardless how small, to ruin the ability to listen to an IEM, so I get where you are coming from.

 

[aaf evo]

All it takes is one nagging issue, regardless how small, to ruin the ability to listen to an IEM, so I get where you are coming from.

Yeah it’s not ideal but I’ll definitely survive. Lol.

 

[Aetherhole]

Yeah it’s not ideal but I’ll definitely survive. Lol.

“Oh, I’m just surviving listening to my Fugaku…” lol

Where are those damn Fugaku gym pics?!?

 

[tfenton02]

Today's finding: Snake Blood



Born Slippy



Low Burn

Low Burn is stunning. It’s like you’re super relaxed but for some reason your heartbeat is 130! Thx for sharing!

 

[aaf evo]

“Oh, I’m just surviving listening to my Fugaku…” lol

Where are those damn Fugaku gym pics?!?

Lol! BTR17 x Omnium is going too strong ( ) there.

 

[cats4cans]

Everyone is going titanium these days.. one day our kids will look at us and wonder “what were they thinking with that Titanium”?…

From a manufacturing point of view, I’ve read it’s a nightmare to work with. More than one person has said, “If you can use anything else, do it.”

Although very true, once you have read 15-20 reviews from a reviewer while having heard a few of the IEMs yourself, at least you get a pretty good idea about the differences between the IEMs. But if time and time again you don't agree with what that reviewer concluded it's better to move on and look for someone who seems to listen the same way you do and appreciates the same kind of tuning and/or technicalities.

drftr

I call that “reviewing the reviewers”. It’s served me pretty well since pretty much all my buys are blind.