The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.
Feb 28, 2024 at 6:46 PM Post #82,397 of 97,582
Pre-CanJam Survey Final update:



Over $2K Bracket

Annihilator x27
Traillii/Ti x22
Trifecta x20

I must say the above is a splendid top 3. A treble king, a midrange king, and a bass king.

The rest:

Xe6 x18
Rn6 x15
Amber Pearl x14
Mentor x13
Fei Wan x12
Storm x12
VEX x11

CP622B x12

Raven x7

Ronin x6
Grand Maestro x6
APX x5
Perpetua x5
Viking x5

Volur x4
EXT x3
Jewel x3
Aura x3
Mason FS x3

DC TI x2
Creator x2
Phonix/LE x2
Legend X x2
Odin x2
Thummim x2
u/a12t x2
Duality x2
Fourte x2
Legend Evo x2
Trio x2
Anole V14
Camelot
Dio
Erebus
Khoas
Maestro SE
Monachaa
Odyssey
Pathfinder
Red Halo
Sharona
Supreme V3
Omnium
Elysian X
Impact
Sho Mk2
Sultan
Canary Pro
NA12

Enigma+
Mason Le Jardin
u18s
Kr5
Khopesh
Titan
Silver HB

Up to and Including $2K Bracket

IER Z1R x26

IER Z1r wins with some authority.

Singularity x15
MEST 1/2/3 x14
Bonneville x13
IE 900 x13

CP54E x11

Monachaa x9
Crimson x9
Diva x9
Spartacus x8

u12t x7
Supermoon x6
u4s x6

Quattro x6

Monarch 1/2/3 x5
Bellos X4 x4
Maestro SE x4
Ascension x4
Nio x4
Project M x3
E12 x3
Cascara x3
Crin Zero Red x3
Supernova x3
Szalayi x3
V16 Divinity x3

Solaris x2
IE600 x2
Magic One x2
Scarlet Mini x2
TS-316 x2
Andromeda x2
Black Star x2
Loak CL2 x2
Twilight x2
Xelento 2 x2
Cadenza 12 x2
Glacier x2
Mezzo LE x2
Twin Pulse x2
Andromeda Emerald Sea x2
E5000 x2
Prestige LTD x2

Ace 2
APP 2
Avant
Fibae 5
FW 10000
Helios
Hero
HS2000mx
Hybrid 3 Pro
Hype 4
IER-M3
Inear PP8
LP1
Mach 60
Madoo 821
Mentawai
Miroak ii
S15
Seraph
Sho
TGX Ear Carbon
To Go! 334
TS-415
Type 512
U3S
Unity
Valkyire
VE8
Verdandi
Volume
X
Zero 2
Neon Pro
Butastur
Andromeda MW10
M4
Spring
Blessing 2
NHB12
Omega Ra
Mirai
Duo
Dorado 2020
IER-M7
Maestro Mini
A8000
FH9
BA7
Neo CP
8Pro
KSE 1200
Xenns Top
Unity

MH335HT
Eclipse
Rosenkranz Silver HB
Canpur CP622B Custom
Elysian Annihilator 202

Thanks to everyone who voted for this impressive list of IEMs.
Surprised that Trifecta made it to the top 3. It's worthy, just surprised given how divisive it is.
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 6:48 PM Post #82,398 of 97,582
I'd really love to try the Singularity but I just don't really have and/or want to drop the money on it when I have one very good DD IEM and another incoming. If I could somehow move my CIEMs to cover some of the cost, then maybe.
I owned both and I can say with some confidence the Timsok, at half the price, is right there next to it.
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 6:52 PM Post #82,399 of 97,582
What is the #2 midrange IEM in everyone's opinion?
Storm, CP622B & Mentor all have sublime midrange for me, despite all having slightly different tonal tilts. Even RN6 is great if you want a warmer/ richer and euphonic midrange.

It really comes down to nuance and timbral cues and realism more so than tuning.
 
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Feb 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM Post #82,400 of 97,582
Surprised that Trifecta made it to the top 3. It's worthy, just surprised given how divisive it is.

I'm a little surprised too, to be honest, despite it being my personal favorite IEM. Though I will also admit to no small amount of satisfaction in seeing it there. Part of it has to be how unique it is-- there isn't anything else like it, whereas for pretty much any other IEM on there there is at least one other that is vaguely similar.

For anyone interested I here are the results on a Google Sheet if anyone wants to see who voted for what:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uJO4aiweiKFwDq1LfzIW2YHjGNOSoaTwSUNwoZYDMsk/edit?usp=sharing
 
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Feb 28, 2024 at 7:08 PM Post #82,401 of 97,582
Pre-CanJam Survey Final update:



Over $2K Bracket

Annihilator x27
Traillii/Ti x22
Trifecta x20

I must say the above is a splendid top 3. A treble king, a midrange king, and a bass king.

The rest:

Xe6 x18
Rn6 x15
Amber Pearl x14
Mentor x13
Fei Wan x12
Storm x12
VEX x11

CP622B x12

Raven x7

Ronin x6
Grand Maestro x6
APX x5
Perpetua x5
Viking x5

Volur x4
EXT x3
Jewel x3
Aura x3
Mason FS x3

DC TI x2
Creator x2
Phonix/LE x2
Legend X x2
Odin x2
Thummim x2
u/a12t x2
Duality x2
Fourte x2
Legend Evo x2
Trio x2
Anole V14
Camelot
Dio
Erebus
Khoas
Maestro SE
Monachaa
Odyssey
Pathfinder
Red Halo
Sharona
Supreme V3
Omnium
Elysian X
Impact
Sho Mk2
Sultan
Canary Pro
NA12

Enigma+
Mason Le Jardin
u18s
Kr5
Khopesh
Titan
Silver HB

Up to and Including $2K Bracket

IER Z1R x26

IER Z1r wins with some authority.

Singularity x15
MEST 1/2/3 x14
Bonneville x13
IE 900 x13

CP54E x11

Monachaa x9
Crimson x9
Diva x9
Spartacus x8

u12t x7
Supermoon x6
u4s x6

Quattro x6

Monarch 1/2/3 x5
Bellos X4 x4
Maestro SE x4
Ascension x4
Nio x4
Project M x3
E12 x3
Cascara x3
Crin Zero Red x3
Supernova x3
Szalayi x3
V16 Divinity x3

Solaris x2
IE600 x2
Magic One x2
Scarlet Mini x2
TS-316 x2
Andromeda x2
Black Star x2
Loak CL2 x2
Twilight x2
Xelento 2 x2
Cadenza 12 x2
Glacier x2
Mezzo LE x2
Twin Pulse x2
Andromeda Emerald Sea x2
E5000 x2
Prestige LTD x2

Ace 2
APP 2
Avant
Fibae 5
FW 10000
Helios
Hero
HS2000mx
Hybrid 3 Pro
Hype 4
IER-M3
Inear PP8
LP1
Mach 60
Madoo 821
Mentawai
Miroak ii
S15
Seraph
Sho
TGX Ear Carbon
To Go! 334
TS-415
Type 512
U3S
Unity
Valkyire
VE8
Verdandi
Volume
X
Zero 2
Neon Pro
Butastur
Andromeda MW10
M4
Spring
Blessing 2
NHB12
Omega Ra
Mirai
Duo
Dorado 2020
IER-M7
Maestro Mini
A8000
FH9
BA7
Neo CP
8Pro
KSE 1200
Xenns Top
Unity

MH335HT
Eclipse
Rosenkranz Silver HB
Canpur CP622B Custom
Elysian Annihilator 202

Thanks to everyone who voted for this impressive list of IEMs.
You thought I mistyped E5000 as E500 haha
What is the #2 midrange IEM in everyone's opinion?
The best midrange I've heard that's tonally similar to Traillii was the U18S. If we are talking about any kind of midrange tonality, may I suggest my E500 :joy:
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 7:24 PM Post #82,403 of 97,582
If anyone's in for a larger case to store and carry multiple IEMs and DAPs, give ddHiFi's new CZ300 a try.
DDHiFi_Cases_07.jpg
My review of the case, and it's baby brother CZ180, is online
here.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention!! Ordered and should be here in time for CanJam NYC!
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 7:27 PM Post #82,404 of 97,582
What do you personally think each is better at, and if you had to pick one over the other, why would that be?
The Singularity had stronger bass but the mids and highs were more subdued (mostly in a good way). Timsok is a bit more resolving up top but some may find it to be a bit too much. But man - we are splitting hairs in my view. Both are wonderful single DD implementations, down to personal preference. It's just that the Timsok is 50% cheaper.
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 7:44 PM Post #82,405 of 97,582
thank you again for running the polls and very interesting to see the raw data to see peoples preferences / pairings of choices.

I'm a little surprised too, to be honest, despite it being my personal favorite IEM. Though I will also admit to no small amount of satisfaction in seeing it there. Part of it has to be how unique it is-- there isn't anything else like it, whereas for pretty much any other IEM on there there is at least one other that is vaguely similar.

For anyone interested I here are the results on a Google Sheet if anyone wants to see who voted for what:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uJO4aiweiKFwDq1LfzIW2YHjGNOSoaTwSUNwoZYDMsk/edit?usp=sharing

heard the elusive AK Aura yesterday, a day too late for the poll but a definite +1 from me. A really well rounded and surprisingly energetic set.

WhatsApp Image 2024-02-28 at 15.23.40.jpeg
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 7:48 PM Post #82,406 of 97,582
Extremely helpful. Thank you. I wonder if, for me, there’s simply too much energy in the 4-10K range? I’ll try some more ear tips as others have suggested. My point of reference is the U12T which sounded very nice to my ears, as well the Focal Utopia 2022 (EQd with some bass boost). Found Caldera to also be a bit shouty in the treble - just another reference point.
Based on your preference of headphones, I’d stick with black or silver and try foam ear tips. Strange you’re ok with the utopia that’s very forward in that 4-6k range and can easy get shouty depending on your chain. What DAP are you using with the Rn6? U12t is an all BA IEM that like the utopia does not have very strong bass presence but more natural level and the BA treble in the U12t is much softer then both the Rn6 and the Utopia. Surprised by the Utopia that headphone can get me on occasion depending on the chain.
 
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Feb 28, 2024 at 7:51 PM Post #82,407 of 97,582
Pre-CanJam Survey Final update:



Over $2K Bracket

Annihilator x27
Traillii/Ti x22
Trifecta x20

I must say the above is a splendid top 3. A treble king, a midrange king, and a bass king.

The rest:

Xe6 x18
Rn6 x15
Amber Pearl x14
Mentor x13
Fei Wan x12
Storm x12
VEX x11

CP622B x12

Raven x7

Ronin x6
Grand Maestro x6
APX x5
Perpetua x5
Viking x5

Volur x4
EXT x3
Jewel x3
Aura x3
Mason FS x3

DC TI x2
Creator x2
Phonix/LE x2
Legend X x2
Odin x2
Thummim x2
u/a12t x2
Duality x2
Fourte x2
Legend Evo x2
Trio x2
Anole V14
Camelot
Dio
Erebus
Khoas
Maestro SE
Monachaa
Odyssey
Pathfinder
Red Halo
Sharona
Supreme V3
Omnium
Elysian X
Impact
Sho Mk2
Sultan
Canary Pro
NA12

Enigma+
Mason Le Jardin
u18s
Kr5
Khopesh
Titan
Silver HB

Up to and Including $2K Bracket

IER Z1R x26

IER Z1r wins with some authority.

Singularity x15
MEST 1/2/3 x14
Bonneville x13
IE 900 x13

CP54E x11

Monachaa x9
Crimson x9
Diva x9
Spartacus x8

u12t x7
Supermoon x6
u4s x6

Quattro x6

Monarch 1/2/3 x5
Bellos X4 x4
Maestro SE x4
Ascension x4
Nio x4
Project M x3
E12 x3
Cascara x3
Crin Zero Red x3
Supernova x3
Szalayi x3
V16 Divinity x3

Solaris x2
IE600 x2
Magic One x2
Scarlet Mini x2
TS-316 x2
Andromeda x2
Black Star x2
Loak CL2 x2
Twilight x2
Xelento 2 x2
Cadenza 12 x2
Glacier x2
Mezzo LE x2
Twin Pulse x2
Andromeda Emerald Sea x2
E5000 x2
Prestige LTD x2

Ace 2
APP 2
Avant
Fibae 5
FW 10000
Helios
Hero
HS2000mx
Hybrid 3 Pro
Hype 4
IER-M3
Inear PP8
LP1
Mach 60
Madoo 821
Mentawai
Miroak ii
S15
Seraph
Sho
TGX Ear Carbon
To Go! 334
TS-415
Type 512
U3S
Unity
Valkyire
VE8
Verdandi
Volume
X
Zero 2
Neon Pro
Butastur
Andromeda MW10
M4
Spring
Blessing 2
NHB12
Omega Ra
Mirai
Duo
Dorado 2020
IER-M7
Maestro Mini
A8000
FH9
BA7
Neo CP
8Pro
KSE 1200
Xenns Top
Unity

MH335HT
Eclipse
Rosenkranz Silver HB
Canpur CP622B Custom
Elysian Annihilator 202

Thanks to everyone who voted for this impressive list of IEMs.
For $2k+ category, let me predict that later down the road, the bird will remain in the top 3, while other 2 may change with newer products.
 
Feb 28, 2024 at 7:55 PM Post #82,408 of 97,582
Feb 28, 2024 at 8:03 PM Post #82,410 of 97,582
For $2k+ category, let me predict that later down the road, the bird will remain in the top 3, while other 2 may change with newer products.
I don’t think Anni 23 will be replaced anytime soon. There are not that many units in the wild yet considering long production time. People who heard it often tend to get it though.

I heard my share of totl IEMs, this thing is very special, there is simply no other IEM I can think off that does treble same way, which such refined allrounder tuning, with superb mids.

Think it / its revisions will be around on the top for years to come, just like Traillii.
 
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