Top-Tier Universal IEM Comparison Chart, Frequency Response Charts, & Discussion

[KLS]

@average_joe, thanks for your work! Hope the list will get longer and longer

 

[Nocturnal310]

lol @ westone 3 being warm.

also its strength is that its detail level is among the best.

weakness is highlighted sibilance.

 

[average_joe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by playingwithfire /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a bit of a skewed criteria don't you think? eg I can't think of one single thing that the W3 is the best in. Bass quantity is less than Monster Turbine, bass quality is worse than UM3X, instrument separation is definitely worse than the UM3X...

OK, let me rephrase that a little bit...with a top-tier IEM you are getting an IEM that does something better than any other IEM, and everything else that is nearly as good. So if there is something you think the W3 does better than any other IEM, that is top-tier to you. But the whole idea is that people think the IEM they have might be top tier, but something else does most of the same things, but better. Therefore that now becomes top tier.

And as you can see with the updated first post, I am including IEMs others have suggested even if I don't agree. And again, in the first post there are some other thoughts on what top-tier means to various people.

 

[iponderous]

^ average_joe, I see that you have now decided to include the TF10 in your list of top-tier IEMs. Your own personal preferences notwithstanding, I think that such a list would be incomplete without it. Prior to the Amazon $99.00 sale, that I think devalued more than the price of the TF10 alone, it was regarded as a top-tier IEM along with the SE530, W3, UM3X and the IE8. All of these IEMs have strengths and weaknesses in audio quality, design and build quality, that have been identified by Head-Fiers who have owned them. Having owned all but the W3, I can see no reason why the TF10 would be excluded.

 

[grokit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you heard the TF10?

I actually really like my Super.fi 5 Pros, and think they sound better stock than the TF10s as they are more balanced and less extreme sounding. I think they have a naming issue as they get confused with the non-Pro, and the EB versions, which are not in the same league as the SP5 Pro at all IMHO. They are now discontinued but are still available at a good price; I was going to get rid of them when my custom TF11s arrive, but I may keep them as a universal, even if they hiss with certain amps and look weird and have fit issues

 

[midoo1990]

Fx500 is definatly a must in this list.it have the best timbre and bass in any iem.it is very underrated here.ck10 is toptier in only clarity,transperancy and speed.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit /img/forum/go_quote.gif I actually really like my Super.fi 5 Pros, and think they sound better stock than the TF10s as they are more balanced and less extreme sounding.

In your opinion of course.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by midoo1990 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Fx500 is definatly a must in this list.it have the best timbre and bass in any iem.it is very underrated here.ck10 is toptier in only clarity,transperancy and speed.

I foresee this thread containing every IEM under the sun.

 

[midoo1990]

Joe,add the fx500 and i am the first supporter for it and also supporter for ie8,but ck10 NO because of treble and bass.

Fx500 strenghts:superb bass detail,texture and punch and extends very deep.
Excellent clarity,transparency and top notch timbre and reverbation.

Weakness:treble on the border line of being harsh,sibilant at times.

 

[javajive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif I foresee this thread containing every IEM under the sun.

As do I. At first, I thought it seemed like a good idea for a thread. Now I am not so sure. Perhaps some criteria for requesting top tier status or having your support or dissent added should be required such as concurrently owning or having owned at least 3 of the IEMs on the current list.

 

[iponderous]

It's ambitious. I'll give it that much.

 

[javajive]

@average_joe You may want to consider nominating 3 IEMs for each Best at category and then allow only those who have owned all 3 vote on them.

 

[HONEYBOY]

No one really wants to know that the phone they have in their ears rocking off to isn't top tier status. I think the "opinion of the masses" plays a significant role in depicting whether an IEM is granted top tier status. My superficial understanding of top tier is any phone that ostensibly takes my audio appreciation to a higher level. That in itself is still a changing, relative and personal terminology. I once considered my Denon C700 to be top tier until I did a direct comparison with IE8.
I do think that if things go well in this thread that it'll contribute greatly to database building and serve as helpful aid in folks considering the IEMs in question.

 

[iponderous]

I wonder who coined the term "top tier IEM" in the first place? As I mentioned in another thread, when I joined Head-Fi a top tier universal IEM was a triple balanced armature costing between $400 and $500. Then along came the IE8.

 

[HONEYBOY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iponderous /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wonder who coined the term "top tier IEM" in the first place? As I mentioned in another thread, when I joined Head-Fi a top tier universal IEM was a triple balanced armature costing between $400 and $500. Then along came the IE8.

Haha, I Initially followed that school of thought as well, and at the time I thought only two were available. SE530 and TF10. Needless to say,SE530 is still the most expensive triple BA IEM where I live. It costs US$670.00