[singingbee]

Any thoughts on fir audio M4?

 

[SETriode]

Hi @toranku

I'm interested in Moondrop A8. How this compares to qdc lines like 4SS (similar price), or higher priced 8SH/SL/Anole VX ?
Most of my music are vocal, specially female vocal. I like rather forward mid/vocal, but with balanced/not recess bass and treble

Someone direct me to you from Moondrop thread since you have experience with these IEMs

Thank you in advance

 

[toranku]

Hi @toranku

I'm interested in Moondrop A8. How this compares to qdc lines like 4SS (similar price), or higher priced 8SH/SL/Anole VX ?
Most of my music are vocal, specially female vocal. I like rather forward mid/vocal, but with balanced/not recess bass and treble

Someone direct me to you from Moondrop thread since you have experience with these IEMs

Thank you in advance

I tried A8 only very briefly. I've a friend who's friend is dropping by SG so perhaps I can get to try it again.

 

[toranku]

Any thoughts on fir audio M4?

I'll be writing up on FiR and their new, retuned line up when I try them again. Have heard all the new retuned models, just haven't sat down and heard it seriously

 

[SETriode]

I tried A8 only very briefly. I've a friend who's friend is dropping by SG so perhaps I can get to try it again.

Thanks Toranku.

What your impression on qdc 4ss?

 

[toranku]

Thanks Toranku.

What your impression on qdc 4ss?

4ss sounds a bit like the 334 to me but with more lower treble as well as betetr extended treble. Sharper attack/definition and doesn't have that "haze" 334 has with its midrange. One of my favrourite reference tunings out there. Only thing holding it back is that it can get slightly congested at times.

 

[SETriode]

Great. Thank you very much

 

[antdroid]

First Impressions: qdc Fusion

Fusion is qdc's first hybrid offering, utilizing a DD and 4 BAs. qdc in my book has been pretty consistent with their multi-BAs. The Fusion should represent a new product line of hybrids for qdc. The Fusion has an overall "balanced" sound. The bass of the Fusion has a slightly north of neutral midbass response free of bloat. Subbass rolls off and fails to capture the very last bits of subbass at 20-25hz. As such with my bassier pop songs (that I listen to just to test bass response...), bass can be lacking when expected to reach deep. It's a tad warm. The bass tuning does sound hollow, reminiscent of a bass similar to 8ss. On Rei Yasuda's "Classy", the introductory bassline is hollowed out and lacking of visceral impact. The bass is very snappy though.

The midrange for me is the weakest link in the Fusion. It has that 334/quartre haze. It sounds blurred and lacking of definition. Male vocals are forward but has that hazy feeling to it. However the lower mids in general do not overpower the uppermids and strike a rather decent balance (I think some can appreciate more uppermids here). Decently balanced at the mids, reminiscent of 334 but not as thick due to less mid/upper bass. Female vocals and guitar sound...hazy and thick. I keep saying hazy/fuzzy because thats what the presentation immediately strikes me as. I guess some can appreciate this fuzziness since there are people out there who enjoy the 334/Quartre, myself included. It will also sound low resolution and blurred to others.

The lower treble region is a tad peaky to me, which causes hihats and cymbals to be well separated from the track. It extends rather well and somewhat smoothly afterwards. The linger in cymbals have that feeling of air. Nothing much to say other than decent treble section tuning.

Technicalities are nice as the center image is further back since the 2-4k region is not as forward as say DF or Harman. Creates the impression of a bigger soundstage, similar to the tricks of Khan and Andro. Along with the slightly peaky lower treble, separation is good. However the definition in notes is hazy and needs to be improved. It sounds a little low resolution.

Overall, the Fusion sports a unique tuning. I have things to write when something is tuned non-conventionally and uniquely. I guess the tuning would work for some, but not with me personally.

The Fusion gets talked a lot about it's promotional photo looking like a possible "improved" Solaris. Any thoughts on the two for comparison?

- Answered to me directly. Thanks

 

[Pricklyears101]

@toranku

Great to see a fellow islander here who writes short coherent and unbiased posts and still appreciates those good old Sony iem classics. Maybe we've come across each other before at that little cafe in that building full of electronic stores...

 

[toranku]

Further Thoughts on: Fearless S8F, S8P & S6 Rui

S8P vs S8F
The S8P has less of a bass boost than the S8F. The S8P to me, has a more "speaker neutral" bass while S8F has a boosted bass which really helps bringing out the bass in tracks that go deep into the subbass. However it is to note that S8F has a more bloated bass which makes it seem slightly sloppier and also warmer. Both iems, to my ears, have a recessed lower midrange (and a boosted uppermidrange). However in the case of S8P, vocals really dont fall behind. Female vocals especially are at the forefront. Male vocals positionally are not behind. S8F on the other hand with its bassier tonal balance, male vocals start being harder to hear.

I do think the S8P is more technical since it's not as bloated. High resolution, slightly lean and crisp signature. The detail within the subbass is nice - the basslines are kept tight and rumbly. S8F's basslines are a little too bloated and simply not as tight and resolving as S8P's. S8F has a better tonal balance overall and makes for a slightly easier listen compared to S8P. overall, I prefer S8P.

S6 Rui
S6 Rui sounds somewhat similar to S8F except with less treble. The treble that is slightly hazy and undefined in the S8F is now even more undefined, but is also a much smoother and less intense listen. Kind of a weird compromise since the overall tone is a bit "musky" and sounds veiled. No S6 Pro demo unfortunately, perhaps that would address my issues with the S6 Rui. Who knows...

 

[toranku]

Further Thoughts On: Fearless S10 & ACME8

S10 Genie
This one has no lower mids. None. Its tuned very...experimental. Uppermids (and treble) are very very boosted but it does have the bass to balance it out. Carries a highly energetic, airy, forward and lightweight tone that I think will be too much for many. Resolution is actually very good. It separates and layers instruments well and throws out nice microdetail in the subbass. Lower treble can be a bit too much but its fine. I think the tuning here is very unique but its also something thats very unconventional and hard to love. Funnily enough, my favourite iem from Fearless despite the tone thats peaking on way too harsh. Really a fearless tuning...lol.

ACME8
Mud. Bass bass bass bass bass. It also sounds out of phase. Makes Genie look like a safer tuning. I think its the bassiest monitor I have ever tried.

 

[redrol]

Out of phase? Sounds like either it was wired wrong or the cable was wired wrong.

 

[toranku]

Out of phase? Sounds like either it was wired wrong or the cable was wired wrong.

Don't know for sure. Regardless, has way too much bass. Possibly the worst in the entire lineup.

 

[antdroid]

What are you thoughts on the new Etymotics ER2 series and how they compare to the ER3 and ER4 series? Thank you kind sir.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Don't know for sure. Regardless, has way too much bass. Possibly the worst in the entire lineup.

Did you get a chance to try the Fearless HyperS 12 & Crystal Pearl ? I believe they're the last two in the Lineup, Could be wong here