[OverlordRush]

I dont know the whole story to the config (I dont look at the z1r thread or anything), but the z1r does have great treble extension, perhaps a little too peaky which is what's causing the splashiness. Something has to be done to the mids as well - it's arguably the biggest flaw of the Z1R. Z2R soon?

Funny driver config never the less, one would assume the BA would be for mid, since thats how most hybrids are set up. It's more like a DD iem than a hybrid compare to other hybrid iems, and Its tuned kind of like a better sounding CE5. I'm not too mad about the mid, but I thought it would have better resolution.

 

[AllenWalker]

My thoughts on: Sony IER-M9 & IER-M7

The Sony M9 is a 5 BA with decent extension on both ends. It's warm and fast with decent amount of slam. Imaging is rather sharp with enough depth and quite a fair bit of width.

It's smooth sounding and really has quite noticeable detail and separation going on in the background. Rhythm guitars are always well separated from the lead guitars. However I find that the IEM lacks crunch and bite for electric guitars, so it's a little laidback in that sense.

Personally I'd like the mids to be more bodied as well as to be brought slightly forward, but with the correct DAP pairing it should be fine. I somewhat like it, but it lacks the "wow factor". Tuning is quite safe though.

The Sony M7 is the younger brother with 1 less driver. It's warmer and darker compared to the M9, perhaps due to having less treble. And since it has less treble, imaging is hazy and the multi-BA can sound low-res. Meh, unless you love the specific tuning, it just sounds gimped next to the M9.

True about the M7. Doesn't sound good for the price when I compared with Acoustune 1650 CU.

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: Noble Khan

Perceived signature is neutral with great upper treble boost, thus slightly bright sounding with great extension. The Khan does cymbals in a very special way - cymbals have great shimmer and texture but just lack the brilliance to sound realistic. However this creates a very "sparkly" type of treble akin to the Andromeda, and I even prefer Khan's unique treble over Andromeda's. Midbass is a little reserved, pretty flat. Wished it had more midbass. Speed and slam is great, albeit lacking impact.

Mids are reserved sounding compared to typical "neutral" signatures. Needs more 1k-4k to hit my preferences better, but it's fine. Vocals sound slightly off, it's not quite nasal but it's off. As if vocals are suppressed sounding and sounds like a constant mask resonance is used by the singer, especially when it comes to higher pitched vocals. Attack is sharp throughout, perhaps due to the treble tuning combined with the neutral midbass. Speed is quick as if it's a BA.

Stage does have depth and decent width but lack the height (iems have this issue). I think the Khan makes for quite a detailed listen in lower volumes. Technicalities wise I feel that it's one of the better few iems, perhaps comparable to Sony's M9.

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: NocturnaL Atlantis

The Nocturnal Atlantis is one of those IEMs that come somewhat close to my target curve. The overall signature is slightly warm and rather thick in terms of tone. It's tuned to be neutral but I think it still lacks treble extension to be truly neutral for my tastes. Subbass extension can also be improved but I'm not exactly looking for great bass on a BA, so for what it is, it's fine. Midbass is slightly boosted, giving a warmer tone to the Atlantis but it's nowhere bloated or muddy. Cymbals are not fatiguing, but are present in the background. Treble could use way more extension, so it's somewhat harman like when it comes to treble. Cymbals do also carry a slightly warm tone to it. Electric guitars could use more bite but I think the tuning is intentional - less bite means a thicker tone on the mids overall. Male and female vocals are well balanced.

The Atlantis is quite a versatile performer at this price range (<S$1000). However I don't know if it will turn even darker in custom form. Really enjoy the warmer yet accurate tone.

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: NocturnaL Eden

The Eden is NocturnaL's new 5 BA CIEM, compared to their previous flagship Atlantis with 4 BAs. It is smoother compared to Atlantis. Has more of a rising upper midrange (increasing slope from 1k-4k) compared to Atlantis, which is why guitars have more bite. A rather similar warm tone is heard throughout.

Cymbals have more presence and have more extension on the treble. I hear more shine and shimmer compared to Atlantis. Eden sports a tighter midbass and less subbass compared to Atlantis. Vocal range wise, Eden's lower mids are less forward and is thinner. Atlantis is more balanced sounding while Eden has more of a focus on the upper mids. Soundstage wise, both are quite in your face. Technicalities are above average but nothing to note of.

Personally of the two, I think Atlantis is more versatile due to it having more balanced mids as well as thicker mids. However I find both well tuned - just that the Eden is a little more genre picky. Seems to favour guitar-heavier genres more. Plus it works on what Atlantis lacks - treble extension. Looking forward to seeing more from NocturnaL.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Any chance you could do an Impression on the Xelento? Curious how well it compare to Sony's M7

 

[PeterDLai]

Can you post some brief thoughts on the TANCHJIM Oxygen and why you didn't like it? I'm having trouble finding many impressions out there on this specific model.

 

[toranku]

Any chance you could do an Impression on the Xelento? Curious how well it compare to Sony's M7

Sure, haven't tried the Xelento for quite a while now. Will revisit it

 

[toranku]

Can you post some brief thoughts on the TANCHJIM Oxygen and why you didn't like it? I'm having trouble finding many impressions out there on this specific model.

I tried the Oxygen during Japan's portafes. Sound was shrill sounding with emphasis on upper midrange and treble. Unfortunately I can't find a demo of it in Singapore so I can't update my impressions

 

[Focux]

Any chance you could do an Impression on the Xelento? Curious how well it compare to Sony's M7

i'd reckon Xelento is worse than M7,

was disappointed when i tried Xelento

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: Kumitate KL-Meteo

The Meteo is part of the NEXT5 series from Kumitate. Kumitate as a brand has more focus on the uppermids as compared to the lower mids in general, and as such the more forward uppermidrange usually have what people refer to as "japanese tuning". The Meteo has a bad case of thin mids. Lower mids feel sucked out. Obviously favours the upper mids more. Yet the upper mid tone doesn't have as much bite as I wanted on electric guitars. Female vocals also sounded thin and sucked out. Signature is a v-shape with poor treble extension. More of a subbass focus than midbass too. Overall highly uninspiring and boring. Technicalities are average.

Not sure where this sits in today's market. If I wanted a v-shape in this price range, hybrids will see more love due to better bass response. The thin and sucked out midrange makes for a difficult listen with my genres.

 

[OverlordRush]

Speaking of KL, you never give your impression on the REF. I was not impressed with it when we tried it at e-e. It really lack the bass of a hybrid IEM even with the switch turned all the way up, and it also lack the technical ability thats needed to be a reference monitor.

 

[toranku]

Speaking of KL, you never give your impression on the REF. I was not impressed with it when we tried it at e-e. It really lack the bass of a hybrid IEM even with the switch turned all the way up, and it also lack the technical ability thats needed to be a reference monitor.

I never really wrote notes/listening impressions on the ref despite having tried it 4-5 times. My memory of it has faded and I don't quite remember what its treble sounded like. I will try it again when the demo unit (supposedly and hopefully) lands in KL's distro in Singapore. I'll stay away from putting down my thoughts on it until I can get my hands on it

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: Kumitate KL-Sirius

Really thin sounding, but in a balanced way. Signature is an n-shape. The Sirius rolls off in the subbass and treble. Midbass is weak and basslite. Let's not talk about the subbass extension... At least the treble is a little bit sparkly but still lacks extension. Doesn't roll off a cliff like Corona and Meteo but it still needs more extension. Lower treble is non fatiguing and sparkly sounding with air.

The Sirius is thin, energetic sounding with a clear emphasis on mids and vocals. Soundstage is nothing special either - similar to the Meteo and Corona. Imaging is precise due to thinness and sharpness of attacks. The type of audience the Sirius caters to is niche. Tonality is skewed towards the upper midrange and the sound is "lightweight" - something special and relaxing despite not being warm.

 

[toranku]

My thoughts on: Beyerdynamic Xelento

This one's for you, @MidNighTempest

V-shaped, rather lean signature. Tuning is generally inoffensive and rather safe. However it's tuned in such a way that the bass extends without being overpowering. Bass is very slightly bloated (wont be a issue for many). Highs are very present but are never fatiguing. Extension up top could be better despite the v-shape. With its lean and rather sharp attack, imaging seems to be rather precise. Generally the Xelento's notes are rather small but still has a reasonable amount of weight whilst being lean.

Overall, fun and engaging yet not fatiguing. Coherent. I like it. Technicalities wise the Xelento's stage is rather small but it does not face congestion issues and imaging is sharp. I personally am not able to AB it next to the M7, but I can tell you that the M7 is very very different, almost as if they are going in opposite directions. I find Xelento to be a safer tuning than M7, since M7 can sound "low res" and muddy to some.