Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)

[toranku]

First Impressions: Jerry Harvey Layla Aion

Like most JH iems, the new Aion also has the bass control switch. I gravitate around lowest bass to medium bass. Depends on genre. The first thing that stood out on the Aion was the layering and separation. It's really decent. However, I've to say that I am really not a fan of the tonality of the Aion.

There's some form of recession in the 2-4kHz region which makes it hollow sounding. Bass and mids don't sound solid and tight. The Aion also sound a bit dead and unemotional to me - nothing really stands out. Treble is kept reserved like in typical JH.

That's really all I can say about it.

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: Dita Dream XLS

The XLS is Dita's new flagship IEM. It's a different approach to the Dita sound and is very untypical of Dita. It leans closer to the P71 than the Twins and Answer.

Sonically speaking, there is emphasis on the overall subbass to lowermid range. However when it comes to pinna gain at 1-4kHz, there isn't really much of it. You guys know me when it comes to pinna gain - the lack of it makes iems sound hazy and blur (e.g VE8, 334, Andromeda). Due to this lack of gain, the XLS sports a heavier, warmer tonality with a bass boost. In terms of the treble past 4kHz, the spikes aren't too bad like in the regular Dream. However the very upper treble at 10-15kHz sees quite a big roll off so the overall tonality is more of a downslope for me.

Overall sounds unimpressive to me. Some will prefer the XLS over the original Dream due to the much lesser presence in the lower treble but I felt that that was what made the Dream sound anywhere interesting. The XLS sounds pretty rolled off to my ears which is something I value heavily. Perhaps if Dita tunes for more pinna gain which can may get rid of the bloat I might prefer it more.

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: AK x Beyerdynamic T9IE

Compared to the T8IE/Xelento, the T9IE is less v-shaped. The t8/xelento had very nice driver capabilities but they were tuned for a massive bass emphasis with good seal. The T9 is different from that and clears up the bass bloat a lot.

Like the XLS, the T9IE doesn't have enough pinna gain for me. Both of these iems have plenty lowermids as well as a bass emphasis. The uppermids on both can sound dipped in the ear. However I'd say the tonality of T9ie's upper mids are slightly more recessed tonally compared to XLS. The difference between the XLS and the T9ie resides in the treble response, where the T9ie has earlier peaks as the insertion depth is more shallow.

The treble extension from 10-15kHz is still rolled off like in the xelento/t8. However I do still prefer the T9 over the XLS - I experience lesser upper bass bloat and a treble more present (YMMV due to everyone's HRTF). I do find that T9 has much better resolution capabilities as well. Would be interesting to try these two out more and make further comparisons.

 

[himaraya]

Z1R has a unique v-shaped signature. I find it's mids to be the bottleneck since its just...unimpressive next to the high resolution bass and treble. I cant think of things that sound somewhat similar to the Z1R other than the sony stuff like z5 and n3. I haven't AB'd SH3 to M9 yet..

Ah, just saw your updated personal favorites (think you're missing #6). Tried the M9, liked it, might try the Z1R and 64 Audio's U12t -- can you compare the latter two? Staging on both seems better than the M9.

 

[twiceboss]

planning to get/demo z1r very soon just to compare what sony tries to separate these two line up. Gotta do M9/Z1R full review soon i guess

 

[james444]

... pinna gain at 1-4kHz, there isn't really much of it. You guys know me when it comes to pinna gain - the lack of it makes iems sound hazy and blur

Thanks for your ongoing interesting Impressions!

Just a side note, ear resonance between 1-4kHz is mainly due to ear canal and eardrum gain.

(Source: Innerfidelity)

 

[toranku]

Ah, just saw your updated personal favorites (think you're missing #6). Tried the M9, liked it, might try the Z1R and 64 Audio's U12t -- can you compare the latter two? Staging on both seems better than the M9.

Fixed, thanks. I'm quite divided with the U12t/A12t. While they have a great bass lift that puts a lot of emphasis on the subbass, the overall curve sounds like it has many peaks. I prefer smooth curves which is why I like the ER2. Not to mention the 12t has some huge spike past over 10k which emphasis the contact of the stick with cymbals massively. Not an easy listen. Z1R is much less peakier to my own ears with a deep fit and has less bass bloat compared to 12t

 

[Zerousen]

hi

 

[himaraya]

Fixed, thanks. I'm quite divided with the U12t/A12t. While they have a great bass lift that puts a lot of emphasis on the subbass, the overall curve sounds like it has many peaks. I prefer smooth curves which is why I like the ER2. Not to mention the 12t has some huge spike past over 10k which emphasis the contact of the stick with cymbals massively. Not an easy listen. Z1R is much less peakier to my own ears with a deep fit and has less bass bloat compared to 12t

Wonderful details, thanks. Can you speak to staging between the Sony's and U12t?

Maybe consider a blog or Patreon, your writing's the best. Much more informative but much harder to find versus Crinacle's list.

 

[DGS1991]

hi

Hi

 

[echineko]

Hi

Nerds.

 

[OverlordRush]

Nerds.

No u

 

[papa_mia]

No u

 

[toranku]

Wonderful details, thanks. Can you speak to staging between the Sony's and U12t?

Maybe consider a blog or Patreon, your writing's the best. Much more informative but much harder to find versus Crinacle's list.

Been a while since I've heard both, there isn't a place where I can directly AB. But from what I remember the 12t have a stronger center staging with the bass at the front whereas M9 places the stage like a curved screen monitor if that makes sense.

I don't intend to monetize (directly receive money) with this thread or my content. I actually started a blog before this thread but I migrated everything back to headfi after asking for advice from some of my buddies. I realize that my content isn't in depth at all unless I get to hear things for more than a week in which I can do a review after. I might look into asking for review units in the future, but even that's a "maybe" because I want to reduce bias and conflict of interests as much as possible.

 

[himaraya]

Been a while since I've heard both, there isn't a place where I can directly AB. But from what I remember the 12t have a stronger center staging with the bass at the front whereas M9 places the stage like a curved screen monitor if that makes sense.

I don't intend to monetize (directly receive money) with this thread or my content. I actually started a blog before this thread but I migrated everything back to headfi after asking for advice from some of my buddies. I realize that my content isn't in depth at all unless I get to hear things for more than a week in which I can do a review after. I might look into asking for review units in the future, but even that's a "maybe" because I want to reduce bias and conflict of interests as much as possible.

Very helpful, thanks. Any chance you remember the Z1R's staging as well?

At least for me, the breadth and consistency of your impressions more than compensates for any lack of depth, which comes off as much more concise than shallow. Anyways, great stuff.