Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:01 AM Post #241 of 1,546
Cool New Tech: Fearless Y2K

20190404_170402.jpg

For those who don't know, Fearless IEMs now has a distro in Singapore. The Y2K is a self-tuning system from Fearless. With 3 (only 1 released so far) base IEMs to start from, anyone can tune their own IEM with this system. How it works is that the top row Ultra Low, Medium Low, Medium High and Ultra High can be increased in terms of volume. The bottom row are the settings for the crossovers for the categories mentioned. Even impedance and I think crossfeed can be messed with. Currently the only IEM released for this tunable system is a 10BA. The distributor told me that there is an upcoming hybrid and the last one with ACME (super long 3d printed low pass filter).

Fearless guarantees that the delivered custom/universal will have the same sound setting as to whatever you tune. For 10BA in whatever setting you want, whether universal or custom, the price is around SG$1700. I tested out the system and had fun trying out different settings - I liked my own slight W-shaped tuning. The store owner also told me that they can put the settings into a cable. Swap out the cable to hear the default tuning...what?

Stoked for the hybrid base version to be released.
 
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Subtonic Audio Cutting-edge artisanal in-ear monitors for discerning listeners. Proudly designed and manufactured in Singapore. Stay updated on Subtonic Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Subtonic.Audio https://www.instagram.com/subtonicaudio https://subtonic.audio support@subtonic.audio
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:28 PM Post #242 of 1,546
Cool New Tech: Fearless Y2K



For those who don't know, Fearless IEMs now has a distro in Singapore. The Y2K is a self-tuning system from Fearless. With 3 (only 1 released so far) base IEMs to start from, anyone can tune their own IEM with this system. How it works is that the top row Ultra Low, Medium Low, Medium High and Ultra High can be increased in terms of volume. The bottom row are the settings for the crossovers for the categories mentioned. Even impedance and I think crossfeed can be messed with. Currently the only IEM released for this tunable system is a 10BA. The distributor told me that there is an upcoming hybrid and the last one with ACME (super long 3d printed low pass filter).

Fearless guarantees that the delivered custom/universal will have the same sound setting as to whatever you tune. For 10BA in whatever setting you want, whether universal or custom, the price is around SG$1700. I tested out the system and had fun trying out different settings - I liked my own slight W-shaped tuning. The store owner also told me that they can put the settings into a cable. Swap out the cable to hear the default tuning...what?

Stoked for the hybrid base version to be released.


Awesome, Looking forward to your thoughts and impression on the Fearless S8Freedom, S10, ACME & HyperS without the Self-Tuning

:beerchug:
 
Apr 5, 2019 at 12:35 PM Post #243 of 1,546
In spite of some muddled bass and rolled off treble, I love the midrange of the E5000, especially for acoustic recordings at bedtime. Any comparison between it and the B1?
Curious if the Faudio Major would be enough of a step up from the E5000 to justify the extra $$?
 
Apr 5, 2019 at 12:38 PM Post #244 of 1,546
Curious if the Faudio Major would be enough of a step up from the E5000 to justify the extra $$?
I think the Major, while good, should be that expensive. No single dynamic should. They all play in the IE800s ballpark IMO, so shouldn't prive higher. And when you see what the FD01 can do at much cheaper...
 
Apr 5, 2019 at 2:58 PM Post #246 of 1,546
Curious if the Faudio Major would be enough of a step up from the E5000 to justify the extra $$?

I wish I still had access to the Major. Truly regret not trying it out more.

I think the Major, while good, should be that expensive. No single dynamic should. They all play in the IE800s ballpark IMO, so shouldn't prive higher. And when you see what the FD01 can do at much cheaper...

Well, there can sometimes be a lot of "hidden costs" consumers fail to see. The person who designed the 3D shell prototype needs to get paid. So does designing of the DD and its manufacturing. And the sourcing and producing of shells and chambers. The list just keeps going on and on. I already find it ridiculous that audio companies are coming up with US$2000 iems. But end of the day, price is what customers are willing to pay and is also a sensitive factor in determining "value". As long as the sound is awesome, I don't think people will mind paying for a (expensive) single driver. Hell, I do think single driver design should be researched and improved further which is what companies like Dita is doing.

Any thoughts on the Major? I do really want to hear it again. Regret not trying it more.
 
Subtonic Audio Cutting-edge artisanal in-ear monitors for discerning listeners. Proudly designed and manufactured in Singapore. Stay updated on Subtonic Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Apr 5, 2019 at 10:14 PM Post #248 of 1,546
I wish I still had access to the Major. Truly regret not trying it out more.



Well, there can sometimes be a lot of "hidden costs" consumers fail to see. The person who designed the 3D shell prototype needs to get paid. So does designing of the DD and its manufacturing. And the sourcing and producing of shells and chambers. The list just keeps going on and on. I already find it ridiculous that audio companies are coming up with US$2000 iems. But end of the day, price is what customers are willing to pay and is also a sensitive factor in determining "value". As long as the sound is awesome, I don't think people will mind paying for a (expensive) single driver. Hell, I do think single driver design should be researched and improved further which is what companies like Dita is doing.

Any thoughts on the Major? I do really want to hear it again. Regret not trying it more.
Yeah sure, I remember my cable maker told me it had cost them a ton for the machine to mold the new JH Audio pins. Need to amortize this stuff. But 1k for a single DD is plenty already. Especially when your marketing costs amount to attending 3 shows a year.

The FAudio I tried briefly. It is a single DD that seems to do mostly everything well. Well balanced and spacious and no glaring peaks or holes I could hear. But the real star of the show for me is their Prototype Y. Same principle as Trinity or Khan, but to my ears much more impressive than the Trinity (to take with a pinch of salt as impressive on firsr hearing can mean V shaped).
 
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:16 AM Post #249 of 1,546
First Impressions: Earsonics EM64 (& More Thoughts on Earsonics Purple)

The EM64 in some ways does remind me of the qdc 8SS. I personally find that SM64 is the least Earsonics sounding iem. Earsonics have this "artificial" and perhaps sucked out sounding midrange that happens to some extent with their iems. The SM64 doesnt have that characteristic. Bass is north of neutral like the 8SS. When it comes to the midrange, the upper mids are slightly suppressed similar to the 8SS and thus the tone starts leaning on the thicker side of things. Lower mids have some dominance but not overbearingly so.

The treble of EM64 is where it start showing its difference in tuning compared to the 8SS. SM64 is darker compared to 8SS and does not boast as much extension up top. There is quite an obvious dip somewhere in the treble that can make some hihats a bit too dark and blend them quietly into the background. However due to the way the treble is tuned, it does sound like it layers better in terms of depth. 8SS overall has a brighter tone compared to SM64. SM64 is quite a relaxing listen but it simply doesnt sound as linear as the 8SS.

Also tried the Purple and damn did the odd tonality of the midrange really show now. I still stand by that the Purple has a delicious treble which extends well into the upper registers. Perhaps the tone makes it a little tough for some to stomach. Prefer the overall tone of the SM64 but Purple is more unique sounding.
 
Subtonic Audio Cutting-edge artisanal in-ear monitors for discerning listeners. Proudly designed and manufactured in Singapore. Stay updated on Subtonic Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Subtonic.Audio https://www.instagram.com/subtonicaudio https://subtonic.audio support@subtonic.audio
Apr 6, 2019 at 3:56 PM Post #250 of 1,546
First Impressions: Softears Reference 10 & Cerberus

Reference 10
Slight A-shaped signature. Not enough extension into subbass. Midbass impact is a tad bloated, providing some warmth into the tuning. Mids have this feeling of dryness and graininess. Lower mids sound slightly suppressed. Treble is smooth and inoffensive - lacking extension up top. Meh.

Cerberus
The Cerberus is Softears' upcoming flagship tribrid. Flat bass tuning with great midbass snap and impact. Subbass is only a little bit extended - I want more. Mids are lean and have a hint of dryness and grain. Mids lean towards the uppermids and thus lowermids can sound recessed. This type of tuning leads to thin mids. Highs are smooth with decent extension. Overall meh.

Man it took me forever to find what's this brand. There's more info for these on on GothamProAudio's store on Taobao if you're interested. I personally wasn't impressed with the RS10.

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Apr 7, 2019 at 6:36 AM Post #252 of 1,546
@toranku Have you had the chance to rank the CIEMs and UIEMs you auditioned? If not, what would be your top 10?

I dont rank primarily because I do think ranking is a very difficult metric to grade since there are just too much factors to take in consideration such as timbre, tone, coherency, technical capability, transient response etc. So many iems just either end up sounding generic or similar to like 80% of stuff out there too. Aural memory also tends to be poor (factoring along with hearing inconsistency), I find it tough to slot in which categories/tiers which iems belong in. Always easier to sit down and compare A to B and say which one's better in different aspects.

But if you're asking me what my personal top few (that I still can remember) in no order:
1. Sony M9 (very technical)
2. VE8 (can be a bit too warm)
3. qdc 8SL/Gemini
4. 64 A12t (forcefitted a friend's)
5. Hidition Violet
6. pears sh3/qdc 4ss (I feel like these can be even better in custom form..maybe we'll see in the future...)
7. PP8

honorable mentions: noble khan (odd midrange but technical) & z1r (too intense and frankly overhyped)
 
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Subtonic Audio Cutting-edge artisanal in-ear monitors for discerning listeners. Proudly designed and manufactured in Singapore. Stay updated on Subtonic Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Subtonic.Audio https://www.instagram.com/subtonicaudio https://subtonic.audio support@subtonic.audio
Apr 7, 2019 at 7:32 AM Post #254 of 1,546
Any thoughts on U12t vs A12t?

Best to ask someone who actually owns A12t. Not sure if they have any significant difference outside of canal resonance but I heard more extension from A12t
 
Subtonic Audio Cutting-edge artisanal in-ear monitors for discerning listeners. Proudly designed and manufactured in Singapore. Stay updated on Subtonic Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Subtonic.Audio https://www.instagram.com/subtonicaudio https://subtonic.audio support@subtonic.audio
Apr 7, 2019 at 7:35 AM Post #255 of 1,546
Best to ask someone who actually owns A12t. Not sure if they have any significant difference outside of canal resonance but I heard more extension from A12t
I still have no idea how many people own the A12t lol. I got one, I'll try to do a comparison between them some time. I feel like there isn't a whole lot of talk about it in general
 
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