Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)
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Ricky64
100+ Head-Fier
Ahhh...
I like this list much more than Babymetal.
Check out Miles Davis Steps to Heaven, and John Coltrane's Crescent.
I'm currently alternating between the Z1R (I apparently like this better than you...I think it is outstanding for hard bop jazz) and the 64 Tia Trio. Very curious about a couple of new iem's on the horizon, including the new Final A8000.
Oddly enough, I’m going through the exact opposite. A year ago my genres of choice were classical and jazz, but now I listen to so much pop, I’m confused as to why I ever listened to older music so regularly in the first place. Still though, I like to look for well recorded and well mastered pop first and foremost, which often ends up being indie or less well known stuff
Y'all come back to old Beethy in no time don't worryOddly enough, I’m going through the exact opposite. A year ago my genres of choice were classical and jazz, but now I listen to so much pop, I’m confused as to why I ever listened to older music so regularly in the first place. Still though, I like to look for well recorded and well mastered pop first and foremost, which often ends up being indie or less well known stuff
surfgeorge
Member of the Trade: 3D Printed Accessory Designer
@toranku - did you have a go with the Nuforce HEM 8?
I am looking to add a BA IEM to my otherwise all DD collection (EX800ST, JVC FD02 , A&K T8iE MKII, JVC FDX1 and EX1000 coming in)
Drop had a Black Friday sale on the HEM 8 for $200 and I signed up.
Reviews are a bit scarce but aside from the need for a low impedance source quite positive.
I can adjust to different signatures, but would not want to have an IEM with too much technical issues.
Any other opinion welcome as well! Thanks
I am looking to add a BA IEM to my otherwise all DD collection (EX800ST, JVC FD02 , A&K T8iE MKII, JVC FDX1 and EX1000 coming in)
Drop had a Black Friday sale on the HEM 8 for $200 and I signed up.
Reviews are a bit scarce but aside from the need for a low impedance source quite positive.
I can adjust to different signatures, but would not want to have an IEM with too much technical issues.
Any other opinion welcome as well! Thanks
Sorry for the late reply, I totally forgot to. No, I've not heard the HEM8. I've heard the HEM1 and HEM3 I think. I liked the HEM1 for its easy-going tonality at the time. Not technical at all but the tonal balance and bean shell shape made me prefer it over other bean-shaped iems like SE215 at that price range.
Toranku’s Thoughts: Massdrop Zeus
Dropped (get it?) some thoughts/review on the Massdrop Zeus. Hosted on In-Ear Fidelity. I cover the subjective aspect while Crinacle handles the rest. Do check it out
Dropped (get it?) some thoughts/review on the Massdrop Zeus. Hosted on In-Ear Fidelity. I cover the subjective aspect while Crinacle handles the rest. Do check it out
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Revisited: Hidition Viento B (CIEM)
Last weekend I managed to try @aminus ' custom Viento B. Wow, did that make all the difference compared to the universal demo that I've tried many many times. I'll preface that I've never liked the Viento due to the shrillness of its uppermids tonality. With the universal demo, I found myself using the D varient to try reduce the shrillness as much as possible.
With the Viento B custom that I tried, not only I was able to go past the second bend (the custom has a stupid long & thick nozzle), I was also able to get a strong seal for my thicker canals. The result was a sound that was very slightly shrill (still could use a bit more lower mids as a whole) and reduced harshness in the uppermids and treble. I also got a more meaningful bass response due to the strong seal I got.
With the Viento B, I'd describe it as a reference monitor with a small mid-treble bump. This bump does give cymbals extra separation & energy but I'd never classify it as bright or spiky. I just wish for more lower mids, which the Viento D custom might be better suited for my preferences, but I'll never know until I try one.
The bass of the Viento B is clean and free of bloat in any way. I'd say that it could use a bit more bass and lower mids in general for a more speaker-like experience. It's tight, fast but it isn't the star of the show. Due to the lack of emphasis on the LF and LMF in general (<1000hz), the Viento B takes on a leaner and less natural sounding tone. The midrange focuses on the uppermids over the lower mids but I would not describe the overall tone as airy or bright.
The treble as aforementioned has a midtreble spike. The treble response as a whole can be a bit thin sounding but it is well extended. Cymbals are never splashy or overwhelming. They have plenty definition and overall detail which makes the Viento B a detailed, technical listen that has little compromise.
Regarding genres that perform best with the Viento, I've to say that Rock/Metal is amazing with it. Steve Vai's Tender Surrender (Where The Wild Things Are) has a nice, energetic bite to the guitars. The cymbals in that song are also well textured and extended. With more vocal centric pop however, I do find myself wanting more meat and a thicker sound. For example, Regina Spektor's Fidelity (U.S Version) and Stacey Kent's Breakfast In The Morning Tram features beautifully warm vocals and instrumentation. With these songs I want more meat and depth.
The Viento B is a reference IEM with few flaws in my perspective. I am legitimately surprised that I like it seeing how I found the demo unit to be unsuited for my palate.
I like this.
Last weekend I managed to try @aminus ' custom Viento B. Wow, did that make all the difference compared to the universal demo that I've tried many many times. I'll preface that I've never liked the Viento due to the shrillness of its uppermids tonality. With the universal demo, I found myself using the D varient to try reduce the shrillness as much as possible.
With the Viento B custom that I tried, not only I was able to go past the second bend (the custom has a stupid long & thick nozzle), I was also able to get a strong seal for my thicker canals. The result was a sound that was very slightly shrill (still could use a bit more lower mids as a whole) and reduced harshness in the uppermids and treble. I also got a more meaningful bass response due to the strong seal I got.
With the Viento B, I'd describe it as a reference monitor with a small mid-treble bump. This bump does give cymbals extra separation & energy but I'd never classify it as bright or spiky. I just wish for more lower mids, which the Viento D custom might be better suited for my preferences, but I'll never know until I try one.
The bass of the Viento B is clean and free of bloat in any way. I'd say that it could use a bit more bass and lower mids in general for a more speaker-like experience. It's tight, fast but it isn't the star of the show. Due to the lack of emphasis on the LF and LMF in general (<1000hz), the Viento B takes on a leaner and less natural sounding tone. The midrange focuses on the uppermids over the lower mids but I would not describe the overall tone as airy or bright.
The treble as aforementioned has a midtreble spike. The treble response as a whole can be a bit thin sounding but it is well extended. Cymbals are never splashy or overwhelming. They have plenty definition and overall detail which makes the Viento B a detailed, technical listen that has little compromise.
Regarding genres that perform best with the Viento, I've to say that Rock/Metal is amazing with it. Steve Vai's Tender Surrender (Where The Wild Things Are) has a nice, energetic bite to the guitars. The cymbals in that song are also well textured and extended. With more vocal centric pop however, I do find myself wanting more meat and a thicker sound. For example, Regina Spektor's Fidelity (U.S Version) and Stacey Kent's Breakfast In The Morning Tram features beautifully warm vocals and instrumentation. With these songs I want more meat and depth.
The Viento B is a reference IEM with few flaws in my perspective. I am legitimately surprised that I like it seeing how I found the demo unit to be unsuited for my palate.
I like this.
First Impressions: Shuoer Tape
The Tape is very v-shaped with heavy lower mid recession. Due to the forwardness of the uppermids and bass, the recession in the lower mids lends the Tape a very shrill, thin and lean midrange. I don't enjoy how unnatural the Tape's tonal balance is. It's bass is boosted and shows bloat with drums and basslines, but it does have a smoother texture to the bass as well. Treble is executed well but can be a bit lower treble heavy albeit with good extension at the upper end.
Staging presentation is a bit cramped up at times with its lack of width. Combine that with the far-from-natural tone and I don't like the Tape.
The Tape is very v-shaped with heavy lower mid recession. Due to the forwardness of the uppermids and bass, the recession in the lower mids lends the Tape a very shrill, thin and lean midrange. I don't enjoy how unnatural the Tape's tonal balance is. It's bass is boosted and shows bloat with drums and basslines, but it does have a smoother texture to the bass as well. Treble is executed well but can be a bit lower treble heavy albeit with good extension at the upper end.
Staging presentation is a bit cramped up at times with its lack of width. Combine that with the far-from-natural tone and I don't like the Tape.
First Impressions: qdc Uranus
Smooooooth textured is what comes to mind within the first 5 seconds of listening. Its general signature is a bit hard to describe with whatever-shape. Let me break it down. The Uranus' lower end is a bit bloated with a hump centered at around the lower mids which pushes vocals/lead guitars forward. Something is a bit off with the midrange though - it sounds dry and perhaps a bit hazy and sometimes nasal. The bass of the Uranus could use more impact as it is a little blunted and soft.
The treble is odd to my own ears. Lower treble sounds a bit dipped but it gains extension at the top end. Cymbals show great shimmer and decent (albeit spiky) extension. I'm not a fan of the dry tone but the smooth timbre is nice. In some sense I'd also describe it as bland sounding. Technicalities are average - it does have a spacious sounding stage (probably due to the subpar isolation) - but instruments can use more separation and definition to its notes. It's soft and polite sounding.
I'm quite conflicted on this one. Tuning definitely isn't for me but I don't dislike it either.
Smooooooth textured is what comes to mind within the first 5 seconds of listening. Its general signature is a bit hard to describe with whatever-shape. Let me break it down. The Uranus' lower end is a bit bloated with a hump centered at around the lower mids which pushes vocals/lead guitars forward. Something is a bit off with the midrange though - it sounds dry and perhaps a bit hazy and sometimes nasal. The bass of the Uranus could use more impact as it is a little blunted and soft.
The treble is odd to my own ears. Lower treble sounds a bit dipped but it gains extension at the top end. Cymbals show great shimmer and decent (albeit spiky) extension. I'm not a fan of the dry tone but the smooth timbre is nice. In some sense I'd also describe it as bland sounding. Technicalities are average - it does have a spacious sounding stage (probably due to the subpar isolation) - but instruments can use more separation and definition to its notes. It's soft and polite sounding.
I'm quite conflicted on this one. Tuning definitely isn't for me but I don't dislike it either.
First Impressions: Moondrop S8
The Solution 8. Solution to A8''s bloated bass..it's finally here.
I'd describe the S8's tone as being slightly skewed towards the upper frequencies (2000hz and above) and has a very airy tone. Due to this skew, uppermids can sound a bit shrill. Female vocals take on a clean, lean and airy tone BUT are a bit too lean and perhaps shrill if you will. The same goes for male vocals as they can lack a bit of that body (and warmth) at times. I feel like the treble is the highlight, sporting excellent extension (like the OH10). It has so much air to the point that it can sound a bit unnatural compared to speakers. However there still exists a small spike somewhere with the upper treble which may or may not be addressed with tips (I'll need to try more/different tips to find out). This spike is at some times sibilant with certain tracks.
Bass is improved with the S8 compared to the A8. My main gripe with the A8 was the bloated bass is now addressed. I do wish for more texture with S8's bass and it is in no way bassy. S8 also has very strong technical ability with its excellent staging dimensions and separation/layering. If this was offered in a CIEM I wonder if it can address the issues I find with it.
Great IEM overall.
The Solution 8. Solution to A8''s bloated bass..it's finally here.
I'd describe the S8's tone as being slightly skewed towards the upper frequencies (2000hz and above) and has a very airy tone. Due to this skew, uppermids can sound a bit shrill. Female vocals take on a clean, lean and airy tone BUT are a bit too lean and perhaps shrill if you will. The same goes for male vocals as they can lack a bit of that body (and warmth) at times. I feel like the treble is the highlight, sporting excellent extension (like the OH10). It has so much air to the point that it can sound a bit unnatural compared to speakers. However there still exists a small spike somewhere with the upper treble which may or may not be addressed with tips (I'll need to try more/different tips to find out). This spike is at some times sibilant with certain tracks.
Bass is improved with the S8 compared to the A8. My main gripe with the A8 was the bloated bass is now addressed. I do wish for more texture with S8's bass and it is in no way bassy. S8 also has very strong technical ability with its excellent staging dimensions and separation/layering. If this was offered in a CIEM I wonder if it can address the issues I find with it.
Great IEM overall.
Mimouille
Headphoneus Supremus
Would this deserve to be in your favorites? How does it fare versus the Sony M9 and the QDC 8? Thanks in advance.
Mimouille
Headphoneus Supremus
Shhhhhh I am incognito. My conscience is not aware I am here.
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