Toranku's Thoughts and Reviews (and target EQ filters!)
Feb 21, 2020 at 4:14 PM Post #962 of 1,546
The IER-M9 is very good as an IEM but I just don't think it makes sense, especially when the Viento-B is the same price and you can get it in custom for about $50 more. I've taken my kpop friends to the audio store and they agreed with me that the Viento-B is probably one of the greatest IEMs that they've heard. It's a top of the line IEM for mid-fi price.

I think that if one is looking to buy the M9, they should seriously consider the Viento-B. In my opinion, it has better timbre and transients. Despite being BA bass, I think it's very good. It has a sweet midrange with clarity and sounds great with female vocals as my collection is 99% kpop and jpop. It has very good technicalities, not as good as the U12T or qdc Anole VX to my ears, but it absolutely kills those two IEMs in tonality.
Does the viento have a harsh treble compared to the u/a12?
 
Feb 21, 2020 at 4:18 PM Post #963 of 1,546
Does the viento have a harsh treble compared to the u/a12?

I can't speak about the A12 as I own the A12T and had demo'd the U12T. In my experience, no. The Viento-B treble is quite good and lacks the harshness of the A12T. I think the harshness you may be experiencing can be due to that peak around 5k. I found the U12T to be a tad bit brighter than the A12T.
 
Feb 21, 2020 at 10:58 PM Post #964 of 1,546
Mate that wink got me triggered. Am I in the right mind to think there's gonna be an "x Toranku" IEM coming soon?

:wink:
Does the viento have a harsh treble compared to the u/a12?

I know the question wasn't directed at me but I thought I'd chip in. They have different treble focuses. Viento has a fair bit of lower and mid treble while 12t (I find) is recessed in the lower-mid treble but has a spike in the upper treble.
 
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
Feb 21, 2020 at 11:15 PM Post #965 of 1,546
Hi, do you think Viento-B universals are as good as the customs soundwise? It's kind of hard to find audiologist for taking ear impressions in my area.

Thanks!
 
Feb 21, 2020 at 11:50 PM Post #966 of 1,546
Hi, do you think Viento-B universals are as good as the customs soundwise? It's kind of hard to find audiologist for taking ear impressions in my area.

Thanks!

Nope. The Vientos are designed for custom since a deeper insert decreases the stronger resonances in the low-mid treble. Also don't blind buy them until you try them.
 
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
Feb 22, 2020 at 1:38 AM Post #967 of 1,546
The IER-M9 is very good as an IEM but I just don't think it makes sense, especially when the Viento-B is the same price and you can get it in custom for about $50 more. I've taken my kpop friends to the audio store and they agreed with me that the Viento-B is probably one of the greatest IEMs that they've heard. It's a top of the line IEM for mid-fi price.

I think that if one is looking to buy the M9, they should seriously consider the Viento-B. In my opinion, it has better timbre and transients. Despite being BA bass, I think it's very good. It has a sweet midrange with clarity and sounds great with female vocals as my collection is 99% kpop and jpop. It has very good technicalities, not as good as the U12T or qdc Anole VX to my ears, but it absolutely kills those two IEMs in tonality.

Well you want slower bass decay, and now also faster transients.. so good luck to you :).
 
Last edited:
Feb 22, 2020 at 5:26 AM Post #969 of 1,546
Entirely different type of treble tonality where the Tia fourte is more mid treble centric (like qdc VX/Gemini) while violet has an mid-upper treble boost like Andromeda. Fourte has sharper imaging than violet but the positioning of instruments are odd as well as having a nasal uppermidrange.

Honestly qdc vx sounded like the solution, but the stage is not the same. I managed to try the aroma ace for a short while in treble mode, but only a/b'ed between that and the fourte. What are your thoughts on those, have you tried them?
 
Feb 22, 2020 at 5:27 AM Post #970 of 1,546
Well you want slower bass decay, and now also faster transients.. so good luck to you :).

I only wanted something slower than the Khan which is super fast even on foam tips. I tried the m9 before, it's not for me.
 
Feb 22, 2020 at 8:30 AM Post #971 of 1,546
Honestly qdc vx sounded like the solution, but the stage is not the same. I managed to try the aroma ace for a short while in treble mode, but only a/b'ed between that and the fourte. What are your thoughts on those, have you tried them?

I've not tried the Ace yet. Never quite bothered with Aroma after I heard their Witch Girl stuff, haha

Fourte I heard it a few weeks back but I flat out found Trio better especially with tonal balance.
 
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
Feb 22, 2020 at 7:15 PM Post #973 of 1,546
Not questioning what works for you or not.. but you found your slower bass in full BA iem vs hybrid?

Haven't found what works yet. The m9's bass wasn't the problem though, it was the whole package, sound sig wasn't for me. DD might have the right decay but quantity is usually not my cup of tea.

The speed of the Noble Khan's bass is really fast, have you heard it before?
 
Feb 23, 2020 at 3:54 AM Post #974 of 1,546
First Impressions: Flicker Ear Antlia

First time trying something from this brand. They've been active for a while now but they lack international reach and seem to focus more in their own HK domestic market.

Moving on to the sound. The Antlia has 1 DD and 1 BA. It is both bassy and warm with an uppermidrange boost. Treble sounds rolled off and dark. The bass does overpower the rest of the range since it is also upperbass bloated. In addition the IEM sounds incoherent - feels like the bass and low mids are doing its own thing and are separate from the uppermids and treble. Bleeding occurs (possibly due to DD handling too big of a range) and the quality of the bass isn't that good either - too sluggish and a bit smeared with its transients.
 
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
Feb 23, 2020 at 4:00 AM Post #975 of 1,546
First Impressions: Lark Studio Quattro

Generic CI midbass hump type of bass. Probably is a CI. Boxy and unimpressive bass response here. Midrange is hazy and treble lacks extension. Overall nothing interesting to talk about as it sounds like a generic multi-BA 2014-2015 IEM.
 
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

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top