[Tristy]

I had to reduce 3k and 5k to be comfortable. It was a shame to let them go as they were really good at what they were doing. Not warm enough for me even though it would dig deep (for a BA setup) if there was a lot of bass on the track. I don't really want to use EQ just to get a sound that I like. Ideally (perhaps futilely?) I'd like the IEM to do that by itself.

Hopefully if the UK Canjam goes ahead I would like to try a 64audio U12 to see if that's where I'm heading.

Where in the UK are you based? If you're close to Devon you can take a listen to mine... if not, I believe Selfridges have a demo pair in London?

 

[IEMusic]

I like DD IEMs a lot, and have a bunch already, but now I’m looking for one of the best technical IEMs, for more critical listening. I figure it will likely be an all BA unit. I’m looking for a ton of resolution and micro detail. I also prefer it to be well less than $1K (o/w I’d probably get the ThieAudio V14). Any recommendations? Right now, I’m leaning most towards the Fearless S8Z.

 

[Rocfort]

Me too in same situation. I like DD iem and I love my Legend X: but after Noble K10, Weston SD60, Audiosense 800 and SF8 ACME, i put my expectation on a Drop EE Zeus14 that I hope will be better technical than V14 and more useful forcritical listening. Probably with a very good upgrade cable.

 

[toranku]

I like DD IEMs a lot, and have a bunch already, but now I’m looking for one of the best technical IEMs, for more critical listening. I figure it will likely be an all BA unit. I’m looking for a ton of resolution and micro detail. I also prefer it to be well less than $1K (o/w I’d probably get the ThieAudio V14). Any recommendations? Right now, I’m leaning most towards the Fearless S8Z.

M9 and S8Z springs to mind. Though 8Z has much more treble energy than M9 so it would give the impression of clarity at first. M9 is one of my favourite all rounder. See if you can look for Hidition NT6 as well. But their distribution is crap so I doubt it.

I've seen qdc Gemini/8SL go for $700 used in the Chinese market nowadays if you're also into that.

 

[toranku]

Sorry about the lack of content lately. Stay healthy and stay home. Will resume posting content when the virus situation gets better

 

[M3NTAL]

Do the Sony balanced armatures have a timbre of their own or do they still sound like a typical balanced armature in your opinion?

 

[IEMusic]

I’ve definitely been curious about the M7 and M9. By any chance, have you ever been able to compare the M7/9 with the Shure se846?

 

[toranku]

Do the Sony balanced armatures have a timbre of their own or do they still sound like a typical balanced armature in your opinion?

I do find that they sound a little slower in the M7/9. But overall I'd still say they still carry a typical BA type of sound. With the M7/9 they are also tuned well with a nice warm and easy going balance and the treble is also generally laid back but not rolled off.

I’ve definitely been curious about the M7 and M9. By any chance, have you ever been able to compare the M7/9 with the Shure se846?

With 846 the treble actually rolls off which I suspect affects it's bass harmonics negatively. 846's LPF sounds good on paper but in practice the bass is almost bloated and on a technical level they are pretty average next to the M9.

Just my 2c.

 

[dhruvmeena96]

I do find that they sound a little slower in the M7/9. But overall I'd still say they still carry a typical BA type of sound. With the M7/9 they are also tuned well with a nice warm and easy going balance and the treble is also generally laid back but not rolled off.



With 846 the treble actually rolls off which I suspect affects it's bass harmonics negatively. 846's LPF sounds good on paper but in practice the bass is almost bloated and on a technical level they are pretty average next to the M9.

Just my 2c.

Agree on shure SE846.. The treble is the part which destroy the timing of bass note end

And it sound bloaty due to that
Mids are still okay

 

[Asspirin]

Sorry about the lack of content lately. Stay healthy and stay home. Will resume posting content when the virus situation gets better

Yeah it's fascinating... We're all telling ourselves that we'll be super productive, now that we have all the time in the world for our hobbies. But it seems we need the daily grind and struggle to get us going in the first place! I also have dozens of articles and reviews waiting for my motivation to return. The current situation is exhausting us all mentally. Chill out, recharge your batteries and enjoy music!

 

[RikudouGoku]

Hey @toranku I belive that you have both the Final Audio E5000 and the Sony XBA-N3. How are they in comparison? I have the E5000 right now and I really like the laid back treble but the loose and not so fast bass makes it less versatile than I want it to be. Is the N3 better in that regard? Like does it have a better controlled bass in comparison to the E5000? Or do you know anything else that is similar to the E5000, just with faster/tighter bass?

 

[IEMusic]

With 846 the treble actually rolls off which I suspect affects it's bass harmonics negatively. 846's LPF sounds good on paper but in practice the bass is almost bloated and on a technical level they are pretty average next to the M9.

Just my 2c.

Thanks! Based on previous comments, it seems like the M7 is an upgrade over the se846, technically and more. I’m looking for something more detailed, that I can use as a stage monitor (currently I use the Shure for this). I think the M9 is a bit out of my price range, and have narrowed it down to the Fearless S8Z, the Sony M7, or even perhaps a Voyager 3 CIEM.

 

[papa_mia]

Thanks! Based on previous comments, it seems like the M7 is an upgrade over the se846, technically and more. I’m looking for something more detailed, that I can use as a stage monitor (currently I use the Shure for this). I think the M9 is a bit out of my price range, and have narrowed it down to the Fearless S8Z, the Sony M7, or even perhaps a Voyager 3 CIEM.

You can get the M9 used for around $600-$650

 

[dhruvmeena96]

Thanks! Based on previous comments, it seems like the M7 is an upgrade over the se846, technically and more. I’m looking for something more detailed, that I can use as a stage monitor (currently I use the Shure for this). I think the M9 is a bit out of my price range, and have narrowed it down to the Fearless S8Z, the Sony M7, or even perhaps a Voyager 3 CIEM.

Save some money for M9 and Sedna Tips
And highest possible ohm impedance adaptor
And a super portable amp like periodic Nickel
Iem -> amp -> (impedance adaptor) -> source

On nickel, it kinda lowers noise and provide cleaner volt, cleaner lineout signal quality
The iem gets more cleaner this way without dealing with impedance shifts of iem

Till then try using SE846 with mods

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/se846-filter-mod.802350/
Basics to 846 mods

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/shure-se846-impressions-thread.675219/page-1266
Graphs for mod.

The world is having pandemic, economy is down, so is job... So its better to use and improve our own gear.

Mods won't effect technical performance and M7 and M9 seriously offer more punch and better treble


But if you can some treble in 846.. Then why not

You can get the M9 used for around $600-$650

Sony M9 is 1620$ in india first hand

And 1200$ second hand

I may not have a chance to get those
Sad life

Its 5 times my month salary here

@toranku sire... Do you have some cheap stuff or should I go on with ZSN pro + IRS + Eq + spinfit + onkyo HF tune + neutralizer with my smartphone

LoL

 

[toranku]

Hey @toranku I belive that you have both the Final Audio E5000 and the Sony XBA-N3. How are they in comparison? I have the E5000 right now and I really like the laid back treble but the loose and not so fast bass makes it less versatile than I want it to be. Is the N3 better in that regard? Like does it have a better controlled bass in comparison to the E5000? Or do you know anything else that is similar to the E5000, just with faster/tighter bass?

I don't have both, but I have heard both extensively. N3 has better top end extension and on a technical level it's slightly better. But I'd say N3 is still a warm and bassy earphone like E5K is. May sound like sacrilege, but EQ the E5K a bit to see if it helps (its free!!!). Reduce the entire 20-500hz region, especially around 250hz.

It's hard to recommend stuff to people knowing that some only can have access by blind buying and end up paying "tuition fees". Try something like a Sony IER-M9 if you can. My favourite warm iem.

Thanks! Based on previous comments, it seems like the M7 is an upgrade over the se846, technically and more. I’m looking for something more detailed, that I can use as a stage monitor (currently I use the Shure for this). I think the M9 is a bit out of my price range, and have narrowed it down to the Fearless S8Z, the Sony M7, or even perhaps a Voyager 3 CIEM.

S8Z is gonna have a truck load more treble if you're coming from the 846. Perhaps you can find a used M7 for cheap and then sell it for little to no loss if you don't like it. Used M9 can be found for much cheaper than NA retail as well as @papa_mia mentioned.