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

[johnchpark]

Do you have any general recommendations for a set that has a good (preferentially balanced rather than V) tuning and exceptional resolution?

Even with TOTLs some lack resolve. I'd say S8Z has overall good-great resolution.

The difference between Z and F is somewhat minor. There's less warmth, less bass bloat (still is, to an extent; not a big flaw), more brightness and more perceived clarity due to stronger HF energy.

 

[Raketen]

Being v-shaped and mid-treble focused, think S8z would be a good companion to M9 for a cooler, more aggressive sound?

 

[ShinAyasaki]

My thoughts on: Hyla Sarda

Hyla's latest DD. Seems quite limited in quantity. If you're used to the typical Hyla signature (CE5 & TE5B), the Sarda has less subbass and warmth compared to them. Make no mistake, the Hyla is still v-shaped but with more emphasis on the midbass (whilst still being relatively clean with upperbass bloat) but tonal balance leans on the brighter end of the spectrum. The bass is well defined and executed IMO.

Midrange instruments take on a lean, shrill and potentially shouty tone due to the uppermid and treble lift. Treble tends to dominate the staging but it isn't done in a fatiguing manner to my ears.

The Sarda for some might lose the appeal of a Hyla as the typical hyla sound is known for its strong subbass presence and warmer leaning tone. However I still think it's a decent earphone with a less intrusive bass response.

if Hyla ever decide to tune their IEMs to have Oriolus's mid, I will throw my money at them. Too bad they won't

 

[SBranson]

Do you have any general recommendations for a set that has a good (preferentially balanced rather than V) tuning and exceptional resolution?

Whats your budget? I know you didn’t ask me but the U12t is extremely revealing and I find it quite balanced but then again I’m coming from the Legend X.

 

[tiamor988]

Even with TOTLs some lack resolve. I'd say S8Z has overall good-great resolution.

The difference between Z and F is somewhat minor. There's less warmth, less bass bloat (still is, to an extent; not a big flaw), more brightness and more perceived clarity due to stronger HF energy.

Hi,

Can you give comparison between the Elysian Artemis V2 vs the S8Z?

TIA.

 

[papa_mia]

TIA

Which model? U18 tia or U12 tia or Tia Fourte or his brother Noir? You gotta be more specific here buddy.

 

[aaf evo]

Which model? U18 tia or U12 tia or Tia Fourte or his brother Noir? You gotta be more specific here buddy.

he means “TIA” as in “Thanks in advance”

 

[dhruvmeena96]

he means “TIA” as in “Thanks in advance”

Joke of the year
Hahahahahha

 

[papa_mia]

he means “TIA” as in “Thanks in advance”

Joke of the year
Hahahahahha

xD

 

[toranku]

Being v-shaped and mid-treble focused, think S8z would be a good companion to M9 for a cooler, more aggressive sound?

Yes, I'd say they are direct opposites. I do think the S8Z can trade blows with the M9.

Do you have any general recommendations for a set that has a good (preferentially balanced rather than V) tuning and exceptional resolution?

Good tuning AND exceptional resolution..I am looking for just that myself. Good tuning is where it gets highly subjective since preferences dictate a lot whether I can enjoy something. It's hard to answer this question unless you have a baseline IEM that you want to see improved upon in certain aspects

if Hyla ever decide to tune their IEMs to have Oriolus's mid, I will throw my money at them. Too bad they won't

Well, the way I see it is that Hyla is a diffuse brand intended at a different sound. They can only achieve their great bass response by greatly reducing the lower mids region for a clean, well tuned bass boost.

 

[OverlordRush]

Good tuning AND exceptional resolution

Just get...

 

[toranku]

Hi,

Can you give comparison between the Elysian Artemis V2 vs the S8Z?

TIA.

I've to refresh my memory on Artemis V2 and on the entire brand in general. Local dealer should get Elysian soonish. But currently I do think S8Z has the upper hand here as it has better overall tonal balance (especially with mids & highs). Artemis v2 is colored in a unique way where it still works but isn't an all rounder like S8Z imo.

At a sub $800 price range for a ciem I would recommend moondrop s8, fearless s8z, qdc 4ss and Artemis v2 off my head. I think the S8Z would be the easiest for most people to enjoy as I find it quite tonally accurate despite its slight v-shape.

Just get...

No Rush, no!!!!

 

[OverlordRush]

No Rush, no!!!!

V
X

 

[toranku]

First Impressions: Metal Magic Research (MMR; Thummim, Homunculus, Gae Bolg, Balmung)

MMR had their launch event to the public yesterday which I managed to find time to attend. Seems like a diffuse brand from Jomo Audio. I'll just get straight to their sound.

Gae Bolg (5BA)
Best of their entire lineup. Uppermids vaguely sounded like a telephone but I think its overall barely passable, and its pushing it. Does have smeared midrange transients but at least the bass is not bloated.

Balmung (11BA)
Upperbass bloated with a muffled midrange. Everything is just behind it's bass. Female vocals also managed to sound nasal. Highs are present but done in a peaky manner.

Homunculus (1DD, 1BA, 2EST)
This is literal garbage. At first I thought it was out of phase so I changed up the wires just to make sure it wasn't the cable. With tracks that have leading vocals and backing guitars, this amazing IEM changes it around to have leading guitars and backing vocals instead. It sounds underwater and feels like the sound is inverted. Some part of its midrange is extremely sucked out. I know some people will tell me that it might be broken, but no, both demo units sounded like that.

Thummim (1DD, 4BA, 4EST)
Underwater sounding with bloated bass and nasal vocal range. Only passable aspect here is with its highs. Cymbals do show extension and shimmer which was nice. However everything was behind the bloated bass response. I don't know what they were aiming for here.

I don't want to comment further because this brand makes me sick in the stomach.

 

[SBranson]

Wow... that has got to be the worst series of impressions I’ve read... ouch