It is useful information, but there will be unit variation and some will have QC problems, so we will need to see more comments and even more reviews so that we know it's not that particular one unit is how a 'Mele' sounds. I certainly agree, the more info we have the better. 'One swallow doesn't make a summer' is the old saying though.
You are absolutely right - nothing wrong with the comparison. But what is being called out is that, beyond personal taste (and, well, that is everything in this game!) it is unlikely that a $50 iem will perform better against the general class of $500 IEMs. Of course, there may be some horrible pieces of $500 trash that can get trounced by a $50 surprise. As my dad used to tell me, ANY team CAN beat any other team on any given Sunday…. just don’t make a habit of betting on it.
Folks, this is the perfect blend of subjectivism and objectivism…. Subjectively the listener knows there is something they do not like. The listener then measures objectively, which then allows them to target EQ to their taste.Sorry for singling you out here but while there are tolerances for overall frequency response (including db's of imperceptible channel imbalance), it's exceedingly rare that one IEM will be tuned completely differently from another of the same except in the case where a driver is just plain not working. In this particular IEM there is only one driver so that solves that.
On the topic of treble spiciness, I've highlighted the issue and can confirm with EQ that that spike around 10k is causing unpleasantness in the upper treble on tracks such as the La Campanella violin rendition I linked before. It also appears the dip around 6k is what's causing cymbals to lose their 'oomph':
Interestingly, it appears the Sony Z1R is also tuned this way but with an even bigger spike leading past 10k and when I read other people's impressions they do mention treble spiciness with the Z1R.
So if your library contains upper treble (which older recorded rock and roll and heavy metal tracks won't) it would be a good idea to either avoid or EQ.
Im sure we need to get a variety of comments and reviews to make a judgement on an IEM. That's OK though, to look at different reviews and comments. That's pretty normal. There are many Chi-Fi IEMs that have had unit variability and QC problems. The Ybf-iss014 and more recently the geekworld GK10, so it not unusual and it's OK. We can choose not to purchase. Of course there are often fit differences, ear anatomy differences, different tips, let alone all the subjective differences. When I get my set next week and comment I will be one of many different comments and viewpoints. I've already seen reviews and comments different to yours. But 'one swallow doesn't make a summer'. Thanks for your opinion of it though...it's good to have many opinions.Sorry for singling you out here but while there are tolerances for overall frequency response (including db's of imperceptible channel imbalance), it's exceedingly rare that one IEM will be tuned completely differently from another of the same except in the case where a driver is just plain not working. In this particular IEM there is only one driver so that solves that.
On the topic of treble spiciness, I've highlighted the issue and can confirm with EQ that that spike around 10k is causing unpleasantness in the upper treble on tracks such as the La Campanella violin rendition I linked before. It also appears the dip around 6k is what's causing cymbals to lose their 'oomph':
Interestingly, it appears the Sony Z1R is also tuned this way but with an even bigger spike leading past 10k and when I read other people's impressions they do mention treble spiciness with the Z1R.
So if your library contains upper treble (which older recorded rock and roll and heavy metal tracks won't) it would be a good idea to either avoid or EQ.
No point extending this, but it may be you have some unit variability. Maybe you can check out a different set. I only say that because others have said different to you. When I get my set I may well agree with you. I have had poor versions of some well reviewed IEM's, they were clearly different to most of the sets others had. We are all subjectively different though anyway. I would disagree that they are rare though. I reckon they are quite common. Anyway we are all trying to enjoy our music so I wish you enjoyment and happiness.
I believe none of these comments are supposed to undervaluate your opinion and I sorry you feel that way.
