Ultimate basshead's iems - Top tier iems that provide the whole package; a comparison of the best

[flinkenick]

I want to start a thread that makes a lot of sense, but I've had troubles finding information on ever since browsing head fi. It's possible it's already out there but I can't find one for this exact purpose. I'm talking about iems that are the basshead's dream, top tier iems that have incredible bass; but also the soundstage, overall SQ and presentation that make it a complete package. 
 
I'm referring to iems like the JH Roxanne (JH16?), Tralucent 1plus2 & Ref1, 1964ears V8 and Shure SE846. Mind you I've personally never tried these, but they have piqued my interest. When describing what makes them excel, bass of course matters. But bass alone does not make an excellent basshead iem. V-shaped genresfor instance require excellent highs, but you can also think of speed, attack and precision, or maybe something else in the sound signature which you think makes the iem stand out and perform excellently.
 
I'm gonna start by nominating my personal favourite, the EarSonics Velvet. The Velvet has incredible bass both in quality and quantity, providing excellent precision and sub bass rumble. But it also has an incredibly full sound, which makes it stand out. It sounds amped as is, and its qualities make it exceptionally suitable for electric guitars and electronic tones, especially that raw electronic sound you hear in dubstep etc. 
 
-edit-
You don't have to have experience with multipe of these iems to post something, but if you have that experience it's more than welcome of course. It's only about a subjective narration of why you love your specific iem, and what makes it special!

 

[VisceriousZERO]

I'd add the Spiral Ear 5-way Reference and the FitEar MH335DW to that list...

 

[flinkenick]

  I'd add the Spiral Ear 5-way Reference and the FitEar MH335DW to that list...

Thanks, can you maybe also describe what makes them so good IYO? 

 

[aras]

Subscribed

 

[VisceriousZERO]

  Thanks, can you maybe also describe what makes them so good IYO? 

 
Sure.
 
As my first CIEM I can be pretty biased with the MH335DW. It is one of the best bass in any in-ear I have ever listened to. Thanks as well to the voicing of the 335DW the vocals are second to none. It hits low when it needs to and it hits hard.
 
The Spiral Ear 5-way Reference is one of the best sub-bass reproducing CIEMs I have ever used. The sub is even better (IMO) than that of the 1964-v8. Your cheeks actually feel the shake as the bass hits low on each of my bass test tracks.
 
Another worthy of note is the Rhines Stage 5, which is pretty similar to the 5-way but with more recessed mids.

 

[Luckbad]

This really doesn't seem like it's a necessary thread and will probably just muddy the discussion between this thread and this one: http://www.head-fi.org/t/761433/the-best-iems-for-bass-are-the-iem-bass-club
 
The original thread is a search for the best basshead IEM without regard for money. It seems like this is a search for the best basshead IEM that costs a lot of money.
 
Not saying this thread is worthless or anything, but it would be nice to only have to talk about basshead IEMs in one thread.

 

[obsidyen]

Among the IEMs on this list, I had SE846 but since then sold it, I now own Earsonics Velvet. I don't claim to be a basshead because I can't stand when bass is overwhelming and bleeds into other frequencies but I do love bass.
 
SE846 had too much bass in any setting in my opinion but I did not the way it sounded. It was somewhat like bass farting in your ears, if you can stomach the term. Add that to the overall mild and boring sound, that recipe made an IEM that sounded way too bassy with rock, jazz etc. That said, the sound wasn't exciting and rather dull, so EDM and rock sounded boring. Soundstage wasn't impressive either. You could not enjoy instrumental music due to too much bass and you could not enjoy electronic/dance music due to a boring sound signature. In the end, I sold them.
 
These days I have Earsonics Velvet with which I'm perfectly happy. Surely those USD 2500 IEMs out there must be better but I have not heard them. Regardless, even though they may be better than Velvet in some areas, I doubt they can do bass as well as Velvet. Velvet has amazing, loud, strong, tight and thunderous bass. For most bass lovers, balanced mode is perfect. You can enjoy any genre with great sounding bass rich in quality and quantity. Warm mode had too much bass for me, I believe it's best for hiphop fans and die-hard bassheads. Bass overwhelms mids and treble in warm mode and this is a big no to me. There's also a tight mode setting that has the least bass but I'm not fond of treble very much so I haven't even tried it, I'll be using Velvets often in balanced mode and rarely in warm mode.
 
Velvet also has an exciting and lively sound signature but highs are never harsh. Sound is non-fatiguing and you can listen to it for hours. It's "Velvety" indeed. Velvet is, I believe, a true all-rounder that excels at most genres. That said, I recommend it highly to electronic/dance music fans like me, I can guarantee you won't regret it. I believe it is the best headphone purchase I've ever made and it shoots above its price range.

 

[flinkenick]

  This really doesn't seem like it's a necessary thread and will probably just muddy the discussion between this thread and this one: http://www.head-fi.org/t/761433/the-best-iems-for-bass-are-the-iem-bass-club
 
The original thread is a search for the best basshead IEM without regard for money. It seems like this is a search for the best basshead IEM that costs a lot of money.
 
Not saying this thread is worthless or anything, but it would be nice to only have to talk about basshead IEMs in one thread.

Yes I started off interested in that discussion. But while it might have originally been meant as a thread for 'the best basshead IEM without regard for money', its focus has shifted to sub $100 basshead iems. That's why I specifically started this thread because with respect for that tier, when searching for an ultimate basshead iem I want my imagination to be stimulated by fantastic iems, and to learn what makes them so great. Besides that, that thread focuses solely on bass. But having strong bass doesn't make it an excellent iem. That's why a $30 iem can have powerful bass (and so many are being mentioned there), but still be uncomparable in all other ways to a $1000 iem.
 
Thanks for your input though.

 

[flinkenick]

   
Sure.
 
As my first CIEM I can be pretty biased with the MH335DW. It is one of the best bass in any in-ear I have ever listened to. Thanks as well to the voicing of the 335DW the vocals are second to none. It hits low when it needs to and it hits hard.
 
The Spiral Ear 5-way Reference is one of the best sub-bass reproducing CIEMs I have ever used. The sub is even better (IMO) than that of the 1964-v8. Your cheeks actually feel the shake as the bass hits low on each of my bass test tracks.
 
Another worthy of note is the Rhines Stage 5, which is pretty similar to the 5-way but with more recessed mids.

Thanks btw, sounds like you've tried your fair share of excellent iems  

 

[VisceriousZERO]

  Thanks btw, sounds like you've tried your fair share of excellent iems  

I try! Not exactly a basshead but I enjoy the wub wubs.

 

[deImp]

I think Aurisonic ASG2 is worth a mention here. I haven't really been trying a lot of IEMs yet because I just got into all these audio thing like 2-3 weeks ago, while I was searching for a IEM to use while gamingbecause headphones gives me headache when I'm gaming. It's interesting that I've already spent around 900$ already in less than 2 weeks......

Anyway, I listen to a lot of music, not just bass based, so I got a second hand SE535 from the incredible H20Fidelity, even though it was good and all, but I was disappointes because I felt like the bass for 535 was non existent, even with an amp, then H20 gave me a link to a great deal on a ASG2, I gave it a thought and caved in after reading the reviews. I was blown away by its quality, and the bass was just thunderous, not the wub wub farting sound from the shure, but strong, thunderous bass. Mid was warm and clear as well. Even though it's not one of those 1k$ earphones, but it's worth the money for its bass and signature I would say.

After saying this..... I'm thinking 1964 v8 to be my next one........... I can hear my walley weep

 

[obsidyen]

I think Aurisonic ASG2 is worth a mention here. I haven't really been trying a lot of IEMs yet because I just got into all these audio thing like 2-3 weeks ago, while I was searching for a IEM to use while gamingbecause headphones gives me headache when I'm gaming. It's interesting that I've already spent around 900$ already in less than 2 weeks......

Anyway, I listen to a lot of music, not just bass based, so I got a second hand SE535 from the incredible H20Fidelity, even though it was good and all, but I was disappointes because I felt like the bass for 535 was non existent, even with an amp, then H20 gave me a link to a great deal on a ASG2, I gave it a thought and caved in after reading the reviews. I was blown away by its quality, and the bass was just thunderous, not the wub wub farting sound from the shure, but strong, thunderous bass. Mid was warm and clear as well. Even though it's not one of those 1k$ earphones, but it's worth the money for its bass and signature I would say.

After saying this..... I'm thinking 1964 v8 to be my next one........... I can hear my walley weep

 
Have you tried Fidelio X2 for gaming? Zero fatigue and very good positioning in online games. That said, I prefer speakers for gaming/movies as well (I play games on PS4). I have Dali Kubik for that. Very enjoyable sound.

 

[deImp]

   
Have you tried Fidelio X2 for gaming? Zero fatigue and very good positioning in online games. That said, I prefer speakers for gaming/movies as well (I play games on PS4). I have Dali Kubik for that. Very enjoyable sound.

 
I'll have to check that out. I used to like using speaker to play games, because I listen to songs as well, however they tend to be really bassy and my neighbours didn't like that. So I changed to headset, and my headset was giving me a lot of headache.. and then my friend recommended me to IEMs.. here I am. : (

 

[obsidyen]

   
I'll have to check that out. I used to like using speaker to play games, because I listen to songs as well, however they tend to be really bassy and my neighbours didn't like that. So I changed to headset, and my headset was giving me a lot of headache.. and then my friend recommended me to IEMs.. here I am. : (

If you use a 2.0 setup like me, bass shouldn't bother your neighbours. Subwoofers in 2.1/51/7.1 setups might in apartment buildings. I prefer stereo anyway.

 

[deImp]

 
If you use a 2.0 setup like me, bass shouldn't bother your neighbours. Subwoofers in 2.1/51/7.1 setups might in apartment buildings. I prefer stereo anyway.

My room is right next to my neighbours room. lol
 
They b**** about everything, so I just didn't want to bother about it anymore and get an IEM.