[Lieon]

I generally listen to alternative, indie rock and some classical. Do the K10s sound like the JH Audio Roxanne? I have a pair of universal Roxannes but find them too dark sounding for my tastes. 

 

[Shini44]

   
How was Mentor on WA7? Quite warm? How was mid-bass quantity?
 

 
no with EH Tubes (100$ in woo audio site) the sound was Neotral, the bass quantity were good but wasn't as punchy as a solid state amp, the fun is less over all, but more fun than a class A solid state amp, so if you go there for the bass i suggest looking somewere else.


i say wait for my LYR II review, cause from the information that i gathered through many PMs, i assume the LYR II is more fun than the Woo Audio amps, depend on the tube ofc, and still maintain the nice tubish mids, i going for a russian 623P Vod Rocket from 1974, the early to mids 70's russian tubes maintan the Treble extension and the bass fun, were as i said no worries about the mids, its a tube hybrid amp.

the LYR II is good with CIEMs btw, and people run it 78 hours without stop or more, the WA7 need a break each 8 hours, 30 min break for the tubes.

 

[Shini44]

ops double post

 

[Malevolent]

Thanks, I found that helpful. Based on your descriptions, I would probably prefer the Miracle signature over the Mentor. Now if I can only audition a K10 ... 

 
I might be auditioning a K10 sometime in the next 2 weeks. Might have to find some time to visit the store though, as it is a smaller, specialist CIEM shop. If I do head down sometime soon, I'll definitely post my impressions. I'm really looking forward to trying Noble's flagship.
 
Anyway, the K10 looks to be a legitimate challenger for the best CIEM. I've read so many good reviews about it that I'm starting to doubt if I had should have chosen the K10 over the Roxanne instead.
 
Besides, those Wizard designs are fantastic. Definite IEM bling.
 

  Currently using a Heir Audio 3.ai universal fit. I am currently looking at getting a UM merlin or mentor universal fit. Wondering if anyone has made the jump from my current earpiece to similar range iems? I am searching for the wow feeling again. I havent got time to go down to audition so I thought of getting more opinions first before auditioning..

 
I haven't heard the Heir Audio 3 myself, but I've read about it through reviews. It sounds like a warm IEM with a decent bass presence. In contrast, the Merlin is all about its bass heavy sound signature, coupled with some really prominent and detailed treble that bordered on sibilance. With almost equal emphasis on highs and lows, the Merlin was a very good choice for EDM genres such as melodic trance.
 
In fact, when deciding between the Miracle, Merlin and Mentor, I was torn between the latter 2, but chose to go with the Mentor for its more balanced sound signature. You lose a lot of bass authority and weight with the Mentor, but you get a more present midrange and better controlled treble. The highs on the Merlin were difficult to tame at times, and it sounded a little like the Westone 3 to my ears.

 

[Malevolent]

 
Perhaps, you get a V shape sound in accordance with your source. Highs on ipods are very prominent. You should try it on more balanced source

 
Yup, I've been looking to either replace the iPod Classic or the D6. I was using a Cowon Z2 up to a couple of months ago when the screen decided to take a leave of absence. It worked intermittently for the next few weeks but it has now altogether refused to work anymore. I liked the sound on the Cowon and its EQ section was pretty darn fantastic. It's certainly miles ahead of what you can achieve with the iPod Classic.
 
Anyway, thanks. Will definitely look for a DAP upgrade. 

 

 

[Shini44]

   
Yup, I've been looking to either replace the iPod Classic or the D6. I was using a Cowon Z2 up to a couple of months ago when the screen decided to take a leave of absence. It worked intermittently for the next few weeks but it has now altogether refused to work anymore. I liked the sound on the Cowon and its EQ section was pretty darn fantastic. It's certainly miles ahead of what you can achieve with the iPod Classic.
 
Anyway, thanks. Will definitely look for a DAP upgrade. 

 

i say DX90 ^^ the Treble there is better than the Fiio X5

 

[rootkie]

I haven't heard the Heir Audio 3 myself, but I've read about it through reviews. It sounds like a warm IEM with a decent bass presence. In contrast, the Merlin is all about its bass heavy sound signature, coupled with some really prominent and detailed treble that bordered on sibilance. With almost equal emphasis on highs and lows, the Merlin was a very good choice for EDM genres such as melodic trance.

In fact, when deciding between the Miracle, Merlin and Mentor, I was torn between the latter 2, but chose to go with the Mentor for its more balanced sound signature. You lose a lot of bass authority and weight with the Mentor, but you get a more present midrange and better controlled treble. The highs on the Merlin were difficult to tame at times, and it sounded a little like the Westone 3 to my ears.

Thanks for the input. Seems like Mentor is what i am looking for.. But need to test what is the difference in bass level between Mentor and Merlin

 

[Shini44]

Thanks for the input. Seems like Mentor is what i am looking for.. But need to test what is the difference in bass level between Mentor and Merlin

no need i guess, the Merlin got a Dynamic Driver, and the Mentor got a Balanced Armature driver, so bass head wise i say the Merlin would be the choice, but treble,mids, detail and separation i would go for the Mentor.
 
oh about the mids the presentation are different on both, so it does depend on what you like in the end.
 
 
------------
 
btw people!! i've ordered the LYR II and Voskhod Rockets 6N23p 1974 tubes pair that i bought here on head-fi, will keep updating you with the sound etc.
 
and will compare it with the WA7 + EH tubes too. 

 

[Malevolent]

Thanks for the input. Seems like Mentor is what i am looking for.. But need to test what is the difference in bass level between Mentor and Merlin

 
The Merlin is definitely heavier and more pronounced in bass. This is apparent when you compare them one after another. If you have heard them before, it is quite similar to the experience you get when auditioning the JH13 and JH16 (on bass presentation alone).

 

[rootkie]

  no need i guess, the Merlin got a Dynamic Driver, and the Mentor got a Balanced Armature driver, so bass head wise i say the Merlin would be the choice, but treble,mids, detail and separation i would go for the Mentor.
 
oh about the mids the presentation are different on both, so it does depend on what you like in the end.
 

 
 

   
The Merlin is definitely heavier and more pronounced in bass. This is apparent when you compare them one after another. If you have heard them before, it is quite similar to the experience you get when auditioning the JH13 and JH16 (on bass presentation alone).

 
If I had the money I would get both from what I have read so far lol. I am a bit of both basshead and details(right term?) 

 

[djcarpentier]

Grain of salt post here as I have not heard the mentor. The merlin is awesome. I wouldn't say it's very bass heavy, more that it has huge bass reserves. It's very bass appropriate depending on the track. It's also very quick bass, not too far off armature style. For the price I'd say it's almost impossible to beat.

 

[Ivabign]

Grain of salt post here as I have not heard the mentor. The merlin is awesome. I wouldn't say it's very bass heavy, more that it has huge bass reserves. It's very bass appropriate depending on the track. It's also very quick bass, not too far off armature style. For the price I'd say it's almost impossible to beat.

Did you get your custom version yet? My universal has moved me in that direction as well....

 

[Malevolent]

Grain of salt post here as I have not heard the mentor. The merlin is awesome. I wouldn't say it's very bass heavy, more that it has huge bass reserves. It's very bass appropriate depending on the track. It's also very quick bass, not too far off armature style. For the price I'd say it's almost impossible to beat.

 
When I auditioned the Merlin, I did it alongside the Mentor and the Miracle. Compared to these 2 IEMs, the Merlin had a sizeable bass presence that was quite apparent. It's not boomy by any means, though. When the track called for it, the Merlin delivered bass in spades. Of the handful of dance tracks I tested them with, the Merlin's bass control and texture ensured that they were enjoyable to listen to.
 
For my preferences, I would have easily taken the Merlin over the Miracle.

 

[Shini44]

 
my 1000th post!! , i made sure it will be on the Mentor thread XD

the 500th were on the Miracle thread ,  man long time passed since then, i've bought 2x Miracles before and 2x Mentor now, i am really happy with this company 

 
 
i hope by the time i reach my 1500th post they will have a new FlagShip, i don't mind it, but i don't see this happening, unless they go for a warmer sound sig and bass head kind of CIEM, who knows.

 

[DetroitEARS]

The Mentor is amazing... I am considering selling my Universals because the are not comfortable for me to wear 6-8 hours a day at work. I have never tried different ear tips with IEM. I am wondering if it would make a difference. I am also wondering how the soud sig changes with silver cable.... The sound is already amazing