[shonik]

Hi all,

I’m looking to dip into the high-end £700+ IEM scene for the first time. I absolutely loved the IE80, wasn’t as enamoured with the IE80S and ended up going to the Fiio FH7 which I have really enjoyed, but find the treble a little too harsh with them, and miss a little extra bass.

I’ve been looking at the following so far:

- Fiio Fx15
- IE900
- Andromeda emerald green
- Z1R

I know the price range for these isn’t quite comparable, realistically I’d like to go up to around £1000, but could probably stretch for something exceptional - I’m hoping to get to an endgame level IEM with this purchase for use at home and while working. I have my TWS (WF1000XM4) for the commute with ANC.

Would really appreciate hearing about experiences people have with these, or any other suggestions I haven’t considered here.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[shonik]

Also considering the IE600

 

[shonik]

Can anyone help with this ?

 

[shonik]

I’d also be interested in any custom recommendations that could fit the bill too.

 

[KinGensai]

Hi, hope I can help.

Looking at the IE80, seems like you like a large helping of midbass/lower mids and don't want any resonance peaks at 8k. The pinna gain compensation curve also peaks at a really high point relatively (5k), so that's interesting. I find this kind of curve to be stifling, screechy, and inaccurate with image height, but we have different HRTFs, so that's fine. Just want to ask a few questions on this.

How is bass response for you with the IE80? Midbass influences kick drums and bass guitars heavily, so does this set push those forward compared to the rest of a song?

Related to the last question, how do male vocals do? The IE80 has quite pronounced lower mids, so to me that makes male vocals sound very thick and prominent in the mix.

How is the image placement of female vocals and guitars? The relative volume of 1.5k and 2.9k influence the harmonics of those sounds in terms of height, so adjusting those change the height those sounds sit at in the mix.

The curve peaks at 5k, and guitars tend to begin to overwhelm and scream when this part of the curve is boosted up so high. Do they sound like that to you?

 

[Benno1988]

Mest Mk3

 

[shonik]

Mest Mk3

I’ve been looking into the mest funnily enough, not sure between the mk2 or mk3? they are way down on crinacles list for some reason though…

 

[Tristy]

Looking at the graph of the IE80 you may want to take a look at the Campfire Audio Dorado 2020 or Campfire Atlas - Both of which graph similarly to the Ie80 and should be a step up technically.

 

[shonik]

Hi, hope I can help.


Looking at the IE80, seems like you like a large helping of midbass/lower mids and don't want any resonance peaks at 8k. The pinna gain compensation curve also peaks at a really high point relatively (5k), so that's interesting. I find this kind of curve to be stifling, screechy, and inaccurate with image height, but we have different HRTFs, so that's fine. Just want to ask a few questions on this.

How is bass response for you with the IE80? Midbass influences kick drums and bass guitars heavily, so does this set push those forward compared to the rest of a song?

Related to the last question, how do male vocals do? The IE80 has quite pronounced lower mids, so to me that makes male vocals sound very thick and prominent in the mix.

How is the image placement of female vocals and guitars? The relative volume of 1.5k and 2.9k influence the harmonics of those sounds in terms of height, so adjusting those change the height those sounds sit at in the mix.

The curve peaks at 5k, and guitars tend to begin to overwhelm and scream when this part of the curve is boosted up so high. Do they sound like that to you?

Thanks for this, honestly it has been many years since I last had my IE80, as mentioned I currently use the Fiio FH7. From memory I think I did find female vocals etc to be less sparkly compared to my fh7 though. With the fh7 I’d mainly like some more bass unless and the treble to be less harsh.

 

[Tristy]

I’ve been looking into the mest funnily enough, not sure between the mk2 or mk3? they are way down on crinacles list for some reason though…

I wouldn't take much notice of lists which look for harman based curves if you are looking for an IEM which graphs similarly to above.... you'll find it doesn't hit the mark like your experience with the IE80s.

 

[shonik]

Another one that has come up is the U12T, but think this isn’t realistically going to be bassy enough for me…

 

[gikigill]

The pecking order would be Z1R, IE900, Andromeda as per my ownership experience.

Also lookup Fatfreq as they specialise in bass boosted designs and I'm considering the Maestro Mini.

 

[Tristy]

I still hold both in high regard despite moving on from Atlas and keeping the Dorado 2020 for walking etc.

 

[shonik]

The pecking order would be Z1R, IE900, Andromeda as per my ownership experience.

Also lookup Fatfreq as they specialise in bass boosted designs and I'm considering the Maestro Mini.

Do you know how the IE600 might compare? I’ve seen many reviews saying they are a more refined version of the IE900.

 

[shonik]

I wouldn't take much notice of lists which look for harman based curves if you are looking for an IEM which graphs similarly to above.... you'll find it doesn't hit the mark like your experience with the IE80s.

Yeah that’s fair, I’m really curious about the MEST mkii/mkiii tbh, as they seem to have the kind sound id be interested in, at least from reviews. I mainly listen to electronic, with some hip hop, rock and pop thrown in.