Which IEMs suffer from driver flex?

[squallkiercosa]

To be polite, I dislike driver flex in IEMs. I found it annoying and distracting and I can't stand readjusting them.
 
I was wondering if we could make a list of IEMs: for those who feel the same as I do, suffering from driver flex.
 
Current list:
 
ATH-CLK200
Brainwavz M4
Brainwavz m5 copper 
Fischer Audio Silver bullet
Hippo VB
MEE CC51
MEE M6
Monster Pro Copper (Some models)
Monster Tribute
Monster Turbine
Sunrise Xcape
V-moda Vibes (some models)
Xears XE200 Pro
 
Help us to expand it.
Thanks 

 

[mastershake2393]

The only IEMs that I've owned which suffered from driver flex have all been Monster IEMs (Pro Copper, MD Tribute and original Turbine).
 
I think the Hippo VB had driver flex too, but it has been too long since I've heard them.

 

[H20Fidelity]

I can confirm my Turbines had flex and a pair of Hippo VB here have here as well.

 

[kong]

I believe it depends on the tips too. I don't have driver flex when using foam tips.

 

[djvkool]

I can confirm Hippo VB and FA Silver Bullet definitely have some flex

 

[phntmsmshr]

Wouldn't driver flex also be influenced to a degree by the output of your source, and the level the file plays at? I've had driver flex on Denon AH-C710 and Radius DDM1 from some mp3s that just seem to be "loud" irrespective of the actual volume I listen at. Not doubting that Monster IEMs have rubbish drivers, build quality for them is pretty poor generally.

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

Wouldn't driver flex also be influenced to a degree by the output of your source, and the level the file plays at? I've had driver flex on Denon AH-C710 and Radius DDM1 from some mp3s that just seem to be "loud" irrespective of the actual volume I listen at. Not doubting that Monster IEMs have rubbish drivers, build quality for them is pretty poor generally.

 
Driver flex is actually caused by the (air) pressure placed on the driver when you insert the IEM into your ear.  The air pressure pushes up on the driver and causes that distinct crackling sound Many quality drivers have flex BTW, it's not really an assessment of how good the drivers are.  The aforementioned Monster IEMs are actually well respected on Head-Fi and aren't "rubbish".  

 

[phntmsmshr]

Quote:

 
Driver flex is actually caused by the (air) pressure placed on the driver when you insert the IEM into your ear.  The air pressure pushes up on the driver and causes that distinct crackling sound Many quality drivers have flex BTW, it's not really an assessment of how good the drivers are.  The aforementioned Monster IEMs are actually well respected on Head-Fi and aren't "rubbish".  

So what is the phenomenon of drivers popping while listening to music if not driver flex? Also Monster IEMs are respected by fools who evidently enjoy having to keep sending their faulty product back to Monster for replacement every month. Don't try to school me on Monster, thanks.

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

So what is the phenomenon of drivers popping while listening to music if not driver flex? Also Monster IEMs are respected by fools who evidently enjoy having to keep sending their faulty product back to Monster for replacement every month. Don't try to school me on Monster, thanks.

 
I forget if it was Joker or |ClieOS| that gave the Monster IEMs a good review...  So you say they are fools huh?  I guess I'm a fool too...  I actually enjoyed the Gratitude (still have them too).  
 
Drivers popping while playing music?  Most likely static electricity.  All IEMs can be effected by static electricity, it too is not an indication of a rubbish driver.  If you are getting driver flex while playing music, it actually sounds like the driver isn't working (it shouldn't crackle unless you move the housing around).  The air pressure on the driver constricts it from full movement.  

 

[phntmsmshr]

Quote:

 
I forget if it was Joker or |ClieOS| that gave the Monster IEMs a good review...  So you say they are fools huh?  I guess I'm a fool too...  I actually enjoyed the Gratitude (still have them too).  
 
Drivers popping while playing music?  Most likely static electricity.  All IEMs can be effected by static electricity, it too is not an indication of a rubbish driver.  If you are getting driver flex while playing music, it actually sounds like the driver isn't working (it shouldn't crackle unless you move the housing around).  The air pressure on the driver constricts it from full movement.  

It is certainly not static electricity if it happens at the same place in a song every time. You will find that some recordings of some files have strange mastering or reproduce with peaks in weird places, and will cause huge amounts of overload on the driver - but then the IEM works just fine at all other times. As for Joker and |ClieOS| reviews, well I'm not convinced that they don't get a little case of the FOTMs from time to time based on how overrated some of the IEMs they've reviewed and I've heard have been. Especially with certain JVC models.

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

It is certainly not static electricity if it happens at the same place in a song every time. You will find that some recordings of some files have strange mastering or reproduce with peaks in weird places, and will cause huge amounts of overload on the driver - but then the IEM works just fine at all other times. As for Joker and |ClieOS| reviews, well I'm not convinced that they don't get a little case of the FOTMs from time to time based on how overrated some of the IEMs they've reviewed and I've heard have been. Especially with certain JVC models.

 
Distortion?  Maybe it's in the recording (less likely, but possible).  It's not flex though.  

 

[phntmsmshr]

Quote:

 
Distortion?  Maybe it's in the recording (less likely, but possible).  It's not flex though.  

It is definitely flex, happens in some of my IEMs but not others so is not in the recording, and is a loud 'pop' that definitely originates from the driver being overloaded. 

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

It is definitely flex, happens in some of my IEMs but not others so is not in the recording, and is a loud 'pop' that definitely originates from the driver being overloaded. 

 
I'd say distortion (IEMs do have distortion)...  I don't think you understand what driver flex is...  Driver flex is caused by air pressure in your ear.  It prevents the driver from moving (EG, keeps it in a flexed position).  The real only way to force a popping noise (be the same at the same point in the song) with driver flex is to move the driver at the precise time with precise movement at the same point in the song every time...  The chances of that actually happening, well, you should play the lottery (better odds)  Unless you can think of any other way for driver flex to occur... What IEM are you using?  

 

[phntmsmshr]

Quote:

 
I'd say distortion (IEMs do have distortion)...  I don't think you understand what driver flex is...  Driver flex is caused by air pressure in your ear.  It prevents the driver from moving (EG, keeps it in a flexed position).  What IEM are you using?  

I know what distortion sounds like, it is not distortion. Like I said, it has happened with Denon AH-C710, Radius DDM1, JVC HA-FXT90. loud popping sound from the driver, not distortion from volume or excessive preamp gain. Only happens with dynamic drivers, not with BA drivers. 

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

I know what distortion sounds like, it is not distortion. Like I said, it has happened with Denon AH-C710, Radius DDM1, JVC HA-FXT90. loud popping sound from the driver, not distortion from volume or excessive preamp gain. Only happens with dynamic drivers, not with BA drivers. 

 
What song are you listening too?  How'd you get it (if ripped, what source: CD, analog, etc).  This is starting to intrigue me...  It's not flex...  Driver flex has a different cause.  It might be the tuning of the drivers itself (EG, the "pop" is in the song; may be something else in general, the IEMs are reproducing it as a pop; the frequency of the pop may not be within the range for a BA to reproduce).  
 
EDIT: I have a feeling it's the bass-focused signature that's creating it as all the dynamics you listed above have been described as bass heavy (except for the C710, I haven't read up on them).