Your Thoughts on Top-Tier IEMs

[3X0]

IEMs, canalphones, earbuds.. a touchy subject all-in-all.

 

[qusp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakhtiar /img/forum/go_quote.gif IE8s are the IEMs with shallow insertion, IMO. But, depends on the tips .

hehe; well I guess I can live with that definition. like I said I only had a brief listen to a friends pair; I didnt have time for the regulation month or 2 it seems to take people to find the right tip; all the time fighting the idea of custom tips. it seems even those that find 'the right tip' (generally a kind of mutant hybrid tip made from combining 2 different types) they still feel that custom tips are needed. thats just FWIR though

 

[toughnut]

Best IEM is
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Wallet.
Why no one listened to that poor fella? Stop spending just for the sake of ears arousement.

 

[decay]

For sanitary reasons I tend to not stick my wallet in my ear canal, it's big enough that pennies will go in and never come out.

Pennies a day, dollars a month, ten and more a year, life expectancy 60+...
$600 should be ok for my budget

 

[shigzeo]

i just got ahold of the SM2 from earsonics - that will be a coming review for me, but that really puts me into the category of only not hearing the W3 and TF10. They all have their perks for sure, but I am mostly interested (funnily enough) in cable construction etc.

Everyone has their sonic tastes. Some like a slower flabbier bass, some like fast, chirpy treble and some like forward mids. They all pretty much sound amazing. There is not a properly made high-end iem that has not amazed me. Those, however, which break soon or are shoddily constructed especially in the cable are poor buys as you have to send them back so often rather than enjoy your purchase.

That is why i love the Audio technica Ck10 and 100, Westone's excellent cabling and its wonderful stress reliefs. Customs that are manufactured with similar cables are of course, perfect.

 

[gameboy115]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i just got ahold of the SM2 from earsonics - that will be a coming review for me, but that really puts me into the category of only not hearing the W3 and TF10. They all have their perks for sure, but I am mostly interested (funnily enough) in cable construction etc. Everyone has their sonic tastes. Some like a slower flabbier bass, some like fast, chirpy treble and some like forward mids. They all pretty much sound amazing. There is not a properly made high-end iem that has not amazed me. Those, however, which break soon or are shoddily constructed especially in the cable are poor buys as you have to send them back so often rather than enjoy your purchase. That is why i love the Audio technica Ck10 and 100, Westone's excellent cabling and its wonderful stress reliefs. Customs that are manufactured with similar cables are of course, perfect.

You really need to make a good comparison including IE8.

 

[KLS]

To toughnut: Quote:

Originally Posted by toughnut /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's basically all over the place. Almost every threads... Try look for ClieOS and davidmahler threads.

Yes I know. In fact I have read those reviews by ClieOS and DavidMahler, and greatly appreciate their efforts in writing excellent reviews. Like this and this:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/r...-v-2-a-394365/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/c...xs-etc-396277/

I love your thread too

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/t...eviews-419992/

But, for a person like me (and I believe tons of Head-Fiers here too), we rarely have any chance to a/b phones, we don't have extra money to spend just to try new phones, what we can do is looking through forums for opinions of other users. In fact, I like reviews rating the phones in numbers

It is easier in this way to know which is a better phones compare to others. But, actually I realised that the numbers mean nothing to sound signature, and I always bear in mind that the numbers in some ways show the preference of the person who reviewed. Head-Fiers with limited budget wouldn't like to get a phone just because it has better ratings and ended up that the phone doesn't match his taste

And PLACEBO ALERT! (Ok I don't mean to be rude here to those reviewers...)

My main purpose of opening this thread is to gather opinions from the majorities (minorities as well) of certain IEMs. I don't say that if 80% users are satisfied what IEM A can give, and only 20% users find them to be harsh at the highs, means IEM A is good. I want a to know exactly what kind of sound signature these IEMs offer, and some friendly 'flame wars' between Head-Fiers would definitely help people around here to understand them well.

I appreciate your input too. It makes my purpose clear!

To DLeeWebb:
Yeah I have run through those pages too

If you guys Head-Fiers don't mind, I am thinking of gathering comments from other threads and inputs of member in this thread and make a summary of these IEMs, and keep updating them. But please give me some time, as I have to revise those threads and spending time on grammars when writing a sentence. Yes I am no english native...Please correct me if I speak inappropriate english

To qusp, Bilavideo and Zalithian:
Thanks for you comments! I would like to use your opinions, as stated above, to write some summaries on those IEMs you guys listed. Is it ok? And I most appreciate those who owns more than one IEMs giving out their precious comments, clearing the fogs in a forest and giving light to those straying child

To shigzeo:
I always hunger for you review!!!

To emann:
Would you mind elaborate more on UE700? I think this is a pity fellow unable to gain much attention from Head-Fiers

To music 4321 and 3X0:
Quote:

Originally Posted by music_4321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's be better for the OP and other viewers of this thread if you could substantiate your comment. Simply saying 'they probably sound better than many IEM's costing much more' is VERY misleading. Now, to try and answer the question from the OP: From the high-end universals I've had (see my sig), in my view the UM3X wins hands down. Won't go into details here as I've said enough about those IEM's in other threads, but I find the UM3X to be the most natural, neutral & balanced (universal) IEM I've ever tried - wonderful detail and NON- fatiguing. AND, the comfort level is second to none, pretty much matching my custom ES3X's. Also a fantastic cable which causes no microphonics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Whenever someone says "better" or "worse" comparatively to other models as the foundation for their review, I know to disregard the majority of their opinions (meaning no offense to them, I certainly don't vocalize this disregard). Tastes should not comprise the majority (or entirety) of a review.

Yes, that is the most important of this thread. Ok me myself can't substantiate these IEMs, as I don't have any of these. But I will try to stand in a neutral point, gathering information about these IEMs, and try my best to write summaries (based on you guys inputs

) without bias.

We are not that keen to which is better, but which is more suitable for us. That being said, we still need comparison in a 'much better' or 'worse' ways to make us more clear and easier to understand what people are saying, especially if you own any IEMs which are able to be your reference point comparing those reviews, in my opinion of course.

Ok guys please give me some time to write summaries

If you mind following this thread though

And your inputs are welcome!

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

My main purpose of opening this thread is to gather opinions from the majorities (minorities as well) of certain IEMs. I don't say that if 80% users are satisfied what IEM A can give, and only 20% users find them to be harsh at the highs, means IEM A is good. I want a to know exactly what kind of sound signature these IEMs offer, and some friendly 'flame wars' between Head-Fiers would definitely help people around here to understand them well.

I disagree. There are IEM's that are great for certain sound sig that most people don't like. Hence why the TF10 isn't very popular here relative to the w3, se530, UMX3.

 

[KLS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott_Tarlow /img/forum/go_quote.gif I disagree. There are IEM's that are great for certain sound sig that most people don't like. Hence why the TF10 isn't very popular here relative to the w3, se530, UMX3.

Umm, I don't understand in which part you disagree. Is it the friendly 'flame wars' part? What you mean is because TF10s are not that popular, so it is no point 'flame war' here. Sorry for my poor comprehension

Perhaps I expressed my opinion in a way that confused you, what I wanted to say is that different sound signature for different people, different genres of music. Actually I agree with your 'There are IEM's that are great for certain sound sig that most people don't like.'

Please correct me if I said something stupid

 

[Scott_Tarlow]

LOL I am an idiot not you. I totally thought you said something different. Been a long day...sorry

 

[toughnut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLS /img/forum/go_quote.gif To DLeeWebb: Yeah I have run through those pages too If you guys Head-Fiers don't mind, I am thinking of gathering comments from other threads and inputs of member in this thread and make a summary of these IEMs, and keep updating them. But please give me some time, as I have to revise those threads and spending time on grammars when writing a sentence. Yes I am no english native...Please correct me if I speak inappropriate english

Why should we mind? That's 1337 GODLIKE if u try to index all the reviews/comparisons/impressions under one thread

P.S: U might end up not buying any IEM but surfing instead. Wallet sparred.

 

[FYJX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp /img/forum/go_quote.gif huh?? if thats a question you really havent been here long IEM = IN EAR monitor earbuds sit just at the entrance to the earcanal like many stock buds, IE8, PK series some audiotechnica; the list goes on; it is actually a specific type of portable headphone. search HF you'll find plenty. and if you are just being a smart-ass; since you missed the mark you can leave smart off

Ok someone here definitely doesn't know what the Sennheiser IE8 is...the IE8 "IS" and IN EAR monitor. i am being a smart ass, but being correct at the same time.

 

[FYJX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i just got ahold of the SM2 from earsonics - that will be a coming review for me, but that really puts me into the category of only not hearing the W3 and TF10. They all have their perks for sure, but I am mostly interested (funnily enough) in cable construction etc. Everyone has their sonic tastes. Some like a slower flabbier bass, some like fast, chirpy treble and some like forward mids. They all pretty much sound amazing. There is not a properly made high-end iem that has not amazed me. Those, however, which break soon or are shoddily constructed especially in the cable are poor buys as you have to send them back so often rather than enjoy your purchase. That is why i love the Audio technica Ck10 and 100, Westone's excellent cabling and its wonderful stress reliefs. Customs that are manufactured with similar cables are of course, perfect.

hey, can't wait till that's up shigzeo. =)

 

[GosuEric]

Kinda surprised to see a lack of mentions of the X10s. For whatever reason though, I don't see them as a top-tier IEM, but that might be because I own them, or because they were so deliciously cheap (for the quality) when I got them.

Much like the poster on the first page, I'm not really sure how to describe what I hear. I certainly know what I like, and I like the X10s, but I'm not sure if what I describe them as would be what they really are. I've never owned/listened any other IEM that would be around this tier, but I'll try.

The word that comes to mind is warm. They've got magnificent bass, it's not muddy at all imo, and it hits very low frequencies. The highs are solid, though the mids are a bit recessed.

Kinda wish I had the chance to try other top tier IEMs, so I could give a decent comparison, but I figured any information about the X10s would be better than none.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp /img/forum/go_quote.gif wow, thats some range of different IEMs and sound signatures you got there!!! well IE8 no comment, havent spent any time with them other than a quick listen to a friends pair. big bass, big soundstage, somewhat peaky highs with the wrong tips, terrible isolation with stock tips if talking IEMs, which IMO these arent, they're earbuds W3 treble: nice and I didnt get any sibilance (due in part to my custom tips) god extension and detail. with reasonable air mids: with stock foams (comply) these are just a touch recessed, but still good detail and texture. mids come forward and the whole SQ becomes more balanced with custom tips, which leads me to beleive that most issues with this IEWM are tip dependent. very efficient, but still gains some finesse with amping Bass: taught huge bass, with good bass texture and tonality, no midbass hump with UM56 or modded triflange and even with stock tips I didnt mind it as I listen to quite a bit of electronic music. these IEMs are awesome for electronica IMO. Soundstage: not massive, but not tiny either, think 2 rows back at the concert. layering is very good with the right tip and not congested. warning, black olives on W3 = congested boomy mess. comfort, like all westone IEMs is awesome and without peer IMO UE TF10 big soundstage, extended, but somewhat peaky/sibilant highs, deep bass, but quantity leaves a little to be desired IMO. sucked out mids add to the illusion of a deep and wide soundstage, but thats all it was to me an illusion and distant. fit was just all wrong on the frankenstine earplugs for me. stock cable sucked and I ended up returning these for RMA and got SE530 responds nicely to amping though, but still not my cup of tea SE530 highs: I actually found that with UM56 and decent amping (I used pico when I had it and now use either Lisa III or D10) they have considerably more energy in the highs, with more power to burn. IMO anyone who says these dont improve with amping because they are such low impedance; either has hearing problems or there is something else amiss, like crap amping, source or interconnects. there is good detail in the highs, but it just takes a little bit of a back seat to the awesome mids mids: WOW!! articulate, thick, textured yet silky smooth, one of the best mids I have heard in an IEM and its pretty legendary for that. perhaps a little forward of natural, but i'm not complaining. great for rock and electronica. Bass: this is another area the SE530 improve considerably with amping and custom tips. good extension, not as good extension as TF10, IE8 or W3, but still respectable. Bass detail and quantity is good, with a fair amount of slam soundstage: a bit behind W3 and TF10, but still respectable. well defined; just maybe not as deep as those 2. comfort: very good. only just behind the westone IEMs for met UM3X My current favorite in all areas, not much to complain about at all really. I havent had them for long; only a week or so, but so far has eclipsed all other IEMs I have owned to date; taking the best aspects of all of them and combining them into a very attractive and comfortable package. Definitely the most Natural sounding and balanced IEM I have heard to date Highs: Razor sharp, but not at all peaky or fatiguing. I had them in for the majority of today and not once did I feel any sort of fatigue or discomfort. great air and sparkly detail; not forward or overemphasized, but certainly a team player. natural sounding Mids: while these are a tiny bit forward/warm of neutral, I do not find them overly so. I'm still not sure which mids I prefer out of these and SE530; in this area these 2 IEMs are quite similar, but I do not find them similar overall. great texture, musicality and natural tone. as I said in the UM3X thread, natural is a word that keeps on coming to mind when describing these IEMs; as is effortless Bass: Extended, tight, and accurate bass; but with good quantity and slam as well. best bass I have heard in an IEM so far. Not so much that it overwhelms the rest of the FR, but still quite present all the same. with a quarter turn of the Lisa III bass knob i'm in heaven. these IEMs respond to EQ very well, but I only call on the bass lord for some tunes that KICK. Soundstage: more intimate than the others I guess (as you would expect of a monitor), but not congested in the least. no one feature dominates these babies. I dont find it lacking in this area, maybe actually a little larger than SE530, but behind the other 2. The feeling of air and room for the performers more than makes up for it. what soundstage there is is incredibly well defined and consistent. these are pretty unforgiving though; which is a key area that they differ from SE530, which is probably the most forgiving of the lot. disclaimer: all this is IMO, but I wil finish this by reminding you that I havent had the UM3X long yet and could be victim of my own personal FOTM. all the same these babies have impressed me enough in such a short period of time, that my JH13 are going to have some big shoes to fill. my feeling is that these are going to grow on me even more as well. my intention was to sell them when I got my ES3X, but now i've changed my mind to get JH13 (due to issues I wont go into here) I think i'll keep them as my universal for times I dont want or need my customs. comfort is just like all westone IEMs; fantastic IMO i've heard the ER4S, but was pretty underwhelmed, just not my thing I guess. well there ya go; thats all the ones i've heard and I have owned all those I listed bar IE8. hope that was some help. not sure if this thread will be lost in the annals of HF history, but I gave it a shot., there really isnt a way to give a definitive grade to all those IEMs as we all have different ears; so if thats what you are after you are out of luck; chances are someone will come along in a second and give a differnt op9nion on something to what i've said. good luck with that

Excellent summary and impressions qusp.