IEM discussion thread (Part 1)

:man_shrugging:t2:

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Truly stunning - tnx for sharing.

All of a sudden I wonder why anyone would buy IEMs for sound quality. Seems to be a distraction :wink:

drftr

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Regarding BA drivers controversy there is an interesting discussion on SBAF with measurements and theories about why BAs sounds bad/wrong.

Why balanced armature drivers suck?

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Hmm… came across these while browsing linsoul.

Anyone know much about em?

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Totally off-topic and therefore very interesting is the following link about music tattoos. Didn’t read a word but there’s some nice examples. I especially liked the guitar lady.

drftr

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That looks incredible, the Thomas and Guy-man icons are so clean/sharp. Congrats!

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Fearless Barcelona - ''The Barcelona also features a custom mid and high frequency balanced armature that was produced through collaboration between Sonion and Colorful World manufacturers. This special 2300 series driver produces extremely precise mid and high frequency details, and has been tuned for an accurate and well-balanced signature.

The Barcelona is a 2 hybrid driver IEM with a 2 way crossover. Its sound signature can be characterized as balanced, with emphasis on a powerful bass, lush and warm mids, and comfortable and natural highs.’’ Interesting. Very interesting! Is there a graphic?

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:pray: :pray: :pray: thanks! I’m really happy and anxious to get it :slight_smile:

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On the driver type discussion:

drftr

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Hot damn! :drooling_face:

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Planar hype train coming through choo choo. If they can do a Timeless in the size of an IE900 shell with western QC I’ll board the train again.

This one?

drftr

What do we all think of this? Seems a bit alarmist and over-the-top to me.

This really isn’t anything new and has been a concern ever since inears started to get popular, as more and more people get things that go deeper into your ear, it can be a real risk, although if you clean your ears properly once in awhile it shouldn’t be a big problem. Same thing with the whole potential hearing loss with higher volumes, if you learn to properly control volume it’s a manageable risk

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If anyone is actually concerned about this, they should see an ENT doctor and actually get evaluated. I can tell you, as someone who often works in an industrial food-production facility requiring earlplugs for 8+ hours a day, you’ll know if it’s causing a problem. There is likely a much greater risk of damaging your hearing from excessive volume over long stretches than ‘gunking up’ your ears just by using IEMs on a frequent basis. Regular flushing of the canals with warm water and the occasional application of Debrox or a similar solution should do the job fine, I would think. Unless you wear them all day AND sleep with them in your ears all night, all week long, I can’t see this as more than fear-mongering clickbait.*

    • I am not a medical professional; as I said, talk to an ENT if you are seriously concerned about this as a potential issue.
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Alright, I’m going to throw this out there.

I thought that the Moondrop Blessing 2 would be my endgame IEM. It’s very good, and it’s better than the other IEMs I have tried. However, I feel like there’s still something missing when I compare it to my beloved HD660S headphones, even on the same source gear. In short, the Blessing 2 feels dry and clinical by comparison, and I feel myself wanting more fullness, lushness, and presence.

But maybe what I want doesn’t exist at this price point? If I just had to stick with the Blessing 2 I don’t think that would be terrible because it’s obviously an excellent IEM. But I have this itch to see if there’s something I would like more. I also found the Sundara too clinical and lifeless, for example, and I fear I have the same problem with the Blessing 2.

I also like the HD650 when I want something more relaxed than the 660S. The HD6X0 series is basically my goal sound, and I’d like something ideally for $350 or less.

Right now I’m considering:

  • Fiio FD5 – my main concern here is that it’s semi-open and won’t shut out noise as well and the whole point of an IEM for me is that I can walk around with it (at my desk I can just use the 660S).
  • 7hz Timeless – this gets amazing reviews, but I’m concerned the planer sound here would disappoint me the same way the Sundara’s did
  • O2 – might do the job since it’s a single DD like the HD series. I hate hate hate the angel logo on it, but I suppose that’s minor in the grand scheme of things and I could cover it up.
  • Dunu Falcon Pro
  • Etymotic Research ER4XR – maybe?

Any other suggestions of what I could try?

IEMs I’ve tried before and thought were inferior to the Blessing 2:

  • Mangird Tea
  • Fiio FH5
  • Campfire Honeydew (I did like the impact and warmth of these, but the fit was not great and the bass could be a bit much on some tracks)
  • Ikko OH10
  • Moondrop Aria
  • Blon BL03
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I’m with you on that, if there is a 660s-like iem then I’d snap it up in a heart beat. I don’t have an answer for you but hoping you find it and please share here if you do🙌🏼

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Can’t tell exactly whether you want to focus on being as mobile as possible (like you can be with a true wireless IEM) or that you want to be “somewhat” mobile while still focussing on sound quality. If the first is the case then you may want to look into the Sony WF-1000XM4 which sonically is not too far from your headphones, while quality-wise they obviously are. What you do get in return is perfect mobility and (tunable) up to 100% isolation from outisde noise, depending on what kind of noise it is. A scream can’t be compensated for but an aircon 20 cms from your head you won’t hear.

drftr

Hi, I don’t need a bluetooth IEM (I have a Qudelix 5K). The Blessing 2 are noise-isolating enough for me, I’m just worried a semi-open design won’t be.

Sound quality is the primary concern here.