IEM discussion thread (Part 1)

drftr · October 14, 2021, 4:38pm

On the driver type discussion:

drftr

Robius · October 14, 2021, 4:42pm

Hot damn!

Kev · October 14, 2021, 5:02pm

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.

drftr · October 14, 2021, 5:14pm

This one?

drftr

Eric_Rosenfield · October 14, 2021, 6:11pm

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

M0N · October 14, 2021, 6:18pm

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

Sonofholhorse · October 14, 2021, 6:21pm

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.

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 1:30pm

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

Tristan_Krafft · October 15, 2021, 2:21pm

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🙌🏼

drftr · October 15, 2021, 2:23pm

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

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 2:26pm

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.

drftr · October 15, 2021, 2:40pm

I think you’d be restricted to all BA setups then because of the vents used with dynamic drivers?

drftr

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 2:44pm

That’s interesting. The B2 has DDs so I guess it has vents, and it’s fine? So maybe what we’re finding out is that the semi-open back design won’t actually be a problem?

drftr · October 15, 2021, 2:54pm

I can’t tell. I know there’s single DD IEMs out there with 7 vents. Can’t imagine they’re blocking much!

I’m sure the shape of the shells and the tips you’re using are at least as important.

drftr

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 3:04pm

Let’s focus more on the sound quality and less on the noise isolation first.

blanche · October 15, 2021, 4:02pm

What do you listen to? Doubt the Timeless would disappoint

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 4:04pm

Mostly rock and contemporary Jazz. Bands like BadBadNotGood, GoGo Penguin, and Kneebody are right up my alley.

blanche · October 15, 2021, 4:31pm

The bass on these are awesome. Gives a nice full sound without hampering the clarity of the rest of the spectrum. Those genres sound good to my ears.

Cameleon30 · October 15, 2021, 5:35pm

Disclaimer I am not an expert and I have not heard end game or TOTL stuff, but here is my opinion.

I believe what you are missing there on the Blessing 2 are the mids and mid bass. A lot of the sound from rock and jazz will be in that range. What you may want is a warm sound that doesn’t sound too muddy.

I can’t comment on those headphones but what you are describing with the term “relaxed” usually means that the upper mids and lower treble are not accentuated too much.

A picture is worth a thousand words (TLDR):

Campfire Honedew that you liked shows this also: more sub-bass, fuller mid bass and relaxed upper mids/lower treble (from 1k to 4k).

What you may like with the B2 and where the others where inferior may have been the technicalities of the IEM such as resolution, details, soundstage and imaging.

Edit: I have the Final E2000 which has a same FR as Falcon Pro and I love it’s warmth and soundstage and don’t miss the sub-bass unless I listen to some hip-hop.
IMO sub-bass focus is best for hip-hop and pop but not absolutely necessary for other genres.

Eric_Rosenfield · October 15, 2021, 5:48pm

This is very helpful! So would you recommend the Final E2000 or one of the other E series (E5000 maybe)? Or should I go for the Falcon Pro?