IEM discussion thread (Part 2)

IEMs / Other In-Ear Monitors (IEM)
2856

On the surface, this makes sense. Instruments and vocals, for that matter, are at the core vibrations of air. So, my logical mind would think that a driver that better matches the speed of the natural frequency would sound more natural.

Humans are weird in the fact that we can “just tell” something doesn’t sound right. I do feel, though, as someone who plays guitar, the solid string plucks sound crisper and true to life on the planar, but I think maybe the decay sounds better on a dynamic.

That said I grew up playing Piano and think that some of the best Piano timbre has come from my OG focal Clears.

2857

@pk500 how would you compare the in ear comfort of Aful MagicOne vs Explorer? Mainly I am thinking about the venting.

I have some spare exchange cash for 11/11 since I was not charged the VAT on payment so…

2858

U12t is one I would like to hear. I like all BA. I have the U4s. I like it best with the M12 apex module. Alba would 99% sure be a good one also for me. I am not locked to just one strict tonality, but more neutral is good! Works with all music. I like to listen to playlists and discoveries more than complete albums like many years ago. :blush:

1 Like
2859

Same, I’ll venture off my preferred tuning to a degree.
I do own some “fun” headphones like Grado and Fostex :smile:

I think the bass is going to be a really noticable part on the U12T. The sub bass is fantastic.

The good thing is there are enough drivers and crossovers to complement the increased bass and maintain the balanced nature.

I think the U4S is the ie200 (fantastic and gives a taste of the higher end models), and the U12T is the IE600 (sweet spot, but you pay for it) and the U18 is the IE900 (a little bit much for most people and not likely with the additional cost)

If I honest you might find the jump to the U12T not with it if you have the U4S. It’s technically a better IEM, it expands on the sold base that is the U4S but tonally I don’t think it’s going to be a WOW, but then again it might be.

If you do get you test some let me know what you think.

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2860

Do you hate Chi Fi? Chi Fi has evolved a lot in the last 3-4 years Mr.

2861

I’m not sure if you’re asking me, but I love chi-fi I think it’s brought the budget down when it comes to getting a lot for your money.

I think it is the reason Meze and Sennheiser etc have started making better than good lower cost IEM.

Like they say when brands compete we all win.

My first chi-fi IEM was the Tin hifi t2 pro, and I bought a pair for my brother after listening to mine.

I also own Thieaudio legacy 3, truthear Hexa, (I gave my brother a pair of Hexa and a Hiby R4 for his birthday last month)

AND my personal favorite and the iem that I listed to regular before the U12T is blessing 3.

I still own and listen to them all from time to time.

When it comes to chi-fi I think they know just how good they are and the prices are starting to reflect it. After Canjam I went and looked up the items that really stood out to me and they were priced really close or more then the U12t.

I paid $1,700 with free overnight shipping from Sweetwater.com

The Oden and Omega IEM cost significantly more.

I searched hard for months looking for a chi-fi equivalent for the U12t and came up with nothing.

After owning them and only listen to a relatively small sample size of chi-fi IEM I haven’t found one that I think competes at a lower price.

So I don’t know what that really means, is USA starting to become more price competitive because of chi-fi, or is chi-fi becoming more expensive because it can compete or sometime exceed other domestic brands?

Either way is a great time to be an audiophile.

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2862

Side note:

I’m also a fan of the Chi-Fi amp and dac.

I have the S.M.S.L Thx amp and I think it’s amazing for the price.

I like the Fiio K11 and K11 R2R. ( I had both but kept the R2R) Again either is extremely hard to beat at the price as a DAC/Amp combo.

I like the Ifi DSD neo, it’s a great combo amp/DAC that sounds amazing though it doesn’t have any outputs to use with a different amp.

I have a Fiio BTR7 really like it as well.

We have a few of the newer Hiby DAP I use my R4 daily.

I think it’s hard to call yourself and audiophile and not really, like Chi-Fi

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2863

I sense a smidge of pressure buildup with the MagicOne, but I don’t need to remove the IEM or use tips to vent the pressure. Very minor. No comfort issues whatsover with the Explorer.

AFUL makes pretty ergonomic shells. Good fit for both for me.

Your decision should come to these parameters:

  1. Want an all-arounder? Explorer.
  2. Want mids like an HD 6XX or HD 650? MagicOne.
  3. Does accurate timbre matter most to you? Explorer. (MagicOne has a tiny bit of BA timbre.)
  4. Are you a basshead of any level? Explorer. (The Explorer is not a basshead set, but it has considerably more bass than the MagicOne.)
  5. Do you want to run your IEM from an Apple dongle or straight from your phone? Explorer. (The MagicOne is hard to drive.)
  6. Does appearance really matter to you? MagicOne. (Both are pretty, but I find the MagicOne faceplate and cable to be more attractive.)
  7. Do you want “new meta” tuning done exceptionally well? Explorer.
  8. Do you want a different tuning than probably anything in your collection, especially if you’ve been a Harman-hugger in the past? MagicOne.
  9. Do you not like tip rolling? Explorer. (Explorer benefits from tip rolling, but it’s absolutely essential with the MagicOne.)

I hate to put my balls so squarely on the fence, but I’m glad I own both of these. Would not want to pick between them. AFUL is interesting because it has introduced some cool new tech, and it doesn’t really have a “house sound.” Its tunings are varied and good.

3 Likes
2864

Great answer, tons of thanks! <3
@1 - I don’t care, I already have all-rounder in Twilight.
@2 - HD6xx was the only transducer that made me shiver with Big Thief - Sparrow song, but could not keep it due to comfort issues with on-ears, so would love something like that in IEM form
@3 - I seem not to notice BA timbre at all, so not a problem
@4 - I like my bass, but I don’t listen to a lot of sub bass heavy music + I love my vocals more. For those modern music UM MEST is good enough
@5 - :wink:
@6 - appearance matters, but is not a dealbreaker. Both sets look stunning if you aks me
@7 - yes, why not
@8 - MagicOne on paper looks very similar to my favourite Twilight, so would not be a bad choice for sure, but may not be that different on the other hand
@9 - I hate it and love it. Hate it when I can’t seem to find a good match, love it when I finally do :slight_smile:

I would take Dora in the end, it was tempting me for a while :ok_hand:

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2865
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2866

Videos like this are so fun to watch
Sad that it’s a rarety

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2867

Hype 4 is going to be my default recommendation under $500

So, I was told by a few friends that they find the bass hollow. I agree but it has that airiness that goes so well with the bass.

For overall Tonality I still think Studio 4 is the winner
For relaxed tuning Megafest OG is the winner
For the most mature tuning Pilgrim is the winner

Hype 4 is overall a great IEM with everything so balanced in it’s plate. Good Tech, Good Tonality, Good resolution, Good Fit.
I even preferring H4 over Oracle as an overall package

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2868

I can see that, I’m not surprised at your rec. I found the Hype 4 a bit dull in it’s tuning, outside of the very late treble, but that makes it a very safe tuning rec for almost anyone.

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2869

Yeah, lots of people dont get how cheap drivers actually are. This is definitely on the higher end of driver pricing.

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2870

OK, I had been on the fence, then I saw this and the they were $84 on Amazon, so I pulled the trigger. The fact that Explorer ( which I love ) was your other clear pick made this seem easy. Plus I don’t have anything tuned quite like it.

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2871

Can anyone specifically say how much the IE600 or IE900 driver costs? Cheap? How cheap after years of development? :roll_eyes:

2872

DDs are the cheapest of the drivers out there. 1-10 usd is the usual range.

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2873

Sennheiser $1-$10 DD
:sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile: :sweat_smile:

2874

I bought their drivers before actually.

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Although this is their IE800 driver.

2875

IE600 and IE900 are not Chinese. IE800 maybe it is.