Should i buy a $500 IEM as my first IEM?

[Rikudou_Goku]

Can you take a picture of you wearing the FD5? I send one so we can compare.

[Ahobaka]

Sure, I’ll do it when I get off work. That or tomorrow, depending on how dead I am. Working till 1AM is a bit of a pain at times, especially when the lighting is arse for photography and I don’t want to bust out the tripod and LED lights.

[Resolution]

@nymz

Fiio FD5 fit is good… If you hate your ears and want to slice them in half…

Sorry, i’m a hater

[Rikudou_Goku]

[Resolution]

@Ahobaka

I should emphasize (no pun intended) that it’s not their sheer size that is the issue, more like the shape of it. It’s a round plug that doesn’t really conform to the shape of the ear itself in the same way that these custom-like molds do.

The FD5, to be a bit brutal, is more or less saying “I shall make it fit” to your ear and forces it to shape itself around it. Whereas something like the Starfield kind of just slots in naturally.

I completely agree with everything you said.

@Ahobaka

I want to give either of them a try

I felt exactly the same way. I heard lots of people had issue with their fit, but I lucked out and they fit me perfectly. They have become some of my favorite IEMs.

It’s why I say this…

@Resolution

When it comes to comfort, I really can’t give too much advise since it’s so personal to the individual.

[Resolution]

This is you, isn’t it?

Rikudou Goku

[Rikudou_Goku]

Yeah, it is.

[Resolution]

@Rikudou_Goku

Yeah, it is.

Great job dude! I write, record and produce music for myself and others. Nice to see a fellow musician here. It’s probably why we take audio so seriously. Music is a part of us. Nice piano!

[Rikudou_Goku]

Thanks. Thats actually the grand piano from my old music school though. (although I do have a piano at home.)

(here)

(also got an old violin meant for me as a 10 year old lol.)

[Resolution]

You’re awesome!

OFF topic and I’ll stop after this, but since we’re sharing instrument photos, I’ll share a few pics of some of my guitars…

[Ahobaka]

Seems to be about same-ish fit as yours, although my ears are a bit swollen right now from wearing face masks all day at work.

[Rikudou_Goku]

Then I wouldnt dare go for the B2/Var, wayyy too huge.

[Rikudou_Goku]

(had them on for like 10 seconds and could already feel the strain.)

(some people struggle with the big nozzle on them as well, thats not an issue for me though. But I do use L sized tips so my ear canals are pretty big…sadly my ear itself doesnt match it well lol.)

[Resolution]

[Erokh]

Pre-order is always a bad idea: you can’t know what you’ll get.

And since these products aren’t special editions or limited production, you have no reason to rush.

[SHINIGAMI_DIAO]

Can anyone point out the difference between variations and
UM MEST MKII.

[CarpentersFan]

I have heard neither, but the MEST MK II is more expensive and better according the what I’ve seen

[nymz]

You should ask @Resolution, but im pretty sure that Mest is better in every way.

I plan for it to be my end game

[TkSilver]

I don’t generally preorder anything, when I was making custom mechanical keyboards I did because of the nature of the beast it was kinda necessary. It is also why I won’t ever use drop again.

[Resolution]

@SHINIGAMI_DIAO

Can anyone point out the difference between variations and
UM MEST MKII.

I own both.

Here is my tier list. Might clear up any confusion…

The IEM everyone should have - Blon BL03

My favorite IEM around $100 - Fiio FH3

Best Starter IEM - LZ A7. Find your preferred tuning.

TIER1 Best IEMs around $300 - Mangird Tea, Moondrop Blessing 2, TANCHJIM Oxygen

TIER2 Best IEMs around $500 - $700 - Safe tuned - Thieaudio Clairvoyance/Oracle, Xenns Up - Subbass tuned - Moondrop Variations, Thieaudio Monarch

TIER3 Endgame - Mest MKII - Authentic audiophile replay at it’s finest.