Ok so here goes with this one… I really like and prefer the sound signature of this IEM. It does not sound “normal” in the sense as nothing I’ve heard sounds quite like it, my first experience with anything other than BA, DD or Planar. Also while I prefer the sound, I’ve had 2 others try it and say that its odd sounding and that they prefer the P1. I’m the opposite in that comparison lol.
–Sound/Tips–
I think for fit to reduce some issue I have with fit and a corner of the IEM touching my ear wrong I prefer Spiral Dots, it puts the nozzle very close to your ear canal and makes the sound brighter and more stark sounding overall. For sound preferences I do like the foams some have mentioned New Bees etc. or even the Grey foams that come with the P1. It sounds better balanced for my taste and may help with sound stage a bit, but that could be just my imagination.
Bass is present as other have said, its more enjoyable overall due to this for me out of the box as well. Its not the tightest bass I’ve heard, but it works great to add something down low and is well enough defined that I don’t think there will be many complaints.
Mids sound good to me, but can be seen as a mixed bag. Lower mids are there and well defined, there is no noticeable bloat or bleed to hide them in my opinion. The issue is with the upper mids and its shout. I like mids that can get in your face and by having the elevation it does that with vocals. They are forward in the mix which can be great, and it has so much clarity that some may find it to sound unnaturally clear. It honestly reminds me of my modded hd58x where you dampen the driver to make it sound more 660 like as a reference for some. I love it since it has the ability to resolve the information and is quick so nothing sounds harsh to me, just in your face intense for that one band of vocals etc.
Treble is not sibilant, and is very detailed/fast. You feel like you are getting all the information, its just not as forward as the vocals. For soundstage presentation this is great to me as it adds space and means that complicated music or just really busy tracks have more separation and are easier to track the details you are presented with. Also there is no tinny sound with the timbre of the treble. So, it checks all the boxes as being fast, detailed, present, airy/open sounding, doesn’t sound like its a metal twang lashing your eardrums, and doesn’t assault your ears with ssssssss etc. lol
–Final Thoughts–
While some may not like the shout this IEM has, I do not have an issue with it. I think once and a while its inconvenient with vocals and guitars sometimes fighting for space in the sound stage, but I’m loving what I hear and would not trade this little bugger. I find myself gravitating to classical style music with it like the Witcher 3 soundtrack or finding my best recorded music to bring it to the next level. I can’t recc them enough, just be aware that the sound may not be for everyone as you are getting what feels like a very analytical sound, think more in the vein of hd660 or dt1990.
and tweak it from there as you hear fit?