I think I understand technicalities a bit better now, I’ll go stand in a corner until I reach a decision.
@Resolution
Try: The Algorithm or Vitalism. One of my favourites besides the ones you mentioned.
I actually saw Jason Richardson live as a support for Dream Theater in 2019. He opened his set with Titan, I was mind blown to say at least 
So how does the L4 cope with this genre?
I’m getting ear impressions done this week and I’m going with custom L4. So eager to try ciem for the first time.
Btw. S8F is my choice for this kind of music. So far I didn’t find anything that could beat it, but again I didn’t try anything more expensive.
ha ha. Not great. None of the Thieaudio IEMs have extremely fast DDs. The Monarch is the best. The L4 is moving in the right direction with its newer DD, but for this kind of music, speed is of utmost importance, and the Thieaudio IEMs are extremely well tuned, but not the greatest in technicalities.
Progressive metal isn’t the only thing I listen to. The Thieaudio IEMs are the first thing I reach for when planning to listen to anything but metal. They are fantastic IEMs.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Fiio FH3, FD1 & FD5. The FH7 is good but a bit bright with an awkward tuning. The FH5 is good as well (great tuning and overall great IEM) but not as good of a match for progressive music as the previously mentioned. Its low end is thick which can sound wonderful, but does not deliver as much transient recovery, leading edge crispness and overall bass texture and detail.
The S84 is a detail monster and very fast IEM. Its all BA so you have BA timbre which I’m not a fan of and you don’t get the slam of a dynamic.
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Out of all Fiios only FH3 interests me, I was about to get it but decided not to because of poor QC and driver flex.
I might go for Believe instead. I’m not giving up on custom L4 though.
So you heard Monarch as well? I’m under the impression Clairvoyance is a bit better for Metal than Monarch. To me mid bass is more important than sub bass
DD slam, air and resolution is the only thing that’s lacking in S8F. But for all BA it’s remarkable nonetheless.
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It is a perfect IEM for metal. Seriously.
Don’t! Like I said, the L4 is a phenomenal IEM, especially for its price. It is tuned better than most IEMs I’ve heard. But every IEM has its strengths and weaknesses.
I own both the Monarch and Clairvoyance.
Your assumptions are correct under normal circumstances. The issue is, both the Monarch and Clairvoyance have more than enough bass to begin with. The Monarch, because it is leaner in the lower frequencies, and has more BA drivers building up the low and mid frequencies, sounds faster and more detailed than the Clairvoyance which can sound slower and muddier in contrast. Both of these IEMs are superbly tuned and have more than enough bass for anyone (sometimes I ask myself if the Clairvoyance has too much). The treble especially on these IEMs is extraordinary because of its presence and extension, yet never become sibilant or harsh. Electrostatic treble FTW.
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@Resolution
Thanks for the info. I cannot buy both but once I receive L4 I’ll decide what’s next
\m/
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Anyone advise on how the dip switches change the sound & by how much?
" THE TUNING SWITCHES
Similar to the Legacy 3, the Legacy 4 features a 2 switch tuning switches. And like the Legacy 3, playing around with the switch combinations does alter the tuning…but not much. The second switch did somehow change the typical V or U shape profile to something a little more neutral in the midrange and noticeably louder, likely from increased driver output, -something I am quite comfortable to leave it as."
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It sounds like FD5 is awesome, even if the bass isn’t quite the identical to FH3. (And that’s hopefully ok) 
Really curious what they’ll come out with after this…
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Well, after the hybrid FH3 and the single DD FD5. Maybe a tribrid is next?
just got the fh3 and i cannot imagine better sound for under 500$. i mean WOW. im blown away. The imaging is insane and the texture is next level. juicy bass even with extreme clarity in the mids and highs. this could be end game if you come from headphones. cant think of a single headphone that gets things right like this for under 500. almost cried and its been 45 mins. lol sorry i know this isnt fh3 thread but alot of talk about it here. blows my oh10 away .
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Nice to hear the FH3 love. If you like what you’re hearing, the FD5 should be next on your to-own list.
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Is it a worthwhile upgrade? i think i saw the review. will have to look again.
It’s different, yet just as good if not better if you value certain things. The FD5 is comprised of a single (very large for an IEM) beryllium driver. It does not have the unnatural timbre issues balanced armature IEMs have. It’s a more natural sound. It has possibly THE BEST cable to come with the IEM (especially for its price range). It’s the second best measured cable on Rikudou_Goku cable measurement list, let alone all the swappable plugs. The FD5 bass is just as good as the FH3. After listening to both, I’d have to say the FD5 sounds more natural to my ears and I prefer it to the FH3. The FH3 has slightly more forward mids/vocals. I am in no way saying the FH3 is bad. It is a phenomenal IEM especially for its price tag. Just saying if you’d like to try something else that Fiio makes that is outstanding, give the FD5 a try. It’s a nice compliment to the FH3. I really enjoy both.
Oh yeah, don’t forget the beautiful case that comes with the FD5. It’s so nice.
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They are too magical looking to resist 
I am hopeless
But wait, MMCX again…??! Why, God, why
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very cool thanks.
The mmcx on the fd5 are actually very good in tightness but not as tight as the fh3.
You also get the final audio mmcx assist tool. Extremely helpful tool.
Great points but just to clarify. The driver is using a beryllium coating for the surroundings while the dome is using dlc diaphragm.
I just say beryllium since the average person won’t care or understand, but yes, 100% correct. Nerd! 
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