On the lookout for a universal IEM

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Ritvik

Ritvik

Forerunner
Been a while since I've been on here! Such has been the satisfaction with my two current IEMs.
I am however on the lookout for a universal IEM and would prefer a single dynamic driver with removable cables. These would be for everyday use and I'm leaning towards a bassy, warm mids and not too treble hot type signature.
I'm out of touch with what's on the market and look forward to some of your suggestions. I'm keen on the JVC FX850 at the moment. No fixed budget, but the lower the better since I just switched sources/amps.
 
Hey Ritvik,
  • IE800: Bassy, natural mids, no harsh treble. Single DD. But no detachable cables.
  • Noble 5: Bassy, detachable, Universal. But Multi-BA.
  • RHA T10i: Fairly new, the few reviews say they are bassy, have easy going treble, tuning filters, single Dynamic. But no detachable cables.
  • EPH100: Good old, good old. Single DD, Bassy, smoothed highs. But no detachable.
  • FX850 seems to check all your boxes. Bit on the large side, so fit might be tricky.
  • Lear LUM BD4.2: On the fly tuning, forward but smooth treble, Universal, detachable cables, take a look at average_joe's stunning review. But more drivers than kids have teeth.
  • Earsonics Velvet: Recently announced, On the fly tuning, very few impressions in(first impressions sound favorable), universal, detachable. But three way design.
  • Hifiman RE600: Because you know you want it. ;)

These are just a few that you could consider(with some trade offs), off the top of my head.
 
@kenpachiroks
Thanks! I'm unusually picky about this pair since I'll be using it everyday when on the bus/train and want to get it right the first time around.
I've had issues with cables in the past and thus I'm worried about spending a considerable amount on fixed cable versions.
One more thing! Cable must be worn down and not over the ear :p ... So this eliminates a few options.
IE 800 - worried about the cable and its expensive.
Owned the RE 400 but I've heard about so many issues I'm worried about the 600. Again, fixed cables.
Owned the EPH 100. Cables failed after a while, built well but treated badly by me!
All the others are over the ear cables.

@toxicdrift
Bad experiences with both?
 
Ritvik said:
@kenpachiroks
Thanks! I'm unusually picky about this pair since I'll be using it everyday when on the bus/train and want to get it right the first time around.
I've had issues with cables in the past and thus I'm worried about spending a considerable amount on fixed cable versions.
One more thing! Cable must be worn down and not over the ear :p ... So this eliminates a few options.
IE 800 - worried about the cable and its expensive.
Owned the RE 400 but I've heard about so many issues I'm worried about the 600. Again, fixed cables.
Owned the EPH 100. Cables failed after a while, built well but treated badly by me!
All the others are over the ear cables.

@toxicdrift
Bad experiences with both?
Click to expand...

Considering u are willing to spend in 300$ range and want a bassy(relatively iem) the best option would be xba-h3 and ha850.Also newer sony xba a2 and a3 will be out soon though not in india same as h3 and ha-850.Just saw ur cable worn down the ears.................damn,eliminates sony:mad:
But the best value will be fidue a83 and dunu dn-1000,do check out the reviews.Again over the ear:mad:

RE600 is a no no as its not bassy enough,same as re-400 plus the build is mediocre.
U can check out gr07 be going for 107$ but it has harsh treble so stay away if u want smooth treble.Also again over the ear:mad:

Options now

1)jvc ha-fx700,850
2)dunu dn1000
 
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Maybe I should start hunting for a pair of NOS Head Direct RE-1s

That would be pair number four. :p
 
Ritvik said:
@kenpachiroks
Thanks! I'm unusually picky about this pair since I'll be using it everyday when on the bus/train and want to get it right the first time around.
I've had issues with cables in the past and thus I'm worried about spending a considerable amount on fixed cable versions.
One more thing! Cable must be worn down and not over the ear :p ... So this eliminates a few options.
Click to expand...

Now you're just playing with us :rolleyes:

Onkyo IEHF300S : Cable down, single dynamic, fun bass, within the limit highs, universal, removable cables. But they do not isolate well.
Fostex TE-05: Detachable, single DD, cable down, clear bass, good extension. Maybe not bassy enough
Cardas EM5813: Deep speaker type bass, very smooth highs, single DD, cable down, universal, . Fixed cables..:facepalm:

Wild card: Aurisonics Rockets: 5.1mm DD, cable down, tiny tiny titanium housing,. Fixed cables but virtually indestructible and meant to be manhandl(as demonstrated by quite a few videos). But not overly bassy. Give them a look.
Cheapest wild card: The new Hifiman RE300. I'm quite excited about this 50$ strong bass offering from Hifiman. Doesn't suit your requirements though :p
 
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ritvik look into the fidue a83... one of the most well rated / bang for the buck iems this year.. havent heard nothing but praises for that one..
fidue is a australian company btw.. sel round 270/300$ - tpeos altone 200 also check out .. . hybrids r doing well...
 
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toxicdrift said:
ritvik look into the fidue a83... one of the most well rated / bang for the buck iems this year.. havent heard nothing but praises for that one..
fidue is a australian company btw.. sel round 270/300$ - tpeos altone 200 also check out .. . hybrids r doing well...
Click to expand...

Isn't Fidue from mainland China? The packaging and build is sweet.
A83 is bright though. altone200 even more so.
 
Ritvik said:
Been a while since I've been on here! Such has been the satisfaction with my two current IEMs.
I am however on the lookout for a universal IEM and would prefer a single dynamic driver with removable cables. These would be for everyday use and I'm leaning towards a bassy, warm mids and not too treble hot type signature.
I'm out of touch with what's on the market and look forward to some of your suggestions. I'm keen on the JVC FX850 at the moment. No fixed budget, but the lower the better since I just switched sources/amps.
Click to expand...


Sounds exactly like my Sennheiser IE80. deeep bassy bass , not exactly warm midrange but pretty good / (lower mids are warm whereas the slight dip in the rest of the midrange may give some people a slightly v-shaped feel ) . Personally I dont find the mids to be missing or laidback as such.
 
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toxicdrift said:
ritvik look into the fidue a83... one of the most well rated / bang for the buck iems this year.. havent heard nothing but praises for that one..
fidue is a australian company btw.. sel round 270/300$ - tpeos altone 200 also check out .. . hybrids r doing well...
Click to expand...

I suggested fidue a83 first:mad:
 
Thanks again for the suggestions!

Will take a look at the Fostex TE05.

The Fidue ones are again over the ear, might have to be more open with the over the ear options :p .... Some good stuff out there. They're on Massdrop at the moment.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/fidue-a83-hybrid-iem

Will also read up on the Tepos IEMs. Those rockets look interesting as well!

@FaH33m
I've had the IE 7 and IE 8. I liked the 7 a bit more. Not sure if the 80 and the 8 are similar, but I found the bass to be a bit too much on the 8. Also, the sound stage seemed unnaturally exaggerated (if that's possible)
more than some full size open cans! I'm worried that the 2.5mm trrs balanced output which I plan on using might further enhance these two aspects of the 8/80.

Will keep reading up, Black Friday is sometime in December isn't it? :)
 
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There is a new Sony model out in Japan, single ba... Don't know the model ba100 or mdr100 or z100 it's golden in colour
 
Auditioned the RE-600 today. I'm really tempted to get these. I've had bad experiences with my Hifiman IEMs in the past though which is holding me back.

I've seen a few people mod fixed cable IEMs to removable ones, but I'm guessing the tiny size of the housing in this case will make that very hard to do.

Such a nice example of a single driver done right!
 
Ritvik said:
Auditioned the RE-600 today. I'm really tempted to get these. I've had bad experiences with my Hifiman IEMs in the past though which is holding me back.

I've seen a few people mod fixed cable IEMs to removable ones, but I'm guessing the tiny size of the housing in this case will make that very hard to do.

Such a nice example of a single driver done right!
Click to expand...

Horrible build quality............beware
 
Ritvik said:
Auditioned the RE-600 today. I'm really tempted to get these. I've had bad experiences with my Hifiman IEMs in the past though which is holding me back.

I've seen a few people mod fixed cable IEMs to removable ones, but I'm guessing the tiny size of the housing in this case will make that very hard to do.

Such a nice example of a single driver done right!
Click to expand...

Here's another reason ;)
https://www.facebook.com/HiFiMANElectronics/posts/707688969327896
Vesper audio has done some impressive HiFiMAN recabling work(none detachable though). But I do see a sweet detachable ortofon. Maybe ask them if it is possible.

BTW, How different are they from the RE400?
 
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