IEMs (In-Ear Monitors)

Grim5 · 15 Mar 2025 at 08:13

Azza said:
Nope, the faceplate just dropped out. Still sound as they did.

Heard the dog playing with something on the hallway tiles and seen him pushing it around with his nose. Glad he didn't try to eat it!

Mandarin quality

Jupiter · 15 Mar 2025 at 12:42

Does no one else get discomfort from IEMs? I'd like to be able to use them, but always fall back to over-ear or on-ear solutions. Seems like there's no equivalent market for non in-ear earbuds that target professional quality sound

Flibster · 15 Mar 2025 at 14:46

Jupiter said:
Does no one else get discomfort from IEMs? I'd like to be able to use them, but always fall back to over-ear or on-ear solutions. Seems like there's no equivalent market for non in-ear earbuds that target professional quality sound

Other half does, but she's got really small ear canals. Even the smallest foam tips are too large.

Not had any pain myself in over 25 years of using IEM's.

Jenz · 15 Mar 2025 at 15:50

Jupiter said:
Does no one else get discomfort from IEMs? I'd like to be able to use them, but always fall back to over-ear or on-ear solutions. Seems like there's no equivalent market for non in-ear earbuds that target professional quality sound

Is the problem the ear tips? Have tried tip rolling?

pooley · 15 Mar 2025 at 16:18

I would also suggest tip rolling, I have found smaller soft tips are better suited for me, especially for long listening sessions.

Raymond Lin · 16 Mar 2025 at 16:37

This will be my portable rig for a while.

Jenz · 16 Mar 2025 at 18:58

May I ask what is the case and what is the dac?

Raymond Lin · 16 Mar 2025 at 19:06

Jenz said:
May I ask what is the case and what is the dac?

The case came with the EW300, the dac is the Onix Alpha xi1.

Jenz · 17 Mar 2025 at 12:49

I just ordered TRN Shell's, TRN Jaws, and the Fiio KA15 dac amp, and a bunch of cables in the Aliexpress sale. I cancelled my order of the Crinacle Blue 2's based on the mediocre reviews.

Raymond Lin · 17 Mar 2025 at 12:55

Jenz said:
I just ordered TRN Shell's, TRN Jaws, and the Fiio KA15 dac amp, and a bunch of cables in the Aliexpress sale. I cancelled my order of the Crinacle Blue 2's based on the mediocre reviews.

What phone are you using?

Jenz · 17 Mar 2025 at 14:26

Raymond Lin said:
What phone are you using?

iPhone 15 pro max

Raymond Lin · 17 Mar 2025 at 14:33

Jenz said:
iPhone 15 pro max

Ah, you will be okay then, I had to get a special Lighting to USB-C cable for the DAC to work with the phone, the Apple cable or other lightning cable doesn't work.

Jenz · 24 Mar 2025 at 19:35

Added a TRN Shell to my collection today plus the Fiio KA15. Both lovely. Also very happy with the JCally JM6 Pro usb-c dac/amp. Far better than the Apple dongle.

Jenz · 25 Mar 2025 at 16:30

And today I snagged a Crinear Meta preorder. Looking forward to trying it out.

Raymond Lin · 25 Mar 2025 at 17:46

Jenz said:
And today I snagged a Crinear Meta preorder. Looking forward to trying it out.

Oh well done, they sold out fast.

I only just caught the video an hour ago.

Cromulent · 26 Mar 2025 at 13:02

No idea how they are but they are made by a well regarded individual.

CrinEar Project Meta [Pre-order]

Project Meta is the debut model of Crinacle's own brand, CrinEar. Following a refined tilted Diffuse Field response and enhanced with a tasteful bass boost, it delivers a sound signature that balances precision with musicality. Secure yours before they’re gone.

hangout.audio

Jenz · 26 Mar 2025 at 13:05

Cromulent said:
No idea how they are but they are made by a well regarded individual.

CrinEar Project Meta [Pre-order]

Project Meta is the debut model of Crinacle's own brand, CrinEar. Following a refined tilted Diffuse Field response and enhanced with a tasteful bass boost, it delivers a sound signature that balances precision with musicality. Secure yours before they’re gone.

hangout.audio

There are now many trusted reviews thankfully saying they are good.

Cromulent · 26 Mar 2025 at 13:10

Jenz said:
There are now many trusted reviews thankfully saying they are good.

Awesome. I'll watch a few when I get home.

Raymond Lin · 26 Mar 2025 at 13:11

Cromulent said:
No idea how they are but they are made by a well regarded individual.

CrinEar Project Meta [Pre-order]

Project Meta is the debut model of Crinacle's own brand, CrinEar. Following a refined tilted Diffuse Field response and enhanced with a tasteful bass boost, it delivers a sound signature that balances precision with musicality. Secure yours before they’re gone.

hangout.audio

There are some reviews already from a few channels, it doesn't sound like its something I like.

One thing I am wary of from any boutique manufacturer for electronics is economy of scale. Since he isn't physically smelting metal and making his own mould and wiring any of the elecontrics or drivers. He is essentially getting a company get make a mould for custom shell then off the shelf parts for drivers. Due to the economy of scale....cost per unit will be much higher than a larger order.

This will put a ceiling on the quality of parts he can use in order to maintain his profit margin. I know he has gone with direct to consumer method, he says to give the customer a better value, which I think has a lot of truth to it, but how much of the economy of scale vs the wholesale cut savings offset each other is something that only he knows. I suspect it might not be that much in the end vs other IEM in the $200-300 price bracket.

Cromulent · 26 Mar 2025 at 13:13

Raymond Lin said:
There are some reviews already from a few channels, it doesn't sound like its something I like.

One thing I am wary of from any boutique manufacturer for electronics is economy of scale. Since he isn't physically smelting metal and making his own mould and wiring any of the elecontrics or drivers. He is essentially getting a company get make a mould for custom shell then off the shelf parts for drivers. Due to the economy of scale....cost per unit will be much higher than a larger order.

This will put a ceiling on the quality of parts he can use in order to maintain his profit margin. I know he has gone with direct to consumer method, he says to give the customer a better value, which I think has a lot of truth to it, but how much of the economy of scale vs the wholesale cut savings offset each other is something that only he knows. I suspect it might not be that much in the end vs other IEM in the $200-300 price bracket.

Fair point. There are just so many options in the IEM world that it is hard to make an informed decision. The two IEMs I already have are amazing for the price.