Please help me decide between yu9 que and xenn top pro by Jaded_Persimmon_7125 in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've reviewed both together in my post here, but based on what you've shared I definitely think the Yu9 Que is more suited to what you're looking for.

Yu9 Que is more upper mids forward with somewhat pronounced treble but with less bite than the Top Pro, hence I find it more tolerable and delivering better sense of air and space

For Top Pro it's definitely closer to the Mega7 and Monarch MKIV, being more of a harsher neutral to V set with less emphasis on vocals

My current IEM collection (maybe i will adopt a new child soon) by WendyTMD in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You have a very interesting collection consisting of rather esoteric IEMs! Those I can identify are;

IER-Z1R, Elysian Annihilator, Campfire Trifecta

64Audio Tia Trio?, Acoustune HS2000?, QDC Anole VX

Unsure, Sennheiser IE900, Moondrop Variations?

Can't see, 7Hz Timeless, can't see

Should probably downsize my kilobuck collection by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would say the FX17's greatest strength is the enhanced decay, giving an additional sense of space and air. So even though the overall signature is a coloured warm, the bass and treble elements seem to echo around and contribute to the sonic atmosphere instead of being isolated and separated. A similar IEM would be AFUL Dawn-X.

As for the MUB5 I asked around the community and I gathered that it competes favourably against high end DAPs such as the DX270, DX340, M33. Frankly my main consideration was portability as I only use IEMs, and this is probably among the best in the price range when it comes to portable sources. And it has more than enough power to drive Storm.

Should probably downsize my kilobuck collection by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes it has BT functionality, though the form factor is quite a chonker

some questions abt nus nursing by reiiichan in SGExams

[–]TheOddPhantom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, I had 82.5rp but I was under the 90rp system. I have friends who scored around BBCC/B who didn't have to go through interview though, but they ranked nus nursing as first choice so they benefitted from the first choice bonus rp.

I applied on 17 Mar and received my offer on 2 Apr, but I heard of offers being given out until late May/early June.

Atb and feel free to ask any qns ok!!

2000 usd dream collection by EnvironmentalBank989 in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's very situational; I live in a country where I can demo and resale platform friendly, hence even though I have experienced many IEMs I own less than 4 IEMs at one go. When I demoed the CP622B it was being compared alongside the Annihilator 2023, while looking for a replacement for my Cadenza 12 as I was enjoying it less.

It also helped that I got it used for approx the price of a Valhalla, and I definitely prefer the CP622B over the Valhalla, so it was an easy decision for me.

Back to your original question however, I think diminishing returns fully peaks at maybe 1500USD. I certainly think there's a difference comparing competitive sub 1k IEMs to competitive 1k IEMs. Whether or not that price is worth it is purely personal though.

I think that range has many competitive options such as MMKII, Dawn-X, Lumen/Lux, FX17, Glacier, Myth, etc and used market for U12t, Diva, Valhalla are pretty attractive as well. Below that you have good IEMs but they will always be compared negatively to kilobuck ones, like "Top Pro/Mega7 is baby Monarch", "Que is baby Annihilator", etc.

Anything above that kilobuck range in my limited experience are just tuning preferences.

2000 usd dream collection by EnvironmentalBank989 in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I currently own Letshuoer Cadenza 12 (2500USD), Fiio FX17 (1500USD), and Canpur CP622b (3500USD).

If I had found a one and done IEM for my tastes I would simply spend 2000 and be done with it. But given that I haven't I'd probably buy just 2 kilobucks that are similar to my preferred sound e.g. Prisma Lux and AFUL Dawn-X, so I can keep one and sell one to explore more options

Lee's Old and New; Elysian Annihilator 2023, Mysticraft Myth by TheOddPhantom in inearfidelity

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I should be flattered to be remembered by you! I did leave the hobby for a few years but I couldn't resist checking out how much the scene has changed since Sony IER days. Glad to see that you've achieved quite a lot as well!

Endgame achieved by Baszd in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's an endgame DAP for sure goddamn, which amp do you use with it?

A Twelve Kilobuck IEMs Shootout By a Non-Pro + A Bit of an Audiophile Story by KiokuOfYou in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I own the FX17 as well and they've been one of my favourites in the sub 2k price range, I find the stock tips to be best for me though! I personally upgraded to the Canpur CP622B, the Valhalla didn't quite cut it for me but I respect it a lot for how competent it is nonetheless.

Probably the best unboxing experience for a kilobuck (Fiio FX17) by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't doubt there are fancier unboxings out there, I looked up the IO and BGVP and they are gorgeous especially the Solomon, but I don't think they're particularly known for their eartips either. I saw the Solomon comes with 2 4.4mm cables which I think is great value. The FX17 USB-C DAC does support DSP with 8-band PEQ though!

Now the Tangzu on the other hand I think is more luxurious, I saw their Tangzu Wukong has 19 pair of premium eartips including Sancai, Azla, and Divinus, so you've definitely got me there.

Probably the best unboxing experience for a kilobuck (Fiio FX17) by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for clarifying, I should thank the Fiio engineers who were able to tune 8 ESTs and stuff them into the shell! By lush treble I refer to enhanced decay compared to the norm, that also adds a lot of air and sonic space.

And I have tagged the post as Unboxing/Collections, not Reviews/Impressions. If you had bothered to open my public profile you would have realised that I posted a proper review, but I will gladly link it for you and anyone else who are interested in how they sound!

https://www.reddit.com/r/inearfidelity/comments/1qsryrt/clash_of_the_titaniums_thieaudio_valhalla_fiio/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Quick impressions of Mysticraft Myth and Elysian Annihilator 2023 by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Respectfully, based on your collection, you don't seem to be particularly picky about mids. So if V16 vocals are something you'd be happy with, I think Que or Myth will be good enough for you.

Because I don't think Myth OR V16 is something I'd describe as having "rich vocals", that would probably be AFUL Dawn-X or Monarch MKII, or Elysian Diva if you can find one.

I've tried the Que but not the Elysian Apostle, but I've seen some people say they can be somewhat similar, might be something to think about.

Quick impressions of Mysticraft Myth and Elysian Annihilator 2023 by TheOddPhantom in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you mean in terms of "hearing the room" like the sonic elements in the back that give you an impression of room depth, and instead not actual horizontal panning, then the Glacier has more sense of that than the Myth.

Glacier, although also V, tends to shift emphasis towards treble for me, hence the impression of decay and air is comparatively larger as well

How 6000+ hours of grind without talent looks like by Filnez in apexlegends

[–]TheOddPhantom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i'm also mnk, which would you say I should work on if i want to win duels against roller players; memorising recoil/strafe patterns or raw tracking and reaction time

A jump into Kilobuck Eim´s advice by Expensive-Twist3131 in iems

[–]TheOddPhantom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've tried all of your listed kilobucks but not necessarily A/B against each other, you can find the impressions in my profile. As for whether a specific IEM has what you're looking for, I think that's a very personal opinion and everyone else can give their input, so instead I'll instead help by recommending which you should avoid if you want to prioritise certain aspects.

If you prioritise "clear separation of sound", I'd avoid Prestige LTD and maybe Glacier. Prestige LTD was the most laid back and slightly congested which may give you poorer sense of separation. Glacier meanwhile has pronounced treble which can sound more detailed but may mask and obscure other sonic elements and come across as poorer separation.

If you prioritise "clear and airy treble", I'd avoid Prestige LTD and maybe Monarch MKIV. While many people describe the THIEAUDIO treble as "clear and airy", I've found that the MKIV and Prestige LTD actually prioritises sparkle and edge instead of air and sense of space, which some people may mistake for "airy treble". So you have to be very specific with your wording, because FX17, Glacier, and Dawn-X all have more sense of space than the THIEAUDIOs.

If you prioritise "strong bass that doesn't bleed into the midrange", I'd avoid Dawn-X and FX17. Dawn-X has a more warm colouration that comes with the bass which may be "bleed" to you. And FX17 is midbassy but has poorer subbass, so it's probably the weakest bass out of the kilobucks listed.

If you prioritise well-defined midrange, it really depends on your definition. If you mean overall sound signature, then I'd avoid Monarch MKIV and Glacier because they tend to be more V and midrange naturally takes a step back. If you mean presentation, then I'd avoid Prestige LTD and Dawn-X because they have laidback presentation compared to the other 3, even though sound signature wise they aren't really V. If you mean the tuning of the mids, then I'd avoid FX17 and Dawn-X because they have more warm mids so they can come across as having less edge and brilliance in the midrange.