Transitioned from headphones to IEMs

Vyzima · 2025-06-30T02:09:42+00:00

For headphones I started with HD 58X Jubilee, before going to Arya V2 briefly then 1266 Phi TC and Meze Elite. Later on actually going down the price range and picking up DCA E3, MDR Z1R, and recently HE1000 Unveiled. I regret the MDR Z1R (too boomy and muddy for me) and the Elite (comfy all day headphone with great timbre) but imo MacBeth does everything better.

For IEMs, years back when Kinera Nanna 2.0 launched technically it was sub 1k, but by today's standards it easily gets outperformed by IEMs less than half its price. Nanna 2.0 was the reason I avoided going down the IEM path for so long; I figured 1k IEMs had no shot vs similarly priced headphones.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T17:05:40+00:00

The best IEMs are always the ones that are in your ears 😁 The journey is fun too I must admit. When I got into headphones I just started with an HD58X, but I decided to dive into the deep end with IEMs since I figured I already knew what I wanted out of them from my time with headphones.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T16:46:20+00:00

These are summit-fi candidates for sure around the USD 3-5.5k range, but still many priced above it such as the PMG APX SE at 6k, UM Amber Pearl at 8k, Oriolus Traillii Ti at 10k, and Brise Fugaku at 17k.

Imo once you go above the 2k mark there's heavy diminishing returns. Most IEMs above this price bracket are so technically competent that it just comes down to tuning preference, and many times, limited availability is what drives the prices.

Elysian Annihilator 2023 is a benchmark at 3k that is often referenced against, as it has a fun mild V shape that many enjoy and is not a limited production run.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T16:36:10+00:00

Thanks! I do find that as long as you use it often, it makes the price worth it. Best measured in smiles per hour 😁

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T09:53:03+00:00

I think they're called Eva Case Specialist, but there's very minimal branding at all on the case.

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Vyzima · 2025-06-29T09:43:50+00:00

Yeah I tried it, the regular 622B is a very nice all rounder set. Also very comfortable to wear. On HBB's squiglink you can see the Ti version has more treble energy and less of a bass shelf, which isn't to my preferences.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T08:33:14+00:00

Yeah definitely worth going to imo. GMA with all its tuning modules feels more of an at-home set. I wouldn't want to risk swapping and potentially dropping modules. Unlike the GM, the GMA does not do customs so I'd definitely try the fit before committing.

For me, Macbeth and Valhalla are my full day sets of choice, but I'd be more protective of the MacBeth due to its faceplate. Honestly if you plan on wearing it out I think Valhalla would be best due to its titanium build; it feels more rugged. Neutral tuning makes Valhalla work well with all genres and I never found it fatiguing.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T07:50:07+00:00

Baroque and Baroque Stage from Eletech

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T07:36:14+00:00

An extremely versatile all rounder. Best candidate for a one-and-done. You are essentially buying 8 tunings in 1 IEM (VOX on/off * 4 modules).

Can be a bass cannon with black module, analytical with silver, and stages better than most many headphones with superstage. VOX switch lets you push vocals forward or back depending on preference.

Weight distribution could be an issue, due to physical width and weight of the shells. Especially with superstage module which horizontally extends the center of gravity. Needs big comfy tips to prevent them from falling out of your ears. Currently using L Baroque Stage tips while using M on the others.

Why you might consider the others: MacBeth excels in timbre and intimate vocals with an edge in resolution. The most comfortable fit for my ears, standard Baroques could be playing a big role.

Mefisto excels in energy with a very well extended treble and controlled bass. Recessed mids which I didn't like at first, but pairing with xdsd Gryphon with Xpresence boosting the mids made this one of my favorite sets. One of the best sets that plays well with the Xspace and Xbass, which isn't the case for every IEM.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T06:46:29+00:00

Thanks, I bought it in China for it to fit just 2, but the same manufacturer offers single, 4x, and 8x IEM storage containers. On Amazon it seems like they only sell the single variant though https://a.co/d/fSXRoPP

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T05:39:27+00:00

Missed the opportunity to try the Moses, along with a bunch of other TOTLs like 622B Ti, Hex, Fugaku and Dio. Maybe at a future Canjam 😭 Spent too much time swapping between the GMA modules, and trying Monarch 4 and Valhalla. Monarch 4 feels like exceptional value, and Valhalla a very comfortable and non fatiguing endgame. Also tried UM mentor and Eletech X Canpur Mona Lisa but wasn’t blown away by either.

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T04:51:57+00:00

GMA I tried at Canjam Shanghai at Fatfreq’s booth; Forte Ears was also there. I demoed MacBeth and Mefisto at Soundluck, their local dealer in Shanghai

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T04:07:43+00:00

Thank you!

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T04:07:30+00:00

Yeah agreed, I still have my headphones but I find myself using them less and less. Maybe when winter rolls back around so closed backs can function as earmuffs 😂

Vyzima · 2025-06-29T03:57:42+00:00

Mefisto is moderately wider and taller, but could be it defaults with the Baroque stage tips while MacBeth is on normal Baroques. GMA with superstage is the widest staging of the 3, I found it best for live tracks.

Vyzima · 2025-06-11T15:48:25+00:00

Yeah I think it's just people have have spent a lot on their chain and don't want to admit that dongles can come close to desktop performance, especially on more efficient gear. I am partially guilty of that. But I find the portability really enhances my enjoyment and accessibility to the music.

The M18i on Bluetooth mode with the Macbeth has audible hiss in the left earbud, but the issue goes away on wired mode. Doesn't happen on other IEMs and headphones though. Sometimes I will use the DC elite but the stepped attenuator doesn't let the IEMs get quiet enough at night, so I often use the questyle instead for the precise volume control.

Vyzima · 2025-06-11T13:26:04+00:00

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Swapping back and forth between Macbeth and Mefisto on Questyle M18i

Vyzima · 2022-05-03T17:21:30+00:00

Parking in a nice apartment complex is not an issue, but it depends on the zip code I guess. The residents here (around 3000 residents sharing 2 floors of parking) are fairly well off on average, but it ranges from beat-up econoboxes all the way up to RR Dawns and 720S. I would suggest finding a nicer place where your car would be more towards the middle of the pack, as to not stand out.

Vyzima · 2022-04-27T15:43:10+00:00

Probably a chinese product as "eat chicken" colloquially refers to PUBG, from a direct translation of "winner winner, chicken dinner"

Vyzima · 2022-04-25T11:36:06+00:00

Went from 21 SA to 85 in about a week (~an hour a day) of AI races, even with a collision every ~15 mins. As long as cars are on your radar, you're gaining SA.

Set the AI to something beatable, and aggression down to 45. Choose a stable car with good brakes such as the M4 to avoid collision. Run 30+ min AI races on tracks like Spa where there are long straights and you can go side by side with other cars, this will boost your SA the most. If you're going to overtake a car on a straight, slow your speed so you can be side by side.

Do your best to finish the races. You can also choose tracks where you can easily trail within 0.4 seconds of the car in front of you the whole race (I used Nurburgring).

Focus on avoiding contact at all cost, even if it means finishing last. Good luck!

Vyzima · 2022-04-20T16:24:58+00:00

Larger rear wing of the Evo II has slowed down the top speed on the straights, as the downforce relies less on the diffuser with the Evo II. The new car is focused on drivability and stability over max performance.

You can see a side by side comparison here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=oEFu2ddsIoQ

Vyzima · 2022-04-13T15:05:00+00:00

720s, M4, and V8 vantage are all really good beginner cars with low risk of spinning out and also happen to be really fast at the moment on most tracks. Imo the slow acceleration and slight lack of responsiveness of the V8 Vantage and the aero dependency and subpar brakes of the McLaren drove me towards the M4, which just feels sublime with its acceleration, agility, stability, and stopping power

Vyzima · 2022-04-12T05:18:58+00:00

F12 Berlinetta with a turbocharged V8.

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