# Known Good-to-my-ears IEMs ## iSine 20 So far my favorite IEMs are the [[Audeze iSine 20]] (w/house DSP) and the [[Empire Ears Bravado]]. The corrected iSine tuning is basically Harman-ish, and the iSine's fast planar bass and semi-open sound are both great and contribute to my generally impressing on it as a basic all-around earphone. ## Empire Ears Bravado The Bravado, on the other hand, is basically a subbass delivery vehicle. (I guess I'm a basshead, lol.) While its bass response looks absolutely absurd, it has an overall very pleasing tuning, but with the ability to dig deep on [[organ]], [[bass]], and [[tuba]] recordings, as well as bassy [[electronic]] music and [[hip-hop]]. Also great when I'm stuck in pandemic isolation, pining for live music, because with a bit of extra bass EQ, the Bravado really conveys the kind of over-the-top bass you get at live shows when you're up near the stage. Aside from the stock cable and some issues around customer service for same, the Bravado's only weakness for me is that it is extremely prone to driver flex, making eartip selection somewhat fraught. I've had good results with the [Small Flare Audio Earfoams](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N12SDN6), which are unusual wide-bore foam eartips, and the [Advanced Eartune Fidelity U](https://eartune.com/collections/shop/products/eartune-fidelity-u) ellipse-shaped silicone tips. Everything else has been a real PITA. _Update: After a quite a long time in use, the driver flex has settled down somewhat, making the supplied final tips actually quite usable._ ![[Pasted image 20210222001835.png]] ## Periodic Audio Carbon While I mostly listen to the Bravado nowadays, I do also get quite a bit of use out of the [[Periodic Audio Carbon]]. These are too v-shaped for my preferences, but otherwise clean and very punchy. They also are super lightweight and are worn down, so sometimes -- as when wearing a mask -- they are more practical than over-ear IEMs. ## GT3 Superbass I also really like the [[Advanced GT3 Superbass]], which is a very odd low-sensitivity dynamic driver IEM. Despite the name, its stock bass performance is only modestly elevated; overall the mids are much more emphasized, but probably it's harder to market an IEM as "GT3 Supermids." Upper frequency is wonky and requires [[Frequency and EQ Notes#EQ]]. ![[Pasted image 20210222002257.png]] # IEM Window-shopping ## IEMs with tuning I would be expected to enjoy: - ==Moondrop Variations:== Sounds like these are a really good tribrid electret design. Subbass looks just right, doesn't look like midbass bleed. * Thieaudio Monarch: Currently much hyped for audiophile basshead stuff. Very close to the iSine curve. However, it sounds like the revision would be less to my taste. * ==Bravado Mkii== Looks like they improved the upper end of the frequency response including adding electrostats. The graphs look very good for my tastes. But I don't love incremental upgradism. * ==Advanced Furai:== Curve like a less peaky GT-3 Superbass. And I love the GT-3 Superbass driver. But these seem pricey for what they are and don't seem to go on sale. * Dita Fidelity: One of the luxe IEMs that's semi-close to iSine curve * Hyla Sarda: Hyla is highly regarded for bass performance. ![[Pasted image 20220128131423.png]] ## IEMs that might offer a pleasant contrast: * Campfire Andromeda: one of the most popular IEMs in the $1k territory. Supposed to have particularly good soundstage. #list