True, But I also just like the bose curve anyway, but wondering if there is a ZS in ear that does something similar to how bose does it.. I mean they do have a lot of models.. but can't tell the real difference between them yet..
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Any recommendation on wired in-ears for big stage theater gigs?
- Thread starter bassfacer22
- Start date
I went ahead and looked at some Bose graphs and at least the ones I saw seemed to be in the same family...a \ curve (downward sloping line on avg actually) the IE2 being the most "extreme". As far as I'm aware, the great majority of the pop chi-fi IEMs (balanced armature for mid and hf) are aimed at a more V shape tuned response curve with hyped highs in the brilliance/sparkle range. Mids vary. They seem to be largely targeted toward young ears, current electronic sub-bass heavy music, and computer and gaming uses...there could be other trends IDK...so many models are put out.
While I don't believe you'll just stumble across anything that has a curve like Bose, I think that your best bet at finding something that would get you where you want to be with the least EQing would be to look at dynamic (undoubtedly what's in the Bosa that you like) or planar driver models.
Painting with very broad strokes dynamic and planar drivers are generally described with terms like "natural", "warm" and "rich" and both also often do well at the lower end and in the presence range of high mids crossing over into the low end of treble, and planar share qualities with dynamic but tend to go higher on the top end. Using crossovers and dedicated drivers to have in-your-face highs all the way to 20kHz is where balanced armatures live.
Some models I've tried that might be worth taking a look at...and how I'm coming at this is that I like to try various budget IEMs to see what buzzes are about for myself and have collected up a handful...I'm not a big fan of the ZS10 Pro because I personally find that it sounds comparatively harsh to me and I find it the least isolating that I've tried.
Dynamic ($19)
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
One thing I personally liked is these happen to fit my ears exceeding well and actually have a metal shell that, while not bulky at all, give them this little but of heft that I surprisingly find kind of pleasant. While I haven't taken them out on a gig to see how they do, I'm confident from what I've seen with others that they'd be fine. In listening and comparing, they sound great to me.
Planar (Was ~$50 now $80 head scratcher)
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
I've tried the KZ PR1 and PR1 Pro (as fast as these things come out, they're probably up to the PR5 or something by now). I think these sound great. I did take them out on a couple gigs to give them a whirl and using my personal favorite measure of how well IEMs create the illusion that in addition to the IEMs I'm hearing/feeling an amp behind me, they took the top slot among IEMs I've tried. They could easily be clean and too bassy with EQing. I find them warm and full.
Dynamic/Planar ($70 (BASN, not KZ))
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www.amazon.com
This has one dynamic/one planar. Nothing is really hyped although it has strong bass and a hi-mid boost in the presence range. This one I checked out a little bit just as my messing with the these kind of dropped off some...I didn't play out with them. From listening and briefly comparing, I found them just solid...nothing negative to my ear to note. The model is marketed as being designed for musicians and for mixing.
It's a mymix system, but I should say this, the ZS10 pro sounds good, but I am interested in seeing if there i
Are others that are less harsh on the high end.. for example even the sounds while typing out on a phone (like touch interaction and dialing buttons are very harsh to hear..)
I'm wondering if there is a less harsh high sensitivity that makes clicks seem like they are slapping two metal blocks together
Thanks for the very detailed reply..
I probabaly should give you and anyone else following this thread an update:
- so the ZS10 Pro seem to sound decent when I press in on the ear prices and they sit in a very specific way in my ear. So clearly I will need the custom fitt3d models at some point.. but for now it appears the only way I can try to get the best sound is to buy the foam tips and see if that helps keep them pushed far into my ear.. it appears to be a suction or form fitting into my ear that keeps the ZS10 pro from being it's best for me..
So I remember another helpful member posted the foam tips on Amazon and I'll buy those right away..
I will also order one or two of these in ears you mentioned up above from Amazon as well..
I went ahead and ordered these to try for now.. I may consider the 3rd recommendation for $80 after I see how these are.
IEMs | TRUTHEAR Official Website
Every try any of these truthear models? I was thinking to try the Hexa or Nova as well..
I have the TruthEar Zero (Blue). I like the sound a lot, but they have the biggest diameter nozzle of any that I've tried and while they simply feel snug to start, I tried playing out with them and after one set, there was discomfort that would have turned to pain (just too much pressure around the tip)...very much a me problem due to my ears. I would imagine the nozzle size is the same across the models, so I wouldn't be interested in the others.IEMs | TRUTHEAR Official Website
truthear.com
Every try any of these truthear models? I was thinking to try the Hexa or Nova as well..
What's your goal here? It appeared it was to find something similar to the Bose sound that you like, which I personally think is going to mean just trying to get into the ballpark with specific IEMs that otherwise work for you and maybe hope to find something that can most easily EQ closer. If you're just enjoying yourself trying a bunch of different things without any particular aim, I get it 200%...I do that myself...carry on. Doing things that way opens up the possibility you accidentally find you like something better.
But in terms of looking for a particular sound profile that has more subdued highs, IMO, going after models with inherently brilliant highs has potential drawbacks. The more EQing that's required, the greater the likelihood that the effect is broader than desired...e.g., boosting bass negatively impacts mids and muddies overall or taming highs ends up smothering the character.
I tried the KZ ZVXs this past weekend on gigs. I thought they sounded very good and isolated well, really nice bass. With no cinch on the cable though, I was struck by how different fitting well while listening to music at home and playing out can be. I've used other cables without cinches before without a problem, but with this one, the loops wouldn't stay behind my ears for very long with the cable running down my back. So they made it one set on Friday, then Saturday, the little makeshift cinch I made didn't stay in place so, same thing. But I got them out there and gave them a try and they did well IMO for the sound.