Use your brain homie lol

For me, there are several major audiophile stores within 30 minutes by subway. Perks of living in a giant city…

All the stores here have demo units.

Only place I can use an open back headphone is at home, and I dont even like them there because my neighbors are noisy. IEMs I can use anywhere.

Plus, this post reads to me like you havent tried a TOTL IEM. I’ve tried a bunch of TOTL IEMS back to back with open and closed back TOTL headphones, and the IEMs were just as good. Better even in some aspects like detail.

Cbf… I’m a “press the bass boost button” kind of guy. Keep it simple.

For the price point its pretty good. I disagree with it being able to handle EQ perfectly cleanly though.

Need some tin foil methinks

FiR audio are. They specifically made their IEMs with repairability in mind. Easily replaceable mesh filters, and easily replaceable IEM-side 2 pin connector in case it ever fails.

Skrr skrrrrrr

I’m fortunate to have several local brick and mortars where I can demo almost any unit from any brand. I purchase there too.

It’s tricky. I remember reading something about a guy who intentionally made a really shitty sounding cable just to prove they can make a difference. Can’t remember where I read that though.

Larger than my B3 and I think B3 are larger than B2

Yeah definitely. It doesn’t compete with my kilobuck IEMs in terms of slam or detail, but I wouldnt really expect it to. The best praise I can give it is I think I find it still worth listening to sometimes even with a $3k IEM within arms reach.

I’m finding either due to burn in (not sure if this is real) or tip rolling im actually getting a pretty decent bass rumble out of it now.

Bassy and sparkle don’t have to be mutually exclusive IMO. But it takes a special IEM to do both well.

Some IEMs go deep deep, others fit much more shallow.

My FiR KR5 could hold me over forever I think.

Looks great. My budget / beater setup is quite similar. Blessing 3s with coreir tips (MS size happens to be clear and blue that match visually super well), and a Qudelix 5k

Depends on the tech used I think.

I’ve found that IEMs that use some variation of bone conduction for bass (EE Odin, FiR Frontier series, etc) have a huge benefit of the bass being distinct from the rest. I can EQ the tits off of my FiR for example and never lose definition in the mids or highs. I assume that’s because of the “kinetic bass” back vented DD they are using.

FiR Krypton 5: Hip hop & harder rock tracks - for when I want the music to be in my face and intimate

Monarch MK3: Everything else - for when I want more soundstage and holographic presence

Blessing 3: Hiking & when I expect to be sweaty

I let them try my IEMs if they want. They either get it, or they don’t. So far, most have got it - but I think I have an easier time converting people who like bass.

Favorite: Carbon

Least favorite: Wood