Why would you pay this much for UIEMs?
I paid full retail for them because they are just that good.
I didn't want to go custom without having more time with the IEM's and going Universal allows resale. Hell these sell 2nd hand for $1000.
Regarding the sound, I found them better than the Roxanne (also universal). Much more detailed and less dark.
For those saying that to spend this much on UIEMs is crazy and you should get customs, why?
Isolation, sure... Sound? Well that is subjective. The only IEM I would consider getting custom now is the Mentor!
Further to this, if you were to buy this now and love it as much as I have, you can always send them off later and you have a pair of Mentor Customs for $1400.
If I didnt have them already, I would be all over this.
I've owned customs and universals and I think many here are exaggerating the differences. Hell, I've had customs turned universals and vice versa and couldn't tell a differences.
It's all about isolation and fit. If you can get some nice tips for universals like Complys (or the generics on Amazon that are better IMO) and can get that fit and isolation then it sounds the same.
For the price here you're going to get some of them best, if not THE best, IEM on the market...period. Custom or not.
Plus with universals you will usually not get fitting issues and resale is boosted a lot. Those CIEM's that you're going to have to price for $300 to get them sold could fetch $400-500 if they were universals simply because the person buying wouldn't have to spend time and money getting them remolded.
This is all just my opinion of course...but I do know what I'm talking about. Plus, in the end, if UM didn't think they could get premium sound out of the universal shell for the Mentor then they wouldn't have made it. Since they're making it that must mean it means their seal of approval.
For sound gear, the best are the ones which give you pleasure, review can't give it to you. Only testing or it's just idiotphily. (a fact, not against someone)
Many people have the same pleasure with 1000$ gear and 100$ gear (for the same guy).
You see it a lot on Head Fi.
Anyway for IEM at 800$+ you need an audio source at the same price to have the best benefit from them.
And after one gear for classic/jazz aren't the same for rock or electronic.
None can do it currently (maybe in some years)
Rage87It's also true for low impedance IEM. The main complaint of the SE846 is hissing because the impedance was so low. Even the Fiio x5 didn't cut it because the impedance was too high and there was still hissing. Putting it in your phone didn't cut it either.
You need a good source with the right impedance match up for hiss to not happen. Usually it isn't a problem unless you have power hungry headphones or something really low like the se846. And it definitely makes a difference in the sound quality.
Oh man... universal fit? Why would you guys do this? It's not like you're going to sell even twenty pairs!
Ultimately, I could get the $700 Unique Melody in custom fit and experience greater comfort and better sound. The only reason to buy this would be to show off.
EDIT: From the Sleek Audio drop: "..CT7s on Massdrop, represent the best sound quality per dollar available in CIEMs right now." yeah well when they're up against a universal, they probably have the best sound quality available in IEMs full stop.
I have a pair of JH16pro CIEM and I don't like the fit. Had to refit 3 times and finally just gave up. I have a Universal IEM Tralucent 1plus2 and like them over all better because of the fit. I can only listen to the CIEM for an hour before I have to take them out because of discomfort. Sound quality is right on par with each other but just like the fit of UIEM better. That's just me though.
jjshin23That is rough that you have had so many issues with CIEM - they have given me nothing but a great experience - It has been my experience that it all boils down to the impressions - the shops usually do a great job with what they are given - Usually - sometimes there is no winning, so I feel for you - the 16 is a great phone. So is the 1p2 though.