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IEM with the "British sound"

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djb

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Oct 13, 2023
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Looking for a IEM that has a Wharfedale Linton sound. I got a pair of Linsoul KZ 10 Pros based on glowing reviews and find them unusable due to their shrill presentation; zero bass. Detail is great but I am sensitive to high frequency. Ive been looking at the Truthear Blue2 or Red. I understand you can tame treble with some tape but not necessary flatten the curve or boost bass

Any suggestions?
 
I agree with kemmler about the seal .

Use the alternate tone signal here to test https://asiaudio.com/pages/audio-seal-test

But after that , you'll be better playing with EQ to get close to the sound signature you want rather than trying to buy a pair of iem with that baked in .
 
I’d give the Hidizs MM2, KBEAR Rosefinch, or Fiio JD7 a shot. All three deliver quality bass without the need for EQ and offer a smooth, fatigue-free listening experience. The MM2, with its magnetostatic hybrid design, adds a touch of treble sparkle for extra detail. The Rosefinch leans into deep, warm bass, making it a solid budget pick for bass lovers. Meanwhile, the JD7 is a well-balanced all-rounder with a natural, full-bodied sound and a comfortable fit. Of course, a lot depends on the eartips—finding the right size and material is crucial for comfort, isolation, and getting the best sound. For me, KZ Starline eartips never worked and are immediately discarded. Instead, I’ve had success with Final Audio E-Type (which run slightly smaller, so I size up), Sony EPEX11LB, KBEAR 07, and DUNU Candy eartips.
 
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Jimbob54 said:
I agree with kemmler about the seal .

Use the alternate tone signal here to test https://asiaudio.com/pages/audio-seal-test
Click to expand...
I've been researching this as well. I'm going to try some memory foam and large TRI Clarion tips to see what happens. I mean, I get literallyno bass out of the KZ'z. I have noticed a significant difference in bass sounds while working out with cheap Bluetooth earbuds when I get hot and the earbuds slip out some. thanks for the suggestions.
 
I might as well order another cheap IEM while putting all the new tips in the Amazon cart. Would you add suggest the Kbdar Risefinch Michou suggested or the budget darling Moondrop Chu II?
 
djb said:
I've been researching this as well. I'm going to try some memory foam and large TRI Clarion tips to see what happens. I mean, I get literallyno bass out of the KZ'z. I have noticed a significant difference in bass sounds while working out with cheap Bluetooth earbuds when I get hot and the earbuds slip out some. thanks for the suggestions.
Click to expand...
I used to work for a company that sold IEMs and large memory foam tips fixed a lot of our customer service complaints... "no bass" being a common one. :)
 
kemmler3D said:
I used to work for a company that sold IEMs and large memory foam tips fixed a lot of our customer service complaints... "no bass" being a common one. :)
Click to expand...
Amazon dropped off the foam tips and the Chu II. I guess I have large ear holes...I cannot believe the difference the foam tips made! Amazing. The bass appeared and I get why people rave about the KZ 10's although they are still a little spicy for my taste. May try a little tape to tone them down.

I did some back and forth between the Chu II and KZ 10. The Chu II is just fine for $20 but the KZ 10 blow them away, and should. Just much more resolution and they play much l ouder at the same volume setting.

Thanks again for the 'tip'. Pun intended.
 
djb said:
Amazon dropped off the foam tips and the Chu II. I guess I have large ear holes...I cannot believe the difference the foam tips made! Amazing. The bass appeared and I get why people rave about the KZ 10's although they are still a little spicy for my taste. May try a little tape to tone them down.

I did some back and forth between the Chu II and KZ 10. The Chu II is just fine for $20 but the KZ 10 blow them away, and should. Just much more resolution and they play much l ouder at the same volume setting.

Thanks again for the 'tip'. Pun intended.
Click to expand...
Thanks for following up and glad it worked!
 
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The micropore/medical tape trick was helpful too. I cut a thin strip and covered about 60% of the end. I was using Alanis Morrisete's 'Uninvited' live as you know in seconds if your speaker is sibilant. The KZ 10's were hissing like a snake before the mod and much more well behaved after.
 
Apologhies folks but *British Sound?*

What the heck is that?

I mean, you've got over-ported stodge-boxes on the one hand which have finally woken up a bit in recent years, 1980s Screamers on the other which make NS10s sound tame, highly neutral in the middle and all sorts in between. All designed and mostly UK made.

Being an older crabby sod, which Wharfedale Lintons is the OP talking about? (I know, it's the current version, but (I do remember the late 60s version). I still like the cheap Zero 2's and find the bass reminds me of a good big monitor, even if the bass is in th ehead and not the chest :D
 
kemmler3D said:
I used to work for a company that sold IEMs and large memory foam tips fixed a lot of our customer service complaints... "no bass" being a common one. :)
Click to expand...

Surprisingly, I get no bass with foams. They are the only tips that consistently give me no bass. Everything sounds distant and muffled to me with them.
 
DSJR said:
Apologhies folks but *British Sound?*

What the heck is that?

I mean, you've got over-ported stodge-boxes on the one hand which have finally woken up a bit in recent years, 1980s Screamers on the other which make NS10s sound tame, highly neutral in the middle and all sorts in between. All designed and mostly UK made.

Being an older crabby sod, which Wharfedale Lintons is the OP talking about? (I know, it's the current version, but (I do remember the late 60s version). I still like the cheap Zero 2's and find the bass reminds me of a good big monitor, even if the bass is in th ehead and not the chest :D
Click to expand...
I thought the OP wanted massive diffraction and mid range suck out for 4k price tag, then I read the details of the post ;)
 
If you have the ability to EQ, I would first try to EQ them to a target that you like. If you got that you can start searching for IEMs that have this frequency response natively.

What I would do is, have a rather strong tilt of -1dB/oct and reduce the ear gain:

graph.hangout.audio

Crinacle's 5128 Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

Compare graphs from the world's largest public database of ITU-T P.57 Type 4.3 IEM measurements, maintained by Crinacle.
graph.hangout.audio graph.hangout.audio

And see how you like this.

Also I agree with people saying check the seal, looking at the measurements, they definitely should have a good amount of bass.
 
I like how the Mega5EST measure, close to new META tuning. Sorry, I just don't enjoy Harman 2019 low treble torture and might eventually purchase one of the new Crins projects. I liked his Dusk collab, just a bit to bright/lean for me.
 
Budget option for new Meta tuning is Kiwi Ears KE4.
I have them for the last couple of days, I like it.
It's very good option for someone who finds harman tunig to be too thin/shouty.
 
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