Looking for Planar IEM Recommendations

[Jameson Reid]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a planar IEM for clearer detail, tighter control, and a wider soundstage than typical single DD sets, and I’m considering the MP145 PRO, which is currently available at $169 on Kickstarter.

Would love your thoughts:
Anyone tried the MP145 or backing the PRO?
Other planar IEMs around this price worth considering?

Really appreciate any advice from this community!

 

[RandomEar]

The tonality is determined by the frequency response, not the type of driver in an IEM. "Detail" is mostly just more energy in the treble region, "control" is likely just a good bass response. I would not pay more money specifically for a planar IEM if I wanted to get a different sound, because the tuning is much, much more relevant than the type of driver. That being said, this isn't exclusive - maybe there are IEMs with the tuning you are looking for which happen to be planars.

If you look at the MP145 response curve, there's a bit of a surplus in the mid bass region and a broader dip around 4 kHz compared to the Harman 2019 target. There's also more energy above 10 kHz, but results for that region are usually less reliable. My guess would be that this IEM sounds a bit bloated/boomy with some lack of clarity in female voices and some unpleasant "sizzle" on high hats. That's just guess, of course. The MP145 PRO isn't released yet, but from the graphs Hidizs provides it seems to mainly offer more energy in the 2-6 kHz range and overcorrects that dip in the non-PRO.

The main question now is: What IEMs do you currently use and what do you like and dislike about them?

 

[Smithlog]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a planar IEM for clearer detail, tighter control, and a wider soundstage than typical single DD sets, and I’m considering the MP145 PRO, which is currently available at $169 on Kickstarter.

Would love your thoughts:
Anyone tried the MP145 or backing the PRO?
Other planar IEMs around this price worth considering?

Really appreciate any advice from this community!

The Hidizs MP145 is actually a pretty solid planar for the price. Good detail, strong imaging, and a wide stage thanks to the large planar driver and tuning filters.

 

[Somafunk]

There’s a bit of a buzz about the new Kefine planar with additional BA

 

[DVDdoug]

I agree that performance (measurements and sound) are more important than what's inside..

I don't know that much about IEMs but there are good and bad planar headphones (good and bad of all types) and with headphones & IEMs there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality.

Soundstage is (obviously) an illusion which depends largely on the recording/production and your brain. This Headphone soundstage survey is about headphones but I assume IEMs are similar.

...I was amazed when I saw the survey because although I don't get anything like a realistic soundstage illusion with headphones, there is a LOT of talk about it so I thought I was an exception.

There is also a Dan Clark video somewhere here (he's a headphone manufacturer) where he mentions that more distortion is often described as "more detailed"!!!

 

[Soandso]

…Dan Clark … mentions that more distortion is often described as "more detailed"!!!

Thanks for that one - made me smile.

 

[Brian Hall]

Anyone tried the MP145 or backing the PRO?

The MP145 sounds great, but has a drawback to consider. They are fairly heavy. Until you get the right tips, the weight makes them harder to keep positioned right in your ears.

As far as compared to other good non planar IEMs, the main difference is a wider perceived soundstage. It is noticeable. Not as good as something like the HD800 S, but it is there.

Amir reviewed them here:

Hidizs MP145 IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Hidizs MP145. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $150. The immediate impression of the shells is one of jewelry with its machined aluminum case. As you see, the included cable has 4.4mm balanced connection even...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[zonk]

The KZ PRX is a nice cheap planar IEM (28-33 €). Some of the planar IEM have a peak at frequencies in the 8-10k region, so it's necessary to eq it.

Some other planar IEMs are:
- Artti 10
- Letshuoer S08, S12, S12 Pro, S15
- Simgot ET142

 

[RandomEar]

The KZ PRX is a nice cheap planar IEM (28-33 €). Some of the planar IEM have a peak at frequencies in the 8-10k region, so it's necessary to eq it.

Some other planar IEMs are:
- Artti 10
- Letshuoer S08, S12, S12 Pro, S15
- Simgot ET142

That 8 kHz peak is a measurement artifact of the 711 coupler used by Paul Wasabii. It's not specific to planar IEMs but depends on insertion depth and is typically used to check the depth and seal of the IEM in the fixture.

Any data from those measurements above about 6-7 kHz is unreliable and not comparable to how these IEMs would perform in an actual ear. Data for that frequency region should not be used for EQing - maybe apart from very broad high shelf filters.

 

[zonk]

That 8 kHz peak is a measurement artifact of the 711 coupler used by Paul Wasabii. It's not specific to planar IEMs but depends on insertion depth and is typically used to check the depth and seal of the IEM in the fixture.

Any data from those measurements above about 6-7 kHz is unreliable and not comparable to how these IEMs would perform in an actual ear. Data for that frequency region should not be used for EQing - maybe apart from very broad high shelf filters.

Other measurement tools show similar behavior with some planar IEMs. For comparison the Crinear Daybreak doesn't show it. And my personal experience is that those frequencies have to be tamed.

 

[pangcukaipang]

I had 2, Dunu Talos and Simgot ET142. Talos is Planar + BA ( which can be switch on/off), while ET142 is planar + PZT. TBH I still don't see the advantage (or disadvantage) of using planar driver (or the additional BA + PZT) over single DD.

As many other people said, frequency response is what matters more, not driver type (or count). In fact, I enjoy my Tanchjim Fola (single DD) more now.

 

[RandomEar]

It looks like they are mostly just EQ'd to the Harman 2019 target on the 5128 coupler:

The planars do seem to be more "peaky" above 10 kHz or so, though. Maybe it is more difficult to tune in a well behaved treble response with them than it is with dynamic drivers.

EDIT: I do see now that that 8 kHz peak is more common with planar drivers (also on 5128 rigs), so it is something to look out for. As the graph above shows, not all of them are affected, though.

 

[Mark11]

I've tried the MP145 and it was the first i noticed details on my sessions

 

[Jameson Reid]

The tonality is determined by the frequency response, not the type of driver in an IEM. "Detail" is mostly just more energy in the treble region, "control" is likely just a good bass response. I would not pay more money specifically for a planar IEM if I wanted to get a different sound, because the tuning is much, much more relevant than the type of driver. That being said, this isn't exclusive - maybe there are IEMs with the tuning you are looking for which happen to be planars.

If you look at the MP145 response curve, there's a bit of a surplus in the mid bass region and a broader dip around 4 kHz compared to the Harman 2019 target. There's also more energy above 10 kHz, but results for that region are usually less reliable. My guess would be that this IEM sounds a bit bloated/boomy with some lack of clarity in female voices and some unpleasant "sizzle" on high hats. That's just guess, of course. The MP145 PRO isn't released yet, but from the graphs Hidizs provides it seems to mainly offer more energy in the 2-6 kHz range and overcorrects that dip in the non-PRO.

The main question now is: What IEMs do you currently use and what do you like and dislike about them?

Thanks for the insight! I’m currently on the Aria 2 and really enjoy its clarity and balance. I considered the MK12 x DucBloke, but it’s not more technical, more just fun/pleasant/Bass.. sounding.

So now I’m holding off and looking for something more serious: technical, with detailed layering, wide soundstage, and precise imaging.

 

[Jameson Reid]

I agree that performance (measurements and sound) are more important than what's inside..

I don't know that much about IEMs but there are good and bad planar headphones (good and bad of all types) and with headphones & IEMs there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality.

Soundstage is (obviously) an illusion which depends largely on the recording/production and your brain. This Headphone soundstage survey is about headphones but I assume IEMs are similar.

...I was amazed when I saw the survey because although I don't get anything like a realistic soundstage illusion with headphones, there is a LOT of talk about it so I thought I was an exception.

There is also a Dan Clark video somewhere here (he's a headphone manufacturer) where he mentions that more distortion is often described as "more detailed"!!!

it’s really about how the IEM actually sounds, not what driver it uses. I’ve been thinking the same about soundstage; a lot of it is perceptual and depends on the recording. thanks

 

[Jameson Reid]

The Hidizs MP145 is actually a pretty solid planar for the price. Good detail, strong imaging, and a wide stage thanks to the large planar driver and tuning filters.

Yeah, it’s one of those sets that makes you appreciate planar speed and clarity without needing to spend too much.

 

[Jameson Reid]

The MP145 sounds great, but has a drawback to consider. They are fairly heavy. Until you get the right tips, the weight makes them harder to keep positioned right in your ears.

As far as compared to other good non planar IEMs, the main difference is a wider perceived soundstage. It is noticeable. Not as good as something like the HD800 S, but it is there.

Amir reviewed them here:

Hidizs MP145 IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Hidizs MP145. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $150. The immediate impression of the shells is one of jewelry with its machined aluminum case. As you see, the included cable has 4.4mm balanced connection even...

www.audiosciencereview.com

True, planars do carry some weight, but that wider soundstage really makes them stand out. Thanks for the review

 

[Corvuscorone]

I have the Artti T10 and the NiceHck F1 pro. The Artti is the only IEM I own, besides the 7HZ Salnotes Zero and the Truthear Gate, that I don't think needs EQ. I've tried Harman and other target curves for it, but I like it without EQ. There is of course too much upper treble, but it's not harmful to my old ears. Without EQ, its spatial impression is better.
The NiceHck F1 pro's treble is hugely raised, and I can't listen to it without EQ. The Artti's frequency response is practically the same as the Letshuoer S12's without its treble spikes and sub-bass boosted. The best thing is that the Artti T10 is one of the cheapest planars. You can get it on sale for 50-60 euros. When I've looked at the frequency responses of different planars, the Artti is one of the ones with the frequency response closest to the Harman 2019 v2 target.

 

[Jameson Reid]

That’s the thing with sets like that — once you notice those details, it’s hard to go back

I've tried the MP145 and it was the first i noticed details on my sessions

That’s the thing with sets like that — once you notice those details, it’s hard to go back

 

[Jameson Reid]

It looks like they are mostly just EQ'd to the Harman 2019 target on the 5128 coupler:

View attachment 518600

The planars do seem to be more "peaky" above 10 kHz or so, though. Maybe it is more difficult to tune in a well behaved treble response with them than it is with dynamic drivers.

EDIT: I do see now that that 8 kHz peak is more common with planar drivers (also on 5128 rigs), so it is something to look out for. As the graph above shows, not all of them are affected, though.

planars can come off a bit peaky in the upper treble if not tuned carefully, but when done right they sound really clean.