Tony

Thank you. It's a useful explanation. Does the SR-X MkIII Pro have a slightly larger soundstage vs the Omega 2, and thus projecting midrange a bit farther?

Do you feel that the SR-007 has some midrange forwardness? Sometimes I read about "wonderful midrange" when searching about the Omega 2, so I wonder if there is some slight emphasis on it over neutrality. As to treble, would you say the 4070 is harsher than the SR-X MkIII Pro? I am trying to figure out how the first one sounds compared to what I have heard.

Heh, the SR-X Pro is not very forgiving either, but I usually don't look for forgiveness: a can just doesn't have to overemphasize treble, and it will be forgiving enough. Agreed about comfort, its supra-aural design can make clamping a bit painful (after 45 minutes or an hour for me). But I don't listen for longer periods when sitting down anyway, so it was fine.

For that matter, the SRX Pro has extremely deep and strong bass, which the normal bias version is said to lack. I have owned a diy unit of the Pro version.

Birgir, would you say the 4070 is closer to the normal bias SRX Mk3 than the Pro version?

The PK1 are very decent. Gradoish, but less plasticky and more neutral over something like the SR-60.

Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 Soft Machine - Third

It's a T2 review sir, not T1. As for the T2, it would be interesting to see how they compare with the latest high end IEMs, as the review is pretty old. Treble is also a concern, since the tweeter used is the same as ER4P: Milkpowder says that they are extremely detailed, clear, smooth and that "Etymotic fanboys will be pleased". The last statement leaves me uncertain as to his definition of smoothness, since I find Etys to be sibilant. Maybe the custom shells cure that. Regarding the T1, the only thing I have read is that a guy with few posts describes them as very big sounding but with too present midrange, and as such not very good for classical and jazz (for him).

I agree with the Altec Lansing iM716 recommendation, if you can still find them. EDIT there are a few around: http://www.google.com/products?q=altec+lansing+im716&btnG=Search+Products

Sure. You need a Hornet to provide the necessary juice to use it like a portable lamp

You need an amp for that

Hahaha, perfect housing to rock the ortho world.

Hey Elnero, have you noticed any changes in cymbals energy or sibilance? How much is the Null Audio cable?

I am wondering if recabling a IEM like the Images (which don't have removable cables) could be useful or even possible. They might benefit of a silver plated copper wire over the stock cable (I think it's copper). They are so far from being sibilant that added brightness wouldn't be a problem, and increase treble presence.

That's true. I don't think there is a single high end IEM among universals. Customs should be another story anyway, but being in Europe doesn't help for Westone/UE custom IEMs. Regarding the Westone 3, I am not a fan of EQ, especially portably, but I have been playing with the iAudio 7 a lot lately, and its eq is pretty good, doesn't distort noticeably, and doesn't add grain. I have found a nice setting that depletes most of the unwanted upper bass and lower midrange (-3dB at 220Hz and large filter, -3dB at 780Hz and large filter, again). That takes care of the unwanted fullness and the sound is more neutral, but still effortless. I think they'd still need more top end extention, which is noticeably lacking when comparing them to the CD3000 and Apuresound Etys (which have different problems, anyway, summarized by "sibilance", in bad recordings like most Neil Young's works and Jimi Hendrix' Electric Ladyland).

ER4P's usually come with braided wires, but I have seen some with the straight ones. ER4S I have seen only with straight wires, but I am not sure it's the only existing variation. That's a nice way to put it. I think the recabled ER4P gives a lesser sensation of clarity and "special effects" compared to the usual P, as well as less sibilance. Due to the tamed treble, bass is perceived with more presence. It's possible that the Apuresound cable also gives a bump to the midbass, since there is more fullness to the sound, but it's still tight and defined, solid-sounding.

Etymotics can use two different looking cables. In one one, after the cable splits in two, it becomes braided for each side, and flexible. The other one has flat wires, stiffer. The former can be easily looped over the ear, making you look a bit weird, but removing any kind of microphonics from the cable. The latter makes the two wires much harder to use over (actually "around") the ear. If you are not worried about the looks (since looping the wires around the ear is not too cool to go around... but music can let you forget about it), look at pics when an Ety comes FS and get yourself a pair with braided wires. If looks are a concern, an Apuresound recable might be the way to go.

I haven't seen many impressions regarding the Apuresound Etys, but there are a few posts made by jlingo at the other place. They are very coloured (especially being Etys in the first place), trebly, not neutral. The recabled ones can be delicious with certain musical genres (rock and fast jazz for me), but not for everyone. As I already told you, they might be a good choice if you already like the stock Etys, as Alex' recable improves bass volume and takes sibilance away. I haven't got the Westone 3 yet but I am very curious to compare the two. I expect them to be totally different animals, and they appeal very different people.

Hahaha then, if you decide to sell it I call first dibs.

I have received a reply from him. He says that the website needs updating, as he does updates to all the Museatex dacs including the IDAT/M and IDAT-44. Great to know, now the hard thing is to find one.

Hey James, I have checked John Wright's website and, while he offers upgrades for the Bidat, Idat-44 and Bitbox, I can't find the Idat-M upgrades offered. Should I email him to see if he discontinued its mods?

Wonderful, thanks for the informative post. Is the more expensive Bidat any superior to the other three, sound quality wise? Which are you referring to when saying "the three small ones?". By your description I am very tempted by the Bitstream (=bit box?), which you defined the most analogue sounding, and the Idat-M for convenience.

Yup, I realized too late that I failed understanding what you meant. Groan.

A simple waist pouch will act perfectly as tractor.