You've missed one of the most popular issues - obvious shilling.

@theillmeister

3 ай бұрын

The most obvious lol

@mr.smithers8435

3 ай бұрын

Chopins on the way!

@cheemsburbger7664

3 ай бұрын

Damn when I read this, a certain reviewer with a certain brand popped right up in my mind.

@hexpix

2 ай бұрын

​@@cheemsburbger7664what brand

@motomakassi3354

12 күн бұрын

​@@cheemsburbger7664 does the name rhymes with barnacle?

I beg to differ. My tenitis sounds the same now as it did in my 20s. Eeeeeeee.

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

Lol

No matter what nothing beats hearing it for yourself. If demos are not possible (like for me) the best you can do is lots of research then try to contextualize the info gathered for yourself.

@TheMartiansLoveKuato

3 ай бұрын

Anything for that MACARONI CHEESE.

Reviews will never be representative of your personal experience with any IEM. Trying is the best option, but for listeners who are unable to do so due to location or lack of access, several non-exhaustive "considerations" are below: 1. Sound preference - understanding your preferred type of sound is the most important (can be broadly categorised by V/U/harman/etc signatures) 2. Music preference - recognising that your music choices may not align completely with reviewers, therefore consider scouring the web for other reviews that list titles which you recognise and are familiar with to make a comparison 3. Personal experiences with IEMs - knowing your own ear canals and having experience with prior iems helps a lot in determining if you should skip an entire product completely (e.g. small ears with humongous shells spells disaster for long term comfort and insertion depth) 4. Reviewer bias - figuring out each reviewers' preference for brands/signatures/music helps with baseline expectations with each product review and prevents blind purchase of shilled products 5. Consistencies - taking multiple reviews into account, if the general consensus on an iem is very positive, and if several reviewers have similar music choices to you, the chances of you enjoying a purchase would generally be higher (higher =/= confirmed) 6. Honeymoon period - listening beyond 3-6 months is a good indication of whether an iem would remain a part of your collection or not; generally speaking, any iem which you frequently pick up in your rotation would stick longer regardless of new products released every week Awaiting to get crucified in the comments, fire away!

@BassDad8

3 ай бұрын

Nope. You’re on point. Well done!

@xeruskun

3 ай бұрын

Woah for a normal audio consumer that's a buttload of things that needs to be check. Doubt they have time for that..

Another thing I think any music listener can attest to is your emotional state makes a difference, how or if you enjoy something can vary tremendously even with the same hardware depending on your mood or what you’re doing while listening. So being objective even to your own preferences is hard.

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

Agree!

I’m 63 and I know that I have lost a little high frequency hearing but bright IEMs do sound quite bright to me. However, the issue isn’t whether you can or can’t hear above, say, 12kHz and higher but the quality and amount of those high frequencies. I can easily distinguish shrill highs from relaxed highs or 8kHz peaks from 2-4kHz shoutiness. I can detect the kind of treble quality from a DD or a BA. And there have been times where I have EQ’d some IEMs up high above 12kHz. I don’t hear any musical information (there’s very very little up there) but I can hear a certain “air” being added as I boost those super high frequencies. Anyway, great vid Timmy. We need to hear this. And if I many add one more, we need to stop taking offense if a reviewer rates our favorite IEMs as trash. We all want some validation that whatever IEMs we own, reviewers will also give them ringing endorsements. That’s not always going to happen. Ok, ONE more, I promise! We all need to understand that reviewers sound preferences can change over time. You might like big bass and meaty midrange coupled with crisps highs but then find yourself months or years later, liking balanced bass with neutral mids band relaxed highs. That DEFINITELY can happen.

As someone who used to review gaming mice and mouse pads, a lot of this applies to our hobby too 😅 great video

@ja-irwilson6343

3 ай бұрын

Didn't expect to see you here lemonade

@UpgradeLemonade

3 ай бұрын

@@ja-irwilson6343 it's an enjoyable channel to watch for me 😅

I've only been in this hobby for a couple years but the way you describe the tuning in your reviews it fits to what I like. Whatever you have recommended has fit exactly what I wanted!

Two other factors are reviewer gear and file source compared to the individual's gear and file source. Also, I can read reviews from a hobby focused site and ones from a general audience focus (even yt vids too) and can discern the vast differences between the two.

For me tips are nr 1 reason. They make the biggest difference. Stock tips that come with iems gonna fit or not.. it's a lottery. So often you have to find perfect tips on your own to get satisfying comfort and sound signature. My personal problem is that most Large tips are too big and Medium are too small usually. I wish M-L size was more common.

@spamcan9208

3 ай бұрын

Tips are critical. Not only do you need a good seal, the material has to be tolerable to your skin. Some tips will irritate my ears after a few minutes while others can stay in for hours. I built a collection over time so I have a wide range of options to try whenever I get a new model or even when I switch cables if needed.

As a noobie in this field. This video came by me at the perfect time because I’ve been researching IEM’s for the pass month and I feel like I’ve hit a wall in what to buy due to the overwhelming choice of IEM’s out there online.

Very important advice to find someone with similar tastes. Its the only thing that's really worked for me. The more advanced step may also be understanding the context of the reviewers. For example X says Y iem's treble is just right. That means I know it'll lightly be bright for me. This can help when your favotire reviewer has not got round to doing a review of the iem you're considering but another reviwer who's preferances you understand well has. Hype is always going to exist, I still hype the EA1000 despite many not experiencing the same because it makes female vocals more realistic/engaging than many iems for me.

You're my favorite reviewer! The way you do your reviews is so easy to understand for me. Although you didn't review your product (obviously), the Chopin, the way you describe it translates well to my preferred tuning. This is my first IEM that I don't need to EQ. I've had the Aria, Zero, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and Timeless, all of them I need to EQ to get my preferred tuning.

@Gizaudio

2 ай бұрын

thank you!

Inconsistencies #7 - Different DAC dongle or player that we’re using

@kawaiikoto8800

3 ай бұрын

Some reviewers doesn't believe they make a difference, so it's hard to judge their consistency.

Great video. Another inconsistency is library/music genre. I find it helpful to determine if the reviewer agrees with your assessment of a certain IEM. If we agree, then I can trust the next review more.

To your point. I tested 2 sets of the old Peacock Audio Spring. I tested the same side 2 x Each, but after removing the tip and reinserting it into the coupler. They are different! There’s 4dB at 20Hz difference. The midrange is the same and the treble after 1.5KHz is higher by 3dB all the way to 5KHz. The same one tested twice overlays perfectly on both. The construction inside is different, even though they are the same IEM!

I wish reviewers payed more attention to objective parameters like resolution and less to tuning One can change a tuning with EQ. But one can't change the physical ability of an IEM to produce sound

Understood, not every driver is tested before getting to consumers ears, but Chifi is plagued with QC issues and to my belief that is one of the most notorious and sad outcome when a reviewer or consumer has it. I for instance had it clearly when everybody speaked so high about the 7hz Salnotes Zero and when I got mine I was so bewildered as it had nothing in common with the descriptions I looked for, in fact is one of the most dull sounding iems i've ever tried, so much that old phones that included earphones sounded better than my salnotes zero. Another huge dismay was Ikko Asgard Oh5, at least this was a misleading problem more related to marketing which also is another factor that sometimes generate confusion.

My problem right now is that I can only use S size ear tips, so I need to find the right ear tips for specific IEM so I can hear the frequency response in the graph accurately. So probably I also need to know if the reviewer has the same ear as me which is odd, I don't think asking people ear size and shape are not normal.

Great video. Can you make a separate video on your taste? 😜 Seriously, I don't know much about your music preferences. A playlist like Dan, a chart like HBB ...they really help

So I think there can be another takeaway from this, although admittedly, it is rare. If an iem or headphone is “universally” liked or deemed as a good good set, it’s probably a safe bet. You just have to pay attention to how people describe the tuning to make sure it lines up with your preference. Same thing can be said about a set that is “universally” disliked, or panned by reviewers. It’s relatively safe to assume they’re not worth buying, or may be egregiously overpriced. That said, finding a reviewer or reviewers that line up with your preferences and are honest about their biases when they come into play, is certainly the best recipe for successful purchases. I know people can trust you, Timmy, and Dave of course, HBB, Ian freaking Fann and Prime Audio Reviews among others. There are a lot of good, well informed, and trustworthy people in the reviewer landscape. Much more are fair and honest than are not. Thank you, as always, for the helpful and informative video. ☮️

Great fckn vid!!!!, ps. It would be amazing if we got the description “best at $” updated!!

I collect common consensus from reviews regarding QC, tuning style, etc., and then test out the signatures using auto EQ.

yes so many diff reviews on same iem

Simple way of seeing this: If everybody have such a different ranking, it means that the differences actually aren't that big. If many reviewers agree that certaing IEM is one of the best, then its probably a little bit better than the others. I have various price range iem's, and the difference isn't that crazy, its more if a difference in presentation than in sound quality. Make sure to make a good fit with your ear tips, thats the most important part, and choose a presentation (frequency response) that you like the most. You can endgame at $20 dollars.

@RatchetRorschach

3 ай бұрын

what are your $20 endgame?

@BassDad8

3 ай бұрын

I think you can endgame at $20, if all you’ve ever spent is $20. There are $20 sets that are “better” than the rest - Moondrop Chu II & Tangzu Wan ‘er to name a couple. But the pickings are slim and once you’ve heard something a little bit more expensive, like say in the $50 range, you’re not going back. So as long as you stick to your $20 budget, yes you can “endgame” right there.

@viciogamergd8061

3 ай бұрын

@@BassDad8 False, I listen up to 20khz. I have tangzu wan er and truthear nova (foamtips) as my actual endgame. I wouldn't go back, that's true, but I dont feel like I'm loosing that much when I use the wan er. You just need a good source. When I got the novas I was impressed about how good they sound, but I was actually more impressed about how close the wan'er was. So, if you want to enjoy music and dont wanna spend that much, you wont be loosing too much with some good cheap iems. Being objective, I would also recomend em6l with foamtips as an engame, anything beyond that price isn't worth it for the sound quality diference, unless you're looking for an specific frequency response, but don't care about sound quality.

All of this makes sense, but someone like me who's planning to buy his first IEM will have some trouble finding a reviewer with similar preferences. I only own one pair of earbuds, the galaxy buds 2 pro. Every single reviewer I've seen has only praised them. So it was an easy buy, and i really like them. Now, I want to get my first IEM with a budget of $250, but i have no clue who's preferences align with mine. So after two months of reading up/watching videos, I'm now more confused than ever haha. I don't see myself collecting IEMs either. I want one, one good IEM. So I'm not going to go through the exercise of understanding who's preference align with mine either. I'm having to rely on FR a lot more, trying to see what matches the buds2 pro's FR with slightly relaxed upper-mids, because vocals are a bit shouty in the buds2 pro. I'm trying to be as critical as possible with my purchase decision. I hope i end up liking what i arrive at, fingers crossed. I wish we had a store to demo some units, but sadly that's not the case where i live. I will say though, out of all the countless reviewers i came across, your videos are what I'm gravitated towards. I want to hear what 'you' have to say about every unit I'm considering. I really enjoy your videos.

Your advice at the end is spot on. I tend to agree with your opinions about IEMs that I own (and, btw, the Chopin is one of the BEST all-rounder IEMs I've ever heard - kudos on the tuning). It's also useful if you disagree with a reviewer in a consistent way. I've been listening to HBB's reviews for a while and often I disagree with him, but it's about the same thing each time. So I know that if he liked a set because of X or Y, but didn't like Z then I can gauge very easily whether I will like it. But yeah, given how much I like the tuning and technicalities of the Chopin - that goes a long way for my trust in your opinions of things like smoothness, tonal balance, and natural timbre.

I bought my iem collection by your recommendation without prelisteng. Thieaudio oracle, Thieaudio MK2, 64 audio u12 t, Sennheiser IE 600, anole vx, Elysian gaea and diva. I want to thank you Timmy for this advises and my empty wallet. Iam so happy anytime I listen to these babies.

This is why i keep following and watching your video, being centrist, that we should be, everyone have different ears and everyone have their own preference.

Good explanation 😊

The Galileo is such a banger.

Perfectly explained❤

Yea, I remember when someone said the EE bravado mk2 was bad. I wonder what happened to them and their hot takes.....

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

It's still bad and the EE assassin you hired didn't get me yet lol

Great video! Appreciate it. You just cooled down the beef. Different is great, all opinions are valid.

Thank you it was really helpful to know. Cause It really bothers me a little when i want to buy some new iems and this kinda happens

Really good video. Yeah, we all have different factors that affect how we hear or perceive a product. I think one of the best things about having multiple reviewers is different people seem to focus on different key aspects. For one, a key area may be what stands out to them, for another, it may be something else. As well, most IEMs nowadays are ok at least, so some may be more critical of an IEM, while others may be more forgiving since in a general sense, the IEM is still alright when looking at the full picture. At least we can all agree that Raycons are terrible

Both of my IEM purchases started with recommendations from users in Reddit forums. But after the rec I spent a lot of time watching reviews. When HBB and Zeos and Timmy all like it then I like it.

I feel like the beginning is all about the Hades reviews.

Yeah, some people dont even really realize how wild the difference in sound appreciation Is. For example, the Tangzu Waner could either sound too bright or too warm just when compared to other IEMs. I have seen people call them muddy and other people calling them dull and bright, and thats because It sound Its pretty relaxed, so more bassy iems make Wan'er sound pretty tamed in the bass, while more bright IEMs make them sound really bassy. So yeah, just take Reviews as a reference and compare a lot of them to pick an IEM, if not, then you better have the same exact taste of the one specific Reviewer you use as reference to buy, or you will get disappointed sooner or later.

The reason there’s significant differentiation in reviews of earphones is a whole bunch of people active online with the descriptive capacity and auditory refinement of a potato.

Companies should describe about nozzle length and diameter.

still dont know which one to get, please suggest a geed iem for fps games like bgmi under 25 $

Funny that you say this is targeted towards newbies (great video btw), veterans (real or proclaimed) are the ones complaining the most 😂

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

what if I was actually targeting veterans all along?

@ImAWSMDanny

3 ай бұрын

IT WAS A PSYOP

@traktorpro10

3 ай бұрын

​@Gizaudio😉

I wish I could try all the stuff I was interested in

Sennheiser has the same +/- 1,5db measurement deviation in place for most of their models. It is a pretty strict target for operations on this scale, I would say. The higher-end models have lower targets, I believe.

i think people need to hear to certain reviewers that have the same preference for certain tunings, for example if you looking for bass juat listen to people who enjoy bass.

follow specific reviewer that has same or similar taste of preference. but don't go full, give them a small doubt and still check other reviewers that you might discover that has similar taste, also to see the consistency of the IEM from different reviewers.

I don’t require reviewers that I always agree with. What I do require are reviewers that are consistent! There can still be entertainment value in reviewers that I disagree with. If they’re consistent, I can quantify their opinions with my own. One difference you didn’t mention is regional. Different regions have different sound preferences that are fairly easy to identify. Other differences are equipment and source material. What I do find myself shying away from are reviewers who enter into partnerships with companies. I can never be fully invested.

The biggest, most common difference I see is regarding treble sensitivity.

A good YT IEM sound demo channel can show us by how much a IEM sound can differs from one to another, and it can be A LOT different. Unfortunately these channels have only a very small amount of all the relevant IEM's on the market. What I do is to compare the reviews of the IEM's with sound demos available and use it to help me to better understand what a reviewer is saying about some characteristics.

Just AMAZING !!!

Audiophiles can't agree on shit ngl

that's why i don't put much stock into reviews i generally look what customers like the most then i look what iem i like based on how they look and if i think the fit will be nice and that's it aside from testing them you can't know but even then unit variations and hand picked test samples and such nonsense just don't buy anything very expensive cause if it ends up crap you return it or just throw it away from all the iems i bought i only regret buying one of them

Silent conflict of interest is the elephant in the room regarding reviewers. Earing capabilities is also a hard truth for many since some can hear higher range of freq while other (youngs) could have earing loss due to listening habits or poor genetics.

Thank you my master :)

The thumbnail is interesting. I do not like the Galileo but i see why people would.

No options to demo anything in my town. I have a bunch of IEMs ranging from $20 to $200 and I want to step up to maybe find "My" endgame which will be around $1000, that said it's a little tough to make a good decision based on reviewers. I had been looking at ths Dunu SA6 which most reviewers like and then one reviewer says they don'i understand all the hype on this model...Ugh. Just nned to wait longer to see what happens in the rest of 2024. And then, As Timmy stated in his last video, is how long will and IEM be relevant?

@Dangg1589

2 ай бұрын

As long as ppl still listening to music, iems still in relevant, or when the tws can keep up with the sound quality of iems and at a cheaper price

It's quite difficult to chose which iem is for you in 20 to 50 dollars range. When you're buying in the 100 dollars and above the quality and sound will match the price you've paid most of the times. Fit, comfort, aesthetics and sound should be considered equally! My opinion is to also take a look at cables and ear tips. They change the overall experience drastically. Buy smart. Don't destroy your bank account!

tbh the box art and the iem design is what matters the most and eartips

@JoelHernandez-tz3vk

3 ай бұрын

In that case. I wonder what your opinion is on the Etymotic ER design.

@chainsawkas7545

3 ай бұрын

@@JoelHernandez-tz3vk not that bad despite looking a bit 'suggestive'

So basically this video is saying don't listen to anyone who does IEM reviews. 😂 But honesty is the best policy, thank you for the truth. 😊 I've been in this hobby for over 30 years and this is exactly true.

Truth

While all of these are true facts, there is one way to try to solve most of these issues for beginners..... EQ. :-) it is not a bad word.

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

Yes, and I heavily support EQ. But it also has its limitations

galielo my beloved

We need a dictionary website that just defines every crazy sounding term that audio hobbyists like to throw around, like the fighting game terminology website.

I only trust reviews who use the music they listen to, to explain the iem and how it sounds

easiest solution: try the IEMs you wanna buy (if possible)

@Gizaudio

3 ай бұрын

Agree! Sadly most people outside of Asia can't try chi-fi before buying.

@razen-06

3 ай бұрын

@@Gizaudio yeah true, there is not a lot of chifi outside Asia I myself am outside of Asia but hey, at least I can try some chifi and my current favorite IEMs - the Cadenza 12!

@ImAWSMDanny

3 ай бұрын

Just sniff gref bro

@testertest9181

3 ай бұрын

Easiest solution? Your easiest solution is the main problem, People rely on reviews because they dont have the chance to test it themselves personally.

@haomingli6175

3 ай бұрын

if that were possible for everyone, then reviewers are no longer needed.

Companies don’t need to measure every set, just enough so it’s statistically significant. :) there’s a formula for that in stats. Lol

Galileo real sampel 😂, i have i like but All my friends really don't like it

always trust your ears

I have already seen it all, very crazy people on Headfi saying that the hd 650 are a V sound profile, the hd650 could be absolutely everything, but never, never a mediocre V profile. All for the mids, for me bass and Highs they are overrated.

@AkerfeldtTveitan-yi4xm

16 күн бұрын

The profile sucks big time. I can't stand harsh treble and am not very keen on heavy bass if it means the mids are scooped up

Try living in Argentina, where dollar cost a lot, no a purchase is more than a selection, is a whole desition! One wrong move and BANG! There goes the year food budget down the drain 🤣

@bvrtzabel

3 ай бұрын

Same here in Brazil, and we have a 90% tax for import products more than 50$, so yes we buy two to get one. In brazil an Aria 2 with taxes costs around R$800,00, our minimum salary is about R$1400,00. Living in here can be a pain.

@kawaiikoto8800

3 ай бұрын

Curious, has it been better since Millei reform? Or is it getting worse? Anyway it's the same tax problems in Indonesia with many brands. Luckily ticket to singapore is very cheap lol.

@bizarroman69

3 ай бұрын

@@kawaiikoto8800Salaries are still low (like 400u$s). But at least he’s cleaning the corruption 😊

A great little video. Except you forgot to add a few things. 1. An older person usually has a longer more varied history of music. An older person may hear a great well thought out review but still say all well and good, however how does it handle Keith Moon? Just by memory alone an older person has lived with The Who their whole lives and need to know that IEM you are talking about can bring out all the interesting nuances that a drummer such as Keith brought to The Who that a younger person doesn't even know exists. Can this IEM pick up Ella Fitzgerald's breathing on her rendition of Summertime? The problem is the majority of reviews aren't specific. I wish reviewers could be. I wish when you review a new item You could say something like if you like Stevie Nicks this thing brings out all that rasp. If you like Take Five that infatic drum hit Joe Morello does hits like a judges gavel. If you listen to Hendrix's machine Gun you are right smack dab in Vietnam. If you listen to Led Zeppelin's Kashmir you feel like you got hit in the chest with a Buick. An older person would hear a comment and know if these IEMs can do that then it could handle anything Fleetwood Mac ever recorded, even the early stuff with Peter Green. I did watch your video about IEMs for Rock. But I still needed you to be more specific than just naming bands. I would imagine being more specific would be popular with younger people as well. I have a theory that one of the reasons people do buy cheaper IEMs or earbuds is because reviewers aren't specific enough. You do get into specifics when you talk about the graphs and technical stuff, which is good. But it still doesn't reassure me that the IEM you are talking about can bring out the intricacies of Great Gig In The Sky that my parents HiFi brought out in the 70's. Those great tube amp cabinets. I know you can't do that because it would require you to take a music appreciation class in all musical genres. You can't know, what you don't know. That is one reason why you might think of older people being crotchety. I'm not going to speak for all older people, but this older person thinks that way. 2. The other problem is that reviewers can't experience a device such as an IEM or earbuds in the same way as an average consumer. It's impossible. There simply is not enough hours in the day. If you were to buy an IEM you really love, and you use it and love it that's great. However you at some point must put it down to spend time with the new thing you review. Then the next one, then the next. So by the time you have a chance to get back to the one you love, it's still brand new. That's not how an average consumer uses something like an earbud or IEM. Reviewers do say things like I love this IEM they are my go-to. And they might think statements like that carry some weight, but it doesn't. It's impossible. Especially for an older person that is shopping for items they are passionate about. An older person that shops for days, weeks on end covering many brands, and listening to many opinions to get a consensus. It took me 3 weeks to decide what tea kettle to buy for Christ sake. Sometimes older people have a bit more money to spend than younger people. They don't mind paying a bit more for a quality item. Sometimes they even save up to purchase something. This older person does. But it requires a reviewer to be extremely specific.

my tip: don't trust whathifi

You forgot tips and their efect on fit - the different types, how well or poorly they fit, materials, etc...tsk tsk tsk XD

Moondrop Chu 2 is better than Zero and Red

All those inconsistencies "mask" the fact that a number of hifi reviewers really don't know what their talking about. Some are just in for the money. 🤐

All reviewer should state their age 😉

*people just have different ears*

@dorisisaway355

3 ай бұрын

I don’t.

"It's very simple, if someone enjoys anything that doesn't sound like the moondrop variations, has a mental disorder" - Sharur

Ea 1000 Bass IS on a different better than Hype 2 imo

transients should have an objective definition. its performance should even be measurable, although not reflected on the frequency response directly.

Pertamax

Yes timmy doesnt know how good the Fiio FH3 is. Timmy may have been dropped on his head. At least timmy says the Tanzu Fudu is good. Maybe timmy can be sav.... TIMMY CANNOT BE SAVED. IT IS OVER FOR TIMMY

The biggest inconsistency in this hobby : Reviewer's bias and relationship to their sponsors. I am guessing this comment will be deleted again by gizaudio lol.

Or they're more interested in celebrity, while he (or she) who yells the loudest, or uses the more outlandish statements gets the notice. Randy is one. I don't think crinacle can hear anymore.

IEM reviews are all bad. Even yours. Subjective opinion and paid shills notwithstanding, the standards by which IEMs are reviewed dont even align with low grade HiFi equipment. Where are the spectral decay graphs? Where are the multiple standards of coupler for seeing how that effects various frequency gains? Where are the normalization standards? There are so many things that are wrong with the accepted measurements that are thrown around as gospel in the IEM world, and thats long before we ever get to the problems with the everything sounds good reviews like Zeos that are thin on substance, and big on wifus, and daily thesaurus word soup. Basically, i trust no one, and automatically presume all the numbers are made up and useless. Which they are, without spectral decay taken into account.

@mayonotes9849

3 ай бұрын

lol

It hurts my heart to see the Galileo in the thumbnail. Not my usual tuning but they're gorgeous and nice to just chill. (Wish my shells were prettier, but they're mine. 😂) I like finding reviewers with opposite preferences and following them as well. If they really like something, I'm way less likely to, helps filter more of the hype.