IEM Comparisons
I’ve compared the EBC80s to IEMs with similar prices to judge their competitiveness.
ISN H60 CIEM – 2xDD 4xBA (USD $349 + $100 CIEM charge)
The H60s are my favourite IEMs under $500, in fact the universal version is so enjoyable I paid to have a pair of customs built for me. However I’ve been surprised how different they sound, with the CIEM H60s being noticeably leaner, more neutral & less bass focused than the universals.
Compared to the CIEM EBC80s, the CIEM H60s have a much smaller soundstage which is flatter & not as tall, though instruments are more sharply defined as there are no BCDs creating fuzzy edges on notes, and instruments also seem larger as they aren’t pushed as far back.
Tonally the H60s smoother with slightly more lower midrange emphasis & stronger midbass, and bass quantity is a bit more dominant. I prefer this tuning, but find the EBC80s slightly more resolving with higher quality treble & more room between instruments. The H60s can also sound congested at times, but for the price are an absolute bargain – particularly the CIEM version.
TSMR SHOCK – 2xDD 4xBA 2xBCD (USD $599)
Being universals these can’t compete with CIEMs for comfort or isolation, and are tuned quite differently. The SHOCKs offer far less clarity, significantly lower resolution with a much less black background, a narrower stage & less defined imaging.
However the SHOCKs are much warmer with far better note weight, generally a lot bassier with significantly slower bass decay that’s more meaty & satisfying but can create the impression of congestion and they lack the EBC80s’ sense of precision.
SHOCK treble is more muted and doesn’t feel as high quality, nor are they as dynamic either, but I do prefer the SHOCKs’ warmer, more forward midrange.
Unique Melody MEST MKIII CIEM – 1xDD 4xBA 1xBCD 4xEST (USD $1919)
Despite the price difference the MEST MKIIIs & EBC80s feel similarly technically competent and differ more in tuning.
The MESTs are slightly more resolving, instruments feel larger & closer to the listener as the stage doesn’t seem quite as deep or tall but is slightly wider. Separation isn’t as sharp nor is the background quite as black either which surprised me.
However the MESTs do boast a slightly warmer midrange tuning with better note weight, slightly more weighty treble that feels a more solid, greater overall bass quantity -particularly sub bass- with decay that’s more satisfying, whereas by contrast the EBC80s emphasise the upper midrange more with slightly shakier treble.
I also visited Addicted to Audio in Melbourne to compare the EBC80s to a few more IEMs.
Campfire Audio Alien Brain – 1xDD 4xBA (USD $999)
The Alien Brains feature tremendously deep, powerful bass but it overpowers the rest of the presentation quite dramatically and the DD used is quite sluggish.
Alien Brains are also far too bright with treble notes that feel poorly integrated with the rest of the presentation. The midrange is very full & chesty, but the soundstage is quite narrow with instruments smeared together unpleasantly.
It’s difficult to fathom how any company could consider $999 a fair price for an IEM tuned this poorly.
Dunu Glacier – 1xDD 4xBA 4xEST (USD $1149)
The Glaciers have more laidback, less exciting & aggressive tuning that’s a bit warmer and less neutral than the EBC80s.
The Glacier soundstage is slightly narrower & shallower with a background that’s less black, they feel a little more congested but bass is a bit deeper with decay that’s more satisfying and treble is a bit smoother also.
Thieaudio Valhalla – 19xBA (USD $1999)
Valhallas have a much smoother, more refined tonality with deeper bass that decays slower, but has more trouble keeping up with fast music. Their midrange is warmer with better note weight and they aren’t as bright, yet treble quality is weightier & more impressive.
By contrast the EBC80s have a blacker background, are less coloured with a thinner, more neutral tonality. Resolution is similar between the two but Valhallas separate instruments slightly better.
Campfire Audio Clara – 1xDD 2xBA (USD $1999)
Easily the most impressive Campfire Audio product so far, compared to the EBC80s the Claras boast better dynamics, note weight & even slightly higher resolution.
Clara tonality is smoother but almost too smooth at times, with far more midbass yet their DD can feel sluggish. Stage depth is limited and they can occasionally seem congested.
The EBC80s boast a blacker background with sharper imaging & more space between instruments, but Clara’s bass goes much deeper with more satisfying decay, they’re more tonally refined with silkier treble.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Cable Comparisons
Page 5 – Conclusion
try zisin a01-apopis you’ll be shocked (i’ve to say that i leave it in the freezer 24 hours to have the best results you can trust me or not) , c2 and h2 are among the worst cables i’ve listened to. Zisin and cayin ru7 and i can’t ask for more… can’t still find the same excitement with the sibling est 80 that have more forward voices but too shy highs, too thin or delicate.