[Zeppmeister]

I gave for a few days my Avalon to a friend who is a loudspeaker and over ear headphone guy.
It blew him away. He is telling me that Avalon is much better than his Focal over ears.
I don't think he has Utopias though, but it gives you an idea how underappreciated quality IEMs are to other audiophiles.

I have the Focal Clear ... and the Elan+. I love them both. Different experiences. I don't think I could say one was better than the other. Both are fantastic for what I need. When I want to feel the bass a bit more and really lock into the music, it's the E+. When I want more of a relaxed escape into the music, it's the Focal. Listening time is probably 50/50, but in any given week it might be 90/10 (and then 10/90 the next week).

But I think you're right that (quality) IEMs may not always get the respect they deserve.

 

[Yefry]

@mekap

I see in your signature that you own Semper, I have purchased one but I have not received it yet

I wanted to ask how it holds up against enigma+ since if I'm not mistaken it is their most advanced creation to date, thank you!

 

[DrewVz]

@mekap

I see in your signature that you own Semper, I have purchased one at the attractive price of €400 but I have not received it yet

I wanted to ask how it holds up against enigma+ since if I'm not mistaken it is their most advanced creation to date, thank you!

I'll jump in here and say the while Semper was a great IEM in it's day, Enigma is just on another level. Actually it is more like 3 or 4 levels up. I enjoyed Semper when I owned it, but Enigma is simply more advanced and refined.

I will also say that Titan is at the same level as Enigma, with slightly different timing and presentation. IMR has produced some excellent IEMs over the years and keeps getting better.

 

[fablestruck]

I have the Focal Clear ... and the Elan+. I love them both. Different experiences. I don't think I could say one was better than the other. Both are fantastic for what I need. When I want to feel the bass a bit more and really lock into the music, it's the E+. When I want more of a relaxed escape into the music, it's the Focal. Listening time is probably 50/50, but in any given week it might be 90/10 (and then 10/90 the next week).

But I think you're right that (quality) IEMs may not always get the respect they deserve.

And as the technology settles as to what a very competent IEM should contain in terms of drivers, we will see an inevitable price drop.
Truly, even if a high end IEM sounds as great as a multi-kilobuck headphone,I don't see why it should be priced that much.
If (I don't actually know) it costs IMR a fraction of the price they ask for Enigma to make them, it is not only ethical but of market necessity that it'l be more affordable.

 

[mekap]

@mekap

I see in your signature that you own Semper, I have purchased one but I have not received it yet

I wanted to ask how it holds up against enigma+ since if I'm not mistaken it is their most advanced creation to date, thank you!

I had Semper. I liked Semper, that’s true, but I wanted to move on, I wanted to listen to the new IEMs that Bob presented.
Semper and Enigma+ are completely different settings, Semper sounds more like an old school, and Enigma+ is something new and more advanced.

 

[dakchi]

Anyone compared Enigma with Enigma+? is there a big difference between the 2 that justify price difference?

 

[fablestruck]

Anyone compared Enigma with Enigma+? is there a big difference between the 2 that justify price difference?

I've also wondered about this before, but those who have Enigma do not have Enigma+ , and vice versa.

 

[DrewVz]

If Titan can compete with Emigma+ (which it does in my opinion), I suspect there isn't a big difference between Enigma and Enigma+.

 

[jon parker]

Do you have the Enigma+ by the way ?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the Enigma.
I mean your reviews are amaaaazzzing !

I dont have Enigma however if you can see to it that a set comes my way I will happily commit to writing an essay about it

 

[rottoman]

I dont have Enigma however if you can see to it that a set comes my way I will happily commit to writing an essay about it

Had we atleast been in the same country I would have certainly sent mine over for a thorough checkup

 

[jon parker]

Had we atleast been in the same country I would have certainly sent mine over for a thorough checkup

Ahh c'mon, 'we' gave you the railways, the least you could do is send me a tiny iem ?

 

[rottoman]

Ahh c'mon, 'we' gave you the railways, the least you could do is send me a tiny iem ?

International Post and Customs are so unreliable at times that I couldn't even if I wanted to.
I just bought a v16 divinity from a head fier in Australia and doubt if it's ever going to reach me.

 

[jon parker]

International Post and Customs are so unreliable at times that I couldn't even if I wanted to.
I just bought a v16 divinity from a head fier in Australia and doubt if it's ever going to reach me.

I was only joking
Im sure you'll get your v16

 

[fablestruck]

You know. It did pass my mind to propose a lending project among head-fiers.
E.g. I want to try Enigma, If one is keen to send them for a few weeks, I cover shipping and in this manner experiences rotate among minds.
Of course it would require a certain degree of trust....

 

[dakchi]

While waiting for my Enigma to arrive, I have been listening to BC2023 the last few days and I felt in love with it. Everything is very good in this IEM in particular the mids. I have always criticised the mids in IMR IEMs. They are very often laid back to make the bass and the highs the stars of the show. With BC2023, the bass is present, the mids are clear and velvety, the high are excellent and everything is grouped together in an organic and musical tone. I don't see what Enigma can improve over this but I will see in a few days