jello
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Post by jello on Sept 25, 2016 18:06:54 GMT
Trinity's Phantom Air (wireless) IEMs are now available to back on Kickstarter.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Sept 25, 2016 19:07:05 GMT
Now they're going to get lost in this household!!
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jello
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Post by jello on Nov 21, 2016 13:07:23 GMT
Just a very brief follow up on these now that I've had them a few months.
Continue to use them almost daily (my 'better' IEMs haven't been used in over a month now) and have 100% settled on the gold nozzle without filter, in terms of giving me the most musical and balanced sound for my personal tastes. I think they offer excellent value esp. considering the very comprehensive bundle of extras included and for the money they are hard to fault sound wise. Comfort is also very good and they stay in place well once you find the right tips for your ears. Microphonics almost non-existent when worn over ear.
Have had a couple of issues with them so worth mentioning:
- the cable was a worry from day one but it seems robust enough. However, I previously mentioned the 2 pin connectors having a habit of disconnecting from the IEMs now and then esp. the right channel. As Ian predicted this problem has worsened with time so I've now taken his advice and glued them permanently in place so the cable is no longer detachable. It does mean if the cable stops working I'll likely need to replace the whole IEM but considering what I paid vs what I think they're worth I would have no hesitation in doing just that if the worst happens. However, this does probably put me off buying any of Trinity's higher end IEMs as I think the same connectors are used throughout most / all of the range, but that said they do have an excellent reputation for their after sales support so I'm sure they would replace / repair as required.
- the supplied tips seem to vary in terms of nozzle width, which means that some can be a struggle to put on (e.g. Kombi tips) whereas others are very easy (e.g. double flange - my preferred option). The downside is that the ones that go on easily also come off almost as easily when they loosen up a bit and so far I've had one of my double flanges come off in my ear when removing the IEMs (fun when you're in public) and another fall off without me noticing and Trinity don't seem to sell replacements. Fortunately I had a similar pair I've been able to use but if I lose one of them then I think I'll struggle to find replacements.
The connector thing may just be bad luck but I didn't like the look of them from the outset and my opinion hasn't changed. They work but don't feel as robust a connection as the 2 pin connectors on my old Heir 4.ai. But all that said I have absolutely no regrets buying the Vyrus and at sub £50 (after discount code) pound for pound they are one of the best hifi purchases I've made.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 21, 2016 14:18:12 GMT
I use mine every day as well Mark. They have a great sound and I hover between gold and gunmetal. Gunmetal is pretty bassy but I'd rather have a fraction too much than not enough. I glued the cable on at the start. It's funny that it was difficult to get the cable plugs on at the start but on a second connection, I noticed that they had loosened enormously, so a tiny blob of superglue went in!!
I think I might get the next one up some time soon. It has the push/pull tech but also comes with longer barrels, which I think would suit me better TBH. The fit with the Vyrus is 'ok' for me, but not the most secure. I have to wedge it into the back of my ear to hold it in.
Sound is great though.
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jello
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Post by jello on Nov 21, 2016 16:56:38 GMT
Bonus points for forward planning Ian. I got a bit fed up with the cable disconnecting but it never annoyed me enough that I remembered to glue them in place when I got back home.
I didn't mind the gunmetal but felt the dampers robbed the Vyrus of some clarity. Did you end up removing them from your barrels(think you were considering it)?
I know what you mean about the fit. For me the double flange helps but I think slightly longer barrels would be even better for a nice snug fit.
Keep an eye on the head-fi page / website on Friday as I believe they're doing some black Friday deals, so the IEMs you're considering might be on offer. Bob has said that the head-fi discount can still be used so it's not one of those phoney offers (like Dominos pizza) where you always end up paying the same price!!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 21, 2016 17:10:59 GMT
I'll keep an eye out Mark!! I didn't take the filter out. I felt that it might be daft to ruin the only gun metal one that I have!! I found the gold good as well. (Good as gold!! ) I can't get the triples in my ears!! I stick with oridinary rubber grommets. I'll try the gold again I think.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 21, 2016 17:22:27 GMT
Just swapped and I think you're right Mark. The gold without the filter is a little better in the top. It was the description of 'v' shaped that put me off a bit. I'm trying to alter my sound taste slightly to a flatter response, but I definitely have a preference for a comfy bit of bass TBH. It is a great feature of these that you can change the barrels in order to tailor the sound to your preferences. We'll all start having tone controls on our amps next!!!!!
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jello
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Post by jello on Nov 22, 2016 21:36:44 GMT
I think v-shaped is overstating things really as the mids don't really feel much behind the low end of highs. More like a slight u shape perhaps? Bass is comfy as you say but I like that in an IEM it's a positive as it also helps cancel out some of the background drone. The swappable barrels is a nice feature and it's clear from impressions that owners all have their own individual preference so having the option can only be a good thing really. Unlike most IEMs it also means that if you don't like them out the box you can at least do something about before throwing in the towel! I suppose those barrels are a bit like you and your darts. If you have enough of them you'll eventually hit the sweet spot I have had a few headphones where I wouldn't mind a tone control if truth be told!! But in some case I'd probably just as happily settle for a mute button lol.
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jello
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Post by jello on Nov 25, 2016 11:58:13 GMT
Temptation got the better of me and I've ordered a pair of the Phantom Sabres in the black Friday sale. I blame Ian (sure he feels the same about me) Looking forward to giving them a go and seeing how they compare with the Vyrus. Although I've owned IEMs with various driver configurations in the past this'll be my first pair with push/pull dual dynamics - believe the drivers are the same ones used in the Vyrus, only twice as many, so it'll be interesting to hear how this arrangement influences things.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 25, 2016 13:39:12 GMT
I blame Mark. I'll make a thread for the Sabre......
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jello
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Post by jello on Jan 18, 2017 23:04:15 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2017 20:57:54 GMT
Anyone fancying a Sabre .... this is a great offer.
For those that are interested we are also clearing the last of our Sabres at a discounted rate and by entering code Sabrefinalsale at the checkout you will get them for just £45.00 delivered (if chasing free shipping) , thats a £80 saving off retail pricing, hurry as stocks are very limited and won't last long.
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jello
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Post by jello on Jan 26, 2017 22:14:23 GMT
I was just about to post this myself Ian.
The Sabre has rapidly become my favourite IEM. Used daily and the JVC and Final have not been touched for some time. At full price the Sabre is bloody good value but at £45 it's an absolute steal!! And imho it is a good upgrade over the Vyrus (which is no slouch itself).
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2017 22:24:02 GMT
Absolutely, Mark. Bob's having a clear out before the new line up es over. I guess that he realises that he can no longer sell them at a market price due to his publicising the updates. The Master might be on the way early too. Might not have to wait until March.
When I get the Master, if it's good (as I suspect), I might get rid of the Sabre but keep the Vyrus because for me, the fit is better. I have found a reasonable tip for the Sabre though.
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jello
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Post by jello on Jan 26, 2017 22:42:23 GMT
I think so too. Surprised at the amount of the discount though but perhaps they're just looking to clear the decks in anticipation of new stock arriving.
I'll be keeping a hold of the Sabre. I won't be totally surprised if I prefer it to the new Master. I love the sound and am lucky it fits like a glove. For me the Vyrus was the trickier of the two to get a good fit. That's already gone to a new home.
Had I not splurged on the Denon and an iematch (grr...Ian...grr) I'd have bought a second pair as a back-up. I honestly wouldn't have looked at another IEM had it not been for the generous pre-order deal Bob did for existing customers on the Master.
Good to see that it's progressing nicely. Deadlines often seem fairly fluid on these things so was actually expecting them to miss the March deadline, esp. if they are as intent on ensuring they go out the door perfect as they seem to be.
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