Discounts on custom IEMs are quite rare – in fact, Black Friday is about the only time of the year they occur with some consistency. Here’s two noteworthy promos that hit our feeds in the past 24 hours.
Noble Audio
Discount: 15% off all IEMs, CIEMs, and accessories (excluding Wizard Design, Wizard Reprint, and Rush Order options)
Where: nobleaudio.com
When: Friday, November 28, 2014 through Sunday, November 30th
Coupon code: Not needed
Our recommendations:
Noble 4S: The Noble 4S is a neutral-sounding monitor with an ultra-smooth, slightly mid-focused sound that invokes impressions of a cross between Etymotic Research and HiFiMan universal-fit monitors. The comfort and isolation of the silicone shells are second to none.
1964EARS
Discount: 20% off all CIEMs
Where: 1964ears.com
When: Friday, November 28, 2014, 12:00am – 11:59pm (Pacific Standard Time)
Coupon code: BF14
Our recommendations:
1964-V3: Normally starting at $499, the V3 is an easy recommendation among entry-level custom earphones, boasting full, forward mids, deep, powerful bass and energetic treble. The sound of the V3 is warm and musical – perhaps not ideal for monitoring purposes but very, very enjoyable in day to day listening.
V6-Stage: A reference-class CIEM despite its medium price tag, the tuning of the V6-Stage is just warm of neutral with mids that are clear but not thin, and crisp, if slightly hot, treble. It is an extremely competent earphone that competes with pricier flagships from other manufacturers and should work for professional applications as well as consumer audio.
4 Responses
New is always better than used IMO since there are so many things that could be wrong with an IEM/CIEM when you buy, but issues are probably rare.
Very helpful, thank you. Still on the fence on whether to get this at 40% off or just stalk headfi classifieds for something inexpensive to reshell. But I appreciate the depth of the review and the work that went into it. Thanks!
I reviewed the ACS T1 Live, which is the version of the T1 with an added microphone for active ambient, so hopefully the review will help. It will be quite a large upgrade from the ER4 and has some D650 qualities.
Looks like ACS is doing 40% off through tomorrow (Monday.) I’m in for sure for some custom plugs for concert protection, but any thoughts on the T1 or others in the line? It would be my first CIEM.
For reference, I’m a former Ety ER4 owner (too clinical, not ‘fun’ enough) and current MH1C fan (really enjoy, just wish the soundstage were bigger and the bass deeper). Full-size arsenal includes HD650, ATH-AD2000, HE400 (hate the dip in upper-mids but otherwise love), and Grado SR-225.
Would appreciate any thoughts you have!