Agree
Very much agree
Amen!
Same
Best input I have read in a long time sir! 
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Thanks very much @Gordon_Freeman.
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Shure recently launched their AONIC series that I am quite curious to try. I guess it’s sort of their update to the SE series? I don’t know. Hopefully they all reach my local distributors soon.
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Yes, I have seen a few posts about the AONIC and like you am curious. I wonder if it brings anything new to the table? They really need to move onward from the SE series now. Plus the pricing needs to be looked at significantly if they are to succeed in the future. It will be interesting to see just which direction they take. I would like them to expand the KSE series I think there is a market for a modestly/mid-priced Electrostatic iem.
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Can you tell me about your VE8? Apologies if I asked you this already!!
I wrote all about it here if you’re interested (opening post):
Also, New IEM means new list:
- CFA Solaris SE
- CFA Andro 2020
- Vision Ears VE8
- Empire Ears Legend X
- 64 Audio u12t/QDC Anole VX
- Sony IER Z1R
- CFA Atlas
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I thought that the Andromeda’s may have been a little bright for your tastes @jrockwell. I am pleased to see that you are enjoying them. After listening more or less exclusively to my U18t’s on the Cayiin N6ii for a good while and then going back to my Origional Andromeda’s, I found them to be fatigueing. Something that I have never experienced before with them. It’s strange how your ears get used to a certain sound profile.
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Yeah the Andros totally caught me off guard. I had opportunity to pick up a set for a good price so I went for it. I don’t have much experience with any previous Andro so I kind of just plunged into it with an open mind. As it happens they’ve been absolutely blowing my mind-- such a pleasing accessible sound sig that works with pretty much everything. They’re on par with the VE8 in their capacity to sweep me off my feet emotionally-- and right now they are second only to Solaris in terms of my all time fave. I don’t find it bright or fatiguing in the slightest though…perhaps that was more a thing with the earlier model as reports seem to pretty consistently indicate that there are notable sound improvements with the 2020.
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yes, I’ve heard things along the same lines too regarding the tuning of the latest Andromeda. I have version 1 of the Andromeda and they are definately on the sparkly side. They seem to ride the edge of Sibilance like no other i have heard. My tastes seem to be leaning a little warmer (only slightly) so I got a bit of a shock having not heard them for a few weeks. I’ve been listening to the U18t’s and my Cayiin N6ii with E01 module. I seem to have got used to this sound.
Still though the Andromeda’s have great detail and sparkle. This brings the wow factor people describe on listening to the Andromeda’s. All my personal opinion of course. 
. Glad you like the Andro’s so much they seem to have great synergy with the Cayiin N6ii.
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To be honest I think any IEM would be a terrific fit with the CAYIN N6 ii. That is one hell of a DAP. Didn’t know you had one, so a major congrats to you. 
Please share any of your favorite features about it. I may want one some day.
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Thanks. A very big plus is the swappable Amp/Dac Modules. These really do turn it into a different listening experience with each module for me. With the modules come different input and output types. The Amp module on some also give you the option of changing up the Amp specs too. So in theory on some Modules you get 2 amp choices to play with.
They are very well built but heavy. It’s not been an issue for me though. The sound of the Dap isn’t overly Analytical whilst still packing lots of detail and resolution. The Soundstage is really great if paired with Iem’s that also have a great soundstage too. It seems to enhance it. Though I’ve found that this is iem dependant. Its a warmer sounding Dap than my Pioneer XDP-300r which now sounds bright and Analytical in comparison to the Cayiin N6ii. Like I’ve mentioned though the Cayiin still retains all the detail and resolution but now sprinkles a little gravy over the meat of the music.
You should definately try one out.
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I thought I would update my list. Recently purchased the Andro 2020 and heard a friend’s Nio, so there it is !
My tastes have probably changed a fair bit too. In the past, I was mostly looking for technicalities and raw details, but I am now after a more pleasant and musical experience.
1- Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020
2- 64audio Nio (with FiR modules)
3- 64audio U12t (with FiR Modules)
4- VisionEars VE8
5- QDC Anole VX
6- Sony IER-Z1R
I’m also getting the Empire Ears Hero at the end of the month. Hopefully it’s good ! The Andro 2020 isn’t necessarily the best IEM I’ve heard per se, but it’s the best value to performance, so it gets the first spot on the list.
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The top three IEM’s I’m curious about are on your list! Very interesting. 
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Anything you wanna know about any of these in particular? I can provide short impressions of each of them based on memory if you’re interested!
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The three I’m interested in are the Andromeda 2020, Sony IER-Z1R, and the 64audio U12t.
I know you like Fostex BioDyna’s, so I’m curious as to your opinion of these. 
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Darn it. Now I want one.
Thank you for this wonderful response.
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That’s a great analogy. I went a couple weeks without listening to my n6ii while I had the PAW 6K and S1…I thought I was totally sold on the S1 but after hearing some hiss with the P6K I went back to the E01 and was blown away by it all over again…like you said it preserves all the detail and nuance of the recording but then polishes it up nicely and gives it a pleasant shine. It reminds me a little of the QP2R which I loved but couldn’t keep due to its super awkward interface.
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Whoops, forgot to reply on this one.
To my ears, the Andro 2020 is the most musical of the bunch. Something about the lower mids for me. I really like the texture and thickness I’m getting with guitars. The treble hits a certain sweet spot for me as well, so it’s not too present, but also not too laid back. The fact that it’s a smaller IEM is refreshing to say the least (I’ve owned quite a few big IEMs in the past, like the Z1R and VX for example). Easiest to fit of those three.
The IER-Z1R really is special. The bass is probably most effortless you can find in an IEM, but I can’t really enjoy the V-shaped signature with the majority of my genres. The treble is a tad too much for my likings (especially with metal music) and I find it’s a bit peaky as well, so it loses a bit there imo. It’s also really big and heavy, so you might run into issues if your ears are on the smaller side.
The U12t is probably the best all-rounder you can get. It does well with everything, but isn’t really a master at anything in particular. The detail retrieval and technicalities are amongst the best out there, but you’ll find other IEMs with better bass (Z1R and Nio come to mind) and better (or more present treble response, like the VX). If you only wanted one IEM to do it all, it would probably be the one I would recommend. I really like the fact that you can “tweak” the sound signature (and isolation) a little bit with modules too. If you want more sub bass and more intimate stage, you can just use the M20 module. If you want something a bit more airy and less bassy, just use the MX / M15 !
Hopefully this answers your question !
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It’s does. Very thorough, and I appreciate the time you’ve taken to respond.
Thank you. 
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Hi @Titienne have you auditioned the Solaris 2020 and any comments in comparison to Andro 2020? I’m fully enjoying the Solaris particularly the bass it brings to the table without sacrificing balance (to my ears); but curious of your impressions in relation to the Andro.
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