ONE of these IEMs is impressive! Blessing 3, Yume II, Orchestra Lite

[@NeilBlanchard]

Good *neutral* tonal balance is almost always the most important thing, for me. Neutral is not "boring" - it puts the music "in control" and that's the whole point! My issue with corded IEMs is that so few phones have a headphone jack, making a dongle DAC a *requirement* if you want to use corded IEMs. But even more for me, I can't tolerate long use of anything inside my ears. Headphones are much better for me - though for the best experience of music - I *have* to listen to speakers.

[@TheVeganVicar]

Totally agree!

[@PassionforSound]

I also agree. The only challenge left is agreeing on neutral. I find a lot of what gets called neutral in the headphone world is actually rolled off in the bass and sometimes enhanced slightly in the treble too. The Yume II sounded noticeably fuller than the other two in this video, but it's the more true to life sound which is what I consider neutral.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PassionforSound I have an old pair of AKG open backs that are pretty expensive, 650 ohms, and I think they are very neutral. Obviously not easy to drive, but they are surely my reference headphones. I also have newer AKG 240 Studio (open back also) that are 55 ohm, easy to drive, but a bit bass heavy. I can dial out the extra bass with 100 Hz shelving, but they still can’t compete with my old AKG set, but are pretty damn good for how cheap they were ($60!), if you just EQ them. I also have a pair of Sennheiser hd 599 se open back headphones (that cost me $80). 55 ohms as well, and comfortable like the others.. but.. they also have too much bass, but, for these, when taming the bass with the 100 Hz shelving, you’re not done. There is a noticeable treble peak giving them a different overall sonic character. While not terrible, and actually not bad for some music material, it is undesirable with other program material. It just depends on the mix. It is my understanding that a lot of less expensive headphones, and maybe even some pricey ones, are typically bass boosted, and sometimes treble peaked and/or slightly elevated in the upper bass to lower mid area to spice things up. I’m not willing to buy a pair of $500 open backs since I mostly listen to speakers. Besides, with the headphones I already have, I could find a headphone/EQ combination that suits me well enough for any music I want to listen to. I prefer the AKG’s, if I had to pick, but there is just some music where the Sennheisers just seem to be the best way to go.

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@PassionforSound I think that using live acoustic music as a reference, is the best way to go. This removes much of the "unknowns" from the reference experience, and if the playback system hits this "mark", then we can safely assume it will be close to neutral.

[@PassionforSound]

I totally agree, Neil! That's always my reference point - acoustic instruments and particularly voice, piano and guitar are great reference points

[@bax9]

I feel the biggest issue with Thieaudio Elixir compared to the others is the condensation issue (similar to Olina/Olina SE). I'm not sure I want to buy a $200 iem that can potentially die in a year, especially if you live in a humid environment.

[@PassionforSound]

In hadn't heard about that! That's a bit of a worry.

[@chemistara102]

Daily user of Elixir here. The condensation issue really does exists, but honestly as long as you treat your ears first before listening from them (drying your ears, not using them straight up after a bath), you dont really deal with the condensation issue that often (hell, I havent had any last month)

[@taidee]

Man Lachlan, you've put the blessing 3 in the exact same way I hear it. I've also felt like the cable is silly for an IEM at this price. But for me the problem is not its own cheap cable but rather when I plug my other more nice aftermarket cables, they keep falling out, so I find myself forced to use its own cable. Thank you for the comparison because I have been wondering about the Yume II and the Orchestra Lite.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad I could help and thanks for confirming what I'm hearing. Even after all these years, it's great when I can confirm that what I'm hearing and describing adds up for others.

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

Im still new to iems and your graphs are very different from typical graphs I see and use from squig graph sites. Can you make a video comparing and explaining your graph vs squig graphs?

[@PassionforSound]

I'm actually in the process of updating my measurement approach/setup and creating a squig link database of my own to add to the community. 🙂

[@housepianist]

I have the Orchestra Lite and I really enjoy the sound. I can’t compare them to the Blessings but I listen to most every genre out there. I tend to prefer BA IEMs as I enjoy the detail and resolution of them. While DDs are good at delivering more bass presence, I’m very sensitive to what I would call, a “veil” over DD sound. That just might be a way of saying that I prefer detail, clarity, and resolution and BAs just do that better to my ears. The Lites are pretty much what you described but the big caveat is that this “edge” in the treble is never sibilant or strident. It is what I prefer but of course it's OK if others feel differently. I even like BA bass as I like to hear the detail in it along with the body and authority of it. I’m very satisfied with the Orchestra Lite. Thanks for the review.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you're enjoying the Lites. They're a wonderful IEM for sure.

[@willr6793]

The Orchestra Lite are on another level then the Blessing 2/3. I was only watching this video to get confirmation of what I thought to be true before realizing this hobby is incredibly subjective.

[@PassionforSound]

It definitely is very subjective. Where/how do you feel the Orchestra Lite is better?

[@willr6793]

@@PassionforSound Personally I just think they sound more alive and are more fun to listen to. I think what sealed me getting rid of the Blessing 2s was when I did a blind test with the T3 Plus. Both crystal clear but just too neutral for me.

[@PassionforSound]

So have you heard the Blessing 3? I haven't tried the Blessing 2 so I can't say if they're similar or different.

[@pwn3426]

Just ordered Orchestra Lites for 200 on prime deal day. Can't wait for them to get here .

[@PassionforSound]

Nice choice and great deal!

[@TheStaniG]

Just found you from me looking up a review on the Effect Audio cables and boy am I glad I did. You did a wonderfully thorough and descriptive review there and here reviewing the Blessing 3 I was planning to pair with those cables, you did the same. Told me exactly what I needed to hear about it to make my decision (pair it with some pure copper I have wishlisted aha). Subbed after the 1st video, now to binge your channel :)

[@PassionforSound]

So glad I could help! Happy binging 😁 I've got some new and different stuff planned soon. Hope you enjoy it all

[@DuaneJs]

Thank you for this review, very insigthful. I'm now curious about how these IEMs (and their ilk) compare to the Tonezzz ONEz you reviewed a while back.

[@PassionforSound]

The ONEz offer a larger soundstage than any of these. Spatially, the ONEz are nuts. However, they are a little bitey in the treble for some people and that's where something like the Yume II might be preferable.

[@aceofspades6667]

Pretty thorough review! Had high hopes for the bless 3 but perhaps the dusk edition will help with tonal balance.

[@PassionforSound]

Perhaps, but this type of tuning seems to be a trend at the moment.

[@Avialle80]

Is there an unspoken rule in reviews, of never wear the stuff you review on camera? I'm no audiophile and just want some good headphones, but I also care a bit of how they look. It would help a lot if at least a few reviewers would actually wear them for a few seconds.

[@PassionforSound]

Not an unspoken rule - it's just harder to talk about something when it's on your head or in your ears 🙂

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

Youve almost sold me on the bifrost 2/64. But MANY have compared it CLOSELY to the Topping d90se. I can get the topping from APOS for $599 vs the bifrost 2/64 for $799. Is it a worthwhile move? Or am i pinching pennies and it isnt worth it in this case. I dont mind spending money but if i can get a worthwhile deal i like to.

[@PassionforSound]

You're 100% pinching pennies with the D90SE. IMO, they're not in the same ballpark. D90SE is a good Sigma Delta DAC, but it lacks soundstage depth, tonal accuracy (everything is a bit enhanced in terms of clarity/upper end detail) and layering of sounds/3-dimensionality. People who are saying they're similar are probably only paying attention to detail retrieval and not aspects like soundstage presentation and timbral accuracy

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

OK good to know thank you.

[@nusu5331]

thank you for the review. still have to find a dynamic driver matching the bass of my 64audio u8 tho. its also an 8 ba set with a 4 way crossover. does the orchestra light have any crossover at all?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the Orchestra Lite does. You'll probably need to play at a higher price point to get the bass performance you're after though.

[@illustrious420]

I have some critic about the measurements: -First is that mini ears dsp is garbage for anything more than channel matching. -Second is that your measurement is compensated, and that compensation isn't good(or dare I say suck): +It reduce the actual bass level by a ton, and it's not even that accurate(your measurement of the ie900 looks flat in the bass even though it have a 15db bass shell on basically any other uncompensated measurements is for a reason) +Not to mention the fit + seal on the mini ears dsp is just bad for many big iem, an unseal fit can REDUCE the bass level A LOT. Blessing 3 and orchestra lite have almost the same frequency respond in the bass and orchestra lite have basically the same bass frequency as the yume ii, with the orchestra lite/ yume ii have just 1-2db more mid bass than blessing 3. +But your measurements make them have a 6db difference in spl(blessing 3 vs orchestra lite) and orchestra lite just looks like it have less bass and way more bass roll off than yume ii but in fact it isn't, just that the seal on mini ears dsp is terrible. Hearing that yume ii have way better tonal balance and bass level is just cringe(I listened to them all, almost the same tonal balanced, with the blessing 3 have the best bass of them all, which is a bit shocking because blessing 2 bass was very meh). +Mid range accuracy is whatever, and it have terrible pinna in part of no inner ear simulation +The treble is basically wrong for many technical issue. -On the other hand Moondrop measurements is on a b&k 4195, which is an industry standard and there measurements is raw and uncompressed, which when compared to there target respond (in there marketing pic) which basically is just a down slope diffuse field + bass boost make for a much better comparison point. -I said this before and I'll said this again, get a iec 60318-4 (aka 711) for like 150$ and a pinna, even though it's not the best like b&k 5128/4620 but it work way way better than a mini ears dsp and actually is an industry standard. IF YOU WANT TO DO MEASUREMENTS, DO IT BETTER. -I do kinda agree with your subjective sound review of b3 though, even though the quality is great, quantity is just a bit not enough for me, waiting for the dusk version(aka the bass boosted version of this), or use this with something that have a lot of energy, dynamic and slam like questyle m15 is great.

[@TheStaniG]

I too am waiting for the Crinacle Dusk edition :) Pair it with a gucci AF copper cable and we'll see how much oomf we get back.

[@jesuseverardojimenezrivera9993]

Hi, how do these fare against xenns mangird top?

[@PassionforSound]

The Top are a clear step above these. I'm currently in the process of releasing a series of reviews of other IEMs that I've compared to the Top in the finale video and the Top is VERY hard to beat.

[@vishistaryan3883]

Hi!! Which is better for classical music, Blessing 3 or Kato???

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough one. Kato will bring out more of the texture from the strings and brass. Blessing 3 will have a little more weight and presence to the sound. Beyond that, it will depend on what you prefer out of those.

[@olternaut]

In terms of gaming, which of the three would you recommend?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd take the Yume II because I like the additional bass for gaming

[@WoodWax]

How do these fare against aful performer 5?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the Performer 5 - sorry

[@WoodWax]

@@PassionforSound thanks for the response ✌️

[@igorzovko5854]

Thanks Laghlan for honest and one of the best iem review so far...

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure! I'm glad you liked it!

[@alphapapa4446]

One of the few IEM reviewers that ALSO has good recording gear. Lol. Great breakdown of these sets

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review (and the sound quality)!

[@LandsPlanes]

Any iem is better than Magird Top under 600€?

[@PassionforSound]

Maybe the Pilgrim or Project M, but I haven't compared them

[@aaronlespron2089]

It looks like kiwi it was specially made for musicians.. so for us musicians neutral sound is a plus.. too much treble like hit hats in live performances can be painful .. and too much bass will not let voice be clear…. I’m going to give this in ears a chance .. good price nothing here to lose

[@PassionforSound]

It's a nice IEM. I hope you love it

[@SuperEnforcer88]

Great review as always

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked it!

[@TC-bz8sm]

Great review ! Which one provide the biggest /airy soundstage ?

[@PassionforSound]

All are quite good for staging, but the Blessing 3 is probably slightly better due to the reduced bass quantity (relative to the Yume 2)

[@clan_biblioteke]

Hello, just a question, who wins Ikko oh10 or moondrop kato? If I know about the next order, these are my favorites 😉👍👋

[@PassionforSound]

They're very different and both excellent. Kato is more balanced overall, but OH10 has bigger bass and can be more fun (depending on tastes). I think I like the OH10 just a touch more, but it's a close and very personal thing

[@asan1050]

Thanks Much! Again!

[@frederf69]

its about time you learnt another 3 words 😅😅

[@asan1050]

@@frederf69 Fuck off asshole! How about those 3 words! EnjoY

[@PassionforSound]

Those work just fine to convey what he's saying

[@frederf69]

the cheapest is the best hooray! nice review ✌😎👍

[@PassionforSound]

Always a nice surprise when that happens, isn't it?

[@shipsahoy1793]

🤔Floaters at his age? That rapper should be singing the Blues!😉

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Floaters can occur at any age 😉

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PassionforSound Well that sucks. I thought floaters were an old age thing. I didn’t have any health problems until after I passed 55 and heading for 60 actually… and it’s been downhill ever since lol but geez, I can’t imagine having some of these health problems at a young age. I feel sorry for people who have to experience that stuff. Health issues suck. I guess I should consider myself fortunate, even if I died tomorrow.😮 😉👨🏻

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PassionforSound Luckily my hearing is hanging in there fairly well, even though my eyesight isn’t. I’ve got some musician and audio friends that weren’t so lucky in the hearing department.

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, the human body is both resilient and fragile in different ways. I've had floaters since I was in my 30s - not sure what caused them, but they don't bother me most of the time. I also had Bell's Palsy years ago and the left side of my face still doesn't work 100% and probably never will. That said, my health is far better than that of many people so I can't (and don't) complain 🙂

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PassionforSound Amen Brother !!