I already did a headphone version if this, so I figured I might as well do it for iems as well lol.
These have quickly become my favorite iems and are constantly grabbed for, all offer uniquely different yet equally valuable experiences, and all happen to be a major pain in the ass to take near their limits for source gear.
Let’s get this out of the way now, all of these are not worthwhile unless you plan to treat them with the proper source gear otherwise look elsewhere.
Now then, to get right into at a glance technical ability, I’ll just go straight for it and not bore you with any words. I will explain my reasoning after and include little blurbs on the side. Will be ranked 1-4, with 4 being the most in the category (most texture for example) or highest performing in that category, and 1 being the least or worst performing in that category. Keep in mind these are in comparison with each other, not to be taken out of context. Although note that this will not tell the full story, so make sure to read below as well
| Generalized: | EAMT-1C | Thummim | Infinity | Traillii | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | All top tier resolution but the traillii is stand out, and the infinity and obravo after that |
| Speed and Separation | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Traillii is still a technical beast, but in this case the obravo ended up having better separation and quicker speed than the infinity in the midrange and treble |
| Control and Grip | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | The infinity really shines here, having great command, and the thummim does as well, eamt and traillii tied |
| Texture | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | In terms of bass texture I think the traillii leads overall, but the infinity has more texture in the midrange, and obravo has more in the treble |
| Treble Extension | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | Now this one is a hard one lol, double tie, I do think the traillii and obravo tie here, as do the infinity and thummim |
| Bass Extension | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | I personally think it’s a tie between the traillii and thummim, the traillii might technically be able to go a bit lower but I think it doesn’t produce enough quality to count there |
| Microdynamics | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Both the trailli and eamt are fantastic here, honestly the infin and thummim are also great but the other two are just a bit better |
| Macrodynamics | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | It’s pretty easily the infinity here, pretty nuts there, followed by the thummim, the other two tend to focus more on micro |
| Background Blackness | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | The obravo feels very vacant here, the infinity as well. You can sort of tell something’s off with the thummim in comparison |
| Placement accuracy | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | The infinity does a great job at placing and sizing the best, I think the obravo and traillii are runner up after that. The thummium is accurate in it’s stage, but it’s unnatrual |
| Stage Width | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | The obravo feels really wide, and the traillii almost catches up |
| Stage Depth | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | The infinity offer fantastic depth, and traillii after that |
| Sense of size/grandness | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Both the obravo and trailli both feel pretty large overall moreso than the other iems |
| Timbre | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | This is hard because both the infinity and traillii nail timbre imo, obravo gets close |
| Tonality | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | The infinity has the more organic tonality, and the traillii is close. Both the thummim and obravo have a bit more unique yet still reasonably organic tonality that takes some getting used to |
| Overall Bass Quality | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | The traillii has the most textured and nuanced linear bass, the thummim has the most impactful and heavy hitting bass while still being reasonably technical, the obravo has very competent bass but lacks extension, and the infinity has very tight and punchy bass but lacks prominence |
| Overall Midrange Quality | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | I’d say the infinity offers the most capable and refined midrange out of the bunch, and the rest tie because the thummim has the most weight and sweetness, the traillii as the most clarity, and the obravo has the most emotion here |
| Overall Treble Quality | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Also hard, I personally find the treble of the obravo really enjoyable and unique with tons of extension, detail, smoothness, and coherency, the infinity and traillii are also great at treble, and the mmr is a bit slightly off sounding but still good |
| Tonal Density | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | The mmr is easily the most dense and meaty sounding, but the obravo just balances it’s density better than the rest |
| Smoothness | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | See above but replace dense with smooth |
| Forwardness | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | I’d say that all are somewhat forward feeling outside the traillii which is slightly relaxed |
| Forgivingness | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | The mmr is very forgiving of poor music, the trailli kinda, and the other two def not |
| Organicness | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | I think the obravo, infin, and traillii can all be pretty organic with the right things, but the mmr lags behind because of it’s non organic presentation and weirder tonality |
| Source Pickiness | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Honestly all of them are picky |
| Scaling Potential | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Both the traillii and obravo can go pretty damn high, the infinity can reasonably as well |
I think my most used are likely the traillii and infinity, as the other two while sweet, are indeed a more specialist pick.
In terms of music they work well with:
Traillii: general all rounder
Infinity: generally organic music that isn’t too complex
Obravo: more complex and expansive organic music
MMR: More inorganic music
The EAMT 1c is a real interesting one, it has a presentation more similar to headphones, with a really unique yet organic tonal balance. It’s got pretty amazing smoothness and liquidity, lots of resolution and technical performance in a very holographic presentation, surprising coherency, and a very open sound (which makes sense given it’s open back lol). Real unique and involving listen with a micro-centric focus
The Thummim is a warm, rich and full bodied fun iem. It’s got great bass slam and impact, lots of sweetness in the bass and treble, an interesting treble response that avoids harshness while being pretty sparkly, spatial recreation that is very spherical and engaging, and a big macro focus. A load of fun and forgiving of modern music you put into it
The Infinity is always impressive how it pulls off things like dynamics, presentation, and impact. It’s got so much control over everything that goes on leading to a very involved sound, almost a macro focus on micro lol, if that makes sense. Very organic and energetic mid forward signature without being overly that way. It’s impact especially in the mids is really enjoyable too
The Traillii is extremely balanced all around, basically includes the majority of the desirable aspects you want in an iem, all extremely refined and nuanced. With a wide and immersive stage, loads of texture and microdynamics, lots of resolution, and great speed and separation all put together in an organic manner, it’s hard to not enjoy imo.
Cable time:
For the EAMT 1c it has a weird proprietary oBravo mmcx that limits what I can try, so I only have stock and also a Labkable Pandora, which basically is an overall improvement and also adds more body and weight. So really not much I can say here
For the Thummim, honestly most of the non stock cables I had tried lost it’s impressive staging and felt off, the stock Eletech Plato is the best way to go, unless you decide to go up a step and grab an Eletech Iliad, which is a Plato on steroids, and worth the upgrade imo, general elevation of performance.
For the Infinity mk2, to me again the stock cable was best, as other cables upset the delicate tonal balance and also affected some of it’s dynamic balance, BUT upgrading to the Rhapsodio Evo Copper was a large step up in performance, and elevated it overall, highly worthwhile if you are a fan of this iem.
For the Traillii, just don’t. Keep stock, it’s a custom made PW audio cable, and it’s sounded the best out of all the other cables I have tried on it. So stock is the way to go here
Regarding source gear, honestly all of this is basically down to my Luxury Precision P6 Pro as imo that’s the best dap I have owned by far. I did also try this on other daps, but just get the P6P and be done with it lol.
I have a feeling that I’d have problems with the fit after a couple hours.