in depth, objective...tempting

Great review! I really enjoy the Zen's too. Its nice to hear that someone is having the same experience with the foam covers. Its best without any

Wow, what a review! Thanks for the shout out and I am really smitten by the V2 as well
 
I agree with everything in the review. I am pretty much using the MA900 and Zen 2 these days as you really can't beat the comfort when using them, not to mention the sound! This is one of those things that you really have to hear to believe it imo. 

great review and a lot of work, respect!

Thanks all - really enjoyed writing this one.  Would recommend without hesitation.

Excellent review! thanks for sharing.
About the "L/R markings hard to see", I have a little tips since few weeks already, it consists by spotting nodes in earbuds transparent bodies, since (at least for me) they are different, the Left pair in more centric, the Right one it more at the bottom so it is very easy to distinguish them after some use! of course they works for my pair but maybe not everyone pairs.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Cheers and happy new year everyone

Cool

@Brooko, I have the monk and I have been listening to them mostly with the covers off. Going by this review, it is obvious that I am missing much. Would you recommend the donut covers or the full covers?

Hi Shankar - the most important thing with the Monks (or original Zens) is creating some sort of light seal to get the bass right.  The choice of donut or full cover is secondary and comes down to preference. If you can, I would recommend trying both.  I actually prefer the full covers on the Monk - but YMMV.

@Brooko Eloquently precise as always! Your reviews are well suited to me because of the signature preference and astonishingly similar music taste. I cannot stress enough how big they are a help to me. Thanks a lot! Though the zens have been tugging at me since some time, I have zeroed down to 3 options for my budget to mid-tier IEMs(and earbud but nvm)
1. The Zens V2
2. Trinity Audio Delta/DUNU Titan 5
3. Fiio EX1(the only one I will not have to import, so it is more of a last resort)
 
Now I know the EX1s can't hold a candle to the Deltas and T5s.
 Are the Zens better than the Deltas or T5? I know I am comparison is not exactly valid. Isolation  is not of that great importance for me, though I won't begrudge it.
 
Thanks for the time!
(Usually I just read stuff on the site and don't contribute or appreciate. I see why that is wrong. Thanks again!)

Boy that is a tough question - and its going to depend on what you value more.  Lets start by saying that the sonics on each are really wonderful. They all have slightly different signatures, but they also have different features.
 
Best overall build would go to Titan 5 and Delta
Best comfort would go that way too.
Best isolation would be Delta > Titan5 > Zen2
Most natural would be Zen2, and it has most sound stage (by a considerable margin)
Most bass (quantity) would be Delta and then Titan 5
Best bass quality would probably be T5 > Zen2 > Delta
 
I'm talking about Delta original BTW - haven't heard V2 yet - and the bass is supposed to be improved.
 
Probably easiest way to look at it first is - would you prefer earbud or IEM, then narrow it down from there.  You can't really go wrong with any of them though.

Ah thanks a lot! I think I will go with the Delta V2 in the hope that it'll be a bit better than V1. Even though I will pine for the Zens, I will prefer an IEM and some isolation. and the Deltas are just a bit more versatile even if I am giving up on clarity by some by not choosing T5.
 
The preorder deal on the Delta V2 is pretty sweet and maybe I can save some for the Zens and buy them someday
 
Keep up the amazing work!

@Brooko Thanks for review. So will be e17k power enough to drive zen v2? I want to clarify this, because e17k specification says it's only max to 150 ohm

E17K is more than enough to drive the Zen2.  FiiO actually understates its driving capability, and in reality the Zen2 are not that hard to drive.

Thanks for quick response.

@Brooko Excellent review. I love the sound signature of the zen 2. Mainly bass and vocals, the soundstage too. What iem would you recommend with a similar sound signature with added sub-bass and isolation? My price range is upto 400$.

Tough call.  Unfortunately I'm away from home on a business trip - not back until another 8-9 days.  As soon as I get back I'll take a look and see if I can find a match.  I take it you are looking for IEMs rather than earbuds?

Yes I am looking for in-ear. I want to use it for travel. Although I know it's a bit tough to get the soundstage in an iem. From you reviews, I am interested in Fidue A83, Dunu dn2000j and FLC8S. Although anything else is also fine.

Ok - can you send a PM and I'll pick it up next week when I'm home.