[anindyameister]

Doh!
I made the same mistake, ordered the cheaper one without realising that it didn’t have Apt-x

Interesting if you look at the apt-x version listings the chip the mention using is exactly the same as the Meizu EP52 you mentioned above!

Although no mention of AAC on that!

Does anyone know of a similar form factor that does have AAC? (Either naively for KZ or that can be spliced?)

Thanks

The CSR8645 chip which is pretty common among the neckbands, including the EP52 does support AAC decoding, but doesn't seem to be enabled for most cases. I suspect it has something to do with Apple certification/licensing. My Fiio BTR1 is a v1 piece, which lacks AAC streaming with iPhone/Mac even though the chip has support for it, only recently a v2 of the BTR1 came out that works with AAC.

One interesting piece of news is that Xiaomi has just launched a bluetooth neckband earphone in China, priced at 299 Yuan, which prominently mentions AAC support, could be legit.

http://item.mi.com/product/7840.html

 

[CardigdanWalk]

The CSR8645 chip which is pretty common among the neckbands, including the EP52 does support AAC decoding, but doesn't seem to be enabled for most cases. I suspect it has something to do with Apple certification/licensing. My Fiio BTR1 is a v1 piece, which lacks AAC streaming with iPhone/Mac even though the chip has support for it, only recently a v2 of the BTR1 came out that works with AAC.

One interesting piece of news is that Xiaomi has just launched a bluetooth neckband earphone in China, priced at 299 Yuan, which prominently mentions AAC support, could be legit.

http://item.mi.com/product/7840.html

Hmm, would that imply that it’s just “software” that’s stopping AAC from working? I wonder if there if it’s a way of “flashing” / “enabling” a non AAC version of a neckband with the CSR8645 chip with an AAC enabled version of the software. Either way that’s way beyond my capabilities.

Seems the “easiest” way could be to try and find the above Xiami version and re wire the ends to be 2 pin KZ compatible person

Do xiami products often go to AliExpress or would I need to look elsewhere? (Any hints if so!)

 

[Lifted Andreas]

Time to grab a pair before they disappear forever like the HDS2!

Nice price too.

Thank me later.

 

[Bartig]

Time to grab a pair before they disappear forever!

Nice price too.

Thank me later.

Why would I want these if I already have the ATE, ATE, ZS3, ZS5, ZSR and ZST?

 

[Lifted Andreas]

Why would I want these if I already have the ATE, ATE, ZS3, ZS5, ZSR and ZST?

Because they're iconic, and to my knowledge KZ hasn't made another micro IEM since.

 

[anindyameister]

Hmm, would that imply that it’s just “software” that’s stopping AAC from working? I wonder if there if it’s a way of “flashing” / “enabling” a non AAC version of a neckband with the CSR8645 chip with an AAC enabled version of the software. Either way that’s way beyond my capabilities.

Seems the “easiest” way could be to try and find the above Xiami version and re wire the ends to be 2 pin KZ compatible person

Do xiami products often go to AliExpress or would I need to look elsewhere? (Any hints if so!)

I'm waiting myself to see if the Mi neckband gets trickled down to Aliexpress or not. Unsure how long it might take.

And there is apparently a CSR ROM toolkit, which is officially only available to vendors, and unofficially shared among diy community.

Notice top right corner checkboxes.

Although I doubt the microusb port on consumer electronics allows communication with the chip.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/software-tools/302515-csr8645-rom-configuration-tool.html

https://bois083.wordpress.com/2016/10/08/playing-audio-files-with-csr8645-bluetooth-chip/

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/programming-off-the-shelf-csr8635-module/25/

 

[Bartig]

Because they're iconic, and to my knowledge KZ hasn't made another micro IEM since.

AudioBudget scores them a 3.5 out of 5. I don’t have to collect them merely for the collecting, I already think I have too much low costing non-used IEMs.

 

[mbwilson111]

I already think I have too much low costing non-used IEMs.

I have too many as well..mainly because of Amazon lightning deals. They all sound nice enough but I only have one set of ears.

 

[HungryPanda]

A drawer full of iems is de rigueur for all of us

 

[mbwilson111]

A drawer full of iems is de rigueur for all of us

The real question is: How many drawers?

 

[Lifted Andreas]

AudioBudget scores them a 3.5 out of 5. I don’t have to collect them merely for the collecting, I already think I have too much low costing non-used IEMs.

Are you really expecting a 4.5/5 out of 5 for a $10 IEM? Lol

 

[Slater]

The CSR8645 chip which is pretty common among the neckbands, including the EP52 does support AAC decoding, but doesn't seem to be enabled for most cases. I suspect it has something to do with Apple certification/licensing. My Fiio BTR1 is a v1 piece, which lacks AAC streaming with iPhone/Mac even though the chip has support for it, only recently a v2 of the BTR1 came out that works with AAC.

One interesting piece of news is that Xiaomi has just launched a bluetooth neckband earphone in China, priced at 299 Yuan, which prominently mentions AAC support, could be legit.

http://item.mi.com/product/7840.html

I own the Meizu EP52 (and an iPhone). I would be happy to check for you, if you let me know what I need to do.

 

[stimuz]

Are you really expecting a 4.5/5 out of 5 for a $10 IEM? Lol

CM5 imo

 

[Lifted Andreas]

CM5 imo

I have to kindly disagree, to me the TRN v20 are way closer to that rating than the CM5. At least for now, I've not had the CM5 long though.

 

[Bartig]

Are you really expecting a 4.5/5 out of 5 for a $10 IEM? Lol

Now look at the score of the KZ ATE over there.