I felt like I never talk about how to get good audio on iPhones, so here's my review on a lightning dongle, the Maktar Spectra X2. The name may not ring a bell, but NextDrive surely should, and they renamed to Maktar Spectra now, the company offering what I consider to be a really good sound for those who prefer the apple to the robots~
Dunno if it's appropriate to do this but if you could/ want to, the ikko zerda itm05 (it's almost a year old or so just like the spectra) it's the best iOS dongle around. Sad that nobody talks about it. It truly deserves a spot. It was the last dongle I had before migrating to android.
Dunno if it's appropriate to do this but if you could/ want to, the ikko zerda itm05 (it's almost a year old or so just like the spectra) it's the best iOS dongle around. Sad that nobody talks about it. It truly deserves a spot. It was the last dongle I had before migrating to android.
I had the type-C variant of ITM05, before it developed a problem, I think I somehow broke the cable when installing it, but in the meanwhile IKKO focused more on OH1S Gems, OH2, and IMT01, so I never got around to fixing the ITM05 yet.
I can't decide for you. But if the frequency responses are almost the same between OH1 and OH10 and you find inconsistencies between drivers.... It is possible that you think the same about OH10. In my opinion, I hold this OH10 model in high esteem, being among the most used ones. I would prefer a different low end sound and a somewhat different tuning from the high mids onwards. But I don't find that inconsistency. Maybe I call it something else.
The OH1 sounded a bit harsh to me. The OH10 polished the end of the notes, without losing analytical ability. That's the refinement I'm referring to.
Electrostatic tweeter
lt's every audiophile's dream to have a pair of electrostatics in their living room. With the development of the Electrostatic Tweeter, Sonion brings the same technology inside the ear canal, without the need for an external amplifier. Meticulously tuned with only the best components for ultra-low distortion performance
Proprietary compound-molecule composite membrane
Knowles mid-range balanced armatures
Sonion dual-EST super tweeters
Ergonomic design with 3D printed inner framework
Cable terminated in 2.5/4.4/3.5mm
Selected high-purity silver-plated copper cable with enhanced shielding Melodious & harmonious sound design
The quartet design weaves together seamlessly best selected drivers from 3 domains. The bass energy of dynamic drivers, the micro-details retrieval in balanced armatures and cutting-edge tweeter technology powered by Sonion intertwines for an ultra-low distortion, immersive sound experience.
Revolutionary, electrostatic technology
A good tweeter is the “icing on the cake” of a good earphone.
It's every audiophile's dream to have a pair of electrostatics in their living room. With the development of the Electrostatic Tweeter, Sonion brings the same technology inside the ear canal, without the need for an external amplifier. Knowles balanced armature
Knowles' tiny balanced armature drivers occupy less than 1/2 the volume of the smallest dynamic speakers, yet provide premium sound. Small enough to fit in the ear tip, balanced armature drivers allow more room in hear-ables for sensors, additional features, or a larger battery, without sacrificing comfort. Their high efficiency means longer battery life in the coming next. Proprietary compound-molecule composite dynamic driver
High magnetic flux for enhanced transient response and micro-details capturing power. Natural, super-fast response and an extreme smooth articulation achieved by meticulously engineered cross-over network that maximizes sensitivity and efficiency.
Purity for clarity
Every pair of Magma IEM comes with a high quality and purity silver-plated copper cable with selected gauge and formation, this is designed for enhanced sonic performance and uncompromised quality with enhanced shielding.
Every pair is built unique
Assembled, tuned and polished by hands. Specification
Brand: Shozy
Model: MAGMA
Driver: 2 EST + 1BA + 1 dynamic
EST: 2 Sonion custom driver for ultra-high frequency
Balanced armature : Knowles custom driver for mid-high frequency
Dynamic : 9.2mm composite molecular diaphragm
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 21ohm@1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB±1dB@1kHz
THD: <0.1%@1kHz
Crossover: 3-way independent sound pathway
Cable: 4 braid high purity silver-plated oxygen copper
Cable length: 1.2m
Termination: 2pin 0.78mm
I like how these hybrids with EST drivers are going down in price. If they can keep the tuning right, especially with those EST's, then they can sound exceptional. The Moondrop Variations is another one. The Variations was probably my best value purchase during last years holidays, cost about $440 on sale, but gives $900 sound.
I like how these hybrids with EST drivers are going down in price. If they can keep the tuning right, especially with those EST's, then they can sound exceptional. The Moondrop Variations is another one. The Variations was probably my best value purchase during last years holidays, cost about $440 on sale, but gives $900 sound.
Nice to see some praise for the Variations. Those are my first big step forward from the budget level and I've got some expectations. Got them at last years BF for 430$ after I had a chance to give Blessing 2 a try, and hope to receive them in the middle of the next month. The wait has been tough on me, but I hope it pays off. I also hope that my source won't limit their performance too much.
I'd love to see more reasonably priced self-powered DAC/AMPs on the market instead of a wild stream of all those new dongles being released what seems like every weekend.
New Shozy Magma EST Tribrid. Shozy MAGMA 2EST + 1BA + 1 Dynamic Driver Hybrid 2pin 0.78mm HiFi In-ear Earphone Audiophile IEMS Description
Electrostatic tweeter
lt's every audiophile's dream to have a pair of electrostatics in their living room. With the development of the Electrostatic Tweeter, Sonion brings the same technology inside the ear canal, without the need for an external amplifier. Meticulously tuned with only the best components for ultra-low distortion performance
Proprietary compound-molecule composite membrane
Knowles mid-range balanced armatures
Sonion dual-EST super tweeters
Ergonomic design with 3D printed inner framework
Cable terminated in 2.5/4.4/3.5mm
Selected high-purity silver-plated copper cable with enhanced shielding Melodious & harmonious sound design
The quartet design weaves together seamlessly best selected drivers from 3 domains. The bass energy of dynamic drivers, the micro-details retrieval in balanced armatures and cutting-edge tweeter technology powered by Sonion intertwines for an ultra-low distortion, immersive sound experience.
Revolutionary, electrostatic technology
A good tweeter is the “icing on the cake” of a good earphone.
It's every audiophile's dream to have a pair of electrostatics in their living room. With the development of the Electrostatic Tweeter, Sonion brings the same technology inside the ear canal, without the need for an external amplifier. Knowles balanced armature
Knowles' tiny balanced armature drivers occupy less than 1/2 the volume of the smallest dynamic speakers, yet provide premium sound. Small enough to fit in the ear tip, balanced armature drivers allow more room in hear-ables for sensors, additional features, or a larger battery, without sacrificing comfort. Their high efficiency means longer battery life in the coming next. Proprietary compound-molecule composite dynamic driver
High magnetic flux for enhanced transient response and micro-details capturing power. Natural, super-fast response and an extreme smooth articulation achieved by meticulously engineered cross-over network that maximizes sensitivity and efficiency.
Purity for clarity
Every pair of Magma IEM comes with a high quality and purity silver-plated copper cable with selected gauge and formation, this is designed for enhanced sonic performance and uncompromised quality with enhanced shielding.
Every pair is built unique
Assembled, tuned and polished by hands. Specification
Brand: Shozy
Model: MAGMA
Driver: 2 EST + 1BA + 1 dynamic
EST: 2 Sonion custom driver for ultra-high frequency
Balanced armature : Knowles custom driver for mid-high frequency
Dynamic : 9.2mm composite molecular diaphragm
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 21ohm@1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB±1dB@1kHz
THD: <0.1%@1kHz
Crossover: 3-way independent sound pathway
Cable: 4 braid high purity silver-plated oxygen copper
Cable length: 1.2m
Termination: 2pin 0.78mm
Given shozy Pola and POLA 39 that i have tried, hopefully this will not depend much on the tips and source synergy and provide that amount of beautiful details and feel of the treble region with adding better not V shaped mids.
TRI TK-2, Aune BU2, iFi Hip Dac. Maybe something akin to FiiO's BTR5 and Shanling's UP5 even. Of course, "reasonably priced" is a pretty vague criteria, but the first two examples might give you the idea. I think this type of devices is severely underrepresented and I'd like to see more offers out there. Of course, there are other portable iFi's products, as well as Chord Mojo, but those are in another league, price wise at least.
I can't decide for you. But if the frequency responses are almost the same between OH1 and OH10 and you find inconsistencies between drivers.... It is possible that you think the same about OH10. In my opinion, I hold this OH10 model in high esteem, being among the most used ones. I would prefer a different low end sound and a somewhat different tuning from the high mids onwards. But I don't find that inconsistency. Maybe I call it something else.
The OH1 sounded a bit harsh to me. The OH10 polished the end of the notes, without losing analytical ability. That's the refinement I'm referring to.
TRI TK-2, Aune BU2, iFi Hip Dac. Maybe something akin to FiiO's BTR5 and Shanling's UP5 even. Of course, "reasonably priced" is a pretty vague criteria, but the first two examples might give you the idea. I think this type of devices is severely underrepresented and I'd like to see more offers there. Of course, there are other iFi's products, as well as Chord Mojo, but those are in another league, price wise at least.
Got it. I love my $130.00 Hip-DAC. I have an xDuoo X10T II portable digital transport velcro-ed to it most of the time. Great sound for the prices. Can power almost headphone on the market.
I just posted a video, but it is time for another one!! Today I review FiiO BTR5 2021 in viddy, a Bluetooth DAC/AMP/Receiver with an improved sound from the original and with support for the controversial MQA format~
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
