They do make a bunch of IEMs, but so far (get it) so far their DAPs have taken the limelight......around here anyway. I hope I don’t get in trouble for showing this too soon.
Oh they do. I tested their Zeta (4est flagship), Crystal Mk1 and Mk2 (6BA, if I remember right). Zeta is an L-shaped, smooth IEM with great bass and detailed but relaxed treble.
Crystal I is shaped like Jerry Harvey UIEMs, which is very uncomfortable to wear for me.
Crystal II is much more comfortable. This IEM has neutral bright tuning. Very strong vocal clarity, though not the most natural tonality. Bass has good dynamic and physicality (Sonion vented woofers), but quite minimal in quantity. A niche listening.
I don’t know who design/develop/supply IEM to Hiby, but their IEMs feel different from usual chifi brands. Not good or bad difference, just different. From the build to packaging to accessories.
Phoenixcall - as amazing as it gets aesthetically; fit is a bit problematic for me due to bulkiness; sound is not overly eventful (in a good sense, bass is contained nicely to my preference: treble is there; resolution is at least adequate compared to all my all-BAs).
Castor Bass version - with original switches (off, off, on, on) - OK; flipped over (on, on, off, off) - really bassy, so viola started to sound morr like cello, so the mighty bass presence is there, I guess.
Castor Standard version, as they write in the box, (all awitches off) - really liked it more than two permutations of the Bass Castor and kept listening to viola tracks for much longer.
Another amazing KZ IEM to me, just for under $15.
I do not have other "curve-tuned" double DDs to compare, but Hola looses to Castor in treble, and Hexa did not work for me at all for music enjoyment (clinical monitoring - sure, just give me some white coat))
Have you ever tried to update its firmware? Using the FDU tool it fails at around 10% if I try to update it to any version (1.09, 1.10, 1.12): if using the FlashTool, theoretically it goes through until 100% and it says successful, but the device's version is always the same (1.09)...
I used the flashtool, it went through 100%, and then version changed to the latest version. Contact Hiby once, they are very responsive and will guide you.
I have the Hiby Lasya and Hela...and honestly, they are wonderful. Both single DD, at $199 and $79 respectively. They have a distinctly different and well-tuned sound signature. I found them quite unique and pleasant.
I know it's totally subjective, but I would lay my life in battle for the Simgot EW200 in the under 50€ price range (only in a computer game of course).
You guys keep saying things like this and it makes me want to pull the trigger. They're a measly $36 on Amazon in the US with next day delivery. But I have the Quintet coming in the next couple days, still love my Fiio JD7, and am already a big fan of the Clear for the sub $50 market. Why would I order another iem?
Yeah that's the thing about budget IEMs, it's fun to collect but after a day or 2 of listening to them you just go back to your main set. For me anyway.
For me I'll just put that $50 to my next upgrade.
You guys keep saying things like this and it makes me want to pull the trigger. They're a measly $36 on Amazon in the US with next day delivery. But I have the Quintet coming in the next couple days, still love my Fiio JD7, and am already a big fan of the Clear for the sub $50 market. Why would I order another iem?
I am late for the train. I just find the EW200 has different imaging level and musical experience that I can get from the $50 market. Which is simply amazing for this price ! Some others suggested the bass is not enough, but its quite sufficient for me, and I can get better bass by changing azla tips and cable.
Finally, got few of the recent orders:
Fast first impressions:
Phoenixcall - as amazing as it gets aesthetically; fit is a bit problematic for me due to bulkiness; sound is not overly eventful (in a good sense, bass is contained nicely to my preference: treble is there; resolution is at least adequate compared to all my all-BAs).
Castor Bass version - with original switches (off, off, on, on) - OK; flipped over (on, on, off, off) - really bassy, so viola started to sound morr like cello, so the mighty bass presence is there, I guess.
Castor Standard version, as they write in the box, (all awitches off) - really liked it more than two permutations of the Bass Castor and kept listening to viola tracks for much longer.
Another amazing KZ IEM to me, just for under $15.
I do not have other "curve-tuned" double DDs to compare, but Hola looses to Castor in treble, and Hexa did not work for me at all for music enjoyment (clinical monitoring - sure, just give me some white coat))
Its there any chance you can compare the EDA balance with Castor Standard, and EDA Bass with Caster bass ? Just wonder how far KZ can improve with the similar price range. Thanks !
I respect the difference in opinion, but for me it would be one of the most controversial advices you can give especially if someone has 100$ to spend.
Assuming 2 scenarios where you just buy 1st hand (which is not the best deal if you ask me, but it is easier to present):
a) you have 100$ to spend
variant #1 - you buy 50$ source - lets say Moondrop Dawn Pro, as it seem like best bang for the buck. You are left with 50$ to spend on an IEM - Cadenza/EW200 would be probably best options + probably a cable 4,4mm for 10$ to benefit from balanced source the best. Well that is not that bad of a deal as I originally tought
variant #2 - you buy 10$ dongle - to avoid memers I would say VE abigail or VE avani for 10$. You are left with 90$ - you can buy EA500/Olina SE/Truthear Hexa and still have money left for some nice looking 3.5mm cable for 10%.
variant #3 - you buy 10$ dongle - as above Abigail/Avani. With 90$ left you are buying 2 IEMs to see what fits you better sound wise. EW200+ Z300 or Khan + Heart Mirror Zero would cover your options very widely
b) you have 200$ to spend
variant #1 - you buy 50$ source - lets say Moondrop Dawn Pro, as it seem like best bang for the buck. You are left with 150$ to spend on an IEM - Fan2, S12, P1 Max, Legato + probably a cable 4,4mm for 10$ to benefit from balanced source the best.
variant #2 - you buy 10$ dongle - to avoid memers I would say VE abigail or VE avani instead of Apple dongle for 10$. You are left with 190$ - you can buy Fan2 + cable, Yume, Hana, Timeless - all of them may be endgames for a lot of people already
variant #3 - you buy 10$ dongle - as above Abigail/Avani. With 190$ left you are buying 2 IEMs to see what fits you better sound wise. EA500 + TruthEar Hexa or VE SIE + Dunu Titan S + nice looking cable and you have your options covered very well. Alternatively you can buy 3 IEMs like EA500 + Hexa + Cadenza or some of the new DSP ones which is
I would say variant #3 is the most desirable choice overall, especially in the beginning of the road as you learn what you like.
If you know what you like - especially in 100$ bucks range - in my opinion you would be having much better experience with IEM in 70-80$ range than with those cheaper ones on top of a good source.
In 100-200$ range the IEMs are so good already that it is more of a matter of taste, but still you can either explore couple of options and get to know your needs much better or choose one in higher price range and leave it like that. Or just spend less money.
On the other hand having a good source in the beginning would just prevent having too extensive temptation of buying something later on to see how it affects the perceived sound But hmm - if I would say that you would have at least 90-95% experience with those IEMs with CX31993 dongles as with something like Dawn Pro
agreed hunting for CX31993 should be enough for $100 buy, you could get cheapo CX31993 like from Jcally or getting abigail/avani for $10~$15 then hunts for $85 iems.
or if you gonna buy $200, i would recommend spending for $50 ish source like Moondrop Dawn Pro or DC03Pro and getting $150 IEMs.
or get Iphone dongle per crin recommendation.
although, i would recommend getting a dac/amp balanced out or amped source if you want to get planars like Timeless, Zetian Wu.
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