Head Gear Reviews by activatorfly

Making arrangements with Douk Audio Store was a tad more convoluted on this occasion, as two additional units (including the Douk Audio U1, SE to balanced adapter) needed to be shipped out. The bundle despatch also coincided with The Chinese Spring Festival. Fortunately, I'm very grateful that Douk went out of their way to make sure that the trio of units arrived in the UK, more speedily than advertised! (Due to relocation this review was delayed by several weeks.) Here is the link to Douk Audio U5 Pro...

Many thanks in advance to @KEEPHIFI for sending me this set. It's totl'y in Keeping with my affordable "hi-fi" ethos. Aesthetically their shells also appear quite attractive making them seem a tad more premium. After previously deciding to bypass shelling out on ballpark £200 sets: such as the Pula Anvil, the KBear adequately suffice in providing an audiophile taster of bone conduction driver tech. Their shell size is another positive, in that they're not unwieldly like the Anvil. Bass The Beryllium dynamic driver diaphragm produces decent bass...

KZ ZA12's build quality is excellent, sporting a gorgeous bling faceplate, alas as usual (at this price point) the included accessories are best avoided. Comprised of BA's + 2 DD's, the hybrid's crossover renders tracks very fast, hence there's no lag in dynamic cohesion, akin to that of a single DD. Micro detailing really stands out, which perceptibly increases your sense of engagement and immersion. Having an extra DD, what's instantly noticeable is there's no bass boom whatsoever. Plus the obligatory metallic sheen, associated with KZ tuning has...

Making arrangements with Douk Audio Store was a tad more convoluted on this occasion, as additionally two more units needed to be shipped out. The bundle despatch coincided with The Chinese Spring Festival. Fortunately, I'm very grateful that Douk went out of their way to make sure that the trio of units arrived in the UK, more speedily than advertised! Here are links to the Douk Audio A5: Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS41KM9B Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DRWVF4VT Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DRWVF4VT Official...

Liaising with Douk Audio Store is always a pleasurable encounter & very conducive regarding future directions and developments relating to their extensive product range, in both the desktop & portable marketplace. Here are links to the Douk DAC-Q11: https://doukaudio.com/products/douk-audio-dac-q11-hifi-ess9038-akm4493-usb-dac-audio-adapter-coax-opt-d-a-converter-dsd256 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0D83ZLTWG Build Quality: Post unboxing you're immediately struck by the excellent quality control of Douk's Hi-Fi units & accessories package. The top...

Dealing with Douk Audio Store is an uber friendly experience, exchanging messages is very swift and makes communication an absolute breeze. Here's the links to the Douk P1Plus: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDBFDYXX https://doukaudio.com/products/douk-audio-p1plus-bluetooth-tube-preamp-usb-dac-headphone-amp-w-vu-meter-dsd256 https://www.ebay.com/itm/267003540387?mkevt=1&mkcid=2&mkrid=215511653632032649&keyword=US_youtube_P1PLUSUS_P1PLUS001 Unboxing the P1Plus is a total pleasure, a big improvement over previous amplifier units packaging, which were...

Dealing with the Yaoyaotiger HIFI Audio Store was a very friendly experience – message responses were very quick, making the ordering process an absolute breeze. If you notify them that you’re a Head-Fi member....an extra 5% discount will be offered. Product link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001382010241.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.8e764c4d1YMsBq The NM2+ are my first reference monitor iem set, their dual cavity dynamic driver delivers exceptional frequency response of 9-40kHz. Coupled with their low impedance rating of 18ohm (sensitivity...

Ordering the KBEAR KS2 – when dealing with the ever friendly KBEAR Official Store (product link below) was a great experience - the parcel being shipped quickly once the order placed. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001209302741.html?spm=2114.12010611.8148356.5.2e331640NMi8ft; To obtain the discount price: 1. Became a follower of KBEAR Official Store 2. Use discount code: NEWKBEARKS2 Out of the box, these iems can be used efficiently with any source, including smartphones, due to the low 16 ohm impedance rating. However, upgrading from the...

The KZ-Z1 TWS was received from AK Audio store (product link below) - the package dispatched & arriving in a very efficient time. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000989409388.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.c2664c4dNseFPt It is advisable with the KZ-Z1 to use memory foams to maintain a more secure seal/fit and boost bass response. Charging time was very quick and they are constantly trickle charged whilst in case. The controls work very extremely well with no glitches and are comprehensively laid out in the supplied instruction leaflet. This set is...

Ordering the TRN-VX from the helpful AK Audio store (product link below) was as effortless as usual - the package was swiftly dispatched & arrived in uber quick time. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001050280671.html I was looking for more compact iems that were close to generating mid-tier performance – in an attempt to emulate my favourite set: Tri-i3....& beloved earbud drivers….DIY PK2 SR2 Pro (16ohm.) The TRN-VX 6BA+1DD hybrid configuration certainly piqued my interest - to ascertain if they could compete with mid-range sets, whilst I'm...

Ordering the KBEAR Diamond - after dealing with the friendly AK Audio store (product link below) was an absolute breeze, the parcel dispatched speedily – arrived in time with no issues at all. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000493337285.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.c2664c4dNseFPt The KBEAR Diamond packaging has the wow factor beyond their budget price range, with a cool faux leather case, which is very useable. Out of the box, the set can be used with any source, and modified to generate audiophile levels of enjoyment. The pronounced...

When ordering the Blon BL-05....communication with AK Audio store (product link below) was as usual efficient - parcel dispatch was swift & arrived in uber quick time! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000932019151.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.c2664c4dNseFPt On this occasion, I specifically ordered two sets: Blon BL05 and KBEAR Diamond together. This was a marked departure from the usual collecting strategy - i.e. linear upgrading in accordance with price ratio of improved sound signature, builds & configurations. My aim in this instance was to pair...

Once again, dealing with the friendly AK Audio store (product link below) was an absolute breeze, the parcel dispatched speedily – arrived in time (totally avoiding the chaos of Chinese New Year!) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000366807250.html Out of the box, the provided stock accessories, cable and tips are usable but these are in need of upgrading - in order to reveal & maximize the audiophile qualities of the Tri-i3. Whilst the stock cable sounds great (regardless of source) Tri - as a new company, recommends pairing their sets with...

I acquired this amazing set from the very friendly AK Audio store (URL link here) the iems were dispatched quickly with no delivery issues! I became aware of Blon BL-03 subsequent to watching the video review & glowing recommendation of Tanchjim Oxygen by ‘Bad Guy Good Reviews.' Out of the box, it’s apparent that the accessories stock cable and tips are useable but probably need upgrading to make the Blon truly shine. In order to attain their optimum listening experience I changed stock with a balanced 8-core SPC silver cable. Also, I attached...

Ordering this set from the uber friendly Alice at the VS Audio Store (URL link: here) was a total breeze, the package was received smoothly and speedily as usual. VS always provide excellent communication during pre & after sales service! Out of the box, in order to achieve audiophile level results, the poor accessories: stock cable and tips should be completely ignored. I initially auditioned with 8-core silver cable. However, to attain optimum listening experience, I opted instead to add balanced 16-core copper cable (URL link: here) I found...

Ordering the superb NX7’s from Alice at the VS Audio Store (URL link here) was very smooth as usual, resulting in their speedy receipt – the store always delivers excellent communication & service! :) NX7’s driver configuration initially polarised opinion, however they truly shine with minimal modding using wider bore tips coupled with micro pore tape, whilst listening via balanced cable with a warmer source. Such improvements in signature/tonality have been experienced by those that were initially detractors - reflected by gradual changes in...

Specs: Build Quality: The first batch of ST-10 had poor MMCX connectors resulting in loose contacts with stock cable. However, dealing with Alice at the VS Audio Store on Ali Express (URL link here) provided excellent customer service to resolve this issue! Communication with VS Audio Store was very smooth & quick! - Alice arranged replacements to be sent out asap. After experiencing loose contacts, Smabat honoured to replace all faulty units with the fixed version. The fixed batch is much improved, having very solid MMCX connectors, which...

Build, comfort & fit: Very light and sleek shells sporting a brushed aluminum finish with minimal ear protrusion. Build quality of the metal shells is excellent with uber tight MMCX connectors - supplied with 2 pairs of silicons covers (one pair with ear hooks.) With attached silicons the in-ear comfort level is superb & they’re incredibly light and unobtrusive. One thing I always try out with new buds is to cup both hands over ears & buds - to ascertain if the bass/sub bass quantity can be improved by reducing any sound leakage. I found that the...