I had the Verum 1. It sounded great, but the durability was really bad. Mine broke (not literally, but stopped working properly) with minimal desktop use. I spoke to the local distributor about why they stopped carrying this and I was told that the return rates were too high, it wasn't...

It's interesting that it is so easy to install google apps on it, given that you bought it from taobao and the Chinese government doesn't allow Google apps on their phones.

As someone living in Asia, I'll likely buy it from Taobao too. My biggest question will be how difficult is it to install the Google apps on it?

xMEMS does have the tech for a vent that can open and close, like you mention, but it wasn't stated anywhere that this tech is used in the Ace earphones. You're right that you don't really need vents for ANC, just microphones. I was just repeating Creative's explanation, but I can't explain...

The Ace has a dynamic driver for the bass.

IIRC, the reason why vents are need is for the ANC to work optimally, not for the drivers. In fact, Creative states that MEMs drivers can't work as well in a vented setup: That venting exposes one of the few weaknesses of current MEMS driver technology — they can’t produce high enough sound...

Seems like the Creative Aurvana preorders are only available in the US. But I did see that the delivery date starts from Dec. 12. So hopefully I can get to try them locally early next year. EDIT: Nope sorry my bad, the Singapore website took longer than usual to load but yea preorders are...

I was expecting them to be under $150 when they first announced it back in August, if you consider how little their TWS are priced. As I'm in Singapore, the homeground for Creative, I should be able to easily test it before buying a pair as soon as they are launched. Hopefully. The Creative...

wrt Skoll, it seems like there may be an opportunity to do a MIL version using Nexus. From the chapter, it sounded like feedback on the sound quality is great, but there are kinks to iron out and cost wise it'll be higher than skoll and its 399 price tag. But if subjectively, it sounds...

He did, that was the very first thing he discussed when he introduced the amp. He wanted to create a better Magni that uses the Magnius case but is different from the Magnius/not balanced, so he was stumped with what to do with the 4 pin XLR hole at the front of the case (start watching from...

(Again I could be wrong but) I believe the balanced output behind the Magnius are pre-amp output, so that's going to be the same for the Midgard. For the front, Magnius has a 4 pole XLR balanced headphone out, but on the Midgard, the 4 pole XLR is single ended, not balanced. Hence the Midgard...

Actually Jason mentioned in the video that the Midgard might destroy Asgard sales, which makes sense because both of them are single ended, have the same dimensions while the Midgard is slightly cheaper and may sound better. If you want balanced, then Midgard isn't going to be considered at all.

Midgard sounds like it'll be single ended, so Magnius should still be around to serve as a lower price balanced amp, I'm guessing

I haven't been following the XMEMS news so forgive my ignorance, but when can we expect to see lower priced commercial earphones using XMEMS drivers in the market (say around the $500 mark)? I understand that the Singularity Audio Oni IEMs is using this tech but...... It's beyond affordable for...