Reviews by Sahem
I got these iems about a week ago and all this time I just couldn't tear myself away from listening. So if you want to get a quick answer, buy them or not- 100% yes. And now to the details.
And I apologize, my camera is not the best, I hope in the future I will have a phone with a better camera.
What's in the box?
There is nothing unusual in the box for modern earphones:
S12 themselves;
1 3,5 or 4,4 cable;
2 package of tips. Strangely, black tips didn't fit on the IEM, so I couldn't even try them;
1 package of foam tips;
Some papers.
The kit is basically the most ordinary, I would like something more. For example, in my previous spring 1 main headphones from BQEYZ, the ear pads were on metal plates. But this is just a quibble, because there is enough in the kit, and in the new s12 pro there will also be a cable with replaceable plugs, which is very respected.
The fit and the cable
Cable and fit are extremely important and interrelated factors.
The s12's cable is simply excellent. It is flexible, pleasantly soft, does not get confused, is equipped with 2 pin connectors and looks stylish. I have no desire to change it, only if it is something like graphene + copper cable to improve the sound.
Now about the fit. These planars, despite their large driver, they are very small, especially in thickness. They fit very comfortably in the ear and do not press at all. The earplugs on the cable are not rubbed, as they themselves are very soft. But because of the different size of my ears, I have to use a divider on the cable. And the separator could be better. He's holding up, but very uncertain. The cable from TRN, for example, has a bead that copes with the same task much better.
THE SOUND ITSELF
Sooo to the main part.
I paired these guys with Ibasso dc04, Xduoo xp-2 pro and topping dx3 pro+ and used BQEYZ foams, because they fit my ears the best. All tracks were flac, very rarely MP3.
I'll start with the least pleasant bunch. DC04 proved to be absolutely helpless for these headphones. Despite its 200 milliwatts, it failed to unlock their potential. On all tracks, they sounded clamped and dim, despite the brightness of both the headphones and the Dac. In general, I was disappointed with this particular bundle.Therefore, for example, we can say that s12 require a high-quality source that will give them enough power and will be able to unlock the full potential of the planar driver.
But with the other two sources, I was amazed at the sound quality. It was a whole new level for me .Since to my ear these two Dacs are the same, a further description of the sound will be for both.
The first track I listened to was 2pack - Violent. The trembling bass at the very beginning became really trembling and enveloping, which gave a new level of immersion in music. And in other tracks with bass parts, everything began to sound fatter and warmer. The bass began to penetrate the ears, it became tactile.
Another good example would be DustTrust - Divine Terror. In this track, details appeared in the background, such as howls flowing from ear to ear or short drum inserts that I had not heard before.
But the main revelation was metal. For example, Marilyn Manson - Beautiful people began to sound more voluminous at the beginning (the drums became clearer in each ear), and when the main part begins, everything sounds much angrier, whole, but at the same time distinct for each instrument .Metallica - All Nightmare Long also began to sound angrier. At high speed, the headphones do not get lost. At 0:54, the stereo effect from the cymbals is well traced.
The general sound qualities that I will not give on the example of tracks are the warmth of the sound, its volume, excellent positioning and 3D effect. The stage has become more airy everywhere, especially where it is provided in the track itself.
Conclusion
Comparing these earphones with others in my collection is pointless. Spring 1, airpods pro, HD 560 s simply cannot compare with them for objective reasons. From memory, I compared them with P1 plus from tin hi-fi. P1 is not even close. They are thin, sandy on the tops and their bases are much poorer than in S12.
What advice can I give? Use foam tips and buy a copper or graphene cable to make the sound even warmer and more voluminous.
And to the name. Why "probably"? Because TANGZU ZE TIAN has now appeared on sale, which are recognized by many as much more successful. I can't say about this, but I can recommend the S12 as a win-win option for any of your sound requirements up to about $200.
And I apologize, my camera is not the best, I hope in the future I will have a phone with a better camera.
What's in the box?
There is nothing unusual in the box for modern earphones:
S12 themselves;
1 3,5 or 4,4 cable;
2 package of tips. Strangely, black tips didn't fit on the IEM, so I couldn't even try them;
1 package of foam tips;
Some papers.
The kit is basically the most ordinary, I would like something more. For example, in my previous spring 1 main headphones from BQEYZ, the ear pads were on metal plates. But this is just a quibble, because there is enough in the kit, and in the new s12 pro there will also be a cable with replaceable plugs, which is very respected.
The fit and the cable
Cable and fit are extremely important and interrelated factors.
The s12's cable is simply excellent. It is flexible, pleasantly soft, does not get confused, is equipped with 2 pin connectors and looks stylish. I have no desire to change it, only if it is something like graphene + copper cable to improve the sound.
Now about the fit. These planars, despite their large driver, they are very small, especially in thickness. They fit very comfortably in the ear and do not press at all. The earplugs on the cable are not rubbed, as they themselves are very soft. But because of the different size of my ears, I have to use a divider on the cable. And the separator could be better. He's holding up, but very uncertain. The cable from TRN, for example, has a bead that copes with the same task much better.
THE SOUND ITSELF
Sooo to the main part.
I paired these guys with Ibasso dc04, Xduoo xp-2 pro and topping dx3 pro+ and used BQEYZ foams, because they fit my ears the best. All tracks were flac, very rarely MP3.
I'll start with the least pleasant bunch. DC04 proved to be absolutely helpless for these headphones. Despite its 200 milliwatts, it failed to unlock their potential. On all tracks, they sounded clamped and dim, despite the brightness of both the headphones and the Dac. In general, I was disappointed with this particular bundle.Therefore, for example, we can say that s12 require a high-quality source that will give them enough power and will be able to unlock the full potential of the planar driver.
But with the other two sources, I was amazed at the sound quality. It was a whole new level for me .Since to my ear these two Dacs are the same, a further description of the sound will be for both.
The first track I listened to was 2pack - Violent. The trembling bass at the very beginning became really trembling and enveloping, which gave a new level of immersion in music. And in other tracks with bass parts, everything began to sound fatter and warmer. The bass began to penetrate the ears, it became tactile.
Another good example would be DustTrust - Divine Terror. In this track, details appeared in the background, such as howls flowing from ear to ear or short drum inserts that I had not heard before.
But the main revelation was metal. For example, Marilyn Manson - Beautiful people began to sound more voluminous at the beginning (the drums became clearer in each ear), and when the main part begins, everything sounds much angrier, whole, but at the same time distinct for each instrument .Metallica - All Nightmare Long also began to sound angrier. At high speed, the headphones do not get lost. At 0:54, the stereo effect from the cymbals is well traced.
The general sound qualities that I will not give on the example of tracks are the warmth of the sound, its volume, excellent positioning and 3D effect. The stage has become more airy everywhere, especially where it is provided in the track itself.
Conclusion
Comparing these earphones with others in my collection is pointless. Spring 1, airpods pro, HD 560 s simply cannot compare with them for objective reasons. From memory, I compared them with P1 plus from tin hi-fi. P1 is not even close. They are thin, sandy on the tops and their bases are much poorer than in S12.
What advice can I give? Use foam tips and buy a copper or graphene cable to make the sound even warmer and more voluminous.
And to the name. Why "probably"? Because TANGZU ZE TIAN has now appeared on sale, which are recognized by many as much more successful. I can't say about this, but I can recommend the S12 as a win-win option for any of your sound requirements up to about $200.
Attachments
DJ Core
If you love clean bass and more details plus a wider soundstage, get the Moon Drop spring tips. They take this IEM to another level of detail, decent mids and bass. Price vs sound you get is the best hands down.
Sahem
@DJ Core I don't use spring tips like any other silicon tips because only foams fits good enough and make sound "better" IMHO. I tested S12 with kbear tips, spring 1 tips and white from S12 package, foams are the best. They give extra weight to the sound and soften the tops a little, making the sound a little less detailed and sharp. And besides, I don 't have spring tips, but thanks for advise. Maybe sometime I'll buy moondrop IEM, or just tips and give them a try.
