[MidnightSun]

What do you guys think of the CCA Hydro overall and its 2DD+8BA ?


If its not all hype, then at least its a cheap way to experiment with a bit of tuning to know which direction to go (with the switches).

Judging it just by the graph, it's a bouncy V-shaped set with correct sounding vocals, as much it is possible in this tuning, though on the edge of being shouty, an easy treble, and inadequate sub-bass. I wouldn't get it for any price, but since it seems to have reasonably fatigue-free upper-mids and treble, you could indeed experiment with the bass levels to see how much the mids and treble hurt you at any setting. Once you nailed these reference points, it becomes much easier to judge upper mids and treble directly, and choose between more expensive sets.

 

[dezzadk]

Just buy Sony IER-M9 and be done with it

Can you elaborate a little bit more why you think those are your safe recommendation? (or whatever you mean by the confidence )

I think so far what I've felt in this thread is most seem to agree Hype 4 has most potential at this price range.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Can you elaborate a little bit more why you think those are your safe recommendation? (or whatever you mean by the confidence )

I think so far what I've felt in this thread is most seem to agree Hype 4 has most potential at this price range.

I responded to your various concerns about the treble of Hype4. That's why I recommend go for IER-M9. That IEM was designed to be listenable at high volume in extended sessions for stage use. It has to have enough treble but not piercing at high volume.

 

[dezzadk]

I responded to your various concerns about the treble of Hype4. That's why I recommend go for IER-M9. That IEM was designed to be listenable at high volume in extended sessions for stage use. It has to have enough treble but not piercing at high volume.

Have you tried Hype4? How'd u find the treble if so?

 

[o0genesis0o]

Have you tried Hype4? How'd u find the treble if so?

I haven't, unfortunately. I have only reviewed the Hype2. In general, ThieAudio has a particular house sound with a moderate amount of treble. You are unlikely to find any warm and easy going from them.

 

[dezzadk]

I haven't, unfortunately. I have only reviewed the Hype2. In general, ThieAudio has a particular house sound with a moderate amount of treble. You are unlikely to find any warm and easy going from them.

So you would believe a fair share of recordings would sound harsh with Thieaudio's house sound?

 

[o0genesis0o]

So you would believe a fair share of recordings would sound harsh with Thieaudio's house sound?

To my ears, ThieAudio IEMs treble is perfectly fine, but they are not warm and cozy like some other brands. I also seem to have higher treble tolerance than others, so.

 

[dezzadk]

I'm thinking the diminishing returns must be pretty huge after ThieAudio Hype 4 if everything else is double the price and I don't see many contenders except Xenns Mangird Top.

 

[dezzadk]

He just covered many here.

 

[dezzadk]

If ThieAudio Hype 4 wasn't mentioned by some as treble-forward or fatiguing I would have bought it instantly!

I'm hesitating a little bit right now because the price creeps up to 422.82 EUR for ThieAudio Hype 4.

Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci is 345.63 EUR on aliexpress, but this is without import-tax so it will creep up..

Overall seems like ThieAudio Hype 4 is a safe bet, but you never know until you have listened to it.

 

[dezzadk]

I think @o0genesis0o is shaking his head at me right now.. I'm so close to pulling the trigger

 

[o0genesis0o]

I think @o0genesis0o is shaking his head at me right now.. I'm so close to pulling the trigger

So many good IEMs nowadays, you can buy any well regarded IEM and have a winner, IMHO.

If you hunt for a particular sound signature, or something super duper good, then it gets tricky. Otherwise, knock yourself out

 

[Rolu]

Now I've tried and reviewed ZiiGaat Cincotres I've felt a void inside me..

Its like I didn't really get what I was looking for..

The Cincotres does well with mostly warm/bassy music, but as soon as a bright lead, percussion comes in or you hear ambient with a lot of details it seems very peaky and distorted in the treble.. A track either works or it doesn't and I feel like at least 1/3 of all music I throw at it doesn't work with it, which kind of degrades them to me to the point I'll be looking for alternatives.

The clarity, resolution and details I feel is a huge compromise with these, its like they sacrifice a neutral treble for getting somewhat crisp percussion and sounds tonally off or makes lots of music sound too bright/dry.

I have a few that I'm still interested in

Xenns Mangird Top ($530)
Thieaudio Mk3 ($999)
Thieaudio Hype4 ($399)
Truthear Nova ($150)

Truthear Nova is too much of a bargain to ignore, I'm only worried about the bass impact on these which most reviews on here seem to be critisizing - I'm not looking for something colored or overly warm/bass-boosted tho' I want a rather neutral IEM that works well with all kinds of music, but has enough impact in the bass to especially work well with EDM, techno, house, psytrance but also detailed and sparkly enough to work well with ambient, downtempo etc.

Xenns Mangird Top/Thieaudio Hype4 I feel like is nearing price-territory territory where I should be absolutely sure it will be a winner because otherwise its an expensive learning lesson that I already felt the Cincotres was - I felt like they were more fairly priced in the Truthear Nova $150 range tbh.

If I were you I would go with the MMk3 and save time from the mid-fi pathway

 

[dezzadk]

If I were you I would go with the MMk3 and save time from the mid-fi pathway

While I could easily see why you'd say that if you had tried and like the MMk3 (and I would probably say the same if I found my endgame) I'm not ready to spend that kind of money on an IEM yet.. I need more reference points in the midfi before I know what I'm looking for in the highend if you know what I mean..

 

[Rolu]

While I could easily see why you'd say that if you had tried and like the MMk3 (and I would probably say the same if I found my endgame) I'm not ready to spend that kind of money on an IEM yet.. I need more reference points in the midfi before I know what I'm looking for in the highend if you know what I mean..

Oh I'm sorry I thought you'd listed mmk3 as an option you could buy.
For mid-fi, also maybe try some non-chifi items like sony or elysian or symphonium products?