[mbwilson111]

Not another silver iem........

...not ANOTHER IEM!

 

[geisterfaust]

Hello!

I've been searching for info for almost 6 months to replace my entire portable setup (which was basically an iPod Classic 5.5 with Tarkan Mod + some random Xiaomi earbuds) and today my brand new (well, second hand but barely used) Sony NW ZX300A came today in the mail, can't wait to get home and add some music to this bad boy.

I've been reading about IEMs for a bit but i am still a bit lost with the amount of options available. Bare in mind that I haven't experienced the different sound signatures out there since the only headphones/earphones I have are the Xiaomi Pistons and the Audio Technica ATH M50X. My budget is around 60 euro, and what I'm looking for (I think) is a detailed pair of IEMs since I like to hear as much as I can of what is going on on my music but I don't mind some fun sound signature going on.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from poorly recorded Black Metal to minimal pieces like Arvo Part.

I've been reading and seeing a lot of videos but I'm still a bit lost with all the options. I've narrowed down my options to (open to recommendations!):

• Blon 03 (I think these are my favorite, but I've read that the connector is weird and it's a bit difficult to find a replacement cable)
• Tin T2/T3 (a bit old, T4s look like they are a better built Blon 03s but still a bit expensive).
  
• TFZ T2
• KZ ZSX
• KZ ZS10 Pro

I don't have a single problem changing the tips or the cable (as always, recommendations welcome, specially on the thickness of the cable and tips in general).

I'll be using this setup for commuting, since at home I'll be using the AT (at least for now).

Thanks!

 

[Kumonomukou]

Not another silver iem........

Yeah I'm not the type of person buying shining stuff either. I did however made some subtle modification to the the Blon 03 that I got. I originally bought them in Brown, then I used a piece of 150 graded sand paper to clean the surface. It still looks silver but not as reflective as the stock ones (even under the lights), hope this method helps.

I know a lot of people are gonna disagree with me. Blon is decent, but sound is always subjective, and frankly I wanna say that Blon is not something special to me IMHO. I even prefer the likes of Zs7(w. Spin-fit & silver cable) more, and I barely used them after the mod. They're just lacking a bit of depth and micro-details to my ears. I'm trying to stop the hype train LOL, cheers.

 

[Slater]

Yeah I'm not the type of person buying shining stuff either. I did however made some subtle modification to the the Blon 03 that I got. I originally bought them in Brown, then I used a piece of 150 graded sand paper to clean the surface. It still looks silver but not as reflective as the stock ones (even under the lights), hope this method helps.

Nice job.

I had used a green Scotch Brite pad on one of my pairs, which gave it a nice satin/brushed finish. Very subdued and classy looking, vs the shiny bling of the stock one.

Hopefully, the underlying zinc doesn’t discolor or oxidize with the plating gone. That’s why I didn’t do it to both of my pairs. I wanted to wait a good while after doing the 1st pair, to make sure the underlying metal didn’t get affected. Assuming all is good, I will eventually do my 2nd pair.

 

[voja]

I think that customizing anything, especially unusual stuff like earphones and headphones is very unique. I wanted to customize my HD598's but then just let them shine in their laid back coffee color. It's nice to hear that someone did something so simple to a BL03 to make it more likable to their personal preference.
Would be nice to hear and see more of the customized gear

 

[jibberish]

While looking for TV specs for cyber Monday yesterday, I came across this TCL 1 DD / 1 piezo headphone: https://www.tclusa.com/products/headphones/elit/tcl-midnight-blue-ear-headphones-mic-elit300bl. No idea whether it is any good, but Amazon Warehouse had a new one for sale that was $17 due to damaged packaging, so I took a punt on it, will arrive this week.

Boy, these sure are utter garbage!

 

[Slater]

Boy, these sure are utter garbage!

Do you think the pair you received is just an isolated case? You bought it on Amazon Warehouse, meaning it was returned for some reason. Perhaps that particular pair had a problem from the get go, which is why it was returned?.

Who knows though. It's actually not that surprising, for a company that primarily makes TVs lol

 

[Tonymac136]

Hello!

I've been searching for info for almost 6 months to replace my entire portable setup (which was basically an iPod Classic 5.5 with Tarkan Mod + some random Xiaomi earbuds) and today my brand new (well, second hand but barely used) Sony NW ZX300A came today in the mail, can't wait to get home and add some music to this bad boy.

I've been reading about IEMs for a bit but i am still a bit lost with the amount of options available. Bare in mind that I haven't experienced the different sound signatures out there since the only headphones/earphones I have are the Xiaomi Pistons and the Audio Technica ATH M50X. My budget is around 60 euro, and what I'm looking for (I think) is a detailed pair of IEMs since I like to hear as much as I can of what is going on on my music but I don't mind some fun sound signature going on.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from poorly recorded Black Metal to minimal pieces like Arvo Part.

I've been reading and seeing a lot of videos but I'm still a bit lost with all the options. I've narrowed down my options to (open to recommendations!):

• Blon 03 (I think these are my favorite, but I've read that the connector is weird and it's a bit difficult to find a replacement cable)
• Tin T2/T3 (a bit old, T4s look like they are a better built Blon 03s but still a bit expensive).
  
• TFZ T2
• KZ ZSX
• KZ ZS10 Pro

I don't have a single problem changing the tips or the cable (as always, recommendations welcome, specially on the thickness of the cable and tips in general).

I'll be using this setup for commuting, since at home I'll be using the AT (at least for now).

Thanks!

Tin T2 might be a bit bass light. It's definitely not one for the bass heads.
Blon BL03 is a bit lacking in detail and separation but makes up for it in musicality. Expect a bit of experimentation with eartips.
The KZ ZS10pro has probably been superceded at the price point by the ZSX. I've got the CCA C12 which is quite similar and it seems they have banished the steely timbre of old.
I've no experience of the TFZ so I can't comment on that.
I think you might also do well to research the TRN V90. It's slightly more v shaped than the CCA C12 but not to the point where mids are recessed.

I personally love the Blon, but I've a liking for valve amps, turntables and sweet musicality. I find the Blon easy to recommend as an extra set of IEMs in a collection as they are so unique but as somebody's only pair? I think that depends. Frankly I think the ZSX, C12 or V90 is more suited to being a daily driver for most people. That said, 60 euros is about the price of a pair of V90 AND a pair of BL03. That covers all the bases...

 

[nraymond]

Blon BL03 is a bit lacking in detail and separation but makes up for it in musicality. Expect a bit of experimentation with eartips.

I've had the best luck on the BL-03 so far with the SednaEarFit Light Short which I think do a good job of raising the treble detail and improving separation/imaging. You can pick them up from Amazon Japan:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07W8F3Z45/

 

[jibberish]

Do you think the pair you received is just an isolated case? You bought it on Amazon Warehouse, meaning it was returned for some reason. Perhaps that particular pair had a problem from the get go, which is why it was returned?.

Who knows though. It's actually not that surprising, for a company that primarily makes TVs lol

Yeah, who knows honestly, ha. They're incredibly dull, with zero high end sparkle, a fully 2 dimensional soundstage that feels like it's at the back of your head, and no sense of detail/separation like you'd expect from a piezo. The best I can say about these is that the DD provides moderately decent mid bass that isn't too bloated. I did check to see if maybe they were out of phase, but nope, that's not the issue.

Oh well...

 

[kukkurovaca]

I did check to see if maybe they were out of phase, but nope, that's not the issue.

Heh, I was just about to ask.

 

[Kumonomukou]

Nice job.

I had used a green Scotch Brite pad on one of my pairs, which gave it a nice satin/brushed finish. Very subdued and classy looking, vs the shiny bling of the stock one.

Hopefully, the underlying zinc doesn’t discolor or oxidize with the plating gone. That’s why I didn’t do it to both of my pairs. I wanted to wait a good while after doing the 1st pair, to make sure the underlying metal didn’t get affected. Assuming all is good, I will eventually do my 2nd pair.

You'll be fine! Getting a matted finish was actually my intention initially, but I messed up the paint by going too hard... Then I thought might as well go all the way, and the result was surprisingly okay. If oxidation does occur someday, you can always get rid of the paint entirely. Keep in mind my pair was originally in Brown/Gun metal color, the steel underneath seem to be very solid.

 

[baskingshark]

Hello!

I've been searching for info for almost 6 months to replace my entire portable setup (which was basically an iPod Classic 5.5 with Tarkan Mod + some random Xiaomi earbuds) and today my brand new (well, second hand but barely used) Sony NW ZX300A came today in the mail, can't wait to get home and add some music to this bad boy.

I've been reading about IEMs for a bit but i am still a bit lost with the amount of options available. Bare in mind that I haven't experienced the different sound signatures out there since the only headphones/earphones I have are the Xiaomi Pistons and the Audio Technica ATH M50X. My budget is around 60 euro, and what I'm looking for (I think) is a detailed pair of IEMs since I like to hear as much as I can of what is going on on my music but I don't mind some fun sound signature going on.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from poorly recorded Black Metal to minimal pieces like Arvo Part.

I've been reading and seeing a lot of videos but I'm still a bit lost with all the options. I've narrowed down my options to (open to recommendations!):

• Blon 03 (I think these are my favorite, but I've read that the connector is weird and it's a bit difficult to find a replacement cable)
• Tin T2/T3 (a bit old, T4s look like they are a better built Blon 03s but still a bit expensive).
  
• TFZ T2
• KZ ZSX
• KZ ZS10 Pro

I don't have a single problem changing the tips or the cable (as always, recommendations welcome, specially on the thickness of the cable and tips in general).

I'll be using this setup for commuting, since at home I'll be using the AT (at least for now).

Thanks!

If u are gonna do commuting, u need a good isolating IEM IMHO. I commute a lot with IEMs and I can say the BLON BL-03 has bad isolation, so not the best option for travel purposes. Plus the BLON is not detailed as per your request. It excels at timbre and tonality at the expense of being less technical (not as good instrument separation, clarity, details), compared to some other CHIFI multi BA/hybrids at the same price point. And it also requires some aftermarket tips +/- cables due to the poor fit for most people with stock tips.

I extensively used the KZ ZS10 Pro previously for commuting, it has great details, clarity, instrument separation and has good isolating properties too (estimated about 15 dB isolation). Good for travel, good all rounder for most genres. I ultimately gave away the KZ ZS10 Pro as it had an artificial timbre for treble frequencies, especially for acoustic instruments as those are my main stay genres. But it is a good set for the price.
Though there are some newer CHIFI that are improvements to the ZS10 Pro in technicals and timbre such as the KZ ZSX (terminator), CCA C12, TRN V90. I've not tried those, but they are quite well regarded in reviews for giving good technical abilities at < $50 USD. U can check those out.

I don't have the TFZ T2 but it seems quite V shaped, maybe the rest can advise. I have its "successor", the TFZ No. 3, it is quite a bass head IEM. Details and clarity are quite good considering it is a single DD IEM and isolation not bad. Though it is double the price of the TFZ T2.

Tin T2 is very neutral from reviews and FR, though I don't have it. Tin T4 is an upgrade and from reviews it has more bass than T2, but a few reviewers have mentioned during commuting with it the bass is lost, as it is the usual frequency to be lost in noisy environments.

I used the ATH M50X previously and it is quite a bassy can with somewhat neutralish mids/treble, so I think something like the KZ ZS10 Pro/KZ ZSX/TRN V90/CCA C12 may suit u, though those have a bit more brighter treble than the M50X. The ZS10 Pro has better details/clarity/instrument separation than the M50X, so I think one of those above (which are successors to the ZS10 Pro will be suitable for your request). Do bear in mind that most IEMs cannot compete with headphones in the area of soundstage due to physics, so the sound may come from "inside the head", something that takes a while to get used to if u are coming from headphones.

Good luck in your search!

 

[yorosello]

Hello!

I've been searching for info for almost 6 months to replace my entire portable setup (which was basically an iPod Classic 5.5 with Tarkan Mod + some random Xiaomi earbuds) and today my brand new (well, second hand but barely used) Sony NW ZX300A came today in the mail, can't wait to get home and add some music to this bad boy.

I've been reading about IEMs for a bit but i am still a bit lost with the amount of options available. Bare in mind that I haven't experienced the different sound signatures out there since the only headphones/earphones I have are the Xiaomi Pistons and the Audio Technica ATH M50X. My budget is around 60 euro, and what I'm looking for (I think) is a detailed pair of IEMs since I like to hear as much as I can of what is going on on my music but I don't mind some fun sound signature going on.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from poorly recorded Black Metal to minimal pieces like Arvo Part.

I've been reading and seeing a lot of videos but I'm still a bit lost with all the options. I've narrowed down my options to (open to recommendations!):

• Blon 03 (I think these are my favorite, but I've read that the connector is weird and it's a bit difficult to find a replacement cable)
• Tin T2/T3 (a bit old, T4s look like they are a better built Blon 03s but still a bit expensive).
  
• TFZ T2
• KZ ZSX
• KZ ZS10 Pro

I don't have a single problem changing the tips or the cable (as always, recommendations welcome, specially on the thickness of the cable and tips in general).

I'll be using this setup for commuting, since at home I'll be using the AT (at least for now).

Thanks!

Take the TFZ T2 Galaxy. It's a very fun sounding IEM & it's one of my favorite. Fairly balanced sounding imo, but only some problem you'll encounter is the driver flex. for commuting, it isolate pretty well too.

 

[lilhaiti]

Hello!

I've been searching for info for almost 6 months to replace my entire portable setup (which was basically an iPod Classic 5.5 with Tarkan Mod + some random Xiaomi earbuds) and today my brand new (well, second hand but barely used) Sony NW ZX300A came today in the mail, can't wait to get home and add some music to this bad boy.

I've been reading about IEMs for a bit but i am still a bit lost with the amount of options available. Bare in mind that I haven't experienced the different sound signatures out there since the only headphones/earphones I have are the Xiaomi Pistons and the Audio Technica ATH M50X. My budget is around 60 euro, and what I'm looking for (I think) is a detailed pair of IEMs since I like to hear as much as I can of what is going on on my music but I don't mind some fun sound signature going on.

I listen to a wide variety of music, from poorly recorded Black Metal to minimal pieces like Arvo Part.

I've been reading and seeing a lot of videos but I'm still a bit lost with all the options. I've narrowed down my options to (open to recommendations!):

• Blon 03 (I think these are my favorite, but I've read that the connector is weird and it's a bit difficult to find a replacement cable)
• Tin T2/T3 (a bit old, T4s look like they are a better built Blon 03s but still a bit expensive).
  
• TFZ T2
• KZ ZSX
• KZ ZS10 Pro

I don't have a single problem changing the tips or the cable (as always, recommendations welcome, specially on the thickness of the cable and tips in general).

I'll be using this setup for commuting, since at home I'll be using the AT (at least for now).

Thanks!

Based on what you said you want, I'd pick the TFZ T2. The T2 is detailed and fun sounding. They are my daily drivers and I use them on the subway and they isolate well.