[DBaldock9]

I finally did a comparison of my three more expensive VE earbuds (not including any of the Monk+).
.
They're setup like this -
Asura 2.0 (2017) - Stock 2.5mm TRRS cable, VE Rubber Rings
Asura 2.0s AOE - VE Pure Blue 4-Strand 2.5mm TRRS cable, VE Rubber Rings
Zen 2.0 ZOE - Oyaide 102ssc 2.5mm TRRS cable, VE Rubber Rings
.
Running the stock Onkyo Music Player app on my Onkyo DP-X1 DAP, and using the Balanced 2.5mm TRRS output - I'm looping on some 24-Bit/192-KHz High Res tracks from the Chesky Records Ultimate Headphone Demonstration (2014) album. I'm using my ears to Level Match the volume when switching earbuds, rather than any test instruments - so some perceptions could be colored by that, as well as small differences in cables.
.
The AOE and Asura 2.0 sound very similar, but the AOE may have a bit more Midrange, which results in a slightly closer / shallower Sound Stage.
The ZOE has more Bass & Mid-Bass than the AOE or Asura 2.0, and its Sound Stage is closer / shallower than theirs.
.
Treble (level)
AOE => Asura 2.0 > ZOE
Midrange (level)
AOE > Asura 2.0 > ZOE
Mid-Bass
ZOE > Asura 2.0 => AOE
Bass (level)
ZOE > Asura 2.0 > AOE
.
Sound Stage Width
Asura 2.0 > AOE > ZOE
Sound Stage Depth
Asura 2.0 > AOE > ZOE

EDIT: NOTE - Aside from the additional Bass that the ZOE has, and the more forward Midrange of the Asuras, there's not a large amount of difference between the three earbuds.

 

[jibberish]

I've had my eye on either the Toneking TO200 or TO400 for a couple of weeks now and have been hemming and hawing to myself over which one to order. Spotted the TO400 on a nice discount today and pulled the trigger

 

[subwoof3r]

Thanks, do you put the wire in the heated water? Or more of a double boiler technique?

Nice cutting btw, I have three cables that I’ve taken ear guides off of and yours looks way better

I think I’m going to try these two

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cdhQi2rq

This KZ one has memory guides but looks like it could be manageable to wear down

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cgb0SYdw

hehe thanks
I personally thinks that removing ear guides on soft cables is fine, but it may helps to keep them on stiff cables.
Can't find back the video on youtube I followed, but yeah basically I do this on very heated water (once water boils) I put cable parts during 10 seconds, then I dry it and see, if not enough softened, I do it again and again until I'm satisfied
Some cables may be still stiff after that operation, so there is nothing to do, unfortunately. But those TRN (and especially KZ) cables are playing well with that.

 

[viatraco]

@jibberish Please link to discount on TO400

 

[jibberish]

Please link to discount on TO400

There are numerous sellers on aliexpress selling TO400 for about $70 right now, it had been mostly available at around $95 when I was looking last week.

 

[HungryPanda]

TO400 for $70 is a great price

 

[viatraco]

TO400 for $70 is a great price

Did you compare them in terms of SQ to ZEN 2.0 ?
And are TO400 is easier to drive ?

 

[Themilkman46290]

To400 are really good, not much bass but definitely worth $70

 

[jibberish]

To400 are really good, not much bass but definitely worth $70

Yeah, I feel like I've got high quality, bassy buds covered with the Willsound MK2, so I wanted to go with something fully different from that with my jump up to the next price tier.

 

[viatraco]

To400 are really good, not much bass but definitely worth $70

Yeah, I am looking for something good with mmcx at this price point. Not so many options: TO400, EBX, Svara L....

 

[HungryPanda]

The TO200 have more bass than the TO400

 

[acroyear]

I have four different earbuds in transit to me right now.

Toneking to600
K's White Ling
K's Black Ling silver cable
K's Black Ling 2.5 Bal gold cable

They will arrive in that order. Should be very interesting

 

[HungryPanda]

I have four different earbuds in transit to me right now.

Toneking to600
K's White Ling
K's Black Ling silver cable
K's Black Ling 2.5 Bal gold cable

They will arrive in that order. Should be very interesting

Happy listening ahead

 

[waynes world]

I have four different earbuds in transit to me right now.

Toneking to600
K's White Ling
K's Black Ling silver cable
K's Black Ling 2.5 Bal gold cable

They will arrive in that order. Should be very interesting

Somebody loves their Ling!

 

[Ira Delphic]

Looks like they've sold out again:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pre...Hifi-Earphone-64-Ohm-Earbuds/32966966924.html

It's worth contacting the seller if you want some - he has repeated this advert before.

Edit: Doh, the Sgt beat me to it!

SL 1.0+ CE available at this moment.