[snowmind]

There is no king. There are many kings.

This is encouraging, mention these models

For example, i have buds that provide great retrieval of details, but are of another type of sound signature.

 

[waynes world]

This is encouraging, mention these models

For example, i have buds that provide great retrieval of details, but are of another type of sound signature.

I have the Qian 39 (I think it's good, but for my tastes lacks some dynamics and bass). But I'm not familiar with the Qian 25 sound signature, so sorry, I can't help you. Maybe someone else can chime in.

 

[waynes world]

thank you, so based on this list, which should I chose if I want an earbud that is a direct upgrade over the zen monk, while being comfortable and not requiring foam donuts? Thank you in advance!

When you say "not requiring foam donuts", do you mean "no foams at all"? If so, that's where it's going to get tricky for you. Most buds are meant to be used with foams (to alter the sound, and mainly to get a good seal to get the best sound possible). I use foams on all of my buds except for the Zen V2 and the Mixx Tribute (UK budget wonders lol). Good luck!

 

[Slater]

Speaking of foams, is there a good type of foam from Aliexpress you guys use?

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

 

[mbwilson111]

Speaking of foams, is there a good type of foam from Aliexpress you guys use?

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

Trig Rain foams on aliexpress.They come in many colors.

 

[digititus]

Speaking of foams, is there a good type of foam from Aliexpress you guys use?

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

Search for "Trig Rain Official Store" on AE. They will have you covered.

 

[digititus]

Beaten to it!

 

[Alex.Grimm]

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

No

 

[assassin10000]

Speaking of foams, is there a good type of foam from Aliexpress you guys use?

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

As others said, trigrain is good.

If you want some slightly higher quantities of the thicker ones (in black only) for the same or cheaper, I found these to be the same as the trigrain ones.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32607003829.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50-...ns-bud-Headphone-Covers-Tips/32607003829.html


Foam info:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earbuds-round-up.441400/post-15581039

 

[tayo15]

When you say "not requiring foam donuts", do you mean "no foams at all"? If so, that's where it's going to get tricky for you. Most buds are meant to be used with foams (to alter the sound, and mainly to get a good seal to get the best sound possible). I use foams on all of my buds except for the Zen V2 and the Mixx Tribute (UK budget wonders lol). Good luck!

I liked the ve monks without the foams. That being said I like their signature. What earbuds would be the next step at $50 - $80 range?? Even with the foams.

 

[Promenadeplatz]

Smabat pm-10

 

[jogawag]

Trig Rain foams on aliexpress.They come in many colors.

We can buy regular foam and donut foam at the link below at Trig Rainh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32671911259.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32683389893.html

But only the red donut foam is temporarily out of stock (more than a month already!).

So we can buy donut foamat FAAEAL at the link below.
This donut foam is a little xpensive and the quality is a little lower, but it can be used for the time being.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32675085018.html

 

[Slater]

We can buy regular foam and donut foam at the link below at Trig Rainh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32671911259.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32683389893.html

But only the red donut foam is temporarily out of stock (more than a month already!).

So we can buy donut foamat FAAEAL at the link below.
This donut foam is a little xpensive and the quality is a little lower, but it can be used for the time being.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32675085018.html

Since they are out of red doughnuts, I will just buy the regular foam and make some of them into doughnuts. I can use a punch tool and make a hole in the center.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Speaking of foams, is there a good type of foam from Aliexpress you guys use?

I saw a Venture Electronics assortment kit with a few pairs of varying colors and some plain ones and some doughnuts. But I was wondering if there was any better options.

I have tried nearly everything under the moon when it comes to earbud foams (covers/pads) the past one and a half years. Besides thickness (thin, medium, thick); gauge (small vs large hole); style (full vs. donut); and color (a plethora of available colors... no exaggeration here) I rarely have come across any real major difference between foam brands. Notably, my best foams have been the cheapest ones that I have bought off AliExpress in bulk... go figure! Yes, there have been a few (a very few) that were poorly made but the ultra-common consistency in materials used has led me to believe that only a handful of factories are actually manufacturing them.

Trig Rain on aliExpress (as recommended by so many others before me) have been good with only a few duds here and there.

Have any of you really noticed , in general, a glaring difference in quality of foams though? I am honestly beginning to believe that these are made in only one or two factories which supply the world.

 

[CT007]

Toneking MrZ Tomahawk came in yesterday. It sounds really good! Definitely the best earbud I've heard so far, with Moondrop Nameless still coming in the mail yet. I'm quite pleased with it, though it's just a touch too hot for bright music without EQ(I suspect a small treble spike). Really nice, thick mid bass!

RW-9
RW-1000 BE
Monk+