Oh right I should mention that I'm currently using the donut foams. They're in the middle ground for me between the foams and the silicones, and I think trimming off just enough to uncover more of the driver while still maintaining grip/seal in my ears would make the sound perfect for me, though I'm a bit concerned to cut such nice foam up without getting a backup. I think years of playing violin have made me a bit of a treblehead, but the Smabat bass is pretty sweet, too.
Definitely would recommend that you put those funds towards either the Ks Bell-Ti 120 or Ks Blue Bell. I loved my PureSounds but the Ks have nearly surpassed everything now in my opinion... most especially in the comfort and long listening departments.
Concur; the same with me. I need the full foam to tame that sibilance. Silicon rings and even foam donuts are a no-go for me.
A great suggestion for @Victory112; unfortunately, my ears would hate me! That would be way to bright for my tastes LOL!You may want to buy a set of Hiegi donuts (left), they have a larger hole than standard donuts (right).
You might consider waiting for the soon to be released Smabat M3 that will offer a solderless interchangeable driver.
Do you know when the M3 will be released?
Can't go wrong with a Hiegi Donut!
Tempting! I'm still a bit nervous about cable failure. I've never had a nonreplacable cable fail on me (knock on wood), though anything over >$50 makes me a bit more nervous. Completely forgot about taobao though, so I do appreciate the link!
I find without foams, its unbearable to listen to due to the ~4khz spike (and this is coming from a self declared treble/mids head who EQed more treble into his etymotics). Something about the way they were tuned is super wonky (with the upper mids/lower treble spike) making it the only transducer that sounds worse (without distortion) when I crank the volume (from mid 60s to mid 70s db).
Can you describe how those two sound? I'm still abit shocked that even with the prices on AE, there still isnt even a courtesy FR chart.
Link appears to be dead unfortunately. I did find some listed on AE from penon. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32642830876.html
The Bell-Ti 120 is a very balanced and neutral (After further listening it is rather unbalanced and mid-forward) earbud with an extremely ear friendly sound signature that is warm. The Blue Bell is much more livelier (exciting) with extended treble similar to the Moondrop Chaconne; very close to the Old School Ksearphone house sound. Here is a recent post I posted and here is another good one by @ClieOS.
