[Setmagic]

My new project will be portable amplifier.

Good amplifies are expensive, but not if You Do It Yourself.

I have few desktop Hi-End DIY made by myself based on ideas of genius engereers like Nelson Pass.
I will share my results here.

I'm not sure if I will show schematics.
Someone can just "borrow" it and resell with 10+ times price or big company's just make me disappear

 

[Sam L]

I agree, it is expensive. Luckily I did buy when it was on sale and saved roughly $60. Bud prices are catching up to IEM prices, in some cases exceeding IEM prices. I think as manufacturers continue to see that there is market demand and that people are willing to pay, the pricing will continue to rise. I don't plan on making anymore expensive bud purchases for the foreseeable future. For the short listening time I've had with the RW-3000 I can say that they have exception sound. Can DYI'ers replicate the sound at reasonably cheaper cost? It is probably possible?

Yes, I think so. While I don't have that model, I have a handful of other upper-tier buds and diy models sound as good or better.

 

[mt877]

Yes, I think so. While I don't have that model, I have a handful of other upper-tier buds and diy models sound as good or better.

I believe it can be done as well. There are probably several fine folk here that have gained the DIY knowledge and learned the characteristics of any required components to get excellent results.

 

[rkw]

Bud prices are catching up to IEM prices, in some cases exceeding IEM prices.

Not even close . Top level buds are approaching $500. That's barely mid tier for IEM.

 

[mt877]

Not even close . Top level buds are approaching $500. That's barely mid tier for IEM.

Hey, hey I didn't mention tier levels, just that prices are catching up, LOL. I guess once buds start migrating to hybrid tech (DD/multi-BA) prices will really climb(?), unless they're manufactured by KZ. If the top level is at $500 right now, then the Yincrow RW-3000 is in the upper mid-level price bracket , nothing to complain about then.

Not that I'm complaining, I did buy them willingly. Now if they were total junk, then yup, there would be a whole lot of complaining.

 

[Setmagic]

Not even close . Top level buds are approaching $500. That's barely mid tier for IEM.

In IEMs, especailly CIEMs You can put 10 drivers, make a some kind of fancy chambers and sell it for 5000$

... and its passive noise canceling as well - so more usefull

 

[ihaveears]

I'm starting to really like earbuds. I haven't been impressed with the sound quality of one yet (for the price, though, definitely) but they're just so convenient. No isolation and being easy to pop out lets me wear them all day. I like how they sort of give the sensation of listening to speakers, but are as portable as iems.
So far I have
Vido recable (all, but i've been giving them away pretty fast)
RY4S+ 32 ohm mmcx
Faaeal Rosemary
Are there any more pre-made ones I should try before I start DIYing?
I don't really know what tuning I like for earbuds yet. I normally like etymotic, & also slightly bright but not painful tuning. I don't normally like a lot of bass, but am I right in thinking earbuds need it a bit elevated to sound natural?

 

[Ronion]

I think all drivers need a little extra bass compared to flat to sound natural. The research done on the subject definitely agrees with my statement. The reason for that is that speakers designed in an anechoic chamber are usually Omni in the bass and some large degree narrower in the treble. Once they are placed in a room, the sound power of the speaker will be reflected in the room and it’s what the people who mix and master your recordings will hear. Couple that with how we hear sound from a stereo and you’ll understand why headphones should measure bassy. Flat is thin. Everyone knows it when they hear it, but no audiophile wants to be accused of being a bass head.

 

[baskingshark]

New Smabat earbuds:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004108955529.html
https://www.facebook.com/linhui20/posts/981305439420157

Called the M Professional and M Youth. One is a Titanium driver, the other is an LCP driver. $22 and $52 respectively.

Apparently SMABAT claims they have a similar acoustic structure to the Super One earbud, and is a baby version of it.

Spoiler: Warning: Photos, many, may take up data on the go!!!

 

[Setmagic]

New Smabat earbuds:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004108955529.html
https://www.facebook.com/linhui20/posts/981305439420157

Called the M Professional and M Youth. One is a Titanium driver, the other is an LCP driver. $22 and $52 respectively.

Apparently SMABAT claims they have a similar acoustic structure to the Super One earbud, and is a baby version of it.

Spoiler: Warning: Photos, many, may take up data on the go!!!

Good news!
Thats pretty solid earbuds for that price.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

New Smabat earbuds:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004108955529.html
https://www.facebook.com/linhui20/posts/981305439420157

Called the M Professional and M Youth. One is a Titanium driver, the other is an LCP driver. $22 and $52 respectively.

Apparently SMABAT claims they have a similar acoustic structure to the Super One earbud, and is a baby version of it.

Spoiler: Warning: Photos, many, may take up data on the go!!!

Nice, so confirmed it is a 40Ω driver and not 150Ω as indicated on their website specs. I went ahead and updated the ƎAЯ8UDS TIME⅃IИƎ and Svara - Smabat (Shenzhen Smabat Technology Co., Ltd.) Model Timeline with the correction for the M Pro and adding the M Youth.

 

[mrfashion]

Is there any consensus on the Fiio EM5 vs YC RW-3000?

I have the Fiio EM5's but would love to hear how the RW-3000 compare from someone who has or has listened to both.

 

[ian91]

I had the pleasure of checking out the Rose Technics Martini. Overall its a strong all-rounder that excels with electronic music, sporting excellent bass but the midrange is somewhat soft around the edges for my tastes and vocals could be better. Check out the review!

 

[mt877]

Is there any consensus on the Fiio EM5 vs YC RW-3000?

I have the Fiio EM5's but would love to hear how the RW-3000 compare from someone who has or has listened to both.

FiiO EM5 vs Yincrow RW-3000

Sound source: Mac Mini USB C > miniDSP HA-DSP (with DSP filtering off)

As a side note, at my computer I listen to music with Sennheiser HD 598SE open back headphones compensated to Harman headphone curve with the miniDSP HA-DSP.

FiiO EM5 with donut foams notes:

Overall balanced with bass emphasis. Midrange gets nice bass timbre for added fullness without getting dragged into the mud.
Treble is slightly rolled off, but details present, male vocals good, lose some edge in female vocals and instruments. Not fatiguing to listen to due to the treble roll off.

Yincrow RW-3000 with donut foams notes:

Overall well balanced, clean & clear mid-centric and treble emphasis, not lacking bass, but not as deep compared to EM5. Had to turn up the volume a little bit on the HA-DSP (compared to EM5) to bring out the true nature of the RW-3000.

Synergy notes:

The miniDSP HA-DSP is neutral (as a DSP should be!). With DSP filtering off the EM5's were easier to listen to, probably due to the slight treble roll off. The RW-3000 had better clarity, but wasn't as comfortable to listen to for an extended amount of time. Instead of donut foams, full foams would probably have increased the bass and toned down the highs.

My main goto DAPs are Sony ZX507 and ZX300 with WalkmanOne firmware. Sony DAPs are known for their warm sound signature. I also have a Shanling M3X which is more neutral sounding. The EM5 with donut foams pair well with the M3X, while the RW-3000 with donut foams pair well with either of the Sony DAPs.

EDIT: Another thought just occurred. Considering FiiO may have tuned the EM5 for best sound from their own DAPs / Amps (which I believe are neutral sounding) then it would make sense that they would sound good with other neutral sources.

In the end I don't think you could go wrong with either the EM5 or RW-3000. It depends on your own personal sound profile. I think your playback source will be a factor in what you experience. Also if you're not a purist and can live with some DSP (PEQ) tweaks, you'll probably get on with either of these buds no matter what your source.

Spoiler: So which one sounded closest (not exactly) to the Sennheiser HD 598SE(Harman compensated)?

FiiO EM5 without any DSP compensation.

Songs I used for A/B listening:

Billy Joel: Piano Man
Anuhea: Charismatic SOB
Euge Groove: Slow Jam
Aaron Copeland: Fanfare for The Common Man
Bonnie Raitt: I Can't Make You Love Me
Jake Shimabukuro: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Mariah Carey: Love Takes Time
Frank Zappa: The Grand Wazoo
Sade: Your Love Is King
The Who: Quadrophenia
The Marshall Tucker Band: Searchin' For A Rainbow
Mindi Abair: The Joint

 

[cod6793]

Hi guys, I read the @ClieOS review of DQSM PD21 and @WoodyLuvr tier-list. I'm finding more and more that earbuds are the best audio experience I've ever had, even though I've already tested iem, headphone and bookshelf. I already had the tc200, ry4s earbuds and now I have the Nicehck eb2s, which I loved. Tanchjim Oxygen is my main earphone now, but I want to replace this iem for an earbud of the same sound quality category, or better. I know they are different things, and I know the tonality limitations that the buds have. And i know that I won't have the similar tanchjim oxygen in the buds world.

I have in mind the DQSM PD21. My point is: Tonality wise, would I have the same (or better) level of sound quality on the PD21? Or would it be a downgrade? In other words: can PD21 compete in detail, resolution and technicalities with an iem like Oxygen/Olina, regardless of tonality?

Greetings from Brazil!