Earbuds Round-Up

[samandhi]

I already have my watch chest right next to my listening station that holds all of that stuff so I probably would have ended up keeping that box in the closet despite how nice it looks. I have used the pocketable carrying case a couple times already though. I didn't realize the version with the nice box didn't have the case. Now that I know that, I'm actually glad that I got the coffin box version because, in the end, the carrying case it much more useful to me.

Those were ultimately my thoughts also. The only other difference that I have noticed is that the version with the nice box, but without the carry-case also comes with a leather(ette??) cable tie (as seen on @WoodyLuvr's pictures of his), which I miss for looks but not functionality.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Those were ultimately my thoughts also. The only other difference that I have noticed is that the version with the nice box, but without the carry-case also comes with a leather(ette??) cable tie (as seen on @WoodyLuvr's pictures of his), which I miss for looks but not functionality.

I actually have a bunch of black, blue, and red silicone cable ties that my neice found somewhere on AliExpress or Taobao I think that I use. If you're interested I can see if she can point me to where she purchased them.

 

[samandhi]

I actually have a bunch of black, blue, and red silicone cable ties that my neice found somewhere on AliExpress or Taobao I think that I use. If you're interested I can see if she can point me to where she purchased them.

I also have a bunch myself but thank you very much. I was just pointing out the (other) differences I have noticed, for future buyers and in case it makes any difference...

 

[christianfps]

If no one answers you beforehand, I can take a listen when I get home to my FF3s this afternoon/evening. I didn't bring them with me this morning unfortunately.

Was using the crisp foams at that time but when I switched to bass foams it made the directionality clearer for me.

I tried balanced foams crisp foams first and found it a bit wonky in the lower mids and midbass regions but switching to bass foams cleared thay up altogether!

Kinda similar to this I guess. Amazing how sensitive it is to foam. Haha!

 

[waynes world]

Tuning is being finalized.

Model name: Panorama Ridge
Driver: Planar magnetic
Cable termination: 4.4mm

Sorry for the late post (been on holidays, and I'm trying to get caught up in the thread).

Anyway, those looks very cool - I hope they work out! And as usual, you come up with excellent names for your buds (Panorama Ridge is one of my favorite hikes).

Okay, so I ended up listening to a bunch of Hans Zimmer tracks because I ended up getting quite lost in music so to how well the FF3s fit it. I know I keep mentioning the powerful dynamics and the huge, authoritative presentation of the FF3s. It's probably becoming a little annoying at this point, but it's 100% relevant to my experience listening to Hans Zimmers pieces.

As I'm sure you're aware, Zimmer likes to use dynamic contrasts, crescendo, diminuendo, ect to bring emotion into a given piece. His music will often start off at a relatively low volume and then build and swell, the instruments becoming louder and louder, and the music they're playing often becoming more intricate, as it builds to a peak. The FF3s infuse these surges with a nearly physical power that really draws you in more and more as the volume, urgency, and emotion increases and you find yourself enraptured, looking for the peak, actively wondering where the piece will reach it's crisis.

When the music is at it's most fevered pitch, there's often layer upon layer of sound from various instruments/sections/sources coming from many distinct directions in the 3D soundstage. Again, the FF3s hold your attention as they allow you to explore the layers, listening past the loudest and most obvious, to examine the more subtle or the underlying sounds decorating or driving the piece. Their imaging allows the listener to pick out the direction and source of each sound easily and gives the music a quality of being played all around you and rushing at you or receding away from you at times. Thus, you become part of the music. You feel it. It's interacting with you and you're emotionally involved in the piece.

I literally found myself unwilling to stop listening and was quite upset when the playlist I had selected and played ended. What a ride! The whole experience was quite impressive. Even moreso when you consider that the earbuds playing a central role in the whole thing were the least expensive (99$ really?!?!) part of the audio chain being used. Fiio is going to have to put together a truly epic effort for the FF5s to be an actual successor to the FF3s.

I hope this is helpful. I tried to take you into how I experienced Hans Zimmers music. I have trouble thinking that anyone would be anything but pleased if not outright impressed with how the FF3s reproduce the emotion and epic dynamic interplays common to many of Zimmers pieces. Audio is subjective so I would be naiive to think everyone will love these, but I'm having trouble picturing a listener that couldn't find something to appreciate in the FF3s.

I've been trying to ignore all of this FF3 praise, but it's posts like yours which pretty much squash any resolve I might have lol

 

[mt877]

More praise for the Fiio FF3. @Dsnuts FF3 Review.

 

[Ronion]

Was using the crisp foams at that time but when I switched to bass foams it made the directionality clearer for me.

Kinda similar to this I guess. Amazing how sensitive it is to foam. Haha!

I would definitely give the foams a few days of wear before deciding on one. They get bassier as they are used for a while.

Same Bud 10 days ago:

 

[tendou]

I did too with earpod/airpod shaped earbuds & tws.

If you do the 'donut' version pictured below, you may not need as much eq.

Yes, as it provides some seal. Just like on regular earbuds. You can also make donuts for them.




Samsung buds live is another tws. I like them better than the Sony linkbuds. Ymmv.

Or you can mod a tws.


This. Been doing it for a long time.

Smabat M4 TWS module (release Oct. 2022):

You have to get the base M4 Modular headset (released):

My favorite for fit and sound are my diy buds on them though. PK shells are the most comfortable to me.

You could always just get a set of buds that have MMCX and then use something like the FiiO UTWS5; earbuds WITH BT....

thanks guys! the samsung buds looks very interesting too. Using bluetooth adapter would increase the footprint too much for me and it becomes no longer pocketable. I usually use them for audiobooks, youtube speech or podcast only and not for music so don't really need high quality sounds but compactness (including case) is a must. Though maybe will change my mind in the future. who knows. lol

 

[fooltoque]

Smabat M4 TWS module (release Oct. 2022):

You have to get the base M4 Modular headset (released):

That looks really cool. I hope we can see more of this kind of stuff.

 

[mt877]

That looks really cool. I hope we can see more of this kind of stuff.

Smabat has been the only company that has created past and current modular earbud systems (AFAIK). Modular earbuds have been an ignored niche, so props to Smabat for being innovative on this front. Their current M4 lineup is their best design so far. Their past designs either required soldering the swapped driver or had a clunky connector. While the old system worked, it's also prone to damage. The M4 design is downright elegant. All drivers screw on with a 1.5 revolution twist on driver design. They also offer a full range BA IEM module for the M4. Bluetooth adapter is in development for release approx. Oct/22. It will only offer SBC and AAC codecs, but for the most part those codecs should provide good enough sound quality and compatibility with many phones, DAPs, desktops, laptops and tablets with built-in bluetooth or use of USB BT dongles, etc.

Edit: From the BT audio format spec I saw, I think the BT modules might have built-in microphones as well. It's purely speculation on my part, but their specs show mSBC codec which is used for voice communications. See pic below.

My crowdfunding pre-order for the M4 is finally in process, just don't know when it will arrive.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Hi guys quick inquiry can you listen to Sun and Moon by Anees and tell me where the guitar sound is coming from? I don't know if my ears are decieving or I'm not hearing it right but it feels like it's on the back-right like behind your head . Listening it from my FF3.

Sun And Moon sounds lush and full and the beat gets you bobbin' and dancin'! I drummed for like 10 hours today and despite being exhausted the FF3s and this track got me groovin' when I put it on when I got home just now. Thanks for pointing out a great new song to me!

 

[o0genesis0o]

Smabat has been the only company that has created past and current modular earbud systems (AFAIK). Modular earbuds have been an ignored niche, so props to Smabat for being innovative on this front. Their current M4 lineup is their best design so far. Their past designs either required soldering the swapped driver or had a clunky connector. While the old system worked, it's also prone to damage. The M4 design is downright elegant. All drivers screw on with a 1.5 revolution twist on driver design. They also offer a full range BA IEM module for the M4. Bluetooth adapter is in development for release approx. Oct/22. It will only offer SBC and AAC codecs, but for the most part those codecs should provide good enough sound quality and compatibility with many phones, DAPs, desktops, laptops and tablets with built-in bluetooth or use of USB BT dongles, etc.

My crowdfunding pre-order for the M4 is finally in process, just don't know when it will arrive.

Mad respect for Smabat to stick with earbuds form factor and the modular concept. I have always wanted to try their Proto IEMs. Maybe I’ll wait for your impressions before grabbing an M4 from them.

 

[mt877]

Mad respect for Smabat to stick with earbuds form factor and the modular concept. I have always wanted to try their Proto IEMs. Maybe I’ll wait for your impressions before grabbing an M4 from them.

There's already been a small review within the last 10 to 15 pages of this thread and the sound quality impression was looking good. From what I remember, it was mentioned that the pinna gain was a little reduced as compared to Smabat's previous efforts. The damping kit should provide additional sound tuning as well.

 

[qua2k]

FF3, any reason why only the black version is available on Amazon? Anywhere to get the silver for US? Trying to decide on whichto get. Based on all positive, thinking the 3 might suit me better than the 5. I am just not a fan of mmcx.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

I already have my watch chest right next to my listening station that holds all of that stuff so I probably would have ended up keeping that box in the closet despite how nice it looks. I have used the pocketable carrying case a couple times already though. I didn't realize the version with the nice box didn't have the case. Now that I know that, I'm actually glad that I got the coffin box version because, in the end, the carrying case it much more useful to me.

Another really cool pic would be of your Aiwa HP-V99 and FiiO FF3 sitting next to each other to illustrate how far we have come in 35 years!!! Might as well throw in your Ucotech ES-P1 as well as they are simply too cool looking to not include in a picture (there is a reason why they sit on WoodyLuvr's All-Time Top Twenty Flathead Earbuds by Aesthetics Only list)!