Earbuds Round-Up

[jeejack]

First DIY ear buds ever. It was scary to solder. At least I tried to yank the soldering joint after completion and nothing moved, so I hope everything is fine. I forgot to check the writing on the shells, so R is L and L is R now These are the "150 ohm bass speakers", btw.

How do they sound?

First up, FR measurement against the golden boy FF3 (aligned at 500hz)


Subjective impressions by wife (Sony XM4 over-ear fangirl, btw):

• "The sound seems to come in front of me rather than from the ear buds? Strange."
• "Very good. Very natural"
• "You should sell these. How much is the material costs? That cheap?? Why do you buy those thousand dollars IEM???"

Being 150 Ohm, this thing needs power. My Hidizs DAP is out of question. Its wimpy 70mW single ended output is no match. Yes, it gets loud after pushing the volume, but it sounds sloppy and muddy. Way better result with KA3 and Creative X1 (a surprisingly good and cheap dongle that I am reviewing, btw).

Now, what do I think?

• Price / performance ratio of ear buds is broken.
• The resolution is meh. Adequate, but just average in the grand scheme. 3/5
• Perhaps because of the strong bass yet weaker resolution, these buds don't sound as impressive as FF3.
• I might add some foams to control the mid bass somehow. If this is IEM, I would open up front vents or add a leak to the ear tips. Not sure what to do with ear buds.

Mine has plastic faceplates. Does that mean I cannot use them with my metal shells? I couldn't cut or sand the metal to add a cut for voice coil, so I left that titanium driver alone for now.

You can use it bro with metal shells( 64 ohm). Your 150 ohm buds are not rdy. Use the tuning materials you bought

 

[Oscarilbo]

The FF3 is decidedly NOT a V signature. The mids are more linear or flat (not recessed nor forward), except a tad boost in the pina gain. But I would also recommend them as an easy win for your ears and for what you are looking for, they really are that good.

The only reason I haven't recommended the Yinman 600 2.0 is because they are warm enough that they really shine more on vocals than instruments, being mid forward (though they do those very well also and might be right up your alley).

My other "second" to the recs is the RW2000. They really are a fantastic bud also.

In reality most of the suggestions people are throwing out there will get you what you are looking for most likely. I've found that most of the people here that have been around for a while have pretty good ears. I'm sure the new people here do too, I just haven't gotten to know them yet.

I wish the Moondrop Chaconne had more bass quantity because they have the most precise and accurate sound for instrumentals my ears have ever heard. Even so, I absolutely recommend them for classical and the like. But they are also out of your budget.

wow.. so.. How much do the FF3 get close to the Chaconne? I just saw a video review from Zoes Panthera and he loved the FF3 so much he said he now had to get the Chaconne out and compare. I mean, I can wait longer and save for the Chaconne if they are what they say they are.

Btw, for the price of the Chaconne how would they compare to an IEM like the Blessing 2?

 

[baskingshark]

Is anyone using the Smabat S20? I'd like to hear others opinion, where it can be improved and what could be the next step from it.

There are 2 variants of the Smabat ST20. The non pro (which is warmer and cheaper, conventional single DD) and the ST20 Pro which has an added BA, cold neutral bright tuning.

I don't have the non-pro one, but I have the ST20 Pro and please avoid it and save your money. It is super shouty at the upper mids, cannot tolerate it for more than a few minutes without EQ. The fit is also very iffy. It is quite technical but considering it is close to $300ish, I would rate it maybe 2/5 without mods.

 

[Braekfast]

-snip-
Being 150 Ohm, this thing needs power. My Hidizs DAP is out of question. Its wimpy 70mW single ended output is no match. Yes, it gets loud after pushing the volume, but it sounds sloppy and muddy. Way better result with KA3 and Creative X1 (a surprisingly good and cheap dongle that I am reviewing, btw).

Now, what do I think?

• Price / performance ratio of ear buds is broken.
• The resolution is meh. Adequate, but just average in the grand scheme. 3/5
• Perhaps because of the strong bass yet weaker resolution, these buds don't sound as impressive as FF3.
• I might add some foams to control the mid bass somehow. If this is IEM, I would open up front vents or add a leak to the ear tips. Not sure what to do with ear buds

Thanks for the write-up! I'm also looking into placing my first parts order soon for diy buds. I was so impressed by the berserker 2's I got from Rikudougoku that I spent some time digging out the old soldering iron from the attic.

I've been eyeing the same 150 ohm blue glue drivers. Current plan would be to get 2 cheaper 32ohm drivers like the19-21 Red Dot or N53 blue glue for practise, and since they don't require amplification I'd be able to give them to my friends afterwards. And then keep the 150ohm blue glue for myself.
You mention they need some amplification, but how much would you say is necessary? They seem fairly sensitive, but I only have a small dongle dac (VE Odyssey HD) so maybe that's not enough and I'd better look into getting something stronger.

 

[samandhi]

wow.. so.. How much do the FF3 get close to the Chaconne? I just saw a video review from Zoes Panthera and he loved the FF3 so much he said he now had to get the Chaconne out and compare. I mean, I can wait longer and save for the Chaconne if they are what they say they are.

Btw, for the price of the Chaconne how would they compare to an IEM like the Blessing 2?

That is a tough question because the Chaconne and FF3 are totally different tuning. If the FF3 are a tube sound, the Chaconne are decidedly solid state. That isn't to say they are digital sounding, because they aren't. They are very smooth. They are detail monsters and have mids and treble that are perfectly tuned (to my ears), with no boosted pina gain (so they aren't fatiguing to me). Where they fall short is in the bass department. It is all there but is so low in volume compared to the rest of the signature that they really are best for music that doesn't rely heavily on it. There is enough there to give strings their lower sound, and piano in lower keys though, or example.

I would call the Chaconne more analytical, and the FF3 more fun, but that is not a knock on either bud because they both cross that line a bit. Also, the FF3 are MUCH better as all-rounders. If all you want in buds is OST, classical, acoustic, vocals then Chaconne fit that roll superbly. The FF3 can almost hang in those areas but are better as all-rounders. This actually might make the FF3 more valuable if you plan on using them for anything else because the Chaconne are very niche (they don't sound NEAR as good with rock for instance), while the FF3 excel at pretty much everything.

If you compare either bud to an IEM such as the Blessing 2, you might be disappointed with both (though they might share some characteristics) just because they aren't really the same sound at all (some ways much better, some ways worse, depending on how one judges sound). Having said that, I have not heard the Blessing 2, so I can't comment other than to say buds are actually more comparable to open back headphones rather than IEMs IMO.

Bottom line - if you are looking for something ONLY for the music you described, the Chaconne can't be beat IMO, but if you plan on listening to anything else, the FF3 are a great choice. If you are a basshead or even a basshead and don't know it, you will hate the Chaconne and think they have no bass at all (though they definitely do, and can go pretty deep when called to do so). If you are super sensitive to pina gain boost the FF3 might be painful for the first few days. That being said, either one will be a great addition to your collection I would think.

Thanks for the write-up! I'm also looking into placing my first parts order soon for diy buds. I was so impressed by the berserker 2's I got from Rikudougoku that I spent some time digging out the old soldering iron from the attic.

I've been eyeing the same 150 ohm blue glue drivers. Current plan would be to get 2 cheaper 32ohm drivers like the19-21 Red Dot or N53 blue glue for practise, and since they don't require amplification I'd be able to give them to my friends afterwards. And then keep the 150ohm blue glue for myself.
You mention they need some amplification, but how much would you say is necessary? They seem fairly sensitive, but I only have a small dongle dac (VE Odyssey HD) so maybe that's not enough and I'd better look into getting something stronger.

Given that I don't know the efficiency of those drivers, I will assume it is something like 105dB/mW. If that is the case, then you really only need (to reach 110dBSPL):

• 4mW
• .77Vrms
• 5.2mA

Keep in mind that is only exactly what is needed. It might take a bit more to drive them "properly" though.

 

[drewbadour]

Thanks for the write-up! I'm also looking into placing my first parts order soon for diy buds. I was so impressed by the berserker 2's I got from Rikudougoku that I spent some time digging out the old soldering iron from the attic.

I've been eyeing the same 150 ohm blue glue drivers. Current plan would be to get 2 cheaper 32ohm drivers like the19-21 Red Dot or N53 blue glue for practise, and since they don't require amplification I'd be able to give them to my friends afterwards. And then keep the 150ohm blue glue for myself.
You mention they need some amplification, but how much would you say is necessary? They seem fairly sensitive, but I only have a small dongle dac (VE Odyssey HD) so maybe that's not enough and I'd better look into getting something stronger.

The 150ohm Blue Glue is what Riku uses in the Lancer 1 IIRC - it can be driven fine from my laptop headphone jack or from Apple dongle and phone - just need to crank up volume a tad bit compared to the 32ohm buds I have - they can still get louder than my ears can handle so they're not too hard to drive!

 

[Ronion]

The Red Dots are a lot of fun. Really easy to tune and hard to screw up. They are a really good first bud build. Not the highest resolution drivers, but they are pleasant enough with a decent soundstage. The CatEar Mimi use those drivers, but they are better in an MX500 shell. A nice simple build with them would be an Medium Density Horseshoe foam on the shell. Opening the faux bass port per @Rary’s guide with a 0.8mm hole and you’ve got e very nice balanced, extended range bud. You can always plug the faux port from the outside exit hole if it’s too much bass for you. Make sure you get the hole clear and even by reaming the hole from both sides. Check its uniformity with your phone light. You can also brighten them up with different foams. Don’t accept your first effort as your best effort.

 

[Ronion]

One other thing: in my experience, Red Dots do not have the best quality control and you are better off buying in bulk. Some of them are bass shy. I have no idea why, but thats how they measure—at a rate of about 1-2 out of 10. Yes, I have that many.

 

[Braekfast]

-snip-

-snip-

Thanks! I'll start off with my current dongle then. If it still turns out to need more, I can always look locally for a new amp.

The Red Dots are a lot of fun. Really easy to tune and hard to screw up. They are a really good first bud build. Not the highest resolution drivers, but they are pleasant enough with a decent soundstage. The CatEar Mimi use those drivers, but they are better in an MX500 shell. A nice simple build with them would be an Medium Density Horseshoe foam on the shell. Opening the faux bass port per @Rary’s guide with a 0.8mm hole and you’ve got e very nice balanced, extended range bud. You can always plug the faux port from the outside exit hole if it’s too much bass for you. Make sure you get the hole clear and even by reaming the hole from both sides. Check its uniformity with your phone light. You can also brighten them up with different foams. Don’t accept your first effort as your best effort.

Thank you for the tuning tips. Would you recommend any other drivers as "first bud friendly"? Just so I can weigh my options. I'm assuming all the drivers listed in Rary's guide are at least "good", but I'm sure there are some in there that are better than others.

One other thing: in my experience, Red Dots do not have the best quality control and you are better off buying in bulk. Some of them are bass shy. I have no idea why, but thats how they measure—at a rate of about 1-2 out of 10. Yes, I have that many.

Dang, I was afraid of QC issues. Is it a Red Dot specific thing, or just DIY drivers in general? I'd like to keep the budget for my initial foray into diy buds a bit contained, so buying 10 of each driver would make that a bit difficult

 

[Buchi]

Thanks. I do have the non pro model and the fit is as you described. It has a wide stage, deep bass but pinna gain is still an issue so it can be fatiguing at times. I feel the non pro S20 has more upper mid presence looking at the smabat graph, so it might be worse than the ST20 pro. On the other hand, the M2s Pro with Super Point driver is a more relaxed earbud. I want the YinMan 600 as my next earbud but I was hoping I could get some impression from someone that has both.

I'm not a pro is describing sound but something's are very obvious even to an untrained ears.

There are 2 variants of the Smabat ST20. The non pro (which is warmer and cheaper, conventional single DD) and the ST20 Pro which has an added BA, cold neutral bright tuning.

I don't have the non-pro one, but I have the ST20 Pro and please avoid it and save your money. It is super shouty at the upper mids, cannot tolerate it for more than a few minutes without EQ. The fit is also very iffy. It is quite technical but considering it is close to $300ish, I would rate it maybe 2/5 without mods.

 

[jeejack]

Thanks for the write-up! I'm also looking into placing my first parts order soon for diy buds. I was so impressed by the berserker 2's I got from Rikudougoku that I spent some time digging out the old soldering iron from the attic.

I've been eyeing the same 150 ohm blue glue drivers. Current plan would be to get 2 cheaper 32ohm drivers like the19-21 Red Dot or N53 blue glue for practise, and since they don't require amplification I'd be able to give them to my friends afterwards. And then keep the 150ohm blue glue for myself.
You mention they need some amplification, but how much would you say is necessary? They seem fairly sensitive, but I only have a small dongle dac (VE Odyssey HD) so maybe that's not enough and I'd better look into getting something stronger.

Good pick bro ! Very good DND drivers for only 50 5$ build! N52 blue glue is the most used driver

 

[samandhi]

I want the YinMan 600 as my next earbud but I was hoping I could get some impression from someone that has both.

Do you mean that you are looking for a comparison between the Yinman and the M2s Pro with the SO 100ohm driver, or the Yinman and the ST20?

 

[Buchi]

Do you mean that you are looking for a comparison between the Yinman and the M2s Pro with the SO 100ohm driver, or the Yinman and the ST20?

Comparison between the 2 won't be bad but I read the Yinman is warm sounding like the ST20. I wouldn't want to have 2 similar sounding buds.

 

[samandhi]

Comparison between the 2 won't be bad but I read the Yinman is warm sounding like the ST20. I wouldn't want to have 2 similar sounding buds.

I wasn't sure because I don't have nor have heard the ST20 series at all, but I have the M2s Pro and with the SO bio 100ohm driver (which is my favorite in that shell at this point).

While I haven't heard the ST20, I have heard the "Smabat" house sound in quite a few different of the brand, and I can tell you that even if they are warm, it would be their tertiary signature, and would sound vastly different than the Yinman, which are warm as part of their primary signature. Plus, the Yinman have no pina gain boost, and the treble is recessed a bit (which will change the overall sound even more to the warm side).

Side Note: Hopefully I have made @WoodyLuvr proud with that "signature" declaration... I'm not sure if it is good OR bad when I start thinking like him?! LOL

 

[JAnonymous5150]

wow.. so.. How much do the FF3 get close to the Chaconne? I just saw a video review from Zoes Panthera and he loved the FF3 so much he said he now had to get the Chaconne out and compare. I mean, I can wait longer and save for the Chaconne if they are what they say they are.

Btw, for the price of the Chaconne how would they compare to an IEM like the Blessing 2?

I know you didn't ask me, but I have to say that I much prefer the FF3s to the Chaconnes. I only kept the Chaconnes for about a month and then moved them. Though I will also say that the FF3s and the Chaconnes are two very different earbuds.

I may be in the minority in saying this, but I think there are earbuds out there that are similar to the Chaconnes in sound sig, but are better executed to varying degrees. The Yincrow RW3000s for example, provide a similar sound signature that actually fills out better and provides more detail, IMO. The FF3s, as I have said before, have a huge presentation that imparts such power to the music and I haven't heard another bud that equals it