Earbuds Round-Up

[davjac84]

Do you have other buds you'[l be comparing it to?

Have some buds, but none this expensive. I'll do some light comparing with Tonekings atleast.

 

[davjac84]

Someone's about to have one helluva good day! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine. Happy listening!


BTW, make sure you come back and let us know how they work out for you, okay?

Sure will, in due time i'll give my impression

 

[davjac84]

Congrats on your new shiny!

I am eagerly awaiting your impressions.

Thanks!

 

[JAnonymous5150]

P.S. For anyone considering the NSC Audio 80ohm LCPs, if you do any DIYing they're pretty much a no risk purchase because the shells and the 80ohm LCP drivers are both quality and basically cover the cost of the buds should you hate them and break them down to use their components in a build. That's basically what I was thinking when I decided to grab them.

 

[Brillig]

I should add that the Megatron is rather quirky and doesn't have the largest soundstage and has reduced output above 10kHz than my amps that essentially measure perfect on other sites. It is also loud at the first nudge of the volume in balanced mode--loud as in "unable to achieve low volume", but not loud as in "Turn that expletive DOWN!" The cable that comes with it is too short for comfort, so ask them about their longer USB cables. I've tried 8 other USB cables with the Megatron and none of them worked. All the VE cables work on all my computers and tablets. Also, others are able to get their Megatron to run off of cell phones, but not me. It's cable finicky. So it's not a portable solution IME. It does however have POWER--and it seems like a lot of power particularly for something running off of a USB port. It sounds a bit more etched and aggressive than most of my amps (barring my Schiit Asgard 2 and my now fallen hero FiiO e12MB), but that's actually what I like about it. It gives me that character, timbre and separation and I love it even if I think it's possibly just a byproduct of increased distortion. Brass has bite, strings have rosin, singers have saliva in their throats, etc... I really don't know exactly why it sounds like it does, but all my amps that measure really clean really don't have that sound and it's different from a laid back tube amp.... No measured performance is available so I'd hate to really guess "why". I don't really like the Line out so much because it's even more of that character IMO/E, but I've only heard it through my FiiO A5. Speaking of the FiiO A5, if you want neutral, powerful and portable, it's all those things but it does have a battery. Mine is old, but still works perfectly (and definitely not for sale). It's older brother, the e12MB just died a few months back however.

Hello, folks, new here (and to flathead earbuds) and really appreciating all the expert knowledge. I'll write a little more of an introduction later, but for now, a couple of questions.

1. Like Ronion, I can't get my Megatron to run off of my iPhone. I tried the stock lightning to usb c cable, and the sound just comes out of the iphone speakers. Then, following the advice seen elsewhere on this forum, I tried a Kuulaa cable form Amazon: Kuulaa USB C to USB C Cable,USB C to Lightning Cable,2 Pack 65w Fast Charge Magnetic Charging Cable,Data Transfer Cable Compatible for iPhone/Samsung/Pixel/MacBook/Ipad Air/Pro(3ft/3ft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9JSD7B7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 Exactly the same result -- sound comes out of iphone speakers. Can anyone help here?

2.

I mentioned this in the Megatron appreciation thread and possibly in the VE appreciation thread as well, but I think the power output of the Megatron may be underreported. I haven't had a chance to measure it yet, but it has significantly more power that the two dongles I have access to that claim numbers in the same neighborhood from purely qualitative/anecdotal observations of mine. My Gryphon is the only portable that I have with more power, but based on the numbers reported by ifi and VE there should be a much bigger difference in power between the two than what I'm hearing.

Could JA, or FranQL, or anyone else who has both the VE Megatron and the Yinman 600s please comment on how successfully the Megatron is able to drive the Yinmans? I know that Samandhi's measurements indicate that there could be problems, but then I have also read JA and Hermano's comments that the Megatron seems to drive the Yinman 600s pretty well. What I want to know is -- how well? I'm trying to be "minimalist" like Woodyluvr and just have a few good gears. I'd like to get by with just the Megatron if possible, and a few TOTL buds. I have a Serratus, and the Megatron is doing great with that. And, I've corresponded with Jim Park and he says that the Megatron will drive any of his buds well, even the 600-700 ohm buds.

3. Would you consider the Yinman 600s as a "complement" to the Serratus, which, in Jim's correspondence with me, he indicated were optimized for classical and jazz? I love the Serratus, but I'm looking for my "next step" -- an all-rounder, a bit warmer than the Serratus, non-fatiguing, easy to listen to for longer times, but also with rich detail, excellent timbre, spacious soundstage and imaging. Yinman 600s? Yincrow RW-3000? Grand Alter Saber 2 (haven't seen any feedback on these -- does anyone have a set)? Other ideas?

I listen to classical, jazz, blues, classic rock, male/female vocals. I'm not a basshead and don't listen to hip-hop, metal, or EDM.

I really like my Sundaras. I like my HD58X, but it is a little dark and boring to me. I enjoy the VE BIE pretty well but it lacks detail. Same for the VE Monk +, easy to listen to but not exciting. The Tanchjim Zero and Salnotes Zero are very detailed to me, but rather shrill. In fact sometimes the Serratus seems shrill to me, and I may be treble sensitive. I had to play with foams and silicone rings quite a lot before the Serratus became comfortable for me.

Thank you all so much for your feedback and expertise!

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Hello, folks, new here (and to flathead earbuds) and really appreciating all the expert knowledge. I'll write a little more of an introduction later, but for now, a couple of questions.

1. Like Ronion, I can't get my Megatron to run off of my iPhone. I tried the stock lightning to usb c cable, and the sound just comes out of the iphone speakers. Then, following the advice seen elsewhere on this forum, I tried a Kuulaa cable form Amazon: Kuulaa USB C to USB C Cable,USB C to Lightning Cable,2 Pack 65w Fast Charge Magnetic Charging Cable,Data Transfer Cable Compatible for iPhone/Samsung/Pixel/MacBook/Ipad Air/Pro(3ft/3ft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9JSD7B7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 Exactly the same result -- sound comes out of iphone speakers. Can anyone help here?

2.

Could JA, or FranQL, or anyone else who has both the VE Megatron and the Yinman 600s please comment on how successfully the Megatron is able to drive the Yinmans? I know that Samandhi's measurements indicate that there could be problems, but then I have also read JA and Hermano's comments that the Megatron seems to drive the Yinman 600s pretty well. What I want to know is -- how well? I'm trying to be "minimalist" like Woodyluvr and just have a few good gears. I'd like to get by with just the Megatron if possible, and a few TOTL buds. I have a Serratus, and the Megatron is doing great with that. And, I've corresponded with Jim Park and he says that the Megatron will drive any of his buds well, even the 600-700 ohm buds.

3. Would you consider the Yinman 600s as a "complement" to the Serratus, which, in Jim's correspondence with me, he indicated were optimized for classical and jazz? I love the Serratus, but I'm looking for my "next step" -- an all-rounder, a bit warmer than the Serratus, non-fatiguing, easy to listen to for longer times, but also with rich detail, excellent timbre, spacious soundstage and imaging. Yinman 600s? Yincrow RW-3000? Grand Alter Saber 2 (haven't seen any feedback on these -- does anyone have a set)? Other ideas?

I listen to classical, jazz, blues, classic rock, male/female vocals. I'm not a basshead and don't listen to hip-hop, metal, or EDM.

I really like my Sundaras. I like my HD58X, but it is a little dark and boring to me. I enjoy the VE BIE pretty well but it lacks detail. Same for the VE Monk +, easy to listen to but not exciting. The Tanchjim Zero and Salnotes Zero are very detailed to me, but rather shrill. In fact sometimes the Serratus seems shrill to me, and I may be treble sensitive. I had to play with foams and silicone rings quite a lot before the Serratus became comfortable for me.

Thank you all so much for your feedback and expertise!

Okay, so when I say that the Megatron can drive the Yinmans pretty well, what I mean is it can give them good volume and fill them ouy out enough to be used on the go or when I'm not wanting to be tied down to the desk. That said, I don't think you get everything the yinmans have to offer without a desk amp or, perhaps, some of the most powerful of the portable amps and combos available. If the Megatron was my only source then I wouldn't get the Yinmans. I think there are buds that perform better in situations like that than the Yinmans which are the most power hungry buds I have encountered.

As for their suitability as a complimentary set to the Serratus, yes, I think they'd make a great tandem with them. With the Serratus you have a clean, detailed, bright bud and with the Yinmans you have a rich, euphonic, warm bud. Basically yin and yang.

 

[Brillig]

Okay, so when I say that the Megatron can drive the Yinmans pretty well, what I mean is it can give them good volume and fill them ouy out enough to be used on the go or when I'm not wanting to be tied down to the desk. That said, I don't think you get everything the yinmans have to offer without a desk amp or, perhaps, some of the most powerful of the portable amps and combos available. If the Megatron was my only source then I wouldn't get the Yinmans. I think there are buds that perform better in situations like that than the Yinmans which are the most power hungry buds I have encountered.

As for their suitability as a complimentary set to the Serratus, yes, I think they'd make a great tandem with them. With the Serratus you have a clean, detailed, bright bud and with the Yinmans you have a rich, euphonic, warm bud. Basically yin and yang.

Thanks! Can you recommend a "rich, euphonic, warm bud" that would work with the Megatron? Any of the others I mentioned?

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Thanks! Can you recommend a "rich, euphonic, warm bud" that would work with the Megatron? Any of the others I mentioned?

From Yincrow the RW-2000s are warmer than the 3000s and would probably be better for that richer sound, but the problem is that the Yincrows are low impedance and would leave you very little usable volume from the Megatron and I also haven't tried them on it so I don't know how the synergy is anyways. If I were looking for something warm and rich that pairs well with the Megatron I would probably look at VE's own Zen Series. Both the Zen 2.0 and 3.0 are along those lines. I haven't heard the others from the Zen series, but I hear they all share that warmth sound sig.

I know more recs will hit me later, but its 5AM here and I haven't slept so my brain is drawing a blank beyond the Zens at the moment lol! If/when I think of any others I'll reply again. I hope this was at least slightly helpful.

 

[Brillig]

From Yincrow the RW-2000s are warmer than the 3000s and would probably be better for that richer sound, but the problem is that the Yincrows are low impedance and would leave you very little usable volume from the Megatron and I also haven't tried them on it so I don't know how the synergy is anyways. If I were looking for something warm and rich that pairs well with the Megatron I would probably look at VE's own Zen Series. Both the Zen 2.0 and 3.0 are along those lines. I haven't heard the others from the Zen series, but I hear they all share that warmth sound sig.

I know more recs will hit me later, but its 5AM here and I haven't slept so my brain is drawing a blank beyond the Zens at the moment lol! If/when I think of any others I'll reply again. I hope this was at least slightly helpful.

Thanks for stirring up your brain at 5 AM! I hope you get some good rest! I also have both the Abigail and Avani dongles, and a 75 ohm impedence adapter for the Megatron, so I suspect that the RW-2000s would do fine, don't you think? I was worried that they seem to be described as less detailed than the 3000s, but I guess it's a trade off -- detail or warmth. It would be nice to have both!

Please don't reply now -- rest first!

 

[baskingshark]

Thanks for stirring up your brain at 5 AM! I hope you get some good rest! I also have both the Abigail and Avani dongles, and a 75 ohm impedence adapter for the Megatron, so I suspect that the RW-2000s would do fine, don't you think? I was worried that they seem to be described as less detailed than the 3000s, but I guess it's a trade off -- detail or warmth. It would be nice to have both!

Please don't reply now -- rest first!

A warm and analoguish set that I still take out for a spin now and then is the Faaeal Rosemary. Big bass, not very technical. Something to chill and relax to. Needs amplification (150 ohms).

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Thanks for stirring up your brain at 5 AM! I hope you get some good rest! I also have both the Abigail and Avani dongles, and a 75 ohm impedence adapter for the Megatron, so I suspect that the RW-2000s would do fine, don't you think? I was worried that they seem to be described as less detailed than the 3000s, but I guess it's a trade off -- detail or warmth. It would be nice to have both!

Please don't reply now -- rest first!

Having never heard them on the Megatron, you might be right. I use impedance adapters with some buds on the Megatron and the sound great, but with others it can effect the sound in ways that I'm not a fan of. As far as detail goes, yes, the RW-3000s are more detailed, but the RW-2000s are still quite resolving in their own right.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

A warm and analoguish set that I still take out for a spin now and then is the Faaeal Rosemary. Big bass, not very technical. Something to chill and relax to. Needs amplification (150 ohms).

I agree, but they aren't in the same league performance wise and I think the Yinmans tuning is both warmer and more balanced. I do like my Rosemary's for kickin' it and I think they're a pretty good value for sure.

 

[mt877]

Apparently there is a Fiio FF1 coming. I saw this on the post of a Japanese Twitter user. The unit is priced around 3000 Yen.

Apparently there's 3 different FF1 design variations being considered. FF1 will be the successor of the EM3 / EM3K series and may use 2 pin detachable cable.

 

[ttorbic]

Thanks! Can you recommend a "rich, euphonic, warm bud" that would work with the Megatron? Any of the others I mentioned?

That sounds like TGXear Ripples or the Alpha, but the former is more suitable for you as it is a 150 Ohm driver so easy to drive off of the Megatron. I do this combo when I'm away from my desktop amp.

I listen to mainly jazz and sometimes vocals with the Ripples - highly recommended. Sound presentation is a lot more intimate than the Serratus, which makes the soundfield appear more dense, IMHO.

Alternatively, there are Rikubuds sets to consider. He offers a wide range of lower impedance but high performance earbuds.

 

[samandhi]

Okay, so when I say that the Megatron can drive the Yinmans pretty well, what I mean is it can give them good volume and fill them ouy out enough to be used on the go or when I'm not wanting to be tied down to the desk. That said, I don't think you get everything the yinmans have to offer without a desk amp or, perhaps, some of the most powerful of the portable amps and combos available. If the Megatron was my only source then I wouldn't get the Yinmans. I think there are buds that perform better in situations like that than the Yinmans which are the most power hungry buds I have encountered.

As for their suitability as a complimentary set to the Serratus, yes, I think they'd make a great tandem with them. With the Serratus you have a clean, detailed, bright bud and with the Yinmans you have a rich, euphonic, warm bud. Basically yin and yang.

Well said...

I think it is safe to say that as long as the amplifier in question has a fairly linear power output through different ranges, that (at least) 1.2W @32ohms or roughly 6.2VRMS should be able to drive them properly, at least up to 100dBSPL I would think.

Thanks for stirring up your brain at 5 AM! I hope you get some good rest! I also have both the Abigail and Avani dongles, and a 75 ohm impedence adapter for the Megatron, so I suspect that the RW-2000s would do fine, don't you think? I was worried that they seem to be described as less detailed than the 3000s, but I guess it's a trade off -- detail or warmth. It would be nice to have both!

Please don't reply now -- rest first!

I find the RW2000 to be well detailed. It is just that the RW3000 are MORE detailed. The RW2000 compared to the RW3000 is something like the RW2000 have more of a fun tuning to them (with good technicalities, and some analytical properties peeking through), and the RW3000 are more of an analytical sound with some fun to keep them from being boring. They really aren't too comparable IMO. They are more complimentary to each other with some similarities. They both have a really good quality transducer in them, and I think they might even be the same driver, but (simply) tuned differently. I DID notice that the shells are a tiny bit smaller on the RW3000 than are the RW2000 (so acoustically they would be just a shade different because of this). I hope that is at least somewhat helpful to you?!