Earbuds Round-Up

[AsciiJC]

Off topic: Latest Tariff news. US head gear fans (as well as other US consumers) are in for a tough ride...

Source: https://www.china-briefing.com/news...-china-to-54-overview-and-trade-implications/

UPDATE (April 9, 2025): President T**** signed an executive order raising the reciprocal tariff rate on China from 34 percent to 84 percent, bringing the final rate to 104 percent. The additional 50 percent rate was implemented after China did not repeal the 34 percent duty it placed on US goods by April 8, as Trump had demanded. The 104 percent tariff, along with the reciprocal tariff rates placed on other countries, came into effect on Wednesday, April 9. In addition to the tariff hike, the executive order raised the de minimis duty rate on parcels valued under US$800 arriving from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong to 90 percent, and the per-item fee to US$75 from May 1, rising to US$150 from June 1.

Well, this isnt fun! Will definitely impact all retailers in the USA especially.

If this is a long lasting issue, forwarders will start popping up to try and bypass this.

 

[jogawag]

I think that having some desktop gear that will allow me to playback the same sound at the same volume level through two sets at a time will come in handy here to get some fairly accurate A/B comparisons between the Chaconne and the Pavane.

I think you should just buy a multi audio splitter for earbuds A/B comparison, e.g. amazon

 

[ttorbic]

Btw! Hows your hearing? Better i hope?!

Thanks for checking in! Not completely back to normal so I'll see my doctor on Friday. No tinnitus at least...just a bit muffled

Edit: congrats on your new shiny @samandhi! Quite literally shiny! Looking forward to your impressions. If you recall, I asked the group some time ago about a 4.4mm balanced splitter cable - I have been using one for months and it works great! Obviously not perfectly volume matched but it's very handy and I can manually get the volume in the ballpark. If you don't need a balanced one, then you can easily find SE splitters, but if you need a balanced one I recommend Openheart cables on AliX. Not sure if the tariffs will impact you, however...

 

[samandhi]

I think you should just buy a multi audio splitter for earbuds A/B comparison, e.g. amazon

Thanks, but not needed. I can do either two balanced at a time, or two SE at a time with this (well, technically 3 of each, but one SE and one balanced connection is impedance matching, so would not output the same power compared to the non impedance matching connections of the same):

Spoiler

If you recall, I asked the group some time ago about a 4.4mm balanced splitter cable - I have been using one for months and it works great!

I do indeed remember, and I am very glad you got it sorted out.

Edit: Yes, you are right they are very literally shiny. Haha thanks very much.

 

[atlatl]

Is this PT03 better than the QKZ MDR? There is only one opening on it.

I wonder what's the modding potential of these shells with mx500 drivers?

 

[mt877]

I wonder what's the modding potential of these shells with mx500 drivers?

15.4mm drivers should fit no problem.

Reference to this post by @Kamikaze777. Look at the top set of DIY buds, he used the 150Ω BG driver which is a 15.4mm driver.

In other (better news) I got my Pavane today. In a shocking move, April 1st was supposed to be the big changes that made the USPS much slower for those of us that don't live near a hub (distribution center). Ironically it only took a day to get from there to my house. That is actually faster than it would arrive before. Now if only I could afford the new tariffs to continue ordering stuff online. Lol

I will share the unboxing pictures with you for now because I have had zero time with these as of yet. Well, a couple minutes, and so far I really like them, but can't give proper impressions until I have more time with them.

I will also say that while the Pavane share some DNA with the Chaconne, they are very different animals.

I think that having some desktop gear that will allow me to playback the same sound at the same volume level through two sets at a time will come in handy here to get some fairly accurate A/B comparisons between the Chaconne and the Pavane.

I think that i have some pretty good equipment to do some decent reviews, i just don't have the eloquence in words to do so; nor, honestly the desire to do it all the time. Plus, it is actually pretty hard and arduous work to do it (well). So, from me you'll get impressions only. Hehe

Congrats on finally getting your Pavane buds! From Moondrops sound description and also the earlier impressions by @Dr. Cube, I definitely think it's safe to say that the Pavane will be an earbud to add to the collection. Take your time and get to know them well.

 

[samandhi]

Congrats on finally getting your Pavane buds! From Moondrops sound description and also the earlier impressions by @Dr. Cube, I definitely think it's safe to say that the Pavane will be an earbud to add to the collection. Take your time and get to know them well.

Thanks very much.

They definitely aren't meant to be an upgrade to the Chaconne, but a complimentary set or even sidegrade IMO. Unlike the RW2000 and RW3000 the Pavane attempt to go in an opposing direction, while maintaining the "showerhead" signature overall, to my ears.

 

[dykzei]

I found a cable with much shorter connectors that improves over the ear fit for longer stem shells like DM7Ti

It just arrived and I will see how much actual improvement it brings on the go

CVJ Flora Silver-Plated https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNhjnJl

 

[LTNYG]

VE SMG are coming to the doorsteps this evening. Will try to write my first (lousy) impressions asap.

 

[samandhi]

I found a cable with much shorter connectors that improves over the ear fit for longer stem shells like DM7Ti

It just arrived and I will see how much actual improvement it brings on the go

CVJ Flora Silver-Plated https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNhjnJl

Looks like a fantastic find on your part. Do let us know if they work out for you in the long run?!

VE SMG are coming to the doorsteps this evening. Will try to write my first (lousy) impressions asap.

Congrats on your new (incoming) shiny!

I certainly would like to read your impressions on these.

 

[LTNYG]

The delivery was fast, so had a quick listen and unreliable impression is right below. Please take them as just a grain of salt.

Build quality: Shells are high-quality, gold-plated; have some weight but I won't consider them to be as heavy as some other models that I have. Very nice cable - thin but premium as I like them to be. Some may not like the plastic chin slider though, which never bothers me at all.

Fit, Comfort: With stock full foams, they sit very well, but being earbuds, they are never 100%. These get 85 or 90 percent. Despite being metal, they are as comfortable as I had expected.
Update: For me, they need rubber rings to not slip off my ears. Cautions for small ears.

Lows: Balanced for both mid and sub bass. There is power on kick drum and bass guitar is present as true to the recording.

Mids: No sibilance. Lean to a slight warm kind of vocals. Just very nice.

Treble: Both acoustic and electric guitar, cymbals and drums are very clear and well presented.

Overall: So far, really positive.

 

[ttorbic]

The delivery was fast, so had a quick listen and unreliable impression is right below. Please take them as just a grain of salt.

Build quality: Shells are high-quality, gold-plated; have some weight but I won't consider them to be as heavy as some other models that I have. Very nice cable - thin but premium as I like them to be. Some may not like the plastic chin slider though, which never bothers me at all.

Fit, Comfort: With stock full foams, they sit very well, but being earbuds, they are never 100%. These get 85 or 90 percent. Despite being metal, they are as comfortable as I had expected.

Lows: Balanced for both mid and sub bass. There is power on kick drum and bass guitar is present as true to the recording.

Mids: No sibilance. Lean to a slight warm kind of vocals. Just very nice.

Treble: Both acoustic and electric guitar, cymbals and drums are very clear and well presented.

Overall: So far, really positive.

Welcome, and congrats on your newest set! Glad to hear that you're impressed by the SMG Happy listening!

I'm way behind on giving impressions of my newest additions - Lavender Sound EchoForce and Flathead Audio FH-01. Here are photos for now Yes, FH-01 comes with a free hat styled after the mx500 faceplate!

 

[droenald]

Welcome, and congrats on your newest set! Glad to hear that you're impressed by the SMG Happy listening!

I'm way behind on giving impressions of my newest additions - Lavender Sound EchoForce and Flathead Audio FH-01. Here are photos for now Yes, FH-01 comes with a free hat styled after the mx500 faceplate!

Can you give a quick feedback on the FH-01? Is it worth adding to the collection for someone having a few totl buds already? I heard the free hat is only in the package for the first 500 buyers. I might have to move quick!
A "yes absolutely" or "not necessarily" will do.

 

[ttorbic]

Can you give a quick feedback on the FH-01? Is it worth adding to the collection for someone having a few totl buds already? I heard the free hat is only in the package for the first 500 buyers. I might have to move quick!
A "yes absolutely" or "not necessarily" will do.

It's target audience is not really for veterans, unless they want a budget beater set that is very good for the price, or a good 3.5mm set. It's balanced with mild bass boost. It has surprisingly good transients and bass, with no bleeding into mids. Good details for the price. I can tell it's a bery driver.

But for you? No, you don't need Maybe save up for one of Flathead Audio's next releases

 

[4ceratops]

Welcome, and congrats on your newest set! Glad to hear that you're impressed by the SMG Happy listening!

I'm way behind on giving impressions of my newest additions - Lavender Sound EchoForce and Flathead Audio FH-01. Here are photos for now Yes, FH-01 comes with a free hat styled after the mx500 faceplate!

Congratulations. I'm very curious about your opinion on the FlatHead audio FH-01, mine should arrive sometime next week. It was such a blind impulse buy. Worst case scenario, I'll have a cap like nobody's business