[ttorbic]

I find it very genre specific. Vocal genres - folk, singer/songwriter, choral, vocal jazz are the greatest strength of APWS. Followed by those with instrumental focus with strings/piano/woodwind/brass, caveat being the flatter bass & light impact presenting bass strings and drums much further back in the mix. I really wouldn't choose the APWS if my preferred genres were heavy on percussion or bass as it lacks musicality (pop/rock/metal/electronic/hip hop are a complete no-go). For me, at a push it handles orchestral but a lot will want more percussive weight and low end for a complete picture.

So yes, quite the specialist. However if, like me, your library comprises of 90% ECM-label jazz/acoustic/small ensemble, it really is a special specialist. For vocals it isolates and lifts them up more than any earbud I have heard (even Blur Beautiful Witch & MX64 STE aPs) being totally invested in the midrange and unabashedly earbud sounding for that reason. It's not balanced and it does apply it's own distinct flavour to my library but this flavour is perfectly to my taste.

(Note that my impressions (and review) are from the DX300 Amp11Mk1 that is itself vocal-forward. I don't feel that I underpowered it but will add an addendum to my review once I have had a chance to test it on a desktop amp (Defiant))

I'm not sure how you would find it @WoodyLuvr, I think the thinness and upper midrange focus will be quite off-putting for you. Nonetheless, I hope you get to hear it so you can place it in that encyclopaedic brain of yours for future reference!

___

On an unrelated note, this is on the way to me in the post courtesy of the lovely @FranQL:

Wowww lucky you mate for getting a custom build from the one and only @FranQL !! Please share your impressions once you've received them and had a good listen

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Ucotech ES-P2; 165Ω
To be released on 17 JULY 2023
https://www.0db.co.kr/NOTICE_SPS/3147679

 

[WoodyLuvr]

On an unrelated note, this is on the way to me in the post courtesy of the lovely @FranQL:

Wowww lucky you mate for getting a custom build from the one and only @FranQL !! Please share your impressions once you've received them and had a good listen

Concur, enjoy @ian91! I too have been blessed and lucky to receive a few of his wonderful creations as well. @FranQL is a humble master tuner to say the very least... he truly has an excellent ear. My wife really loves her FranQL Eight Ball Red (DIY MX300 DLC Carbon); 300Ω which she promptly swiped them from me way back when after they had arrived in the mail!

 

[ian91]

Concur, enjoy @ian91! I too have been blessed and lucky to receive a few of his wonderful creations as well. @FranQL is a humble master tuner to say the very least... he truly has an excellent ear. My wife really loves her FranQL Eight Ball Red (DIY MX300 DLC Carbon); 300Ω which she promptly swiped them from me way back when after they had arrived in the mail!

I feel very fortunate. It's people like him that make this hobby what it is. I will speak more on it when it arrives but I will be careful to make the coverage a balance between shining light on good things and trying to respect his wish to keep his creations humble gifts to friends.

Your wife struck again, it seems! I wouldn't be surprised if she has her own presentation case with her (your) favourite earbuds in by now.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

Well the Yinman 2.0 600 le will not be a part of my stable. It was returned to sender as it didn’t make it out of China. So I asked for a refund. Something seems fishy to me as this is the same seller that sold another member a bad driver set. So it’s okay. No harm no foul. It seemed the Yinman is on the darker side anyway which isn’t my jam.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

I have added another table listing flatheads with most exotic drivers; please let me know if I missed any. Thank you.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1csDIwiJdxlGGxqOXSuerlDPAxdvleXfl5eWpfbv6FWw/edit

 

[Headcan]

Well the Yinman 2.0 600 le will not be a part of my stable. It was returned to sender as it didn’t make it out of China. So I asked for a refund. Something seems fishy to me as this is the same seller that sold another member a bad driver set. So it’s okay. No harm no foul. It seemed the Yinman is on the darker side anyway which isn’t my jam.

Same seller actually informed me that this would happen and asked that I cancel my order and then re-order and select the non trackable free shipping option. I cancelled and fortunately waited for refund to show in my account. Doubt I’d be re-ordering after reading above posts.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

Deleted

 

[mt877]

I have added another table listing flatheads with most exotic drivers; please let me know if I missed any. Thank you.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1csDIwiJdxlGGxqOXSuerlDPAxdvleXfl5eWpfbv6FWw/edit

Here's another one: I remember it was mentioned in this thread some time ago.

$16.99 at CKLewis Audio Store: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805512308544.html
Listed as: LUN SHENG AEOLIAN Bells Flat Head Earbuds

$30.08 at Chitty's Store: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805351849923.html
Listed as: DIY earphone head mmcx pluggable Using ceramic electrostatic units

It's dual combined driver design. 13.6mm Piezo ceramic and Dynamic driver.

1.Product Name: LUN SHENG AEOLIAN Bells Flat Head Earbuds
2.Model: AEOLIAN Bells
3.Drive unit: 13.6mm Circular Composite Dynamic Driver
4.Type: In-ear
5.Impedance: 28Ω
6.Earphone sensitivity: 110dB/mW
7.Frequency range: 20-20000Hz
8.Earphone plug: 3.5mm
9.Cable Length: 1.2m±5cm
10.Color: Silver
11.Whether with cable: Option
12.Whether with mic: No
13.Interface Type: MMCX

Click images to enlarge.

Spoiler: More pics

 

[samandhi]

I'm not sure how you would find it @WoodyLuvr, I think the thinness and upper midrange focus will be quite off-putting for you. Nonetheless, I hope you get to hear it so you can place it in that encyclopaedic brain of yours for future reference!

I bet they would be even more so for others because the DX300 w/Amp11 MK1 is known to be very warm/relaxed in the upper regions.

On an unrelated note, this is on the way to me in the post courtesy of the lovely @FranQL:

Aquila???

Congrats on your new (incoming) shiny!

If it IS the Aquila, you are REALLY going to love them a lot bro. To my ears, these are as fine as you could possibly ask for. Even if they aren't those, I would bet they are still world class (to match the person.... ).

 

[mt877]

Well the Yinman 2.0 600 le will not be a part of my stable. It was returned to sender as it didn’t make it out of China. So I asked for a refund. Something seems fishy to me as this is the same seller that sold another member a bad driver set. So it’s okay. No harm no foul. It seemed the Yinman is on the darker side anyway which isn’t my jam.

Same seller actually informed me that this would happen and asked that I cancel my order and then re-order and select the non trackable free shipping option. I cancelled and fortunately waited for refund to show in my account. Doubt I’d be re-ordering after reading above posts.

Not sure what's up with this situation, but I've had a couple purchases through that store with no problems. Giving them the benefit of the doubt here, maybe they stopped the shipments due to the QC issues that are being reported to them and want to make sure nobody else gets any lemons? Pure speculation on my part though...

 

[ian91]

I bet they would be even more so for others because the DX300 w/Amp11 MK1 is known to be very warm/relaxed in the upper regions.

Aquila???

Congrats on your new (incoming) shiny!

If it IS the Aquila, you are REALLY going to love them a lot bro. To my ears, these are as fine as you could possibly ask for. Even if they aren't those, I would bet they are still world class (to match the person.... ).

The Mk1 is definitely warmer than Amp12 but the most noticeable difference is the forward vocal range. On the Amp12 the APWS is slightly less forward in the vocals and slightly more detailed.

It is the Aquila! Fingers crossed they are fine addition to my well loved collection.

 

[rkw]

Hmm... they avoided mentioning bass, and that's exactly where piezoelectric is usually lacking.

 

[samandhi]

The Mk1 is definitely warmer than Amp12 but the most noticeable difference is the forward vocal range. On the Amp12 the APWS is slightly less forward in the vocals and slightly more detailed.

It is the Aquila! Fingers crossed they are fine addition to my well loved collection.

Yeah, I have the Mk2, which is sort of in between the Amp12 and 11.1. While I still haven't pulled the trigger on the Amp14, the Amp13 is amazing with certain buds and IEMs/headphones. IME Amp 12 is the analytical amp card where bass tightens up and quantity is a bit less, and treble (not so much upper mids) comes out to play. I really love this amp with stuff like the FF3, or Hook-X, Yinmans, etc...

A little over 2 years in, and I am not regretting NOT selling it (DX300) and going with the DX320. Why get rid of something that is nigh on perfect to begin with?

OH boy! You are certainly in for a treat. Of all the buds I have heard (store bought or DIY), these are my favorite overall; though it is certainly close with a couple other sets, and it DOES change when I feel like listening to a different type of sound. But I keep reaching for these more often than others. Also, the fitment is so much better than with standard MX500 shells.

 

[samandhi]

Hmm... they avoided mentioning bass, and that's exactly where piezoelectric is usually lacking.

Along with any sort of volume (when used alone)...