Earbuds Round-Up

[h8uthemost]

The tariffs are definitely screwing things up for sure. Im afraid to order anything because of them. Luckily my iem got through and will be arriving today (which AE is using random drivers now to deliver, not USPS), but I'm very hesitant on ordering anything else.

This sucks. Orange clown

 

[mt877]

The tariffs are definitely screwing things up for sure. Im afraid to order anything because of them. Luckily my iem got through and will be arriving today (which AE is using random drivers now to deliver, not USPS), but I'm very hesitant on ordering anything else.

This sucks. Orange clown

Yes, it does suck. Get your AE orders in now to beat the cutoff of May 2, 2025.

Starting May 2, 2025, tariffs will be applied to individual online purchases from China and Hong Kong worth less than $800, ending the "de minimis" exemption that previously allowed duty-free entry for such goods.

Spoiler: What you need to know

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• De Minimis Exemption:
  The "de minimis" exemption allowed shipments valued at or under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
• End of Exemption:
  The executive order signed on April 3rd, 2025, aims to eliminate this exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2025.
• Tariffs on Low-Value Imports:
  These lower-value shipments will now face a tariff of 30% of the "value of the postal item containing goods for merchandise" with a minimum fee that will eventually rise to $50.
• Other Countries:
  For now, the U.S. will continue to accept duty-free low-value imports from most other countries.

 

[mochill]

I just found this on AliExpress:
$13.53 | Silicone Earphone Cover ST01 ST02 ST03 ST11 ST12 Ear Earphones Liquid Silicone High-End Flat Plug Medical Grade Layers Eartips
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKkAFI3

 

[samandhi]

The tariffs are definitely screwing things up for sure. Im afraid to order anything because of them. Luckily my iem got through and will be arriving today (which AE is using random drivers now to deliver, not USPS), but I'm very hesitant on ordering anything else.

This sucks. Orange clown

Btw! Congrats on your new shiny!

He is indeed orange. Rofl

 

[SuperJunee]

My impression early below (repost from discovery thread).

AFUL is flexing again.

Plus: easily the most technical earbuds I have ever listened / built. It has a unique tactility sensation, snappy transient. The sound is also very “big”. Yet, the midrange is very “normal”, not much weirdness that happens when manufacturers try to squeeze “technical performance” (likely treble) out of these earbuds.

The wide stem of these shells work wonder with the fit.

Cons / deal breaker:

• It’s kinda hot in the upper frequencies. Maybe 4-5kHz.
• The stage is big, but also strongly “in-the-head” (edit: highly track dependent. Some tracks sound seriously large and not in-the-head). Like, cavernous stage inside your head rather than having the sound everywhere around your head like the sensation of some IEMs with tuning tricks + BCD.
• Pretty much mid-focused sound. There are enough energy at both ends, but it’s more (upper)mid-focused than usual AFUL.
• MMCX connector.

In general, I have never heard a portable gear that sounds like this. It feels like some sorts of open / semi-open headphones.

If you don’t like earbuds, I don’t think you should run out and preorder one unit as this one would not magically make earbuds work better for you. If you are deep in earbuds hobby, have a try. If you are just curious about AFUL newest R&D, maybe have a try. Just don’t expect other earbuds would sound this incisive if you happen to bite the earbuds bug

Edit: the midrange kinda reminds me of the tuning style of some HiBy IEMs. The way it emphasises the midrange makes some minute details in the voices pop out in a way thay even Cantor does not do, simply because it does not emphasis those frequencies like that.

Edit 2: forgot to mention. AFUL uses 15.4mm drivers rather than 14.2mm drivers like FiiO and Dunu. So if your ears cannot fit the old school earbuds (MX500 shells, these would not fit). If your ears are too big for the smaller 14.2mm driver, these AFUL buds would be good option.

---

If you are unfamiliar with IEM world, AFUL is a pretty decent IEM boutique. They tune well and engineers their IEMs well with interesting techniques based on simulation and their precise 3d printing. They like to do some excessive R&D projects sometimes, like their MagicOne IEM.

Appreciate the input! Super helpful！

 

[mt877]

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.

 

[dykzei]

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.

Now I'm sure we live in simulation

 

[droenald]

Now I'm sure we live in simulation

Funnily that is what Mr. Musk, an important advisor to the orange man believes in as well...

 

[frkasper]

 

[samandhi]

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.

Spoiler

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

 

[ttorbic]

AFUL Polarnight review

 

[h8uthemost]

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.

Spoiler

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 the new shiny! Can't wait to read your impressions

 

[magicscreen]

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

 

[samandhi]

AFUL Polarnight review

Thanks for sharing.

Btw! Hows your hearing? Better i hope?!

Congrats on the new shiny! Can't wait to read your impressions

Thank you very much.

 

[Eduardiofilo]

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

It is like a mix between rivet mod and mrd shell. Look pretty interesting