[Toom]

I second this.

I'm a photographer as well, and I am also very into design and aesthetics.

If an IEM sounds good as much as it looks good... It'll be in my collection. (IER-Z1R...bae, I'm looking at you )

Well there we are - the Z1R looks like blingtastically awful tack to me, and I much prefer the understated stealth of my Solaris 2020.

Surprised nobody has designed an IEM with a digital faceplate you can upload your own images to like a photo frame.

 

[PoSR77]

I get all the above re overpricing, perpetual sales (because of over markups), etc, but l also put all this in context: for 2k one can now attain simply an astonishing level of SQ with a mid tier DAP and low-level flagship IEM, and also access to all the music in the world via streaming services which cost less per year than 10-12 CDs still do (and CDs used to sell for $15 - $20 in the early and to late 90s, which I don't even want to put in an inflation calculator).

As a teen, I had over 150 CDs, a Pioneer 200 CD jukebox player, a Kenwood reciver, and some ok at best $100 Sony headphones bought at Best Buy (the most expensive headphones they sold iirc). And I lived in an affluent area and still most of my peers had much less of a music library and setup (I also had JBL and Infinity bookshelf speakers) than I.

So, in comparison, the CDs alone, assuming an unrealistically low $10 each, would be roughly 3/4 the total cost ($1500 of course) of my current DAP/IEM setup. And, as best as memory serves, and via an inflation calculator, the gear (minus speakers) would be another 1k. And it all sounds like junk in comparison.

So while current gear is of course overpriced, past gear was as well, and with technological advances the level of SQ one can attain for the same or less money has radically advanced, and I, for one, am glad I am lucky enough to be able to enjoy this level of fidelity now (my teenage self would have listened to music 24/7 if I had this level of gear back then! I practically did anyway, and lost a lot of sleep listening to the Sony headphones via the Kenwood reciver headphone out and Pioneer jukebox CD player on shuffle or a whopping 20 song max playlist!).

 

[mashuto]

Well there we are - the Z1R looks like blingtastically awful tack to me, and I much prefer the understated stealth of my Solaris 2020.

Surprised nobody has designed an IEM with a digital faceplate you can upload your own images to like a photo frame.

I'm also of the mind in this discussion that I prefer my iems to look nice. It's a secondary concern, but an important one.

However, I also thought the z1r was kind of ugly. I bought it anyways due to the sound, but the looks of that one weren't for me.

The solaris 2020 was probably also one of campfires releases that I found kind of dull in looks. The andromeda style shell is much more striking to me, and I'm really digging the looks of the new dorado.

That said, I do like me some bling and really dig the blue abalone faceplate of my nio.

 

[Deezel177]

Daniel these are EASILY the most impressive images I've seen of Odin anywhere online. Even Empire's own product shots don't come close. The emphasis of the colour and iridescence against the dark background is sublime. If I didn't read your review (excellent as always) that reaffirms the general impression of the Odin's brighter, lighter, more neutral/mid-focused tuning, I'd almost be tempted to seek one out myself.

Thanks so much, man! I really appreciate all the comments. Yeah, after spending the time I have with it, I'd call it a light, airy, vibrant neutral. It's not exactly the ideal sound if you prefer analog warmth, or meatiness or weight, but perhaps the Wraith or Legend X would be more ideal in that regard.

 

[Vitaly2017]

Speaking of beauty

 

[riverground]

Well there we are - the Z1R looks like blingtastically awful tack to me, and I much prefer the understated stealth of my Solaris 2020.

Surprised nobody has designed an IEM with a digital faceplate you can upload your own images to like a photo frame.

The Z1R’s design definitely isn’t for everyone. But I absolutely dig how it looks.

I like the understated look of the Solaris 2020 as well though, but the OG and the SE weren’t my cup of tea. But then again, I haven’t seen them in person so I might change my mind

 

[Vitaly2017]

The Z1R’s design definitely isn’t for everyone. But I absolutely dig how it looks.

I like the understated look of the Solaris 2020 as well though, but the OG and the SE weren’t my cup of tea. But then again, I haven’t seen them in person so I might change my mind

Z1R is a pair
of shinny diamonds
They always attracted curious looks at me when I ware them hehe

 

[Deezel177]

Massive news just dropped on the front page! Time to see how many VE8’s get sold on week 1.

 

[mvvRAZ]

The Z1R’s design definitely isn’t for everyone. But I absolutely dig how it looks.

I like the understated look of the Solaris 2020 as well though, but the OG and the SE weren’t my cup of tea. But then again, I haven’t seen them in person so I might change my mind

I’ve played around with the OG a few times - it looks super tacky in photos but I quite liked it in person. I’d say the optimal Solaris (in terms of looks, none of them work for me on sound), would be the size of the 2020 with the SE design

 

[riverground]

I’ve played around with the OG a few times - it looks super tacky in photos but I quite liked it in person. I’d say the optimal Solaris (in terms of looks, none of them work for me on sound), would be the size of the 2020 with the SE design

I hope I get to see and try one sometime soon!

Been really curious of CFA’s offerings just haven’t had the chance to try any yet.

 

[twister6]

Damn, and this is not a promotional post lol!!! but I'm kind of shell-shocked after seeing these price reductions Musicteck just posted on their BFS preview page with Thummim $900 off, Traillii $1000 off, Mason v3+ w/cable upgrade $1100 off, qdc VX $500 off, Jomo Trinity $800 off, Dream XLS $600 off, LPGT $700 off, L&P LP6 $700 off, EA Horus X and Code 51 $500 off.

 

[aaf evo]

Musicteck always has the best sales, IMO.

 

[jwbrent]

Damn, and this is not a promotional post lol!!! but I'm kind of shell-shocked after seeing these price reductions Musicteck just posted on their BFS preview page with Thummim $900 off, Traillii $1000 off, Mason v3+ w/cable upgrade $1100 off, qdc VX $500 off, Jomo Trinity $800 off, Dream XLS $600 off, LPGT $700 off, L&P LP6 $700 off, EA Horus X and Code 51 $500 off.

I was interested in buying a qdc VX, but looking at MusicTeck’s sale prices I see it listed at the same price as they have been selling it, $1,899. Certainly not $500 off, $400 from its retail of $2,299.

 

[twister6]

I was interested in buying a qdc VX, but looking at MusicTeck’s sale prices I see it listed at the same price as they have been selling it, $1,899. Certainly not $500 off, $400 from its retail of $2,299.

I just looked down the table and noted everything over $500 off. Not sure about VX, but i know Thummim and Traillii been a topic of quite a few discussions regarding their pricing, especially when I posted my Traillii review, pleading not to kill the messenger

 

[audionewbi]

Damn, and this is not a promotional post lol!!! but I'm kind of shell-shocked after seeing these price reductions Musicteck just posted on their BFS preview page with Thummim $900 off, Traillii $1000 off, Mason v3+ w/cable upgrade $1100 off, qdc VX $500 off, Jomo Trinity $800 off, Dream XLS $600 off, LPGT $700 off, L&P LP6 $700 off, EA Horus X and Code 51 $500 off.

Makes one wonder the mark up to begin with.