Specs, details?
flinkenick's 17 Flagship IEM Shootout Thread (and general high-end portable audio discussion)
Specs, details?
That's up to Shanling or someone else to post the full spec list. Their social media page (Instagram stories) has the latest info if you want to check that while I go to bed. We know the chipsets of Snapdragon 665 and dual AK4499. There is likely more RAM and at minimum just as powerful (power output) as M8.
Edit: I've updated the original post with some more pictures
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riverground
Headphoneus Supremus
Definitely interesting!
The price isn’t too bad as well.
It’s nice to see AK finally releasing an IEM by themselves.
Effect Audio’s X seems to be an IEM too.
The IEM world is getting even more exciting with these upcoming releases.
What’s really interesting is AK chose to go with a 4.4mm connector, and from the picture of what’s supplied, without a 2.5mm adapter.
We've done it! We've finally won the war!
I spoke too soon. @JasonNYC posted this: “A 4.4mm balanced cable for the AK Zero1 will be available for purchase separately in November 2021 for $199.”
The picture in the announcement thread shows it coming with a 3.5mm.
I decided to add the Sakura 71 to my collection, and I’ll be receiving it early next week.
I owned the original Project 71 and the brass enclosure added a unique quality to the trebles, I liked it quite a bit. What I didn’t like was the brass tarnishing so easily, so I ended up giving this set to my son.
The Sakura 71 is supposed to address this oversight with a coating over the brass … that and Andrew’s nice sale price caused me to click the buy button. Impressions next week.
tawmizzzz
1000+ Head-Fier
How's EXT for hard rock? I loved VE8 and even Erlkonig for lower-midrange warmth in those genres. If EXT is a highly upgraded version of VE8, could be a fun compliment. From impressions, EXT tuning sounds very appealing but just worried about the technicalities.
Despite the best bass I've heard with zero bleed, I don't think EVO has enough lower-mids for those genres as I want the male vocals and drum/electric guitar weight to be emphasized and musical.
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If that meaty, yet open sig is the kind you want, the EXT is a wonderful choice.
What, in your opinion, is the EXT's 'superpower'? What's it 'best-in-class' at compared to other summit-fi's?
Most importantly (to me)…is it an Ely with DD bass?!?!?
No. It's not a mid-centric IEM.
Beyond what's already been said in the past about the ELY's DD mids and DD bass in general, I think what makes the EXT stand out against some of the TOTLs I've heard is how vivid its instruments are. Like I said on my impressions post, they're so tactile and fleshed-out that they almost move or vibrate towards you. As in the Fix You example, I got goosebumps from just how visceral the pianist stepping on the piano pedals sounded. There's a physicality to them that makes them feel all the more realistic, and I think that's the EXT's 'superpower'. Tonally, it's also a TOTL that I feel isn't so concerned about making its notes sound so compact and tight. That's not to say it's too warm, thick or bloomy either. It has precision for sure, but it lets in just enough sway and (note) size to sound more life-like and tactile than a lot of other TOTLs as well.
It is, to me, but that makes it inherently different to the ELY as well. I compared it on my impressions post to the difference between 19 Adele and 25 Adele, which is fairly relevant now given her new single.
(By the way, does anyone else think it was really confident of her to release a lead single like that with almost-zero drums on it? I thought it was super cool.) Anyway, the EXT, because of its lifted mid-bass, has weightier, fuller, better-supported vocals, and that may alter some instruments more positively than others. I personally find male vocals and guitars much stronger in power, compared to the OG ELY's more floaty, wispy presentation; not more forward, but filled with more oomph. But, obviously, if you like that about the ELY, then it may not be as positive of a change.I'll link my EXT impressions post here, where I go into more detail about the two, in case you haven't seen it: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/vis...ompact-monitors.682142/page-202#post-16588300
tawmizzzz
1000+ Head-Fier
I wasn’t sure where to post this but feel like this would be the most general thread. @bluestorm1992 generously lent me his Liquid Links Venom cable to pair with the Traillii & EVO (the cable might ring a bell because it’s used for the Elysian X IEM).
Without a doubt, it’s a gorgeous cable with minimal microphonics. For its price ($1200 I believe?), it is very detailed with a strong focus on clarity in the upper mids and treble. But it does this while being a bit laid back, somewhat similar to what I feel Iliad does (without Iliad’s depth and layering capabilities).
I do notice a black background drop-off when A/B’ing against the PWA1960-4 wire, with 1960 having a staging advantage and more dynamics, especially in the bass.
Versus the Genesis on EVO, I noticed a smoother top end with a touch more control in notes. I wish I got to fully burn-it in, but all in all, LL seems to be a company that is pricing their cables competitive relative to the rest of the market and I imagine will only grow in popularity
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