Going fully Wireless IEMs. Too soon? Or are we there yet?

[resis]

I still can't get the KZ Xtra out of my mind. Had the cursor on the purchase button all the time.

I saw reviews comment on how good they sound, good tech (DAC, DSP, AAC), good battery life and have a low latency gaming mode. Only thing making me hesitate is no volume control. It's one of the few things I need, because changing system volume on PC is noticeable when recording and not practical to do with keyboard, but also with a phone it is inconvenient to always grab the phone to change volume. Man if they only had volume control...

Is there a better way to control volume on a PC? With my IEM I use a Fostex volume rocker, but is there an equivalent for wireless? What should I do, go for the Xtra or try the Moondrop Moca?

 

[dweaver]

Finally decided to grab that six pack when it went back on sale...

Just having a listen straight out of the box after the perfunctory FW update and switching to LDAC. No other setting touched just using them at their raw sound signature.

These are pretty damn amazing for the price I paid... have to see after I tweak them a bit and then doing some actual comparison how they stack against my somewhat flagship weighted collection.

I paid $91CAD after taxes. So pretty darn cheap...

 

[JoshG1217]

So between the XM5 and the AZ80, I ended up getting the Technics AZ80.

Is it normal LDAC always sticks to "best effort" in developer settings? I noticed Technics app says if the maximum LDAC rate (990) is selected at the OS level, change it to best effort. I even tried Bluetooth Codec Changer, same thing. Are the AZ80 not supporting the highest LDAC setting? That would suck.

Codec changer should handle it. I had zero issues.

If you don't love them, aviot te zx1 is the set to beat, imo

 

[JoshG1217]

My Amiron 300 does save and store custom EQ but after some time (or actions) it reset to default. Someone else noticed this?

The lower volume while using EQ is due to auto gain control. If you don't tweak massively the volume levels are just fine.

Any comparisons? I have a soft spot for beyerdynamic

 

[Ghisy]

Codec changer should handle it. I had zero issues.

If you don't love them, aviot te zx1 is the set to beat, imo

I enjoyed the ZX1, but for my use, I needed something with very good ANC and a lower profile. ZX1 are huge.

 

[ZMan2k2]

i always wondered what happens when you plug a creative W5 or W6 to an iphone.

you get APTX and ldac ?

Yup. In the Apple Music app, you select the dongle as your playback device, pair the TWS and done.

 

[JML]

The Creative units do NOT broadcast LDAC. Only the aptX variants. FiiO has the BT 11 which will broadcast LDAC, but the capabilities apparently are not yet fully implemented.

https://fiio.com/bt11
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fii...th-transmitter-is-officially-released.973855/

 

[cr3ativ3]

Any comparisons? I have a soft spot for beyerdynamic

Go for it , really enjoying the set in stock tuning , first TWS where I don’t really need to EQ

 

[botmann]

.... I left the Windows ecosystem 17 years ago. No regrets (other than Apple's use of AAC only). So figuring out Android has had a steep learning curve. ....

Actually, Android is basically on Linux based OS. If you know Linux, it shouldn't be that dramatically different.

I assume connecting the FiiO to your PC should show up as a new drive. It may not because the drive is formatted in MacOS friendly way; although, Andriod usually used file format that is friendly to both Windows and MacOS. It doesn't give the fastest speeds for file transfers.

 

[botmann]

What a dumb question,,I thought it was a phone. : )

It wasn't a horrible assumption since a lot of discussion this site involves phones more often than DAPs. Plus, if you're not familiar with the FiiO product line, it does not help.

 

[Caipirina]

This is getting ridiculous. I picked up another clearance TWS at Walmart yesterday, this time a Skullcandy SESH ANC. It has an excellent download app for IOS and integrates
seamless with it. It sounds so much better than the $39.00 price would suggest (reg $79). I'm having a blast picking these clearance units up at Walmart. Y'all should stop off at your local Walmart, just to check it out. Of course it's a hit/miss thing... Good luck..

My Walmart deals. All new in retail box (no open box)
Sony XM4 over ears. $149. (last year)
Bose QC 45 $140 (last year)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 pro $65 2024
Skullcandy SESH ANC $39 2024
Sony C500 TWS $29. 2024

I think more, but this old goats memory ain't what it use to be..

Isn't it amazing how TWS sound even sweeter at half price? This is why I get my stuff usually gently used at maybe 60% of original price at e-earphone

 

[Tommy C]

Isn't it amazing how TWS sound even sweeter at half price? This is why I get my stuff usually gently used at maybe 60% of original price at e-earphone

Yeah, haven’t done this much with TWS other than my Sony XM5 that I got as an open box but I usually get open box computer peripherals. I always find amazing deals.

 

[mcnaugha]

Thanks for sharing! Im gonna wait for the new FiiO hooks, if their release ends up getting more delayed ill try these out

I just can’t believe it’s been about three years since I owned the UTWS5 and here they are again but without an upgraded Bluetooth chip. The only thing they changed is the charging contacts. The QCC5141 is like 6 years old now. With an early version of lossy aptX Adaptive. So, much has advanced since then. These should be coming with the QCC5229 now. Even the version of LHDC they use is old. I think it’s 3.0. This is why I’m going to great lengths to get these “Dream of Ancient Skies” ones, because I’m a demanding tech-head and nobody else seems to making earhooks with the latest premium chips. Once you go lossless, you can’t go back.

Hopefully the UTWS17 will surface next year with the QCC5229 or better still, the S7 Pro chips that do up to 24/96 lossless over Wi-Fi.

 

[helmutcheese]

It is not all not rosy in 2 of the FiiO threads (UTWS5 2025 and BT11) many p1ssied off peeps and I cannot say I blame them.

 

[JoshG1217]

I enjoyed the ZX1, but for my use, I needed something with very good ANC and a lower profile. ZX1 are huge.

True enough. Noble h anc has the best anc on a tws I've heard to date. Gym is nearly totally silent.