Nov 23, 2024 at 5:44 AM Post #67,127 of 70,203
It is true that $ $ can really alter perception and feelings. As I said in an earlier post, the second set of Pi8 really clicked with me. I love the look of the Pi8 as well, but obviously, I can't see them when they are in my ear. I picked up the DPP for the third time(at 149) and most of the others in my collection have sat. The one caveat is, each earbud has their own situational use.

Fortunately for me, the DPP fit is okay this time around, it just takes experimentation with the different wing/tip combos. If someone can find a fit that they can get along with and also don't really care about the aesthetics at 149, the DPP are a steal and a keeper IMO.

At this point, it is the Pi8 that is lacking in it's situation to use them. The Pixel Buds 2 Pro were the biggest surprise so far this year. The Svanar is my audiophile tuning, the EX is the most tenured and I love their tonality and the fact that the case is premium and they are waterproof.

I lost my dongle to the AKG, so while the buds are usable it knocked the wind out of my sail with them.

Sorry for a somewhat lengthy post...I have noticed when I take time to write a book on this thread, the short attention span, or ADHD, doesn't allow acknowledgment of the effort therefore I try to be more abbreviated.
 
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Nov 23, 2024 at 5:51 AM Post #67,128 of 70,203
My Wallet 😔Screenshot_20241122_110426_AliExpress.jpgScreenshot_20241122_110420_AliExpress.jpg
It's attractive, but I'm refusing to allow myself to contribute to TWS's going down the stupidly priced path that Wired has. It is inevitable, but the Bluetooth technology needs to greatly improve to support these high prices. At the end of the day, non-wire sound quality cannot rival wired.
 
Nov 23, 2024 at 4:50 PM Post #67,130 of 70,203
If anyone still has the GB3Pro I see Azla released some eaetips that seem to be a little bit bigger. I'll receive mine Monday.
On another note, I keep putting the PI8 in my cart but I see reviews here and else where of harsh highs, is this true? I really don't need another pair but as some have mentioned there is a itch that needs scratching.
 
Nov 23, 2024 at 5:03 PM Post #67,131 of 70,203
If anyone still has the GB3Pro I see Azla released some eaetips that seem to be a little bit bigger. I'll receive mine Monday.
On another note, I keep putting the PI8 in my cart but I see reviews here and else where of harsh highs, is this true? I really don't need another pair but as some have mentioned there is a itch that needs scratching.
Get the Hifiman Svanar for $249. Save $150. They are better... today. YMMV
 
Nov 23, 2024 at 5:17 PM Post #67,132 of 70,203
If anyone still has the GB3Pro I see Azla released some eaetips that seem to be a little bit bigger. I'll receive mine Monday.
On another note, I keep putting the PI8 in my cart but I see reviews here and else where of harsh highs, is this true? I really don't need another pair but as some have mentioned there is a itch that needs scratching.
Thanks for the heads up. I have been waiting for these. They are currently 10% off on Amazon. The Azla website has the measurements for these along with the measurements for the stock Buds3 Pro tips, which I found very helpful.

https://store.azla.co.kr/collection...naearfit-crystal-for-buds-3-pro-standard-copy

As for the PI8, I think any opinions on harsh treble or lack of bass (I believe both have been expressed in these forums) is all relative to what the individuals expressing such opinions prefer and are used to. I personally find Harman to be bright (for my tastes) but still love the PI8. WhileI do EQ them, the attached screenshot of my EQ settings (based on my personal preference) shows that I did not lower treble. I typically find B&W headphones/TWS to have have more bass than I prefer. For my Aeon 2 Noire headphones, I actually use two tuning pads along with EQ to reduce treble a bit. Really depends on what you like.
 

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Nov 23, 2024 at 7:51 PM Post #67,133 of 70,203
I got the Quiet Comfort Earbuds, and I really like the sound of these like the original bulky ones that came out long ago. The sound stage is huge! Imaging is really good, and music is very engaging. Bass is one note quality, but there is good amount sub-bass rumble.

The sound stage on these are incredible. Anybody else a fan of the sounds of these? Sounds stage or environmental expression sounds closest to natural I've ever heard for a TWS. And how sound stage is expressed is highly important part of the sound. It's what makes the sound really engaging for me, closest to natural environmental sound expressions. I would say imaging and soundstage are hugely important that even if everything else is good, the sound would not be engaging unless it's expressed well in those departments. If the sound environment is flat, how can that be engaging? it's like looking at a 3d image vs 2d.

For example, in full sized headphone space, a tube amp can create such effects to the sound.

I was curious because I liked the sound of the original.

The new ones look like this,

1732409892611.png


The original from 2020 was bulkier, I recall these having smoother highs with same sound stage. I liked these for the sound, but it was just took bulky for practical usage. I wonder why Bose makes these so bulky? I wonder if has the effect on sound stage.

1732409862696.png
 
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Nov 23, 2024 at 8:23 PM Post #67,134 of 70,203
Do any of yall hear huge sound stage on QCE as well? I may just mainly be me then. It works well for me for imaging and sound stage that no other TWS has come to the level of these.

Still, I'm not liking the highs very much on these. I wish the highs were smoother like the 2020 version. I have not found a TWS that has good quality highs yet, these are no different.
 
Nov 24, 2024 at 3:08 AM Post #67,137 of 70,203
I got the Quiet Comfort Earbuds, and I really like the sound of these like the original bulky ones that came out long ago. The sound stage is huge! Imaging is really good, and music is very engaging. Bass is one note quality, but there is good amount sub-bass rumble.

The sound stage on these are incredible. Anybody else a fan of the sounds of these? Sounds stage or environmental expression sounds closest to natural I've ever heard for a TWS. And how sound stage is expressed is highly important part of the sound. It's what makes the sound really engaging for me, closest to natural environmental sound expressions. I would say imaging and soundstage are hugely important that even if everything else is good, the sound would not be engaging unless it's expressed well in those departments. If the sound environment is flat, how can that be engaging? it's like looking at a 3d image vs 2d.

For example, in full sized headphone space, a tube amp can create such effects to the sound.

I was curious because I liked the sound of the original.

The new ones look like this,

1732409892611.png

The original from 2020 was bulkier, I recall these having smoother highs with same sound stage. I liked these for the sound, but it was just took bulky for practical usage. I wonder why Bose makes these so bulky? I wonder if has the effect on sound stage.

1732409862696.png
I have the QC buds II and I didn't like them in the beginning, but after a good 100 hours they've opened up. Now I enjoy them. Still too much bass, but there is a very basic 3-band equaliser. They are the best for comfort and ANC.
 
Nov 24, 2024 at 3:18 AM Post #67,138 of 70,203
I have the QC buds II and I didn't like them in the beginning, but after a good 100 hours they've opened up. Now I enjoy them. Still too much bass, but there is a very basic 3-band equaliser. They are the best for comfort and ANC.
I use USB Audio Player pro for Tidal playback, and it has parametric EQ if you want to get fancy. I'm wondering if people out there hearing the same huge sound stage as I do. That's the most differentiating aspect of the QC earbuds.
 
Nov 24, 2024 at 5:56 AM Post #67,139 of 70,203
I use USB Audio Player pro for Tidal playback, and it has parametric EQ if you want to get fancy. I'm wondering if people out there hearing the same huge sound stage as I do. That's the most differentiating aspect of the QC earbuds.
No, can't say I do. But I'm am spoiled with the soundstage of my IEMs, the likes of Traillii and Mest3.
Do you use standard tips?
 
Nov 24, 2024 at 11:48 AM Post #67,140 of 70,203
Only this blurb..."Successor model to the popular final brand fully wireless "ZE3000", the "ZE3000 SV", will be released. This model has evolved by incorporating a new noise canceling function, the "Comfort ANC" that prioritizes sound quality, and adopting a newly designed driver, the "f-Core SV (tentative name)". This model is scheduled to be released in mid-November or later, priced at around 12,800 yen."
I tried the ZE300SV briefly at the TPAF in Taiwan yesterday. It sounded pretty good and relatively neutral with good resolution, but the people at the booth said it will only be launched in January.

Panasonic AZ80 sounded nice but had a lot of connectivity issues with LDAC on the showfloor, Nothing Ear (a) had great ANC but was not a fan of its sound (bloated "puffy" bass and recessed mids).

Didn't get to try out all the TWS's but picked up the last Rose Technics Roseselsa Ceramics X after a promising first impression - it was the last one they had for sale at the booth. The HiFi tuning is V-shaped and rather versatile although it is a tad bright. The ANC is decent (comparable to the Space A40) but I do find having to toggle through 4 different hearing modes rather tedious (ANC on, ANC off, wind noise reduction and transparency).

It seems Linkbuds S aren't big in Taiwan anymore as they are marketing newer products. Sadly mine started draining battery such that I didn't bring them with me on this trip. I only brought the Soundcore A40 and Liberty 3 Pro, which started developing battery problems shortly after arrival as they no longer charge to 100% (I've had them for over 1.5 years but I wonder if cabin pressure and temperature affected the battery).

There was no Soundcore booth but I had tried it briefly at Syntrend last week - seems smoother with clearer mids than the Liberty 3 Pro and I'm glad they got rid of the ear hooks which get loose over time, but I can't really justify the current price in Taiwan and it hasn't been released in Canada yet. (on the flipside the Space One Pro has not been released in Taiwan yet)
 

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