Help Me Get Into Chifi…

[jmmccann]

My son has convinced me to break into the world of Chifi. But I am inexperienced so I thought I would list what I own and then ask for some suggestions as to where to start in Chifi.

Here’s what I currently own
(In no particular order)

AKG k92
Shure SE215
Klipsch X11i - these are probably my favorite
Sennheiser 400 Pro - these are close behind
Blue Mixfi
Bose Soundsport wireless
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 carbon
Bowers & Wilkins PI7
AirPod Pro
Sony MDRV400

So, to dip my toes in the water, I’m interested in a few pairs under $65 and something in the $250 range. I’m also interested in something with knowle armatures. What is out there that you would recommend? For listening, I probably enjoy my Sennheiser and Klipsch X11i the most. But would enjoy something with a bit more bass than those
Two models. I listen to a wide range of music including jazz, downtempo and electronic. But also enjoy alternative, thrash and rock.

Thanks in advance! Looking for lots of ideas so don’t be shy. Thanks again.

 

[pbui44]

In the $220-$350, you can get either one of these Chi-Fi models:

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ONO4RI80EMY6&keywords=moondrop+blessing+2&qid=1646591550&sprefix=moondrop+blessing+2,aps,198&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Earphones-De...iles/dp/B09CYBPG3T?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in-ear-earphones/lz-a7.html?sort=p.price&order=DESC&limit=100

For under $65 (or just over $65), these are essential Chi-Fi:

https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Performance-Reference-Audiophile-Musician/dp/B089ZZ6PXW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2ZDG7FBB11FKH&keywords=tin+hifi+t2&qid=1646591939&sprefix=tin+hifi+t2,aps,157&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Performance-Diaphragm-Dynamic-Earphone/dp/B091DPFLSH?ref_=ast_sto_dp

(TFZ T2 Galaxy is for the bass-head-enthusiast)
https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in...-galaxy.html?sort=p.price&order=ASC&limit=100

For under $65, these are best-bang-for-your-buck Chi-Fi:

(Moondrop Crescent)
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32990167981.html

(Blon BL03)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001326533944.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.44c7778bFktqS6&algo_pvid=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d&algo_exp_id=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000015713738630"}&pdp_pi=-1;23.73;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(CCA C10)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32975425845.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1293dc45XTYV29&algo_pvid=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125&algo_exp_id=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"66798468612"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.69;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(Tanchjim Tanya)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002570010271.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3a3b50f8H1TR4g&algo_pvid=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc&algo_exp_id=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000021198462093"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.99;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

 

[jmmccann]

In the $220-$350, you can get either one of these Chi-Fi models:

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ONO4RI80EMY6&keywords=moondrop+blessing+2&qid=1646591550&sprefix=moondrop+blessing+2,aps,198&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Earphones-De...iles/dp/B09CYBPG3T?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in-ear-earphones/lz-a7.html?sort=p.price&order=DESC&limit=100

For under $65 (or just over $65), these are essential Chi-Fi:

https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Performance-Reference-Audiophile-Musician/dp/B089ZZ6PXW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2ZDG7FBB11FKH&keywords=tin+hifi+t2&qid=1646591939&sprefix=tin+hifi+t2,aps,157&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Performance-Diaphragm-Dynamic-Earphone/dp/B091DPFLSH?ref_=ast_sto_dp

(TFZ T2 Galaxy is for the bass-head-enthusiast)
https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in...-galaxy.html?sort=p.price&order=ASC&limit=100

For under $65, these are best-bang-for-your-buck Chi-Fi:

(Moondrop Crescent)
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32990167981.html

(Blon BL03)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001326533944.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.44c7778bFktqS6&algo_pvid=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d&algo_exp_id=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000015713738630"}&pdp_pi=-1;23.73;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(CCA C10)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32975425845.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1293dc45XTYV29&algo_pvid=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125&algo_exp_id=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"66798468612"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.69;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(Tanchjim Tanya)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002570010271.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3a3b50f8H1TR4g&algo_pvid=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc&algo_exp_id=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000021198462093"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.99;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

Thanks so much! Gonna check these all out.

 

[jmmccann]

In the $220-$350, you can get either one of these Chi-Fi models:

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3ONO4RI80EMY6&keywords=moondrop+blessing+2&qid=1646591550&sprefix=moondrop+blessing+2,aps,198&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Earphones-De...iles/dp/B09CYBPG3T?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in-ear-earphones/lz-a7.html?sort=p.price&order=DESC&limit=100

For under $65 (or just over $65), these are essential Chi-Fi:

https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Performance-Reference-Audiophile-Musician/dp/B089ZZ6PXW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2ZDG7FBB11FKH&keywords=tin+hifi+t2&qid=1646591939&sprefix=tin+hifi+t2,aps,157&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Performance-Diaphragm-Dynamic-Earphone/dp/B091DPFLSH?ref_=ast_sto_dp

(TFZ T2 Galaxy is for the bass-head-enthusiast)
https://penonaudio.com/earphones/in...-galaxy.html?sort=p.price&order=ASC&limit=100

For under $65, these are best-bang-for-your-buck Chi-Fi:

(Moondrop Crescent)
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32990167981.html

(Blon BL03)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001326533944.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.44c7778bFktqS6&algo_pvid=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d&algo_exp_id=8efff5fd-c1aa-4bc8-8499-8e411b9f1a6d-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000015713738630"}&pdp_pi=-1;23.73;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(CCA C10)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32975425845.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1293dc45XTYV29&algo_pvid=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125&algo_exp_id=63a1e760-fef2-4a86-a1a8-e60e67393125-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"66798468612"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.69;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

(Tanchjim Tanya)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002570010271.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3a3b50f8H1TR4g&algo_pvid=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc&algo_exp_id=00e5d83d-c49f-4b3e-8855-7acc780e7bdc-0&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000021198462093"}&pdp_pi=-1;21.99;-1;-1@salePrice;USD;search-mainSearch

Do you have any recommendations based on a Knowle armature?

 

[pbui44]

Do you have any recommendations based on a Knowle armature?

The Moondrop Blessing 2 and LZ A7 have Knowles balanced armature drivers to accompany their dynamic drivers and piezoelectric drivers in the A7, hence the much higher price. Notice that the LZ A7 has a vent in the back, so its sound isolation is not as good as the Moondrop Blessing 2. The Timeless 7hz is has only a planar-magnetic driver piece in each side and the rest have at least a dynamic driver in them and may have cheaper branded balanced armature drivers. Dynamic drivers may vary by the type of metal used to construct them and certain models have a special coating on the dynamic drivers.

 

[earmonger]

A lot of Chi-Fi achieves its low price by making its own drivers rather than using pricey parts like Knowles balanced armature drivers.

An Amazon search turned up the Tri I4, which says it has Knowles BAs, for $69.
https://www.amazon.com/Fidelity-Earphone-Headphone-Customized-Balanced/dp/B07V3PYFRW

I have the Tri I3, which I like quite a bit (though I had to replace the cable); this Head-Fi review says they are somewhat similar.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-audio-i4.23877/reviews

There's also a Fiio IEM apparently developed with Knowles.
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-FA1-Headphones-Earphones-Detachable/dp/B07MV8FDD1

I haven't heard either one but you could check out reviews.

Aliexpress.com is the motherlode for Chi-Fi but its search function brings overly broad results.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20220306140555&SearchText=knowles

I wouldn't get too hung up on whether the driver is Knowles or not. The sound is more important than whatever particular drivers are used.

 

[Bytor123]

Just buy something - there's a high probability that it's made in China

 

[jmwant]

https://hifigo.com/products/moondrop-aria-2

This one, and the TinHiFi T3 plus are good options under $100.

 

[Redcarmoose]

BLON BL-01 https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl01
Triptowin TC-01 https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-tc-01
DUNU Studio SA6 https://www.linsoul.com/products/dunu-sa6
Fearless Audio S6Rui https://www.linsoul.com/products/fearlessaudio-s6
Thieaudio Legacy 4 https://www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-legacy-4
KB EAR Lark https://www.amazon.com/Headphone-KINBOOFI-Musician-Monitor-Church/dp/B08L92TLR6
See Audio Yume https://www.linsoul.com/products/seeaudio-yume

These are a few I’ve been sent for review. I’ve been sent others too, but these seem to be the most well-rounded for someone just getting into the hobby of Chinese IEMs.

It’s all very subjective, though you will find threads with recently made newer IEMs that have a strong following. These I haven’t heard, but read about all the time!!

A) 7Hz Eternal $249
B) Shuoer S12 $149
C) Tripowin X HBB Olina $99
D) Tripowin HBB Mele $69
E) 7Hz Timeless $219-$224.99

Normally though I never ever recommend stuff I have no experience with but the top 5 above are some of the most popular here at Head-Fi at the moment! Linsoul has them all.


Of my list at the top the DUNU SA6 comes in at $549 when it’s in stock. A 2X what you wanted to spend but important to list none the less. You should at least know it’s out there.

The $389 Fearless Audio S6Rui is also over your recommendation of price ceiling? But typically you really need to demo stuff to know what you like. The S6Rui was a great hit here in the community a couple of years ago. It’s just slightly brighter than the DUNU SA6 which one of the current popular IEMs. So that’s interesting that just a slightly different tune with BAs gets one to be currently way more popular. That is how detailed the industry is. IMO

I also have two on the way to try. One is called the Tipsy TTROMSO PineStone Sea. There are no reviews of it yet, though it looks like Tipsy has put a tremendous amount of work into the development of this new IEM. I should have it in a day or two. Priced at $89.00, and available at Linsoul.

The other is called the Tripowin Lea which will be priced at only $25.99. So we will see how that performs? I truly loved the TC-01 which was made by Tripowin and is priced at only $49.00. That was one of my best low cost bass IEMs last year!

Linsoul is great as they sell almost everything, have a one year warranty on everything (minus the cable) and offer free shipping to the whole world. Never a worry about if the product is genuine or not.

One that you can’t get from Linsoul is the KB Ear Lark. Funny that that one has very polarized reviews, but I truly loved it! Typically it’s priced around $29.99.

The Thieaudio Legacy 4 and See Audio Yume I would have wished to combine. Meaning place the L4 as the bottom end and Yume as the midrange and treble. Still they are an enjoyable set in there own ways. Priced about the same too!

This last month there was a retuned Yume release, though I haven’t heard if it is better or not. Most people like it more.


Anyways, have fun...............sorry about your wallet!

 

[Neweymatt]

I just bought a second CCA CRA, they are just $15 on aliexpress and punch way above that.

Moondrop have been mentioned several times already, but the Aria is my pick for bang/buck ratio at about $80 iirc.

If you're able to stretch your budget a little further, the Unique Melody 3DT is outstanding at $319. Not 'budget' tier anymore, but it always surprises me every time I use it with how smooth and natural it sounds.

Oh, and out of all of the above there is not a Knowles or other balanced armature driver in sight, they all use dynamic drivers. Not that BA's are bad, its just at this price level you generally get better performance with DD's with the music genre's you mention imho.