Podster
Headphoneus Supremus
LOL, my wife tells me I wear or just simply like the ugliest shoes on the planet but circuit boards in my ears...........................NEVER!
I have the same experience with my zs7. I use stock cable, do you have an Aliexpress link to your silver plated cable? Or type number?
Nice Doc, you know if I do go with any other KZ it's going to be the BA (Big Azz) 10 Toasters I know B9 might dis-own me for this but I absolutely HATE the way the clear Teardrop KZ's look with that circuit board for aesthetics LOL
They're a "no-go" for small ears but if you can fit the "toasters" with eartips that seal, remove the memory wire, install silicone ear hooks and pair them with the proper gear then $75+/- is a steal.
They look and feel more premium in the hand than the photos portray.
Aftermarket cables are tuff though since most cables have round connector housings and the BA10's are decidedly box-like.
Nevertheless, one of my favorites......no kidding, Pod. Wouldn't hesitate one moment to pony up the cash to replace them. That C16, though....hmmm.
I’ve finally finished stage2 of my first iem modding adventure. My old trusted ATEs fell victim of my unwieldy attempts
First of all i’ve added MMCX connectors and drilled hole in backplates. Results were surprisingly awesome. They surely open quite a bit with vented backplate
Stage2 was involved bit more surgery. I’ve tried to implant DMG silver nozzles as they are only cheap and widely available IEM nozzles that I know off. Drilling hole for much bigger diameter nozzle was quite awkward as the original ATE nozzle has quite small inner bore and it’s off center!
But after quite a few drilling attempts and lot of adjusting especially with first one (as you can se by damaged knurling on one of nozzles ) I’ve managed to get it done somehow.
Don’t know if removing drivers from the shell and smoothing the nozzle boring bit more to perfection would do significant difference. I guess so but I didn’t want to remove drivers for now.
I am pretty satisfied with the result. Now it’s time to find proper tuning as nozzles have additional vent. I am using DIY symbio foam-silicone tips which cover vent on the nozzle and they sound quite nice that way. Removed a bit from the darkness and warmth of ATE but still very pleasant. With both vents open the bass is quite lacking but haven’t listened to them enough.
Thanks @CoiL for inspiration from many years ago. Maybe you would also have some tips how to improve the a lot more
There are tons of plans for future for sure. Custom backplates from carbon fiber - plywood ply that I possess are first in row.
Maybe different drivers? Is it worth it? Or are ATE drivers good enough for this shell?
If you’re willing to spend $100, the ibasso IT01 is amazing.
It will have the clarity you like (especially if you remove the nylon fabric portion of the nozzle filter), with the punchy depth and body you’re craving in the low end. Build quality is great, and the cable is off the hook.
Nowadays, people are bonkers over the IT01S and Kanas Pro. But those are much more expensive, and I haven’t heard either so I can’t recommend them.
But regardless of the hyped flavor of the month, you’re still gonna have a hard time finding a better total package with the signature you’re describing for $100.
Looks like you prefer quality with hard hitting bass? Rather than balance?
Depend what on your purpose, do you like collecting many iems and keep rolling from one to another or changing iem, or stick to 1 but superior to all those cheaper iems.
If you want to get another sub $50 try T2 (warning this is balance - not suit everybodys taste especially someone who prefer fun iem with bass hits) , or wait T3 is around the corner, BQEYZ brand any type is equally good, or try that good reviewed ****.
But if you are looking for 1 superior chifi iem, set your budget under $250 for example, a lot mature sound than typical kz at this price range. Name it ibasso IT01s, DM6, Kanas (pro one more balance, if you like hard hitting bass, i guess regular kanas more suits you), tansio mirai tsmr3.
They are definitely different class above zs7.
+1
+1
...and there is tin t3 coming too
Very nice work! ;PI’ve finally finished stage2 of my first iem modding adventure. My old trusted ATEs fell victim of my unwieldy attempts
First of all i’ve added MMCX connectors and drilled hole in backplates. Results were surprisingly awesome. They surely open quite a bit with vented backplate
Stage2 was involved bit more surgery. I’ve tried to implant DMG silver nozzles as they are only cheap and widely available IEM nozzles that I know off. Drilling hole for much bigger diameter nozzle was quite awkward as the original ATE nozzle has quite small inner bore and it’s off center!
But after quite a few drilling attempts and lot of adjusting especially with first one (as you can se by damaged knurling on one of nozzles ) I’ve managed to get it done somehow.
Don’t know if removing drivers from the shell and smoothing the nozzle boring bit more to perfection would do significant difference. I guess so but I didn’t want to remove drivers for now.
I am pretty satisfied with the result. Now it’s time to find proper tuning as nozzles have additional vent. I am using DIY symbio foam-silicone tips which cover vent on the nozzle and they sound quite nice that way. Removed a bit from the darkness and warmth of ATE but still very pleasant. With both vents open the bass is quite lacking but haven’t listened to them enough.
Thanks @CoiL for inspiration from many years ago. Maybe you would also have some tips how to improve the a lot more
There are tons of plans for future for sure. Custom backplates from carbon fiber - plywood ply that I possess are first in row.
Maybe different drivers? Is it worth it? Or are ATE drivers good enough for this shell?
Very nice work! ;P
At first I implanted ED9 brass nozzles to my ATE FF-mod but re-tuned it later with ED9 gold nozzles. I recommend You to close venting port on the shell and tune with port on the nozzle.
You get good slam/tightness from bass/percussion but still open sound.
Btw, which generation ATE drivers You have there? Seems like 5th gen red shelled drivers.
If You get tired of ATE, move on to Sony MH755 drivers installed in ZS4 shells. I`ve done it already but need some fine tuning and maybe trying out different tweaks... but end result is very promising and BIG leap over modded ATE SQ imho. 755 drivers are quite "miracle" imo.
I want every IEM in ZS4 shells. Is it a hard mod to do when using MH755 drivers? How much does the sound differ after reshelling?Very nice work! ;P
At first I implanted ED9 brass nozzles to my ATE FF-mod but re-tuned it later with ED9 gold nozzles. I recommend You to close venting port on the shell and tune with port on the nozzle.
You get good slam/tightness from bass/percussion but still open sound.
Btw, which generation ATE drivers You have there? Seems like 5th gen red shelled drivers.
If You get tired of ATE, move on to Sony MH755 drivers installed in ZS4 shells. I`ve done it already but need some fine tuning and maybe trying out different tweaks... but end result is very promising and BIG leap over modded ATE SQ imho. 755 drivers are quite "miracle" imo.
QKZ VK3 shells are same as ZS3E/ZS4 but with different driver placement and same size as MH755 drivers.I want every IEM in ZS4 shells. Is it a hard mod to do when using MH755 drivers? How much does the sound differ after reshelling?
Also, could someone point me to where one can reliably purchase MH755?
I ordered mine from www.eardio.comI want every IEM in ZS4 shells. Is it a hard mod to do when using MH755 drivers? How much does the sound differ after reshelling?
Also, could someone point me to where one can reliably purchase MH755?