Pictures of Your *Budget-Fi* Portable Rig (< $200)

[mathi8vadhanan]

Are those Open Backs? what are they? How are they sound wise?

No, vents on faceplate are just cosmetic. These are DT8 from brand-that-cannot-be-named. It's 2+2 hybrid with Knowles BA's.
My favourite chi-fi iem so far for <$50. It is v-shaped, but tuning is almost perfect. No ear-piercing treble, solid bass with texture, decent sub-bass rumble, sound-stage and imaging are excellent for a $50 iem.

 

[mathi8vadhanan]

Indeed, your MO looks great with those DT8'sThinking about your rig here coming in <$150 how about the Benjie rig I posted above with any of those KZ iem's coming in <$50

Red/Black combo of Benjie and ZSA is dashing. I can't match that for $50.
Would love to hear these <$50 chi-fi daps. Also, how's that TFZ series 2 SE? Lower-end TFZs not getting much love over at the Chi-fi thread.

 

[Podster]

Well I loved my original Series 1 but was not impressed with the 1s so I backed off until they released the Secret Garden’s (Awesome by the way) and B9 always touted the original Kings but I did not take the dive and now I’m sure they are awesome because the Queens and Series 2 SE’s are both fantastic. I will say TFZ has their single DD tuning down to a fine science.
Yeah, fir the orice the Benjie S5 is Da Bomb, I’ve probably gifted 10 of those already and have two myself with a gray Bluetooth model coming now. I highy recommend one with any of the new Kz’s if you want to turn a friend onto portable.
My idea of the current “Gateway Drug” to portable listening!

 

[Podster]

Are those Open Backs? what are they? How are they sound wise?

My apologies, missed this notification for some reason! They are what I'd call semi-open and I believe Senor Crabs refers to as that as well: https://primeaudio.org/****-dt8-review/ For their price they are outstanding but as he mentions they are a little light in the vocals especially female but can easily be tweaked with a little EQ.

So here's the Benjie T6/Xduoo XQ-10 with ZS6's before the tri-braid started going south! (Green) of course I've got the Xduoo on top in this shot This entire rig is also <$150

 

[Podster]

Budget-Fi if you say so Black-N-Blue

 

[Cruelhand Luke]

old ZTE Axon with a cracked face and KZ ZSN

 

[KimChee]

I’ve got a few budget setups...I’m loving the walnut stack, I use it at work with a KZ ZS6 and a Grado 60...I also use the Shanling M0 when I need something more pocketable..for home portable use I’ve got a modded Koss KSC75...I think I’ll go for the Bennie S6 and Xduoo XQ-10 next...

 

[Podster]

old ZTE Axon with a cracked face and KZ ZSN

Boss man would give you a week in the hole for that cracked screen Luke but with that said it really makes the ZSN's shine

 

[Cruelhand Luke]

Boss man would give you a week in the hole for that cracked screen Luke but with that said it really makes the ZSN's shine

I think it makes a great looking post apocalyptic/dystopian future portable music listening set up.

 

[Podster]

Ah, sorta De-Zombized

 

[KimChee]

Can’t believe how good these sound especially for the price!


My “Desktop” Work Rig Walnut Stack modded Grado 60s






Budget travel rig #1 Fiio X1 and Topping NXS1 KZ ZS6










Budget Rig #2 Shanling M0 KZ ZS6

 

[Podster]

Can’t believe how good these sound especially for the price!


My “Desktop” Work Rig Walnut Stack modded Grado 60s






Budget travel rig #1 Fiio X1 and Topping NXS1 KZ ZS6










Budget Rig #2 Shanling M0 KZ ZS6

Heck fire I believe KimChee, nice rigs

However I love my ZS6's (all 4 colors) but with the Nutz I have come to prefer the ZS4 Just individual preference though

 

[KimChee]

I’ve got the black ZS6 with upgraded cable just forgot to take a pic...I’ve never heard the ZS4...might have to check it out but I’m worried I’ll have 10 sets of ZS IEMs...was interested in getting the ZS10 too since it was cheap even though I heard it didn’t sound as good...

 

[Podster]

Deep or shallow either one sounds pretty good on this pairing and to this day I feel the AP001 is a underrated little amp

@KimChee , you should give the ZS4 a chance, IMO it's everything the ZS3 was not plus I think it has better bass for those inclined to bass oriented music but for surer a different signature than my beloved ZS6's

 

[KimChee]

@KimChee , you should give the ZS4 a chance, IMO it's everything the ZS3 was not plus I think it has better bass for those inclined to bass oriented music but for surer a different signature than my beloved ZS6's[/QUOTE]

I’d like to try the ZS4, but then I’d own 4 KZ iems...oh well I might pick one up anyways to listen to at work on my Walnit stack