[AmericanSpirit]

Undiscovered Hidden Gem

This Gem SR5 deserves an own thread

Disclaimer: I praised the shop owner and shared this thread as an gateway of introduction of Sound Rhyme, and the shop owner linked this thread URL on item description. It may be confusing so I can declare that I’m not affiliated with any store/brands nor getting any kick backs. It’s pure personal purchase and personal feel of obligation to publicize this hidden gem, as it’s very high performing.

Sound Rhyme just opened Official AE Store: you may find more up-to-date info on their Official store:
https://sl.aliexpress.ru/p?key=kYMqwXG

Based on my study, Sound Rhyme is not a new brand to Chinese Local audiophiles. They are like AFUL, a hidden gem, but with much longer history serving IEMs.


Navigation:
Here is link to SR5 initial impression post:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17410547

Here is link to DTE500 A-B test post:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17473402
Here is link to SR5 A-B test post:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17412148

Sound Rhyme uses ENVISIONTEC 3D printer for modeling, like AFUL did for their Performer 5, the unique bass range internal resonator chamber.

They are situated at Xiamen and probably one of less known IEM OEM to western market so far.

Sound Rhyme business registration and copyright registration. Formed back in 2017, copyright obtained 2019z

Lab and workshop pictures

They have several line ups as below:

SR-Q1S - 9.2mm Titanium coated single DD: $53USD

Formerly SR02 (Now SR4 )- 4BA: Store Link (non affiliated)
Knowles 22955 + Knowles 29689
Belsing 31736 (2BA) : $96USD. U-tuned.

SR03 - 4BA + 1DD
1DD+Sonion 689x2(mid)+Knowles31736x2(mid to high) 760CNY = 120USD in local market, available thru Aliexpress distributor Yi Fan 4.4 (huo guang shu/huo guang store) around $139USD.

SR5 4way crossover! 1DD+Knowles ED29689x2(mid)+Knowles31736x2(mid to high) 750CNY = 109USD in local market, available thru Aliexpress distributor Yi Fan 4.4 (huo guang shu/huo guang store) around $139USD.
[3/14/2023: Penon is now serving SR5 too! https://penonaudio.com/sound-rhyme-sr5.html ]
This is my recommendation. Photo-luminescent like qdc Anole V14, sound like Thieaudio’s high-end class, with very affordable pricing.

Formerly SR04-144E (They renamed to DTE500/900) Tribrid 1DD 4BA 4EST? (4800CNY = 630USD) — basically qdc Anole VX ‘s tribrid version. I’m interested in this.
Information wanted.
Sound Rhyme actually discounted to $499USD.

Penon started to become Sound Rhyme official agent and they have DTE500 @ $459: https://penonaudio.com/sound-rhyme-dte500.html

DTE500 uses EIVEC voltage amplifier which was developed by Empire Ears for their EST models, and DTE500 uses EIVEC in powering Sonion EST.

SR-8: Full-BA Flagship 14BA with 2tuning switches (4300CNY = 618USD) — In Local Chinese Market only, likely full Sonion & Knowles. GS Audio ST10 is $430 with 10BA and full knowles and sonions, so this 14BA with this bare price is making a good sense)

Official store has it but the price is 1110USD
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMppOKK
[3/28/2023 Edit] Penon started to sell SR8 @$749, great job for not going highballing
https://penonaudio.com/sound-rhyme-sr8.html

I’ve purchased SR5 out of whim after watching a Russian IEM YT review channel’s video, the guy knows HEXA and had high praise for SR5, so I know that was a good starting point.

Here is initial impression.

It will be a great loss if this gem is kept in undiscovered dungeon‘s jewelry box.

From my experience of SR05, they make very solid offers that is comparable to well known companies such as Thieaudio.

Hope they have more access and distribution channels to overseas, but as for now it will be one of Niche that may intrigue your interest.

I find myself interested on in their line up as much I do for Truthear.

 

[helloh3adfi]

Is the shell made of resin? The picture looks metallic. Have you got a coupler to measure them? It's interesting how they will compare to Hexa.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Is the shell made of resin? The picture looks metallic. Have you got a coupler to measure them? It's interesting how they will compare to Hexa.

I’m posting cross comparisons with top performers including on HEXA on discovery thread

Post in thread 'The discovery thread!'
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17412148

Shell is resin made.

I’ve done treble test and sorted out from Moondrop Variations (Sonion EST equipped )to HEXA, Including those big names. I couldn’t believe SR5 handles detail articulation better than SA6 and Blessing 2, AFUL P5, N5005, and Treble expert See Audio Bravery, as well as HEXA But it is what it is.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Forgot to post. SR5 has weirdly similar features with TOTL qdc Anole V14 that costs $3K…
same metal nose, same glow in night..they could’ve shared some ODM source.

Anole V14-day

Anole V14-night (with black light)

SR5 - day

SR5-Seductively glowing

I’ll take a picture with blacklight tonight.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

I am already in awe of this new IEM. After buying the Tansio Mirai Sands and using it for a while I was sure that my next purchase is gonna be my endgame set. I feel ready for it now. Since I usually buy audio hardware if the cost to performance ratio is good, I am very interested in this set. Do you have tried using EQ on it? If it even reacts well to EQ it's gonna be my next purchase.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

I am already in awe of this new IEM. After buying the Tansio Mirai Sands and using it for a while I was sure that my next purchase is gonna be my endgame set. I feel ready for it now. Since I usually buy audio hardware if the cost to performance ratio is good, I am very interested in this set. Do you have tried using EQ on it? If it even reacts well to EQ it's gonna be my next purchase.

Some more eye catching thing.

Took it with black light on.

Trying to recreate Anole V14’s picture

I will try EQ with SR5 tonight. I have a solid belief that this is best you can get by $139 so far, my hard earned penny paid off.


Tried with EQ, it reacts well for all frequencies

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Looks like I have finally reached the endgame. I have placed my order for the SR5. As soon as it will arrive on my doorstep, I will compare it to my other sets and then decide on the best one.

From your descriptions it looks like the SR5 will have good resolution and a good tuning. It would be nice if this model can beat my Tansio Mirai Sands but im okay if it just tuned very well.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

It seems like the SR5 is slightly going up in price. It shows as 170€ right now. Is it the demand? I hope I can receive my unit soon.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

It seems like the SR5 is slightly going up in price. It shows as 170€ right now. Is it the demand? I hope I can receive my unit soon.

Yea, probably demand based aliexpress store decision, in local market SR5 is sold at 749CNY (around $109USD) and SR3(10mm DD + sonion 689x2 mid + knowles 31736x2 high ) around 759 CNY.

Aliexpress store generally sales those with 20%-30% profit / S&H charge which makes sense. Some fishy random shop like yaoyaotiger charges $250USD for SR5 which is absurd.

I purchased from this shop and complained about price raising, the store rep sets back to $139USD.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

My SR5 has now reached customs. I'm curious how it is gonna sound. I simply expect a good tuning with lots of detail and good dynamics.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

My SR5 has now reached customs. I'm curious how it is gonna sound. I simply expect a good tuning with lots of detail and good dynamics.

Yea that expectation is fundamental property of SR5 besides wide diffusion field

 

[nihil23]

Yea that expectation is fundamental property of SR5 besides wide diffusion field

So you also liked Wu Zetian and Hexa, does they comparable with SR5? It will be an upgrade or sidegrade to Wu Zetian?
Didn't find any reviewer graph to compare, but I might miss something

 

[AmericanSpirit]

So you also liked Wu Zetian and Hexa, does they comparable with SR5? It will be an upgrade or sidegrade to Wu Zetian?
Didn't find any reviewer graph to compare, but I might miss something

I’ve done a full scale cross comparison with rivals in close range that I considered SR5 is close to
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17412148

And after a detailed session I‘m comfortable to say SR5 is a step up from HEXA.

As for Wu, I concluded it as A+rank IEM on my headgear review
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tangzu-audio-zetian-wu.25979/review/29673/

so if you take direct scale of SR5 (A+ or S-) in general they are par. My personal pick will be SR5, but both of IEMs has very different approach, musically talented Planar vs well balanced hybrids are orange to apples in this context.

Yes, Sound Rhyme is not interested on international market and they are dedicated for their domestic market so far. The only reviews available is from Russian YT reviewers.

It’s such a waste on opportunity.

 

[nihil23]

I’ve done a full scale cross comparison with rivals in close range that I considered SR5 is close to
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17412148

And after a detailed session I‘m comfortable to say SR5 is a step up from HEXA.

As for Wu, I concluded it as A+rank IEM on my headgear review
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tangzu-audio-zetian-wu.25979/review/29673/

so if you take direct scale of SR5 (A+ or S-) in general they are par. My personal pick will be SR5, but both of IEMs has very different approach, musically talented Planar vs well balanced hybrids are orange to apples in this context.

Yes, Sound Rhyme is not interested on international market and they are dedicated for their domestic market so far. The only reviews available is from Russian YT reviewers.

It’s such a waste on opportunity.

Thanks! Didn't noticed that you updated the original post, SR5 seems very interesting. I'll get them after Ikko oh10, or instead of the ikko, need to check them one more time.
I really like Wu tuning (also Letshuoer S12, but its sounds fatiguing from time to time, and D13), but I'd like to try something new, SR5 and ikko seems interesting and quite unique. Also both aged well

 

[ExTubeGamer]

It seems like my SR5 is gonna arrive tomorrow. Buckle up, I am gonna test this one on a lot of sources.