[jwilliamhurst]

nice mate! glad you got yours - hope to hear more of your impressions once you've had some alone time with them I'm still waiting for mine...been stuck in customs for a week now

Mine has been stuck since 11/22 also

 

[ttt123]

I have seen this comment about volume a few times and perhaps it might be helpful to share something I have been looking into.

I am working on a review of the Serratus and I actually spent some time to try out the consequences of various sources for the performance of the Serratus. I also had a brief chat with Jim about it.

From what I tried out, I can say that for optimal performance a powerful source is important and that this is separate from the volume level that can be achieved. So with the Serratus for instance these are 300 ohm earbuds. If I use my favourite DAP, the LPGT, I get plenty of volume and they sound nice enough. They don't however set themselves apart from other earbuds I have heard. When I switch to a powerful source such as the Shanling M8 (Turbo gain) or EarMen Angel (Gain+), that's when the Serratus come alive and perform considerably better than I expected from such tiny little earbuds.

Jim explained that this has to do with maintaining the accuracy of the loud transient peaks and preserving dynamic range. This is consistent with what I hear, even though I can't explain it in technical terms. When I listen with a powerful source the image is cleaner, more accurate, better separation, more air, a bigger stage, etc. Across the board the Serratus simply perform better. Even with a TOTL source such as the LPGT, the lack of power causes a fuzzier image that doesn't feel as big as I know the Serratus are capable of creating.

Underpowered the Serratus still sound fun and engaging, but when powered properly they genuinely transform and perform at a much higher level.

When I ordered my Serratus Frosty, Jim had suggested that I try them with an amp if I got the chance. I had not done that yet, so seeing @Wyville's post about this topic, reminded me to try it out. (I have 2 Oriolus amps, a BA300S tube amp, and a BA20 solid state amp.)
- Hiby RS6 -> 4.4mm HO -> Oriolus BA300S (balanced tube amp) -> Serratus Frosty

Iniitially, there did not seem to be much difference, as there was nothing that jumped out at you. It did sound different, but took awhile, trying different songs, switching the amp out and comparing, etc., to understand what the difference was.

- Bass - stronger bass, with more heft. A kick drum had a feel to it, like sitting in front of one, rather than just listening to a pretty good reproduction of one.
- Stage was expanded, and instrument location, pitch was solid and natural. It felt very natural/easy, which was why on initial listen, I could not describe the difference easily. Nothing jumps out at you, but after getting used to it, it felt like being in the room, with the voice and instruments positioned, separated, clear. Again, the word "natural" comes to mind. Nothing special, just felt like you were sitting in the room with the band playing. Natural, unforced, just playing music for you to listen to.

Without the amp, the stage was there, but seemed squashed , and did not have the live room feel. Instrument separation, placing not as clear. Less Bass impact and heft shifted the feel of the music. Lighter, not as driving.

With my setup, I don't know how much of the change is due to the BA300S capability/characteristic, versus extra power. A combination, I suppose. The overall result is absolutely worth it, whatever the reason. With the BA300S in the chain, I actually don't think of what it is doing, as the music is just so easy and fluid, that you feel like you are listening to a live band and enjoying it. An effortless sound, which you would not think of analyzing or dissecting the technical reproduction. It would be sacrilege.

Just listen and enjoy. And maybe this is the best description/accolade I can give. The music is so natural and immersive that you just listen, and don't bother to analyze it.

So, great job, @tgx78. The Serratus is working at a level I had not expected/thought possible. I was quite happy with how they sounded before adding the BA300S in the chain.
With the BA300S in the chain, I feel less like I am listening to a really good earphone, and more like I am sitting in the room with the musicians. And enjoying their performance.

 

[XP_98]

Got my Tantalus yesterday
Out of the box I wasn't that impressed, but after 10 hours burning in (as recommended by Jim), the sound had clearly improved, to a very good level.
I will leave them continue playing music all day, and listen again this evening.

 

[Ohmboy]

I really wish I could do that, but unfortunately I don't have access to any.

My Serratus is on it’s way across the pond, I’ve just ordered a 6.35mm to 4.4mm DD HiFi adaptor (won’t be here till mid December) so I can try them with my Little Dot mkII with various tube options to hand and an Xduoo MT-604 again with a couple of tube options, my source is an iBasso DX312 so it should be fun to try out all those combos

 

[BrokenHill]

I would share every song with which the Serratus makes me smile, but it wouldn't end... but the last one by Big Thief sounds magnificent. I can't do anything but share it with you.

 

[IamInnocentX3]

Does Serratus goes well with Dubstep? The answer is yes, even when powered with a dongle.

 

[Serge Bernamej]

Got my Tantalus yesterday
Out of the box I wasn't that impressed, but after 10 hours burning in (as recommended by Jim), the sound had clearly improved, to a very good level.
I will leave them continue playing music all day, and listen again this evening.

Funny how subjective this all can be ! I immidiately fell in love with the Tantalus. But if you ask me which one I prefer it would be very hard to chose.

 

[Neweymatt]

I would share every song with which the Serratus makes me smile, but it wouldn't end... but the last one by Big Thief sounds magnificent. I can't do anything but share it with you.

Yeah, that Big Thief album is near the top of 2022 lists for sure.

I was listening to Serratus yesterday and stumbled onto this from Anna Mieke, think it was a Tidal suggestion.


Absolutely amazing, I went straight to Bandcamp and bought it.

Serratus does many things well, but this kind of indie/folk + female vocal is a real sweet spot.

 

[SBranson]

Really loving this on the Serratus

 

[Serge Bernamej]

Ahahha If I had to say how many things I love, madly, with the Serratus, Alpha and Tantalus, I would literally be spamming this thread. Those earbuds are just unelievable, every time I put them on I'm mind boggled, as if I was expecting that one album would at some point reveal something unnatural about them, but nope, it never happens.
Operas, symphonies, concertos, everything sounds full and natural, it's a miracle.

 

[arijitroy2]

I'd be interested in knowing how do people here compare the sound subjectively to their totl iems if they have or had one irrespective of their price differences or driver counts? I'll get my Serratus and Tantalus next week so I'll be doing that.

 

[SBranson]

I'd be interested in knowing how do people here compare the sound subjectively to their totl iems if they have or had one irrespective of their price differences or driver counts? I'll get my Serratus and Tantalus next week so I'll be doing that.

I'm not going to say that these buds outperform totl iems but in my subjective experience of having owned the Traillii and been fortunate to hear some other totl iems at meetups with local headfi'ers I find these more enjoyable. At the last meet up I had been away from iems for a couple months and only using my headphones or these buds (and that was when I had only Serratus and Tantalus prototypes, pre Alpha and Ripples days) and the BA timbre of all the totl iems I heard made them sound artificial. Each one had me wondering what justified their price point, seriously. The fact that the timbre was off made me stand back and wonder. It's like looking at something, say a nice car or a nice house and you can appreciate the quality or why someone might like them but they just do nothing for you, let alone be willing to pay so much for them. They may have been "better" in technicals or dynamics or other "audiophile" metrics but in the most important metric for me, timbre, none of them sounded as real or natural. The open nature of the buds add to this too as I find iems to be too much "in my head" even if the soundstage seems large, it's still like a room in my head. Buds are closer to headphones and speakers.
That said, and as I've mentioned before in this thread, this is based on my subjective preferences for natural sounding instruments over flashy dynamics or overt micro detai and my music library tends to follow this too..
I look forward to hearing your impressions against iems as I have none to really compare to.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

I'd be interested in knowing how do people here compare the sound subjectively to their totl iems if they have or had one irrespective of their price differences or driver counts? I'll get my Serratus and Tantalus next week so I'll be doing that.

I am glad that you asked this question as its been on my mind lately, I have Serratus, Tantalus, Alpha and just received Ripples last night. I have been listening to TGX buds for about a month or so now. I own the Traillii and Kublai Khan iems currently but have had quite a many others in the past... The more I listen to these buds, the more I do not want to listen to iems. Granted I still enjoy the isolated factor of iems and the way they present music as @SBranson noted above, more in the head and yes even Traillii although immersive still sounds inside my head, which isnt always a bad thing and I sometimes prefer this. The buds, especially Serratus gives me an experience closer to my 2-channel stereo days. I am finding that all of the buds are making my Traillii redundant, as the combination of Tantalus and Serratus equal if not better my experience with Traillii. I love my buds for the timbre, space and mids they provide. SO as of yesterday I have traded my Traillii for a more specialist iem. As I am just not listening to Traillii these days and when I put them on recently, although they are amazing just cant match the timbre of the TGXear buds. I am keeping Kublai Khan for its BCD and deep reaching sub bass extension as I find that very enjoyable with my electronic music and metal/rock. All of this leads me into my experience with the Ripples, still early impressions but the dynamics on this bud reminds me of totl iems, bettering traillii for sure. While Ripples cannot match the sub-bass of the Serratus, the perfect mid bass tuning, neutral mids and crystal clear treble is to die for. Ripples may just be my favorite of all of Jim's buds. They are highly technically competent even against TOTL iems. AT this stage for me, I am all in on TGXEAR buds. I will keep a few iem for specialist reasons, mainly sub bass and isolation factors. Jim @tgx78 is a genius in my opinion and his buds are phenomenal. Here is a breakdown of what I use each for...

Serratus: Classical, Electronic, Ambient, Soul, R&B ( most all rounder of the bunch)
Tantalus: Folk, Singer Songwriter (Mids Specialist)
Alpha: Solo instrumental, Jazz Trio (Timbre King)
Ripples: Rock/Metal, Jazz quartet, etc, Funk, Soul The Ripples can seriously handle extremely energetic music, so I am still exploring as I have only had a few hours thus far. (Dynamic KING)

And here is the mandatory picture of my new Love RIPPLES!!!

 

[feverfive]

I am glad that you asked this question as its been on my mind lately, I have Serratus, Tantalus, Alpha and just received Ripples last night. I have been listening to TGX buds for about a month or so now. I own the Traillii and Kublai Khan iems currently but have had quite a many others in the past... The more I listen to these buds, the more I do not want to listen to iems. Granted I still enjoy the isolated factor of iems and the way they present music as @SBranson noted above, more in the head and yes even Traillii although immersive still sounds inside my head, which isnt always a bad thing and I sometimes prefer this. The buds, especially Serratus gives me an experience closer to my 2-channel stereo days. I am finding that all of the buds are making my Traillii redundant, as the combination of Tantalus and Serratus equal if not better my experience with Traillii. I love my buds for the timbre, space and mids they provide. SO as of yesterday I have traded my Traillii for a more specialist iem. As I am just not listening to Traillii these days and when I put them on recently, although they are amazing just cant match the timbre of the TGXear buds. I am keeping Kublai Khan for its BCD and deep reaching sub bass extension as I find that very enjoyable with my electronic music and metal/rock. All of this leads me into my experience with the Ripples, still early impressions but the dynamics on this bud reminds me of totl iems, bettering traillii for sure. While Ripples cannot match the sub-bass of the Serratus, the perfect mid bass tuning, neutral mids and crystal clear treble is to die for. Ripples may just be my favorite of all of Jim's buds. They are highly technically competent even against TOTL iems. AT this stage for me, I am all in on TGXEAR buds. I will keep a few iem for specialist reasons, mainly sub bass and isolation factors. Jim @tgx78 is a genius in my opinion and his buds are phenomenal. Here is a breakdown of what I use each for...

Serratus: Classical, Electronic, Ambient, Soul, R&B ( most all rounder of the bunch)
Tantalus: Folk, Singer Songwriter (Mids Specialist)
Alpha: Solo instrumental, Jazz Trio (Timbre King)
Ripples: Rock/Metal, Jazz quartet, etc, Funk, Soul The Ripples can seriously handle extremely energetic music, so I am still exploring as I have only had a few hours thus far. (Dynamic KING)

And here is the mandatory picture of my new Love RIPPLES!!!

Based on your descriptions (and others I've seen), methinks Serratus + Ripples would cover like 95% of the spectrum for me. I'm just reluctant to go down a road requiring powerful amping. Almost 100% of my (as of late, very minimal) music listening is done at home/on my property whilst moving about. Thus, that means portable sources (I moved to 100% portable, my goodness, 12+ years ago). I have no interest in desktop gear, and I've said this elsewhere, but if being tied to a stationary is a prerequisite for listening to music, I'd *never* listen to music, hahahaha.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

Based on your descriptions (and others I've seen), methinks Serratus + Ripples would cover like 95% of the spectrum for me. I'm just reluctant to go down a road requiring powerful amping. Almost 100% of my (as of late, very minimal) music listening is done at home/on my property whilst moving about. Thus, that means portable sources (I moved to 100% portable, my goodness, 12+ years ago). I have no interest in desktop gear, and I've said this elsewhere, but if being tied to a stationary is a prerequisite for listening to music, I'd *never* listen to music, hahahaha.

FWIW I honestly prefer my P6pro over my desktop system for the two buds you mention. YMMV but I havent found a striking difference on my desktop as others have stated.