TGXEAR discussion thread.

[SBranson]

Been out of it for a while and not really listening at all these days but some stress called for a retreat into some Vivaldi. When I have been listening I have been using my EE Bravado 2 partially for the isolation and I recently discovered how well it pairs with the N7. Well after a while I noticed that Wispelwey’s cello was sounding very detailed but somehow a bit “thin”. I decided to switch over to the Desolation Sound as I haven’t listened to them in a while and it was like a “timbre veil” lifted, or maybe it was “draped” over the music. It was more realistic sounding, and though “warmer”, the realism means more detailed as there’s more actual note information in the better timbre. It always shocks me when the difference between “detailed” and “natural” when something highlights it so clearly. Still, for right genre, the bass and rumble of the Bravado can’t be matched so there’s a time and place for them but apparently this Vivaldi recording ain’t it.

 

[BlueA]

I'm a beginner with bud and happened to find a cheap FF5.
Really enjoying it, I discovered the works of TXGear.
Would I find a meaning gap in quality testing those?
Would someone share a similar experience? Thanks!

 

[ttorbic]

I'm a beginner with bud and happened to find a cheap FF5.
Really enjoying it, I discovered the works of TXGear.
Would I find a meaning gap in quality testing those?
Would someone share a similar experience? Thanks!

I think @mt877 has both FF5 and Serratus - any thoughts?

 

[HiFlight]

I'm a beginner with bud and happened to find a cheap FF5.
Really enjoying it, I discovered the works of TXGear.
Would I find a meaning gap in quality testing those?
Would someone share a similar experience? Thanks!

I have the FF5 + the TXGear Tantalus and Serratus Black Sand. While the FF5 is a nice all-arounder, I find both TX buds to be more resolving with a more realistic timbre
and exhibit a greater sense of depth to the soundstage. Both require more power than provided by a cellphone whereas the FF5 is considerably easier to drive and can be driven satisfactorily from a phone. Another option you might consider is the Rikobuds Alter Rider 3 which is also easier to drive than the TXGear buds, sounds excellent and for me, the smaller shell fits better than MX500 shells.

 

[BlueA]

Thanks for the shared perspective @HiFlight !

I want to drive them using DAP and EF400 so TXGear should do.

Visiting the website I'm unable to tell the difference between models.
Classical music and modern classical as a goal would you suggest one or another?

 

[ttorbic]

Thanks for the shared perspective @HiFlight !

I want to drive them using DAP and EF400 so TXGear should do.

Visiting the website I'm unable to tell the difference between models.
Classical music and modern classical as a goal would you suggest one or another?

I'm a jazz and film score guy, and I really enjoy my SBS and Ripples. TGXEAR sets generally have fantastic timbre, so can't differentiate sets based on that too much. I think @jwilliamhurst likes classical? Or I might be mistagging lol.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

I'm a jazz and film score guy, and I really enjoy my SBS and Ripples. TGXEAR sets generally have fantastic timbre, so can't differentiate sets based on that too much. I think @jwilliamhurst likes classical? Or I might be mistagging lol.

OG Serratus for large orchestras
Alpha for solo or small ensemble
SBS has a slightly smaller stage than OG I’ve read so it should work here also.
Ripples I used mostly for Rock.
Desolation sound also works really wonderful for all types of classical.
Sunniva I would not use for classical IMO.
Totem is a good all rounder. Has nice macro dynamics.
Tantalus is one of my favs and works for just about all types of music, but needs power as does Alpha.

 

[BlueA]

Very explanatory.
This is an important info and you clarify all the TXGear segment
I'm on it thank you!!

 

[HiFlight]

OG Serratus for large orchestras
Alpha for solo or small ensemble
SBS has a slightly smaller stage than OG I’ve read so it should work here also.
Ripples I used mostly for Rock.
Desolation sound also works really wonderful for all types of classical.
Sunniva I would not use for classical IMO.
Totem is a good all rounder. Has nice macro dynamics.
Tantalus is one of my favs and works for just about all types of music, but needs power as does Alpha.

+1 on SBS and Tantalus for Classical. For smaller groups like chamber performers I like SBS and for large symphonic scores I prefer Tantalus as I have adequate power sources.

 

[Serge Bernamej]

Tantalus should be brought back by popular request.

 

[NookIsACrook]

After testing out the tour unit I wound up getting the new Metal MX500 shells for DS. I really love the feel of them - they are quite heavy, likely a little bit heavier than the VE Sun Copper buds. It gives them a more premium feel that was missing from the plastic shells. Overall sound is quite similar to the tour unit, but perhaps feels a bit wider with a blacker background. I haven't A/B'd them much, but they feel wider than my Serratus, and definitely a "deeper" background. Still not quite as enveloping as SC, but the gap is not very large.

I did notice two things stand out to me more - a sharpish peak around 5.6KHz, and very forward details thanks to a boost in the 10-12KHz region. Unfortunately those combined makes the stock treble a bit less refined than I would hope for a TOTL bud. One of my test tracks is Graveyard (Acoustic) by Halsey, and I found it a bit fatiguing at higher volumes. The forward details will really lay bare any poorly mastered music. For example, in Something Human by Muse, the almost low-fi recordings of Matt Bellamy's vocals really comes across with DS, moreso than anything I've listened to before. On the other hand, those details plus the tuning makes some music really stand out in an amazing way - listening to the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary album is stunning, and incredibly lifelike. (That performance on that album was what convinced me to buy DS after demoing it.) These issues are less noticeable at lower volume, but still present.

I'm not sure if these characteristics are specific to my unit or not. The user after me graphed the tour unit and also noticed these issues (sharp 5KHz peak, high peak around 10-12KHz).

I'm a big EQ user, and using that graph and a sine sweep I made the following EQ. With this EQ I find it smooths out those rough edges, and tames down some of the midbass that can border on overwhelming the rest of the range:

Preamp: -14.4 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 150 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 0.700
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5640 Hz Gain -4.6 dB Q 14.400
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 11000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 4.800

With that EQ, in my opinion DS really achieves its peak performance - an incredibly lifelike, reference tuning. Acoustic guitars and pianos really stand out for their timbre and sensation. Both male and female vocals feel uncolored, clean, and natural. At this point, this is my top bud, even above Sun Copper, thanks to its beautiful tonality, soundstage, and build quality. It is, however, quite pricey, and ideally wouldn't require extra EQ to bring out its full potential.

 

[Serge Bernamej]

After testing out the tour unit I wound up getting the new Metal MX500 shells for DS. I really love the feel of them - they are quite heavy, likely a little bit heavier than the VE Sun Copper buds. It gives them a more premium feel that was missing from the plastic shells. Overall sound is quite similar to the tour unit, but perhaps feels a bit wider with a blacker background. I haven't A/B'd them much, but they feel wider than my Serratus, and definitely a "deeper" background. Still not quite as enveloping as SC, but the gap is not very large.

I did notice two things stand out to me more - a sharpish peak around 5.6KHz, and very forward details thanks to a boost in the 10-12KHz region. Unfortunately those combined makes the stock treble a bit less refined than I would hope for a TOTL bud. One of my test tracks is Graveyard (Acoustic) by Halsey, and I found it a bit fatiguing at higher volumes. The forward details will really lay bare any poorly mastered music. For example, in Something Human by Muse, the almost low-fi recordings of Matt Bellamy's vocals really comes across with DS, moreso than anything I've listened to before. On the other hand, those details plus the tuning makes some music really stand out in an amazing way - listening to the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary album is stunning, and incredibly lifelike. (That performance on that album was what convinced me to buy DS after demoing it.) These issues are less noticeable at lower volume, but still present.

I'm not sure if these characteristics are specific to my unit or not. The user after me graphed the tour unit and also noticed these issues (sharp 5KHz peak, high peak around 10-12KHz).

I'm a big EQ user, and using that graph and a sine sweep I made the following EQ. With this EQ I find it smooths out those rough edges, and tames down some of the midbass that can border on overwhelming the rest of the range:


With that EQ, in my opinion DS really achieves its peak performance - an incredibly lifelike, reference tuning. Acoustic guitars and pianos really stand out for their timbre and sensation. Both male and female vocals feel uncolored, clean, and natural. At this point, this is my top bud, even above Sun Copper, thanks to its beautiful tonality, soundstage, and build quality. It is, however, quite pricey, and ideally wouldn't require extra EQ to bring out its full potential.

Great comment thanks !
This is also my exact experience !

Again, the only esrbud that doesn’t require any EQ (of the TGX series) is the Tantalus.

 

[NookIsACrook]

Great comment thanks !
This is also my exact experience !
And I also use EQ, I was hoping a 600$ bud would not require it, but with EQ it’s indeed a great bud.
Again, the only esrbud that doesn’t require any EQ (of the TGX series) is the Tantalus.

Wow, you and I have both the same thoughts. Tantalus is also the only bud I use without EQ. To be fair, I EQ even my VE Sun Copper. Buds are pretty much just a driver and a shell, so I'd imagine fine tuning them to be pretty hard.

What EQ parameters do you use for DS? I'm always curious to try others.

 

[BlueA]

Very interesting subject! Reading your feedback on the tuning of single driver.

 

[Serge Bernamej]

Wow, you and I have both the same thoughts. Tantalus is also the only bud I use without EQ. To be fair, I EQ even my VE Sun Copper. Buds are pretty much just a driver and a shell, so I'd imagine fine tuning them to be pretty hard.

What EQ parameters do you use for DS? I'm always curious to try others.

I don’t remember precisely but it’s roughly the same as you but without touching mid bass and below; maybe I like things to be a tad warmer than neutral. I may try what you suggest for the midbass.