[KG Jag]

Warning--a new batch of fraudulent Amazon third party sellers have shown up recently. All that I have seen are not listed as new sellers. Most have so-so or worse ratings. Many say they are selling upscale electronic products at $500. All request contact outside the Amazon messaging system.

 

[barondla]

Hmm, for that price I might be willing to give it a second chance. I know I really don't need it, but it's tempting. At least if I did I wouldn't have an issue with being sent the wrong ear locks (both meant for the same ear) so maybe I'd have better luck getting a comfortable fit.

Do they have interchangeable cables? If so what connector is used on IEM?

 

[trellus]

Do they have interchangeable cables? If so what connector is used on IEM?

The Monolith M300 uses MMCX connectors. Presumably, it would be possible to use third party cables, although I can’t personally confirm that since I don’t have them yet.

 

[barondla]

The Monolith M300 uses MMCX connectors. Presumably, it would be possible to use third party cables, although I can’t personally confirm that since I don’t have them yet.

Thanks. Looking forward to reading your thoughts, on their sound quality, once they arrive.

 

[Magick Man]

The Monolith M300 uses MMCX connectors. Presumably, it would be possible to use third party cables, although I can’t personally confirm that since I don’t have them yet.

They do use MMCX and do respond well to balanced cable upgrades. IMO, these do require a lot of EQ to get a neutral sound out of them, they're very, very dark without it, but fortunately they do EQ well and have beautiful, if slightly forward (+2dB), mids. From that perspective they've caught on to something, vocals are very lush. MY issue was getting a good set (must have been a terrible batch). These certainly would have benefitted from an iSine-style in-line DAC, to replace the need for EQ. IMO, these were half-baked and rushed out to market, but do have good qualities. For $99 they're a steal.

 

[ssousa]

1More headphones on sale on US and UK websites:

UK - January Sale 25% off
https://uk.1more.com/

US - CES promo using code VERGE30 for 30% off or 25% off for all
https://usa.1more.com/

 

[theminstrel]

Amazing deal from Amazon UK- HiFiMan HE400i for £180
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HIFIMAN-HE400i-Full-Size-Magnetic-Headphone/dp/B00NTPNGF4
Yamaha HPH-Pro500 for £151 from Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-HPH-PRO500-Headphones-Blue/dp/B009F8WV4G/

 

[phthora]

The aluminum Audeze LCD-2F at Adorama for $650. Unbeatable sound at this price and IMHO the handsomest version of the 2's.

https://www.adorama.com/aulcd2latc.html?sdtid=10900559&emailprice=t

 

[willywill]

My favorite smartphone transporter are back on sale, stack this to a portable DAC/AMP and have a AK(ANY KIND) DAP killer or any desktop DAC
$40 Moto E https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...-phone-licorice-black/5845332.p?skuId=5845332
$70 Moto E+ https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...-cell-phone-iron-gray/6055700.p?skuId=6055700

 

[jj69]

My favorite smartphone transporter are back on sale, stack this to a portable DAC/AMP and have a AK(ANY KIND) DAP killer or any desktop DAC
$40 Moto E https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...-phone-licorice-black/5845332.p?skuId=5845332
$70 Moto E+ https://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-...-cell-phone-iron-gray/6055700.p?skuId=6055700

What's so special about it?

 

[willywill]

What's so special about it?

What a special about a $40 phone ? OK let's start with the price, 2nd has a Micro SD card, 3rd run Android so you can stream from Spotity or Youtube if your cheap, i could keep going on why this is better then a DAP but i will end by saying the best part about having a separate phone for music is notification, even in mute every time i get a notification my music will drop in volume to let me know i have a message. A $1000 DAP and this $40 phone will sound the same connect to a Mojo your only using this to feed the Mojo

 

[kl884347]

If your luck to live next to a Micro Center, there are some steep discount on RHA Audio iem's i bought the last T20i for $50, there also the MA750 for $60
(not my photo just for proof)

Thanks for the heads-up! I was able to score a pair from my Microcenter!!!!

 

[willywill]

Thanks for the heads-up! I was able to score a pair from my Microcenter!!!!

Which one did you buy, so far the T20i i bought for $50 have been getting a lot of head time.I really like that they pair with my phone most earphone sound like crap compare to my DAP

 

[Ggroch]

Deal on Cheap Highly Reviewed IEM + What is a deal anyway?

A few days ago I posted a link to a site that reviews budget Chinese IEMs and had created a ratings chart (sortable by rating score).

On my previous post I linked to some UiiSii Hi-805 phones that were highly rated in the chart and were then available for $6 shipped on Amazon (since sold out but available elsewhere for $20). To my ears they sound great, easily beating many IEMs that cost me $60-$150. They seem to me to be surprisingly well built, and fit well. I did have to use different tips than those included.

Possible bargain: Amazon through the original manufacturer has SEAF AWF-0009 selling for $9.81 which the chart rated significantly higher than the UiiSii Hi-805 I like so much. The SEAFs are about $15 shipped on eBay and the Chinese sites where you wait a month to receive them. So, a deal probably...but mine will arrive in a few days and I have not heard them yet.

BUT, after liking the UssSii Hi-805 so much some cognitive dissonance ensued. How can $10 IEM's sound so good? And, is 70% off an expensive but mediocre phone a better deal they paying list price for a $20 phone that sounds better?

Sean Olive, of Harman posts a chart they created testing IEMs comparing sound quality to price. They found NO correlation (in fact, there was a slight negative correlation). Link to an interview that discusses it (IEM discussion starts at about 40 minutes)

Discussion could go way off topic...including the impact of expectations on our evaluations/ double blind testing etc.) But the lesson for me is that when I look for a deal on excellent sound, do not dismiss all cheap IEMs and do not focus exclusively on discount percentage.

 

[Raketen]

Sean Olive, of Harman posts a chart they created testing IEMs comparing sound quality to price. They found NO correlation (in fact, there was a slight negative correlation). Link to an interview that discusses it (IEM discussion starts at about 40 minutes)

Discussion could go way off topic...including the impact of expectations on our evaluations/ double blind testing etc.) But the lesson for me is that when I look for a deal on excellent sound, do not dismiss all cheap IEMs and do not focus exclusively on discount percentage.

Not that I disagree, but I think it should be emphasized that this chart is not from listening tests, but shows the in-ears' measured frequency response deviation from the Harman target curve rather than "sound quality" - this is corroborated by their smaller sample actual listening tests and I guess is the general thrust of their target curve research, but the distinction is important.

Also, relevantly, the Carbo Tenore are finally back down to sane sub-$40 pricing https://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-ear-stereo-headphone-Tenore-ZH-DX200-CT/dp/B0093VVP0Q