The discovery thread!

[cqtek]

I finished the ZiiGaat Arcanis review, a very nice hybrid set with 2DD + 4BA. It fixed my issues with the Estrella( little scooped out mids and to aggressive upper mids and treble), but having similar quality in technicality and drivers. So much coming out lately, so the competition is tough. But this is one of the better ones, if one value a mix of technicality/musicality. I will add one more comparison soon, ZiiGaat Odyssey.

Can read more in my review, cheers.

REVIEW HERE

Thank you for the review. Admirable as always. I look forward to reviewing it as a contender for my beloved Yanyin Canon Pro.

In the meantime, I got the Kiwi Ears Astral. And I must say, they finally come with a balanced cable. No, better, a modular cable with both ends. Although it doesn't have a screw-on mechanism like I like on the 7Hz Timeless II, they have thought of an almost rear attachment, with a long plug that you can grip with your fingers without the cable coming loose from its attachment. Well done ergonomically.

And it seems that boring tuning is coming up a lot lately with this type of IEMS. Boring is neutral? Because that's something I've thought of as a first impression with the Astral. But I thought: ‘I'm not surprised, I'm not excited, but it sounds good.... What do I want, is this model intrinsically bad because it's initially bland to me?’
That will be my starting point for my review of these models.
Thanks @Leonarfd for the idea.

 

[theintention]

iBasso DX180 initial impressions

What I like -
Form factor is the perfect size
Powerful, neutral leaning tonality
Aesthetically brilliant
UI is much more fluid than my R4
Great screen brightness

What I don’t like -
Volume knob is hilariously weak
No medium gain
Mango Player is bad

Overall, very solid upgrade from the R4 imo.

 

[superuser1]

@r31ya Do you have more info on these new BAs?

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

iBasso DX180 initial impressions

What I like -
Form factor is the perfect size
Powerful, neutral leaning tonality
Aesthetically brilliant
UI is much more fluid than my R4
Great screen brightness

What I don’t like -
Volume knob is hilariously weak
No medium gain
Mango Player is bad

Overall, very solid upgrade from the R4 imo.

You're cookin' with that rig! Congrats!

---

Speakin' of cookin', I've been going with another quad instead of my normal daily trio, and this time it's been a planar day, starting with the KZ PR3, and then sliding to the much different sounding but just as dynamic (if not more) Letshuoer S08. Then the Fengru QZX-A1, which is a fabulous sounding plus gorgeous shelled IEM. I wish I could tell you about the drivers, but it's no longer available (404), so I don't know if it's a single DD or a 1+1? I just know it sounds great. Finally, and this will be my beddy bye set, the incomparable Penon Archangel. The PR3 is a more analytical planar, with crispness and transparency in the midrange, while the S08 is warmer, has more controlled treble, and a more lifted mid bass. The QZX-A1 is warm, with massively punchy and rumbly bass, with a crisp top end. Reminds me of the Juzear Clear, only with way more present midrange (not scooped) and natural timbre. The Archangel? It's good at everything. Fun times!!

 

[suman134]

Here is my take on the Sennheiser HD 620s, have you guys tried it? I kind of like it. It's not as dry as the HD 490 pro. I like it's balanced presentation and clarity. It's biggest USP is technicality. Treble on this is superb with excellent air between instruments. It has very good imaging and sonics too. Not very warm or smooth, nearly neutral and colourless.

 

[RedCurry]

I did a rough count and I think Kiwi Ears released around 12 IEMs and headphones this year. And we're only at the beginning of May! How many did you buy?

 

[musicmatters2025]

I did a rough count and I think Kiwi Ears released around 12 IEMs and headphones this year. And we're only at the beginning of May! How many did you buy?

2.. Punch & Aether
Very pleased with both, especially the Punch.

Penon got the business: H20, EBC80 & Archangel

Saw this coming and went deep pre-tariffs. I don't see anything on the horizon that's compelling given the current environment and the sheer excellence of these new sets.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I did a rough count and I think Kiwi Ears released around 12 IEMs and headphones this year. And we're only at the beginning of May! How many did you buy?

2. Just bought the Septet on Amazon (1 day delivery) thru Linsoul for $250.00 with the coupon!! Americans, Linsoul has the Septet on American soil, and before the tariffs and taxes got added, so this is the way to go. I thought I was going to be out of the Septet business due to the Trump tax, but somehow Linsoul got some Septet's across the pond before the scourge. https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Kiwi-Ears-Septet-Audiophiles/dp/B0F2DNJQQM/ref=sr_1_1

I also got the Ellipse, which I like very much. Very much my preferential sound. Well built headphones with good sonics.

So now instead of the Penon Archangel being my last IEM purchase until Can Jam, it turned out to be the IEM I thought would be that last buy, until the scourge happened, but somehow, I was able to skirt that premium thru Amazon. I was able to use my $50.00 Amazon gift card, and I saved $20.00 with a coupon!! So $70.00 off!! Ok, now I'm tapped out (unless there's a reversal of fortune soon?).

 

[Waqar]

2. Just bought the Septet on Amazon (1 day delivery) thru Linsoul for $250.00 with the coupon!! Americans, Linsoul has the Septet on American soil, and before the tariffs and taxes got added, so this is the way to go. I thought I was going to be out of the Septet business due to the Trump tax, but somehow Linsoul got some Septet's across the pond before the scourge. https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Kiwi-Ears-Septet-Audiophiles/dp/B0F2DNJQQM/ref=sr_1_1

I also got the Ellipse, which I like very much. Very much my preferential sound. Well built headphones with good sonics.

So now instead of the Penon Archangel being my last IEM purchase until Can Jam, it turned out to be the IEM I thought would be that last buy, until the scourge happened, but somehow, I was able to skirt that premium thru Amazon. I was able to use my $50.00 Amazon gift card, and I saved $20.00 with a coupon!! So $70.00 off!! Ok, now I'm tapped out (unless there's a reversal of fortune soon?).

All these years i was left out compared to the Americans when it came to online shopping. You guys has it all Amazon, sweetwater and so on. And now it just turned so hard on its head that it feels like a hidden camera show, i really tought we paid alot of tax in Europe.
But you now have that crown and i am glad that you found some great sets before it all is locked out because of price.

And that Kiwi ears Iems looks like a good one and i have a feeling that its gonna be well received, but lets see.
And the new taxes are not only a loss for the us people on here, it is also for all other because now the discovery rate is going down because of less people are willing to buy new and shiny uncharted iem and other headfi equipment.

Anyways i believe these Tariffs are going to end, because it hurts more then they help? Anyways i thought that prices would go up in other countries to for chifi so i bought alot of stuff just in case, because its always like this in Europe that we follow what the us does when it comes to stuff like this.

Who knows what kind of tariff they put on chifi here in Europe. They world is a strange place right now, and these economic battles are one for the history.
We are getting thru it trust, just look at how we survived covid and so on.

Strange times but it is what it is.

 

[Leonarfd]

Been enjoying the Ruviest Audio Prelude over a few days, a new brand made by Abel the tuner and co-founder of AüR Audio.

Thread here, I will try and update over time with info: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ruviest-audio.976185/

His first model is Prelude a 1DD 6BA hybrid IEM, costing a little over $400. It is now sold out until next batch is up, I belive it was around 35 sold.

Prelude is delivered with a refreshing design, white shell and a colorful faceplate. The accessories and package is good considering price point, a modular cable, two sets of silicon tips and a small hardcase.

Tuning is what I consider a little warmer than neutral, having good note weight so the low end is tactile and fun. Midrange is very balanced against the low end, if anything a little lush but also not aggressive like many tunings are (harman, qdc etc). Highs seem to me to be extended and clear, but also not aggressive or peaky. Overall technicality is as expected if not a little over the price, but lately there have been many good mid tier sets so competition is tough. What it does better than most sets I've heard around $400, is having a full and immersive sound that's not fatuiging and not boring. Prelude impressed me from first song, must admit I have been a little hyped about it as I looked forward to Abel to start his own brand. So take this as a first impression, will come with a review at end of month and some updates before that. Next batch will probably also arrive at end of month, so I will try and get the review out before that.

But for now I feel that Ruviest Audio is proven to be a success.

 

[apagumila]

Thank you for the review. Admirable as always. I look forward to reviewing it as a contender for my beloved Yanyin Canon Pro.

In the meantime, I got the Kiwi Ears Astral. And I must say, they finally come with a balanced cable. No, better, a modular cable with both ends. Although it doesn't have a screw-on mechanism like I like on the 7Hz Timeless II, they have thought of an almost rear attachment, with a long plug that you can grip with your fingers without the cable coming loose from its attachment. Well done ergonomically.

And it seems that boring tuning is coming up a lot lately with this type of IEMS. Boring is neutral? Because that's something I've thought of as a first impression with the Astral. But I thought: ‘I'm not surprised, I'm not excited, but it sounds good.... What do I want, is this model intrinsically bad because it's initially bland to me?’
That will be my starting point for my review of these models.
Thanks @Leonarfd for the idea.

Crazy how the Astral comes with better accessories than the Punch, which is their most expensive offering.

 

[Carpet]

enjoying electro music

I think this makes a very good point for resin vs metal shells!

If an audiophile dies listening to music, who was the conductor?

He was!

 

[Leonarfd]

DUNU SA6EST

I have been busy lately so this one had to be shipped along very fast, even so I managed a few hours with the DAP today.

Never been a DUNU release I have not enjoyed, same goes here. In fact SA6EST does remind me of the old SA6 OG I had, it has that qdc style early pina that makes the sound clear with vocals pushed forward in the mix.

Bass has good quality for BA, only lacking some texture since decay is fast and little air is moving compared to DDs. Midrange as I said is a little forward and makes most vocals to pop, same can be said for instruments like brass or upper end of piano. I would argue it's a little unnatural, but it is also very nice sounding if one enjoys this soundstyle.
The highs are quite clear and airy, the EST are often my favorite for upper treble as it can give the sound a little more shimmery intensity. But lately I have enjoyed good BA as much as EST for this, so I wonder if I had heard the newest SA6 variant MK2 would I have liked that one as much in the treble? But I have not..

Overall I think the sound is excellent, but I would have liked it more of it had DD for bass and was a hybrid/tribrid like Glacier I also should mention that the upper mids and low treble has a dip according to measurements, if this was forward I would probably found SA6EST fatuiging.

Super ergonomic shell, nice length on nozzle and all that making for a secure fit and seal. Accessories are also good as usual from DUNU, cool case, great cable and good tips.

The tour is from Audio Geek Europe, I was supposed to skip it but wanted to get a fast session before it goes to @Erkil . Glad I heard it, I know DUNU is coming with some new releases this year and I'm excited to hear them when time is here. Maybe even a full review next time

 

[lgcubana]

2. Just bought the Septet on Amazon (1 day delivery) thru Linsoul for $250.00 with the coupon!! Americans, Linsoul has the Septet on American soil, and before the tariffs and taxes got added, so this is the way to go. I thought I was going to be out of the Septet business due to the Trump tax, but somehow Linsoul got some Septet's across the pond before the scourge.

These "Kitchen Sink" setups always catch my attention. The $250 pricing is quite competitive, when compared to prior sinks, like the LZ A7 & the Geek Wold GK300.

Looking forward to your review.

 

[BS5711]

Been enjoying the Ruviest Audio Prelude over a few days, a new brand made by Abel the tuner and co-founder of AüR Audio.

Thread here, I will try and update over time with info: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ruviest-audio.976185/

His first model is Prelude a 1DD 6BA hybrid IEM, costing a little over $400. It is now sold out until next batch is up, I belive it was around 35 sold.

Prelude is delivered with a refreshing design, white shell and a colorful faceplate. The accessories and package is good considering price point, a modular cable, two sets of silicon tips and a small hardcase.

Tuning is what I consider a little warmer than neutral, having good note weight so the low end is tactile and fun. Midrange is very balanced against the low end, if anything a little lush but also not aggressive like many tunings are (harman, qdc etc). Highs seem to me to be extended and clear, but also not aggressive or peaky. Overall technicality is as expected if not a little over the price, but lately there have been many good mid tier sets so competition is tough. What it does better than most sets I've heard around $400, is having a full and immersive sound that's not fatuiging and not boring. Prelude impressed me from first song, must admit I have been a little hyped about it as I looked forward to Abel to start his own brand. So take this as a first impression, will come with a review at end of month and some updates before that. Next batch will probably also arrive at end of month, so I will try and get the review out before that.

But for now I feel that Ruviest Audio is proven to be a success.

Great to read some early impressions thanks Leonard.

Given the name “Prelude”, meaning an introduction, I am inclined to skip this one and see what it is an introduction to, what is next.