The discovery thread!

[sistoz]

Yea I'd probably be more interested in the dual DD sets...

While searching for a good successor to my WG T-ONE, I read various reviews suggesting that the Sta Hi-End Max might be the best model in the series.

 

[avishifi]

I'm still a bit interested, but I have the KB02, Fan 3, and Nautilus for BC goodness... what would the Etude add besides that dope pretty faceplate? I saw the Redcarmoose review saying they're not the best for vocals, which is important to me. "There comes this character…….a slight blurriness, the sound of both the Beryllium 10mm DD and BCD adding up to drama. This slight fog is still romantic and fun, though just remember it is not everything, as proven today by the sound of more expensive IEM side-by-sides in comparison."

To be honest, the reason I like them is because of the vocals. The vocals reverb/echos are well spread in the stage, makes it very immersive. Basically, the Pula Anvil114, but better, in my opinion. BUT, if you are looking for a true audiophile set, the Etude isn't it. It is a fun set for fun listening, or even relaxed listening. If you already own a BCD set, maybe it won't add a lot to your collection.

 

[Redcarmoose]

To be honest, the reason I like them is because of the vocals. The vocals reverb/echos are well spread in the stage, makes it very immersive. Basically, the Pula Anvil114, but better, in my opinion. BUT, if you are looking for a true audiophile set, the Etude isn't it. It is a fun set for fun listening, or even relaxed listening. If you already own a BCD set, maybe it won't add a lot to your collection.

Thank-you, I glad you like the vocals.

 

[jghjkhfd]

Yep,

Tell me your thoughts about this graph, please. Thank you.

 

[Jamsblast]

Well, finally I'm putting a review of my now favorite set, mi número uno, the Tanchjim Origin, enjoy it folks!:
Review of the Tanchjim Origin by Jamsblast

 

[ExTubeGamer]

In a perfect world maybe we will all like the same IEM? Maybe even then not? Hehe..........................

When I tried the porta pro first time around 13 years ago I liked the warm bass response but I still thought it sounded muddy.

The cable was terrible too. The wojaks should be in reverse. A new cable brings me more joy today.

 

[Justthisonce]

What should be the expected price for the AFUL flagship?

The reps at CanJam Singapore told me the projected price is 1200 USD

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I think everybody knows the Tri I3 mk3 by now, but if you're interested, here's a little write-up I put together: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-i3-mk3.27318/reviews. Despite not being my favourite tuning, I ended up liking them and listening much more than I would've thought.

The i3 MK III + M21 is groovy! Excellence in synergy (in 4.4mm balanced).

Good Sunday everyone! I've spent the weekend so far revisiting some of my cheaper IEMs. The KE Aethers have been so good to me that I've frankly overused it a bit, so felt the need for a refresher (btw, I think it works perfectly fine from my phone, a crusty motorola g41). Currently using my Delcis, which although not a value king by any means, is such a clean little bassy V-shape set. Also been using the Tangzu Xuan NV a lot as they're just so god damn comfortable both tuning-wise and fit-wise with the Sancai Balanced tips.

I'm saving money currently after having splurged on my home office setup, but I'd like to pick up a few more under-100 dollar IEMs to add to my little fun stash. Does anyone have any recommendations? Preferable something new-ish that haven't gotten too many reviews yet as I'm looking to write a few more reviews as well.


Speaking of Hibys, I think my worst buy in this hobby so far has gotta be the Hiby R4 Evangelion edition. It's so big and chunky, which would be if it didn't have all these sotftware and hardware issue that makes it even more inconvenient to use. My Tidal crashes often, the download function doesn't work properly half of the time, weak wi-fi, it turns itself off if it gets bumped slightly, turns itself off if it gets too cold, sub-par battery life, oversensitive buttons etc. etc. makes it a nightmare to carry around. It's fiddly to get to work as a DAC too as it often has a choppiness/stutter problem. The only good thing I have to say about it is that it looks cool and sounds good when it actually works.

I might've gotten a bad unit, but their customer support didn't respond to me and their returns process sounds like such a hassle, so I probably won't buy another product from them. I heard others have similar problems too. Until I can get hold of a repairs guy, I'll probably just buy a lighter, cheaper Fiio or save up for a DAP from a more reputable brand like Sony and count the Hiby as a loss.

The great thing about the R3 II is that it's compact, small, sounds great, and has no Android, with a stout battery life. Now, if Android is a requirement, then yes, that would disqualify this purchase, but it does have Tidal and Qobuz, so if you use those features, it's got you covered. The BT is also excellent (not as good as the JM21, but close). I've seen so many issues with the R4, with some folks having issues OOTB, and a couple folks who had to send it back pretty much OOTB, so that gives me pause, and my Hiby R5 II's battery went bye bye within 6 months, so I don't have a good track record with the bigger Hiby DAPs. Well, my tiny R2's battery also went bye bye, so it's not just size. Sorry you went through that with yours. I highly recommend the R3 II (not the 2025 edition).

Also, never going to click reviews when I'm stacking multi-quotes. The system will flush your multi-quotes when you go back after moving to a review, and I had to retype my responses, so not going to let that happen again, so if you got a review in the middle of a multi-quote, I'll go back and read it later. If I forget it, it's not for ignoring it, but until the system saves the work 100% moving from page to page, not doing that again.

What should be the expected price for the AFUL flagship?

According to the rep at the table at Can Jam, it's going to be somewhere around $999.00, so it will set you back a kilo(buck) at minimum.

"Warm", "recessed," "smooth," "not the most resolving."... the combination of those in one IEM have me a bit concerned... if WELL-DONE, it might sound okay, but I already have smooth IEMs... the Phoenixia is smooth, a little warm, but still resolving and the vocals aren't recessed. The Tiandirenhe TD20 might be the closest to those 4 descriptors... it's quite musical, and very bassy, but again, the vocals aren't recessed. [popped these in for a short refresher... dang I forgot how good they sound!] Compared to the VP-07, the midbass is way less thick, but with a lot more treble detail without sounding too overboard and sibilant like the ZS10 Pro 2. But if you want SLAMMING midbass and great if not completely naturally toned vocals, the TD20 is a swell listen.

Wow. I'd get completely mixed up if I had all those haha. Someday I'd like to own one... preferably the one that is the most dynamic and immersive with great treble and bass, but even the thought of having to read all 12 reviews to figure this out is daunting lol. I mean I could assume the most expensive one is the best, but I'd be looking for around 200$ or less. Are the cheaper sets "almost as good?"

The Defiant is very close to what was impressed here, but it's got a really good level of incisiveness, so it's not boring. It's a balanced all-arounder, that I wouldn't say is recessed in any one part, but it's more a musical excursion than it is a detailed technical listen. It's like having the H20 with cleaner and clearer midrange, more incisive treble, with faster, cleaner balanced bass. It's an IEM you sport if you want something that can handle your entire music library, while being inoffensive, but not boring. Incisive, but not overly technical or detailed, but not lacking in technicalities.

 

[jbfps116]

The Defiant is very close to what was impressed here, but it's got a really good level of incisiveness, so it's not boring. It's a balanced all-arounder, that I wouldn't say is recessed in any one part, but it's more a musical excursion than it is a detailed technical listen. It's like having the H20 with cleaner and clearer midrange, more incisive treble, with faster, cleaner balanced bass. It's an IEM you sport if you want something that can handle your entire music library, while being inoffensive, but not boring. Incisive, but not overly technical or detailed, but not lacking in technicalities.

well that sounds like a definite improvement over the H20 which I'll eventually sell in a cull lot... still not convinced I want to pick the Defiant up, but i'm sure it's good.

 

[Steve_72]

Are the mids more in the front of the mix? Also, how is the treble? Is it ok for treble sensible folks?

Mids are strong and upfront but not too aggressive. Quite a balanced tuning. I’d say treble is nicely extended but never piercing or fatiguing. I don’t think it would be an offensive iem for the treble sensitive folk. Tea Pro was more spicy from what I recall.

 

[Ineras]

Tell me your thoughts about this graph, please. Thank you.

Well it looks really good, reminds me right away of the Juzear 61T, which I find to be overdampened with no remedy. So it really depends on the drivers and execution.

Looks like a fun bassy signature, with early but mellow and smooth 7dB (I think) pinna gain, for slightly forward but non-shouty female vocals. Good sibilance dip to 8k that's not dropped too aggressively, with a nice upper treble extension that rolls off naturally.

NC Audio store?

 

[avishifi]

Measurements time

Twistura WoodNote

Kiwi Ears Etude

STA Pro Max

 

[cqtek]

Hello to all.

Here is my review of the DAP TempoTec V3 Blaze.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tempotec-v3-blaze.28101/reviews#review-38142

 

[Erkil]

Measurements time

Twistura WoodNote


Kiwi Ears Etude



STA Pro Max

Ouch! The channel imbalance on the STA seems unfortunate. Is it appearant in use also?

 

[avishifi]

Ouch! The channel imbalance on the STA seems unfortunate. Is it appearant in use also?

hmm, from frist listening I didn't notice it, and now I don't notice it too
I tried measuring it many times and got the same results

Now I have tried playing pink noise and it is indeed sounds uneven, like I use different IEM in each ear. But when playing music I didn't notice it directly
now I can't un-notice it