The discovery thread!

[GREQ]

@MakeItWain when he sees this:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo?mc_cid=f68a8417eb&mc_eid=99e414656c

Punch??? Like Kiwi Ears Punch?
And with 15dB bass boost?

Did Linsoul just make a HBB collaboration BRAND?

 

[mrsergey]

Wow yeah, I mean this as a compliment but you are quite critical and listen to a LOT of IEMs, so this makes me even more excited.

Edit - btw are you still enjoying the Odyssey? That was another I remember you liked, and I was looking at it as well.

About the the odyssey.
The odyssey are very special iems to me.
They have silky smooth sound with soft and lush treble.
Usually, iems with this kind of tuning bored me a lot, but there is something in the Odyssey tuning that attach me to the music and I'm not getting bored from them at all.
I don't know what it is, because they don't have anything outstanding.
Bass, mids, treble, soundstage are on a good level but nothing is stand out.
This why they are so special.
Himalaya for example, they are superior to the odyssey in every way, stronger bass, more natural and accurate mids, wider soundstage, more detailed and sparkle treble and better technical capabilities but they sound "normal".
The odyssey has a sound that makes you not wanting to stop listening to music.
Immersive, unique and engaging sound.
Are they better than iems like the armor? No.
But they give different and more unique approach to the sound.
Both are fun in different ways.
"Odyssey" is a proper name for those iems.
I have a local audiophile group of people and when they tried the odyssey, those iems were their 2nd favorite iems (after the SLT6).
So my answer to your question is yes.
I absolutely still enjoy them.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Seems like a new brand?

I'm sure it's just another Linsoul sub-brand, to go along with Thieaudio, Kiwi Ears, etc...

Great realese from them, really enjoyed my demo last week. Will be getting a review unit soon, design is not as bad as I thought from first online renders. Defenitely had the CFA bass I love, and is packed in a more normal tuning than most CFA models.

Also you should see if you can get a loan of Clara, impressive dynamic set. More V shaped than Alien Brain, as I understand Alessandro and CFA took the Bonneville as inspiration since Bonny was his favorite CFA model.

The Clara is top 3 on my list for auditioning at Can Jam. I want to try it out badly. Yes, the Alien Brain is a BEAST. No doubt about it.

Where do you rank your Volume S in your iem list?

Top 12 with the ZX100. Top 15 overall.

15dB sub-bass boost ??????????????
Could this rival FatFreq Deuce for real .........?





and leaving lower mids uncoloured ??????????

............

It's called "the hammer" for a reason. It's a misspelled hammer, but hey, it's chi-fi. It wouldn't be chi-fi if it didn't have any misspelled words! Gotta driam big!

Going to be priced at $329, although can get $50 off by purchasing a $1 reservation card.

Intriguing buy for bass heads who loved the KE Punch.

 

[alexandros a]

I'm sure it's just another Linsoul sub-brand, to go along with Thieaudio, Kiwi Ears, etc...

SURE THING BRO.....................

 

[ICYGENIUS]

Hello, friends!
Today I'm going to tell you about the very moment when headphones seem to wake up and start sounding literally new....
I've already had experience with $169 Penon Asos audiophile cable on other headphones, and I realized then - good wires can really do magic to the sound!
And so, after listening to the Sound Rhyme SR5 hybrid headphones with their included cable for quite some time now, I caught myself thinking: “Isn't it time to try something more serious?”. And yes definitely - now is the time!
I put in the ISN T-OCC cable 119$, and wow my SR5 are like breathing in a breath of fresh air
And wait it's not just a replacement for the sake of a check mark, no! The sound has really changed - deeply, maturely, and literally on all fronts. But let's talk about it

The bass with the new cable is just another league!
From the very first second you catch yourself thinking: “Now that's real bass!”
It's even deeper, even more bodacious, gone where the SR5 used to have a slight hint of sub-bass, but now they literally have it under control like a predator would its prey.Each blow is not just a “boom”, but tactile, powerful, embossed, and shaped.And the lower register with the new cable is as if strengthened, padded with weight and at the same time kept its accuracy - no dirt, no smearing, it is very clean and transparent sound.
The bass is not sprawling, it is collected and focused, as if it sounds strictly along the trajectory - with a precise hit, good bounce and very fast decay.
The kick is crisp, juicy, and the sub bass... oh guys, now it's not just felt, it literally breathes under the track, creates a foundation from which the rest of the sound is pushed.
And the coolest thing is that even with such an increase in depth and mass, the bass doesn't go to the middle. It stays in its zone and works as it should: muscularly, rhythmically, energetically.
And here it is, the one time when you involuntarily start nodding to the beat, because your body feels the music, not just hears it.

The midrange after the upgrade is just “wow”!
It's like the headphones have a new heart - alive, pulsating, emotional. Everything that used to sound just fine now sounds honest, deep and truly expressive.
The vocals? It literally comes alive. You don't just hear the voice - you feel the breath, the character, the emotion. It's like the artist is standing next to you and singing directly into your soul, with the smallest nuances, vibrations, shimmers in intonation.
Even familiar tracks began to sound in a new way, as if you heard for the first time what the artist wanted to say.Instruments became sharper, clearer, richer in timbre, guitars sound with all their soul, piano breathes, strings catch as they should, and flute is filled with air. And all of this - with excellent separation and yet a natural fusion of sound, with no discontinuity in the music.
But what's especially pleasing is that everything sounds emotional but not overloaded. With the new cable, the headphones still don't pull the midrange too far forward or brighten it up, but instead give it space and expressiveness to unfold fully.
In general, the middle now doesn't just convey information - it also conveys mood.

High frequencies - this is where the real magic began!
With the stock cable the highs were very neat, and clean, but as soon as I plugged in the ISN T-OCC - it was like they removed the limiter altogether
Immediately there was even more air, space, and expansion.The cymbal ringing became clearer, and lighter, but with no harshness or sibilants.
And also - the attack phase has improved: string plucks, percussion, rustling - all this is now transmitted faster, clearer, more natural, with pronounced microdetails.
But most importantly - the upper frequencies have become not just more detailed, they have gained emotionality, now the sound literally breathes, sparkles, soars, and it is especially noticeable on live instruments and female vocals - everything sounds cleaner, more refined, more voluminous and naturally stretched, as if you catch every last echo in the hall.
It's not just “more treble” - it's a more mature and refined top end, without too much harshness, but with great elaboration.
And I believe that this is what a well-revealed upper range should sound like - flavorful, restrained, musically and technically precise.

The soundstage after cable replacement is a separate story altogether.
There is more depth, more volume, more air. Everything became wider, freer, as if you used to listen in a good studio room, and now you're in a hall where every sound has its own clear place.
Three-dimensionality has appeared: the instruments are not just spaced apart, but really lined up in space. Somewhere slightly in front - vocals, on the left - guitar, on the right - percussion, and at the back goes deep into the synth or reverb. Everything is readable in layers, without losing the musicality.
But the most pleasant thing is that the stage became deep, organized, alive. The sound doesn't just surround, it engages, brings you into the space of the recording, creates a sense of presence. This is especially cool to hear at live concerts or complex tracks with multiple sources - everything is clearer, more separate, but whole.
It is with this cable Sound Rhyme SR5 began to really “build the scene” and not just paint the background, but to create a real acoustic environment that you want to immerse yourself in again and again.

Conclusion? It's simple: this cable is - .
The ISN T-OCC cable and Sound Rhyme SR5 hybrid headphones are exactly the kind of bundle where you really understand why you need to change the stock cable.
The cable ISN T-OCC didn't just improve the sound - it opened up the headphones to the max, and it was like letting the music really breathe.
Bass is more controlled and powerful, with better structure. The midrange is lively, spacious, emotional, and engaging. The top is clean, delicate, without harshness, and now it is it that adds the very “spark” to the music. And the stage is larger, airy, with a sense of space and natural placement of instruments.
And so you sit there, listening, and you catch yourself thinking: that's it, you don't have to change anything else. Just start enjoying right now!

 

[r31ya]

Once upon a time, there is competitor of Xiaomi brand, Meizu.
long story short, they can't compete against Xiaomi and fell behind.
still floating around in China but nowhere as dominant as Xiaomi internationally

now they have subbrand called Lifeme for audio gear and they just released a collab iem with Knowles
The name seems to translate to Ink-String, its a hybrid iem with 1x Gold Plated membrane DD and 1x RAN-62462 fullrange BA
Priced for around $40 ish.

---

Luong Le share this thing on facebook audio group and i was like, "oh mainstream brand collabing with knowles... wait GOLD PLATED DYNAMIC DRIVER? for $40?"
not sure whether this item will reach outside china tough. supposedly some Lifeme product still sold via Aliexpress, so if any of you want to try the novelty of Gold plated membrane...

 

[alexandros a]

I have an instinct...like an intuition in some way..... that those Deuces (not useable afraid so ..not in my case anyway.. imagine that i am using for some time now Deuce's 4.4 silver blood cable with EST50s ) will be completely dethroned by the soon to arrive Punch Audio Martilo.....

 

[Vonbuddy]

I have significantly toned down my purchases. I have noticed some slight changes in the prices from a toned-down tariff situation, but not consistent across stores. I have the TSMR Armor in hand and am working toward the Szalayi. I should have it by August. I have a backlist of iems to listen to, but have been distracted by life. The best, recent purchase is the Hifiman HE6 v2 for less than $350 new. You get power to those and they sing. I still read here daily and look forward to new developments in our hobby.

 

[Jamsblast]

About the VIP campaign from Hidizs to the MK12 Turris, I'll share this info they sent me:

We’re thrilled to finally share the official HIDIZS MK12 Kickstarter launch details!

Kickstarter Launch Date: June 10th, 2025, at 10:30 AM (EST)

Pricing Details:

---MK12 Turris - VIP Exclusive - Limited 200 units only!
Pay a $10 deposit now to secure MK12 Turris for just $109 (MSRP: $199)!
Deposit link: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hid...e-91-magnesium-diaphragm-hifi-in-ear-monitors

*The $10 deposit promotion for the MK12 Turris will go live from May 26th to June 9th.
(Note: The deposit link is not yet active—stay tuned for updates!)

How it works:
VIP members pay a $10 deposit to lock in this exclusive price.
On Kickstarter launch day, you’ll receive a secret link via email to complete your purchase.

---Limited Super Early Bird (300 units only!)
MK12 Turris: $129.00 (MSRP: $199.00)
MK12 Turris + S8 Pro Robin: $179.99 (MSRP: $298.00)

---Early Bird
MK12 Turris: $139.00 (MSRP: $199.00)
Limited Gradient-Tint Titanium Alloy Edition - 499pcs worldwide: $229.00 (MSRP: $299.00)

Kickstarter Link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...91-magnesiumtm-diaphragm-earphones?ref=5s78oh

 

[alexandros a]

working toward the Szalayi.

........you re about to experience a serious bass blizzard over there..

 

[4ceratops]

Hello, friends!
Today I'm going to tell you about the very moment when headphones seem to wake up and start sounding literally new....
I've already had experience with $169 Penon Asos audiophile cable on other headphones, and I realized then - good wires can really do magic to the sound!
And so, after listening to the Sound Rhyme SR5 hybrid headphones with their included cable for quite some time now, I caught myself thinking: “Isn't it time to try something more serious?”. And yes definitely - now is the time!
I put in the ISN T-OCC cable 119$, and wow my SR5 are like breathing in a breath of fresh air
And wait it's not just a replacement for the sake of a check mark, no! The sound has really changed - deeply, maturely, and literally on all fronts. But let's talk about it

The bass with the new cable is just another league!
From the very first second you catch yourself thinking: “Now that's real bass!”
It's even deeper, even more bodacious, gone where the SR5 used to have a slight hint of sub-bass, but now they literally have it under control like a predator would its prey.Each blow is not just a “boom”, but tactile, powerful, embossed, and shaped.And the lower register with the new cable is as if strengthened, padded with weight and at the same time kept its accuracy - no dirt, no smearing, it is very clean and transparent sound.
The bass is not sprawling, it is collected and focused, as if it sounds strictly along the trajectory - with a precise hit, good bounce and very fast decay.
The kick is crisp, juicy, and the sub bass... oh guys, now it's not just felt, it literally breathes under the track, creates a foundation from which the rest of the sound is pushed.
And the coolest thing is that even with such an increase in depth and mass, the bass doesn't go to the middle. It stays in its zone and works as it should: muscularly, rhythmically, energetically.
And here it is, the one time when you involuntarily start nodding to the beat, because your body feels the music, not just hears it.

The midrange after the upgrade is just “wow”!
It's like the headphones have a new heart - alive, pulsating, emotional. Everything that used to sound just fine now sounds honest, deep and truly expressive.
The vocals? It literally comes alive. You don't just hear the voice - you feel the breath, the character, the emotion. It's like the artist is standing next to you and singing directly into your soul, with the smallest nuances, vibrations, shimmers in intonation.
Even familiar tracks began to sound in a new way, as if you heard for the first time what the artist wanted to say.Instruments became sharper, clearer, richer in timbre, guitars sound with all their soul, piano breathes, strings catch as they should, and flute is filled with air. And all of this - with excellent separation and yet a natural fusion of sound, with no discontinuity in the music.
But what's especially pleasing is that everything sounds emotional but not overloaded. With the new cable, the headphones still don't pull the midrange too far forward or brighten it up, but instead give it space and expressiveness to unfold fully.
In general, the middle now doesn't just convey information - it also conveys mood.

High frequencies - this is where the real magic began!
With the stock cable the highs were very neat, and clean, but as soon as I plugged in the ISN T-OCC - it was like they removed the limiter altogether
Immediately there was even more air, space, and expansion.The cymbal ringing became clearer, and lighter, but with no harshness or sibilants.
And also - the attack phase has improved: string plucks, percussion, rustling - all this is now transmitted faster, clearer, more natural, with pronounced microdetails.
But most importantly - the upper frequencies have become not just more detailed, they have gained emotionality, now the sound literally breathes, sparkles, soars, and it is especially noticeable on live instruments and female vocals - everything sounds cleaner, more refined, more voluminous and naturally stretched, as if you catch every last echo in the hall.
It's not just “more treble” - it's a more mature and refined top end, without too much harshness, but with great elaboration.
And I believe that this is what a well-revealed upper range should sound like - flavorful, restrained, musically and technically precise.

The soundstage after cable replacement is a separate story altogether.
There is more depth, more volume, more air. Everything became wider, freer, as if you used to listen in a good studio room, and now you're in a hall where every sound has its own clear place.
Three-dimensionality has appeared: the instruments are not just spaced apart, but really lined up in space. Somewhere slightly in front - vocals, on the left - guitar, on the right - percussion, and at the back goes deep into the synth or reverb. Everything is readable in layers, without losing the musicality.
But the most pleasant thing is that the stage became deep, organized, alive. The sound doesn't just surround, it engages, brings you into the space of the recording, creates a sense of presence. This is especially cool to hear at live concerts or complex tracks with multiple sources - everything is clearer, more separate, but whole.
It is with this cable Sound Rhyme SR5 began to really “build the scene” and not just paint the background, but to create a real acoustic environment that you want to immerse yourself in again and again.

Conclusion? It's simple: this cable is - .
The ISN T-OCC cable and Sound Rhyme SR5 hybrid headphones are exactly the kind of bundle where you really understand why you need to change the stock cable.
The cable ISN T-OCC didn't just improve the sound - it opened up the headphones to the max, and it was like letting the music really breathe.
Bass is more controlled and powerful, with better structure. The midrange is lively, spacious, emotional, and engaging. The top is clean, delicate, without harshness, and now it is it that adds the very “spark” to the music. And the stage is larger, airy, with a sense of space and natural placement of instruments.
And so you sit there, listening, and you catch yourself thinking: that's it, you don't have to change anything else. Just start enjoying right now!

Every time I read such a soulful ode to the miraculous properties of cable, I lose the desire to return to everyday reality. I suggest that such reviews should start with the words: " Once upon a time..."

 

[Uprox]

Tomorrow new R3 pro II starts!

MSRP $199

https://store.hiby.com/products/hib...F_qCvQm0HO4q4hb930_aem_0NV5B1wz7DDp1OB48oNtCg

 

[jaz2097]

Lime Ears Terra – When Looks and Sound Both Steal the Show

Pros

• Metallic shell with great build quality
• Stunning faceplates
• Energetic treble

Cons

• Nozzle is long and thick
• Cable rolling maybe required to find the best sound as per your preference

First of all, a huge thanks to Audio Geek Group India for providing me this unit to review. Lime Ears Terra is hands down the most gorgeous IEM I have had the pleasure to review. It has moved Supernova to the second spot. For the first two days I hardly did any listening I was just taking photographs. The faceplate are gorgeous and look different as per the lighting conditions and I had a lot of fun taking photos and videos.

Driver Configuration - 1x 7mm Titanium Dynamic Driver for sub-bass/bass - 2x Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers for low-mids - 2x Vented Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers for mids/high-mids - 1x Custom Knowles RAU Driver for high frequencies

Build Quality and Comfort – Terra is made from aerospace-grade aluminum with opal faceplates under a clear resin. In terms of looks this is an absolute stunner. It is a medium sized shell with long and thick nozzle. The nozzle has something very unique a custom Knowles RAU driver. It’s visible through the metal mesh and is one of the reasons for its energetic treble. I have no issues with long nozzles and this one fit me comfortably with Divinus Velvet tips and
AZLA SednaEarfit tips. My longest listening session was over 3 hours and it didn’t cause any discomfort. There are no vents on this IEM which gives it excellent noise isolation which I enjoyed during my office commutes.

Sources and efficiency – I tested Terra with Apple music through Cayin RU7, Acoustune AS2002, Hiby R4 DAP and an Apos Gremlin AMP. It sounded great with everything else but I felt the best pairing was with the Acoustune AS2002. The Terra is an efficient IEM and was able to run comfortably on all my sources.

Cables Used – This IEM comes with a high-quality copper cable so first I tried this with an Effect Audio Ares cable but I didn’t like the pairing as the sound felt quite sterile and the treble was borderline peaky. Switching to an Effect Audio Eros signature cable changed the whole experience and brought out a wider soundstage, excitement and made the treble more fun. I stuck to this cable for my entire listening session.

Bass – The bass is handled by a single 7mm DD. The sub bass is powerful but does not give you that rumble. My primary genre is EDM and lo-fi so I would have liked a little more bass slam. That said, it's still adequate for most other genres and the rest of the sound qualities definitely makes up for this. Bass texture is also really good and holds its own among the best in the kilobuck range.

Midrange – The treble is very natural and doesn’t feel boosted in any way. Vocals are lively and well-articulated, standing out clearly in the mix without overshadowing other elements. I enjoyed male vocals on this set as they felt very rich and engaging. The midrange feels very musical and emotional.

Treble – This is the star of the show. It has a nice energetic treble but never gets to the point of sibilance or harshness. Because the bass is not boosted too much the treble gets a good opportunity to shine. My only nit pick is that the treble lacks a bit of air at the top.

Soundstage and Imaging – This set has a nice wide soundstage with good width and decent height. The imaging is also pin sharp and accurate.

Gaming – Doom the Dark Ages released recently and this game is known for its soundtrack which is a mix of industrial, electronic and ambient metal. This IEM was a perfect companion while playing the game. All the environmental effects came through with clarity and the sound design of weapons and shields had a satisfying, weighty impact. It was an absolute treat to kill demons while listening to the banger soundtrack and play as the all-powerful Doom Slayer.

Conclusion – At first, I wasn’t particularly impressed with this IEM when paired with the stock copper cable. Fortunately, some cable rolling made a noticeable difference, allowing me to fully appreciate what this set has to offer. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also manages to captivate you the moment the music starts. I’m definitely looking forward to exploring more IEMs from Lime Ears. And please forgive the photo spam—this IEM is just too pretty not to photograph!

 

[SushiiFi]

Tomorrow new R3 pro II starts!

MSRP $199

https://store.hiby.com/products/hib...F_qCvQm0HO4q4hb930_aem_0NV5B1wz7DDp1OB48oNtCg

Interesting, is it an android player or hiby os player?

 

[Uprox]

Interesting, is it an android player or hiby os player?

It's a Linux, Hiby OS.