The discovery thread!

[ICYGENIUS]

SOUND RHYME SR5 - Sound that inspires and captivates!
Hello, friends! Today it's time to share my impressions of the Sound Rhyme SR5 hybrid headphones. I've prepared a structured, lively, dynamic, and emotional review for you, in which I'll analyze their sound, comfort, and all the important nuances that make these headphones truly special. If you are currently looking for headphones with clear, balanced, and expressive sound, as well as comfort for long listening sessions, this review will be a real guide for you. Let's go!

MY CONCLUSION OF THIS HEADPHONES!
Sound Rhyme SR5 are hybrid headphones that don't just play music, they truly sound great. And they do it in a mature way: clean, transparent, detailed, and balanced. There are no artificial accents, no desire to hide or embellish anything — the sound is very coherent, natural, with excellent transmission of nuances at all frequencies. At the same time, they are very comfortable and versatile and are perfect for quiet listening, analysis, and simply immersing yourself in music. But the most important thing is that with the ISN T-OCC cable, they really open up even more interestingly, literally on another level. The soundstage becomes wider and more voluminous, air appears between the instruments, the bass becomes even deeper and more textured, the midrange becomes more emotional, and the treble becomes more transparent, with a slight sparkle but without harshness. The sound seems to come alive, becoming cleaner, freer, and more breathable. So yes, the Sound Rhyme SR5 is one of the most successful and balanced hybrids in its class. With a good source and a decent cable, they can surprise even an experienced audiophile. There are plenty of impressions here, so I can definitely recommend them wholeheartedly!

Full review - https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sound-rhyme-sr5.26617/review/38193

 

[Simar747]

Just received the DUNU Brain Dance as part of the review tour — huge shoutout and thanks to @SushiiFi for sending this over and giving me the chance to check it out!

The first track I played was Needles and Pins by Deftones- the sub-bass absolutely floored me. I genuinely didn’t expect this kind of depth and authority from a set like this.

I’m also very treble sensitive, so I had my doubts going in... but damn, the Brain Dance proved me wrong. The treble is super smooth, rich in detail, and never sibilant or piercing. It’s energetic, but in a mature way that doesn’t fatigue.

Ran it through a bunch of tracks right after:

"Sweating Bullets" and "Trust" by Megadeth

"Bhul Ja" and "Do Dat Dance" by Bohemia

"Lives" and "Till the End" by Daron Malakian

And it’s clear — this set’s tonality, extended bass, and lively treble response bring out the best in every genre I threw at it.
Absolutely loving it so far. Will be spending more time and dropping a full review soon.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Hi everyone!
It looks like the HIDIZS MK12 Turris will cost $109 if you pay a $10 deposit, making it $119 in total. However, this offer is limited to early VIP backers only (I don't know what this means).
The MSRP is $199.
Has anyone reviewed them yet?
The graph follows Harman tuning, but with more lower mid and midbass.

My unit landed this morning. I haven't opened it yet. Will try to get a graph online over the weekends.

Hidizs seems very confident about this MK12 IEM, so I will put it through the paces with top-shelf heavy hitters as they required.

......guys i am waiting for Punch Audio Martilo monitors (soon to be released from Linsoul Audio) during next week.......




according to Punch Audio : "The Martilo delivers a massive 14 ±1 dB sub-bass boost for deep, punchy impact, while maintaining control with a 200Hz bass crossover. The low-end hits hard without muddying the sound, giving bass guitar notes and low mids a rich, full presence."
it seems that this one delivers Pure Bass Power .......
this is exactly my field of expertise........my very best part on any kind of listening session..........


soooooo......expect THE BATTLE OF THE TITANS......... against ISN EST50s & FatFreq Deuce ......for sure....



FatFreq Deuce is by far the hardest to drive set among my collection any kind of amp is necessary to bring out full juice there.... and also needs ABSOLUTELLY PEQ so that the midrange can open up and sound correct - more natural ....i passed listening to this set some months ago....BUT i have to admit the BASS is simply BOMBASTIC on these .............



(guess i ll have to put back to the Deuces this beauty....the updated red blood silver cable which came originally with it..............)

I saw the graph of this Martilo IEM in a marketing email of Linsoul the other day. Seems very impressive, at least on paper. It's amazing that such IEM with such graph is not a "breaking news" anymore in the current market.

 

[alexandros a]

I saw the graph of this Martilo IEM in a marketing email of Linsoul the other day. Seems very impressive, at least on paper. It's amazing that such IEM with such graph is not a "breaking news" anymore in the current market.

this is Chi Fi Audio nowdays bro.....brings out phenomenal sets that costed a fortune only a few years ago.....

 

[MD Rohit]

 

[Sitilac]

......guys i am waiting for Punch Audio Martilo monitors (soon to be released from Linsoul Audio) during next week.......




according to Punch Audio : "The Martilo delivers a massive 14 ±1 dB sub-bass boost for deep, punchy impact, while maintaining control with a 200Hz bass crossover. The low-end hits hard without muddying the sound, giving bass guitar notes and low mids a rich, full presence."
it seems that this one delivers Pure Bass Power .......
this is exactly my field of expertise........my very best part on any kind of listening session..........


soooooo......expect THE BATTLE OF THE TITANS......... against ISN EST50s & FatFreq Deuce ......for sure....



FatFreq Deuce is by far the hardest to drive set among my collection any kind of amp is necessary to bring out full juice there.... and also needs ABSOLUTELLY PEQ so that the midrange can open up and sound correct - more natural ....i passed listening to this set some months ago....BUT i have to admit the BASS is simply BOMBASTIC on these .............



(guess i ll have to put back to the Deuces this beauty....the updated red blood silver cable which came originally with it..............)

Can't wait for these bass heads are getting spoiled with releases lately I look forward to trying them against the HBB Punch since they look to graph somewhat similarly.

 

[Redcarmoose]

In other cable news.......................

As looking I'm the only member in Head-Fi history to do a full review on the Rhodium plug and its affects on the audio chain.

Top to bottom:
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90
Penon OSG with Rhodium Plug $299.00

3 in 1 Series:
Penon OBSIDIAN $149.00
Penon Leo Plus $249.00
Penon Mix (with 3-in-1 Palladium "Purple" Plug) $149.00 (Cable by itself)
Penon Space $99.90

A modular Rhodium plug above:
Below from my review where I subjectively compare regular gold plated Copper to Rhodium and Palladium.

“Rhodium v Palladium:
But in truth there was a difference between the Rhodium Plug and the Palladium Plug. Where the Rhodium was more stingy with the out-put, holding back and refining a stance, the Palladium was more forward and vibrant showing more colors and closer imaging? Though I can totally see how both could be of use in the right application, it was just in contrast to one another the differences were (totally) noticeable. With that said, the regular included copper plugs offered a thicker response of slightly less contrast, and because of the contrast seemed to show a more evenly distributed response? Thicker, warmer and holding a denser background stance? And some may only want that effect? Where especially with Palladium Plug (in contrast) showing a closer and in-your-face style of imaging.............gaining resolution and texture while still not sibilant or too bright? “

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/the-penon-rhodium-plated-modular-plug.26746/reviews#review-31868

Some various plugs of different metallurgy. It has been awhile and I didn't read the review but I'm guessing from left to right is Rhodium, then Palladium and then regular gold plated plugs? The other difference is gold will deteriorate over time where the finish on Rhodium will never oxidize and the finish on the Rhodium plug will remain "clean" for your lifetime.

The famous ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90

 

[domq422]

Top Pro also on my radar. Glad you're doing well, brother.

Volume S graphs lean in bass but it's not bad. Volume S has basically been like Moondrop Kato upgrade to my ears. Don't think it's missing but it will if you compare like Symphonium to it.

Like you, I need my bass. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a set on a giving day if it lacks earth shattering bass. Hell, the 7 Hertz Sonus was my daily driver for a little bit early last year, it resonated with me. This hobby really is all about your mood on that day or during that week. At least that's what I tell my self to justify having so many IEMs lol

Eager to read your impressions, Dom. I don't want to piss in your punch before you taste, but I know you're a basshead. The Volume S is squarely focused on mid-bass, not sub-bass. Be forewarned: You may be underwhelmed on the low end. But the midrange and treble are wonderfully balanced.

I knew they weren't bass leaning going into them, but I was hoping to have the Volume S fill in that empty spot in my lineup, mid forward with bass taking a back seat. I had a little bit of a listen to them this morning on my way to work and I can confirm this much, female vocals sound insanely natural and detailed. Hoping to get some more listening time tonight at home!

Fit is a little weird for me using some Spiral Dots I had at an arms reach, I definitely need to do some tip rolling.

---

I too am a "bass snob". Much of my music collection is sensitive to 1) rumble capacity, 2) mid-bass force. The Astral has a ton of rumble and sub-bass control, but is oddly lacking in mid-bass punch and force. It has a linear, relatively natural timbre, but simply doesn't reach the levels of intensity that I'm used to. I tested some Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam (if you count PJ as Classic Rock) and found that the older style of high-dynamic-range mastering in these types of tracks exacerbates the sleepy mid-bass.

Does that mean I hate the Astral, or that it sucks? I don't think so--its extremely technically-competent. I just, subjectively, like my bass tuned in more traditional ways.

Lot's of Astral impressions throughout this thread, dang! I'm getting a demo pair in on Friday along with the Lush as well, I'm really looking forward to hearing them. I have a feeling I'll fall in love with the Astral just by looking at the graph... If it doesn't hit that hard in the mid bass, I guess that's okay, I'm really looking for a tighter mid bass impact and sparkle up in the higher treble, like past 10k.

Looking forward to hearing them, thanks for sharing!

I love the Sonic statue! My son went through his Sonic phase a few years back so it brings back memories.

Ps. Sorry to hear about the AliX issues, damn that does not sound like fun, brother. I hope it get's cleared up soon.

---

I'd love to do a huge shootout between the Kiwi x HBB punch, the new Punch Audio set, the Deuce, Thie Origin and the Symphonium Titans one day. Now THAT would really settle who the king of bass under $1000 really is. I still think the Titans have a little bit of a special sauce to them, but god damn does the Deuce come close with the impedance adapter.

 

[4ceratops]

In other cable news.......................

As looking I'm the only member in Head-Fi history to do a full review on the Rhodium plug and its affects on the audio chain.

Top to bottom:
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90
Penon OSG with Rhodium Plug $299.00

3 in 1 Series:
Penon OBSIDIAN $149.00
Penon Leo Plus $249.00
Penon Mix (with 3-in-1 Palladium "Purple" Plug) $149.00 (Cable by itself)
Penon Space $99.90

A modular Rhodium plug above:



Below from my review where I subjectively compare regular gold plated Copper to Rhodium and Palladium.

“Rhodium v Palladium:
But in truth there was a difference between the Rhodium Plug and the Palladium Plug. Where the Rhodium was more stingy with the out-put, holding back and refining a stance, the Palladium was more forward and vibrant showing more colors and closer imaging? Though I can totally see how both could be of use in the right application, it was just in contrast to one another the differences were (totally) noticeable. With that said, the regular included copper plugs offered a thicker response of slightly less contrast, and because of the contrast seemed to show a more evenly distributed response? Thicker, warmer and holding a denser background stance? And some may only want that effect? Where especially with Palladium Plug (in contrast) showing a closer and in-your-face style of imaging.............gaining resolution and texture while still not sibilant or too bright? “

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/the-penon-rhodium-plated-modular-plug.26746/reviews#review-31868

Some various plugs of different metallurgy. It has been awhile and I didn't read the review but I'm guessing from left to right is Rhodium, then Palladium and then regular gold plated plugs? The other difference is gold will deteriorate over time where the finish on Rhodium will never oxidize and the finish on the Rhodium plug will remain "clean" for your lifetime.

The famous ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90

I was intrigued by the sonic differences between the various modular plugs made of different metals. Someday when I'm a big boy, maybe I'll hear the differences too .

 

[Khumbaba]

I asked to them multiple times in 2024 for a new flagship. And they told me this year will come out two iems, one for mega serie and another for wild-nature serie. So I suppose this new Cano Cristales is for the wild-nature serie as Okavango. We have to see the new iem for mega serie yet... I hope it will be a new flagship better than mega5est.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I was intrigued by the sonic differences between the various modular plugs made of different metals. Someday when I'm a big boy, maybe I'll hear the differences too .

Well I received the Rhodium plug when it was newly out. There were no reviews on it, and for the life of me didn’t know what it would do?

I have never read any other reviews pertaining to the plating difference. Then I wrote the review just posted. And there is now a member in the Sound Science threads who simply wants me to do a blind test. I said sure I’m open minded and always willing to learn about stuff when I get the time. Though there has been many times when (as you can guess) I have confused myself and did things like think I was listening to one cable, when I had a different cable on the IEM, and I was simply confused as to the outcome as it was not expected. But who knows maybe I will learn a thing or two from this blind test?

 

[Vonbuddy]

I gave in to my temptation regarding the Mangird Top Pro and purchased it on AliExpress. With a 21-dollar shipping charge and state taxes, I was able to get it for $436.

 

[Nimweth]

I am finding the Kiwi Ears Airoso very much improved with a better cable. I'm using a Fedai 16 core balanced cable via the Hidizs AP80 Pro X and Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro. Fantastic amount of information and detail coming through and a deeper and tighter bass. I prefer the Airoso to the KE4 and the Ziigaat Lush with this combination.

 

[Redcarmoose]

All of Trumps tariffs blocked by courts!

 

[Vonbuddy]

All of Trumps tariffs blocked by courts!

It will take the markets a little time to adjust, as many still have fees and shipping charges that were not previously existent.