The discovery thread!

[BlankName]

Not sue I've seen this one mentioned.
Glass diaphragm?!!
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005009041087357.html

Everyone's now using glass drivers (Aune, Moondrop, and now Sivga)

 

[caryking]

a lot of Chifi stores like XINHS and Tiandirenhe have a lot of their products simply not for sale in the US at the moment, or else they relist them at a higher price, which annoyingly makes your wishlist links invalid.

Exactly! I’ve got a ivipQ cable in my wishlist and it will not show up when trying to add to my cart. The ivipQ person, in messages, is trying to get me to buy a different cable, for the same price, and they will send me the correct one. Not sure I’m comfortable with that. I really don’t understand why they can’t fix the problem, as many of their other cables I can buy, without the issue.

 

[jbfps116]

Doing a little [NOT extensive-enough] A-B tests on some of my planar sets... Primarily, I'm cable-rolling the KZ PR3, and comparing with the Aether and TD20 [ZeTianWu will be included in further tests]
PR3 seems very treble-forward and light on the bass, even with pure copper cables. It DOES have fairly grand stage though. TD20 is the opposite: warm and bassy.
The Juzear Clear's copper cable doesn't help the PR3... the Nautilus' copper cable is a little better, NiceHCK OrangeSir is ... a mediocre choice as well... the XINHS Black Dragon is also a good choice... it warms the sound slightly.

The Aether sounds positively musical compared to the PR3... at least, the PR3 I think is even more detailed/textured in the treble.
on "Call for Love" by Morcheeba [a new-to-me song!] the Aether sounds clean and clear, but the PR3 REALLY focusses on the treble in a... weird way. I pulled out the CK2V because I know that has elevated upper treble, and that set sounds lush compared to the PR3. I then pulled out the JAWS... because I know that one is also very treble-focused. And while the vocals are more forward on the Jaws, there's also enough BASS bump to balance it out. Switching back to the PR3 was like putting on the "treble-boost" on a cheap EQ setting. much less bass and overly elevated treble.

I mean, as a borderline treble-head, the PR3 might be where I draw the line! I like the stage, but they just sound unnaturally treble-boosted and there's not quite enough bass to balance it out. I feel maybe I should have just gone with the PR2 or even PRX... OR just been content with the amazing planar sets I already have

 

[SbassX]

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

I suppose they will still keep some of those fees and increased charges, from my experiences companies rarely back track on fees and increased prices. Lets see how this situation progresses.

Well all this was not planned, as would probably be the answer for most here. You know like in an alternate reality (a dream) which is real life. Still though when asked to compare two IEMs or find a cable (to test) to answer PM questions or whatever, it is surprisingly easy and fast to find gear? Probably the best part is everything is small.

I sold the room of vinyl records that I used to have.....the pure weight must have been crazy heavy on the floors on the 2nd story room they were in. Moving was trouble as I had to hire helper people and buy cases of boxes to fit the records in. After that wild adventure everything else is a walk in the park. I guess getting the IEM storage act together is an act of kindness to yourself further making life easy by enabling access to this sport of collecting.

The vinyl story hits hard...there’s something poetic about trading crates of heavyweight wax for a few cases of pocket-sized sonic marvels. From backbreaking moves to drawer-sized convenience, it’s a pretty amazing evolution. And yeah, having a clean, organized IEM setup isn’t just about the gear...it’s about peace of mind. I love vinyls and completely understand why they are loved, they have their own charm but they are not the most convenient of things. Funny how “minimal” the hobby looks from the outside, but behind the scenes it’s its own universe.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I suppose they will still keep some of those fees and increased charges, from my experiences companies rarely back track on fees and increased prices. Lets see how this situation progresses.

The vinyl story hits hard...there’s something poetic about trading crates of heavyweight wax for a few cases of pocket-sized sonic marvels. From backbreaking moves to drawer-sized convenience, it’s a pretty amazing evolution. And yeah, having a clean, organized IEM setup isn’t just about the gear...it’s about peace of mind. I love vinyls and completely understand why they are loved, they have their own charm but they are not the most convenient of things. Funny how “minimal” the hobby looks from the outside, but behind the scenes it’s its own universe.

Yes, I started collecting vinyl back around 1973, but didn’t have a record player till 1975. Though I spent summers from 1973 till 1975 playing my Moms records. She had the Moody Blues and a few Beatles records. That is what really got me started as an audiophile, where I was just alone with her records during the summer as a kid. She had big Advent speakers and a great amp. Then from 1975 on for a few years I lived in a college town that had great used records you could buy for nothing. Also those record clubs where they would send you like 5 vinyls for 50 cents. Later I got super serious in my 30s to 40s working in record stores just to be near them as an additive to my regular job. There were really 4 record stores in town around 1996. Then the Internet was showing Americans what was going on in Britain, so one record store in the US had all kinds of stuff from all over the world. You would not believe some of the stories from the mid 1990s. Everyone was dumping their vinyl.....one time I was offered a two car garage of sound tracks (in boxes on the floor) for $300. I turned them down. Then we would go to down down LA and go to the record stores there. Each shop had their specialty, like one place had all jazz, and the owner gave me (for $75.00) like 7 moving boxes of Hip Hop and 1979 disco EPs. Haha He just said get them out of here! That’s the fun part of records is getting to know the shop owners and making friends with them, because really they are just record collectors too!

Shop owners are always buying collections, then getting rid of the weird stuff, I always liked the weird stuff. Though nowadays I have mostly CDs.

 

[bithalver]

I have written an opinion which could have a title "How to have a terrible experience for 3 frickng thousand dollars" but thankfully it was a tour unit.

In 2 words ? Never again. Made me angry.

 

[SbassX]

Yes, I started collecting vinyl back around 1973, but didn’t have a record player till 1975. Though I spent summers from 1973 till 1975 playing my Moms records. She had the Moody Blues and a few Beatles records. That is what really got me started as an audiophile, where I was just alone with her records during the summer as a kid. She had big Advent speakers and a great amp. Then from 1975 on for a few years I lived in a college town that had great used records you could buy for nothing. Also those record clubs where they would send you like 5 vinyls for 50 cents. Later I got super serious in my 30s to 40s working in record stores just to be near them as an additive to my regular job. There were really 4 record stores in town around 1996. Then the Internet was showing Americans what was going on in Britain, so one record store in the US had all kinds of stuff from all over the world. You would not believe some of the stories from the mid 1990s. Everyone was dumping their vinyl.....one time I was offered a two car garage of sound tracks (in boxes on the floor) for $300. I turned them down. Then we would go to down down LA and go to the record stores there. Each shop had their specialty, like one place had all jazz, and the owner gave me (for $75.00) like 7 moving boxes of Hip Hop and 1979 disco EPs. Haha He just said get them out of here! That’s the fun part of records is getting to know the shop owners and making friends with them, because really they are just record collectors too!

Shop owners are always buying collections, then getting rid of the weird stuff, I always liked the weird stuff. Though nowadays I have mostly CDs.

Woww thats such a lovely story! My dad also had an interest in vinyls earlier but now he just maintains a few records and thats it, he was never a full "audiophile" or a collector so to say.

 

[Khumbaba]

I have written an opinion which could have a title "How to have a terrible experience for 3 frickng thousand dollars" but thankfully it was a tour unit.

In 2 words ? Never again. Made me angry.

2DD priced 3000 dollars is a robbery. Maybe Nightjar Acoustics bought those DD from NASA?

Anyway thanks for your honest opinion.

 

[sistoz]

Not sue I've seen this one mentioned.
Glass diaphragm?!!
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005009041087357.html

I watched a YouTube video of a Japanese reviewer with an anime avatar and a robotic female voice. It was very unsettling, but from what I understood, they are totally different from the musical Sivga Que, with the characteristics of a carbon-based diaphragm driver and a similar upper end to a planar driver.
Another single DD release at around $100 that I have to keep track of for my next purchase.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

I watched a YouTube video of a Japanese reviewer with an anime avatar and a robotic female voice. It was very unsettling, but from what I understood, they are totally different from the musical Sivga Que, with the characteristics of a carbon-based diaphragm driver and a similar upper end to a planar driver.
Another single DD release at around $100 that I have to keep track of for my next purchase.

Sounds like they took away the warmer lush bass that I loved about the QUE

 

[Redcarmoose]

Woww thats such a lovely story! My dad also had an interest in vinyls earlier but now he just maintains a few records and thats it, he was never a full "audiophile" or a collector so to say.

I had thrift store turntables until 2008. Which means they were really good except once you get a super headphone rig with a rad turntable like a VPI Scout, then you actually can start to judge the recording and pressing quality even better. The needle goes farther into the groove and the records then become of a black background, though there are still pops once in a while.

I mean going back to all the records I listened to in school, I eventually found out that there are good and bad recordings. That is really the next stage for the vinyl audiophile, that once you have a really good system set-up half your records don’t sound as good, and the other half blow you away!

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Hello guys, i finaly publish my TSMR Shock review here give a look: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tansio-mirai-shock.27491/reviews#review-38201

It include comparisons against UM Mext, BGVP Phantom and my beloved ISN EBC80.

I really like the Shock, especially with fourth bass step, i can see these becoming end game for some due to great technical performance and this super versatile sound tweaking.

Pros:
-bright neutral to warm bassy soundsig
-tuning knob for analog EQ of bass and treble
-dense punchy bass with vibrant rumble sustain and open release (2DD magic)
-holographic 3D soundstage
-above average imaging
-well layered clear and focused mid range
-richly textured presence of instruments and vocal
-well articulated and awaken macro dynamic
-immersive and captivating musicality
-in and out of your head soundstage
-fast crunchy treble that enrich sense of micro dynamic
-very versatile 5x5 tonal balance choice
-thick sturdy shell
-nice cable

Cons:
-not tightest nor roundest mid bass
-bass feel less textured than mids
-lack of sparkle and air on top (typical BA fault)
-not widest nor tallest soundstage
-tuning knob are made of plastic and seem easy to damage
-not most natural timbre (lower mids coloration is hit or miss)

 

[theintention]

Timeless II is a very quick catch and release for me... right monitor developed a horrible case of driver flex as I was tip rolling, couldn't even move my head without hearing crinkling. I don't find the sound exciting enough to order a replacement pair, will use that credit for something else... BUT WHAT?

 

[Jamsblast]

Hey guys and gals!, my review for the excellent EarAcoustic Audio STA Hi End Max is up, enjoy it!:
Review of the EarAcoustic Audio STA Hi End Max by Jamsblast

 

[Hypops]

@MakeItWain @Hypops

I thought I'd share this De La gem...

RIP Dilla.

Dilla literally changed my life. And if you (or anyone else) haven't read the book Dilla Time, do it now (it's also on audiobook). It's among the very best books about a musician and music history I've ever read--and I've read a lot. There are very good reasons that Dilla's drum sampler is in the Smithsonian (assuming the orange menace doesn't sign some executive order to throw it in the trash).

Not sue I've seen this one mentioned.
Glass diaphragm?!!
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005009041087357.html

I have a real soft spot for Sivga. They march to their own beat, for sure. Whether in their visual design or in their tuning approach. They have a unique point of view, both in IEMs and in full-sizers. Their approach is much more similar to high-end brands than to other sub-$1000 brands. Quirky, musical, and distinct. I've owned and loved both the Sivga Nightingale and the Sivga Que. I ended up culling them, but not without regret. I'll keep an eye on this new one.

Not sure that's the reason. On the contrary, I usually find them overdone or simply poorly implemented, resulting in what sounds like low end cancellations instead of effectively doubled Sd - diaphragm area.

Yeah, I'm also not sure of the reason. Maybe I've just had bad luck with "pseudo-isobaric" dual-DD configs (two drivers, one sound tube), but it sounds like you and a few others have also found them a bit off. I've had such a bad experience with them that I avoid them altogether now. All the dual DDs I've tried sound soft, bloaty, blurry, etc. Glad the industry has (mostly) moved on from this fad.

Change My Mind: Earbuds are the simplest and most practical way to listen to tunes at work.

I'm so glad I picked up the Aful PolarNight. Not because I think they're the best sounding earbuds (I've only heard a few), but because of their ease of use. Took a bit of work to sort out the fit, but once I did (silicone ring + full foams), they fit and sound excellent. They are fantastic around the house, doing yard work, walking, and at work. Super easy to put on and take off. Great for keeping an ear open to the outside world. I can even have conversations with them on. Not sure I want to go down the rabbit hole and start trying a bunch of other earbuds, but I'm very happy with these. Maybe once the tariff nonsense is finally over, I'll start tinkering with DIY buds.

2 of the 3 links will not show the products for me. Why is this happening to us, in the US?

Exactly! I’ve got a ivipQ cable in my wishlist and it will not show up when trying to add to my cart. The ivipQ person, in messages, is trying to get me to buy a different cable, for the same price, and they will send me the correct one. Not sure I’m comfortable with that. I really don’t understand why they can’t fix the problem, as many of their other cables I can buy, without the issue.

For those cables that aren't available to US customers, I'd guess it has something to do with where the cable manufacturers source their materials. Because, yeah, it's weird how uneven availability is. Take Xinhs, for example. Some cables go to 404 pages (geo-blocked). Some just say they're not available to be shipped to my address. And the rest are all prohibitively expensive. Same deal with most other AliX sellers.

I have written an opinion which could have a title "How to have a terrible experience for 3 frickng thousand dollars" but thankfully it was a tour unit.

In 2 words ? Never again. Made me angry.

The most recent Noise Floor podcast (from the guys at the Headphone Show) devoted most of the episode to talking about pricing, especially in high end market. Some things I'd never considered can really inflate prices, independent of build materials, overhead, and infrastructure. Worth a listen. And, yeah, it is maddening and getting worse throughout the audio hobby, not just with IEMs.

I had thrift store turntables until 2008. Which means they were really good except once you get a super headphone rig with a rad turntable like a VPI Scout, then you actually can start to judge the recording and pressing quality even better. The needle goes farther into the groove and the records then become of a black background, though there are still pops once in a while.

I mean going back to all the records I listened to in school, I eventually found out that there are good and bad recordings. That is really the next stage for the vinyl audiophile, that once you have a really good system set-up half your records don’t sound as good, and the other half blow you away!

More so than any other format, vinyl quality has some real high highs and some very low lows. Some phono stages can help by giving you additional flexibility with cartridge loading and different equalization curves beyond just standard RIAA. It's also why I'll never be someone who goes deep into turntables. I'm happy with my custom refurbished 70s'-era Thorens. Anything nicer, and I'd be one of those obsessives who only listens to the three albums that sound good enough to warrant the expense and effort.

Timeless II is a very quick catch and release for me... right monitor developed a horrible case of driver flex as I was tip rolling, couldn't even move my head without hearing crinkling. I don't find the sound exciting enough to order a replacement pair, will use that credit for something else... BUT WHAT?

I've also got an eye/ear out for a good planar IEM. I just haven't seen/heard anything I'm completely sold on yet. I wish the FatFreq Quantum were a bit cheaper. $800 is simply too rich for my blood. At $400-500, I'd be much more tempted to bite.