Jun 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM Post #152,236 of 152,815
Jomo nautilus.
I think he means a 1+1 (planar + Sonion BCD), like the Flip Ears Aegis is a (1+1, DD + BCD (might be Sonion?)?

Thanks. This was more a issue of the new tax rules hitting at the same time as first batch and it was a lot of uncertainty, first batch was sold out very fast without US. Ruviest also cannot give these away for reviews like big brands can do, remember its just one guy making them, selling, marketing etc.


Yeah a high end version with EST would have been awesome, would buy it instantly. As you say not everyone will like this, I dont think folks who hate bass will like this at all. As it has plenty, but is still well rounded without being just about bass.
That's what I love about the Aure. The bass is quite present, but it's so well tuned, that it hits, but also doesn't overwhelm anything. Just plays along, but still quite present. I think after the EBC80, the Aure is up next?
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 5:49 PM Post #152,237 of 152,815
I think he means a 1+1 (planar + Sonion BCD), like the Flip Ears Aegis is a (1+1, DD + BCD (might be Sonion?)?
A planar for the entire range or even more planar drivers. My Tangzu Legend has two planars. A bone conduction and some replaceable nozzles would be the icing on the cake.
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM Post #152,238 of 152,815
Sivga Que UTG in the house. Ordered it yesterday from Amazon .Silver Angel and Penon Archangel already broke in for a week each. Great IEMs.
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM Post #152,239 of 152,815

Thanks!

All my Photos are taken with iPhone 14 Pro Max. This was edited in the stock photos app on my iPhone. added some sharpness and adjusted the brilliance and saturation a little.



In other News



I’m not usually a graph sniffer 👃.

I’m really Enjoying the Kiwi Ears Astral.



It kind of impressive No EST on the Astral but a lovely vocal presentation. I’m reminded by the Mega5EST when I listen to them.




PS - I’m still behind on the thread. By 20 pages. Monolithic Multi Quote is on the way. Stay Tuned and Enjoy the music !

Moritz Dragon: Warm as a Dragon breath​

Pros:​

· Natural timbre
· Controlled and clean bass
· Excellent spatial performance
· Very comfortable and ergonomic
· Beautiful faceplate finish

Cons:​

· Stock cable is thin and underwhelming
· Visuals of internals may turn some off
· Lacks excitement for energetic genres or bass-heavy tracks

DISCLAIMER​

I had the opportunity to spend time with the Moritz Dragon as part of a review tour organized by the Audio Geek group. Thanks to Sandeep Bhai for making this possible.
That said, all impressions shared here are entirely my own and reflect my honest, personal experience with the IEM. This is a completely unbiased review, uninfluenced by any external expectations.
The unit I received came paired with the Penon Pyramid upgrade cable, and my entire evaluation is based on this setup. This was part of a tour unit, so I won't comment on packaging.

My gear used for the review​

DAC/Dongle: iFi Zen Dac with iFi Zen Can stack, Snowsky Retro Nano
Device: Hiby R6 Pro 2 or with my MacBook Pro and iFi Stack
Music: Apple Music lossless

Build, Comfort, and Accessories

The Moritz Dragon is a single dynamic driver IEM that leans into natural presentation and comfort over raw excitement. It features a customized beryllium-plated ultra-thin diaphragm and comes bundled with a pure silver cable, all wrapped in an ergonomic and attractive shell.
The resin-coated shell is ultra-comfy with a generic ergonomic design that works for most ears with no pressure points. It’s perfect for long wears. However, aesthetics are a mixed bag. The faceplate has a beautiful finish, almost jewel-like. However, as shown in the pictures, the clear shell reveals internal wiring and the driver mount, which some may find unrefined. I do like to see the internal components provided they are presented nicely, such as the Moondrop Blessing 3 or the Softears RS10. A more opaque shell would’ve elevated the visual experience for the Moritz Dragon.
The stock pure silver cable is a bit of a letdown. Despite its good sonic properties and modular functionality, the thinness of the cable affects both looks and handling. Thankfully, the modularity allows easy swapping. However, using the Penon Pyramid upgrade cable made a huge difference to the sound quality and overall handling.



Sound Impressions​

All sound impressions were made using a source chain consisting of the iFi Zen DAC + Zen Can stack, with Apple Music as the primary streaming platform. The Zen stack's Xbass and 3D+ settings were kept off throughout the evaluation to maintain consistency and ensure a neutral reference point. I used the Moritz dragon with the Penon Pyramid cable for the impressions.
Timbre & Tonality: The Dragon excels in natural timbre. Instruments and vocals come through with convincing realism, especially in the midrange, where this IEM feels most confident.
Bass: Bass is clean and controlled, with good texture and speed. It's not overpowering and in fact, it might come off as a bit too polite for bass heads. One the whole, it's well-integrated but with some bleed to the mids depending on the song.
Treble: The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, avoiding any sharp peaks. This makes it a great companion for long listening sessions and especially suited for late-night, pre-sleep listening. However, it may lack the sparkle some might crave.
Soundstage & Imaging: One of the Dragon's standout traits is its excellent spatial presentation. The stage feels wide and airy with precise imaging, making it easy to place instruments and vocals. Using the Hiby R6 Pro 2 with the sound field plugin makes it even better as if you are sitting in an opera house (in a good way).
Engagement: While sonically competent, the Dragon might be too laid-back for listeners who seek high energy or excitement. It’s more about flow and ease than impact.


Songs Impression​

Listening to Espresso Macchiato by Tommy Cash reveals both the IEM's strengths and a few of its limitations. The overall presentation is spacious, with a holographic sound field that adds a sense of immersion to the track’s quirky and atmospheric production. Vocals come through clear, articulate, and nicely centred. However, the bass, while controlled and clean, feels slightly underwhelming for this track’s needs, especially during the heavier sections. The drop, in particular, exposes a bit of congestion; the Dragon doesn’t quite keep up with the sudden complexity and density of the mix, causing it to sound slightly cluttered. Despite this, the IEM handles the quieter and more spaced-out sections with finesse, making it a pleasant, if not entirely energetic, listening experience for this track.


Listening to Endhan Vaanamum Neethan by Hariharan and Mahathi is a genuinely satisfying experience that plays right into the IEM’s strengths. The bass feels just right, well-textured, and supportive to the track’s emotional tone. Vocals are beautifully rendered with a natural, airy quality. The spatial presentation is excellent, with a wide and immersive soundstage. Guitars come through cleanly with crisp articulation and gentle sparkle, further enriching the track's acoustic layering. The Dragon delivers this song with clarity, balance, and a delicate emotional touch that suits it perfectly.

Playing Escapee by Architecture in Helsinki results in a mixed experience. The piano stands out as particularly clean and well-defined, showcasing the IEM’s ability to handle midrange clarity with finesse. Vocals and higher-frequency elements are rendered nicely, giving the top end of the mix a lively and engaging feel. However, the bass comes off a bit blunt and lacks the clarity or precision needed to give the rhythm section proper weight and separation. The lower portions of the track feel somewhat muddled, with a lack of definition that slightly drags down the overall cohesion. While the Dragon handles the melodic and vocal elements well, it doesn't fully capture the energy and layering complexity of the song, making the listen not especially compelling.


Conclusion​

The Moritz Dragon is a refined, relaxed listen with a beautifully tuned IEM with an emphasis on natural timbre, spatial clarity, and comfort. It’s ideal for those seeking a smooth, fatigue-free sound that won’t overwhelm. Not for thrill-seekers or bass junkies, but for those who appreciate subtlety and balance, the Dragon makes a strong case.
Some ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥FIRE❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥music reccs in these two posts!! I'm going to have FUN tonight! I broke out the Tino to try the "call My Name" song and was impressed... then I took out the XuanNv to compare [both dual DD] and was struck by how much clearer and detailed [AND stagey!] the XuanNv is. I know the Tino is warmer and lusher, and has GREAT bass, but I think I might be falling in love with the beautiful XuanNv again. It seems to love the DC-Elite power.

BUT...
I would be having more fun tonight if the USPS had got their act together and delivered a certain package today [It was literally shipping from a city my same state, and should have arrrived by now. Hopefully tomorrow!]
It's an IEM I bought used on eBay that a few people have been raving about here... [but one person thought I might not like] Fingers crossed! I'll let you all guess what it is.
 
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Jun 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM Post #152,240 of 152,815
God I'm so excited to get a chance to try them this week. As someone who enjoys monstrous sub-bass, I think the Duality + Impedance may be my most anticipated IEM to try ever, I really hope they live up to hype I've build up for myself :o2smile:
In my humble opinion, if you’re saying you’re going to put an impedance adapter on the duality, that is psycho maniac mentality 😂

They’re already next to impossible to drive as is, not to mention the overwhelming bass they produce… I can only imagine them with an IA
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 9:10 PM Post #152,241 of 152,815
Also, visit their IG to find out more about the reviewing possibilities should you wish to attempt your own version of reviewing!
Form filled out! Could be my official review debut if I'm selected.
Love me some BD, but the H60 smacks the BD around and then plays mouse with it like a cat does. Sheeeeit. If we give a equal check to every facet of both (which isn't reality), the H60 wins by actually having mid bass presence and impact. The end.
Yeah, the H60 seems to speak to me from everything you and others have said. But I really did dig the BD. Still probably leaning toward the H60, but they're damn hard to find on the used market -- another good sign of quality.
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM Post #152,242 of 152,815
In my humble opinion, if you’re saying you’re going to put an impedance adapter on the duality, that is psycho maniac mentality 😂

They’re already next to impossible to drive as is, not to mention the overwhelming bass they produce… I can only imagine them with an IA
Lol!

I think I'm one of those people who insist that there's no such things as too much bass (especially sub-bass), at the very least with certain genres of music like EDM/hip-hop :heart:

I imagine my A&K Acro CA1000T suurely has enough power, its meant to emulate a desktop set up after all. We'll see this week!
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM Post #152,243 of 152,815
517850D6-22C5-49C8-8528-5E75758DAE99.jpeg


57C339B4-835C-4C9D-BBCD-A2B940D47C25.gif
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM Post #152,244 of 152,815
Lol!

I think I'm one of those people who insist that there's no such things as too much bass (especially sub-bass), at the very least with certain genres of music like EDM/hip-hop :heart:

I imagine my A&K Acro CA1000T suurely has enough power, it’s meant to emulate a desktop set up after all. We'll see this week!
Have fun, big dog! I always thought “there’s no such thing as too much bass” but the Duality and the Scarlet Mini rearranged my thought process big time.
 
Jun 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM Post #152,245 of 152,815
XD05T.png

The mean green Xduoo XD05T* is the best tube dac/amp I've ever heard, and I've heard quite a few! The most TOOB GOOEY sonics, but also huge soundstage and though it's warm, it can also provide plenty of details along with copious amounts of power!! Yeah, it pretty much drives anything with plenty of headroom and dynamics.

*See my link in my signature for details.

@Ozboyblu - Of course it's done!! It's YOU we're talking about!! LOL But seriously, this could end up being your bass head pause game? Maybe?
 
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Jun 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM Post #152,246 of 152,815

The mean green Xduoo XD05T* is the best tube dac/amp I've ever heard, and I've heard quite a few! The most TOOB GOOEY sonics, but also huge soundstage and though it's warm, it can also provide plenty of details along with copious amounts of power!! Yeah, it pretty much drives anything with plenty of headroom and dynamics.

*See my link in my signature for details.

@Ozboyblu - Of course it's done!! It's YOU we're talking about!! LOL
XD05 series, well the OG XD05 that i heard before have great clear soundstage with great separation.
if you want DAC/AMP that gives you that "so this is how this iem suppose to sound", XD05-series will gives you that feels.
but with drawback on a bit on its pricing and ultimately, the damn size. its "technically" portable DAC/AMP that are bigger than your phone.

that being said, the size help a fair bit if you know your way in electronic soldering.
its much more repairable than dongles and some friend of mine tinker with its swappable OP-AMP and replacing its capacitor with better quality one apparently.
 
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Jun 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM Post #152,247 of 152,815

Penon Pyramid: Enhances the lower ends​

Pros:​

· Beautiful finish
· Makes the mids and lower ends more deeper and better
· Supple cable despite being thick

Cons:​

· The chin slider is pretty tight and can scratch the finishing of the cable is used frequently
· Maybe brown is not your colour?
pyramid1.png

DISCLAIMER​

I had the opportunity to use the Penon Pyramid upgrade cable as part of a review tour organized by the Audio Geek group. Thanks to Sandeep Bhai for making this possible.
That said, all impressions shared here are entirely my own and reflect my honest, personal experience with the cable. This is a completely unbiased review, uninfluenced by any external expectations. This was part of a tour unit, so I won't comment on packaging.

My gear used for the review​

DAC/Dongle: iFi Zen Dac with iFi Zen Can stack, Snowsky Retro Nano
Device: Hiby R6 Pro 2 or with my MacBook Pro and iFi Stack
Music: Apple Music lossless

Build, Comfort, and Accessories

The first thing you’ll notice about the Pyramid is its beautiful finish with the Egyptian-like designs. The warm brown tones, combined with a lustrous braid, give it a premium artisan vibe which is like something handcrafted rather than mass-produced. It’s thick, sure, but surprisingly supple and easy to manage, draping comfortably over the ear without memory wire stiffness or resistance. One design misstep is the chin slider, which feels too tight. Regular use might scratch the cable’s finish, especially if you tend to adjust the slider frequently. It does its job, but not without a tradeoff in long-term aesthetics.
Also worth noting is the color choice. The brown tone is tasteful and earthy, but it may not be to everyone’s liking. If your setup leans toward more minimalist or modern tones, it might clash a little visually.

Sound Impressions​

What really justifies the Pyramid as an upgrade is the audible improvement in sound, particularly in the mids and lower frequencies. Paired with a variety of IEMs, the Pyramid brought a noticeable depth and richness to the presentation.
The midrange becomes fuller, vocals gain a more intimate presence, and the bass digs a little deeper with better texture and weight. The changes are not overwhelming, but they are certainly not placebo either. This cable seems to smooth out harshness while emphasizing body and warmth, which can be a great match for brighter or more analytical IEMs.
It is not a neutrality-first kind of tuning. If your priority is treble sparkle or maximum clarity, the Pyramid may feel a bit too mellow. But for those who value musicality and tonal weight, it adds real character to the listening experience.

IEMs matching​

Moritz Dragon ​

pyra2.jpg
The pyramid makes the Moritz Dragon so much more better than its stock cable. Reason being the colour matches so well and the lower ends gets a boost in depth and quality which is matching well for the Dragon. Will highly recommend the Pyramid if you use the Moritz Dragon.

ISN H60​

pyra3.jpg
The H60 is already a pretty warm IEM. Using the Pyramid here made it even more warm and lush which may not be a bad thing for warm /dark music lovers. I frankly prefer silver cables for the H60 instead of the Pyramid here. Colour is also not the best match in terms of aesthetics.

IO Volare​

pyra4.jpg
The Volare is the King of Harman, at least for me. The Pyramid improves the overall depth of the Volare and it works well for me. Colour matching is also not that bad as black can go with pretty much anything. So this pair gets a yes from me.

Conclusion​

The Penon Pyramid is more than just a pretty cable. It brings meaningful sonic improvements, particularly for listeners who enjoy a warmer and more full-bodied sound. Its build quality is impressive, and it handles well despite its thickness. The tight chin slider is the only notable usability flaw, and the brown colour might not appeal to every eye.

If you are looking for a cable that both looks and sounds refined, and you don’t mind a bit of warmth in your tuning, the Pyramid is a strong recommendation.
 
Jun 3, 2025 at 12:22 AM Post #152,248 of 152,815
I’m not sure where else to post this, but I’ve seen the topic discussed on this thread, so I thought I’d take a shot at posting it here.

I can understand the thought process behind head-fi pushing the multi-response approach. It reduces the message clutter, and I bet costs less from a compute infrastructure perspective. But it’s really hard to follow these response posts because they’re littered with so much. Also, it’s VERY annoying to find on threads that you responded to hours or days ago yours is the most recent response and you have to now create a response out of your last response. This completely breaks the spontaneity, and makes it a lot less fun to engage. I am pretty sure that no platform that makes money through advertising to users ever made more money by making a platform more difficult to engage with.
 
Jun 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM Post #152,249 of 152,815
I’m not sure where else to post this, but I’ve seen the topic discussed on this thread, so I thought I’d take a shot at posting it here.

I can understand the thought process behind head-fi pushing the multi-response approach. It reduces the message clutter, and I bet costs less from a compute infrastructure perspective. But it’s really hard to follow these response posts because they’re littered with so much. Also, it’s VERY annoying to find on threads that you responded to hours or days ago yours is the most recent response and you have to now create a response out of your last response. This completely breaks the spontaneity, and makes it a lot less fun to engage. I am pretty sure that no platform that makes money through advertising to users ever made more money by making a platform more difficult to engage with.
I can sympathize with your frustration.

To your first point, I don't really think HF "pushes" multi-response as in multi-quote, if that is what you mean. At least not in the 20 + yrs I have been here.
As for some folks including 10 quoted posts and adding a bit of commentary to each, yes, It might be a bit much, but you can easily tune out or quickly scroll by.

And lastly, as for the no response for hours or days, that is and always will be the nature of some threads. Some are just way less active. If you expect HF to be a real time AI answer bot, well, sorry. Cheers! :smile:
 
Jun 3, 2025 at 1:16 AM Post #152,250 of 152,815
Not if the country of origin is China. Merely shipping a Chinese made product from Singapore does not get around the U.S. tariff. At least from all the "official" documents I have read. Now, with regard to de minimus lower cost items from Singapore, paperwork must declare country of origin, yet perhaps one could lie. Does the U.S. have systems in place to be able to determine the actual product country of origin?
Not sure what you're referencing here. Singapore is a different country from China. I was talking about Singaporean manufacturers like FatFreq, Symphonium, etc. The tariff rate on Singapore's exports to the US is a negligible 10%. Heck, that's as much as I pay in state sales tax!

Again, it could be because they still may have to declare the country of origin on the customs paperwork to the U.S. Or it could just slide right through as I intimated above. Is anyone actually buying these handsets and can verify no additional shipping charges (tariffs) are added compared to before?

The one way around it is to lie on the paperwork, the other is to accept a less than "finished goods" into the shipping country where something is done to complete the item and allow them to be the new country of origin. If actually done, a rather costly endeavor.
There's nothing illegal or illicit about it. The advantage to having warehouses in the US is that Chinese exporters will already have paid the tariffs to get those goods into the US. So they're no longer subject to new tariffs. There's nothing to "lie" about. It's simply a strategy to avoid economic volatility, but they're still paying tariffs. Regardless, that's in the gaming handheld industry, not IEMs.

I’m not sure where else to post this, but I’ve seen the topic discussed on this thread, so I thought I’d take a shot at posting it here.

I can understand the thought process behind head-fi pushing the multi-response approach. It reduces the message clutter, and I bet costs less from a compute infrastructure perspective. But it’s really hard to follow these response posts because they’re littered with so much. Also, it’s VERY annoying to find on threads that you responded to hours or days ago yours is the most recent response and you have to now create a response out of your last response. This completely breaks the spontaneity, and makes it a lot less fun to engage. I am pretty sure that no platform that makes money through advertising to users ever made more money by making a platform more difficult to engage with.
It's even worse when people post strings of single posts in a row. The current approach is much better than the alternative IMO. It was the right call.
 
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