The discovery thread!

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Ok so this was recently announced by IFI if you guys havent seen it. We gotta reach 100 posts.

Huge Announcement!!!

Some exciting news! We will be giving away an extra set of the "Secret Prize" if this thread can reach 100 posts by the 15th deadline!

To be eligible for this second set, these are the rules...

The thread must reach 100 posts, so please share in other areas and encourage folks to post away!
To win the second set you must agree to do a review of the product by posting #Review in your post! (For those that have already entered with a photo and #MAX simply add the #Review to your original post. That way, everyone has an equal chance at both prizes.
(There will be two seperate winners)

Let's get it rolling!

The "Secret Prize" will be revealed on June 10th leaving 5 fulldays to jump in the contest!

Good Luck to all, and remember #MAX to enter with your photo. #MAX and #Review if you are willing to review the new product as well.

Hope I didn't confuse anyone!

Cheers!!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-asks-gotta-lotta-iems.977026/post-18709483
Common guys, you can win something cool. Throw a pic.

The exact reason I love Head-Fi right there, and why I always lobby for this stuff for the members here!

Cheers!!

 

[zkmd]

Any Naruto fans in here?

Seriously impressive! You have most definitely claimed the whether you want it or not

Naruto is basically my entire childhood

 

[BS5711]

Thanks! My ear seems to prefer angled nozzles for better fit for some reason. Fiio JD7 and FA19 were another iems that gave me decent fit due to them having angled nozzles. Honestly, I wish my ears weren't like this because is very hard to find iems with an angled nozzle. Most of them have straight nozzles and even if I twist and turn them in my ears I'll still have discomfort after some time

I was very pleased to read the other day that you found a set that has really helped with your comfort issues, it doesn't matter how good a set sounds if you don't want them in your ears.

Another little thing worth trying if you haven't already. You touched on it above and you may well be doing this already but if not, try rotating the IEM forward as you insert them so you are not inserting them based just on what the shape and alignment of the shell suggests. For me that makes the nozzles align with the ear canal nicely. On all sets that improves insertion depth and consistency for me as well as helping with long term comfort, on one set that I have since sold it was literally the difference between them fitting acceptably well and more or less not fitting at all.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

So far, I'd say CCA Trio is still budget endgame... [not to mention the KZ ZVX Pro] can the V10 Pro really compete?!

Couldn’t agree more. CCA Trio and ZVX PRO are indeed the BOSS KINGS of budget.

That's a pretty interesting chance to get even an Aful Cantor with this new lucky bag from HifiGo
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mszWX6J

You’re not trying to get a Cantor. You’re buying an M4 for $79.00, with the miniscule “opportunity” to maybe win something else. But the reality is you are buying an M4.

Comparing the KB Ear KB02 [1DD, 1BC] with the Shanling Tino [2DD] and it's a closer battle than I thought. The KB02 is like a warm hug; the Tino is like a hug from someone wearing a very fresh-smelling perfume. Both are lush and musical, but the Tino is just a bit more defined in the treble; just a bit clearer.

At times, I prefer the bass of the KB02, and sometimes, I prefer the clarity of the Tino [in comparison, mind you. The XuanNv is clearer than both these, and I'd still consider it to be a "warmish" IEM.]
The KB02 is surprisingly capable [doesn't sound congested under audio duress] but the Tino has a clearer soundstage and that means a lot.

So, the Tino barely squeaked out a 3/5 win here...

So again, I listened to a few more songs to further hone my findings...
The KB02's rich mids/midbass is welcome on some genres... and the sub-bass is even maybe a BIT better than the Tino's. But it just doesn't have the level of treble detail that the Tino has. So since the Tino is a middle ground between the KB02 and XuanNv, do I get rid of it for redundancy [and help maintain variety in my collection] or do I keep it and cull the KB02, since the Tino might be a bit more aligned to my preferences? hmm... The mild uncertainty still hanging around about imports from China still makes me a little hesitant to cull without good reason. And realistically, I'm just fooling around with budget sets here. I seem to be getting more into midfi IEMs and the ivipQ Phoenixia is better than both these options and had better dynamic qualities, both in bass and treble, while still remaining a "richer" tuning IMO.

Of the 4 extra songs I compared the KB02 and Tino with, the Tino still won 3/4 times, confirming its win. The KB02 got a respectable 77/100 on my ranking, but I haven't ranked the Tino yet. If it somehow scores lower, I'll have to reconsider my thoughts... Of course some might say, cull most my budget sets and become a true-blue MidFier haha. Because the Phoenixia is a better pick of these three sets, honestly. [and the Fan 3 is also in a similar sound style, and might be still better than the Phoenixia, so...]

The Tino and KB02 are about the same price [to me, due to coupons] so...
I like the faceplates of the Tino better.
The fit of the KB02 is far better for me though with Spinfit Omni tips. [almost perfect, really.]

Conclusion: the KB02 will LIKELY be culled, but the decision isn't final.

Also, when I rated the Fan 3 I was in the shadow of the behemoth Nautilus... it deserves to rate higher than 77/100. It's definitely not a tie with the KB02 hahaha. Shows how subjective ratings are, even when I try to be fair.

Wait. You were just saying the Tino was a “regret” purchase, and that you should have read more reviews, and gave sacral reasons why you should cull it. and a day later you’re picking it over the KB02 and possibly culling it instead?!

Like a tide on a full moon!!!

I don't know if the TRN V10 Pro is at CCA Trio/KZ Vader Bal and ZVX Pro level but is pretty good, well, with mods, because without the tuning mesh I putted in it (200 density mesh) is a sibilant mess with that peak at 5khz...
I think the V10 pro is a hidden gem, but in fact I prefer to spend a little more to get the V90 Pro because that's the real upgrade to the ST7 before the Shell of course; it is spicy?, yes, but it handles the sibilance so much better than the V10 pro, and its tuning is more appealing to me, it have a remarkable quality bass and mids and better technicalities than the V10 pro

Ok, was trying to remember which was the V10 pro. Looked it up. This was one of the two that TRN released at the same time, and they sent me a pretty nice coupon for it, but @Ineras got it and likened it’s bass to the White Tiger, and other impressions stated the bass was very present, on the verge of “bloaty”, so I said nah. I got that from the V90 pro+ or whatever it’s called? The bass of the Trio, ZVX pro, and Vader is very balanced, but punchy and present. No bloat at all, or overabundance.

Also, that set came and went with nary a whisper, same with the Medusa, so I gather I was on the right side of history with skipping it?

 

[lushmelody]

You’re not trying to get a Cantor. You’re buying an M4 for $79.00, with the miniscule “opportunity” to maybe win something else. But the reality is you are buying an M4.

Yeah, lucky bags only work for those in this hobby with collector mentality. Way way deep in the rabbit hole.

 

[pk4425]

Lucky bags are like Powerball tickets. Yeah, you just might win the big prize. And, yeah, I just might have a porn shoot today in the San Fernando Valley with a 20-something buxom starlet who can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.

 

[nikbr]

Lucky bags are like Powerball tickets. Yeah, you just might win the big prize. And, yeah, I just might have a porn shoot today in the San Fernando Valley with a 20-something buxom starlet who can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.

Bro ...

---

In this awfully drab reality with no starlets on the horizon, eartip debate will have to do. Que UTG responds, as do most single DDs.

Left two pairs come included. One is wideish bore with meh isolation due to poor friction, other is narrow bore with meh isolation due to thin and flimsy umbrella. Right one is the one I settled on that sort of hits the middleground of the included two variants with great stickiness and decent canal width to ramp up the bass and slightly dampen high midrange and low treble.

 

[Ineras]

but @Ineras got it and likened it’s bass to the White Tiger

No, I didn't get the V10 pro because I saw this:

No more iems with stupid nozzle-mounted BAs for me, especially the double-barreled ones!

 

[avishifi]

You’re not trying to get a Cantor. You’re buying an M4 for $79.00, with the miniscule “opportunity” to maybe win something else. But the reality is you are buying an M4.

At this price it worth it anyway (if you need it...)
It is always like this with these boxes

 

[krafty]

So after finding the Xenns Top Pro a bit underwhelming (I guess they added the Mangird moniker on Linsoul now) I had to try to Tea Pro just to see if it worked better for rock and metal since it graphs with more low mids.


And yeah it does. Listening to some stuff mastered by Will Putney hits a lot harder on these than the Top Pro.

These actually control a lot of sibilance really nicely too despite being sparkly and having a nice emphasis on cymbals. Debating on keeping them or returning them as I need some cheaper gym sets. Will compare it to the Volume S, Vulkan 2, and Martilo once they’re all in.

super interested in the tea pro / vulkan 2 comparison.

 

[JrOcinthepark]

The exact reason I love Head-Fi right there, and why I always lobby for this stuff for the members here!

Cheers!!

 

[Ineras]

KZ AM16 Bass with hole mod is so much fun. I think they managed to install an 18" sub in that new bass BA. This thing can really slam with the Clarinet.

 

[jbfps116]

just browse the thread, I mentioned this many times before

[about SR5]
well... nothing beats hearing them in my own ears! believe me, I DID pick them up for $99 because of the little hype train going in this thread. I just don't dif the charcoal faceplates lol.

Hey boys and girls, and my "mini" review of the new entry-level entrance by CCZ the MC02 Aura, enjoy it!:
Review of the CCZ MC02 Aura by Jamsblast

Looks suspiciously like an older KZ or QKZ set. I don't know ANYTHING about CCZ... are they any good?

Wait. You were just saying the Tino was a “regret” purchase, and that you should have read more reviews, and gave sacral reasons why you should cull it. and a day later you’re picking it over the KB02 and possibly culling it instead?!

Like a tide on a full moon!!!

The first time I was comparing them to the XuanNv, which I like CLEARLY better. The second time, I'm comparing them to the even more smooth and warmish KB02, so as per my preferences, I preferred the Tino a bit more often. [not to say the KB02 is far behind it though.] I am just not sure yet what its final fate will be. I DO want to keep EITHER the KB02 or the Tino, but so far, I'm not convinced I should keep both.

EDIT: And regarding the "mid" TRN sets [V10 Pro and V90 pro] ... honestly the JAWS is so good, along with the Shell, that I have no reason to look back on even recent TRN past lol. ST7 or Orca?? what are those haha.

EDIT2:
really enjoying the Jaws with the Royksopp album "The Inevitable End."
clear, clean high-end that brings the Electronic details to life, and decently punchy bass that goes deep enough to feel expensive and authoritative. The stage is GOOD... but that dang ZVX Pro is coming in hot as well in A-B listening.

 

[theintention]

I can not wait for you to hear the TSMR ARMOR. It’s my one and only review I’ve ever done on head-fi thanks to @thaslaya.

Looking forward to your impressions.

Speaking of…
TSMR Armor

first impressions -
Accessories: pretty nice cable, standard Penon green stem tips and some other black thinner ones, neither sounded particularly good but they did fit which is rare for stock tips! Included case is very robust, definitely will get some use.

Build quality / aesthetics / fit:

Pictures don’t do the faceplate justice, it’s really eye-catching and maybe one of my favorites I have owned. The logo/lettering is much smaller than i anticipated and blends in well. The shells are filled resin, they feel really solid in the hand but light in-ear. The switches are your usual fare, and the included tool works well but I’ve already been a little too clumsy once or twice while dialing my settings in.

The nozzles are short, so expect to tip roll (more on this) but once I found the right pair (Azla Crystal) they disappeared once in. Really comfy pair, I wore them for about an hour and got no hot spots or fatigue.

Sound:
The most important bit, how do they sound? At first it was a bit of a mixed bag. The included stock tips did no favors, and upon tip rolling I discovered just how much it matters with this IEM. It took a bit of tweaking between the tips and the switches, but once I dialed it in (UUD for bass/mids) and the Azla Crystal… oh boy. Dynamic, rumbly sub bass that digs deep, lush mids with an airy mid bass slam. I found the treble switch to be a little inconsequential, but turning off the bass switch expands the soundstage quite a bit and leaves you with a warm analog sound with quick, springy bass. The treble on this IEM is really an afterthought imo, I would have like a full EST or 2 in there but I understand that we would be a different price range.

As it stands? Quite pleased and excited to spend more time with it, it fits in well with my preferred sound signature and will be a good all day wear (especially if I want to dial the bass back with the switch).

But for now, it stays on for that rumble.

So, for me it was kind of an inverse experience. I just came off of a 4-way comparison shootout from IEMs in the $300-$700 range and took a listen to the Defiant without much thought. I remember my first thought being "wow, these are the most generic-sounding IEMs I've ever heard". That was initially a put-off, except for when I checked the price tag and found that it was 1/3rd of the cheapest IEM I had just finished listening to! The Defiant subconsciously boogaloo'd me into thinking it was a much more expensive set which is rare for me. The accessory package is also shockingly robust for its price.

Yeah I reaaaally like this one! Easy rec imo.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Knock on wood, Aliexpress has refunded everything I have had to request. While I am not participating in the photograph competition of my entire iem collection, I am debating doing a serious inventory of what I own. As I am not getting any younger and there are not a known number of people who are audiophiles in my state, I am considering the option of having my collection adopted by a member here to sell for charity. I am serious about this. I have lived almost 3 years beyond my liver transplant and am doing great, but I realize life is never promised another day and I don't want my family to be burdened with the excessive collection I have. These are just thoughts I have this morning.

Damn, I always imagine you as a young, funny, 20-something.

I know that’s not your intention but I felt tearing up reading this.