This is the main issue for any music (more than audio gear) lover.
And a complex one witnessing the disappearing of cds, the actual rising vynil fashion and the streaming services now growing and leading the music market.
The discovery thread!
- Thread starter Dsnuts
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- blon bl03 db3 ibasso am05 isn d02 isn h40 jq audio jvc-ha-fx101 jvc-ha-fx40-b-earphone-kv6902 nx7 nx7 pro philips-she3580-28-in-ear-headphones philips-she9700 pioneer-dje-1500-k-professional-dj-in-ear-headphones sony-mh1-livesound-hi-fi-stereo-in-ear-headphones sphere thermaltake-in-ear-headset tri i3 vsonic-vc1000
This is the main issue for any music (more than audio gear) lover.
And a complex one witnessing the disappearing of cds, the actual rising vynil fashion and the streaming services now growing and leading the music market.
nraymond
500+ Head-Fier
While I primarily buy CD and DVD audio on disc and rip to lossless myself (with XLD, MakeMKV, tag with MusicBrainz Picard) If you go looking, there are actually a lot of great sources for lossless digital where you can buy and download online. Some are stores with all genres, some are stores with specific genres, and some are labels that work with specific artists and provide digital downloads direct. Bandcamp is a bit different in that they work directly with artists to bring their music to the public which means you can find a lot of indie bands there, and in my experience it's sometimes been the only place I can find lossless or hi-res versions of some bands' music. I love buying music that is lossless and DRM free and as close to the studio master as it can get. Anyway, here's a list of some sites I know of:
https://bandcamp.com
https://www.prostudiomasters.com
https://www.hdtracks.com
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/shop
https://us.7digital.com/
https://www.mergerecords.com
https://www.subradar.no
https://www.linnrecords.com
https://www.highdeftapetransfers.com
https://www.chandos.net
https://www.atmaclassique.com/en/
https://bluecoastrecords.com/store
https://www.pristineclassical.com
https://www.analekta.com/en/
https://www.bso.org/Merchandise/Listing
http://www.cedillerecords.org
https://www.channelclassics.com
http://www.gubemusic.com
http://www.melbarecordings.com.au
http://www.naimrecords.com
https://www.soundliaison.com
jant71
Headphoneus Supremus
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Remember or not back a ways, I had reviewed the Sleeper from ADV. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/advanced-sleeper-unibody-silicone-earphones.23574/
Whilst Checking out the ADV site I saw a new interesting purpose built model in the Nismo Jr. gaming earphones. I talked to Peter from ADV as he is here with us and he said the Nismo Jr. wasn't for a couple of weeks. He, in the meantime sent me out a 1M microdriver earphones in the meantime since I also had the Sleeper.
My first impressions of them after a few days of living with them...
The F.R. from ADV which are usually well done and what you hear for the most part.
The 1M, as per Peter, was tuned with the older M4 in mind. Costing $20, on sale for $15, they are the smaller cheaper brother with less ability but still very likable to me.
Another super small, almost too small micro drivers, they have tiny metal housings that go so far in the ears if you want them to. Decent build with metal everywhere over the plug, Y, and mic pod which is on the right side. I go up to the largest tips so they will stay out further which makes insertion and removal easier to me. The 1M have no reliefs so they can insert deeply even worn down but this as we know will make them more microphonic as can the lower half of the cable which is cloth covered which makes for a pricier look and feel but transmits more noise. If sleeping/relaxing not a big deal but out and about I wear them over ear which kills the noise transmitted through the cable.
I like the tips which are decent quality and work with the 1M sound wise especially since they are a wide bore. A good set to have in the collection in the JVC vane but a liitle firmer .
Not the Sleeper indeed. Sleeper has some more bloat and smoother sound. Good for relaxing and in bed. A bit more volume needed gives the M1 a tighter sound, sharper and quicker with more speed and energy. More toe tapping than for in bed relaxing
I am more partial to the more refined and energetic 1M sound. Also happier since the 1M can change tips vs. the Sleeper. The two are quite different in form and function or purpose.
1M has a little better packaging, a more refined sound, and a more pricier look for the same price and are my favorite of the two.
Whilst Checking out the ADV site I saw a new interesting purpose built model in the Nismo Jr. gaming earphones. I talked to Peter from ADV as he is here with us and he said the Nismo Jr. wasn't for a couple of weeks. He, in the meantime sent me out a 1M microdriver earphones in the meantime since I also had the Sleeper.
My first impressions of them after a few days of living with them...
The F.R. from ADV which are usually well done and what you hear for the most part.
The 1M, as per Peter, was tuned with the older M4 in mind. Costing $20, on sale for $15, they are the smaller cheaper brother with less ability but still very likable to me.
Another super small, almost too small micro drivers, they have tiny metal housings that go so far in the ears if you want them to. Decent build with metal everywhere over the plug, Y, and mic pod which is on the right side. I go up to the largest tips so they will stay out further which makes insertion and removal easier to me. The 1M have no reliefs so they can insert deeply even worn down but this as we know will make them more microphonic as can the lower half of the cable which is cloth covered which makes for a pricier look and feel but transmits more noise. If sleeping/relaxing not a big deal but out and about I wear them over ear which kills the noise transmitted through the cable.
I like the tips which are decent quality and work with the 1M sound wise especially since they are a wide bore. A good set to have in the collection in the JVC vane but a liitle firmer .
Not the Sleeper indeed. Sleeper has some more bloat and smoother sound. Good for relaxing and in bed. A bit more volume needed gives the M1 a tighter sound, sharper and quicker with more speed and energy. More toe tapping than for in bed relaxing
I am more partial to the more refined and energetic 1M sound. Also happier since the 1M can change tips vs. the Sleeper. The two are quite different in form and function or purpose.1M has a little better packaging, a more refined sound, and a more pricier look for the same price and are my favorite of the two.
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FreeWheelinAudioLuv
100+ Head-Fier
More notes and thoughts on the NX7. For the price, the hype was worth it, regardless of the opinions of the naysayers who don't hear the sound the way I do or others did. Still respect your opinion, guys and gals!
The bass EQ's like a beast! The dual CNT drivers, well balanced if a tad behind the mids and highs, when EQ'd or boosted behind either a DAP or DAC, can come in very powerfully and deep. It can dig and provide some thumping sub bass. Punch and power if you want it. I put it on bass boost through my Fiio Mont Blanc and I got the thump! So you bass heads who want world class clarity and timbre as well as BOOM BOOM can call on these with confidence.
I agree with @peter123 as far as the not so 3D sound, but I don't think that was the directive of the tuners. Some earphones that are 3D don't sound that great because it makes for artificial imaging. (my KZ, T2pro, and to some extent my TFZ's can provide some exaggerated 3D imaging). The soundstage is also average, but I wouldn't call it narrow, just not expansive. Not like the stage of those Senn's or JVC. That's WIDE. These are more in line with the Crescents or my Sony's.
Clarity and details retrieval are their strong suit. These things pull details that are incredibly minute. They are the deepest diggers of any earphone in my collection. Easy. More so than even the IE800 or the FW01. From quiet guitars in the background to whispers into the mic to a keyboard or flute buried in the mix, the NX7 will make them audible to your ears. Even old ass ears like mine.
The highs? They don't bother me at all, but then again, this will be the main contention for anyone who doesn't like their sound.
Still, for the price, and for critical listening with great EQ flexibility, they are very hard to beat, unless you want to spend a lot more money. It's up to you.
The bass EQ's like a beast! The dual CNT drivers, well balanced if a tad behind the mids and highs, when EQ'd or boosted behind either a DAP or DAC, can come in very powerfully and deep. It can dig and provide some thumping sub bass. Punch and power if you want it. I put it on bass boost through my Fiio Mont Blanc and I got the thump! So you bass heads who want world class clarity and timbre as well as BOOM BOOM can call on these with confidence.
I agree with @peter123 as far as the not so 3D sound, but I don't think that was the directive of the tuners. Some earphones that are 3D don't sound that great because it makes for artificial imaging. (my KZ, T2pro, and to some extent my TFZ's can provide some exaggerated 3D imaging). The soundstage is also average, but I wouldn't call it narrow, just not expansive. Not like the stage of those Senn's or JVC. That's WIDE. These are more in line with the Crescents or my Sony's.
Clarity and details retrieval are their strong suit. These things pull details that are incredibly minute. They are the deepest diggers of any earphone in my collection. Easy. More so than even the IE800 or the FW01. From quiet guitars in the background to whispers into the mic to a keyboard or flute buried in the mix, the NX7 will make them audible to your ears. Even old ass ears like mine.
The highs? They don't bother me at all, but then again, this will be the main contention for anyone who doesn't like their sound.
Still, for the price, and for critical listening with great EQ flexibility, they are very hard to beat, unless you want to spend a lot more money. It's up to you.
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Thank you for this great review. But can you please elaborate a bit more on the B400 comparison. Just had right nozzle broke on B400 so I'm looking for something built like a tank with good comfort and fit for outside use, work, gym and maybe nap time.
Soundwise i enjoyed B400 but only after I eq'd them. I'm using poweramp on android and with bass and treble preset (I changed the preset just a bit, I've added highs and detract the lows). I'm also using Ifi xdsd.
Do you think I might like OH10 after having bumped lows and highs on B400?
Thanx
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DynamicEars
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
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My take is TRN V90. They are excellent for the price, dare I say slightly edge out the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro.
How is your comparison between zsx and v90? Any special things from that double vents?
Anyone here got their kbear hi7?
Bui Hai Anh
100+ Head-Fier
Funnily enough, my KBEAR Hi7 will arrive tomorrow.
Quick comparisons between TRN V90 and KZ ZSX:
* Build: V90 is much better
* Fit: V90 sits flush, ZSX sticks out like a hairdryer
* Bass: comparable
* Mid: V90 is neutral, ZSX is slightly warm and slightly more forward
* Treble: V90 is more energetic, ZSX feels flatter. For metal I prefer V90, for pop I'm inclined towards ZSX
* Soundstage: V90 is wider
* Separation: V90 is better, quite noticeable during busy tracks
All in all, V90 to my ears has better technical abilities, but ZSX is a smoother experience, if you can live with the awkward build. They certainly deserve the hype, and ZSX is definitely the best KZ to date, better than AS16.
The double vents seem gimmicky and aesthetic only though, not much different covering them or not.
DynamicEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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Wow.. Means perhaps youll be the first one to have all hot new chifi here : KBEAR Hi7, BQEYZ Spring 1, KZ ZSX, TRN V90
Okay I dont believe you're a teacher now. You must be a teacher by the day and drug dealer or something by night since you have unlimited cash.
Haha joke aside, thanks for quick comparisons between them. Got my ZSX on the way. I cant wait for your impressions about Hi7. Tell me about that semi open back shell. I like a great semi open back shell to use at the moment I would hear if someone is calling me.
Otto Motor
Headphoneus Supremus
Yep, once you get them going with the right tips. Very homogeneous with a sugar bass response, only critisicm: they are a bit on the bright side and the upper midrange could be reduced. Nevertheless, they hold up quite nicely against more expensive DDs and beat the Moondrop Crescents hands down in resolution. A very refined sounding set of DDs...
Why pay more?
Otto Motor
Headphoneus Supremus
Did you get the Blon BL-03? My current flavour are the Blon and the "endgame" single DD Drop + JVC HA-FDX1...the latter are incredible in their realism (the former are great, too). Less than 100 left on drop.com.
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courierdriver
Headphoneus Supremus
I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment and honestly could not have said it better than you. Bass...check (I also use EQ, and the bass boost switch on my Fiio Q1MK2 is awesome with the NX7). Stage is fine for me...not huge or 3D but not nonexistent either. As you also said, detail retrieval is the NX7's strong suit. Based initially on @Dsnuts impressions, it is one of the main reasons why I bought the NX7. Often (especially when I'm discovering new music for the first time, or even when listening to older music that I heard years ago on the radio but never owned on CD), I really want to listen into the song or album to catch all the subtle details. This iem let's me do exactly that, without breaking the bank. Case in point: my son (who is an aspiring musician and artist) informed me a few days ago that he uploaded his newest song on Spotify (he already has 3 or 4 on there), so I downloaded it and gave it a quick run through just on my phone, with no earphones. Next day, I listened to it with the Q1MK2 and the NX7. On my second listen through this setup, I heard what sounded like almost digital sounding "chirps" during the middle of the chorus, which appeared 3 times in the song. I was curious about what I was hearing and wondered if these sounds were part of the recording or perhaps some kind of download anomaly, so last night I decided to listen to the song a couple more times, and I wrote down the timestamps during the song when these sounds occurred. I also listened to the song with my TFZ No.3 and I didn't find those "chirps" as easy to decern. I called my son to ask him about what was going on (ie. was there a problem with my download, did his upload to Spotify maybe not work as intended, or did he intentionally have these sounds recorded onto the track). He told me it WAS intended to be on the track and that they were notification chirps he purposely put on the track during the chorus. They were meant to come across as subtle and on other iems or certain speakers, they might not be discernable at all. But with the NX7 and its excellent detail retrieval, I got to hear it clearly. I think it's great testimony to how good this set really is and I'm very satisfied with my purchase of them...especially for what they cost.
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FastAndClean
Previously known as presata
no more hybrids for me after that coherent sweet little earphone
Actually that'll be my lineup for 2020 (assuming the drop date).
JVC FD1X for serious stuff, Blon for commute, earbuds for sweet mids, wider stage, and less isolation when needed.
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