[astermk]

Actually their own ZAX has 8 drivers (1 dd + 7 ba) for 60 usd.

I know. What I was saying is that no one had done more than 8.

CCA CA16 also has 8 drivers for $45 too.

 

[RikudouGoku]

I know. What I was saying is that no one had done more than 8.

CCA CA16 also has 8 drivers for $45 too.

oof, missed that. Well they are certainly ramping up their driver count game.

 

[PhonoPhi]

KZ's answer to the VX is the ZAX.

The ASX is what others will be answering to. AFAIK you couldn't get more than 8 drivers under $150 until now, and here's KZ going with 10 drivers for <$90 (from the right place).

Something that worries me about the ASX is that it only has one bass BA whereas most pure BA sets with that many drivers use two. It may not be an issue but they're probably gonna go with a subdued bass, analytical sound.

True, with one bass BA, it would be hard to imagine that KZ will be pleasing those who criticized AS16.
For the bass affictionados they make hybrids, e.g. recent ZAX.

 

[PhonoPhi]

They said more than 8. 8 is not more than 8.

If you use NiceHCK count, the "double" DD is counted for two, as in NX7

 

[SciOC]

If you use NiceHCK count, the "double" DD is counted for two, as in NX7

That's a coaxial dual dynamic. There are 2 diaphragms. That's not just made up..... Many others use the same coaxial dual dynamic setup and all describe it as 2 drivers (bqeyz BQ3 and others in their lineup for instance).

 

[PhonoPhi]

That's a coaxial dual dynamic. There are 2 diaphragms. That's not just made up..... Many others use the same coaxial dual dynamic setup and all describe it as 2 drivers (bqeyz BQ3 and others in their lineup for instance).

I understand the justification for these claims. Those diagrams are not driven independently, right?

 

[Dsnuts]

Speaking of NiceHCK NX7. Your weekend reader MK3.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/nicehck-nx7-mk3.24673/reviews

If this particular version came out first I think they would have clearly been in the lead for value and design. However. In the span of a bit over a year since first debut of the NX7 we have seen a steady rise in some outstanding high quality earphones in or around the price range. The bad news is they kept the same exact housing, not a fan of the confined housing and relative generic looks. Housing probably came from the same OEM as the myriad of Aliexpress vendor hybrids. The good news is since keeping the same design I am certain the price was kept lower.

 

[Owludio]

Can you explain what BC and ABM mean? These initials are new to me.

ABM is Active Balanced Membrane. Membrane is magnetic and moved by coil similar to the one in the Balanced Armature driver. The advantage is that large area of the membrane moves uniformly similar to the way diaphragm moves in Planar driver but even better because coil can be massive and induce greater magnetic force, thus producing better dynamics and less distortion. I own M3, Tape & Singer - all using different ABM drivers, and all have better tonality of the treble than BA. (Tuning though, has a lot of room for improvement on all 3)
This is from Noble M3 IEM description:

BC stands for Bone Conduction driver
Here is a good source:
https://www.samma3a.com/tech/en/unique-melody-debuts-mest/
"As a summary, MEST bone conduction technology has the following features:

• No standalone sound tunnels for bone conduction drivers.
• Sound can be heard by touching any parts of the shell.
• Low-Voltage driving bone conduction driver
• Resistant to treble noises
• Low distortion
• Smart fit and easy to be assembled

Drivers Configuration (per side):
1x Bone conduction driver to embellish the mid and treble.
2x EST drivers serve ultra-high frequency
2x High BA drivers.
2x Mid-high BA drivers.
1x Dynamic driver serves mid and bass.
FR response:

"
I assume, the core of Bone Conduction driver is also Piezo-Ceramic.
Edit: Just noticed that this" Membrane is magnetic and moved by coil sounds wrong.
I meant ABM: Membrane is magnetic and moved by magnetic field produced by coil.

 

[Nimweth]

ABM is Active Balanced Membrane. Membrane is magnetic and moved by coil similar to the one in the Balanced Armature driver. The advantage is that large area of the membrane moves uniformly similar to the way diaphragm moves in Planar driver but even better because coil can be massive and induce greater magnetic force, thus producing better dynamics and less distortion. I own M3, Tape & Singer - all using different ABM drivers, and all have better tonality of the treble than BA. (Tuning though, has a lot of room for improvement on all 3)
This is from Noble M3 IEM description:

BC stands for Bone Conduction driver
Here is a good source:
https://www.samma3a.com/tech/en/unique-melody-debuts-mest/
"As a summary, MEST bone conduction technology has the following features:

• No standalone sound tunnels for bone conduction drivers.
• Sound can be heard by touching any parts of the shell.
• Low-Voltage driving bone conduction driver
• Resistant to treble noises
• Low distortion
• Smart fit and easy to be assembled

Drivers Configuration (per side):
1x Bone conduction driver to embellish the mid and treble.
2x EST drivers serve ultra-high frequency
2x High BA drivers.
2x Mid-high BA drivers.
1x Dynamic driver serves mid and bass.
FR response:
"
I assume, the core of Bone Conduction driver is also Piezo-Ceramic.

Thank you, that is very interesting, I have learnt something new!

 

[IEMusic]

A bit weird that they didnt say the ASX is "proffesional" while the cheaper ASF is lol.

Regarding both the ASX and ASF, they are all-BA IEMs correct? I wonder if they are both sealed, or are either vented? So the ASX will have 10 BAs per side, and the ASF will have 5 BAs per side? If the ASF is neutrally tuned, with good midrange, and is sealed, with great isolation, then the “Pro” moniker would make perfect sense, as it could make for a brilliant stage monitor.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Regarding both the ASX and ASF, they are all-BA IEMs correct? I wonder if they are both sealed, or are either vented? So the ASX will have 10 BAs per side, and the ASF will have 5 BAs per side? If the ASF is neutrally tuned, with good midrange, and is sealed, with great isolation, then the “Pro” moniker would make perfect sense, as it could make for a brilliant stage monitor.

yeah, they are both BA only iems. No idea of they are vented or not though.

But they showed this graph for the ASF:

 

[Owludio]

Is the long-term effect of bone conduction of high frequencies on ear and brain known?

What is specifically concerning that the intensity of those bone conduction frequencies may not be controlled directly but by the listening preferences at more audible frequencies.

The first thing Google search gives you:
" Bone conduction actually occurs every time you speak and explains why your voice sounds somewhat higher pitched when you listen to yourself on a tape recorder. Bone conduction by itself offers a deeper fuller sound and your voice sounds deeper when not mixed with the sound that comes to the ear from the ear canal. "
This is a fascinating subject that we know very little about. I probably wouldn't worry about health issues as the vibration intensity is too low. The BC driver range is limited by crossover circuits, so no inaudible frequencies to worry about.

Is the charge permanent? Doesn't it dissipate over time?

Electrets are used everywhere. Most inline microphones are electret. Some budget stage mics are electret, I believe.
Theoretically, good electret material shouldn't change without extreme conditions like heat or ultra-high voltage electric field exposure.
I have 2 headphones with 30mm electret drivers with ferrite transformer + 40mm DD for bass. Tech isn't exactly new. It just got miniaturized to fit an IEM recently.

 

[IEMusic]

yeah, they are both BA only iems. No idea of they are vented or not though.

But they showed this graph for the ASF:

That does look like a monitoring IEM tuning!

 

[jant71]

Don't think the earphones are vented...

...but the bass drivers are...

They don't mention that for the ASX. Maybe there we have the difference. Sealed and bassier bottom end on the ASX while the "monitor" sound is from tighter, sharper bass from venting the bass drivers.

 

[RikudouGoku]

That does look like a monitoring IEM tuning!

With this description for the ASX:

I take it that they mean it is going to be bass neutral?