[Gee Simpson]

@RikudouGoku Thanks for recommending the Sony XBA-N3 to me. They are exactly what I was looking for, which was an upgrade to the iBasso IT00 but with a similar sound sig

 

[IEMusic]

@RikudouGoku Thanks for recommending the Sony XBA-N3 to me. They are exactly what I was looking for, which was an upgrade to the iBasso IT00 but with a similar sound sig

How’s the soundstage, and in particular, the imaging on the N3?

 

[Kumonomukou]

How’s the soundstage, and in particular, the imaging on the N3?

N3's imaging was solid to me, nothing out the world, but we'll presented especially with that little bit of added dynamic. I do have a couple knocks on N3 with its mediocre paint job and MMCX port. I'd prefer a tighter connection for long lasting security. Though it may vary from units.

 

[unifutomaki]

So, I lost my mind in December and ordered a bunch of IEM cables and a few IEMs from Ali Express when there was a sale or on special. Yesterday, I began to take stock and realized that I have only one IEM that has QDC connectors, but I have around 6 QDC IEM cords either in my IEM cabinet or still on the way. I got TFZ mixed up with QDC.
What to do??? Why not just order some more IEMs from Ali Express.
I ordered TRN VX and KZ ZSN Pro and KZ AS12 and KZ DQ6 and CCA C12.
I know that KZ DQ6 does not suck, but what about the others.

I have little good to say about the ZSN Pro so I'll recuse myself

VX might be on the bright and shouty side. AS12 has its fans but I've not heard it myself. The C12 is around the level of the ZS10 Pro, V-shaped classic KZ sound.

You should really try the ZAX though!

 

[cappuchino]

Hey guys! Here's my review of the Moondrop SSP: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/moondrop-ssp-super-spaceship-pulse.24772/review/25556/

TL;DR: I like it a lot. But...

 

[RikudouGoku]

How’s the soundstage, and in particular, the imaging on the N3?

The soundstage is huge and the overall sounds sounds very similar to a 2.1 speaker setup.

Imaging, details and instrument separation however are just ok, the N3 isnt a technicalities beast in general except for the soundstage.

 

[Xinlisupreme]

The arms race continues......

QDC Anole V14 Latest Flagship 10BA+4EST IEM Available Now!!​

QDC has announced their latest flagship from their highly acclaimed “Anole” series of IEMs, the Anole V14.
It comes as an upgrade to the well-renowned Anole VX, with better 3D fluorescent face panels and 14 driver hybrid configuration on each side. The pair is equipped with 10 high-performance balanced armature units paired with 4 EST drivers on both sides.

It has an exquisite beautiful design with 3D fluorescent face panels that shows a change in color from black to green after absorbing light. It also features four tuning switches that provide 16 different sound tuning options to the users. The QDC Anole V14 has a price tag of 2999$


HiFi 14 driver hybrid configuration on both sides.

Ten High-performance BA units.

Four powerful EST drivers.

QDC’s patented Multitube Multi-Frequency divider technology.

3D Fluorescent face panels.

Four different tuning switches(On each earpiece).

High-quality 12-core copper-silver hybrid wire with interchangeable termination plug.
2.5mm Bal, 4.4mm Bal, and 3.5mm SE termination plugs included.

Impedance: 12-20Ω.
Frequency Range: 10Hz-50kHz.
Sensitivity: 105-108dB/mW.
Noise-reduction: 26dB.


The QDC Anole V14 has a price tag of 2999$

 

[unifutomaki]

Been listening to the Smabat X1 a ton these past couple of days and they continue to impress. I've since kitted them out with the Faaeal litz cable and a pair of firm-ish, red-cored silicone tips that came with the Faaeal Poppy. Though you can absolutely make the X1 carry a "neutral"/mid-centric signature by either using the tuning switch or aggressive EQ, they sound even better to my ears when configured as a dual-driver, U-shaped IEM. Once the overcooked 125Hz section is dialed down with EQ, the "woofer" starts to really dig deep and move some air in the sub-bass section, while the secondary driver keeps the mids and highs clean and transparent. What transpires is a very dynamic, layered and coherent sound with great timbre, weight and clarity. If you don't mind experimenting and tweaking a little (and if you're in this hobby, this kind of IEM is what makes life interesting), I really wouldn't let these slip by at $50.



This track, Spring Thief by ヨルシカ, provides a great showcase of the qualities I mentioned. This song comprises of a mixture of quiet and loud sections featuring suis' vocals, kick drum, snare drum, acoustic guitar, piano, flute(?) and tambourines. In the first 45 seconds of the song, there's a texture and visceral impact to the drums, but at the same time the guitar strums remain clean and precise, the vocals rise above the instruments, and the tambourines can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the mix. Between 45 seconds and 1:30 is the first "loud" section where the guitar really kicks in and starts to dominate the instrumentation, but one can still clearly distinguish the piano to the right and towards the rear, the vocals remain forward, and the kick of each drum beat can still be felt.

Between 1:30 and 2:15, one finds more textured and complex drumming, delicate piano notes and crisp tambourines. The second chorus (2:15-2:50) brings the flute (?) into greater focus, but each element can still be perceived independently of one another. Subtle details, like the barely perceptible drumroll at 3:10, are also audibly represented. With this configuration, no part of the frequency range sounds recessed, compressed or otherwise screwed. I'll be dailying these along with the TA1, I think.

 

[Gee Simpson]

The soundstage is huge and the overall sounds sounds very similar to a 2.1 speaker setup.

Imaging, details and instrument separation however are just ok, the N3 isnt a technicalities beast in general except for the soundstage.

Pretty much this

 

[Jitu13]

Been listening to the Smabat X1 a ton these past couple of days and they continue to impress. I've since kitted them out with the Faaeal litz cable and a pair of firm-ish, red-cored silicone tips that came with the Faaeal Poppy. Though you can absolutely make the X1 carry a "neutral"/mid-centric signature by either using the tuning switch or aggressive EQ, they sound even better to my ears when configured as a dual-driver, U-shaped IEM. Once the overcooked 125Hz section is dialed down with EQ, the "woofer" starts to really dig deep and move some air in the sub-bass section, while the secondary driver keeps the mids and highs clean and transparent. What transpires is a very dynamic, layered and coherent sound with great timbre, weight and clarity. If you don't mind experimenting and tweaking a little (and if you're in this hobby, this kind of IEM is what makes life interesting), I really wouldn't let these slip by at $50.



This track, Spring Thief by ヨルシカ, provides a great showcase of the qualities I mentioned. This song comprises of a mixture of quiet and loud sections featuring suis' vocals, kick drum, snare drum, acoustic guitar, piano, flute(?) and tambourines. In the first 45 seconds of the song, there's a texture and visceral impact to the drums, but at the same time the guitar strums remain clean and precise, the vocals rise above the instruments, and the tambourines can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the mix. Between 45 seconds and 1:30 is the first "loud" section where the guitar really kicks in and starts to dominate the instrumentation, but one can still clearly distinguish the piano to the right and towards the rear, the vocals remain forward, and the kick of each drum beat can still be felt.

Between 1:30 and 2:15, one finds more textured and complex drumming, delicate piano notes and crisp tambourines. The second chorus (2:15-2:50) brings the flute (?) into greater focus, but each element can still be perceived independently of one another. Subtle details, like the barely perceptible drumroll at 3:10, are also audibly represented. With this configuration, no part of the frequency range sounds recessed, compressed or otherwise screwed. I'll be dailying these along with the TA1, I think.

Whenever I see the video I am reminded of the @IEMusic's avatar . The resemblance is uncanny

 

[Xinlisupreme]

How is possible ask 140€ for 7BA+2DD?!?
Crazy deal!

 

[Dsnuts]

Looks like a warmer tuning on this one. Dont have a lot of pinna gain with a lot of mid bass. They went for more of a fun tuning it looks like. Since they are using a lot of BAs to handle the mids to treble. This could work but I bet there will be some mid bass bleed on this.

 

[HerrXRDS]

Hard to tell the scale on that graph, is that a 4 db bass boost which should work fine, or 20 which would be a mess?

 

[astermk]

Looks like a warmer tuning on this one. Dont have a lot of pinna gain with a lot of mid bass. They went for more of a fun tuning it looks like. Since they are using a lot of BAs to handle the mids to treble. This could work but I bet there will be some mid bass bleed on this.

That looks like it lacks too much treble to be "fun". It just looks muddy.

 

[Dsnuts]

Warm sound signature with big bass. It looks like they went for more of a consumer type tuning on it. We wont know till some reviews come out. I got my eye on this one none the less. It has some potential but that tuning is a bit questionable. Wondering if that is the bass filter they threw on there. Supposed to have a female poison version I suspect with more treble and upper mids. We will see.