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The discovery thread!

Sep 16, 2022 at 1:51 AM Post #64,936 of 151,889
JAnonymous5150 said:
No worries. I just got a bit excited thinking we finally had someone who'd heard yhe Talos. Though I have to say, when I see the graph that they put out (posted above) it looks like I might prefer the Talos without the treble boost from the switch/BAs. That's why I'm interested to see what people think about it. With most IEMs I have tried with dip switches they come off as pretty gimmicky and rarely have more than a single useful tuning, though there are a couple exceptions. Oh well, guess I'll have to wait and see!
Click to expand...
I also think i will like it without the BA switch hehe. BTW I have got an order for mine, Let's hope I get my unit soon :) will post some impressions after I get the set.
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 1:56 AM Post #64,937 of 151,889
gadgetgod said:
I also think i will like it without the BA switch hehe. BTW I have got an order for mine, Let's hope I get my unit soon :) will post some impressions after I get the set.
Click to expand...

Please do! Ill look forward to reading them when you do.
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 2:38 AM Post #64,938 of 151,889
baskingshark said:
There's a pricing for the DUNU Talos now, $199.99 USD:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/joi...alanced-armature-hybrid.964898/#post-17145354
https://www.dunu-topsound.com/talos


Hmmm, not as cheap as the 7Hz Dioko, Kinera Celeste and the CCA/KZ Planar, but you get the switcheroo thing to convert it to a BA + planar hybrid, so maybe the costs are justified?
Click to expand...

200 is a bigger price jump than what I expected given it's around 160 in mainland China. (I expected 180.)

It's reasonably priced but I'm willing to bet the hybrid mode is going to be a total gimmick.

Will the Talos be the new Planar king? Doubt it, but I'll probably be a solid option within the Planar space.

Very few IEMs with DIP switches have more than 1 useful config or none of them are usable because the base tuning is poop.
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 2:44 AM Post #64,939 of 151,889
DynamicEars said:
Oh if that the case that will be good experimental, I didn't know that knowles released new super tweeters, thanks for the info. Anyway they aren't cheap so better wait and see.
Click to expand...

I don't know how new the tweeters are, but my thought is based on the brief of the seminar by Knowles at CanJam SoCal on 18/09. A quick google search seems to indicate that a new product line is coming.

Edit: This is the supertweeter RAU-34832-B148. The response looks kind of similar. Of course, this is just my baseless assumption. There is no evidence that this is the driver in Talos.
 
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Sep 16, 2022 at 4:37 AM Post #64,940 of 151,889
After recieving several "complaints" over how CCA PLA13 is tuned
namely, complains on how its tuned to KZ sound sig which kinda blunted the planar driver
KZ is going to release "KZ" side of Planar IEMs which uniquely have two iems with two separate tuning targets
1663317342304.png
1663317365376.png


Presumably the standard will have KZ fun V, while the high res should be flatter (less bass) or have higher treble.
No additional info like graph yet.

Kinda curious whether the grill is decoration or actual semi open back planar
---
statement by KZ Rep, Standard=Basshead | Hifi=Treblehead

1663320394546.png
 
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Sep 16, 2022 at 5:35 AM Post #64,941 of 151,889
Sep 16, 2022 at 7:39 AM Post #64,942 of 151,889
DynamicEars said:
Exactly! DD with planar is great (if well implemented and tuned great)
That's why I'm curious about the new Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 (TWS)
11mm DD + all range planar and the tuning is superb
As cherry on top, they support LDAC codec (up to 990kbps). Think I'm gonna grab one
Click to expand...
I'll find out later today after work as I just got the message that mine are ready to pick up. Got a nice deal with extended warranty and a Huawei band 7 for free with them.


Lately I've been focusing on comparing the TRN ST5 and KZ ZS10 Pro. (That and I've started to learn to play guitar:guitar:)
I'll guess I'll give a quick teaser of that. Keep in mind that the ST5 is almost twice the price of the ZS10 Pro X and that I've only had the ZS10 Pro X for about 3 days.

Bass
It's quality vs quantity here. With the ST5 getting the great DD from the TA1 Max and being tuned more neutral, it should be no surprise the quality of bass is superb here. It has just enough quantity to make it fun without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum.
The ZS10 Pro X has the competent "X" driver as seen (heard) in the ZSX, ZAX and ZSN Pro X. If you've heard either of these before you'll know what the ZS10 Pro X bass is like. Quantity with decent texturing, a nice bit of rumble but a little lacking in terms technicality.

Mids
The ST5 has the upper hand here, it's more natural and cleaner than the ZS10 Pro X. Vocals are good for both male an female. The ZS10 Pro X while more refined than the original ZS10 Pro lags behind here. I need more time with them to get a better understanding of their strengths here.

Treble
When switching from the ST5 I feel like I want the ZS10 Pro X to have a higher quantity of treble. But since I like more treble than others I doubt most here would share the same opinion. When switching back to the for the first time ST5 something stood out immediately, the ZS10 Pro X's treble is much more refined compared to the ST5. While the detail retrieval is equal between the two, the quality of the ZS10 Pro X is a few steps ahead of the ST5. I actually prefer the treble of the TA1 Max to the ST5, way more refined than both the ST5 and ZS10 Pro X.

I've got to hand it to KZ, this ZS10 Pro X a big improvement over their original ZS10 Pro. Those who find the original a bit too hot in the treble probably will enjoy this one.

Some quick thoughts on both;
TRN ST5
A very good sounding an wel build option for the price. A nice and balanced IEM with good technical performance. Personally I don't think it's better than the TA1 Max but it's equal. Both have good and bad points and both are a steal at their price points. The build of the ST5 is great, comfortable and sturdy. The cable is nice with the swappable terminations but I would have liked it to be thicker as it feels a little thin.

KZ ZS10 Pro X
It's a more refined take on the ZS10 Pro, still a V-shaped IEM but done in a better way. Sure the bass isn't as punchy as the ZS10 Pro but the quality has improved a lot and the treble is way more refined.
Was kinda sad that it doesn't have the stainless face plate anymore, but with the prices of stainless steel tripling due to the pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia I don't blame them. All of the "new" S-type BA's are inside the shell but there is only one cluster for two with the other two being on opposite sides of the DD. And they are actually dark in color compared to the usual silver.

20220916_131408~2.jpg


Don't like the new KZ/CCA cables though, it's worse than the braided silver one they used before and this one has a annoying memory bend near the jack on mine.
20220916_131735_HDR~2.jpg

I've only got the ZS10 Pro X with me at work so I can only snap some quick picks of them atm.

I've added more IEM's to my collection like the CCA PLA13 and Truthear x Crinacle Zero but I haven't had much time for them yet to post something here about them.
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 7:52 AM Post #64,943 of 151,889
RCracer777 said:
I'll find out later today after work as I just got the message that mine are ready to pick up.
Click to expand...
I'm really curious to read your impressions. If you pair with an Android for LDAC playback you need the AI Life app and switch on Smart HD and then set the bluetooth connection setting to best sound quality instead of stable connection.

I'm still in the wow state. I wish they had a wired version.
1663328990068.png
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 8:11 AM Post #64,944 of 151,889
For fans of the original SMABAT Black Bat, they are releasing a sequel:

Excitingly called the Black Bat 2. Why is it not named "PRO" or "X"?

PU + PEEK composite beryllium diaphragm 10 mm single DD. $34 USD

Smabat 1.JPG


Smabat 2.JPG


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004749426471.html


Smabat are better known for their earbuds. Their IEMs are generally quite niche and have a cult following, but who knows, don't judge an IEM by its name!
 
Sep 16, 2022 at 8:17 AM Post #64,945 of 151,889
Sep 16, 2022 at 8:32 AM Post #64,946 of 151,889
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Sep 16, 2022 at 9:12 AM Post #64,948 of 151,889
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