The discovery thread!

[AmericanSpirit]

You make excellent points, but there is also the use case aspect… Carrying around a DAP and phone can be cumbersome. I have a HiBy R6 Pro which I rarely actually use because it is another big item to carry around. I have quite a few dongles (favorites being Lotoo S1, L&P W2, and Shanling UA5) but in part because of the fiddly cable connections, but largely because when I have to handle the phone having the dongle hang off of it is inconvenient (not to mention a pain to pull out of my pocket) I never even use them any longer. For me the BTR7 is the best compromise between sound quality and convenience. Note that I used the word “compromise”. But in the end that’s just me, and others may be driven by other values in their use cases.

+1 L&P W2! Only let down is that when ever I carry it on the go, the connectivity issues of physical USB/lightning port get interrupted while moving phones. SQ is great enough to run most of IEMs except very few spec hungry ones

I’m honest thinking while on the move, I may find IEM with DSP connectors to be more convenient than Dap/USB dongle. And yes there is always TWS options.
On the go, TWS, and when charging, wired IEM with DSP socket. Light and not bulky

And IMHO, USB dongle meant for phones should have a sleek design like universal fit battery to smartphones back side(sorry Qi wireless charing)

If I see any good DAC comes with this type of design for iphone, they’ve got my money.

Hey future genius, please design flat and expandable IEM/TWS that you can store in the backside as well. If enough slots, maybe additional battery modules for battery drainage concerns….iBasso and @FiiO please

TWS issue(carrying case is bothersome. It take extra space in your pocket, which not cool.

A smart businessman needs a sleek silhouette,

not suit with some dips that you can tell you’ve stored you phone + tws carrying case) huge public needs there

 

[o0genesis0o]

+1 L&P W2! Only let down is that when ever I carry it on the go, the connectivity issues of physical USB/lightning port get interrupted while moving phones. SQ is great enough to run most of IEMs except very few spec hungry ones

I’m honest thinking while on the move, I may find IEM with DSP connectors to be more convenient than Dap/USB dongle. And yes there is always TWS options.
On the go, TWS, and when charging, wired IEM with DSP socket. Light and not bulky

Ever since I started reviewing the Fiio FW5, I don’t see myself bringing an extra DAP in my pocket or a clunky combo of dongle and wired IEM when I run errands. It sounds good enough that I can’t complain, and the convenience is unmatched by any other combo. If I can sit down at a coffee shop, for instance, then I would carry my briefcase with my DAP and wired IEMs inside.

 

[552609]

Ever since I started reviewing the Fiio FW5, I don’t see myself bringing an extra DAP in my pocket or a clunky combo of dongle and wired IEM when I run errands. It sounds good enough that I can’t complain, and the convenience is unmatched by any other combo. If I can sit down at a coffee shop, for instance, then I would carry my briefcase with my DAP and wired IEMs inside.

I'm using the Truthear HEXA with the Fostex True Wireless system and it's pretty good, great for working out, which is very hard to find earbuds that don't fall out. But, I use the PX8 for wireless listening.

 

[r31ya]

New KZ pokemon, KZ ZAR
not sure whether KZ actually have announce this one, (KZ rep got covid in christmas and still out)
but review unit reach and measured by IanFann
It seems to be KZ version of CCA HM20 (1DD + 7DD)

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[AmericanSpirit]

New KZ pokemon, KZ ZAR
not sure whether KZ actually have announce this one, (KZ rep got covid in christmas and still out)
but review unit reach and measured by IanFann
It seems to be KZ version of CCA HM20 (1DD + 7DD)

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ZAS successor!?

Errr why V-tuned from ZAS….ZAS had very good balance

It looks like KZ always wants some extreme turns ASX (extreme V; people complained about screaming treble) >> fine, we will cut treble >> AST(bass dominant)

ZAS (pretty nice W-tuning) >> we need KZ-V back! >> ZAR

 

[552609]

New KZ pokemon, KZ ZAR
not sure whether KZ actually have announce this one, (KZ rep got covid in christmas and still out)
but review unit reach and measured by IanFann
It seems to be KZ version of CCA HM20 (1DD + 7DD)

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Gotta Catch 'Em All - this one looks like a Steel Type.

 

[o0genesis0o]

ZAS successor!?

Errr why V-tuned from ZAS….ZAS had very good balance

It looks like KZ always wants some extreme turns ASX (extreme V; people complained about screaming treble) >> fine, we will cut treble >> AST(bass dominant)

ZAS (pretty nice W-tuning) >> we need KZ-V back! >> ZAR

It seems like a sensible IEM. The ZAS looks quite L shaped. Still, what’s the point of having all of those drivers and still no response above 15k

 

[baskingshark]

New KZ pokemon, KZ ZAR
not sure whether KZ actually have announce this one, (KZ rep got covid in christmas and still out)
but review unit reach and measured by IanFann
It seems to be KZ version of CCA HM20 (1DD + 7DD)

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In 2023, we will have to see which pokemon is going to be the winner:

1) weekly KZ
2) weekly collab
3) weekly harman $20 budget sidegrade
4) weekly waifu


I have a sneaky suspicion KZ will still rule the roost when it comes to quantity and productivity of releases (but probably not win in quality of releases).

 

[AmericanSpirit]

It seems like a sensible IEM. The ZAS looks quite L shaped. Still, what’s the point of having all of those drivers and still no response above 15k

It’s actually a W-shape from Crin’s chart and my perception.

KZ’s Belsing 30019s driver is not too high-spec like Knowles’s 30019, in order to avoid besing sounding too “grainy” they dropped the gain level. KZ is playing poker with 7 and 8, while Knowles/Sonion has K and A. Some engineers effort I guess. It does sound pretty enjoyable.

The 15khz valley I bet is physical crossover of DD+midx6 and highx1 located near the nozzle outlet.
But then HEXA appeared, tough challenger here that ZAS is facing a tough pressure now..

 

[r31ya]

In 2023, we will have to see which pokemon is going to be the winner:

1) weekly KZ
2) weekly collab
3) weekly harman $20 budget sidegrade

I have a sneaky suspicion KZ will still rule the roost when it comes to quantity and productivity of releases (but probably not win in quality of releases).

not expecting much, but basically still hoping that the so called #KZTuners project (KZ asking people what tuning they want) actually works and have some result.
its filled with request basically asking KZ to replicate things like etymotic or totl sound sig
not sure whether its still active project.
---
yeah, KZ basically make their Bellsing BA sounds polite to tame it and try to overcome of it being too tame by giving lots of BA unit.
its a unique decision, but kz stuck by it and refuse to use any of the "higher" grade drivers

 

[o0genesis0o]

not expecting much, but basically still hoping that the so called #KZTuners project (KZ asking people what tuning they want) actually works and have some result.
its filled with request basically asking KZ to replicate things like etymotic or totl sound sig
not sure whether its still active project.

Kind of like SeeAudio Bravery project? Never heard it but it seems to be a very well tuned IEM.

 

[r31ya]

Kind of like SeeAudio Bravery project? Never heard it but it seems to be a very well tuned IEM.

not sure on bravery,

basically it begun with loads of people start to complains that kz tuning as they keep releasing many "fun-v" iem.
and kz basically said, "if we wished/want for it, we could replicate or have any kind tuning and make it within budget iem segment"
thus KZTuners facebook site being made and kz ask people what kind of tuning people want KZ to make in the budget segment.

the page then was filled with tuning request, but other than releasing free EDC-X (1 dd, $9.5), we haven't heard from it

 

[baskingshark]

not sure on bravery,

basically it begun with loads of people start to complains that kz tuning as they keep releasing many "fun-v" iem.
and kz basically said, "if we wished/want for it, we could replicate or have any kind tuning and make it within budget iem segment"
thus KZTuners facebook site being made and kz ask people what kind of tuning people want KZ to make in the budget segment.

the page then was filled with tuning request, but other than releasing free EDC-X (1 dd, $9.5), we haven't heard from it

Well this kind of community input tuning is a win-win for KZ actually. The consumers who gave their input will buy it, and even if it turns out bad, KZ can say "look, it was the masses that asked for this tuning!"

The earbuds community had a similar community feedback tuned earbud, the Earbuds Anonymous, which retailed for $50 usd at release. Well soundwise, i sold mine away after a few weeks (haha no further comment), but yes this was a proof of concept that a community tuned gear can be feasible.

 

[WAON303]

The earbuds community had a similar community feedback tuned earbud, the Earbuds Anonymous

I thought this was a joke, sounds like an organization who is trying to rehabilitate earbud addicts LOL.

Founded by Sir Crinacle, convert to IEMs plz.

 

[baskingshark]

I thought this was a joke, sounds like an organization who is trying to rehabilitate earbud addicts LOL.

Founded by Sir Crinacle, convert to IEMs plz.

Haha there is a legit community tuned earbud bro: https://penonaudio.com/earbuds-anonymous.html

Yes it does sound like an Alcoholics Anonymous group. We should have a CHIFI rehab group for recalcitrant pokemon IEM collectors. Haha but then it is the antithesis of this thread, and we would be banned from the Discovery thread.