The discovery thread!

[dharmasteve]

Although I would not in general listen to classical music through these, listening to Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, Morton Gould Stereo Spectacular version, is quite something through these, not through detail, but purely through bass involvement and it's general emotional presentation, particularly as the finale starts to arrive.

On getting some hours on these I have to say these are definitely a specialized IEM. They are not particularly detailed....but the bass and lower mids are good..... to my ears. Upper mids/lower treble could be better in detail. Bass is not a fast bass like some ADLC DD's manage. It really is all about the bass thump. There is good resonance on drum skins. They are the ultimate bass-head IEM and some may not like that. They do thump with plenty of impact. They definitely need some hours to gain their clarity. I like big bass, but if you don't like big bass these will not be detailed enough for you.....probably.

 

[4ceratops]

I hope these aren’t rebranded Joyodio Shines, but even then the price point seems great.

If I remember correctly, the Joyodio are hybrids and these KZ single DD.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

The NiceHCK Black Cat is actually superior to the NiceHCK BlackSoul. Had I known, I would have pulled the trigger on two Black Cats while they were on sale.

I have one incoming, and I will have my input on NiceHCK cable walk throughs I guess.

Currently for latest line up of NiceHCK:
OrangeSir
MixPP
RedAg
BlackCat
BlackSoul
DragonScale


NiceHCK is offering best cost performing cables over XINHS especially for sub$50 segment to my impression. KBEAR is performing better than XINHS in sub$50 segment as well. Right now XINHS offers various cables from $7-13, which is pretty good grade but when compared to MixPP and RedAg, it’s a tough call.

For $50-100 segment there are many other high-end competitors like Null Audio, PW Audio, Satin Audio that offers their entry level from $70~.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Finding synergy is so important to optimizing your listening experience. It sometimes takes rolling and rolling and rolling and just chance combos.

Sound Rhyme SR5 + KBear Hazy cable + Moondrop Spring tips + Sony A306 = Close to ENDGAME sound. Now I'm sure the IE600 will get closer to my personal endgame /TOTL set up, but in the interim, the SR5 and Orchestra Lite do a fantastic job of back n forth with the title. The Wu Zetian with that Black Cat cable is sneaking up behind those two rather quickly. Can't wait to get my Aur Audio Aure's in next month and slap that Dunu cable on it and see where they place?

Oh I haven’t tried Hazy&Spring Tip combo on SR5 yet. Let me try Thanks for the input Glad to see you also find SR5‘s tuning is something special!

 

[AmericanSpirit]

These look interesting, 6BA with 3 Dip switches and steel nozzle. I really dislike iems that don't have a steel/mesh nozzle. Looks like only available in Japan though.
*edit* and each switch is for each of the frequencies, High, Mid, and Low. You can click picture for store page with more info.

Chikyu-sekai is a Japan domestic distributor, they started their own line up as they build the supply-chain relationship with ODM.

That Roam is at ¥54,000, around 400USD.
Shell reminds me of GS Audio’s OEM service line ups.

As bare minimum of that Sonion/Knowles composition is stated by $295 for ST6.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mO1jR9c

So that 400USD sounds a pretty fair offer. However discontinued Aur Audio’s Aure was around $430 for 6BA+1, which basically translated fo 8BA if they substitute 2BA for 1DD. So I’d still think Aur Audio has got competitive advantage in terms of cost to performance.

Chikyu-sekai is like Linsoul of Japan, pretty famous IEM shop, pretty interesting how they would expand the private brand.

 

[Leonarfd]

My review on AüR Audio Neon Pro is now published, I might have gone a little overboard so the review is fairly long.
If interested in this gem of an IEM please read it.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/aür-audio-neon-pro.26395/review/30495/

 

[RetroE83]

Thanks for pointing that out! I overlooked that.

 

[ywheng89]

*not stock tips (Symbio W Peel)
Well well well, not a basshead myself but i'm blown away by the Legato..
You might think with that amount of bass, it will probably sound dark, not at all..
The treble remains lively and energetic, never offensive or harsh.

If you have had any experience with vintage speakers, they are quite similar sounding. Some graphs are already floating around, but all i can say is, if you have the chance, listen to it, the graph doesn't really tell the whole story.

I'm burning in the Legato now, will be back with some impressions probably tomorrow
Cheers!

 

[Burnt Luck]

Chikyu-sekai is a Japan domestic distributor, they started their own line up as they build the supply-chain relationship with ODM.

That Roam is at ¥54,000, around 400USD.
Shell reminds me of GS Audio’s OEM service line ups.

As bare minimum of that Sonion/Knowles composition is stated by $295 for ST6.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mO1jR9c

So that 400USD sounds a pretty fair offer. However discontinued Aur Audio’s Aure was around $430 for 6BA+1, which basically translated fo 8BA if they substitute 2BA for 1DD. So I’d still think Aur Audio has got competitive advantage in terms of cost to performance.

Chikyu-sekai is like Linsoul of Japan, pretty famous IEM shop, pretty interesting how they would expand the private brand.

Good to know, they'd still be cheaper than Dunu SA6's. I actually sold my Dunu SA6 Ultras a couple weeks ago.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

*not stock tips (Symbio W Peel)
Well well well, not a basshead myself but i'm blown away by the Legato..
You might think with that amount of bass, it will probably sound dark, not at all..
The treble remains lively and energetic, never offensive or harsh.

If you have had any experience with vintage speakers, they are quite similar sounding. Some graphs are already floating around, but all i can say is, if you have the chance, listen to it, the graph doesn't really tell the whole story.

I'm burning in the Legato now, will be back with some impressions probably tomorrow
Cheers!

Interesting if anyone can compare Legato with AFUL P5, as P5 has what I may refer as old vintage JBL speaker like deep resonating bass.

 

[Ceilidh]

*not stock tips (Symbio W Peel)
Well well well, not a basshead myself but i'm blown away by the Legato..
You might think with that amount of bass, it will probably sound dark, not at all..
The treble remains lively and energetic, never offensive or harsh.

If you have had any experience with vintage speakers, they are quite similar sounding. Some graphs are already floating around, but all i can say is, if you have the chance, listen to it, the graph doesn't really tell the whole story.

I'm burning in the Legato now, will be back with some impressions probably tomorrow
Cheers!

interesting! Waiting to see comparison of the Legato and Rinko, as it seems to also be a bit of a bass cannon, and I'm currently looking for one.

 

[ywheng89]

interesting! Waiting to see comparison of the Legato and Rinko, as it seems to also be a bit of a bass cannon, and I'm currently looking for one.

I have the Rinko coming to me as well, will compare both when i have it

 

[Neithan]

Oh I haven’t tried Hazy&Spring Tip combo on SR5 yet. Let me try Thanks for the input Glad to see you also find SR5‘s tuning is something special!

And with the RedAg please

 

[dharmasteve]

So a few more words on the 7Hz Legato. The bass is big, as you will know from the couple of us who have started to express what we hear. The bass is not boomy at all, but it does have a boxyness as did the larger of old time speakers. Not a floorstanding speaker sound, but imagine a large speaker on a stand. That type of boxyness. On Marianne Faithful's live version of Sister Morphine (Blazing Away album), her deep voice is perfect for the Legato. The bass guitar notes are more forward than on other IEMs. Drums hits are forward with good skin textures and resonance. There is a big feel about the sound as if we are inside the venue. For some music this IEM gives a big, hearty, impactful, gig like experience. I'm sure a lot of music will be unsuitable for the Legato, but horses for courses and I think this IEM will be like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it. Definitely don't judge it on first impressions as it breaks in after a few hours and then gains some clarity progressively. On 'Focus on Sanity', Ornette Coleman, this the only IEM that brings the Double Bass forward enough to be right in front of you and I've listened to this on many IEMs. Really like being in Ronnie Scott's. Turn the wick up and feel like you are on night out in a Jazz Club. Amazing Double Bass. Soundstage width and imaging is good on the right tracks. I haven't listened to it enough, but this might be perfect for club type jazz.

 

[Ceilidh]

So a few more words on the 7Hz Legato. The bass is big, as you will know from the couple of us who have started to express what we hear. The bass is not boomy at all, but it does have a boxyness as did the larger of old time speakers. Not a floorstanding speaker sound, but imagine a large speaker on a stand. That type of boxyness. On Marianne Faithful's live version of Sister Morphine (Blazing Away album), her deep voice is perfect for the Legato. The bass guitar notes are more forward than on other IEMs. Drums hits are forward with good skin textures and resonance. There is a big feel about the sound as if we are inside the venue. For some music this IEM gives a big, hearty, impactful, gig like experience. I'm sure a lot of music will be unsuitable for the Legato, but horses for courses and I think this IEM will be like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it. Definitely don't judge it on first impressions as it breaks in after a few hours and then gains some clarity progressively. On 'Focus on Sanity', Ornette Coleman, this the only IEM that brings the Double Bass forward enough to be right in front of you and I've listened to this on many IEMs. Really like being in Ronnie Scott's. Turn the wick up and feel like you are on night out in a Jazz Club. Amazing Double Bass. Soundstage width and imaging is good on the right tracks. I haven't listened to it enough, but this might be perfect for club type jazz.

sounds perfect to listen to some Primus