[brsdrgn]

Looks like a double post due to latency issues...

 

[Surf Monkey]

It's THICK! Takes up a lot of space. Now it's compliant and doesn't really tangle, but being thick, it's not supple or pliable, but definitely hearty, beautiful, and compliant.

Sweet. That’s how the Muse Color Cow is. Thick. Love it. I’m going to have to snag me a BlackSoul.

 

[Redcarmoose]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

Never had a problem. Though keep in mind it could be a reality, as you do hear about it at times, though rare. Keep in mind IEMs like the Kiwi ears Orchestra Lite are totally solid. That means if you drop one and they (happen to) crack there no fixing them. Though keep in mind if something (else) did happen to them you couldn’t fix that solid style anyways as the parts are all permanently submerged in medical grade resin. Still they are 8 BAs a side which pretty much never fail. Though I guess theoretically you could over-amp them, that would damage them, but I have not had such an experience, yet.

But I’ve never had any issues with DDs either? Probably the real concern would be the connections, MMCX seems to be more problematic than 2Pin in my experience, yet I only had one MMCX fail and it a cheap MMCX IEM in 2016, so no big deal.

 

[Ferdinando1968]

to be updated…
▶︎Personal Purchase from Angeldac AE Store

Shimin Li Encounter Edition: Shell


Accessory box: hmm fancy

Carrying pouch: Tangzu, finally a pouch, same one with Truthears/Moondrop Droplet’s.



Angeldac raffles: “Better Luck Next Time”
▶︎OOTB impression with all stock sets:
-This IEM definitely needs a burn-in
-Tonal balance is slightly upper mid hot, maybe stock ear tips tames treble too much, it appears dark to my impression right out of the box
-bass is pretty decent, not overly done

I will do a quick 60min burn-in, and change ear tips, or maybe even stock cable, it sounds weird.

▶︎2 X 60min online burn-in session completed, swapped ear tip to H570, cable to PWA Copper 28 V2
-at least much better than initial out of box impression, still feels lacking air and resolutions but in the other words Encounter’s treble is inoffensive and non-fatiguing, at least at current stage.

▶︎This tuning reminds me of Floaudio Lily’s amped tuning, inoffensive, soft, feather touching timbre.

▶︎Yume OG‘s note weight is pretty close to Encounter, a little warmer vocal focused with relaxed treble.

When I do OOTB impressions I generally do not look for any FR, since it may put a bias. So here we go;


No wonder Encounter sounds weird, the huge 6khz sibilance dip is larger than other IEMs with similar single DD, it’s made to sound “soft -edged”.

The benefit of this 6khz 10khz dip will result a universal image focus alternation, with a cost of losing bits of resolving capabilities, they can get some of resolutions back if rest of the range remained sound, but Encounter only has very small upper register emphasis.

I guess this is a divisive tuning trick, one will welcome the “gentle and feather light touch” but other may find that lack of definition and air. The Diffusion border articulation is very blurry and that may be a fatal point for someone looking clear and crisp sound, for that EA500 would do better job, with a cost of somehow more energy flows into your ear canal.

I personally would find this tuning OK, if ONLY Encounter has 10khz air presentation capability which is lacking at this moment, I will try burn-in longer and see if anything changes, if not, Encounter will be a one trick pony for “gentle and inoffensive“ category. [5 hours of burn-in: Air starts to appear! ]

At this moment, Encounter sounds very welcoming on instrumen like Kalimba


I will update Timbre impression upon full burn-in then. I feel it is inappropriate to leave OOTB as-is.

I like the build, I like the cable and I much like the sound.
These together with the EA500 astounded me.

https://open.qobuz.com/track/151620199

 

[AmericanSpirit]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

For past couple of decades, I’ve consumed 4 Ultimate Ears TF10Pro, each of them lasts around 4years of daily use, so I’d consider 4-5 years is an average driver lifetime if you use it daily. I have many IEMs that still sounding fine that I barely used, but my15years old ER4S’s left driver is getting unstable as well, it sometime make buzz noise.

To my experience, simpler mechanical dynamic drivers lasts longer, like 16 years old JVC FX500, it still sounds totally fine, and old Balanced Armature drivers are subject to depletion. My old pair of CIEM UERM is already dead. UE5EB, the world’s first hybrid IEM is still alive because I only clocked less than 10 hours on it due to world’s worst sounding tuning it has.

 

[WAON303]

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

Yea I was listening to EA500 with RedAg last night, very nice sparkling it can generate. Better performing than Moondrop single DLC KXXS, and slightly behind Kato. For $69, EA500 is very recommendable as a single DD IEM if someone is looking a bright neutral signature.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

I think the BlackSoul enhances the lows and mids, which providing a bit more rounded bass and slight heft and punch, whereas the Black Cat seems to improve the top end and provide a bit of air and separation (which is typically lacking in the We Zetian), while still taking nothing away from the bottom end.

I heard rumors Larry the tuner is recommending this cable for the Legato? It's on at good price so I picked one up today as well. $27 CAD

C$ 113.70 40%OFF | NiceHCK BlackCat HIFI Earphone Cable Zinc Copper Alloy Oil Soaked Wire 3.5/2.5/4.4mm MMCX/0.78mm 2Pin for P1 Max SALNOTES ZERO
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKs7MVo

 

[o0genesis0o]

Some A/B tests today. I think I found my EDC complement to the U12T.

These Hidizs MS5 exists at an odd place, though. They are unlikely to be in the “budget king flavour of the month”, so I don’t imagine you guys are very interested. They are unlikely to be ultra expensive to attract attention of the “dragon chasers” either.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

If nothing else that BlackSoul cable sure looks cool. How does it handle?

Like @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 commented, BlackSoul is very high-end finish looking and is a very rare mid boost, it also adds some extra weight on mid-bass.

One of best cables besides KBEAR Hazy for that $25-30 price range.

Purchased from NiceHCK official AE $25, now they discounted to $18
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLxVslu

NiceHCK MixPP
Similar spec& quality to Linsoul LSC08 (U-tuning with significant sub-bass elevation) that used to go for $60, now $50. So MixPP’s $25 (or current $18) is a good offer to this grade of cable. If you are money hungry, you can rename this cable as “Dragon Scale” then sell it with flowery words with $1,200 price tag.


MixPP has a good V-tuning function, more energy toward Ultra High, and slight bass range volume increase.

From same NiceHCK official, BlackSoul @$49, again now they discounted to $32 I have pure bad decision making luck for past 3 consecutive purchases..

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mN7iXEO


I don’t care what ever materials they use, but they claim it uses some rare metal with silver plated 5 elements alloy for this.

The sound is actually very impressive, a mid boost! You can apply this to flat tune aggressive V-tuned IEMs to your liking. Or tame excessive treble & bass. Actually very recommendable cable after their discounted offer $32.

CVJ Angel Wing: OOTB it’s mid centric with rolled off treble, bass is natural level. Burning in. Face plate is printed but looks nicely done 1BA + 1DD. 27USD.
▶︎60min burn-in session done. Hmm still not impressed. I will play around tuning.



US $24.86 KBEAR Hazy 6N Graphene+Copper-Silver Alloy
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKxElKq

Hmm!!! Looks niiice!
▶︎Very premium feeling, L/R indicator on pin connector by color
▶︎swapped PWA Ignis on Mangird Tea for KBEAR Hazy, immediately space opened up, a treble booster&bass tamer Hazy is! Extra fine upper registers, air refresher Hazy is. Works as Bleach for dark sounding IEMs!
▶︎I will probably pair with incoming TRI Star River, as for now Hazy is paired with KZ new ZS5. New ZS5 has good finesse skill, Hazy will enchant that finesse skills and lower sub-bass boost, ZS5 now has clairvoyant upper register.
▶︎Treble boost of Hazy works great with Crossfeed effect, when original tracks is recorded with binaural it most likely will have natural crossfed recording. There are hardware crossfeed functions which will add staging and imaging depth, Hazy matches well with wide open space type.




US $11 USD XINHS 8 Core Silver Red Mixed 5N Single Crystal Copper Silver Plated
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLApREI
hmm…looks OK.
▶︎Comes with Farm Land livestock scent for free
▶︎Pretty neutral, probably slight lower mid emphasis as well as mid-bass.
▶︎Gain level is lower than Hazy
▶︎Matches great with V-tuned IEMs due to its mid lift property, it nerf harsh V to milder ones. For me this cable with flipped starline (hand made S&S ear tip) saved TRN Xuanwu. A nice budget Planar now Xuanwu is, very enjoyable with Planar‘s speed x energy, Bellsing has done great job mass producing SPD in an affordable price range!



US $14.00 KZ Headsets Cable 498 Cores OCC Silver Plated
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMOGhtc

Wow!! Gorgeous looking!! It does use same cable materials with Linsouls Euphrosyne which costs $89 Good job KZ. I will pair with Lily /ZNA / ESX, and incoming AS16 Pro, ZES.


FloAudioLily x KZ’s Euphrosyne = seductively nice looking. Plus it’s Single End that Lily has good synergy with.

▶︎same impression for when I paired PW Audio Titan Series Ignis, Warm-neutral with full band gain floor increase. Nice synergy with Lily! This warm neutral sounding reminds me of tuning closest to UM MEST MKII’s tonal balance. Can’t believe this a performance of $24 single BA + $14 KZ cable + $3 H570 ear tips A total of $41 set up has great experience for warm-neutral when sourced with line out directly ( no amp).

Playing this rich sounding tracks from Icelandic artist, Olafur Arnalds‘s Epilogue with Lily.

YT:


TD

Very satisfying. 2023 is a year of single BA for me. I always thought single BA could only produce crumpled sound, even after Ety since Ety curve was far from my HRTF. Lily has 3khz gain peak that coincide with my 3.1khz HRTF spot. As far as you can tune Lily to your spot and optimum source matching, you‘d realize this full range driver is very capable in technicalities.

Lily is more rewarding gadget to audiophiles who can play around the tuning and various sources.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

ugh, host server lag caused a double posting, hope it gets fixed soon.

 

[Redcarmoose]

The EA500 hysteria will only grow stronger as more buyers enter the fold. It is starting gain maximum inertia and should be a renowned classic.........if it’s not already. A continued success......and will over-shadow anything ever made by SIMGOT! Really the IEM is market disrupting!

Just my feelings.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/si...dynamic-driver-iem.26400/reviews#review-30453

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

I think the BlackSoul enhances the lows and mids, which providing a bit more rounded bass and slight heft and punch, whereas the Black Cat seems to improve the top end and provide a bit of air and separation (which is typically lacking in the We Zetian), while still taking nothing away from the bottom end.

I heard rumors Larry the tuner is recommending this cable for the Legato? It's on at good price so I picked one up today as well. $27 CAd with coupon

C$ 113.70 40%OFF | NiceHCK BlackCat HIFI Earphone Cable Zinc Copper Alloy Oil Soaked Wire 3.5/2.5/4.4mm MMCX/0.78mm 2Pin for P1 Max SALNOTES ZERO
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKs7MVo

 

[wdelta06]

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

Affordable Oxygen...?

 

[baskingshark]

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.

Legato is a dual DD, and the P5 is a hybrid, so kind of different transducers apples to oranges kind of comparison. Also at different price ranges. But these 2 are quite different fundamentally.

FWIW, the Legato is way more basshead than the more warm U-shaped P5. P5 has a nice subwoofer like boosted subbass, but the Legato's bass is a few leagues ahead in quantity - it can rumble the jaw and give a visceral rumbling all the way to the chest LOL.

Legato is technically inferior, and a bit muddier, but has a more natural timbre than the P5.

There are not many bona fide basshead IEMs at the sub $100 region, short of perhaps the KBEAR Rosefinch (which is much worse in technicalities), and perhaps some of the old school TFZ types, so bassheads will really enjoy the Legato. So it is quite a specialist IEM, and perhaps will not be a good companion for classical music or for those wanting a "reference" signature, but if you are an EDM or hiphop aficionado, and want something fun and different from the usual harman fare, then the Legato is unique in that way.

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

Short of lousy QC from the factory, I guess if you do sensible things, like not dropping the IEM, or exposing them to extreme temperatures/moisture, the drivers can actually last a long time. I have BA and DD containing IEMs that are almost 20 years old and are still going strong. From my IEM journey, usually it is the cables that die first, rather than the driver, assuming you baby your gear.