The discovery thread!

[baskingshark]

I don’t believe it’s a hit specifically at Crinacle, per se; it’s more about the timing. IMO, IEMs have blown up over the last few years and as the market reaches an over saturation of: reviewers, over hyping, re-tunings, collabs, several new offerings each week, . . ., we are starting to see the declining side of the bell curve.

Great insight! Even if one loves pizza and ice cream, when eating it every day (in the same handful of popular flavours), the taste buds are bound to become apathetic sooner or later. Maybe if one keeps stuffing more and more tubs of ice cream down the mouth, what tasted good initially can now induce regurgitation?

Honestly, I was expecting the budget CHIFI bubble to burst last year, such is how saturated the market is with 70 - 80% of new releases forgotten 2 weeks post launch. But CHIFI manufacturers are highly innovative, old dogs learn new tricks, and they come up with new treats to entice consumers to unlock their wallets - eg last year was the planar IEM hype, this year seems to be the 2DD, tunable switch and DSP hype.

The usual collabs and waifus and Harman sidegrade spam will always be present and capture a portion of the pie, but I think consumers are now wising up and many avoid blind buying on day 1 of launch. People now exercise patience and wait for a few days to see if the hype is fully justified (SPOILER: most hypetrains crash after barely leaving the station).

I have all of those. DT100 and Lily were pretty close (somewhat disturbing given the price difference). AQ0 and Calla both lean dark and warm with driver flex, but I don't think I've ever listened to them back to back. Given that Audiosense haven't had much activity other than repeated sales. If they are trying to break into the budget sector, that could be good for their ongoing viability.

I'm quite fearful that Audiosense may be closing down? They seem to have had a few firesales the last couple of months, selling their products at low prices. There seems to be no new releases planned on the horizon too.

You need to buy the new purple Hiby RII pro now

I really like the purple Hiby R6 Pro II in terms of sonics, it can compete with the WM1A (stock) in technical chops, good neutralish tonality. Just that the battery is a joke at 5 hours (class A, 4.4mm). And the power output is quite limited, it can't drive some planar headphones or very low sensitivity/high impedance stuff optimally.

Ultimately, the battery life is a real deal breaker personally, as it can't even get me through the day. Compare this to Sony DAPs that can easily hit 20 - 30 hours on balanced.

 

[InvisibleInk]

I'm quite fearful that Audiosense may be closing down? They seem to have had a few firesales the last couple of months, selling their products at low prices. There seems to be no new releases planned on the horizon too.

Almost looks like it. Big sales to deplete existing inventory coupled with acting as an OEM for Flo Audio in order to deplete existing inventory of raw materials such as balanced armatures and dynamic drivers. If they are winding down, then this might be a good way to do it.

 

[Ace Bee]

Hey all, I have decided to let go my Shanling MG600 for an attractive price:

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/shanling-mg600-full-box-with-all-accessories.48348/

Do let me know if anyone is interested.

 

[superuser1]

There is something off about the KZ D-Fi... the sense of air displacement which is typical of a DD is almost non-existent? That is why i was asking about the screen on the nozzle. I mean the body is there but the impact that comes along with it is absent. Hope i am making sense.

 

[r31ya]

There is something off about the KZ D-Fi... the sense of air displacement which is typical of a DD is almost non-existent? That is why i was asking about the screen on the nozzle. I mean the body is there but the impact that comes along with it is absent. Hope i am making sense.

the bass thump is missing?
is the mesh is a bit too fine and the most of the air ran out to the vents instead?

 

[superuser1]

the bass thump is missing?
is the mesh is a bit too fine and the most of the air ran out to the vents instead?

Yes more like the DD can't breathe properly. I'm itching to perforate the screen to see if it will improve the situation.

Edit: a similar situation with the CCA Lyra which turned out to be very decent after perforating the screen on the nozzle.

 

[FastGecko5]

Almost looks like it. Big sales to deplete existing inventory coupled with acting as an OEM for Flo Audio in order to deplete existing inventory of raw materials such as balanced armatures and dynamic drivers. If they are winding down, then this might be a good way to do it.

Honestly if they're still building the same stuff but for cheaper and under a different name they'd be putting themselves in a good position. They make some good stuff but at this point it's arguably a bit too expensive. Like I said earlier, the Calla and the Lily measure the same as the AQ0 and the DT100, respectively. If they can build stuff that sounds like the T800, DT600, etc and charge half the price of the original IEMs for them, they'd be in a good place to potentially become a common recommendation.

 

[JEHL]

Actually, in real use, I didn't find it particularly impressive when compared to other bass cannons.
(such as Truthear Zero, IMR BC2023, Dunu Vulkan, for example)

And it's probably safe to assume the reason behind it is impossible to explain in a way I understand.

... Unless it's the nozzle filter.

 

[nibe90]

Ok, for fun, I'll quickly compare to the Dunu SA5 MK2, Aful 5 and Blessing 3 using your metrics. Or what I think compared to your ranking, and what I've heard so. For reference Blessing 3 is (4, 4, 4.5 , 4) Dunu sa 6 mk 2 is (4, 4, 5, 4.5), and Aful 5 is (4, 4, 4, 3)

Tonality I'd give it a 4, very good It's nutty. It might need some EQ, but it's solid.
Resolution 4.5 (Better than B3. I feel the detail in the music. )
Percussion Rendering 5 (It's magical, as good as the MK 2.)
Spatial 4 (Maybe as good as the Dunu sa6 mk2, defiantly better than the Aful 5)

These are meant to be spicy hot takes, not a final review.


I mean right now, I'd say it's a good value at the 400ish level and a competitive overall iem in the market. I'll probably post a formal review in a few days. It feels like it's packing an EST. Very cool feeling with the base. Vocals are fantastic.

Gonna buy the P5 then, not sure the p8 is worth ~180$ more for me compared to the P5.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Gonna buy the P5 then, not sure the p8 is worth ~180$ more for me compared to the P5.

Noted that @Jaytiss was comparing using my scale. On that scale, 3/5 is acceptable, 4/5 is good (think of Blessing 2), and 4.5 and above belongs to TOTL performance (think of Andromeda 2020 and U12T). 4/5 to 4.5/5 (to me), can be quite a big jump.

I wanted to pull the Aria to 2/5 and Blessing 2 to 3/5, so that there is more "breathing space" between 3 and 5. However, think of the anger from fans and manufacturers alike when stuffs like blessing 2 is considered 3/5 I suspect something like the STORM, Mentor, Odin, or Elysian Anni would break my scale system. But I'll deal with that when I have those summit-fi IEM.

 

[nibe90]

Noted that @Jaytiss was comparing using my scale. On that scale, 3/5 is acceptable, 4/5 is good (think of Blessing 2), and 4.5 and above belongs to TOTL performance (think of Andromeda 2020 and U12T). 4/5 to 4.5/5 (to me), can be quite a big jump.

I wanted to pull the Aria to 2/5 and Blessing 2 to 3/5, so that there is more "breathing space" between 3 and 5. However, think of the anger from fans and manufacturers alike when stuffs like blessing 2 is considered 3/5 I suspect something like the STORM, Mentor, Odin, or Elysian Anni would break my scale system. But I'll deal with that when I have those summit-fi IEM.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, argh now you made me question my decision of getting the P5 again....

Currently I daily drive the Final A5000 which is pretty good according to the reviews here and elsewhere. Compared to IE600 a bit worst but not that far off, and trading blows with Blessing 3. Don't have the latter two, and Final ain't popular so less reviews. Anyways I like it especially the upper mids. Have/had the A4000 as well but here the treble was sometimes to harsch with some songs. Anyhow the P5 would have been my palit cleanser and trying out different tunings since there is lots of data on it on squiqlink making EQing easier than going blind.

For those that break your current scale isn't just saying 6/5 or 5.5/5 enough? Gives also greater meaning to being TOTL of TOTL because those that break the scale can like be counted on 2 hands maybe 3.

 

[Jaytiss]

Noted that @Jaytiss was comparing using my scale. On that scale, 3/5 is acceptable, 4/5 is good (think of Blessing 2), and 4.5 and above belongs to TOTL performance (think of Andromeda 2020 and U12T). 4/5 to 4.5/5 (to me), can be quite a big jump.

I wanted to pull the Aria to 2/5 and Blessing 2 to 3/5, so that there is more "breathing space" between 3 and 5. However, think of the anger from fans and manufacturers alike when stuffs like blessing 2 is considered 3/5 I suspect something like the STORM, Mentor, Odin, or Elysian Anni would break my scale system. But I'll deal with that when I have those summit-fi IEM.

I mean Aful 5 has a very similar frequency response to the Dusk. It's all fairly subjective and the mind remembers things differently. P8 is a little lean in the base, but it feels strong in the base due to the technicals. The AFul 5 is a strong set and could be the endgame for many. The p8 is better, but I'm hesitant to say how good. More just that is better than the p5 and impressive in comparison to the other iems that I listed. Everything sounds good so far on it. It feels pretty appropriately priced where it is, but hard to say without more benchmarks to listen to. Very enjoyable set, very comfortable.

 

[nibe90]

I mean Aful 5 has a very similar frequency response to the Dusk. It's all fairly subjective and the mind remembers things differently. P8 is a little lean in the base, but it feels strong in the base due to the technicals. The AFul 5 is a strong set and could be the endgame for many. The p8 is better, but I'm hesitant to say how good. More just that is better than the p5 and impressive in comparison to the other iems that I listed. Everything sounds good so far on it. It feels pretty appropriately priced where it is, but hard to say without more benchmarks to listen to. Very enjoyable set, very comfortable.

How is the size of the IEM itself compared to the P5, I know from hifigo that the total weight is 2gramm more for both together. But worrying it being a blessing 2 in size

 

[Jaytiss]

How is the size of the IEM itself compared to the P5, I know from hifigo that the total weight is 2gramm more for both together. But worrying it being a blessing 2 in size

The p5 and p8 are pretty much the same in size. Small and comfortable. I find the Blessing 2 Dusk ok to wear, but it hurts just a tiny bit on long sessions. I can wear the performer 5 or 8 for hours with no fatigue, like 10 hours+. I'd try the Aful P5 as it is a strong iem if you can.

 

[o0genesis0o]

I mean Aful 5 has a very similar frequency response to the Dusk. It's all fairly subjective and the mind remembers things differently. P8 is a little lean in the base, but it feels strong in the base due to the technicals. The AFul 5 is a strong set and could be the endgame for many. The p8 is better, but I'm hesitant to say how good. More just that is better than the p5 and impressive in comparison to the other iems that I listed. Everything sounds good so far on it. It feels pretty appropriately priced where it is, but hard to say without more benchmarks to listen to. Very enjoyable set, very comfortable.

Yeah, to add to these points, my only problem with the P5 is the soundstage. I agree with a fellow reviewer (I think VSG?) that the P5 feels overly dampened. Maybe it lacks treble extension. It just feels small and chocked. That's why 3/5 for soundstage. Anything with soundstage below 4/5 is not something I personally use after reviewing.
The rest of P5 is a well-deserved 4/5.

Btw, "how much better" is hard to say when you only have two IEMs side by side. If, say, P5 is as resolving as Blessing 2, but P8 matches or exceed the Andromeda 2020, then there you go. That's the distance between them.

Any then, of course, the "resolution" is a tricky topic. Say, the Meteor. It reveals a lot more micro details than an average 4/5 IEM, but note attacks sound duller and less sharp than, say Blessing 2. Is the Meteor more or less resolving than Blessing 2?

Anyhow, sorry for the rant. Just thinking about how to review the Rikubud for @Tzennn before I'm away for work engagement