The discovery thread!

[o0genesis0o]

EST112 its a hated/loved example on the community.

I really like that set, its a kind of relaxed one, similar to some ISN/penon profile, with no peaks on high frequencies.

I love them because they are closed to my preferences (also Super*reviews got same opinion)

To be clear, I don’t dislike EST112. I just imagined something different, much more technical to showcase those EST. It is A$800-ish, which was a big investment to me at that time. I would rather go all in or pay way less. That’s why I eventually left the store with Andro 2020.

Still sad that Monarch II was not there. Could have ended the IEM game right then.

About using the iPhone as a source. I ended up using it with only Airpods Pro when I needed portability. And using my DAP as a source or Bluetooth receiver from iPhone with more quality IEMs. I decided to buy a high-end DAC with Bluetooth for my iPhone because they are even bulkier than my DAP, and AAC codec limitation from iPhone still sounds lossy. DAC dongles I use now only with my iPad and Macbook. However, I need to try L&P W4, but until iPhone with Type-C release, not planning to do that.

This is what I use with my iphone

FiiO does an outstanding job with both the DAC/amp and bluetooth of this one. Almost the same stage shape and size as my M6U DAP. No delay in youtube videos. There is a slight loss in treble details with AAC, which is a shame.

I have given up on dongle, bluetooth receiver, or putting a chunky DAP in my pocket.

 

[DynamicEars]

To be clear, I don’t dislike EST112. I just imagined something different, much more technical to showcase those EST. It is A$800-ish, which was a big investment to me at that time. I would rather go all in or pay way less. That’s why I eventually left the store with Andro 2020.

Still sad that Monarch II was not there. Could have ended the IEM game right then.




This is what I use with my iphone



FiiO does an outstanding job with both the DAC/amp and bluetooth of this one. Almost the same stage shape and size as my M6U DAP. No delay in youtube videos. There is a slight loss in treble details with AAC, which is a shame.

I have given up on dongle, bluetooth receiver, or putting a chunky DAP in my pocket.

Dont slip the Mest MkIII while putting on your ears

 

[PROblemdetected]

To be clear, I don’t dislike EST112. I just imagined something different, much more technical to showcase those EST. It is A$800-ish, which was a big investment to me at that time. I would rather go all in or pay way less. That’s why I eventually left the store with Andro 2020.

Still sad that Monarch II was not there. Could have ended the IEM game right then.




This is what I use with my iphone



FiiO does an outstanding job with both the DAC/amp and bluetooth of this one. Almost the same stage shape and size as my M6U DAP. No delay in youtube videos. There is a slight loss in treble details with AAC, which is a shame.

I have given up on dongle, bluetooth receiver, or putting a chunky DAP in my pocket.

I know what u feel bro (budget version)

Tin Hifi t2plus. No beryllium fd7 wallet-saver version

About EST112, Ive got them used for around 250€. I dont know they are priced tagged at 800€

 

[o0genesis0o]

Dont slip the Mest MkIII while putting on your ears

This is a borrowed unit for review, so I’m not using them outside Impressive enough, the MEST III does not feel like being wasted with the Utws5, comparing to my Btr5.

Speaking of MEST III, I’m surprised to find that my enthusiasm with this has dropped quite a bit. I mean it is great. Relaxed and easy going tonality, very resolving, special soundstage. But the U12t has most of that, and I don’t want to go through the process of saving and buying another multi-kilobuck or selling the U12t.

Full review would come soon-ish.

 

[PROblemdetected]

This is a borrowed unit for review, so I’m not using them outside Impressive enough, the MEST III does not feel like being wasted with the Utws5, comparing to my Btr5.

Speaking of MEST III, I’m surprised to find that my enthusiasm with this has dropped quite a bit. I mean it is great. Relaxed and easy going tonality, very resolving, special soundstage. But the U12t has most of that, and I don’t want to go through the process of saving and buying another multi-kilobuck or selling the U12t.

Full review would come soon-ish.

U12t also was "better" that Mest II.

Im not impressed by the stage of mkII. I feel the imaging nicer, and the bass is not bleed at all on the rest of frequencies. Thats the best qualities of ver2.

The only kilo-buck iem I would purchase if Ill be on that price-segment (u12t)

 

[Redcarmoose]

VULKAN for the win, X2 that captain!

Same advice here. I was very disappointed when trying EST112 the first time. If you want that sort of bassy powerful sound and you want Dunu, go with Vulkan instead.

Otherwise, SA6II is the one to go in their current line up.

 

[poskus]

To be clear, I don’t dislike EST112. I just imagined something different, much more technical to showcase those EST. It is A$800-ish, which was a big investment to me at that time. I would rather go all in or pay way less. That’s why I eventually left the store with Andro 2020.

Still sad that Monarch II was not there. Could have ended the IEM game right then.




This is what I use with my iphone



FiiO does an outstanding job with both the DAC/amp and bluetooth of this one. Almost the same stage shape and size as my M6U DAP. No delay in youtube videos. There is a slight loss in treble details with AAC, which is a shame.

I have given up on dongle, bluetooth receiver, or putting a chunky DAP in my pocket.

i have utws5 too

 

[vafler86]

Been surfing aliexpress lately, and seen alot of iem brands that i have never heard of. Would love to hear opinion on these.

This being discovery thread. Do you own a iem made by lesser known or less talked about brand? And what are your thoughts. Is there a brand you think is underrated?

I have orderd the Nickhck mk4 but haven't tested it yet.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Been surfing aliexpress lately, and seen alot of iem brands that i have never heard of. Would love to hear opinion on these.

This being discovery thread. Do you own a iem made by lesser known or less talked about brand? And what are your thoughts. Is there a brand you think is underrated?

I have orderd the Nickhck mk4 but haven't tested it yet.

I’m pretty normie and kinda chicken out when it comes to unnamed IEMs. I do have a soft spot for Hidizs MD4 and MS5. Both have odd tuning, but they have good technical performance for the price.

I also like some FiiO IEMs. FiiO is not the most predictable when it comes to IEM, so always audition or look at graph if you can.

Having my eyes on AAW IEM from Null Audio, a cable maker. Those seem to be collab with CraftEars. Quite mysterious IEMs as I cannot find any graph or description, though CraftEars do have some well regarded IEMs.

 

[PhonoPhi]

The brands, like Fiio, Hidisz, etc. simply cost consumers more, because a lot of free samples are sent to reviewers.
I have much better average luck with random IEMs and KZ before "collabs" rather than popular brands and hype trains.
For instance, recent budget attempt of Fiio, FD11, was just sad to me, but "reviewed" positively, understandably.

Brand IEMs can be resold though to some other chaps convinced by reviewers.

 

[baskingshark]

The Rikubuds Alter Rider 3 is a special neutral earbud, with top-notch technicalities and great timbre. It does most areas well and qualifies as a TOTL earbud.

https://www.head-fi.org/.../rikubuds-alter.../reviews...

Pros:
Generous accessories
Well-designed ergonomics and comfort
Solid build
Organic timbre
Neutral tonality, well balanced
Matches most music genres well
Top-notch technical chops
Fast and clean bass with superb texturing

Cons:
Fixed cable
Not for bassheads

Been surfing aliexpress lately, and seen alot of iem brands that i have never heard of. Would love to hear opinion on these.

This being discovery thread. Do you own a iem made by lesser known or less talked about brand? And what are your thoughts. Is there a brand you think is underrated?

I have orderd the Nickhck mk4 but haven't tested it yet.

Yeah there are some niche brands like Toneking, which does earbuds and IEMs. This company doesn't give samples out and doesn't market or advertise much, but some of their earbuds are considered TOTL.

BQEYZ is another good brand that is very underrated.

 

[poskus]

what diference fast, controlled, tight bass vs deep or flat?

 

[DemolitionMan]

i have utws5 too

Does anyone have experience with both FiiO UTWS3 and FiiO UTWS5?
Is there a significant sound quality, driving power and functionality difference between them?

 

[DemolitionMan]

Been surfing aliexpress lately, and seen alot of iem brands that i have never heard of. Would love to hear opinion on these.

This being discovery thread. Do you own a iem made by lesser known or less talked about brand? And what are your thoughts. Is there a brand you think is underrated?

I have orderd the Nickhck mk4 but haven't tested it yet.

I have the Canpur Joyfull 1&1 IEM, (1 E-audio BA +1DD that was used in HZsound Heartmirror)), got it on super sale for $30 delivered, normally $158.
Although it may not be worth original price I really like them. It's the best sounding IEM I currently own, I do have 4 incoming to compare to (EA500, TRN ST5, KZ PR2 v1, and KBear Rosefinch, (the budget Legato).

I returned the Tangzu Wu Zetian because I did't think they out performed the Canpur.

 

[baskingshark]

Looks like BLON is trying to enter the dongle DAC game:

https://www.facebook.com/blonoffici...8QiJbgMsZnN4nmoAuSnH9zysdnBPf8ERHVGW5m8RxPT1l

LOL looks like a cigarette lighter?