Finally, got few of the recent orders:
Fast first impressions:
Phoenixcall - as amazing as it gets aesthetically; fit is a bit problematic for me due to bulkiness; sound is not overly eventful (in a good sense, bass is contained nicely to my preference: treble is there; resolution is at least adequate compared to all my all-BAs).
Castor Bass version - with original switches (off, off, on, on) - OK; flipped over (on, on, off, off) - really bassy, so viola started to sound morr like cello, so the mighty bass presence is there, I guess.
Castor Standard version, as they write in the box, (all awitches off) - really liked it more than two permutations of the Bass Castor and kept listening to viola tracks for much longer.
Another amazing KZ IEM to me, just for under $15.
I do not have other "curve-tuned" double DDs to compare, but Hola looses to Castor in treble, and Hexa did not work for me at all for music enjoyment (clinical monitoring - sure, just give me some white coat))
Really good and well thought out recommendation.I respect the difference in opinion, but for me it would be one of the most controversial advices you can give especially if someone has 100$ to spend.
Assuming 2 scenarios where you just buy 1st hand (which is not the best deal if you ask me, but it is easier to present):
a) you have 100$ to spend
b) you have 200$ to spend
- variant #1 - you buy 50$ source - lets say Moondrop Dawn Pro, as it seem like best bang for the buck. You are left with 50$ to spend on an IEM - Cadenza/EW200 would be probably best options + probably a cable 4,4mm for 10$ to benefit from balanced source the best. Well that is not that bad of a deal as I originally tought
- variant #2 - you buy 10$ dongle - to avoid memers I would say VE abigail or VE avani for 10$. You are left with 90$ - you can buy EA500/Olina SE/Truthear Hexa and still have money left for some nice looking 3.5mm cable for 10%.
- variant #3 - you buy 10$ dongle - as above Abigail/Avani. With 90$ left you are buying 2 IEMs to see what fits you better sound wise. EW200+ Z300 or Khan + Heart Mirror Zero would cover your options very widely
I would say variant #3 is the most desirable choice overall, especially in the beginning of the road as you learn what you like.
- variant #1 - you buy 50$ source - lets say Moondrop Dawn Pro, as it seem like best bang for the buck. You are left with 150$ to spend on an IEM - Fan2, S12, P1 Max, Legato + probably a cable 4,4mm for 10$ to benefit from balanced source the best.
- variant #2 - you buy 10$ dongle - to avoid memers I would say VE abigail or VE avani instead of Apple dongle for 10$. You are left with 190$ - you can buy Fan2 + cable, Yume, Hana, Timeless - all of them may be endgames for a lot of people already
- variant #3 - you buy 10$ dongle - as above Abigail/Avani. With 190$ left you are buying 2 IEMs to see what fits you better sound wise. EA500 + TruthEar Hexa or VE SIE + Dunu Titan S + nice looking cable and you have your options covered very well. Alternatively you can buy 3 IEMs like EA500 + Hexa + Cadenza or some of the new DSP ones which is
If you know what you like - especially in 100$ bucks range - in my opinion you would be having much better experience with IEM in 70-80$ range than with those cheaper ones on top of a good source.
In 100-200$ range the IEMs are so good already that it is more of a matter of taste, but still you can either explore couple of options and get to know your needs much better or choose one in higher price range and leave it like that. Or just spend less money.
On the other hand having a good source in the beginning would just prevent having too extensive temptation of buying something later on to see how it affects the perceived soundBut hmm - if I would say that you would have at least 90-95% experience with those IEMs with CX31993 dongles as with something like Dawn Pro
Moondrop entering Rikudougoku's Fate/staynight naming theme?
Welcome to the EW200 supremacy!I am late for the train. I just find the EW200 has different imaging level and musical experience that I can get from the $50 market. Which is simply amazing for this price ! Some others suggested the bass is not enough, but its quite sufficient for me, and I can get better bass by changing azla tips and cable.
H.O.D.D.D.U.S. technology...
fan-named Dark Saber or officially named Saber Alter,
I see on fb, any price confirmation?Geekwold GK20 releasing soon.
3BA + 2DD + 2 piezo setup.
https://www.facebook.com/siyuan.che...ND5bTbexo1d3VggrC9Dd7X3suH6Zgc7M5zdfkqiGnbF5l
Reminds me that KZ is trying to replicate 3DPrint DLP soundtube effect on a budget by creating multichamber cavity via multi piece injection molding shell in CastorGeekwold GK20 releasing soon.
3BA + 2DD + 2 piezo setup.
https://www.facebook.com/siyuan.che...ND5bTbexo1d3VggrC9Dd7X3suH6Zgc7M5zdfkqiGnbF5l
Awesome testing Nik, helps time fly in hospital bed also I bet.First Rehabilitation Test is complete!
Finding the best portable source for Aurora.
I went through these following songs which cover all spectrums very capably. Below each song I briefly described how the three contestants fared.
Meet the contestants, from left to right: Penon Tail, Fiio BTR7, Venture Electronics Megatron
Some differences were extremely subtle, while others were immediately apparent! It goes to show that choosing the right source is absolutely crucial in overall auditory performance!
1st Song (three various strings spread over the soundstage, a very focused female vocal)
BTR7:
+: clearer vocal and guitars, highly detailed strings, good resolution, bitey, good dynamics, good imaging
-: not the best separation of instruments, soundstage not the largest.
Megatron:
+: nicer separation, better soundstage width, good imaging
-: smoothens everything, less detailed, less bitey, less dynamic, female vocal too mellowed
Tail:
-: worst soundstage, poor imaging, worse separation, additional grittiness in vocals, adds weight to low mids, slightly plasticky strings on the far right
2nd Song (soothing female vocal, piano, bass, and trumpets timbre, precise staging)
BTR7:
+: great imaging, good separation, wonderful vocal, best timbre
-: not the widest stage
Megatron:
+: more pronounced bass, softer but thicker piano notes, widest stage
-: vocal a bit pushed back, all notes are more pillowy than on BTR7
Tail:
+: better width than BTR7
-: more bass, but worse controlled, funny sounding trumpets, slightly boring
3rd Song (piano note weight, expressive female vocals, precise staging, dynamics)
BTR7:
+: very clear piano with decent note weight, vocal nice (a bit more back than on M), quick
-: lean presentation
Megatron:
+: weightier notes, vocal a bit more forward and more soulful than on BTR7, adds bass weight
-: less clarity in piano notes
Tail:
-: timbre of piano is slightly off, note separation not as good as on BTR7, vocals not as forward nor clear as the other two, adds more midbass/low mids than other two, not as resolute
4th Song (openness, jazz club ambiance, stage depth, timbral accuracy)
BTR7:
+: best layering and depth perception, good timbre, good resolution
Megatron:
+: better layering than T, timbre is okay -: resolution not the best
Tail:
-: 2D stage, cannot keep elements apart, timbre a bit off
5th Song (multiple overlapping sounds, back vocals, bass presence/extension/punch, treble quality)
BTR7:
+: everything done very capably, good bass punch
-: bass lacks weight
Megatron:
+: meaty bass
-: not as punchy as BTR7, not the most resolving due to smoothness
Tail:
+: solid punch, okay separation
-: adds artificial bass cca 80-150hz which is very noticeable and annoying in this song, lacks power for subbass, worst resolution
6th Song (sax and piano timbre, presence, naturalness, openness)
BTR7:
+: very resolving, good imaging, good separation
-: a bit clinical and cold, least bassy
Megatron:
+: adds a layer of warmth, imaging good
-: resolution two steps behind BTR7, sax not bitey enough
Tail:
-: artificial midbass boost, lacks clarity and resolution of BTR7 and even Megatron
7th Song (technical electronica, highly rhythmic, requires quality bass and good atmospherical presentation)
BTR7:
+: greatest staging and a fraction more ambience than on Megatron
-: a bit too sterile
Megatron:
+: best for house/techno
-: lacks technicalities of BTR7 due to smoothening
Tail:
-: ridiculous rhythm section at the beginning with bloated midbass, worst soundstage, not great at dynamics
8th Song (technicalities, male vocal, incredibly dynamic outro)
BTR7:
+: clean bass, widest soundstage, best separation, resolution, a decent mix of musicality and technicality but more on the technical side
-: bass does not feel as effortless as with Megatron
Megatron:
+: nicer more natural bass than Tail, soundstage decent, male vocal has body, more on the musical side
-: snappy sounds are not quick enough
Tail:
-: funny bloomy bass, quick sounds are not as snappy and dynamic, imaging not up to BTR7 standard
Conclusion:
This ended up being way more one-sided than I thought. An easy win goes to Fiio BTR7.
But, IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER, all tests were done with it wired as a USB DAC/AMP, and it's way less dynamic and way less resolving when used as a BT DAC/AMP!
Ps. Check out all these tunes, they are amazing in one way or another
