I recently talked about iems under 299 dollars. I am going to include the Simgot EA1000, Timmy's collab, the Chopin, the Dunu Falcon Ultra, which is on sale right now for 199 plus 10 percent more off, and the Hodur. Anyone familiar with any of these please advocate for one or all of these. I am open to any sound signature done well. Can't buy all of them, but could get 2. Thanks
The discovery thread!
- Thread starter Dsnuts
- Start date
-
- Tags
- aful blon bl03 db3 ibasso am05 isn d02 isn h40 jq audio jvc-ha-fx101 jvc-ha-fx40-b-earphone-kv6902 nx7 nx7 pro philips-she3580-28-in-ear-headphones philips-she9700 pioneer-dje-1500-k-professional-dj-in-ear-headphones sony-mh1-livesound-hi-fi-stereo-in-ear-headphones sphere thermaltake-in-ear-headset tri i3 vsonic-vc1000
Surf Monkey
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Posts
- 2,610
- Likes
- 11,851
Haven’t heard much about the Falcon Ultra. Is it good? I was considering picking one up to go with my Vernus.
Reviews have been good. Even Ian Fann, who is tough on reviews, gave it 4. More a bass iem, which is different from what I typically listen to. I can get it for around 180. I kind of know what to expect from the Chopin and the EA1000. Not sure about Hodur.
theintention
Headphoneus Supremus
completely in love with the Neo 5. Has not left my ears since it arrived yesterday, the sound is as glorious as the shells. The best fit I have ever had on an IEM, the stock accessories are just great, the BASS. If you are needing an 11.11 recommendation, you should try to add this to your collection.
Today’s work mood
Sleep Token - The Apparition
Nas Volokin
100+ Head-Fier
They're quite engaging set! Put to shame all my other sets even ISN's own H50 which is also 4BA+1DD but more mid focused
theintention
Headphoneus Supremus
agreed, now it’s time to save for the next big upgrade… while I manifest a Neo sequel with some EST drivers
For my tastes, I'd pick the Chopin.
Falcon Ultra is probably the least interesting IEM tuning wise, but it comes with the best accessory kit out of everything mentioned and also has swappable nozzles that affect the sound by a noticeable amount.
EA1000 for dat driver tech and hype factor
Wouldn't bother with the Hodur, no one like this set and it doesn't graph well.
It's interesting how Neo5 would be compared to SR7?
11.11 is approaching and i havent made my mind which iem to buy. That made me wondering, what is in your cart and waiting for 11.11?
Finally bought a Questyle M15 @ audio46, can finally replace my old Fiio KA3 soon.
For 11.11, I'm looking at the Moondrop S8 or Performer 8, everything else I could maybe get like a u12t or IE600 is not chi-fi.
Seems like the Moondrop S8 is being discontinued, Linsoul and Hifigo don't have any stock left.
I've heard the Aful Performer 8 is very detailed, like not that far from the Moondrop S8 which is often touted as the most detailed IEM under $1,000.
I can see why people are saying it's not worth spending more than $500 on IEMs anymore.
For 11.11, I'm looking at the Moondrop S8 or Performer 8, everything else I could maybe get like a u12t or IE600 is not chi-fi.
Seems like the Moondrop S8 is being discontinued, Linsoul and Hifigo don't have any stock left.
I've heard the Aful Performer 8 is very detailed, like not that far from the Moondrop S8 which is often touted as the most detailed IEM under $1,000.
I can see why people are saying it's not worth spending more than $500 on IEMs anymore.
H T T
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 11, 2013
- Posts
- 1,475
- Likes
- 1,617
I might buy a backup Kato or maybe I will wait for a Blessing 3/Crinnacle colab. But, my shortlist is the Moonriver 2 Ti and a Hakugei cable or 2.
New Gizaudio Chopin is solid and only 200. That's my favorite iem at that price atm.
It is a shame you can’t get Chopin or Crinacle collaborations at Linsoul but I understand why.
I've not tried the Hodur.
The Simgot EA1000 is one of the most resolving DD sets (well it has a purported "passive radiator" tech too, so it ain't a pure DD). Very technical and even on the analytical side. Decent timbre. There are 3 tuning filters to play with but across most of them, it still may be a bit fatiguing if you are treble/upper mids sensitive (this is the Simgot house sound after all).
8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The Chopin is a hybrid with above average technicalities, very transparent sounding.
The contentious area in the tuning is the mid-bass scoop out. This is a double-edged sword, as it furnishes a very clean and fast bass, with zero mid-bass bleed. But the lower mids/mid-bass is anemic and it sounds sterile as a result. If you want a bit more heft in notes or listen to mid-bass focused genres like hip hop and EDM, the Chopin falls flat here. For music genres that it shines with eg Kpop, vocals, acoustic, OST etc it is excellent.
This is quite subjective, some consumers like sub-bass > mid-bass and vice versa, so YMMV.
Upper treble rolls off early, and one thing to note - the 12 ohm low impedance may not synergize well with sources with high output impedance. Anything higher than 1.5 ohms in the source output impedance might skew the frequency response. So do look into what source you are using.
I would call the Chopin a baby Moondrop Variations, so perhaps if someone wants a similar signature for cheaper, that is the way to go.
The Falcon Ultra is one of my favourite single DDs. It has 2 tuning nozzles to change the frequency response slightly, and is one of the most well accessorized IEMs I've come across. Look at the goodies:
Well of course accessories maketh an IEM not, so for the sound:
On blue filter: we have a very pleasant Harmanish balanced tonality, quite all-rounded signature
On the gold filter: we have a smooth and laid back bassy sound
For a single DD at midFI range, the technicalities are good, and it beats my previous daily driver, the Tanchjim Oxygen in this area. The blue filter is more resolving than the gold one. Timbre is very natural and the Falcon Ultra is easy to drive. In fact, I think cause of the highish sensitivity, it hisses a bit with sources with poor noise floor control.
This IEM is not for trebleheads, and the soundstage is a bit intimate, but otherwise, it has a very pleasant sound that allows one to use it for hours on end.
The blue mirror like finish is a scratch and finger print magnet though. I've babied it for months and always stored it in velvet lined cases when not in use, but somehow, I found micro-scratches on it one day!
Last edited:
I can get the Falcon Ultra for 180 at Dunu.
