The discovery thread!
Feb 17, 2024 at 7:53 PM Post #95,251 of 114,320
First of all, I’m a big fan. Please don’t misinterpret this….. but what is the strategy with your IEM purchases of lesser known brands? Blindfold yourself, type in IEM in AliExpress, and go to check out? 😂😂😂
I like shiny things and I buy them to make nesting boxes.

Most times I buy dogs, sometimes I strike gold. Someone has to be the guinea pig on blind buys.
 
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Feb 17, 2024 at 7:54 PM Post #95,252 of 114,320
World Premiere!
I hope I don't get heat for posting this, as it is suppose to come out tomorrow?

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NICEHCK Himalaya
① Titanium alloy cavity
② Dynamic driver(10mm dual magnetic dual layer CNT dynamic, with the latest technology in the industry)
③ Super flagship level

(USD price not yet confirmed)

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So it has three tuning nozzles, I have only used the included, but this is crazy separated. In fact when I was doing the photo processing here, I was almost positive I was listening to a Hybrid? Also I forgot to photograph the cleaning brush in the last picture.

How do I describe the HIMALAYA?
Well, first off it totally sounds like a TOTL Flagship. Big and involving pace laden details overlapped with gobs of layering and spread out imaging items. The 3Dness and the speed/transients are insane here. When I first dropped them in, I thought it was the best thing I had heard all year. And I kept saying, this Hybrid has great timbre, I forgot it is a single full-range DD, only? Really the best DD I have yet to hear. Sure I say this often, but this one is the SCHIIT! Bass is just the right amount, yet deep but super fast here? Yet the Christmas present is the separated imaging.........never heard an IEM like it, this is the SIMGOT killer, is what it is, nozzle changeouts and all........and they beat them with the presentation, of course it is way more money too.............can't forget that. Guitars here shimmer and sparkle, harmonics seemingly effervescent now, and in timbre, exactly.

Edit:
Even though they are titanium they are still 12grams each.....Lol
 
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Feb 17, 2024 at 7:58 PM Post #95,253 of 114,320
Ask here and we all will say different models :beerchug:

Fatfreq Maestro Mini is not my first pick, but its still very good V shaped set.
Meteor bass is not the best, while its big and deep its far away from the quality of a good DD.
Seeing you like EDM/Prog House I would recommend something else:

Timsok TS-316 is excellent for electronica and bassy music, with speedy and energetic sound. High quality bass for rumbles and slams. Perhaps love it more on techno and technical electronica.
634ears Miroak II, warm and engaging sound with great slam and organic tonality. Love it myself for stuff like dub or Prog House.
VE SiE delivers a thick bass thats really fun and engaging, still have good energy up top so it doesn't sound dark. Sounds good on most genres that like bass, some would maybe want more sub bass extension since this have thick midbass going into the mids.
TSMR X also have a great bass quality, good texture and slam hard.
Final Audio E5000, this is also something I haven't tried. But is said to be legendary for its dark sound with full bass. I know many who loves it.
Thieaudio Hype4 I haven't tried myself, but my bass electronica aficionado loves it for electronica. One of the best bass performances for him on electronica.
(and I am waiting for E5000, really curious about it's bass :) )

Word of warning about the Final E5000.

It is one of the hardest IEMs to drive, due to the low 93 dB/mW sensitivity. Requires an amp as such. If not driven well - and I don't mean volume, but more of a current issue - then the E5000's bass is flabby, one-noted with loss of texture. It sounds very muddy and smears for fast bass tracks then. Driving to adequate volume is not the same as driving well, for the E5000.

Thankfully, it sounds like a totally different animal when well juiced, but the problem is most dongles or even DAPs can't do the sonics justice. Mostly it requires desktop grade amps for optimal sonics. The only outlier dongles I found that could power it well would be the Fiio KA13 and KA17 (550 mW and 650 mW on desktop mode respectively).

Even so, the E5000 is not too proficient technically against the recent influx of midFI single DDs like Simgot EA1000, Tanchjim Origin, DUNU Falcon Ultra etc, and the dark treble is a bit niche (not for trebleheads).
 
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Feb 17, 2024 at 8:06 PM Post #95,254 of 114,320
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PENON OS133 Type-C to 3.5mm Audio/4.4mm Balanced 384KHz/32bit USB DAC AMP Cable Adapter for iOS/Android
Description

CX31993+ MAX97220 Type-C 384 KHz/32bit digital audio USB Amplifier
It‘’s a Type-C digital audio headphone USB adapter PCBA solution.
The built-in CX31993 digital audio codec chip and MAX97220 power amplifier chip support up to 384KHz/32bit sampling rate.
Excellent mobile compatibility for iOS and Android .
The product size is small and the appearance is beautiful.
Specification
Interface: Type-C
Analog Earphone impedance: 32ohm
Decoding rate: up to support DAC 384KHz/32bit; ADC 96KHz/24bit
SNR @1kHz: 100dB
THD+ N@1 KHz: -93dB
Crosstalk suppression @1 KHz: -55dB
Cable material: 4 shares,single share is 133 cores. Black nylon sheath,OFC silver-plated cable with carbon fiber plug accessories
Cable length: 8-9cm (without plug)
Cable total length with plugs : 3.5mm is about 14-15cm , 4.4mm is about 15-16cm
Available type :
Type-C to 3.5mm Audio
Type-C to 4.4mm Balanced

$34.90

First impressions here:
So it is the OS133 cable attached to a 4.4mm or 3.5mm to make a kind of Dongle. Yet the USB Type-C takes and makes this incredibly ergonomic, more ergonomic than a regular Dongle. I will place it as the Type-C bottom of the HiBy R3 II, and it is maybe better than the Penon Tail even. Just black background as night, and no messing around with any buttons or anything. Now because this is 4 shares of OS33 cable,, it means that it is equal to the Penon Space. Meaning it is exactly like th Penon Space as far as total cores, sounds clean and pure with zero color, just like the Penon Space! Simply a bit involving stage. At the price this is and the total ease of use this is, it really makes it a no-brainer! I can’t see the down-side of a product like this, though it is giant in comparison to the Apple Dongle. Beautiful size of stage and good separation at hand, while more up-front than the WM1A or MW1Z, still truly this OS33 DAC/Amp has a certain width and surprisingly excellent detail. :) You have to hear it to believe what it can do!
 
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Feb 17, 2024 at 8:28 PM Post #95,255 of 114,320
That fancy dap is a Lotoo Paw Gold Touch.

I spent some good time comparing the Supernova and Butastur in the evening. I am glad to report that I find Supernova ahead of Butatsur. The sound on Supernova is definitely more mature. The bass has a lot more quantity and quality, too. Mids, which gain weight from the lower end, have more body and sound a lot fuller on Supernova. Butastur has better treble and has more sparkle up top. The midrange on Butatsur is thinner.

I think, after spending some more time with Supernova, I am more aligned with it's tuning. However, the resolution is definitely not very sharp. The timbre is really good, but not as good as something like Softear Twilight. The bass can be more precise, something like the OH700VB has. With the limited amount of time I have spent with the Supernova and OH700VB, I find the latter to be a more capable set. OH700VB has amazing bass. I need to do a proper comparison of both of these iems. @o0genesis0o Have you compared both of these iems?

Supernova seems to have picked up the best of everything—something like an all-rounder but not specifically doing anything extra special. Let me report back on Supernova after a few days.

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Thanks for the updated impressions, mate! Totally agree that supernova does not have the sharpest resolution. The micro details are great, but the incisiveness of the transients and instrument positioning is a touch blurry.

I haven't tried anything from that OH manufacturer. They are not quite on my radar, and I think it's even more so from their side. I have no doubt that their IEMs are good and interesting. Anything that deviates from the true Harman target is interesting for me, not because they will be good, but because I'm so bored of the Harman-ish :dt880smile:



Speaking of Harman, I'm testing a single DD, full Harman (manufacturer's claim) for NiceHck at the moment. It's an IEM called Jialai Carat (this one: https://twitter.com/hckexin/status/1758667978584060105)

The technical performance is a stand out factor, comparing to the bog standard tuning. However, I will need more testing because it's very likely that the HiBy R8II is doing the heavy lifting in this pairing.

Another caveat is that I don't have any of those high performing Simgot DD on hands to compare. I do have Dunu Falcon Ultra though, so I'll compare more carefully with that.

Interestingly, I loved the stock (brighter) tuning of Falcon Ultra when reviewing it. A few months later, I, like others, much prefer the golden nozzles (warmer) tuning. I guess when it comes to single DD, they are unlikely to be as technical as good full BA sets, so let's just get a warm and enjoyable tuning and call it a day.



Doing battery measurements for the DAPs as suggested by some good folks on this thread. Will share the video in a few weeks.
 
Feb 17, 2024 at 8:31 PM Post #95,256 of 114,320
Word of warning about the Final E5000.

It is one of the hardest IEMs to drive, due to the low 93 dB/mW sensitivity. Requires an amp as such. If not driven well - and I don't mean volume, but more of a current issue - then the E5000's bass is flabby, one-noted with loss of texture. It sounds very muddy and smears for fast bass tracks then. Driving to adequate volume is not the same as driving well, for the E5000.

Thankfully, it sounds like a totally different animal when well juiced, but the problem is most dongles or even DAPs can't do the sonics justice. Mostly it requires desktop grade amps for optimal sonics. The only outlier dongles I found that could power it well would be the Fiio KA13 and KA17 (550 mW and 650 mW on desktop mode respectively).

Even so, the E5000 is not too proficient technically against the recent influx of midFI single DDs like Simgot EA1000, Tanchjim Origin, DUNU Falcon Ultra etc, and the dark treble is a bit niche (not for trebleheads).
Final E5000 is like driving a pair of planar headphones. Or a pair of IEMs from Symphonium. I have seen quite a few people driving these IEMs with a Schiit stack to get the most out of them.

Fun and geeking aside, IMHO, it's a design failure from Final Audio to make a portable earphones that do not play nicely with most portable DAC/amps.
 
Feb 17, 2024 at 9:04 PM Post #95,257 of 114,320
Final E5000 is like driving a pair of planar headphones. Or a pair of IEMs from Symphonium. I have seen quite a few people driving these IEMs with a Schiit stack to get the most out of them.

Fun and geeking aside, IMHO, it's a design failure from Final Audio to make a portable earphones that do not play nicely with most portable DAC/amps.


Apparently Hi Fri did a tear down of the Final E5000 previously and discovered it was extremely dampened:
https://www.facebook.com/Seventhday...CWBCs7BF4YeZhps5yBPTLjck3m3AooKoJi5aMXGHycRXl

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From DIYers, there's rumours that the entire Final E series uses the same micro DD, just that the tuning and damping is different from the cheapest to the most expensive E5000, plus the more expensive models are detachable in the cable.


I think in the past, some high sensitivity/high impedance IEMs gave issues with source pairing due to hiss or improper pairing with high output impedance sources. So perhaps manufacturers just lowered the sensitivity to remove complains from consumers with less robust sources. Kind of a legacy thing. But nowadays, most dongles (even cheap ones) should all be pretty well designed in low OI and minimal noise floor, so there's no need to game the system anymore?
 
Feb 17, 2024 at 9:31 PM Post #95,258 of 114,320
Thanks for the updated impressions, mate! Totally agree that supernova does not have the sharpest resolution. The micro details are great, but the incisiveness of the transients and instrument positioning is a touch blurry.

I haven't tried anything from that OH manufacturer. They are not quite on my radar, and I think it's even more so from their side. I have no doubt that their IEMs are good and interesting. Anything that deviates from the true Harman target is interesting for me, not because they will be good, but because I'm so bored of the Harman-ish :dt880smile:



Speaking of Harman, I'm testing a single DD, full Harman (manufacturer's claim) for NiceHck at the moment. It's an IEM called Jialai Carat (this one: https://twitter.com/hckexin/status/1758667978584060105)

The technical performance is a stand out factor, comparing to the bog standard tuning. However, I will need more testing because it's very likely that the HiBy R8II is doing the heavy lifting in this pairing.

Another caveat is that I don't have any of those high performing Simgot DD on hands to compare. I do have Dunu Falcon Ultra though, so I'll compare more carefully with that.

Interestingly, I loved the stock (brighter) tuning of Falcon Ultra when reviewing it. A few months later, I, like others, much prefer the golden nozzles (warmer) tuning. I guess when it comes to single DD, they are unlikely to be as technical as good full BA sets, so let's just get a warm and enjoyable tuning and call it a day.



Doing battery measurements for the DAPs as suggested by some good folks on this thread. Will share the video in a few weeks.

Falcon Ultra remains on my to buy list.
 
Feb 17, 2024 at 10:00 PM Post #95,259 of 114,320
Looking to get an inexpensive digital coax (spdif, NOT optical) switcher/selector.
I'm guessing probably not, but does anyone have any suggestions under $60?
Looks like I'm about 10 years late to this party.
:sweat_smile:
 
Feb 17, 2024 at 10:38 PM Post #95,260 of 114,320
Feb 17, 2024 at 10:46 PM Post #95,261 of 114,320
The T5S seems to be constructed in the most marvelous shape, where maybe I’m wrong, but I have never seen a CNC shell so snug fitting and feel so good? It is their flagship, and a new tune as far as I can hear. Sure it very much emulates the C3 graphically, except the driver is a whole different ball of wax. So even though they may graph close to the same, there is better T5S bass imaging and detail, better stage footprint and over all maturity of sound. Then switch a unique cable like the Penon RENATA, which is known for boosting authority, and increasing stage, and the T5S wakes from its sleep and performs even better upper treble expansions, into what its full potential could be? IMO
I am yet to explore it fully. I remember trying it with the Earmen Angel, and the power gave it wings. It sounds really open and spacious when given a good amount of power. I need to do some cable rolling. I will report back when I do.

Interestingly, I loved the stock (brighter) tuning of Falcon Ultra when reviewing it. A few months later, I, like others, much prefer the golden nozzles (warmer) tuning. I guess when it comes to single DD, they are unlikely to be as technical as good full BA sets, so let's just get a warm and enjoyable tuning and call it a day.
I was on the default nozzle, which is on the brighter side. I changed it to the golden one just a couple of days ago, which has a tamed treble. I like it a lot better than the other nozzle. Dunu Falcon Ultra is such an enjoyable set. I love how balanced it sounds. Sometimes I prefer it over the EA1000, depending on the mood and which side of the bed I wake up on in the morning. :beyersmile:
 
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Feb 17, 2024 at 11:52 PM Post #95,262 of 114,320
Some new graphs from the coupler

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It's Jialai, not Yialai, btw. I need to change the data.

Anyhow, it is single DD from a new brand that is going to be sold on NiceHck store. The manufacturer claims that they follow Harman IE2019, but in reality, it's more a V-shaped IEM than Harman. The most critical deviation is that hump around 5-6kHz. To be fair, because this region is quite smooth, this IEM does not sound piercing or sibilance beyond what is there in the track, but this hump a brighter treble than a true Harman IEM. In fact, because it is the highest point in the frequency response, the rest of the volume would be adjusted according to it, making the bass and the midrange less emphasised.

Besides this strange tuning choice, it's a Harman-ish IEM that leans towards brighter tone. The bass is tight and feels sub-bass focused (again, due to the volume adjustment against the treble hump). Clarity and overall technical performance is a strength of this IEM. In a vacuum, it's quite good. I will need to do more detailed comparison against Dunu Falcon Ultra.

The price might be in the $100 bracket. AFAIK, it has not been finalised.




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HiBy Yvain, a 4BA set.

I can describe the tonal balance of this IEM as "mid-centric." When I look at the graph, I didn't think this IEM would be anything more than "passable." To my surprise, I absolutely adore the tonal balance and timbre of this IEM. One of the advantage of this IEM is the sheer technical performance. I like how easy it is to peel apart layers of an orchestral recording. I'm sending this back next week, and I'm going to miss it.

That said, this tonal balance is going to be a divisive one. Highly recommend to audition or have a way to return or exchange the IEM (though if you buy from HiBy, the only IEM can I recommend to exchange is the Zeta, which is $$$$$$$ :dt880smile: )




graph (7).png


Pula PA-02.

I'm pretty sure I've heard something like this IEM somewhere before. I wonder where ... (hint: look at the graph)

I haven't done detailed comparison, but the PA02 is a technical IEM. The build quality and accessories are also outstanding. AFAIK, these IEM are not $$$$$$. Easy recommendation.




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CCA Trio.

If you don't look at the brand, you would assume that this IEM comes from an emerging boutique from Singapore or a new brainchild of ThieAudio. Nope, it's from the CCA/KZ.

There are 3 options or bass, 3 options for upper midrange, creating 9 signatures in total. All of them centers around something that resembles Moondrop's VSDF or ThieAudio Oracle signature. The stock tuning (1111) is a bit too unnatural in the upper midrange for me. The options with all bass boost and no upper midrange boost is quite close to a perfect tonal balance that is fun yet correct.

These IEMs are quite hard to drive, which is something I'm very happy about (no more hiss-everywhere, blowing-ear-out-risk like the old Campfire IEMs)

Good build quality. No malfunction so far. I can wholeheartedly recommend this IEM (this exact unit, from the exact same batch).




Screenshot 2024-02-18 151959.png


Some battery measurements of DAPs. The R8II is insane in terms of battery life.

To my surprise, the R6 Pro 2 is not that bad. I don't understand how some folks can drain this DAP in less than 5 hours. Are they listening to susvara on the go?


Edit: data of the R6 Pro 2 is wrong. I'm measuring again and see a much more significant battery drop on the R6 P2.
 
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Feb 18, 2024 at 1:03 AM Post #95,263 of 114,320
Some new graphs from the coupler



It's Jialai, not Yialai, btw. I need to change the data.

Anyhow, it is single DD from a new brand that is going to be sold on NiceHck store. The manufacturer claims that they follow Harman IE2019, but in reality, it's more a V-shaped IEM than Harman. The most critical deviation is that hump around 5-6kHz. To be fair, because this region is quite smooth, this IEM does not sound piercing or sibilance beyond what is there in the track, but this hump a brighter treble than a true Harman IEM. In fact, because it is the highest point in the frequency response, the rest of the volume would be adjusted according to it, making the bass and the midrange less emphasised.

Besides this strange tuning choice, it's a Harman-ish IEM that leans towards brighter tone. The bass is tight and feels sub-bass focused (again, due to the volume adjustment against the treble hump). Clarity and overall technical performance is a strength of this IEM. In a vacuum, it's quite good. I will need to do more detailed comparison against Dunu Falcon Ultra.

The price might be in the $100 bracket. AFAIK, it has not been finalised.






HiBy Yvain, a 4BA set.

I can describe the tonal balance of this IEM as "mid-centric." When I look at the graph, I didn't think this IEM would be anything more than "passable." To my surprise, I absolutely adore the tonal balance and timbre of this IEM. One of the advantage of this IEM is the sheer technical performance. I like how easy it is to peel apart layers of an orchestral recording. I'm sending this back next week, and I'm going to miss it.

That said, this tonal balance is going to be a divisive one. Highly recommend to audition or have a way to return or exchange the IEM (though if you buy from HiBy, the only IEM can I recommend to exchange is the Zeta, which is $$$$$$$ :dt880smile: )






Pula PA-02.

I'm pretty sure I've heard something like this IEM somewhere before. I wonder where ... (hint: look at the graph)

I haven't done detailed comparison, but the PA02 is a technical IEM. The build quality and accessories are also outstanding. AFAIK, these IEM are not $$$$$$. Easy recommendation.






CCA Trio.

If you don't look at the brand, you would assume that this IEM comes from an emerging boutique from Singapore or a new brainchild of ThieAudio. Nope, it's from the CCA/KZ.

There are 3 options or bass, 3 options for upper midrange, creating 9 signatures in total. All of them centers around something that resembles Moondrop's VSDF or ThieAudio Oracle signature. The stock tuning (1111) is a bit too unnatural in the upper midrange for me. The options with all bass boost and no upper midrange boost is quite close to a perfect tonal balance that is fun yet correct.

These IEMs are quite hard to drive, which is something I'm very happy about (no more hiss-everywhere, blowing-ear-out-risk like the old Campfire IEMs)

Good build quality. No malfunction so far. I can wholeheartedly recommend this IEM (this exact unit, from the exact same batch).






Some battery measurements of DAPs. The R8II is insane in terms of battery life.

To my surprise, the R6 Pro 2 is not that bad. I don't understand how some folks can drain this DAP in less than 5 hours. Are they listening to susvara on the go?
I didn't think the P8 was that an exciting listen and people talked about it having good bass , but I think my set was a dog , The Pula has great bass at least my two sets and I like them and don't remember having the same emotional response from the AFÜL.

Here is how my P8 vs PA02 measured on my rig quite a different bass shelf.and treble. Yours are way closer.
graph.png

I also think my tastes are changing because I am finding V shapes too colorful and am starting to like flatter frequency response curves.
Listening to this one tonight and observing that it has amazing ability to give vocals and instrumental its own space in the stage lots if depth and layering. A trait I find quite rare in IEMs, I don't know if it's the flat mids or what but I really like it.
graph-1.png
 
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Feb 18, 2024 at 1:14 AM Post #95,264 of 114,320
I didn't think the P8 was that an exciting listen and people talked about it having good bass , but I think my set was a dog , The Pula has great bass at least my two sets and I like them and don't remember having the same emotional response from the AFÜL.

Here is how my P8 vs PA02 measured on my rig quite a different bass shelf.and treble. Yours are way closer.
Should be noted that my PA02 has 2-3db channel imbalance from upper midrange, so there is a real possibility that Pula does not have very tight QC. Subjective, these IEMs (at least my units) sound quite similar, besides the treble (P8 has more 6k).

Still, PA02 is a great deal. Sometimes I wonder whether Pula forgot to add the "tax" for international market with these PA02.

TBH, too many good options nowadays make it a bit harder to be excited about many good IEMs popping up.

Edit: that SLIIVO looks interesting. It reminds me of something but I cant quite put my finger on it. Maybe the bass from symphonium Helios? From 1kHz, it does look like Dunu Vulkan. Seems like a good discovery.
 
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Feb 18, 2024 at 1:23 AM Post #95,265 of 114,320
TBH, too many good options nowadays make it a bit harder to be excited about many good IEMs popping up.

On positive side, isnt that good? Means Manufacturers know how to tune IEM nowadays, but what take them so long btw? like years to realize balance tuning with good extension.
Still, only few IEMs especially budget and midfi class that have really good extension past 10khz and I wonder why, from 100 budget and midfi IEMs maybe only less than 20% have good high extension? Pula PA02 is one of the few.
 

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