The discovery thread!

[keesue]

I used to like whacking music loud when I was a young pup, but after working in occupational health/audiometry, I have seen many patients with noise-induced hearing loss, mostly from occupation or leisure exposure.

It is very tempting to jack up the volume to get more dynamics and micro-details, but maybe think of the long-term, we still wanna appreciate this blessed hobby in our older years?

Having attended many a loud concert in my youth at the Winterland, Fillmore West, The Avalon Ballroom and The Old Fillmore in San Francisco (The Rolling Stones concert at the Cow Palace at top of the list), I feel incredibly fortunate my hearing is still in tact. In fact, thankfully my high frequency hearing is good to 13.5-14hz. Now, I listen to music loud through my IEMs/headphones to get in the groove but back down a notch when I feel the volume of the 'Stones' creeping in. and I don't feel I'm missing out either. After the Stones concert, my ears were ringing for two days. Heh....

 

[Redcarmoose]

The SIMGOT AUDIO SuperMix4 from an old phone!


Timestamps refer to the original song, not the Youtube video.


"The Prodigy Experience
The Prodigy
Jericho
44.1kHz - 16 bit
Really this can go either way, but many of the modern day IEMs are designed to come alive from a phone, as that could be their target audience here. Remember a good section of the world doesn’t even know or doesn’t care about DAPs. This song and I go way back to when it was introduced to the United States. In September of 92 you could only get it as a UK import, it wasn't yet pressed in the US, and I still have my UK XL Recordings copy. In short the sound was revolutionary, having elements that were both strange and exciting.

The soundtrack to the new Rave Phenomenon meant that this music was not only a social tool for creating excitement at these new outdoor parties, it was a departure from all music as we knew it.

Jericho:
First there is a lot of freedom here in just knowing you could have the SuperMix 4 in your bag, attach them to your phone and away you go. Half-way through 00:16 the drums hit, which hearing for the first time was a grand departure from 1980s dance music like the The Bangles. This new world centered around other values produced by sound. As such this was most people's introduction to Breakbeat, Jungle and the likes. A strange new dance and party craze that had music that was purposely not on the radio. The events were illegal and no-one knew where they were going to be. Of course James Brown was sampled and made his way in. Still guitars were utilized, but not how we expected. It was all about the groove and sway, the rhythm found to generate excitement. At 00:32 the Star Trek transporter sounds are found wonderful scattered outward in the stage, holding note-weight and fun. At 00:43 the next big event goes down……..it’s a playful set of keys…but more than that we realize that we are now in the middle of the message…………and that message is nothing more than a little keyboard ditty, interlocked to a beat. But more important and of interest to us the fidelity here. See most stuffy audiophiles would never guess a song like this could be so moving. And that’s the secret, the people facing knew it was epic and they were moving………well they were doing a lot more than moving, if you get my drift.

But this little piano holds more intrigue than at first glanced. Yep. It happens to be double tracked. The SuperMix 4 actually moves this style of notes into position, and while it may not be the most dense imaging, it is airy and fast…..and that is what is ultimately important here. At 01:19 we hear this deep roll, that in fact was all you could really hear when walking threw the turf to an event like this. At 01:24 a sample says “keep on dancing” over and over again…..like you need to be reminded?

But all and all from a phone this holds great stage width, great pace, and the lows. The lows accentuated by little clicks and (the recording of) records played with offering up beats being played at breakneck speeds."

A comparison between the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews ARETE and the SIMGOT AUDIO SuperMix4. Oh???? and a full review of the SuperMix4 too!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/simgot-supermix-4-1dd-1ba-1-planar-1-pzt.27255/reviews#review-34438

Pros: Super cool stage and imaging, especially into how the midrange is done
Bang-for-the-buck in entertainment sound value
The most comfortable SIMGOT IEM to date
Exciting new application of four different driver types
While providing tone quality and detail, still ultimately a unique sound due to driver choice
One of the best performing IEMs from a cellphone
Robust staging, deep separated bass and defined midrange/treble from a phone?
Strangely cohesive for a Hybrid design
Well-rounded, playing all music genres and going with all sources
Three sound tube and four way crossover design normally found with TOTL IEMs
3D printed semi-custom design guarantees fitment for everyone (truly)
Only 5 grams a piece
CNC anodized aluminum scuff-proof faceplate
Smooth sounding yet holding correct details and timbre

Cons: A very slight PZT or Planar treble distortion in the highs
Slightly harder to drive compared to other IEMs

 

[PeacockObscura]

That's interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

Got mine from hifi go website

 

[keesue]

The hardest part is keeping track of all the tracking numbers! This week is fairly benign, but starting Friday, it's gonna get fast and furious with the daily drops LOL

The Watercooler probably started similar to the Discovery page, but where Discovery covers the gamut from $5.00 to $2,000+, the Watercooler has evolved into the kilobuck page, where if it's not over $1,000 in value, then it's not worth talking about, because it's the page populated by the big spenders, deep pocketed folks, and influencers who get on the summit-fi tours etc. That's the biggest difference. You won't catch them discussing the latest KZ, Letshuoer, TRN, Simgot, or hell, even Softears release, or the latest DX180, Hiby R4, or ONIX alpha 1 dongle.

I inadvertently responded to a thread in said forum, thinking I was in this forum, about my KZ experience. I received several likes; however, one lone snarky response from a poster who clearly has a reading comprehension problem - perhaps English isn't his native language - was used as a predicate for his second comment which was just 'snotty bitch crap'. I chose not to correct that 'Troll-esque response as the better part of discretion. There's at least one in every forum. I've been here since 2008 and I've seen my fair share of it.

Overall, the posters there are pretty well-balanced, and in fairness, they occasionally post about budget IEMs. My take is they do tend to focus on the higher end of the spectrum. I have chosen to refrain from posting there as I don't spend those amounts on IEMs and keep from gumming up the works with my sub $300 picks. Out of deference to their forum , I stick with this venue.
'Youse' guys 'iz' just cool like that.

 

[lgcubana]

Used the FiiO FD15 for many hours today, nice to see FIIO make such a good neutral tuning.
FD15 is refined and mature sounding, midrange is beutiful and good clarity without being bright or shouty. When bass is called for it also delivers without being overdone, a lot of texture and nuances in bass range.

Props to whoever the endpoint shipper is, that AE is currently using. Like the Dunu DaVinci, I got the FD15 in less than 8 days. At least for me, in the South East (of the U.S.), the items aren't spending more than 24 hrs. with the "Line Haul" stop; in the past, this layover could last for up to a week.

Onto my impressions: The FD15 sucks
I knew going in that this was not a set for me, being a lover of the low end, but still have a healthy appreciation for the remainder of the frequency range. I think my collection is only missing one of the FiiO/JadeAudio single DDs, so out of nostalgia, I clicked on buy now.

FiiO was very transparent in their objectives for the FD15 & mission accomplished. Vocals are the standout, clarity is excellent. With a clean midbass being a major contributor. Unlike some L shaped offerings, where the low end just drops off a sheer cliffside, as @Leonarfd states, the low end (sub bass as well) is there; just not gobs of it.

Sibilance is non-existent., so that's good

But, IMO, FiiO is targeting a pricing tier that is laden with heavy competition, for those that favor single DDs e.g. Delci, Simgot, Dunu, . . .
&
with hybrids/tribids like the Geek Wold GK100 going for $30 more, . . .

At least for me, I think the FD15 is my swan song, for single DDs

 

[warrenpchi]

Jeez Louise !!....if that's the case then "I'm OUT"...everything that you hold dear sounds off limits WTAF !!...I'd rather have deeper MUSICAL pockets, a rotation that works seamlessly, coupled with countless GB of hi-res FLAC files, to produce that "magic sauce" ER !!

To the best of my knowledge, there are no products that are specifically off-limits in either thread. People here talk about QDC flagships, and people there talk about the CCA Trio. You know what is irritating though... people who judge others based on the amount of money they spend, regardless of how little or how much. Actually, come to think of it, judging other people period is kind of lame.

 

[AudioSeeker]

I found it! Shanling H5 does what my desktop stack does 95% in wired mode playing off iPhone, and ~90% in Bluetooth mode. This is incredible, of course not exactly like desktop, but everything is almost retained. A/B to desktop vs H5 in Bluetooth is close enough for me! This is also a great upgrade from the ifi Hip Dac 3; more bass control, resolution, and soundstage. It also is able to power the Symphonium Titan to my desired listening volume without distortion.

 

[AudioSeeker]

Side by side:

 

[r31ya]

I found it! Shanling H5 does what my desktop stack does 95% in wired mode playing off iPhone, and ~90% in Bluetooth mode. This is incredible, of course not exactly like desktop, but everything is almost retained. A/B to desktop vs H5 in Bluetooth is close enough for me! This is also a great upgrade from the ifi Hip Dac 3; more bass control, resolution, and soundstage. It also is able to power the Symphonium Titan to my desired listening volume without distortion.

ooh a prettier Xduoo XD05 contender

 

[kaeswiss]

Softears has had a tribrid model called Enigma in the works for months

I saw a listing @ Musicteck for a cool $3699 months ago but the listing vanished, I assume the release date was postponed and will probably drop next month.

Musicteck teased the Enigma a few days ago, love the box and presentation but that's to be expected when you're paying this much for an IEM.

They look pretty cool with the glass on the faceplate. Kinda reminds me of car audio with subwoofer boxes that have plexiglass windows.

..but these things look MASSIVE. Look at how much they stick out of her ears.

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Theres my review of Simgot EM10:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/simgot-em10.27323/reviews#review-34437

Tbh, Simgot will fly high.

While in term of musicality it doesnt trigger as much pleasure in me as Supermix4, the technical performance and especially cohesive balance of such multi driver is worthy of applause.

Pros:
-cohesive, musical and balanced 10 drivers tuning
-smooth lush U shape tonality that is both laid back and holographic
-good technical performance
-great layering of bass, mids and treble
-weighty bass with vibrant rumble
-good note weight
-smooth yet forwards vocal (non thin nor shouty)
-generous amount of micro details
-fast crunchy treble that is balanced but don’t get lost in the mix
-jack of all trades tonality
-excellent modular cable
-more than decent sound value

Cons:
-lack of brilliance and sparkle on top
-lack of limpid air around instrument
-rather intimate and centered soundstage
-a bit too much BA euphony going on
-not the cleanest nor most transparent sub-500$ IEM
-8BA seem detrimental here, it stole too much air
-piezo is a bit shy in snap authority and don’t release sparkle
-though competitively priced, the EM10 stole the show in term of musical sound value

 

[Surf Monkey]

Thieaudio Elixir has ascended to the top of my rotation as my preferred IEM for heavy metal, and as my preferred all-arounder, surpassing the CCA Trio and the Aur Audio Aure.

I have the rebrand Allure and they really are great.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Softears has had a tribrid model called Enigma in the works for months

I saw a listing @ Musicteck for a cool $3699 months ago but the listing vanished, I assume the release date was postponed and will probably drop next month.

Musicteck teased the Enigma a few days ago, love the box and presentation but that's to be expected when you're paying this much for an IEM.

Softears has joined the Watercooler! LOL Effect Audio collab, so you're actually paying $2000 for the IEM and $1,699 for the cable! LOL Bravo to the WC denizens and sorry to all the wallets!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Wonder if they include gold kit-kat foil wrappers - to sweeten the deal ??...At £1233 per driver - it's leaves a bitter aftertaste methinks !!

LOL You will never forget that gold Kit-Kat that came along with the Odin LOL

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Softears has joined the Watercooler! LOL Effect Audio collab, so you're actually paying $2000 for the IEM and $1,699 for the cable! LOL Bravo to the WC denizens and sorry to all the wallets!

lol

so lol

effect audio.

yet whats cool about this cable company is that all their collabs attire like minded mediocrity.

so, for the wise guys.
its precious alarm call.