The discovery thread!

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Hey guys, quick question, how's big are the shell and nozzle sizes of the Penon Fan 3 compared to H60? Sound wise I like the H60 but I have hard times with fitting, I can't keep it for long no matter what tips I use

@GroovyAudio? Is that you?

The Fan 3 is slightly more comfortable than the H60, due to the longer and thinner nozzle, but I don't have any issues with either being comfortable, because I have canyon ears from years of IEM usage.

 

[thaslaya]

I'd say the H60 and the FAN 3 are in the same sonic family, with the stage fullness and 3Dness going to the FAN 3, but that's where it's superiority ends. The H60 takes it from there and runs with it. The only reason to get the FAN 3 if you already have the H60, is if you absolutely want to hear that special sauce 3 dimensionality in stage presentation that the BCD provides, that the H60 does not have, and that would be it.

@thaslaya has my ISN H60 + my Penon FAN 3 on the way to his place for a later review (I'm looking forward to the Lowmaster, coming my way, and review to come), so he should be able to really give folks a more focused review and impressions of which he prefers and if owning one or both is justifiable, as he is the reviewer pro.

Thanks for the loaners brother but I'm definitely not a pro just a hobbyist with a greedy ear.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Today is a government holiday in India. So we audiophiles friends planned a little meetup today. Here are a few images from the meetup.













People here loved the AFUL Cantor, Performer5+2, and Ice Labs Prismatica. I enjoyed @nihalsharma 's Spiral Ears SE5 Nebula, quite an outstanding resolution, clarity, stage. Ice Labs Prismatica with Nostalgia Unicorn Cable was also appreciated greatly by my friends. Compared the P5+2 with DUNU DaVinci and ZiiGaat Estrella, will wait for my friend to send me his unit of Estrella, click some sexy pictures and then share my impressions both written and Video. I was having cold so I did not listen too much, but Spiral Ears made a lasting impression on me.

I see your handsome mug, but which one is @nihalsharma?

The Who - Who Are You? Or more apropos....Which Are You? LOL

 

[Ferdinando1968]

My first DAP. Now let's see if we are happy.

@Ferdinando1968 if it's bad:

So, the machine is a steal for the 250 USD I paid
(I honestly don't know how they manage to sell at that price, considering that the average price, of the dongles I use, is higher).

While I get familiar with the machine, I'm writing a series of notes related to the compatibility matrix, caveats and bugs that I'm finding during use.

I'm testing the machine with internal and external DAC, with the following apps: Tidal, UAPP, Roon, Roon ARC, using streaming and local files (flac, DSD, MQA).
As soon as I finish, I'll post here.

For now I can say that:
- the machine does not heat up at all (low gain)
- the battery lasts forever (low gain)
- I have not done any serious sound comparison, but the sound seems detailed to me, rather on the bright side rather than warm (but take this last consideration with a pinch of salt).

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Thanks for this advice.
I liked the nicehck purple cable with my Tri i3 3.
So I will try this Hakugei Crape Myrtle.

You're welcome and I think you'll enjoy it all around with your Tri i3 mk III as well?

 

[kaeswiss]

I pulled a trigger today… not sure I should have considering what good IEMs I already have but I sold a decent lot for 75$ and I’m getting a bonus at work this week… fingers crossed ! Fan 3 incoming

Me too! After hearing BCDs for the first time, I got really curious to see what kind of effect it has on the Fan3 with the on/off switch so I figured why not.

 

[Jmop]

Just got my Topping NX7, really nice build on this thing. Smooth aluminum finish, good volume knob resistance, three gain switches.. Looking forward to testing this later.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

A New & Unforgettable One

A few months back I was asked by one of the rising Slovenian rock bands if I'd be willing to participate as an Actor in their official video for one of their well-known songs. Spoiler alert, I SAID YES. But more like F*CK YEAH I WOULD.

I proudly present Imperij - Rahel vozel ('Delicate knot') starring one gorgeous lady and, well, my humble self. Give it a go with your favourite IEMs.

The videography is excellent, the two of you look mighty! Now I didn't understand one lick of the lyrics of this song, but to my ears, it sounded good enough to be on Eurovision. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Syan25]

Me too! After hearing BCDs for the first time, I got really curious to see what kind of effect it has on the Fan3 with the on/off switch so I figured why not.

Bone conduction has many uses....

 

[r31ya]

Assuming the graph is accurate, this one is remarkable in that they seem to have succeeded in tuning the ear gain compensation in at the DF and Harman research supported spot. As far as I'm aware, no other planar set has achieved this yet. So this appears to graph as a conventional, somewhat bright, V-shaped DD with the resultant somewhat inaccurate timbre that might be masked by the considerable bass and lower mid-range elevation, anyway. If true, this is progress... toward not so good DDs. Then again, no planar has a DD-like tuning in the above sense yet. Applause?

when it comes to their planar graph, wait for third party for to see whether the treble segment is consistent
it seems KZ measure it using the foamies tip and rather high power source, so other eartip and lower power source will have different result

and uniquely, KZ did try to tuned planar to sounds like DD while still retaining bits of planar advantages in their first planar CCA PLA-13.
but it was before we have this many planar option and considered too dd like, people actually started to wonder whether its actually planar driver inside (it is planar driver).

especially the comparison at the time is dioko (i think) which tuned to showcase most of planar technical advantages and have crin backing so for short period of time, people think thats how planar should've be tuned and sound.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Thank you. Is the Penon Pyramid Cable and now I have Penon ASOS+ bought from @Bart147



Amazing cable. I'll use it with Dynaquattro.

Definitely upping your cable game big time!!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Does anyone know how much the Mecha is?

Around $700USD as per someone who spoke with the Dita rep at the SIAS.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I pulled a trigger today… not sure I should have considering what good IEMs I already have but I sold a decent lot for 75$ and I’m getting a bonus at work this week… fingers crossed ! Fan 3 incoming

Enjoy it. It's got that nice dark midrange and thicc bass with safe treble you like so much. Speaks your language!!!




j/k!! The bass is thiccccc. LOL

 

[BS5711]

Yeah, Aur was like a boutique rocket ship, blasting off fast and furious, and then by the time they released the Aehta, the private thread started to go from constant notifications to hardly none, and folks, including reviewers, started selling off their sets after being all gung-ho about them? So I dunno what happened behind the scenes? I just know I'm one of the few and proud owners of the Aure, and that green beauty isn't going anywhere near the classfieds, and if it ever does. not going for less than $500.00.

I think the lack of activity on the AuR thread is simply due to having only so much to talk about when focused on one small boutique manufacturer with only a handful of models released over a couple of years or so. There is only so long that a handful of guys can talk about the same thing, myself included.

I don't care for having the latest and greatest sets or having dozens of cheaper sets or buying gear to talk about here and I am more than happy with my Neon Pro, Aurora and Ascension along with a set of S12 Pro and IE600.

The AuR are still my favoured sets and I have occasionally posted about amplification or tips for example but after having them for a year or so there isn't much more to say.

 

[r31ya]

Kesobie early impression on KZ PRX
the planar mesh is back, finger crossed on whether they fixed the consistency issue

KZ PRX FIRST LOOK AND MEASUREMENTS​

TL;DR: Better than PR2 v1 in every way
The KZ PRX is the latest planar in-ear by KZ with their "4th Generation Planar Diaphragm" priced at under $60.

The first thing that stood out to me was definitely that 3-pronged blue line at the center of the faceplate. I've always been a fan of the look of the PR series of IEMs, but this has to be their best.


Also, the mesh is back! Now, with a pretty dope-looking teal driver.




As for the sound and measurements, this is arguably their most mature planar IEM to date. A generous 10DB eargain at 3kHz, a respectable upper treble that doesn't sound screechy and sibilant and a well-balanced low end that perfectly complements the top end. That 8k looks a little scary, but it's not as bad on listening. It has a bit of metallic timbre, but that's to be expected for a planar in this price with this tuning.



If you felt like you missed out on the first iteration of the PR2s, these are honestly better. Just make sure to get them quick, just in case

Feel free to ask questions below and compare them to other IEMs in my squig @ obodio.squig.link

FULL IMPRESSIONS AND REVIEW TO COME SOON!