[o0genesis0o]

What do you guys think about the Fiio FA7S? It has a pretty unique graph, I'd say, quite similar to the TG334.

The full BA one? It’s pretty … okay. I like how it does bass and the overall technical performance (quite crisp and well defined). It’s at least half a step above Moondrop Bleesing 2.

I was going to buy it but I didn’t because I can’t stand the way FiiO tunes the upper midrange of this one. With some tracks, it feels narrow and deep like listening in a tunnel with the single at the end. Maybe you would enjoy it, but if you are very used to the modern tuning with ear gain, you might take some time to adapt.

Another fascinating take on measurements from the folks at Headphones.com:
This video is sort of a “story so far” in the Headphones.com crew’s pursuit of better data and measurement tools. IMO it’s worth a complete watch (even if you’re not into measurements), as is its companion video from CanJam of a talk by Blaine about their work.

For me the new takeaway was a datapoint I had heard of but didnt know much about: HpTF (not to be confused with HRTF). HpTF is the unique way that a headphone reacts to unique bodies. Not only did I not know this was a thing, but I had no idea just how big of an impact it has on what we ultimately hear.

If you’ve been keeping track, this means that there are three main (and measurable) data points that determine the FR we each ultimately hear:

1) the headphone FR measurement
2) our individual and unique HRTF (our anatomy)
3) how each headphone uniquely responds (HpTF) to our unique bodies. This last one is probably the biggest surprise to most folks.

Soooo, the research shows that “your mileage might vary”?

The sheer amount of companies HBB collabs with never ceases to amaze me. Wouldn’t be surprised if we got an AFUL x HBB soon. AFUL basshead, anyone?

AFUL’s bass head is called explorer.

Guys, what should i buy? AFUL MagicOne or Explorer? I think MagicOne is a better choice for me, because i think i've already have warm IEMs with good bass such as Dunu Davinci, Campfire Audio Mammoth or Thieaudio Hype 2. Or am i wrong and Explorer can deliever new experience for me?

Try MagicOne for your vocal music library. It offers something different than the rest of your stable. The explorer would clash against the DaVinci.

One thing to consider this 11.11, and this is NOT a political statement -- just a fact: American-based IEM aficionados may want to stock up on IEMs we like at good prices because the next administration is threatening to impose tariffs as high as 60 percent on goods imported from China.

Again, not a political statement, and I do NOT want to create a political sideshow or shitshow here. But our beloved play toys could be considerably more expensive for American buyers 11.11.2025. Tariff policy -- whether you approve or disapprove, and I don't care about or want to know your stance -- very well could affect ChiFi prices.

Well, Yankees can have their Campfire Audio

For those waiting to pounce on the AFUL Cantor, HiFiGo will have it on sale for $719.00, and then with the coupon code of $80 off $500, that's another $80 off, so that $639USD before tax for the Cantor.

640 is a very good price for that IEM Use the leftover from discount to get an R3II or R4 and you are pretty much “done” (for a while).

 

[Steve_72]

Finally received my Muse M5 Ultra. Very impressive package. Solid build, nice case and menu is intuitive and easy to navigate. Plenty of power and dead quiet with no hiss running off both tube and transistor modes.

 

[Syan25]

The full BA one? It’s pretty … okay. I like how it does bass and the overall technical performance (quite crisp and well defined). It’s at least half a step above Moondrop Bleesing 2.

I was going to buy it but I didn’t because I can’t stand the way FiiO tunes the upper midrange of this one. With some tracks, it feels narrow and deep like listening in a tunnel with the single at the end. Maybe you would enjoy it, but if you are very used to the modern tuning with ear gain, you might take some time to adapt.




Soooo, the research shows that “your mileage might vary”?





AFUL’s bass head is called explorer.



Try MagicOne for your vocal music library. It offers something different than the rest of your stable. The explorer would clash against the DaVinci.



Well, Yankees can have their Campfire Audio



640 is a very good price for that IEM Use the leftover from discount to get an R3II or R4 and you are pretty much “done” (for a while).

Well done. You brought Clint into the convo.

 

[Syan25]

Finally received my Muse M5 Ultra. Very impressive package. Solid build, nice case and menu is intuitive and easy to navigate. Plenty of power and dead quiet with no hiss running off both tube and transistor modes.

Congratulations!

 

[activatorfly]

I used to write articles for an occult magazine, one of which was about the relationship between Heraldry and Alchemy. There are many one-to-one correspondences between such things in the esoteric world. One of my prized books is "Splendor Solis".

Thanks for making me aware of Splendor Solis...I tend to re-view alchemical works now as I equate The Philosophers Stone with ORME. This Alchemical Manuscript is of particular interest cos it emanates from circa 1582, & given that this was the era when Giordano Bruno (Italian philosopher, poet, alchemist, astrologer, cosmological theorist, esotericist) was hunted down as a heretic. His close friend Caravaggio also feared for his life, so this heightened awareness is reflected in his artworks. When I studied Photography / Media Studies & Communication courses at Uni - I posited that Caravaggio's canvases were in essence, the first examples of photography. History declares that the first photograph was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1822. Controversially, I asserted that Caravaggio predated this by 230+ years. An Italian PhD professor conducted extensive research into this subject. Also bare in mind that (in contrast to every other major painter) Caravaggio had ZERO existing drawings of his artworks.

 

[Ferdinando1968]

FF x HBB Deuce - I think this set accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. Regardless of the customer service disaster, it's been for so many people, the sound checks the boxes. Without the Impedance adapter, its punchy bass keeps the rest of the FR in line. I'd say that's the biggest standout, it's almost Harman-ish in terms of tuning. Boosted sub bass, boosed upper-mids, and very polite treble. The Bass is way skewed to the sub-bass region, which I much prefer in my tunings, and it's incredible detailed and textured. This is probably the best bass I've heard under $500 up to this point when it comes to sub-bass rumble and tactility.

I agree.
The DEUCE is a very solid set, with great lows and mids, and clear and clean mids.
It is a pleasure to listen to them.

To my ears, they sound very different from the MINI, less extreme, warmer and smoother, more pleasant to listen to for my taste.
The guys from Singapore know what they are doing.

It is a set that surprised me, frankly.
I did not expect a product of this level.
And I have not tried them with the impedance adapter yet.

 

[Hypops]

Soooo, the research shows that “your mileage might vary”?

Ha. Well, yeah, but now there are graphs to prove it!

Seriously, though, what's genuinely new about all of this is that they've shown that it is indeed possible to measure both HRTF and HpTF (the "subjective" stuff). It's just very, very expensive and inconvenient. But now they have an established method, and with enough data and test subjects, they could eventually build a much more accurate set of Harman-like data sets for full-size headphones and IEMs.

I'm not naive enough to believe this will put an end to personal taste. Speakers have had a measurably "flat" reference for decades now, but it's not like that put an end to personal taste or manufacturer "style." But it would establish a baseline that's been missing from headphones (and even more especially from IEMs).

Also, I'm the last person to be interested in a "flat" tuning on a set of IEMs. I stay as far away from so-called neutral tunings as I can (I might be the only person in this thread who isn't interested in the Performer 5+2). But that doesn't mean I don't find this research super interesting and compelling.

 

[activatorfly]

Ha. Well, yeah, but now there are graphs to prove it!

Seriously, though, what's genuinely new about all of this is that they've shown that it is indeed possible to measure both HRTF and HpTF (the "subjective" stuff). It's just very, very expensive and inconvenient. But now they have an established method, and with enough data and test subjects, they could eventually build a much more accurate set of Harman-like data sets for full-size headphones and IEMs.

I'm not naive enough to believe this will put an end to personal taste. Speakers have had a measurably "flat" reference for decades now, but it's not like that put an end to personal taste or manufacturer "style." But it would establish a baseline that's been missing from headphones (and even more especially from IEMs).

Also, I'm the last person to be interested in a "flat" tuning on a set of IEMs. I stay as far away from so-called neutral tunings as I can (I might be the only person in this thread who isn't interested in the Performer 5+2). But that doesn't mean I don't find this research super interesting and compelling.

So neutral tuning is the P7 deal-breaker specifically for you?...in the same ballpark which set would you choose in preference?

 

[o0genesis0o]

Also, I'm the last person to be interested in a "flat" tuning on a set of IEMs. I stay as far away from so-called neutral tunings as I can (I might be the only person in this thread who isn't interested in the Performer 5+2). But that doesn't mean I don't find this research super interesting and compelling.

P7 is mild V shaped, possibly “new meta” midrange with more bass and treble.

IMHO, It’s important to have a “flat” target for the midrange, since it would take the uncanny tonality and tonal balance out of the picture. After that, adjust to artistic vision. One shouldn’t F with the midrange between 250Hz and 2k. That has never turned out fine, besides you want to be unique like CFA.

And we don’t need fancy new rigs for that “flat” midrange. Take Harman IE2019, use your ears to know that it has too much upper mid and too little lower mid, make adjustments, voila! Congrats, you have tuned a decent budget single DD IEMs.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Another fascinating take on measurements from the folks at Headphones.com:
This video is sort of a “story so far” in the Headphones.com crew’s pursuit of better data and measurement tools. IMO it’s worth a complete watch (even if you’re not into measurements), as is its companion video from CanJam of a talk by Blaine about their work.

For me the new takeaway was a datapoint I had heard of but didnt know much about: HpTF (not to be confused with HRTF). HpTF is the unique way that a headphone reacts to unique bodies. Not only did I not know this was a thing, but I had no idea just how big of an impact it has on what we ultimately hear.

If you’ve been keeping track, this means that there are three main (and measurable) data points that determine the FR we each ultimately hear:

1) the headphone FR measurement
2) our individual and unique HRTF (our anatomy)
3) how each headphone uniquely responds (HpTF) to our unique bodies. This last one is probably the biggest surprise to most folks.

I still can’t stand the attitude of the gang, perfectly summarised by Resolve’s air quote “technical” in the middle of the video.

If it is such an “illusion”, prove it! Make a PEQ or full on DSP to make the cheapest 50 cent DD sounds technical and tonally pleasing.

 

[Hypops]

What is the P7 deal-breaker in particular for you?

Based on reviews, it sounds like there's not enough "special sauce" for my taste. It seems like a pretty typical neutral tuning with just a mild hint of a v-shape. I'd probably find it generic. Seems destined to be replaced by something "better" and/or cheaper in the next month or two. I prefer to find things with a bit more character that will make them worth listening to years down the road. Even though I love hanging with the disco crew and watching all the new bright shinies come flying through, I'm not on the purchasing/reviewing conveyor belt. If I buy something, I want it to last me.

P7 is mild V shaped, possibly “new meta” midrange with more bass and treble.

IMHO, It’s important to have a “flat” target for the midrange, since it would take the uncanny tonality and tonal balance out of the picture. After that, adjust to artistic vision. One shouldn’t F with the midrange between 250Hz and 2k. That has never turned out fine, besides you want to be unique like CFA.

And we don’t need fancy new rigs for that “flat” midrange. Take Harman IE2019, use your ears to know that it has too much upper mid and too little lower mid, make adjustments, voila! Congrats, you have tuned a decent budget single DD IEMs.

I don't disagree. Nevertheless, I think it's ridiculously cool that a lot of what we think is our own unique taste might actually be something more quantifiable (HRTF and HpTF).

 

[o0genesis0o]

Based on reviews, it sounds like there's not enough "special sauce" for my taste. It seems like a pretty typical neutral tuning with just a mild hint of a v-shape. I'd probably find it generic. Seems destined to be replaced by something "better" and/or cheaper in the next month or two. I prefer to find things with a bit more character that will make them worth listening to years down the road. Even though I love hanging with the disco crew and watching all the new bright shinies come flying through, I'm not on the purchasing/reviewing conveyor belt. If I buy something, I want it to last me.


I don't disagree. Nevertheless, I think it's ridiculously cool that a lot of what we think is our own unique taste might actually be something more quantifiable (HRTF and HpTF).

P7 is kinda like U12t in its utilitarian. You plug it to anything and it sounds good. It does not offer any “strangeness” that draws attention compared to, say, FATFreq IEMs with their insane bass shelf (though I argue the bass and upper treble of P7 are its “special sauce”). What it does it natural production of your content with solid technical performance, no matter how you define that “air quoted” technical performance.

A utilitarian baseline, corner stone of a collection, IMHO.

But you are right, many skillful manufacturers are gunning for that kind of IEM. The Juzears 81T is coming. Anvil is coming. Inevitably, something would fill in this utilitarian role better than the humble P7. If you buy an IEM to use, there is no reason to “min max” and keep upgrading, so P7 has staying power. But for folks like myself, undoubtedly IEMs like P7 would have less staying power than the likes of Cantor. It has already happened with my 61T, another IEM that I praised highly.

 

[Hypops]

I still can’t stand the attitude of the gang, perfectly summarised by Resolve’s air quote “technical” in the middle of the video.

If it is such an “illusion”, prove it! Make a PEQ or full on DSP to make the cheapest 50 cent DD sounds technical and tonally pleasing.

Ha. Well, I mean, all audio reproduction is literally an illusion. It's all psychoacoustics, so if it's not a treble boost that creates the illusion of detail, staging, or imaging, it's something else. That is the art of transducer design: creating the illusion of natural-sounding music. Yes, it's obnoxious that he puts "technicalities" in quotes like that, but not because he's wrong. He should also put "music" in quotes since the entire enterprise of sound reproduction is based on tricking the human brain.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

So neutral tuning is the P7 deal-breaker specifically for you?...in the same ballpark which set would you choose in preference?

Well, seeing as there is nothing "flat" or "neutral" about the P7. there's all sorts of wrong in there, or if that's what's being insinuated? That might not be the case.

 

[activatorfly]

Well, seeing as there is nothing "flat" or "neutral" about the P7. there's all sorts of wrong in there, or if that's what's being insinuated? That might not be the case.

Yes I concur, it's worth noting others perceptions I guess, even if they're contrary to reviewers currently extolling the P7's abundance of "magic sauce."