[Syan25]

It's been a very difficult time these last three weeks. I was unable to use any iems or headphones at all. Terrible dental aches and trouble jaw and throat pain. My right ear was messed up too. Finally, it's been sorted. Nerves removed. Swelling gone.

Now I can finally listen to my Cantors.

Bliss!

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

I picked mine up last year for $340 on AliExpress during 11/11 sale. One of my best IEM purchases ever.

Oh wow that's a great price.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

It's been a very difficult time these last three weeks. I was unable to use any iems or headphones at all. Terrible dental aches and trouble jaw and throat pain. My right ear was messed up too. Finally, it's been sorted. Nerves removed. Swelling gone.

Now I can finally listen to my Cantors.

Bliss!

Accurate. The Cantor in one word is pretty much just “bliss”.

 

[Scubadevils]

Just so happens that I am currently down to exactly three sets! As threatened, I’m in the process of paring down the arsenal. Most are all packed up to be sold, and my Symphonium Meteor is out for repair (one side started distorting out of the blue).

My current trio:
Dita Project M
Ziigaat Estrella
Sivga Que

The Symphonium Meteor will rejoin them again in a few weeks, and I’m planning to pick up the Dunu Braindance once I’ve saved up the funds (possibly bumping the Estrella from its current spot in the drawer).

Project M and the DUNU DK3001BD are without a doubt in my top choice IEMs this year - excited to hear Mecha before the year is out, I'm very confident it will be another winner... and should pretty much bookend each side of 2024 with a DITA IEM as I opened this year with Project M.

 

[AudioSeeker]

Yes it looks like it definitely, I just read a review of it, alas at £1,425, it only has Burson V6 Vivid op-amps. I'd want the V7's minimum at that price tbf.


Thanks for clarifying: did the upgraded V7's add much extra to the total cost?

Thankfully John Burson sent out the V7 vivid and classics for me to test, and the amplifier I purchased on classifieds. So this setup was relatively affordable.

 

[domq422]

I find the Doscinco bass a bit soft, not very impactful or textured. So it's not as intense as it graphs.
I saw some comments mentioning the BTR17 sounds the same as KA17 which I already have. I don't have anything with tubes yet so I thought the M5 Ultra made more sense, especially since they managed to make it play nice with bluetooth.
My modded Rosefinch has a 400 filter with needle hole in center. I didn't mess with the front vent since I think it has enough bass already lol!

Totally agreed - the bass on the Doscinco in stock form was very soft to my ears as well. It was warm in a way where it’s just a blanket of sound over the entire mix.
Interesting… I’ve heard the KA17 before and I found it to be punchy as hell in the bass region, I really enjoy my short time it. So if that’s at all true, I’m excited!

 

[Steve_72]

Same. I bought $50 coupon but, after looking, nothing has been interesting enough, IMO.

Hifigo and AliExpress is going to be the best route I feel.







Also getting the M5 Ultra. I have my desktop dac/amp (Element 3) that will be my standard desktop. The M5 Ultra will be my new doncle/dac for the most part and my tube option for being warm. At least, that's how I feel like it'll work out best.

Muse M5 Ultra might be my favourite purchase this year. It’s seriously a great unit with lots of flexibility.

 

[Vonbuddy]

Same. I bought $50 coupon but, after looking, nothing has been interesting enough, IMO.

Hifigo and AliExpress is going to be the best route I feel.







Also getting the M5 Ultra. I have my desktop dac/amp (Element 3) that will be my standard desktop. The M5 Ultra will be my new doncle/dac for the most part and my tube option for being warm. At least, that's how I feel like it'll work out best.

The new Moondrop cd player (Ultra version) has gotten very good reviews. With my $25 coupon I am considering the little music player from Hiby, the R1.

 

[Kumonomukou]

The new Moondrop cd player (Ultra version) has gotten very good reviews. With my $25 coupon I am considering the little music player from Hiby, the R1.

Same. I'll probably just let my coupon expire, and see what's out there on BF.

 

[jbfps116]

I have DECIDED. It's a CULL. AND a massive UPGRADE [hopefully!]

What's going for sure:

Letshuoer S12 2024. Why? Not as good as Fan 3 or H60 and was in a similar price tier. Plus, I still find it to some slight mids congestion/warmth on busy tracks and I cannot accept that. Otherwise, I DID really like them.
KZ AS24 Switch ed. Why? Simply outclassed now by much of my collection.
KZ D-fi non-switch ed. Saga Balanced makes this obsolete.
Fiio Jd10. I'm finding a bit too shouty in the vocals. Great for the price, but I've got better.


What's possibly-very likely going after more testing:

KZ Libra Balanced. I think the Saga will beat this as well!
Kinera Celest Wyvern Black. They sound good and are comfy... I'm on the fence about this one.
TRN ST7. Also very on the fence. Great stage, but occasionally sounds congested.
TRN Orca. I still think it sounds GREAT, but how many single DDs do I need? Besides, it looks somewhat ugly, which is a huge ding for my eclectic tastes.
Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji. MAYBE. Stunning looks, but problematic fit [SHORT nozzle,] and I'm still unsure about the sound. Will test more.
CCA Trio. YES they do sound ridiculously good for the price, but I really think the Fan 3, H60, and obviously [hopefully!!] the Nautilus will make this UGLY set obsolete!
Kinera Celest Phoenixcall. MAYYYYYBE. I LOVE the look and fit, but not sure the sound is stunning enough. The Pula PA02 is so much better. That being said, the PC could be seen as my treble-focused set
Penon Fan 3. YES... I said it. I love it, but so far, I think I prefer the H60 in every case. Further serious testing needed, because they are the most beautiful IEM I own, but realistically, if they don't sound as stunning as the H60, I can't afford to keep them around. I want better bass LOL. Also, the H60's vocals, stage, and treble are also better I think. It's close, and they don't sound super similar, but if I decide to sell this, it will really help offset the cost of the Nautilus.

In whatever lot I come up with to sell, I'll be including premium cables as well. I have too many haha. And MAYBE better tips too. Downsizing my collection will result in too many accessories if I only include the crappy KZ cables which I NEVER use anyway. [Sorry I sound like a snob haha. I used to be totally OK with them.]
What I have incoming:


Jomo Audio Nautilus. YES, I decided after further research, to pull the trigger. The sale of this lot I'm putting together should pay for between 25% and 50% of the price, depending on if I decide to sell the Fan 3, and I think I need that killer bass, TOTL mids/vocals, and extended Treble.

Yes, I can't believe I did this, but I feel this will be the next step to get the really amazing subbass I crave while having all the benefits of glorious mids and highs like the H60 and Fan 3 have. I ordered from Musicteck, [the Jomo site isn't shipping until early December, and MusicTeck had one in stock!] paid a little extra for faster shipping, and If I'm not on the floor weeping, I'll be returning or selling them. No, really.... I have HIGH expectations for these. I was seriously considering the Pula Anvil but when I heard it has less subbass than the PA02, that was a deal-breaker. I love the bass level of the PA02.

What do you all think, am I crazy or what? haha. And yes, I still prefer the Fan 3 on the 1 setting.

 

[BS5711]

Dear esteemed friends, I would like to announce that I will be leaving the audio hobby for some time. It's been a great pleasure learning and discussing with the community here, and I've build many friendships, especially at the Discovery thread. I will clear some tour/review units under obligation, then will be taking a break thereafter.

..................... I've been banned by > 20 companies for previous lukewarm reviews (let alone negative),......................................... Lately, there's some bad blood from a local manufacturer (won't mention names), previously there were bots and fake accounts on the attack for negative reviews. In general, the hobby seems to be getting more and more commercialized and manufacturers are fighting tooth and nail for every customer by hook or by crook.

Just last week, one CHIFI company actually emailed to offer to pay me a certain amount per positive review, and I flat out told them NO and broke contact ..................

I understand you leaving as a reviewer but would like to think you would hang around or come back as a consumer.



The above bits in bold are really telling after several other posts from other reviewers reporting similar experiences, despite one very vocal person that suggests otherwise.

Makes one wonder even more how much faith consumers can have in reviews from anybody other than peers if this behaviour is common enough that you have had the number of unsatisfactory experiences you have had.

I enjoy Head Fi as a place for general information and comparing of notes etc but I really dislike the heavy commercial skew.

 

[jbfps116]

If you could keep only 3 iems in your collection, what iems you gonna choose?

At this point, it’s the ISN H60, Pula PA02, and maybe the Penon Fan 3 (not sure it’s better than the H60) . KZ ZS12 pro x as well

That is a tough choice, man... I haven't heard the Arcadia my self. If you're treble sensitive, just skip the Estrella, brother. It's an exciting listen with slightly boosted late treble and upper mids, couple that with deep as hell sub bass and it's a dynamic BEAST. One of the most dynamic IEMs I've heard to date. But they're not for everyone. The Arcadia seems to be a lot safer for most folks.

Oh I love treble. As long as it’s not screechy and sibilant like my old ZS6. Let’s see how the Nautilus sounds before I take another look at Estrella.

 

[Dsnuts]

Can you kindly take photo on the BC opening holes?

The Shock is great, and I don't find any major flaws at all especially after simple mods, I reach them more than my Mest recently. I really can't go back to IEMs without BC and lose the soundstage-imaging special sauce from the BCD.

You can see the same dual Sonion BC drivers but this time around instead of dual vented slots on the Shocks, there is a circular metal cap on the end of the drivers. I suppose this end is what touches the inside of your concha for the conductors to work.

 

[r31ya]

I have DECIDED. It's a CULL. AND a massive UPGRADE [hopefully!]

What's going for sure:

Letshuoer S12 2024. Why? Not as good as Fan 3 or H60 and was in a similar price tier. Plus, I still find it to some slight mids congestion/warmth on busy tracks and I cannot accept that. Otherwise, I DID really like them.
KZ AS24 Switch ed. Why? Simply outclassed now by much of my collection.
KZ D-fi non-switch ed. Saga Balanced makes this obsolete.
Fiio Jd10. I'm finding a bit too shouty in the vocals. Great for the price, but I've got better.


What's possibly-very likely going after more testing:

KZ Libra Balanced. I think the Saga will beat this as well!
Kinera Celest Wyvern Black. They sound good and are comfy... I'm on the fence about this one.
TRN ST7. Also very on the fence. Great stage, but occasionally sounds congested.
TRN Orca. I still think it sounds GREAT, but how many single DDs do I need? Besides, it looks somewhat ugly, which is a huge ding for my eclectic tastes.
Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji. MAYBE. Stunning looks, but problematic fit [SHORT nozzle,] and I'm still unsure about the sound. Will test more.
CCA Trio. YES they do sound ridiculously good for the price, but I really think the Fan 3, H60, and obviously [hopefully!!] the Nautilus will make this UGLY set obsolete!
Kinera Celest Phoenixcall. MAYYYYYBE. I LOVE the look and fit, but not sure the sound is stunning enough. The Pula PA02 is so much better. That being said, the PC could be seen as my treble-focused set
Penon Fan 3. YES... I said it. I love it, but so far, I think I prefer the H60 in every case. Further serious testing needed, because they are the most beautiful IEM I own, but realistically, if they don't sound as stunning as the H60, I can't afford to keep them around. I want better bass LOL. Also, the H60's vocals, stage, and treble are also better I think. It's close, and they don't sound super similar, but if I decide to sell this, it will really help offset the cost of the Nautilus.

In whatever lot I come up with to sell, I'll be including premium cables as well. I have too many haha. And MAYBE better tips too. Downsizing my collection will result in too many accessories if I only include the crappy KZ cables which I NEVER use anyway. [Sorry I sound like a snob haha. I used to be totally OK with them.]
What I have incoming:


Jomo Audio Nautilus. YES, I decided after further research, to pull the trigger. The sale of this lot I'm putting together should pay for between 25% and 50% of the price, depending on if I decide to sell the Fan 3, and I think I need that killer bass, TOTL mids/vocals, and extended Treble.

Yes, I can't believe I did this, but I feel this will be the next step to get the really amazing subbass I crave while having all the benefits of glorious mids and highs like the H60 and Fan 3 have. I ordered from Musicteck, [the Jomo site isn't shipping until early December, and MusicTeck had one in stock!] paid a little extra for faster shipping, and If I'm not on the floor weeping, I'll be returning or selling them. No, really.... I have HIGH expectations for these. I was seriously considering the Pula Anvil but when I heard it has less subbass than the PA02, that was a deal-breaker. I love the bass level of the PA02.

What do you all think, am I crazy or what? haha. And yes, I still prefer the Fan 3 on the 1 setting.

many of my KZ cable is still perfectly sealed in their box
i only open them when i gave away my cheapo to a coworker.

but yeah, try to keep 1 or 2 budget for a beater iem. something to use in less than ideal condition and you don't particularly mind (that much) if it breaks.
i use low midfi for commute for a period of time, i went through few stages of grief when one of them develop channel imbalance mid commute.
i now sticks with budget-fi for commute.

---
and not sure whether this have been posted here,
but the old Queen of Planar is back

 

[Ineras]

You can see the same dual Sonion BC drivers but this time around instead of dual vented slots on the Shocks, there is a circular metal cap on the end of the drivers. I suppose this end is what touches the inside of your concha for the conductors to work.

So similar to BGVP design then. Noice!
Looks really close to the nozzle though, I wonder if it might get covered by the umbrella on large tips.