[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

@Nimweth Are you the fine fella that was using the B4-X with the AP80 Pro X? If so, I should have listened earlier?

I never really used this combo, as I've primarily used the B4-X in combination with the Hiby R3 II (my fave combo) and the Sony NW-A306.

WOW! The bass HITS! This is absolutely a product of the synergy between these two, because the AP80 is usually the most bass shy and bright leaning dap I own, but when these two make sweet love together, the result is a bassy, fun, and expansive listen, with the warm well rounded notes and detail retrieval of the B4-X. Gonna do more IEM rolling to see if it maintains this level of bass response, but so far so good.

 

[Jmop]

Source is ABSOLUTELY the most important link in the chain outside of transducers.

For instance, and I was going to post this separately, but I came across your question, and well, it fit perfectly...

I have a new appreciation for the Simgot Supermix4. I thank @thaslaya for providing me a second lease on life in trying these IEMs, as my first go around was less than stellar. It was abysmal. But baxk then, I did not own the iBasso DC Elite. So playing thru the DCE changes the game for the SM4, as well as many of my other IEMs, both mid-fi and budget. Now it's an ok set thru my Sony's, and even the B4-X, with good detail retrieval and an engaging enough sound, but when it's fed thru that DCE, it becomes a whole different animal, and the stage becomes more expansive, the treble air becomes crisper with more spatiality up top, and the bass becomes tighter and less pillowy. Now separate them from this chain, and they become a $50.00 IEM, but chain them together, and the SM4 begins to play in the $200 range, and maybe higher? SOURCE MATTERS.

As for a budget source rec....a beater set? Ummm...the B4-X isn't really that mobile (it's more of a desktop amp), the DCE isn't beater cheap at all, and neither is the N3U, so the R3 II or maybe my soon incoming FiiO JM21? I also hear the Shanling M1 Plus is also fantastic sounding, small, and portable and only $200.

And I’d add that source includes dac and amp equally. Can’t make good use of the engine if the tires suck and if the engine sucks what good are the tires? Not my metaphor lol.

 

[MakeItWain]

Doing something slightly different, going to try and see if doing an unboxing/early impressions and following it up with a full review will streamline the review process.

Any comments or thoughts if that works out better, let me know! But sharing my unboxing and impressions on the Aful Performer 5+2/Performer 7/Performer 2+4+1/Performer 1+2+3+1.

 

[gadgetgod]

Yes but aren't we all? That's what makes this so fun! Descending into madness with friends is better than doing it alone

I currently have both of these for review and they are great but also different. I prefer the P5+2 because it sounds a little more musical, balanced, and coherent. But the Estrella has a stronger subbass response and a more expansive stage to my ear with more space between notes. They are somewhat complimentary so it really comes down to personal preference. I think either one would be a worthy buy.

I would agree on this as well man, my personal preferences also align more with P5+2 ALthough Estrella is also quite a performer.

 

[superuser1]

It seems just yesterday every topic page was filled in by "Estrella", today it is "Performer 5+2". Crazy world... Is there something living at least a month or two?

Indeed! @baskingshark would have given one of his famous wise crack statements about FOTM

 

[Jmop]

Not much to pull apart on that Performer’s graph tbh.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

The HiFiGo 11.11 sale has started on Amazon, and in what is a rarity, the sales on the home site match those provided on Amazon (not for all the products though, as the Cantor is not on Amazon), so 2 day or sooner Prime delivery where applicable, and the discounts already available. I also got a personalized $10.00 off coupon (they must have been monitoring my surfing), so I PTT on the AFUL Explorer for $85.00, and it arrives tomorrow. No fooling around with long HFG ship waits and delivery times. Very excited to get my own set, as the one I currently have was kindly lent to me by @thaslaya , so now I can send his back in due time (I'll probably hold on to it a little longer while I spend some more ear time with the SM4 lol).

One thing I can declare is that the Explorer are the new KINGS of my collection for my reggae playlist. There have been a few contenders for that title, with the Juzear Clear weaseling it's way in there, but last night, I was WOW'd by the sheer grace, bass, and ace handled by the Explorer on reggae music. Simply put, Marley, Levy, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Junior Kelly, Red Rat, Lady Saw, Don Campbell, and Jah Cure never sounded better, clearer, heavier, and bassier. Welcome to the rota, AFUL Explorer.

If you listen to this type of playlist, then do yourself a huge favor and pick ths IEM up on 11.11 with HifiGo. You will NOT regret it, and you'll thank me later.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Source is ABSOLUTELY the most important link in the chain outside of transducers.

For instance, and I was going to post this separately, but I came across your question, and well, it fit perfectly...

I have a new appreciation for the Simgot Supermix4. I thank @thaslaya for providing me a second lease on life in trying these IEMs, as my first go around was less than stellar. It was abysmal. But baxk then, I did not own the iBasso DC Elite. So playing thru the DCE changes the game for the SM4, as well as many of my other IEMs, both mid-fi and budget. Now it's an ok set thru my Sony's, and even the B4-X, with good detail retrieval and an engaging enough sound, but when it's fed thru that DCE, it becomes a whole different animal, and the stage becomes more expansive, the treble air becomes crisper with more spatiality up top, and the bass becomes tighter and less pillowy. Now separate them from this chain, and they become a $50.00 IEM, but chain them together, and the SM4 begins to play in the $200 range, and maybe higher? SOURCE MATTERS.

As for a budget source rec....a beater set? Ummm...the B4-X isn't really that mobile (it's more of a desktop amp), the DCE isn't beater cheap at all, and neither is the N3U, so the R3 II or maybe my soon incoming FiiO JM21? I also hear the Shanling M1 Plus is also fantastic sounding, small, and portable and only $200.

The answer is actually two fold, one everything makes a difference. But how much difference is debatable among audiophiles.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

It seems just yesterday every topic page was filled in by "Estrella", today it is "Performer 5+2". Crazy world... Is there something living at least a month or two?

Let's be honest here, the Estrella was basically being bandied about by DOM and Hypops, and this IEM is pretty much destined for the "sale rack" on days like 11.11. It's played out and not going to "rise from the dead" like a few rare IEMs can do, though the fact it gets mentioned at all is a testament all in itself, but the 5+2 will be in the conversation long after the 3-4 week lifecycle of the IEM is over, as most AFUL IEMs outlast this time frame. I don't have the same faith in the Estrella, and seeing as Ziigaat already has two new IEMs back to back to replace the Estrella, I'm probably more right than wrong. YMMV.

 

[Jmop]

Ok, BL03 back in contention, I have an idea…

 

[Syan25]

It seems just yesterday every topic page was filled in by "Estrella", today it is "Performer 5+2". Crazy world... Is there something living at least a month or two?

The iem world has probably the fastest development in personal audio. What's new isn't always what's best.

 

[Jmop]

Baskingshark left y’all with a fantastic rec for the DDs lovers btw in the FD15, such a lush timbre throughout with a spacious stage for the mids to play in. Despite my nitpick about the thinned treble, this is me we’re talking about, and it will surely find it’s fans. Plus the package comes with MMCX remover tool that makes those pesky cables a breeze to remove.

 

[jbfps116]

You messed up a letter, my friend. I think you meant to use the letter U instead of letter A in champ with the very mediocre FiiO JD10? Or am I wrong here?

I initially was enamored with them because of the price-performance, but on a recent comparison blitz, I immediately noticed the vocals were just plain shouty compared to my other single DD sets. Out it goes!

You probably made one of your best choices in dumping the deadwood and going with the Nautilus? I can't wait to hear your impressions.

Yea it was time for a big cull. It makes me sad to possibly part with the Fan 3… I’m going to REALLY have to try to justify keeping it. It’s better than my cheaper stuff but still behind the H60 so…….

A dual planar Wu Zetian?! COUNT. ME. IN.

The S12 2024 let me down so maybe this is the planar magic I was looking for? s12 was just not dynamic and clear enough on dense, busy tracks. I don’t like warm IEMs even ones that are warm only sometimes lol.

Here's the direct link, sir!

Yongse Ruyi Rod
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEbriOV

$40 off code as well for them!

O1YQJ56NBKUX

So pretty! I’m trying to see if I have an IEM that it look good on. Maybe the XuanNv?

 

[o0genesis0o]

It seems just yesterday every topic page was filled in by "Estrella", today it is "Performer 5+2". Crazy world... Is there something living at least a month or two?

I predict that within a few weeks, it would be all about PULA Anvil 114.

IMHO, the shift of spotlight in this thread does not really matter for consumers. Your excellent ZiiGaat or AFUL or Juzears or whatever IEM wouldn’t sudden drop to 2/5 in absolute sound quality just because people stop talking about it.

We have said all that we can said about a great release, it’s time to move the conversation forward. You would question my motive as well if every single post I circle back to, say, Performer7.

The HiFiGo 11.11 sale has started on Amazon, and in what is a rarity, the sales on the home site match those provided on Amazon (not for all the products though, as the Cantor is not on Amazon), so 2 day or sooner Prime delivery where applicable, and the discounts already available. I also got a personalized $10.00 off coupon (they must have been monitoring my surfing), so I PTT on the AFUL Explorer for $85.00, and it arrives tomorrow. No fooling around with long HFG ship waits and delivery times. Very excited to get my own set, as the one I currently have was kindly lent to me by @thaslaya , so now I can send his back in due time (I'll probably hold on to it a little longer while I spend some more ear time with the SM4 lol).

One thing I can declare is that the Explorer are the new KINGS of my collection for my reggae playlist. There have been a few contenders for that title, with the Juzear Clear weaseling it's way in there, but last night, I was WOW'd by the sheer grace, bass, and ace handled by the Explorer on reggae music. Simply put, Marley, Levy, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Junior Kelly, Red Rat, Lady Saw, Don Campbell, and Jah Cure never sounded better, clearer, heavier, and bassier. Welcome to the rota, AFUL Explorer.

If you listen to this type of playlist, then do yourself a huge favor and pick ths IEM up on 11.11 with HifiGo. You will NOT regret it, and you'll thank me later.

I’m still amazed that you enjoy explorer that much. I predicted that you wouldn’t given your dislike for these mild treble, bass boosted IEMs.

 

[mrsergey]

Let me ask you? Are you really into bass? Like REALLY into bass? If so, then those choices are aces. If not, you're probably making a mistake buy, like you did with the Shock?

Sudden pivot buys rarely work out in my experience and IMHO. The reason why is second guessing rarely turns into a positive, but again, if you can answer the question of really loving bassy (especially mid bassy IEMs), then you probably hit a homer?

I do like the shock.
I just think that it's overpriced.
About the bass, i do like bass.
Blon bl03 is a bassy set and i absolutely love it.
The Deuce are also great iems, the problem with them is that they need a lot of power, so they work good only with my fiio m17.
As long as the bass doesn't effect the mids, i like it.