The discovery thread!

[nikbr]

Give me a break, dudes, will ya!

I just picked these up my self after being able to demo them courtesy of my buddy Jay. I liked em so much I decided to pull the trigger on his pair he was selling. sick Mid-bass on these with an easy listen for the rest of the FR. Build quality is top notch, too!

*Xenns Mangird Tea Pro*
I'm burning them in. More to follow soon, but yes, the midbass is truly terrific and I'm looking forward to tip-rolling in the deep as Adele would say.

Parcel arrived earlier - I was thinking this was gonna be a boomerang set....Delci 2.0 etc....err how wrong was I ??

Two words to sum up the Klean : WOWSERS !!
DISRUPTOR !!

Honestly. These things have no right being this good and anyone that's limited on budget - or simply more responsible than most Discothreaders, me included - could be happy with these for at least a year, I promise that.

Did anyone else who pays attention to the over-ear world notice the flood of Meze 105 AER reviews that dropped yesterday?

I chuckled. Not because I think the 105 AER is a crap headphone. Reviews indicate it sounds like what the 109 Pro should have been and what that headphone should have been priced.

Instead, I snickered because I just don't understand Meze's marketing PR policy about review embargoes. The company clearly sends out review units well ahead of time -- kudos. But then it insists that no reviews can be released until a certain date well into the future, and most major reviewers have had more than enough time to write or shoot their reviews by then. So, you get a blitz of reviews for a day or two, and then nothing. It's a flood instead of a steady flow.

That's how hype fades in an industry saturated with new releases. Just look at the Alba, which was the belle of the ball here for about two days this summer and now is completely forgotten. Maybe the 105 AER will have more legs because there aren't nearly as many new models released every month in the over-ear space. But it's a stupid policy in the IEM world.

I thought these have been released for 6 months already at least ... Meze and marketing are two incompatible words.

And keep my bae 109 Pro's name out ya mouth! They will be up for sale here on Classifieds tomorrow most likely. Just not getting used much now with the two Sivga's in the house as well.

Anyhow, telling me not to release the review before a certain date is telling me to procrastinate.

Haha love it.
Don't mind if I do. But, like, you know, later.

I suspect this has something to do with why the Shock is my favorite IEM I've heard this year...
Bass is visceral and huge sounding!

That's part of Project M's magic sauce as well, for sure. That's why I am having difficulties waiting on the Mecha! Would you just come already ... that's what he said.

CVJ Night Elf. Mid-bass has a nice baby bump. Right side has some nice upper air extension.

Nice! Now all you need to do is really take your time, dig deep, and find songs that put the treble air emphasis far right in their stereo mix.

#50 in the books! With the release of my latest review for the Dunu DK3001BD I have hit a milestone I never thought possible when I started this journey. I'd really like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all you crazy Disco threaders for reading and interacting with my reviews and for all the encouragement I've recieved along the way. I still have many more on my to-do list and hope to hit 55 by the end of the year so don't get sick of me yet

You're on a roll! Never could I imagine I'd be releasing so many in a rather short time either. It just becomes a part of our routine.

Elysian Acoustic Labs posted an Apostle teaser video on their social media and they've labeled it themselves as the Anni Jr.

Exciting news. Anything else already known about it? That circle must represent a DD, right? And I'd expect a transparent shell too.

A few more impressions of the Fan 3 besides what I've posted:

-- Excellent tuning. The Fan 3 seems to be tuned to "new meta" before new meta was a thing. There's nothing in the tuning that jars me at all. It's almost too safe. There's no incision in any frequency. It's almost like Penon tuned it safe and smooth to put the BC in the spotlight. Still, it's an easy, all-day listen like the Explorer -- I can't complain about that.

-- Recessed vocals. I've posted here that my tightrope between vocal recession and shout is very thin. I've heard very few over-ear or IEMs that have made it from one platform to the other side without falling off that rope, usually because of shout. The Fan 3 is different. The vocals, especially male, are too recessed, presumably again to let the BCD do its thing.

-- Fantastic layering. The Fan 3 never gets mushy or bogged down in its execution, even in complex passages. That's so rare for me, probably because I've only swam in the $130 and below pool before this model. I remain very impressed with the layering and imaging.

-- Ease of driving. I'm on low gain, 9 o'clock on my JDS Labs Atom+ desktop amp with the Fan 3. I thought BCD would require a lot of juice, almost similar to the single-BA MagicOne. Nope. I need high gain at about 9 or 10 o'clock on my Atom+ to drive the MagicOne.

-- Where's the big bass? I've read a few reviews saying the Fan 3 has incredible, rich bass. Really? I think the bass is fine. Just fine. But it's not as good as the Explorer. It's sort of hazy, just hangs like a morning fog. The sub-bass doesn't overwhelm anything or bleed, which is good. It's tasteful. But the mid-bass has very little of tactile slam I enjoy, especially compared to the Explorer. I expected the BCD to pump up the bass more than this. I'm using stock tips; time to roll?

-- Genre surprises. I figured the Fan 3 would be great with more bombastic music like rock or EDM because of the BCD. I figured wrong. So far, I'm enjoying the Fan 3 the most with acoustic, alt-country and Americana. The laid-back stock tuning, combined with the terrific imaging and layering, makes those genres really shine on this unit. It's still solid with more aggressive genres, but as Gomer Pyle said, "Surprise, surprise, SURPRISE!"

I'm sold on BCD. It's not revolutionary or cortex-melting, but it works. It's different. It brings soundstage, imaging and layering closer to open-back over-ears than anything I've heard. Eager to hear it in other units at some point.

Paul, why not just amalgamate all your thoughts you've shared on the Fan3 and release it as an actual review.

Many of us agree that 2024 was the year "new meta tuning" became a thing with IEMs, the dominant new trend in tuning. And many of us think 2025 could be the year of BCD drivers in IEMs.

But here are three things I would love to see from specific manufacturers in 2025:

1. AFUL to release a model with a BCD. In 2024, we got the Cantor, Explorer and P5+2 from AFUL. That's probably enough to merit its award as 2024 Manufacturer of the Year. If AFUL can continue its roll with properly implemented BCD at a solid price, that model/models could be MONSTERS of the marketplace.

2. Kefine to move into mid-fi, multidriver models. Kefine has released three acclaimed models in the last year -- Klanar, Delci (and its variations) and Klean. While all different in sound, there was a common denominator: All three had single drivers, and I believe all three cost less than $100 at launch. Would love to see Kefine try multidriver models at higher price points.

3. Pula to move into higher-end models. Like AFUL, Pula had a strong year in 2024 with upper entry-fi and lower mid-fi models such as the PA02 and the Anvil. Does Pula have a Cantor up its sleeve? That would be cool, as long as it didn't abandon its terrific-value lower-end models!

What are your brand-specific wishes for 2025, boys?

Awesome predictions. I'm sure some are bound to turn fruitful.

I'd love to see KZ release < 75 new models in 2025 Go on, KZ, do it for our fallen @baskingshark, show him you're not just about flooding the market.

 

[mrsergey]

I'm looking for iems with airy sound.
What would be better? Simgot EA1000 or BQEYZ cloud? (Maybe you have other suggestions).

 

[o0genesis0o]

I'm looking for iems with airy sound.
What would be better? Simgot EA1000 or BQEYZ cloud? (Maybe you have other suggestions).

What do you mean by “airy”? Like upper treble emphasis, extra reverberation and decay? In that case, how much extra do you want?

If you want an exaggerated level of air without killing your ears, Annihilator 2023 is the way. And no, it’s not mockery or elitism. It’s literally the only option that is not STORM that I can say “exaggeratedly airy”. Maybe the upcoming “baby Anni” would be more accessible, but still quite $$$$$$. A used U12t or U6t or U4S are also good options, but 64 audio TIA treble has a peek rather than an evenly elevated air, which can be jarring for some.

If you want good air, with a bit above average level, have a look at the P7 and Cantor. Not as airy as the likes of Anni, but arguably easier on the ears. If you don’t like aful, the Anvil is a good option.

Other than those, I haven’t personally heard any mid-fi IEM that has noticeable amount of “high quality” treble air. EA1000 is open and bright, but not airy in the sense Anni 2023 is airy.

Edit: I forgot one IEM: Simgot Supermix4.

 

[thaslaya]

That's one of my complaints. Their iems are pretty solid but it feels dirty when they give you a cable that feels like an after thought. It is a simple fix, that I feel would have a net gain on the company and their products.

I agree. It might bring their margins down a bit to throw in a better cable, but it could also earn more goodwill for their customer base.

I heard from someone who own BD that the stock cable is actually better than many custom cables over 100$ prices (he has a box full with cables that include Effect Audio's and other premium brands). Plus, aesthetics of the stock cable matches too well with the BD, so I can't come up with a better pairing in terms of looks.

Ya the design of stock cable makes a fantastic pairing for the shells and the build is unique to boot. It's easily one of the best stock cables I've ever had. Dunu always brings their strong accessory game.

DUNU DK3001-BD recorded. Written 75% done. Kima2 written 45% done, video on Monday.

IgniteX Beast and/or Clavelon Delta or both dropping today for written with video done tomorrow.

Performer (3+1)^2-(3)^2 probably this weekend as well.

Penon Impact written 60% done, recording early next week.

I'm trying

Yeah, Little Gremlin may not be a match for IEMs.

Really think TAP-1 or the Xduoo would be the next step. Will see!



Long worded rant/philosophical word vomit.

For the most part, this is exactly how my review (that I've dragged since personal units tend to take a back seat) was panning out. Like the first moment I listened to them, I was like "Oh okay, it's not just a meme". And within two songs, I was pretty hyped. Not that I'm not hyped and love a lot of sets more for different things.

I don't think the Fan 3 does bass the best. I don't think it's technically better than a lot of others (like the Estrella or P7). I don't think the mids are quite to like an H60 or DaVinci. I don't think the BCD implementation is quite on the Anvil or above's level (god, I wanna do more with the Zempire one).

But, the Fan 3's special sauce really is from the overall cohesion and presentation of being good to great on a lot of the things but being subtle and musical without going over the edge on one specific thing. Not trying to drop a bunch of hyperbole but like it's just very chill for the most part. It hits that exact sweet spot. It's different enough but without trying to stand out. It's outclassed in a lot of things but it has that "Je ne sais qoui" factor. Heard it the moment I put them on at CanJam.

Variety is the spice of life. This has the right amount of spice without being too much of one thing. It's not perfect but it's got a different feel and taste. Appeals more to some people, may not be spicy enough for others, but it's a nice addition to a collection, IMO.

Putting in work!

I agree the Fan 3 has a certain degree of the "special sauce" but for me it's a little less than the sum of its parts. Still a solid introduction to BCD. Although, there's a lot of budget sets popping up making use of the new driver tech too. It'll be interesting to see how they turn out.

Other than cables and tips, I feel like I might be at a good place to pause and just enjoy it all for a bit… until the inevitable itch needs scratching again, of course.

Pause game! Enjoy and maybe we can find some cream for that itch.

Even with the Penon email discount? I wouldn't pay $350 for these. But $175 with the Penon Speakeasy Secret Decoder Ring? Good Lord, I'm dusting off my money clip and looking for the Jaws of Life.

The threat of you breaking out your wallet is one of the biggest endorsements an IEM/headphone can get.

You're on a roll! Never could I imagine I'd be releasing so many in a rather short time either. It just becomes a part of our routine.


Exciting news. Anything else already known about it? That circle must represent a DD, right? And I'd expect a transparent shell too.

Part 1: My wife hates my routine of constantly rotating audio gear and stressing to hit self imposed review deadlines

Part 2: (These are my brief impressions from CanJam SoCal)

"Apostle - This is a new 5-driver tribrid featuring 1DD, 2 BAs, and 2 ESTs. The tuning is mildly V-shaped but very well balanced. This one is definitely much more engaging than the Pilgrim. The bass has a satisfying rumble with a bit more mid-bass focus, but it's not a super bassy IEM in general. The midrange and vocals are warm, well separated, and engaging. The treble is sparkly and airy with good extension and is mostly non-fatiguing. It has just a touch more energy than I prefer, but it will definitely be great for a lot of people, barring some extremely treble-sensitive individuals. Very impressive overall, and I could see it holding a firm spot in the market between the Pilgrim and the Annihilator, depending on the final price."

It's being touted as a mini Annihilator. Not sure about final price but I heard around $1800? I know @Jaytiss is getting one so be on the lookout for his review.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Not sure about final price but I heard around $1800

Ouch. I was hoping for $1000 - $1200

 

[drspeter]

I agree. It might bring their margins down a bit to throw in a better cable, but it could also earn more goodwill for their customer base.

Ya the design of stock cable makes a fantastic pairing for the shells and the build is unique to boot. It's easily one of the best stock cables I've ever had. Dunu always brings their strong accessory game.

Putting in work!

I agree the Fan 3 has a certain degree of the "special sauce" but for me it's a little less than the sum of its parts. Still a solid introduction to BCD. Although, there's a lot of budget sets popping up making use of the new driver tech too. It'll be interesting to see how they turn out.

Pause game! Enjoy and maybe we can find some cream for that itch.

The threat of you breaking out your wallet is one of the biggest endorsements an IEM/headphone can get.

Part 1: My wife hates my routine of constantly rotating audio gear and stressing to hit self imposed review deadlines

Part 2: (These are my brief impressions from CanJam SoCal)

"Apostle - This is a new 5-driver tribrid featuring 1DD, 2 BAs, and 2 ESTs. The tuning is mildly V-shaped but very well balanced. This one is definitely much more engaging than the Pilgrim. The bass has a satisfying rumble with a bit more mid-bass focus, but it's not a super bassy IEM in general. The midrange and vocals are warm, well separated, and engaging. The treble is sparkly and airy with good extension and is mostly non-fatiguing. It has just a touch more energy than I prefer, but it will definitely be great for a lot of people, barring some extremely treble-sensitive individuals. Very impressive overall, and I could see it holding a firm spot in the market between the Pilgrim and the Annihilator, depending on the final price."

It's being touted as a mini Annihilator. Not sure about final price but I heard around $1800? I know @Jaytiss is getting one so be on the lookout for his review.

Wow.. it is mini Anni2023 but the price is not mini at all.

 

[mrsergey]

What do you mean by “airy”? Like upper treble emphasis, extra reverberation and decay? In that case, how much extra do you want?

If you want an exaggerated level of air without killing your ears, Annihilator 2023 is the way. And no, it’s not mockery or elitism. It’s literally the only option that is not STORM that I can say “exaggeratedly airy”. Maybe the upcoming “baby Anni” would be more accessible, but still quite $$$$$$. A used U12t or U6t or U4S are also good options, but 64 audio TIA treble has a peek rather than an evenly elevated air, which can be jarring for some.

If you want good air, with a bit above average level, have a look at the P7 and Cantor. Not as airy as the likes of Anni, but arguably easier on the ears. If you don’t like aful, the Anvil is a good option.

Other than those, I haven’t personally heard any mid-fi IEM that has noticeable amount of “high quality” treble air. EA1000 is open and bright, but not airy in the sense Anni 2023 is airy.

Edit: I forgot one IEM: Simgot Supermix4.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Annihilator 2023 is way too expensive for me.
Simgot Supermix 4 look ugly to me.
Anvil and P7 are on the way, i should receive them next week.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Simgot Supermix 4 look ugly to me.

This cracked me up

Anvil and P7 are on the way, i should receive them next week.

Hopefully both cables would work for you this time.

I predict you would prefer Anvil over P7

 

[Surf Monkey]

#50 in the books! With the release of my latest review for the Dunu DK3001BD I have hit a milestone I never thought possible when I started this journey. I'd really like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all you crazy Disco threaders for reading and interacting with my reviews and for all the encouragement I've recieved along the way. I still have many more on my to-do list and hope to hit 55 by the end of the year so don't get sick of me yet

Every time I see those they remind me of THX-1138.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I can only imagine , Q15 would be a beast of an DAC/AMP. Totally makes sense not to PTT on BTR17.

The Q15 has two of the top tier AK dac chips in it and very powerful amps. The Bluetooth implementation is also exceptional. It must have a big antenna in there because it can get quite far from a source and not disconnect. But the real meat and potatoes is connecting it to a source by USB. Then it sounds amazing.

 

[szore]

I feel like I am at the end of my Head-fi experience...

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

First evening with the brand new Fiio JM21 DAP.

Overall is basically what I wanted, which was a relatively cheap DAP with Wi-Fi so I can stream music.

Feels well made and reasonably smooth despite the slightly creaky internals.

Looking forward to getting mine. It's shipped and in transit. Should be landing around the same time as my EBC80.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I feel like I am at the end of my Head-fi experience...

Feelings often wash over us. Their permanence is questionable.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Ouch. I was hoping for $1000 - $1200

I knew that price, that's why I said I'd love to be part of a tour, because ain't no way I'm spending $2,000 AFTER TAX for a baby anything. I'd just save up the $450 and buy an open box Annihilator 2023, which ain't happening either. So a tour would be ideal.

I feel like I am at the end of my Head-fi experience...

The reason?

 

[o0genesis0o]

I feel like I am at the end of my Head-fi experience...

Who bullied you?

I knew that price, that's why I said I'd love to be part of a tour, because ain't no way I'm spending $2,000 AFTER TAX for a baby anything. I'd just save up the $450 and buy an open box Annihilator 2023, which ain't happening either. So a tour would be ideal.

Yeah, that's the thing about these high-end IEMs. The urge to just get it over with and bite the bullet rather than "baby" this and "baby" that.

TBH, I was not super impressed by a few TOTL I'm fortunate enough to borrow and try. Good? Definitely. But it's not mind bogging like the first time I hear a 64 Audio and A&K when moving from apple dongle and FH3. It's like when you reach 90%, and then there is a lot of investment just to get the last 10%, which most of the time these TOTL fails to deliver (fully).