The discovery thread!

[Surf Monkey]

Probably read also the next review after mine, right next to it, to get a more complete picture. As the reviewer heard MK1, and I have not. But yes, if you miss the Planar sound, then in my opinion it is up there with a few of my favorites, like the NiceHCK F1 Pro.

It blows the F1 Pro away. The F1 Pro has harsh treble, tons of “planar timbre” and not enough bass… mid or sub.

I’ve heard a LOT of planar sets, most of which I own or owned. In my opinion the Timeless II is the best of them so far. It has very little “planar timbre” and does it without a blunted or DD emulating profile like the S08. And the stage is fantastic too. It has exceptionally precise imaging and separation. It renders sounds close and far. It’s resolving enough to expose poor sources and low quality files…

I can go on. I really think comparing the Timeless II to the F1 Pro is missing the mark, though I’ll grant you that you’re not super familiar with the many planar sets that have come and gone over recent years.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Yes, I only have heard 10 Planar IEMs in the last 2 to 3 years? But to me the F1 Pro has more bass (than the Timeless II) which balances out the top end? Still regardless the Timeless II is very very special and smooths out the Pinna Gain!

That was a huge concept in my review, that the Timeless II could show source quality and file quality. Cheers!

It blows the F1 Pro away. The F1 Pro has harsh treble, tons of “planar timbre” and not enough bass… mid or sub.

I’ve heard a LOT of planar sets, most of which I own or owned. In my opinion the Timeless II is the best of them so far. It has very little “planar timbre” and does it without a blunted or DD emulating profile like the S08. And the stage is fantastic too. It has exceptionally precise imaging and separation. It renders sounds close and far. It’s resolving enough to expose poor sources and low quality files…

I can go on. I really think comparing the Timeless II to the F1 Pro is missing the mark, though I’ll grant you that you’re not super familiar with the many planar sets that have come and gone over recent years.

 

[r31ya]

No. It was a bait and switch. Won't ever look this stores way again. Scammers.

I know this might be discounting error (or bait and switch)
tough being within in ali-system, i thought it will safe to gamble on, especially the store have 93% reputation.
i was wrong,
ali system, refund the cancelled order yes?

---

and new FIIO Bluetooth dongle?

Fiio Retro Nano... with REMOVABLE BATTERY~!?

Fiio/Snowsky Retro Nano, a portable bluetooth Dac/Amp in the style of retro cassette tape and walkman
Stat are as follow :
Chipset :
Qcc5125 ( LDAC, Aptx LL+Adaptive+HD )
2 x Cirrus 43131
Bluetooth 5.1
24/96 decoding
Ips screen
100mw@32ohms ( Unbal/3.5mm )
220mw@32ohms ( Bal / 4.4mm )
Came with rechargable and replaceable AAA battery, the Retro Nano is compatible with 10440 3.7V li-on battery ( Do not put normal AAA battery into this )
Official price is 349 yuan or ~48$, price might change when hitting global

---
whuh? $48 For Dual DAC, dual output (220mw/bal-out) LDAC capable bluetooth dongle?
mind you, its one of those slightly specialty battery (NOT your AAA or AA battery tough with adaptor it might work), tough its pretty standard one, so it shouldn't be that hard to find in online store

 

[4ceratops]

I know this might be discounting error (or bait and switch)
tough being within in ali-system, i thought it will safe to gamble on, especially the store have 93% reputation.
i was wrong,
ali system, refund the cancelled order yes?

---

and new FIIO Bluetooth dongle?

Fiio Retro Nano... with REMOVABLE BATTERY~!?






Fiio/Snowsky Retro Nano, a portable bluetooth Dac/Amp in the style of retro cassette tape and walkman
Stat are as follow :
Chipset :
Qcc5125 ( LDAC, Aptx LL+Adaptive+HD )
2 x Cirrus 43131
Bluetooth 5.1
24/96 decoding
Ips screen
100mw@32ohms ( Unbal/3.5mm )
220mw@32ohms ( Bal / 4.4mm )
Came with rechargable and replaceable AAA battery, the Retro Nano is compatible with 10440 3.7V li-on battery ( Do not put normal AAA battery into this )
Official price is 349 yuan or ~48$, price might change when hitting global

---
whuh? $48 For Dual DAC, dual output (220mw/bal-out) LDAC capable bluetooth dongle?
mind you, its one of those slightly specialty battery (NOT your AAA or AA battery tough with adaptor it might work), tough its pretty standard one, so it shouldn't be that hard to find in online store

FIIO AUDIO STORE on Ali

 

[r31ya]

FIIO AUDIO STORE on Ali

how the price manage to jump from the one actually in marketing material.

...spec wise this retro should be somewhere closer to BTR13 ($65~70 ish)
not sure what corner is cut to get to this pricing

 

[Gah73]

how the price manage to jump from the one actually in marketing material.

...spec wise this retro should be somewhere closer to BTR13 ($65~70 ish)
not sure what corner is cut to get to this pricing

When you change the price to euro it adds 20% VAT

 

[mrsergey]

That's a really nice DAP.

Yeah, I use pretty much EVERYTHING with the N3U, as this is my favorite DAP, but I also use the EW300 with the Hiby R3 II and my Sony's, because there's some really nice synergy there, due to those being warmer daps. I'd have to listen to the Penon Fan 3 and N3U again to confirm that. I haven't used my Penon Fan 3 since the day I wrapped up my Anvil 114 review a month ago.

Penon fan 3 (switch off) with cayin n3ultra (modern tube mode) sound really rich, fun and energetic.
When i switch from "off" to "on" there is more noticeable difference than with any other source.

Is this the "TRINITY earphones" by Zhewuyusheng? They're right now offering additional 21% off in coins, so that will drop them to around $190. How good are they really? like a Trio on streroids? That's the only way I'd remotely consider buying them.

Yes, they calling them now the "Trinity" and they also changed the logo and the design to avoid legal issues.
This is what i got:

They also changed the nozzles, they now have metal nozzles on the trinity instead of resin nozzles, and because of that it could play a huge part in the sound.
So I'm not sure that the trinity gonna sound the same to what i got.

Odyssey and Timeless 2 any better than the rash of iems like the Anvil, 5+2, 81T, etc. al.?

I didn't used the odyssey for a while (I'm saving them for next week rotation) but from my memory, if I'm gonna compare the odyssey to the anvil then the odyssey have smoother treble, less forward mids, deeper bass with more sub-bass but less mid-bass and the soundstage is wider but less open (anvil have more airy sound).
Overall, the odyssey are warmer iems than the anvil.
I prefer the odyssey over the anvil, the odyssey also fit better in my ears.

 

[cqtek]

Thanks, friends. Still haven't fully decided which way to go, English or Slovene. Sure, the 'market' for Slovene is miniscule, but the competition is obviously lesser as well. Think I'll stick to both guns at least from the start. I'm writing something in both Slovene and English.


Yep, visiting the USA. Going to Death Valley tomorrow morning! Rented one cool little motor to spice up the journey



Awesome little post, keep it up in 2025, but maybe take it easier with the reviews, at least I know I want to (I say as I await 5 things ...).

Fav IEM: AFUL P7
Just a tasteful all-arounder.

Fav HP: Aune SR7000
Closed-back done right with ample technical prowess.

Fav non-transducer gear: iBasso DX180
Simple to appreciate. Like it for the neutrality.

Biggest surprise: BQEYZ Cloud
I wasn't all that optimistic about a bright single DD. I was proven wrong.

Biggest disappointment: 7hz Legato
An old one, sure, but dang was this one tough to review. And I had high hopes that this would be my basshead set for every now and then. Na-ah.

Fav audio moment: talking gear over a pizza and beer water with @bithalver.

Fav non-audio moment: reviving our relationship with grandpa. Cool dude, shame so many years got wasted. Not getting into any why's.


Bond. James Bond. 007.
Performer. AFUL Performer. P7.


This one's coming! I hope I love it as much as the Cloud.


Still living the good '10s life. It only gets worse from there on out.

In my personal opinion, I prefer the Frost to the Cloud. I will read your comments on this.

 

[cqtek]

Yes, I only have heard 10 Planar IEMs in the last 2 to 3 years? But to me the F1 Pro has more bass (than the Timeless II) which balances out the top end? Still regardless the Timeless II is very very special and smooths out the Pinna Gain!

That was a huge concept in my review, that the Timeless II could show source quality and file quality. Cheers!

I have liked the F1 Pro since I had them and have defended them for their price. Now I got the Timeles II and from the beginning I was impressed. I don't have the first Timeles, so I can't compare them. But I have tried a few regular planars lately.
This debate between these two models gives me a clear idea that I will have to compare the two as soon as I write my review.
The frequency response graph is similar. And currently the price of the Timeles II's relative to the F1 Pro's is more than double.
Without having compared them head to head, my impression is that the Timeless IIs are among the best I've tried in planars. Their best comparison would be with the S12 2024 and see who wins. It would have to be another must have comparison in my review.

 

[bithalver]

When you change the price to euro it adds 20% VAT

AFAIK It depends on the country: I always use USD and the prices are always higher than the US guys wrote ... sure we have world-record 27% VAT .

 

[mrsergey]

Hello guys.
Someone want to sell me (in my country) campfire Andromeda (2016 version, used) for $350.
Is it worth to get it for such price?

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Also, you can use your IEMs for gaming as well since you have holographic/3D effects on them...BCD probably will give you some extra smile and depth but it might just so happen that Cantor could suffice...haven't tested them in this way though

I use the Cantor for gaming and it’s absolutely excellent. It’s like wall hacks.

I have some kind of sickness that makes me believe I need to spend more to get better sound even though the P7 sounds perfect to me. I just don't know what I would improve if I bought something more expensive.

Same here. The Cantor sounds absolutely perfect to me, there’s nothing I would change, but I can’t help but wonder what the Storm sounds like. Realistically, though, there’s really no reason for me to upgrade.

I know this might be discounting error (or bait and switch)
tough being within in ali-system, i thought it will safe to gamble on, especially the store have 93% reputation.
i was wrong,
ali system, refund the cancelled order yes?

---

and new FIIO Bluetooth dongle?

Fiio Retro Nano... with REMOVABLE BATTERY~!?






Fiio/Snowsky Retro Nano, a portable bluetooth Dac/Amp in the style of retro cassette tape and walkman
Stat are as follow :
Chipset :
Qcc5125 ( LDAC, Aptx LL+Adaptive+HD )
2 x Cirrus 43131
Bluetooth 5.1
24/96 decoding
Ips screen
100mw@32ohms ( Unbal/3.5mm )
220mw@32ohms ( Bal / 4.4mm )
Came with rechargable and replaceable AAA battery, the Retro Nano is compatible with 10440 3.7V li-on battery ( Do not put normal AAA battery into this )
Official price is 349 yuan or ~48$, price might change when hitting global

---
whuh? $48 For Dual DAC, dual output (220mw/bal-out) LDAC capable bluetooth dongle?
mind you, its one of those slightly specialty battery (NOT your AAA or AA battery tough with adaptor it might work), tough its pretty standard one, so it shouldn't be that hard to find in online store

Hold on, since when does Fiio have another sub brand? I thought it was only Jade Audio…

 

[4ceratops]

Error

 

[4ceratops]

I use the Cantor for gaming and it’s absolutely excellent. It’s like wall hacks.

Same here. The Cantor sounds absolutely perfect to me, there’s nothing I would change, but I can’t help but wonder what the Storm sounds like. Realistically, though, there’s really no reason for me to upgrade.

Hold on, since when does Fiio have another sub brand? I thought it was only Jade Audio…

Starting today. Snowsky will also be featured with a DAP and a retro headphone looking like the cheap headphones that used to come with Walkmans.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fii...-snowsky-series-new-products-come-out.975162/

 

[o0genesis0o]

Hello guys.
Someone want to sell me (in my country) campfire Andromeda (2016 version, used) for $350.
Is it worth to get it for such price?

There are many fake andromeda out there. IMHO, it’s better to get more photos and check with folks on CFA thread before pulling the trigger.

Oh, and you need to ensure you have DAC/amp that output low volume and has no hissing noise. Andromeda is notoriously difficult to drive.

Other than that, $350 for an iconic IEM is okay, i think. Not the best value for money given how capable the latest wave of $200 IEMs are, but still, it’s the Andromeda.