The discovery thread!

[pk4425]

Been away for years, and been reading up for many hours. But the options are so many, its just not a simple choice anymore.

So i kindly ask you guys, what are the popular iem these days, and what are good bang for the buck.
What is worth looking at? I am open to many suggestions.

Thanks.

As someone who is tighter than two coats of paint and doesn't buy a new set every two weeks, don't sleep on these two oldies but goldies from 2024:

-- AFUL Explorer, $105
-- Artti T10, $51

Welcome back. Good luck.

 

[ericf]

It is a very new model, and still being sold. First impressions were negative, with very recessed mids, but time and/or cable rolling have filled out the mids and made it a decent IEM for the price. I still prefer the TD10 mk2 from Tiandirenhe.

Interesting. I don't find the mids recessed at all, but then I'm not a reviewer. I just listen to music. The graph indicates that this has better mids than the TD08 Pro. Have you heard that, too?

 

[statuefiddle]

Than you ! Keep us informed please !

I am interested in this tip case; can I found the STL anywhere ? Thank you !

The STL for that case (no magnets) is here: https://www.printables.com/model/989311-iem-tip-case-parametric

The usual one with magnets is here: https://www.printables.com/model/901472-iem-tip-case

 

[Ineras]

Great tunes and a great YU9 add, but I think I'm quite set on splurging on any big dog instead.

All good my friend. I do however rank the Yan up there with my best sets, even the x-brids and Cantors. For me it's got that X-factor, that extra little something something that elevates it above the regular single DDs. It actually graphs pretty close to SP01, but it's like the super saiyan version after 12 episodes of charging when you stick them in your ears.

I'm finding price is becoming less and less a factor in the search for great sonic experiences with this new generation of iems.

 

[thaslaya]

The ever gracious @Jaytiss lent me his Softears Studio 4 so I could do a comparison with the new Volume S for my review. Well it turns out the graph is super similar to the Letshuoer Mystic 8 so I did a comparison for that review as well. After that I decided to just go ahead and write a whole review for the Studio 4 and I just posted it for anyone interested (Head-fi and blog). This one is pretty damn neutral which unfortunately means not that engaging, at least for me. It's still a decent set though and could be a great fit for the right use cases. Thanks again to Jaytiss for the loaner!

 

[MD Rohit]

The ever gracious @Jaytiss lent me his Softears Studio 4 so I could do a comparison with the new Volume S for my review. Well it turns out the graph is super similar to the Letshuoer Mystic 8 so I did a comparison for that review as well. After that I decided to just go ahead and write a whole review for the Studio 4 and I just posted it for anyone interested (Head-fi and blog). This one is pretty damn neutral which unfortunately means not that engaging, at least for me. It's still a decent set though and could be a great fit for the right use cases. Thanks again to Jaytiss for the loaner!

really great iem

 

[avishifi]

The ever gracious @Jaytiss lent me his Softears Studio 4 so I could do a comparison with the new Volume S for my review. Well it turns out the graph is super similar to the Letshuoer Mystic 8 so I did a comparison for that review as well. After that I decided to just go ahead and write a whole review for the Studio 4 and I just posted it for anyone interested (Head-fi and blog). This one is pretty damn neutral which unfortunately means not that engaging, at least for me. It's still a decent set though and could be a great fit for the right use cases. Thanks again to Jaytiss for the loaner!

The faceplate is cool though! Really nice picture. Looking forward to your review

Edit: now I remember that I have already read your review of the volume S. My mistake!

Great reviews, beautiful photos!

 

[theintention]

Been using the Unique Melody Maven II since Friday night, can safely say it’s… damn near perfect.


I just cannot find a single fault in its tuning, it’s the most balanced set I have heard to date. Rumbly sub bass when it’s called for, punchy mid bass, lush mids, airy treble, HUGE soundstage and accurate vocals… it has it all. I have driver flex when putting them on, and I don’t love the accessories but whatever man. This set

 

[jbfps116]

Been using the Unique Melody Maven II since Friday night, can safely say it’s… damn near perfect.


I just cannot find a single fault in its tuning, it’s the most balanced set I have heard to date. Rumbly sub bass when it’s called for, punchy mid bass, lush mids, airy treble, HUGE soundstage and accurate vocals… it has it all. I have driver flex when putting them on, and I don’t love the accessories but whatever man. This set

that sounds like the ZXN to me... I'd bet that $20 IEM is 75% as good as that expensive set.

 

[domq422]

The ever gracious @Jaytiss lent me his Softears Studio 4 so I could do a comparison with the new Volume S for my review. Well it turns out the graph is super similar to the Letshuoer Mystic 8 so I did a comparison for that review as well. After that I decided to just go ahead and write a whole review for the Studio 4 and I just posted it for anyone interested (Head-fi and blog). This one is pretty damn neutral which unfortunately means not that engaging, at least for me. It's still a decent set though and could be a great fit for the right use cases. Thanks again to Jaytiss for the loaner!

It's a damn shame that the pressure build up is so bad for me with this set, otherwise, I bet it'd be right up my alley.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

that sounds like the ZXN to me... I'd bet that $20 IEM is 75% as good as that expensive set.

Damn! Flexing a QKZ against the Maven Crescent?! Now that's BOLD!!

And here I thought flexing the KB02 against the Pula Anvil 114 at about 80% of that performance was sorta bold?! This ain't nothin'! lol

And btw, yes, if you want to get about 80% to the Anvil 114, and get a very good taste for BCD, and it's effects on the sound and stage, and you're on a tight budget, then yes, pick up the KB02 (they will be on sale on Alix Kbear store and KeepHifi for $25.00 starting tomorrow!!). It's a musical and fun IEM, that's got a huge BCD driven soundstage, and it's designed for casual and engaging listening (not for critical or technical listening). I recommend them. So does TDM.

But this ain't no Maven Crescent!!

 

[mrsergey]

All good my friend. I do however rank the Yan up there with my best sets, even the x-brids and Cantors. For me it's got that X-factor, that extra little something something that elevates it above the regular single DDs. It actually graphs pretty close to SP01, but it's like the super saiyan version after 12 episodes of charging when you stick them in your ears.

I'm finding price is becoming less and less a factor in the search for great sonic experiences with this new generation of iems.

Hello.
I have the SP01 and the YU9 and i much prefer the SP01.
For me the SP01 are the best iems up to $200 and if i didn't had the RE2000 i would even say up to $500.
You said that you using "high density foams" and "steel grill" on your YU9. Where can i buy them?

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Hello.
I have the SP01 and the YU9 and i much prefer the SP01.
For me the SP01 are the best iems up to $200 and if i didn't had the RE2000 i would even say up to $500.
You said that you using "high density foams" and "steel grill" on your YU9. Where can i buy them?

I rated the Sound Rhyme SP01 as the best single dynamic under $100 in my collection, and I rate them higher performance than the Simgot EA500LM, EA1000, Oriveti OD200, Tanchjim Origin, and it does laps around the Kefine Klean. The fact you can choose your sonic preference makes it all the more versatile and at $89.00, a true steal.

 

[Ineras]

Hello.
I have the SP01 and the YU9 and i much prefer the SP01.
For me the SP01 are the best iems up to $200 and if i didn't had the RE2000 i would even say up to $500.
You said that you using "high density foams" and "steel grill" on your YU9. Where can i buy them?

No, the Yan comes with a high-density foam already stuffed inside the nozzle, which I thought overdampened the sound. I removed it with fine tweezers and placed a generic steel grill on top to protect from outside debris.
I do get my tuning foams, filters and grills from aliexpress though. Here are some links:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802fbmY4B&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802aVw0Q5&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802aVw0Q5&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802fbmY4B&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802aVw0Q5&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802aVw0Q5&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...5c081802aVw0Q5&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

 

[-rowan-]

YU9 Yan on a neutral source like DC-Elite is incredible. This thing hits like a truck, and has great techs. Texture for days, throughout the whole fr. One of the best I've heard for sub-bass detail, super clean to the lowest lows. Gonna be on sale in a couple days, plus coupons. This set gets my highest rec for a single DD, even though it's got a passive radiator.


It's got a deep fit. I make it work by having the nozzle almost sticking out the eartip like Cantor.

Crazy good separation and detail retrieval on this track, no complaints with imaging and stage. Love the treble quality as well. Every instrument sounds so natural and real like you're in the same room, zero mud.



Gorgeous.

All good my friend. I do however rank the Yan up there with my best sets, even the x-brids and Cantors. For me it's got that X-factor, that extra little something something that elevates it above the regular single DDs. It actually graphs pretty close to SP01, but it's like the super saiyan version after 12 episodes of charging when you stick them in your ears.

I'm finding price is becoming less and less a factor in the search for great sonic experiences with this new generation of iems.

Excellent impressions on the Yu9 Yan. I totally agree. Glad it’s getting some appreciation around here. I, for one, have been messing with the much more expensive sets in my collection and the Yan hangs easily with the best of them. Pretty much the only thing I dislike about it is the plasticky stock 3.5 cable. I don’t know what Yu9 were thinking. It loves power. My OCC849 has been paired with it for quite a while.

Btw Yu9 recently announced a new IEM, amusingly named 404 Not Found.

Looks like an evolution of their ER4B clone.

Spoiler: More

Made me chuckle to see that it went from 486 to 404…

I might be tempted to PTT but the black 4.4 isn’t available at the usual two AE stores that carry their stuff…

@jbfps116

I've had my [MG] wooden shell with the maze for two weeks now. I'm going to make a short write up on them and the TD25 at some time in the future.

The MJ Signature hasn't been available for sale from A**express since the middle of last year (EDIT: but seems to have 1 set for sale just now) so I don't know how one would be able to purchase one. I do have that, too. I bought mine in March 2024. I ordered the [MG] at the end of January 2025.

The MJ is my favourite Tiandirenhe IEM. It's smooth, has a deep, well articulated bass and has enough mids and treble for me. It does emphasize 4.5 kHz (above the initial pinna gain point) and could therefore be problematic for some. It doesn't have any upper treble at all, according to the graphs I've seen (nothing above 10K) and I've had to ad a PEQ to up the frequencies above 8K a bit (on Hiby R4).
The [MG] has a smoother mids and treble curve. It doesn't have anything in the upper treble emphasized either from what I've seen and heard. The general impression I have is that it has a relaxed signature with a slight emphasis on mid bass and sub bass. I've asked Tiandirenhe representatives to upload a frequency graph to their sales page so that people can make a purchase decision with more facts.
Whether you listen to it right away or let it play for a few hours before might change your impressions of it.
I will say that it's a chunky IEM, about 1,5 times thicker than the thinnest part of MJ Signature's shell. It's not large in other dimensions though. It has a nozzle that is 2-3 mm longer than the MJ Signature so one has to take that into account when talking about comfort. I can fit them well into my ears without getting too much pressure if I push the tips all the way over the metal nozzle. I have a much more narrow right ear canal and if I put pressure on it it will swell and get even more narrow for a time. It's a big problem for me when wearing IEMs.

The only IEM I have felt has too much bass is the ISN EST50. The main reason for that is that my set is not tuned as the regular sets. I had it measured and it turned out the graph is tilted about 3 dB with the bass up and the treble down. I also don't find the Deuce to be a bass cannon. To my ears it's quite balanced and will add more punch in the bass when called for.

I'll be back with images and impressions in a while. I like the TD25, too. It's quite different to the [MG] and has a graph that looks like the TD08 Pro from 1000K but with a different bass curve. I don't own the TD08 pro so I don't know what it sounds like. Take a look at the graphs on the sales pages.

Thanks for the impressions! Would you say that the MG has a deep, well articulated bass similar to the MJ?

It sounds like like MG has the more relaxed tuning and I wonder if it’s going to be just too sleepy for my preferences since it doesn’t have upper treble either.

a call to those who have received their Eletech Eclipse - how are the ergonomics? Worth it?

Yep. No complaints from me and the Versa system is solid so far, though predictably fiddly because everything has to be so small.

The ever gracious @Jaytiss lent me his Softears Studio 4 so I could do a comparison with the new Volume S for my review. Well it turns out the graph is super similar to the Letshuoer Mystic 8 so I did a comparison for that review as well. After that I decided to just go ahead and write a whole review for the Studio 4 and I just posted it for anyone interested (Head-fi and blog). This one is pretty damn neutral which unfortunately means not that engaging, at least for me. It's still a decent set though and could be a great fit for the right use cases. Thanks again to Jaytiss for the loaner!

Nice photos! Can’t say the faceplate ever caught my eye back when it was just black.

That Trusted-50 cable really is rather good. I hope the other folks who jumped on it at the sale have received theirs as well by now.

---

Mail call - new cable for Cantor:



ivipQ-106. It was the mention of Bandung 7NOCC caught my eye. Bandung, as we now know, is chifi for Neotech, so was it going to be a baby M.Hawk? I haven’t compared the two side by side yet but I can already tell they both have similar “window cleaning” qualities, just that the ivipQ is about a third of its price.

Also, the colour of the cable is a nice match for the teal parts of the Starry Night faceplate and it wasn’t apparent in their product photos but there’s very subtle shimmer/glitter on the wire above the split.

(The stock Cantor cable was all right but the collar covering the connector on one inside is starting to come loose - yet another reason why I still like recessed 2-pin connectors since you don’t have to pull on it to remove the cable )