The discovery thread!

[theintention]

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.






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…

hot dang you may need a bit of a nuclear reactor to drive these ones, 80 impedance is crazy for some buds lol. Final Audio finally has some competition! The Yu9 looks interesting tho.

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

appreciate the responses to this (guess im an old man now cause i cannot remember nor find the other one lol) i may order it for my 634 set... we shall see!

Sounds like a dream! How’s the imaging on the Maven II? Does it match that massive soundstage?

still getting used to it, this is typically the part that requires the most time for me but just had a really great session playing Apex Legends with it, sounded incredible.

 

[jsmiller58]

I'll join you cats someday.

A good friend of mine is the only American journalist who covered every Formula One race on site for about 25 years, from the early 90s through the mid-2010s. He always has told me Budapest was his favorite city on the global F1 tour. I've wanted to visit based on his recommendation.

I really enjoyed visiting Budapest in the early 80’s. I found it an interesting mix of old and new as well as West and East, and of course the contrast between capitalism and Soviet style Communism.

 

[theintention]

Sheeeeeeeeeesh, for real?

Not a single fault? Ho-lee. I can't wait to test these out at CanJam.

That new set they have coming out, Stardust, looks mighty interesting. @ under $1000 I was thinking it could be my first UM set but we shall see what other brands have to offer next week. I can't lie, I am damn excited.
Now see, this is what I mean... I'm thinking I'm just going to hold off then. The reviews are just too polarizing to feel confident. And hey, 30 bucks is 30 bucks... that's lunch for 3 days lol

Yeah I am very obviously in the honeymoon phase but I’m just in awe when I put them on. So good.

That new Stardust sounds intriguing, def don’t like the aesthetics as much but they say the tuning is a bit more party vibe, I am intrigued!

Yeah the KB02 didn’t hit for me but that’s okay. I did notice the BCD, will be fun to watch that budget BCD space mature.

 

[domq422]

Yeah I am very obviously in the honeymoon phase but I’m just in awe when I put them on. So good.

That new Stardust sounds intriguing, def don’t like the aesthetics as much but they say the tuning is a bit more party vibe, I am intrigued!

Yeah the KB02 didn’t hit for me but that’s okay. I did notice the BCD, will be fun to watch that budget BCD space mature.

Ahh, the dreaded honeymoon stage. It's beautiful, isn't it? It's a sad day when it wears off... But I'm hoping after it does for you, the Mavens still knock your socks off!

Yeah the "Party/Fun" style tuning has me interested. I'm wondering if they leaned too far into it though, like with the upper mids and treble. We'll see... I'm hoping that the bass is slamming on that set.

I give KBear some credit for bringing the barrier to entry for BCDs down quite a bit in the budget sector. I can appreciate that. It's their beginning stages so, they can get a pass for this one. Let's see if they learn from the KB02...

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Optimized ISN EBC80!!

Divinus Wild Boars + ivipQ Golden Autumn Welfare (GAW) cable!!

Excellent synergy across the board.

 

[o0genesis0o]

The synergy between the IE600 and M5-ULTRA is fantastic.

My MUSE was replaced under warranty by hifi-go,
after mine broke after just one day of use .
I hope this one doesn't break.

The sound of this DAC is superb, despite its flaws.
(some firmware glitches and poor BT range, but nothing that prevents you from enjoying it)

Tube to add some “gummy-ness” to the sharp sound of IE600 sounds like a great idea

I'd wager that what's popular is not necessarily what most of us would recommend. There's probably a way to feed the entire thread into AI and generate the most often mentioned IEMs though. As someone who keeps up with this thread, I'd wager most people here are going to say Aful Performer 5+2 and Aful Cantor, depending on your budget. I haven't heard either set myself.

Under $200, I'd say you really can't go wrong with just about anything. It's such a ridiculously competitive market in the budget range that they're all good. It's just about tuning and driver preference. Take your pick.

As for me, among the 15ish sets I've heard over the past year, I'm absolutely loving the Dunu Braindance (an ultra-clean, highly-technical, u-shaped set at $500). I also really like the Dita Project M (a smooth, treble-forward set with a detailed and impactful low-end at $300). Both stand out among their respective price competitors IMO. I also listen regularly to the Symphonium Meteor (a warm-leaning, spatious, mid-centric, all-BA set at $600) and the qdc x FitEar Superior EX (an impactful, fast, single-DD set at $250). These are both excellent, but don't stand out as strongly against their price competitors as the other two IMO.

If you're just getting your feet wet again (or for the first time) in the IEM pool, I would highly recommend starting with a more budget friendly set like the SoundRhyme SP01. It has three distinct tuning nozzles and might help you zone in on your preferences. My other budget recs would be the Dunu Kima 2 and FiiO JH5. If we're talking mid-fi, then I'm going to say Aful Performer 5+2, Dunu DaVinci, and Dunu DK3001BD. If you want to push the budget further, the DITA Mecha is great. Money no object? AME Mousa all the way baby! (I'm a big Mousa shill )

Also if you're interested, check my reviews for all the sets I've recommended

As a lone AFUL stan since day one, it warms my heart to see everyone recommending P7 and Cantor

I’m listening to this combo today

It seems there is still some life left in the DX300. The DAC is pretty good. Maybe I need to invest in an alternative amp card.

Yes, sir, all of their IEMs have given me issues regarding fit (the Europa to a lesser degree), but the tuning and overall quality of the sound is so high that I’ve just dealt with it by finding the ring tips and the right cable in some cases. The Meteors I could just never get right, unfortunately. I absolutely adore their sound, but the fit just doesn’t work. The shells are too small and the nozzles are too short to fit securely for me… oh well. Saves me some cash tbh because I very nearly bought the review until they let me have for a few weeks last year, but I talked my self out of it because of the damn fit.

The Titans, though, the Titans are so special to me that I bought them full retail price even knowing the fit was going to be an issue down the road. I dig them that much.

But their CS is top notch, I’m not surprised they hooked you up without any trouble. It’s a small team of passionate audio geeks just like us. They care about the work they’re doing. That’s a recipe for success imo.

Yeah, something is not quite right with Symphonium shells. Hard to say where and how they can improve, but I can continue complaining until they find out a way to fix the problem

@FiiO FT1 Pro

Those are some beefy gear in the background. Is that Chord Hugo and … something? Can you use IEMs with that or they would be too loud and noisy?

 

[kaeswiss]

Yes, sir, all of their IEMs have given me issues regarding fit (the Europa to a lesser degree), but the tuning and overall quality of the sound is so high that I’ve just dealt with it by finding the ring tips and the right cable in some cases. The Meteors I could just never get right, unfortunately. I absolutely adore their sound, but the fit just doesn’t work. The shells are too small and the nozzles are too short to fit securely for me… oh well. Saves me some cash tbh because I very nearly bought the review until they let me have for a few weeks last year, but I talked my self out of it because of the damn fit.

The Titans, though, the Titans are so special to me that I bought them full retail price even knowing the fit was going to be an issue down the road. I dig them that much.

But their CS is top notch, I’m not surprised they hooked you up without any trouble. It’s a small team of passionate audio geeks just like us. They care about the work they’re doing. That’s a recipe for success imo.

Yeah, something is not quite right with Symphonium shells. Hard to say where and how they can improve, but I can continue complaining until they find out a way to fix the problem

I think a lot of people have fitment issues with their IEMs. The only ear tips that work for me on the Crimson and Titan are the Pentaconn Coreir tips since they give a bit of length and allow me to wear them with a shallow fit.

I really hope Symphonium shows off something new at CJ NYC. They've been quiet on their social media and their discord is pretty much a ghost town now ever since their admin/mod left the team. Last I heard from them, they mentioned that they're working on a couple things.. something more affordable and something that isn't.

That's ensuring to read. I believe we might have bought the same thing then. It sure looks solid and built to last. I have high hopes for this brand.

---

This combo is veeery close to pausegamey to me.

Samsung S23 --> iBasso CB18 IC --> Chord Mojo 2 --> Effect Audio EROS S II --> DITA Mecha

I'm really digging the Mecha right now especially with the Final E TWS ear tips that came preinstalled. I wish Dita included a full set of the TWS tips like they did the standard Final Type E tips because they fit my ears so much better.

 

[jbfps116]

If you have the ability to buy from alix, it's going down to $117.00 tomorrow, and this is before any coupons and coins. You'd be walking away with a STEAL.

mildly tempting, but people mention the bass can be light. I'm already culling many bass-lite IEMs, including the Phoenixcall which also is a hybrid with micro-planar goodness.

 

[Ryokan]

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

I initially thought the mids, especially with male vocals, sounded a little recessed but not sure if it's tips or burn in but they now sound the opposite and listening to David Coverdale he sounds like he's singing next to me. Cable looks and feels cheap but sounds good.

 

[mathe0]

Anybody could share their impressions of the Mecha with this kind of music?

 

[jbfps116]

Anybody could share their impressions of the Mecha with this kind of music?

This isn't what you asked for, but tried the KZ Saga Balanced vs the QKZ ZXN... the CLEAR winner is ZXN because the treble is way more sparkly and detailed, and the bass is cleaner and more punchy. The Saga is musical, but for this song, I think a more detailed presentation is better. Also, the stage is better on the ZXN. Sorry-not sorry for my continual shilling of that cheapo, but it's amazing. I HOPE my second pair sounds just as good as this one, because I will feel better about myself for raving about it, rather than it being a fluke of QC lol.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Tube to add some “gummy-ness” to the sharp sound of IE600 sounds like a great idea





As a lone AFUL stan since day one, it warms my heart to see everyone recommending P7 and Cantor

I’m listening to this combo today



It seems there is still some life left in the DX300. The DAC is pretty good. Maybe I need to invest in an alternative amp card.



Yeah, something is not quite right with Symphonium shells. Hard to say where and how they can improve, but I can continue complaining until they find out a way to fix the problem



Those are some beefy gear in the background. Is that Chord Hugo and … something? Can you use IEMs with that or they would be too loud and noisy?

Now that I'm surrounded by TOOBY goodness, I wonder how my long sold IE600 would sound? Maybe the tubes would have been the difference?

Yeah, the AFUL Performer 7 actually takes to TOOBS like a baby to BOOBS. It's actually one of my top 3 faves when I listen to them with my tube sources. Solid state? It slides down just a little, but it's still in my top 10 rota.

mildly tempting, but people mention the bass can be light. I'm already culling many bass-lite IEMs, including the Phoenixcall which also is a hybrid with micro-planar goodness.

NOT bass light at all. That is not what the i3 MK III is. It's mid bass impact resigned. It's reigned in. It lacks a bit of punch and impact in the mid bass, but itas a bit of rumble in the low end. I can shake, but it's tuned a subtle mid bass, but it's still there. It's just pillowy. I'd describe the bass as being very similar to the texture and impact of the Supermix 4, the IEM most compared to the i3 MK III.

 

[theintention]

I initially thought the mids, especially with male vocals, sounded a little recessed but not sure if it's tips or burn in but they now sound the opposite and listening to David Coverdale he sounds like he's singing next to me. Cable looks and feels cheap but sounds good.

What tips are you rocking? I’m using Baroque, nothing seems to help that initial driver flex….

Holding my reservations on the cable, it’s quite wiry.

 

[Ineras]

NOT bass light at all. That is not what the i3 MK III is. It's mid bass impact resigned. It's reigned in. It lacks a bit of punch and impact in the mid bass, but itas a bit of rumble in the low end. I can shake, but it's tuned a subtle mid bass, but it's still there. It's just pillowy.

Wait til you get your Clarinet and try it with the i3 Mk3!
I think you're gonna love that source, it can also bring that treble you want to lots of sets you thought were a bit lacking in air and sparkle.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Tube to add some “gummy-ness” to the sharp sound of IE600 sounds like a great idea





As a lone AFUL stan since day one, it warms my heart to see everyone recommending P7 and Cantor

I’m listening to this combo today



It seems there is still some life left in the DX300. The DAC is pretty good. Maybe I need to invest in an alternative amp card.



Yeah, something is not quite right with Symphonium shells. Hard to say where and how they can improve, but I can continue complaining until they find out a way to fix the problem



Those are some beefy gear in the background. Is that Chord Hugo and … something? Can you use IEMs with that or they would be too loud and noisy?

Get rid of that 3.5SE Kaei PATCH CORD for signal it is a choke point, use anything better. You will hear a difference.