The discovery thread!

[pk4425]

The key point, of course, is that it isn't just audio gear that is getting more expensive, and it's not like anyone's wages/salaries are increasing to compensate. People intuitively grasp this, and that's why consumer confidence in the US has been down for all of 2025. Doesn't make sense to buy luxury goods like audio gear when you need that money to cover more expensive basic living costs (food, rent, clothing, etc). In that scenario, a $30 difference may as well be a $100 difference.

Damn good point. The trickle-down effect will be far bigger than the administration thinks.

Can't say about market disruptor but aful p+2 was very nice. First iem from me that got 5 stars.

Agree, even though the P5+2 didn't work for me due to a treble spike that hit me in just the wrong spot. But the P5+2 is the most technically impressive IEM I've heard around $200. Vocals are immaculate. Would have kept if not for the treble tizz, which I know affects others differently.

@Hypops @pk4425 - This tickles me pink. As someone who did NOT vote for the menace, this is all about playing the long game, and watching him shoot himself in the foot. Tides will be a turnin' at the mid terms, so your IEMs and chi-fi will get back affordability (as long as it's not a boutique brand, which heck, that's not affordable anyways! LOL).

I was hoping to semi-retire at the end of 2026. Not now. No f*cking chance due to my melting 401K. I'm absolutely thrilled, as you can probably tell.

I might have just the IEM then. Beautifully clear mids with just the right amount of body thanks to a weird configuration I've not seen before. I need to ask BGVP guys how they've implemented this.

I need to explore BGVP products. It seems like a company that flies under the radar despite releasing some really good IEMs that receive pretty widespread acclaim. Closet classics?

My guess: nikbr, FWAL2, gadgetgod, pk4425

I can't even tune a f*cking guitar, let alone an IEM. Not moi!

Anyways it may not just be the BCD drivers in the penon fan3 that i am hearing doing good things.
It can be the sonion and Knowles ba drivers that are just pure quality.

True dat. Another factor: The Fan 3 is tuned very well. Even when you turn off the BCD, it's a damn solid IEM, especially through the mids. Turning on BCD only accentuates that tuning.

The Anvil is the only other BCD model I've heard. Very nice, but it sounded more "conventional" to me than the "special sauce" of the Fan 3. The Fan 3 remains the flagship of my IEM collection, even as I start climbing the price and quality ladder. It's an exceptional all-arounder, something for which it doesn't get enough credit because many still look at BCD as a "parlor trick."

 

[paggio]

Kiwi Ears Punch

LOL

 

[JrOcinthepark]

Campfire Audio has a new entry level model with Axion $249, a full range SDD (silicon dynamic driver). Looking at their website it look very similar to a BA(square design), but this is for sure a DD going by the sound. Rich and smooth, engaging and fatuige free sound. It is delivered with a USB-C cable instead of a normal cable, only tried it this way so far. You can change out the cable and use it with your normal gear, it is MMCX similar to other Campfire models. But from reading their description the Axion is aimed for a set to use in your daily life, so a USB-C cable can be a good solution then.

This is a bullet style IEM, and should work for more folks than traditional sets. Even on my large deep ears they work excellent once using large tips, and you could use it either around your ear or hanging straight down.

I will give them a few days at the work (and at home) and come back with some more thoughts, but first impression is good. And its fun seeing Campfire Audio offering something more affordable, I bet many would love this one.

https://www.campfireaudio.com/pages/axion

Did you ever listen to the multiverse release of this model? Any noticeable differences?

 

[Vonbuddy]

Campfire Audio has a new entry level model with Axion $249, a full range SDD (silicon dynamic driver). Looking at their website it look very similar to a BA(square design), but this is for sure a DD going by the sound. Rich and smooth, engaging and fatuige free sound. It is delivered with a USB-C cable instead of a normal cable, only tried it this way so far. You can change out the cable and use it with your normal gear, it is MMCX similar to other Campfire models. But from reading their description the Axion is aimed for a set to use in your daily life, so a USB-C cable can be a good solution then.

This is a bullet style IEM, and should work for more folks than traditional sets. Even on my large deep ears they work excellent once using large tips, and you could use it either around your ear or hanging straight down.

I will give them a few days at the work (and at home) and come back with some more thoughts, but first impression is good. And its fun seeing Campfire Audio offering something more affordable, I bet many would love this one.

https://www.campfireaudio.com/pages/axion

I got this but have not listened to it. It was my first Campfire purchase in a while.

 

[mikaik]

Not exactly cheap, but MJB is so good, I'd dare say it's totally worth the price. I know it costs twice as much as Legion, which is very hyped at the moment, but having heard both, I'd happily splurge on MJB and forego the Legion. It's not bad, by any means, but sonically, it does not match my music library at all. But I can see MJB replacing my Mest 3 in the future.
Full opinion on MJB here https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/unique-melody-mest-jet-black.28077/reviews#review-37553

 

[Leonarfd]

Did you ever listen to the multiverse release of this model? Any noticeable differences?

Yeah I heard it, and my friend shipped down his so I can compare them directly. The multiverse version came off with some brightness issues that is fixed here.

 

[JrOcinthepark]

Yeah I heard it, and my friend shipped down his so I can compare them directly. The multiverse version came off with some brightness issues that is fixed here.

Thanks, man. May be my first campfire audio purchase! Upgraded to the IPhone 16 pro so I could utlize usb-c. looking forward to this. Thanks.

 

[BS5711]

"Blind" is going to be tricky, practically. Maybe asking wifey to swap the cable behind my back? The thing is I have irrational fear of the pop sound when IEMs connect and disconnect.

Two identical extension cables, one plugged into each source, tangled up so you don’t know what cable goes to what source, hold the identical female ends in one hand and plug back and forth.

Since the male ends are plugged into the source the behaviour seems to be different to plugging IEM in, I have never noticed any sort if disagreeable noise. If you did obviously that would negate the “blind” aspect anyway.

Frankly a proper switch box would be a cheap investment if really interested in testing your perception. I used the extension cables because I had them already and that provided me with the testing I needed to disprove my perception.

YMMV and you might find you prove yourself correct by being able to consistently differentiate the devices. Either way I believe it is a very valuable test, the alternative to being right is you might find you are talking about things that simply don’t exist, would you not want to know either way ??

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This plus a few cables plugged into each source so you don’t know A from B from C etc would make it very simple and effective with careful volume matching.

I throw out the challenge !!

https://www.amazon.com.au/RESFNSE-S...44040379929&psc=1&language=en_AU&gad_source=1

 

[Erkil]

Excellent!!. Thanks! Ordered

This will be difficult, if not impossible with Effect Audio’s ConX system, since they use a different MMCX’ish looking connector towards the cable end.

@kaeswiss

I ordered these Nyx flat 2-pin connectors and got 2 pairs, (4 total). Was it the same for you?

 

[pradiptacr7]

Review of Hisenior Mega5EST Bass+ Edition is live here,

- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hisenior-mega5est-bass-edition.27645/reviews#review-37561

Overwhelming Bass or just the right amount? Have a read and share your thoughts.

 

[Leonarfd]

I finished my review of the mighty THIEAUDIO Valhalla.

THIEAUDIO's flagship model is packed with 19BA, all from branded Sonion and Knowles.
Valhalla is made in a beutiful designed shell with a unique faceplate and titanium body, it does look and feel like a flagship.

It has a familiar tuning to other models from the brand being natural sounding with nice warmth and well extended airy top end, but this time polished to the max. One of the more technical sets I have used that still sound musical and fun, it is also remarkable how coherent they been able to make it with this many drivers. It is one of the best sets I have heard, and absolutely the best all BA model I've heard.

Can read more in my review, cheers

REVIEW HERE

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Ok, the Penon Fan 3 are legit! Or should i say that Bone conducting is the real deal.

I tried BCD drivers in my Tangzu Bajie, the apevoix Iems. And was not this impressed with BCD as i am with the penon fan 3

Maybe it is because i can A/B with the switch but still it is such a difference i hear. But i may be mistaken because i just got them today and listened to 30 min on them.

Stil these Penon/Isn Iems are all one could need to be honest.
Impressive are what they are, chefs kiss to both the Fan3 and the ISN H20 i have tried with my Fiio Jm21. Now i just got a notice that My ibasso dx180 is ready for pickup.

Off i go to the post office
Yes i bought alot during this sale, and i did it because i knew these Tariffs are coming. And so they did and at what amount i got all these items for i can sell it for almost the same in the expensive country that i live in anyways if i dont like them. So no i am not crazy there is logic behind this insane shipping spree.

Anyways it may not just be the BCD drivers in the penon fan3 that i am hearing doing good things.
It can be the sonion and Knowles ba drivers that are just pure quality.

They sound alot more natural then many of these custome ba drivers. Still the ones in my Tangzu Bajie sounds great, but the ones in the apevoix are ok. But nothing special. Maybe they just need some burn in?
Lets see but the apevoix have insane space and the stage is so biiiig.

The Fan 3 is about subtlety, but very refined in it's BCD implementation. It's probably the most organic implementation of BCD tech, as it's integration, as I mentioned, is more subtle and seamless than the cavern soundstage that comes with other BCD's. I love the Fan 3. Such a fun IEM with some of my fave mids and treble presentation.

"Blind" is going to be tricky, practically. Maybe asking wifey to swap the cable behind my back? The thing is I have irrational fear of the pop sound when IEMs connect and disconnect.

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AFUL is flexing again.

Plus: easily the most technical earbuds I have ever listened / built. It has a unique tactility sensation, snappy transient. The sound is also very “big”. Yet, the midrange is very “normal”, not much weirdness that happens when manufacturers try to squeeze “technical performance” (likely treble) out of these earbuds.

The wide stem of these shells work wonder with the fit.

Cons / deal breaker:

• It’s kinda hot in the upper frequencies. Maybe 4-5kHz.
• The stage is big, but also strongly “in-the-head” (edit: highly track dependent. Some tracks sound seriously large and not in-the-head). Like, cavernous stage inside your head rather than having the sound everywhere around your head like the sensation of some IEMs with tuning tricks + BCD.
• Pretty much mid-focused sound. There are enough energy at both ends, but it’s more (upper)mid-focused than usual AFUL.
• MMCX connector.

In general, I have never heard a portable gear that sounds like this. It feels like some sorts of open / semi-open headphones.

If you don’t like earbuds, I don’t think you should run out and preorder one unit as this one would not magically make earbuds work better for you. If you are deep in earbuds hobby, have a try. If you are just curious about AFUL newest R&D, maybe have a try. Just don’t expect other earbuds would sound this incisive if you happen to bite the earbuds bug

Edit: the midrange kinda reminds me of the tuning style of some HiBy IEMs. The way it emphasises the midrange makes some minute details in the voices pop out in a way thay even Cantor does not do, simply because it does not emphasis those frequencies like that.

Edit 2: forgot to mention. AFUL uses 15.4mm drivers rather than 14.2mm drivers like FiiO and Dunu. So if your ears cannot fit the old school earbuds (MX500 shells, these would not fit). If your ears are too big for the smaller 14.2mm driver, these AFUL buds would be good option.

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I should be able to back up your impressions or go psh! lol Mine are out for delivery, along with a pretty big haul of cheapo gear.

Kiwi Ears Punch



Unboxed these today



I was an open minded skeptic with Punch . The perceived value with minimal accessories is why I waited so long to eventually buy them. The great discount helped also.

Spoiler - these didn’t disappoint at all.




Some Early Impressions

Bass is full ( oh man it has Impact) and textured and sub bass has depth reminds me of TSMR Shock ️

Mids are clean and clear . Vocals sound amazing. Has a Mega5EST vibe with the mids.

Treble is crisp and airy and very clean.

Soundstage and imaging are also both great so far.



Much more listening to do.


If you already have Punch . Have a listen to this track.



I call this my Bass Fart test song and it really resonates Sub Bass. If you can hear the textured fart it passes my IEM Bass test. Punch is so controlled and performed like it has Bone Conduction on this track. Really Impressive.

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PS. Appreciate you all for sharing your experience with Punch. I’m stoked I finally have these now.

Absolutely NO DOUBT you'd like the Punch. Your ears almost 100% line up with @Ineras (with maybe the rarest of divergences), so if he likes something, especially the bass, it seems you line up with his "audio luvs".

Just picked up the Ibasso DX180 and oh my goodness

This is the type of sound i want it sounds so organic, now i want to see what The DC elite can do.
Ibasso you are my new favourite source provider, well played.
It made my Ke Aether sing on a level the Jm21 could not. I now love the Ke Aether more then ever. Planar tech is for real the speed the details the yes you know the sound is just something i can live with.
I just can't wait for other brands to use this new gen planar, because i believe the Aether is not getting the most out of this new tech. but lets see what others cock up

Still early days but i know this dap that i got for under 350$ is the steal of the year for sure.
Man the DC elite must be insane if this sounds so good, its good because it fits my taste and the sound is addictive as yes.

Congrats on the DX180!! The DCE is going to win out over the DX180 in soundstage, as from multitude of reports, the DX180 has a relatively intimate soundstage, which is something my DX170 excels in, despite the DX180 beating it in technicalities and extension (so I refrained from buying it, even at crazy sale prices). The DCE excels in soundstage, technicalities, and fullness of bass and midrange. The "weakness" being the rather polite treble extension and reigned in airiness. So the DCE might be a good synergy with the DX180?! I tend to avoid it with the DX170, because the DX170 already excels in the qualities the DCE does, so it's a redundant synergy. Paired with some of my more intimate DAPs though, the DCE to the rescue!! It's also got excellent synergy with the JM21.

wow... on the XINHS HS80, the bass is so detailed and incisive, it gave me shivers haha. [THOSE who have the HS80, how's the fit? I'm finding it chunky and irritating. what tips are you all using?]

With these too... the bass is always controlled and clean. not as big a volume of bass as the CK2V [which I did NOT test on these tracks yet] but in the manner of the set [balanced, professional sound] enough for an impressive playback!
EDIT: I did listen to Transcendence on the CK2V... I think the HS80 was better... more incisive on the synth tones.. bass was boomier on the CK2V, but the HS80 was cleaner. I think the HS80 will be a sleeper hit!


on another topic, I feel really good about my recent IEM purchases, and think I can sit back and relax and enjoy them without feeling the need to buy more. [I've actually been a bit overwhelmed lol with how many sets came in recently... I've actually been using most of my good cables, and in my "low item count" times after culls, I usually have a box full of nice cables ! and yea... I have three more good XINHS cables incoming haha.] Especially with the crazy tariffs incoming, I think I'm set for now haha. I got a STABLE of amazing IEMs, the DC-Elite, Fiio KA5 for using at work, and the R4 DAP for storing all my music and providing good sound with or without a dongle. Sure, a better DAP would be nice, but honestly, I'm content with the R4 in most respects.

As much as I trust your ears, my friend, the HS80 has to be a hit to be a sleeper, and I doubt it's going to be a hit in this community, due to the multitude of failed set ups from XINHS and ivipQ in their IEM line ups. Though they've had some "moderate" sellers in the past, most of their stuff got released, got lukewarm to decent reviews, and then disappeared from conversation, so though I'm sure it's got phat bass, it's probably going the way of all the rest? But I could be wrong?! I've been known to be quite a bit!

Been awhile since I posted. Nikbr is kind of famous now, right? Anyways, recently received the Timeless II. After purchased the Kiwi Ears Aether, s12 2024, and a few other planars, I can say with some certainty the Timeless II is better than the rest. To my strangely shaped ears, it gets as close to DD bass as I've heard. After being dissapointed with a few of the recent 7hz releases, they really nailed the Timeless sequel.

This is intriguing. Most Timeless II reviews are getting superlative impressions, with tuning nozzles, this makes it a chin scratcher. Very intriguing for possibly a summer LEC purchase contender?

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@Leonarfd - So they fixed the brightness issue, but what about the drivability issue? did they fix that legitimately, or did they "fix" it with some DSP trick?

 

[nikbr]

Been awhile since I posted. Nikbr is kind of famous now, right?

Welcome back! Who?

I need to explore BGVP products. It seems like a company that flies under the radar despite releasing some really good IEMs that receive pretty widespread acclaim. Closet classics?

This is my first BGVP taster and it's hella positive. I need more time to gather my thoughts and avoid blabbering nonsense.

 

[Waqar]

The Fan 3 is about subtlety, but very refined in it's BCD implementation. It's probably the most organic implementation of BCD tech, as it's integration, as I mentioned, is more subtle and seamless than the cavern soundstage that comes with other BCD's. I love the Fan 3. Such a fun IEM with some of my fave mids and treble presentation.

You describe it well and yes this one has incredible mids and its done well, could be all you need if it fits your taste.

Congrats on the DX180!! The DCE is going to win out over the DX180 in soundstage, as from multitude of reports, the DX180 has a relatively intimate soundstage, which is something my DX170 excels in, despite the DX180 beating it in technicalities and extension (so I refrained from buying it, even at crazy sale prices). The DCE excels in soundstage, technicalities, and fullness of bass and midrange. The "weakness" being the rather polite treble extension and reigned in airiness. So the DCE might be a good synergy with the DX180?! I tend to avoid it with the DX170, because the DX170 already excels in the qualities the DCE does, so it's a redundant synergy. Paired with some of my more intimate DAPs though, the DCE to the rescue!! It's also got excellent synergy with the JM21.

Then i believe The DCE is good to have to find that sweet synergy with my Jm21 and Dx180.
But i can hold out for now since what i am hearing out of the Dx180 so far is delicious

But i am gonna get a DCE for sure, but i can hold out for now...

 

[Vonbuddy]

I will have some impressions on a number of my recent additions, including the Performer 5+2, Kiwi Ears Punch, soon to get Titan, the Jomo Nautilus, Yanyin Canon Pro, Xenns Tea Pro, and a few new sources as well (Muse M5). I need to take off a couple of days and zone in on some of these.