The discovery thread!

[InvisibleInk]

Is line/coax out just as good as line-out only or is the quality of the out worse?

Line out works plug and play and sounds great into external amps. Coax S/PDIF shares the same 3.5mm dedicated port, but must be enabled for digital output in the settings first.

 

[Jmop]

Line out works plug and play and sounds great into external amps. Coax S/PDIF shares the same 3.5mm dedicated port, but must be enabled for digital output in the settings first.

But that doesn’t effect quality of the out? I swore I read something about it lessening the quality unless it’s an unshared output.

 

[RCracer777]

So this one showed up out of nowhere. I didn't expect to get it in for another week. I didn't want my first IEM of 2023 to be a 1DD but I just can't say no to a Heart Mirror.
The TKZK Ouranos was a little too tempting as well, which should show up soon as it was on the same plane. At least I don't have any other new year's resolutions to break...




While it no longer has the tips I always use or the case, it still has the filters and the denim pouch is pretty nice. I can get always get the tips from the pro set. Cable is a bit of a downgrade but it works and I do have others ready if I think it's necessary to replace it.

Sound wise it's just as the reviews say, the Heart Mirror Zero is a OG heart mirror with maybe a little more bass. But that might just be the new vs (well) used driver, as I often find that the bass settles down after about 3~6 hours on a DD.

For now I'm just going to use it as a replacement to the OG as a daily carry to reduce the wear and tear on the OG.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Joyodio Shine: Many different tunings! I got to 11 and stopped....



Frequency Response SquigLink

Looks like most of the changes 800hz and below or is it just the way the graph normalized at 1K?

 

[Jmop]

So this one showed up out of nowhere. I didn't expect to get it in for another week. I didn't want my first IEM of 2023 to be a 1DD but I just can't say no to a Heart Mirror.
The TKZK Ouranos was a little too tempting as well, which should show up soon as it was on the same plane. At least I don't have any other new year's resolutions to break...




While it no longer has the tips I always use or the case, it still has the filters and the denim pouch is pretty nice. I can get always get the tips from the pro set. Cable is a bit of a downgrade but it works and I do have others ready if I think it's necessary to replace it.

Sound wise it's just as the reviews say, the Heart Mirror Zero is a OG heart mirror with maybe a little more bass. But that might just be the new vs (well) used driver, as I often find that the bass settles down after about 3~6 hours on a DD.

For now I'm just going to use it as a replacement to the OG as a daily carry to reduce the wear and tear on the OG.

I approve of the waifu.

 

[cqtek]

Looks like most of the changes 800hz and below or is it just the way the graph normalized at 1K?

Actually, this time Squig.Link does not offer the reality. There are two types of tuning groups and they are based on the last switch, which seems to change the impedance. In this way, the volume changes noticeably.
To show you the real result of my measurements made in REW, without any unbalancing, but just as the measurements were taken at the same volume level, here is a screenshot.



In short, the first switch serves to emphasise the bass, the second to emphasise the mids and first treble. Finally, the third switch is used to emphasise the upper treble and the air zone.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Can anyone confirm if the Lily sound quality diminishes with the impedance adapter?

It depends on drivability of source, if running with class-A power amp, impedance adapter would help.

I noticed I may have not clarified the picture I posted with 80 ohms FR vs OG FR.

is not impedance adapter, but is Output Impedance of the $4000 high-end power amp that author uses.

Here is his english review of Lily
https://blog.ear-phone-review.com/entry/FloAudio_Lily

Lily is one of most interesting IEM I’ve met this year that reacts very differently to every source / cable I coupled on. And Lily generally has great neutral signature (and A-class Image focusing) on many DAC-direct line-out. I’ve A-B tested imaging beast Softears RSV and Anole VX, and amazed this little single BA is capable of. It certainly is bonded by single BA physical limit, and for audiences with pinna gain spot around 3khz, Lily would do a good imaging magic on line-out mode (and with H570 ear tips). If Ety curve (2.6khz peak) is not your preference, Lily may be a great alternative.

When amped, it plats warm neutral signature with relaxed treble.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Joyodio Shine: Many different tunings! I got to 11 and stopped....



Frequency Response SquigLink

The classical tuning is very rare one, ER4S flat diffusion field neutral, coming out of KZ family is simply astonishin. One day when Joyodio discounts their Shine to something like $30-40USD, I’d definitely try.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

Thanks to the person sorry can't remember who put me onto theese cases

This is the new medium size.

C$ 8.26 27%OFF | Vamson Large Waterproof Carrying Case PU for Gopro Hero 11/10/9/8/7/6 for DJI OSMO Action Camera for insta360 x3/x2 Hard Shell
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPWUP94

 

[AmericanSpirit]

20hours burned in KZ ZNA with some $12 XINHS KZ-C pin cable 4.4mm TRRS, SpinFit W1 do impressed me on this album (YT link). It has deep bass (somehow bloated but acceptable) and very wide sound stage, with great imaging, can’t hardly believe this is Bellsing 30095, KZ must have pulled 30095 to its best performance.

After nice revisit of ESX and ZNA, I decided to follow up with KZ’s recent releases once again. Order placed for following.

Their MST+12mm DD, a better tuning, with less dampened timbre so-to-called, ZES.

Their 3 year old AS16, rework, AS16 Pro. A Mid focused energetic W-shape tuned one.

Thanks to rec’s!
KZ is on their tracks again. I do see some competitiveness on their recent ESX and ZNA, hope ZES has ZEX spirit with better DD response.

 

[PhonoPhi]

The classical tuning is very rare one, ER4S flat diffusion field neutral, coming out of KZ family is simply astonishin. One day when Joyodio discounts their Shine to something like $30-40USD, I’d definitely try.

What is the source of information/insight that Joyodio is KZ- related?
To me it looks TRN-like all the way - similar looking shells and odd expectations that someone would buy 7-mm DD + two BAs for $80 because of the tuning switches (?!?)
With all other IEMs out there, it is a hard pass for me.
I would rather get my third copies of ASX + ESX to get more modications for this money

You need blue cables to fully enjoy

I have all the plethora of the blue shades of cables to totally enjoy my IEMs

 

[gmdb]

That sucks it bricked. I had issues with my computer not recognizing/detecting the SHIO. Luckily, @PhonoPhi Posted that the PID needs to be changed to  F076 and that helped help the firmware detect the device.

As a follow-up, I should mention that Truthear Official Store on AliExpress have been great to deal with. They are replacing the my Shio. I would have loved to find out what the technical solution is to the issue, but I think because of language issues that is too difficult. I did find out from interrogating the USB ports on both Windows and OSX that the firmware update changed the PID on my Shio from F076 (as required for the software to work) to 6000, and it looks like the software no longer recognises the PID. So looks like it was an obscure technical error.

 

[DynamicEars]

Excellent info!
Btw. do you have any good source of new paper/nylon dampers? Or do you make them yourself?

I bought my mod needs on ali
Lot of store sell them, just write the keywords "tuning foam earphone"
There are low density and high density, and there are "imported tuning foam" which is higher density
And also i like to buy animal foam toys from 1 dollar store (its a capsule with animal shaped foam inside, when you dip the capsule inside hot water, the capsule will melt and the foam pop up )
That animal foam is considered medium density foam and you can cut as you want.

While the nylon damper the keywords are "mesh earphone" you will find result with mesh 500, mesh 300 etc
The numbers here showing the density also, so bigger number = dampening more.

put keywords "Y5 paper tuning" will have result of paper damper y1 y2 y3 y4 y5, bigger number also showing bigger density.

And if you need grill replacement for end nozzle the keywords are "earphone dust filter" coming in many sizes too.

They are cheap so having lot of material is very useful if you are into mod thing
But as this mod requires lot of "trial and error", measurement tools are highly recommended to make sure you have your desired tuning, and to make sure you don't have channel imbalance between L and R unit.

Shenzhen audio sells filters for various Moondrop products which is widely applicable to other IEMs. $4.99 for 6 set with tool.

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-earphone-filter-accessories-for-spaceship-kxxs-starfield-earphone?variant=3337294702followt

these also works. And tanchjim filters too
Thanks

As a follow-up, I should mention that Truthear Official Store on AliExpress have been great to deal with. They are replacing the my Shio. I would have loved to find out what the technical solution is to the issue, but I think because of language issues that is too difficult. I did find out from interrogating the USB ports on both Windows and OSX that the firmware update changed the PID on my Shio from F076 (as required for the software to work) to 6000, and it looks like the software no longer recognises the PID. So looks like it was an obscure technical error.

Wow great service, glad you got your bricked shio replaced!

 

[AmericanSpirit]

What is the source of information/insight that Joyodio is KZ- related?
To me it looks TRN-like all the way - similar looking shells and odd expectations that someone would buy 7-mm DD + two BAs for $80 because of the tuning switches (?!?)
With all other IEMs out there, it is a hard pass for me.
I would rather get my third copies of ASX + ESX to get more modications for this money

I have all the plethora of the blue shades of cables to totally enjoy my IEMs

Many japanese source revealed KZ and Joyodio shares same OEM components even the starline ear tips.

Well I’m passing it as well, 80USD is HEXA level. 40 is my buy line for that IEM.

 

[baskingshark]

As a follow-up, I should mention that Truthear Official Store on AliExpress have been great to deal with. They are replacing the my Shio. I would have loved to find out what the technical solution is to the issue, but I think because of language issues that is too difficult. I did find out from interrogating the USB ports on both Windows and OSX that the firmware update changed the PID on my Shio from F076 (as required for the software to work) to 6000, and it looks like the software no longer recognises the PID. So looks like it was an obscure technical error.

Bravo to Truthear, great service to replace it, glad to hear it is all sorted out!


Haha I guess once bitten twice shy, will you still be trying to update the firmware? I guess if one needs to update the SHIO, better place it on a supportive cushion (don't let it hang in the air) and make sure nothing comes within 5 metres of touching the dongle during firmware update!!!! Not even a fan blowing at the SHIO!