[Redcarmoose]

Actually, it is an open secret that Joyodio is a KZ sister company, or it is an OEM of sorts at the very least. The included KZ starline eartips has already let the cat out of the bag haha. Their rep also refuses to answer straight up when asked if they are associated with KZ, LOL silence means consent?




The interesting thing is they are selling one version without tuning switches, and one with them. How much more expensive would the switch version be? And what is the default tuning of the non-switch version?

qdc even sold a version of the Anole line with-out switches in Japan. Some people think the extra connections may cause a loss in sound.

 

[r31ya]

I can’t believe they are making it with and with-out the switches!

I actually like that decision.
If the base tuning is already good, i could save some money buying the switchless one.

But if you like one of the variation of tuning "brighter", "balanced", " Extra bassy". Or just like to switch around, you could get one with tuning switch.

I also curious on the new eartips. Hopefully kz have good one that dont have to be replaced right away... More comfortable starline?
---
This going to crash directly with current batch of 2DD with crossover group. I wonder how kz will fare against them.

To note kz also call zvx "flagship" Due to its driver, so this might not be true flagship as well, who knows?

 

[nraymond]

I just ordered Audiosense AQ4, 3 knowles +1DD hybrid, similar to HEXA and tuning is much darker, from tgx’s measurement it appears to sub-bass rolled neutral, pretty similar to Yanyin Alladin with some tweaks on gain comp or enhancement. The 16khz focus is very nice.

Right now AE is having annivesary sale $5pff for every $30 upto $15. So it’s a good timing to buy $90-100 items.

Now AQ4 is $94 with $15 AE anniversary discount &5 goes down to HEXA’s MRSP $79

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKVlgz4

79 for 3 proper knowles hybrid with proper 16khz air, and 3D printed Resin, and dark neutral with immense sub-bass is an interesting offer.

Will report back with feedbacks.

Likewise the Audiosense DT200 is on sale for $65.56 with additional $10 off during the sale. I've tried out a bunch of ear tips and I'm loving mine with the Raptgo Adaptive which improve the perception of the sound field and increase the sense of bass impact. Crinacle gave the DT200 an A+ on tone ("Excellent tonality. Just excellent tuning overall.") and a C+ on technical, but with the right tips I think the technical is higher than that. They came with a rugged hard plastic waterproof case, an MMCX removal tool, spare nozel screens and a tool to help replace the screens.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I actually like that decision.
If the base tuning is already good, i could save some money buying the switchless one.

But if you like one of the variation of tuning "brighter", "balanced", " Extra bassy". Or just like to switch around, you could get one with tuning switch.

I also curious on the new eartips. Hopefully kz have good one that dont have to be replaced right away... More comfortable starline?

About 25% of the time I like switches, but 75% they either don’t do as much as the extra effort would have you believe, or the sound is detrimental, IMO.

Though I’m not totally against them, 25% (of the time) they are cool, I think. But it probably all has to do with what quality of switches you were exposed to, the make and models...........and if you like the end results?

 

[brsdrgn]

I still have mixed opinions about Ea500.

Tried them on my Fiio m11 plus ess and low gain is simply enough from 3.5, way louder around 100 level out of 120. However, the bass is weak. I'm not a basshead but it doesn't satisfy me. So, I switch it to mid gain which makes bass more punchy. However, that comes with a cost of having harshness. The level of energy increases that makes you volume down which also leads pushing the vocals far from you. So, I use it around 80.

There's another solution by using narrow bore tips. However, that comes also with a cost of having narrower stage. Bass gets more strong but brilliance is gone. The extra extention is not that observable. It makes the height even less taller. As I prefer the soundstage and more detail, I use them with the wide bore tips came along with them. The soundstage opens up across all range.

However, the size and thickness of the original tips is still a problem. They don't take the shape of your canal well and I don't get a good isolation. I'd use small but no matter how deep I insert, it doesn't cover well. I'm outside of the city so I don't have all my tips with me and I have to use then this way for a while.

This is my first time using a DD with DLC. You might believe or not but leaving them for burn in for some time helps them to get softer a bit. I can't take that harshness. Maybe I'll have my mind to adapt them.

These are cross border shouty IEMs. Very vivid and brilliant. Macro micro details available. Micro maybe not on a level with a multiple BA but it delivers. Mid range is lush. You get the emotion from the vocals. Definitely not bassy. Bass is there to not leave you alone that's all. However, they take EQ well snd you can get that punchy, rumbling bass. Normally, kick is good but rumbling is weak.

 

[brsdrgn]

Even on my laptop, I can't tolerate them higher than 43 level. You guess if they're really power hungry...

 

[freelancr]

It wouldn't be a normal week in CHIFI without another KZ pokemon making a guest appearance for their 15 minutes of fame.

The KZ D-Fi.
Has 2 versions, one without switches, and one with 4 tuning switches. Purportedly their flagship before a new "PRO" flagship appears next week haha.

Joyodio Shine is that you?



https://www.facebook.com/KZEarphone...kDCQuYoPw38LgccLm2SE6uv6MCJ5xjaKPeVS1FvPoYa2l

Found this out with my ZVX, when you reverse polarity you get a totally different sound signature. This is only possible with a Zobel circuit:

 

[jmwant]

The Shimin Li encounter edition looks nice. At least it's something that you can find on your bedsheet at a single glance.

 

[ronnieron]

I still have mixed opinions about Ea500.

Tried them on my Fiio m11 plus ess and low gain is simply enough from 3.5, way louder around 100 level out of 120. However, the bass is weak. I'm not a basshead but it doesn't satisfy me. So, I switch it to mid gain which makes bass more punchy. However, that comes with a cost of having harshness. The level of energy increases that makes you volume down which also leads pushing the vocals far from you. So, I use it around 80.

There's another solution by using narrow bore tips. However, that comes also with a cost of having narrower stage. Bass gets more strong but brilliance is gone. The extra extention is not that observable. It makes the height even less taller. As I prefer the soundstage and more detail, I use them with the wide bore tips came along with them. The soundstage opens up across all range.

However, the size and thickness of the original tips is still a problem. They don't take the shape of your canal well and I don't get a good isolation. I'd use small but no matter how deep I insert, it doesn't cover well. I'm outside of the city so I don't have all my tips with me and I have to use then this way for a while.

This is my first time using a DD with DLC. You might believe or not but leaving them for burn in for some time helps them to get softer a bit. I can't take that harshness. Maybe I'll have my mind to adapt them.

These are cross border shouty IEMs. Very vivid and brilliant. Macro micro details available. Micro maybe not on a level with a multiple BA but it delivers. Mid range is lush. You get the emotion from the vocals. Definitely not bassy. Bass is there to not leave you alone that's all. However, they take EQ well snd you can get that punchy, rumbling bass. Normally, kick is good but rumbling is weak.

Try using these to cover the vent hole at the bottom of the nozzle. I only had the 3mm 400 mesh in my parts box but they work great to add bass, you can double them up to get more.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrnIVuI

 

[Surf Monkey]

About 25% of the time I like switches, but 75% they either don’t do as much as the extra effort would have you believe, or the sound is detrimental, IMO.

Though I’m not totally against them, 25% (of the time) they are cool, I think. But it probably all has to do with what quality of switches you were exposed to, the make and models...........and if you like the end results?

Effective switches that actually impact crossover or that turn on or off drivers (we’ve seen at least one that does that) seem valid, but examples of switches that do very little are more abundant.

Personally, I like nozzle and/or vent options better. They seem to have a more direct impact on sound. That said, there are certainly examples of nozzle and vent adjustments that seem to do very little to, so…

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Actually, it is an open secret that Joyodio is a KZ sister company, or it is an OEM of sorts at the very least. The included KZ starline eartips has already let the cat out of the bag haha. Their rep also refuses to answer straight up when asked if they are associated with KZ, LOL silence means consent?




The interesting thing is they are selling one version without tuning switches, and one with them. How much more expensive would the switch version be? And what is the default tuning of the non-switch version?

Around $6 but that also including the open back vent they’ve added to the faceplate, so $5.5 for switches maybe? Oh they also have TRN premium silicone T-Ear tip (M) to MT1 Max as well. Probably a good way to try T-ear tips to someone who hasn’t.

Hmm..? That MT1 says $5.21 for shipping, so essentially no difference between MT1 Max and MT1 OG. Only $1 gap if we put them on same scale.

Joyodio & D-Fi’s switch components are actually same one used for high-end models, I see ON/KE mark on my VX as well. Great thag KZ is now having switch supplies.

I personally like DUNU SA6’s switch the best, it can be operated by finger nail with IEMs statyed put on your ear.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

My internal odd ball lover spirit slapping my butt for this JUZEAR 41T…That faceplate looks nice, a mixture of Softears RS10 / ceberus style.

Maybe really a Cerberus/RS10 homage.

I know 君子不器 Junzi brand for long, it’s a good opportunity utilizing AE anniversary discount. Now it’s $139 less 15 = $124 for proper sonion + knowles 4+1.

JUZEAR 41T
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msiRja6

I just got a $100 cash rebate from credit card…I dumped it to this….

Maybe another SR5, maybe not. 48ohm Is something very rare to see for modern IEM.

 

[Ichos]

A bold statement to follow but I think that this is the best value USB DAC dongle below $100.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/truthear-shio.26269/review/30440/

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Navigation:
Link to : another cross A-B test with SR5 / HEXA / Blessing 2 / Variations / Bravery / Performer 5 / SA6 / N5005

Main Contents: DTE500 impression notes and 30 hours critical listening time spent on A-B test with My Best IEMs.
-About A-B test
▶︎ I performed this analytical A-B test in a pitch dark closet with following reasons:
1: Pseudo-double blind test | Trying to minimize psychoacoustic bias in analytical / critical listening, IEMs are picked up by hands blindly and tested without much visual pre-info. (this worked to a certain degree that I thought I was listening Monarch but it was SR5 after the showdown)
2: From my experience, a pitch dark environment with no outer noise will let human to concentrate 100% on sound, there are scientific studies indicating that human skin can “see” light. So the pitch dark room (it’s located within a room, double noise insulated) will shut-off those “extra interference” . Same rationale in observing / detecting gravitational wave or neutrino.

-DTE500 tech details
Sound Rhyme DTE500 spec: 4way crossover 3 acoustic tube
▶︎UHF/HF | 2 x Sonion EST65 powered by Empire Ears developed Voltage multiplier EIVEC
▶︎Hi-MID | 1 x High BA : Knowles ES30095
▶︎Lo-MID | 1 x Mid BA (Sound like Sonion to me) : Sonion 2300
▶︎BASS | 1 x 3-layer composite DD ( Sound like the one used on MEST MKII), same to MEST MKII, it has driver flex as a side effect

—Story with qdc tuning
Yes. I am officially a qdc tuning fan.
Of which You probably would have couple in mind. DUNU SA6, Tri Starsea, See Audio Bravery and high-end models, the qdc itself Anole series.

Nobody would expect a company had zero FR recording on western measurement database would ever be able to tune a good IEM.

Sound Rhyme, did proof their tuning skill by SR5 now, then we came up with simple question, “Are they really good or just one miracle shot?”.
Probably Sound Rhyme is a master tuner.

Here comes Sound Rhyme‘s latest 5-unit EST tribrid, DTE500 sitting in between qdc family King —qdc Anole VX —and Queen —Aur Audio Neon Pro.

Very color matched trio of
Silver / Rose Gold / Obsidian

TL;DR
DTE500 is a qdc tuned IEM with its primary focus in warm and natural bass floor, very rich overtones, and Monarch beating very clear air /finesse, meanwhile Neon Pro has more energetic treble with a bit less elevated mid compared to other two, with powerful head knocking bass. Anole VX has matured and calmer tonal balance among all three yet reserved best resolving and layering capabilities when called.

I’d see the raison de’tre of DTE500 as TOTL beating EST performance yet very rich mid sounding which leaves not totally neutral but a well colored warm essence added in mid reverbs. Piano’s reverb will sound very impressive, wether it’s monitor-like natural like Monarch or not.


—As many of you already know, I set up a poll to see if head-fi community is OK with me receiving a free review unit, in reviewing this DTE500 from Penon, the feedbacks were very unanimous “just go and review it, nobody can provide an objective review, it’s subjective thing so just be honest”. So here comes the review Unit. Anyhow, please be advised to put up 10% of positive unconscious bias in this impression note. $459 is not a joking price, you have to put some serious guts in clicking “buy” button.
Here is link to Penon DTE500: https://penonaudio.com/sound-rhyme-dte500.html

▶︎DTE500 is tested with stock modulated cable with 4.4mm balanced and Feaulle H570 ear tips. I don’t think stock cable is particularly a good match to DTE500 as it has pushed 1.5khz mid gain level too forward, more than regular qdc tuning, resulting in imaging projection to be too near fielded.
[EDIT 5 hours of listening session actually had myself fit to this imaging projection It’s the immersion tuning. I’m proud of myself to not jumping to conclusions too quick, as most of commercial reviewers do, they have too many IEMs to review and give a very quick 5 sec listening on judging IEMs, which I feel that’s just a thin slice of the experience you’d get from actual users standpoint who paid the real money to the IEM]

-A/B test result of DTE500 could vary upon cable swap, I paired Linsoul’s EST cable and it immediately fixed mid-focus and improved image focus and positioning. However to be fair, I used stock cable.

▶︎Timbre Impression
Top Note: Full-bodied, Rich overtones, enveloping, warm, clear and immersive mid range
Middle Note: cutting edge resolution, Burmester style “the high-end” subtle / inoffensive, yet lifelike and extending indefinitely all the way to the skyline, Monarch EST beater.
Bottom Note: fast, tight, very very neutral but MEST MKII-like very organic bass

▶︎How is tuning of DTE500 vs SR5?

DTE500’s approach is a bit different from SR5, the treble articulation for SR5 is “vivid but pleasant“ vs DTE500 “subtle yet extremely resolving and extending all the way to horizon”.

Perceived energy amount of upper registers and lower registers will be more on SR5. At least with stock cable of DTE500 which I’m listening right now.

DTE500‘s tuning is a little bit more mid-upper mid emphasized DUNU SA6 with less bass floor. If you like qdc tuning DTE500 is very delicately tuned mid+ neutral mild U approach.

▶︎A-B Test against close tuning and composition IEMs

Left to Right

Thieaudio Monarch (2EST+6BA+1DD) : Minitor-style lean neutral with sub-bass boost
DUNU SA6 ( 6BA) : Mid-flat Neutral U
Unique Melody MEST MkII (2EST+1dBC+4BA+1DD): Warm neutral with an extra dimension of sound imaging
Aur Audio Neon Pro (10BA): mid-focused neutral + U shape
Sound Rhyme DTE500 (2EST(with Empire Ears developed voltage multiplier EIVEC) + 2BA +1DD)
qdc Anole VX (10BA): mid-focused neutral + U shape
Moondrop Variations (2EST+2BA+1DD): VDSF with sub-bass boost
See Audio Bravery (4BA) : Mid-focused Neutral U
Softears RSV (5BA) : Uppermid focused Neutral with sub-bass boost
Sound Rhyme SR5 (4BA+1DD) : Mid-boosted U
Xenns Mangird Tea (6BA+1DD) : Monitor-style warm neutral

-Fletcher Munson considered, I tried to level sound volume of each IEM at the same level based on personal listening

=============================
️Note (Dry - Thin < Rich - Fat)
Bravery < SR5 < Monarch < Neon Pro < Anole VX < DTE500 < Variations < RSV < Tea < SA6 < MEST MKII

=============================
️Neutral Tonal Balance overall (Uncolored > Colored)
RSV > Monarch > MEST MKII > SA6 > DTE500 > Anole VX > Tea > Variations > Neon Pro > SR5 > Bravery

=============================
️Bass Presence: overall bass range mass x transient speed (if too quick, no perceived presence)
https://tidal.com/track/272909903
Modern Drum N’ Bass with Piano and spatial spices added, Bass presence is a must.
MEST MKII > Variations > SR5 > Neon Pro (on) > Monarch < Bravery > RSV > Anole VX (1-1-0) < DTE500 < SA6 (on) < Tea

=============================
️Bass Slam (Heavy > Light) Transient Speed x Sub Bass Mass x Carrying Energy
https://tidal.com/track/91580143
From the Intro, the bass drum slams hard with deep deep reaching Floor Tom, an easy pick for the Bass Slam test.
MEST MKII > Variations > SR5 > Neon Pro (on) > Bravery > Monarch > SA6 (on) > RSV > Anole VX (1-1-0) > Tea > DTE500


=============================
️Bass Organic Quality (Organic > Artificial) Yes I care about bass a lot.

This is not quantity, it’s imaging texture x timbre dynamism (impulse response & inertia ) x spatial bass range resonance

https://tidal.com/track/222971111
Yo-Yo-Ma Cello x New York Phil x MQA, Bass quality performance doesn’t lie for this track.

MEST MKII > Variations > DTE500 > RSV > Neon Pro (on) > SR5 > SA6 (on) > Anole VX (1-1-0) > Tea > Monarch > Bravery

=============================
️Mid-Bass level (Scooped vs Bleed)
https://tidal.com/track/167963393
J-POP generally has a lower tolerance floor toward mid-bass. The Bassist and other mid-bass instruments/sound needs to at least stay 5m away from the main vocalist. If Bassist is positioned localized or in front of a vocalist or interfered with, unless the original mix is intended, will be considered a mid-bass bleed.
DTE500 < Monarch < Bravery < Neon Pro (Off) < Anole VX (0-0-0) < RSV < Variations < SA6(Off) < Tea < SR5 < MEST MKII



=============================
️Mid-Harmonics
https://tidal.com/track/134158348
Masters of harmonics, Brian Eno and Roger Eno, they speak Harmonics instead of English. This whole album is a masterpiece. Let you know by the magic of simplicity and complexity can co-exist and each track has synesthetic colors.
MEST MKII > Tea > Neon Pro (Off) > Monarch > SR5 > Anole VX (0-1-0) > SA6(Off) > RSV > DTE500 > Variations > Bravery


=============================
️Female Vocal Presence - Eastern

Princess Mononoke Theme Song is covered by Korean Singer Dazbee, a female vocalist with a translucent and fragile beautiful voice. Not a specific FR gain spot, but more of an overall presentation. Micro detail-oriented.
Bravery > Monarch > DTE500 > Tea > Anole VX (0-1-1) > Neon Pro (Off) > SR5 > MEST MKII > RSV > SA6(Off) > Variations


️Female Vocal Presence - Western
https://tidal.com/track/64980702
Rinaldo, HWV, wider macro dynamic range.
MEST MKII > Neon Pro(Off) > Anole VX (0-1-1) > DTE500 > Monarch > Variations > SR5 > Bravery > SA6 (Off) > Tea > RSV



=============================
️6khz Sibilance (Not painful < Painful)
https://tidal.com/track/155965268
One good example of harsh-sounding vocal tracks is order from less sibilant. One of the deal breaker factors for some. Manually leveled overall gain equally to see if 6khz stands out.
SR5 < RSV < Tea < DTE500 < SA6 (Off) < Variations < Monarch < Bravery < Neon Pro(Off) < Anole VX (0-0-0) < MEST MKII

=============================
️Treble detail articulation
https://tidal.com/track/77611296
This Karajan x Berlin Phil x MQA x Mussorgsky is a very good test track for treble detail articulation. This will reveal IEM’s true spec when A-B is tested. No excuses because 10BA and EST drivers do outperform 2BA or Single BA, DDS.
Anole VX (0-0-1) > Neon Pro(Off) > Monarch > MEST MKII > DTE500 > Variations > SR5 > SA6 (Off) > Bravery > RSV > Tea


=============================
️Sense of Air /Finesse (10khz+ performance)
https://tidal.com/track/108119224
Heavily layered strings and brass would need good 10khz+ articulating capability. Very hard part, it took me 5 hours to sort out the order just for this section alone…Here is the result.
Anole VX (0-0-1) > Neon Pro(Off) > Monarch > DTE500 > MEST MKII > Bravery > RSV > SR5 > Variations > SA6 (Off) > Tea


=============================
️Imaging Focus
Thanks to @FranQL for the discovery this track, from 7:00 has an exceptionally good imaging focus section. Upper mid balance will be crucial for imaging focus and it will be very personal HRTF dependent, I have 3.1khz pinna gain peak, so this imaging focus will only be beneficial for people close to mine.
https://tidal.com/track/154520073

MEST MKII > Anole VX (0-1-0) > Monarch > RSV > Neon Pro(Off) > Tea > Variations > SA6 (Off) > DTE 500 > SR5 > Bravery

=============================
️Sound Pressure actuation (Macro Dynamism)
https://tidal.com/track/131729675
To some people, realistic sound pressure comes to the first of all checklist, this track has a wide range of sound pressures, sub-bass to air /finesse.

MEST MKII > Tea > DTE500 > SR5 > Variations > Anole VX (1-1-1) > Neon Pro (On) > Monarch > SA6 (On) > RSV > Bravery


=============================
️(Artificial /Colored) Diffusion Field -Size

This Mushishi SoundTrack is actually an artwork of Japanese Wabi&Sabi simplicity x complexity ; great for image diffusion field size & positioning conformity test.
track @02:01 is specially great for this test. Note that is simple size not how well the diffusion field is textured, that will be detail articulation sections above.

MEST MKII > Bravery > DTE500 > Monarch > Neon Pro (Off) > Anole VX (0-1-1) > SR5 > SA6 (Off) > Variations > RSV > Tea

=============================
️(Artificial /Colored ) Diffusion Field -Position Conformity & Imaging Localization

track @27:00 is specially great for this test. Diffusion Field /Headroom / Sound Stage size is not an evaluation point, this is to tell how well sound image within the projection field moves smoothly and how accurate imaging localization occurs without sudden hiccups. Both tuning and hardware performance are required.

Anole VX(0-0-0) > RSV > Monarch > MEST MKII > Neon Pro (Off) > SA6(Off> Variations > SR5 > Bravery > Tea > DTE500

=============================
️Overall Resolving Capabilities (all frequency )
https://tidal.com/track/222971113
Again, very highly demanding orchestral that has resolution requirements from sub-bass all the way to the top end.
Neon Pro (Off) > Anole VX (1-1-1) > MEST MKII > DTE500 > Monarch > Variations> SR5 > Bravery > SA6(Off) > Tea > RSV


=============================
️Personal Pick (2023)

Anole VX > Neon Pro > Monarch > DTE500 > RSV > SR5 > SA6 > Bravery > MEST MKII > Tea > Variations

Anole VX (S) MSRP $2,600 wins 1st due to perfect balance of musical expressions and technical expressions. The full-band resolving capabilities is second to none, whether you call it vivid and more than naturally presented (when compared to Monarch), I still prefer somehow digitalized expressions of BA drivers for many occasions.
Here my take on visual expressions of EST vs BA treble expressions:

EST: Natural / Rich in overtone / Soft but extremely detailed and silky, low in contrast

BA : High contrast, vivid, not always highest and seamless analog presentation maybe a little exaggerated, however entertaining.

Aur Audio Neon Pro (S) MSRP $730 wins 2nd, another qdc family tuning, a little bit U-tuned than VX, with similar overall performance, just yet not VX level of image localization and detail articulations on very top end, just a thin slice behind it with 25% of the asking price is definitely justifiable.

Thieaudio Monarch (S-) MSRP $760 wins 3rd, very natural monitor like tuned IEM with end of the world type sub-bass. If only that bass dynamic driver is not old school one and can keep up with rest of the drivers, Monarch could score higher, so the MKII with LCP instead of regular slow transient responding DD would be definitely an endgame material to seek. If you hate mid-bass bleed and looking for overall high technical performance yet not sounding too dry Monarch is a
good choice. It doesn’t cast “female poison” spell like Bravery do for detail-oriented vocals, but if you are looking natural yet detailed, Monarch is the best performing one.

Sound Rhyme DTE500 (S-) MSRP $459 is 4th, another qdc family tuning, with “higher than normal qdc” early pinna, or mid boost. Bass is pretty natural with main weight on sub-bass region, not like Variations’ unnaturally lifted sub-bass, DTE500 is more natural one. It doesn’t have best layering , and revealed its weakness in image positioning, yet still, DTE500 beats Monarch, Variations’s EST implementation in terms of EST performance. MEST MKII’s EST is backed by dual bone conduction drivers so MKII has got a better detail articulating and layering than DTE500, but I’d day DTE500’s EST is a proper S-tier implementation. Thanks to Empire Ears’s EIVEC voltage amplifier to power that Sonion EST, you certainly can feel DTE500’s treble has got more energetic and natural expression, which is second to none at least to the A/B tested group.


Softears RSV (S-) MSRP $730 scored 5th even though it is not best technical set. What made RSV to 5th is due to non 6khz sibilant natural sound x ”almost” best image positioning. RSV is a VR-simulator, it casts whatever original mixer or recordings are intended. Timbral and Spatial accuracy magician RSV is.

SR5 (A+ / faint S-) MSRP$149 due ranked 6th due to its resolving capability and overall good performance even against S-tier rivals. Elite in both Micro detailing and Macro dynamism it will satisfy both demands.

$149 cost performance to hit solid A+ may not S-tier beater like SA6 (S-), RSV (S-), Variations(S-), but dangerously close, depending on mood, on a blind test, I would value SR5 as S-tier out of whim. That close.

I value cost to performance more than actual performance in picking favorite, so that we may all benefit in having “great sound” at an affordable price by prompting fair market competition, so this SR5 comes to first with that in mind. Truthear, Moondrop, don’t slack off, tigers are behind you.

SA6 (S-) MSRP$560 is at 7th. There are very little weaknesses of SA6, the “elite”overall performance, and hard to beat qdc neutral tuning placed SA6 a S-tier and I still love listening to SA6 even today, it is that well tuned. Looking forward for SA6 MKII that is about to come out in reflection of SA6 Ultra‘s calmer tuning.


Bravery (A) MSRP$279 a 8th ranked IEM for being colored IEM but in a good way. When paired with PWA Legend II and TRI Clarion, Bravery will generate one of a kind fragile/translucent/clairvoyant timbre.


Unique Melody MEST MKII (S-) MSRP$1,800 is at 9th. There is no doubt MEST MKII is a king in true holographic imaging and resolving capabilities its bass is one of best sounding and other technical performance aren’t behind among test group. I purchased MEST MKII for mainly rock source, but later I find it’s a bit fatigue causing due to 6khz sibilance. It can be dealt with cables and ear tips, but it will
tone down MEST’s own strengths as well. If you are not 6khz sensitive, then you can see MEST MKII basically knocks all other IEMs out of table for many imaging categories.

Variations (S-) MSRP$520 is 10th. Surely an S-tier performance, but its cost-to-performance when compared to others maybe just an average one. Imaging positioning and localization, inoffensively tuned EST, and LCP bass will be one of a great sales point, and I didn’t mentioned above that I have a best fitting experience with Blessing series shell, so Variations isn’t the exception. If you need to listen all day long, Variations would be a great companion.

Xenns Mangird Tea (A) MSRP$
260 is 11th. I’ve added Tea, an A-tier IEM besides SR5 and Bravery because they each have their own ”best” categories that can trade blows with bigger fish. That’s the reason I didn’t add Blessing 2, Dusk, N5005, HEXA, Performer 5, W80, Timeless, Wu Zetian, to this A-B test, as they have better performing upper hands.
For Tea It has best sounding midrange back by quad Sonion 2600, very high density mid harmonics you could take advantage of. But rest of performance are slightly behind others.

 

[Takeda`1537]

A

Andros sound good with Sony sources. Great pairing with Shanling M7 as well. I like the Andros but not enough to buy them hehe even though they are available at cheap prices in used market in my country.

Can confirm that CA sound amazing with Sony sources (tested up to Andro 2020, Solaris 2020, Andro OG, SS, Gold, Gold TI and Supermoon, Sabre and they all work pretty good).