The discovery thread!

[WAON303]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

 

[dharmasteve]

sounds perfect to listen to some Primus

As you recommended I just listened to.... Tommy the Cat and Sathington Waltz. Bang. Like being mugged by sound. Very in the ears experience with a lot of impact. Great stuff.

Edit
'Fish on Fisherman'. Great impact on this Legato with the wick up. I'm sure the drummer is hitting me over the head with his drumstick

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

What's the sound differences between them, and with which IEMs did you try them?

It's actually on sale right now
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0OdlqQ

I think the BlackSoul enhances the lows and mids, which providing a bit more rounded bass and slight heft and punch, whereas the Black Cat seems to improve the top end and provide a bit of air and separation (which is typically lacking in the We Zetian), while still taking nothing away from the bottom end.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I think the BlackSoul enhances the lows and mids, which providing a bit more rounded bass and slight heft and punch, whereas the Black Cat seems to improve the top end and provide a bit of air and separation (which is typically lacking in the We Zetian, while still taking nothing away from the bottom end.

If nothing else that BlackSoul cable sure looks cool. How does it handle?

 

[Ceilidh]

As you recommended I just listened to.... Tommy the Cat and Sathington Waltz. Bang. Like being mugged by sound. Very in the ears experience with a lot of impact. Great stuff.

Edit
'Fish on Fisherman'. Great impact on this Legato with the wick up. I'm sure the drummer is hitting me over the head with his drumstick

that's what I like to hear! Thank you!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

It's a rare occurrence for me. Out of the hundreds of IEMs I've acquired, it's happened on maybe 2-3? I remember for certain the KEF M200 I bought where the LF driver went bad and no longer delivered bass, so I had to return it, but my "newer" pair works just fine and hasn't had any driver issues.

If nothing else that BlackSoul cable sure looks cool. How does it handle?

It's THICK! Takes up a lot of space. Now it's compliant and doesn't really tangle, but being thick, it's not supple or pliable, but definitely hearty, beautiful, and compliant.

This latency issue is quite annoying and causing some response issues using "Reply". Ugh!

A great example of how technology in sound & tuning advances is doing an A/B with two similar sized micro dynamics. Side by side between the KZ Ling Long ($15) and the Monster Miles Davis Trumpets ($400 initial MSRP, but can be bought used for $150). Now the accessories of the MMDT absolutely obliterate the KZ. It's not even in the same universe. The aesthetics are also 10 to 1 in favor of the MMDT, as they are one of the blingiest, most beautiful IEM's ever made. That's where the superiority ends. As far as sound goes, the $15.00 Ling Long produce a more refined and punchy bass experience, that's just faster than the MMDT. Mids bite better, and have better resolution, while the only place where the MMDT wins is in the treble refinement. There is absolutely NO grain in the highs of the MMDT, whereas you get the occasional grain and off timbre splashes in the Ling Long, while the MMDT provides a more mature and controlled top end. Instrument separation and soundstage go to the KZ by a fair bit. It's wider and more spaced. Fun factor goes to the Ling Long. These made me react more viscerally and I found myself bobbing and dancing more with the overall sound response of the Ling Long than the MMDT. Now if you want to add the MMDT to your collection just to have such a unique, and still really good sounding IEM (In their day, they were HIGHLY RANKED), then for under $100, they are a bargain. But for comparison sake, and budgetary and fiscal means, the aurally superior and much cheaper KZ Ling Long would be a much better value. Carry on!

 

[brsdrgn]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

It completely depends on how you use them.

I've never had moisture issue as I give break at max an hour. This is a good practice for both your ears and your iems.

When it comes to a BA, I've never had any failure. However, DD indeed I had problems. It was usually after long term usage and driver failsled by itself. However that happened usually with the cheap iems.

If one of BAs fail, it's really difficult to take it off or replace. They're glued in their place so strong that you usually end up damaging the shell.

 

[brsdrgn]

Looks like a double post due to latency issues...

 

[Surf Monkey]

It's THICK! Takes up a lot of space. Now it's compliant and doesn't really tangle, but being thick, it's not supple or pliable, but definitely hearty, beautiful, and compliant.

Sweet. That’s how the Muse Color Cow is. Thick. Love it. I’m going to have to snag me a BlackSoul.

 

[Redcarmoose]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

Never had a problem. Though keep in mind it could be a reality, as you do hear about it at times, though rare. Keep in mind IEMs like the Kiwi ears Orchestra Lite are totally solid. That means if you drop one and they (happen to) crack there no fixing them. Though keep in mind if something (else) did happen to them you couldn’t fix that solid style anyways as the parts are all permanently submerged in medical grade resin. Still they are 8 BAs a side which pretty much never fail. Though I guess theoretically you could over-amp them, that would damage them, but I have not had such an experience, yet.

But I’ve never had any issues with DDs either? Probably the real concern would be the connections, MMCX seems to be more problematic than 2Pin in my experience, yet I only had one MMCX fail and it a cheap MMCX IEM in 2016, so no big deal.

 

[Ferdinando1968]

to be updated…
▶︎Personal Purchase from Angeldac AE Store

Shimin Li Encounter Edition: Shell


Accessory box: hmm fancy

Carrying pouch: Tangzu, finally a pouch, same one with Truthears/Moondrop Droplet’s.



Angeldac raffles: “Better Luck Next Time”
▶︎OOTB impression with all stock sets:
-This IEM definitely needs a burn-in
-Tonal balance is slightly upper mid hot, maybe stock ear tips tames treble too much, it appears dark to my impression right out of the box
-bass is pretty decent, not overly done

I will do a quick 60min burn-in, and change ear tips, or maybe even stock cable, it sounds weird.

▶︎2 X 60min online burn-in session completed, swapped ear tip to H570, cable to PWA Copper 28 V2
-at least much better than initial out of box impression, still feels lacking air and resolutions but in the other words Encounter’s treble is inoffensive and non-fatiguing, at least at current stage.

▶︎This tuning reminds me of Floaudio Lily’s amped tuning, inoffensive, soft, feather touching timbre.

▶︎Yume OG‘s note weight is pretty close to Encounter, a little warmer vocal focused with relaxed treble.

When I do OOTB impressions I generally do not look for any FR, since it may put a bias. So here we go;


No wonder Encounter sounds weird, the huge 6khz sibilance dip is larger than other IEMs with similar single DD, it’s made to sound “soft -edged”.

The benefit of this 6khz 10khz dip will result a universal image focus alternation, with a cost of losing bits of resolving capabilities, they can get some of resolutions back if rest of the range remained sound, but Encounter only has very small upper register emphasis.

I guess this is a divisive tuning trick, one will welcome the “gentle and feather light touch” but other may find that lack of definition and air. The Diffusion border articulation is very blurry and that may be a fatal point for someone looking clear and crisp sound, for that EA500 would do better job, with a cost of somehow more energy flows into your ear canal.

I personally would find this tuning OK, if ONLY Encounter has 10khz air presentation capability which is lacking at this moment, I will try burn-in longer and see if anything changes, if not, Encounter will be a one trick pony for “gentle and inoffensive“ category. [5 hours of burn-in: Air starts to appear! ]

At this moment, Encounter sounds very welcoming on instrumen like Kalimba


I will update Timbre impression upon full burn-in then. I feel it is inappropriate to leave OOTB as-is.

I like the build, I like the cable and I much like the sound.
These together with the EA500 astounded me.

https://open.qobuz.com/track/151620199

 

[AmericanSpirit]

How common is driver failure on IEMs? This is by biggest concern when thinking about flagship IEMs.

Seems to be relatively rare outside of specific cases like DDs failing on the original Mangird Tea due to moisture build up (See Hi-Fri's video on this.), I haven't experienced bad drivers on any of my sets yet, would you be able to easily pick up a broken BA on a multiple BA set?

I remember Timmy was graphing some IEMs during a YT stream, a DD on his Kinera Nanna Zeos died on camera.

A busted DD is probably easier to spot though that would depend on the crossover because it's not uncommon to see DDs meshed with BAs when handling bass frequencies.

For past couple of decades, I’ve consumed 4 Ultimate Ears TF10Pro, each of them lasts around 4years of daily use, so I’d consider 4-5 years is an average driver lifetime if you use it daily. I have many IEMs that still sounding fine that I barely used, but my15years old ER4S’s left driver is getting unstable as well, it sometime make buzz noise.

To my experience, simpler mechanical dynamic drivers lasts longer, like 16 years old JVC FX500, it still sounds totally fine, and old Balanced Armature drivers are subject to depletion. My old pair of CIEM UERM is already dead. UE5EB, the world’s first hybrid IEM is still alive because I only clocked less than 10 hours on it due to world’s worst sounding tuning it has.

 

[WAON303]

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

The EA500 hype is real, it's the new Aria by the looks of it.

Yea I was listening to EA500 with RedAg last night, very nice sparkling it can generate. Better performing than Moondrop single DLC KXXS, and slightly behind Kato. For $69, EA500 is very recommendable as a single DD IEM if someone is looking a bright neutral signature.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

I think the BlackSoul enhances the lows and mids, which providing a bit more rounded bass and slight heft and punch, whereas the Black Cat seems to improve the top end and provide a bit of air and separation (which is typically lacking in the We Zetian), while still taking nothing away from the bottom end.

I heard rumors Larry the tuner is recommending this cable for the Legato? It's on at good price so I picked one up today as well. $27 CAD

C$ 113.70 40%OFF | NiceHCK BlackCat HIFI Earphone Cable Zinc Copper Alloy Oil Soaked Wire 3.5/2.5/4.4mm MMCX/0.78mm 2Pin for P1 Max SALNOTES ZERO
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKs7MVo