The discovery thread!

[gmdb]

non available anymore

wow!

$6.49 for BlackCat.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0Ozj1i

Looks to be the same wire as the KB Ear Black Blade. Although the KB Ear version is more than double the price, and I think a more recent release. Both are made of brass.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

So far I am loving the Sennheiser IE600. Not one shred of buyers remorse, which has crept in for a number of IEM's. I blasted the driver overnight on the burner, and I've been listening to them throughout the day. They will be my travel IEM, as i'm heading out for Florida in a few hours, though I've decided to travel with the iPod and not my usual DAP/AMP combos. The great thing about the IE600 is that they are not as power hungry as some other Senns, including the IE100. They are loud, even at moderate to low volume, so they sound absolutely phenomenal out of the iPod straight jacked.

 

[WAON303]

Dat Blackcat cable looks fantastic for 14 bucks.

Was this cable 80 bucks? Looks like typical fake Ali pricing.

 

[o0genesis0o]

So far I am loving the Sennheiser IE600. Not one shred of buyers remorse, which has crept in for a number of IEM's. I blasted the driver overnight on the burner, and I've been listening to them throughout the day. They will be my travel IEM, as i'm heading out for Florida in a few hours, though I've decided to travel with the iPod and not my usual DAP/AMP combos. The great thing about the IE600 is that they are not as power hungry as some other Senns, including the IE100. They are loud, even at moderate to low volume, so they sound absolutely phenomenal out of the iPod straight jacked.

iPod jack is essentially a built-in apple dongle, isn’t?

IE600 is quite nice. “Reference”-ish tuning with bass boost and tiny shells. Again, expectation plays a role here. I constantly compared IE600 to IE900 in my head, so I didn’t like it as much as I should, but it’s nice.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

iPod jack is essentially a built-in apple dongle, isn’t?

IE600 is quite nice. “Reference”-ish tuning with bass boost and tiny shells. Again, expectation plays a role here. I constantly compared IE600 to IE900 in my head, so I didn’t like it as much as I should, but it’s nice.

Indeed it is about the iPod.

 

[acygni]

I’m trying out taobao agent service superbuy’s app.

One IEM triggered my interest and after looking at intl MRSP $299 vs Seller’s origibal Taobao $135. I felt I’d give a proxy agent service a try.

For others interested in directly buying taobao Items:
Here is the steps
1: download superbuy app or sign up at superbuy.com | this is package proxy service

2: paste your desired goods taobao url in that superbuy app


3: process payment ; they accept paypal, paypal works as great security gateway so that you don’t need to disclose your creditcard info, also a fraud protection program of paypal works as a risk mitigator.

Note: you will have to pay twice: product purchase payment as 1st, and shipping payment to the proxy agent as 2nd. 2nd payment is very small, 20CNY =3.5USD. But don’t forget to pay the shipping payment or your purchase will be cancelled. Details in below.

Spoiler: “Details of payment screen“

shipping process chart


some check lists (I slected expedite processing since it didn't charge much fee)

Final screen

Noob TRAP!!: You need to pay twice! 1st payment is the mainbody payment 99% of the cost goes on first payment, then goto Order Screen, on bottom right there is “pay now” button, that’s rest of 1% of shipper’s comission (20CNY = 4USD).
You will receive an email titled “outstanding balance” with

​ ​ ​ Your item XXXXXX has an outstanding shipping payment to be made. Please pay accordingly within 72 hours, or the order will be canceled automatically.​

so click on that link and it will re-direct you to pay this shipper’s fee. What a noob trap.

The IEM I ordered is Audio Hekili

I noticed it’s 64 family tuning and saw some loves it, so I wanted give it a try. The 10khz+ looks pretty energized


I will update if this proxy service actually works or not.

Oops! I think I actually ordered Lokahi instead of Hekili, anyway They look pretty similar in tuning family.

64 audio’s IEM didn’t hit 8khz coupler’s resonance peak due to the open BA structure meanwhile Those Audio Lokahi /Hekili hit the peak, other than than the tuning seemed pretty much followed the philosophy of neutrality

taobao.com has international shipping/forwarding service built in. It's pretty usable with just google translate. Though they collect sales tax for address in the US, so if it provides a way around that it may still be worth it.

 

[gmdb]

Dat Blackcat cable looks fantastic for 14 bucks.

Was this cable 80 bucks? Looks like typical fake Ali pricing.

I think it's fake. It is only made of brass, so only 25% - 45% of the conductivity of copper wire, depending on how much copper is alloyed with zinc.

 

[PhonoPhi]

They often offer NiceHCK cables in one option, 2 pin 4.4mm balanced being the usual option. Unless they're clearing stock. In that case you're in luck if you are looking for TFZ connector.

I was looking for an SE 3..5mm in mmcx so it worked out for me this time.

I did find those TFZ sales of NiceHCK a great opportunity (how otherwise I would be able to outfit my 100+ IEMs with balanced cables - OK, a dark humour here...)

TFZ fits QDC decently:

and the sleeve can be cut to fit two pins as an angular connector.

On a separate topic, speaking of a single-BA comparison.

All of Moondrop Droplet ($50), KBear Neon (ca. $35), FloAudio Lily ($30 for a combo with the case and extra tips), Ultimate Ears 600vi (ca. $25), and NiceHCK X49 ($16) - all purchased with my own funds- happened to be enjoyable IEMs with the limitation of a single BA not overly prominent.

Tips: TRI Clarion (amazing for me) for all other than the Neon fitted with Moondrop Springs due to its narrower nozzle.

Sources: Tempotec E44 (my favourite, most universally capable one), Shio, as a bad-boy DAC, and externally powered E1DA SG3 as a reference.

Droplet was the most capable due to its DSP design. The dynamics and the sub-bass are still some limiting factors for an otherwise capable and enjoyable IEM that is so energy-efficient! If the battery drain of your source may be of a concern - The Droplet consuming only 5-6 mA is totally it!

KBEar Neon are built with the renowned Knowles 29689, so the mids are fluent and enjoyable, and the rest of the range is not obviously lacking. The fit though is limited only to the stationary enjoyment due to the connector lever - a serious drawback for an otherwise nice IEM.

Flo Lily are the best fitting, beautifully crafted, capably near full-range single-BA IEM, also uniquely vented without much compromising isolation. Still, something was odd/artificial in timbre/tonality to me, perhaps due to the lack of the 5-6 kHz dip that suits well my preferences.

UE 600 - so old, and still capable! This IEM can fit both ways - down or over the ear nicely - surprisingly not copied over. Some treble enhancement is there, which may be a bit limited but works well for me.

Last, but not least, and priced 3 times lower than the Droplet with no obvious limitations, X49 can, perhaps, claim "the best value".
I perceive X49 as a bit mid-bass enhanced, but the treble is there. Tiny (second only to Droplet), X49 deserve a good praise and can be recommended as a single-BA entry for those who owns only DDs to dive into the deeper dimensions of the proverbial IEM rabbit hole

 

[AudioNewbie76]

If you are speaking of clip-on type earphones, yes. I have a couple of them from KOSS and Audio Technica, it‘s uncomfortable though.

If you meant specifically for that particular clip-on, that I’m not sure.

Nah, these are open back IEMs, like Isines. I'm just not sure about QC, but if tech is good, I wouldn't mind picking one up and EQing them

 

[AudioNewbie76]

The Monoprice iSine knockoffs from several years ago? Those things sold out after awhile. Should be plenty of reviews out there for these. They were popular for a short bit, with the biggest knocks being fit and the ear hooks breaking very easily.

Do you have any idea how tech is like on these?

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Do you have any idea how tech is like on these?

https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/03/review-monolith-by-monoprice-m300/

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/monoprice-monolith-m300

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/monolith-m300-in-ear-planar-earphones.22645/reviews

Seems the reviews are mostly lukewarm with muted mids and highs? With better planar options with better fit and QC available at that price range, I'd steer clear.

 

[Surf Monkey]

HiBy R6 2020 -> OrangeSIR -> Truthear Hexa -> Moondrop Spring Tips.

Very nice! Getting some initial hours on them, but OOTB they’re pretty impressive. Very detailed and sparkly. Not nearly as bright or cold as I was expecting.

 

[AudioNewbie76]

https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/03/review-monolith-by-monoprice-m300/

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/monoprice-monolith-m300

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/monolith-m300-in-ear-planar-earphones.22645/reviews

Seems the reviews are mostly lukewarm with muted mids and highs? With better planar options with better fit and QC available at that price range, I'd steer clear.

What about the m350's, these reviews look to be referring to the older m300's. Although, the M300 being poor in performance is not a good sign

 

[Zachik]

I was able to get 2.5mm MMCX BlackCat for $6.49 today.

Weird - I am seeing $12.49
Also, obviously that happens 2 days after I paid $20 for it... still good deal, if it sounds as good as you guys are saying!

 

[Surf Monkey]

Weird - I am seeing $12.49
Also, obviously that happens 2 days after I paid $20 for it... still good deal, if it sounds as good as you guys are saying!

Same. Oh well.