The discovery thread!

[acygni]

No matter how i look at it, the midrange of Band 8 seems wrong

Btw, did you know that you can use my graph db to generate PEQ that matches other IEM? Just upload the target response as a target. Crinacle’s db also has this but you have to pay. One of the reason I set up the graph DB is because i want to do this EQ based on my measurements without running the AutoEQ manually in command line

HBB had them graphed for a while.
P5 and B5Pro seems like 2 different models.

 

[Jaytiss]

No matter how i look at it, the midrange of Band 8 seems wrong

Btw, did you know that you can use my graph db to generate PEQ that matches other IEM? Just upload the target response as a target. Crinacle’s db also has this but you have to pay. One of the reason I set up the graph DB is because i want to do this EQ based on my measurements without running the AutoEQ manually in command line

I'll be honest, it scares me. It looks like it might sound odd.

 

[o0genesis0o]

I'll be honest, it scares me. It looks like it might sound odd.

Well, we need to listen. This midrange with bump at 500Hz is not the usual patterns. For me, when I say this and that about graph, I usually implicitly refer to some patterns between graphs and sound that I discovered. Some times you come across something so strange that you have no idea what to expect, and then you realise it’s not bad, just different (I’m thinking about 64 Audio Trio and Kublai Khan).

@Tzennn how does your EQed tonality sound like?

 

[W0lrince]

Well, we need to listen. This midrange with bump at 500Hz is not the usual patterns. For me, when I say this and that about graph, I usually implicitly refer to some patterns between graphs and sound that I discovered. Some times you come across something so strange that you have no idea what to expect, and then you realise it’s not bad, just different (I’m thinking about 64 Audio Trio and Kublai Khan).

@Tzennn how does your EQed tonality sound like?

I have tried to tune like this before the band 8, two particular thing that stand out in this kind of tuning is clear distinct between tri band and sweet, really sweet and natural mid/vocal. But sound stage and imaging is bad!
Band8 on my EQ sound like a speaker, it also aggressively tuned

 

[W0lrince]

No matter how i look at it, the midrange of Band 8 seems wrong

Btw, did you know that you can use my graph db to generate PEQ that matches other IEM? Just upload the target response as a target. Crinacle’s db also has this but you have to pay. One of the reason I set up the graph DB is because i want to do this EQ based on my measurements without running the AutoEQ manually in command line

Haha i will use yours, i just use neptone audio because seems like he have the same coupler as mine, also have a huge measurement library. By all means, please try more iem and review more so i can play with EQ

 

[JEHL]

The graph of Blessing 3 is already up at Crinacle's database: https://crinacle.com/graphs/iems/moondrop-blessing-3/

The amount of ear-gain scares me But at the same time, I'm also very excited about their new 2DD configuration.

Speaking of cross-over overkill, I think the subtonic storm (maybe the only IEM with 7-ways crossover at the moment?) manages to achieve a breakthrough level of clarity / resolution that blows all the reviews'/listerners' socks off, even the very critical ones. Gaea (and likely MS5) also use 4-way rather than usual 3-ways and they did a great job at note definitions and separation, all of that stuffs (of course the tonality of Gaea plays an important role as well). The HiBy Zeta with 5-ways also achieved an impressive level of technical performance even with its warm and moody tonality. Of course, we cannot draw any conclusion from a few samples, but I start to pay more attention to the crossover after experiencing these IEMs.

Well at 1st I thought it'd be isobaric anyway. But someone else already pointed out it's probably a push/push configuration so it's designed more like a dipole than an isobaric loading.

Regardless Moondrop claims that this new Blessing should have the combined maximum bass output of 2 10mm drivers, So it'd be the equivalent of putting a single 14.1mm driver in there at least membrane area wise.

As for the Subtonic STORM? If I'm reading the CTRL page correctly. the biggest selling point of the STORM is that it makes as much use out of the Sonion ESTs as possible by letting the ESTs play at their most sensitive frequency ranges while covering the dips with BAs. Hence the 7-way crossover.

This seems to be much more elegant than my idea of just throw ESTs into the housing until the sensitivity is acceptable at the lowest points then just notch the peaks and probably all pass/zobel the much more sensitive DDs and BAs to match the ESTs. So I initially called it a 3-way and for the most part that is true but I grossly oversimplified the overall crossover circuit desing in reality.

Could this abomination that my mind came up with even work? Would it be possible to sell it for $2000 max still? How large would the shell be? Could anyone even wear this thing and if they can? Would it be comfortable? Could it play the entire THX bass sweep?

Edit: Perhaps the worst part in all of this is that the most interesting part for me is the dual DD setup. So the best IEM I could probably come up with probably uses the 2 12mm DD for bass and a single 5mm DD for full range, so a 3DD.

I had an idea for a midrange, but I was beaten to it by the Moondrop Blessing 3 already.

 

[acygni]

Aful Band 8 Pro(may be also Band 5 Pro) uses a maze-like sound tubes setup which the Performer 5 lacks.
B8:

P5:

The Fearless ACME also got something crazy like that:

 

[o0genesis0o]

Aful Band 8 Pro(may be also Band 5 Pro) uses a maze-like sound tubes setup which the Performer 5 lacks.
B8:

P5:

The Fearless ACME also got something crazy like that:

FiiO is also really proud of their maze-like tubes from the DD, acting as a physical low-pass filter.

Who knows, maybe we are seeing another interesting tonality pattern. Started from deep V + cat-ears trebles (and whatever oddity used by Western manufacturers), we moved to Harman/DF, and now we seems to be in the era of bass boost + flat mid + subdued ear-gain + big air (think of SA6 II, Neon Pro / VX, STORM).

 

[acygni]

Well at 1st I thought it'd be isobaric anyway. But someone else already pointed out it's probably a push/push configuration so it's designed more like a dipole than an isobaric loading.

Regardless Moondrop claims that this new Blessing should have the combined maximum bass output of 2 10mm drivers, So it'd be the equivalent of putting a single 14.1mm driver in there at least membrane area wise.

As for the Subtonic STORM? If I'm reading the CTRL page correctly. the biggest selling point of the STORM is that it makes as much use out of the Sonion ESTs as possible by letting the ESTs play at their most sensitive frequency ranges while covering the dips with BAs. Hence the 7-way crossover.

This seems to be much more elegant than my idea of just throw ESTs into the housing until the sensitivity is acceptable at the lowest points then just notch the peaks and probably all pass/zobel the much more sensitive DDs and BAs to match the ESTs. So I initially called it a 3-way and for the most part that is true but I grossly oversimplified the overall crossover circuit desing in reality.

Could this abomination that my mind came up with even work? Would it be possible to sell it for $2000 max still? How large would the shell be? Could anyone even wear this thing and if they can? Would it be comfortable? Could it play the entire THX bass sweep?

Edit: Perhaps the worst part in all of this is that the most interesting part for me is the dual DD setup. So the best IEM I could probably come up with probably uses the 2 12mm DD for bass and a single 5mm DD for full range, so a 3DD.

I had an idea for a midrange, but I was beaten to it by the Moondrop Blessing 3 already.

I think I brought up the b3 may be using a push pull system like the Audio Technica's on the Moondrop thread and Moondrop's official user directly denied that's the case.

 

[PhonoPhi]

so…

I just throw an inquiry to seeaudio official through twitter, hope we get an official statement like Tangzu did.


One of my follower sacrificed Rinko and commented “it is a planar”
https://twitter.com/sat03_a1/status/1645351131311382536?s=46&t=0JEY5S3Hf1wWOxR34LyJdw

Per a Japanese audiophile who opened up the shell
“It appears the internal wiring is different, maybe HBB has got the pre-production uni?”


There are mixed voices circulating right now on internet.

Hope SeeAudio take this “confusion” seriously and make any kind of announcement.

[EDIT] Just received a feedback from Seeaudio


We probably could see their official response soon

The integrity starts on a personal level.

Think, how doomed is this hobby if anyone is free to claim "some dB" attenuation of cables (love to see the legal evaluation of such claims) or the perennial gibberish of palladium, graphene, etc. "special effects" totally free of any tangible evidence. Cables can serve as a brilliant "litmus paper" of BS.

Further to add to tis list are the claims of "magical" improvement upon "burning" after 300+ hours (!) for some IEMs.

With all these unsupported ridiculous individual claims, the expectations for the integrity of manufactures can be perceived as so out of the context...

If "it is just the hobby" (a commonly cited mantra) - then, OK, it is all about some individual "happiness" of the subjective perception, and how can anyone then insist on any "credibility" - the companies similarly "just feel like it" and duly serve their customer base.

 

[baskingshark]

No custom waifus on the face plate this time. I'm out

Haha I rather take a generic looking shell without a waifu than a logo like this on the Kinera Nanna 2.1 collab!

Thanks for your impressions.

When gk10 was released, what made it special that it was very competitive for its price range. Some was saying above 100 some even 200 or more.

What do you think about this one? Does the sound gives you that impression? Or wow effect?

I know it'd put pressure on you in case some other opposition. So, you could also let me know via private. I don't mind.

I'm just curious if these really deserve their price tag. What they target is very tough especially in that price range right now...

The GK100 is going at $200 USD (you can get it cheaper if you do not want the stock modular Hakugei cable included). Yes that $200 price range is very very competitive, and we got big boys like the Moondrop Blessing 3 and some DUNUs coming out soon.


From brief listening for about 1.5 hours yesterday, I would say the GK100 excels at technical chops, and easily beats quite a few $100 - 250 hybrids in technicalities (imaging, soundstage, micro-details, instrument separation). I haven't done any A/B testing, but this is from off the top of my head aural memory. I intend to do some A/B comparisons this coming week for some hybrids/tribrids and will report back. Might compare against some higher priced stuff like Moondrop Variations or Mangird Xenns Up range also.

The GK100 however, is not for everyone, due to the linear bass and boosted highs. So bassheads and treble-sensitive folk may find the tuning not their cup of tea. If you are a treble-head or one that wants a set for critical listening/analysis, then the GK100 is a good option at $200, though as we know, usually prices drop in a few months after release, so it will potentially be cheaper down the line.

 

[PhonoPhi]

Haha I rather take a generic looking shell without a waifu than a logo like this on the Kinera Nanna 2.1 collab!






The GK100 is going at $200 USD (you can get it cheaper if you do not want the stock modular Hakugei cable included). Yes that $200 price range is very very competitive, and we got big boys like the Moondrop Blessing 3 and some DUNUs coming out soon.


From brief listening for about 1.5 hours yesterday, I would say the GK100 excels at technical chops, and easily beats quite a few $100 - 250 hybrids in technicalities (imaging, soundstage, micro-details, instrument separation). I haven't done any A/B testing, but this is from off the top of my head aural memory. I intend to do some A/B comparisons this coming week for some hybrids/tribrids and will report back. Might compare against some higher priced stuff like Moondrop Variations or Mangird Xenns Up range also.

The GK100 however, is not for everyone, due to the linear bass and boosted highs. So bassheads and treble-sensitive folk may find the tuning not their cup of tea. If you are a treble-head or one that wants a set for critical listening/analysis, then the GK100 is a good option at $200, though as we know, usually prices drop in a few months after release, so it will potentially be cheaper down the line.

$200 is definitely an ambitious (and challenging) price point for this company, given their quality control track records so far.

How would you compare the resolution and timbre of GK100 to T800?

I am also curious how recent NX7 tribrids would compare. (Tribrids of S--r bring similar comparison Qs as well - their 6 pro was (and is) really impressive for the price to me).

 

[baskingshark]

$200 is definitely an ambitious (and challenging) price point for this company, given its quality control track record so far.

How would you compare the resolution and timbre of GK100 to T800?

I am also curious how recent NX7 tribrids would compare. (Tribrids of S--r bring similar Qs as well - their 6 pro was (and is) really impressive for the price to me).

Ah sadly I sold away my beloved T800 to fund a purchase for another IEM, so can't do direct A/B comparisons, (I am glad you are enjoying your T800! Been very tempted to rebuy it every time it is on sale haha).

T800 is actually at launch about $298 USD (so it is about $98 more expensive), and it is a pure BA setup. This is based on aural memory, so YMMV, but T800 is more V-shaped than the neutral bright GK100. T800, even though it is a BA bass, the T800 bass is vented and sounds like a DD bass. It extends deeper in the subbass than the GK100, with more bass quantity and movement of air (even though the GK100 supposedly has 3 DD, it has less bass extension/quantity!). I remember doing some frequency sweeps on the T800 last time, and was amazed it's BA bass can go all the way to 20 Hz.

Other than the bass, I think technically they are close, both are bright sets in the treble, though the T800 is a bit more fussy with source pairing due to the low 9 ohm impedance. T800 has greater isolation too (almost 26 dB), whereas the GK100 is slightly weaker in isolation. Timbre I would say is better on the GK100, but YMMV when it comes to timbral perception.



Yes will do some comparisons against the NX7 MK4 (that is the only variant I have) and some other hybrids/tribrids and report back soon.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

And yet hypers hype these because they get freebies and the loyal supporters buy them without knowing majority of these so called "Reviewers" are the new late night infommercials. Luckily, its the cheaper brands. Imagine if 64Audio, FiR, Fatfreq or similar big brands had these kind of marketing with 0.01% dynamic driver installed, lol.

Late Night Informercial lol I like that.

 

[JeffJ]

Lol 3 weeks not even close to 3 months

haha yeah. Last month Dunu also said SA6 mk2 needed several months of tuning/polishing before release.