Sep 18, 2023 at 10:03 PM Post #85,891 of 151,717
Sep 19, 2023 at 3:02 AM Post #85,892 of 151,717


Opened this up to repair the broken 2 pin socket.
So here is my Variations fixed and modded:
1695106243005.png

Cyan is the original FR and I settled with the orange line.
20230919_143650.jpg
20230919_144435.jpg
As you can see from the graph, I recovered a lot of the overly filtered mid-bass and it sounds much much more natural and tonally correct now. There is even more punch than before and I believe this is how they should have used the DD. They sacrificed the naturalness/accuracy and the performance of the DD for that FR and caused the DD to drive slower than it's designed. I also recovered some sparkle from the again overly tamed EST drivers so it sounds quite a lot crispier now. The stage size is also benefited from the recovered treble and it doesn't sound any boxy like before. The only driver(s) I didn't mod are the 2 BAs. I tried some caps and resistors but the stock setting seemed fine. However, I found it to be under-tamed mechanically and IMHO they should have put a knowles filter to tame the harsh upper mids but they couldn't coz there wasn't any space left. And thus I added filter paper to the BA hole like above.
 
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Sep 19, 2023 at 3:12 AM Post #85,893 of 151,717
Hello all,

Looking for an alternative to the Hype2 after having a really poor QC experience. I like bass, and I enjoy a neutral adjacent tone. A tad sensitive to sibilance (I am upgrading from the S12 and those are too fatiguing for me after an hour or so, and they fit weird) so looking so a little more warmth as well maybe. Around $300-400 range.

Currently eyeing -
Xenns Mangrid Tea2 (and maybe the Mangrid Top?)
Aful Performer 8
Moondrop Blessing 3 (maybe Variations)
Ikko OH10S (for a cheaper option)

I am welcoming any different options, or opinions on what is listed here. Thank you!
If you can stretch to 500, grab the AüR Audio Aurora. Its bass is second to none, overall its a warm neutral signature, and treble is anything but fatiguing. You could listen to these for hours on end. And it looks better than most TOTLs.

20230810_233005.jpg
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 3:15 AM Post #85,894 of 151,717
I loved my friend's Butastur with my R6 pro II and Sony Wm1A. I am planning to buy the Butastur in the near future.
That's good to hear since I'm eyeing the R6P2 😁 is it a dead neutral source or slightly warmer?
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 3:16 AM Post #85,895 of 151,717
I have not heard of this brand, I like the vintage looks.



QoA is another new brand to me. Looks pretty interesting.
Is there a reason for the OG Canon instead of the II?
Oh, shameless plug. I'm selling the Canon OG, it's posted in the classifieds 🤫
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 6:12 AM Post #85,897 of 151,717
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Sep 19, 2023 at 6:13 AM Post #85,898 of 151,717
Moondrop Darksabre is $800.

Moondrop Darksaber.jpg

Hard pass at that price.

Top up a bit more and you can get legit TOTL gatekeeper type IEMs.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 6:14 AM Post #85,899 of 151,717
Truthear NOVA 1+4

FB_IMG_1695118412544.jpg
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 6:56 AM Post #85,900 of 151,717
Hard pass at that price.

Top up a bit more and you can get legit TOTL gatekeeper type IEMs.
It will be a hard sell at $800.
They'll need some serious marketing behind it, unless of course, we find out it sounds better than the current 2DD+XBA hybrid offerings such as AüR Audio Aurora at 'only' ~$500!
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 6:59 AM Post #85,901 of 151,717
20230919_101515.jpg


I started the day with the IE600 and it's honestly not the perfect IEM for 'slow-goers', this one grabs you by the neck and throws you at the wall with its present treble and stunning textured bass that makes you turn that beat up louder! 👯‍♀️🔊
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 9:18 AM Post #85,902 of 151,717
Just receive the BQEYZ Wind
What a looker.
These are hybrid DD+bone conduction
the BC cover bass and mids section which is quite different than Winter that use a different piezo BC for highs frequencies....

While i complaint about bass quality of Winter, its quite the opposite with Wind which offer excellent kick and bass line layering with edgy presence and weighty fast mid bass, its no basshead IEM though, its Bass-Fi. And the mids are fowards, clean and wide in presence, effortless in detailing and texture....i consider Wind mid centric for now but treble isn't lacking, its even a bit airy sparkly...

Need more listen but bass, mids and soundstage wow me for now.

1695129212029.png
1695129223102.png
1695129242239.png

1695129314838.png
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 9:55 AM Post #85,903 of 151,717
Just receive the BQEYZ Wind
What a looker.
These are hybrid DD+bone conduction
the BC cover bass and mids section which is quite different than Winter that use a different piezo BC for highs frequencies....

While i complaint about bass quality of Winter, its quite the opposite with Wind which offer excellent kick and bass line layering with edgy presence and weighty fast mid bass, its no basshead IEM though, its Bass-Fi. And the mids are fowards, clean and wide in presence, effortless in detailing and texture....i consider Wind mid centric for now but treble isn't lacking, its even a bit airy sparkly...

Need more listen but bass, mids and soundstage wow me for now.

1695129212029.png1695129223102.png1695129242239.png
1695129314838.png

They are interesting, I would love to try them,
but I can't find them on the market.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 10:18 AM Post #85,905 of 151,717
Truthear NOVA 1+4

after all of the single DDs, and later planar, and dual DDs and 1DD+1BA...
its nice to see the many driver Hybrids are back in town.

CVJ have been busy with it, with iem star of Mei and others
Simgot have widely praised EM6L
and now KZ announce ZAT (1DD + 8BA) and Truthear have Nova (1DD+4BA).

Now with proper crossover, tuning switches, and 3D printed shell flavours.

especially nice for me since i kinda didn't quite dip myself in this many hybrids in my iem adventure.
 
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