fidgeraldo
Headphoneus Supremus
Hahaha...absolutely! I should have named him, too...his best years were in Sonics.
Kemp and Payton...they were fun and attractive!
You got it!
Cheers!
The discovery thread!
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Kemp and Payton...they were fun and attractive!
You got it!
Cheers!
Ferdinando1968
Headphoneus Supremus
This is really a nice warm sandwich, which fills you up 
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
The S&S tips might be the wrong tips for the Nuo, but the Piccolo will be warmer and more mid bassy ALL DAY AND NIGHT. The Piccolo though, is unrefined to my ears. The Nuo is a more mature tuning, but also, as I mentioned earlier, a more neutral and sub bassy set. It's certainly not as warm as the Piccolo, but again. for my ears, the Piccolo is slower, warmer, and just less refined as a whole. If the Nuo and Piccolo were athletes, the Nuo would be a fine collegiate sprinter, and the Piccolo would be a husky, pot bellied shot putter.
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
Did you try the tape mod on the H60? That's my only comment about this comparo, aside from good job.Ziigat x Jay's Audio Estrella vs ISN H60
This is a short comparison between the ISN H60 and Ziigat x Jay's Audio Estrella.
I got the opportunity to test both of these sets through Audio Geek "Brother_Hood of Audiophiles" and would like to thank for this opportunity. Both IEMs are loaners and will be sent as to the next tour member in line, I don't get to keep them and I have received no money as compensation. My opinions are my own and I haven't been influenced to say anything in particular.
Since I by chance have both of the IEMs available through the tour I thought I'd write a comparison rather than about each of the IEMs on their own. These two sets have been much talked about in the audio community and are also priced similarly so I though that writing about them both in a comparison would be an interesting read. Especially also since they have the same driver configuration.
Starting with the ISN H60, it is an IEM that have 4 balanced armature drivers and two dynamic drivers. It is made by ISN, which is a subbrand of Penon, a company that needs no introduction since it has existed now 11 years on the market. Penon/ISN has been consistently releasing of highly praised IEMs on the market, H60 being one of their newest additions.
Ziigat on the hand, is new-ish brand, only having been on the market for a much shorter time. The brand has a few more IEMs on offer other than the Estrella, ranging from around 100 USD up to 400 USD. They have in their short time made an impact, especially through the Cincotres model, which is an IEM loved by many. The Estrella is one of their latest offerings and it was developed together with the help of Jay from Jay's audio, who is a reviewer and youtuber.
Design and comfort comparison
Both IEMs are very good looking an made of resin. They both feel well constructed and solid. Which one you prefer is a matter is up to you. I can't really decide which I like the most but I have to say that I think that the H60 looks especially nice, because I really love the blue color of the shell. The Estrella on the other hand is also nice looking, but maybe not as striking as the H60.
The H60 has a wider nozzle and is therefore a bit more uncomfortable to wear. The Estrella feels a little lighter but size-wise they are about the same; neither small or big, but somewhere in the middle. They both offer a good seal for outside noise.
Comfortwise the win goes the Estrella.
Stock cable and accessories
The Estrella is poorly accessorized, the only thing you get is 3 pairs of tips and a small pouch with an engraved logo. The cable is also nothing to write home about, since it's a thin, black braided cable which feels quite flimsy but at least it's not stiff and the connector is OK.
The H60's accessories are more abundant with 9 pairs of different tips in different variants and sizes. The pouch you get is also nicer than the Estrella one and arguably more useful since it's smaller and easier to fit in a pocket. The cable is also nicer, being the ISN C4 cable which can also be bought separately and then it costs 59 USD. It is a single crystal copper cable and I think it looks really nice, especially in contrast with the blue color of the IEM. It's thicker than the Estrella cable and is simply a much nicer cable all in all.
Needless to say, the win here goes to H60.
Sound comparison
Bass
Both IEMs have a good rendition of bass notes. In fact, when it comes to bass they are more similar than dissimilar, but the bass is slightly less controlled on the H60 but on the other hand it's more rumbly. I would say that they are both mid-bass focused rather than subbass-focused, but it feels as if the H60 has slighly more sub-bass than the Estrella. It's difficult here to pick a favourite but if pressed I would probably choose the Estrella, so the win in the bass department goes to the Estrella, but not with a wide margin. Mainly because I like that it is a bit more controlled and sound a little clearer.
Midrange
This is where I feel that the biggest difference between the two becomes apparent. The H60 has a more forward midrange. Sometimes I feel it is borderline shouty, but only on some tracks. It has a better rendition of vocals than the Estrella even though the Estrella is no slouch there either. I think the Estrella is a more easy listen than the two and is probably the IEM I would pick up more often of the two. I feel both of the IEMs sound clear and offer a lot of details, but the H60 slightly edges out here when it comes to details in the midrange, being the more midrange forward one.
Still I give the win here to the Estrella, simply because I think it's the more easy listen but not necessarily better objectively. I'm just a little sensitive to shout in the upper midrange. Many people would probably prefer the H60 here.
Treble
Both sets doesn't have an extreme treble-extension. But the H60 is a bit brighter and feels more airy and sparkly. None of them are sibilant or harsh-sounding, but the Estrella is slightly more well rounded and easy in the treble, that's why I prefer the Estrella when it comes to the treble, but if you are someone that likes more sparkle in the treble you would probably prefer the H60.
Technicalities
Both sets have average technicalities, but I think that the H60 is slightly better when it comes to macro- and microdetails. The soundstage/headstage is not the widest on any of them, but on the other hand it's not exaggerated and thereby sounding unnatural.
It's hard to pick a clear winner here, but the H60 slightly edges out the Estrella here.
Summary and conclusion
H60 wins: 2 out of 6 rounds
Estrella wins: 4 rounds out of 6
When looking purely at the score sheet, one might think that the clear winner here is the Estrella, but truthfully, it was a close competition where I simply thought that the sound signature of the Estrella suited me better than the H60. Both are competent sets that I could recommend to anyone, but the competition in this price bracket is stiff and I would not call any of them best in this price bracket. They are highly competitive but not a blind buy any of them, they should be auditioned first, if possible, before buying.
GroovyAudio
100+ Head-Fier
You're spot on, friend. I hope this JD10 will defy expectation. I'll keep an eye out for future reviews.This is that hobby phenomenon/mentality that price = performance peak. This is what the manufacturers want us to think, so we gobble up their expensive gear like candies. Not criticizing you directly, because this is the prevalent thought process throughout this hobby, but by this standard of thinking, the Dita Project M is a
toy because it's "only" $325.00 vs their Dream XLS at $2,200. Or the ISN H60 is a disappointing toy because it's priced at $350 vs their Voltage, priced at $1,500. Both are fantastically valued, as you know. The Fiio FH1s looks just like the JD10 (might be similar or the same shell), and it actually looks and feels really nice in the hand, and sonically, it's one of my favorite 1+1 IEMs that is sold at $30.00USD. It's a fun, v shaped bassy but clear budget set that stands out for me. Maybe at $7.00, the JD10 will be a budget gatekeeper? I have no idea. There's no reviews yet, and it's not released to the public yet. Maybe wait and see the reactions, because it might end up being a toy at that price, or it might end up defying expectations at it's price point?
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
I gotta get off my azz and finish my reviews of the Oriveti Lowmaster and the Letshuoer S12 (2024). I spent two night ago with the LM and all last night and this morning with the S12 (2024). I'll seal that deal tomorrow.
pk4425
Headphoneus Supremus
Yeah, I'll try different tips with the Nuo, but so far my experience is the exact opposite as yours.
I find the Nuo to be less refined, more bloated, warmer in sub-bass and crispier in treble, with slightly recessed vocals. More V-shaped and Harman than the Piccolo.
I find the Piccolo to be more neutral and controlled, with less top-end grain. Both are about equal -- and very good -- in soundstage and imaging.
Different strokes, brains and ears for different folks. It all comes down to which I prefer, and right now that's an easy choice -- the Piccolo. But the Nuo is not a bad set -- not at all. Better than the Hola and Zero among the ultra-budget sets I've heard, and right there with the ST7.
More listening to come.
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- Letshuoer S12 24 - Balanced tuning with big soundstage. Pretty resolving for its price point.
- qdc x FitEar Superior EX - Neutral-warm tuning with very big soundstage. Smooth, relaxing listen.
- Audeze Maxwell - They're not IEMs, but you did say headgear. They're wireless headphones that can be paired with Bluetooth or with a wireless USB dongle for PCs and gaming consoles. They're advertised as a gaming headset, but they're still the best sounding headphones I've heard around this price point. They're also closed-back, but they sound very open due to being built for competitive gaming, which means soundstage and imaging are spot on.