o0genesis0o
Headphoneus Supremus
Lemme try.
It’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price
The discovery thread!
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It’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price
You mean KZ will bring something later next year for 10% of the cost?Lemme try.
It’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price
Yes @Hypops, I hear you shouting. It's true, these are good.
I see no real reason to compare them to Vivace or C2 2025, those two are not on the same playing field.
I will, however, compare them to the incoming Kefine Klean.
I see no real reason to compare them to Vivace or C2 2025, those two are not on the same playing field.
I will, however, compare them to the incoming Kefine Klean.
Only if patience was one of my virtues, I could’ve saved a ton!Lemme try.
It’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price
r31ya
Headphoneus Supremus
talking about budget planar realmThe tuning remains to be seen, because the frequency response is promising.
Akros review on KZ PRX and SGOR Luna
With all due respect to your tastes and preferences, my ears and mind interpret more warmth, in my entire music library, when I use 4.4, and there is no turning back!
As someone who has used 3.5 all my life until discovering 4.4 this year, I can say that as on a source that includes a 4.4 output, I can clearly tell an improved sound quality on most IEMs. I love it!With all due respect to your tastes and preferences, my ears and mind interpret more warmth, in my entire music library, when I use 4.4, and there is no turning back!
Looking at it from this perspective, we'd never purchase anything. We need to make an irrational purchase once every little while to maintain our sanityIt’s just an IEM. This time next year there should be something as good at 50% price
Nimweth
Headphoneus Supremus
Terminator Successor...that's an oxymoron, surely?I don't think KZ ZS12 Pro is that old,
Terminator successor appear.
hmm..., KZ japan branch is pretty active,
they do raffle (follow and retweet) for new product pretty constantly it seems.
they did it with castor pro and now ZSX pro.
https://x.com/kzhifi/status/1849387051084619844
Finished the first section of my ranking for the Tiandirenhe TD08 Pro and the Fiio JD10.
The TD08 pro has more treble clarity than the Fiio, but both sound admirable with my classical/instrumental category.
The TD08 pro got a perfect score in this category but the Fiio was nipping at its heels!
Random comparison with the Wyvern Abyss: I had reviewed the Wyvern on the stock cable, and noted it needed more treble clarity, but now I'm using the TRN modular cable, which improves that... still, I think it falls behind both the Fiio and the TD08 pro, in this category. Despite its gorgeous purple looks and immaculate comfortable fit, I think it could be a candidate for culling. Even the rather ugly-cheap $6 JD10 sounds far better in this comparison.
The TD08 pro has more treble clarity than the Fiio, but both sound admirable with my classical/instrumental category.
The TD08 pro got a perfect score in this category but the Fiio was nipping at its heels!
Random comparison with the Wyvern Abyss: I had reviewed the Wyvern on the stock cable, and noted it needed more treble clarity, but now I'm using the TRN modular cable, which improves that... still, I think it falls behind both the Fiio and the TD08 pro, in this category. Despite its gorgeous purple looks and immaculate comfortable fit, I think it could be a candidate for culling. Even the rather ugly-cheap $6 JD10 sounds far better in this comparison.
Nostalgia Audio from Hong Kong has recently come up with the all-new Durandal. According to the medieval European folklore, Durandal is an enchanted blade with incredible power and magical properties. Sir Hruodland(or Roland) was the chief of Paladin of Charlemagne and Durandal was his sword. According to some local folklore, Durandal still exists preserved somewhere in France.
Nostalgia has designed the pair with seven driver hybrid setup housing 1 dynamic driver, a dual-membrane bone conduction driver(works as a dual driver), and four BA drivers. The pair boasts exciting looks and precisely crafted design. The Nostalgia Durandal is sent to me on a loaner basis as I am a big fan of Camelot by the brand and have specially requested to audition this one. I just received it, and will come up with impressions soon, you guys enjoy the images till then.
Durandal was a gorgeous looking IEM. It's tough because it does get lost in the sea of kilobucks/flagships.
Looking at it from this perspective, we'd never purchase anything. We need to make an irrational purchase once every little while to maintain our sanity
If 4.4 sounds "warmer" to you, then I'd check to make sure you're not introducing an impedance mismatch and rolling off the sub-bass and upper treble. Most balanced amp outputs have twice the impedance, so you might be impacting the FR. Balanced shouldn't be warmer. It's often louder (at the same volume setting), and depending on the internal circuit architecture, it might also be more dynamic and separated, but not warmer.With all due respect to your tastes and preferences, my ears and mind interpret more warmth, in my entire music library, when I use 4.4, and there is no turning back!
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Ineras
Headphoneus Supremus
I'm not too concerned with any bass bleed since its planar. TD20 looks lacking in bass with lots of bleed as well, but it actually has very good bass, and everyone who bought it has praised the clean vocals on that set. FP3 has a bigger 14.5mm driver than TD20 and supposedly thinner diaphragm than off-the-shelf drivers that other companies have used in the past, so that bass will probably sound much more than it graphs. Plus FULL THROTTLE BASS SLAM from the Tesla valve tech.
I'm more concerned with that 6-8k and elevation past 10k, especially on a planar. But I'm hoping the wood does something to mitigate those areas. We shall see!
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These are Lime Ears new Terra IEMs supports a 7mm titanium dynamic handling the sub notes. dual BA for Low-mid + dual BA mid to highs+RAU knowles BA for upper trebles. 4way crossovers. Apparently, this RAU knowles can perform up to 25Khz with no distortion. Basically is used a bit like ESTs. I was also told they modified it a bit to perform a bit similarly to ESTs.
Tuning is a reference U with a deep organic low hitting sub bass rumble and features some sparkly extended treble notes. Folks that love technical sets would do well with something like the Terras. It's all metal shells are classy and has enough room to house the 6 drivers inside. The shells are surprisingly light for an all metal build. Isolates decently too. Premium IEM in build and its sound is high class. Unlike the many Chifi IEMs with short nozzles these are the opposites with a decidedly longer nozzle.
I think if Geek Wold actually made a refined sounding IEM it would be something like Terras. Terras strengths are in its wide and immersive deep stage. Highly detailed nature, clean tonal character and excellent extension going both ways. Its mids while not forward in the mix are proper clean tonal and timbre characteristics. The sound is airy and definitely has a higher end sheen to the sound going on for IEM builds. Apparently, the gang at Lime Ears has been making high end IEMs since 2012. Company started in 2010. This particular IEM is priced at $1200ish and this is yet another compelling IEM in the highly competitive mid fi arena.
I know Lime Ears here has some stiff competition, especially at the upper mid fi level but these guys have the pedigree to be competitive. I have to admit I had no idea about these guys till I did some research. You will see some of the most respected headfiers all having a part in either owning or reviewing their wares in the past.
I would say 95% of my collection is either Chi fi or Asian made IEMs but hearing an IEM from a high end Polish maker was actually refreshing. Lol. Something a bit different but a bit familiar at the same time. These are a tweaked harmon tuned IEM with a bit extra in the sub bass and treble extension. The Chinese has more or less cornered the IEM market so it is very cool to see talented folks from other parts of the world who are passionate about their sound making very nice IEMs. I will have much more to say in my review but for now. It has been fun to get to know these.
I encourage you guys to look into Lime Ears and their IEMs. I know Emil the owner and founder of Lime Ears will be reading this and I want to send you a message. The thread you are reading has a whole lot of people reading it. This thread is about underdog companies that never got the big lime light that bigger manufacturers do. Its the whole foundation for the thread here hence the name "Discovery" Now that I know you can make high end IEMs. How's about making something that will be in the $200 range that will blow the doors off what the Chinese are doing? Because if you do. I guarantee your companies name will skyrocket to fame here on the discovery thread and naturally worldwide. Just a thought. Or maybe a challenge? Something to think about.
Thank you for kind words!
Haha, I loved how you used the term 'Polish-Fi' a while ago—what an analogy for Chi-Fi! It's interesting how Poland has such a rich audio tradition, especially for such a small country, and an exceptionally vibrant earphone scene. I have many friends in China that I’ve met over the years, and they are doing fantastic work! At the same time, it is sure we will have some differences in approach, which could be really fascinating for the audience!
When it comes to more budget-friendly products, believe me, something's brewing there! I still remember the earphones I bought for my Walkman; they cost $75 back then and were a serious upgrade from the stock ones. That was something that opened the doors to Hi-Fi for me! But it was, erm, like thirty years ago!
At the same time, my experience is such—at least the way It worked in our story—that first, products are created where costs don’t matter; only performance is what counts. It’s thanks to these that part of the experience and technology can later be used in things aimed at a wider audience. It’s like technologies developed at the edge of human capabilities, whether in space, military, or sports, that then transition into products with broader reach. And since we’ve already gained "some" experience...
But let's not rush the story; everything happens in its own time.
Hah, thank you! Yeah, this faceplate can play such a peek-a-boo.
Like this calm plain aluminum from one side, and on the other side, bang, you get these amazing reflections, just pure spring garden! Kudos to the people that came up with this lab-grown-opals. Thank you, you know, sometimes I think of myself I'm kind of lazy dude by nature (or maybe the teachers told me so, and I partially believed), but this project took us by storm and we went above and beyond, first making black acrylic shells, later adding glitter to the acrylic, to come up with an idea of going to aluminum, redesigned everything, added opals, figured out how to cover them with reisin, yeah, it turned out more fun than expected.
The Fiio FH7S has an interesting combination of booming, muddy bass with excellent treble. Plays well with my preferences, but might bleed too much. I believe Mark Ryan was spot on with his review of this. Bass could be better but the high end is addictive.
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