The discovery thread!

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Elysian Acoustic Labs posted an Apostle teaser video on their social media and they've labeled it themselves as the Anni Jr.

I need to get into the U.S. tour for this one like I did the Pilgrims? I'm having a blast with the Pilgrims.

As for the person who asked to compare the two while switching the cables around, this was kinda interesting...

I don't know if this was intentionally done, or is a symptom of the tour and constant disconnects to roll, but the connectors are very loose when you switch between IEMs. So the OG Pilgrim cable is VERY LOOSE on the Noir, and vice versa. But the effects of the Effect Audio cable was distinct and noticeable.

OG Pilgrim with Noir cable : The effects were more bass presence, especially mid bass, with what I perceive as slight, and I mean slight bleed that wasn't there before, and more reigned in treble. The upper mids and lower treble weren't as strident or bitey as with their stock cable, and the overall tone leaned darker. Honestly, I liked this. This would be the type of cable I'd want to see be stock on the OG Pilgrim is I owned both.

Noir with OG Pilgrim cable : The Noir, though it wasn't quite as noticeable, got a bit more freedom up top. The highs shimmer just a little more, and the air is a touch more noticeable in it's expanse and presence. Now I never had any issues with the treble, as I liken it to the Explorer treble, but it does open things up top just enough to provide it a slight bit of sunshine to the night (noir).

After spending the late evening and early coffee morning with these two, I'm going to switch them back, as I'm not confident in the efficacy of this switch, due to the overall looseness, and listen to the Oriveti Lowmaster for a few. I want no damage to either of these beauties on my watch.

 

[activatorfly]

Thanks. I haven't tried the Fan 3 with BCD turned off because that feature is the only thing that interests me about this IEM. I already have a smoothly-tuned IEM with excellent bass and incisive treble that stays put when not called upon -- the Explorer, which costs $75 less than the Fan 3 with the coupon from Penon. (OOOOH -- was I not supposed to reveal the existence of the Penon speakeasy? LOL. As if I give a f*ck. )

But the BCD definitely works and is cool. I'm curious now about other units with BCD, most or all of which have more of that effect than the Fan 3. How much BCD will be too much for me? Hope to find out.

Definitely. Their albums are toe-tappers and ass-wigglers. Dig!

I just downloaded 5 Ezra LP's dating back to 2016....it's gonna be toe-tapping central this eve methinks !!

 

[pk4425]

Many of us agree that 2024 was the year "new meta tuning" became a thing with IEMs, the dominant new trend in tuning. And many of us think 2025 could be the year of BCD drivers in IEMs.

But here are three things I would love to see from specific manufacturers in 2025:

1. AFUL to release a model with a BCD. In 2024, we got the Cantor, Explorer and P5+2 from AFUL. That's probably enough to merit its award as 2024 Manufacturer of the Year. If AFUL can continue its roll with properly implemented BCD at a solid price, that model/models could be MONSTERS of the marketplace.

2. Kefine to move into mid-fi, multidriver models. Kefine has released three acclaimed models in the last year -- Klanar, Delci (and its variations) and Klean. While all different in sound, there was a common denominator: All three had single drivers, and I believe all three cost less than $100 at launch. Would love to see Kefine try multidriver models at higher price points.

3. Pula to move into higher-end models. Like AFUL, Pula had a strong year in 2024 with upper entry-fi and lower mid-fi models such as the PA02 and the Anvil. Does Pula have a Cantor up its sleeve? That would be cool, as long as it didn't abandon its terrific-value lower-end models!

What are your brand-specific wishes for 2025, boys?

 

[Okcerg]

There's a reason these old IEMs went ignored after their first run. Rarely is it because they just got buried under the avalanche of weekly pokemon releases. Many do, but most are forgotten for a very good reason, and just look at old reviews and impressions. This is a KZ release as well. But your description does seem problematic from a QC standpoint?

Yeah, could very well be QC issues. But it was only $29, so if I can't get them to sound good with the switches I got a place for them:

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

A few more impressions of the Fan 3 besides what I've posted:

-- Excellent tuning. The Fan 3 seems to be tuned to "new meta" before new meta was a thing. There's nothing in the tuning that jars me at all. It's almost too safe. There's no incision in any frequency. It's almost like Penon tuned it safe and smooth to put the BC in the spotlight. Still, it's an easy, all-day listen like the Explorer -- I can't complain about that.

-- Recessed vocals. I've posted here that my tightrope between vocal recession and shout is very thin. I've heard very few over-ear or IEMs that have made it from one platform to the other side without falling off that rope, usually because of shout. The Fan 3 is different. The vocals, especially male, are too recessed, presumably again to let the BCD do its thing.

-- Fantastic layering. The Fan 3 never gets mushy or bogged down in its execution, even in complex passages. That's so rare for me, probably because I've only swam in the $130 and below pool before this model. I remain very impressed with the layering and imaging.

-- Ease of driving. I'm on low gain, 9 o'clock on my JDS Labs Atom+ desktop amp with the Fan 3. I thought BCD would require a lot of juice, almost similar to the single-BA MagicOne. Nope. I need high gain at about 9 or 10 o'clock on my Atom+ to drive the MagicOne.

-- Where's the big bass? I've read a few reviews saying the Fan 3 has incredible, rich bass. Really? I think the bass is fine. Just fine. But it's not as good as the Explorer. It's sort of hazy, just hangs like a morning fog. The sub-bass doesn't overwhelm anything or bleed, which is good. It's tasteful. But the mid-bass has very little of tactile slam I enjoy, especially compared to the Explorer. I expected the BCD to pump up the bass more than this. I'm using stock tips; time to roll?

-- Genre surprises. I figured the Fan 3 would be great with more bombastic music like rock or EDM because of the BCD. I figured wrong. So far, I'm enjoying the Fan 3 the most with acoustic, alt-country and Americana. The laid-back stock tuning, combined with the terrific imaging and layering, makes those genres really shine on this unit. It's still solid with more aggressive genres, but as Gomer Pyle said, "Surprise, surprise, SURPRISE!"

I'm sold on BCD. It's not revolutionary or cortex-melting, but it works. It's different. It brings soundstage, imaging and layering closer to open-back over-ears than anything I've heard. Eager to hear it in other units at some point.

You couldn't have put it better. Pretty much lines up with my experiences, and the reason why it's been on and off my chopping block more than any other IEM I own.

It's those peek-a-boo qualities that drives me nuts.

 

[Jaytiss]

Yeah, some prices are already discounted but it's not really starting until the 27th for the US. AliExpress marches by the beat of their own drum though so they're already going.



ZiiGaat tend to put most of their money into the actual IEM vs accessories. But, sounds like this is more of an upgrade path for Explorer. Definitely curious about them!

I got one in the other day. It's very good. I might actually buy one from Linsoul. (Mine is a loan unit)

 

[Okcerg]

You couldn't have put it better. Pretty much lines up with my experiences

+1

 

[pk4425]

I've been a happy Qobuz subscriber for about four years. While Spotify's playlists and algorithms CRUSH those of any other service I've tried (Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Qobuz), I'm becoming increasingly impressed with improvements in the Qobuz random play algorithm.

I started listening to the Fan 3 this morning with the new single by Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers. I left Qobuz running off the algorithm after that tune ended, and I haven't hit fast-forward or switched to something else in two hours. A lovely potpourri of alt-country and Americana. Very, very nice!

 

[pk4425]

It's those peek-a-boo qualities that drives me nuts.

We need to stop polishing each other's brass , but this is a perfect description of the yin and the yang of the Fan 3. It doesn't blow me away, although it has sold me on the promise of BCD. But the Fan 3 plays to its strengths very well. Plus, I'm listening to alt-country, Americana and bluegrass more and more these days, and the Fan 3 works really well with those genres.

A part of me says, "I'm eager to see further advancements in BCD in other models." Then the other part of my brain says, "I don't want to return these to Wayne; I think I'll miss them!"

Don't worry, @MakeItWain: You have my address. I know the IEM Hit Squad will knock on my door if I don't return them.

 

[-rowan-]

EBC80 in the house. START THE CARRRRR!

They’re gorgeous.

Edit: In my ears, straight out of DC Elite and phone. They will go on the burner (and I need to get some work done) but these have the Penon/ISN midrange sauce and BCD pop that make me excited to spend more time with them.

 

[domq422]

Many of us agree that 2024 was the year "new meta tuning" became a thing with IEMs, the dominant new trend in tuning. And many of us think 2025 could be the year of BCD drivers in IEMs.

But here are three things I would love to see from specific manufacturers in 2025:

1. AFUL to release a model with a BCD. In 2024, we got the Cantor, Explorer and P5+2 from AFUL. That's probably enough to merit its award as 2024 Manufacturer of the Year. If AFUL can continue its roll with properly implemented BCD at a solid price, that model/models could be MONSTERS of the marketplace.

2. Kefine to move into mid-fi, multidriver models. Kefine has released three acclaimed models in the last year -- Klanar, Delci (and its variations) and Klean. While all different in sound, there was a common denominator: All three had single drivers, and I believe all three cost less than $100 at launch. Would love to see Kefine try multidriver models at higher price points.

3. Pula to move into higher-end models. Like AFUL, Pula had a strong year in 2024 with upper entry-fi and lower mid-fi models such as the PA02 and the Anvil. Does Pula have a Cantor up its sleeve? That would be cool, as long as it didn't abandon its terrific-value lower-end models!

What are your brand-specific wishes for 2025, boys?

My only brand specific request for 2025 is for FiiO to dip their toes into the R2R/tube portable DAC/Amp market. If they can figure out how to make an R2R dongle or BT dongle for under $300, I am in 100% and immediately at that.

In terms of IEMs... man, I have to say, I am totally satisfied with what I have and where the market is.

I feel as though it's already over saturated as it is, but you do make a good point about a few brands doing the BCD thing. Although it doesn't really interest me, I'm not a total believer at this point, I guess it couldn't hurt to see some different implementations of the tech.

And I do agree that Aful killed it this year. They're my brand of the year as well, with Ziigaat following very closely behind in 2nd place. Truly, the one thing that is holding Ziigaat back is their packaging and their included accessory kit imo. I do like how they've made some IEMs really accessible with branded BAs but at the same time the included cable needs to match the price point imo. Nicer tips would be an added bonus, but not totally necessary to me as I already have my go to tips at home.

I also wonder if some brands are going to bring ESTs in at a lower price point. That'll be interesting to see the growing pains of doing that.

 

[MakeItWain]

Many of us agree that 2024 was the year "new meta tuning" became a thing with IEMs, the dominant new trend in tuning. And many of us think 2025 could be the year of BCD drivers in IEMs.

But here are three things I would love to see from specific manufacturers in 2025:

1. AFUL to release a model with a BCD. In 2024, we got the Cantor, Explorer and P5+2 from AFUL. That's probably enough to merit its award as 2024 Manufacturer of the Year. If AFUL can continue its roll with properly implemented BCD at a solid price, that model/models could be MONSTERS of the marketplace.

2. Kefine to move into mid-fi, multidriver models. Kefine has released three acclaimed models in the last year -- Klanar, Delci (and its variations) and Klean. While all different in sound, there was a common denominator: All three had single drivers, and I believe all three cost less than $100 at launch. Would love to see Kefine try multidriver models at higher price points.

3. Pula to move into higher-end models. Like AFUL, Pula had a strong year in 2024 with upper entry-fi and lower mid-fi models such as the PA02 and the Anvil. Does Pula have a Cantor up its sleeve? That would be cool, as long as it didn't abandon its terrific-value lower-end models!

What are your brand-specific wishes for 2025, boys?

FatFreq but maybe with a bigger manufacturing facility and more staff to handle all the orders.

And their planar. Please and thank you.

We need to stop polishing each other's brass , but this is a perfect description of the yin and the yang of the Fan 3. It doesn't blow me away, although it has sold me on the promise of BCD. But the Fan 3 plays to its strengths very well. Plus, I'm listening to alt-country, Americana and bluegrass more and more these days, and the Fan 3 works really well with those genres.

A part of me says, "I'm eager to see further advancements in BCD in other models." Then the other part of my brain says, "I don't want to return these to Wayne; I think I'll miss them!"

Don't worry, @MakeItWain: You have my address. I know the IEM Hit Squad will knock on my door if I don't return them.

Ahaha - take all the time! Use promo code Wayne15 when you're ready. New aggressive marketing tactic unlocked.




(I'm joking)

But take your time with them, I know they're in good hands.

 

[Ineras]

D'accord I prefer them over the waifu'd version...I'll PTT on them in 11hrs: seem like a no brainer for a direct comparo with the Klean...

I'll be honest, at this price point I would still rec the Sgor Luna, unless you really want only DDs. That planar bump in resolution, bass quality and treble extension is noticeable. Even better if you can manage the hole mod.

I think if they could add a bcd to this planar and price it well...

 

[jotaerre]

EBC80 in the house. START THE CARRRRR!



They’re gorgeous.

Edit: In my ears, straight out of DC Elite and phone. They will go on the burner (and I need to get some work done) but these have the Penon/ISN midrange sauce and BCD pop that make me excited to spend more time with them.

Congratulations! Tell me: do you find them comfortable? Which model from the brand would you compare their size to?

 

[MakeItWain]

Mail call:

Yongse Ruyi Rod:

Xinhs B05 Modular:

The new hotness, the Xinhs S05 (I call it the purple and gold) but in modular form.