The discovery thread!

[nikbr]

So the basic different between the treble of the Drain Brance and the P7 is that the BD treble is crisper, more forward, more extension, so the shimmer lasts longer, and has more wispy texture, but also thinner note weight. The P7 is more pulled back to the midrange, less extension, but has a thicker texture and note weight, so I'd say tonally, it's more dynamic driver like, but with less details present. The tradeoff of that thicker tonality and safer and balanced tuning, is that you lose that sense of wispiness, shimmer, and forwardness of details that makes the treble of the BD so enthralling and unique.

BD = Ethereal, detailed, dangerous, and extended
P5+2 = Balanced, safe, yet incisive and weighty

These sorts of impressions are why it's great to have you back as a reviewer with greater access to gear
So BD would make a bada*s One-Two Combo with the P7.

The gaps that expose the 2pin connectors are driving me insane.

Right, totally unacceptable on a 699USD set.

I spent a hefty chunk of my day today moving out of my office (didn't get fired; building's coming down) while listening to the Superior EX. Got home and did more comparisons with the Sivga Que and the Ziigaat Estrella. In a totally unexpected twist, I think the EX are going to replace both of those other sets. The Superior EX don't just split the difference between those other two sets; they actually thread the needle between them. In other words, everything I like about those other two sets, the Superior EX do better to my ear.

Again, I wouldn't call them an exceptional set, but they are my ideal everyday carry. Dynamic, warmish, kind to every recording, subdued enough that they don't demand constant attention, but textured and detailed enough that they reward attention when I want to give it. They're also a great, snug fit. Small in size. Fantastic build quality (aluminum with exaggerated contours). Sleek, but subdued appearance (no glitter or chrome in sight). Took me almost no time to find a good ear tip (OG Divinus Velvets). These things were practically ready to go from day one. I'm going to give them more time, but as it stands, I might be letting go of both the Que and the Estrella.

EDIT:
That would leave me with an even leaner, more refined active roster:

Dunu Braindance - My crystal clear, u-shaped, treble showpiece
Symphonium Meteor - My all-BA, bass-heavy, midrange showpiece
Dita Project M - My oddball, treble-heavy, low-end showpiece
qdc Superior EX - My v-shaped, punchy, DD-rich everyday carry

Not a bad spread IMO

Glad you like SEX, I hear younger generations are not as interested in it anymore ... Oh fek, wait, I'm still on the IEM forum.

Superb Quartet you've got there. A good bunch of talented performers.

Not sure this is the place to ask but is the Sennheiser HD 560S still the go to recommendation for open back headphones under $200 or is there something else now?

And on a related note, how about the go to recommendation for a closed back for under $200?

$200 is the absolute limit wise but I'd be interested in anything cheaper that's just as good or better as well.

Sorry if I'm in the wrong place for this question.

Have a look at Sivga stuff. Luan and Robin (SV021) are well worth their price.

Life's way too short to sweat the small stuff.
So let's break out the peace pipe, fire up the funky music and get back to sharin' in the groove!

You're such a sweet cobra, I thought those were dangerous. I'll go find and pet a cobra right now.

Got FT1 for $123 USD and FT1 pro for $150 USD. Still waiting for them so can't really rec them yet, but FT1 has tons of reviews and FT1 pro reviews have started rolling out, mostly positive.

Mr. Unlimited Funds is back with another 250USD purchase. Congrats!

Interesting. I just checked mine, and it’s a little wobbly too.

Wobbly knobs are a dealbreaker for me. So no BTR17 here. M5U it is. Maybe I gift it to myself on my birthday in a month and a bit.

Why are there still no Kiwi Ears Punch reviews out?

No luck getting one in on my side. Kiwi are probably not too thrilled about my Singolo and KE4 reviews.

@nikbr look at August and September. You were a great influence.

Awesome, a banger for sure.

 

[countryboyhk]

Not many will rank their sources here, so I decided I was gonna attempt it. I have the Shanling M1 Plus arriving on Wednesday, so this might change, and I decided to only list the sources I actually use on the regular, so no Sansa's or ipods on this list.

1. Cayin N3 Ultra - This is my go to dap for just about everything. Used so much, my wife even noticed it.

2. Hiby R3 II - Might not be the most resolving, or have the widest stage, or be the most technical, but it's as musical as the TOOBS, and the battery lasts long! I love this dap so much!

3. iBasso DX170 - This is the dap I use when I want the largest stage with the fullest sound signature. None of my daps come close. This is the concert hall dap.

4. iBasso DC Elite - What can I say? When I want to supercharge a dap or my phone, this gets tethered, and I'm in supercharged mode.

5. Sony NW-A306 + Little Bear B4-X - My raw TOOBS with my Sony house sound = the most musical adventure in sources. Warm, creamy, technical, and musical.

6. Sony NW-A55/A45/A25 - The Sony House sound in a nutshell. Simply addictive. Musical and technical, hampered only by it's generally intimate stage and lack of power.

7. Hidizs AP80 Pro X - My mighty tiny. The brightest rig, but still has a mighty fine signature, and tethered to the DCE, it synergizes fantastically.

8. FiiO JM21 - The newest member of the group. Probably the best Bluetooth receiver of the bunch. Also the snappiest interface. Almost as bright as the AP80 Pro X with a wider soundstage with depth.

9. Cowon Plenue J - Best EQ functions. Bright and bassy. Terrible battery life. Only reads 128GB cards. 64BG internal storage. Small and powerful. Used to be my #1.

10. Hiby R1 - SUCK.

I like small portable DAPs too, used to have so many Sony A series players, dx160 and ap80 pro. Now power up my RS2 with the Acmee 4X, the synergy gives warmer organic mids, better soundstage and punchy bass. Feel like having a new mid-range player !

 

[Vonbuddy]

Here is my initial impression of the Fiio FT1 pro, I am liking the improvements. It's not like the FT1 though.

The Honest Audiophile didn't like these. I am still waiting on mine.

 

[pradiptacr7]

Just to share with you guys as I always do.

Pop Legend Brian Adams came to my city yesterday. It was the first show of the India tour. Amazing experience with the well-behaved crowd. Moreover, the sound was amazing. Best I've ever heard in a concert. Can't believe the guy is 65 now. Such energy.

 

[Jamsblast]

So I'm waking up this morning and my first thought was: Look at the missed messages, and wild Dunu rep message appeared!!!

So I'm gonna talk with the guy, he offered to me a unit of the Kima 2 for reviewing and I'm so happy so I'm sharing this christmas news with you guys

In other news...

I hope the new Blon-03 II will make honor to the og.

 

[Vonbuddy]

 

[MyBigHead]

saw truthear gate going cheap today and bought a white version from my local audio store at like $16

the same price too at their aliexpress store

 

[Redcarmoose]

One of the single best Dongles I have ever heard. Milky smooth midrange and a brilliant stye of tempo/pace! I have a matching blue LP album for you.

I like small portable DAPs too, used to have so many Sony A series players, dx160 and ap80 pro. Now power up my RS2 with the Acmee 4X, the synergy gives warmer organic mids, better soundstage and punchy bass. Feel like having a new mid-range player !

 

[Jamsblast]

saw truthear gate going cheap today and bought a white version from my local audio store at like $16

the same price too at their aliexpress store

Those iems was one of my 11.11 buys. Excellent iem for beginners, easy to drive and a overall balanced tuning, nice sub and mid bass.

My only rant is that shell, is like a cheap toy, hope the qc not obligue me to make a worst rant . The stock cable is among the best in its price range, and the inclusion of a carrying pouch is nice, stock eartips are fine but if you have clarions of trn t eartips, tiprolling is a must.

 

[superuser1]

11.12.24

 

[pmichaelro]

11.12.24

Indeed, saw them place some spoilers on Twitter I believe and other social media accounts...Cyberpunk theme continues!
BTW, this is out now HiBy R3 II 2025 - $179

 

[Redcarmoose]

Indeed, saw them place some spoilers on Twitter I believe and other social media accounts...Cyberpunk theme continues!
BTW, this is out now HiBy R3 II 2025 - $179

Wow, they updated it?

 

[pmichaelro]

Wow, they updated it?

Yup, they sure did
Since they launched R1 with the new SOC which is springy, they did a push to update the R3 II with the same one as well to improve overall system performance, BT and also give it a UI refresh as far as I understood.

 

[Uprox]

Finally came to me! Now will burning in.

 

[Okcerg]

Comeback 1: I totally missed that the queen released a new song about a week ago. It's been six years.
This woman will make all your IEM's sound good.



Comeback 2: Also discovered today that Hi-Fri is back after over a year.



edit:added hifri