The discovery thread!

[Thieme]

I spent 3 weeks testing budget IEMs so you don't have to. The results might surprise you...

"budget" IEMs $200+ IEMs are not budget to me and I think a lot of other people here? Anyways I can't be tempted to another purchase now so I'm not watching but needed to throw it out

 

[Nimweth]

I have been continuing my run through of my IEMs using the Kinera Celest CD20. Every one so far has shown a significant improvement. Today I connected my Geek Wold GK10 and listened to Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.4 with The Saar Chamber Orchestra under Karl Ristenpart. This astonishing 1960s recording has never sounded better. The performance, playing and direction are surely the finest on record for this piece:

 

[activatorfly]

It’s still a mystery to me why these specialised portable audio devices consume so much energy and produce so much heat. I measured a jump between 3W and 5W when the onboard audio circuitry of R6 turns on to drive the P7. The FD5 comes with 65W power supply, and it runs hot in class A, to drive an IEM.

Meanwhile, DACs in the likes of PS Vita, steamdeck, ROG ALLY do not sound bad (quite good soundstage and imaging, actually), and they consume peanuts.

Douk A5 uses a 32V/5A PS & runs really cool...op-amps are barely even lukewarm.

Here's another informative review: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/douk-audio-a5.27881/reviews

 

[o0genesis0o]

Howdy folks,

My first review of 2025, the MEMS-3 from Soranik is online on head-fi and my blog. Thank you to Soranik (@nhat_thanh) and @Damz87 for arranging the Australian tour and making this review possible.

Spoiler: tl;dr

What I like about this IEM:

• Outstanding resolution, details, and imaging precision
• Great dynamic (with the right track)
• Great subbass rumble and texture

What could be improved:

• Tonality needs further refinement
• The need for a separate energizer unit

Updated: March 2, 2025

 

[Argha]

"budget" IEMs $200+ IEMs are not budget to me and I think a lot of other people here? Anyways I can't be tempted to another purchase now so I'm not watching but needed to throw it out

SEO bro
Believe it or not

 

[jbfps116]

HBB thinks the Aether surpasses his previous favorite Planar, the S15. He said bass esp drums sounds better on the Aether. Everything I’m hearing about the Aether makes me more excited that I bought them. It will also be my first Kiwi Ears set!

 

[Jamsblast]

Hi to y'all, my review of the TRN Jaws is up, enjoy it!:
https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/4XHdYi7dlc

 

[PhonoPhi]

IEMs of the past beatifully revived:
Questyle M15C became a revelation source for me to totly re-experience many of my IEMs (sources matter - synergies are very real to my ears).
Two IEMs: TRI I3 (original) - top and 1More Penta (bottom) -both have custom.non-PVC cables from.my previous cable-exploratiion era:

Both I3 and Penta felt as competent and engaging IEMs to me before but them having too much of midbass presence for my limited preference forced ne to put them away.
With the current-driven Questyle M15C, the dynamics is greatly enhanced with bass being more responding and properly balanced by the treble -and that brings the sound of I3 and Penta very much to my preference and beciming so much enjoyable

TRI I3 felt still soft and beatifully enveloping with its great stage, while the treble with its transients so much there for the great balance.

Similarities, for Penta - it's nice and extending treble got more balanced with the more contained and impactful DLC DD driver.

Sources and synergies matter so much (!!!) - my limited experience to happily share with you here.

P. S. My favourite TRI Clarion tips (wide bores not to restrict any sound and end of the tip tapering to seal and to nicelt fig my ear anatomy and to provide a good seal make these tips the best for me) are used for these IEMs.

 

[mrsergey]

What did you like about SR8 if you could tell me. I'm very curious about this.

I had only brief moment with the SR8.
From my memory, they sound very unique.
Very deep, warm, big and fun sound with impressive bass.
They are not technical iems, they didn't provide huge amount of details but for me "fun" is more important than "details".
They gave me little "wow" effect, something that the cantor failed to do.
The SR8 gave me different flavor of sound from what i used to and i liked it.

 

[mrcmaj7]

Is there a best time of the year to buy new gear in this hobby? Do companies release new gear at set times of the year like Apple or is it random?

 

[gadgetgod]

Is there a best time of the year to buy new gear in this hobby? Do companies release new gear at set times of the year like Apple or is it random?

Besst time of the year is to buy during Double11 sales or something like that. At that time we get best deals on most products. No schedule for releases like Apple here.

 

[pk4425]

musical sound. [and there ARE ways to adjust the EQ, sort of, so maybe someone could make them sound warmer??]

KZ and Moondrop drop new gear seemingly every other week.

 

[mrcmaj7]

Besst time of the year is to buy during Double11 sales or something like that. At that time we get best deals on most products. No schedule for releases like Apple here.

Okay thanks.

 

[gadgetgod]

KZ and Moondrop drop new gear seemingly every other week.

Sometimes i think if the KZ team think of new names during every smoke break

 

[Hypops]

Is there a best time of the year to buy new gear in this hobby? Do companies release new gear at set times of the year like Apple or is it random?

Based on my experience going through a full annual sales cycle last year, I’d say that the best deals are actually *not* during the traditional big sales seasons. They’re random. Best thing to do IMO is have a watchlist of IEMs, set a price (below MSRP) for yourself that you’d be willing to pay for each IEM, then just keep an eye on the retailers that carry those IEMs until they hit your purchase price. It takes some patience and regular check-ins with retail websites, but it’s worth the effort IMO.