The discovery thread!

[r31ya]

10000 pages~!!!

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interesting spec claim from Hidizs MK12 Turris,
a 1 DD iem with 91% magnesium membrane

 

[bithalver]

Ten fricking thousand pages ! Congrats to @Dsnuts to start the thread and the whole community to keep it really alive !

My post about 9000 pages are on page 8986 now; it took 152 days to reach this milestone (counted from the page which was 9000).
Previous were 80 and 88 days. Maybe the rule "no post from the same person twice" affected us .

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On topic: I have the Vision Ears Ext MK II as a tour unit; let me say the IEM is really good but not without some minor flaws.
I will post my assesment in some days.

Edit: my usual typos.

 

[Ace Bee]

I was waiting for the 10000th page to post this short impression:

There is a steal deal going on on Musicteck that I do not know if anybody is aware of, because if they were, it should have been sold out by now:

Timsok TS-316 for a freaking $399!!

I have recently borrowed @gadgetgod 's unit a few days ago, and since then I was so freaking amazed by it that I bought it off him (thank you @gadgetgod for being generous enough to let it go.) I have paired the Verus Audio Magni C4 cable with it and it has been absolutely rocking my world.

This is like the very example of how versatile and yet efficient a single dynamic driver iem can be. All the frequencies are playing in a field that is both exciting and refined. It is not specialist iem; it is a Jack Of All Trades who knows its purpose and tolerance and makes the most out of them.

I love a deep and robust bass. TS-316's bass goes deep and hits with a nice slam, and yet feels very deftly controlled. I can notice the bass is not as full and robust like my other sets, but nevertheless I can feel the fun and emotion just right. This is for sure a first experience for me.

The midrange is quite fine - notes feel sufficiently bodied and have a distinct presence with ample energy. What immediately got me hooked is the rather three-dimensional presence of the notes that makes the midrange come alive even more!

The treble feels so wonderful - energetic and extended with the right dips and the right peaks. I can enjoy this section to my heart's content without being afraid of sibilance. It is quite evenly energised and has an excellent airy feel - making the whole experience ethereal and refined.

The soundstage is sufficiently expanded in the width and depth, but feels above average in height. But honestly, it is more than enough for me.

The original price of $599 was definitely justified, but at the current $399 price it is absolutely a no-brainer deal. This is one iem that is a nice palette cleanser and can act as a reference point for a variety of tastes. Like the LOAK2-TX01, it is never leaving my collection. The perfect pocket carry for me - knowing it will never fail me (Sorry @gadgetgod you are not getting it back.)

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Cool if you can share a track where this shows up.

I did a quick comparison with Burials Archangel, SR9, H20, Vega2020, and Sub bass I think H20 falls somewhere between the Vega and SR9. I think the H20 treble is a bit less refined though, but all three sound good on this track. Different cables and tips as well, so take the comparison for what its worth, its the combos I most enjoy with each IEM. SR9 has Rhapsodio Cable and Whizzer tips, H20 has IVIPQ99 and Tri Clarions, this offer balanced sound out of the H20, imo. I really like the SR9s so I might be biased though. On a song like Midlife Crisis with Faith No More I think the SR9 quality comes through a bit more. Its a song that many a fine 2CH systems don't reproduce well.

Nice comparo! Thanks! I love the H20. Ideal pairing cable for the H20 to bring out the treble air while maintaining a bit of balance between the lower mids and mid bass is the Tripowin Moonshadow. It's simply stellar synergy with the ISN H20. The alloys and the tuning are a match. Not to mention spot on colorway matching.

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Speaking of cable matching, I had one for the Penon Archangel right under my nose! I decided to do some cable rolling, and initially, the Nici HiFi 20 aka Red Moon Frost Plume (4.4mm) really hit the spot sonically. It really enhanced the air and crispness (silver and palladium), while the monocrystalline copper sharpened the low end without too much lift (doesn't need it). But as with the name, it's a reddish copper hue, so not a colorway match at all (I got a couple killer cables incoming that are spot on colorway matches and are silver palladium with MCC, like the Frost Plume), so I tried out the Juzear Dragonfly cable, which is modular (4.4mm), and it's around the same thickness and braiding as the stock EA cable, so I gave it a shot, and BINGO!! It's like this cable was meant for the Archangel. I have no idea what the alloy makeup is of this cable, but it doesn't matter, because there's a beautiful synergy with the Archangel that can't be overstated. Colorway is the same as the stock cable, so not a match, but as a temporary solution, until the colorway matches arrive, this Juzear cable is elevating my personal experience.

Penon Archangel + Divinus Wild Boars + Juzear 81T cable (4.4mm).

 

[Barndoor]

Not only 10k pages but also 150k posts!

 

[perrew]

Nice comparo! Thanks! I love the H20. Ideal pairing cable for the H20 to bring out the treble air while maintaining a bit of balance between the lower mids and mid bass is the Tripowin Moonshadow. It's simply stellar synergy with the ISN H20. The alloys and the tuning are a match. Not to mention spot on colorway matching.

Moonshadow:

4-Core Construction​

The meticulously designed 4-core structure includes 28 strands of 0.06mm alloy copper with aluminum foil for two cores, and 42 strands of 0.08mm silver-plated OCC copper for the other two cores. This design guarantees robust performance and durability.


I used the IVIPQ99
IVIPQ99 is the Akros favourite for the Pirole (I since moved to Trusted NI1 for my Piroles)
3.Product Code：ivipQ-99
4. Model: 6 Cores
5. Conductor: 7N OCC+Palladium + Graphene
6. Number of cores:7N OCC(15 sticks*0.08mm)*6 Cores+Palladium(3 sticks*0.08mm)*6 Cores + Graphene(24 sticks*0.08mm)*6 Cores
7.Resistance:0.25 Ω

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

10000 pages~!!!


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interesting spec claim from Hidizs MK12 Turris,
a 1 DD iem with 91% magnesium membrane

Dammit!! My interest is piqued! This is the same time of technology used by Focal in their headphones, only obviously miniaturized! Hidizs is always innovating in some way,

 

[nikbr]

No pressure issues for me. I like pairing the Cantor with Muse M5U toobs to reduce that slight sibilance I sometimes get on other sources.

M5 u seems very colored sounding to me

It's surprisingly capable imo. Tube mode is beautifully flavoured without overdone colouration, while SS is greatly transparent. There are two, actually three, reasons I'm not rushing to get my own: 1. BT range is abysmal; 2. 4.4 plug is wildly stiff both during insertion and pulling out; 3. I'm getting the Nunchaku soon, thanks to iBasso!

Every factory in Shenzhen is relocating to the Chicago area so we can continue to call it Chi-fi.

Oh nooo

My last AliExpress purchase for the forseeable future came in today.

Another Volare owner ! Welcome to the club !

Volare is so wonderful. I might even join you guys. Perhaps I should wait to see what I/O comes up with next - any words on the streets by people in the know??

In the meantime, I'm just popping by to say I've started posting things to the classifieds. Currently selling my Dita Project M and Focal Elegia, with more gear soon to follow.

Selling Project M? You'll miss that bass, unless Punch is really That good?

Interestingly, Volare is about as great in the bass department as Project M, with quite a bit more quantity or at least it seems that way due to Volare's calmer treble, in comparison.

Just read it and it's a great review! Do you think the Volare would hold up against competitors today? I'm very intrigued by it cause of the nice design.

Yes, it absolutely can. It's a fantastic set. I need to find the time to do at least a short version of my review.

Shown with the ivipQ -196 Mermaid cable.

Hottt combo. Where's my Phoenixia, arghhh!

The good news is that that Volare takes very well to EQ, and I'm running mine with an EQ preset based on my own flavor of JM-1, which I really enjoy listening to.

Oh wow, I find Volare leans warm as it is and has no sibilance issues, yet you made it so much warmer still. Definitely a different taste to mine.

To keep it audio-related so this one doesn't get taken down, Imma post all my graphs.

*insert GIF here*
"haa, gayyy!"

At first glance, I thought your graph was showcasing each tuning iteration of the upcoming KZ EQ Pro.

I would prefer a 5+" touchscreen on the faceplate with a professional studio-grade 31-band PEQ.

I genuinely feel stupid and silly for reacting so strongly to losing a bit of my hearing. If I'm honest, I'm embarrassed about it. It seems so small. Yes, I feel like my body is giving out, but it's not. Not really. And so, in addition to feeling bummed about my mortality and losing out on things I love about this hobby, I also feel a bit stupid and silly for feeling so bummed.

Ah, emotions, what a tough beast to tame. Don't be too bummed, mate, it all comes with being human.

@jbfps116 @Leonarfd @gadgetgod @ToneDeafMonk @GroovyAudio @Syan25 @thaslaya @EnigmaFotos @MakeItWain @o0genesis0o @Jmop @Okcerg @activatorfly @pk4425 @Ozboyblu @Dsnuts - CONGRATS on 10,000 and many many more!!! The audiophile family!!

Terribly sorry to bother you, but may, uhh ... may I join this exclusive circle?

 

[carrots99]

Even the XINHS store!! They sent me a bunch of coupons for cables, and I can't even use them LOL They are all locked out. Sad.

You could eventually share some of those codes

I can't really get the point of those tariffs...in the end it'll be the companies losing (losing customers / having an huge decrease in sales) and the US people (paying so much more, or not buying at all)...

 

[bithalver]

Moondrop going to release a new version of Aria, apparently tuned for rock music~!

Moondrop Aria True Red
(supposedly 1dd, priced the same with Aria2)






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i have fondness of OG aria lush near holographic vocals.
but its kinda soft and need better fun-bite for rock music.
i do mild mod on mine by removing the metal grill, it makes the bass air breathe abit better,

but aria2 pricing at $80~99?
there is Simgot EW300, TRN Shell, and right above it there is Aful Explorer...
its pretty competitive market for this supposedly rock oriented 1 DD iem to enter,

here's hoping True Red able to compete and be great for my library.

Woohoo, how many days to chip the paint ? Moondrop never learns.
Also, 80 USD was a good price for the original Aria but a lot of things happened in the meantime. That performance is now reachable at less than half the price.

Let's go, 11 more posts! Quick, before the mods do their job and yank us back down to 9k!

To keep it audio-related so this one doesn't get taken down, Imma post all my graphs.


Almost crashed the internetz doing this.

All IEMs are the same at 1kHz ? ( sure I understand it)

At first glance, I thought your graph was showcasing each tuning iteration of the upcoming KZ EQ Pro.

The faceplate is on the wrong side ... also no switches, eh ...

 

[ICYGENIUS]

Hi friends, hope you're having a good time, and today I realized that it's time for me to release a detailed review of the Penon Quattro headphones, as I really have something to share with you, and I really put all my thoughts and emotions into this review, I'm sure you'll be interested!

MY CONCLUSION OF THIS HEADPHONES!
And the conclusion I came to is this Penon Quattro is a truly unique headphone that follows its own, confident path. And such a warm, smooth and yet not at all tedious tuning, and in combination with a lush, and really powerful bass and a weighty, rich middle, I have not met for a long time. And this is, to me, a really special, and finely balanced tuning, where everything sounds musical, comfortable and at the same time emotional and involved.
And such a presentation is just perfect for long listening sessions when you just want to take out your favorite player, put on these headphones and literally dissolve in the music. So friends from myself I can safely recommend these headphones to buy, as it is the case when the sound is not just good, and leaves a real sense of pleasure from listening.
Full review: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/penon-quattro-4-dynamic-driver-universal-iem.26959/review/37778

 

[Kumonomukou]

1 O O O 1

 

[DynamicEars]

Hi @Ineras been a while, so apparently you have yourself an AFUL Cantor, wow.. @Ozboyblu too
you both have similar taste with mine, and Kiwi Ears Punch too.

How is the Cantor compared to the Shock? which one do you prefer? I'm still enjoying my modded Shock (just simple mod with medium density foam over the mids and treble opening tube) with FiftyStrings M. Hawk cable combo + Radius Deep ZONE eartips through DC Elite to date

 

[Okcerg]

Still beats a cubicle in some pallid office park

That's me. The highlight of the day (besides lunch) is the IEM of choice I bring with me.
Today it's KZ ZVX Pro:

My preferences has gone the opposite way from @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 , who started to enjoy warmer sets from being almost a treblehead I think?
I used to enjoy lots of warmth with midbass that glided into lower mids, boomy wasn't a negative word for me.
I used to think so many sets I bought were thin sounding. But I'm now leaning more towards cleaner presentations.

And the ZVX Pro's tuning is perfect! I wouldn't change a thing! Perfect! It passes the boominess and sibilance test, which is Code cool by Patricia Barber:

The separation is super great as well.
I compared it to ZS12 Pro X. ZS12 got better resolution, but I never really enjoyed it's treble. It's sibilant for me and the whole timbre is a bit too sterile. ZVX Pro fixes those issues. (Did I say perfect tuning?)
It's small and very comfortable and I paid $12 for it!! Means low tariffs as well right, for you americans?

 

[jbfps116]

Xiaomi Mi Hybrid Pro HD

That was my first ever hybrid! Also plenty of "questionable" units floating around years later!

"DIY" & "Replica" always up for debate.

Xiaomi is a very popular brand of electronics in China... they basically make everything including cellphones. I've seen lots of likely fake Xiaomi stuff on AE.

That's me. The highlight of the day (besides lunch) is the IEM of choice I bring with me.
Today it's KZ ZVX Pro:



My preferences has gone the opposite way from @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 , who started to enjoy warmer sets from being almost a treblehead I think?
I used to enjoy lots of warmth with midbass that glided into lower mids, boomy wasn't a negative word for me.
I used to think so many sets I bought were thin sounding. But I'm now leaning more towards cleaner presentations.

And the ZVX Pro's tuning is perfect! I wouldn't change a thing! Perfect! It passes the boominess and sibilance test, which is Code cool by Patricia Barber:

The separation is super great as well.
I compared it to ZS12 Pro X. ZS12 got better resolution, but I never really enjoyed it's treble. It's sibilant for me and the whole timbre is a bit too sterile. ZVX Pro fixes those issues. (Did I say perfect tuning?)
It's small and very comfortable and I paid $12 for it!! Means low tariffs as well right, for you americans?

Score! The ZVX Pro is indeed a stunning single DD set. However, lovers of richer bass might try the original ZVX...[also VERY cheap] it has a more organic and dynamic sound.
Cool song BTW! It sounds GREAT on the Phoenixia!
Comparing the Phoenixia to the ZS12 Pro X on that song, the ZS12 has way more treble air, which gives it a great stage effect... actually, I'm surprised at how different those two IEMs sound. I gotta admit, I AM picking a tad bit of sibilance though on the ZS12. (0 sibilance on the Phoenixia)
Bass is clean and obviously not as richly punchy as the Phoenixia though. Considering the ZS12 is WAYYY cheaper than the Phoenixia or the other mid-fi hybrids I've tried that have similar driver setups, it's a raving good deal though.

Now I want to compare the ZS12 with the HS80... because that one too is a bit more treble-focused:
[still on that same album "Smash"] HS80 is still more rich and heart-felt than the ZS12, but still is a bit sibilant with Patricia's voice. Despite that, I CAN SEE why XINHS is trying to charge almost $400 for the HS80... [I got it around $160 on sale, and it's a STEAL for that price.] They truly sound like some seriously professional effort and skill went into them. Stage is as good or better than the Phoenixia and ZS12... The ONLY "problem" I can see is the vocal region might be too elevated for some preferences, and the CHUNKY shell might be a problematic fit for some.

Conclusion: the Phoenixia is NOT lacking in treble extension or detail, but it's not as elevated as on the ZS12 or HS80... It's harder to drive than those two... but the sound is overall SO musical and lush while remaining detailed, which I'd consider mandatory for mid-fi... [a mid-fi IEM that lacks in detail... HARD PASS from me. I hope they don't exist!] So yea... I'd say the Phoenixia is the more crowd-pleasing choice. HS80 for treble-heads with the ZS12 being the BUDGET alternative.