The discovery thread!

[BS5711]

Thanks for the tip. I've tried today some tip swapping and most of my good eartips like NF MS42, Fiio HS20, JVC EP-FX10 don't have a good seal so I loose the bass impact. I haven't tried CP100+ or KBear07 because Archangel requires wide bore tips to sound the best for me but I'll try your suggestion to see if it works. Today I've also used Rose Technics SC SS tips without much luck and then I put KBear 4540 the brown version but only listen a couple of minutes with them because my ears were already sore for listening an hour with other tips. Maybe the KBear 4540 will be the ones to break the bad fit curse that's following me but I'll definitely test CP100+ and Kbear 07 also and report back. Thanks!

Good luck,

Looks like you need very small tips which would almost certainly exacerbate fit problems caused but fat nozzles.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

The Aether is my second planar IEM; the first was the outstanding (for $51) Artti T10. So, my pool of experience with in-ear planars is pretty shallow.

But I have owned quite a few over-ear planars: Hifiman Edition XS, HiFiMan HE-400se, Audeze LCD-2C, Audeze LCD-X 2021 and the Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noire. Enjoyed all but the DCA. The LCD-X 2021 was my favorite -- with EQ, which was a must with that can. Excellent sonic balance across the spectrum with that planar speed, punchy bass, good treble air and clarity.

The Aether is the first IEM I've heard that reminds me of the LCD-X. In no way am I saying it's as good, but it definitely has some of the same vibes.

A very enjoyable IEM. I got it for $135, so it's also one of my true value kings.

I know for full-size headphones, planars seem to prefer high current output (power = current x voltage), not necessarily just more power. Curious if that's part of what you both found with the Aether, that it simply responds well to higher current output. Also possible that because the Aether has fairly low impedance (14 Ohms), it might be more susceptible to output impedance on your various amps/dongles--especially if you're using it with a balanced connection. Planars are usually immune to impedance matching shenanigans, but not always.

I'm still keeping a casual ear out for a planar set that catches my attention. The FatFreq Quantum seems to have come and gone without much fanfare, but you folks are still hyping the Aether. Despite its middling appearance, the Aether might be one I pick up if/when all this tariff nonsense comes to an end. I've loved the other two Kiwi Ears sets I've owned (Orchestra Lite and Punch).

The Quantum did seem to come and go, but that might have to do more with the distractions of the tariff situation upon release?

Yeah, I went 4.4mm balanced for the Aether, and it rewards you with a very refined planar sound. I enjoy it through 4.4mm balanced on most of my sources on high gain.

$135.00 is definitely a steal. It's $159.00 at the moment on Amazon.

It was until I turned the second switch down. Now with both switches DD I enjoy Archangel a lot more and the bass doesn't feel overwhelming. I guess my brain adapted to it. No, Archangel is an amazing iem without a doubt. Is just the fit that's bugging me but I really enjoyed my listening session today, especially with the 2nd switch down, so I no longer feel fatique from the treble. This is another H60 situation where I love the sound so much but the bad fit ruins everything in the end. It feels like a curse you know? I really enjoy Penon house sound, its definitely my jam but their iems are just too big for me or have big nozzles. For what is worth, for one hour that I've managed to listen today, Archangel delivered a magical experience in my ears. Really I don't know how much money you could spend to get a even better experience, $2000, $3000, $4000?

I don't know what to do in this scenario... I guess I'll keep it until Aful quadbrid comes or other iems.

That's the thing. Chasing quadbrids, and maybe tribrids with small ears might not be the tactical way to go? The more arrays you jam into a shell, the larger they have to be. Especially if you're chasing that array, plus trying to also get open and dimensional stage. It's really really hard to get that stage from small shells (just ask NiceHCK). It's possible, but usually only with single DD's. So you might want to look into super high quality hybrids, or smaller tri-brids (maybe 1+1+1 (BCD)? Because quadbrids will come with big ass shells. Almost every time.

Let me guess which ones you don't have. Probably the Tangzu Nezha, QoA Aviation, Intuaura Plume, and CVJ Mermaid 2. The first three are my top 3, with the TRI i3 mk3 at 4th.

I have had the Capsule 3 Pro+ for like a month and I'm really liking it so far. Very comfortable, compact case which easily fits in my bag, and sound is solid with the bass boost EQ in the app. I also have the Moondrop Robin, but it's not much better than the Capsule and I do feel a bit embarassed to wear it in public. The best TWS I have ever heard is the Hifiman Svanar Wireless LE, which I got for $100 in March before all this tariff nonsense but returned a month later. It destroyed the Capsule 3 and Robin in sound, and made me not miss my IEM setup when outside. Unfortunately the case was way too bulky which did not fit my small over shoulder bag well.


I got it from AliExpress, brand is Songmics. They have local shipping so no tariff fortunately. I also saw them on Temu, but it's a bit more expensive on there. You don't have to buy this brand though, there are plenty of generic watch cases like this out there, and I remember the faux leather ones being cheaper.

You are correct in your guesses. Indeed.

I love the Capsule 3, and I don't use any of the EQ's, since I don't listen to much bassy music when I go out with TWS. Typically it's jazz. If I go with my bassy playlist, usually it's during my wife and I's trail hikes, and I usually go with the wired option for that.

 

[GroovyAudio]

Congrats bro...!!!! Worths every single penny of our hard earned money this one... Hope you got any discount available during prerelease period... Thing is (for me at least) that mids stay away from any kind of coloration probably The most neutral midrange PENON EVER released; maybe.. which comes as some how strange for a Penon set..... Yes it's not The Typical PENON midrange and this is a trade off... A trade of for The spectacular/ Majestic stage and the way stage is evolving inside/out side of your brain...... It just Couldn't work any other way around (this kind of tuning...) what you get???
You get :
1) a second to none.. BOMBASTIC BASS RESPONSE.........
And a home theater /Dolby Atmos SURROUNDING Cyclotic sound experience inside your brain.... Atmospherics is the main event at ARCHANGEL 5 STAR HOTEL


I was that shocked upon perceiving that Archangelic Awesome Bass, my senses could detect something new.. Something unknowned to me this far.... For this fact and only I am grateful...

Thank you brother. Unfortunately, no discount, I paid full price. Remember my lost order with H20, eartips and a cable all worth $300?
Well, I asked Penon if they could send me Archangel instead for $500 and they agreed. Really good customer support! I didn't mind paying the full price.

 

[Jaytiss]

Under normal circumstances, I would have said that the cheaper alternative may not have that kind of sound quality as the pricier one...but something happened. After @ToneDeafMonk mentioned UM Stardust, I went to look at its graph, and the sole squig that had it had the Rhapsodio Return too, then I found another one, and...well, see for yourself:



Yeahhh....I do not think it is going to sound anywhere groundbreaking with that downward slope after 4k. Although I might be wrong. @Jaytiss perhaps you can enlighten us on how does it actually sound?


Well well well, now this is interesting.

1. Bass on MG800 is borderline for me, any bigger midbass and it would have been too overwhelming for me. That you feel Archangel has even more bass surely pushed me a bit away from it.
2. Midrange of MG800 is not just forward, it is so outstandingly full and meaty and textured and organic that it just seems to come to life. From your impressions, the Archangel mids do not seem to have that kind of life in them. Not sure how I would like it, or if I would like it at all.
3. I feel the treble on MG800 is slightly less than my preference even with the Clear nozzle. So the Archangel having more energetic and detailed treble is certainly welcoming. MG800 is never fatiguing in treble for me.

So It seems our preferences do not exactly align, not sure how I would like the mids of Archangel. But then I saw the graph of Archangel and I had my own graph of MG800 handy:





Given how our preferences differ, I have a strong feeling that Archangel might actually suit me just fine. However, your comment on its midrange not being so organic and lifelike is holding me back.

It lack incisiveness. It felt like a poor set out of the box for me, but no the worst thing I've ever heard. Like if iems don't have much air and lack extension.

 

[Argha]

Hmm! The IEM is excellent value for money, but the DAC is interesting...

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

 

[F700]

The Forte Ears Mefisto have landed and it's a homerun...

 

[caryking]

What’s the cable on the Project M?

 

[perrew]

Looks like XINHS K12

 

[sistoz]

Hi everyone!
Does anyone know anything about the drivers and tuning of these IEMs that I found on Hifigo?

https://hifigo.com/collections/in-ear/products/astrotec-archimedes

I really like the aesthetic, but I am not sure about the planar + PZT combination.

 

[jbfps116]

https://tonedeafmonk.squig.link/?share=IvipQ_Q-09_Phoenixia,SHANLING_TINO
WOW... I accidentally bought two IEMs with VERY similar sound signatures! But how similar do they actually sound?

I can tell the Phoenixia has a tad more air, but the Tino isn't too shy there either...
the Phoenixia I paid about $140 for, and it has [I THINK... because the AE page is down] 1DD 6BA...
The Tino I paid $50 for in an unusual coupon situation, and it has 2DD. So VERY different price points/driver setups.

Tino is more comfortable, for sure.

Phoenixia's treble is more detailed and incisive, likely due to the BA array. I also think the bass is slightly punchier. And I think the vocals are a bit more forward in the Phoenixia as well. Listening to these 2 now as I type this... and I'm realizing the vocals on the Phoenixia are actually REALLY nice!
But the Tino's vocals are also quite excellent as well. Bass isn't as dense down low, which might POSSIBLY be able to improved by cable/tip rolling [yet to do this]. I said this before, but I think the Tino does sound like a pair of bookshelf speakers or something of the sort. [But not too warm though.] It does seem equipped with 2 very good DDs, and tuned quite well I think.

But the Phoenixia just trumps the Tino in so many ways, at least in this little A-B test. Bass is more authoritative, and the treble, just simply better. It's a classic case of "You get what you pay for." 2 IEMs with similar tuning, but the pricier one ... well it has more drivers, and seems overall a better IEM.

I will of course further review and compare the Tino, but so far, I'm not sure it really has a place in my collection. Mind you, it DOES sound good, smooth, and polished. If you want a cheaper version of the Phoenixia's sound that is currently not available in the US, the Tino might be a good substitute. I mean, it DOES have good detail, natural tonality, non-fatiguing treble while still having enough air to sound professional and, well, airy; excellent vocals, and a comfy fit with a beautiful shell.

 

[mathe0]

This thread keeps me interested in so many sets! On my radar right now:

• Timsok TS-316
• ISN H60
• Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch
• Dunu DK3001BD (BrainDance)
• I/O Audio Volare
• Dita Audio Mecha (though out of my budget)
• Upcoming Dita Audio Prelude

I recently sold my almost-new Shanling ME600 to make room and budget for something new. Right now I’m mostly hesitating between the Volare (I might have a good deal lined up) and the DK3001BD.

First impressions – I/O Audio Volare

I recently scored a deal on a used pair of Volare, and honestly, I couldn’t pass it up.

Right off the bat: the bass is visceral, with more sub-bass than any other set I own. That said, I still slightly prefer the mid-bass texture and punch of the Dunu Zen Pro. Where the Volare really shines, though, is in its separation and imaging — easily the most technical IEMs in my collection so far.

Despite being a tribrid, the tuning is incredibly coherent — nothing feels out of place or disjointed across the frequency range.

Build quality is excellent, but I do have a few nitpicks:

• The case is unnecessarily huge, yet it barely fits the IEMs with the stock cable.
• The stock cable is thick and bulky. I definitely prefer the one from the Zen Pro in terms of feel and usability.

Still, very impressed overall. Looking forward to spending more time with them!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

What’s the cable on the Project M?

XINHS K12.

Hi everyone!
Does anyone know anything about the drivers and tuning of these IEMs that I found on Hifigo?

https://hifigo.com/collections/in-ear/products/astrotec-archimedes

I really like the aesthetic, but I am not sure about the planar + PZT combination.

Looks like it's brand new release by Astrotec. That brand has been around for forever, and their X35 (?) was the first affordable hybrid on the market, and boy was it a bit of a stinker. lol Bought that one and I think it was called the X30? Most of their stuff was not very celebrated, but more like "yeah, it's pretty good" or "Yeah. It's pretty bad." But give them credit, they still hang around years later, and I wouldn't mind trying a 1 PZT + 1 PL driver IEM. Most likely quick snappy planar bass that will lack sub bass and mid bass presence?

 

[jghjkhfd]

https://tonedeafmonk.squig.link/?share=IvipQ_Q-09_Phoenixia,SHANLING_TINO
WOW... I accidentally bought two IEMs with VERY similar sound signatures! But how similar do they actually sound?

Also:

 

[Cinder]

Woohoo another unix/linux engineer ! Nice to see more of our kind.

I've been neck-deep in Docker stuff as well, though not by choice. I now know way more than I ever wanted to about platform engineering, haha.

hird Shipment was from LUA, I earlier bought Synchronicity and imported without the box. This time the Box of Synchronicity along with a unit of Serendipity came my way. What a beautiful looking IEM these two are.

WOW those are REALLY pretty!

, but I will say tuning wise, these are the most refined planar IEMs I've ever heard.

You and I agree on that front!

Finally finished up my KB16 review--and they're really enjoyable. I found them to share quite a bit of tuning cues with the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite, oddly enough.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/kb...bear-kb16-cepheus-review-class-leading-vocals