[Pelilin]

These few days i am playing around with APX SE changing cables and eartips and i find that other cable alter the APX SE by a lot. No cable can make it sound better than the original included cable i have a hunch that Mr.Piotr tune the iem using the cable. I find that the included cable also tune the IEM to sound correct. Hmmmmm

While eartips also change the sound a lot. For now i like zhuaudio bamboo because it sound more open energetic with some bass.

 

[Rockwell75]

Better late than never, here is the Watercooler Summer Survey 2024:

https://forms.gle/6bsiPje4V12WckqX7

Please take the time to fill it out!

 

[drftr]

Better late than never, here is the Watercooler Summer Survey 2024

drftr

 

[Rockwell75]

drftr

Almost but not quite . I haven't missed a cycle with these polls in like 3 years, I'd hate to start now. Winter poll + IEM of the year etc. will be more robust.

In other news thanks to the eminence of Leo at @MusicTeck I just received a UM Maven II for tour. Looking forward to checking it out.

 

[tresvigint]

I cannot change APX SE cable
6th cable use PWA FTS quite good
but I realize bigger soundstage not a tonal I seek in APX SE

Its better when APX SE soundstage not too big for me, kind like hearing music inside a room

Vocal resonate inside the room, so even when the mid quite far, its still feels good

Instrumental also better when resonate inside, thats why I feel intimate with instrumental too

Its a lesson for me, bigger soundstage with better separation and positioning not a good solution sometimes

I will focus on intimate factor first when buying other iem or changin new iem cable later

 

[SamTan]

7-Sep-24

Rhapsodio Supreme v3 – brief sound impressions, by Sameer Tangri

Introduction: I received the Rhapsodio Supreme v3 (https://www.rhapsodiostore.com/products/supreme-v3-cnc-version) as a part of its India tour conducted by Audio Geek "Brother_Hood of Audiophiles" and Sandeep Agarwal bhai. The v3 is a flagship IEM with an Ultamag4G Dual Aluminium Magnetostatic Driver driver and it is priced at $ 6,399.00. Yes, it’s serious gear! Refer to the product link above to understand the technologies at play.

A little about me: I prefer a balanced to warm sound for enjoying my music. I own sets like the 64 Audio Trio, Final A8000, and Thieaudio Monarch MKII. I dislike any one frequency overpowering or dominating all others, be it bass, mids, or the treble. Occasionally, I do also listen to reference/analytical sets with a flat sound signature. I very rarely prefer all-BA setups, no matter how high-end they are. Technicalities and capabilities aside, I always look for an IEM/HP that grabs my attention the moment it starts playing (trust me, IEMs/HPs that really connect with me always make me listen the moment they start playing). An IEM/HP should sound clear, fun, musical, melodious, draw me into the song, and most importantly make me feel the emotions! If a Rs. 1,500/- (USD 18) IEM does this, I buy it too (e.g., the 7HZ Salnotes Zero v1).

Design, build quality, fit, and comfort: The V3 is big and HEAVY!
With the Canpur CP622B in my ears, it was not possible to look right or left as that IEM protruded out so much that it hit the pillow every time I turned my head slightly to the left or right. While the V3 does not protrude as much as the CP622B, it still does protrude a fair bit. Secondly, I found the V3 to be very heavy. I strongly suspect that if one doesn’t get the fit right, it will keep dropping out of the ears. It happened to me a couple of times when using the M sized ear tips.
This is big and chunky. Also, I felt its presence in my ears continuously and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t ignore the V3’s presence in my ears.
More than its size, I could not really get used to its weight. There’s no way around the weight for me.

Chain-1: HiBy R8 --> V3’s stock cable (4.4 mm) --> V3 --> V3’s stock ear tips (I found my usual size ‘M’ ear tips comfortable).

Test Playlist: and other songs.

Brief impressions on the sound quality: I think the best way to start is by saying that the V3 has changed the meaning of these words for me - natural timbre, and cohesive sound. I now realize that while I was using these words before, this IEM has altogether redefined their meaning for me. Right from the first song, I was treated to a sublime balanced sound. All the notes and frequencies are weighted so so perfectly in the mix that it ends up giving out the most natural timbre and cohesive sound I’ve heard till date. If I forget about the V3’s weight, this is an IEM that could be listened to for hours, it’s that kind of a sound. Now I know that I have read this line too multiple times – IEMs can be used for long sessions, non-fatiguing, etc. But really, this IEM has changed it all for me.
I am also finding it hard to convey the sound characteristics, but I’ll try. The bass is there, more when it should be and less when it should be. The sub-bass and mid-bass both I found to be nicely present without muddying the sound. They lend a nice warmth!
Mids are superb with male and female vocals coming across naturally and effortlessly.
Treble is also there in perfect harmony with the bass and mids. Details are presented in the most natural and rounded manner I have heard to date. I cannot in the slightest say the treble is rolled off though. And therein lies the beauty of it all.
All this being said, there is one area I think the V3 could do better in and that is its tuning. After listening to it for some time, I couldn’t help but think that while it’s a natural, cohesive, etc. sound, the V3 is not bringing any of its own character to the table. Dare I say that it may get boring for some listeners after a while. This is the only area regarding which a doubt cropped up in my mind.

Conclusion: Putting aside its weight, this set will appeal to many people for its sound. Then, its price will reduce the group’s count. And then finally, its tuning will narrow it down to the last set of people who will truly appreciate it and want to own it. In my opinion this is a set with a niche appeal. Listen to it if you can and decide for yourself.

 

[PassionForMusic]

I’m waiting for them to come out with a new form of Bluetooth that they call “lossless Bluetooth” or something like that and then only have it work with their AirPods I’m not gonna go on about this , but I might have to start a petition for Apple to get a better Bluetooth codec

One day. The thing is if Apple made it would have some branding name. Probably something like "core". They would say it helps you get to the "core" of your experience.
My man needs to preach. The next upgrade for iphone needs to be adding LDAC. The USB C was a needed feature. We now need to upgrade the music quality. Or make a pair of apple airpods that enables you to use LDAC.

It’s aac and so bad … well compared to LDAC the sound quality and volume headroom is not even close

People ask me why I do not just listen to music on my phone. I do. However, aac will not come close to LDAC. That is why I ended up switching to TIDAL. Also why I got a DAP. It is fine for podcasts but if you want to listen to music look elsewhere.

 

[Frankie D]

Tried these Focal Utopias today after a while, powered by Pass Labs Monoblocks.



While simple tracks (vocals and guitar) sounded great and life-like, rock and metal sounded like an inglorious mess.

I have done speakers for a while in the past, and in my subjective opinion, they have never given me the pleasure of headphones or IEMs. YMMV.

In other news, I am really enjoying the Softears Enigma. Two days into getting to know it, I find it rather flawless in terms of technicalities, tonality, awesome build and superlative ergonomics.

Bad system and especially a bad room can cause what you heard. If you ever have the opportunity listen to a Rockport based system or a Magico based system. If anyone has these, I would expect them to have an average sounding room at minimum.

 

[Frankie D]

drftr

Thanks for the happy and uplifting song!

 

[drftr]

No need for them glasses, Frankie. Try that Play button once more time to lose that very last bit of sunlight

drftr

 

[RTodd]

Happy Saturday,
I am at the end of the Month traveling for a wedding overseas, I will be there for 10 days, and the rules of OCD required me to reorganize my travel kit. I started with a larger sketchbook, and having added the E7 and knowing the battery life may not handle a full day I also want to bring my P6Pro, these desires for travel companions required me to problem solve.

I have for over 20 years used a Billingham Hadley pro bag to carry a small sketchbook pencils camera and lenses adding five years ago two IEMs and one player. If you know this bag then you are familiar with its limited space.

The larger book was easy that slips behind the insert. Two daps and an IEM were tricky. I made a box the shape and dimensions of the remaining compartment after the camera and the two lens compartment were already set. This insert would carry the daps and a single IEM. The box will remain in the bag and the daps simply slide out.

The tricky part was the IEM and cable. I had left over space in the front that could accommodate tightly my thickest cable, inserting that cable into it while the box was in the bag was too difficult to imagine doing at the end of a flight. I sought to make a card holder that could be loaded and then inserted. I have to admit to you all this was not easy, I had two failed attempts, those did allow me to end on a third solution from what I learned that works well.

I had some additional space on the sides of the two daps so took advantage of them to hold two pencils and a pen.

 

[briantrinh86]

These few days i am playing around with APX SE changing cables and eartips and i find that other cable alter the APX SE by a lot. No cable can make it sound better than the original included cable i have a hunch that Mr.Piotr tune the iem using the cable. I find that the included cable also tune the IEM to sound correct. Hmmmmm

While eartips also change the sound a lot. For now i like zhuaudio bamboo because it sound more open energetic with some bass.

How about reference daps or dac/amp combo he used to tune it? Do you know?

 

[emdeevee]

Happy Saturday,
I am at the end of the Month traveling for a wedding overseas, I will be there for 10 days, and the rules of OCD required me to reorganize my travel kit. I started with a larger sketchbook, and having added the E7 and knowing the battery life may not handle a full day I also want to bring my P6Pro, these desires for travel companions required me to problem solve.

I have for over 20 years used a Billingham Hadley pro bag to carry a small sketchbook pencils camera and lenses adding five years ago two IEMs and one player. If you know this bag then you are familiar with its limited space.

The larger book was easy that slips behind the insert. Two daps and an IEM were tricky. I made a box the shape and dimensions of the remaining compartment after the camera and the two lens compartment were already set. This insert would carry the daps and a single IEM. The box will remain in the bag and the daps simply slide out.



The tricky part was the IEM and cable. I had left over space in the front that could accommodate tightly my thickest cable, inserting that cable into it while the box was in the bag was too difficult to imagine doing at the end of a flight. I sought to make a card holder that could be loaded and then inserted. I have to admit to you all this was not easy, I had two failed attempts, those did allow me to end on a third solution from what I learned that works well.







I had some additional space on the sides of the two daps so took advantage of them to hold two pencils and a pen.

That's some excellent planning and work, Todd!! I might need to convince you to make me one!

 

[drftr]

Happy Saturday,
I am at the end of the Month traveling for a wedding overseas, I will be there for 10 days, and the rules of OCD required me to reorganize my travel kit. I started with a larger sketchbook, and having added the E7 and knowing the battery life may not handle a full day I also want to bring my P6Pro, these desires for travel companions required me to problem solve.

I have for over 20 years used a Billingham Hadley pro bag to carry a small sketchbook pencils camera and lenses adding five years ago two IEMs and one player. If you know this bag then you are familiar with its limited space.

The larger book was easy that slips behind the insert. Two daps and an IEM were tricky. I made a box the shape and dimensions of the remaining compartment after the camera and the two lens compartment were already set. This insert would carry the daps and a single IEM. The box will remain in the bag and the daps simply slide out.



The tricky part was the IEM and cable. I had left over space in the front that could accommodate tightly my thickest cable, inserting that cable into it while the box was in the bag was too difficult to imagine doing at the end of a flight. I sought to make a card holder that could be loaded and then inserted. I have to admit to you all this was not easy, I had two failed attempts, those did allow me to end on a third solution from what I learned that works well.







I had some additional space on the sides of the two daps so took advantage of them to hold two pencils and a pen.

Is there any blood in your veins? Or just the love for people, craftmanship, and art??

drftr

 

[Rolu]

A short love letter to the Acoustune HS2000MX Mk3
The HS2k are relatively unknown in the west and I picked them up when in HK a few months back. These came back today from getting their custom ADV Sound Eartune eartips made and I was waiting to give them a listen again with the custom eartips before sharing impressions. I feel like the Eartune tips took away the balance in frequencies (though it made the bass EPIC) and hence sharing impressions with universal eartips.

I would categorize them bright-neutral with no coloration, although I preceive the brightness really as transparency because the treble tones are extremely clear rather than sibilant. The definition in the highs is probably the best I've ever heard in any IEM, better than all the TOTLs I've owned.
This 'transparent rather than bright' character also explains their lack of fatigue when listening for many hours in a go. The clean and clear character of the tones follows into mid range as well where instrument timbre and vocals are very clear yet natural. Finally, the bass has all the depth and quantity of a DD. Neither the mid bass or sub bass feels lacking to me.

They're single DD and so coherency is perfect, as expected. The soundstage is big and dynamic range and imaging are pretty great as well. The IEMs don't really seal the best for me but the bass has not been lacking as a result. With more tip rolling, I can see bass getting bigger and isolation getting even better.

Finally, as sexy as these look, I'm pretty certain that some ears will experience slight discomfort particularly in some corners inside the ear but it isn't bad enough to make me stop listening to them, like with the Z1R for example.

Overall, these IEMs are the best single DDs I've heard and in my best 3 IEMs till date! Since I bought them, my other earphones are just not getting enough eartime