The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[SherryLion]

Hey fellow Head-Fiers,
I wanted to share my recent experience with an IEM that, despite being released in 2018, has made a significant impact on me as if I was hearing it for the first time: the QDC Anole VX. This isn't my first encounter with VX, but it's certainly the most profound.

A bit of background on my journey: I’ve been in this hobby for a while now, and recently, I’ve enjoyed top-tier IEMs like Anni, Jewel, and Loki. Along with these, I've also owned other classics like Z1R, U12t, and U18t. These IEMs do help raise the bar for my listening standards. Recently, I decided to sell them all and explore new options, which led me back to VX. I briefly owned VX about two years ago when I was just starting out in the hobby. Back then, I parted with it rather quickly, not fully understanding its capabilities and being swayed by more expensive or popular options. Fast forward to 2024, with more experience under my belt and a refined ear, I decided to give VX another go. Man, I glad I did.



From the moment I put VX in my ears, I was quickly impressed. The shells are incredibly small and lightweight, making them exceptionally comfortable to wear. They practically disappear in your ears, easily the best form factor I've encountered in a universal IEM.

But let’s talk about the sound. VX delivers a level of transparency and clarity that’s akin to looking through a window with the cleanest glass, or no glass at all—just the pure, thin air you get on a sunny morning at the beach. Everything is presented so vividly, it’s like the music is right in front of your eyes. Subtle details that other IEMs might gloss over are brought to the forefront with VX. Starting with simple, slow-paced tracks, I quickly noticed the difference. Then, when I switched to more complex, dynamic, fast-paced songs, it became clearer and clearer how exceptional VX truly is.

You know how people often use the analogy of a 4K TV to describe high resolution? With VX, it’s more like watching an OLED 4K TV with superb dynamic range and color accuracy. The sharpness and dynamic representation are top-notch, allowing you to feel every sound, every attack, every decay, and every harmonic with remarkable precision. Close your eyes, and this experience elevates even further, bringing about an eargasm that’s hard to describe but impossible to forget.

I found myself unable to stop listening. Even when my ears started to tire, I couldn’t resist spending more time just to take some nice photos of these beautiful IEMs. Despite being an older model, I firmly believe that every IEM enthusiast should give VX a try to understand just how incredible an IEM can sound.



Sure, VX might lack the bass texture of dynamic drivers, but it excels in so many other areas that it still stands strong against, if not ahead of, many of today’s top-tier IEMs. QDC Anole VX is a testament to how great sound quality doesn’t necessarily age, and in many ways, it’s a reminder of why we fell in love with this hobby in the first place.

Happy listening, everyone!

I am glad to hear your story man! I think it is beautiful that you get back your first love.

 

[timeslip]

Cayin N30LE vs LP E7 EE?

Does anyone have any experience comparing these two DAPs. Reason for the ask, is I'm finding over time that for solid state listening I prefer the SPK3000, and for the tube sound I prefer the SPK3T (more analog, warmer than Cayin tubes), so the Cayin is not getting as much use. All are limited to IEM use. I'm thinking of selling it and interested in the LP E7 EE.

The N30LE has a much bigger stage but maaaay sacrifice a bit in the techs of the E7, but it's really hard to compare the two since the E7 has multiple tuning and N30LE is a hybrid.

What I would look at instead of whether you want something truly portable or trans-portable and your iems. I sold my N30LE AP because I don't use portable daps that much and E7 fits the bill for being portable. But if I could only have one, it might lean towards N30LE.

What I did love about the SP3000T is the ability to tune it to the IEM you are listening to. That flexibility is hard to beat! As much as I love the N30LE, there are some IEMS that just don't pair well with it.

 

[SherryLion]

You don't need to be a big shot, all the coolers heard the pre-production units during one of the CanJams.

BTW, your reviews are always very professional. However, I would like you to do a test if you still have the Pilgrim: try to push the Pilgrim towards your ears to see if the bass improves. I had big trouble for Pilgrim since for most other IEMs I can feel if the seal is formed by the tips but not for Pilgrim. For many tips, I felt the fit is very good but the bass performance is not good, thin and light. But with good seal of certain tips, the sub-bass is actually pretty good.

But I agree with you that the biggest difference between Pilgrim and Anni 23 is the bass, and Anni 23 to me is not that sensitive to tip rolling. In short, Pilgrim is not a baby Anni 23.

I strongly suggest you try Noir, which has slightly better bass, but I am not so sure how much is due to the better cable. I will do a A/B test with the same cable later.

Yeah the same happened with me, I mean because of its smaller nozzle length comparatively, I had to tip roll and with divinus velvet eartips man…. these sneaky little devils stick so perfectly inside my ear that I was able to get perfect seal and great sub bass.
I freakin’ loved the Pilgrim.

 

[SherryLion]

Has anyone done a cable update with CP622B?

I tried the New line of CODE series by Effect Audio, The Code 24 and Code 24-C, I actually heard better extensions when I paired 24-C with 622B but there was a loss of some of that magical mid range. And with the CODE 24 nothing felt wrong but the treble and bass presence was improved. I think the 24-C is a better buy if compared between the two.
But again recently I tried Vortex Cables and I really found them value for price.
Unfortunately no testing of 622B with vortex cable

 

[FcConstruct]

i daily'd my trios for months prior to comparing to the trifecta. i used only my wm1a on mrwalkman wm1z tune.
i tried the trifecta and i remembered my first time trying them. it was pleasant to hear the bass, treble was just ok, the musicality bit is there for sure.

i only agree with the fact that the trio doesnt have mids like trifecta. that's onr thing that really stood out to me. trio's bass could be handicapped with an impedance adapter. i use a 220 ohm adapter and they will reach that level. depth, layering, and soundstage is all in the recording of the music. i can't really hear the "tinny" bit from trio, could be source dependent.

i dont mean to rustle any jimmies here. i have my skepticisms for high priced items, like any poor man in these times should. i approached the trifecta with a sober, mature attitude. i a/b'd them with as minimal bias as i could give. i didnt even know the price of trifecta when i tried them. i thought they were like 300 or 500. then i was told the real price and thats when i transported to another booth.

I haven't seen the graph of Trio so I'm not going to comment on the frequency response. But I think your approach is fair. You went into it with an open mind and a sound-first attitude. Then you decided that the Trifecta wasn't a significant enough improvement for you. People can agree or disagree hence we have the discussion board. But ultimately it's your hobby, your opinion, and your decision. I don't think there's really anything else that you could've done short of buying the Trifecta yourself and trying it for the next month or two before making your final conclusion.

 

[Crazeee]

Canjam Shanghai 2024 & Mini-Jams Impressions

Hey everyone! I just wrapped up a fantastic weekend in Shanghai attending Canjam and mingling with the local Head-fiers. It was a blast to demo quite a lot of interesting gear and engage in some lively discussions. Truly, it was a weekend well spent!

Having explored a fair amount at Canjam Singapore, I limited myself to just one day in Shanghai this time around. So, without further ado, here are some of my impressions from the event:

Hifiman Susvara Unveiled (vs Susvara OG)
My first stop was the Hifiman booth where I did a quick A/B test between the OG Susvara and the Unveiled version on the EF1000. The Unveiled variant displayed a noticeable increase in treble presence, enhancing the overall resolution and airy presentation, making it sound a tad crisper while maintaining that top-tier bass and soundstage. Impressively, it's significantly easier to drive—I had to turn the volume down by 4-5 steps to match the loudness of the OG. However, I wouldn't call it a strict upgrade since I personally prefer the slightly more laid-back presentation of the OG. The increased drivability does make it easier to maximize the potential of the Unveiled version without a hefty source investment.

FatFreq Grand Maestro Anniversary Edition
I revisited the Grand Maestro, this time the new Titanium shell version. FatFreq announced two upcoming releases: a brass faceplate titanium shell limited edition and an aluminum shell regular edition. I demoed the limited edition and noticed a fine-tuning in the upper mids and treble that enhanced the resolution and smoothed out the treble, making vocals sound more textured and slightly forward. I really appreciated this upgrade, especially paired with my DMP.

Nostalgia Durandal
The upcoming release from Nostalgia sports a V-shaped tuning with quite prominent treble and substantial sub-bass rumble. Played through the LP6 7AE, I found it enjoyable and fun, but I still have a preference for the Camelot. The Nostalgia team was super friendly and even showcased their stunning Camelot Gold Version.

Brise Audio Shirogane 8w
On the recommendation of @raylu and @timeslip , I gave the Shirogane another go, this time with my Amber Pearl. This pairing really enhanced the already spacious sound without making it overly analytical. I love it a lot! It’s tough to choose between this and the Orbitsaga Black Edition, which offers a more aggressive sound with higher resolution.

Outside Canjam
What's better than spending time with fellow audiophiles and hopping between earphone shops?

PMG APX SE
I finally got to demo the long-awaited PMG APX SE and compared it side-by-side with the APX OG. The SE version tones down the treble energy, resulting in a warmer, more balanced sound with less harsh treble, while maintaining the same soundstage and bass energy and quantity. It shines particularly on pop tracks with lush vocals, though I can see some preferring the OG for genres like classical or rock that benefit from more pronounced instrumentals. A very solid summit-fi release, in my opinion.

Subtonic / Nightjar Storm / Duality / Sovereign Storm 8
I had the pleasure of meeting the legendary @Chang and trying out these rarely seen releases again. The Duality, especially with the bassier adapter through my DMP Z1, was a fun and engaging listen. Looking forward to its release later this year.

I also compared the SS8 cable with Brise Audio’s Murakumo II again. Both are notably heavy cables, but the SS8 expanded the soundstage even more, especially on the Viking Damascus. One of the best pairings I've tried, albeit a bit too heavy for my taste.

Lastly, a night out with friends let me demoed insane amount of gears and re-explore the capabilities of the Traillii, paired with an LP6 Platinum JP, Raquer cable, and final type C eartips. The vocals were incredibly full-bodied—a truly intriguing setup for vocal tracks.

I also had a chance to demo the EA Yan Huang vs. Hades II, confirming that despite similar appearances, the Yan Huang offers a more pronounced midrange, enhancing vocal presence. I'll be revisiting this comparison soon.

Canjam weekends are always a joy, and this one was no exception!

 

[drftr]

Canjam Shanghai 2024 & Mini-Jams Impressions

Hey everyone! I just wrapped up a fantastic weekend in Shanghai attending Canjam and mingling with the local Head-fiers. It was a blast to demo quite a lot of interesting gear and engage in some lively discussions. Truly, it was a weekend well spent!



Having explored a fair amount at Canjam Singapore, I limited myself to just one day in Shanghai this time around. So, without further ado, here are some of my impressions from the event:

Hifiman Susvara Unveiled (vs Susvara OG)
My first stop was the Hifiman booth where I did a quick A/B test between the OG Susvara and the Unveiled version on the EF1000. The Unveiled variant displayed a noticeable increase in treble presence, enhancing the overall resolution and airy presentation, making it sound a tad crisper while maintaining that top-tier bass and soundstage. Impressively, it's significantly easier to drive—I had to turn the volume down by 4-5 steps to match the loudness of the OG. However, I wouldn't call it a strict upgrade since I personally prefer the slightly more laid-back presentation of the OG. The increased drivability does make it easier to maximize the potential of the Unveiled version without a hefty source investment.


FatFreq Grand Maestro Anniversary Edition
I revisited the Grand Maestro, this time the new Titanium shell version. FatFreq announced two upcoming releases: a brass faceplate titanium shell limited edition and an aluminum shell regular edition. I demoed the limited edition and noticed a fine-tuning in the upper mids and treble that enhanced the resolution and smoothed out the treble, making vocals sound more textured and slightly forward. I really appreciated this upgrade, especially paired with my DMP.


Nostalgia Durandal
The upcoming release from Nostalgia sports a V-shaped tuning with quite prominent treble and substantial sub-bass rumble. Played through the LP6 7AE, I found it enjoyable and fun, but I still have a preference for the Camelot. The Nostalgia team was super friendly and even showcased their stunning Camelot Gold Version.



Brise Audio Shirogane 8w
On the recommendation of @raylu and @timeslip , I gave the Shirogane another go, this time with my Amber Pearl. This pairing really enhanced the already spacious sound without making it overly analytical. I love it a lot! It’s tough to choose between this and the Orbitsaga Black Edition, which offers a more aggressive sound with higher resolution.


Outside Canjam
What's better than spending time with fellow audiophiles and hopping between earphone shops?

PMG APX SE
I finally got to demo the long-awaited PMG APX SE and compared it side-by-side with the APX OG. The SE version tones down the treble energy, resulting in a warmer, more balanced sound with less harsh treble, while maintaining the same soundstage and bass energy and quantity. It shines particularly on pop tracks with lush vocals, though I can see some preferring the OG for genres like classical or rock that benefit from more pronounced instrumentals. A very solid summit-fi release, in my opinion.


Subtonic / Nightjar Storm / Duality / Sovereign Storm 8
I had the pleasure of meeting the legendary Chang and trying out these rarely seen releases again. The Duality, especially with the bassier adapter through my DMP Z1, was a fun and engaging listen. Looking forward to its release later this year.

I also compared the SS8 cable with Brise Audio’s Murakumo II again. Both are notably heavy cables, but the SS8 expanded the soundstage even more, especially on the Viking Damascus. One of the best pairings I've tried, albeit a bit too heavy for my taste.


Lastly, a night out with friends let me demoed insane amount of gears and re-explore the capabilities of the Traillii, paired with an LP6 Platinum JP, Raquer cable, and final type C eartips. The vocals were incredibly full-bodied—a truly intriguing setup for vocal tracks.



I also had a chance to demo the EA Yan Huang vs. Hades II, confirming that despite similar appearances, the Yan Huang offers a more pronounced midrange, enhancing vocal presence. I'll be revisiting this comparison soon.


Canjam weekends are always a joy, and this one was no exception!

Not many of "us" there I thought when reading the thread, right? Did you meet any Coolers?

drftr

 

[Sajid Amit]

Man, the caldera closed headphones are probably the best closed-backs available right now. Such a microscope on the bass, probably my favorite headphone for bass and characteristic ZMF mids. Last but not least, the treble is unlike anything I have ever heard on a closed-back (the E3 comes close). Airy! Extended! Spacious! @zach915m / ZMF creations keep getting better and better.

 

[baneand]

Hey fellow Head-Fiers,
I wanted to share my recent experience with an IEM that, despite being released in 2018, has made a significant impact on me as if I was hearing it for the first time: the QDC Anole VX. This isn't my first encounter with VX, but it's certainly the most profound.

A bit of background on my journey: I’ve been in this hobby for a while now, and recently, I’ve enjoyed top-tier IEMs like Anni, Jewel, and Loki. Along with these, I've also owned other classics like Z1R, U12t, and U18t. These IEMs do help raise the bar for my listening standards. Recently, I decided to sell them all and explore new options, which led me back to VX. I briefly owned VX about two years ago when I was just starting out in the hobby. Back then, I parted with it rather quickly, not fully understanding its capabilities and being swayed by more expensive or popular options. Fast forward to 2024, with more experience under my belt and a refined ear, I decided to give VX another go. Man, I glad I did.



From the moment I put VX in my ears, I was quickly impressed. The shells are incredibly small and lightweight, making them exceptionally comfortable to wear. They practically disappear in your ears, easily the best form factor I've encountered in a universal IEM.

But let’s talk about the sound. VX delivers a level of transparency and clarity that’s akin to looking through a window with the cleanest glass, or no glass at all—just the pure, thin air you get on a sunny morning at the beach. Everything is presented so vividly, it’s like the music is right in front of your eyes. Subtle details that other IEMs might gloss over are brought to the forefront with VX. Starting with simple, slow-paced tracks, I quickly noticed the difference. Then, when I switched to more complex, dynamic, fast-paced songs, it became clearer and clearer how exceptional VX truly is.

You know how people often use the analogy of a 4K TV to describe high resolution? With VX, it’s more like watching an OLED 4K TV with superb dynamic range and color accuracy. The sharpness and dynamic representation are top-notch, allowing you to feel every sound, every attack, every decay, and every harmonic with remarkable precision. Close your eyes, and this experience elevates even further, bringing about an eargasm that’s hard to describe but impossible to forget.

I found myself unable to stop listening. Even when my ears started to tire, I couldn’t resist spending more time just to take some nice photos of these beautiful IEMs. Despite being an older model, I firmly believe that every IEM enthusiast should give VX a try to understand just how incredible an IEM can sound.



Sure, VX might lack the bass texture of dynamic drivers, but it excels in so many other areas that it still stands strong against, if not ahead of, many of today’s top-tier IEMs. QDC Anole VX is a testament to how great sound quality doesn’t necessarily age, and in many ways, it’s a reminder of why we fell in love with this hobby in the first place.

Happy listening, everyone!

Still my favorite perfume, can spark a new discussion about perfume tastes

 

[baneand]

Canjam Shanghai 2024 & Mini-Jams Impressions

Hey everyone! I just wrapped up a fantastic weekend in Shanghai attending Canjam and mingling with the local Head-fiers. It was a blast to demo quite a lot of interesting gear and engage in some lively discussions. Truly, it was a weekend well spent!



Having explored a fair amount at Canjam Singapore, I limited myself to just one day in Shanghai this time around. So, without further ado, here are some of my impressions from the event:

Hifiman Susvara Unveiled (vs Susvara OG)
My first stop was the Hifiman booth where I did a quick A/B test between the OG Susvara and the Unveiled version on the EF1000. The Unveiled variant displayed a noticeable increase in treble presence, enhancing the overall resolution and airy presentation, making it sound a tad crisper while maintaining that top-tier bass and soundstage. Impressively, it's significantly easier to drive—I had to turn the volume down by 4-5 steps to match the loudness of the OG. However, I wouldn't call it a strict upgrade since I personally prefer the slightly more laid-back presentation of the OG. The increased drivability does make it easier to maximize the potential of the Unveiled version without a hefty source investment.


FatFreq Grand Maestro Anniversary Edition
I revisited the Grand Maestro, this time the new Titanium shell version. FatFreq announced two upcoming releases: a brass faceplate titanium shell limited edition and an aluminum shell regular edition. I demoed the limited edition and noticed a fine-tuning in the upper mids and treble that enhanced the resolution and smoothed out the treble, making vocals sound more textured and slightly forward. I really appreciated this upgrade, especially paired with my DMP.


Nostalgia Durandal
The upcoming release from Nostalgia sports a V-shaped tuning with quite prominent treble and substantial sub-bass rumble. Played through the LP6 7AE, I found it enjoyable and fun, but I still have a preference for the Camelot. The Nostalgia team was super friendly and even showcased their stunning Camelot Gold Version.



Brise Audio Shirogane 8w
On the recommendation of @raylu and @timeslip , I gave the Shirogane another go, this time with my Amber Pearl. This pairing really enhanced the already spacious sound without making it overly analytical. I love it a lot! It’s tough to choose between this and the Orbitsaga Black Edition, which offers a more aggressive sound with higher resolution.


Outside Canjam
What's better than spending time with fellow audiophiles and hopping between earphone shops?

PMG APX SE
I finally got to demo the long-awaited PMG APX SE and compared it side-by-side with the APX OG. The SE version tones down the treble energy, resulting in a warmer, more balanced sound with less harsh treble, while maintaining the same soundstage and bass energy and quantity. It shines particularly on pop tracks with lush vocals, though I can see some preferring the OG for genres like classical or rock that benefit from more pronounced instrumentals. A very solid summit-fi release, in my opinion.


Subtonic / Nightjar Storm / Duality / Sovereign Storm 8
I had the pleasure of meeting the legendary Chang and trying out these rarely seen releases again. The Duality, especially with the bassier adapter through my DMP Z1, was a fun and engaging listen. Looking forward to its release later this year.

I also compared the SS8 cable with Brise Audio’s Murakumo II again. Both are notably heavy cables, but the SS8 expanded the soundstage even more, especially on the Viking Damascus. One of the best pairings I've tried, albeit a bit too heavy for my taste.


Lastly, a night out with friends let me demoed insane amount of gears and re-explore the capabilities of the Traillii, paired with an LP6 Platinum JP, Raquer cable, and final type C eartips. The vocals were incredibly full-bodied—a truly intriguing setup for vocal tracks.



I also had a chance to demo the EA Yan Huang vs. Hades II, confirming that despite similar appearances, the Yan Huang offers a more pronounced midrange, enhancing vocal presence. I'll be revisiting this comparison soon.


Canjam weekends are always a joy, and this one was no exception!

Dissapointed that Grand Maestro makes these versions stick out even more out of the ear, with these new filters it will look like we carry a stick through the head sticking out of the ears. I really love the GM and wanted to send them for new shell maybe, but this big sticking out size is putting me off now

 

[Crazeee]

Not many of "us" there I thought when reading the thread, right? Did you meet any Coolers?

drftr

Yea man, I haven’t identified myself but there shouldn’t be many coolers there..

 

[wolfstar76]

Man, these are probably the best closed-back headphones available right now. Such a microscope on the bass, probably my favorite headphone for bass and characteristic ZMF mids. Last but not least, the treble is unlike anything I have ever heard on a closed-back (the E3 comes close). Airy! Extended! Spacious! @zach915m / ZMF creations keep getting better and better.

Which model? VC, AC, or CC?

 

[Animagus]

Oh man it's been a long time I visited Head-fi properly. Life took over and I haven't gotten time for anything audio for a while. Finally things got less busy at my end and I've finally managed to finish the review of the long pending - Kinera Verdandi. It's quite a nice toned down, warmer take on the Loki Emerald with the same DD+BC driver combo and the same BC+DD+BA+EST config with 4BAs and 2ESTs less. Check it out and let me know how you like it or if you have any questions for me.

Hope all old-timers and new comers are doing great here! Looking forward to participating more and getting to all the products I have in for reviews one by one. Cheers!

Kinera Verdandi

 

[Neweymatt]

There has seemingly always been two camps of people in audio-- those after accuracy and realism, and those after engagement and immersion.

Well, there's at least a 3rd camp that pursues gear that exhibits technical excellence while still being highly engaging and immersive, and there's likely other "camps" as well.

I've said this several times already, and probably will have to again, but as an example it is specifically because of A12t's highly realistic technical accuracy that makes it so engaging and immersive for me. I'm sure there are many other examples, eg Storm would likely do the same.

 

[gLer]

I've said this several times already, and probably will have to again, but as an example it is specifically because of A12t's highly realistic technical accuracy that makes it so engaging and immersive for me.

I agree with the third camp thing, especially since I reacquired the 12t recently and remembered how its combination of almost perfect tuning with top-tier techs won me over first time.

That ability to sound utterly realistic while still being fun is very engaging, even with its BA bass (yes, I know, it doesn't fit my world view, but I can make exceptions).

I've always said tone is the most important factor for me, then techs, and I stand by that. However, the IEMs that stay the course for me all have excellent (though not necessarily summit-fi) techs to go with their natural, fatigue-free tone. You just can't have one without the other, especially at the pointy (and pricey) end of the market.

YMMVAAT