Yep, $3000 for what is pretty much touched up $299 headphone. It insane the hype they get when my ER3SE or W40 can do the same bass with a low shelf at 120Hz. The detail/speed argument is moot when Isine 10/ER3XR are already very fast & detailed to dynamic drivers.
Tri-brid IEMs and non-BA/non-DD technology
- Thread starter IEMusic
- Start date
Yep, $3000 for what is pretty much touched up $299 headphone. It insane the hype they get when my ER3SE or W40 can do the same bass with a low shelf at 120Hz. The detail/speed argument is moot when Isine 10/ER3XR are already very fast & detailed to dynamic drivers.
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
I currently have the Mangird Tea on order, but am also very interested in many other similarly priced IEMs, like the Penon Orb, the ISN H40, the Kinera Freya, the Tanchjim Oxygen, and the AudioSense T800. I think I just need to put everything on hold for now, save up, and wait to read reviews and impressions on the many new tribrids out there. Then find one that suits me best, and buy it, instead of all the other Mid-Fi IEMs. The one that I have a hard time dismissing is the T800, but with that one, I need to also look into getting and trying out different Knowles filters.
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
Has anyone listened to the Tri Starlight yet?
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
I don’t see any thread for the LZ A6, and only old posts on the LZ A5 thread. Does anyone have a good FR graph of the LZ A6?
RikudouGoku
Member of the Trade: RikuBuds
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
pstickne
100+ Head-Fier
I think a “simple” piezoelectric is often overlooked in the electret/estat rush.
It is used very good on the Hylas (and Nobel Khan, supposedly
) and probably some lower-cost units. Noble switched to estat for its newer “TOTL”, so it’s definitely a ‘trend up’ to claim estats.
I’m a bit surprised there are not more *talked about* IEMs with the DD+BA+piezoelectric configuration. Or are some Hyla models just special in the way it handles the treble..? (There is no shortage of Amazon/eBay matches, including A6.)
Also, the BA (bass) + DD (mid) reversal and 2DD (bass, or otherwise) seems under-explored even though there are good reviews on some $$$ IEMs with this config.
It is used very good on the Hylas (and Nobel Khan, supposedly
) and probably some lower-cost units. Noble switched to estat for its newer “TOTL”, so it’s definitely a ‘trend up’ to claim estats.I’m a bit surprised there are not more *talked about* IEMs with the DD+BA+piezoelectric configuration. Or are some Hyla models just special in the way it handles the treble..? (There is no shortage of Amazon/eBay matches, including A6.)
Also, the BA (bass) + DD (mid) reversal and 2DD (bass, or otherwise) seems under-explored even though there are good reviews on some $$$ IEMs with this config.
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I am very curious about the Tri Starlight, but I'm hesitant to drop that kind of money for electronics on AliExpress in case something breaks and then I'll be without the money and a working IEM. I already got burned buying a cable on Ali, I don't need that sort of stress at three times the price.
pstickne
100+ Head-Fier
Many of the real popular models seem to eventually end on Amazon.. wait and see if it makes the list? 
Heh...I've managed to make it this far without buying from AE. I think you can't even use Paypal there? No thanks. I'm sure this means I'll miss out on deals, but I am just not a big risk-taker when it comes to audio gear these days like I was, say, 10 years ago.
This Chi-Fi explosion while I was away from the hobby the past 5+ years astounds me. Being back a few months now, I still have no grasp of what companies/brands are trustworthy from a build quality/longevity standpoint. Shoddy build/craftsmanship is the ultimate sin for me. It implies the cutting of corners that I refuse to reward with my consumer $$ no matter how allegedly great "cost/performance" is.
pstickne
100+ Head-Fier
1. PayPal work on AliExpress. I generally avoid AE (and many products on Amazon) because I like product differentiation.
2. It’s no more of a “sin” than the markup charged for IEMs by many ‘premium’ brands, especially when using commodity comportments. Let’s not even get started on cables.. but hey, if it makes you happier to pay into such a premium model, go for it.
Me? I’ve had the most success buying slightly used, and well-differentiated, IEMs from others at a sharp discount.
The biggest issue with ‘Chi-Fi’ IEMs, IMOHO entirely revolves entirely around product differentiation, which is a view we both share. Coupled with the revolving hype (as new is shiny and shiny is cool) and if this isn’t your game - don’t play
. Every once in awhile there is a proven standout that gains some notoriety.
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Who said anything about "premium" brands? If anything, I long ago departed from the so-called summit-fi hamster wheel; I am strictly so-called mid-fi, and have been for some time. I'm cool with being a second class citizen in this hobby where snobbery abounds. I'm taking about brand trust; quality build doesn't have to only be at the "high-end", and we've all seen shoddy design/build at all levels of pricing.
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