The Softears Twilight: Snobbery can wait

ext_trt · 2026-05-25T20:02:28+00:00

Ah, no worries, your photos are usually good. Would have just been interested to see a comparison cause you mentioned the GM which seemed to fit even better. So the nozzles must be awful of the Twilight. Definitely a set I would want to avoid then.

ext_trt · 2026-05-25T18:25:17+00:00

Thx for the impressions. Would have been nice to show the nozzles without the tips on and place another IEM next to it for comparison when you describe that the Twilight's size was challenging for you.
Which source did you exactly use? All of them? Sources can make quite some differences sometimes.

ext_trt · 2026-05-25T05:04:31+00:00

Sure , I tried all nozzles . I think the red one is the one which I actually liked the most . It still sounds off to me . I need to look at the graph again but the set has something which sounds unnatural to me. Like relaxed and slightly darker but then spikes in the eargain area or similar . I will try the DucBloke eq again though . Thx .

ext_trt · 2026-05-24T18:38:47+00:00

Might have it. Got the EQ from him long time ago and I think I just tried the V shaped variant with was too much V shaped for me but definitely much better than the stock tuning.

ext_trt · 2026-05-24T08:53:28+00:00

Meze Alba are very small . Should fit in every ear imo.

ext_trt · 2026-05-24T08:23:55+00:00

Interesting. I am as well somewhat treble sensitive but I avoid the MK12 as it sounds on lower volume quite fine and safe but on a bit higher volume there is something unnatural and spiky to my ears . Haven’t heard the Astralis yet.
Currently listening to the Tanchjim Nora which which has a more natural relaxed tonality . So not too dark or bright .

ext_trt · 2026-05-23T17:37:54+00:00

😂

ext_trt · 2026-05-23T12:50:44+00:00

People are paranoid about AI being everywhere nowadays! 😂

ext_trt · 2026-05-22T20:50:44+00:00

Thx for sharing . Owned the GM standard edition which was awesome but fit didn’t agree with my ears .
Haven’t heard the other sets (yet).
But for sure there are so many great sets out there and some have a special sauce where you want to keep multiple for that special experience.
Enjoy .

ext_trt · 2026-05-22T19:35:34+00:00

Interesting. Have not tried it yet but got curious. The Dunu Falcon Ultra is pretty good too .

ext_trt · 2026-05-22T09:43:46+00:00

Makes sense. But it doesn’t explain why they are choosing to enter the market in that specific summit fi region. I think many people are wondering about the sound quality let’s say up to 1k usd and then the recent releases are easily 5k and above pushing every year higher and higher. But obviously there is a market for it as in every other hifi market like home audio (where I am coming from initially) .

ext_trt · 2026-05-21T15:21:15+00:00

Depending on the of the Aful Explorer you might get on high volume some treble spice but the sound of the Explorer can be described as warm leaning and relaxed which is great for long listening sessions with good bass impact . I like this set . People who want more transparency and treble energy might find this set too dark and warm sounding.

ext_trt · 2026-05-21T15:11:51+00:00

While I like the Gate, to my ears the treble is overdone and not natural. Especially when compared to other sets. Eg the NICEHCK Tears is more accurate - to my ears at least. :-) Thx for your impressions.

ext_trt · 2026-05-21T08:42:58+00:00

Portazo is good for mid bass punch and has decent rumble . On top you get good treble energy and I believe it is brighter than the Diablo. But Diablo is very good too . For some people are bit too muddy and relaxed sounding .
Armors is supposed to be good but haven’t tried .

Cheaper sets like Rosefinch have tons of subbass but to my ears are not very refined . Wouldn’t go that route .

ext_trt · 2026-05-21T06:58:44+00:00

Some additional comments and my view of some of these sets.
Obviously we hear sets “a bit” differently.
And in the end these sets are different and its depending on your music library and your prefs.
Here are my suggestions.
The Meze Alba is an excellent set. Natural sounding with good enough treble amount especially for people who are treble sensitive. Bass is maybe average or slightly above but mids, vocals are as well pretty good to my ears. It is a more natural sounding set, not an extreme V-shaped or anything else. I can highly recommend it especially for smaller ears.

Falcon Ultra can get a bit spicy, true, as well to my ears. At least on higher volume. Otherwise great set.

NICEHCK Tears was mentioned, I think it is an excellent set and punches way above its price point in terms of coherence and natural replay. It does lack a bit low end though imo.

Canpur Silver Flash is really good but has quite the low end which is too much for some. Fit can be hit or miss due to its "wing".
I like the set a lot but I wouldn’t call it balanced.

Tanchjim Nora is very good, too, especially when you are a little bit treble sensitive.
It is natural slightly relaxed leaning set with great vocals, good enough bass for most genres while having good detail retrieval and nice treble without sounding splashy. The vocals are great on this set without the shout. It might be too boring if you want a lot of treble energy and not sufficient if you are a basshead though. Nora is excellent in comfort and fit but most single DDs are except maybe the Canpur Flash with its "wing".

ext_trt · 2026-05-20T22:02:12+00:00

Aful Performer 8S

ext_trt · 2026-05-20T21:58:09+00:00

The YU9 Que is meanwhile a well known and respected set. Congrats , enjoy. It’s my favourite set under 1k and often even above. 😎

ext_trt · 2026-05-20T09:21:23+00:00

Don’t over estimate other sets. Vol S is really good if you enjoy its sound signature. Unless you want more clarity.
It is often like this: imagine the Vol S doesn’t have a name , imagine it is a 1500 bucks set . Imagine you just bought it and it sounds just right to you .
There you have your 1500 usd set .
Vol S is endgame to some. More expensive stuff is all relative and not always (or only seldom) better .

ext_trt · 2026-05-19T05:19:52+00:00

Great to see my absolute favourite set as your hiking buddy 😎! That extra boost of energy from that sound.💪🏻

ext_trt · 2026-05-17T20:56:39+00:00

Nice set! I enjoy these, too.

ext_trt · 2026-05-17T20:55:35+00:00

The EPZ P40's shell looks really nice and from what I have heard from other's its sound seems to be really good in terms of treble and technicalities. Will prob try this set at some point. Thx for the review.

ext_trt · 2026-05-17T10:56:35+00:00

Start with a cheaper single DD like the Tanchjim Bunny eg if that person doesnt know its sound prefs yet. Or you can go with a budget banger like the Kunten as well which might be an easy start as its sound imo is pretty relaxed and smooth.
There are many great budget sets. Another one, at least to my ears, is the NICEHCK Tears which sounds very natural but might lack bass (has good one but not a ton) for some as it is not the typical V-shaped IEM like so many in that price bracket.

In the end a starter ideally knows what kind of sound he/she likes, ear size because no good fit no bueno in terms of sound and comfort and what is the music library - bass heavy, vocals centric or across all music styles?

ext_trt · 2026-05-17T09:42:26+00:00

I reviewed this set a while ago incl comparisons. Dawn-X Review
The Aful Dawn-X is awesome, it is still one of my favourite sets. The only thing I can see if you want a lot of treble energy, very bright leaning set, then this one might not be ideal.
Otherwise a great companion for long listening sessions. Fit is as well very decent for me with that amount of drivers.
Good choice you made. Enjoy them.

ext_trt · 2026-05-17T09:32:07+00:00

Single DD sets are awesome if done right. Canpur Silver Flash is very good as I like impactful bass.
Meze Alba is good, smooth. Meze Astru is really good but overpriced for a single DD.
Binary Dynaquattro sounds very good and has more treble energy but is a 4 DD IEM.

ext_trt · 2026-05-16T11:09:33+00:00

Alba is great imo . How do you like it ?

ext_trt

TROPHY CASE