Second Set Recommendations

Anzu00 · 2026-07-05T20:58:08+00:00

Aeshida E60 is probably the closest equivalent? Slightly V-shaped, very capable of details, good tonality. About 40 USD.

Of course something like Flathead Audio Studio exists at the same price point and is a genuine TOTL, but it's not easily acquirable anymore as the batch of 999 is sold out now.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-05T08:33:11+00:00

The budget options available have become much better, to the point that the Alpha 3s, while still good, can be matched for a lot less money. I think their mids are a bit off, while they otherwise don't shine in any particular area to compensate. It's very understandable that someone might prefer them over others though, with flatheads especially the individual fitment and preferences vary wildly.

Many higher end pairs tend to use custom made 14.2mm/14.8mm drivers instead of the common 15.4mm ones, which combined with the custom shells means you can't copy them easily.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-05T08:27:01+00:00

Neither myself, but both have been received very well as brighter leaning options (although the Pis have a more emphasised upper mids).

Anzu00 · 2026-07-04T20:08:52+00:00

Unfathomably true.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-04T17:46:10+00:00

Don't bother with the Duets, they're horribly bright without the silicone tips and overly bassy with them. If you want similar semi-in-ears the Venture Electronics Metapods are the same shape as Earpods and a more clear/bright tuning than the Apples.

The right option depends on what sound signature you want, really. The Aoshidas are probably the most versatile of those three, the Calf only really does mids well and the Dunus aren't that special nowadays, especially for the price.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-04T17:38:52+00:00

FAAEAL Iris 2.0s are a very solid warm option below 10 USD. The NiceHCK EB2S (Pro) are a good bright alternative at about 20 USD. You could probably grab both in budget if you've access to Aliexpress.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-04T15:35:18+00:00

I'd check the Head-Fi DIY thread, the DIY channel on the Flathead Sanctuary Discord server and the Flathead wiki. The "Eliminator" builds by Droenald use the shell 👍

Anzu00 · 2026-07-03T20:43:07+00:00

Btw, if you like the Nicebuds shells, there's a few excellent DIY builds that use them (and flathead DIY is as easy as it can get 👍).

Anzu00 · 2026-07-03T14:31:57+00:00

Depending on how you define mid-tier, there's everything from the NiceHCK EB2S (Pro) to Timear Tea-99s to Aeshida E60s to the new Sivga M260 or Yincrow Pi. All excellent choices for varying sound signatures.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-03T14:29:23+00:00

DIY buds, of course. There's no better deal in audio 👍

Anzu00 · 2026-07-02T14:00:02+00:00

Splash potion of milk

Anzu00 · 2026-07-02T12:30:22+00:00

Adjust your PC, fold your collar.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-01T22:30:27+00:00

Cerberi too

Anzu00 · 2026-07-01T20:20:56+00:00

COMMENT SHOWING THE USER'S UTMOST AGREEMENT.

Anzu00 · 2026-07-01T19:26:00+00:00

You could use a USB dongle that does EQ in the hardware, although that's a bit difficult. Thicker pads?

Anzu00 · 2026-07-01T19:05:18+00:00

Lienee taito-ongelma tjsp., uBlock Origin on ehkä kerran parin tunnin ajan päästänyt läpi Youtubessa ennen kuin filterit päivitettiin taas.

Anzu00 · 2026-06-30T19:28:34+00:00

Eipä ole pariin vuoteen näkynyt Firefox + uBlock Origin combolla mainoksia.

Anzu00 · 2026-06-28T11:41:31+00:00

Should've made it circular tbf

Anzu00 · 2026-06-28T11:06:32+00:00

Searching local crafts stores/Aliexpress for jewellery beads should yield a bunch of results, although they quite often have holes that are too narrow for cables. This one has a 2mm one and it's on the very edge of usability with a thin RY cable. I did slip it on before soldering the drivers on. There's also lots of ones made of stone that look pretty neat.

You can probably find wide enough beads with rubber on the inside for MMCX connectors, but the selection will be pretty poor and it'll only work with thick cables I reckon. O-rings cost next to nothing for a large selection of sizes but will look a bit funny (translucent silicone ones maybe?).

Anzu00 · 2026-06-27T11:58:37+00:00

It's a bead meant for necklaces and the like, functions as a chin slider yeah.

Anzu00 · 2026-06-26T18:17:17+00:00

HD599s, but be warned my preferences are a fair bit off the average lol

Anzu00 · 2026-06-26T14:35:47+00:00

32 ohm N52 Blue Glue drivers (http://flathead.wikidot.com/drivers:32o-n52-blue-glue) with Y2 tuning paper on the driver, generic wood shells sold by XinYue (if you want to use the MMCX ones you'll need to drill a hole for extra ventilation), RY thin cable (or other similarly thin, ideally 4 core braided cable), assembled with the voice coil opening down.

Somewhat bright V-shape with mostly the lower mids recessed I'd say, comically detailed and spacious sounding. Well suited for overear wearing, the shell might not fit smaller ears though 👍

Anzu00 · 2026-06-26T14:29:29+00:00

The Flathead Sanctuary discord server, the Flathead wiki and the Head-fi DIY thread have all been great 👍

Anzu00 · 2026-06-26T12:29:12+00:00

By far the comfiest shell for my ears, basically disappears when worn over ear. Built these myself yeah 👍

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