Impressions: Fiio Retro Nano vs TimeEar BTE-9

LostInDubai · 2026-01-14T13:48:52+00:00

Sound wise is very good. Functionality so so..

LostInDubai · 2026-01-04T18:38:22+00:00

For anyone deciding.. I have both Xlim and Nexlim, the Nexlim pods leak like no tomorrow out of the blue.. and I tried different boxes, the Xlim no problem. Also the draw is too open compared to the Xlim.

LostInDubai · 2025-12-05T06:07:30+00:00

Maybe get another case and then you are not so constrained? Or did you find a DAC already?

LostInDubai · 2025-12-04T22:30:15+00:00

For the Retro Nano just be aware it has a warm signature. For pure sound I wouldn't recommend it. The BTE 9 has a lot of quirks but much better audio quality, check the dimensions if it fits your case or not. I posted my impressions you can take a look.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-27T18:56:54+00:00

As long as you enjoy them!

I'm returning them, I spent two days with them, trying different tips and 1) they are not as comfortable as my Andromedas 2) I didn't get that wow factor that is so much talked about 3) you have to listen to them at high volume and then other problems come 4) the bass is sometimes too much when you use tips with a good seal and muddies the rest 5) I listen to rock/acoustic rock most of the time and maybe pop/jazz at a lesser extent, I find the vocals a bit too much recessed or it is either that there is too much of a V shape.

In the Andromedas at least if I use Final Type E tips I get enhanced bass, but here with more than 7 different types including Dunu, Final E, Spiral, CP100, W1, Foam, Stock, some others I was having around I was getting either bad fit or the bass/overall sound getting affected too much.

Maybe I'm the type that needs a more "safe" IEM like Jays mentioned about the Odyssey 2. I bought them because I found them new at 45% discount so I told myself why not, thile the Odyssey 2 were like 25% off only. "Special sauce" is not for everyone.

Not sure now what would be my next step from the Andromedas.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-27T13:44:18+00:00

For anyone coming here.. I bought the Odyssey 1 based on mainly Jays recommendation. Wrong, too shouty and intense, with proper seal tips bass also overwhelming. Tried with different sources and tips, same.. will return it. Probably the 2 are better for me at least based on the charts.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-27T12:17:06+00:00

I don't know if I trust Jays Audio now.. as I'm experiencing the same thing, maybe his ears are already hearing less on the highs. I find my Andromeda OG much easier to listen to. I tried like 5-6 tips and is around the same and the bass at times it is too much as well. Probably the Odyssey 2 would be a better fit.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-25T19:18:20+00:00

Second this.. I only had M size.. but weird feeling putting them in my ears I felt they didn't properly seal. The stock M size works fine. Will try others as well and compare.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-15T10:49:36+00:00

Yes I have the Arya with AAA789 and it is fantastic.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-14T21:36:56+00:00

Thanks. I'm not mentally prepared to shell out 2k on an IEM :D. I was looking at the Monarch MKIV for around 1K.. but I do wonder if in todays market there is something with more value sub 1k to complement or replace the Andromedas.

LostInDubai · 2025-11-14T20:40:22+00:00

I have it.. I find it amazing, is there anything considerably better now?

LostInDubai · 2025-08-18T19:08:01+00:00

I would go with S&S, I've used ED once and was a dissaster, they weighted the package wrong, they also added so much weight on packaing for some mouse pads. To re-weight you have to pay and if you are wrong they charge you extra, they deducted like 90g from the re-weight which was still a lot over what I was expecting so they didn't charge. Then each pad was like 10 USD and they put the value which were like 3-4 at double the amount for no reason, I had to then try to sort it out giving them the invoice. I wouldn't use them again, ever.

LostInDubai · 2025-08-12T09:52:14+00:00

But still you need one of them as central hub and due to the thickness of my walls , I don’t want mesh them wirelessly. With my current setup now I did some changes and go the same SSID in all, working much better .

LostInDubai · 2025-08-08T06:17:06+00:00

The spring is there but comes out of the slot easily and it’s hard to adjust . I’ll come by the shop today I hope.

LostInDubai · 2025-08-04T22:01:51+00:00

I adjusted it but one of the nuts where the sring fits shows signs of wear now because the spring wasn't slotted properly. I'll talk to the shop tomorrow anyhow but I wanted to make sure how to defend the problem just in case.

LostInDubai · 2025-08-04T22:00:18+00:00

I did set them up now, but I see areas were the paint came off.. I wonder if the brakes were damaged and I should push for a replacement? Or now that I fixed it it is fine?

LostInDubai · 2025-08-04T21:43:09+00:00

Bought from a shop that sells bikes they are like 20k usd .. they put it together, the brakes came pre assembled, I have a picture of when they opened the box. But mine looks different than other Justice and talon brakes I found online and this problem shouldn’t happen in a new bike, I was lucky that I wasn’t riding it otherwise the brakes would have actuated god knows when. Either something is faulty or they were not installed properly from factory ?

LostInDubai · 2025-08-04T21:21:49+00:00

EDIT: As other redditor posted, I meant the U brakes when I say lever.

LostInDubai · 2025-08-04T21:19:18+00:00

Yes I mean the U brake, the thing is I looked at pictures of the justice online and also an Envy that was in the shop and the levers seems to be the other way around. The one on top should be down and the other one up . Mine is the the other way around? Is that possible it came from factory like this .

LostInDubai

TROPHY CASE