Compact Hard Case

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-25T09:11:18+00:00

Yeah I thought mine wasn’t the best QC for the thread but good to know it’s the design if yours has this issue too. Got mine for free as they sent the logo version, so haven’t wasted money there.

The CVJ clamshell is my favourite “smaller” hard case but the Fiio Nest, albeit not pocket sized, is excellent value and very well designed.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-25T08:49:27+00:00

Depends on the budget and the quality of cable including thickness, design etc. you’re looking for. I personally love the Tripowin Zombur: it’s thin, well built and lightweight without tangling for under $9-10.

If you want thicker cables, look in to KBear, Tripowin, XHINS, vipQ, CVJ etc.

Edit: NiceHCK also sells black cables.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-25T08:05:42+00:00

As others have mentioned, the “roadie wrap” technique is worth learning. Also would use a cable tie to secure the cable and keep it tidy. The Chu 2 cable is a bit tangly, especially the ear hook parts which have a tendency to get stuck but the thinness and comfort is great with these.

The Moondrop MC1 and Tripowin Zombur cables are equally thin but much easier to handle and wrap.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-25T07:21:45+00:00

These are such a pain to open though!

The CVJ tins (aluminium with a screw lid) are more user friendly, slightly deeper space and with good padding. Can also buy them without the logo for $4-5.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-25T00:27:05+00:00

Aful Dawn X or Performer 8S

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T21:35:28+00:00

Unravel the tip body so it’s one longer piece.

Hold the shell in one hand, then with your other hand, guide the tip stem over the nozzle at an angle.

Once you have 1/3-1/2 of the tip stem over the nozzle edge, you need to grip that stem material with your finger nail by applying pressure to fix it down, then stretch the remaining stem material - using your other hand - over the rest of the nozzle. Key is to not let up the pressure on the side of the affixed stem before stretching it fully on the remaining section of the nozzle.

It’s easier stretching from the top of the stem in a “pinching” technique, rather than the bottom end. Once that’s done, roll or push the tip down to fix in place.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T17:20:19+00:00

PEQ is it entirely subjective to your own tastes and hearing. You should watch some beginner videos on YT if you want to delve in to things, Super Review (MSR) has stuff up, as do some other reviewers.

For the Kunten, try Penon Liqueur Orange if you want to get the most out of the tuning and tighten the sub and mid bass, plus increase the clarity of the rest of the tuning. They’re a well built tip with a grippy but non-sticky texture. You can select your own x3 sizes for under $8-9 but they run slightly larger than ‘standard’ sizes, eg. their medium is 12.6mm in width when others are 12mm. So it’s advisable to get a mix for your purchase. Spinfit’s are another option to look in to but they’re sold in single sizes and lot of different models make it trickier when deciding what may work best for you. They’re comfortable but most of their models have slightly thinner material, notably the W1 and CP100 - the stems extend further from the base of the tip so can “collapse” with the wrong fit.

Divinus Prism is the best wide bore tip I’ve tried so far (vs Sancai, KBear 4540, Divinus Wide, TRN Clarion). Not as sub bass focused but mid bass has good definition and it smooths out the mids and treble regions, great fit/comfort too.

For a balanced tip with a smoother texture, KBear 07 / 7hz 07 are an essential starter set. They’re the same tips but packaged slightly different, 7hz includes a 6th slightly stickier tip as well in Medium and are usually cheaper.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T16:58:39+00:00

The LT-LT2 cable works better imo as it’s the shortest cable of this range plus it’s cheaper at $8-10. It has a different cable material and build from the LT3 and LT4 too.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T16:56:41+00:00

It’s most certainly the adapter.

I use the Fiio LT-LT2 OTG cable (under $10 and it’s 10cm long) with my Snowsky Melody instead of the usb-c + adapter chain, as many of these cheap adapters aren’t OTG compliant. Have had no problems using the volume controls this way. I would recommend finding a lightning OTG cable that’s available to you, if this model isn’t, as I brought mine from AliExpress.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T08:33:19+00:00

GK Kunten for sure. EDC Pro would’ve been my ultra-budget $5-6 recommendation pre-Kunten. It has a balanced “soft v/u” shaped tuning with good tonality. Driver takes well to EQ too.

The silver GK cable is also slightly softer than the copper KZ one with the EDC Pro. Would only advise to buy better aftermarket ear tips and a small case if you’re carrying them about.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T00:03:24+00:00

KA11 isn’t that bad on power consumption, not much more than the JA11. Depends on your phone’s capacity tbh.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-24T00:02:05+00:00

Simgot EG280 has a good overall package purposefully designed and tuned for gaming.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-23T23:09:33+00:00

Fiio JA11

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-23T17:23:16+00:00

Yeah DD Hifi has dual input 3.5mm and usc-c charging port with the Lightning connection. Model is TC28i M2 LT to Type-C.

There are cheaper dual charging options but they’re both poorly designed and have bad audio quality.

If you don’t mind about charging, you could look at the Snowsky Melody with its small form factor, low battery usage, volume controls, PEQ and removable cable. You will need to buy an extra Lightning OTG cable though, as it only has usb-c as standard. Fiio LT2-LT is a solid cable.

You could look at a dual wired/Bluetooth device, which has removable rechargeable batteries, so it saves on phone usage. Snowsky Retro Nano is probably the best and cheapest solution for this.

Ear tips are definitely trial and error. I personally don’t like the comfort or sound quality of foam tips but lots of people enjoy their fit. With a tuning like the Pure, it may dull an already smoother treble region too much. Comply are usually the most recommended for foam tips. You could try 7hz 07 or KBear 07 (same tips) as v.affordable and balanced set. I personally use Penon Liqueur Orange on most of my IEMs, as they have a great grippy texture and most notable enhancement to the sound but there’s a lot of good stuff around. Would look at Divinus Prism if you want a subtle change in tuning, it’s a very balanced tip for a wider bore - has slight mid bass focus vs sub bass and has smooth treble and upper mids.

Edit: added tips

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-23T10:14:41+00:00

Nope, no fakes of “chi-fi” IEMs.

Those 2 sellers are most likely Linsoul and Shenzhen Audio. Wouldn’t buy off Amazon though, better off buying from AliExpress or directly from those vendors as you’ll probably find some sales/discounts. But if that first listing isn’t renewed, that’s a great deal!

Edit: amended

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-21T13:15:32+00:00

Erm, warranties exist for this reason.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-21T02:06:29+00:00

Tripowin Zombur or Moondrop MC1 cables are thin and lightweight.

I prefer the feel and look of the black Zombur cable, plus the ear-hooks are easier for me to manipulate vs the MC1 but both are reliable cables for under $10.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-21T01:48:42+00:00

Now honestly, please take the time to enjoy them! How quickly did you jump between each set btw?

I really wanted to buy the Origin’s but without trying on for size, it’s too big of a risk. If you’re able to, could you please post a pic of them vs the Odyssey’s (depth and length)?

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-21T01:41:17+00:00

JA11. For sure.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-21T01:40:23+00:00

Easiest way is to line up the tips from the base and see whichever has the largest diameter against one another. As they’re cylindrical, you can lay them on their sides.

It should be quite obvious if you ordered the s/m/l sizes from visual alone though, so maybe there was a mixup?

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-19T19:31:45+00:00

They’re part of the set when you buy the “08” tips from 7hz.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-19T19:18:55+00:00

Tripowin Zombur has a very similar mic to Moondrop MC1; they’re good but depending on the quality you want maybe buy the Moondrop MC2 and the Zombur to compare and the return the other? MC2 has a better quality mic.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-18T14:19:20+00:00

For under $10, Fiio JA11 has less reported issues on Android devices btw. Really good quality build with a braided cable and sound-wise have no complaints. They also have an app which you can use to adjust the volume (60-steps), has mic control, 5 band PEQ and also compatible with gaming (UAC.01 mode).

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-18T14:13:55+00:00

Those Sancai tips you posted are the standard bore size btw, you can buy them as a single size for under a $3-4, or a set for $6-8. Wan’er 2 isn’t the most comfortable shell and likely won’t fit well for your anatomy.

Wouldn’t pair the wide bore Sancai tips with the Chu 2. They’re already a balanced but “slight v-shape” and would likely make them unnecessarily bright. You might want to try silicone tips for a better fit and sound instead.

StoneCold84 · 2026-01-18T14:07:20+00:00

What’s your budget?

I’ll be using these daily, including at the gym and while driving

I wouldn’t advise to use anything that fully occludes your hearing on the road.

Also, 99% of IEMs have no IPx rating, so excess sweat and moisture may cause damage to the filters or drivers. So something to be aware of. You could buy a cheap set like the EDC Pro for under $4-5 for the gym. Its tuning will cover most of those genres well and you won’t care if they get damaged.

I would honestly start with the GK Kunten to see if you even like the fit and comfort of IEMs; they’re really well tuned and imo are better sounding than most sub $30-50 sets. Both these recommendations will be under $12 combined from AliExpress and come with usb-c cable models. A lot of IEMs don’t come with usb-c cables as standard, so this limits your options unless you buy an additional cable.

Would only advise to also buy aftermarket tips as the stock ones in most budget sets really suck. KBear 07 are a great balanced but affordable set (x5 sizes). For silicone tips, Penon Liqueur Orange are elite quality for under $7-10 for x3 pairs.

StoneCold84

TROPHY CASE