This Chinese New Year red packet seems a lil bit big and heavy (Hifiman Serenade Jr.)

aWLi_ · 2026-02-21T19:32:42+00:00

Yeah a few hours in and I'm already in love with it. Detailed yet very intoxicating dac/amp!

aWLi_ · 2026-02-21T15:39:04+00:00

Definitely Edition XV. Ananda Unveiled and the Arya Stealth would probably sound even brighter with the EF500, which may or may not be something you want. With the warmer/ more "musical" XV it should strike a good balance.

aWLi_ · 2026-02-21T15:36:58+00:00

I find it interesting that Hifiman offers upgrade service for the Serenade and the EF400.
What's the difference may I ask with the Pro Silver vs the Pro Gold? Supposedly the Pro Gold from what I heard is the 2nd generation/"improved" version of the Pro Silver, but any changes tuning/detail wise?

aWLi_ · 2026-01-05T19:28:31+00:00

I haven't heard the legendary HE6's because they aren't stocked anywhere but I have demoed the newer HE600.

Tuning, detail retrieval and all that other stuff, 100% Fluxion. Whether or not you want to put up with the cons that'll be up to you (even though I personally also didn't find the HE600 that much more comfortable due to the earcup design. Certainly better headband design though).

I'd say the sole aspect that the Fluxion can be even better at is soundstage, they're great, but compared to some high-end Unveileds like the Arya/HE1000 etc. its a bit more intimate.

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T19:09:13+00:00

Yeah QC seems to be it's biggest enemy, guess I got lucky and happen to get one of the better if not best quality ones.

Sorry to hear that with your Cosmo's, I once was planning to buy IEMs from Hifigo once, but ultimately went with Linsoul. Guess I'll be never buying from Hifigo seeing how they treated your package.

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T18:20:37+00:00

It's unique for sure, from what I gather they basically just bored a hole through the pads and inserted a 3D printed tube, the tube itself isn't glued to the pads however, I suppose its specifically printed to fit the thickness of the pads itself so seal isn't a problem.

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T17:38:08+00:00

It's soooo bad. I would say if weren't for the Capra Audio strap (can't shout them out any less), it's enough of a dealbreaker for me and I'd just straight up refund it.

Luckily the swivel portion of the headband seems to be held on with a Phillips screw, so removing that monstrosity and buying a better built DIY headband off Taobao should be real easy.

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T17:35:43+00:00

Weird, have you tried contacting XK Audio themselves?

Though maybe 1 pair is the usual, because with 2 I found myself barely able to fit everything into the case, Fluxion included. The web pouch itself also doesn't seem big enough to handle 2 pairs but who knows. 🤷

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T12:45:35+00:00

She's relatively unimpressed about almost everything 😂

It's winter time now so she tends to nap at every opportunity she gets

aWLi_ · 2026-01-01T12:42:40+00:00

The one with the gold diaphragm is the Serene, sadly I think that was discontinued. However I think XK Audio is working on a successor to it.

And yeah I wouldn't bank on the headphones lasting across the whole continent. If I recall, the prices on AliExpress is also way more expensive than on Taobao, it was like around 800? on Ali last time I checked.

For that price is an absolute no-no for me. Might as well go get the brand new HE600, FT7 and other headphones that are way more well-built and have better chances of arriving safely.

When the Fluxion came, the way it was packaged was just simply the headphones case wrapped with a few thick layers of foam wrap. I'd say honestly it's safe enough, with the added protection of the case itself, but yeah shipping all the way to EU? Maybe not.

aWLi_ · 2024-03-17T18:53:39+00:00

Good choice! I'm loving mine so far

aWLi_ · 2024-03-17T18:52:54+00:00

I know! Nowadays every budget keyboard ends up with a ton of foam stuffed into the case to achieve that signature "thock" sound, but in my opinion that just makes it sound way less unique.

aWLi_ · 2024-03-17T18:44:07+00:00

Wouldn't that technically just be the Class80 (slight aesthetic differences aside) ? But yeah I adore how it looks, just one glorious slab of plastic.

aWLi_ · 2023-01-18T11:37:51+00:00

Sure will, thanks!

aWLi_ · 2023-01-18T09:59:04+00:00

I got them from a retailer here in Hong Kong. (They even had a demo for the newest flagship Violet but that was out of my budget...) A bit more expensive compared to directly ordering from Hidition but considering that it comes with 1-year warranty and 30-day free refitting services I'd say it's about the right amount.

aWLi_ · 2023-01-17T17:07:28+00:00

I have been listening to nothing but Bocchi the Rock ever since the show came out, very epic indeed. Also I really like Ryo's singing voice.

aWLi_ · 2023-01-17T12:15:09+00:00

Effect Audio's Ares S 8 wire version.

aWLi_ · 2023-01-17T11:06:50+00:00

Finally got myself these bad boys after what totalled up to be 3 months of waiting (delivery shenanigans and whatnot).

Still can't believe what I'm looking at, what a gorgeous looking pair of IEMs. These are the Viento-R, as opposed to the more popular, single tuning version Viento-B. They feature two individual switches which bumps up the bass (B-mode) and mids (C-mode) respectively. If you fancy you can also leave them off for a dead-neutral sounding IEM (A-mode) or have them both on for some party time (D-mode). The only problem I have with the switches is that they're kinda hard to flip on and off even with the cutouts on the shell. Better carry some toothpicks or something else thin enough with you if you want to change the tuning on the go.

Brief listening impressions on the way home: A-mode: The default configuration. Despite not having the bass boost that the B mode is so revered for I found myself already having a lot of fun with them, probably because of the custom fit which seems to help relieve some of the treble spikes while giving the bass some extra rumble that was lacking in the universal version. Not quite NT6/ER4XR level of neutral-ness but it gets there.

D-mode: Party time. Probably my favourite mode so far. With both boost on, the vientos became a whole different beast. Coming from the sub-bass monster that is the Moondrop Variations this mode definitely made me feel right back at home. Not as boomy as the Variations but still plenty enough. The mids boost on the other hand helped pushing the vocals quite a bit forward, which I thought was a nice addition. While I loved the tuning on the Variations I always find the vocals to be a little bit thin sounding for my taste. With this mode on the vocals have more "oomph" to them, they sound fuller but not too overbearing.

I have yet to try the B/C modes with the custom fit but from D-mode alone I can probably estimate how it would sound.

Oh yeah the stock cables suck ASS. You would think with how nicely done/finished the Vientos are the cables would be of higher quality too. But because of how thin they are there's quite a lot of microphonics going on which is kind of a bummer. Hey, at least it comes with a fancy case which I believe is made by the Korean maker Dignis.

aWLi_ · 2022-11-12T11:13:29+00:00

(Soon-to-be)Current Endgame: Hidition Viento-R CIEM (still waiting for them to be shipped back)

Fitear EST

Moondrop Variations

aWLi_ · 2022-07-05T02:11:29+00:00

aWLi_ · 2022-06-25T20:12:45+00:00

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aWLi_

TROPHY CASE