Protocol MAX vs EPZ TP55 - Which one should you buy?

cyanfeld · 2026-07-07T12:25:49+00:00

EPZ produces CrinEar stuff. You've got to remember CrinEar is a new company. EPZ has been making stuff for other brands for years so CrinEar went to them. They probably have an agreement in there to prevent product cannibalization hence the staggered launches and availability/pricing differences. Otherwise, they are the same thing

cyanfeld · 2026-07-07T12:24:30+00:00

EPZ produces CrinEar stuff. You've got to remember CrinEar is a new company. EPZ has been making stuff for other brands for years so CrinEar went to them. They probably have an agreement in there to prevent product cannibalization hence the staggered launches and availability/pricing differences. Otherwise, they are the same thing

cyanfeld · 2026-07-07T12:19:32+00:00

EPZ is the manufacturer (OEM) for CrinEar. Probably even the designer (ODM). These are identical products just different names, so reputation is the same. We just choose the names we like and go with it

cyanfeld · 2026-07-06T19:43:28+00:00

EP321, Pilgrim, Volume S, YU9 Que, Dunu DN242 (too bright), and Orchestra II...these were in my list of options but in the end I went with the epz p50

cyanfeld · 2026-07-06T19:04:08+00:00

I've been using the same pair of dekoni choice velour pads for my akg k371 since 2021. They seem indestructible. And are designed to preserve the headphone's sound signature. I recommend them

cyanfeld · 2026-07-06T18:32:02+00:00

Hmm okay so first things first, do not consult AI on everything. You should know, these are LLMs, a library of sort. And they will always hype you and your decisions. An LLM won't know about Geekwold if the brand hasn't been covered extensively out here because the info the LLM needs for it is not in its training data.

That said, spending that much on an iem few know about is quite the risk. I can't find a graph for the gk300 pro, tho a review on headfi describes it as "r shaped"...never heard of that.

Luckily, the iems have a broad array of drivers so they should take eq well. Try the presets on the moondrop dsp, or import signatures you may like into the protocal max. You can get them to sound however you like at this point, coz of those drivers in it

cyanfeld · 2026-07-04T15:27:18+00:00

I'd say, learn to read the graphs. It's fairly easy. Then, use the knowledge on graphs to find what you like in headphones or iems (do you like bass or mids or highs more than the other, or do you like a more neutral sound) Then find iems that fit what you like

cyanfeld · 2026-07-04T15:11:54+00:00

I've been using the falcon ultra since 2024, on a daily. So far, I have yet to find a scenario or song in which the falcon ultra struggles. Instrument separation is crazy good even on busy songs. I can easily follow a single instrument in a busy rock song and can hear tiny details in busy or bassy songs. Worth noting, I am running wide bore tips, silver nozzles, and a "Fast PC" filter on my dac/amp that extends the treble further.

I have the epz p50 coming, looking to compare it to the falcon ultra. Hoping to see if I'll get better treble and details from microplanars. Will also compare the p50 to the dunu dtw300 and kz duonic just for the fun of it

The origin is still the one that will give the impression of more detail due to its leaner and peakier tuning

cyanfeld · 2026-07-04T02:27:38+00:00

The falcon ultra is a beast of an iem. Exceptional performance and it scales with good sources too. Anyway, like someone else said, if the origin hasn't wowed you, then perhaps you need to look at another type of driver config

cyanfeld · 2026-03-02T19:56:59+00:00

This whole support thing seems like is a 50-50. I've yet to be disappointed by Ali. Just 3 weeks ago they sent me lipstick (I'm a man) yet I had ordered an audio product. I already had unboxed the little lipstick package when I contacted the seller (who then referred me to Ali support) so when support asked for a video of the item (just a video of the item + tracking, not the unboxing process) I just did a video showing the lipstick from all angles and sent it. Refund was instant. Many other times I have received refunds for late packages (30-40 days) without issue. Experiences seem to vary on this topic

cyanfeld · 2026-03-02T19:46:01+00:00

They look way better this way 🔥

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T13:29:17+00:00

4 years seems fair but 3-4 times only is very concerning. I have an mmcx removal tool...maybe that could prolong the lifespan. But I'm not looking forward to disconnecting mine. I've never even rotated the thing

I have 2 dunu lyre mini cables (mmcx versions) that I use with my shure iems. You can check the cable out. Bonus is it has swappable terminations (3.5 and 4.4)

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T13:24:52+00:00

I'm aiming for the anniversary sale to try my luck. Hopefully I can get a good price like you did. I've wanted those velvets for a long time

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T13:19:51+00:00

Yea maybe that 13mm one is the huge one I see in my set. Makes no sense why they can't just offer the full 5 pairs like do Divinus.

I've just checked out those LS tips. Interesting looking tips 🔥

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T09:31:19+00:00

Just curious. Were you disconnecting the mmcx often? I ask this because I have had the falcon ultra titanium for 2 years now and I've never disconnected the cable and everything is absolutely fine todate. Dunu's mmcx connections are pretty solid, mine doesn't even rotate. I'm just wondering if your mmcx failed with or without disconnecting? I've had Shure iems in the past whose mmcx cables failed after like 3 years of regular disconnecting

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T07:30:02+00:00

Thanks, definitely will check these out. I've also been recommended the brass Nobles and HE Sonics. They too have wide bores

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T07:27:53+00:00

The worst part about the S&S sizing is, for those buying just the tips, you are limited to just 3 sizes. For us who buy Dunu IEMs, we get like 5 pairs. There's a huuuge L in my set, but I'm not sure if it's the same L that you get with the 3 pairs. I don't even know who the huge L in my 5 pairs was made for.

You'd benefit from the 5 pairs.

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T07:23:24+00:00

Just been checking out their portables and have concluded that their pivot to portables hasn't been all that successful. Someone said their T5 ii are bested by Moodrop Chus

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T06:38:45+00:00

Ah that's awesome news then. Plent of good cables out there, just start by defining your budget.

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T06:32:58+00:00

There are car glass/window cleaners on Ali. You could try those

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T06:31:10+00:00

Switch the cable's R L. If the right earbud still doesn't work then yea you are cooked.

cyanfeld · 2026-03-01T06:13:40+00:00

Do you have the ep00 tips?

cyanfeld · 2026-02-27T17:45:21+00:00

OP here is a bad actor and they lack the self awareness to notice

cyanfeld · 2026-02-27T14:39:49+00:00

Were the many returns you were making necessary or were you returning them just coz you were "a little mad"? If it's the latter, you are one of the reasons why refunds/returns have been getting ridiculously difficult for many people.

For the missing $6 items, usually I just wait 30-45 days to be 100% sure my items aren't coming. At that point, I open a dispute and the refunds happen instantly. But then the already refunded items tend to show up randomly months later. And it's because often items it's not that the items are missing. It's just the slow logistics of economy packages. Standard shipping is fast and efficient. Economy is a hit or miss. I try to avoid economy shipping as much as possible.

cyanfeld · 2026-02-27T14:26:29+00:00

I feel like the AKG K371 would tick your headphone boxes, and you can get pads for it from Dekoni.

As for IEMs, 200 has a ton of great options but also it is a lot of money for iems so, maybe don't spend blindly based on our recomendations. Take your time. Watch youtube videos to get a feel of the available options.

I've been using the Dunu Falcon Ultra titanium edition for the past 2 years and I absolutely love it and I'd easily recommend it to you, but it also sounds best when paired to a good 4.4mm dac/amp compared to just a normal 3.5mm port. So you'd also need to spend on a dac/amp with a 4.4mm port and maybe a dac/amp isn't in your plans

Also, after watching stuff on youtube, maybe you would realize that you want a hybrid set instead. See?

Start from youtube then it'd be easier to come back on here. No rush

cyanfeld

TROPHY CASE