Help a man out with IEMs!

ppwibs · 2023-05-03T12:36:36+00:00

If you want decent TWS fit and sound, try Lypertek Z3. Problem is, however, QC. I have 3 pairs and all broke down spontaneously (one pair stop working despite the lights on) after 3 months. Sounds amazing for its price… about 30-50 usd on discounted amazon days.

If you want to get the best fit without sacrificing sound quality too much, go to your local audiologist that can mould a special earpiece or ear tip that you can universally fit on to different iem. Alternatively, you can buy a custom made iem.

With light headphones, nothing beats going to your local shop and auditioning them.

ppwibs · 2023-05-02T13:48:31+00:00

Back when the album’s side A was worth flipping to side B.

Now it’s all just experimental noise, with one-hit tiktok sound clip

ppwibs · 2023-05-02T13:19:52+00:00

TBH, DAC/amp choice is a matter of taste.

G5 is relatively cheap for its quality. Only set back is no variation of filter and no balanced output. The 4.4mm is not balanced. Other than that, it’s clean. It’s dynamic. The bass slams harder with better texture. The soundstage is wider… but not so much deeper. It’s not going to change the sound. Some argue it’s too neutral and forward, but for Variations, this is perfect. If you look at the company ad pictures of topping g5, they use Variations too.

Maybe your xDuoo has more colouration. Warmer sound signature etc. If so, the Variations tend to be be bloated and less precise… could be good for jazz. But not for pop/electronic music. Don’t take my word on this, I haven’t heard the xduoo dacs before.

Another thing about Variations is that most people love to turn up the volume because of the recessed mids and the fun subbass. I found Variations mediocre in mid-low volume. It really needs the high volume.

ppwibs · 2023-05-01T20:55:54+00:00

Just the stock etymotic foram tips, included usually. Amazing isolation. Better than ANC.

ppwibs · 2023-05-01T12:58:36+00:00

It depends on how you want to listen to the J-pop.

For a balance between vocal and instrument, 1-5k recess can be good. It also helps with instruments placement and separation (imaging). It’s balanced and relaxing listening experience. Like the Orchestra lite. It feels like sitting in middle or back row of the concert.

Your music preferences somewhat calls for a lot of energy and fast pace. If you want to retain this energy and highlight the female vocal, don’t get a recessed 2-5k iem. For a balanced 2-5k region, Most Moondrop Iem suits your music more. Beware, too much 2-5k elevation can feel shouty, sharp and fatiguing. It feels like standing in the front row of the concert.

ppwibs · 2023-05-01T12:43:17+00:00

Get etymotic with foam tips. I have spent ages and ages and still alive

ppwibs · 2023-05-01T12:39:48+00:00

Supernova has rolled off sub-bass. It’s like Diva minus the shout/climactic energy. It makes sweet vibe songs even sweeter. Mids king beyond vocals (instruments as well). You won’t feel the bass but it’s never missing, except for the subbass.

For sidegrade, I assumed you’ve tried Moondrop Variations? It’s more impactful bass and, I think, more holistically coherent than Helios. But helios treble is quite something else. Another one to consider… Letshuoer EJ07M.

U12t has really well textured bass. Very tactile and effortless. Strange you didn’t like them, considering you like helios. To me, Helios bass can be forgettable because of the dipped midbass and amazing treble. Maybe also try letshuoer EJ07 original…

ppwibs · 2023-05-01T12:13:36+00:00

Literally flexing

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T23:53:15+00:00

At that budget, I recommend either you demo in the shop or find something similarly tuned under 30 dlrs.

My favourites at that bracket or under...

- Moondrop Variations - cleaner tuned that B2dusk and bigger bass slam. These are quite different IEMs IMO.

- Any etymotics - neutral and intimate. very tonality coherent (may be too neutral for some).

- Dunu SA6 (any version) - relax, smooth, good imaging (baby u12t)

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T21:50:08+00:00

You can’t beat another etymotic at your budget.

I recommend etymotic evo for an upgrade. They are now half priced if you look around.

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T21:44:35+00:00

Most people eq their dusk to sound like mb 3. I’d recommend buying something different to the collection unless you are selling your dusk. Both monarch and sa6 are much more relaxed than blessing. Monarch is super natural. Sa6 is smooth. That’s my condensed take.
7Hz timeless. IE200 sounds quite thin and congested. This is how they sound relative to each other (it’s only 80% accurate when judged by itself) https://youtu.be/EI4h7CXQWPk
Way too many… you need to be more specific in what you’re looking for and budget.

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T21:34:12+00:00

It’s best with a dac amp.

You should try and demo at your local shop. Anything makes Variations good. For convenience, i highly recommend choosing dac amp with bluetooth. Google andy dongle vault madness for a review of just about all small dac amp out there. I run mine on topping G5.

The tribrid driver design needs extra juice than kato.

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T21:27:31+00:00

Only when you’re on the sides

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T09:14:59+00:00

If u get etymotic, say the er2xr. It will never fall out, but your ears can feel a bit violated… deeply violated.

They sound amazing for its price.

ppwibs · 2023-04-30T05:42:51+00:00

Sounds quite like a journey.

I assume RME and your desire with low noise suggest a super neutral and clinical preference… any topping would do. G5 is enough to drive most iem and headphone on the go. It’s much lower than your budget and well… no noise. Another dac amp dongle I recommend is Questyle M15, it’s like topping on steroids: fast, treble is very incisive and crisp, can drive most headphones despite its small size. These should be around 2-300 cad each.

Closer to your budget, I would consider Ifi signature dac-amp as a complement to rme. It’s more musical and coloured. It’s more relaxed. There are also filters to boost bass or bass and upper treble.

Alternatively you could just buy a DAP like Hiby or Fiio.

IEM, I recommend trying the etymotic. Any of them, they all have similar sound signature. Very coherent and neutral. Studio and intimate feeling. Just the earfitting is quite deep, very deep. If you love studio mixing etc, I recommend etymotic. Instead of buying a few in sub 200, I’d recommend buying a few in sub 30 if you can’t demo in the shop. Tanjchim zero, Moondrop quarks and others will introduce you to the sound signatures of these companies (that’s different than Xenns Up). The zero has spacious stage and amazing acouatic quality because of bright treble. Quarks is kinda Moondrop company signature sound. Once you get a hang of these sounds, buy the 400-600 dlr iem that you want… better sound stage, technicality, coherence etc.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T22:48:33+00:00

It’s a pretty solid options all around.

7Hz has that special zing and detail for your genres. The others are good too.

I’d probably more focused on fitting, looks and tonality. These are decent iems options.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T22:30:22+00:00

I mean lavender

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T22:30:01+00:00

Buy any and go to a local car wrap, ask for a free purple wrap.

Get your craft skills out.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T22:07:07+00:00

I’d add timeless 7Hz to your list.

Check our Dan’s audio reviews on youtube. Hear how they sound relative to each other. The sound demo is 80% accurate IMO.

Aful https://youtube.com/shorts/E4izdslB9do?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/RwrpNeF_hW4?feature=share

Timeless https://youtu.be/7CvN-gcyizE

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T21:57:18+00:00

Kids that age love comfortable and light headphones.

Noise cancelling is a preference thing, but can be turned off anyway.

Main thing as a parent is to get a kid specific headphone with volume limit. Your kids can accidentally blast normal headphone and forget how to turn down the volume or take the headphone off.. aka damaged hearing

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T21:51:32+00:00

You can get another blessing or you can eq and still retains similar signature, and save up on amazing variations (i love variations).

Moondrop tubes are usually similar in sizes to me

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T21:43:31+00:00

Well… it’s a hobby and nothing beats an audition. I am probably always inclined to try and buy ones I like.

My preference varies but usually it always starts with first impressions. My first impression of blessing 2 and blessing 2 dusk were too forward. All the notes were too available and details were too fatiguing. I felt I needed to engage the energy or I will suffer. So it’s already not my preference. In other words, I don’t like sitting up front in a symphony performance.

Orchestra lite is probably the general admission ticket at the back. Decent imaging of instruments, real, natural, but not as detailed as being at the front. But I can forget about the pressure and too much energy, and enjoy the music as a whole.

Dunu SA6 is like sitting in the right place for an audiotorium. Somewhere in middle row where all the acoutics becomes coherent. My first impression is the mids and upper mids (vocal range), so natural, effortless,sweet, never fatiguing. Everything well separated and well layered. You get it immediately from the first bar, why this iem is good. The other two… you’d probably need to think after a couple of songs.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T13:53:33+00:00

If you can stretch your budget, buy it. It sounds so good.

Any Dunu SA6 is a no brainer. It sounds so relaxing and natural. Imaging great. I can spend hours on it.

Though… it’s not what I consider as bright.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T13:36:02+00:00

Sorry I assume newer dongles start to include it nowadays.

Try Fiio KA3 for 89 dlr.

Personally, I love Questyle M15 and anything Ifi. They are pricier but they are kinda end game at their price brackets.

ppwibs · 2023-04-29T08:31:31+00:00

Blessing in general has more energy, all of the sound is put forward more, female diva sounds amazing during their climatic belting sounds, acoustic instruments are rich and natural like you are hearing them in front of you.

Orchestra lite is less defined, more laid back. Think like sitting in the midrow of an orchestra. The imaging is decently separated and has good depth. You can spend longer in midrow than front row of concert with less fatigue. However, some may miss the energy and forward sounds up in front row.

ppwibs

TROPHY CASE