[TwinACStacks]

  After doing some comparisons last night I've ordered my IEM listening preference:
 
ZhiYin QT5 > TK13 > Shockwave III > TK12
 
 
They're arranged by my priorities based on:
 
1) Soundstage
2) Timbre
3) Mids
4) Treble
 
Notable impressions:
 
QT5 has the best stage, hands down- it's enormous. Compared to the TK13 both its timbre and mids are great (slightly recessed due to the increased head space but not by much), though not nearly as remarkable to my ears as the TK13. Treble on both are excellent but at the end of the day I think the QT5 gets the win for overall appeal. 
 
Shockwave III is also close to the TK13- however I find there is some resonance (which gives the timbre a metallic coloration). It isn't a huge issue- I only noticed through A/B'ing with the other three. 
 
Whether you want to spend $250 or $100 the ZhiYin QT5 and TK13 are an incredible value for their respective price/SQ.

 

Euphonik, I don't have the QT5 yet, I hope to within the next few weeks to buy a pair, but I hear NO metallic overtones in My Pair of Shockwaves, RJ mentioned this as well. Some of them Have pinkish Cables too. I wonder if there are some manufacturing difference at work here. As of Right now I rate them Shockwave>TK13>Tk12 But of course this is always subject to Change. I still don't quite see HOW the QT5 sound Stage can be Larger than the Shockwaves as they are 360 Degress around your head. Is It depth or layering or what exactly?
 
Thanx, you know your opinions are highly valued.
 

TWIN

 

[crabdog]

Oops something just popped up on my radar. Don't think these have been discussed here yet:
 

And check this from the product title oO:
"Dynamic And BA Hybrid Drive Unit HIFI DIY Kill SE315 Kill $200"
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-QingYin-20-In-Ear-Earphone-Dynamic-And-BA-Hybrid-Drive-Unit-HIFI-DIY-Kill-SE315/1825606_32662405867.html

 

[Euphonik]

   

Euphonik, I don't have the QT5 yet, I hope to within the next few weeks to buy a pair, but I hear NO metallic overtones in My Pair of Shockwaves, RJ mentioned this as well. Some of them Have pinkish Cables too. I wonder if there are some manufacturing difference at work here. As of Right now I rate them Shockwave>TK13>Tk12 But of course this is always subject to Change. I still don't quite see HOW the QT5 sound Stage can be Larger than the Shockwaves as they are 360 Degress around your head. Is It depth or layering or what exactly?
 
Thanx, you know your opinions are highly valued.
 

TWIN

 
When listening to the Shockwave III the difference in timbre is most noticeable on vocals that would be sibilant- I think because there is a very thin line between the "S" being harsh, metallic sounding or smooth. To me it's somewhere between metallic and smooth- maybe too close to the edge (which gives it a slight coloration without sibilance). Again, it's barely noticeable unless you're comparing to other earphones. I still enjoy the SWIII but figured it would be worth mentioning (for those on the fence making decisions and such).
 
This is speculation but I think the QT5 stage is much larger due to the enclosure and extra wide nozzle- you get very immersive/enveloping sound that is outside your head (like a concert venue); it really catches your attention on first listen. Every sound seems effortlessly layered/reproduced equally in its own space regardless of how many instruments are playing- due to this I'd say the QT5 is almost on par with a good closed headphone...only real drawback to me is lack of compatibility for tip selection/rolling due to the nonstandard nozzle size.

 

[slowpickr]

Shozy Zero vs TK13 - who wins?

 

[loomisjohnson]

 

 

New AudioSense AS20 In-ear Earphone HiFi Headphones High Quality Stereo Metal Earbuds Noise cancelling earphones With Microphone

 
Anyone tried this?

just got mine (took quite a while)--they were recommended to me by the venerable clieOS. very well built and comfortable; quite forward mids; slightly bright with good overall clarity and highend extension. not bass monsters--bass quantity varies with depth of insertion/fit/tips, but bass is articulate and fast (not bloated). not as immediately exciting or bassy as the comparably-priced hlsx808, but may prove less fatiguing with extended use; definitely merit further listening. (sorry for duplicate post)

 

[m245]

   
When listening to the Shockwave III the difference in timbre is most noticeable on vocals that would be sibilant- I think because there is a very thin line between the "S" being harsh, metallic sounding or smooth. To me it's somewhere between metallic and smooth- maybe too close to the edge (which gives it a slight coloration without sibilance). Again, it's barely noticeable unless you're comparing to other earphones. I still enjoy the SWIII but figured it would be worth mentioning (for those on the fence making decisions and such).
 
This is speculation but I think the QT5 stage is much larger due to the enclosure and extra wide nozzle- you get very immersive/enveloping sound that is outside your head (like a concert venue); it really catches your attention on first listen. Every sound seems effortlessly layered/reproduced equally in its own space regardless of how many instruments are playing- due to this I'd say the QT5 is almost on par with a good closed headphone...only real drawback to me is lack of compatibility for tip selection/rolling due to the nonstandard nozzle size.

What tips are you currently using on the QT5s? Going to pick up a pair.

 

[robervaul]

   
Me too! I expected it to sit between the two but the tuning seems much better- SWIII still has more treble extension but given the bass quality is good on all the earphones listed it becomes a comparison of the other factors (particularly stage, timbre and mids)...TK13 just sounds more transparent to me.

I hope to be surprised with the new DQSM.
 

 

[Euphonik]

 
What tips are you currently using on the QT5s? Going to pick up a pair.

 
I'm using a pair of the supplied tips- you get 3 sizes of two different shapes (all silicone). Not sure if you'll be able to find any that will fit the nozzle- it's extra wide even in comparison to a Sennheiser double flange. There were pictures several pages back in this thread somewhere...
 
edit: found it (thanks lmfboy01)
 

 

[bhazard]

LeTV all metal earphones from Lemall. $8.99 on sale.
 
Based on their plastic set, this could be a good buy.

 

[CoiL]

 

 

Tres cool. now I'm really stoked to get my hands on these QT5. Easy gave me a good price on them as well.  Are those really wide nozzles problematic?  Now I just got to save my pennies....
 

TWIN

 
Chances are none of your tips will fit- I find the supplied tips to be adequate, though (since I usually fit a standard size-medium). Still, it's good to see these Chinese companies pushing the envelope on designs and such; making the nozzle/housing larger on the QT5 was a good decision, imo- there are plenty of speakers in this thing to fill it

Guys, maybe these TIPS help: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/3-Pairs-Replacement-Earbud-Ear-Tips-for-HS-930i2-HS-930i-Earphone-Earplug-Headset-Eartips-Headphones/32611806077.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.124.QJt6Dd
I have those tips and they have very large nozzle tube. I can`t use them with any of my IEM`s due to being loose. 

 

[Euphonik]

  I hope to be surprised with the new DQSM.
 

 
I never heard the original- however if they made improvements it could very well be a contender with the TK13. That design looks pretty nice!

 

[TwinACStacks]

   
I never heard the original- however if they made improvements it could very well be a contender with the TK13. That design looks pretty nice!

Very refined sound with exceptional Bass, but HORRIBLE and I mean HORRIBLE Mid and Treble spikes. Like javelins in my eardrums. It renders these virtually unlistenable to me. If you want to hear them Euponik I can send them to you when I get a chance. P.M. me.
 

TWIN

 

[audio123]

just got mine (took quite a while)--they were recommended to me by the venerable clieOS. very well built and comfortable; quite forward mids; slightly bright with good overall clarity and highend extension. not bass monsters--bass quantity varies with depth of insertion/fit/tips, but bass is articulate and fast (not bloated). not as immediately exciting or bassy as the comparably-priced hlsx808, but may prove less fatiguing with extended use; definitely merit further listening. (sorry for duplicate post)

ah i see thats interesting. Maybe considering purchasing one.

 

[Euphonik]

 

Very refined sound with exceptional Bass, but HORRIBLE and I mean HORRIBLE Mid and Treble spikes. Like javelins in my eardrums. It renders these virtually unlistenable to me. If you want to hear them Euponik I can send them to you when I get a chance. P.M. me.
 

TWIN

 
I have plenty of IEMs with exceptional bass so I'll pass on murdering my eardrums with spikes...I'm sure they sound good when turned down but I don't turn down for nothin'

 

[CoiL]

I wish they would offer #009 + black "ring" faceplates combination!
 
  +  
 
I would buy these just for beauty then...