Head Gear Reviews by darmanastartes
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Moondrop Chu II
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Moondrop Chu II is an in-ear monitor (IEM) with one 10mm aluminum-magnesium composite alloy diaphragm dynamic driver in each housing. It is a sequel release to the Moondrop Chu and now features a removable 2-pin cable. The Chu II retails for $18.99 at ShenzhenAudio. I received the Chu II from ShenzhenAudio in exchange for my review. MUSIC: I tested this device with FLAC local files and Spotify Premium streaming. Check out my last.fm page to see what I’m listening to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND... -
HiBy Zeta
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The HiBy Zeta is a hybrid in-ear monitor that combines one 10mm dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers per earpiece. It retails for $1399. I received the Zeta through a review tour organized by HiBy. I was able to test it for a week and a half before writing my review. I covered the shipping costs to the next reviewer on the tour, and no compensation was received for this review. SOURCES: During my review process, I utilized the Hiby Zeta with the following sources: Moondrop Dawn Truthear... -
Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite Universal 8BA IEM
Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring eight balanced armature (BA) drivers per housing. The Orchestra Lite retails for $249.99 at Linsoul. Linsoul sent me the Orchestra Lite in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Truthear Shio Audirect Atom 3 Hidizs S9 Apple dongle MUSIC: I tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what... -
Moondrop LAN
Moondrop LAN Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Moondrop LAN is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring one 10mm beryllium-plated dynamic driver per housing. The LAN retails for $39.99 at ShenzhenAudio. ShenzhenAudio sent me the LAN in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Moondrop LAN with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Truthear Shio Apple Dongle MUSIC: I tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND... -
TinHiFi T4 PLUS Universal 10mm CNT Dynamic Driver IEM
Tin HiFi T4 Plus INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The TinHiFi T4 Plus is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring one 10mm carbon nanotube dynamic driver per housing. The T4 Plus retails for $119.99. I am not receiving any compensation, financial or otherwise, for writing this review. SOURCES: I have used the TinHiFi T4 Plus with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Truthear Shio MUSIC: I tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND... -
TRUTHEAR Hola
Truthear Hola Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Truthear Hola is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring detachable cables and one 11mm dynamic driver per housing. The Hola retails for $18.99 at ShenzhenAudio. ShenzhenAudio sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Truthear Hola with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 Truthear Shio Apple Dongle MUSIC: I tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm... -
TRUTHEAR SHIO
Truthear Shio Review The Truthear Shio is a compact digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amplifier combination unit that retails for $69.99. The Shio features a 3.5 mm single-ended output and a 4.4 mm balanced output, as well as a physical volume rocker. The Shio uses dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, only seen previously on more expensive products. ShenzhenAudio sent me the Shio in exchange for my impressions. HEADPHONES: I have used the Truthear Shio with the following headphones: Moondrop S8 Dunu Kima Truthear Hola TinHiFi T4 Plus Moondrop... -
Truthear HEXA 4 Driver Hybrid IEM
Truthear Hexa Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Truthear Hexa is an in-ear monitor (IEM) utilizing one dynamic driver and three balanced armatures (BAs) per housing. The Hexa retails for $79.99 at ShenzhenAudio. ShenzhenAudio sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Truthear Hexa with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 Xumee Dongle Apple Dongle MUSIC: I tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library |... -
DUNU Talos
Dunu Talos Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Dunu Talos is an in-ear monitor (IEM) utilizing a planar-magnetic driver and two optional balanced armatures (BAs) per housing. The BAs can be activated with a toggle switch. The Talos normally retails for $199.99 but is on sale for $179.99 at the time of writing this review. Dunu sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Dunu Talos with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 E1DA 9038D MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium... -
TINHIFI T2 DLC
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The TinHiFi T2 DLC is a new revision of TinHiFi’s famed T2 in-ear monitor (IEM). The T2 DLC features a new 10mm dynamic driver with a diamond-like carbon diaphragm and adopts 2-pin connectors for the detachable cable interface. The T2 DLC retails for $52.51 directly from TinHiFi at the time of writing this review. TinHiFi sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the TinHiFi T2 DLC with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify... -
Moondrop Stellaris, 14.5mm Planar Magnetic Driver In-Ear Monitor
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Moondrop Stellaris is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a 14.5mm planar-magnetic driver. The Stellaris retails for $109 at ShenzhenAudio, which sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Moondrop Stellaris with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 E1DA 9038D Xumee USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND... -
7HZ SALNOTES ZERO Universal IEM
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a 10mm dynamic driver. The Zero retails for $20 on Linsoul’s Amazon shop. Linsoul sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the 7Hz Salnotes Zero with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 E1DA 9038D MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: https://www.last.fm/user/XenosBroodLord PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The 7Hz Salnotes Zero comes in... -
7Hz x Crinacle: Salnotes Dioko Universal IEM
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The 7Hz Salnotes Dioko is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a 14.6mm planar-magnetic driver. 7Hz created the Dioko in collaboration with Crinacle. Please refer to my previous disclaimer addressing my reviews of Crinacle collaborations. The Dioko retails for $99 on Linsoul’s Amazon shop. Linsoul sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the D13 with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 E1DA 9038D MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm... -
LETSHUOER D13-Custom 13mm DLC Diaphragm Dynamic Driver In-Ear Earphone
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Letshuoer D13 is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a 13mm diamond-like carbon dynamic driver. The D13 also features two different sets of swappable tuning nozzles. The D13 retails for $113 at HiFiGo, which sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the D13 with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Moondrop Dawn PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The Letshuoer D13 comes in a black cardboard box with a black slipcover. The front of the slipcover features a picture of the D13. The rear of the... -
Raptgo Hook-X
Raptgo Hook-X Review INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Raptgo Hook-X is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a 14.2mm planar-magnetic driver and a piezoelectric driver. The Hook-X retails for $239 at Linsoul, which sent me a unit in exchange for my impressions. SOURCES: I have used the Raptgo Hook-X with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 Reiyin DA-PLUS Moondrop Dawn MUSIC: I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm... -
CCA CRA+ Universal In Ear Monitor
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The CCA CRA+ is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a single 10mm dynamic driver per housing. HiFiGo sent me the CRA+ in exchange for my evaluation. The CRA+ retails for $33. SOURCES: I used the CCA CRA+ with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 Apple Dongle I tested the CRA+ with local lossless audio files and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The CCA CRA+ comes in a small rectangular white box with a white... -
MOONDROP DAWN 4.4mm
The Moondrop Dawn is a compact DAC/AMP combination unit with a 4.4.mm balanced output and a fixed USB-C termination. ShenzhenAudio sent me the Moondrop Dawn in exchange for my impressions. The Moondrop Dawn retails for 69.99. HEADPHONES: I have used the Moondrop Dawn with the following headphones: Moondrop S8 Dunu Vulkan Raptgo Hook-X PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The Moondrop Dawn comes in a round metal tin. Technical specifications for the Dawn are provided in English and Chinese on the rear of the box. The Dawn is held in a foam mounting sheet... -
DUNU VULKAN
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Dunu Vulkan is an in-ear monitor (IEM) which uses a hybrid (2 dynamic drivers + 4 balanced armatures) driver configuration. Dunu sent me the Vulkan in exchange for my evaluation. The Vulkan retails for $379.99. SOURCES: I used the Dunu Vulkan with the following sources: Qudelix 5K Hidizs S9 Moondrop Dawn I tested the Dunu Vulkan with local lossless audio files and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to: XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: The Dunu... -
Topping D90SE MQA ES9038PRO DAC
The Topping D90SE is a flagship digital-to-analog converter (DAC) using an ESS SABRE ES9038 PRO DAC chip. The D90SE retails for $899. I had the opportunity to listen to the D90SE as part of a tour organized by AudioTiers.com. The unit was provided by Apos Audio. I was responsible for covering shipping costs to the next reviewer and am not being compensated monetarily or otherwise for writing these impressions. LISTENING SETUP: I used the Topping D90SE in a home theater setup during my evaluation. I used the TOSLINK output of my television to feed... -
Meze Audio ADVAR
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER: The Meze Audio Advar is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a single 10.2 mm dynamic driver. The Advar retails for $699. I received the Advar through a review tour organized by Meze Audio. I had the Advar for a little more than a week before writing my review. I am responsible for shipping costs to the next reviewer on the tour, and I am not being otherwise compensated for writing this review. I previously published brief impressions of the Advar here. SOURCES: I evaluated the Meze Audio Advar with the Hidizs S9, the Xumee...