Reviews by Des99

Des99

New Head-Fier
Yanyin Canon II: A cleaner, more refined version of the OG Canon. But is that necessarily good?
Pros: Good quality cable and carrying case
Amazing aesthetics and lightweight build
Surprisingly easy to drive
Well textured bass
Midrange is quite clean with a touch of warmth
Lush, bodied male vocals
Relaxing female vocals
Smooth, inoffensive treble
Well extended and airy treble presentation
Great technicalities
Cons: Only barebone accessories for a product of this tier
Switches don't do too much
Boomy bass (can be mitigated a bit with switch settings)
Female vocals lacking a bit of energy
Upper midrange transition to lower treble is somewhat gritty
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to Yanyin for providing the opportunity for me to review the Yanyin Canon II via a tour. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Price(MSRP)
  • $379.00

Source(s)

  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
  • FiiO KA13
Ear tips
  • Dunu S&S
Packaging
  • IEM.
    • Attached to 1 pair of generic silicone ear tips (M sized)
  • Hard case.
    • Leather-ish texture.
  • 3 pairs of genetic silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
  • Switch toggle pin
  • 4-strand graphene single crystal copper silver-plated Cable
    • Very premium and comfortable cable
    • Tangles a little bit from time to time.









Build Quality
  • Resin shell, quite lightweight and solidly built
Fit
  • Nozzle has average width but slightly shorter than average.
  • Fit is quite comfortable for me, but it is quite large and bulky.
  • Had no issues with the ear hooks of the stock cable as well, really comfy.


Tonality
  • Very mild V shaped, close to neutral with bass boost
  • For the switches, the changes are very subtle, but they do still make a difference in my listening experience, more as a fine tuning option.
  • The changes are mainly in the bass region. (U = Up, D = Down)
    • UU - Most amount of sub bass and mid bass, makes the bass sounds quite boomy and smeared the midrange a little bit.
    • UD/DU - Middle between the UU and DD configuration, perfect if you find UU configuration a little boomy or thick but DD configuration too clean.
    • DD - Noticeably less boomy from UU configuration , but there is still a tiny bit of it. Midrange is also significantly cleaner and less smeared by the mid bass.
  • The review below will be based on the DD configuration.

Bass
  • Adequate amount of sub bass, but mid bass is somewhat more prominent than the sub bass.
  • Sub bass rumble is present and goes sufficiently deep but nothing too impressive.
  • Mid bass has good slam, impact, body, and really good texture.
  • Overall, it is very satisfying, and I really enjoy them. Really sounds different compared to a lot of other IEMs I have tried, credits to the biological dynamic driver.
  • However, the bass can get a little boomy sometimes, and it is more noticeable especially in the UU config. I also hope that the bass can be a touch tighter and faster.
  • Quantity is sufficient to be fun and engaging enough but definitely not enough for bass heads.

Midrange
  • Midrange has that touch of warmth to make it sound decently natural, while maintaining good clarity and cleanliness. Also slightly recessed.
  • Male vocals performs quite well, decently lush with good forwardness to it. Has enough body to not sound too thin but not overly hefty to the point where they sound muddy.
  • Female vocals takes a more relaxing position, being pushed off a little more compared to male vocals.
    • While it sounds pleasing and smooth for the most part, I noticed some unevenness in the extension and the last notes of female vocals, which somewhat annoys me.
    • This is especially noticeable for energetic female vocals with a higher pitch.
  • Instruments and overall midrange is natural enough for a hybrid, no hints of metallic BA timbre throughout except the weird upper midrange and lower treble which sounds unnatural to me.
  • Note weight and density is more on the neutral side which doesn't come off as overly thin or hefty, maybe a hint of thinness on the upper midrange but that's about it.

Treble
  • Treble is on the relaxed side, barely enough sparkle to not sound dull but treble heads definitely wants more.
  • Lower treble which extends from the upper midrange sounds somewhat gritty to my ears, but get smoother as it progresses to mid treble and upper treble.
  • Other than the uneven lower treble, everything else sounds quite smooth.
  • Extension is excellent, it is very well extended up to the upper treble and sounds very airy.
  • Details are present and can be perceived easily, and they don't sound too forced in your face.


Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval is really good, considering that the details are not overly emphasized or highlighted.
  • I'm not sure if it competes with the most detailed IEMs of this range like the Blessing 3 as I don't personally own something within this range, but from my previous short experience with Blessing 3, I think it does holds up fairly well.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is quite spacious and wide with decent depth and height, nothing overly impressive but not too bad either.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is average, I can track most positions roughly but can't pinpoint the most precise locations and placements of everything.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is good.
  • Instruments and vocals have a really clean separation among each other, which is expected of a hybrid of this caliber.


Conclusion

  • As a conclusion, I think the Yanyin Canon II is a pretty safe and well balanced IEM with competent technical capabilities which competes fairly well against competitors in this price bracket.
  • However, the upper midrange to lower treble transition is just weird and uneven from my own personal listening experience, which makes energetic female vocals sound a little gritty.
    • I prefer a slightly more energetic and smoother transition
    • It might not be a deal breaker for some, but it is for me.
  • Personally, I still prefer the OG Canon, which sounds more natural, engaging and exciting to my ears. The female vocals on the Canon II is just not doing enough for me, but other fields such as technicalities and venting is definitely a step up from the original.
    • I did not write a detailed comparison as I don't personally own the OG Canon, but I have tried it multiple times from my friend.
    • However, your preference may vary. I personally prefer a smother and slightly more energetic approach for female vocalist.
 









Thanks for reading!
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Des99

New Head-Fier
TANGZU FUDU VERSE 1: Premium Ear Tips? IEM? Why not Both?
Pros: Excellent ear tips and carrying pouch
Solid, lightweight build with minimalist aesthetics
Fun, full bodied bass
Warm, natural midrange
Thick, laid back vocals
Smooth, inoffensive treble
Good timbre for a hybrid
Dense, thick note weight and density
Cons: Subpar cable quality with loose ear hooks
Not the fastest and cleanest bass
Treble can be overly safe, lacking a bit of sparkle
Lack of treble extension
Subpar technicalities
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to Tangzu for providing the opportunity for me to review the Tangzu Fudu via a tour. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Price(MSRP)
  • $89.99

Source(s)

  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • Dunu S&S
Packaging
  • Comes with a good amount of accessories
    • IEM.
      • Attached to 1 pair of generic silicone ear tips (M sized)
    • Soft pouch.
      • Leather-ish texture.
    • 2 different sets of premium ear tips!
      • 3 pairs of Tangzu Tang Sancai (Balanced) silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
        • Personally, I find this quite comfortable, they are much softer than expected and fits into my ears comfortably.
        • However, I have some friends who owns them but they find the Sancai tips slip out easily and unable to grip to their ears.
      • 3 pairs of Divinus Velvet silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
        • Very comfortable, adds a touch more air and openness.
        • Has the potential to be one of my favorite tips.
    • High-purity Oxygen-free Copper Wire Cable
      • Subpar, quite rubbery, not smooth at all. Tangles up quite often.
      • Ear hooks also doesn't rest well



https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4808979248566879276#

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4808979248566879276#

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4808979248566879276#

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4808979248566879276#



https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4808979248566879276#

Build Quality
  • Plasticky, lightweight shell with matte finish but doesn't feel cheap at all.
Fit
  • Nozzle has average width but longer than average.
  • Fit is decent for me, but not great. Able to insert quite deep and snuggly but the ear hooks doesn't rest on my ears at all.


Tonality
  • Warm, bassy, mild L-shaped.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between the sub bass and mid bass, both are pretty monstrous in quantity but sub bass is slightly more prominent.
  • Impactful, meaty, plenty of slam and rumble but definition and texture are not the best.
  • The bass also sounds a little boomy, and it bleeds a little bit into the midrange.
  • Speed and decay is on the slower side but acceptable as long as the tracks are not super busy. Still decent for genres like rock.
  • Quantity of bass is huge, may even be sufficient for some bass heads!

Midrange
  • Midrange is warm, and slightly recessed.
  • Male vocals are lush and thick, and slightly more forward compared to female vocals.
  • Female vocals are also thick but I noticed a slight huskiness in them, and they are laid back but have just enough energy to not sound too pushed back.
  • Instruments and timbre are surprisingly good and natural, considering that this is a hybrid IEM of this price, I expect at least some sort of thinness or metallic timbre but there were almost none of it.
  • Overall note weight and density are thick and hefty.

Treble
  • Treble is quite relaxed, a little on the darker side which does lack a bit of sparkle.
  • Smooth, almost no sibilance or sharpness can be perceived in my case.
  • However, upper treble roll off is quite apparent to me, lacking the sense of airiness.
  • Details are also not as revealing as the overall treble isn't as forward as other ranges. Sounds rather blunted.


Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval are a little subpar, considering that there are many products in this price range that can easily outshine the Fudu in this department, such as the Truthear Hexa, Letshuoer DZ4, and others.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is average, nothing much to talk about, perhaps slightly narrow in terms of width but depth and height is alright.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is decent, I am able to tell the placements in terms of left/right but struggle a little in terms of other directions.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is also slightly subpar.
  • Instruments and vocals are does not have a clean separation among each other, and most of the time, they sound slightly mushed and blended together.


Conclusion

  • As a conclusion, the Tangzu Fudu is a decent set if you're looking for a warm, relaxing signature with big, fun bass.
  • If Tangzu did not include the premium ear tips ... I think this is a really mediocre set especially at the very competitive price range of $89.
    • But with the premium ear tips included (around $30), it becomes a much easier recommendation, since the Fudu will then be judged within the range of $60.
  • However, if you're looking for a more neutral and analytical signature, without the need for extra ear tips, I suggest you search for something else.









Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
CVJ KE-S & CVJ TXS: How are these so cheap?
Pros: Very affordable
Comes with a decent set of ear tips
Lightweight, comfortable fit
Fun tonality
Fun bass with decent qualities
Very engaging and forward female vocals
Treble is bright and sparkly
Decently smooth treble with only mild peaks
Tuning switches (TXS)
Cons: No included pouch or case
Cheap, plasticky build
Somewhat recessed midrange
Female vocals can be harsh and veil
Thin note weight and density at lower midrange
Subpar technicalities
Tuning switches doesn't change much (TXS)
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to CVJ for providing the opportunity for me to review the CVJ KE-S and CVJ TXS. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
  • Both of the IEMs sound quite similar. Therefore, I decided to write about both in the same article, as I think it is a little redundant to release 2 very similar articles.

Price(MSRP)

  • CVJ KE-S: $10
  • CVJ TXS: $12

Source(s)

  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • Dunu S&S
Packaging







  • CVJ KE-S
    • Comes with a barebone set of accessories
      • IEM.
        • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (M sized)
      • Decent selection of ear tips.
        • 2 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, L)
          • The stock ear tips are actually quite comfortable for me, they are soft and sounds pretty decent.
      • 4N OFC cable woven with Kevlar fiber
        • Feels cheap but it is soft and doesn't tangle often.
        • Ear hooks are soft as well.




  • CVJ TXS
    • Comes with a barebone set of accessories
      • IEM.
        • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (M sized)
      • Decent selection of ear tips.
        • 2 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, L)
          • The stock ear tips are actually quite comfortable for me, they are soft and sounds pretty decent.
      • High purity OFC cable
        • Decent at first look, but they feel surprisingly cheap. I did not like the feel of them.
        • Ear hooks are stiffer than the ones in KE-S
      • Switch control tool






Build Quality
  • Plasticky, lightweight shell. Feels and looks very cheap.
Fit
  • KE-S
    • Nozzle width and length is quite average.
    • Fit is quite comfortable for me, very lightweight so I don't feel much on my ears.
    • Ear hooks shape is a bit weird and long but it is soft so it doesn't actually bother me too much.
  • TXS
    • Nozzle width and length is quite average.
    • Fit is decent, lightweight but isn't super comfortable like the KE-S.
    • Ear hooks shape is a bit weird and long, but in this case, the ear hooks are stiffer than the one in KE-S, therefore irritating me a bit more.

Tonality
  • V shaped.
  • For the TXS, I don't hear a very apparent difference for the tuning switch settings. Therefore, I go with the default setting for both being down.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between the sub bass and mid bass, but mid bass is slightly more prominent here.
  • Fun and impactful. Have good slam, rumble and decent depth.
  • Bass texture and definition are average as expected, plus the speed and decay is a little on the slower side, which makes it a little harder to keep up with very busy tracks.
  • Not the most well controlled bass too, bleeds a little into the midrange.
  • Surprisingly, for KE-S, it has decent sub bass extension for the extra rumble.
  • The TXS is lacking a little bit of that extra rumble.
  • Quantity of bass is quite huge, may even be sufficient for some bass heads!
Midrange
  • Midrange is somewhat recessed, making it quite scooped after the initial bleed.
  • Male vocals and instruments in the lower midrange are pushed back, sounding a bit too distant to my liking.
  • Higher female vocals and instruments in the upper midrange on the other hand, are very forward and energetic, but it is a little too aggressive for me, making them sounding too veil and shouty.
  • The TXS isn't as bad as the KE-S in this aspect but still suffers from similar issue.
  • Timbre is not the most natural as there is some bass bleed and veil-ness but is decently acceptable for a V shaped signature at this price range.
  • Note weight and density are decent everywhere else other than the lower midrange which is kind of thin.
Treble
  • Treble is on the brighter side.
  • Not the smoothest treble as it comes with some sibilance but far from the worst I've heard.
  • Treble extension is ... subpar. Basically no sense of airiness. However, the KE-S is a touch better in terms of treble extension if I had to pick one.
  • Details in treble are subpar, cymbals sound blunted and smeared but this is to be expected from something in this price range.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval are average. However, I think this is fairly acceptable considering that this only costs $10 - $12.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is somewhat cramped, doesn't sound wide or deep in any way.

Imaging
  • Imaging is also subpar, sound can be distinguished for left and right but struggles in other directions.

Separation
  • Separation and layering is average.
  • Suffers a bit during busy tracks but generally does alright for not-so-busy tracks



Comparison

CVJ KE-S & CVJ TXS

  • Accessories: While the TXS stock cable may seem a bit more premium at first sight, KE-S has a softer cable with softer ear hooks, and the KE-S fits better on my ears. The TXS on the other hand has tuning switching but those are more of a gimmick.
  • Bass: KE-S has better sub bass extension, which gives a little bit more rumble. Other than that, there isn't much noticeable difference between them.
  • Midrange: Both are also quite similar in this aspect, while still being a little aggressive, the upper midrange on the TXS is slightly less veil and shouty.
  • Treble: While both are bright and sparkly, having a similar smoothness as well, the KE-S has a slightly better upper treble extension.
  • Technicalities: Both are very similar in this aspect.
  • Overall, I would personally KE-S due to its better fit, cable and sonic presentation. However, the difference between them are not day and night.


Conclusion

  • Despite all cons, these only cost around $10, therefore I think most of the cons are forgivable because of the price.
  • As a conclusion, I think both are actually quite good for the price. They are fun sounding IEMs with some spiciness to it but lacks quite a bit in terms of technicalities.
  • Personally, I would go for the KE-S as it is cheaper, has a softer cable with softer ear hooks, and a better fit for my ears.
  • However, if you're looking for a more relaxed or neutral signature with good technicalities, I suggest looking for something else.








Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
CVJ KE-S & CVJ TXS: How are these so cheap?
Pros: Very affordable
Comes with a decent set of ear tips
Lightweight, comfortable fit
Fun tonality
Fun bass with decent qualities
Very engaging and forward female vocals
Treble is bright and sparkly
Decently smooth treble with only mild peaks
Tuning switches (TXS)
Cons: No included pouch or case
Cheap, plasticky build
Somewhat recessed midrange
Female vocals can be harsh and veil
Thin note weight and density at lower midrange
Subpar technicalities
Tuning switches doesn't change much (TXS)
Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Comes with a decent set of ear tips
  • Lightweight, comfortable fit
  • Fun tonality
  • Fun bass with decent qualities
  • Very engaging and forward female vocals
  • Treble is bright and sparkly
  • Decently smooth treble with only mild peaks
  • Tuning switches (TXS)

Cons
  • No included pouch or case
  • Cheap, plasticky build
  • Somewhat recessed midrange
  • Female vocals can be harsh and veil
  • Thin note weight and density at lower midrange
  • Subpar technicalities
  • Tuning switches doesn't change much (TXS)



Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to CVJ for providing the opportunity for me to review the CVJ KE-S and CVJ TXS. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
  • Both of the IEMs sound quite similar. Therefore, I decided to write about both in the same article, as I think it is a little redundant to release 2 very similar articles.

Price(MSRP)

  • CVJ KE-S: $10
  • CVJ TXS: $12

Source(s)

  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • Dunu S&S
Packaging







  • CVJ KE-S
    • Comes with a barebone set of accessories
      • IEM.
        • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (M sized)
      • Decent selection of ear tips.
        • 2 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, L)
          • The stock ear tips are actually quite comfortable for me, they are soft and sounds pretty decent.
      • 4N OFC cable woven with Kevlar fiber
        • Feels cheap but it is soft and doesn't tangle often.
        • Ear hooks are soft as well.




  • CVJ TXS
    • Comes with a barebone set of accessories
      • IEM.
        • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (M sized)
      • Decent selection of ear tips.
        • 2 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, L)
          • The stock ear tips are actually quite comfortable for me, they are soft and sounds pretty decent.
      • High purity OFC cable
        • Decent at first look, but they feel surprisingly cheap. I did not like the feel of them.
        • Ear hooks are stiffer than the ones in KE-S
      • Switch control tool






Build Quality
  • Plasticky, lightweight shell. Feels and looks very cheap.
Fit
  • KE-S
    • Nozzle width and length is quite average.
    • Fit is quite comfortable for me, very lightweight so I don't feel much on my ears.
    • Ear hooks shape is a bit weird and long but it is soft so it doesn't actually bother me too much.
  • TXS
    • Nozzle width and length is quite average.
    • Fit is decent, lightweight but isn't super comfortable like the KE-S.
    • Ear hooks shape is a bit weird and long, but in this case, the ear hooks are stiffer than the one in KE-S, therefore irritating me a bit more.

Tonality
  • V shaped.
  • For the TXS, I don't hear a very apparent difference for the tuning switch settings. Therefore, I go with the default setting for both being down.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between the sub bass and mid bass, but mid bass is slightly more prominent here.
  • Fun and impactful. Have good slam, rumble and decent depth.
  • Bass texture and definition are average as expected, plus the speed and decay is a little on the slower side, which makes it a little harder to keep up with very busy tracks.
  • Not the most well controlled bass too, bleeds a little into the midrange.
  • Surprisingly, for KE-S, it has decent sub bass extension for the extra rumble.
  • The TXS is lacking a little bit of that extra rumble.
  • Quantity of bass is quite huge, may even be sufficient for some bass heads!
Midrange
  • Midrange is somewhat recessed, making it quite scooped after the initial bleed.
  • Male vocals and instruments in the lower midrange are pushed back, sounding a bit too distant to my liking.
  • Higher female vocals and instruments in the upper midrange on the other hand, are very forward and energetic, but it is a little too aggressive for me, making them sounding too veil and shouty.
  • The TXS isn't as bad as the KE-S in this aspect but still suffers from similar issue.
  • Timbre is not the most natural as there is some bass bleed and veil-ness but is decently acceptable for a V shaped signature at this price range.
  • Note weight and density are decent everywhere else other than the lower midrange which is kind of thin.
Treble
  • Treble is on the brighter side.
  • Not the smoothest treble as it comes with some sibilance but far from the worst I've heard.
  • Treble extension is ... subpar. Basically no sense of airiness. However, the KE-S is a touch better in terms of treble extension if I had to pick one.
  • Details in treble are subpar, cymbals sound blunted and smeared but this is to be expected from something in this price range.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval are average. However, I think this is fairly acceptable considering that this only costs $10 - $12.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is somewhat cramped, doesn't sound wide or deep in any way.

Imaging
  • Imaging is also subpar, sound can be distinguished for left and right but struggles in other directions.

Separation
  • Separation and layering is average.
  • Suffers a bit during busy tracks but generally does alright for not-so-busy tracks



Comparison

CVJ KE-S & CVJ TXS

  • Accessories: While the TXS stock cable may seem a bit more premium at first sight, KE-S has a softer cable with softer ear hooks, and the KE-S fits better on my ears. The TXS on the other hand has tuning switching but those are more of a gimmick.
  • Bass: KE-S has better sub bass extension, which gives a little bit more rumble. Other than that, there isn't much noticeable difference between them.
  • Midrange: Both are also quite similar in this aspect, while still being a little aggressive, the upper midrange on the TXS is slightly less veil and shouty.
  • Treble: While both are bright and sparkly, having a similar smoothness as well, the KE-S has a slightly better upper treble extension.
  • Technicalities: Both are very similar in this aspect.
  • Overall, I would personally KE-S due to its better fit, cable and sonic presentation. However, the difference between them are not day and night.


Conclusion

  • Despite all cons, these only cost around $10, therefore I think most of the cons are forgivable because of the price.
  • As a conclusion, I think both are actually quite good for the price. They are fun sounding IEMs with some spiciness to it but lacks quite a bit in terms of technicalities.
  • Personally, I would go for the KE-S as it is cheaper, has a softer cable with softer ear hooks, and a better fit for my ears.
  • However, if you're looking for a more relaxed or neutral signature with good technicalities, I suggest looking for something else.








Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
Moondrop Space Travel: Amazing Sound, Affordable Price, Wireless.
Pros: Affordable
Decent build quality
Comes with ANC and Transparency mode
ANC mode is very pleasant
Multiple tuning options (from Moondrop LINK)
Amazing tonality (on all tuning options)
Well controlled bass
Clean, natural midrange
Engaging, forward female vocals
Treble is smooth and inoffensive yet not too dark
Decent treble extension and air
Decent technicalities
Cons: Moondrop LINK is very barebone
Big, bulky shell, fit may be not for all (Subjective)
ANC and Transparency mode is a little underwhelming
Hard to insert and retrieve the earbuds into the case at first
No cover on top of the case
Unclear indications from voice prompts for ANC/Transparency modes
Doesn't show battery of case in Moondrop LINK
Doesn't support Hi-Res Bluetooth codecs like LDAC (Nitpick)
Average battery life (Nitpick)
Average call quality (Nitpick)
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to SHENZHENAUDIO for providing the opportunity for me to review the Moondrop Space Travel. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Price(MSRP)

  • $24.99

Device(s)

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 (AAC)
Ear tips
  • Acoustune AET07
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • Space Travel.
      • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (M sized)
    • Charging cable
    • Decent selection of ear tips.
      • 3 pairs of silicone tips (S, M, L)









Build Quality

  • Plasticky, lightweight shell with matte finish but doesn't feel too cheap.
Fit
  • Nozzle is oval shaped, while it being shorter than usual IEMs but managed to fit my AET07 very well.
  • Fit is decent for me. Not the deepest fit due to its rather large body but comfortable enough to wear it through the whole day.



Features

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth connection was maintained quite well throughout my listening sessions, there were hardly anytime when the connection is cut off while using it.
  • Latency
    • I did not encounter any latency issues when watching videos, the sound syncs with the video decently.
    • However, it is definitely not the best, as it can be a tiny bit sluggish but I do not think it is noticeable enough for casual video watching, but I can't say the same for gaming or a more serious movie watching session.

Battery Life
  • When listening with 70-80% volume with ANC turned on, it can last me almost 4 hours.
  • This is fine if you're not a particularly heavy user, but it definitely isn't the strong point of this TWS.
  • The case holds an extra 12 hours as stated but I never actually used them to the full extent.

App Support

  • Moondrop Link is really ... barebone and unrefined.
  • Only allows customization for touch controls and tuning options.
  • Doesn't show more information like which mode (ANC/Transparency) I'm currently on, or battery.




Call Quality

  • Call quality is acceptable, but there are occasions when the other party mentioned that my voice is a little boomy and unclear, just happened once or twice throughout 5-6 meeting sessions (approx. 1 hour per session)

ANC/Transparency Modes

  • ANC
    • Unable to choose the amount or level of ANC
    • Does cancel the surrounding sound but not much, stuff like construction noises next door will still get through even with ANC turned on.
    • There is also almost no pressurized feeling from the ANC, unlike stronger ANC buds like Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 which feels uncomfortable with ANC turned on.
  • Transparency
    • Unable to choose the amount or level of Transparency
    • Able to hear surrounding sound but also doesn't sound too clear.
    • If you want to listen to something important, I would still suggest taking them off to listen more clearly.

Tonality
  • Neutral to mild V-shaped.
  • I have used both 3 tuning options for a fair amount of time.
    • Basshead: Changes the signature to a mild V shaped signature, most balanced option to me. Even at this setting, the bass is not totally overpowering everything else, but the impact and quantity is slightly increased overall. However, the quantity still doesn't fulfill bass heads' requirement in my opinion.
    • Reference: Somewhat neutral with a little bit of bass boost. Bass is more subtle but still packs a decent punch.
    • Monitor: More of a neutral signature. Midrange and treble is significantly more pronounced in this mode. Personally, I find this mode to be more vocal centric.
  • The comments below will be based on the "Reference" option.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between the sub bass and mid bass,
  • Rumbles and slam are present but a little subtle, and not very impactful or deep.
  • However, the bass is actually surprisingly decently defined and textured especially for the price.
  • Speed is decent enough to keep up with most busy tracks, and decay is on the faster side.
  • Quantity is not much but sufficient if you're not a bass head, and it is very well controlled.
Midrange
  • Midrange is clean, not recessed, and comes with a touch of warmth.
  • Male vocals are slightly lacking in body, sounds a little thin but not overly distant.
  • Female vocals on the other hand, is quite forward and energetic, perhaps may be borderline shouty to some but not to me.
  • Instruments and timbre are quite natural, with the lower end being slightly thin.
  • Overall note weight and density on the thinner side.
Treble
  • Treble is quite relaxed but have a touch of sparkle to not sound too dark.
  • Overall, there are minimal harshness and peaks, it is quite smooth
  • Treble extension is also decent which adds a little airiness to it, which is quite surprising for a product in this range.
  • Details in the treble are decently revealing for a product in this price range.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval are decent. Nothing outstanding but doesn't fall too short either.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is quite decent for the price, width is alright but lacking a little in terms of depth which is acceptable.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is decent enough for me to tell instruments placements apart.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is decent too.
  • There are decent separation and layering most of the time, but will still sound slightly congested when tracks start to get busy.



Conclusion

  • As a conclusion, if you want a affordable TWS with sound quality being the utmost priority, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Moondrop Space Travel if you don't need more advanced features other than ANC and Transparency modes.
  • Each and every preset EQ configuration in the app are excellent in its own way and will cater towards different target audience for sure.
  • Although I listed many things out in the Cons section, those are more like a nitpick or subjective opinion, which are easily forgivable for a product in this price range.
  • However, if you're looking for something more, especially in terms of features and refinement, I suggest looking for something else.





 









Thanks for reading!
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Des99

New Head-Fier
Ikko Obsidian OH10: Still a Relevant Bass Monster?
Pros: Excellent build quality with a metal finish
Fun, powerful, yet detailed bass
Engaging and forward female vocals
Treble is bright and sparkly
Decent treble extension and air
Good technicalities
Cons: Recessed, scooped lower midrange
Treble can be harsh and fatiguing
Thin note weight and density at lower midrange
Male vocals sound distant and dry
Slightly thin and metallic lower midrange timbre
Heavy shell and short nozzle
Source(s)
  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • Acoustune AET07
Packaging
  • Borrowed unit, so I can't comment too much on the original packaging.


Build Quality
  • Beautiful, solid copper alloy finish throughout the shell.
Fit
  • Nozzle is quite short and narrow.
  • Fit is .. only okay for me. Had to use a tip with a hard stem like the AET07 to make them stay in my ears. Any other tip with softer stems would not work for me.
  • Weight is tolerable for a few hours for me, but feels quite heavy after that.


Tonality
  • V shaped.

Bass
  • Sub bass is more prominent than the mid bass, but mid bass still has plenty of thumps and slam.
  • Excellent sub bass extension, goes really deep and rumbly.
  • Very impactful, also comes with good definition and punch.
  • Speed is fast enough to keep up with busy tracks while keeping the decay natural.
  • Quantity is huge, may even be sufficient for some bass heads!
  • However, despite its huge quantity, it isn't completely bleeding into the midrange.
Midrange
  • Midrange is quite recessed, making it quite clean but also scooped.
  • Male vocals suffers quite a bit due to the lack of lushness and body. They just sound dry and thin.
  • Female vocals are relatively better compared to male vocals. Although there are still some hollowness in the lower end, but they have great energy, extension and airiness at the upper end.
  • However, it does get a little bit shouty after a long listening session
  • Overall timbre is on the cold, metallic and thin side. Not the most natural midrange presentation but is decently acceptable for a V shaped signature.
  • Overall note weight and density on the lower midrange are thin but gets fuller and thicker as it gets higher.
Treble
  • Treble is very bright and sparkly.
  • It can get pretty spicy and sharp especially at the lower to mid treble.
  • Rolled off slightly at upper treble, which tones down the intensity but still having a decent extension and airiness.
  • The treble isn't very smooth too, with some minor peaks and sibilance throughout the treble.
  • Details, however, is quite revealing in the treble.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval is actually pretty good. But again, it will not compete when comparing to planar IEMs in this price range.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage has very good depth with decent width.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is good , I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals quite well.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Gunshots and footsteps can actually be heard quite clearly in terms of direction and distance.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is decent, instruments are generally separated quite cleanly but instruments in the lower midrange and male vocals are just kept to the back and are not very distinct.


Conclusion

  • As a conclusion, I think the Ikko OH10 is still a very fun set with technicalities that are very competent for the price. Even if it is somewhat old, it is still not outdated in my opinion.
  • Pros and cons are very apparent.
    • Does very well in the bass and technicalities department but not so much in the midrange and the treble.
  • Recommended if you're looking for a very fun signature with monstrous bass and good technicalities. However, if midrange is equally as important, I suggest looking for something else.


  

 



Thanks for reading!
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Des99

New Head-Fier
SeeAudio x Z Review Rinko: Not the Typical SeeAudio Signature
Pros: Solid yet lightweight build, great fit
Great accessories (Render tips, decent cable and case, cardboard stand)
Fun bass with decent quality
Very engaging and forward female vocals
Treble is bright and sparkly
Decent treble extension and air
Accurate imaging
Cons: Recessed, scooped midrange
Treble can be slightly sibilant and harsh sometimes
Female vocals can be shouty and veil sometimes
Thin note weight and density at lower midrange
Male vocals sound distant and dry
Narrow soundstage
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to HiFiGo for providing the opportunity for me to review the Seeaudio Rinko. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Price(MSRP)

  • $99.99

Source(s)

  • Jcally JM6 Pro
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • Dunu S&S
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
      • Attached to 1 pair of Render silicone memory foam ear tips (M sized)
    • Hard case.
      • Clamshell type opening mechanism
      • Also comes with a button-up strap in the case itself, to button up to cables
        • The cable must be thin enough to be buttoned up though.
    • 1 Rinko Badge
    • Premium selection of ear tips.
      • 2 pairs of Render silicone memory foam ear tips (S, L)
    • Silver-plated 6N OFC cable
      • Quality is decent, soft but tangles a little bit sometimes.












Build Quality
  • Plasticky, lightweight shell with matte finish but doesn't feel cheap at all.
Fit
  • Nozzle width and length is quite average.
  • Fit is really good for me. Managed to fit in pretty deep while feeling very comfortable wearing it.


Tonality
  • V shaped.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between the sub bass and mid bass, both are pretty monstrous in quantity.
  • Impactful, punchy, and comes with decent definition and texture.
  • Speed is decent enough to keep up with most busy tracks, and decay is a little bit on the slower side.
  • However, sub bass extension is quite average, a little less deep and rumbly compared to something like an OH10 but still overall very sufficient.
  • Quantity of bass is huge, may even be sufficient for some bass heads!
  • However, despite its huge quantity, it isn't completely bleeding into the midrange.
Midrange
  • Midrange is quite recessed, making it quite clean after the initial bleed but also scooped.
  • Male vocals are lacking in body, sounding a bit too distant and thin.
  • Female vocals on the other hand, is very forward and energetic, but is slightly veiled and shouty to my liking.
  • Instruments and timbre is on the cold and thin side. Not the most natural midrange presentation but is decently acceptable for a V shaped signature.
  • Overall note weight and density on the lower midrange are thin but gets fuller and thicker as it gets higher.
Treble
  • Treble is bright and sparkly.
  • Initially, I expected the lower treble to be sibilant which extends from the aggressive upper midrange, but the sibilance is much lower than expected. There will still be sibilance but not super offensive.
  • Not the smoothest treble as it comes with some mild peaks throughout the treble.
  • Treble extension is also decent which adds a little airiness to it.
  • Details are alright in the treble, doesn't reveal micro details too much but acceptable.


Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval are decent. Nothing outstanding but doesn't fall too short either.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is okay in terms of depth and height but it is rather narrow and intimate in terms of width.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is surprisingly spot on, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals very well.
  • One of the rare case which it has a 3D holographic presentation to me in this price range, which allows me to pinpoint sound with ease.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Gunshots and footsteps can actually be heard very clearly in terms of direction and distance.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is only average.
  • Instruments and vocals are does not have a very clean separation among each other but they don't sound too congested either.


Conclusion

  • Based on my impression of Seeaudio IEMs in general, their tuning is usually midrange focused. Therefore, I'm really surprised to see such a V-shaped, bassy take from them.
  • Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Rinko quite a bit during my listening sessions, even though I did not have a high expectation from the Rinko.
  • As a conclusion, I think the Seeaudio Rinko is a decent V-shaped IEM, with actually pretty impressive bass and really energetic female vocals for $99.
  • However, if you're looking for a more midrange focused and neutral signature, with the most natural timbre for the price, I suggest looking for something else.


Non Affiliated Link








Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
Seeaudio Yume 2: Favorite Hybrid under $200
Pros: Beautiful packaging and accessories
Excellent build quality with a gorgeous finish
Clean yet natural midrange with a hint of warmth
Snappy, punchy bass
Female vocals sound amazing and engaging
Treble is bright yet quite smooth
Excellent treble extension and air
Great technicalities for a hybrid
Cons: Shell is a fingerprint magnet
Cable is thin and somewhat easy to tangle
Bass decay can be a bit too fast
Lower midrange is slightly thin
Slight metallic timbre on the upper frequencies
Treble can be a little intense for long listening sessions
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
Ear tips
  • DUNU S&S
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Hard case.
      • Clamshell type opening mechanism
      • Also comes with a button-up strap in the case itself, to button up to cables
        • The cable must be thin enough to be buttoned up though.
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 5 pairs of generic silicone ear tips
    • 6N OFC Silver-Plated Copper Cable
      • Quality is decent, but it does tangle up a sometimes, and it is actually quite thin and lightweight.











Build Quality
  • Beautiful, solid aluminum alloy finish throughout the shell.
Fit
  • Nozzle width is on the thinner side, but length is average.
  • Fits very well for me, I can feel the little bit of weight of the Yume 2 but it is lightweight enough for me to use it comfortable for half a day easily.


Tonality
  • Bright leaning, mild V-shaped

Bass
  • Decently balanced, but mid bass is slightly more prominent than the sub bass.
  • Impactful yet very snappy and punchy bass with decent depth.
  • Has decent texture and good definition.
  • Bass decay is a little bit too fast, may leave some people wanting a bit more.
  • Good amount of bass to sound fun enough but definitely not enough to satisfy bassheads.
Midrange
  • Clean midrange with a hint of warmth.
  • Female vocals are the highlight here: Very engaging and forward but never shouty, smooth, crystal clear, and have some bite to them with very good extension.
  • Male vocals are not as excellent as female vocals but they don't fall too short either, the little bit of warmth helps to maintain its lushness to a certain degree but there is a little bit of thinness to it, only very slightly though.
  • Overall timbre and instruments sound very natural for most part, only a very slight metallic timbre on the upper end.
  • Overall note weight and density leans towards the thin side, but only a tiny bit.
Treble
  • Treble is overall bright and airy.
  • Can get a little grainy or mildly sibilant at times but it is still considered to be quite smooth overall.
  • Can get a little intense/fatiguing over a long listening session but never gets too harsh or peaky.
  • Very well extended, all the way up until the upper treble, giving it a very airy sensation.
  • Details in the treble is very revealing and can be perceived easily as well, due to its sparkly nature.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution and detail retrieval is great ... for a hybrid in this range. Falls a bit short when comparing to planar IEMs in this price range like the Letshuoer S12 and 7hz Timeless.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is wide and expansive, but depth is somewhat average.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is decent, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals quite well in most cases.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Similar situation, I'm able to judge the sound of footsteps and gunfire in terms of left and right really well but not other directions like top and bottom.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is good, each and every individual instrument and vocal are layered very clearly.





Conclusion

  • As a conclusion, I think the Seeaudio Yume 2 is an easy recommendation if you're looking for an IEM that is fun, yet well balanced, well controlled, clean, and not overdone in any way.
  • The Seeaudio Yume 2 does quite well in all 3 frequencies (bass, midrange, treble), and there was no major flaw in any of them, only minor nitpicks at worst.
  • However, if you're looking for an IEM that special in a specific fields only (eg: technicalities [planar]), this may not be it for you as this is very well rounded.




Thanks for reading!
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dunring
dunring
Wearing a pair now and really agree. I did some EQ but just minor 2db up or down. The bass is helped somewhat using DAC filters with pre and post ringing, slow ones with a treble rolloff add some authority to the bass notes. Still my favorite IEM overall along with Truthear Zero Blue and Simgot EA500. Soundstage depth is really good for gaming too, can hear across the map much easier than other IEMs this size. When I hear someone didn't like them, they usually have more than 2 ohm output impedance on their source. 17Ω isn't the lowest, but a silent noise floor and near zero output impedance really makes them terrific.
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Des99

New Head-Fier
DUNU Alpha 3 Impression: The Flathead That is Closest to an IEM?
Pros: Good accessories
Excellent build quality
Deep, thumpy bass
Good, natural timbre
Lower midrange doesn't sound overly bloaty or muddy
Female vocals is forward and engaging but never shouty
Treble is quite smooth
Good technicalities
Cons: Treble can be a little intense with prolonged listening
Non-detachable cable
Lack of air/upper treble
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to HiFiGo for providing the opportunity for me to win the Dunu Alpha 3 in a Twitter giveaway. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Source(s)

  • Truthear Shio
Foams
  • Donut foam

Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • Earbud
    • Large, high quality case
    • 2 different types of foams
      • 3 sets of donut foams
      • 3 sets of balanced foams
    • Cleaning brush










Build Quality
  • Feels premium, has a good heft to it and is very sturdy.
  • Cable is good with decent thickness but feels a bit stiff
Fit
  • One of the best fitting earbuds for me, the weight from the earbuds helps to make them stay on my ears comfortably



Tonality

Bass

  • One of the most impressive aspects of the Alpha 3 to me.
  • Mid bass focused
  • Bass goes really deep, and it is very well defined.
  • Quite well controlled as well, compared to a lot of other flatheads I tried.
Midrange
  • Lower midrange has some warmth and body to it but it is relatively clean and crisp compared to most of others that I have tried, which I find it to be muddy and bloaty.
  • Upper midrange is boosted, very engaging and forward without sounding overly shouty.
Treble
  • Treble is slightly on the brighter and smoother side.
  • Details can be perceived quite easily.
  • However, it does get a little bit intense and fatiguing after long hours of use.
  • It also lacks a little bit of airiness from upper treble.



Technicalities
  • Resolution and detail retrieval is very good, somewhat above its price point
  • Soundstage is decent, width is average but stage goes fairly deep.
  • Separation and layering is good, vocals and every instruments are quite distinct.
  • Imaging is decent, I don't find any problems with positioning of instruments in songs or gunshots/footsteps in games for now.






Conclusion

  • Personally, I have tried some flatheads in the past which are in different price ranges, which includes the $350 TGX Sunniva, but I still think that the Dunu Alpha 3 really stands out as a $80 flathead.
  • The Dunu Alpha 3 somewhat sounds the closest to an IEM with the characteristics of a flathead like soundstage, at least to my ears.
  • If I were to recommend a flathead for a person who only uses IEM as a start, it will definitely be the Dunu Alpha 3, it really is that good, in my honest opinion.





Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
Letshuoer DZ4: New Tech for Only Under $100?
Pros: Interesting driver configuration
Premium accessories
Excellent build quality
Clean and natural midrange
Good bass
Forward and engaging female vocals
Decently smooth and relaxed treble
Good technicalities
Cons: Lacking in mid bass
Stiff cable hook
Slightly thin lower midrange and male vocals
Female vocals can be slightly shouty and fatiguing
Average upper treble extension and air
Disclaimer
  • Huge thanks to Ivy Gao from Letshuoer for sending over the Letshuoer DZ4 for review purposes. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to the midrange, making them sound a little fuller.
Ear tips
  • DUNU S&S
    • Adds some crisp and clarity, expands the soundstage a little.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
      • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (Balanced, M sized)
    • Hard case that has a premium-feeling coating.
      • Uses a screwing mechanism to open.
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 2 pairs of Balanced silicone ear tips (S, L)
      • 3 pairs of Vocal silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
    • Cable
      • Quality is very good, but ear hooks are really stiff.













Build Quality
  • Slightly more heft than usual resin IEMs but feels way more sturdier.
  • Has a premium matte finishing to it, and an aluminum faceplate.
Fit
  • Nozzle width is on the larger side, comparable to the Truthear Hexa, length is average.
  • The stiff ear hooks from the cable causes a little pain after long hours of listening, as there is a force clamping on my ears, not sure if this problem will still persists in the future. But after mentioning this problem to a rep, the heat from a hairdryer can be used to change the shape of the ear hooks to a certain degree, hope this helps.
  • Other than the ear hook issue, the body of the IEM is a little on the bulky side, which may cause some discomfort if you have smaller ears.



Tonality
  • Neutral with sub bass boost.

Bass
  • Sub bass is definitely more prominent, while mid bass can be a little lacking sometimes.
  • Very well controlled with good rumble and depth.
  • Bass impact scales very well with volume.
    • The louder you listen to, the more impactful the bass sounds.
  • Texture and definition is quite good as well, with decently natural speed and decay.
  • Quantity is on the tamer side compared to most IEMs I have heard.
Midrange
  • Midrange is very clean, may be a little too lean for some.
  • Female vocals sound fantastic and clear, quite forward and engaging, perhaps a little shouty for some.
  • Male vocals on the other end is a little thin and pulled back, lacking some fullness to it.
  • Note weight and density is a little thin on the lower end but average on the upper end.
  • Instruments sound quite natural throughout the midrange overall.
Treble
  • Treble is relaxing and laid back, lacking some sparkle.
  • Lower and mid treble is generally relaxed and toned down from the upper midrange.
  • Slight roll off in the upper treble section but it is not the worst, causing it the extension to be average and not very airy.
  • However, there is some slight sibilance to me throughout the treble even though it is an overall smooth experience.
  • Details in the treble is quite decent.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution is good, not underwhelming at all but not the most resolving IEM in this price range.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is decent, both the width and depth are quite wide/deep respectively.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is decent, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals quite well from left/right but struggle a little in other directions.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Similar situation, I'm able to judge the sound of footsteps and gunfire in terms of left and right really well but not other directions like top and bottom.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is good, vocals popped out more than any other instruments while each individual instruments are decently separated.


Comparison

Letshuoer X Gizaudio Galileo

  • Bass: DZ4 has a better sub bass extension, causing it to sound more rumbly and deep but will somewhat covers up the mid bass at lower volumes. Galileo on the other hand has a much better mid bass texture and definition but lacks a little bit of the depth and rumble from sub bass.
  • Midrange: Galileo excels in almost every aspect here for me. It is just more natural with the little bit of warmth, and less aggressive upper midrange in the Galileo is much smoother and textured to my ears.
  • Treble: Both sets are quite relaxed but DZ4 excels a little bit more by having a little more air and extension.
  • Technicalities: Galileo has a slight edge in terms of resolution and imaging but the DZ4 has a slightly wider and deeper soundstage.
  • Overall, I would personally prefer the Galileo due to its more natural and smoother presentation.
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/7171077375452243845#

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/7171077375452243845#
Conclusion

  • Overall, I think that this is a good set that I can recommend if you're into:
    • Unique driver configurations (3DD + 1PR in this case)
    • Neutral tonality
    • Engaging female vocals
    • Clean and natural midrange focused sets
  • Definitely a good addition of a neutral set into the budget friendly category!




Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
BQEYZ Topaz: The most Unique Budget Offering?
Pros: Unique tonality
Interesting driver configuration
Excellent stock cable
Great bass quality
Full and lush male vocals
Rich and thick note weight and density
Decent technicalities
Cons: Need some time to get used to the unique tuning
Lack of midrange clarity
Veiled female vocals
Odd timbre
Occasional peaks and sharpness
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Only source I have that has a 4.4 balanced output.
      • The Topaz that was borrowed to me is using the stock 4.4 cable
    • Doesn't have the best synergy since the Topaz is a little warm already, but it still smoothens out the peak a little bit.
Ear tips
  • Acoustune AET07
    • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.
Packaging
  • Borrowed unit, so I can't comment too much on the original packaging.
  • Stock cable are EXCELLENT, can compete against more premium offering's stock cable, might even be better than Letshuoer's already great stock cable!





Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Solid build quality
Fit
  • Nozzle width is average and length is a little short.
  • Shell has a large fin on it, may cause the fit to be not as deep, but overall it is quite a comfortable experience even after long hours.



Tonality
  • Warm, mild V-shaped.

Bass
  • Surprisingly, the sub bass is quite prominent, but the mid bass isn't lacking in any way too.
  • Has very good rumble and impact, decent slam, depth, texture and definition.
  • Overall, it also has a really nice fullness and physicality to it, making the bass sounds bodied.
  • However, the speed is average and the decay is a little bit slow, causing it to sound a little mushy sometimes.
  • It is also not the most well controlled bass, which bleeds a little bit into the midrange but not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Good amount of bass, very satisfying but never too overpowering.
Midrange
  • Midrange is very warm, full and thick, most unique aspect of the IEM in my opinion.
  • Male vocals sound very lush and bodied, and quite forward with very decent texture as well.
  • Female vocals on the other hand, is a bit more pushed backward, and sounds somewhat veiled and muffled.
  • Instruments sound extra thick due to the heavy note weight and density.
  • This warmth throughout the midrange does affect the clarity of the midrange heavily, causing it to be very colored.
  • Overall, the midrange is a hit or miss, you'll either really love it or hate it due to that special touch of warmth.
  • Unfortunately, I did not like it as much as the timbre isn't natural to my ears.
Treble
  • Treble is relaxing and laid back overall but there are sharpness in certain frequencies.
  • Due to the peaks, there will be a ringing or zinging sensation for certain tracks, but it is not often for me.
  • It also lacks a fair bit of airiness since it doesn't extends well into the upper region.
  • However, details in the treble department is decent.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution is decent and competent for the price despite having such a warm and relaxed signature.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is decent, staging is on the wider side but quite average in terms of depth.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is alright, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals quite well from left/right but struggle a little in other directions.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Similar situation, I'm able to judge the sound of footsteps and gunfire in terms of left and right really well but not other directions and distances.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is average, instruments and vocals are a little mushed together in the lower end but layering is quite decent on the upper end.

Conclusion
  • Overall, I think that the BQEYZ Topaz is truly a unique, special, but also niche offering.
  • Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Topaz as much, as the timbre mostly sounds way too off for me, but there are a few people that I know who really enjoy this type of very smooth, warm, and lush signature.
  • However, I can safely say that this is definitely one of the, if not the most special IEM that I have tried in a while, but it is not up to my preference.
  • If you have the chance, this is very well worth to demo to see if this signature is suitable for you, as this is truly one of its kind especially for only $89.






Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
TANGZU Wan'er S.G: My Favorite Budget IEM
Pros: Beautiful box design and cleaning cloth
Wide selection of ear tips
Excellent, well done tonality
Punchy and impactful bass
Warm and natural midrange
Very lively and forward vocals
Smooth and inoffensive treble
Cons: No carrying pouch or bag included
Cheap, plasticky build
IEM falls off from cable occasionally
Treble lacks extension in the middle and upper region
Slightly fatiguing after long listening sessions due to upper midrange
Source(s)
  • Conexant (CX-Pro) CX31993
    • Adds some brightness and sparkle in the treble.
    • Reduce a little bit of warmth in the midrange, making the bass cleaner.
Ear tips
  • Acoustune AET07
    • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Cleaning cloth
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
      • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
    • Cable
      • Decent, thin and braided but tangles a little bit sometimes.
      • Should be a slight improvement over the clear/black version from what I remembered when I tried the Wan Er in my local store.





Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Plasticky body.
  • Build quality is only average and cheap.
Fit
  • Nozzle width and length is average.
  • Shell does not have an ergonomic design to complement the ear cavity shape like the Moondrop Aria or the Letshuoer x Gizaudio Galileo. Unfortunately, this does affect the overall comfort for me.
  • I was able to listen on short period of time comfortably but it gets a bit uncomfortable and painful after extended use (3-4 hours).

Galileo, Wan Er, Aria shell comparison


Tonality
  • Mild V-shaped.

Bass
  • Bass is quite balanced with the mid bass taking a slight lead.
  • Impactful, has good mid bass slam, decent rumble and depth, texture and definition is more on the average side but not bad by any means.
  • However, the speed is a little on the slower side and it is not the most well controlled bass, which bleeds a little bit into the midrange but not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Good amount of bass, very satisfying but never too overpowering.
Midrange
  • Midrange is warm and natural.
  • Vocals has a nice weight and body to the, which makes them sound full and lush.
    • Female vocals are a step more forward and energetic compared to male vocals, but is a little fatiguing and shouty to me after long listening sessions, depending on tracks too.
  • Most of the instruments sounded natural, but due to the thicker note weight, strings like acoustic guitars is affected a little more by that thickness.
Treble
  • Treble is sparkly on the lower region but rolls off in the mid and upper region.
  • Overall, it is quite smooth and not harsh.
  • However, it does lacks a sense of airiness since it doesn't extends well into the upper region.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution is decent and competent for the price but not the best in this bracket.
  • It sits somewhere in between the Truthear Hola and the 7hz Salnotes Zero, differences between the 3 are minor but noticeable in my opinion.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is average, which sounds a little compressed and in your head but not a huge problem for an IEM at this price point.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is also average, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from but only roughly.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed in the correct direction but hard to pinpoint it exactly.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is quite decent for a single DD budget set. Most instruments in busier tracks are layered well enough without feeling too overwhelmingly congested.

Conclusion
  • Great starting point as a first IEM as it is very well balanced, versatile, and affordable.
    • Truthear Hola leans towards the warm and relaxing side.
    • 7hz Salnotes Zero leans towards the bright and sparkly side.
  • This is my absolute favorite budget set of all. Fun, exciting, while being not too offensive at the same time. Very enjoyable, easy to listen tonality and decent technicalities, what else could I have asked for at this price range?
    • Have spent almost 3 weeks using the Wan Er daily and I genuinely enjoyed listening to it a lot.






Thanks for reading!
  • Like
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Des99

New Head-Fier
TANGZU Wan'er S.G: My Favorite Budget IEM
Pros: Beautiful box design and cleaning cloth
Wide selection of ear tips
Excellent, well done tonality
Punchy and impactful bass
Warm and natural midrange
Very lively and forward vocals
Smooth and inoffensive treble
Cons: No carrying pouch or bag included
Cheap, plasticky build
IEM falls off from cable occasionally
Treble lacks extension in the middle and upper region
Slightly fatiguing after long listening sessions due to upper midrange
Source(s)
  • Conexant (CX-Pro) CX31993
    • Adds some brightness and sparkle in the treble.
    • Reduce a little bit of warmth in the midrange, making the bass cleaner.
Ear tips
  • Acoustune AET07
    • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Cleaning cloth
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
      • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
    • Cable
      • Decent, thin and braided but tangles a little bit sometimes.
      • Should be a slight improvement over the clear/black version from what I remembered when I tried the Wan Er in my local store.





Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Plasticky body.
  • Build quality is only average and cheap.
Fit
  • Nozzle width and length is average.
  • Shell does not have an ergonomic design to complement the ear cavity shape like the Moondrop Aria or the Letshuoer x Gizaudio Galileo. Unfortunately, this does affect the overall comfort for me.
  • I was able to listen on short period of time comfortably but it gets a bit uncomfortable and painful after extended use (3-4 hours).

Galileo, Wan Er, Aria shell comparison


Tonality
  • Mild V-shaped.

Bass
  • Bass is quite balanced with the mid bass taking a slight lead.
  • Impactful, has good mid bass slam, decent rumble and depth, texture and definition is more on the average side but not bad by any means.
  • However, the speed is a little on the slower side and it is not the most well controlled bass, which bleeds a little bit into the midrange but not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Good amount of bass, very satisfying but never too overpowering.
Midrange
  • Midrange is warm and natural.
  • Vocals has a nice weight and body to the, which makes them sound full and lush.
    • Female vocals are a step more forward and energetic compared to male vocals, but is a little fatiguing and shouty to me after long listening sessions, depending on tracks too.
  • Most of the instruments sounded natural, but due to the thicker note weight, strings like acoustic guitars is affected a little more by that thickness.
Treble
  • Treble is sparkly on the lower region but rolls off in the mid and upper region.
  • Overall, it is quite smooth and not harsh.
  • However, it does lacks a sense of airiness since it doesn't extends well into the upper region.



Technicalities

Resolution

  • Resolution is decent and competent for the price but not the best in this bracket.
  • It sits somewhere in between the Truthear Hola and the 7hz Salnotes Zero, differences between the 3 are minor but noticeable in my opinion.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is average, which sounds a little compressed and in your head but not a huge problem for an IEM at this price point.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is also average, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from but only roughly.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed in the correct direction but hard to pinpoint it exactly.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is quite decent for a single DD budget set. Most instruments in busier tracks are layered well enough without feeling too overwhelmingly congested.

Conclusion
  • Great starting point as a first IEM as it is very well balanced, versatile, and affordable.
    • Truthear Hola leans towards the warm and relaxing side.
    • 7hz Salnotes Zero leans towards the bright and sparkly side.
  • This is my absolute favorite budget set of all. Fun, exciting, while being not too offensive at the same time. Very enjoyable, easy to listen tonality and decent technicalities, what else could I have asked for at this price range?
    • Have spent almost 3 weeks using the Wan Er daily and I genuinely enjoyed listening to it a lot.






Thanks for reading!
  • Like
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Des99

New Head-Fier
Truthear x Crinacle ZERO: RED: Does it Live up to the Hype?
Pros: Includes impedance adapter for more tuning options
Well done neutral tonality
Good bass
Clean, natural midrange with a hint of warmth
Laid back and relaxing vocals
Smooth and inoffensive treble
Cons: Large nozzle
Bulky body
Hard to drive with impedance adapter
Average detail retrieval
Slightly congested
Disclaimer
  • Thanks to ShenZhenAudio for sending over the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.
Ear tips
  • AET07
    • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Soft pouch.
    • 10 Ω impedance adapter
    • 4 filters
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
      • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
      • 1 pair of memory foam tips
    • Cable is alright, thin and braided but tangles a little bit sometimes.








Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Plasticky and bulky body.
  • However, build quality is decently solid.
Fit
  • Nozzle is quite large and long.
  • Body is quite bulky as well.
  • Fits my ears decently well but please take note of the nozzle and bulky body size.

Tonality
  • Neutral with bass boost.

Bass
  • More balanced than the previous version for sure, with the mid bass being toned down by a huge amount and the sub bass is more well extended. This causes the sub bass to take the lead.
  • Overall, the bass still has the same great qualities: deep, impactful, well textured, defined and controlled.
  • The quantity of the bass is definitely tamed down a lot, and this makes other part of the frequencies not overpowered by the bass completely, but it is still fairly sufficient, which is a huge improvement in my books.
  • However, the decay is a little on the slower side and it does not sound snappy especially in busier tracks.

Midrange
  • The midrange comes with a little bit of warmth, which makes it more pleasing and easier to listen to.
  • The slight hint of warmth helps quite a bit to maintain the lushness of male vocals and helps to maintain the timbre of instruments.
  • Female vocals are quite laid back and relaxing but still engaging enough with just the right distance to not be dull and boring.
  • Overall, midrange sounded rather natural with a note density that is neither too thin nor thick.

Treble
  • Treble is overall relaxed, inoffensive and smooth.
  • There is a small touch of sparkle to not make it sound dull.
  • There is also no sign of sibilance or harshness throughout the upper frequencies as well.
  • Details in the treble are a little lacking, causing a lack of incisiveness or bite in higher notes due to it being smoothed over.
  • Lack a little bit of upper treble extension which causes a little bit lacking in sense of airiness.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval

  • Resolution is fairly average.
  • It performs slightly better against the $20 Tangzu Wan Er but falls short against the $80 Moondrop Aria, which is still perfectly decent for casual listening.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is quite average too, which sounds a little compressed and in your head but not a huge problem for an IEM at this price point.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is quite decent, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed. I am able to judge them in terms of distance and direction quite well.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is slightly subpar.
  • Bass sounds quite separated from other frequencies (probably due to the dedicated DD) but other frequencies can sound a little congested and mashed up especially in busier tracks.



Comparison

Truthear Zero

  • Bass: The mid bass is much more prominent on the previous Zero. Furthermore, the overall bass is also noticeably much more present in quantity which becomes somewhat distracting to me. However the Red's bass isn't as distracting to me as it toned down and balanced out the bass to a certain extent, while keeping the decent bass quality.
  • Midrange: The previous Zero's midrange was quite recessed and easily overshadowed by the the strong bass and relatively intense upper midrange to me. The Red isn't as recessed so it is much more natural to my ears while the upper midrange not being too dull as well.
  • Treble: I don't think there are too much differences in the treble, both are smooth and inoffensive but details in the treble are more perceivable in the Red as there is less masking from the bass and upper midrange.
  • Technicalities: The separation is improved on the Red so it is less congested. Resolution has a slight improvement too.
  • with EQ: When I tried to EQ my previous Zero to the Red, they do not sound similar to me. The mid bass is still very prominent but female vocals are a little less intense, but still quite congested. Below is the EQ I used.







With Impedance Adapter

  • It does increase the bass for the Red, especially the sub bass.
  • However, the midrange and treble resolutions drops a little bit, and the overall tonality gets a little more unnatural to my ears.
  • Furthermore, it needs more power to drive the Red when the impedance adapter is used. I needed to switch to the Truthear Shio with the impedance adapter to get to the listening volume that I'm used to.
  • Overall, I prefer to use the Red without the impedance adapter, but it certainly is a very nice inclusion for the user to choose based on their preference.






Conclusion
  • In my opinion, the Truthear x Crinacle ZERO: RED does indeed lives up to its hype as a very solid neutral-ish option for the $50 price range.
  • Great addition for people who wants a taste of a more neutral IEM on a really tight budget, as there are not many neutral options in this price bracket to begin with.
  • However, please take note that not everyone might enjoy this type of signature as it is not as exciting or fun as other selections.





Thanks for reading!
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Des99

New Head-Fier
Another flavor for $15
Pros: Unique, beautiful box art and IEM design
Good build quality
Wide selection of ear tips
No driver flex
Well done tonality
Decent bass
Natural midrange with some warmth
Relaxing vocals
Non-fatiguing treble
Decent technicalities for the price
Very affordable
Cons: Non-detachable cable
No carrying pouch or bag included
Subpar cable quality
A little hard to drive
Lacks upper treble extension and air
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.
  • Conexant (CX-Pro) CX31993
    • Adds a little brightness and making the Chang Le sounds more balanced.
    • Had a rough time powering the Chang Le
      • Reaches 90% on my laptop
      • Reaches 8/10 on my Samsung Galaxy S21

Ear tips
  • TRI Clarion
    • Boosts a little forwardness in vocals, and brightness in treble.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
  • IEM, attached with.
    • Cable
      • Quality is slightly subpar even for the price, but it is not braided or twisted.
      • A little rubbery and stiff.
      • No chin slider.
      • 3.5mm connector.
  • Ear tips.
    • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
    • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/7657524975563705497#







Build Quality

  • Lightweight.
  • Aluminium alloy body.
  • Unique carving on the body.
  • Overall, solid build quality.
Fit
  • Nozzle is quite narrow and short.
  • Overall, it fits quite well into my ears without me feeling anything throughout my listening sessions.

Tonality
  • V shaped.
  • Warm, pleasant, relaxing tonality.

Bass
  • Well balanced bass, with a very slight emphasis on the mid bass.
  • Quite well controlled, with only minimal bass bleeds.
  • The bass has a good amount of rumble, slam, impact and depth.
  • However, the quality of the bass is average at best, which lacks a little bit in the texture and definition department.
  • The quantity of bass is very sufficient though, which makes it quite exciting and fun to listen to.

Midrange
  • The midrange comes with some warmth, which makes it fairly pleasing and easy to listen to.
  • Male vocals sounds a little recessed but it has a good natural lushness to it that came from the warmth, which makes it sound quite bodied and natural.
  • Female vocals are leaning towards the relaxing side, but still engaging and forward enough to not make it sound dull and lifeless.
  • Instruments sound organic and natural, and texture is surprisingly decent, without sounding too congested or blended.

Treble
  • Treble is quite relaxed with minimal peaks, but comes across as a little uneven or grainy sometimes.
  • There is decent energy and sparkle up until the mid treble, but it lacks a fair bit of extension in the upper treble, which does cause a little lacking on the sense of space and air.
  • Details in the treble are surprisingly decent.... for the price, at least.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval

  • Resolution is decent overall, but I do find the midrange is a little less detailed than desired. However, it is overall fairly decent for the price, and is certainly good enough for everyday casual listening.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is decent. Just right around the head and not too cramped in any way.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is quite decent, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from.
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be judged... pretty well! Surprisingly, I'm able to pinpoint the footsteps and gunshots with decent accuracy.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is decent.
  • However, don't expect it to perform way above its price point, it's just decently above average for the price.
  • Runs busy tracks fine, but it does sounds congested if it gets very busy sometimes.

Conclusion
  • Solid $15 option, which competes fairly well against another $15 set, the KZ Ling Long.
    • Minor difference in tuning
      • Chang Le has a more pleasant and relaxed presentation while Ling Long is more clean, energetic and sparkly.
    • Chang Le does not have the driver flex issue at all, but this issue is very much present on the Ling Long.
    • Chang Le has a more unique aesthetic while Ling Long maintains a cleaner and subtle aesthetic.
    • Chang Le comes with a much better box and more ear tips while Ling Long comes with a very nice hard case.
    • Chang Le is harder to drive compared to Ling Long but not by a very large margin (10~ volume on windows).








Thanks for reading!

Des99

New Head-Fier
$15, Good Tuning, Well Built ... and Comes with A Good Hard Case?!
Pros: Great hard case
Good build quality
Well done and balanced tonality
Decent bass
Clean midrange with a hint of warmth
Lively and engaging female vocals
Non-fatiguing treble
Decent technicalities
Extremely affordable
Cons: Driver flex
Non-detachable cable
Slightly thinner note weight
Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.

Ear tips
  • AET07
    • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
  • IEM, attached with.
    • Cable
      • Quality is okay for the price, but it is not braided or twisted.
      • No chin slider.
      • Angled 3.5mm connector.
    • M sized silicone ear tips
  • Hard case.
    • Very decent quality.
    • Form factor is quite small.
  • Ear tips.
    • 2 pairs of silicone tips (S, L)
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/4430422938345300151#

AVvXsEgU2V6rPU48vrB2K-dmiW1USuNrFjRmeYgbo0NNN_EnLrkATq5bhFmp5_HXCAncvfZtFqpOvkct-RZ469LaYUDarw0f3akE-HZpWrC8CQFu6XzjCFpqtOOfq0YED2SQZvI4TKlBCWChFMBhBXHm_4kHYwHyYPIe1Pks9SJT68psH__pXHu5UC-D9JLO=w489-h367




Build Quality

  • Lightweight.
  • Aluminium alloy body.
  • Overall, solid build quality.
Fit
  • Nozzle is quite narrow and short.
  • Some tips like the CP145 and S&S tips did not fit well and will slip out easily.
  • Eventually, I managed to get a comfortable fit with AET07, stock tips fits well too but a little too stiff and uncomfortable.
  • Overall, it fits quite well into my ears without me feeling anything throughout my listening sessions.
  • Also, do note that whenever I put these in my ears, it creates a pop and cracking noise which I assume is from driver flex, it happens almost every single time I insert it.


Tonality
  • V shape with an extra sub bass boost.

Bass
  • Sub bass is more prominent compared to the mid bass.
  • Tight and well controlled, no bass bleeds into the midrange.
  • The bass has a good amount of rumble, slam and depth.
  • However, the quality of the bass is subpar, and not very well textured.
  • The quantity of bass is very sufficient, makes everything exciting but bass lovers may want a little more.

Midrange
  • Midrange is clean, with a little bit of warmth which makes it sound quite natural.
  • Male vocals may sound a bit lean and lacking a little bit of lushness but within the range of realistic.
  • Female vocals sounds engaging and quite forward, but not to the point of being shouty and fatiguing even after long listening sessions.
  • Instruments sound organic and natural, and texture is surprisingly decent, without sounding too congested or blended.

Treble
  • Treble is quite smooth, with decent extension.
  • Treble has a touch of sparkle to add some excitement and prevent it from sounding too dull.
  • Details in the treble are surprisingly decent.... for the price, at least.
  • Overall, the treble is not harsh, with only minimal peaks/sibilance.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval

  • Resolution is decent overall, but I do find the midrange is a little less detailed than desired. However, it is overall fairly decent for the price, and is certainly good enough for everyday casual listening.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is decently wide, but is a little average when it comes to height and depth. Personally, I do not hear a significant difference for soundstage with the added advantage of the open back design.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is fairly average, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from but only very roughly,
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be judged vaguely, left or right, far or near, but not exact.
Separation
  • Separation and layering is decent.
  • However, don't expect it to perform way above its price point, it's just decently above average for the price.
  • Runs busy tracks fine, but it does sounds congested if it gets very busy sometimes.

Conclusion
  • Quite worthy of $15, suitable to be used as a beater or short term replacement set.
    • If there is a sale for this, I would say that it is very worth to buy even if it is just for the hard case only.
  • Fairly well tuned with actually decent technicalities (for the price).
  • Recommended if you're looking for a cheap, well tuned and engaging bullet style IEM.





Thanks for reading!
  • Like
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Des99

New Head-Fier
LETSHUOER x GIZAUDIO Galileo: Amazing Vocal Set without Breaking the Bank
Pros: Amazing accessories
Safe, inoffensive tonality
Natural midrange
Forward and beautiful vocals
Decent lower and mid treble energy
Minimal harshness/peaks
Cons: Stiff ear hooks
Slightly underwhelming bass
Lacking a sense of air
Hi everyone! I recently received my LETSHUOER x GIZAUDIO Galileo that I have purchased previously! I have been using them for more than a week and I love them a lot! Below is my impression of the Galileo.


Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.

Ear tips
  • SpinFit CP145
    • Adds some air and energy to the treble.
    • Opens up the soundstage slightly, making them a little wider.
Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
  • IEM.
  • Hard case.
    • Looks and feels like a very high quality premium case, I love it a lot!
  • Small cleaning brush.
  • Wide selection of ear tips.
    • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
    • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
  • Stock cable
    • Quality is very good, but ear hooks are really stiff.







Build Quality

  • Lightweight.
  • Plasticky body.
  • Slightly larger shell.
Fit
  • Nozzle is a little on the narrower side.
  • The slightly large form factor of the IEM is kind of getting in the way, but I would still consider this as comfortable after getting used to it.
  • The stiff ear hooks from the cable causes a little pain after long hours of listening, as there is a slight force clamping on my ears, not sure if this problem will still persists in the future. But as the time of writing, I still face this problem but it is not as bad as when I first tried, hopefully this won't be a huge issue as time goes on.


Tonality
  • Neutral with a slight bass boost.
  • Midrange and vocal focused.

Bass
  • Quite balanced between sub bass and mid bass, only slight emphasis on mid bass
  • The bass has a decent slam. However, it is rather tame, and lacking a fair bit of depth, tightness and punch.
  • For me, it is still acceptable, but definitely not as satisfying as other all rounders.

Midrange
  • Very natural and beautiful midrange, with a hint of warmth.
  • Vocals, especially female vocals, truly come alive and become the absolute star of the show, with a forward and lively presentation. Also sound very smooth, sweet and emotional while not being aggressive in any way. Even the last bit of breath and extension can be heard clearly.
  • However, male vocals may sound a little thin and lean, and a step behind female vocals, but still come across as decently natural overall.

Treble
  • Treble is overall very smooth and non fatiguing but not airy as well.
  • Decent mid and lower treble energy which extends the energy from upper midrange really well. Therefore, it still has a fair bit of sparkle in the treble region.
  • There were also minimal harshness and peaks even when I tried with sibilant tracks.
  • Details on the treble are decent but not outstanding in any way.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval

  • Resolution is decent but not outstanding by any means. However, it is still perfectly acceptable and reasonable, as the detail retrieval of the Galileo is definitely not bad at all.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is average, depth and width are okay-ish, doesn't feel too compressed but isn't too spacious as well.

Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is decent, I am still able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from,
  • Gaming:
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed. I am able to judge them in terms of distance and direction roughly but not exactly.

Separation
  • Separation and layering is good.
  • Vocals really popped out but layering between instruments are not as well separated.
  • Runs most of my busy tracks fine, but sounds congested occasionally.

Conclusion
  • Even at this really competitive price bracket, the Galileo still shines and is very worth due to its very well done midrange & vocal centric tonality.
  • However, it is not very well rounded, specifically for busier genres like rock and pop sounds a little unsatisfying. But for slow and vocal focused, female vocals especially, sounds heavenly.
  • Overall, great purchase if you are looking for a set that is specialized for vocals and neutral.
  • But try to keep in mind that it may not be the best if you are looking for something very fun, exciting and engaging.






Thanks for reading!
D
David Haworth
female vocals are my thing. NIce review.
  • Like
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Des99

New Head-Fier
Fun and affordable but niche
Pros: Fun tuning
Accessories
Bass
Energetic upper midrange
Treble
Affordable
Cons: Slightly shouty
Recessed lower midrange
Separation
Details
Bulky
Background
  • I’m super new to this hobby, previously/currently I own: KZ ZS10 Pro, Intime Sora Light 2019, Moondrop Quarks, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, Truthear Hexa
  • Borrowed Truthear Zero from a friend for 1 week.
  • Listens to J-POP 99.99% of the time, but with a fair amount of different genres like rock, pop, classical, soundtracks, relaxed/slower-paced.
  • Have demo-ed a fair selection of IEMs
  • This is purely my impression of the Truthear Zero, please only take it with a grain of salt.



Source(s)
  • Truthear Shio
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.
    • Tames a bit of treble, making them sound less peaky.

Ear tips
  • SpinFit CP145
    • Adds some air and energy to the treble.
    • Opens up the soundstage slightly, making them a little wider.

Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Soft pouch.
    • Wide selection of eartips.
      • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
      • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
      • 1 pair of memory foam tips
    • Cable is alright, tangles a bit sometimes.

Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Bulky body.
  • Plasticky.
  • Pretty blue/purple-ish face plate.

Fit
  • Fairly large nozzle.
  • Fit is honestly not bad for me, fits quite well, but do note that the shell and nozzle are quite large.



Tonality
  • Tuned to Harman target
  • Fun tonality
    • Plenty of bass and aggressive upper midrange

Bass
  • Highlight of this IEM, very well done.
  • Well separated and controlled, props to the 1 DD that is dedicated to bass.
  • Has more mid bass slam compared to sub bass rumble.
  • A little one-dimensional, lacking in depth, but decent enough for $50.
  • However, the quantity is a bit too much for me.

Mids
  • Lower mids are recessed, this is fine if the track is not busy.
    • When tracks are really busy, some male vocals and certain instruments just get overshadowed and left in the background.
  • Upper mids are elevated, female vocals are really forward and energetic, to the point of slightly shouty to me.

Treble
  • Treble is alright, but not outstanding.
  • Not much sibilance or peakiness.
  • Details are a little underwhelming.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval
  • Resolution is slightly underwhelming even in this price range.

Soundstage
  • Soundstage is slightly on the narrow side but it’s acceptable for the price


Imaging
  • Imaging and accuracy is surprisingly quite good.
  • Gaming
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed in terms of direction, but have a little problem in pinpointing the exact location.
  • Overall, it should be good enough but I would not get this specifically for gaming.

Separation
  • Sounds congested, especially for busier tracks, sound just gets blended together, and not in a good way.

Verdict
  • If you want a really fun IEM that is tuned to Harman Target, you can consider demo-ing this before making a decision to purchase.

Thanks for reading!
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Cessnas172
Cessnas172
If you can find a 75ohm impedance adapter it changes the sound in a great way
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Des99

New Head-Fier
Exceptional value!
Pros: Simple and clean aesthetics with matte finishing
Comes with great selection of tips
Outstanding separation and detail retrieval
Lightweight and comfortable fit (for me)
Great tonality
Good bass
Clean midrange
Details
Value
Cons: Soft pouch which lacks a bit of protection for the IEM
Lacks a little bit of mid-bass punch
Treble can be sharp/peaky/sibilant occasionally, but personally I am a little sensitive to treble anyway.
Soundstage may be a little narrow for some
Background
  • I’m super new to this hobby, previously/currently I own: KZ ZS10 Pro, Intime Sora Light 2019, Moondrop Quarks, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, Tanchjim Zero.
  • Have been using Hexa for a while. (more than 1 month)
  • Listens to J-POP 99.99% of the time, but with a fair amount of different genres like rock, pop, classical, soundtracks, relaxed/slower-paced.
  • Have demo-ed a fair selection of IEMs before purchasing the Hexa.
    • Personally I do not like IEMs that are too warm or too bright, but a small amount of warmth and brightness are very pleasing to my ears.
  • This is purely my impression of the Truthear Hexa, please only take it with a grain of salt.

Source(s)
  • Conexant CX Pro CX31993
    • Making treble sounds a little brighter and leaner, not really for me.
  • Truthear Shio (current)
    • Adds some warmth and body to vocals, making them sound a little fuller.
    • Good addition if you think the Hexa sounds a little too lean and dull.

Ear tips
  • SpinFit CP145
    • Adds some air and energy to the treble.
    • Opens up the soundstage slightly, making them a little wider.

  • FiiO HS19 double flange (current)
    • Switched over to this very recently. (so only initial impressions)
    • Very comfortable and fits super well into my ear.
    • Sibilance and peakyness somewhat reduced, treble becomes a little smoother.

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Packaging
  • Comes with a decent amount of accessories
    • IEM.
    • Soft pouch.
    • Wide selection of ear tips.
      • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
      • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
      • 1 pair of memory foam tips
    • Cable is alright, tangles a bit sometimes.
    • Manual & some documentations

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Design & Build Quality
  • Lightweight.
  • Faceplate with a matte finishing.
  • Simple and clean.
    • Black faceplate.
    • A little bit of transparency in the body. Overall, it looks pretty cool.

Fit
  • Fit is amazing for me.
  • Nozzle is a little on the wider side, may not be for everyone.


Tonality
  • Neutral with some sub-bass boost.
  • Some may say it is too boring, but personally I find it engaging enough without being too fatiguing.
  • Slightly leaning towards analytical instead of musical.

Bass - 8/10
  • Decent amount of sub bass, really satisfying rumble, almost perfect amount for me.
  • Slightly lacking a tiny bit of mid bass slam, but not a huge deal for me.
  • Speed is fairly fast.
  • Quantity is “just enough”, not too much but bass presence is definitely there. However, do note that this is definitely not enough for bass heads.
  • Well controlled and fairly well textured, good depth as well, no sign of bleeding into the midrange.
  • Overall, very satisfying bass to me.

Midrange - 9/10
  • Clean midrange with a hint of warmth.
  • Both vocals and instruments sound lively and natural.
  • Male vocals sound slightly more forward compared to female vocals, but overall both male and female vocals are not overly forward or recessed.
  • Energy in vocals is just right, is not too overbearing or dry/hollow, hits the sweet spot for me.
Treble - 6/10
  • Treble is on the bright and sparkly side.
  • A little bit too much to me, slightly fatiguing.
  • Details in trebles are very good.
  • Can be peaky and sibilant occasionally, depending on tracks.



Technicalities

Detail Retrieval - 8/10
  • Resolution is really good considering the price.

Soundstage - 6/10
  • Soundstage is decent, not super wide or anything, but it is okay.

Imaging - 7/10
  • Imaging and accuracy is spot on as position of instruments and vocals can be pinpointed fairly easily.
  • Gaming
    • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed in terms of direction, but have a little problem in pinpointing the exact location.
  • Overall, the Hexa should be good enough but I would not get this specifically for gaming.

Separation - 8/10
  • Separation between each instrument and layering is really good.
  • Runs most of my super busy tracks without any issues, instruments can still be distinguished between another.

Conclusion
  • I would call it a more musical mini Blessing 2 with smoother trebles, more bass, and a more affordable price tag.
    • However, Blessing 2 still has better details retrieval, lesser bass, and leaner midrange, so it really comes out to personal preference.
  • Really worth it if you are into this kind of neutral-ish tuning with some sub-bass boost.
  • Really well tuned with outstanding technicalities, especially considering the price.
  • Try to demo before making a decision, don’t blind buy if:
    • You are a basshead.
    • You want a SUPER fun and engaging set.
    • You cannot handle treble peaks at all.

Thanks for reading!

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R
RaB7382
Tanchjim Zero=:beerchug:
Maximiliano Campo
Maximiliano Campo
I don’t ageee with this, the Hexa are fun and engaging and have great bass presence. Feed them more power and they shine. I love EDM with them also
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