I purchased the 7Hertz Timeless from AliExpress; no reviewers discount. The primary reason why I went for the Timeless is to look for a mid-tier offering that could help replace my Moondrop Dusk. I love the Dusk but the lack of treble extension is quite apparent on certain tracks which I listen often (The Thieaudio Clairvoyance is the reason why it is quite apparent to me). So, I though that the Timeless should fix this issue and I can manage with a slight V-tuning; probably even potentially replace the Dusk. Let's get on how the story unfolded. I...

Almost everyone who’s a IEM audiophile knows Etymotic brand, so I’m going to skip the intro part and directly get into the IEM . Build, fit and packaging The IEM shell oozes quality – exceptional fit and finish. Since I’m used to inserting the ER2XR deep into my ear canals, I realized that the Evo goes in much easier, and not as deep as I used to insert the ER2XR. So the fit is pretty comfortable. While the IEMs are heavy, once you have them on it is hard to notice them. The cable is pretty thin, but definitely not fragile. As mentioned in other...

KBEAR has been catering to the budget audiophile segment for quite some time and the S1 bluetooth cable is another product of theirs which does exactly what it aims for - nothing more, nothing less. KeepHifi offered me this review sample for an honest review. Here's their store link for reference: KBEAR Official Store link for S1 Packaging and fit The packaging is pretty simple but presented well - the key items are the cable itself and the micro-USB charging cable. Also, the cable has multiple connection options - MMCX, 0.78 mm 2-pin and TFZ...

Thieaudio is a relatively new entrant to the IEM market and have a good number of items in the portfolio. This is my first Thieaudio IEM which I purchased from Linsoul. The shopping experience was pretty straightforward; Paypal always gives me confidence to spend my hard-earned money. The IEM is made to order as per Linsoul’s support team. The IEM shipped on the 3rd business day after order. Linsoul used DHL priority shipping and the package took 3 days to reach from China to Toronto, Canada. Build and packaging For a $700 IEM, the Thieaudio...

The KBEAR KS2 is a relatively new entrant in the crowded sub $30 IEM segment where there is a good number of 1DD + 1BA options. Currently available for purchase on Aliexpress for $23, this one does not burn your payroll. Note: The review unit was offered to me for free in exchange for an honest review by KBEAR representative. This however does not have an impact on my review. Build, fit and packaging The KS2 comes in a decent packaging box and the contents are organized pretty well. The contents are just the essentials – the IEMs, cable, eartips...

The Simgot EM1 is a relatively new entrant in the crowded sub $100 IEM segment. Without any of the usual aces like dual dynamic driver or hybrid dynamic + armature drivers that you see frequently in recent time, this one purely relies on a single dynamic driver. Currently available for purchase on Amazon.com for $60, the EM1 can also be purchased by direct mail to overseas@simgot.com for international destinations. Note: The review unit was offered to me for free in exchange for an honest review by Simgot Technology Co. Ltd. representative. This...

FiiO has always been a serious player in the personal audio category and it was quite evident right from their first association with Dunu for the FiiO EX1 and then with the F9 pro. Now with the FH5, they are trying to position themselves in the ‘serious’ audiophile category of personal audio. A lot of design and thought process has gone into the FH5 and I will try my best to convey how the FH5 performs. Build, fit and packaging FiiO packaging is great and is loaded with eartips to cater to the masses. For the price paid, if they still wanted to...

The Tin Audio T2 has been around for over a year now and is well appreciated in many forums. Since a lot is known about these IEMs, I will only be concentrating on my take on them. Build, fit and packaging The T2 has a good presentation while unboxing. The IEM housing is made of metal and can be worn cable-over-the-ears or the regular cable-down-the-ears. If you go by the red for right and blue for left terminology, the fit won’t be great. I switch the left and right housing (MMCX cable helps) and wear them over-the-ear and the fit is good. The...

A lot of interesting stuff from the east, and this time it is by a pilot who loves music making some interesting earbuds under the brand name “Airman”. The Airman family offers various buds at difference impedance levels – 32, 64, 150, 180 and 400. The 150, 180 and 400 have a “vented” enclosure, which I understand is a modification to the shell’s inners, and it does wonders for the soundstage. These earbuds can be exclusively purchased from facebook page of Airman. https://www.facebook.com/AirmanHifidelityEarphone/ Build, fit and packaging...

Another interesting bud from the far east and this time it’s the Moonbuds Nightingale from Vietnam. I had reviewed the Moonbuds Bunting earlier and given it a full 5-star. Being the ultimate TOTL in the Moonbuds range, does the Nightingale match up to the Bunting or do a 1-up? Read on!. These earbuds can be exclusively purchased from facebook page of Moonbuds. https://www.facebook.com/MoonbudsOfficial/ These buds are loaned to me by a friend for the review, so these are officially not mine, unless I choose not to return these back to him :)...

OurArt is a boutique audio equipment manufacturer. Prior to the TI7, I have only seen MMCX cables of OurArt. Recently they have ventured into earbuds and IEMs. The TI7 is an interesting pair of buds with a completely new housing and a titanium coated driver. The effort that has gone into the design and engineering of these buds is commendable. With MMCX buds catching up pretty fast, the TI7 is offered with MMCX connectors as well. These earbuds can be purchased from Penon Audio, a reliable retailer of boutique earbuds. At the time of this review...

With the earbud scene catching up in the east, a lot of independent earbud artists have evolved, most of them hand-making their gems. Moonbuds are one such buds made by Moon Harvester of Vietnam. The Moonbuds lineup has some interesting earbuds and the Crescent is the base model in the lineup. These earbuds can be exclusively purchased from facebook page of Moonbuds. https://www.facebook.com/MoonbudsOfficial/ Build, fit and packaging The earbuds come in a zippered pouch with Vietnam artwork on it – loved it! There is a good amount of colourful...

With the earbud scene catching up in the east, a lot of independent earbud artists have evolved, most of them hand-making their gems. Moonbuds are one such buds made by Moon Harvester of Vietnam. The Moonbuds lineup has some interesting earbuds and the Bunting is one earbud which promises TOTL performance. I suspect that they are named after the singing bird, Bunting, similar to how the top offering of Moonbuds is based on the Nightingale. These earbuds can be exclusively purchased from facebook page of Moonbuds...

WillSound PK32 is quite different from the usual WillSound buds – a smaller Yuin shell and a vastly different sound signature from the rest of the WillSound lineup. These earbuds retail on Rholupat.com with 2.5mm and 3.5mm connectors and ship internationally. I have included the link below: http://www.rholupat.com/custom-earphone/willsound-pk32-25mm.html Build, fit and packaging The earbuds have a nice, branded, zippered case which is shared across the WillSound family of buds and come with 4 pairs of dense, white foams. The foams are of good...

WillSound MK3 is the third earbud in the popular WillSound MK series that is quite popular on Head-fi and on Earbuds Anonymous group in Facebook. These earbuds retail on Rholupat.com with 2.5mm and 3.5mm connectors and ship internationally. I have included the link below: http://www.rholupat.com/custom-earphone/willsound-mk3.html Build, fit and packaging The earbuds have a nice, branded, zippered case and come with 4 pairs of dense, colorful foams – mine were black and green. The foams are of good quality. The housing is the usual MX500...

The HiFi Boy Dream retails for around $89 at the time of the review on Penon Audio. https://penonaudio.com/hifi-boy-dream.html I was given a review sample by Penon Audio free of charge, and this, in no way, influences my review of these earbuds. Build, Packaging and Fit The earbuds come delivered is one of the most professional packaging I have ever seen from the east. Penon Audio gets the applause for this. The packaging is simple, yet a practical jewel-box case with magnetic closure. Nicely lined in a foam base, are presented a case containing...

The V-Master has a unique housing - though it is a bit bulky compared to the MX500 shell, the bell shaped curvature of the housing does not cause any physical fatigue on the ears. The quality of plastic on the housing is good and it should last the distance. What is the achilles heel of the ergonomics of the V-Master is the cable. While there is an honest attempt to make it look pleasing and interesting, the cable is quite stiff and reasonably heavy and can put you off sometimes. If I were to recable my earbuds, the V-Master would be one of the...

Willsound MK1 Rev. 2 is another popular budget earbud on Head-fi and on Earbuds Anonymous group in Facebook. I purchased the MK1 and MK2 both in their second revision together. http://www.rholupat.com/custom-earphone/willsound-mk1-new-batch.html Since most will be curious to know the difference in sound signature between the two, the review will use the same tracks that were used in my impression of the MK2 Rev 2 and there will be references to the MK2, when necessary. I had a conversation with the creator of the buds and understood that each...

Willsound MK2 is a quite popular budget earbud on Head-fi and on Earbuds Anonymous group in Facebook. So many people recommended this earbuds that I could not resist buying them. In fact, I went ahead and purchased the MK1 Rev. 2 as well. http://www.rholupat.com/custom-earphone/willsound-mk2-new-batch.html The earbuds have a nice, branded, zippered case and come with 4 pairs of thin, black foams. The foams are of good quality as well. The housing is the usual MX500 shell, which fits me perfectly, but those with smaller ears may find it...

Disclaimer: This review unit was purchased by me with my own moolah ($35 from Aliexpress). This is my unbiased opinion, based on my listening preference. Packaging & Construction: There is no brand specific packaging. What is presented is the earbuds, with the cable and 4 pairs of ear-tips, in a generic earphone case. The eartips included have a bore size that is totally different from the nozzles and they can come off easily. On another note, the quality of the included eartips are good and can be used with other IEMs with compatible nozzle (I'm...