Reviews by Lifted Andreas
I absolutely love this company and their products. They're so responsive when conversing with customers pre and post sales, their products are works of art and formed perfectly from aluminium.
The Akliam PD4 Plus is no exception. It's made of aluminium which has been beautifully crafted to feel soft and strong.I have been using it with my HD559 and SHP9600 on high gain, the sound is lively and deep. The bass has real texture with jungle and drum n bass tracks. With Trance the melodies have real depth as do the vocals, the kickdrum is strong and quick. The highs have good definition and are almost as sparkly and well extended as the AK4493SEQ dongle. Which is crazy considering AKM has leaned more towards the sharp and clear ESS sound with that chip.
With the PD4 Plus the controls available are... independent 64 step volume control, play and pause button, and a gain switch. All buttons feel nice and clicky, with a muted type of click when pressed. The gain slider is solid and is a joy to use! Although there is no volume memory, so if you unplug the device and plug it back in then it will reset to default volume. The unit has a standard single sided 3.5mm output and a 4.4mm balanced. You can find the power specs on the AkLIAM product page, or the Head-Fi gear page.
Overall I would definitely recommend this device. I love that Akliam took on my suggestion of adding the transparent window too.
The unit looks amazing in silver while being lit up in operation!!
I would have given this unit a 5 star rating if it had volume memory and came with a case to protect it.
Even so I am tempted to order a black one before the black friday 2023 sale is over, just so I have a backup. Thats how much I like it!!
DISCLAIMER!!
I purchased this device directly from the AkLIAM store on AliExpress with my own money. They have had no input or influence on this review!
The Akliam PD4 Plus is no exception. It's made of aluminium which has been beautifully crafted to feel soft and strong.I have been using it with my HD559 and SHP9600 on high gain, the sound is lively and deep. The bass has real texture with jungle and drum n bass tracks. With Trance the melodies have real depth as do the vocals, the kickdrum is strong and quick. The highs have good definition and are almost as sparkly and well extended as the AK4493SEQ dongle. Which is crazy considering AKM has leaned more towards the sharp and clear ESS sound with that chip.
With the PD4 Plus the controls available are... independent 64 step volume control, play and pause button, and a gain switch. All buttons feel nice and clicky, with a muted type of click when pressed. The gain slider is solid and is a joy to use! Although there is no volume memory, so if you unplug the device and plug it back in then it will reset to default volume. The unit has a standard single sided 3.5mm output and a 4.4mm balanced. You can find the power specs on the AkLIAM product page, or the Head-Fi gear page.
Overall I would definitely recommend this device. I love that Akliam took on my suggestion of adding the transparent window too.
The unit looks amazing in silver while being lit up in operation!!
I would have given this unit a 5 star rating if it had volume memory and came with a case to protect it.
Even so I am tempted to order a black one before the black friday 2023 sale is over, just so I have a backup. Thats how much I like it!!
DISCLAIMER!!
I purchased this device directly from the AkLIAM store on AliExpress with my own money. They have had no input or influence on this review!
RONJA MESCO
yeah, I came here for the same thing....
hokagoteatimereviews
The price is $59 now and when on sale it can come down to as low as $45. Andy from Dongle Madness rates the PD4 Plus ahead of the dawn pro in terms of a budget dongle dac. Hope this helped 
First of all, I have to say that this is my first Hybrid IEM. That might be a shock to some, but its true. I've always been a dynamic driver fan, and more recently micro dynamic. Another reason is my DUNU1000 got lost in the mail a few years ago when they first came out, I took that as a sign and gave up on hybrid IEMs. Until now!
Also, this review is my own findings and opinions collated and isn't paid or sponsored by TRN. The TRN v20 were purchased for £11.40 or around $20 from a store on AliExpress. It took around 1 week for them to be delivered to the UK.
Disclaimer - Bear with me, I've not had these long at all. So the review is WIP (work in progress!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACKAGE:
Box
Warranty Card
Manual
6 of the usual KZ red/grey eartips in each size (S, M, L)
Cable (choice of cables - with/without mic or bluetooth) (in this case its a standard cable with no mic)
IMAGES:
BUILD:
The feel of these IEMs is fantastic, they covered them with a special hypoallergenic coating to battle against sweat and discomfort. Honestly if I was told to put these into my ears and take them out again all day I would be totally happy to do that. Tip rolling is necessary! With huge nozzles getting my Sony hybrid (green) tips on wasn't easy but manageable, I also tried some wider bore Auvios but that exaggerated the treble and thus ruined the presentation for me.
The shape on the other hand is where these aren't so good, honestly the v20 feels like its a test by TRN to see which shapes fit their consumers better. Honestly the previous v10 version which I didint own looks like it has a more ergonomic shape than the v20.
The cable itself is fantastic, if a little bit short at 1.25m/125mm. Its a 3 strand, splitting into a 2 strand to each of the earpieces. However, there is no cable clip or cinch included. I just use a small velcro strap though if I feel the need.
SOUND (ran off an XMG P723 laptop + FiiO Q1ii DAC):
[Intro] I would say its still early days of this review as I've not had these for long. So far though, for the price I am very impressed with the amount of clarity shown here with 1DD (Direct Dynamic) and 1BA (Balanced Armature). I've played various styles of music (mainly Trance) through them in the last couple of days, and the v20 seem to be on the picky side when it comes to quality of the music. I almost knew immediately when I was playing a 320kbps MP3 or a 16bit/44.1 FLAC or indeed a 24bit/192 FLAC. Although, admittedly the latter is less noticeable. Also, it is admittedly a warm V shape sound to my ears.
[Low Bass]
Punchy, full of impact (when the track calls for it). It never feels like you're overwhelmed by it, but you never miss it either. As long as you got a good seal of course, which wasn't always the case for me with my weird ear canals.
[Sub Bass]
Its there, but where you ask?? Well, behind all that Low Bass. Can you find it? Sure you can, but its not easy. Just try not to spend all your time looking for it or you'll forget about the music you're listening to.
[Mids]
Similar story of the above, except easier to find. Sorry I am talking in riddles and clues. Mids are actually present and sound good when its called for. Vocals are enjoyable (Amy Lee in my case), although can sound a bit thinner than I'd like at times. Again, please remember I've only had these for a few days and this may change.
[Highs]
Now I am aware that TRN's first IEM, the v10 had a BA driver right in the nozzle so the highs were excruciatingly painful and piercing! With the v20 this isnt the case, the highs are present and clear. No sibilance and no harshness, good definition. Honestly when I put the v20 in my ears first time, the clarity and soundstage impressed me most of all!
[Soundstage]
Its good! By good, I mean very impressive for such a tiny amount of money. Couple that with a clear presentation plus good high frequency definition and you have a winner, not to mention the stereo separation sounds superb but I'm willing to bet that's mostly down to this wonderful cable. The sound isnt massively out of your head (either up/down or left/right), but it isn't intimate either. I would say its more than above average!
CONCLUSION and NOTES:
Overall I am happy with my purchase, although I must say the biggest gripe for me is with the shape of the v20 and that's why I cannot give it 5 stars. It could have been way better! Although, as I said before the hypoallergenic coating on the earpiece is superb! Very comfy, even if I have to adjust them every 10-20 mins. This IEM isn't leaving the house so its not a deal breaker for me. I have a UiiSii CM5 coming (said by many to be one of the most comfortable IEMs!), I will of course do a comparison!
I may add to this review later this week, and of course more pictures as I said before. If there's anything you'd like me to take a picture of in particular just let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!
Lifted.
EDIT (09-05-2018): So after a very long time of trying lots of various tips to help with the fit I found that the best ones for the v20 are the KZ Starlines (medium), they stay in the ear much better and still have a fairly wide bore which leaves the sound open for the DD and BA to work their magic into your eardrums! ^_^
Also, this review is my own findings and opinions collated and isn't paid or sponsored by TRN. The TRN v20 were purchased for £11.40 or around $20 from a store on AliExpress. It took around 1 week for them to be delivered to the UK.
Disclaimer - Bear with me, I've not had these long at all. So the review is WIP (work in progress!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACKAGE:
Box
Warranty Card
Manual
6 of the usual KZ red/grey eartips in each size (S, M, L)
Cable (choice of cables - with/without mic or bluetooth) (in this case its a standard cable with no mic)
IMAGES:
BUILD:
The feel of these IEMs is fantastic, they covered them with a special hypoallergenic coating to battle against sweat and discomfort. Honestly if I was told to put these into my ears and take them out again all day I would be totally happy to do that. Tip rolling is necessary! With huge nozzles getting my Sony hybrid (green) tips on wasn't easy but manageable, I also tried some wider bore Auvios but that exaggerated the treble and thus ruined the presentation for me.
The shape on the other hand is where these aren't so good, honestly the v20 feels like its a test by TRN to see which shapes fit their consumers better. Honestly the previous v10 version which I didint own looks like it has a more ergonomic shape than the v20.
The cable itself is fantastic, if a little bit short at 1.25m/125mm. Its a 3 strand, splitting into a 2 strand to each of the earpieces. However, there is no cable clip or cinch included. I just use a small velcro strap though if I feel the need.
SOUND (ran off an XMG P723 laptop + FiiO Q1ii DAC):
[Intro] I would say its still early days of this review as I've not had these for long. So far though, for the price I am very impressed with the amount of clarity shown here with 1DD (Direct Dynamic) and 1BA (Balanced Armature). I've played various styles of music (mainly Trance) through them in the last couple of days, and the v20 seem to be on the picky side when it comes to quality of the music. I almost knew immediately when I was playing a 320kbps MP3 or a 16bit/44.1 FLAC or indeed a 24bit/192 FLAC. Although, admittedly the latter is less noticeable. Also, it is admittedly a warm V shape sound to my ears.
[Low Bass]
Punchy, full of impact (when the track calls for it). It never feels like you're overwhelmed by it, but you never miss it either. As long as you got a good seal of course, which wasn't always the case for me with my weird ear canals.
[Sub Bass]
Its there, but where you ask?? Well, behind all that Low Bass. Can you find it? Sure you can, but its not easy. Just try not to spend all your time looking for it or you'll forget about the music you're listening to.
[Mids]
Similar story of the above, except easier to find. Sorry I am talking in riddles and clues. Mids are actually present and sound good when its called for. Vocals are enjoyable (Amy Lee in my case), although can sound a bit thinner than I'd like at times. Again, please remember I've only had these for a few days and this may change.
[Highs]
Now I am aware that TRN's first IEM, the v10 had a BA driver right in the nozzle so the highs were excruciatingly painful and piercing! With the v20 this isnt the case, the highs are present and clear. No sibilance and no harshness, good definition. Honestly when I put the v20 in my ears first time, the clarity and soundstage impressed me most of all!
[Soundstage]
Its good! By good, I mean very impressive for such a tiny amount of money. Couple that with a clear presentation plus good high frequency definition and you have a winner, not to mention the stereo separation sounds superb but I'm willing to bet that's mostly down to this wonderful cable. The sound isnt massively out of your head (either up/down or left/right), but it isn't intimate either. I would say its more than above average!
CONCLUSION and NOTES:
Overall I am happy with my purchase, although I must say the biggest gripe for me is with the shape of the v20 and that's why I cannot give it 5 stars. It could have been way better! Although, as I said before the hypoallergenic coating on the earpiece is superb! Very comfy, even if I have to adjust them every 10-20 mins. This IEM isn't leaving the house so its not a deal breaker for me. I have a UiiSii CM5 coming (said by many to be one of the most comfortable IEMs!), I will of course do a comparison!
I may add to this review later this week, and of course more pictures as I said before. If there's anything you'd like me to take a picture of in particular just let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!
Lifted.
EDIT (09-05-2018): So after a very long time of trying lots of various tips to help with the fit I found that the best ones for the v20 are the KZ Starlines (medium), they stay in the ear much better and still have a fairly wide bore which leaves the sound open for the DD and BA to work their magic into your eardrums! ^_^
Lifted Andreas
@Onik No idea mate, mine are still functioning as if they were brand new. Perhaps some dirt or ear wax is the problem? Do you hear any driver flex when inserting the right earphone?
Onik
@Lifted Andreas I don't know what ya mean, but I gave up on fixing it. imo these cheap iems are good but sensitive to headphone amps. they are meant to use only for portable music players/smart phones. I learned a lesson, I will never try good cheap iems on headphone amps.
Lifted Andreas
@Onik did you turn them up too loud or something? BTW I meant that when you insert the earphone into your ear you hear a weird sound coming from the earphone. That's driver flex.
Received the Q1ii today and OMG its a beauty of a device, but I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from FiiO. Its sounds fantastic and is a direct upgrade to my now year old FiiO K1.
I must say for the low price of £35.99 for the FiiO K1 that tiny device kicks serious ass. However, from the last hour of listening the Q1ii sounds more forward with greater resolution and sound stage while still having that house FiiO sound. Its slightly darker and less thick than the K1, as well as way more airy and refined. Another thing the Q1ii does remarkably to my ears is revealing layers in music, especially in Trance tracks. They're full of high-hats, cymbals, FX pads, sweeps and it sounds like the Q1ii handles each one separately. I can only assume this will get even better once the DAC is run in for a few days.
Hopefully there will be a possibility to take advantage of MQA in the future on this device, since Sony, Warner and Universal have all adopted MQA so far and lots of master recordings are being made available for streaming in FLAC format. I don't see why the Q1ii couldn't support this in the future, Saying that, the DSD native support is a great feature, and works with on-the-fly conversion in Foobar2000. Although for me if I'm playing DSD audio I cannot hear anything else going on in my laptop. Whatever, I'll just close my eyes and enjoy the music!
Currently I have only used it with my PC360 G4ME headset, but in the future I am gonna try it with a variety of IEMS including ROCK Zircon, Yamaha-EPH100 and OnePlus Icons. For the PC360 which are 60ohms I have the gain set to high and listen on 40-60% total volume, however I feel that the amp section is definitely lacking a bit. However I don't feel like I'll have any issues with this since I don't own any high impedance headphones.
Also, as always from FiiO the packaging and accessories are fantastic. However, I would easily have paid an extra £1 to throw in a Micro-USB to Micro-USB cable for use with Android phones that doesn't drain the phone's battery (check out the official thread here on Head-Fi to understand what I mean). I guess FiiO didn't say anywhere that Android is supported so this can be overlooked as a mistake in my opinion.
I took some pics of it today:
You can view the full Imgur gallery here – https://imgur.com/a/Yltwh
EDIT/CONCLUSION:
I'm really enjoying how musical this DAC is! Its such a pleasure to listen to, the sounds are so sweet and beautiful. Especially when listening to some orchestral and melodic Trance, like Sound Apparel - Dream (2017 Remaster) for example. The breakdown just sounds godlike!
Never had a DAC so beautifully sweet sounding. Amazing!
In light of this new experience I am bumping my review up to 5 stars from 4, personally I think this DAC more than deserves it, and that FiiO did an amazing job on it. Yeah its more expensive than the Q1 1st Gen and has some features like MFi certification which I could care less about since I detest iPhones, as well as wonky Android compatibility. However, it is totally worth its price on sound quality alone. Well done FiiO!
---
ADDITIONAL NOTES
I have also tested how sound has improved in various games I play like CSGO, Rainbow 6 Siege, Diablo 3 etc....The cues and positional audio for competitive games is fairly good, but not perfect. I suggest leaving the bass boost off for this as it can sometimes mask audio cues such a footsteps and make explosions louder than they need to be. Having the bass boost on for action/adventure games (not competitive) helps the immersion a lot, but also smooths out the sound quite a bit. Honestly my advice for gaming is just to keep the bass boost off, unless you want that extra bit of immersion for games like Tomb Raider, Battlefield etc...
Thank you for reading!
DJ Lifted Andreas (retired)[/SIZE]
I must say for the low price of £35.99 for the FiiO K1 that tiny device kicks serious ass. However, from the last hour of listening the Q1ii sounds more forward with greater resolution and sound stage while still having that house FiiO sound. Its slightly darker and less thick than the K1, as well as way more airy and refined. Another thing the Q1ii does remarkably to my ears is revealing layers in music, especially in Trance tracks. They're full of high-hats, cymbals, FX pads, sweeps and it sounds like the Q1ii handles each one separately. I can only assume this will get even better once the DAC is run in for a few days.
Hopefully there will be a possibility to take advantage of MQA in the future on this device, since Sony, Warner and Universal have all adopted MQA so far and lots of master recordings are being made available for streaming in FLAC format. I don't see why the Q1ii couldn't support this in the future, Saying that, the DSD native support is a great feature, and works with on-the-fly conversion in Foobar2000. Although for me if I'm playing DSD audio I cannot hear anything else going on in my laptop. Whatever, I'll just close my eyes and enjoy the music!
Currently I have only used it with my PC360 G4ME headset, but in the future I am gonna try it with a variety of IEMS including ROCK Zircon, Yamaha-EPH100 and OnePlus Icons. For the PC360 which are 60ohms I have the gain set to high and listen on 40-60% total volume, however I feel that the amp section is definitely lacking a bit. However I don't feel like I'll have any issues with this since I don't own any high impedance headphones.
Also, as always from FiiO the packaging and accessories are fantastic. However, I would easily have paid an extra £1 to throw in a Micro-USB to Micro-USB cable for use with Android phones that doesn't drain the phone's battery (check out the official thread here on Head-Fi to understand what I mean). I guess FiiO didn't say anywhere that Android is supported so this can be overlooked as a mistake in my opinion.
I took some pics of it today:
You can view the full Imgur gallery here – https://imgur.com/a/Yltwh
EDIT/CONCLUSION:
I'm really enjoying how musical this DAC is! Its such a pleasure to listen to, the sounds are so sweet and beautiful. Especially when listening to some orchestral and melodic Trance, like Sound Apparel - Dream (2017 Remaster) for example. The breakdown just sounds godlike!
Never had a DAC so beautifully sweet sounding. Amazing!
In light of this new experience I am bumping my review up to 5 stars from 4, personally I think this DAC more than deserves it, and that FiiO did an amazing job on it. Yeah its more expensive than the Q1 1st Gen and has some features like MFi certification which I could care less about since I detest iPhones, as well as wonky Android compatibility. However, it is totally worth its price on sound quality alone. Well done FiiO!
---
ADDITIONAL NOTES
I have also tested how sound has improved in various games I play like CSGO, Rainbow 6 Siege, Diablo 3 etc....The cues and positional audio for competitive games is fairly good, but not perfect. I suggest leaving the bass boost off for this as it can sometimes mask audio cues such a footsteps and make explosions louder than they need to be. Having the bass boost on for action/adventure games (not competitive) helps the immersion a lot, but also smooths out the sound quite a bit. Honestly my advice for gaming is just to keep the bass boost off, unless you want that extra bit of immersion for games like Tomb Raider, Battlefield etc...
Thank you for reading!
DJ Lifted Andreas (retired)[/SIZE]
---
First Impressions:
Cant say too much atm but the first impressions are pretty good! The sound is really big and detailed. Vocals sound full of body and without any SSS or sibilance. Same with treble it's very nicely extended but not over the top, and with no peaks! Yay!
Bass is plenty but not too boomy, my guess is that it will settle with burn in and get even tighter. So far I'm in love, these Icons produce some amazing synergy and energy with Trance music!
---FULL REVIEW--- (UPDATED: 19/02/2016)
At first I was dubious about purchasing IEMs from a smartphone maker, but then again aren't we all. However the looks and the exclusivity of the Icons pushed me over the edge oh and what a wonderful fall I am experiencing off a slightly sheer cliff (considering the price is a mid moist £39.99). I went for the Graphite as I think it looks classier and will retain its value much better since China seems to be having a gold craze at the moment. So glad I did, since the grey ones are currently out of stock on OnePlus UK site all the time and the gold version is always available.
NOTE: Just for the record I've done some tip rolling and my initial advice is to throw the stock tips straight in the bin (they wont do you any favours!). Personally I've settled on the ROCK Zircon large tips since they fit best and sound best to my ears, another good choice are the Red core large bore SpinFits or the Sony Hybrids. However, I must mention that the SpinFits seem to slide out of my ears a lot, so I only tend to use them when I'm stationary. The sound varies slightly between them too, with the Zircon being the largest bore the bass is full on banging and the rest of the presentation is open and airy. With the SpinFits the sound smooths out even more believe it or not, the bass tones down a little bit while still being plentiful and the treble sharpens up a tiny bit. Overall if the SpinFits didin't slide out of my ears due to their design they would be my preferred tips for the Icons. The Sony Hybrids are very similar in sound characteristics to SpinFits, except I've only got the medium pair and my right ear canal doesn't seal completely with shallow insertion IEMs so I feel a bass lightness on one side which is slightly annoying (I might end up digging up my large Sony Hybrids if I can find them for testing with the Icons). I've also got a pair of Auvio mediums coming, but I predict that they will have the same issue for me as the SpinFits and the Sony Hybrids. Its possible I will get some large Auvios in the future.
So without further ado:
Specifications:
Type: In-ear
Impedance: 32 Ω
Driver Unit: 11mm, dynamic
Weight: 15g
Cable Length: 1.25m
In-Line Remote: Yes
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 110±2dB
Colors: Gold, Graphite
Connector: 3.5mm jack (straight)
Wire Core Material: Enamelled copper wire
Rated Power: 5mW
Coil Material: Copper-clad aluminum
Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.5%(1000Hz, 1mW)
---
---
First of all, I need to say that I mostly listen to Trance, Hardcore (Freeform + Happy/Trancy), Hard Dance and EDM. So your experience may vary if you listen to any other genres.
TREBLE:
Slightly dark and well extended, with no obvious peaks or shreeks. Could easily be enjoyed for hours without any fatigue, I've had my Icons in my ears for over 3 hours so far today at the time of writing this and I barely feel them lol, Just getting lost in sweet sweet music.
MID RANGE:
Very very slightly moved back, not that its noticeable. In Trance music at least this makes for a very pleasant listening, almost to the point of being relaxing (ahem Tenores ahem). It just blends really well into the overall presentation, notice I didin't say *bleeds*.
BASS:
Its full and punchy, without being booming, it complements the rest of the presentation very well without overshadowing it.
SOUNDSTAGE:
Its pretty intimate, however that doesn't mean you're loosing out on details. Its not a micro detail monster, however I am hearing some effects and sweeps in my Trance mixes for the first time. Please be aware you're not going to be surrounded by sound in wide space so if you want that please look elsewhere.
CONCLUSION:
A very well balanced, fun signature sounding IEM. Where the sound is thick and exciting without making one part of the presentation stand out or be annoying. This is THICK, EXCITING sound at its best. A new yard stick for IEMS, at this price range at least. Sounds really natural as well, especially comparing to the likes of ROCK Zircons.
SHAMELESS PLUG:
Most of my mixes can be found online:
http://mixcloud.com/liftedandreas
First Impressions:
Cant say too much atm but the first impressions are pretty good! The sound is really big and detailed. Vocals sound full of body and without any SSS or sibilance. Same with treble it's very nicely extended but not over the top, and with no peaks! Yay!
Bass is plenty but not too boomy, my guess is that it will settle with burn in and get even tighter. So far I'm in love, these Icons produce some amazing synergy and energy with Trance music!
---FULL REVIEW--- (UPDATED: 19/02/2016)
At first I was dubious about purchasing IEMs from a smartphone maker, but then again aren't we all. However the looks and the exclusivity of the Icons pushed me over the edge oh and what a wonderful fall I am experiencing off a slightly sheer cliff (considering the price is a mid moist £39.99). I went for the Graphite as I think it looks classier and will retain its value much better since China seems to be having a gold craze at the moment. So glad I did, since the grey ones are currently out of stock on OnePlus UK site all the time and the gold version is always available.
NOTE: Just for the record I've done some tip rolling and my initial advice is to throw the stock tips straight in the bin (they wont do you any favours!). Personally I've settled on the ROCK Zircon large tips since they fit best and sound best to my ears, another good choice are the Red core large bore SpinFits or the Sony Hybrids. However, I must mention that the SpinFits seem to slide out of my ears a lot, so I only tend to use them when I'm stationary. The sound varies slightly between them too, with the Zircon being the largest bore the bass is full on banging and the rest of the presentation is open and airy. With the SpinFits the sound smooths out even more believe it or not, the bass tones down a little bit while still being plentiful and the treble sharpens up a tiny bit. Overall if the SpinFits didin't slide out of my ears due to their design they would be my preferred tips for the Icons. The Sony Hybrids are very similar in sound characteristics to SpinFits, except I've only got the medium pair and my right ear canal doesn't seal completely with shallow insertion IEMs so I feel a bass lightness on one side which is slightly annoying (I might end up digging up my large Sony Hybrids if I can find them for testing with the Icons). I've also got a pair of Auvio mediums coming, but I predict that they will have the same issue for me as the SpinFits and the Sony Hybrids. Its possible I will get some large Auvios in the future.
So without further ado:
Specifications:
Type: In-ear
Impedance: 32 Ω
Driver Unit: 11mm, dynamic
Weight: 15g
Cable Length: 1.25m
In-Line Remote: Yes
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 110±2dB
Colors: Gold, Graphite
Connector: 3.5mm jack (straight)
Wire Core Material: Enamelled copper wire
Rated Power: 5mW
Coil Material: Copper-clad aluminum
Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.5%(1000Hz, 1mW)
---
---
First of all, I need to say that I mostly listen to Trance, Hardcore (Freeform + Happy/Trancy), Hard Dance and EDM. So your experience may vary if you listen to any other genres.
TREBLE:
Slightly dark and well extended, with no obvious peaks or shreeks. Could easily be enjoyed for hours without any fatigue, I've had my Icons in my ears for over 3 hours so far today at the time of writing this and I barely feel them lol, Just getting lost in sweet sweet music.
MID RANGE:
Very very slightly moved back, not that its noticeable. In Trance music at least this makes for a very pleasant listening, almost to the point of being relaxing (ahem Tenores ahem). It just blends really well into the overall presentation, notice I didin't say *bleeds*.
BASS:
Its full and punchy, without being booming, it complements the rest of the presentation very well without overshadowing it.
SOUNDSTAGE:
Its pretty intimate, however that doesn't mean you're loosing out on details. Its not a micro detail monster, however I am hearing some effects and sweeps in my Trance mixes for the first time. Please be aware you're not going to be surrounded by sound in wide space so if you want that please look elsewhere.
CONCLUSION:
A very well balanced, fun signature sounding IEM. Where the sound is thick and exciting without making one part of the presentation stand out or be annoying. This is THICK, EXCITING sound at its best. A new yard stick for IEMS, at this price range at least. Sounds really natural as well, especially comparing to the likes of ROCK Zircons.
SHAMELESS PLUG:
Most of my mixes can be found online:
http://mixcloud.com/liftedandreas
TwinACStacks
Nice review. To the point. I agree the ICONS are special.
slowpickr
Great review. I'm grabbing the Icons more these days than any other IEM I own. No regrets whatsoever about the purchase.
Lifted Andreas
@TwinACStacks @slowpickr Thanks guys, hope to read your reviews at some point soon too. These Icons need a bit more fame than what they are getting atm tbh. Btw, if there's something I missed (apart from comparisons) in my review then please let me know.
Best value and sounding headphones you'll ever find for EDM.
Do not delay, get a pair today!! For $50 you can't go wrong with these.
Carbon Nanotube technology ftw!
Do not delay, get a pair today!! For $50 you can't go wrong with these.
Carbon Nanotube technology ftw!
fir3st0rm9
I'm thinking of getting these, do they have deep bass good for dubstep?
JK1
I still haven't seen a satisfactory comparison of the HAS400 and HAS500. I would love to see a circumaural headphone with carbon nanotube drivers and velour earpads.
Why didn't they take the HAS400 drivers and put them in a compact enclosure, and have a metal headband like the HAS650 has? I love the sound on the HAS400 but hate the bulky plastic headband and bulky enclosures.
Why didn't they take the HAS400 drivers and put them in a compact enclosure, and have a metal headband like the HAS650 has? I love the sound on the HAS400 but hate the bulky plastic headband and bulky enclosures.
Lifted Andreas
@fir3st0rm You're better off going for the successor which is HA-S680, its just been released in Japan and lots of people are ordering. I put an order in for mine earlier this week.
@JK1 There are loads of comparisons out there, not sure what you mean by satisfactory?
@JK1 There are loads of comparisons out there, not sure what you mean by satisfactory?
Best ear-phones around $150 for EDM.
Can't go wrong with these.
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EDIT (15/01/2015) (bought from Audio Affair UK for £60):
So, I got a second pair after selling my 1st a long time ago and plugged them into my X3 tonight again for a listen. All I have to say is WOW! I cannot believe I ever got rid of these, the IEM love of my life has returned. As I've been listening to Zero Audio Carbo Tenore for the past year and a bit the EPH100s are like a breath of fresh air for me (familiar air). Bass is again back in my ears, not to say that the Tenore bass is lacking, but the quantity and the quality is nowhere near the EPH100s standard. The way that the Yams involve you in the center stage is amazing, soundstage is way above average... 3D detailing is one of the best I've heard.
Just to mention one thing, Zero Audio Carbo Tenore come close with regards to low bass quantity when using the MEElec M6 dual-flanges.. however the quantity of sub-bass is still lacking. The control isn't quite on the same level as the EPH100 either.
I need to reunite myself a bit more with the sound before I can add any more to this review. However, its safe to say that once you got these beauties you should never get rid of them!!
Can't go wrong with these.
---
EDIT (15/01/2015) (bought from Audio Affair UK for £60):
So, I got a second pair after selling my 1st a long time ago and plugged them into my X3 tonight again for a listen. All I have to say is WOW! I cannot believe I ever got rid of these, the IEM love of my life has returned. As I've been listening to Zero Audio Carbo Tenore for the past year and a bit the EPH100s are like a breath of fresh air for me (familiar air). Bass is again back in my ears, not to say that the Tenore bass is lacking, but the quantity and the quality is nowhere near the EPH100s standard. The way that the Yams involve you in the center stage is amazing, soundstage is way above average... 3D detailing is one of the best I've heard.
Just to mention one thing, Zero Audio Carbo Tenore come close with regards to low bass quantity when using the MEElec M6 dual-flanges.. however the quantity of sub-bass is still lacking. The control isn't quite on the same level as the EPH100 either.
I need to reunite myself a bit more with the sound before I can add any more to this review. However, its safe to say that once you got these beauties you should never get rid of them!!
Great amp for the money, in my view best FiiO has done.
This is my first amp and really I'm quite shocked at how much the sound quality can improve by just carrying one extra little box.
Battery life and construction could have been improved, but of course that in turn would have added more weight.
I'm sure I will try the E17 in the future, but for now E11 is amazing and fits my needs perfectly.
I'm actually considering buying another one for backup, they are on offer at an amazing price at the moment on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006KORF26/ref=gno_cart_title_1
This is my first amp and really I'm quite shocked at how much the sound quality can improve by just carrying one extra little box.
Battery life and construction could have been improved, but of course that in turn would have added more weight.
I'm sure I will try the E17 in the future, but for now E11 is amazing and fits my needs perfectly.
I'm actually considering buying another one for backup, they are on offer at an amazing price at the moment on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006KORF26/ref=gno_cart_title_1
takato14
How does it compare to the E7? Or the E17?
The E7 is cheaper and is more focused on quality. The E11 is focused on gain, and compromises in many areas to achieve that extra gain.
At least, that's what I've been told.
The E7 is cheaper and is more focused on quality. The E11 is focused on gain, and compromises in many areas to achieve that extra gain.
At least, that's what I've been told.
Lifted Andreas
E7 is also a DAC which means it can be used with your PC or Laptop. E11 is purely for portable ampliftication, and has better sound quality according to many reports.
My guess is that the E17 is a step up from E11, so it will be my upgrade sometime next year. For now I'm so happy with my E11 that I'm gonna buy another one next week.
My guess is that the E17 is a step up from E11, so it will be my upgrade sometime next year. For now I'm so happy with my E11 that I'm gonna buy another one next week.
Morph91
Do you have a link for a cable that would connect this to my Galaxy S4? Thanks
