Reviews by suicideup
Hidizs MD4 Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Hidizs MD4. The mermaid sings, sort of!
video review here! :
Additional Note/s here:
- I will be using the MD4 with the stock “balanced” configuration and compare the other modes from there.
Disclaimer/s:
- I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Hidizs sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- -Fosi Audio DS1
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:- With the “balanced” configuration set, the Hidizs MD4 exhibits a balanced, mild-v shaped sound signature. From there, the sound varies depending on the switch you configure it with.
- The lows are slightly elevated and are a bit midbass focused. Despite being an all-BA set, the bass exhibits a slightly softer than usual character to it, but still shows a good amount of articulation and speed. No matter what genre you listen to with this IEM, the Hidizs MD4 is able to cater most tracks easily, particularly in the bass department. There is a midbass bleed present in this configuration, which leads us to the mids.
- … is quite caved in , recessed, and sounds “off” which makes the mids not as extended and forward the way I prefer in this configuration. This is because of the midbass bleed/bloat smearing onto the mids. In return, lower mids are thick, muffled, and somewhat “boxy”. Male vocals seem to be sounding thicker than usual in this configuration. Upper vocals are slightly elevated in this configuration, exhibiting a good amount of clarity and sparkle. There are some instances of occasional peaks here and there, but nothing too off-putting for me to call it sibilant, strident, or hot.
- The highs are fairly extended, elevated, with a good amount of air. It isn’t as extended compared to the other configurations. Instances of sibilance in this region are non-existent in this area, but I am aware that there are other inputs experiencing some sibilance in this area, so do take note of those inputs as well if your ears are sensitive to upper frequencies. Detail retrieval in this configuration is average and is improved on other configurations.
- The MD4’s technical performance is average in this configuration and gets better on the other configurations. Its soundstage aimed for a more “pseudo-immersive” one rather than your usual wide soundstage due to its height and width nearly having the same depth. Separation and layering are mostly good for the most part, with some instances of overlapping on some heavy passages in this configuration. Imaging is precise and is able to render instrument and vocal positions clearly.
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Other Driver Configurations! (U = UP, D = Down)- “Warm” Configuration (DU)
- This by far is the best configuration among the 4 in my opinion. Everything is much more extended, open, clean, and airy. The boxiness of the lower mids are also non-existent in this configuration. Resolution is also noticeably better and microdetails are much more heard in this configuration.
- “Treble Configuration” (DD)
- Flattens the bass and extends the treble even further by making things more airier than usual. Bass is more tight, faster, and controlled in quantity. The bloat is also non-existent in this configuration, but some upper mid peaks are more apparent in this configuration. Technical performance here is identical to the warm configuration. Personally this is my favorite configuration, but most people will prefer the “warm” configuration.
- “Bass Configuration” (UU)
- Extends and elevates the bass even further, making things more rumbly. The bloat is slightly present in this config, but is definitely shaved or trimmed down compared to the balanced configuration. The rest are more or less the same.
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Pros:
- Clean, versatile sound signature.
- Never sounded thin despite exhibiting an all-BA driver configuration.
- Excellent tuning switch implementation.
- Deep, thick bass (bass and warm config)
- Fast transient decay.
- Excellent resolution and technical performance (warm and treble config)
- Airy, expansive upper frequencies (treble, warm config)
- Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation.
- Excellent build quality and visual details.
- Excellent packaging and included accessories. Lovely!
- Midbass bloat and muffled lower mids are present on “balanced configuration”.
- Peaks and slight sibilance are present on “treble” config.
- Instances of overlapping in separation and layering are experienced on “balanced” configuration.
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Verdict
The Hidizs MD4 is a very good option if you are looking for a very good sounding IEM with tuning switches under 200 USD. Its versatile, all rounder sound makes it really good for most genres you pair with it. By far, the “warm” setting will suit most listening experiences as it balances both tonality and technical performance evenly, while removing the bloat on the lower mids. Not to mention its very good technical performance for its price on most of its configurations. Hidizs did really well on this set, and I am open to hear more improvements of their works in the future. I’m impressed!
================================================================================================================The Hidizs MD4 is a very good option if you are looking for a very good sounding IEM with tuning switches under 200 USD. Its versatile, all rounder sound makes it really good for most genres you pair with it. By far, the “warm” setting will suit most listening experiences as it balances both tonality and technical performance evenly, while removing the bloat on the lower mids. Not to mention its very good technical performance for its price on most of its configurations. Hidizs did really well on this set, and I am open to hear more improvements of their works in the future. I’m impressed!
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This IEM is very easy to be driven, and prefers neutral source.
- Eartips: Eartips included are soft and good in quality, but you may always use your preferred eartips.
- Cable: Cable is as good and basic as it gets. You may use your preferred cable as always.
Additional Photos here:
Kiwi Ears Dolce Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Kiwi Ears Dolce. A sweet budget contender!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Kiwi Ears sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- Fosi Audio DS1
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:- The Kiwi Ears Dolce sports a mild-v/w-shaped leaning towards bright sound signature. It may also be perceived as a neutral-bright sounding IEM on some sources, due to its firm, controlled bass.The Dolce sports the redeeming qualities that exist on an LCP driver, namely is very good detail technical performance and controlled, clear lows.
- The lows are mildly elevated and not as elevated compared to its upper frequencies. Being a punchy, midbass-dominant set, the Dolce delivers a clean, feet tapping bass response albeit not being a basshead’s dream. In addition to these characteristics, the attack and decay is quite fast, or faster than average.
- The mids are quite interesting to my ears, in a good way. The vocals are more forward than the instruments, offering a sense of intimacy. Lower mids do not exhibit any added thickness due to virtually zero midbass bleed presence during my tests. Upper mids are definitely elevated and exhibit a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. It is leaning towards the bright side of the spectrum, and peaks, and mild sibilance are present on very sibilant prone tracks. For an average set of ears, this isn’t really a big problem as these don't linger too much or too long on most tracks, but for those people who are sensitive to upper frequencies, this may be a reason for you to skip this set.
- Bright and elevated are some of the overarching characteristics of the treble of the Kiwi Ears Dolce. It is definitely present, sparkly, and airy. Cymbal crashes are satisfying and do not pierce. Detail retrieval is above-average to my ears compared to the sets you usually find under 30USD, as the Dolce can pick up most details and nuances in a track.
- In a nutshell, the Dolce exhibits an above average quality under 30-50USD. The soundstage is average, offering a wider than deep characteristic, with a good amount of height, but never “out of your head” experience. Separation and layering are above average to me in this price point as it can handle busy passages fairly easily. Imaging is average, accurate at best. It renders vocal and instrument position accurate.
Comparisons!
VS Tangzu Wan’er SG
- The Wan’er is a smoother, laid-back, thicker, neutral-ish warm-sounding set. The Dolce is the opposite of that. In return, the Dolce renders more detail and is quite better at the separation and layering department when compared.
- The KE-S is a warmer, smooth, lush, thicker sounding IEM. It is also inferior in technicalities compared to the Dolce. Dolce is definitely brighter and cleaner.
- The D-Fi is more " neutral" and less energetic when compared to the Dolce. It is also less brighter as well. Both share the same technical performance. Peaks are least heard on the D-Fi. Dolce is cleaner in terms of overall sound.
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Pros:
- All rounder, energetic, bright sound signature (subjective).
- Exhibits excellent qualities of an LCP-based driver.
- Punchy, well-controlled bass response for its price.
- Bleed-free, detailed mids.
- Forward, airy vocals.
- Extended, detailed treble.
- Above average technical performance for its price (subjective).
- Cool gradient faceplate design! (subjective).
- Very good fit, comfort and isolation.
- Easy to drive.
- Overall clean sound quality.
- This will be perceived as “too bright” to some ears.
- Subbass extension may be lacking to some (subjective).
- Instances of mild sibilance and upper mids peak are present on very sibilant tracks.
- A pouch or a cable winder would’ve been a great treat to anybody in this price point.
Verdict
Despite being tuned as an “all rounder” IEM, the Kiwi Ears Dolce is quite different from the norm due to its forward, lively vocals and somewhat “bright” take for a mild-v/w-shaped IEM . Exhibiting the remarkable characteristics of an LCP driver, the Kiwi Ears Dolce automatically hits the sound I prefer under 30 USD. This IEM sure is quite different and interesting compared to the IEMs you see within this price point. If you are looking for a bright, vocal-forward sounding IEM with a very good technical performance, consider the Dolce as one of the possible choices under 30 USD. The gradient faceplate also stands out among this price range!
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source. I prefer using a warmer source on this one.
- Eartips: The eartips are alright but I suggest using softer eartips for this one.
- Cable is good, soft, and does its job. You may use your preferred cable.
Non-affiliated product link here!: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-dolce
Additional Photos Here:
Attachments
KBEAR Rosefinch Review!
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KBEAR Rosefinch. Quite Harman!
- Keephifi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Tempotec Sonata HD V
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96, Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The KBEAR Rosefinch follows their own sound signature while incorporating some traits from the IEM Harman Target. It sounds warm, u-shaped that leans to the warmer,bassier side of things and gets better the more you listen to it.
- The lows is what I would call the Rosefinch’s highlight because it is the most elevated among the three major frequencies. It is elevated, deep, and thick. Subbass is a bit dominant over the midbass. The speed and decay leans to the average to a slower decay. Therefore, its lows will be present most of the time on most tracks.I do find it a bit distracting on some tracks but for the most part it is very enjoyable, particularly on pop music. This is definitely an IEM that is very capable for EDM and bass heavy tracks and can be a budget basshead’s dream.
- The mids are recessed here and some slight midbass bleed to it. It is only noticeable on certain tracks though it isn’t a big problem or even an issue. The thickness of the lows are also brought here in the mids as well. Lower mids are still clear, smooth, while keeping the right amount of texture in the lower mids such as the voices of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s. Upper mids are elevated here when compared to the mids and exhibit a good amount of sparkle, clarity, and air. This is also a smooth-sounding IEM so there are no peaks, pierce, or sibilance present on this IEM unless the track itself is poorly recorded or mastered.
- The treble here also greatly avoided any peaks, pierce or sibilance. It isn’t as elevated when compared to its lows though. Despite being not as elevated, it still sounds clear and crisp for the most part. Detail retrieval is average and is expected on what you should hear from an IEM in this price point as it can pick up small nuances fairly easily.
Technicalities:
- The soundstage here on the Rosefinch is average. It is wider than deep and has good height for its price. The soundstage here is not cramped or narrow by any means, but could be better. Separation is also average for its price because it can quite render good separation on busy tracks without getting too muddy or hazy. Imaging is also more accurate than precise as it presents vocal and instrumental positioning clearly.
- Warm, fatigue-free sound signature.
- Chunky overall sound.
- A basshead’s dream on a budget (subjective)
- Elevated, smooth lows.
- Warm, smooth mids.
- Non-fatiguing treble.
- Decent technical performance for its price.
- Very good fit and isolation.
- An overall better option when compared to its older siblings (subjective).
- There is a slight midbass bleed on the lower mids and is evident on some tracks.
- Soundstage isn’t cramped or narrow by any means, but could be better.
- Glossy finish = fingerprint/smudge magnet.
- A pouch or a cable winder would be a treat for everybody (subjective).
Verdict:
The KBEAR Rosefinch is for me the better option if you are a basshead and wants a relatively Harman-sounding IEM within the 20 USD range. I quite prefer this over the KS2 and even the Robin if we’re talking about my inner basshead and his preference, not to mention that this is also cheaper than the Robin and is closer to KS2 in price. A “harman-sounding” IEM is quite new to them in to my opinion and they did a pretty good job tuning this IEM for those people who wants their bass elevated and deep. Hats off for KBEAR and their courage to venture to various form factors and sound profiles to cater most hobbyists and even casual users who are in pursuit of sound preference on a budget.Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The KBEAR Rosefinch sounds already good when paired with a non-hifi source. However, a neutral sounding dongle won’t hurt as it can also tame the bass down and make it firmer. I did also experience some changes when switching to high gain on a DAP. When switched to high gain, everything sounds more dynamic, controlled, and clearer while in lower gain it sounds more smoother.
- Eartips: The eartips included are more than fine for most use-case scenarios but your preferred eartips are also suitable.
- Cable: I had no problems with the cable, but you may always your cable of choice.
Thank you for reading!
Non-Affiliated link here!: https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-rosefinch?_pos=1&_sid=9ce1ded89&_ss=r&variant=39991117250606
Additional Photos here:
Lobarkaine
Nice review. Thank's.
Basss
I dont get for basshead? Esx which more cheaper win hands down compare expensive rosefinch
Etymotic ER2SE Review
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Etymotic ER2SE. Speedy realist!
Disclaimer:
- I bought this unit from the 2nd hand marketplace. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Tempotec Sonata HD V
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- Etymotic IEMs need no introduction. The Etymotic ER2SE follows the Etymotic’s Diffuse Field (DF) Target. As a result, the sound will be flat, uncolored, and unforgiving. This also reflects to the technical performance as well.
- The lows here are linear, tight, clean, fast, and punchy. The subbass will only show itself when the track needs it. This will never be the basshead’s dream and maybe the ER3XR/2XR fits the title better if we’re talking about a “bassy” Etymotic IEM.
- The mids here are still, neutral, uncolored, and clean. Everything has an “accurate” note weight and articulate. No instances of peaks or harshness are present here in nature unless the track itself is poorly recorded, mastered, or sibilant prone.
- The treble here is also linear and has that usual accurate extension from an Etymotic IEM. Some people may find it lacking, unenergetic, or dry, especially for those people who loves elevated presence. Detail retrieval here is excellent in its class and can pick up nuances with ease.
- Etymotic IEMs are more on the realists side - which means they stick to their principle that the soundstage perceived will depend on how your mind or ear perceives it, and depends if the track is recorded widely, narrow, or compressed. Separation and imaging here is precise but again, depends on the track itself.
- The most accurate-sounding IEM (according to them)
- Uncolored, true neutral, flat sound signature.
- Speedy,clean attack and decay for a dynamic driver.
- Excellent clarity and resolution.
- Top-class isolation in the UIEM form factor.
- Non-fatiguing sound.
- Excellent technical performance in its class.
- Excellent fit and comfort (when fitted properly).
- Has better value than the ER3SE.
- Fit will not be for everybody.
- Cable microphonics is present when the chin slider and shirt clip are unused.
- Subbass might be lacking for some (but not me though, get the ER2XR/3XR for a bass boost)
- This needs an extra amount of power when compared to the ER3SE to fully shine.
- Semi-proprietary MMCX connection.
- Unforgiving and will slap you with the reality that a soundstage in an iem is all made up inside your head.
- A cable winder and a hard case would be a treat for everybody (nitpick).
Verdict:
The ER2SE is now my top recommendation when looking for an Etymotic IEM, particularly under the 100 USD category. It has better value than the ER3SE because it sounds 90% the same, without the BA timbre due to it using a speedy, dynamic driver. As long as you have a fairly powerful source, the Etymotic will sound good and may even replace your kilobuck IEMs.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The ER2SE needs a decent amount of power to shine the most. A powerful dongle would be a must for me to unleash its full potential.
- Eartips: Etymotic has given you sets of eartips to test and fit according to your comfort. The triple flange preinstalled eartips worked for me well, but may not on your ears.
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos here:
Attachments
Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight Review!
Good day! After 3 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight! A mid-fi technical virtuoso!
- This unit is a tour unit by Audiosense, and organized by Sir Law Loo. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- I have used my own eartips (Whizzer Easytips) for this review. This may or may not affect the sound quality of the IEM.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 3 days.
Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- Whizzer DA1
- Tempotec Sonata HD V
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
=========================================================Sound signature:
- The Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight is the latest flagship by Audiosense, and is well deserved in terms of its neutral-reference sound quality. Unlike most Audiosense IEMs that feature a thick, boosted or elevated lower end, this IEM chose to keep things precise and accurate, and will reveal any flaws or variances of tracks transparently.
- The lows presented by the AQ7 Pro insight isn’t really elevated the majority of the time - it is only elevated when the track needs it. Despite having a somewhat balanced (or neutral, if you may) Its presence never lacked during my tests, even on bass heavy tracks. The midbass and sub bass seem to have the same amount, controlled, punchy, and are fast in terms of attack and decay.
Mids:
- While not being emphasized, I would say that this is the AQ7 Pro Insight’s highlight along with its technical performance. It is very clean, open, detailed, without any form of bloat and bleed. Lower mids exhibit very good thickness and texture. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran’s voices here have that good texture and emotion. Upper mids are almost the same in characteristics with the lower mids, but with an additional amount of sparkle and air. It never sounded sibilant, peaky or harsh, but it never tries to “fix” flaws exist in a track either, making things really transparent.
Highs:
- The treble is presented here in a slightly elevated, well-extended, airy manner. Cymbal crashes and hi-hats exhibit very good definition and keep their presence in any track. Detail retrieval here is excellent and will pick up any microdetails present in any track.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- As a fan of technical performance, I am very impressed by how the AQ7 Pro Insight presented everything in this section. Everything feels “correct” for me albeit being subjective. The soundstage here is immersive and does not try to make things artificial like some IEMs do just to be called “that IEM with a large soundstage”. Separation here is excellent for its price and is somewhat better than the QDC Anole V3 I personally tried before as it handles the busiest of my test tracks with ease. Imaging in return is also top-notch here in its price category as I can determine air between spaces of the vocals and instruments, particularly with live tracks.
Pros:
- One of the best IEM you can get for 400-500 USD in terms of technical performance.
- Neutral-reference sound signature that never lacked in any genre tested.
- Controlled, speedy lows.
- Clear, hyper detailed mids.
- Crisp, non-fatiguing treble.
- Excellent technical performance for its price.
- Very minimal sound coloration without sounding too boring.
- Excellent resolution.
- Above average fit, comfort and isolation.
- Easy to drive.
- Very good and practical amount of accessories, particularly on the Pelican-esque hard case.
- This IEM will reveal any flaws or inconsistencies on tracks you played with it (subjective).
- This IEM may sound a bit “bright” for some people.
- Fit may be bulky for medium sized ears since this IEM has a snug fit in my large ear.
- Cable is more than enough, but can be better for its asking price (my nitpick).
- The design could’ve been at least refreshed to minimize the confusion between this version and the older (AQ7 2020) version (also my nitpick).
Verdict
- The Audiosense AQ7 Pro insight proved itself to be a well-deserved brand’s current flagship as it has the technical prowess that every 400-500 IEM should have, in my opinion. Its clean, resolving, relatively neutral sound signature really got me hooked as I really am looking for a very technically competent IEM. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants a 400-500USD IEM and wants their listening experience to have the transparency and detail it deserves.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight is very easy to drive. However, a decent dongle would be very good for pairing with this IEM. I recommend a neutral or warm sounding source for this one.
- Eartips: It all has the eartips you need included but an aftermarket ear tip of your choice wouldn’t hurt.
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos here:
Brionced
nice! Concise and direct to the point.
KZ D-Fi (Tunable Version) Review!
Good day! After 7 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KZ D-Fi (tunable version). KZ’s Magnum Opus!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
- Throughout this review, I will be using the KZ on its default config (0000)(0 means down, 1 means up), then compare the other configuration from there.
Source/s used:
- -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- -Fosi Audio DS1
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), Laptop.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:- On default configuration (0000), the KZ D-Fi has a "fairly neutral" sound signature, which can be interpreted as u-shaped by some, but to me I prefer to call it "neutral-warm," as it is warm yet does not have any perceivable recession of the midrange region.
- The lows are present and are mildly elevated. It is more midbass dominant than subbass, but there are still a good amount of sub bass here to cater most EDM and bass heavy tracks you listen to your heart’s content. Attack and decay are quite quick most of the time but it never badly lacked on any genre that I threw at it. This makes the D-Fi able to deliver clean, punchy lows, without smearing too much in the mids.
- As for the mids, it is "naturally" placed; It is not too forward nor too recessed, but may sometimes sound "laid back" in certain configurations. Lower mids exhibit good thickness and depth, delivering good texture and detail on male vocals and instruments present in the region. Upper mids are slightly elevated in this configuration and may elevate or tone down depending on the configuration you prefer. There are also no peaks, harshness, or sibilance present in this configuration while delivering very good quality in clarity, air, and sparkle.
- Moving on to the highs, it is slightly elevated, well-extended, and free from any harshness and/or fatigue. It also elevates and recesses depending on the configuration you set it in. Detail retrieval is average and can pick up most details in a track.
- In a nutshell, the technical performance of the D-Fi falls in the average to above-average category under 100 USD. It is nothing to write home about, but it definitely did nothing bad at all. Soundstage width, depth, and height are average; separation is good enough and can cater to heavy passages fairly easily; imaging is fairly precise and will render instrument and vocal positioning easily.
LEGEND: 1 = UP, 0 = DOWN
- - 0000 - The default tuning of the D-Fi. Neutral warm, mild u-shaped warm.
- - 0001 - The U-shaped bright/Neutral bright sound configuration. Lessens the warmth and elevates the upper frequencies. My preferred tuning configuration.
- - 0010 - Increases the midbass quantity and makes the mids a bit warmer.
- - 0011 - Sounds like the usual Harman target curve, with more upper mids-treble elevation and sparkle.
- - 0100 - Adds more depth to its overall sound, adds more lows, and lessens upper frequency quantity. On some tracks, the mids may sound recessed. Loses a bit of air in return.
- - 0101 - Vocals become forward, making things sound a bit more intimate than usual. Lows are also elevated, particularly its midbass.
- - 0110 - Almost the same as what you would get with the 0101 config, but is less bright and less intimate.
- - 0111 - Sounds more v-shaped than u-shaped to my ears. Upper frequencies are definitely more elevated and bright.
- - 1000 - Nearly the same as what the 0000 config sound, but with more subbass presence. It is still not a sub bass monster though.
- - 1001 - Sounds U-shaped bright to my ears. It is noticeably airy, especially on the vocals, but may sound hollow at times.
- - 1010 - Almost the same as the 0000 tuning, but with more subbass quantity. Still, it does not dig that deep.
- - 1011 - This is the better 0101 configuration, due to its noticeable added sound thickness.
- - 1100 - This sounds L-shaped to my ears. Bass is elevated.
- - 1101 - Sounds like the 0111 config but less aggressive when compared.
- - 1110 - Probably the most "bassy" configuration next to the 0000 config.
- - 1111 - Nearly the same sound as the 1110, but with more upper frequency presence.
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Comparisons! (VS D-Fi on default config (0000))VS TRN MT1 Max on “balanced” config:
- The overall sound of the D-Fi is definitely on the lighter side when compared, and also leans on the “neutral” sound signature more than the MT1 Max. Peaks, harshness, and sibilance are also almost absent on the D-Fi when compared to the latter. Technical performance is more or less the same. Fit, build quality, and comfort is definitely better on the D-Fi, as it should be.
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Pros:
- Once again, the current best KZ yet (subjective).
- Versatile, all rounder sound signature.
- Scales well with different pairings and sources.
- Offers 16 different possible tuning configurations.
- Very good sound quality even on stock configuration (0000).
- Has the most “neutral” sound signature among all KZ IEMs (0001).
- Agile bass response.
- Natural, well-placed mids.
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
- Very good technical performance on certain configurations for its price.
- Excellent build quality Polished metal!
- Very good fit and comfort.
- For the first time, a KZ with 2 sets of silicone eartips!
- Despite having 16 possible tuning configurations, most of them exhibit only slight differences in overall sound.
- The right driver’s tuning switch interface is upside down compared to its right driver, which may cause confusion to some.
- Just like the EDA Balanced, this IEM isn’t tuned to be a basshead’s dream (still subjective).
- There are no manuals included on how to operate the tuning switches, or a guide on which configuration sounds which.
- Despite being an excellent performer in the tonal department, its imaging is just average on certain configurations.
- There are some mild peaks on certain configurations with the stock eartips paired.
- Fit is a bit tight on the stock cable.
- QDC connection is cumbersome and visually ruins the overall visual aesthetic (subjective).
- IEM may be a bit bulky and/or heavy on some ears.
- A pouch or a case would’ve been a great treat for everybody due to its amount of included accessories.
Verdict
The KZ D-Fi (tunable version) is KZ’s Magnum Opus, in my opinion. In this Chi-Fi market era where tuning switches became relevant once again, the KZ D-Fi managed to be one of the well-known among all of those that exist, mainly because of its competitive price-to-performance ratio. Even in stock form, it managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the IEMs that existed under 100 USD in terms of its tonal performance. To me, the KZ D-Fi is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants an IEM that can be tuned according to their liking. With that being said, I wonder what the non-tunable version sounds like. I'll probably let the other hobbyists answer that question.Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This IEM is easy to be driven to its full potential. However, pairing it with a warmer source makes things a bit thicker.
- Eartips: Eartips included are alright, but could be better in terms of fit and isolation. I recommend KBEAR 07 or Final E eartips for this one.
- Cable: Cable is as good but the ear hooks are quite stiff and affects the fit of this IEM to my ears..
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos Here:
Attachments
Tangzu X HBB Xuan NV Review!
(Video Review Here: )
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Tangzu X HBB Xuan NV. Mamba tonality!
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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, transparent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Hidizs S9 Pro DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock TangZu Sancai Medium Eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.
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Sound signature:
- This is quite unusual when compared to most HBB-influenced IEMs in terms of the overall sound signature. It isn’t as bassy nor nowhere near basshead level compared to his other collab IEMs. The Tangzu Xuan NV exhibits a neutral-warm sound signature, wherein the bass is mildly elevated and does not bleed on other frequencies that much.
Lows:
- As I have mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t call this a basshead set as this does not have the “head-shaking bass” that we are used to seeing (or hearing, rather) on his collabs. The bass here is mildly elevated, thick, punchy, and nearly clean. It is midbass-focused, and is quite fast in terms of attack and decay. This doesn’t mean that this lacks bass on his preferred genres at all though. Most genres, particularly the hip hop and EDM tracks are still very enjoyable and do not get mushy at all on this set.
- As for the mids, it falls within the “neutral” to my ears, in terms of position and elevation. It isn’t too forward for me to call it nasal, but does not also suffer any recession as well for me to call it drowned or subdued. Lower mids exhibit a little bit of midbass bleed to keep things warm, but isn’t very noticeable and will only show itself when you compare it to a flat-sounding IEM. Lower mids show a bit of thickness and smoothness, which results for a thicker sounding vocals and instruments in this region. Upper mids are present, clear, have a decent air, and quite smoothened out to my liking. This also means that this does not suffer any unnatural harshness and peaks, which can be a good thing for those people with ears that are sensitive to upper frequencies.
- Moving on to the treble, it is decently extended, still in the “neutral” category in my book in terms of elevation, and free from any harshness nor sibilance. Some people, particularly those people who prefer brighter sound signatures may find the extension of the treble of this IEM a little bit “lacking”, but this is nowhere near dark in my humble opinion. I’d call this “safe” in terms of extension and air, but never lacking for most people. Detail retrieval is average and does the job really well on microdetails, but nowhere near clinical.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- Technicalities isn't Xuan NV’s forte, but I can confidently say that it is no slouch either. The soundstage is decently wide, with a good amount of height and depth. Separation is very good on most tracks in terms of handling them but can still get mild congestion on very busy tracks. Layering and imaging is surprisingly good on this set and got me turning my head on certain tracks as it is very precise and clear, even on FPS games.
Other IEM Comparisons!
VS Simgot EW200
- The Simgot EW200 is lighter in bass, wider in soundstage, and brighter in sound when compared. The Xuan NV is thicker in sound and safer in upper frequencies.
- The Hades definitely has the bass in terms of quantity, but lacks the refinement that the Xuan NV has. Mids on the Xuan NV does not suffer any excessive midbass bleed. The treble on the Hades is darker and safer when compared in expense for a less detailed upper frequencies. Technical performance on the Hades is more prone to congestion when compared to the Xuan NV. Both are fairly hard to drive for an IEM.
- The EA500 LM is a slightly brighter option/competitor when compared to the Xuan NV. The EA500 LM is also an excellent technical performer under 100 USD in my own opinion, while Xuan NV aims for a more musical, smooth tonal performance. The EA500 LM is also easier to drive when compared.
- They Etymotic ER3SE is a flatter, uncoloured sound when compared. The Xuan NV exhibits better bass presentation due to its driver configuration, while the ER3SE presents itself in a clinical manner.
Pros:
- One of HBB’s “best collab” in terms of overall sound! (personal take, subjective)
- A well-tuned, neutral-warm sounding IEM!
- Well, controlled, punchy, bass quality.
- Lush, smooth, thick mids.
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
- Very good technical performance for its price, particularly on layering and imaging.
- Beautiful, visually-pleasing, vibrant IEM shells!
- Very good comfort, fit and isolation!
- No “driver flex” unlike some resin-based IEMs! (I appreciate this a lot)
- Very good included accessories in terms of quality!
- Scales well with a fairly powerful source.
- Despite having a very good technical performance in my book, this isn’t the IEM you may want to look at first if you are looking for a highly-technical IEM under 100 USD.
- A bit harder to drive properly than usual; has the same volume needed of the HBB Hades using the same setup.
- Shell can be a bit chunky to smaller ears.
- Cable is not “up to par” in terms of overall material quality for its asking price.
- They did include a pouch, but a hard case would’ve been nice since this is a resin-based IEM (definitely a nitpick)
Verdict:
The Tangzu Xuan NV is quite different, or unusual to see (and hear, of course) when we are talking about HBB’s IEM collabs, in terms of overall sound quality and presentation. This IEM differs from the other HBB collabs by steering away from the usual boosted, bassy sound and focused on achieving the “all-rounder” IEM title. In my own opinion, the Tangzu Xuan NV and the Zu Weitan Heyday are the only two HBB IEMs I find excellent and versatile for its asking price. If we’re going to look at the bigger picture, the Xuan NV holds up really well, and even competes with the recent IEMs under 100 USD, due to its versatile, smooth, lush presentation. I wholeheartedly recommend the Tangzu Xuan NV for those people who want a versatile IEM in terms of sound without sacrificing too much of the technical chops. Highly recommended!
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This IEM needs at least 2vrms of power from the source to sound best. I recommend neutral-sounding dongles for this one.
- Eartips: The eartips are more than enough and really good in quality from their own house. You may still use your own eartips.
- Cable: The cable is quite flimsy and sticky. You may use your preferred cable.
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated link here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tangzu-xuannv
Additional Photos Here:
CCA CRA+ Review!
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the CCA CRA+. Pricier IEM characteristics, trickled!
Disclaimer/s:
- KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will try its best to devoid from any bias/es.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- BaseUs USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM and configuration: Stock medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain.
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Sound signature:
- U-shaped slightly leaning bright sound signature. Punchy, controlled bass, warm, smooth mids, extended bright highs.
- Lows are elevated and are a great improvement when compared to the CRA. The bass is much more textured and/or detailed when compared to the CRA. The midbass is also much more punchier when compared to its older sibling. The midbass is a bit dominant over the subbass, which also results in more controlled lows with fast decay. Overall, the CRA+ can cater and will deliver punchy, elevated lows that will satisfy the majority of the genres, even those genres that require “earth-shaking” bass. The CRA is a bit bassier though, but I would sacrifice bass quantity for bass texture and detail.
Mids:
- The mids are slightly recessed and it makes the mids of its older sibling sounds like it has a gaping hole in the mids. There is a bit of midbass bleed but it is only enough for the lower mids to have some weight and thickness to it. Lower vocals are placed “correct” and not too distant nor too forward. Upper mids are elevated with good enough air, clarity and extension. There is a peak on very sibilant tracks or with tracks with poor or compressed recording but is far from being intolerable for most people like its sibling. As a result, the mids on the CRA+ is where I hear the drastic improvement the most. Its mids became more mature while keeping the necessary fun when the track needs it. Its mids became more open, forwarded a bit, and became more smoother by removing the unnecessary sibilance. The mids will improve further with the help of eartip rolling and proper source pairing as this scales with a bit of extra juice of power and pairing.
Highs:
- The highs on the CRA+ are bright but not as elevated when compared to its lows. It is also well extended and is a bit controlled when compared to the CRA. It does not suffer any thinness to some tracks when compared to its older sibling as well. However, it is also not as airy when compared to it. Detail retrieval is also average with decent presentation of nuances on most tracks, particularly those tracks with excellent mastering and recording (Ex. Rose-Colored Boy by Paramore).
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The soundstage of the CRA+ is average for its price and also exhibits an average expansion. The soundstage also widens a bit depending on the pairing or eartips paired with it. Separation does not suffer any serious congestion when compared to its sibling and will only suffer congestion when the track is intended to sound very busy. Imaging is precise and does present vocal and instrument position fairly accurately.
Comparisons!
Vs the Audiosense AQ0 (100 USD)
- The CCA CRA+ and Audiosense AQ0 nearly share the same sound signature: They both have an elevated bass response. However, the AQ0 has a bit more amount in the subbass while keeping it controlled and clean. As for the mids, both these IEMs has good amount of presence with the AQ0 a bit more refined and smooth in the upper mids. As a result, it does not have the upper mids peak compared to the CCA CRA+. As for the treble extension, the CCA CRA+ is a brighter and much more extended compared to the AQ0, while the AQ0 is a bit better on detail retrieval. Soundstage is also wider on the AQ0, separation is also better on the AQ0 by a bit, and the imaging are nearly the same.
Vs the BQEYZ Autumn, normal filter (200 USD)
- These two IEMs now are completely different in their sound signature. The CRA+ is noticeably bassier when compared to the Autumn, while the Autumn strives for a more textured, clean and natural bass response. The mids on the Autumn is noticeably more forward when compared to the CRA+ while keeping things free from peaks. Both of these IEMs have open mids, it’s just that the Autumn is more open when compared. The treble on the CRA+ is also more elevated when compared to the Autumn and has both good amount of extension. Detail retrieval is where the Autumn excels the most as its detail retrieval is excellent for a single DD under 200 USD. The soundstage is also much wider to the Autumn, separation is also cleaner, imaging is also much more precise when compared. However, they do share the same characteristic which is scaling as they scale with proper power and pairing.
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Pros:
- Improved the sound quality and removed the unnecessary sibilance from the CRA.
- Controlled yet lively sound signature.
- Punchy, controlled midbass.
- Mids are less recessed when compared to CRA .
- Extended yet non-harsh treble.
- Actually very good technical performance under 20USD.
- Sound quality scales with power.
- Decent isolation.
- Instances of slight peaks on very sibilant tracks present, almost has the same level compared to the KZ EDA Hi-Res.
- Will sound “generic” when underpowered.
- A cable winder would be a very good treat for everyone (my nitpick)
- Eartips included slightly degrade the sound.
Verdict
The CCA CRA+ is a great departure to its sibling, the CRA, in terms of sound signature and quality. The CRA+ tries to sound more mature and controlled while keeping a bit of fun in its house sound. They improved the mids by a huge margin when compared to its sibling which made me literally smile the first time I used it out of the box. I was also surprised that this has the capability of scaling which you don’t usually see in this price segment. It does scale and improve its sound quality depending on the source and eartips you pair with it which is an appeal for the tinkerers and scientists of the hobby as they can mix and match this IEM to their liking. My only complaint this time is still the accessories they include to this IEM, because it does not give justice to the CRA+’s full potential.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: A dongle will do such as the JCally JM10 as an example since this IEM scales with power.
- KBEar 07 eartips would be my top recommendation for this one to lessen the peaks while improving the width of the stage. Sony EP-EX11 eartips will also lessen the peaks but will also make the mids a bit more distant.
- As for the cable, I do not have any specific cable that I can recommend but I do suggest changing it if needed because the ear guides on the stock cable makes it hard for me to fit it properly.
Additional Photos:
KZ EDX Ultra Review!
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KZ EDX Ultra. ZS7 and EDX Pro’s offspring!
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Disclaimer:
- KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will try its best to devoid from any bias/es.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- BaseUs USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- V-shaped warm sound signature. Basshead level lows, recessed but not cra-level recessed type of mids, extended highs..
- The lows are definitely elevated and give its full punch whenever the song needed. Despite it being a basshead IEM, its bass isn’t sloppy or boomy for its asking price. It is punchier and quicker in decay when compared to the EDX and EDX Pro while keeping the details of the bass as it never sounded “one-note-bass” to me. Midbass is slightly dominant over the subbass. As a result, the lows on the EDX Ultra will cater and deliver fun, elevated bass when needed.
- The mids are recessed on the EDX Ultra but not as recessed as the CCA CRA when compared. Lower mids suffer a slight midbass bleed but only has enough amount to keep the lower mids warm and lively. Upper mids exhibit above average, air and clarity but also suffers some slight peaks whenever listened with very sibilant tracks. These peaks are mostly noticeable during the hours used straight out of the box and eventually lessens the more you use it. These peaks are also lessened effectively when paired with the right eartips (more into that later). Overall, the mids still sounds “clean” to my taste and is an improvement vs the EDX Pro because it is much more open and has less bleed.
- The highs on the EDX Ultra are elevated and bright, but not as elevated compared to its lows. It is also well-extended and has some decent air and sparkle to it. There are some tracks that it may sound “thin”, but it is mostly noticeable on poorly-mastered tracks throughout my tests. Detail retrieval is very good for its price point as I can hear the microdetails or nuances fairly easily.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The soundstage of the EDX Ultra is wide with average levels of expansion. It is wider than deep with a good amount of height. Separation is noticeably better than the EDX and EDX Pro and only suffers slight congestion when very busy tracks are listened to such as Let Me Hear and Asphyxia as some of the examples. Imaging is a tad bit better than its older siblings as its vocal and instrument positions are portrayed clearly.
Pros:
- A much more “correct-sounding” EDX Pro in a nutshell.
- Basshead IEM that will satisfy bassheads on a budget.
- Punchy, elevated bass.
- Clearer and more open mids compared to the EDX and EDX Pro.
- Extended, airy treble.
- Improved technicalities compared to the EDX and EDX Pro, particularly on the separation.
- Softer, less prone-to-tangle cable.
- Decent isolation.
Cons:
- Some peaks are present but only on very sibilant prone tracks, almost as the same level as the CCA CRA+ has.
- Treble may sound thin on some tracks. It is mostly noticeable during the first hours of using it out of the box.
- Slight midbass bleed are present on some tracks but are far from muddying up the sound.
- A cable winder would be a very good treat for everyone (my nitpick)
- Eartips included do not give justice to the sound.
Verdict
It was quite a surprise when I heard that there is an existing KZ EDX Ultra. At first I thought it was only a visual update since their prices are not that too far with each other. It turns out that I was wrong as there are some noticeable differences when compared to its brother, the EDX Pro even if it is not a “night-and-day” difference. KZ and CCA are really stepping up their game recently after the fiasco by tuning their 1DD IEMs better-even better than their multi-driver IEMs from the past. The KZ EDX Ultra mixed the KZ ZS7 and EDX Pro’s DNA to make the EDX Ultra’s sound reaching basshead levels while keeping the decent technicalities for its asking price.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This IEM is very easy to be driven with, a phone will do. However, a warm-sounding dongle or a DAP will lessen its peaks and will thicken its mids by a bit.
- KBEar 07 eartips would be my top recommendation for this one to lessen the peaks while improving the width of the stage. Any wide-bore eartips will also make the lows more controlled and firmer, the mids will also forward a bit, and the soundstage will also sound wider when used.
- As for the cable, I do not have any specific cable that I can recommend but I do suggest changing it if needed because the ear guides on the stock cable makes it hard for me to fit it properly. Besides, this also deserve a cable upgrade because it looks cool in my opinion.
Additional Photos:
Kiwi Ears Cadenza Review!
Tagalog Review here:
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Timbre virtuoso!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Linsoul and Kiwi Ears sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- - Fosi Audio DS1
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Shanling UA1 Plus
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP
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Sound signature:
- The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is by far the best IEM under 50 USD in terms of tonal performance. “Neutral”, mild-u-shaped, “harman”, and “balanced” are the main descriptors of the Cadenza, and also lean to a slight warmish tone most of the time.
- The bass on the Cadenza is mildly elevated, fairly controlled, and midbass focus. The bass here is nowhere near basshead levels, but is sufficient for most tracks. The decay leans to the average side in terms of attack and decay. There are times that the bass will sound monotonous and will lack texture, especially on bassy or basshead level tracks, creating a somewhat “soft” character to my hearing perception.
- The mids are mildly recessed and are on the “natural” side in terms of position. There is a presence of midbass bleed here, making the lower mids warm and thicker than usual. Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s voices here are thick, smooth, and may lack texture at times in return. Upper mids are mildly elevated and exhibit a good amount of air, clarity, and sparkle. No abnormal harshness or peaks are present on this IEM during my tests, making it very recommendable for those people who have a set of upper frequency-sensitive ears.
- As for the treble, it is “naturally” extended, has decent amount of air and sparkle. It never sounded rolled off nor too extended during my tests. Detail retrieval is average and retrieves most details in a track quite well.
- Technicalities is not the forte of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. The soundstage is average in terms of depth and height, and wider than taller. Separation and layering is average to below average and it really shows when the tracks get busy. Imaging is average at best as it renders vocal and instrumental positioning decently.
Other IEM comparisons!
VS Kiwi Ears Dolce
- The Dolce edges out the Cadenza in the technicalities, but is less smoother and leans to a drier, brighter side of the spectrum. The Cadenza is also bassier as well.
- Both share the same sound signature, but the Krila is more technically competent. However, it is less warmer and suffers some metallic timbre, making things not smoother when compared to the Cadenza.
- The Pandamon is a more balanced, thicker sounding set that also edges the Cadenza in the technicalities. The Cadenza is a bit airier in the treble department compared to the Pandamon.
- The Simgot EW200 is definitely better in the technicalities than the Cadenza and is on par in terms of timbre to the Cadenza when compared. The EW200 leans slightly to the brighter side of the spectrum and is miles airier when compared to the Cadenza.
Pros:
- Has the best tonal performance under 50USD I have tried.
- Non-fatiguing, smooth yet not too warm sound signature.
- “Natural” timbre.
- Mildly elevated smooth lows.
- Well-placed, open lush mids.
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
- Average technical performance.
- Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation. Definitely one of the most comfortable ones!
- Visually-pleasing build quality (subjective).
- Easy to drive.
- Very good amount of eartips.
- Bass may sound monotonous and may lack texture at times.
- Technicalities are nothing to write home about for its price.
- A case or a pouch would’ve been a great treat for everybody for its asking price (subjective).
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Verdict
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza sure is the best IEM in my book under 50 USD in terms of timbre! I really enjoyed using these daily during my test periods because it sounds really “rich” and “smooth” on most of my test tracks. Its smooth, musical character suits most of genres and everyday, casual listening. This will be one of my top recommendations if you are looking for the best budge IEM in terms of timbre! Well done Kiwi Ears!
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source. I suggest using a neutral sounding DAC for this one to trim down some warmth.
- Eartips: The eartips are alright and enough for the most part. You may always use your preferred eartips.
- Cable gets the job done and is sufficient for the most part. You may always use your preferred cable.
Non-affiliated product link here!: https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-cadenza?variant=42406993297558
Additional Photos Here:
Astrotec Vesna Review!
Good day! After 4 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Astrotec Vesna. It’s always the non-removable ones!
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Disclaimer:
- I purchased this unit with my own money. Rest assured that this review will try its best to devoid from any bias/es.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 4 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- BaseUs USB DAC
- VE Megatron USB-DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- W-shaped, with a hint of brightness on upper frequencies. Very good technicalities for its retail price.
- Lows are elevated and controlled. Subbass is a bit elevated than the midbass but they are really close in terms of level of elevation. It also exhibited some good texture during the observation period. Despite being elevated, the decay leans to the faster side of the spectrum. It will be enough for most tracks but some bassheads may find it lacking, particularly the rumble, for bass heavy tracks.
- The mids are elevated and never get drowned during my stress tests. There is a good amount of warmth on the lower mids to keep the lower notes and vocals have that good amount of depth. Despite having warmth, it is still clean, detailed, and textured for the most part. Upper mids are elevated, clear, with above-average vocal rendition. I did not experience any harshness or sibilance throughout my experience, but for those people who are sensitive to upper frequencies, they might find the Vesna’s upper mids a bit “energetic” to their liking.
- The treble on the Vesna is slightly elevated, well-extended, with good amount of air. There is no presence of harshness or hotness here in this region. Detail retrieval is also above average for its asking price and for its price range as this can compete with some IEMs I have auditioned and experienced that costs 60 USD below in terms of detail retrieval.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The soundstage here is just average in terms of width and expansion. It is a bit deeper than wider on my tests, as most bullet-style IEMs I have experienced with sounded. Separation is above average with slight congestion present only on very busy tracks, mostly on J-Rock tracks. Imaging is above average on this IEM as it exhibits better picture of vocal and instrument positioning compared to some of the IEMs within the same price range.
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality under 20 USD.
- “Balanced-midcentric” sound signature.
- Punchy bass.
- Clear, articulate mids.
- Very good upper frequency presentation.
- Above average imaging and separation for its asking price.
- Comfortable, bullet-type fit.
- Generous accessories for its asking price.
- Comes with a free 3.5 female to USB-C adapter.
- Well-tuned LCP Driver.
Cons:
- Fixed cable may be a downside for some (but not me).
- A bit harder to drive compared to other IEMs that has the same driver material. Needs a decent source or DAC/AMP to shine.
- Soundstage isn’t cramped or compressed by any means, but could be better.
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Verdict
The Astrotec Vesna is one of those IEMs that sets the bar higher in the budget range. This sound quality was only available for IEMs under 100USD years ago. Due to this aggressive innovation, these sound quality slowly trickles down to the budget segment. This audio bliss reminded me of an IEM I used to love before for sounding excellent in this price category - the Urbanfun Hi-Fi. I am happy to recommend the Astrotec Vesna for those people who are looking for a budget all-rounder, bullet-type IEM that will sound good as long as they have a decent source such as Dongles or DAPs to pair with it.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- A neutral or warm powerful source will make the Vesna show its full potential as this IEM is a bit harder to be driven properly. Some noticeable improvements are its better dynamics and smoother upper mids response as this IEM will sound “peaky” when not properly driven.
- The included eartips are good enough for this IEM and does bring justice to its full sound capability, but you can always use your eartips of choice. Start with the smaller sizes first to have a deep, comfy fit and isolation.
KBEAR Robin (New Colorway) Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the new colorway of the KB Ear Robin! This one’s easy to be loved!
Disclaimer:
- Keephifi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will try its best to deviate from any bias/es.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock white medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.
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Sound signature:
- Balanced-mild v-shaped that leans to the warmer side. Smooth, thick sounding IEM. A very good all rounder IEM for most music.
- The lows are the “focus” of the KB EAR Robin. Actually, most KB Ear products leans to the warmer side of the spectrum. The lows here are thick, deep, fairly controlled and smooth. Decay leans to an average to slightly slower side of the spectrum When compared to the KB Ear KS2, the KS2 is more rumbly and leans to a more subbass-sy side of elevation but lacks a bit of control. The Robin however leans to a slight midbass punch, but most of the time the elevations of both midbass and sub bass are equal. This is for sure will cater bassheads and their precious EDM and other bass heavy tracks.
- With the lows exhibiting slightly slower decay, the mids also have instances of midbass bleed. However, the lower mids are recessed but never got drowned or muffled. It just added a bit of warmth and thickness to it. This is very evident on male vocals more than instruments. Upper mids are slightly elevated with average clarity, sparkle and air, but greatly avoided any harshness without being lacking. Red Velvet’s “Feel My Rhythm” here sounds musical, smooth, and enjoyable, unlike when listened with neutral or bright IEMs, the sound is a bit harsh.
- The treble on the Robin is “naturally” extended. Not too much and not too rolled off either. There is a bit of elevation here but not as elevated as the lows . Decent amount of air extension is also observed in my tests. Detail retrieval is average as you can hear nuances a bit easily. This shows that the KB Ear isn’t for those people who seek for excellent detail retrieval or technical listening. This IEM caters more to the musical side of things while keeping most details present.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The soundstage of the KB Ear Robin is average with slightly below average expansion. I am not saying that the soundstage is too narrow, but for this price, it could be better and a bit wider. It is wider than width with a fair amount of height as if you were in a bar or room. Separation here is surprisingly above average because it handled very busy tracks fairly easily with little to no hints of congestion present. Imaging is also above average for me because despite having a below average expansion, it did manage to present the vocal and instrument positioning fairly accurately.
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Pros:
- Warm, non-fatiguing sound quality and signature.
- Full-sounding lows.
- Thick, smooth mids.
- Non-harsh natural treble.
- Above average imaging and separation for its price.
- Matte, new paint finish to avoid any paint chipping.
- Hassle-free fit and isolation.
- One of the best packaging and accessories for its price. IT actually has 2 sets of eartips and a case.
- Instances of midbass bleed are present on most tracks.
- Not the best detailed sound for its asking price.
- Trebleheads may find the treble “lacking”
- Soundstage is far from narrow by any means, but could be better in terms of expansion.
- A cable winder would be a treat for everyone (subjective).
Verdict
The KB Ear Robin is by far their best offering that I have experienced among their products (I haven’t tried the KB Ear Ink and the Aurora yet, my apologies). Its sound is very easy to get along with because it is an all-rounder, warm sound that will not offend anyone’s ears. This will definitely sound good in most tracks that you play it with as it focuses itself on the musicality itself rather than being too technical like most IEMs in this price range today. KB Ear seems to have a pattern here in terms of their house sound. They do acknowledge the fact that the source really matters and their products need a good synergy to shine. Sure it will sound alright on warm sources, but neutral-sounding sources are the way to go to their products for it to really shine.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The KB Ear Robin sounds best when paired with a neutral source to lessen the excessive thickness, lesser midbass bleed, and more open sound. It does not need to be too powerful, a dongle like the Jcally JM6 for example, will do.
- Eartips: They give you 2 sets of stock eartips in the box. I prefer the white silicone eartips for better fit and comfort. However, you can always use your preferred eartips (Hint: use wider bore eartips!)
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliate product link: https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-robin?_pos=1&_sid=c25fdd39b&_ss=r&variant=39449816825902
Whizzer HE10 Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Whizzer Kylin HE10. Whizzer the Rizzler!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Whizzer sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- Fosi Audio DS1
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:- The Whizzer Kylin HE10 follows the KAI target - which basically is a modified Harman Target by the company. As a result, the HE10 will sound warm, balanced-warm, fun-sounding, v/u-shaped at most, depending on the source paired and hearing perception you have.
- The lows are substantially elevated, a bit subbass dominant, and thick. Attack and decay leans to the natural side, which means that this isn’t too clean and too boomy at the same time. There is still some texture to it, preventing me from calling it “monotonous”. Bassheads may not find the bass on the HE10 as chunky or hard hitting as what the 7HzLegato has, but it sure is fun and enjoyable on most bassy tracks used with it.
- The mids are also on the natural side, and suffer a bit of slight midbass bleed, keeping things warm, smooth, lush, and thick. Lower midrange sounds thick, lush, and smooth without any instances of recession perceived, even on busy tracks. Upper mids are mildly elevated, with a good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. Those people with sensitive ears will enjoy the HE10 due to its fatigue-free sound as this never sounded sibilant or even peaky on my tests.
- Moving to the highs, it is there, present, adequately extended, but will sound “lacking” or “relaxed” in terms of extension. Treble aficionados will find these lacking, but for the majority of people in this hobby, and even to those who are just “passing by” in this hobby, this will be enough for most genres you throw at it. Detail retrieval is average as it can render the primary details existing in the played track.
- As for the technicalities, it isn’t the strongest suit of the HE10. It does the job well and justified for its asking price, but nothing new to write home about. The soundstage is on the average side in terms of width, height and depth. It is more on the “natural” type as well and does not have that wide effect just like what you hear on open back headphones or some IEMs within this price. Separation and layering are average and may experience some slight congestion on some busy tracks. Imaging is also average and is able to render some spaces and position between the vocals and instruments.
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Comparisons!VS Simgot EA500
- The Simgot EA500 is a brighter, more bass-light set while the HE10 is the complete opposite. The EA500 has better overall technical performance when compared, but the HE10 has the “natural” sound.
- The Simgot EW200 is better in almost everything compared to the HE10, except for the packaging. The EW200 is cheaper though. The HE10 is a warmer sounding IEM and is also more safe compared to the EW200.
- The Pandamon sounds more balanced and technical compared to the HE10. Its overall technical performance are also better compared to the HE10. Both may be perceived as “airless” in terms of the treble extension, but the Pandamon pulls and renders more detail on the top end.
- The PR2 is harder to drive since it is a planar IEM and leans to a more “fun yet controlled” sound and may sometimes come across “too clean”. The HE10 sounds more natural and less technical.
- In a nutshell, all of these IEMs are inspired by the Harman Target. The HE10 is warmer compared to these IEMs, and slightly excels on the separation and layering and naturalness of the mids.
Pros:
- A master of overall mass appeal under 100 USD!
- All-rounder, fatigue-free sound signature.
- Very good tonal performance.
- Elevated yet composed bass response.
- Lush, smooth, warm midrange.
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
- Average technical performance.
- Excellent build quality. All metal, smooth edged IEM under 100USD!
- Excellent quality and quantity of accessories. 3 sets of eartips!
- Excellent fit, comfort and isolation.
- Excellent packaging craftsmanship. This sure is visually pleasing!
- Easy to drive to its full potential.
- The overall sound isn’t bad by any means, but it is somewhat redundant compared to the recent IEMs that exist under 100USD (could be a good or a bad thing, your call).
- The treble can be perceived as “too safe” by some ears (subjective).
VERDICT
The Whizzer HE10 overall is a well-crafted IEM under 100 USD, in terms of packaging, build quality, and sound. Despite not being the “best” sounding IEM in my book, It managed to sound really good and pleasing for most people who have tested this unit sent to me, including myself. Having the Harman Target as a reference for a tuning of an IEM is a double edged sword - it will be liked or maybe even loved by most people, but will be “redundant” to some people who have the same similar sounding IEM in their collection. Nevertheless, I will still wholeheartedly recommend this IEM to anyone who just wants a bit of everything under 100USD. A safe, very good recommendation indeed!
Pairing recommendation/s:- Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source.
- Eartips: The eartips are more than enough and fits most ears well. However, you may use your preferred eartips.
- Cable is really, really good. Probably the best stock cable of an IEM you can get with this price, just like what you would get with the Simgot EW200. It is subjective though.
Non-affiliated link here!: https://whizzer.store/product/whizzer-kylin-he10-2/
Additional Photos Here:
innovated
Thanks for the review and the effort involved!
The Kylin looks majestic, definitely a design success and the cable is very tasteful. Wouldn't be a "buy" for me, but I would buy as a gift for loved ones - the total package looks great, elegant and "valuable" - and the perhaps overly safe tuning helps for that purpose, especially for loved ones still using £5 Samsung ears!
The Kylin looks majestic, definitely a design success and the cable is very tasteful. Wouldn't be a "buy" for me, but I would buy as a gift for loved ones - the total package looks great, elegant and "valuable" - and the perhaps overly safe tuning helps for that purpose, especially for loved ones still using £5 Samsung ears!
BLON BL-07 Review!
Video review here:
Good day! After 4 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Blon BL-07. The “best” BLON yet!
Disclaimer:
- KeepHiFi sent over this unit to me in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that the following observations and findings will be away from bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- U-shaped warm sound signature. Can sometimes sound W or U-shaped on some sources. Soft rumbly bass, recessed or sometimes linear mids, slightly elevated highs.
- Lows are elevated and soft. Subbass has greater quantity than the midbass The decay is slightly slower than normal, and the texture is medium to below average. Overall, the lows are present, packs a good sub-bass rumble, and can cater EDM and bass-heavy tracks quite well.
- The mids are mostly recessed, with rare instances of linearity on particular songs and sources. There is a presence of midbass bleed on the lower mids, making the presentation warm and bodied for male vocals. Upper mids are much elevated compared to the BL Max but not as elevated and aggressive compared to BL05s. which makes the presentation warm and bodied for male vocals. Upper mids are substantially higher than on the BL Max, but not as high or aggressive as on the BL05s. As a consequence, the upper mids have superb clarity and sparkle, with occasional peaks on select tracks, notably Ariana Grande's and K-Pop. tracks. Overall, the mids on the BL07 are warm, nice, and maybe the "best" mids from a BLON IEM (I haven't personally experienced the A8 Prometheus yet, so there's that) among all of the BLON IEMs I've tried and reviewed.
- When compared to the competition, the highs are boosted with a tinge of brightness. It is well-extended and has a good amount of air. Detail retrieval is just adequate, but it will be enough for most individuals who listen to music casually. Despite the fact that it is raised, the presentation is smooth and has just the proper amount of presence. In terms of quality, the treble on the BL07 is "just right" given the asking price. It's not as aggressive as the BL05s, but it's also not as mellow as the BL-Max.
- The soundstage is wide, with average expansion. It is wider than deep. Separation is also average, with instances of congestion in busy tracks, particularly in JPop and Metal tracks. Imaging is also average, accurate, and can present instrument and vocal positioning decently.
Pros:
- Decent sound quality for its asking price
- Rumbly sub-bass
- Very good mids in terms of presentation
- Sparkly and clear upper mids
- Smooth treble extension without being too mellow
- Wide soundstage for an IEM in this price point
- Very good fit and isolation, better than any of their offering I’ve personally tried before
- Hefty metal shell (subjective)
- Finally, its connectors aren’t Blon proprietary. You can use an NX7/NiceHCK/TFZ cable with it (see pictures)
- Easy to drive, can be fully driven with a smartphone/non-hifi source.
Cons:
- Bass could be punchier (subjective)
- Midbass bleed presence
- Instances of upper mids peak are present on some tracks
- Technicalities, particularly on the separation and imaging could be better in this price point.
- Silver and Gun models may be prone to scratch and smudges just like the previous BLON IEMs.
Verdict
It's official: the BLON BL-07 is the "best" BLON IEM in terms of price to performance. It still has the BLON house sound, but it's done nicely in the upper frequencies, and it can compete in its price range. It still needs some development on the technical aspects in order to stand out in its asking price. Aside from that, I would recommend this to anybody looking for an alternative IEM under 45 USD that can be used as an all-rounder and easy to drive on most sources.
It's official: the BLON BL-07 is the "best" BLON IEM in terms of price to performance. It still has the BLON house sound, but it's done nicely in the upper frequencies, and it can compete in its price range. It still needs some development on the technical aspects in order to stand out in its asking price. Aside from that, I would recommend this to anybody looking for an alternative IEM under 45 USD that can be used as an all-rounder and easy to drive on most sources.
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos:
NF Audio NM2 Review!
Good day! After 4 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for NF Audio NM2. No frills, all technicalities!
Disclaimer:
- KeepHiFi sent over this unit to me in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that the following observations and findings will be away from bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- Zishan U1 (AKM Variant) USB DAC
- Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- Sound signature is balanced, most of the time. It can sound w-shaped or balanced with a very, very slight hint of warmth depending on the source and tracks paired. Controlled lows, clear and sometimes intimate mids, well extended smooth treble without losing any detail. Excellent technicalities for its price.
- Bass is almost linear in terms of presentation. It does not lack any extension or "fun" compared to some neutral bright-sounding IEM under 100 USD. Subbass is a bit dominant over the sub-bass on rare occasions, but most of the time they exhibit an equal level of amount. Decay is also on the quicker side and does not lack. As a result, the NM2 delivers well-textured and controlled lows. It might not satisfy basshead levels of bass but is well-rounded and will sound good on most tracks.
- Mids are also almost linear with a very small elevation at the upper mids. Lower mids are clean and has a slight tinge of warmth to add a bit of realism and thickness to male vocals and instruments. I wouldn't call it a bleed since it did not sounded nasal, veiled, or recessed during my observation period. Upper mids are clear, with a decent amount of air and sparkle. It might sound intimate at times depending on the track but avoided any sibilance or peaks very well. To put it simply, the mids on the NM2 sounds clean and can cater whatever track you may put at it without any sacrifices such as bleeds, thinness, veil, or sibilance.
- The treble is exhibited in a smooth manner. It is well extended, articulate and will never sound rolled off or piercing. Detail retrieval is excellent without sounding too clinical or boring. Overall, the treble on the NM2 is well extended, smooth, and will please both types of people who asks for more treble and those people who are sensitive to treble.
- This IEM is one of those sets that excel in their technical performance. The soundstage is wide, has slightly above average level of expansion with decent levels of depth and width. Separation is excellent with very good capabilities of handling very busy tracks with ease. The Imaging is precise and can pinpoint the placement of vocals and instruments.
- Excellent sound quality for its asking price, maybe even "the best" under 100USD (subjective)
- Musical sound quality
- Controlled, clean lows
- Clean mids
- Intimate mids at times (subjective)
- Smooth, well-extended highs
- Excellent technicalities
- Very capable to be used as a budget professional monitor for mixing and mastering tracks.
- Decent set of accessories
- Very good packaging and presentation
- Excellent fit and Isolation
- Very easy to drive
Cons:
- No Frills design, we've seen this design on budget IEMs under 20usd.
- Cable is decent enough but could be better. (nitpick)
- QDC 2pin connection (also nitpick)
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Verdict
Despite its "no-frills, just gets the job done" look, the NF Audio NM2 surprised me. Its technical capabilities are unrivaled by the IEMs I've auditioned and currently possess for less than $100 USD. Not to mention how comfortable it is to wear for long periods of time thanks to its flush fit and how simple it is for the user to listen to its non-fatiguing sound without making any big sacrifices on both its tonality and technicality aspect. When compared to the Etymotic ER2XR I have loaned and auditioned before, this trade blows to it. I can say that this is the "musical" version, while the ER2XR is still the "boring" version (but in a good way, I do like the Etymotic house sound) of that IEM. Both are very good options and very capable of being used as a budget professional monitoring equipment when mixing/mastering tracks. This IEM fits the quote "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one" as it doesn't have any significant elevations throughout its sound over the other frequencies, but this one is excellent on both technicality and tonality, apparently.
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos:
TRI Meteor Review!
Good day! After 4 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the TRI Meteor. Quite stellar tonality!
Disclaimer:
- Keephifi sent over this unit to me in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that the following observations and findings will be away from bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
- Hidizs AP80
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
- Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM and configuration: Stock medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain.
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Sound signature:
- U-shaped sound signature that leans slightly on the warmer side. Deep lows, slightly recessed mids, slightly elevated highs.
- Bass is elevated but in a controlled presentation. It is thumpy as you can slightly feel it below like a subwoofer, with a subbass dominance over midbass. Decay is average and slightly leans at the quicker side of decay. The texture is also average. Overall, the lows are thumpy, controlled, and can accommodate bassy tracks such as EDM, Rock, and Metal tracks.
- The mids are recessed and relaxed for the most part, which has some midbass bleed presence that can make the voices sound veiled at times. This situation is lessened when paired with a fairly powerful source. Lower mids sounded slightly thin than what I expected, but not too thin like it is coming from a brighter pair of IEM despite having that midbass bleed. Upper mids are slightly elevated with average clarity and air, doing a good job avoiding any peaks or sibilance.
- The treble is slightly elevated but not as elevated compared to the lows. It is presented in a smooth manner with average level of extension and air. Most of my co-hobbyists and I myself find that the treble on the meteor lacks a bit of air, but at the same time it will not offend those ears who are sensitive to brightness or elevated treble presence. Detail retrieval is just average and can accommodate most nuances on most tracks. As a result, the TRI Meteor offers a fatigue-free listening experience.
- The soundstage is average with good levels of expansion. It is wide but slightly lacks depth on my tests. Separation is also average with some instances of congestion on very busy tracks. Imaging is accurate enough and can pinpoint voices and instruments fairly well. Overall, the technicalities are good enough, but may not be competitive enough for its asking price.
- The “best” u-shaped sounding IEM under 100usd I have experienced so far (subjective)
- Fatigue-free, smooth sound
- Enticing packaging and presentation
- Very good set of accessories
- Thumpy, controlled lows
- Clear enough mids
- Fatigue free highs without any instances of being rolled off
- One of the best IEMs under 100usd that offers a great fit and isolation
- Scaled and benefits well from a fairly powerful source.
Cons:
- Packaging too big for an IEM, should've been a bit smaller and can still fit everything that is included inside (subjective)
- Veiled mids when not paired with a fairly powerful source
- Treble lacks air
- Technical performance is slightly below average for its asking price.
Verdict
The TRI Meteor is an IEM that offers a smooth, non-fatiguing sound that will please most people. Not to mention that its fit is also excellent in terms of comfort and isolation. However, in the audiophile, or at least the Audio enthusiast perspective, this IEM is one of those IEMs that performs really well on its tonality but is a bit behind on the technicalities for its asking price. It isn't worse or anything, far from it actually. But it still needs some improvement on that aspect to be able to be rightfully justified for its price. The TRI Meteor will be one of my recommendations if you're looking for a fatigue-free sound with very good tonality but don't care too much about the technical performance side of things.
Thank you for reading!
Additional Photos:
KB EAR Little Q Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KBEAR Little Q! Sleeper indeed!
Disclaimer:
- Keephifi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy A6 2018)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock small eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.
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Sound signature:- The KBEAR Little Q follows the KBEAR’s house sound - a smooth, v-shaped sound signature. What makes this different from its UIEM-shaped sibling, the KS1, is that it retains its smoothness and body in any frequency - it is a warm, smooth, v-shaped sounding IEM that avoids any fatigue.
Lows:
- The lows here in the Little Q are elevated and pack a punch. Its midbass is a bit more dominant than the subbass, but the subbass still packs a good amount of depth and extension when the track needs it. The decay is average with a hint of quickness at some tracks such as The Chainsmokers’ “Roses” as an example. While this may not be the budget basshead’s dream, the Little Q does not sound little on most tracks as it can deliver good bass response when needed.
Mids:
- The mids here are warm and recessed. On some tracks, it may get too distant than usual such as on KANA BOON’s “Nandemo Nedari” but never got drowned or muffled as the vocals and instruments in this region are presented clearly. It also never sounded thin, which is a good sign that this is well tuned for this price. Upper mids are slightly elevated with very good clarity, air, and sparkle. It greatly avoided any peaks, harshness or sibilance. As a result, the mids are well-tuned, smooth, and will sound good even on instrumental or classical tracks.
Highs:
- Treble here in the Little Q is extended and extends more when added with additional power. It never sounded rolled off or dark while keeping the tuning here “safe”. I find this treble “correct” because this is meant to be used during sleeping or relaxing sessions and not meant for critical listening. Despite not being the most detailed in this price point, it still manages to present a good amount of detail retrieval as it is still capable of presenting small nuances easily.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- As for the soundstage, it is average with decent levels of expansion. It is wider than deep and has a good amount of depth. Separation here is also decent for its asking price and may slowly degrade on the most busiest tracks such as Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas’ “Let Me Hear”. Imaging here is very good for me as it presented good spacing between instruments and vocals, particularly on “THE FIRST TAKE’s” videos, or simply when watching movies and podcasts.
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Pros:
Cons:Pros:
- Non-fatiguing sound that will please most ears.
- Small size that is very beneficial when sleeping if used or to be used with smaller ears.
- Elevated, thick lows
- Clear, decent mids for its price
- Non-fatiguing treble.
- Decent technical performance in this price point.
- Scales well when used with a decent source (e.g dongles/DAPs)
- Thick, sturdy cable and metal driver shells.
- Very good mic quality.
- Mids are recessed and will sound distant on some tracks.
- Microphonics of the cable here are almost non-existent, but an inclusion of a shirt clip might have eradicated that.
- Inclusion of a cable winder or a pouch would be a great treat for everybody (my nitpick)
Verdict:
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The KBEAR Little Q is very easy to drive and a smartphone is more than enough for the most part. However, it does scale with source according to my tests. Pair it with a usb-c dongle or a neutral source and you’ll get a tighter bass, more forward mids, and an added extension to the treble.
- Eartips: Eartips here are good enough for the most part, but I suggest using smaller, softer ear tips of your choice for you to fit it deeply and properly to your ears.
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated link here!: https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-little-q
Additional Photos here:
KZ ESX 10th Anniversary Edition Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KZ’s 10th Anniversary IEM, the ESX. Look how far they’ve become!
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- KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will try its best to deviate from any bias/es.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock white medium eartips, KBEAR 07 eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.
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Sound signature:- U-shaped sound signature that leans to the bassier and warmer side of the spectrum. On smartphones, it will sound v-shaped. Basically this shares the same sound as what the KZ EDA Balanced have, with added bass quantity and quality while keeping the EDA’s excellent technical performance among all KZ IEMs.
Lows:
- The lows are elevated here in the KZ ESX. Despite being elevated, this is tight, impactful, and punchy. Subbass is a bit elevated here over the midbass and it reaches deeper levels when the track needs it. Decay leans to the faster side of the spectrum while keeping the texture decently. Bassheads on a budget might want to check this as this delivers that engaging bass for their EDM and bass heavy tracks.
- The mids here are slightly recessed but has the same levels of presence as what the EDA has. It never got drowned or sounded muffled during my observations. Lower notes has decent thickness and depth to it. Upper mids are elevated with a very good amount of clarity, air, and presence. Higher than usual volumes may make the upper mids “hot” but far from being harsh or sibilant. Overall, the ESX retained the EDA’s presentation and quality of the mids - it’s just that the mids of the ESX is not at thick but it is as smooth as the EDA. But still, their differences in terms of quality isn’t that too far - both still sound very good for a budget or even an IEM under 40USD.
- The treble on the KZ ESX is elevated but not as elevated compared to the lows. The treble is well-extended here and is airy with no instances of harshness or piercing observed. Cymbal crashes and splashes here are crispy and well-presented. Detail retrieval is above average and can present microdetails very easy. This is one of those IEMs that can pick up small nuances in Joji’s Ballads 1 album with ease.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The soundstage of the KZ ESX is wide. It somewhat retains the soundstage of the EDX Ultra with the KZ EDA’s layering quality. It is wide with above average levels of expansion depending on the track played. It is still wider than deep with a very good amount of height. Separation here is what I would call “excellent” for this price point since it did not struggle too much on very busy tracks compared to its sibling IEMs like the KZ EDX and EDX Pro, ZEX and the ZEX Pro, and the DQ6s. It will manage very busy tracks decently. Imaging here is also precise as I can here the vocal and instrument presentations clearly with a sense of spaces between them, particularly on live performances.
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Pros:- One of their “best” KZs so far.
- Non-harsh, crisp sound.
- All rounder, u-shaped sound signature.
- Has the KZ EDA Balanced technical performance.
- Elevated, controlled bass.
- Open-sounding mids
- Airy treble
- Excellent detail retrieval for a KZ IEM.
- Easy to be driven properly.
- Design is a quite beautiful (subjective)
- One of the best IEMs under 20USD in my book as of today.
- On higher than usual volumes, upper mids may get a bit “hot” but far from being sibilant.
- Nozzles are a bit longer than usual and may wobble on most ears.
- Stock eartips degrade the IEM’s sound quality.
- Packaging and accessories aren’t that “special” for this IEM, given that this is a 10th anniversary edition IEM.
- A cable winder would be a treat for everybody (my nitpick).
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Verdict
Despite their “cannibalism” strategy, KZ made sure that the KZ ESX deserves the title for being the 10th Anniversary Edition of their lineup. It presented itself the current innovation of KZ’s house sound and took a look back from what they have started - a decent, fun-sounding IEM for the budget Chi-Fi realm and enthusiasts. It almost ticked all the boxes for me to call it the “KZ’s best anniversary IEM” but there are still some cons that I like to address such as the stock eartips that degrades the sound, and the packaging that seems a bit “lacking” for the “Anniversary Edition” label as it isn’t that different compared to their previous IEMs (except for KZ ZS5 V1’s packaging, that one was a banger for its time). Nevertheless, the KZ ESX is still a very good, strong contender in the current budget Hi-Fi realm and is easy to recommend for everyone who wants an all-rounder, pleasing sound.
Verdict
Despite their “cannibalism” strategy, KZ made sure that the KZ ESX deserves the title for being the 10th Anniversary Edition of their lineup. It presented itself the current innovation of KZ’s house sound and took a look back from what they have started - a decent, fun-sounding IEM for the budget Chi-Fi realm and enthusiasts. It almost ticked all the boxes for me to call it the “KZ’s best anniversary IEM” but there are still some cons that I like to address such as the stock eartips that degrades the sound, and the packaging that seems a bit “lacking” for the “Anniversary Edition” label as it isn’t that different compared to their previous IEMs (except for KZ ZS5 V1’s packaging, that one was a banger for its time). Nevertheless, the KZ ESX is still a very good, strong contender in the current budget Hi-Fi realm and is easy to recommend for everyone who wants an all-rounder, pleasing sound.
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The KZ ESX is very easy to be driven fully with a smartphone. However, USB DAC will help to bring the mids a bit forward.
- Eartips: The stock eartips did not fit me well and it degrades the sound. I recommend using KB Ear 07 Eartips or a wider bore eartips.
Thank you for reading!
Product link! (Non-affiliated): https://shopee.ph/KZ-ESX-Special-Ed...anceling-HIFI-headset-i.345922933.15485591735
Additional Photos:
Celest Gumiho Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Celest Gumiho. As sly as a fox!
(Random fact: A Gumiho is the Korean version of a nine-tailed fox. Legends say that it is a fox that transforms into a human, specifically a woman and wants to become a full human after 1000 years. In some Korean folklore, it is said that in order for a Gumiho to become a “true human”, she is supposed to eat a thousand livers of men within the span of a thousand years.)
Disclaimer:
- This unit was sent to me by Kinera themselves in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- Tempotec Sonata HD V
- Venture Electronics MEGATRON
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
Sound signature:
- Some say that the Celest Gumiho sounds neutral, neutral with a bass boost, or even neutral bright to them, which are all correct for me. If we’re being specific, the Gumiho exhibits a good mild u-shaped to my ears. It has the bass whenever the tracks need it, and also has that sparkly treble for treble-oriented tracks.
- The lows in this IEM are powerful, but the slam is still quick and clean. Despite having a newly developed driver, the Celest Gumiho managed to exhibit the qualities of a traditional planar driver: quick in decay but keeping its texture. The midbass is a bit more dominant than the subbass, equating to a punchy bass response. Subbass still reaches deep whenever the track calls for it while keeping its composure during my tests with EDM and bass heavy tracks. To me, this would fit a basshead's needs, but if the user seeks a more hefty, thick, slurpy bass response, you may want to look for something else.
Mids:
- This portion of the sound frequency is the most "delicate" region in the Gumiho; its quality and presentation vary depending on what eartips you use. Using the white stock eartips included will make it sound more "correct" than the included opaque gray stock eartips. The lower mids are slightly recessed but are free from any perceivable midbass bleed. With the stock gray eartips installed, it will sound really thin and textureless to my ears. That is why I prefer the white eartips. With the white eartips, the lower mids exhibit good thickness, detail, and position. Sam Smith’s voice did not sound compressed at all, unlike what I experienced with the stock gray eartips. The upper mids are slightly elevated when compared to the lower mids, exhibiting a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. The Gumiho managed to avoid any peaks, pierce, or sibilance during my tests, but I would still say that this has a tinge of brightness to it, and will become more evident when paired with the gray eartips. So, if you are sensitive to upper frequencies, you may want to look for something else, or use foam tips.
Highs:
- Moving on to the treble, it is elevated but not by much, well-extended, and airy. This is also affected when paired with the stock gray ear tips as it sounded “distracting” when paired with the said gray eartip. But with the white stock eartips, it is more airy, soothing, and detailed. Detail retrieval is above average during my tests as it managed to pick up small details easily.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
- The technical performance here in the Gumiho lives up to its name-as sly as a fox. The soundstage is wide with moderate expansion, depth, and height. Separation is the first thing I noticed when using this IEM because it is really excellent and performs admirably when tested on very busy tracks, in my opinion. Imaging is also excellent and leans toward the more precise end of the spectrum, as it was able to render precise positioning of vocals and instruments, particularly in raw and live performances.
- All-rounder, non-lacking sound for its price.
- Despite sporting a newly-developed driver, this managed to somehow “fix” or improve both DD and Planar’s shortcomings.
- Fast, impactful bass quality and response.
- “Natural” mids presentation in terms of position, texture, and detail.
- Excellent, extended, airy treble.
- Very good technical performance for its price, particularly on the separation and imaging.
- Very good fit and comfort.
- Great packaging motif. Only few companies and IEM models care about the packaging presentation and Celest is one of them.
- Very good amount of accessories. It even comes with a metal Gumiho bookmark!
- IEM design hits the Celest’s motif and assignment (subjective)
- Upper frequencies may sound brighter than usual when paired with the stock grey eartips.
- Instances of a slight BA timbre are perceived on some tracks.
- Mids, especially the lower mids may sound thin and/or recessed when paired with the stock grey tips.
- Fit may be a bit shallow for some people (subjective)
Verdict
Despite being Celest’s first (technically) product, the Celest Gumiho overall impressed me. From its theme, accessories, fit, and sound quality, the Gumiho is a must-try-and-own IEM for anyone. Its all-rounder sound makes it versatile for any track you use it with, as long as you are setting your standards for what it is worth. Not to mention that its drivers are the first of their kind I have heard of, which makes it a bit of a good risk for the company. Hats off to these companies who always do their best to offer new things to the table!
Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The Celest Gumiho is fairly easy to be driven to its full potential. Any dongle, neutral or warm sounding dongle will do.
- Eartips: It all has the eartips you need included but the stock white eartips is recommended. Otherwise, KBEAR 07 eartips and spinfit CP100s are some of the good options.
- Cable is more than enough and really good for the most part, but you can always use your preferred cable.
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated link here: https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-gumiho
Additional Photos Here!:
B
BrownDrake122
I agree, tips impact these alot. Wide bore tips are the way to go with these 
KZ AS16 Pro Review!
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KZ AS16 Pro. Their safest all-rounder yet!
Disclaimer:
- KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Hidizs AP80
- VE MEGATRON USB DAC
- Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
- Cyberdrive Feather DAC
- Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy A6 2018)
- Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock large eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.
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Sound signature:
Sound signature:
- The KZ AS16 Pro is the AS16’s complete opposite in terms of sound quality and signature. Despite having the exact drivers, this presents itself in a warmer, mid-centric approach in contrast to its older sibling’s v-shaped, bright sound signature. Both have above-average technical performance, but this one is way cheaper than the older sibling.
- The lows on the AS16 Pro are controlled and are slightly elevated. It will be more elevated when paired with a warmer source, but pairing it with a neutral source and it will get firmer and cleaner in terms of extension and decay. Subbass is a bit dominant here compared to the subbass and may sound “soft” for those people who want that punchy bass. Texture is also there and is heard easily when paired with a neutral source. Bassheads may find the bass here lacking, but for those people who listens to pretty much anything, it will cater and handle the bass when called upon like Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” as an example even if it isn’t as skull-digging when compared to a basshead IEM.
- This is the part where the AS16 Pro really improved and may even set itself apart from other KZ IEMs I have personally owned and auditioned. It is very open, articulate, and forward. Despite being forward, it maintained its body and cleanliness even on the busiest portions of the tracks. Lower mids are thick and have good depth and texture, particularly on the male vocals like Ed Sheeran’s or Sam Smith’s. Upper mids are also a bit more elevated than the lower mids and have very good clarity, sparkle, and air. Upper mids here also improved when compared to their other IEMs as this does not have peaks or sibilance during my tests. It does get “too forward” on some tracks, particularly on Japanese tracks such as “Harebutai” by LiSA, “Hikaru Nara” by Goose House, or “Kokoronashi” by Majiko and may be perceived as “shouty” by some but it is far from overwhelming or even peaky. Overall, the mids here on the AS16 Pro are well-tuned as it is bodied for a pure BA set while keeping the clarity and cleanliness still there.
- The treble here is decently extended but not as extended as their previous IEMs. It still has great sparkle and presence but those people who like treble may find these lacking, particularly on the “bite” or the energy of the treble. However, it is still well-detailed and does the job well picking up nuances fairly easily.
- The soundstage here in the AS16 Pro is average with decent levels of expansion. It has more height and depth than width. It isn’t cramped or narrow by any means - it is far away from that, but could be improved further for its asking price. Separation here is above average and is the first thing I have noticed the first time I used it . It is very clean, and almost has no congestion even on busy tracks. Imaging here is also above average as it is precise and can present vocal and instrument positioning clearly.
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Pros:
Pros:
- One of the “safest” tuned KZ/CCA IEMs as of now.
- A warm-midcentric sound signature is very uncommon for a KZ IEM.
- Well-bodied sound for a Pure BA IEM.
- Controlled, thick bass.
- Open, lively, forward mids.
- Non-fatiguing, smooth sound presentation.
- Very good detail retrieval.
- Clean separation and imaging.
- Finally, a set of stock eartips that does not degrade the sound of the IEM.
- Very good isolation (subjective).
Cons:
- Fit has the tendency of having that “pressure build-up” on stock eartips, probably because of the small vent size. I suggest using your preferred larger stock eartips to lessen that pressure.
- Mids may get slightly more forward than usual on some tracks.
- The overall sound may lack that “energy” or “slam” for those people who prefers an energetic sound (subjective)
- IEM leans to the bulkier and bigger size and may not fit smaller ears well (subjective).
- Soundstage is far from being cramped or narrow, but could be wider.
- Basic included accessories. A cable winder or a case would’ve been a great treat for everybody (subjective)
Verdict
Preference-wise, this is my favorite KZ yet! The KZ AS16 Pro’s sound is one the safest they've done while keeping the technicalities decent and very competitive in its price. They somehow checked all the boxes I looked at for an IEM at this price, particularly on the mids and the technicalities. Of course, this IEM isn’t perfect by any means as there are still some concerns that are needed to be fixed, in my case it is the fit for it to be used even with the people with smaller ears, but for the most part it is a very strong candidate for my IEM recommendations in its price range under 60 USD. This is my top recommendation for those people who do not want their mids too recessed and want a clean, well-balanced sound.Pairing recommendation/s:
- Source: The KZ AS16 Pro is very easy to drive to its full potential. It does not need any extra amplification, but having a neutral or a warmer sounding dongle with you is always a good decision.
- Eartips: Eartips here are really good! They’re very soft but as always, you may always use your eartips of choice.
- Cable: You may want to change the cable to a looser earhooks for you to be comfortable for longer listening sessions.
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated link here!: https://shopee.ph/KZ-AS16-PRO-Balanced-Armature-Units...
Additional Photos here!:
1clearhead
Really nice review! 
