So do Tri-Clarions. Both tame the bass a smidge and elicit more midrange. I think I might like the S&S a smidge better, as the Tri-Clarions might neuter the bass a bit too much.
So funny how I disliked both of my Aful sets – MagicOne and Explorer – with stock tips. They were putrid. My other sets sounded OK out of the box with the stock tips, but aftermarket tips enhanced them instead of saved them.
Hell, I’m happily using stock tips on the Artti T10 planars. Work just fine!
The best way I can describe the Explorer is safe done right. Safe tuning that’s an all arounder. You can’t go wrong recommending this set. Personally I like it and I’m happy with it. There’s more mid bass than sub bass but you’re able to distinguish between them. The vocals are good and to my ear it’s slightly forward. However, not the most detailed vocals but good. Highs are also good and not as dark as other people made it out to be. Again not the most detailed highs but good. Overall it’s smooth and warm. It’s an intimate presentation with adequate space.
These might be one of the best tunable sets I’ve owned. Playing with the EQ makes a substantial difference on how these particular IEM’s respond. It’s a very easy set to tune to your liking and if you’re able, I encourage anyone to play with the EQ. I’ll be keeping the Explorer because it compliments the S08 nicely. They’re both different with its own strengths and weaknesses.
I’m on day 2 with the Explorer and you’re 100% right about them being incredibly tip dependent, which I found to be a similar issue with the Cinno and am almost wondering if its a common “feature” of low pinna sets. Actually I’m currently rolling with the same tips I use on the Cinno, the acoustune AEX70.
I liked both the S&S on Explorer and Cinno. It seems very tip dependent for some, and the tuning won’t be for everyone.
That is the part that gets me, even with the darker tuning, the timber of each instrument still sounds pretty good, and I have no idea how that works. ( edited to stop torturing the English language )
I am sorry it didn’t hit with you, but I can see the dynamics being an issue. It has a weird everything is smooth quality that is hard to explain.
I much prefer the tactile sensation of mid-bass than the warm fog of sub-bass, and the Explorer’s mid-bass is hitting me in just the right spot with S&S tips.
For example, the Delci’s sub-bass is too much for me. But by just a smidge. And everything else sounds so fun that the Delci still gets a lot of ear time with me despite its sub-bass focus. The Delci is the Meze 99 Classics of IEMs.
I sometimes feel that way about the Artti R1’s mid-bass, but I still like it.
I still think the Kailua might be the best jack of all trades that has a good amount of bass, but never too much ( and it has been on sale for $30 for a while now ).
Happy to say I’m enjoying the Explorer quite a bit with Dunu S&S tips after my pretty lousy impressions with the stock tips.
Sure, these are not the pinnacle of clarity or treble extension. But there’s enough at the top end for me, and the mid-bass emphasis hits me just right. I also think the upper mids are tuned very well, without the obnoxious shout of Harman-hugging frequency response. The fit is great for me with the S&S tips, too.
The Explorer reminds me a bit of my ZMF Aeolus over-ears. Warm, lush, with just enough treble for detail but not a hint of sibilance or fatigue. Like the Aeolus, I think I could listen to the Explorer all day as a warm blanket of beautiful music on a cold night.
So glad I tip-rolled these. I never knew what I would have missed if I stuck to stock tips. As I posted before, the quality of Aful stock tips isn’t bad. But man, they are SO ill-matched for their IEMs’ sonic signature, at least from my experience with the MagicOne and the equally excellent Explorer.
Absolutely agree. They may not do everything well in terms of technicalities but they’re excellent for relaxing musical sessions where you just don’t have much to complain about.
Just got a set of these in today and so far I’m pretty pleased with the purchase especially considering the price-point. I like how they fit my ears, just using stock tips for now, the cable is decent enough. I opted for the 4.4 termination and it’s plugged into a Hiby R4. Been jam’n right along going on 3 hours listening to local files from the SD card and streaming from Qobuz, AmazonHD and my roon server and the Explorer is happily doing it’s thing across all genres in the queue.
I dig their relaxed presentation and like others have said they are a fun listen but don’t force themselves on you.
If u mean the Moondrop phone, that one is horrible lol.
LG had some memey implementation where the gain is automated based on what impedance you use (under 50ohm and it is like 0.5vrms but over that and it went to 2vrms).
The Sony phones…well my (Xperia 5V) eu version has the volume limit (likely) at 0.5vrms, i guess non-eu version would have 1vrms output but the problem with them is their horrible output impedance (5-6ohm).
okay is a word i use for below average sets I remember when I listened to it and then i switched to a mere 20$ normal DAC/AMP and that DAC/AMP was sounding cleaner and more musical. MIAD sounds kinda, how do i name it, Dry and grainy.
I remember when I listened to it and then i switched to a mere 20$ normal DAC/AMP and that DAC/AMP was sounding cleaner and more musical. MIAD sounds kinda, how do i name it, Dry and grainy.