Sexxy AF they are.
3 Likes
Really looking forward to this one. Forum chatter says itās supposed be a more V-shaped Maestro Mini with even more sub and mid bass.
3 Likes
Agreed, 100%. Definitely belongs on the list. For me, the Z300 is a winner in many, many ways. Iāve recently noticed how many times I leave mid-price and even a kilobuck or two aside and go for the trusty Z300 when choosing what to take with me. I firmly believe Chris is some kind of tuning maestro. I own the Mele, OG Olina (with the handwritten lyric card), QKZ, Khan, PR2, used to have a DQ6 that spontaneously gave up the ghost, and a Kinda Lava that a former girlfriend took away. Theyāve all given me a lot of enjoyment, but I donāt know what it is with the Z300, itās just so pleasing to my tastes. Hits the spot just right.
Not to mention the looks on this thing, dayum!
7 Likes
I appreciate the trust 
Glad you like em. I love em 
1 Like
I sold my Maestro Miniās in anticipation of getting these, I saw on head-fi that theyāre delayed until October now though.
Still canāt wait for the review!
1 Like
What puts the Z300 over the Mele for you? 
2 Likes
Well said, thats the way I felt with the quintet compared to all other iems Iāve tried. Same goes for getting focals/estats compared to all other headphones.
4 Likes
I took fabric offa headphone onceā¦Sony MA900 iirc? and the whole thing was much cleaner. The veil literally ā¦had been lifted. Seemed like best way to describe diff between good budget gear and good 
Money trees gear that is often way too expensive.
3 Likes
I think theyāve similar but different kinds of warm. The Z300 kind of pleases me more. I donāt know whether it is the quality of driver or the cavity design etc., but I think the Z300 has a more resolving sound. And I donāt mean in the way we often mistake brightness for resolution, even in the lows the Z300 output is just more textured, refined. I mean, keep in mind both are budget sets so expectations need be in check but itās noticeable. Also, Iām a sucker for a more recessed / laid back pina gain tuning (big MEST II / CA Andromeda fan here), which I feel a tiny bit on the Z300 too when comparing with the Mele. In the end, both are great sets and these differences are not night and day, might not even exist and I have new toy bias. Whatever the reason, I just canāt let go of my Oppoty and Driams.
Also, HOT TAKEā¦ Iāll have the light and untanglable Mele/OG Olina cable over the heavier/ropier Z300 cable any day. =D
2 Likes
Iām with you 100% on that, itās still my favorite cable! 
Really wish Tripowin would make the Mele cable to be sold on itās own, the jelly cable is definitely not the same. 
1 Like
I have one of those on my Kailua right now. The Olina cable is the Tripowin Grace, but I have never seen it available without a microphone on it.
The next closest current Tripowin cable is probably the Mirage. If you like the rubbery PVC, the Mirage and Zoe are pretty good and about the same diameter. I still need to try the Zombur to see if it is any good, but I worry about cheap braided cotton ( they tend to be microphonic ) cables.
I still think I like the Z300 cable more, but it is close.
2 Likes
Donāt. Its thin but not particularly flexible and just incredibly meh even at the super low price. Only really worth it if youāre on a very low budget and need to get rid of a crappy KZ cable fast.
I havenāt tried this one from xinhs, but wouldnāt be shocked if its the same as the olina stock cable https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805608646416.html
1 Like
The Olina cable got oxydation with me. The Mele is still equipped with is default cable.
I didnāt like the jelly at first, but with time I realised how good it is. I use it on my panda for now. It is admittedly a bit thick for my taste, but it behaves well, so no complaint here.
2 Likes
I am a big fan of the Zonie from them, which is a pretty similar to the Jelly, and available in some cool colors too. I think I have them in grey, blue, and moss.
Someone gifted me the moss one lately, and I know folks are quick to say āOh those are old hat now, go get yourself a XINHSā but it is noticeably better at not coiling than pretty much any of my other cables. Love the moss color too.
Why not use the cable for both? 
I try to avoid changing cables too much from/to a set. I generally have a āone cable for one setā rule.
1 Like
Running this as my desktop dac/amp isā¦
The audio inputs are clear but the power? The usb c power/recharge can go as a straight power essentially??
I know itās a semi portable desktop but if it sleeps on the desk mostly running power over the USB C?
3 Likes
Granted I donāt have any huge power consumers, but I have a Topping DX1 and it runs about 1/4 of that power output, and it is over USB A. USB-C can carry enough power for a laptop computer, so it seems reasonable to run an full amp over it.
1 Like