Ahhh, the great art of tip rolling. Yes, the never ending struggle that it is. It can be fun, but sometimes, really frustrating so I know the feeling. Glad you found the right ones, brother 
1 Like
64Audio U4s: Big Poppa
Sound Profile
MX module: Neutral
M12 module: Warm neutral
M15/M20 module: warm neutral with bass boost
Overview
The U4s needs no introduction. The newest offering from 64 Audio has been getting rave reviews since it was introduced several months ago. So when I got the chance to listen to them I was super excited. I really didn’t know what to expect though since my only other experience with 64 Audio was the U6t which was very forgettable for me. Also the graph for the U4s is pretty unique, sporting a similar upper mid region to the U12t.
So how does it sound? TL;DR really really good…. With the M12 module. The other modules don’t really do much for me. The M15 and M20 make the IEM too thick, bordering on muddy. The MX module is actually pretty good but it’s also loses so much bottom end that songs with drums feel hollow. The M12 strikes the perfect balance of meaty mid bass, present sub bass and smooth clear vocals. This IEM is definitely not for folks who like an airy, open presentation though. While the imaging is really good, the stage is a bit cramped. At times it can come off claustrophobic, especially with songs that are already mixed pretty intimately and have vocals in the lower registers.
Is it worth it? At $1,100 it is not worth it for me. While the sound quality is great the fit I do not like. The nozzle is long and just a smooth shaft (I know) so tip fit is tricky. Also there is no contouring so it has a tendency to rotate under the cable weight. Using a lighter cable should alleviate that though. It has the same fit as other 64 Audio offerings so if those work for you these will as well. I appreciate the flexibility of the Apex modules however they don’t substantially change the IEM outside of “more bass” or “less bass”. Even with the MX module, the IEM is still not particularly airy and open, however it is definitely more spacious than with the M20. If you are thinking this IEM is a “chameleon” style and is 4 IEMs in one I would temper that expectation.
Details
Note: The rest of this review will be with the M12 because I think that one sounds best.
Treble
Treble is smooth and very well extended. I notice no peakiness or harshness. While it’s not very airy or open, notes have that little bit of top end that they need to sound natural. Vocals in the upper register and instruments that rely on upper frequencies will sound a bit dull, lacking that extra bit of shimmer.
Midrange
Mids are rich and luscious without coming off overly warm and husky. There is noticeable coloration here so if you are looking for something transparent and “accurate” I would look elsewhere. For bigger ensembles with a lot of distortion and drums things can get a bit claustrophobic. It’s a hard balance to strike because on some cleaner sets these same tracks can sound a bit lifeless.
Mid bass
This is a mid bass set, no doubt about that. Mid bass kicks have authority without taking over the mix. There is nothing boomy or bloated here. The mid bass here is very flexible. When called upon it can punch fast and hard and get out of the way. However, its not above a slow roll that lingers. All in all, one of the best mid bass experiences I have heard to date.
Sub bass
In most mid bass sets you get a rolled off sub to really emphasis the mid bass, however here the sub bass stays relatively in line with the mid bass and it works really well in tandem with the mid bass. The sub bass helps prop up the mid bass and boost its impact. It’s like adding wind to fire. For sub bass focused genres like some Rap and EDM the sub bass pops pretty well, even for the M12 module. I personally prefer a bit more sub bass for those genres but I didn’t feel the need to EQ here like I normally do. Unfortunately, going up to the M15 and M20 brings too much mid bass with it and messes with other genres.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for some songs that fall in each category and is therefore very subjective and may not represent the category as a whole. If you have any questions as to what songs I listened to for each category feel free to ask!
For this set I’ll do the ratings for M12/M15. I ignore M20 because the M15 does pretty much everything the M20 does but better.
Pop - 8/6
Rap - 7/8
Hip Hop -7/7
R&B - 9/8
Latin - 8/7
House/EDM - 7/8
Country - 8/7
9 Likes
Moondrop Blessing 3: Living on a prayer
Sound Profile
neutral
Overview
Moondrop dropped the ball on this set, full stop. It has a bunch of potential and for those looking for a low volume set with good technicalities, you might be happy with this set but I cannot recommend it in any fashion because I believe its a money grab to later push out a “Dusk” version that will actually bring out the best out of this set. In short, the bass quality with the 2DDs is there and with a bit of EQ this set becomes really really good but without it it just feels empty. Bass is barely existant unless you have a track with really elevated bass.
Details
Treble/Technicalities
Good air and good to okay imaging. Might be a little harsh if you are treble sensitive and pump up the volume to get some bass but at normal volumes details come through really well. Stage isn’t particularly special, everything feels pretty in front and not particularly wide or deep
Midrange
Mids are clean and vocals come through accurately. Not too forward and not to recessed. I actually like the placement and replay of vocals on this set and it has the potential to be a killer vocal set. Some Instruments can lack the bite needed to sound authoritative and authentic and same with vocals that hit the low registers.
Mid bass
What mid bass? But seriously, there is a hint of potential in the mid bass. Kick drums have a faint thump however it’s so subdued it’s hard to get much texture out of it. Bass hits on hip hop tracks are more noticeable and have a nice mellow natural to them. There is good tactility there and its a very clean hit, not loose or flabby.
Sub bass
Ha ha ha. There is some rumble in the sub on certain rap and dem tracks but that can push air but its not enough to get feel the emotion of those tracks. Outside of tracks that really boost those frequencies good luck finding any sub bass.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for some songs that fall in each category and is therefore very subjective and may not represent the category as a whole. If you have any questions as to what songs I listened to for each category feel free to ask!
Pop - 7
Rap - 5
Hip Hop - 6
R&B - 7
Latin - 7
House/EDM - 6
Country - 8
7 Likes
Yeah, the dusk thing with the Blessing series is one of the worst things that have happened for Moondrop imo. Why? because it means they are gonna likely have to deliberately make one model worse to sell the other one. (Like how Sony removed the super tweeter in the M7 to sell the M9 with it for a few hundred dollars more…)
4 Likes
So I have been fortunate enough to be in a tour group with a few members here and got to listen to the latest haul from @MMag05 @GooberBM and @VIVIDICI_111. There are so many sets though that not all will get write ups so I will be working towards dropping short “10 minute” impressions on the sets that didn’t quite resonate with me enough to warrant a full write up.
Also, @Leonarfd I ended up getting that Aure that was in the classifieds a week or two ago and I love it! From looking at HeadFi you seem to have a good intersection of sets across our tour group and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Aure compared to the Aurora!
8 Likes
Here is a quick set of impressions. If anyone would like me to A/B any sets I have on hand or give more detail about some aspect lmk and I’ll try to find the time.
Number rating
1/5 - Took it out pretty immediately. It wasn’t particularly pleasant
2/5 - It’s meh, I didn’t want to listen to more than a song or two with it.
3/5 - It’s not bad but not my preference. Could work for some genres but overall I have heard better for those genres.
4/5 - I liked it even though it was lacking a few things. I would like to listen to it more and it fits my preferences. Works for a handful of genres I listen to.
5/5 - Really good. Like surprisingly good. Possibly missing a few things that could be solved with tip rolling. I could definitely seeing this set in the rotation and works for most of the genres I listen to.
Impressions
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Project Red - 2/5: Overall it was a meh for me. The Vocals sound off, like they are missing something key but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I got nothing really special from the set and fit wasn’t great so I won’t be giving it much more time.
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Tripowin Piccolo - 2/5: Well tuned although not the most resolving. Gives me that “listening through speakers” experience as opposed to other sets which give me the impression I am in the room where the music is being played.
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Kiwi Ears Dolce - 1/5 : Not a fan of the tuning. I didn’t give it a whole lot of time so its hard to describe in detail but it sounded wonky to me. Similar “listening through speakers” experience.
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Simgot EW100 - 4/5: Very surprised and how good this set sounds. While it didn’t stand out, it was one of the few sets where I could just put them in and enjoy the music. Pretty resolving for the price and didn’t give me much of a “listening through speakers” experience which was nice. Will be getting more listening time and a review if I have time.
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Kiwi Ears Quartet - 2/5: good midbass quantity but results in an overall muddy experience that I couldn’t get behind. That was with the treble switch up too. After that I didnt bother trying the other settings.
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Aful Performer5 - 4/5: Overall enjoyable tuning. Full bodied with forward vocals. The bass quality is a little lacking but quantity works well with the overall tuning. Nothing really stands out though and I don’t get any special sauce.
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ISN EST50 - 3/5: Warm, bassy and boomy. Treble is definitely on the darker side and vocals can be muddy depending on the track. This set works best with rap imo but even though there are better alternatives for a bass set for cheaper. Fit is top notch though, I gotta give it to ISN for that. Will probably not do a full write up on this one.
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Tri Kai - 4/5: Bass is the main event here and it is good quality for the price. I respect that even with the bass being elevated through mid bass and even into the mids it doesn’t muddy them. Presentation is pretty intimate and warm with good treble extension. Overall a good relaxing listen. You definitely aren’t getting this set for its technical prowess but if you like darker treble with some good bass and forward vocals its hard to beat at that price (out of the sets I hard so far). Personally I would take this over the EST50, though, mainly because the tuning is more my preference.
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Tri Starsea - 5/5: It shocks me how overlooked this one is. I don’t get any driver flex but I do get some pressure build up with silicone tips and although its not a lot its enough that I would use foams with these. The mids and treble are tuned to near perfection for me. Bass is substantial enough to support the rest of the FR and give it some weight although I expected a bit more bass based no the graph and reviews. The tuning switches don’t change much for me so I would prefer they just dropped those. Fit is solid as well. I would probably put these in the top 5 under $150 for an all rounder. High on my list for a full write up.
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7Hz Zero - 2/5: Vocal forward and very much a neutral bright set to my ears. They are pretty thin and don’t offer much over any other set I have heard, even at its price point. There is some bass impact but it’s very track dependent so you may not hear it at all depending on the tracks you are listening to. Technicalities are what I expect for the price. There is decent separation but stage is not particularly special and imaging is meh overall.
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KBEar Storm - 2/5: Pretty much the same as the 7Hz Zero but even brighter. It’s a bit airer but that could be due to the treble. There is a slight sizzle I can hear in the upper registers and bass feels to be equally subdued, if not more.
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DTE500 - 3/5: Take the EST50, tighten up the bass, bring down the quantity a tad and increase the mid and treble clarity a bit and you got the DTE500. It’s tough to judge this set because overall it’s better than the EST50 in my opinion but the EST50 doubles down on the tuning where this one goes conservative. Imo if you really want a big, bassy, dark treble tuning then you are better off the EST50 as it does it “more”. If you want something that is more of an all rounder than there are better options than the DTE500 for the money. I guess the DTE500 would be good for someone who wants that type of tuning but doesn’t want to constantly swap sets and wants something that can at least do genres that benefit from more upper energy like pop and latin. Also fit is good but I do get some pressure and driver flex with silicone tips unlike the EST50. I may do a write up on this but it’s not at the top of my list.
12 Likes
Appreciate the impressions Cal, and I forgot to tell you the EW100 might still be modded. If it has the filters then it is, if not then it’s stock 
It’s my favourite $20 IEM with the filters.
And dam I really need to hear the Starseas again sheesh
2 Likes
I’m glad you gave Starsea a chance and enjoyed them. They are a fantastic IEM for $110, at this point, as long as you can manage the pressure build up.
Besides that legit dealbreaker, there are few deals that are better for the budget, for all-arounder IEMs than Starsea. I’m definitely looking forward to deeper thoughts.
I shouldn’t be so surprised that Kai passed the “do I want to hear more?” bar for you, but I kinda was LOL.
And then there’s 
(it’s a finch stand-in, thank you) 
3 Likes
More thoughts are definitely on the way. It’s shockingly good. Today was my day dedicated to the 10th and I kept wanting to swap them for the starsea. I’ll have a write up on both but the starsea has been the star of the tour for me so far.
It’s unfortunately hamstrung by that pressure build up. I tried the TS400 foams which are the most transparent I have heard and while it alleviated the build up it ruined the sound, which is a first for me. The starsea shines with the FAudio instrument tips and rivals sets under $500 easy imo but that pressure makes it near impossible to listen to for more than an hour.
If they could figure out the pressure issue and remove the useless switches to bring the cost down even further they would have an easy winner
4 Likes
I find that I don’t get much pressure buildup when using Starsea as a desktop set. But they’re terrible on even the most basic of walks. So they’re very situational even for me. For most people, I can understand them being too fickle to use. Which will bring us to Dunu VULKAN…
1 Like
Penon 10th Anniversary
Sound Profile
unabashedly V shaped
Overview
The 10th is a very interesting set that has taken me some time to fully wrap my brain around. While most sets I have listened to fall into a certain category where I could say “this is like set X set but worse/better” the 10th is hard to put in a box. It’s V shaped, sure, but it’s not like many other V shaped IEMs I have heard in the past. The treble is extended and slightly elevated but not to the point of being bright or sibilant. The Bass is noticeably boosted but it’s boosted across the entire bass range as opposed to focusing on a sub over mid glide like most other V shaped sets. The thing that really tripped me out the first time I listened to is that how the replay adds a slight ethereal quality to tracks while also being energetic and very musical. It’s somehow a relaxing and fun listen at the same time which is probably what’s causing my brain to get confused on what the essence of this set is.
Having said that, the main question to ask is “how does it sound?” and in this regard I would say it sounds really good! Its not a set for purists who want as close to an authentic replay as possible or for someone who is dipping their toes into the higher prices sets as I think they will be unhappy with how niche and tip dependent this set is. On top of that technicalities are mediocre for its price point. This is a set for people who want to experience something new and refreshing, who have locked in their EDC and all rounder sets and are looking for something to mix it up. Bass is big, punchy and adds body to notes without being face melting and the upper mids are tuned to cut through all the bass and have clarity even through the most turbulent bass lines. The treble gives just enough extension and energy up top to make things sound lively without trying to steal the whole show. Whether this set is worth it will wholly depend on you. $500 is a lot of money for most people (even if it doesn’t seem like it in our hobby) and in my opinion you can find better all around sets for much cheaper (Looking at you Starsea). However, if you are an enthusiast who has a modest collection and is looking to add a unique set it would be hard to pass this one up.
Details
Note: I found the Tri Clarion tips to work best for this set which really tightens up the bass and adds a bit of air and treble so my take is going to be skewed a bit compared to using other, less impactful tips.
Technicalities
Technicalities is nothing to write home about on this set. Stage is relatively average for an IEM however I would expect more for the price. The stage is pretty wide however there is a lack of depth and the soundstage is not very high leading to not much space to work with. It’s definitely more “2D” than “3D”. The cramped stage doesn’t help this sets imaging capabilities. It’s definitely got separation and you can hear left, center, right blobs pretty distinctly but outside of that there isn’t much nuance. Notes are sharp and concise which helps with clarity. I don’t get any roundness across the entire spectrum which is more important to me than imaging.
Treble
Treble is emphasized enough to counteract any veil in the vocals that the big bass shelf would have caused. The treble is emphasized enough to cut through the mix and stops at that. The lack of zing in percussive instruments is usually a big indicator that treble is missing and I don’t get that here. Where I do notice the lack of treble is in vocals on certain mixes, especially with vocals that are in the lower registers. There is a lack of top end that causes lower vocals to come off as dull or blunt, which hurts the enjoyment of the song for me.
Midrange
Vocals present in line with the rest of the track, maybe a tad forward but definitely not in your face. lower vocals have an extra husk to them that would put them firmly in the “colored replay” category. Vocals in the upper registers have good body and still manage to keep a bit of sparkle to avoid sounding dull. Steel string guitars snap really well with good body and zing as do wood blocks. Maracas have good detail and come off very texture which is not always the case with bassy sets.
Mid bass
Bass is the focus of this set and unlike most other bass focused sets, the mid bass is the prominent player here. There is a lot of physicality and texture in the bass without blowing out the whole mix. Mid bass has a good balance of tightness, speed and decay so hits linger long enough to feel their full impact but not too long for it to seem loose or flabby. If I had to describe the mid bass in one word it would be palpable.
Sub bass
While not basshead levels, the sub bass is elevated enough to get substantial hits on certain EDM and rap tracks when called upon. It does a good job taking a backseat to the mid bass and plays a supporting role in the replay. I would describe the sub bass as clean and thumpy with good speed which is how I like my sub bass. No boomy bass here, just clean, thumpy hits. Bass speed is very good, it doesn’t linger and take over everything like other bassy sets such as the EST50.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for some songs that fall in each category and is therefore very subjective and may not represent the category as a whole. If you have any questions as to what songs I listened to for each category feel free to ask!
Pop - 7
Rap - 7
Hip Hop - 8
R&B - 8
Latin - 7
House/EDM - 8
Country - 7
9 Likes
It’s funny how you ended up on Tri Clarion tips for the 10th too. I talked about them using a more traditional tip, but my personally preferred version of the 10th was with Clarions. I agree with all of your points there.
I leaned just a little bit to DTE500, but the 10th is a worthy set if that’s your preference
2 Likes
Great minds think alike! I was thinking it was a bit unfair to write up my thoughts using the Tri Clarion because it really was a decent improvement to the sound compared to other tips I used but I like to review IEMs with the best setup I can give them.
I also liked the DTE500 but I found the 10th to have a bit more special sauce than the DTE500 which was the biggest differentiator for me.
1 Like
That makes sense. The way you wrote up the 10th treble, I got that feeling a little bit more with DTE500. But I can see leaning one way or the other based on which one catches your fancy that way.
2 Likes
Tri Starsea
Sound Profile
Neutral bright
Overview
The Tri Starsea may be a name you have heard briefly before. There are plenty of reviews out there that sing its praise however it never garnered mass adoption and a lot that, in my opinion, has to do with two substantial issues. The first is that it leans on the brighter side and can be a little unrefined in the upper treble, causing a bit of harshness and the second is that pressure build up/driver flex. While both issues depend on the individuals ears the second will likely impact more people than the first.
Even when taking into account those two potential dealbreakers I will stand by the statement that if you like a neutral bright signature (such as myself) this IEM is easily one of the best under $150 and competes with IEMs 2-3x the price. I love a sparkly vocal forward set and I can’t think of one better that I have heard in this price range (I definitely recommend narrow bore tips or ones with built in filters like the Sennheiser IE Pro tips to help it shine). Technicalities are pretty good for the price range as well. This is definitely a lower volume set however nothing is really lost at the lower volume as bass still has good impact (much better than the Blessing 3 for instance). The set is overall an energetic and exciting listen with a tuning that is line with a lot of people’s preferences. I think a boost of 2-3db would help counteract the peaky treble but I’m being nitpicky here.
Overall I think the Starsea is easily worth the price if you can handle the treble and pressure. Unfortunately it’s hard to recommend as a blind buy because of that unless you use something like Amazon with free returns. And before I forget, I think Tri messed up by putting switches on this thing. The switches really do nothing and they could have saved some money but just removing them.
Details
Technicalities
While not a stand out in the general landscape, the technicalities of the Starsea are pretty good for ~$100. I think some of the resolution comes from the boost treble which is unfortunate as it does result in harshness and some graininess in the very upper registers but that kind of boost definitely adds space and air. Stage width and depth are slightly above average however everything sounds like it’s on the same plane due to the lack of height. Imaging is not particularly great as I find it hard to really isolate sounds inside the stage. General location is there but specific pinpointing is trickier I will say I have seen similar imaging on sets in the $300 range so I don’t judge this too harshly since this is a ~$100 set.
Treble
Because of the elevated treble vocals can sound overly sparkly and unnatural, especially coming off of sets that are darker. However, once you give your brain some time to adjust it really brings a lot of excitement to the mix and boosts some background sounds that result in more “detail retrieval”. I wouldn’t recommend this set with older recordings.
Midrange
Vocals are forward with nice sheen and air. For those who like super clean mids you will not be the biggest fan of this set. Vocals and instruments are full bodied with quite a bit of extension up top to the point where they may sound unnatural. This doesn’t bother me as much since it really lets them cut through the mix. Instruments have nice sharp edges that help with instrument separation and detail retrieval.
Mid bass
There is enough mid bass to add note weight and counterbalance the treble so that the whole signature doesn’t become too lean however if you are all about that bass I would avoid this set. Again, we are talking about a neutral bright signature here. Drums can come through a bit weak due to the lack of mid bass but that’s pretty dependent on the track since some tracks had great kick drum hits whereas others gave me the same sensation as playing a shooter with haptic feedback off.
Sub bass
Being a neutral bright set, Im a bit surprised the amount of sub bass contained in this set. The first drop in Big Poppa by Biggie hits with a beautiful rumble that reverberates the whole space and really sets the tone. There isn’t a ton of texture in the bass and that is actually okay since it’s not particular boosted. The bass that does hit is clean and tight which I prefer. While its not the fastest bass, it works well again because its not balanced with the rest of the signature.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for some songs that fall in each category and is therefore very subjective and may not represent the category as a whole. If you have any questions as to what songs I listened to for each category feel free to ask!
Pop - 8
Rap - 7
Hip Hop - 7
R&B - 7
Latin - 7
House/EDM - 7
Country - 8
12 Likes
If there was a way to hold back the Starsea’s 8k so that people who are sensitive to that section (me) can enjoy the rest of it… definite low cost winner! I don’t have different filter weights to try with.
3 Likes
nozzle filters would definitely help with this. I found the IE pro tips to help a little since they have foam inserts but I agree. That peak in the upper treble can be rough
Starsea with that treble extension lost me forever 
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In what way?