I need to try earbuds.
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I listen via buds more than I do IEM’s these days…but still enjoy my IEM sets too.
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Can try the Qian39 and the Yincrow X6 if you arent sure about spending much.
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I have a bunch of pairs I’m not using anymore. Would you like them? Just cover shipping and they’re yours
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all I got with me is my Faael Iris 2.0 and I like em
I’m still dragging my feet on getting a good set lol
if he doesn’t take the offer, mind if I nab it instead?
Quick write up Rikubuds Berserker 3:
I have had these for ~4 weeks now, so just wanted to share my impressions thus far. Prior to purchase, the timelines were clearly communicated, and my place in line came after much excited anticipation. Design choices are plentiful, and I was able to customize with an aesthetic I find amenable to my intended long-term use. When they were ready, shipment to me was fast, and I was finally able to get my hands on them.
I purchased the Berserker 3 over the Saber 3 at Riku’s suggestion based on the library I discussed with him. I listen to mostly prog rock, various flavors of metal, with a lot of other stuff mixed in. I need not have been concerned about the B3’s ability to provide an enjoyable listening experience for my entire library.
Fit: I struggle with fit if I move at all with mx500 (iris2), but the Qian39 fit great. The B3 fit as well if not better for me than the Qian 39. Perfect for wear at work (office setting) without need for constant adjustments.
Sound:
Comps are Iris2, Qian39 on the earbud front, ea500LM and Aful explorer on the iem front.
I would say the B3 plays my library better than anything else I own. I should mention that I swap between the white and blue foams, but my listening is largely with the blue at present. The bass quantity is great, but not overblown. The bass quality shines with prog rock and metal, where it cleanly and powerfully provides backbone to the music, but makes room for all instruments to step forward with weight. Mids are lower in the mix, but to my ear, much more true sounding than the Qian39. With the tuning, you can turn these up a bit and all the detail in the midrange pops for my music. Treble is relaxed, but details are present and there is plenty of excitement for me here. I do think the blue foams might lend to these sounding slightly less dark, which I am enjoying.
Flatheads:
Vs Iris2 : better sub bass, quality of midbass, and cohesiveness across the board.
V qian39: better bass in every way, more true sounding, if relaxed, mids and highs
Techs:
I had a preconception that the B3 would sacrifice technicalities for its bassy sound signature, but I was reassured by Riku. I am glad I listened.
Soundstage is on par with Iris2 and Q39. When the recording needs it, the B3 can reflect space.
Imaging, to me, feels strong. In complex tracks, instruments can be pinpointed and there is a good sense of location within the space. Importantly, instruments sound great, and I don’t feel that details get lost in layered music.
Use case:
Prior to Berserker 3, I mostly rocked the Qian39 in office when I wanted to be able to hear colleague approaches etc, while explorer got ear time when I was isolated and need long listening sessions. Iris2 is on my nightstand and gets played when I am watching TV next to wifey, or when I want to listen while still being available. EA500LM traverses both locations and gets played when I want to “hear everything.”
The Berserker 3 has replaced the Qian39 (expected), but also generally has a sound signature I enjoy as much if not more than the explorer, so it eats into some of that ear time too. For me, the B3 has a fit and sound signature which is making it a go-to whenever I can listen to music.
Highly recommended from purchasing experience to on-ear.
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LREY Aurora impressions:
Sub bass - The Sub bass is really well defined and reaches down to the lowest octaves (up to 20Hz). You can feel the physical weight of the kick drums and synthesizers. Feels full bodied and controlled. Does not exhibit any boominess or looseness. You can feel the rumble.
Mid bass - Strong, dynamic and impactful. There is no boominess or muddiness. Separated itself cleanly from sub bass. Well controlled and precise. There is no bleed into the lower mid range. Would’ve preferred a little bit more warmth but it not completely devoid of fullness and richness. Has good body and weight.
Lower Mid range - Make vocals slightly thin and boxy. There is lack of fullness. It is not muddy by any means but the thinness can take away the naturalness from instruments like guitar and piano making them sound constrained. I might’ve made it look like it’s extremely thin but it’s on the lower side and it’s not too much of a con.
Upper mid range - the upper mid range is slightly forward making instruments like guitars, violins and brass shine through the mix. This also particularly favours female vocals. The resolution is commendable making you hear the texture of the vocals and singers breath.
Lower treble - Crisp and well defined making vocals and instruments standout. Helps a lot with bringing out the micro details. Makes the treble feel light and effortless. Has a sense of sparkle without ever getting sibilant, harsh or sounding metallic. It’s an absolute pleasure.
Upper treble - Sounds open and sense of space in the treble lending to a feeling of transparency, lively and vibrant highs. Cymbals shimmer without getting restricted and reverb tails extend naturally. High violin strings sound rich and energetic without turning screechy and unpleasant.
Detail retrieval - Resolution is excellent across the spectrum. You can subtle nuances like the bow moving across a violin string. Sounds transparent and avoids any veilness. Both micro and macro details are presented effortlessly.
Stage - Extremely wide, tall with decent depth. Although it’s still in-head kind of presentation but definitely feels immersive. The imaging is precise with vocals front and centered albeit a little higher in the plane.
Layering, - Has upper mids and lower treble forward presentation which sometimes makes the vocals and instruments in a similar plane but they are definitely clearly separated. Instruments have their own space without getting mixed up. Ever so slightly unstable in position making instruments forward compared to vocals on certain tracks.
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Thanks for sharing! Many points echo my experience with the Aurora 
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What foam were you using to make this review?
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Hiegi full foams, thick foam high density
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Bassss lol. Glad you enjoyed the Aurora
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I thoroughly enjoyed the Aurora over Aurora Deluxe. I do however prefer Silvanus over Aurora for my personal preferences.
Did also try their Classic 1 and Asteria and the observations were interesting.
Will post my impressions of these two in the coming days once I’ve formed my opinion completely.
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My review of the Fidue Thunder i really like this bud but it might not be for everyone. Ots reference tuning is a bit light on bass but very engaging.
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New TGXear Serratus 2…
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Those Aurora’s are beautiful for an mx500. Sadly though I’m sure they’re out of my price range
@Jsm49 nice write up. I’ve been wanting a pair of riku’s forever now
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What is your price range?
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It is also available in Bell shell apparently also on request, I just asked Jim. I have itch for some purchase, it may be a good one (though it was supposed to be some Android DAP)
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Yeah Jim’s very accommodating when it comes to personal preferences ie cables, termination etc plus excellent customer care, when my red Serratus suffered cracked faceplates I paid postage to return them to him, he repaired them and sent them back foc 1 month turn around from the UK to Canada and back…5* service that 
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I’d like to only spend around $50 at the moment. This will be me stepping up to a higher tier other than ultra budget($20 or below to me). I’ve found some really good buds in the ultra budget range.
I have a budget DAP on the way right now. Just an M303 from Ali. A touch screen, kind of like a phone. But it’s not bad for the price ($40).
And I just found out about the upcoming Hiby R1 which is supposed to be Hiby’s budget dap. Wish I would’ve known that sooner. Lol