GadgetGod Impressions Thread

gadgetgod · July 23, 2024, 7:03pm

Been listening to this little baby(Shanling overture XM5) for the past two days(about 8-9 hours done) with different sets like I/O Volare, Nostalgia Camelot, Juzear 61t, DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinci, DITA Project M. Here are my initial impressions.

The sound is very clean and detailed. It doesn’t sound dry or clinical, maintains good tone and timbre.
It sounds a bit warm, not too warm or mushy, but yes emphasises the lower-end.
Even with sensitive IEMs I don’t hear any background hiss or noise.
It is very powerful, Never had to push the gain above low for any IEMs I have tested so far.
Battery life is good, I received with 100% charge, even after 9+ hours I was left with about 20% battery when I put it to charge.
Takes a while to charge even with 5V 2A chargers(3 hour approx).

Here’s a picture of this beauty with Alpha Omega Ra IEMs.

Sonic_Sleuth · July 23, 2024, 9:55pm

Adding few more pictures of the beautiful RA that has the same faceplate.

ATechReviews · July 24, 2024, 4:53am

Family and health come first. I hope everything turns out okay and wish you and your family a quick recovery.

gadgetgod · July 28, 2024, 1:18pm

Hello guys, I am back now hehe. I have been busy tending to some personal issues this past week.

gadgetgod · July 28, 2024, 1:21pm

Today I posted my review for the iBasso DX180. It’s a well-built device with a smooth user interface and a quad DAC setup. The sound is good, quite transparent although I notice a bit of boost in the lower frequencies.

I hope you guys enjoy this video review. Also, how do you guys like the thumbnail on to this one??

gadgetgod · July 31, 2024, 7:48pm

Man the battle of Dynamic Drivers is what i want to experience tonight. With initial listen of 30 minutes, Dyna does a better job, but hey that is like $100+ costlier as well. Five just got launched in my country, grabbed one from the retailer.

gadgetgod · August 1, 2024, 5:03pm

Spending the night with the Eminent Ears Ruby, I heard this first time at the CanJam, even today it’s always special whenever i put her on.

gadgetgod · August 3, 2024, 11:32pm

Rocking a DaVinci on this sunday early morning with Divinus Wide Bore tips and Shanling Onix XM5. Man I love the XM5 and then I love this combo as well. IDK why the Onix XM5 has a rating of 6.6Ω OI from balanced port. It’s really dark right now(since its 4AM in India) and If i turn the light on to take a picture of my setup, my wife will skin me. so will add the picture later on haha.

gadgetgod · August 5, 2024, 7:04pm

Ra is finally here, after a long wait. These new colors look absolutely phenomenal.

gadgetgod · August 7, 2024, 12:38pm

Guys I have posted my review for the Eminent Ears Ruby, I hope you guys enjoy it.

Basically, one of the most fun and engaging IEM I have come across in the hobby so far. Excellent sub-bass, deep, refined, and then a 3D stage with excellent depth, loves extra power, and the shells are thicc boyy!!

Enjoy!!

gadgetgod · August 12, 2024, 11:24am

I am two months late to post this

Headphone Zone Connect Delhi 2024!!

Hope you guys enjoy!!

gadgetgod · August 12, 2024, 7:06pm

For the first time I liked something from Penon, the Penon Voltage. So the set came to a local retailer in my country and I went to have an audition, well to no surprise I ended up getting one. I have previously tried multiple IEMs by Penon including the 10th AE, Quattro, etc. They were good but nothing that would ask me to actually buy one. IDK what magic this Voltage packs, I even compared it with my two current IEMs, the Alpha Omega Ra and I/O Volare, but the midrange on the Voltage sounded different, I mean it is deliciously done. Let’s have a short review today because I actually spent the entire evening so far and it’s like 12:15 AM here and I still have these in my ears.

First of all, beautiful design. The shell looks beautiful and then we also have this transparent inner shell from where we can see the internals(which is quite sexy BTW). Comfort is also quite good. Quite easy to power, my Onix Overture XM5 is just at 10-15/100 volume level on high-gain mode.

Bass: Quick and full-bodied. Like Bass should be, heavy and controlled. It doesn’t sound over powering, has good tight control.

Mids: Well, The star of the Show are the mids. The pair just delivers remarkable vocals. I love the texture and weighted presentation of male vocals. Female vocals are no slouch either, sound pretty clear and mesmerising.

Treble: Quite refined and open sounding. Instruments have a natural timbre and the overall tone is natural as well. Instruments have a rounded notes, lack a bit of crispness up top.

Technicalities: Hmmm, the stage is a little intimate. It has average width, but good depth. Overall image of the sound is closer, I mean the vocals are closer to me, so the overall feel is a little intimate. Although no congestion even for busy tracks so far. I can identify different instruments.

Resolution: Hmm, the Resolution is quite good. It literally feels like the vocalist is right in front of me singing for me a private show.

Takeaway:
Penon Voltage sounds quite organic and full of life. The pair has good three-frequency balance with vocals being the star of the show for me. Maybe will update my impressions later on when I do shoot a video review next week.

Thanks for reading friends.

yogurt · August 12, 2024, 8:38pm

I was also impressed with the Voltage. Very enjoyable IEM

gadgetgod · August 13, 2024, 1:33am

Indeed bro. I spent almost 5-6 hours listening to music yesterday haha. Today might give my ears a break.

gadgetgod · August 19, 2024, 5:34pm

Hello Good People,

Today I am going to talk about the Shanking’s latest flagship music player, the Shanling Onix Overture XM5.

First, I would like to thank Shanling for offering me a good deal on this stunning player. Secondly, I just loved my time with this stunning player. It has a charming sound with fuller vocals and buttery-smooth dynamics. The XM5 comes equipped with top-level components including ES9039S Pro DAC chipset and TPA6120 Amp chips. Check out my complete video for full take on the device.

Pros:-

Excellent Dynamics

Fuller vocals

Warm and Musical tone

Display is Vivid and Highly Responsive

Build Quality is super solid

Quite Powerful

Handy ergonomics

Battery life is quite good

Cons:-

Streaming is not good

Takes a bit of time to load cover arts

Takes a while to charge.

Full Video here:-

Thank You for watching!!

gadgetgod · August 22, 2024, 9:35am

Finally I bought a set that I loved during my SG trip earlier this year, the IceLab Prismatica.

Love the speedy bass here(doesn’t feel like an All-BA), then I have this fuller midrange and crispy treble. Since yesterday these have not left my ears at all(apart from the time I went off to sleep).

In recent times, I have been amazed why do we still write, for an all-BA, IMO, All-BA sets have now got good bass to them(gone are those days when they use to miss the slam).

P.S. I am not saying this beats other DD driver Bass at all, I am just stating that the Bass here is quite good now(don’t hit me please, I am a good soul).

gadgetgod · August 24, 2024, 12:59pm

Hello Friends,

The wait for AFUL’s latest flagship is finally over, the AFUL Cantor is finally here. I spent a few hours yesterday with the Cantor, and this 14BA IEM surprises me with its highly-resolving and transparent sound presentation. It just captivates you from the very beginning producing a well-defined lower end, and excites you with its energy throughout. Are you ready to experience the Cantor?? Check out my initial impressions in this video!!

gadgetgod · September 1, 2024, 4:52pm

Hello Friends,

Today I am sharing my review for the all-new iBasso DC07 Pro. Despite being a DAP guy, I am simply in love with the astonishing performance of this premium portable DAC.AMP. Priced at $199 in the international market and about Rs 17,999 in Indian stores, the DC07 Bro brings us a quad DAC setup featuring 4xCS43131 DAC chips. I am simply in love with the clean and transparent sound of this DAC/AMP, we just have a tad bit of boost in the bass region giving it a slightly warm feel.

Do check out my complete review in the Video!! Hope you guys enjoy, and don’t forget to leave me a like on the video.

Thank You!!

Pulkit Chugh

gadgetgod · September 7, 2024, 12:44pm

Hello Friends,

Today, we are going to check out the latest LETSHUOER S12 2024 edition, this is a special limited edition set with just 2024 units made available worldwide. The pair brings beautiful rose gold color titanium alloy cavities along housing a 14.8mm large sized planar magnetic driver.

It brings a more mature approach to sound compared to the OG S12 with smoother overall presentation and a more natural timbre. Vocals sound fuller and richer than the OG and have a more engaging profile.

Do check out my complete review for more details about the same.

gadgetgod · September 14, 2024, 8:09pm

So i spent a few hours with the Melodic Artification Alter Ego. I had a brief listening session during the Canjam SG, it was a good experience but nothing that would blow my socks off. A retailer in India got a unit and I tried it for a few hours yesterday. Here are some of my thoughts.

The design speaks premium. I say this very little, but the design of the Melodic Artification speaks very premium of it. It looks classy and at the same time has a unique appeal to itself.
When I focused on to its sound, I was instantly taken away by the audio lord. I don’t remember how those 2-3 hours passed by and the guy said to me, “Okay Pulkit, I wanna listen to the Alter Ego as well”.
The tuning of the Alter Ego is highly addictive, I wouldn’t lie but those 2-3 hours I thought of making many notes and share detailed impressions, but sadly all I could do at that time was enjoy the music.
Despite being different drivers, the coherency is really commendable. It sounds like a single unit.
Smooth and Effortless, there it is, there I said it, the Alter Ego sounds completely effortless to me.

The bass switch, I need to play more with it. I have requested the retailer to give me a few days with the set, once he allows me to have it at my home, I will do a detailed take for sure.