Regarding matrix table… I’m unable scrolling it left-right with Firefox on tablet. Could you maybe check the issue?
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I will try to look into that. You have no access to zoom in/out, correct?
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PSA: You don’t have to chase down the rabbit hole. When you are happy with your sound, you are allowed to stop
(This reminder is as much for me, as it is for you 
)
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^
Endgame = state of mind
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Yeah, no zoom, just up-down scroll.
Mangird Tea or “Yes Goober, You Only Get 20 Hours (minus sleep) With These, So Chop-Chop”
So @domq422’s set of the mythical OG Teas (bought from @MMag05) were delivered to me, with the intention of handing them off, but then Dom is all like “I’m gonna come get them in the morning” so that means I only get One Night In Paris (if you know, you know 
). Well let’s get it.
Songs to Listen to and Follow Along:
As usual, I’m going to write my thoughts in generalities, but I’ll give you a sample of songs that I listen to, that will relate to the concepts I write about. Feel free to ask for specifics, if you don’t keep up with my thought processes.
Playlist
Swashers/Bubbles - Yosi Horikawa (For imaging/detail retrieval (:00-1:00 Swashers), general technicalities check (both), soundstage depth/dynamics/layering/separation (:00-:30 Bubbles))
The Speedwalker (Live at Madison Square Garden) - The Fearless Flyers (For bass elements, particularly sub-bass/mid-bass interplay, drum kits, soundstage/layering)
DISINTER MY HEART - TRAILS (For treble response and resolution, male vocals, midrange response)
When I Fall (Outta Love) - Kevin Olusola (For Imaging/detail retrieval :00-:07, tonality, timbre, male/female vocal interplay)
Fundamental Elements of Madness - Dax Johnson (For soundstage width 1:10-1:26, piano tonality)
THE SOUND
Don’t You Know That You’re Just a Game to Me
(IEM Tuning Style: Midcentric)
Cutting straight to the heart of it, the Teas sound like a more forward Xenns Up (which…they’re from the same family so they should share DNA, and they do). This is one of those interesting moments (that I will go into detail later) about House Sounds.
At any rate, I find that the Teas have “enough bass”. These are definitely a sub-bass over midbass kind of bass, that is honestly a little tucked in. It’s not Variations/Thieaudio levels of midbass tuck, but the Teas are definitely goin for that unobstructed, clean midrange. And Freakin’ A do these deliver on that. This easily goes into the Panda/Dark Magician/Voldermort (@VIVIDICI_111 you know who I’m talking about) levels of awesome midranges. This is the kind of clean bass that still has enough warmth, and I appreciate how deftly these toe that line.
The calling card on the Teas is the vocals, and they are no joke. This is an easy set to appreciate, if you want the singer to step in front of the band and sing to you. The only thing that might keep these a half step behind something like Dark Magician is that in busier tracks (like pop-rock type tracks with layering of band and singer) female vocals can get a little cluttered on occasion. Something I’ve heard with both Up and now Tea is that Xenns Mangird are very good with their treble tuning. I enjoy the cleanliness of the treble without having to worry about it being harsh or overcooked.
In terms of technicalities and soundstage, it’s a bit of hit or miss for me: Soundstage is kind of trick, where in tracks with vocals, the vocals step up so much it makes the soundstage seem cramped around the singer. I get a better since of width and depth in non-vocal tracks though. I did find these tip-dependent when it comes to other technical elements. I found these to play best with a tip like Tri Clarion, which plays into expressing the soundstage, and that allows Tea to do well with a lot of my test tracks (It’s close to impressive in reproducing the waves in “Swashers” and you get some dynamic range during "Bubbles).
THE GOOD
- Vocal-centric set without being a vocal specialist
- Good musicality to compliment the splendid vocals
- Complimentary treble that elevates the lower parts of the FR
- Fit is pretty okay for a 1 + 6 hybrid, though nobody is gonna confuse these for the Penon Vortex in shell size
- Has moments with very good soundstage/technicalities during simpler tracks
THE BAD
- These will be lacking if you value strong midbass
- Vocals can have moments of being swallowed by busier tracks which is a big no-no for a vocal-centric IEM
- Soundstage and technicalities can suffer the same fate
- These are discontinued so unless you get lucky watching the secondhand market, this is ultimately an exercise in futility
- Very good specialist set, IMO, but not a set that I’d make my main (I’ll explain)
WHO IS THIS SET FOR?
- Somebody who doesn’t have a great vocal-first set
- Somebody who doesn’t want/need bass/treble emphasis
- Pokemon collectors of vocal-style and/or Xenns sets
WHO IS THIS SET NOT FOR?
- Somebody who doesn’t want to struggle looking for a secondhand set of Teas
- Somebody who struggles with forward, emphasized vocals
- Somebody who would struggle to deal with a sometimes picky set (particularly when it comes to tips)
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
I’m a fan of the Xenns Mangird House Sound. They believe in sub-bass over midbass (with varying types of midbass tunings between Up, Tea Mk I & 2, and Top), neutral-to-forward midranges, and usually a non-emphasized treble (except for Top). Both Up and Tea have been easy to listen to and would be enjoyable compliments if you lived in the Xenns ecosystem. But for me, the Up would be my main, and Tea is more of a change-up/side piece to my tastes. If you’re more sub-bass over midbass, I could see you easily flipping this and taking Tea and running.
Simply put, the biggest flaw with OG Tea is that it’s discontinued and you can’t just get it. At $300 and under, if this were readily available it would be an easy enough recommendation for me: I think Tea is more engaging than Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite or Aful Performer 5, two recent darlings in the last 6 months. If you want a set with an energetic smoothness, that is ideal for a vocal-heavy library, and can find a pair in the wild, Tea is a winner…even if I’m not one that will go hunting. And that’s going to be it for this review. Enjoy your days, and take care till next time
Rank for Xenns Mangird Tea: B+
Rank With Personal Bias: B+
Recommendation Level: Recommended But Discontinued (midcentric)
Rank As a Food: Espresso Martini
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Something worth mentioning that I find scary about them is the DD failing after a matter of time. Hi Fri (I think?) noticed the DD was sensitive to moisture which caused the issue.
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Feel free to mention it then 
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yeah that has been a common failure point it seems. Im not sure what the % effected by that is but it seems most who have had a failure have had that one
IEM: Literally called Tea
Brandon: Espresso Martini bitch
Agree with this write-up, but you should try cranking them up - that’s when they go from good vocals—>holy crap
Very forward vocals with scaling just how I like them 
Can’t wait to re-listen to these bad boys
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I’m too busy making Paris Hilton sextape jokes to take the low-hanging fruit
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Thanks for that review, i can scratch off that one for the collection as I already have the UP and love them dearly 
A most excellent write up indeed!
TDM
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Technically still available on Xenns store in Taobao btw so Tea is still alive although just in the chinese market 
Good write up! Was aiming for the legendary Tea OG due to rarity or RSV on the 6/18 sale
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I like this. Im having a Deja Vu.
Damn I miss it. It’s nowhere near as competitive these days but the emotional value is over the roof.
Approved.
Best,
nymz
CEO of Tea Cult
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I do, in fact, think Tea is STILL competitive these days. But it’s not class-leading, no
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I tried using my iPhone to look at it through the webpage and it suggested I go to the Microsoft Excel app. If you can, try to view through that. I think that would be a workaround that should give you a zoom in/out option
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I have a deja Vu feeling here too; but I can still listen to it!! (thanks to Hi-fri, though)
I do agree with goober’s main lines: the bass tuck that disconnects the bass from the rest on certain occasions , and the fact it can’t be a daily driver; I use it scarcely to keep the magic alive: I’m too worried I can never be able to feel this way with a set, so I treasure the feel of occasion I still have when I put these bad boys in my ears.
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When I tried this trick, excel told me it could open the file; but that may be a me thing.
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The original pair. Salutations
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Good sound doesn’t stop being good. Teas are good sound.
After that it’s about preference, availability, and budget more than anything. But OG Teas are worthy of their reputation, period
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