I expect so! I didn’t want to wait for foam to come from China, I had cotton pads from my vaping days. I like the idea of having a “clear” central core, but I’d be surprised if it actually makes much of a sonic difference.
I have an old pair of those, and the newer ones are the “Pro” they cost 2x as much and have Aptx support.
The biggest differences are the codecs supported ( AAC ), the noise floor, and the associated sound quality. Oddly my KZ ZEX sound quite good on the KZ AZ09 as long as I am at my desk ( close the laptop I pair with ).
Thanks for the detailed showdown, and your conclusion is spot on. I need to decide if I am willing to give Moondrop another try, my Aria didn’t leave my desk and failed in under 4 months, and that was after the paint chipped Starfield that I sold. I was hoping they would get away from that recessed 2 pin connector, that they didn’t mount correctly on the Aria, but the Kato looks like it is the same case design.
I went with the 7Hz Timeless as my step up and have been pretty happy with it, but not everyone likes the smooth planar sound, and it does lack impact. I listen to the Mele when I want some good old DD slam.
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Heads up 
KZ ZEX ONLY 15$
Store link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/mpc/A3KFVP2FNCFW8X
Discount code： 50CRLA5T
Start day：12/11/2021
Expiration day: 12/31/2021
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Looking for a bullet style iem rec for us$50 or less. Preferring something with a similar signature to the Tin T2 if possible.
I had the Tanya’s but had to give them away, I found them ok but not really for my library(jazz, osts, classical).
The only one I can buy locally instore here that are available is the Final audio E1000, which I am leaning towards. Or I was thinking the Quarks via online.
Moondrop Quarks. Absolutely incredible for its price.
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For the qualifications that came with the request, these do seem like a good match for @astrod.
I’m not familiar with many bullet-shaped IEMs (besides older models like the Cambridge Audio SE1 (strong recommendation)). One that I see getting praise is the CCA CST, but my first guess without reading about them too much is that they might be too bassy for your preferred application (like the Tanya was).
The Quarks would be leaner on bass, and have an upper mid-range lift that can help with jazz/ost/classical. Hence why I second the rec for your case.
EDIT: The CST may not actually have too much bass. Here’s a relevant extract from a review (nimweth on Head-Fi)
The BBC Philharmonic’s version of Hubert Clifford’s “Kentish Suite” is a fine Chandos recording. Part 5, “Greenwich” brings to bear the full orchestra in a dynamic performance with prominent strings, brass and percussion. There was plenty of verve and attack on the CST and the layout of the orchestra was nicely portrayed. The brass and percussion did tend to dominate, being just a little too bright and forward, affecting the balance and the violins displayed a slightly thin timbre in the loudest passages. The slow movement “Pastoral” on the other hand, was more to the CST’s liking with the woodwind solo floating over the harp and string accompaniment in a most attractive way whilst displaying a more natural tonality.
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I’m a bit puzzled by this, I suppose I’m just wondering whether there’s something I’m missing, or whether I’m rightly puzzled. This is from a review of the Falcon Pro (an IEM I wouldn’t expect I’d like bassed* on mid-bass response)
Anyway what puzzled me: “Single DD timbre” listed as a “con”. I know poor BA implementation has a tell-tale signature timbre, but isn’t one of the main strengths of a DD their timbrel accuracy compared to other driver tech? What timbre does a DD lend to the sound that of itself is considered a con?
The main drive for people liking single (when coherency is sought as well) or multi DD IEMs is… timbre? Right?
My experience would go along with that as far as the very best timbre I’ve experienced always coming from… single DDs.
I know a lot of this sounds rhetorically phrased, but I am genuinely interested if someone has light to shine on it for me, or an explanation of what “single DD timbre” could mean, besides being used as a plus to explain why the timbre’s so accurate.
*I’m going to play the dad card as to why this pun was left in
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+1 for Quarks. Great for classical and vocals.
A lot of reviewers complain about the cable or the build quality but in my opinion these traits are better than on Final E series, especially comfort worn over ear because they are so short therefore the cable aligns really well with the ear.
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Thank you all! Quarks it is then 
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I lol’d. 10/10 meme
The Penon Serial arrived today. That and the 7Hz Timeless are all I have of lingering orders to try out, and then either keep the Aladdins or move to them. Surprised the 7Hz is taking so long to get to me since it reached the US, but I digress.
All I can say about the Serial so far… (besides the fact that one side might have a fault - still seeing if a cable swap has dealt with it) is that I really really like it. I’m not usually a Penon fan, my takes on their products range from “this is a one trick pony that doesn’t get its one trick right” (Orb) to “this has terrible QC and is nothing but dry overindulged sub bass with the rest stitched on” (Fan) to “this is actually very nice, but the bass stretches just a little too far into the mids” (Globe).
Timbre is great as you’d expect for a triple DD, the bass goes deep and is perhaps a little dry, but is very immersive without infringing anywhere else whatsoever. Mids are not forward in positioning, but have good volume and a lovely tone and emphasis even so. Treble extends sufficiently for detail, accurate reproduction of sounds, and at least some air, no sibilance. They’re a relaxed but very balanced set. Like I said, I dig them a lot.
This is the first 45 or so minutes’ impressions at least.
As a perk, I think the shells look awesome, not that I have the lighting to share any worthwhile pics tonight.
Utterly non-fatiguing, but immersive. I’m really impressed with whatever tuning target this is.
EDIT: Stage is a notch up from the Aladdins. As someone who’s grown used to a smaller stage, it took me a little off guard at first!
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So…this is a thing.
@ZeosPantera I feel like this is something you should get in for review. And @crinacle also needs to do a video on these.
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Ooooh excited for your full review! If they do dethrone the Aladdin, I might need to get them too 
Wait, the Aladdin has a small soundstage to your ears? Interesting!
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I find it’s very convincing for cues on location and size of stage, but the sounds themselves don’t go too far outside of my ears. It definitely has soundstage, just not unusually large soundstage like the Teas. One way I’d put it, is that’s it’s by no means a complaint I have with the Aladdins.
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I see. I’ll compare with my newly acquired Oxygen and Final Audio VR3000.
I did notice that vocals seemed more intimate on the Aladdin than the Mele. But it’s been a while since I A/B them.
They’re not especially similar to the Aladdins, but I’m getting a lot of enjoyment from them. They may turn out to be equal-but-different which will be a nightmare as far as selecting one to keep.
I never got around to the Aladdin review (I put time from Thanksgiving break into that GD3B review) so perhaps if I do a comparison between the Aladdins and the Serial, giving each a decent amount of solo attention too, that will help kill a bird or two more with the same stone.
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EP-EX10A’s finally arrived after a 7 week wait on Amazon UK but they did deliver the VR3000 for £18 in 2 days 
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Yeah, it was in the back of the box with the warranty card
Oof… Sadge me… But it’s alright 
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