great writeup here, but just some corrections/opinions from me.
A. BAs dont actually physically move, so they dont actually move air at all.
B. The reason most people (including me) think that BA timbre isnt as natural as DDs. Is because:
they dont move physically/air which is different from real life instruments.
We grow up listening to DDs and basically never come into contact with BAs. So when we encounter them in iems, they will sound unnatural purely because we arent used to them. Some people grow used to them and can therefore think they are natural others do not.
C. Hybrids are indeed trying to take the best of both worlds, BUT that creates a big obstacle, Coherency. Generally BAs are much faster than DDs in producing sounds, so when you combine a fast ba (usually mids/treble) and slower dd (bass), it will sound like they are out of âsyncâ and you can identify that it is indeed a ba that is taking care of the mids/treble. That is bad coherency. Optimally, you want the drivers to âmatchâ each other so well that you cant actually identify what driver is taking care of what frequencies. (sony iems are able to do that btw.)
D. More drivers (count) doesnt necessarily equal better technicalities since the most important factor in the sound of an iem is the tuning. BUT for the lower tiers, I do think that having more drivers usually does give it an edge in technicalities over less drivers. Then the further you go up the tiers, the less distinction there is between the drivers pros/cons. DDs become more technical while BAs become more natural. So thats why at the apex/TOTL tier, your own personal preferrence is going to be the nr 1 priority in getting good sound, because everything (generally) is really good. It becomes a matter of if you prefer a high quality apple or a high quality orange, one isnt really âbetterâ than the other.
being honest⌠both seem pretty good⌠the fiio has a bit more low bass which is useful but the starfield has a bit more trebel in some areas I like more treble is (1K to 4K) or at LEAST a more constant less peaky frequency range where the fiio seems VERY rollercoaster like in the treble end
and all zeos talked about was imaging⌠and i know very little about the soundstage and imaging beyond the fact that i like when both are active and not one earbud has no audio (that legit angers me when that happens)
Technicalities on the FH3 is superior to the KXXS at least. Timbre is the only area the KXXS might be a bit better, but it isnt very good for a single dd considering that they usually shine with timbre.
but i honestly like timbre so who knows⌠i like treble and timbre and texture, I know very very very little about technicalities and specs and soundstage and stuff (the final E3000 donât have a big soundstage because it still all feels like its in your head and you are hearing 2 speakers⌠and I like it), so its hard to think of what is perfect
I suggest you read up on them more. Because it sounds like you are quite new, so finding the âperfectâ (does not exist) iem is very very hard to do.
The FH3 at the very least, will be something new to you so it wont be as redundant as having 2 single dds (âŚthey arent similar anyway but you get my point) and also that I rec the FH3 over the KXXS/starfield.
OH YEAH I FORGOT!!
Are you in the US? Because if you are, I would recommend the Etymotic ER2 series over the moondrops. (havent tried them myself due to the price for me and also the fit.)
Yeah I know little about that. Imagining I know is just how good it is going between left to right and specifics and I like that but I know nothing about soundstage (so most headphones zeos praises mean nothing) as itâs hard to make something directly around your ears feel like itâs farther away, especially in a small room. I like knowing details though I dunno if I care about separation
I basically want 3 things
Very comfy
Sounds nice, little v shape with a focus on treble but enough for bass to have power and impact and mids to be clear
Doesnât break easily
My DAP is an LG V35 so itâs pretty powerful so that doesnât matter as much
Just a reminder that chinese new year is coming soon (12 February). So if you want to order something from China , better do it fast because otherwise you be waiting for a few weeks.
lol
