Thanks for the update 
Yeah setting volume on K7 is really not a great experience but apart from that i am extremely happy, but after getting Topping G5 I am curious how other topping gear performs…G5 is fantastic
But i need to keep telling myself that I really don´t need anything else 
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Of course, thanks for asking!
I agree. I think that if I never had the stack in the first place, I would have been very happy. The inclusion of a 4.4mm output natively is awesome, not to mention all the inputs and great functions on the front. It’s also very small and does not take up any more space than the stack as you can see from the photo.
As my next upgrade, I’m looking at the topping 90 series. Those seem to be the price point I’m aiming for as my next source purchase and they seem to be the definitive reference amps/DAC options around that price. But, I still have a ton of research to do, and it is not as easy as the IEM market, in my opinion.
I know this is the e500 but I’ve seen you post about the e5000 a few times and I just placed an order for them after experimenting with a few different pairs (Letshuoer S12 Pro, Cadenza, and Simgot ea500). Will be or have returned the Cadenza and S12 Pro more so for comfort but also the EA500 sounded better and they actually arrived with tape on them, which was pretty nice.
With comfort in mind, is sound quality on the e5000 good enough that it’s worth it or should I continue my quest in finding the right pair of IEMs and tips? Music I listen to is mostly rap and female vocals (Daughter, Florence & The Machine, Phoebe Bridgers, etc.)
I do not like the E5000 at all. Way too dark. If you want a dark set, the Sony XBA-Z5 is outclassing it badly. Or something less dark but stil warm and bassy, the Sony XBA-N3.
It’s not as dark with a LOT of power. Weirdly insensitive IEM! Pretty impractical.
Kiwi Ears QUINTETT Review:
SO, QUINTETT. 4 different drivers, solid graph, $219… lets just jump into it.
Starting with the low-end the Quintet’s bass glide is almost identical to the Crinacle RED with its ohm adapter. Very punchy, fast, with a deep and textured rumble on top. The drop at 0:28 on Polyphia Playing God is cleanly separated and textured where you can clearly hear the guitar strings apart from the sub-bass. It’s basically an upgraded RED with better overall layering and resolution. Although it doesn’t slam as hard as the quartet because of the lighter mid-bass, the notes are still weighted, and not light or anaemic. The low-end is also very well controlled, zero bleed or boominess, and although the bass is well defined, it’s not going to be as sharp and tactile compared to the XENNS UP or Z1R. It’s not a bass set, but the Quintet still has a very respectable low-end blending in nicely, and allowing the room and space for other instruments to play and stand out.
The midrange is also very clean and open with zero masking, laying out all the details clearly in front you. At the 6 minute mark on busier tracks like Venice Bitch (Lana Del Rey), the combination of Lana’s vocals, guitars, cymbals, and synths are beautifully layered and separated but also harmonious, creating a space where the Quintet just engulfs you in the music. Lana’s vocals are warm and deep like they’re supposed to be, but not buried and overdone to a point of being too heavy and congested. Moreover, at the 4:12 mark on Pasan Los Dias, Natalia’s vocals are also powerful and rich with grit, not overly forward, but not pushed back or buried and at the perfect distance. Simply put, the Quintet’s midrange is very “correct”, and reminds me of the Studio 4, but not as natural sounding because of the treble… which is why it only gets a B from me for vocals and nothing higher.
Now, here is where I have a small issue with the Quintet. Although the treble for the most part is very smooth and detailed, I do hear some metallic timbre. This might be caused by the micro-planar and PZT drivers, but ya it’s there. Even though it’s not that noticeable at mid to lower volumes the metallic feeling does present itself when you crank it up, for example the cymbal crashes on Model sound more hard and sharp than airy. The peak around 10-13K can also be an issue on certain songs like Strangest Thing (War On Drugs) where at the 4:30 mark the electric guitars can sound too sharp and brittle. However, these are more so nitpicks when it comes to volume scaling, so if you listen at a normal volume below 80dbs, you’ll be fine.
Technical performance wise the Quintet punches way above its price point, and is on the same level as the Blessing 3 and Performer 8. The vocals aren’t forward like the Performer 8 and Tea 2, but they’re also not thin either when compared to the Blessing 3. Moreso, the Quintet has better imaging and sounds cleaner than both the Performer 5 and 8, but the staging isn’t holographic like the Tea 2 nor airy like the P8. It’s also very similar to the HeyDay but not as light although at the cost of harder treble timbre (overall tech is similar). So depending on what you prioritise you have a lot of options. If you want warm and fun then the P5 is still a great choice, still a solid technical performer, but just not as good as the Quintet. On the other hand if you want an airy signature then the P8 is still the go-to with the technical chops to back it up. As for a clean signature with some slight treble excitement, that’s where the Quintet would fall in (if you can overlook the timbre that is).
Overall, in-terms of tonality the Quintet gets an A from me - it would be higher but the metallic timbre can be a turnoff for some with the incoherency from the drivers taking care of the treble region (bass and mids are unaffected). As for technical abilities they’re great, A+ for me, which gives the Quintet an overall ranking of A sitting right above the Blessing 3. IMO it’s better than the Blessing 3, not thin, smoother, and has more bass, and I would place the Quintet in the Number 5 spot with the Dusk in my best IEMs under $500 list. So ya, amazing value, and it’s also a nice collectors piece to have as you don’t see many Quadbrids at this price point. That aside, thanks for reading!
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That is not how it works…if you feed it more power it will just increase the SPL and thus you be affected by Fletcher Munson curve (ska, equal loudness curve).
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Worked on my ears
Appreciate the response and was hoping you wouldn’t say Sony as cost and availability are the issues I’ve been running into. I’ve definitely looked at both of those along with the Tanchjim Darling’s so will keep an eye out for a deal.
7Hz Legato is a current IEM that would fit that type of IEM and isn’t a Sony
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Legato isnt really as warm and smooth as the Final E/Sony´s.
If anything, the Blon Z300 would be more like that.
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Well there you go, then
Very succently put! I feel the same way. They are really really really good but didn’t give me the wow feeling that other sets have
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After watching Tony’s video on the EPZ G10 I had to try them myself. As most of the times Akros nailed it again in his assessment.
You see here exclusively on hifiguides the photo shooting premiere of the G10 on a reverse tupperware. Hot!
I have not much to add what Tony already said. For me the Piccolo is still #1. Guitars for example in Kyuss - Gardenia sound more fat and sonorous with the Tripowin.
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Piccolo is a sneaky, low-key nice budget IEM IMO
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I like them so much that I bought them in black and silver.
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That’s EXACTLY how I feel about the U12t omg
I keep going back and forth on whether I should sell them but I really should because I never listen to them these days 
I wonder though do the U4’s not do bass exceptionally well what with the DD? 
Just because I already find the U12t bass very good despite being BA but I’d imagine the U4 is even better?
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I did not try the U4s with the M20 modules like I did with the U12t, but with the M12 modules, I’d say it’s a hair less when it comes to quantity but the U12t just felt more tactile and textured while the U4s had a touch more physicality. The bass on the U12t is fantastic though.
Again this is from memory, and I could totally be wrong. Maybe someone has both on hand? Long shot but you never know.
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