Nymzreviews.com official thread

[nymz]

Ultra-budget setup: Get more for less

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2022, the year you can get even better audio for less, and we are still in January…

I’ve been giving much love to end-game sets, but I’d like to make a small rewind to a couple weeks back.

This post is for those who want a throw away setup, a ultra budget setup (not everyone can call 100$ budget, so I have to keep that in mind), an on-the-go setup for cheap or just a different flavour.

I bring you back the current ultra budget king: CCA CRA.

You can check my first impressions above in this thread and yes, I usually meme a lot about budget sets, but hear me out, since this one is legit, and costs 15 usd.

There’s no cheap without its caveats, and for me, that’s mainly in the tuning - the 5k peak is sometimes a biter for my library. I’m sure some will be fine with it though, others will need a little help.

So, what can you do to improve this set since you are on a budget?

1. Tip rolling:
   Take out your what you have on hands and start rolling. My advise goes to narrower bore tips to tame that treble. I use Final E medium but, that costs more than this set, so I can’t rec that for those on a ultra budget.

2. PEQ:
   Everyone knows I’m not an entusiast for the use of PEQ, but we’re under extreme circustances here. Grab yourself some app that can EQ on your smartphone (I use UAPP and you can get it plus the PEQ module for around 10$), and see what fits you. You can check other reviewer’s graphs to get an idea of what you need. For desktop users, Peace GUI is free.
   When I’m on the go with CRA and I want to EQ, this is the my own PEQ Settings:

Low-shelf @ 50hz, -4.0db, Q: 0.5
Peak @ 600hz, +1.5db, Q: 0.7
Peak @ 3000hz, +2.0db, Q: 2.0
Peak @ 5000hz, -4.0db, Q: 2.0

And it should look something like this in the end:

3. A cheap dongle or portable amp:
   You can read everywhere on the internet the importance of a DAC, but you don’t need an expensive one, if ever. I personally use Q5k on the go but you don’t need that. Something as simple as an apple dongle for 8usd is more than enough for CRA, and that’s the beauty.

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Keep in mind that 5k will be hot for some, and without EQ, some might find it a bit fatiding.
Again, for 25$ you can have a DAC and a set that settles you until you can afford some mid-game stuff. Insane.

Happy listening

[thoohil]

That moment when you realize that your tips are more expensive than your IEM

[BobBeats]

Almost every reviewer I have seen has tossed a cable on to the CRA that cost more than the IEM. I would love to see a physical mod fix that 5KHz peak. But they are still the best at $15 and double.

If I were to put them next to my old Shure SE215 and ask a stranger which one cost $100 . . .

[SoundEater]

I saw info about Tea MK2! Are there any characteristics. Although I found my final game, I think this is a very interesting set to miss!

[nymz]

I think @Rikudou_Goku has mods on it! Check his posts if you looking for it.

If you can get that 5k down, it’s just chef’s kiss.

[nymz]

Tea Cult - Emergency meeting

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Bad Guy Good Audio Rankings and stuff (under construction) (Part 1)

@nymz [271790850_327385706069275_2906014608525465592_n] [giphy (7)] EDIT: I have a set of TEA 2 coming

Yes!!

TEA CULT ALERT

Dear cookie eaters, I repeat, this is not a drill. You all know your roles. The day we have been preaching to the sun gods might have come. I repeat, this is not a drill. Grab your wallets and start jamming bangers on your Teas. You have been summoned, please act accordingly. This is not a drill.

Credits to Tea’s godfather @hawaiibadboy for finding this out. We salute you.

Regards,

nymz,
CEO of Tea Cult Mk2

[Vadercellkey]

[Erokh]

Don’t get ahead of yourself, youn lad: we don’t know if it’s as good as the OG tea

Now I know how/why drop got a price on teas.
It may be the time for me to get a set, after all…

[nymz]

Trust me, I’m very well aware it might be a flop…

… But in case it isnt…

[SoundEater]

I doubt it’s a failure, if they are at least a little interested in the opinions of customers. They look amazing! Maybe it will be a set for my rotation, which currently includes only 07m

[VIVIDICI_111]

I WAS JUST THINKING HOW AWESOME IT WOULD BE IF THEY RELEASED A TEA 2.0

We have been blessed

[VIVIDICI_111]

I’d be easily down to pay more if they bump on the clarity/resolution on the OG.

[PopinTeddy]

Doing some currency math, that Philippine Peso price tag translates to about $366 USD a piece

[ttorbic]

Hmm I’m confused - didn’t they rebrand as XENNS? Why use Mangird again for the MK2?

[VIVIDICI_111]

Brand recognition I’m assuming

XENNS Tea would sound kinda weird

[pylaczynski]

Mangird Tea 2 MKII Next Generation 6BA + 1DD Hybrid IEM Driver HiFi In-Ear...

Sold by DDAudio on Lazada. Weird that Xenns weibo does not mention that.

[VIVIDICI_111]

The Mangird Tea MKII features the original Tea’s flat midrange, with a precision-tuned sub-bass impact that is 40% stronger, yet just as clean, to maintain an uncolored sound. This was achieved by using the next generation of European dynamic driver that substantially increases the membrane tension to allow greater resolution in the bass. The composition of the balanced armature drivers have also been updated, now using two Sonion 2600 series low-end drivers to achieve synergy between the BA and DD drivers and help boost the texture of the bass. The flat midrange was achieved by introducing two new Sonion 2300 series drivers that focus on neutral fundamental frequencies. A comprehensive passive crossover network incorporates the core ranges of each driver type to produce the perfect balance between tuning and low total-harmonic distortion levels. Finally, Mangird has listened to the audiophile community, which often pointed towards the original Tea’s lack of treble detail. To resolve this issue, two Knowles 33518 super tweeters were used, with their voltages boosted to match the rest of the drivers, and extend the treble extension. If the original Tea’s treble was described to be smooth, the Tea MKII significantly improves the treble output and definition, enhancing the detail retrieval and providing an excellent airy atmosphere - all while maintaining a natural tonal balance.

TLDR: A new dynamic driver, new Sonion drivers, and new Knowles tweeters will leads to better bass, treble, and possibly mids as well

Update seems similar to EJ07–>EJ07M?

[SoundEater]

I would just say that the hardware needs to be improved a bit! 40% more subbass will be a boom boom, MK2 is a killer of kilobaks, in my opinion. The mids will be amazing and flat, just the way I like them. There will probably be a better resolution.

[nymz]

So, if I got it right, they going monarch style: making the crossover earlier to let BAs take care of mid-bass as well.

Im liking it so far, as long as techs improve or stay the same and treble doesnt get hot. Damn, I need it now. We just need Linsoul to put it up

[PopinTeddy]

Can’t help it, too beautiful…