RikudouGoku's Database (IEMs/Earbuds/Headphones Ranking list)

2022-01-29: Moondrop Kato review: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/mo…dynamic-driver-iem.25413/reviews#review-27825

Stock Rank: A
Mod Rank: A

A worthy successor to the old KXXS. The tuning nozzles are pretty much identical, which is why you can mod around with one of them without risk.

5 Likes

I wonder how the new DQ6S compares to the DQ6 with the Tanchjim filters in. @Rikudou_Goku gonna review?

2 Likes

KZ is sending me one with UPS. CNY holidays will probably make it delayed though.

I will compare it with my high-density tuning foam mod in the review for sure.

8 Likes

Looking forward to it!

1 Like

2022-01-29: EARBUD SQUIG SITE IS UP: Frequency Responses - Squiglink by RikudouGoku

Massive thanks to MRS/Super-reviews for helping me with this. :pray:

13 Likes

Wow what setup do you use for earbuds measurements ? Fake ear and specific coupler ?

IEC711 + Earbud → iem adapter.
(naked earbud)

That is smart :slightly_smiling_face:

Its consistent, but of course not representative of what you hear IRL.

Its easy for others to replicate though, since it isnt DIY. (except that you just need to remove the outer flange, so it turns into a single flange “tip”.)

Certainly we have to take into account sound leakage, especially low frequencies I assume ?

When we are using buds with our ears, we do not get a seal.

But using this adapter does mean there is a seal, so yes that will affect (boost) the bass a lot (and its why you dont see any bass roll-off in my graphs).

2 Likes

The flatter the curve, the better, like full speakers right ? IEM FR notions like pinna gain and compensations are irrelevant here I presume ?

Throw everything you know about iem graphs away when you are looking at these bud graphs lol.

And the only thing you can tell is by A/Bing buds. The graphs by themselves are pretty much useless.

1 Like

Nonetheless I am pretty sure at some point Android 18 will get her reference curve too :wink:
Something close to LBBS ?

1 Like

Closest looking one. Its crap though…

Food for thought Indeed.

2022-02-01:
Smabat Svara:

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Impressions:
Bass: Probably the best bass from a bud in this price range, very good extension has actual rumble and is elevated with both mid and sub-bass, but fast/tight and very well textured.

Mids: male vocals are recessed and lacks a lot of warmth, female vocals are extremely shouty and sharp, tonality is just decent but timbre is very unnatural.

Treble: airy, very elevated and peaky, timbre is very unnatural.

Overall: It is pretty much unlistenable due to the super shouty mids and peaky treble. Bass is great though but timbre is very unnatural overall, technicalities are good that’s no surprise with this kind of tonality.

Rank: D+

NiceHCK EB2S:

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Impressions:
Bass: Slightly elevated, mid-bass, there is some sub-bass but it is pretty rolled-off like usual buds. Not as fast/tight as some more neutral buds, but not too slow/loose either, texture is decent.

Mids: Male vocals are pretty good in terms of the tonality and timbre, but it is a bit unclean. Female vocals lack some brightness and aren’t very clean but has decent timbre. Both male and female vocals aren’t forward nor recessed.

Treble: Non-fatiguing, smooth and warm, not a lot of air though.

Overall: the tonality is pretty decent and is good if you want a relaxing and non-fatiguing bud with good timbre. The technicalities aren’t that good (for this price) though and overall, the EB2S isn’t anything special and not worth the price to me.

(Its different (warmer and a bit more bass) from the discontinued ME80, but is less technical and IMO inferior to it.)

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Rank: B+

Oh and for those that celebrate CNY, happy new year.

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“Gong hei fat choy”

9 Likes

Is there audible difference between hiegi empty inside foams and full that makes me decide whether I would prefer one to another?

I am thinking of buying LBBS as home pair as Qian39 sometimes lacks the technicality for critical listening, but I am afraid about comfort. Does the conical shape of LBBS make it sticking out far from the ear making laying on side of the head painful with this headset on in your opinion if qian is very comfortable for that purpose?

@PopinTeddy have you received your pair of Qians yet?

2 Likes

@Morphitsu is also waiting for his pair of Qian39 I believe?

I actually don’t have the donut hiegi’s. But donut vs regular full foams do have a big difference in sound, donut foam is less warm, think of it as a hybrid between the full foam and naked bud sound.

The LBBS is a pretty small bud and you shouldn’t have too much problem sleeping with it. But the qian39 is the more comfortable shell and much better to use for sleeping.

2 Likes