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

lilhm · July 13, 2022, 5:38pm

For me with the LBBS the difference between no foam and donuts is pretty huge. It must be either because the holes on the backside of the case are blocked or because the foam just creates a better seal. Without foams the bass is pretty weak, but with foams I am surprised about the level of bass buds can create (even if it might not be bass head level, it’s much better than with open back over ear headphones).

Second impressions are definitely much more positive. Good Bass, good treble and air… pretty good resolution for 50$. There are things about the tuning I don’t like, but that pretty much just boils down to personal preference in the end. I can definitely see how earbuds are a viable alternative to IEMs. Will probably compare them to a couple of IEMs over the weekend and am curious to see how it stacks up against them.

Rikudou_Goku · July 13, 2022, 6:20pm

mostly due to the vent block.

Although what I said above and what I assume @pylaczynski was referring to as well, are the MX500 shells.

BobBeats · July 13, 2022, 7:21pm

Give flatheads a lengthy try so your brain can adjust to what you are hearing, especially if you are used to IEMs. The LBBS also are more universally sized for smaller conchas so they may need some outer silicon rings covers to enlarge the diameter a tiny bit–to get a better concha lean over the ear canal–which has worked for me with the MX500 shell as well (YMMV).

With the LBBS, I recommend listening to female vocals (female poison). I just love buds during hot summer days as long as it is quiet enough.

givemebeer · July 14, 2022, 12:10am

Riku’s Berserker1’s arrived on Monday. I wanted a set of buds that improved on what I liked from Qian39s and the Berserker1 delivered beyond my expectations.

Nr48 · July 14, 2022, 8:19pm

Turned out I had to wait until today until I get my Rikubuds, and other not as important stuff from my suitcase, back.

Attention. Cringe joke incoming.

Rikubuds sound level just got over 9000.

CTOXmas · July 14, 2022, 11:51pm

when gen 2 comes out
Gohan Kamehameha GIFs | Tenor

lilhm · July 15, 2022, 7:11pm

I was just listening to some choir music with my Moondrop Chu, when I was wondering how it sounds with the LBBS and did a quick swap. First impression was: Wow, the LBBS is technicaly much better, but sadly the tuning is so much worse imho (I really like the Chu’s tuning btw). The LBBS has great low end and great top end, but voices just sound lackluster to my ears…

I then wondered: Does anyone actually measure earbuds (not sure that would be a feasible thing to do in the first place)? And are earbuds tuned flat or do they consider pinna gain like IEMs do?

I spent 1 min EQuing the LBBS and while it is obviously not a perfect result in that short of a time, I could improve the tuning in regards to my taste a lot with a single peak filter: +6db @6khz Q=0.7.

Rikudou_Goku · July 15, 2022, 7:29pm

There are a few people that do, but everyone is basically measuring it their own way, with no standards to follow.
There are basically 2 ways you can go about it.

You go with consistency as the main goal, these are the setups that uses iem adapters for buds, so they are more consistent in insertion depth and angle. Downside is that these are not realistic and not how we wear the buds. (this is the type my own bud graphs go for = meme level.)
You go with realism, these are the ones that uses fake ears and the likes, to simulate more how they respond in our own ears. Downside is that, as with IRL usage, its very hard to put them on consistently and even more so when it aint your own ears.

Here is my graph of the LBBS using method 1.

and @tgx graph which is more about method 2.

in the end, I wouldnt bother using graphs with buds…

They arent “flat” like with iems, as mentioned above, bud graphs = memes.
Some of them do have somewhat of a pinna gain, but they are quite rare as most buds are tuned to be super smooth.
LBBS and the Smabat M2S Pro are the branded ones with this.
And for my own models, it would be the Lancer 1.

lilhm · July 15, 2022, 8:03pm

Thanks that’s very informative.

Might just be coincidence, but I think it’s funny how tgx’s graph has a dip at 6khz, which is where I put the EQ… but I guess (as with IEM’s) the 8khz is some kind of coupler resonance and everything above that is inaccurate (the LBBS beats the Blessing 2’s treble extension easily )

Rikudou_Goku · July 15, 2022, 8:07pm

yeah, both mine and his have a dip there.

Buds technically dont have that much raw extension as iems, but they still sound airier for some reason.

Nr48 · July 17, 2022, 12:09am

300 Ohm Rikubud incoming? Oh boy…

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 12:13am

oh, someone noticed.

Valac-Clara

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 5:03pm

Finally, announcing the first gen 2 model.

Assassin 2: Midcentric; super tight and fast decaying bass, forward mids both male and female, treble on the smoother side and airy, overall aim being “precision” and accuracy (great imaging)

Uses a 32ohm driver by Fostex along with the new Val39 resin shell.

Also
Grand Berserker 2: L-shaped: For bassheads, by a basshead, better sub-bass than most iems, mid-bass a bit on the slower/looser side (rare for buds), male vocals tonality is excellent but recessed as are female vocals, treble is a bit on the darker side, super smooth, holographic stage (very deep)

At the moment, it uses a 300ohm DLC driver. But there is a 32ohm version as well which apparently sounds the same according to the seller, which I have ordered in order to find out if it does sound the same. If it does end up sounding the same, then I will be using the 32ohm going forward. But currently, the model is using the 300ohm version. (although I have no more stock of this driver anyway lol.)

What else am I working on? Well, so far I got a candidate for the Rider 2 and the Alter Rider 2 spot, not finalized yet because I found a new tuning material I wanna try (already ordered).

Its the cotton material specifically, I might try them on some iems as well, could be another great modding material.

Oh and, just tried making my first DIY iem.

Stock/zero tuning = KZ from a few years ago

V2 = tamer Urbanfun

V3 = Falcon Pro/Vernus

V5 = favorite atm.

Too bad I ruined the drivers after V5.

This is the 10mm Bio driver:

with this wooden shell:

pylaczynski · July 17, 2022, 5:39pm

What is the price of those Val39 assassins? How would you compare it to the Alter rider 1 in terms of genres fitting?
Is that a fostex’ bio cellulose driver btw as in their headphones?

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 5:58pm

Gen 2 base classes = 75 euro
Grand classes = 125 euro
info listed in my db as well as the official post here:

Alter Rider 1 is a bit brighter, with more airy treble and overall quantity. it also has more sub-bass quantity, but not as tight/fast bass. Imaging is a lot better on the Assassin 2, but stage is a bit smaller. More mids on the Assassin 2. You could say the Alter Rider 1 is a bit more U-shaped in comparison.

They kinda do aim for the same thing, but the Assassin 2 does it with more precision due to the tighter/faster bass and the better imaging. It might be a bit more boring in comparison though.

Nope, not a bio driver. Its this one:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001187721226.html

Same as the ShoonTH drivers (they use the same drivers for all 3 models, with the only difference being they added a resistor for the higher end models, which doesnt actually do anything since these are DDs).

VIVIDICI_111 · July 17, 2022, 6:52pm

What’s the pricing like for your IEMs?

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 6:57pm

wont make iems, its much easier and better to just mod an existing iem.

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 8:57pm

Speaking of modded iems.

massive improvement.

Vernus aint so limited now.

cal_lando · July 17, 2022, 9:26pm

What coupler do you use for graphing? I would like to get into modding more but it seems the ability to graph is almost necessary

Rikudou_Goku · July 17, 2022, 9:28pm

Its definitely helpful if u plan to mod yourself.