It is. I’m just not interested in owning it because I know the grand classes are always better. It’s a fundamental fact. The worst Grand class set is preferable to the best normal class, for me
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Caster is a cursed class. First I wanted to use a DD+piezo driver, but then it might actually be discontinued. Then I found a 2DD (coaxial) driver and that had no bass. So now Im kinda out of candidate drivers for it.
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Is there a planar bus driver that’s worth the price and R&D?
I mean, that’s fair. Look at your bud line-up and look at mine - it’s completely in a different league altogether!
Nope, planar is a step above the meme-tier that is BA drivers in buds, but still not what I consider viable at all. Their biggest problem is the bass, with planars you either go GIGA size (see how all the planars in headphones are HUGE, way over 50mm DDs for example, u can even find planars around 100mm) or sealed like in iems to get bass.
If you REALLY wanted a planar in a bud, it would be to use it in conjunction with a woofer DD. But then shell size is a problem…
(See ClieOS´s planar.)
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Same problems with the dual DD in the Rose Maria 2 for example.
With shells that HUGE and bad fitting, any benefits in sound will be instantly lost by the poorer fit. It be like taking one step forward but two steps back…
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I don’t really want a planar bud, so that’s okay lol
GAS and Grand Archer were my favorite sets besides Grand Rider (which is the one I actually own), so seeing how they evolve in Gen 3 is the safest bet.
But I could be interested in your take on a reference/monitor style tuning. Or would you just call Grand Rider your reference tuning? (Though I find Grand Rider a more musical form of neutral, to my taste)
its more neutral to ME. But not generally speaking. Alter Rider 3 (first gen 3 bud) is my aim at a more “normal” reference tuning with SOME bass boost (linear boost so sub focused). Cuz imo, with buds u really do need some bass boost to be neutral, at least in comparison to iems which is what I expect most people to be coming from.
yeah, definitely.
Tbh, I really do not see the appeal/benefit of a planar bud, planars are used in iems instead of DDs because DDs in iems usually struggle with the mids and especially (upper) treble. Planars usually sound a lot airier than DDs in iems. And bass wise, they fit (sealed) in your ears, so bass is usually at least pretty flat and not rolled off.
But in buds, do you really think that the DDs need help with mids and treble? I definitely dont think so. In fact buds struggle with bass and switching a DD to a planar, where the Planar will be even worse with the bass it will just end up a disaster.
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Introducing Gen 3 – the next generation of Rikubuds. combining the comfort of 39 and Rikubuds engineered internal components, Gen 3 takes both acoustic performance and comfort to new heights. And now, we are proud to introduce the RG39 shell, designed to enhance your listening pleasure.
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Where do I sign up bro (asking for a friend of course)
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your friend can PM me. 
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What are the first sets you are making for gen3?
Alter Rider 3.
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Ahhhh danggg that’s very tempting!
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Looking forward to getting mine, my first Riku bud 
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Since they already come with vibration, do they come in ribbed, while you’re at it? 
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Nah, still same resin.
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Seeing all the Project Red measurements with different impedance adapters I wonder how (Riku)buds behave with those adapters but I don’t have any here to try out. Any experiences?
Red changes because its a multi driver setup with uneven impedance curve. With single DDs that (majority) have a flat impedance curve, there will not be any changes in FR.
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