i’m not spending any considerable money on a chinese android device, having been through this before with the unihertz phones. if they’re only going to give me minimal updates it isn’t worth it.
i’m in a holding pattern until the 2027 eu regs percolate down to everyone else and give me back my removable battery anyway 
What did you prefer the Jelly 2 or the Star?
they’re effectively the same in most ways that matter other than different android versions.
i want to say the jelly star has better 3.5mm performance, but i did testing on the output on both and they were functionally the same so its probably placebo (i was getting 0.5v max and 3.3ohm output impedence in my testing on both)
I might have to get one my eyeballs are fed up with regular screens and I mostly use my phone for reading anyway.
yeahhhh $400+ for a pocketable kindle? not it lol, 21hz sounds pretty much unusable for anything else you’d want to do with it.
it is pricey but it is a whole lot more capable than a kindle.
I see a lot of people comparing more expensive ereaders to kindle and that is definitely not a good comparison. Its like comparing a budget chifi to a higher end one…
(although with higher end ereaders the improvements are at least objective.)
just an example lol, feel like it’s too niche of a product with the limitations it has
Eink definitely is a niche however, refresh rate/ghosting has improved a LOT and from what I know Bigme and Boox are like top 2 and this brand specifically has the best I have seen,
The price of these 2 are of course insane…but I guess that is what happens with a very niche tech…
should get cheaper over time as more companies look into it, feel like for the longest time nobody was developing it or at least never heard about it, maybe there was a patent in the way?
think using a E-ink display bar/mini display would be neat
There is, a single company is making all Eink panels afaik. That patent should have expired recently though iirc.
I wished DAP companies would consider making a lineup with eink displays, feels like they could target both ereader users and audiophiles with that.
could have the power of audiophiles and neets on their side 
Finally got my db meter, apparently my max volume when im listening to “loud” volumes on my speakers is around 70db lol.
I have been doing some foam rolling on my buds ever since I got the Lancer 3 in and, having felt the white foams were making Caster 3 too dark, I switched back to the thin black foams. Normally they are too thin in the lowend for me to use on buds, but with C3 they really give a good neutral presentation. This sparked an idea in my brain, so I pulled out the trusty HD650 at my desk and gave it a spin on some familiar tracks and then switched back to the C3 and dang, the C3 with black foams is awfully close to the HD650 tonally. Maybe a hint more mid-forward on the HD650 but a VERY good approximation IMO. If anyone was looking for a portable HD650 alternative that they can use in a low-noise environment (provided you also have good juice to drive them), I think Caster 3 is the closest thing I have heard yet!
Edit: For reference, I run my HD650 with ZMF Perforated Lambskins rather than stock Velour. I don’t have the stock pads on hand at the office for comparison, but I could bring them in to do so if anyone really wanted that comparison.
Wow, that’s a really interesting comparison! I love how the black foams with the C3 bring out that more balanced sound, almost like a portable HD650. It’s always cool to discover how small tweaks can bring out big differences in the sound. Definitely makes me curious to try the C3 with those foams myself! How do you find the overall comfort and soundstage compared to the HD650?
Soundstage is maybe a little taller on the HD650, but imaging, width and depth are all pretty even between the two IMO. Comfort is 100% the Caster 3, as the RG39 SE shell is even a smaller, easier fit than the rest of the Gen3 Rikubuds. Instead of a headstrap and circumaural pads (and the HD6x0 clamp force), I barely register the buds even being in my ears except when I remove them or reinsert. All of the Gen3 models are all-day comfortable for me personally. It’s for that reason that I generally prefer buds over headphones for the same application.
That’s awesome to hear! Sounds like the Caster 3 really shines in terms of comfort—nothing beats all-day wearability, especially when you forget you even have them in! I can totally see why you’d lean towards buds over headphones for comfort. As for soundstage, it’s good to know the imaging holds up well against the HD650!
It is worth noting that huge soundstage has never been a hallmark of the HD600/HD650, but they image extremely well and realistically with what they do represent. Caster 3 is no slouch in that department either but other buds can present much wider.
Fair point! The HD650 does have great imaging even with a smaller soundstage, and it’s good to hear the Caster 3 does a great job there too, even if it’s not the widest. It seems like a solid all-around option for comfort and clarity!
All of Riku’s Gen 3 buds are great IMO, with plenty of options but the Caster 3 has a special place in my collection. I feel like it doesn’t get a lot of love online (not many reviews online and my tour group that tried it all preferred other buds) but I will sing its praises forever. I also tossed on the GAS3 next and that easily beats C3 and HD650 on soundstage hahaha.
