2020-09:04: Added the Tanchjim Oxygen rank S and review is up: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tanchjim-oxygen.23545/reviews#item-review-24263
Best single DD I have ever heard, in terms of SQ and technicalities.
Major update to my database concering my top tier iems:
Added a new score called “EX” for my “detailed iem ranking” page.
The EX score represents something that falls outside of the normal ranking scale, a value that cannot be quantified under the normal system because it is in a league of its own, powerful to the extent of rendering comparisons meaningless.
(inspired by https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Parameter_Rules )
This score is only given to S, A+ and A ranked iems that does something at the top of its driver type.
For example the Tanchjim Oxygen is given 4 EX scores in details, instrument separation, female-vocal-quality and soundstage.
That means that the Oxygen is the best among the DD iems I have in those factors and also means that there wont be another DD iem with EX scores in those factors
(unless something dethrones the Oxygen in those factors and therefore the EX score goes to that new iem).
However it does not mean that it has better details than a hybrid/tri-brid (like the LZ A6 for example), just that it outperforms all other single DD´s in those factors.
But it does mean that it is still highly competitive even amongst other driver setups.
Not a lot of iems will get this score and even less will get multiple EX scores so this should make it a bit easier for you to see which one you would prefer.
Since comparing different driver setups is pretty much an apple to oranges comparison.
This also means I dont have to give a higher and higher score for each upgrade.
Take the LZ A6 for example, it has the biggest soundstage out of all my iems (previous score = 10).
But if there is a newer iem that has an even bigger soundstage, instead of giving it an 11 I just pass the EX score to it instead.
This prevents “power creep” (or I guess in this case “SQ creep” lol).
There is a little downside though and that is that the overall score will be a bit lower due to the EX score not being a numeric value.
It is fixed by the stars (*) that is given to the total scores on iems with EX ranks. With 1 star per EX score.
Another problem is that I cant sort it so that the highest scores are at the top (it messed up something in my sorting system…) but hopefully the color indication should be enough.
1-2 * = White
3-4 * = Green
5+ * = Blue