We could have a very large discussion about that. Simple solution is China respects IP, if not then makes sense why they cant compete because they cant shift production overseas etc.
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@hawaiibadboy made a video about that:
Actually very ironic that I watched it yesterday, and now today I got the K buds that had shitty presentation and no accessories…
Both are buds over 100 usd and yet the presentation/accessories are as if they are sub 10 usd…
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2021-05-28: Creation of the DIY foam mod.
You most likely have an iem that you arent exactly pleased with the treble, maybe its a bit too much in quantity or just a peak that annoys you. Well, then you should try this DIY foam mod using ordinary earbud foam as the material. All you need to do is rip it apart into smaller pieces. Like this:
To get a 1/16 size of the full foam then you put it inside the tips and the magic begins from there.
(watch this video if you are unsure on how to do it: Try this: RikudouGoku's Foam Mod for Taming Treble Peaks - YouTube)
Positive changes:
The DQ6, TSMR – 4 pro, Hana and the T800 benefited a lot from this foam mod. The shoutyness in the Hana and the TSMR – 4 pro (along with less BA timbre but also got a pretty big hit with the technicalities) is gone while the peaky treble in the DQ6 is also gone. The sibilance with the T800 is gone as well and is actually useable for me now and also got a bit less BA timbre in it. Game changer for the DQ6, Hana and the T800!
Neutral:
The mod with the EX1000 and the Tape does help, but not enough. The Tape needs to have its 3,5k peak cut down a lot more and the EX1000 just needs a big overhaul of its entire treble.
Negative:
None of these iems needs this mod for me since I dont have issues with them. So with them, the quality dropped without any real benefit in tonality. The modded Oxygen sounds identical to the modded Hana as well.
Overall: This mod is a great mod if you have some slight issues with peaks here and there or if you just want it to be warmer overall. But when the issue is caused by a massive peak or if the entire treble just needs to overhauled, then this mod wont solve the issue and you are better of with PEQ. With iems that you do not have problems with, it simply reduces the overall quality, so not recommended for them either.
If you want to increase or decrease the effect, just use a bigger size (like 1/8 instead of 1/16) or with a more porous foam. Using the Hana as the example, you can see that using the 1/8 size will reduce the treble even more and also boosts the bass directly, this isnt good for me because it loses too much quality. Thats why, I believe that the 1/16 is the optimal size.
Rank changes accompanying this mod:
Audiosense T800 A+ (foam mod)
KZ DQ6 A (foam mod)
Tanchjim Hana A+ (foam mod)
Tansio Mirai TSMR – 4 Pro B (foam mod)
from:
Audiosense T800 B+
KZ DQ6 A-
Tanchjim Hana B
Tansio Mirai TSMR – 4 Pro B-
Also added a separate a separate ranking for iems with mods:
(The list will be sorted by the highest rankings.)
So this should be helpful to people that dont want to mod their iems. Just a noticed though, I dont count changing cables (doesnt affect sound) nor tips as being mods.
Since tips are extremely important to fit and therefore the sound (stock tips almost never fit me).
8 Likes
btw. isnt it funny how everyone praised KZ for DQ6 and thought they finally learnt their lesson?
Well, they recently anounced 12 BA set (24 total)…
yeah lol. I already suspected that the DQ6 was a big fluke. (kinda like the blon 03 seems to be, with them not being able to replicate the magic.)
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Hello there! I wanted to ask for a recommendation! So one of my girlfriends is daily-driving some BLON BL-03s and I wanted to ask about possible upgrade options. Specifically looking for:
- Small size/weight (BL-03 fits her ears well)
- Equal or lower sensitivity (occasionally too loud at lowest volume during night/sleep)
- Open to different sound signatures, doesn’t have to match BL-03
- Preferably under, say $500
So I know you do post photos of size comparisons for different IEMs, which is great, but the database doesn’t have a column for shell size or anything like that, so I’m not really sure what my options are.
Here is a lesson they are learning, your fans will take a chance once, but usually not twice. The ASX sold well in the first couple of weeks, part as it was new and exciting, part due to promotional pricing. I am sure the 13 units sold from KZ Official Store is not what they expected.
That size comparison was just a one time thing with that post.
If you want something small like the 03, I would recommend bullet style. But unfortunately I dont know many bullet style iems that are really good. There is the Tanchjim Darling thats pretty recent, but I dont have it and it might be a bit risky with its treble.
The Sony XBA-N3 is the upgrade to the 03 if you want something similar.
EDIT: You might find some luck with the Intime iems.
https://intime-acoustic.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=2230321&csid=1&sort=n
But they are more sensitive than the 03 so…
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And it is not like they are experimenting rn, the 2 all BA sets last year werent particularly a big hit either.
If I remember correctly, most people preffered the cheaper hybrid KZ ZAX.
Just chi-fi…
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Oh, forgot about the jvc fdx1. If you are in the US it might be another candidate.
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@luizgarcia hey if you still got the OH10, you should try the DIY foam mod.
Solves the occasional harsh treble for me.
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Hey thanks man, this is interesting to see but unfortunately i returned my OH10s since i was not able to use them for over 1 hour without hurting my ears…
I am still chasing that bass though, lol. I bought a pair of Fostex X00 Ebony after some research, if those fail to deliver the bass i am looking for then i swear i give up! (still waiting for them to arrive)
The OH10s were sort of an unicorn to me… since i was not getting anywhere with IEMs I ended up getting a Hifiman Ananda, a Focal Clear and an Audeze LCD2C and still no luck 
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Actually, you might like the ISN D10. Very similar bass actually…but I think the rest of it are worse than the OH10. Only advantage is the fit/comfort for you.
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Actually fit and comfort were good with the oh10 when I used spiral dots, that was like the only time it was perfect tho. I get super picky, but once I find the sweet spot we are golden. 
EDIT: sorry i didnt know this was general discussion, but yea still a true statement for me personally LOL
Its the weight that is bothering me and probably @luizgarcia with the OH10, cant fix that with any mods lol.
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Yep exactly, the problem was the weight of that thing against the cartilage of my ears. When i removed them i could actually see a freaking red spot where it was pressing, like really red! Such a shame…
I even bought those Radians custom silicon things but no luck.
2C requires a lot of EQ to get to oh10 and still I don’t think it does it as good, its hard to replicate the bass IMO. The purple heart Fostex were SUPER aggressive with bass, but Fostex treble just kills me in all products I have bought from them except some IEMs(not the best/worth the money I paid) Please update when you get the Ebony cus that is 
to me…
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Will do, i decided to go for the Ebony exactly because it seems they finally got the highs under control on that one, have you watched this review?
As for EQ on the LCD2C, hell yeah it is horrible without EQ and very nice after some adjustments, but i guess planars will never hit as hard as dynamics when it comes to bass… These Fostex in the other hand are supposed to be THE best for that, so lets see!
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Oh yea, I watched his review, so yepp 100% LOL. And yea those biodynamics from them are killer good, great slam thicc etc. I just got some Elex and they Slam but are not thicc so they are really trippy and I like them as a companion to my Koss 95x. I am disillusioned with planar as I think its a compromise between dynamic and EST and doesnt excel in anything. I mean LCD4/Abyss/Hifiman exist, but meh LOL
Derail over /s
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I love my 03s but haven’t found a replacement that matches the fit (for me) and the sound/value. 
For small size, maybe the Blon mini and Final Audio stuff would be good. The JVC too, but I’ve heard weird fit issues and a struggle with inserting them with the rotating nozzle.
I can offer some help with the volume: You can get a audio/EQ app on the phone to either lower the overall volume, EQ lower on all bands, or add additional volume steps. My Samsung S9 has a built-in app that adjusts for volume steps, from like 10 to 60 or something. Better refinement and lower volume adjustment. There’s also general apps that do something similar.
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