KZ, Kiwi Ears, Penon… seem like there’s a trend with tuning switches
I’m over tuning switches. They are too much work to try all the combinations
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and usually doesnt really do much. Just stick with tuning nozzles OR have a lower number of switch combinations where each of the settings are the biggest changes. (like bass switch, normal and treble.)
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Dip switches have been around for a long time…It happens when the tuner can’t decide on what he’s aiming for 
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Lol thats a pretty good take, the lack of conviction becomes a feature. Smh funny any way you look at it.
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I lost the article but someone is experimenting with ionizing air as a new form of ANC so good sound can be rediscovered. 
Fiio FT5 (90mm planar?)
From what Fiio Japan posted on Twitter, it’s a 90mm planar magnetic, and that this is an engineering sample that may change. Price is unknown, but based on earlier blog posts it’s supposed to be around 600 USD.
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Just got the JCALLY AP20 today (if it wasn’t for your post, Riku, I wouldn’t have known anything about it, lol).
First impressions aren’t overwhelmingly positive. Apart from the fact that HiFiGo made a mistake and didn’t include USB C and USB A cables in the package even though I’d chosen a combo with all 3 cable types (USB C, Lightning, USB A). I had to contact their support, provide a video showing what I didn’t receive (… yeah) and got a promise that they would ship them ASAP.
Anyway, the dongle is well built and looks solid.
Sadly, it features glossy front panel which doesn’t make that much sense - there is no display underneath, so it’s only there to collect all the micro scratches. JCALLY didn’t add any protective film, unfortunately.
In terms of sound: most likely I have to let it play for a while longer before coming to any solid conclusions, but AP20 appears shouty, V shaped, accentuating mostly both low and high frequencies and leaving mids behind. Not my preferred way of tuning but maybe it’ll change over time.
Bass isn’t bloated, it’s fast and tactile. Highs may sting you a little now and then and seem to be capped somehow with no roll-off. This doesn’t really change with GAIN setting.
Also, I don’t know if it’s supposed to be like this, but BAL ports seem to be stupidly powerful. After connecting AP20 to my PC, having it on 1.8 V mode, I still need to run it on 2-5% volume with most of my IEMs. TGXear Serratus ( 500Ω ) are loud enough @15%
3.5 mm SE is slightly weaker and runs at around 40% of BAL volume.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have any separate volume control, the volume buttons are used for changing volume in your source - be it a phone, PC or DAP.
It outputs sound simultaneously through all ports (2.5 , 3.5 and 4.4) and doesn’t alter the volume while plugging in / out any new set. Nor does it make any popping sounds.
It doesn’t seem to get hot, even when running on its internal battery.
Anything I could write more about?
Cheers!
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I also happen to own Tanchjim Space which happens to run on 2x CS43131, too. It sounds quite differently, though. Much more natural.
We got a new Penon 6BA in the wild:
Priced at $499
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The xm3 converted me on tws for physical activity, so happy to pick up a 4 on deep discounts once xm5 drops. I’m happy staying one gen behind on them, but they will remain my go to unkess the mess up the sound.
Honestly, I would stay away from the XM4.
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Ohhh! Good call man, I didn’t know. Thanks!!
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New teaser from Thie/Linsoul
I don’t know anything else besides the dumb name, Hype 2 apparently it’s part of a new line Thie will be putting out soon.
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Word on the street is 2DD/2BA, with one DD being a dedicated subwoofer. Awful name aside, there could be some promise there.
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Fixed 
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Interesting for sure, let’s hope Thie doesn’t go all whacky with the price! If these are around the Legacy series in terms of $$$ then it could be promising is right!
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