Is there less of the head-fi brands on that one?
Compared to CJ/MHE, yeah, but there are still quite a few coming and some distributors that carry many high-end IEM brands. " Over 50 producers and distributors of audio devices from around the world will present their devices in the headphone zone. You will find headphones from every price shelf: from budget to the most expensive and sophisticated."
1 Like
I found another source that doesnât do justice to C12, a WA6 (with these tubes, anyway). It sounds nice and meaty in terms of itâs FR, but it sounds really slow and laid back - transient response isnât thereâŚ
What absolutely works a treat on this amp is the KE Cadenza! Great synergy. The meatier tonality of the Woo ainât half adding the perfect amount of weight to kicks and snares 
8 Likes
C12 in my experience doesnât jive with hybrid/Nutube or OTLs but M8 loves Nutubes 
3 Likes
Just if anyone is interested - those are IEM manufacturers present on AV show (according to Grokâs review). I put the ones that are subjectively the most interesting in bold
| Producent | Potwierdzenie produkcji IEM-Ăłw |
|---|---|
| Aroma Audio | Model Jewel, Headfonics |
| Astell & Kern | Kolaboracje, np. Pathfinder, ecoustics.com |
| Campfire Audio | Model Andromeda, znane w branĹźy |
| Noble Audio | Produkty na Noble Audio |
| Westone | Custom IEM-y, Westone |
| FiiO | Model FD5, FiiO |
| Final Audio | Model E5000, Final Audio |
| KZ Acoustics | Model ZS10, Linsoul Audio |
| Moondrop | Model Quatre, Moondrop |
| Meze | Model Advar, Meze Audio |
| JBL | Model Quantum TWS, JBL |
| Craft Ears | Model Craft Six, Craft Ears |
| HiFiMAN | Model RE400, HiFiMAN |
| DUNU | Model DK2001, DUNU |
| Earsonics | Produkty na Earsonics |
| Fostex | Produkty na Fostex |
| iBasso | Model IT07, iBasso |
| Itsfit Lab | Model Fusion, Itsfit Lab |
| Kefine | Model Klean, Kefine |
| Kennerton | Produkty na Kennerton |
| Kinera | Model Freya, Kinera |
| Letshuoer | Model S12, Letshuoer |
| Oriolus | Model Traillii, Oriolus Japan |
| Oriveti | Model OH700VB, Oriveti |
| Plussound | Model Sonora, Plussound |
| Rhapsodio | Produkty na Rhapsodio |
| SIVGA Audio | Produkty na SIVGA Audio |
| Softears | Model Volume, Softears |
| Tanchjim | Model Oxygen, Tanchjim |
| Thinksound | Produkty na Thinksound |
| Tin HiFi | Model T2, Tin HiFi |
| Unique Melody | Model Mest, Unique Melody |
7 Likes
Have around 31 sets right now, no plans to get anything else, this hobby got expensive pretty fast, Iâve been in the hobby for around 5 years.
My top 5 sets:
1- 7th Acoustics Supernova
2- Xenns Mangird Tea 2
3- Symphonium Helios
4- Tangzu Zeitan Wu: Heyday
5- Sennheiser IE600
Tea 2 is the one I probably use the most due to comfort even tho Supernova beats it, IE600 is more comfortable but Tea 2 has better tuning for my own tastes.
Helios has sub-par comfort and is pretty thin sounding but is the most technical IEM Iâve heard in this rabbit hole.
10 Likes
Welcome back.to Hifiguides man, and man I wish that statement is easier said than done of not getting anything anymore. For I admit, itâs really difficult to abandon this hobby when new interesting IEM sets come out and the budget realm as the years go by, get better and better.
As of now I am enjoying my current sets of the Aful P7s, Pula Anvil 114s, Truthear Hexas, Tanchjim Bunny and the Simgot EA1000. I wish I can be satisfied overall, but there is no such thing for me when I am in this hobby.
1 Like
31 sets in five years, that escalated quickly! But at least youâve landed on some solid picks. Supernova at the top feels like a breath of fresh air. Now that youâre not planning on getting anything else, do you feel like youâve hit âendgame,â or is it more of a temporary pause until something really special comes along?
2 Likes
My current top 5 and Iâm really happy with it. The only IEMs Iâm thinking of buying one day are SA6 Mk2 and Moondrop Meteor.
- Fatfreq Deuce
- Letshuoer Cadenza 4
- Ziigaat Arcadia
- Hi-Fri Aphex
- QKZ x HBB
I noticed that I have 3 HBB collabs in my top 5. I think I like the way he tunes things.
9 Likes
I hit endgame with the Supernova but wanted to try a true kilobuck set, saw a new Helios for $750 on reddit classifieds last year, couldnât pass on it.
The only thing Iâm really missing is a basshead set but thatâs super miscellaneous given that Iâm not a basshead at all.
The closest set to basshead levels I own at the moment is the Symphonium Meteor but I strangely get a mediocre fit with all the tips Iâve tried.
3 Likes
ooooo the Helios⌠Iâm thinking thatâs my next set. I loved the way they sounded at CanJam.
If youâre looking for a true basshead set without breaking the bank, I can wholeheartedly rec the FF Deuce. With the impedance adapter, I think it can satisfy most bassheads, if not all.
There are more expensive options but, I think the Deuce gets the job done really well.
4 Likes
Do you get a good fit? the long ass nozzle is the only reason why I donât get a great fit, itâs dumb how the SE version is locked behind a collab but no way Iâd be spending $650 more for comfort, screw that.
Deuce has been in my radar but Iâve also been looking at the Maestro / Scarlett Mini and HBB Punch.
3 Likes
Still early days with the number one spot, but I could see it keep that spot as my number one in my collection. Even with BA for bass 
As always an ever transforming list.
-
THIEAUDIO Valhalla - Clean, technical and fun
-
LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 - Natural and smooth, my allrounder reference
-
Campfire Audio Astrolith - It replaced my Bonneville, similar tuning but cleaner, faster and more
technical. The reduced upper mids is a pro for me, while some could find is as a con. -
THIEAUDIO Origin - Still a champion under $1K for lovers of bass. Interesting Valhalla is tuned the same as Origin, but this sound thicker and less clean.
-
QDC x Fitear Superior EX - Last spot goes to a much cheaper unit, as this get so much use time. My go to set at lunch or for breaks at work. Super comfortable and a warm and smooth sound, work for me even on a tired day.
11 Likes
These options will certainly close that gap for the basshead set. Fatfreq does have great basscannon options and the Punch has aslo been receiving some good praise. Out of these I am rocking the deuce currently and to my ears they are amazing. IMO if you want to add a basshead set without having to spend too much since you arent a basshead, i would defo recommend the deuce
4 Likes
Because of the long nozzles, I actually got a fantastic fit. Out of all of their IEMs, the Helios gave me the best fit, and that most definitely stood out to me. Iâve always had a hard time getting their IEMs to properly fit me. I know the SE has the same shell as the Crimson IIRC so I know that one would give me some issues.
And out of those 3 you mentioned, Iâd pick up the Deuce, no question about it. Itâs the least expensive out of those 3 and it has the best bass quality. The Maestro Mini is nice, but I had pressure issues with that set not to mention the upper mids and treble really are pretty unrefined and a bit too boosted. The Scarlett Mini is just⌠no. No thanks lol Way too much bass. It just sounds like a distortion-filled mess to my ears and not to mention, theyâre a bit too dark. Thereâs no definition in the bass at all. The Punch is a weird one⌠I only had a quick listen to those but on the initial listen I heard some strange tonality in the upper mids/lower treble. Plus, the bass quality was severely lacking. I need some more time with them and I hope I can solidify my impressions in the future.
Anyways, YMMV, but this was my experience with those.
5 Likes
Nothings changed in the last yearâŚ
TGXear Sunniva
TGX Serratus
Z1R
Riku S3
OG Andro
A musical box of chocolates 
16 Likes
Totally feel you! The Deuce is such a solid pick if you want that bass without going all-in. Itâs got that punch but still stays pretty clear. Fatfreq definitely knows their bass, but Deuce is kinda the sweet spot if youâre not a full-on basshead.
5 Likes
Iâd really like to know whatâs the difference between the Deuce and the more expensive basshead IEMs? Sets with this much bass will naturally have less detail than normal sounding IEMs, do the extra drivers on the Mini and HBB Punch do something?
Scarlet was in my watchlist purely as a meme set, I donât think anyone on this planet is going to daily drive this, something youâd take out for 30 minutes than move on with your daily drivers like Crinacle said.
4 Likes
i think the main difference between the Deuce and the more expensive basshead sets like the Mini and HBB Punch likely comes down to how they manage detail and technicalities while maintaining that massive bass shelf. I reckon more drivers can help with separation and clarity, but implementation is just as or even more important.
That being said, IMO the Deuce punches is very âbang for your buckâ. If youâre in it purely for fun, the more expensive options might not be necessary. You also get the added benefit of having the adapter that you can use to switch things up a little.
As for the Scarlet, yeah, I see it more as an experience rather than something youâd daily.
4 Likes
Shiiit this took me back to my childhood
6 Likes