Ok Meta with RDM Zone Clear tips actually helps with the boominess for me and opens up the vocals. really nice and definitely competing with Isa. I still prefer the coherency of Isa and its bass despite being a basslet myself
- Sony IER-Z1R - Curiosity finally got the better of me
- Dita Mecha - In for review and loving it
- C12 - In for review. About to send it back
- M8 - In for review. Discovered how well it takes to EQ
- S15 - Discovered it’s synergy with DX340
6 Likes
Kiwi-Ears Astral. Its kinda ugly but I put them on my ifi Go-Pods and can’t seem to get them off. Just pocket them everytime I leave.
7 Likes
- Thieaudio Origin - I just love BC.
- 64 Audio u12t - hm… my go-to iem at the moment
- Thieaudio Oracle - at work
- Kiwi Ears Etude - at work for fun, because of BC!
- At the moment only these 4.
7 Likes
Top 5 in my favorite box rotation what I reach for most when not reviewing gear.
#1 Unique Melody Stardust
#2 Alpha Omega Omega
#3 Punch Audio Martilo
#4 Kefine Quatio
#5 DDHIFI Surface
5 Likes
I did enjoy Stardust.
2 Likes
If you enjoy Etude, I bet you’d enjoy the KBear KB02 !
3 Likes
I had the KB02 and did not notice the bone conduction at all. Had the CVJ Assassin too which has a vibration unit. Here the effect was obvious but way too much, even for games it was meh…
Guess the Etude is closer to the CVJ because it has a vibration unit and not a BC driver.
2 Likes
Have you tried using Tangzu’s Sancai tips with KB02 ? Sancai apparently brings in the full effect on the KB02.
Although, the Etude’s KVT driver definitely brings impact, I actually find it a bit too dominant… especially in outdoor environments where it tends to drown out the mids and create this odd vocal coloration.
I haven’t tried the CVJ tho…
1 Like
- Punch Audio Martilo
- Ziigaat! Odyssey - after hearing microplanars in Daybreak I can’t unhear the BA timbre…Daybreak treble is better to my ear
- CrinEar Daybreak
- NiceHCK Himalaya
- Hifiman RE2000
Top 3 are tied for use time. ~8 hours a day total. I thought Daybreak may be a duplicate of Odyssey but it’s not for me. Tips can wildly change Daybreak. Looking forward to Hercules Audio Noah 
4 Likes
Icelabs Spectrumica
Kefine Quatio
7th Acoustics Supernova
Letshuoer Mystic 8
Thieaudio Valhalla
4 Likes
BGVP Solomon
BGVP PHANTOM SE
ALPHA OMEGA OMEGA
Unique Melody Stardust
Kefine Quatio
1 Like
TRI i3 mk3
Letshouer Z12
Yu9 Audio Yan
OpenAudio Witch Pro
TRN White Tiger
1 Like
Long time since I posted here, my collection is similar to last time with a few sets gone and a few new ones. Can rank them this time by most use time over the summer vacation:
-
Thieaudio Valhalla - I bring this with me everywhere even some days at work, one of the best flagship models I have heard out there.
-
Campfire Audio Astrolith - Very expensive for a dual planar IEM, but it is awesome for metal due to the weight and speed.
-
Letshuoer Cadenza 12 - Still my natural reference set, but also when i jus want to kick back and relax with acoustic music.
-
634ears LOAK PROTOTYPE-00 - One of faovorite single dynamic driver, IEMs, much more balanced in the sound than previous 634ears models.
-
Thieaudio Oracle MKIII - While I have other sets I enjoy more, the shell size and comfort make me reach for it very often for commute or gaming sessions (Claire Obscure soundtrack deserve good sound).
And some photos, not a rank post from me without a few shots 
12 Likes
Long time lurker. First time poster. Thank you to all of you whose reviews I have watched and enjoyed, including but not limited to Tone Deaf Monk, Zeos, Jays Audio, Jaytiss, Omar AA, Timmy , and on… and on….
I have come back to the hobby this year after 12 years and it took a bit of buy/sell/trading to find my preferences. Here are my current top 5
- NiceHCK Rockies
- Ziigaat Arcanis
- 64Audio U4s
- Fiio FA19
- Kinera Loki
- Honorable mention : SymphonyEars Pre5tige
Got a Monarch 4 and Alpho Omega RA on the way, sooo, that may change it up soon
11 Likes
Baddash collection Sound quality is vastly improved compared to 12 years ago! Welcome back
2 Likes
Nice, is the Rockies bright for you?
It’s brighter than the mega5est but jut enough to make the whole profile coherent and less… disengaged ? I don’t find it sibilant but maybe on the slightly bright(er) side , not airy though .
Welcome back to the hobby! What an interesting top five!
The SE Pre5tige intrigue me. What do you like best about them? How do they match your sonic preferences?
Thanks.
2 Likes
Honestly I like the midrange and balanced signature and the feeling that the BC driver is working to support more than just bass. It has a nice full sound but can occasionally deliver sharp uper treble which I am trying to tame with some tip rolling
2 Likes