That’s brutal. Good to hear that you are able to enjoy the music once again.
3 Likes
I just purchased a new DAP for the first time in years. I’ve been running through all my older IEMs and I realized I had completely forgotten how good some of these older ones are. This hobby is always about chasing the hype train and sadly we leave some incredible IEMs to collect dust. I’ve currently fallen back in love with the Thieaudio Legacy 3. I had not pulled them out in ages! They still equal or in many cases beat some of the newer ones I have. I guess maybe I should buy a new source more often lol. Speaking of that if you’re thinking about getting a pure Music player I Highly recommended the Shanling M1 Plus. This thing sounds incredible and has enough power to run my HiFiman Edition XS. Anyway, before you buy the next hype train IEM, try a new source with all your old Favorites. You just might find Magick all over again 
12 Likes
Yes I agree, follow the rabbit into the source hole! 
5 Likes
Currently in use -
YU9 Que. Because I’ve got YU9 Etymotic style sets and Elise Audio were promoting this it seemed like worthwhile blind buy despite the hype. And it’s proved to be. Great tone, general midrange emphasis but with strong bass and treble, great separation. Really good. Something I really appreciate is the best eartips with these are the ones they come with.
BGVP Phantom SE. Quadbrid, if thats an actual thing. I was loaned the original resin nozzle Phantom some time ago. Price was prohibitive but it stuck in my head. Anyway I gave in to the itch and bought the SE. The metal nozzle helps. There’s something going on in top end which is a bit ethereal.
Shanling MG800. Single DD. Surprisingly bright and airy sounding. Needs some volume.
Symphonium Meteor. I keep picking them up and listening to them to see if they’re still shit. Yes, still shit.
Dunu SA6. All BA. Original one. Lost count of how many SA6 “something”s they’ve done. These have grown on me. Clarion tips settled things down.
6 Likes
. Had a good laugh at this:sweat_smile:. I had Meteor but it never clicked with me either. I wouldn’t call it shit, it has its fans, but not for me at least:blush:
8 Likes
Yeah they’re not that bad. But for a bass set I don’t like the way they do bass. Which isn’t ideal. Classic rock and ‘80s guitar music sounds good in the mids. I appreciate an unorthodox tuning but can’t figure out what this is supposed to do. If it were cheaper I wouldn’t care.
2 Likes
- Aful Cantor - I didn’t even know I was their target audience (hot take - there should be more IEMs with this type of ‘long’ nozzle, just make it more robust. My Cantor is fine but I still have ptsd after easily cracked nozzle in Explorer).
- Xenns Top Pro (Cantor mogged them hard, especially in ‘vocal’ and ‘techs’ departments)
- Ziigaat Luna
- Oneplus Buds 4
- Flathead Audio Socks Studio
8 Likes
Yeeeet an earbud made it 
2 Likes
Those Studios are no joke!
2 Likes
Seriously. I don’t like the term ‘market distruptor’ but it’s really fitting here.
4 Likes
Not much time available : Beats Fit Pro + Phone
A bit more time available: Simgot EN1000 + Tempotec V1
5 Likes
Current 5 in use
Ddhifi Surface. Very laid back. Will lack energy for some. 1DD and 4BAs which seems more than necessary for something this relaxed. Good though if don’t want anything hectic.
Kinera Skuld. Really enjoyable.
64Audio U6T. The polar opposite of Surface. Punchy bass but pretty lean with unnaturally pronounced separation and imaging. Think I need to go through tips again with this. My ears are getting bigger. Although I have mouse ears.
Dita Project M. I go on and off this. I really don’t hear the pushed upper frequencies on this except occasionally. Otherwise this is pretty sedate and clean.
Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday. My dislike for collabs has grown over the years. Not the products but as a marketing practice for all concerned. But this is a good planar by Tangzu who have a bit of a house sound.
Bonus
Koss KPH30i clear. Great little headphone. Surprisingly stagey.
6 Likes
I had planned on going for the Top Pro during 11.11, but Aful Cantor was at such a crazy price I couldn’t resist a blind buy. Loving them so far. Seems like I made the right choice.
7 Likes
ZiiGaat Luna
Simgot EM6L
7Hz Diablo
Kiwi Ears Astral
Fosi Audio IM4
No rating
3 Likes
Another update and I’ll try to be quick.
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Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim - Still my favorite and still my main driver, and I had to take a break couple of times from using this set, so that I won’t get tired of it. The details are still impressive and my advice to people who seem to find this one too safe for their tastes, try removing its mesh filter and you’ll hear the Pilgrims on what was it meant to sound in my opinion, and if you don’t like it you could just always put back the mesh filters on it, easy mod.
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Softears Volume S - Second favorite, the palette cleanser set when it comes to my other collection that has a lot of coloration when it comes to the tuning. Oh and it got even better after using the HE Sonic River ear tips on it, improved fit, comfort and the sounds yeah still clean as hell, pretty much an IEM from Softears that has left me an outstanding first impression from them.
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EPZ P50 - The third one now, currently replaced my former AFUL Performer 5+2s for those unfortunately had issues with the left ear piece from my previous replacement set, hence it disappoints me that I have to avoid AFUL for a while unless I get a set that doesn’t have those QC issues anymore. Overall neutral-bright sound which I also like and with some tip rolling with the SpinFit CP100+, perfect seal and overall comfortable to my ears.
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Leteciel Magiris - The hidden gem of my collection and yes in my opinion even better than the Ziigaat Lush. To me it’s like the Ziigaat Lush but without the complaints of it being too boring because it’s really soulful and sincere when it comes to reproducing the sounds of the track that I am listening. It’s not one of those IEM brands that are just gonna hyped itself and follow the trend of the recent tuning that is being liked by the most listeners, it just wanted to be full transparent to their sound and just sincere on how they showcase it overall. Plus I got it for $51 and it was originally $159 which is a steal!
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Juzear X Zeos Pantera Defiant - Yes, I am still in awe and I cannot believe that this one is $100, but I think a bit more improvement on its technical performance would probably bring this one much higher to my list, hell even might get better than the Volume S if there are a lot of micro details and as well as the sound stage even greater than the Volume S. But yeah despite the technical performance being just right for its price margin, that nitpick is overall forgotten because the tuning of this is just damn great for me. Luckily the QC issues that I had with this one is only minor and I was able to resolve it, for I understand ordering a set of this one can be a gamble.
7 Likes
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AO Ra - Impressed all around. The EST are fantastic. He’s a bit bass heavy but easy to dial out a bit. Adding a touch a sparkle up top is nice too but not always ‘needed’ - very content dependant. Fits big but resin nozzles are easy to sand down a bit…
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Yanyin Canon Pro - The bass is really good on high powered amp but just OK on <500mW. Nice all arounder.
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Inawaken Twilight DS - interesting bass that requires high voltage and current to work really at all. Long break in as well. A bit V-shaped but fun. Might activate my tinnitus too much. ‘Bad BAs’.
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Topping Agegar Hane - all switches down sounds good to me but not up to NiceHCK Himalaya single DD prowess.
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Letshouer S08 - because sometimes ‘you want it darker’ - 100% standout value king for me
Honorable mentions - NiceHCK Himalaya is in permanent collection as is Sigva Que UTG. Both for simply what they are and what they do.
Sources - DX340 AMP13,15 and 17. DX180. Qudelix 5K, occasionally.
2 Likes
I haven’t had any issues with my P7. I noticed that there was a powdery residue (perhaps powdery release agent?) on the insides of the nozzles. I carefully removed the powdery substance, which might explain why I have never had any problems with my P7 IEMs. I could imagine aerosolized powder damaging the dynamic drivers when the IEMs were playing. I saw the same powder in reviewer photos of the P7.
I wonder if the Leteciel Magiris than the Thieaudio Legacy 2. The Legacy 2 was a bit of a disappointment due to serious driver flex issues. Others have said that they did not have driver flex issues with the Legacy 2. Maybe my set came from a bad production run.
I haven’t had any issues with the Defiant, perhaps because I use Tang Sancai eartips to provide additional venting. The Defiant is one of my IEMs which I totally liked the moment I started listening to them due to the controlled fun factor.
1 Like
Well, that is something that I didn’t know about the P7s, never thought that it has a powdery substance inside of each nozzle. Damn, if I only knew this in the first place, I could’ve had prevented my left ear piece from dying. Such a shame though, for I really love that set and it was one of the best IEMs I’ve ever had for that price point.
Yeah the Leteciel Magiris is just a hidden gem and I don’t regret getting it, especially at 51USD? Come on now, that is a steal. Leteciel, the brand, deserves more attention on what they have been doing to their IEMs. Every implementation of tuning, drivers, accessories and sounds has a purpose and reason, for they are not trying to be hype machines, for they are just there to create good sounding sets for good music overall.
And I am glad you’re not having any issues with the Defiant, the only I’ve had with it was the right nozzle becoming loose and dislodging from the nozzle. Luckily I was able to repair with just a small dab of superglue and now it’s back to normal. I love this set and probably the best blind buy I’vev ever did, because I only bought this for the beautiful face plate lol.
Leteciel Magiris appears to be around $200USD from Penon. Where did you find it for $50?
I got it from a marketplace seller. Dude was very transparent about it on how much has he used it and convinced me that this set is much better than the Ziigaat Lush. Well after giving it a listen, I have to agree with him, for I find myself getting the Magiris more than the Lush. Gonna sell my Lush, and probably try to find a buyer for it.
1 Like