Anyone who wants AMAZING sounding in-ears/headphones for $16... read this!
- Thread starter SwirlyMaple
- Start date
NightWalker
Roadie
- Messages
- 174
i tested the Chu and Lola with different tips,also using a headphone amp but the sound is weak with no punch,also i bought the Linsoul KZ ZAX and the sound is much much better,but none of those in ears sound good with the Axe 3,Kemper or QC
ear tips i tried,,,,,,
SpinFit W1
Comply Foam TZ-500
Zotech
RIYO Premium Memory Foam
ear tips i tried,,,,,,
SpinFit W1
Comply Foam TZ-500
Zotech
RIYO Premium Memory Foam
SwirlyMaple
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,329
From my quick research, it sounds like the KZ ZAX have exaggerated bass (one reviewer called it “overpowering”), so I’m guessing you’re either not getting a good seal (seems unlikely with all the eartips you tried, unless they were all too small?), or you just prefer the sound of boosted bass.
If that’s what you mean by “punch,” I’m sure there are some IEMs out there tuned for that, but I’m not familiar with them unfortunately. Most of the stuff you’ll find in the high-end audiophile market is tuned for flat, accurate response to an accepted reference curve.
NightWalker
Roadie
- Messages
- 174
well for me the KZ ZAX doesnt have exaggered bass,im using compy tips with those in ear.
you said im not getting a good seal?well i tried small,medium and large but i know pretty sure my size is medium
SwirlyMaple
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,329
What kind of headphones do you normally use? Is there a particular model that you find “punchy?” I’m not sure if the issue is a seal problem, or simply that you prefer a bass-heavier tuning instead of a neutral tuning. If you have a particular set of headphones you really like, it’ll help answer that question.
James Freeman
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,718
If you want to go a little higher in price (35-50$), research Kiwi Cadenza, TinHiFi C3 and TinHiFi T3 Plus.
eggpl@nt
Roadie
- Messages
- 930
You couldnt have dangled these in front of me before I submitted my order???
aflynt
Roadie
- Messages
- 168
NightWalker
Roadie
- Messages
- 174
i use the HD 650!!
northern_fox
Roadie
- Messages
- 453
Godamnit, I bought the plus just now. I can't stop
James Freeman
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,718
Yeah, I have three pairs of 7Hz Zeros and a Chu which I don't use, they were replaced by the Cadenza.
If I learned anything, always buy one pair, they will release something better next moth.
Also, beware of the IEM youtubes, rotten shills, every single one of them.
If I learned anything, always buy one pair, they will release something better next moth.
Also, beware of the IEM youtubes, rotten shills, every single one of them.
SwirlyMaple
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,329
Huh. Weird. If that’s your normal reference, I’m surprised that none of those IEMs sound good to you. I can only guess it’s a seal issue, as they should be quite on par with the tuning of your HD650 (actually some of them should have *more* bass extension. The HD600 and HD650 roll off a bit in the lows.)
Did you try them without your headphone amp? Maybe it’s an output impedance issue, as those IEMs are all much lower impedance than your Senns, and a headphone amp made for driving high impedance headphones can actually make lower impedance headphones sound worse, as counterintuitive as that may be.
SwirlyMaple
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,329
I think Crinacle’s opinions are generally pretty true to reality, even though he has collaborated on several models with various vendors. There are some he refuses to review because he helped in their design but they aren’t noted as such, to avoid the inherent bias.
His rankings and measurements on his web site are also a helpful resource IMO.
James Freeman
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,718
Especially him, he's the grand shill lord of IEMs.
I have several IEM's so I have an understanding of what sound I like, so now I only use https://squig.link/ to compare graphs to have an idea how the new IEM will sound, I have no further need for youtube "reviews".
Notice all IEM "reviews" are released during one moth from launch then never talked about again.
I have several IEM's so I have an understanding of what sound I like, so now I only use https://squig.link/ to compare graphs to have an idea how the new IEM will sound, I have no further need for youtube "reviews".
Notice all IEM "reviews" are released during one moth from launch then never talked about again.
SwirlyMaple
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,329
Squig.link uses Crinacle’s measurement database though…
creative360
Roadie
- Messages
- 161
So Freeman/swirly et all, nine pages in is there a simple current consensus? Anyone wanna put a top three list together with tiny descriptions, and links? I read a bunch back in the beginning, and then the most recent, but I admit I’m a bit confused by all the versions etc. Im interested in both no mic and mic options. A big ask I know, so thanks.
James Freeman
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,718
It has graphs from many reviewers, I compare them all.
NightWalker
Roadie
- Messages
- 174
today i tried some ear tips from all my iems I have bought over the years, i tried the L ear tips and to my surprise the CHU sound was more full,punchy with more bass,now im going to order some L SpinFit ear tips,but im honest really happy with the sound im getting with those L ear tips i tried today,no idea what brand are those L ear tips
Last edited:
Similar threads
