Budget IEM (Chit Chat)

[fat_boyz]

My new toy is here

First impression, it sounds earthier than my KZ ZS10 Pro X. Will see how it goes after burning in.

 

[BlackWing1977]

My new toy is here

First impression, it sounds earthier than my KZ ZS10 Pro X. Will see how it goes after burning in.

But dun think will sound similar to a hybrid like ZS10 Pro X though, BA tend to have that treble emphasis at least those who are on the high frequency. Might be closer to Castor or Castor Pro where it is 2 x Dynamic Driver.

 

[BlackWing1977]

KYM?? KZ Zenith!!

 

[BlackWing1977]

1st impression of the KZ Zenith is that there isn't much bass going on even with all the switches turned on and the switches only tune low frequency. Not saying there is no bass.. but none of the amount that you will feel the need to switch it down.

They really could have do away with the switches and save costs.

 

[BlackWing1977]

Weird it actually sound better after I connect my KZ Zenith to FiiO K7 while I have the reverse results when using CCA Hydro.

 

[fat_boyz]

I'm returning my Tri Star River after a day of burn in and testing.

Totally below expectations. Voices sound terrible on it. Low tones are ok, but mid high tones are muffled even after playing around with the switches which are suspect are a useless gimmick.

I'm going back to my cheaper KZ ZS10 Pro X.

 

[BlackWing1977]

I'm returning my Tri Star River after a day of burn in and testing.

Totally below expectations. Voices sound terrible on it. Low tones are ok, but mid high tones are muffled even after playing around with the switches which are suspect are a useless gimmick.

I'm going back to my cheaper KZ ZS10 Pro X.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-star-river.26423/

Seems like not very well reviewed. Actually if you looking for good bass and decent mids... you can try Castor Pro (Bass), really cheap and good and probably quite different from your ZS10 Pro X. It is also a dual dynamic driver IEM but both are 10mm driver. If you want more clarity, actually KZ Zenith quite decent.

 

[BlackWing1977]

1st impression of the KZ Zenith is that there isn't much bass going on even with all the switches turned on and the switches only tune low frequency. Not saying there is no bass.. but none of the amount that you will feel the need to switch it down.

They really could have do away with the switches and save costs.

Bass is definitely present... but not those boomy like Castor Pro Bass or extra punchy type like CCA Hydro. It is just there, but well control just enough to make it more enjoyable, but it does not interfere with mids for vocals.

 

[fat_boyz]

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-star-river.26423/

Seems like not very well reviewed. Actually if you looking for good bass and decent mids... you can try Castor Pro (Bass), really cheap and good and probably quite different from your ZS10 Pro X. It is also a dual dynamic driver IEM but both are 10mm driver. If you want more clarity, actually KZ Zenith quite decent.

I might get the KZ AS24 Pro. Not now, but in a few month's time.

 

[tuckloong]

 

[BlackWing1977]

$600 USD... hokay... stops video...

 

[fat_boyz]

Any thoughts on the CCA Hydro? Reviews online seem really good for its price point.

 

[BlackWing1977]

Any thoughts on the CCA Hydro? Reviews online seem really good for its price point.

It is

But I do not have experience with other similarly priced IEM or other brand.. unless you really want to test my memory of Havi B3 Pro 2 experience or TTPOD Pro 2... those are at least 10+ years ago.

Safe to say it is my best IEM, even better than KZ Zenith.

 

[BlackWing1977]

For example this type of tracks... I enjoy it the most on CCA Hydro.

What KZ Zenith does better perhaps is the soundstage sounds wider due to the semi-open back design, maybe a bit more clarity in the mids. Everything else like bass, and treble details retrieval... CCA Hydro is just better.

CCA Hydro bass is very tight and controlled, have a bit of boom but just enough, not like bassy set like Castor Pro (Bass) that one just have more volume so very boomy... so some may prefer that but that set mids and treble is definitely not up to par with CCA Hydro.

 

[fat_boyz]

For example this type of tracks... I enjoy it the most on CCA Hydro.

What KZ Zenith does better perhaps is the soundstage sounds wider due to the semi-open back design, maybe a bit more clarity in the mids. Everything else like bass, and treble details retrieval... CCA Hydro is just better.

CCA Hydro bass is very tight and controlled, have a bit of boom but just enough, not like bassy set like Castor Pro (Bass) that one just have more volume so very boomy... so some may prefer that but that set mids and treble is definitely not up to par with CCA Hydro.

I'm not much of a bass head, prefer balance and clarity... I'm really tempted to order the Hydro .

Getting into the IEM world is like a rabbit hole.

 

[ecommercenoob]

Got which iem suitable for lightning port?

 

[BlackWing1977]

Got which iem suitable for lightning port?

You just need the right dongle... I heard certain version of Apple Dongle actually works every well.. dunno is it Euro or the US version.

Edit: Just checked, it is the US version you want to look for. But some DAC AMP Dongle also came with Lightning Connector... like the KA13 I have the apple lightning adapter.

 

[radish]

i'm looking for active noise cancellation wired iem. any expert any tips?

the last i used was from xiaomi, i have since moved to wireless but i still think wired version is cheaper/better value to quality.

 

[BlackWing1977]

i'm looking for active noise cancellation wired iem. any expert any tips?

the last i used was from xiaomi, i have since moved to wireless but i still think wired version is cheaper/better value to quality.

Wired IEM dun really comes with active noise cancelling...

What you can consider is something like this, get a pair of Wired IEM then get wireless adapter that has noise cancelling.

 

[ecommercenoob]

Which iem suitable for Rock/Metal, Dance, R&B/Soul genre?