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jeromeoflaherty

New Head-Fier
Pros: Excellent sound signature ( for its price - not boomy much more neutral than expected )
Good ANC modes
Good Features (EQ within App + LDAC / AAC)
Nice carry Case and packaging
Comfortable
Cons: Manually switching ANC modes required (no Adaptive ANC)
EQ wasn't as flexible as I would like (with some PEQ a smoother Frequency response would be achieved).
The midrange and treble are a bit uneven though good for its class.

Redefining Budget ANC: Earfun Wave Pro​

Finding a pair of budget bluetooth ANC headphones that isn’t a boomy mess and delivers quality sound is hard. When I heard that the new...
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baskingshark

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Bountiful accessories
Modular cable for both single-ended and balanced sources
Solid build
Ergonomic and light; no pressure sensation in the ears due to vented housing
Easy to drive, amplification not needed
Tuning switches for versatility - warm neutral in stock tuning, with option for bass boost
Excellent technicalities - soundstage and imaging are a highlight
Bass sounds like a DD bass due to vented sub-woofer concept; fast, clean and textured basslines
Transparent midrange that is free of shout
Smooth yet resolving treble, without steroid boosted high frequencies
Cons: MMCX
Average isolation for an all BA set
Low impedance - source pairing potentially tricky with high output impedance sources
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Z
zie5522
Do you upload your masurements?
baskingshark
baskingshark
Hi @zie5522 I don't have a squig account, but I put my measurements up on Headfi and CHIFI Love Facebook. If you need any graphs or anything feel free to PM.
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Z
zie5522
I just want to compare my custom tuned iem to this fiio. 🤣

baskingshark

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Well accessorized
Comfortable and low-profile fitting
Relatively easy to drive
Warm mid-centric profile
Excellent timbre
Smooth and non-fatiguing treble
Thick note weight with lush midrange
Punchy and textured mid-bass
Very musical signature
Cons: Non-detachable cable
Sub-bass roll-off
Not for trebleheads
Not the last word in micro-detailing and resolution
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4ceratops
4ceratops
Many thanks for a great and informative review. I would just like to correct that the DUNU Alpha 3 also comes in a balanced 4.4 version.
baskingshark
baskingshark
Thanks for the feedback @4ceratops will correct it now.

betula

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: - organic, lush, natural sound with planar transients and speed
- naturally spacious for a closed-back design
- warmer and softer than the open version (pro for some)
- beautiful sound with good level of isolation
- gorgeous earcups
- lifetime warranty on drivers for the original owner
- various tuning options with 4 earpads and two front damping felts
Cons: - weight can be too much for some, despite the excellent weight distribution
- warmer and softer than the open version (con for some)
- slightly lesser overall technicalities than in the open version
- somewhat more recessed mids compared to the open sibling
Disclaimer and intro

Zach Mehrbach, the founder and designer of ZMF has kindly lent me this Caldera Closed in exchange of my honest opinion.
Last year I...
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betula
betula
@Frabera You are right, I have not. But I have heard the Æon closed, the Stealth (and the Expanse).
F
Frabera
The E3 is totally different of the Aeons, Stealth and Expanse, it opens a new reference in terms of sound quality and target price, that's why its success, and I am really wondering if the CC worth the BIG extra cost, besides the wood...
betula
betula
@Frabera I have a feeling that the E3 and CC are two very different sounding headphones. I know, the E3 is tuned quite differently to DCA's other offerings. I hope I can test it out in July at CanJam London. If I can remember, I will leave an update here.

SLC1966

1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: Emotional sound
Clarity
Smooth all around signature
The Wood
The Craftsmanship
Cons: High End Headphones are expensive
The Caldera Closed = Emotive Clarity!

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Caldera Closed in Shedua Wood!

The Lineage:

The Caldera Closed (CC) has the Caldera...
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sp33ls
sp33ls
Great write-up, as always! Based on everything I'm reading, I'm certain these will be a very popular model.
jandrese
jandrese
Outstanding. My VC are my favorite headphones and while I also love the CO I’ve been dreaming of a CC for the isolation alone. Can’t wait until my pair arrives.

ng5921

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: - beautiful, organic, and musical sound
- outstanding tuning
- exceptional bass and sub-bass performance
- lively and engaging dynamics
- tons of fine tuning options with earpads and mesh options
- lifetime driver warranty to original owner
- unique cup shape
Cons: - a bit heavy
- marginal loss of resolution and micro-detail, compared to Caldera Open
- not as “airy” as the Caldera Open
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E
ECKHUAAA
Just curious to hear about your experience with the light Pad, I tried thick pads briefly on the CO and I realized it robbed it of some clarity and detail, also is the thick pads the stock from ZMF? And do they come with a stock mesh? Asking because I intend to request mine be built with no mesh
Thanks for a realy great review 👍 👏
jandrese
jandrese
Most excellent, thank you. I love the CO but really need some isolation normally. I’m lucky to have and love the VC but I love a good planar. Can’t wait to get the CC into my system; I’ve not heard or read anything that gives me pause so far.
T
thaddeusflowe
damn these are sexy from every angle and measurement

Evshrug

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: +Comfortable to wear
+Comfortable to listen to
+Case is roomy enough to carry small accessories and a dongle DAC
+Earcups fold flat but aren't loose
+Two cables included, 4.4mm Pentaconn
+Dual-entry or single-entry cables possible, non-proprietary 2.5mm TRRS connector
+Earpads and headband can unclip for replacement
+Sub bass extension
+Textured and not one-note bass, elevated presence
+Relaxed Treble without being dark
+Pinpoint imaging
+Different degrees of depth perception
+Great platform for adding Spatial Audio processing or HRTF binaural recordings.
Cons: -Some people may put it on backwards
-Case is large
-Ear cup entry jacks are deep, must push firmly to connect cables
-Strain reliefs on the ear cup entry jacks may be too narrow for your existing 3rd party cable collection.
-Headband skin is Polyurethane.
The grell OAE1 was not what I was expecting. At first, when news that Axel Grell was making an analog, open back wired headphone, I thought it was squarely within his wheelhouse, the perfect move...
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OnlySoMany
OnlySoMany
You have convinced me, I placed an order for a set through Drop. Interested to see how they sound.
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Evshrug
Evshrug
@OnlySoMany everything, not literally no, but the earcup frame, mesh, yolks, and structure are metal (everything you see in silver). And, it’s still really lightweight considering the earcups are pretty big.

And I know the feeling… I couldn’t afford a hotel in NYC for CanJam this year (I was just a bike mechanic then, now I’m a month into a new job as an eyeglass lab technician), and I was dying to know what they sounded like, particularly because the impressions seemed divided but strong in their convictions. My take: it’s an HD 650 with more WOW factor, and I think it’ll appeal to both HD 650 fans and people who wished the HD 650 was a bit more exciting /better headstage. I’m going to add some notes, comparing a couple different headphones with the OAE1, but I’ve been slow because I’ve been so tired after getting home from my full-time job!
ApertureSilence
ApertureSilence
I also decided to bite based on your review. Excited to hear how realistic this soundstage really is.

hokagoteatimereviews

New Head-Fier
Pros: 1. The price as of my review is $30 and msrp is $45, which is great for the entire package

2. The overall sound is really good for an open ear style TWS

3. The mic quality is quite decent, as most budget tws I tried have very bad mic quality

4. Very easy to wear and does irritate my skin

5. The bass is very satisfying, which is what generally lacks in OWS's

6. The battery life which it can last your entire work day and then some.

7. Great for podcasts and audiobooks

8. Supports EQ via the app
Cons: 1. It has only one con going for it, is that the cable for charging is proprietary. Although I guess that was required for it to get the IPX8 rating
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Introduction:-

Hey guys, today will review the TOZO Openreal these are an active sports neckband OWS. I personally have always liked the...
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hokagoteatimereviews

New Head-Fier
For EPZ S30 in Wireless
Pros: 1. The price is good

2. Quite comfortable to wear
Cons: 1. The competition like the Fiio JW1 is much better

2. The fitting mechanism is a bit weird

3. gets shrilly above certain range of volume
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Introduction:-

Hey guys, today I have the EPZ S30 with me for review. Its an Open ear style TWS or OWS as its called. These are the budget...
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FishTownFunk

New Head-Fier
For Stuff in In-Ear
Pros: -Small form factor
-Great slightly boosted mid bass, Great for Rock and metal
-Pairs well with warmer sets
-No frills, no thrills, sometimes less is more. Minimalistic with features, Grab and Go!
-Right spot for price range
-Great ESS chip done Right! They added just the right amount of warmth
-4.4 balanced
Cons: - A little dry and edgy sounding to my liking
- No gain selection
-No screen, only color changing led
-Wobbly side buttons, not premium feeling
-Neutral Bright not great with bright Iems
-Front and back plastic glossy covers scratches easily
s9.jpg

My Review of the Hidizs S9 Pro+ Martha (89.00 MSRP) review has been the works for quite some time now. But goals sometime shift when the weather...
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littlenezt

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: +Sound Quality
+Bluetooth
+Size
+Build
+Technicality
+Features
+Can Get Pretty Loud
Cons: -No Balanced TRS In
-Parametric EQ Only Works on Bluetooth Mode
FIIO SP3 BT (Bluetooth)
3.5” Carbon Woofer + 1" Silk Tweeter
$350

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Before I even start this review, let me thank FIIO for sending the SP3...
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o0genesis0o

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: + Unique design
+ Structural integrity of the device
+ System-wide EQs
+ DSP plugin systems
+ Android 12 with system-wide bit-perfect output
+ Good amplification
+ Price
Cons: + Soundstage is rather flat with PCM content
+ Rather noisy with hyper-sensitive IEMs
+ Screen is quite dim when using outdoor
Do MP3 players (sorry, Digital Audio Player - DAP) have a place in 2024?

To me, the concept of DAP, especially in an age where smartphones are pervasive, has always been bourgeois and thus...
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o0genesis0o
o0genesis0o
@InvisibleInk you are totally right! Let me fix that. I also felt weird why it has 9 rather than 10 band.

Only engineers (aka geek) label from 0 rather than 1 😂
Redcarmoose
Redcarmoose
@Leonarfd,
Have you had their chocolate and meatballs? Not together, I mean separately!
Leonarfd
Leonarfd
@Redcarmoose the meatballs many times, can eat some food while wife look at stuff to buy 😁

jeromeoflaherty

New Head-Fier
Pros: Can be bought for as little as €80
Excellent sound signature
Very solid build quality
Detachable cable
Cons: A bit heavy compared to its competitors
Bass distortion is a bit higher than I would like
The updated version of the Fidelio X2 is an excellent headphone

Before I start this review, I will admit I probably had the wrong opinion about the Fidelio X2HR - it was...
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marekm
marekm
Cheapest vacuum cleaner money can buy :beyersmile:

Even your photos show how the pads attract lint and other dirt 👎
jeromeoflaherty
jeromeoflaherty
:slight_smile: The cat got a bit close to them and my DT770 Pro as I had left them in the couch

BonGoBiLai

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: 1. Impeccable timbre
2. Crystalline from top to bottom
3. Zero fatigue. Can listen to them all day long and never get bored.
4. Flawless build and beauty
5. BALANCED
Cons: None that I can think of

Craft Ears is a very young Polish boutique brand founded in 2019 by Mr. Jędrzej, also known to his friends and family as Jed. Alongside his passion and lifelong for achieving the...
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aaf evo
aaf evo
Great review! I am a huge fan of the Omnium and opted to buy them as a CIEM for myself after owning them in universal. However, if you are going to use my measurements for your content I would appreciate being credited for them.
BonGoBiLai
BonGoBiLai
@aaf evo many thanks. Sorry my bad, I have edited the review and credited your measurement :D

BonGoBiLai

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: 1. The usual FlipEars timbre and coherence, which is incredible
2. Monstrous bass
3. Lush, beautiful midrange.
4. Top-notch technical performance
5. Extremely smooth and non-offensive without being boring
6. Flawless beauty, superb comfort
Cons: No tuning switches this time, unlike the Aether and Artha
channels4_profile.jpg
FlipEars is a high-end boutique IEM manufacturer from the Philippines with over a decade...
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BRH0
BRH0
Man…looks like I gotta pick the Aurora now…thanks! Haha

SherryLion

New Head-Fier
Pros: 1. Muscial and warm sounding
2. Well-balanced and resolving presentation
3. Smooth and tonally pleasant treble
4. Rich and full-bodied mid-range
5. Authoritative and powerful bass response.
Cons: 1. The shells and nozzles are a bit too big

BonGoBiLai

100+ Head-Fier
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noplsestar

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: + exceptional sound
+ impeccable build quality
+ great looks (red!)
+ pliable
Cons: - works only in one direction (not a big problem after all)
- price
This is my review of the Lavricables REFERENCE SILVER USB-C OTG INTERCONNECT CABLE that Lavricables sent me in exchange for my honest opinion.

For starters: I always heard differences...
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Trance_Gott

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Amazing technical features
Ultra-clean sound
Very coherent tuning
Best treble range I know of
Very fast and punchy DD bass range
Above-average large and airy stage imaging
Absolutely fantastic workmanship and one of the most beautiful IEMs
Cons: Nothing
The Gaia is one of the flagship IEMs from the South Korean manufacturer AME Custom (Acoustic Mastered Engineering). Together with the Raven model, the Gaia represents the top class of multi-year...
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Marijn Riz

New Head-Fier
Following are my thoughts, after listening to the Jomo Audio Gran Tourer GT600 for a few days. The GT600 Gran Tourer Universal IEM is packed with 2 hybrid Dynamic Drive, 6 Balanced Armatures...
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Erkil
Erkil
Lovely! 😄
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