Audio Equipment Thread (Headphones/Microphones/Speakers, etc.) • Page 9

I ended up just going with the Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 and the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Maybe I'll go big on headphones one day if I have to go back to the office more than I do now, but I just dropped way too much money on my desk setup (added a Kanto Sub8 and switched amps to the WiiM amp to go along with my KEF Q150s) so I need to cool it.

 

Alright so my mind is kind of blown by how good $25 headphones can sound. These literally sound just as good as name brand headphones in the $200-400 range.

 

Just tried a pair of Porta Pros and for the price I am quite impressed. Love the design, too.

 

Used to love my Porta Pros, so awesome

 

I am an absolute fool since I made this post. I now have 8 IEMs I've tested across the different genres I like.

 

@gauzestromboli, you'd probably get more responses in here about DAPs. I was about to make my own post about it.

Since I made my last post I started looking into a DAP (digital audio player, formerly known as mp3 player or iPod) that supports streaming for a couple reasons. 1) wear and tear on my USB-C port on my iPhone, and battery life draining quickly, and B) potential for improved sound quality, and C) ability to store FLAC files on streaming services offline without filling up my phone. I didn't have a ton of requirements, other than good measurements and ability to do local files and streaming services.

Lucky me, HiBy had just announced the R4. It checks off all my boxes for $250, which, if you do much research in this space, is really cheap for an Android based DAP. Preorders went up today and I immediately snagged one.

HiBy R4 – HiBy | Make Music More Musical



It was an added bonus that it was clearly Evangelion inspired, which was a guilty pleasure for me recently. Went with the green and silver one.

 

Hey thanks! It looks so cool!

 

Also, for anyone who didn't see, this was the post in question:

 

Got my HiBy R4 in the mail yesterday. Been having tons of fun loading music up and playing with settings, mostly EQs for headphones/IEMs. Mostly testing with my Kiwi Ears Cadenza IEMs and Koss Porta Pros with Yaxi ear pads.

 

So, how do these work? Do you have to load music on manually or can you load on any Android available streaming service and either stream from wifi or download to it?

 

You can download any app from the google play store. Basically a phone, but stripped of all the cell capabilities, with a focus on the audio components. My use case is some albums I have locally in FLAC format, as well as using Qobuz for lossless and hi res streaming, and having plenty of storage because it takes micro SD up to 1.5TB. I also don’t have to worry about using adapters to plug headphones into my phone, and due to the amplification options in this, it can drive headphones that require more power without requiring a separate amp.

 

Yeah honestly I fucking despise Bluetooth ear buds but I also despise not being able to charge my phone while listening to music if I use a dongle so one of those things would come in handy

 

Yeah, I get nervous of BT ear buds falling out, although my Pixel buds seems to be alright. Love my Bluetooth over ear headphones though.

 

It’s not so much falling out I hate but the entire concept, having to charge my headphones and make sure they have enough charge to use for x amount of time, connection issues etc. I’ve got a pair of raycons that are about 3 years old and they’re starting to cut in and out unless I hold my phone next to the case while they’re in my ears which is so weird. It’s just a massively inconvenient technology that never should’ve become the norm

 

Does any one else have a Sonos system that went to absolute shit with the new app launch?

 

I’ve heard it’s universally panned, so you are definitely not alone.

 

Yeah I did a quick Twitter and Reddit search and holy shit it’s so bad for everyone. Literally can’t even really use it.

 

ISO bluetooth gym earbuds for $100-150 if anyone has any good recs. I've been rocking Jaybird Vistas for a couple years but they're starting to fall apart on me and the company is pretty much dead since being bought out by Logitech.

Mostly care about comfort/fit so I dont have to readjust them all the time, god forbid a bud falls out on me mid-squat. Anything with decent EQ control is a plus. I've looked at few so far like the Nothing Ear (a), Jabra 4 actives, Sennheiser Sport and some others but there's so many options now that its hard to know what's actually good or what companies to flat out avoid.

 

I have the Earfun Free Pro 2. They’re pretty great. Version 3 is out now and adds EQ options. Maybe do a test drive of those through Amazon before opting for a more expensive pair.

 

I am so far off the deep end with this hobby right now. I sold my active KEF LSX II, moved my older setup of the SMSL SA300 And KEF Q150 back to the desk, and used the extra money to invest in an over ear headphone setup. I went with the HifiMan Sundara and the iFi Zen DAC v3. My signal chain is Tidal on my Mac Mini > Zen > RCA ports on SMSL > Q150. I’m also using IEMs some too, and my favorites so far have been the Truthear Hexa with my aforementioned R4, and the Zero 2 used with a KZ AZ09 Bluetooth adapter for listening on the go with my phone. Still using Sony WH1000XM4 for work meetings, and the Koss Porta Pros with Yaxi ear pads for any listening I’m doing on my work computer, like classes/training/etc.

 

ended up doing a bunch of research on earbuds from like $100 to $300 and ended up finding the Jabra 8s as the best value for my money ($200). Seem to be rated pretty high in terms of sound quality and anc which is a new feature for me. They also have a crazy high ip68 rating which is even better than the more expensive sports buds I looked at, even jabras top of the line earbuds dont match that. My jaybirds were basically waterproof with an ipX7 rating so in theory these new ones should hold up even better over time since they're rated for dust too. We will see though. It'll all come down to the fit once they're in hand.

 

I mentioned selling my speakers on my previous post, and stealing my KEF Q150s for my desk, which had me hunting for the next living room speakers. I found these Triangle Borea BR03 for $200 on Amazon when they normally retail for $350. I paid the price though, box was in terrible shape, one tweeter was pushed in (I was able to get it back out) and there are a couple places in the corners where it shows a little wear, but I doubt anything in the ~$200 range could come close to the performance here.

They are BIG. 6.5” woofer. Pretty sure the wife is gonna make me put them on stands to the side.

 

I got AirPods Pro 2 yesterday. I had previously tried the first gen in the fall of '21 and was underwhelmed from a sound standpoint and the fit wasn't right. Got them again mostly for the convenience, not expecting the sound to be better, but uhhhh, it's really freaking good now? and all the other features are incredibly convenient and work well. Making me have a lot of thoughts on my wired headphones I have, especially IEMs.

 

Anyone have any experience with the JDS Lab Element III? I'm considering upgrading from the iFi Zen Dac v2 for my 109 Pros.

Full disclosure: it's almost, but not entirely, because I really want the goddamn RESIN KNOB

 

Curious what you are wanting out of an upgrade. I have the Zen DAC v3 and have been enjoying it. That one seems expensive for not having a balanced option.