The final showdown in my <100$ chifi shootoutSubmitted by [deleted] t3_zmyh12 in headphones
[deleted] OP t1_j0dx0te wrote
So over the last week, I've been testing some of the more popular budget chifi IEMs. The full list is:
KZ ZSN
KZ ZSN PRO X
KZ DQ6
KZ x HBB DQ6S
KZ PR1
KZ ZEX
BLON BL03
Moondrop Chu
Moondrop Aria
Kiwi Ears Cadenza
CCA CRA+
CCA PLA13
And I already had:
Salnotes 7Hz Zero
TRN V90
Shure SE215
Etymotic ER2XR
I'm still organizing my thoughts on all of them, and will be happy to comment on particular comparisons, though I'm not sure how deep I'd like to dive on each one.
I listened to each pair of IEMs on both my computer audio setup, with a Presonus VSL22 DAC, Xduoo TA-26 Class A tube preamp, and Schiit Magni 3+ Headphone amp. My sources were Tidal, Spotify Premium, and my own library of CD's ripped to FLAC. I also used my Pixel 6 with Apple dongle.
For EQ, I used Peace APO. I used the same pair of medium Spinfit tips on all IEMs, except the SE215 and ER2XR, which don't fit.
Ultimately, 75% of the IEMs I tried were either not an improvement from 7Hz Zero's, technically. From unfixable bass boosts on the BLON, CRA+, and to an extent, the DQ6.
The ones I did like were the Kiwi Ears Cadenzas, CCA PLA13, and KZ PR1. All three easily beat my 7hz Zero's.
If I could trade my Zero's for Cadenzas, I would personally be perfectly satisfied with that as a best under 70$ option.
For twice the price of the Cadenzas, the CCA PLA13's were the only IEM's to truly surprise me. Out of the box, they are tuned nicely, aside from some high treble that, while being very forward, somehow doesn't sound as offensive as it should.
The KZ PR1's were very very similar to the PLA13's, and it took a few hours of listening to each before I decided that the slight differences in things like soundstage (points to PR1) or detail (points to PLA13), were minimal enough that I didn't find a preference for one over the other, and furthermore, with how both respond to EQ, they can perform closely enough that you're not missing anything by choosing one over the other.
Aside from their more V-shaped fun tuning though, neither planar IEM was as good as my Etymotic ER2XR.
My next goal is to compare some higher end IEMs, with the goal of upgrading from the Ety's.
Wolfhawk_46 t1_j0ee1c0 wrote
Having tried several of these, and having just gotten the Truthear HEXA, you really need to check those out.
[deleted] OP t1_j0eh5gc wrote
You're not the first to recommend them, I'll take a look
Brymlo t1_j0encoq wrote
What do the Cadenzas do better than the Zeros?
The thing that bugs me the most from the Zeros is their weak bass response on some tracks. I somewhat fixed that with some narrow-opening eartips (I use the oval ones from the Klipsch S4) and taping the front vent with clear tape. Have you tried that with your zeros? If so, how they compare with those fixes to the cadenzas? Been eyeing them, but idk if they are really a big upgrade.
omenOfperdition t1_j0f03vx wrote
I'm a bit curious about what OP has to say about this, but I also own both the Cadenzas and the 7Hz Zeros, and I personally like the Cadenzas more. The overall sound is more rich and "fun" in my experience, while the Zeros come off a bit too neutral for me. After listening to a few tracks by Roosevelt (synth pop stuff), the Zeros have very nice upper clarity, but I would agree with you on the bass response holding them back a bit. I feel like I like the Zeros for the vocal side of things, and the Cadenzas for the rhythm/bass side of things.
Not sure if I'd say the differences are big enough for the Cadenzas to be a considerable upgrade though. They both sound great to me, but after typing all of this up, I'm keeping the Cadenzas in my ears.
Unneverseen t1_j0fyt6q wrote
You forgot tanchjim zero and tangzu wan'er sg
Isekai-Enthousiast t1_j0fm8j9 wrote
Doubt I'll need an upgrade for my Ety's any time soon honestly, what makes you want to upgrade?
[deleted] OP t1_j0glzzz wrote
Purely wondering how much better an IEM can sound. Out of my over-ears, IEMs, and actual speakers, the Etymotics are the lowest performing.
danegraphics t1_j0ffed3 wrote
Thoughts on the Aria’s and Chu’s?
[deleted] OP t1_j0fgd5p wrote
Not that impressed. I would have maybe thought about keeping the chus as cheapies, but non-removable tiny cable and bad fit for my ears made returning them an easy choice.
Didn't do anything for me that a 20$ KZ can't.
And tbh, the 'brand new' Arias showed up as a tangled mess of bent cable, and absolutely loaded with earwax. I threw them back in the box and had my refund less than 2 hours later.
I'll try blessing2's some time.
danegraphics t1_j0gclz7 wrote
Wax?? Bruh, where did you get them from so I can avoid that store?
[deleted] OP t1_j0glnya wrote
Shenzhen Audio, amazon storefront.
Just look at all the reviews who ALSO ordered brand new IEMs from them, and got a nasty used pair covered in human filth.
danegraphics t1_j0h1ouw wrote
Bruh what the heck? That’s where I got both my Aria’s and my Chu’s. They came totally new totally clean.
Then again, Amazon has recently been known to mix up their stock more and more; returns, scams, and genuine product all treated as if it’s the same thing. But I can’t find the reviews you’re talking about. Maybe they got deleted?
That sucks man. Sad that happened to you.
[deleted] OP t1_j0hgod3 wrote
Looks like Amazon has officially taken the blame, filter by 1-star reviews only.
danegraphics t1_j0j2lqh wrote
Interesting. Well, I’m always okay to exchange until I get new ones.
But for now, I love the one’s I’ve got.
[deleted] OP t1_j0jty2b wrote
I spent (temporarily) 550$ and a week of my time to discover the same thing essentially.
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