Submitted by slooploop2 t3_127mj4h in headphones
Comments
jaywalker108 t1_jefv4pr wrote
If there are good and affordable options, it's always a good idea to support local (or close-by) products and manufacturers.
slooploop2 OP t1_jeeq8lg wrote
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite can been seen as “just another neutral-ish” IEM in the market, but taking a step back, it’s a marvel that we have so many options for so many people to get pretty good sound. The Orchestra Lite doesn’t break any ground and has flaws, but it’s hard to complain too much for the money. What flaws does the Orchestra Lite have? Read here.
No_Analysis6187 t1_jeezr4s wrote
Wow I haven't seen ALO amp and anything Cypher Labs in a long time, nice setup you got there.
slooploop2 OP t1_jef7ln1 wrote
Thanks!
mmry404 t1_jef3uqi wrote
Damn, that's quite a setup you got there! Can you tell more about it please?
slooploop2 OP t1_jef7khn wrote
The picture, sadly, is mostly for show. I couldn’t get the iPod to turn on but the point of the Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Solo was to bypass the internal iPod DAC to use the AlgoRhythm’s DAC or, even better, use an external DAC connected via coax. It’s hugely nervosa and the internal DAC doesn’t sound very good. The amp is an ALO Continental V2, which uses a mini tube. It seems to emphasize overtones in an interesting way but isn’t very resolving. Both these are about 12 years old by now which is ancient for portable equipment. My Q7 is definitely more competent.
mmry404 t1_jef9r4g wrote
Whew, never seen that Q7 thing before, it sure does look like a beast. Do you strap it to your phone too? I was thinking about a similar setup, but I'm concerned with the cables, being usb on one side and headphones on the other, like, how can such a setup be pocketable with cables on either side?
slooploop2 OP t1_jeferv5 wrote
Yup, connects to my phone with angled USB-C cables.
It’s not…really pocketable. It’s quite heavy so it’s more crossbody bag-able. I haven’t used it for day to day IEM use but it’ll be nice on a plane or hotel room.
mmry404 t1_jeffe78 wrote
I see, what do you use for day do day IEM use then?
slooploop2 OP t1_jefg772 wrote
AirPod Pros lol
My work commute is a mile walking to the subway and a 15 minute subway ride twice a week at most. I love the Subtonic STORM and Letshuoer Cadenza but spending that much money for…two hours of use a week that I can barely appreciate hasn’t been something I can justify. I bought the Q7 in preparation for more IEM reviews and general lazy use since I think I’m done with my headphone and speaker chains for the foreseeable future.
VizFlux t1_jeet4ts wrote
"Fast forward...a few years and we've reached the point where we've actually reached the point where we can argue we have too many options."
I relate to this so much. It feels like with the in-ear market, the options available are overwhelming. The way I used to narrow the products down was by frequency response graphs vaguely adhering to some target. Eventually, it felt like every other in-ear I was considering was measuring somewhat close to IEF neutral, to the point where I couldn't narrow down options any further than the selection available in one weekend's CanJam visits.