Description
Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM - Discover Unparalleled Audio
Unleash the true potential of your music with the Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM. This cutting-edge in-ear monitor utilizes 4 distinct driver types - a DLC dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature drivers, a planar magnetic driver, and a piezoelectric bone conductor - to deliver high-resolution audio like never before.
Introducing MPT (Micro Planar Transducers), a revolutionary planar tweeter system that enhances audio resolution and texture, providing sustained frequencies from 4kHz to 40kHz with natural tonal integration.
At Kiwi Ears, our relentless pursuit of extraordinary audio reproduction drives us to create the perfect blend of technological innovation and refined tuning strategies. Our handcrafted IEMs are designed with musicians and studio engineers in mind, ensuring you experience every nuance in your music and performance.
Experience Unrivaled Sound - 4 Driver Types, 5 Drivers per Side
The Kiwi Ears Quintet boasts 4 driver types - DLC dynamic driver, balanced armature (BA) drivers, planar magnetic driver, and piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. With 5 drivers per ear, the Quintet delivers studio-quality audio, including impactful bass, resolving mids, and detailed treble.
Revolutionary Planar Tweeter System - MPT Drivers
The Quintet introduces MPT (Micro Planar Transducers) - a breakthrough in IEM technology. With extremely low noise and high output, these planar magnetic drivers deliver crisp and detailed treble, elevating your listening experience.
Ultimate Ultra-Treble Performance - Kiwi Ears MPT Drivers
Our MPT drivers solve the challenge of achieving high-quality ultra-treble. With an impressive output of 118dB and frequencies from 4kHz to 40kHz, the MPT drivers provide exceptional tonal texture and seamless integration, unlike traditional BA or EST drivers.
Perfectly Balanced Signature Sound
Kiwi Ears Quintet offers a meticulously balanced tone, combining the best qualities of each driver type. The result is a natural and clean sound with impactful bass, neutral upper mids, and sparkling treble, all contributing to an airy atmosphere and expansive soundstage.
Crafted with Precision
Each Quintet unit is meticulously handcrafted, tested, and paired to ensure consistent sound quality for an immersive listening experience.
Convenient and Customizable
The Quintet features a removable 2-pin connector system, allowing compatibility with any other 2-pin cable. It comes with a high-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper cable for noise-free audio transmission.
Unleash the potential of your music with Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM - where innovation meets uncompromising sound quality.
Model:Kiwi Ears Quintet
Driver: 10mm DLC Dynamic + PZT +2BA + +1 Planar Driver
Sensitivty: 106dB (at 1KHz/mW)
THD:<0.5% (at 1KHz)
Rated Power: 5mW (Mini)/10mW(Max)
Frequency Response: 20-30KHz
Connector: Detachable 0.78mm 2Pin
Plug:3.5mm
Impedance: 32ohm
Microphone: No
Warranty Period: 1 Year
In the Box
1U Quintet In-Ear Monitors
1U High-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper cable
6 Pairs of Silicone Ear-tips
1U Carrying Case
Warranty Period: 1 Year from the date of Invoice
Covered: Manufacturing Defects Only
Warranty Form: https://www.theaudiostore.in/pages/warranty-claim-form Cable: 1-month warranty only for manufacturing defects only
Kiwi Ears is a company that creates professional In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) for musicians and studio engineers. They are committed to producing the finest IEMs by blending technological innovations with refined tuning strategies. With a small team of dedicated engineers, each unit is handcrafted to ensure an extraordinary audio reproduction that reveals every nuance in your music and performance. Kiwi Ears' pursuit of perfection means that you can worry less about what's in your ears and focus more on the sounds you are making.
First of all many thanks to Pritam for recommending these to me. I actually gave him a lot of option to choose from like the Aful performer 5 and 8, Blessing 3, Kiwi Orchestra Lite and the Timeless. He asked a lot of questions about my preference and the gear I use before settling on these.
You can read his review on the Quintet as its on point.
Now we audiophiles come in all shapes and sizes, we have the bassheads, trebleheads, vocal enthusiasts, details and resolution freak and some like to have a very big soundstage. And then there's me who would like to have a bit of everything and that has been difficult till now as we would always have to sacrifice one thing or the other even in IEMS surpassing the 1 lakh price, well not anymore.
Let me describe the sound to you, well atleast I will try
Bass- The bass is detailed and plentiful and digs very very deep, like I am able to hear frequencies that were unknown till now. though its nowhere basshead levels of bass but I was never left wanting more. The bass is very punchy and slams decently hard, theres a good physicality to the bass though it decays a bit slower than a pure planar set like the S12 pro which in my books makes it a bit more natural sounding.
Vocals/mids - Both male and female vocals sounds excellent and correct. It doesn't force the vocals to be upfront in the music rather it depicts where they are supposed to be. In some tracks the vocalist will be upfront in your face and in some they will be a bit far away and in some tracks you would be able to visualize them moving closer and far away with the music. The vocals doesn't sound lean or thin or emotionless as some have reported though I guess its obviously not upfront like some vocal forward IEMs could be. Again I was not left wanting more.
Treble- The treble response is very very smooth, it rarely gets sibilant and only on poorly mastered tracks or something that has sibilance baked into it, otherwise I found it pretty forgiving. It is very airy and that lends to a very big soundstage.
Resolution and Details- The resolution and details that is offered here can only be rivaled by the TOTLs, I am not saying its better than something like the Elysian Annhilator or the ThieAudio Monarch Mark 2 or 3 or maybe it is, but I think that this is at the level of B3 or the Variations atleast. Its transparent and throws so much details at your face that I often feel overwhelmed on complex tracks.
Soundstage, Imaging and Instrument Separation- The soundstage is huge, its very wide and the sound is presented in such a way that you will feel like you are on the stage with the musicians, which is unique to say the least. Instruments are well separated and you can pinpoint where each instrument is. It feels like each instrument/notes are presented in their own bubble and they are all interacting with each other to produce music. I find the experience divine.
Tonality/Timbre - Its natural and correct, thats all I can say, I didn't find it metallic and neither artificial, its like the truthear hexa with a bit more energy which makes it more engaging and fun to listen to it.
Since this is a mishmash four different drivers and the more controversial PZT driver many are worried if the IEM is coherent or not and let me tell you that you won't be able to detect the individual drivers.... like at all.
Coming to some of the nit picks and tips that I have.
1) Burn in is a thing on this IEM. I personally don't believe in burn in but it did sound better after 12 hours that I left it playing random music.
2) Tip rolling is required. This IEM is very ear tip sensitive. The eartip that worked out for me were the KZ star tip. My review is based on those only. Without proper ear tip and a proper seal the bass will feel hollow and insufficient and yes you will feel the infamous piezo zing in all its glory.
3) Deep insertion is a must. The nozzle on this IEM is long that means you have to insert them deep not deep like the etymotics but still a bit deep for the optimal sonic performance.
4) The packaging is a bit too spartan for the 20K that I spent. Anyways won't complain too much I guess.
5) Get a decent DAC to power them, I would suggest something that will also give you the option for a balanced terminal like the Moondrop Dawn Pro or the FiiO KA1
In the end remember that the audiophile hobby is a very subjective one and what I may love you may not. For me this is truly an endgame IEM, but for you it maybe not but all I can say is that this an exceptionally affordable quad-brid and if you own TOTLs you can also consider adding this to your arsenal. If you are someone new in this hobby and you like a balanced tuning and haven't spent too much money in anything else I will suggest saving up and getting these.
Thanks to the audio store team and Pritam for bringing such exceptional IEMs in our life.
Thanks for the review! The Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM definitely has a lot of potential as an end game IEM.
Quintet is the first IEM I have tried from Kiwi ears. Coming from Hexa I was looking for something with better bass in both quality and quantity, a bit more presence in upper mids and an even more extended treble. Heard Aful P5 - too laid back, Moondrop B3 - Bass was unengaging, and then Quintet - Almost faultless. Quintet is the only IEM that has sounded so complete and perfect ever since I got into this hobby, nothing to complain about even If I try, maybe a bit of sibilance but that subsided quickly once I got used to these. The bass is well-defined and powerful, still doesn't bleed into mids AT ALL despite being there in a decent amount. The mids are very slightly warm and very clean, with spades of detail to be found here. Treble is smooth and airy, just the perfect amount not too much not too less, treading a fine line for treble-sensitive folks like me. The sibilance even when it occurs doesn't sound distracting for some reason like it does on other sets, it has presence but is not grating, you know it's there but it never becomes the focus, the music just keeps you involved enough to not notice it. Everything is rendered with precise pinpoint imaging, with unreal crispness to note edges. Vocals are extremely detailed and lush though at times can sound a bit distant(very rarely). The soundstage is decently big, but here's the only place I'd say B3 edges out Quintet. All in all, I don't remember the last time I was this engrossed in listening to music. Quintet just makes me want to go through my entire library again picking up tracks I might have forgotten to see if they come back to life with this amazing set.
Thanks for writing this review!
Description
Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM - Discover Unparalleled Audio
Unleash the true potential of your music with the Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM. This cutting-edge in-ear monitor utilizes 4 distinct driver types - a DLC dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature drivers, a planar magnetic driver, and a piezoelectric bone conductor - to deliver high-resolution audio like never before.
Introducing MPT (Micro Planar Transducers), a revolutionary planar tweeter system that enhances audio resolution and texture, providing sustained frequencies from 4kHz to 40kHz with natural tonal integration.
At Kiwi Ears, our relentless pursuit of extraordinary audio reproduction drives us to create the perfect blend of technological innovation and refined tuning strategies. Our handcrafted IEMs are designed with musicians and studio engineers in mind, ensuring you experience every nuance in your music and performance.
Experience Unrivaled Sound - 4 Driver Types, 5 Drivers per Side
The Kiwi Ears Quintet boasts 4 driver types - DLC dynamic driver, balanced armature (BA) drivers, planar magnetic driver, and piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. With 5 drivers per ear, the Quintet delivers studio-quality audio, including impactful bass, resolving mids, and detailed treble.
Revolutionary Planar Tweeter System - MPT Drivers
The Quintet introduces MPT (Micro Planar Transducers) - a breakthrough in IEM technology. With extremely low noise and high output, these planar magnetic drivers deliver crisp and detailed treble, elevating your listening experience.
Ultimate Ultra-Treble Performance - Kiwi Ears MPT Drivers
Our MPT drivers solve the challenge of achieving high-quality ultra-treble. With an impressive output of 118dB and frequencies from 4kHz to 40kHz, the MPT drivers provide exceptional tonal texture and seamless integration, unlike traditional BA or EST drivers.
Perfectly Balanced Signature Sound
Kiwi Ears Quintet offers a meticulously balanced tone, combining the best qualities of each driver type. The result is a natural and clean sound with impactful bass, neutral upper mids, and sparkling treble, all contributing to an airy atmosphere and expansive soundstage.
Crafted with Precision
Each Quintet unit is meticulously handcrafted, tested, and paired to ensure consistent sound quality for an immersive listening experience.
Convenient and Customizable
The Quintet features a removable 2-pin connector system, allowing compatibility with any other 2-pin cable. It comes with a high-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper cable for noise-free audio transmission.
Unleash the potential of your music with Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM - where innovation meets uncompromising sound quality.
Model:Kiwi Ears Quintet
Driver: 10mm DLC Dynamic + PZT +2BA + +1 Planar Driver
Sensitivty: 106dB (at 1KHz/mW)
THD:<0.5% (at 1KHz)
Rated Power: 5mW (Mini)/10mW(Max)
Frequency Response: 20-30KHz
Connector: Detachable 0.78mm 2Pin
Plug:3.5mm
Impedance: 32ohm
Microphone: No
Warranty Period: 1 Year
In the Box
1U Quintet In-Ear Monitors
1U High-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper cable
6 Pairs of Silicone Ear-tips
1U Carrying Case
Warranty Period: 1 Year from the date of Invoice
Covered: Manufacturing Defects Only
Warranty Form: https://www.theaudiostore.in/pages/warranty-claim-form Cable: 1-month warranty only for manufacturing defects only
Kiwi Ears is a company that creates professional In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) for musicians and studio engineers. They are committed to producing the finest IEMs by blending technological innovations with refined tuning strategies. With a small team of dedicated engineers, each unit is handcrafted to ensure an extraordinary audio reproduction that reveals every nuance in your music and performance. Kiwi Ears' pursuit of perfection means that you can worry less about what's in your ears and focus more on the sounds you are making.
First of all many thanks to Pritam for recommending these to me. I actually gave him a lot of option to choose from like the Aful performer 5 and 8, Blessing 3, Kiwi Orchestra Lite and the Timeless. He asked a lot of questions about my preference and the gear I use before settling on these.
You can read his review on the Quintet as its on point.
Now we audiophiles come in all shapes and sizes, we have the bassheads, trebleheads, vocal enthusiasts, details and resolution freak and some like to have a very big soundstage. And then there's me who would like to have a bit of everything and that has been difficult till now as we would always have to sacrifice one thing or the other even in IEMS surpassing the 1 lakh price, well not anymore.
Let me describe the sound to you, well atleast I will try
Bass- The bass is detailed and plentiful and digs very very deep, like I am able to hear frequencies that were unknown till now. though its nowhere basshead levels of bass but I was never left wanting more. The bass is very punchy and slams decently hard, theres a good physicality to the bass though it decays a bit slower than a pure planar set like the S12 pro which in my books makes it a bit more natural sounding.
Vocals/mids - Both male and female vocals sounds excellent and correct. It doesn't force the vocals to be upfront in the music rather it depicts where they are supposed to be. In some tracks the vocalist will be upfront in your face and in some they will be a bit far away and in some tracks you would be able to visualize them moving closer and far away with the music. The vocals doesn't sound lean or thin or emotionless as some have reported though I guess its obviously not upfront like some vocal forward IEMs could be. Again I was not left wanting more.
Treble- The treble response is very very smooth, it rarely gets sibilant and only on poorly mastered tracks or something that has sibilance baked into it, otherwise I found it pretty forgiving. It is very airy and that lends to a very big soundstage.
Resolution and Details- The resolution and details that is offered here can only be rivaled by the TOTLs, I am not saying its better than something like the Elysian Annhilator or the ThieAudio Monarch Mark 2 or 3 or maybe it is, but I think that this is at the level of B3 or the Variations atleast. Its transparent and throws so much details at your face that I often feel overwhelmed on complex tracks.
Soundstage, Imaging and Instrument Separation- The soundstage is huge, its very wide and the sound is presented in such a way that you will feel like you are on the stage with the musicians, which is unique to say the least. Instruments are well separated and you can pinpoint where each instrument is. It feels like each instrument/notes are presented in their own bubble and they are all interacting with each other to produce music. I find the experience divine.
Tonality/Timbre - Its natural and correct, thats all I can say, I didn't find it metallic and neither artificial, its like the truthear hexa with a bit more energy which makes it more engaging and fun to listen to it.
Since this is a mishmash four different drivers and the more controversial PZT driver many are worried if the IEM is coherent or not and let me tell you that you won't be able to detect the individual drivers.... like at all.
Coming to some of the nit picks and tips that I have.
1) Burn in is a thing on this IEM. I personally don't believe in burn in but it did sound better after 12 hours that I left it playing random music.
2) Tip rolling is required. This IEM is very ear tip sensitive. The eartip that worked out for me were the KZ star tip. My review is based on those only. Without proper ear tip and a proper seal the bass will feel hollow and insufficient and yes you will feel the infamous piezo zing in all its glory.
3) Deep insertion is a must. The nozzle on this IEM is long that means you have to insert them deep not deep like the etymotics but still a bit deep for the optimal sonic performance.
4) The packaging is a bit too spartan for the 20K that I spent. Anyways won't complain too much I guess.
5) Get a decent DAC to power them, I would suggest something that will also give you the option for a balanced terminal like the Moondrop Dawn Pro or the FiiO KA1
In the end remember that the audiophile hobby is a very subjective one and what I may love you may not. For me this is truly an endgame IEM, but for you it maybe not but all I can say is that this an exceptionally affordable quad-brid and if you own TOTLs you can also consider adding this to your arsenal. If you are someone new in this hobby and you like a balanced tuning and haven't spent too much money in anything else I will suggest saving up and getting these.
Thanks to the audio store team and Pritam for bringing such exceptional IEMs in our life.
Thanks for the review! The Kiwi Ears Quintet IEM definitely has a lot of potential as an end game IEM.
Quintet is the first IEM I have tried from Kiwi ears. Coming from Hexa I was looking for something with better bass in both quality and quantity, a bit more presence in upper mids and an even more extended treble. Heard Aful P5 - too laid back, Moondrop B3 - Bass was unengaging, and then Quintet - Almost faultless. Quintet is the only IEM that has sounded so complete and perfect ever since I got into this hobby, nothing to complain about even If I try, maybe a bit of sibilance but that subsided quickly once I got used to these. The bass is well-defined and powerful, still doesn't bleed into mids AT ALL despite being there in a decent amount. The mids are very slightly warm and very clean, with spades of detail to be found here. Treble is smooth and airy, just the perfect amount not too much not too less, treading a fine line for treble-sensitive folks like me. The sibilance even when it occurs doesn't sound distracting for some reason like it does on other sets, it has presence but is not grating, you know it's there but it never becomes the focus, the music just keeps you involved enough to not notice it. Everything is rendered with precise pinpoint imaging, with unreal crispness to note edges. Vocals are extremely detailed and lush though at times can sound a bit distant(very rarely). The soundstage is decently big, but here's the only place I'd say B3 edges out Quintet. All in all, I don't remember the last time I was this engrossed in listening to music. Quintet just makes me want to go through my entire library again picking up tracks I might have forgotten to see if they come back to life with this amazing set.
Thanks for writing this review!
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from 3474 reviewsXduoo XD05 Pro. -This chonky bad boi is more fun than finesse, on the default ESS dac & op-amps. It has a somewhat colored sound, in a good way. Emphasis is on sub-bass; mids are beautiful and treble is non-offensive but not rolled-off and certainly not fatiguing in any way. Very enjoyable overall. Explosive dynamics and thundering bass - ideal for genres such as classic rock and EDM. Popular pop songs also sounds awesome. Ability to replace the DAC and the op-amps is a fantastic value proposition. High-quality accessories galore. Quite powerful for driving full-size planars; massive battery. Nifty piece of gear which can be end-game for many not only because of sound quality but also because of its versatility (can change stock DAC to RoHM; AKM; stock op-amps to LME or Sparkos). Go for it!
After much deliberation between hidiz MP 145 and this i went ahead with it...and oh boy !! What should I say...I was right all along ...I mean these are fun IEM, a treat to your ears !! The sub bass and the lush vocals for desi genre music ...one word ..perfect !!!!
Using this since 8 months without any problem. Build is very sturdy. Recommended over wired DAC. I consider this as a long term investment.
I have been using this iem from last 2-3 months. First time I saw this iem from z reviews and after that my craving started.
The first trial was not good because it sounded muddy and suprresd but after 3 days continuous listening I found the real happiness.
This iem really maintains almost all aspects...good sub bass , nice mids and cleaner trable. Good dynamics and separation.
This iem is best in it's price segment and I have never regreted .
Keep in mind that the stock cable is good but with a good silver cable it shines.
Soft bass, high notes is well balanced. Vocals are curated well to bring the right texture of the audio. My 2nd purchase again was KZ as this one houses harman kardon tech which creates the best signature sound in the audio zone. Provided eq options helps to alter the frequency to our needs. And Yes, if i improved in reviewing about audio dynamics, credit goes to THE AUDIO STORE.
One of the best eartips in the market. Purchased it for my Blon BL03. The stock eartips does not fit well. After using these tips, the sound has improved a lot. These tips also provide great isolation. Would recomenned buying these tips. Thanks Audio Store.
Its good. Audio quality is too good after using this Fosi audio Za3 amplifier . It is in good budget also with top quality.
I had owned both the HiFiMan Sundara and the Edition XS few years back - but as with all things audio - started to yearn for a different taste and so moved towards high impedance headphones and tube amplifiers - selling my HiFiMan headphones to buy new gears of interest :-) Recently felt the urge to get back into the planar sound. But didn't want to invest too much to start with - not being sure whether I'd find the experience as enjoyable as the first time. The 400SE fit the bill nicely and I'm glad to report that I've not regretted my decision one bit. Thanks TAS. Greatly enjoying the set. Pairing is critical though - started with the iFi Zen One Signature DAC + iFi Zen Can - but felt something was missing - switched to the Cayin RU6 and immediately got back the exquisite detail and imaging/instrument separation that planars are famous for.
My setup: Thieaudio Monarch MK3, paired with this Sony 707 unit, and music played from Apple Music.
Comparison with: my previous DAC/Amp Jcally AP98, Shanling M6 Ultra
Its been months since I've been using the 700 series portable music player of Sony's and finally got myself up to reviewing it.
So first question: why a DAP? For months, as I was using my AP98 dac/amp connected to my phone to listen to music, I came to realise a very obvious and quite irritating issue: the type-C connector is a nightmare when its wobbling in your pocket. It is not designed to stay tightly fixed. Mainly used for charging and data transfers, I don't think the engineers behind in ever factored the port being used to play music through an amp/dac. And when it is used to play music on-the-go, you'll reach a point when you'll constantly find it getting loose and disconnecting with your device. Especially if you listen to music while doing a lot of walking like I do. There's no point trying to listen to audiophile grade tunes when they are getting constantly disconnected. So, a change had to be made.
For those who don't know, a DAP is a full android environment in itself. Its basically if a phone was designed for one thing, and one thing only: to play music. You can download any android app on it (although it doesn't have a sim card), but you really shouldn't. These things chug a lot of battery to produce the sound that they need to. Slowing them down with other apps is not recommended.
Anyhow, how did this portable music player solve my issue? Well it has the typical 3.5mm audio jack, as well as the 4.4mm balanced output. Connect your IEM/headphone to them directly, and you say goodbye to any "loose" connections. Uninterrupted audiophile sound = happy audiophile.
So how is the device itself? Quite big actually. The length and width is similar to that of your phone, and its much thicker. Will need its own dedicated pocket. I had to do a bit of juggling of my pocket items when I got this, so that might annoy some people. After all pocket spaces are sacred, and this unit is going to force you to change your habit of what goes in which pocket.
So having had my pocket sanctity shredded, there is also another nitpick of how edgy the device is. You could literally use those metal-finished corners as a weapon. Apart from that I'd have also liked the buttons to be a bit more protruding, but thats fine. You don't usually change volume too much anyway.
So those slight negative bits out of the way, the device itself is very nice to hold. Has a gripping pad thingy on the back that makes it very good for my sweaty hands. The display is good, android environment is very operable. Its not your latest gaming mobile phone fast, but much better than old mobile phones.
Okay now that the boring bits are out, lets get to the real thing: Sound!
This is the first sony device that I've used, and now I absolutely get what the "Sony signature" means. Very musical. Very crystal. You'd expect such a signature to be more favouring towards the higher frequencies, but that's not the case. The device is actually slightly on the warmer side, but you can almost miss it because of how neutral the signature is.
Thanks to the Audio Store I've had the opportunity to try out lot of dac/amps & even DAPs, and this has without a doubt been the most neutral sounding unit I remember.
The resolution is brilliant. I mainly use the Monarch MK3s which are already known to be extremely detailed, but only after using this DAP did I feel that I was really starting to reveal the potential of the MK3s. In this department, its hands down better than the Shanling M6 & my old AP98.
The amplification might not be up to everybody's taste, even though this unit DOES have the High Gain option. You might have to turn the volume really up if you have something with very high impedance. Mainly talking about IEMs though, it should be able to play anything.
Where I feel that this player slightly lacks is the richness of sound. Sony has a very clear, detailed sound, but it can sound somewhat leaner, especially when compared to Shanling M6. Especially for someone like me who mostly listens to instrumental soundtracks. Even the little AP98 with high gain, and connected to a computer has a more voluminous sound. It is why I almost ended up picking the Shanling, but immense thanks to The Audio Store for letting me try the M6 unit for an entire day, after which I quickly realised that it was too bassy for me.
Overall I'm extremely happy with the purchase though. This is something I know I'll value for a very long time, even after I maybe try some other DAPs, because of how balanced the sound is. Sony's signature has grown on me, and I'm certain that some songs will only sound good to me now with this tuning.
Once again, big, big thanks to the Audio Store team for being patient & giving great advice for me to make the right decision.
My sound preference- I like a balanced, musical, natural, and fun sound. I dislike a basshead sound as well as a neutral, dry, and clinical sound. I absolutely hate peaky, spicy, and treble-intense sound; cannot stand it for more than 10 seconds. I own a wide range of IEMs like 64 Audio Trio, Final A8000, ThieAudio Monarch MKII, 7Hz Salnotes Zero (v1), and many more in between.
Opening notes: I burned in the P1 Plus for about 8-10 hours and found that the sound (especially the treble) settled well after that. The overall sound became more balanced and mature without losing its planar flavor.
Tin HiFi packaging and unboxing is very simple and classy (less is more). The case that comes in the box is especially beautiful. The P1 Plus is a very very small IEM with a very very big sound! It is so small that I can comfortably use it while laying down on my side. There's no weight or pressure build-up even after 4-5 hours of continuous listening. I forget it's in my ear.
Chain: OnePlus 7 Pro -- iFi Hip Dac v1 -- Kinera Leyding cable 4.4 mm -- Tin Hifi P1 Plus -- SpinFit CP-100 ear tips.
The Chain mentioned above is pure bliss! This is as close to a reference, uncolored, and yet musical planar sound that one can get. Seriously, you need to hear this chain to believe how good it is! I was floored the moment I heard it and have been listening to it continuously since the past 3 days now. 'Pure planar sound' is the theme and this chain continuously reminds me of my Hifiman Ananda. The male and female vocals take a slightly forward center stage with a lovely body to them, the bass is very present, wonderfully pleasant, full-bodied, controlled, and yet it is decidedly fast and planar. It is more mid-bass focussed. The treble and air are to be heard to be believed. Every sound, supporting vocal, and squeak is heard. There is no sibilance and listening fatigue whatsoever on this chain (I know that all the reviews say the P1 Plus has a lean sound and is sibilant). The imaging is superb as is the layering. The Soundstage is very deep and wide. Instrument sounds are heard all over the area between far left to far right with good perceived depth. You absolutely must listen to this chain.
Additional notes: I strongly recommend upgrading to a good 4.4 mm balanced cable (not very expensive or anything but a good one; e.g. Kinera Leyding) and the 'SpinFit CP-100' or the 'Moondrop Spring Tips' ear tips to realize the true value of the P1 Plus. With the Spring Tips - you can go a size up. I usually use M size with all my ear tips but with Moondrop Sping Tips and this IEM, I use L and find it more comfortable while giving a better seal.
Many thanks to Pritam for recommending these to me. They're an invaluable part of my IEM collection.
Perfectly balanced, awesomely sounding earphones.
Mid-Bass and Vocal centric.
Sub-bass is clear.
Treble is not too sharp but sounds good.
Conclusion: More value for less money.
These eartips are better than the stock eartips provided by v16 divinity, comfortable fit , better isolation & clarity, recommended
I have been using this sweet device for a month & let me tell you, it is eye-opening. The learning curve has been rather steep for me since this this is my first real DAC. This is like learning to drive for the first time but you only have a V12 Ferrari. This flagship has 2 types of Amplifiers, A & AB. I have left it on A because it sounds most natural. This device is heavy, almost twice as heavy as a high end mobile, so it is not something ultra-portable. The form factor of this is like a big mobile & twice as thick. What is amazing is that for the features & quality it has, should not be possible in such a form factor. It should have been the size of a big CD player of old, but it is tiny for its features. That tells me technology has come a LOOONG way for the audiophile from the days of Vinyl & tape, then CD, now DAC. I play it via computers, Bluetooth receivers & standalone through Blessing 3 IEM. The journey of the modern audiophile has begun, for me. I still have CD & Vinyl & tapes of old & new artists. The Hiby R8 II adds yet another dimension to this.
KZ ZSN PRO 2 are excellent value for money option for audiophiles. They are very good looking , have amazing build quality and the audio quality is extremely good.
I own zsn pro x nd castor bass version. To me zsn pro 2 is definitely more refined nd more clean sounding IEM. Just at the price of 1800 it offers insane value. I was blown away by the audio quality it offers at this price point. Definitely worth it.
Pros:
It's ridiculous price.
Great resolution.. audio quality is top notch.
Superb bass with control nd also the thump.
Wider soundstage (atleast to me) when compared to zsn pro x nd castor bass version.
Midrange is good nd more than enough.
Sparkly treble with great extension.
Technically competent.
Cons:
A bit of sibilant I feel (not an issue when you connect to a warmer DAC)
Some may experience fatiguing.
Build quality is good but the cable is
Last but not least.. it has a little BA timbre which some may feel not an organic sounding so it is not for the purists (but it's not a deal breaker by any means).. it's still a very musical nd enjoyable set.