Sony WH-1000XM5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones

DAC with independent AMP chip
Enhances audio clarity and detail

KZ AM01 is a solid choice for anyone seeking an affordable, portable DAC that significantly improves audio quality across various devices.

Pros
bass is well-controlled with a focus on mid-bass
mids are smooth and natural
treble is safe and smooth, avoiding harshness, but it lacks brightness and detail

Cons
Missing spare filters in my package

Tanchjim Tanya is a solid choice for those seeking a laid-back and smooth listening experience at an affordable price.

enhance soundstage and clarity, making it a valuable upgrade for IEMs

compact and Portable carry case

I am in this hobby for years and I think I have got the perfect stopping point.
Some of my previous mid fi iems include
Truthear Hexa
Etymotic ER2XR
Letshuoer S12
Kiwi Ears Quintet and many others.
BTW I consider the samsung galaxy bus 2 pro a audiophile grade mid fi IEM
My favorite among these are the Quintets followed by the Samsung buds and then the etys
The Quintets had a few flaws namely they can sometimes be sibilant with poorly recorded music, most of not so famous JPop artists and it has a recessed mid bass so kick drums and stuff were not that satisfying but in terms of detail retrieval, staging and imaging it was top notch.
The pilgrim fixes all the negatives and retains the positives of the Quintets.
My only issue with the pilgrim is that the chrome finish is chipping off within a few minutes otherwise I love them. Oh and it has a big fat nozzle 5.9 mm to be exact and so I had to tip roll quite a bit and settled on the Final E tips.
Now lets come to the sound qualities:
Bass : The bass is amongst the best I have heard till date. It has good physicality and the rumble and growl is just unreal. Bass details shines through and has a very natural feel to it. It is a sublime experience.
Vocals: To me personally it feels a bit recessed, but it is also quite natural and hardly gets sibilant or honky. Both male and female vocals sound natural and carry good weight to them. Its not enough to make you cry or pierce your soul. The Quintets and the galaxy buds are much more vocal forward than Pilgrim. But I find the pilgrim more natural and enjoyable.
Treble: They are bright but not harsh. For me this is the perfect amount of treble to bring out micro details and nuances in the treble without being too fatiguing or distracting. I miss the splash of the cymbals from the quintet sometimes but again they can border on the line of too bright sometimes
Soundstage: its good enough. Its above average and can sound open or boxy depending on the music that you are playing.
Imaging and separation: its great. You can hear every instrument and pinpoint then and every instrument feels really tactile. Like you can feel the instruments being plucked or hit or blown into. It feels surreal sometimes.
I played the mountains track by Hans Zimmer and every time the organs started playing I got goosebumps these are that good.
Everyone has their own music preferences and for me these are just perfect. In terms of details, resolution and dynamics, I personally don't think you can get anything better under 80k or 1L.
You have to get the fit right to enjoy these to the fullest so you have to tip roll a bit. For my case final E tips worked the best.
Thanks to the team for helping me out with my request. I thought that these will sell out like hot cakes and to think that my review will be the first here is unbelievable🥲

Just ordered this DAC and got it in 2 days.
Worth it. Had great experience. Worked well with my laptop and Samsung phone.
Though I had to do some adjustments with equaliser and music player modes, finally I got what I expected. Def recommended.
Also good that they added an indicator for it to show that it works.
Value for money. 10/10.

Really great V-shaped sound signature.
Satisfying bass quantity without bloat & bleed.
Clean and crisp treble without too much shouty.
Good attack and timbre.

It typically sounds less warm nd less bright compared to EW200. It sounds rich nd very clean overall. Technically also it's a very good set balancing analytical nd musical. There is a noticeable mid bass presence which doesn't make u feel sounded boring. It scales well with different dongle DACs I own. Treble, mids, lows, soundstage nd imaging are very well done. It doesn't feel congested. It portrays different venues precisely.

Overall it's a worth upgrade to my EW200 nd other budget IEMs I own. No regrets. Very much satisfied with the product.

Review:

In the realm of audio enthusiasts, where established brands often take the spotlight, there exists a hidden gem that shines brightly amidst the sea of familiar names - the xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 Portable Wireless Balanced DAC & Headphone Amplifier. While the brand may be relatively unknown in India, the XD05 Bal 2 is a true revelation, offering a level of audio performance and versatility that rivals the giants in the industry.

Design and Build Quality:

The xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 exudes a sense of understated elegance with its sleek, minimalist design and robust construction. The matte finish and clean lines give the device a modern aesthetic that belies its affordable price point. The compact form factor makes it ideal for on-the-go use, while the sturdy build instills confidence in its durability.

The thoughtful placement of controls and ports ensures ease of operation, allowing users to navigate settings and connections with precision. The inclusion of a balanced output further enhances the audio experience, providing a cleaner signal path for audiophiles seeking optimal sound quality.

Audio Performance:

At the heart of the xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 lies a powerhouse of audio technology that elevates your listening experience to new heights. The DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and headphone amplifier work in perfect harmony to deliver pristine audio reproduction with exceptional clarity and detail. Whether you're listening to high-resolution audio files or streaming your favorite tracks, the XD05 Bal 2 unveils layers of sound previously unheard.

The balanced output configuration minimizes crosstalk and distortion, resulting in a more accurate and immersive soundstage. Bass notes are tight and impactful, mids are rich and expressive, and highs are crisp and extended, creating a dynamic and engaging sonic landscape that captivates the senses.

Wireless Connectivity and Versatility:

In addition to its wired connectivity options, the xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 offers the convenience of wireless playback via Bluetooth. The aptX and LDAC support ensure high-quality audio streaming with minimal latency, allowing you to enjoy your music with freedom and flexibility.

The XD05 Bal 2's versatility extends beyond its role as a DAC and headphone amplifier. It can also function as a preamp for powered speakers or as a standalone DAC for your home audio setup, making it a versatile hub for all your audio needs.

Value Proposition:

While xDuoo may be a lesser-known brand in India, the XD05 Bal 2 presents a compelling value proposition for discerning audiophiles and music lovers alike. Its combination of premium audio performance, versatile connectivity options, and solid build quality rival that of more established brands, all at a price point that offers exceptional bang for your buck.

Conclusion:

I trust the words of Pritam to choose this product and I am telling you it is one of the great buy of mine in the journey to become an audiophile.

I paired this with my AK SR35 and MacBook Air as source and got the output in IE900 and Focal Bathys. Both sounds so loud, bassy and clear.

In a world where big names often dominate the audio landscape, the xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 stands out as a beacon of excellence from an unsung hero. With its impressive audio performance, versatile features, and affordable price, the XD05 Bal 2 is a true revelation for those seeking to unlock hidden audio brilliance without breaking the bank. Embrace the unknown, and let the xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 redefine your audio experience in ways you never thought possible.

Clean, clear sound with very good refinement and control in the treble region. Solid build quality. Almost all the tunings can be done through physical buttons on the DAC. Coming to music.. Sounds great, bit warm. Just started exploring the DAC with different music genres. Paired this with ISN Neo 3 IEM and simply awesome. Takes listening experience to the next level

As rest of the buyers have already given detailed technical reviews so I’ll just keep it short.
Coming from ISN Audio Neo 3, I can tell these are in a completely different league in terms of everything. Neo 3 Pros certainly have a WOW factor when it comes to its beautiful soundstage. Its almost hard to believe how such small IEMs have such wide and accurate soundstage.
One thing - The sound signature of Planar Magnetic is noticeably different than your regular Dynamic + BA driver IEMs. For Planars : Its like the music is being played at a constant-fixed intensity while you are sitting at the centre of the stage and music uniformly filled around you. While Dynamic + BA gives you a sound signature where music is thrown directly at you in a straight line with varying intensity of lows, highs and mids.
So in my opinion Planars are not for everyone or you might have to adapt to their sound signature. I think Planars don’t have the “exciting” factor, but a soft, wide soundstage and technical-detailing factor. (LOL its hard to turn my exact thoughts into words )

I was looking for a carry case to keep my DAP, IEM, Adapters, Ear tips and other accessories. I reached out to Pritam of Audio Store. Based on his suggestion I purchased this which is coming pretty hand due to its sturdy build and excellent two tier allocation. A great buy indeed for daily use as well as travel purposes.

I made my purchase decision after researching little bit on websites, YouTube and product technical specs. The DAC has sufficient power and it comes in clean. It lets you listen to the IEM and not the flavour of the DAC, I suppose that’s how all the DACs should be in first place.
My best combo with the DAC is with Turthear Hexa, the clarity & sound stage is huge fun. With right songs and closed eyes you have a concert going on in your mind.

I like the DAC and for me it is worth for its price.

What an entry into the IEM market. I don't think I would be exaggerating if I say that here we have a piece that is going to be compared to IEMs well beyond its price point.

Before I begin with a review though, some things to know where I come from:
Sennheiser HD598s, Moondrop Blessing 2, & Thieaudio Monarch MK3 have been my listening buddies in the last ten years; the Monarch being the latest. To pair with them I've used the Jcally AP98 DAC/Amp & Sony NX707 walkman.
I can listen to any kind of music as long as I like it, but my library mostly consists of instrumentals, which I listen to through Apple Music.

What brought on the need to shop for an IEM? Primarily because I wanted to listen to my songs through a different tuning. My Blessing 2 ran out of commission a while back, and I wanted a bit of change from the MK3s. Funnily enough, I ended up picking something thats actually not too different signature wise from the MK3, but after listening to them once, there was no way I couldn't pick them up.

So lets get into the meat of the matter: the sound.
Tansio Mirai X comes with a U shaped default tuning, but you can change this with the three tuning switches provided, which affect the low, mid, and high frequency bands.
The Audio Store was amazing as usual, and provided me with a plethora of options to test which included - ISN Neo 3, ISN Neo 5, Penon Dome, Penon Quattro, Penon Turbo, & Symphonium Meteor, all of which range from a level lower priced to a level higher priced than TSMR X. I might add my comparisons to all these pieces (and my own MK3s) wherever it feels pertinent.

The bass:
This has some of the most gorgeously tuned bass I've heard in a long time. For some people, it just might be on the limit of bassy side (I am myself not a basshead and in some songs it does feel borderline to me), but the quality will more than make up for it. Some of the drums, lower tone strings, and tabla (especially the strokes of the dagga) I've heard through this have left me amazed. Only the Penon Quattro with its 4 DDs could maybe offer more detail, but there is another reason why TSMR X will still feel like it has better bass (which I'll mention later).
Playing with the tuning switches over here and using the 100 mode will get you more bass, but doesn't affect the quality. Go for this if you are a basshead. If you think the bass is too much, go for 003 mode. I'm using the default 020.

The mids:
Compared to the bass, the mids are not as forward even in the 020 mode which is the balanced tuning. Especially with vocals, you might feel that they are slightly being pushed back, but in my opinion, this is because the instrument presentation feels much more forward. The strings here are very nicely heard, and although it might feel like it could have had better resolution, overall you will not be disappointed. Out of the pieces I had a chance to listen to, these were still close to the best, with the cheaper ISN Neo 5 also being surprisingly quite good for mids, the Penon Turbo doing well, and the Symphonium Meteor being the clear winner here.

The treble:
You will find this to be fun. There is enough detail here to put them above many IEMs in and around this price range. Instruments like cymbals, maracas, tambourines, and chimes can be perfectly heard, and the sound in general is not overly sharp. Of all the IEMs I tested, I would safely put these the best for treble (although I will mention that Penon Quattro sound very interesting here as well).

The mindblowing:
Up till now, you might not have understood why I've been so overboard with positivity about these IEMs. So the bass and treble is good, but the mids are only decent. Why would that alone make them phenomenal? The Xenns Mangird Top would probably be equally good (or even better) sound quality wise. That my dear friends, is because this IEM brings something into the equation that I've not expected any IEM to bring. Soundstage.

The soundstage:
Till now, I've never really rated IEMs on this. After listening to open cans like HD598s (and some very good ones like HD600, HD650, Sundara, Ananda courtesy TAS), I know that I can't expect IEMs to deliver that effect to me. But boy does this come close. I've never expected to hear acoustic reverberations in an IEM. Maybe it is the custom film retarding driver with the detachable design that does this, I'm not sure. It gives you the most rich acoustic feeling you will have ever heard even among IEMs way beyond this price. My Monarch MK3 which is nearly 3 times costlier cannot do some of the things that TSMR X does! It was especially so good for my playlist, which I mentioned earlier is mostly instrumental. Some of the guitar notes, the tabla, the cymbals I hear on this are just out of the world.

And this last bit is what makes the TSMR X punch way, way above its price point and make it worth getting IMO.

I like Abigail pro dongle very much. It is very portable,light weight. I will buy one more in future