Hi, I’m Lachlan! With a passion for all things audio and a background that uniquely blends music and technology, I'm here to guide you through the captivating world of audio products.
As someone with a degree in hearing and speech, my love for sound extends beyond just listening. For the last 25+ years, I've immersed myself in the melodies of the piano, violin, and viola, giving me a deep appreciation for the nuances of music. My professional journey in the consumer audio industry only amplified this passion, equipping me with insights and expertise that I'm eager to share with you.
In my world, it's not just about reviewing the latest gadgets; it's about understanding the 'why' behind their sound. Why do certain headphones make a song feel close to heart? What makes a speaker system stand out? I’m here to demystify these questions with a mix of engaging conversation, professional analysis, and a dash of fun and humour where appropriate.
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Agree with your comments about the 2dd bass ... I had the Hype2... there was plenty of bass but it seemed, IDK, muddy and indistinct. Also too much energy. Oddly I prefer the bass of the single DD Canon 2, even though I think the strength of the Canon 2 isn 't bass, but in vocal replay... in all 3 of its settings.
I find it fascinating that the perception of bass between two IEMs that measure the same can actually be so different.
nice review. Did you notice that all three of them are more energetic, by at least 2db, from 1.2k to 3.5k than your preferred tuning line? The Hype10 is closer to your line than the other two in that region. I think my preferred line is about the same as yours. I find almost all IEMs are too energetic in the 2k-4k region. My Canon 2 is slightly better in energy (less) in that region than these three Thieaudios. There are three IEMs I can think of that come in just below your line in that pinna gain region ... HiSenior Mega5EST, the Unique Melody MEST series, and the DUNU SA6 Mk II. Check out their graphs and focus on the 2k-4k region, which is for me the most sensitive region in my hearing, and probably yours as well. I am very interesting in trying the Mega5EST... when I EQ my Canon2 down 1-2db in that pinna region to resemble the Mega5EST, I like that relaxed sound quite a bit. PS, that photo of Leonard Cohen looks a lot like Leonard Nimoy... spock. Amusing.
I'd love to try the mega5est if I get the chance. All reports are very encouraging!
Great review Loki! Yeah definitely the treble is spicy on the treble, but for me just pairing it with something that isn't that analytical such as a Chord Mojo does wonders
I definitely agree and would happily enjoy a pair of these on a setup like that if they'd stay in my ears 😁
They look 'uuuge!!! Are they bigger than the Monarch MKIII?
They're definitely chonky! On pure volume, they're probably not that different from the Monarchs, but the shape and weight make them a much more difficult fit.
Fortunately I've got big ears and the Z1R fits well and brings a party to my ears.
You're a lucky man. Enjoy!
I used the Z1R for about a year and it was my go-to every time I had to sit on long flights or long rides. I tried the mk2 as well because everyone was hyping it up, however the clear winner was Z1R for me. Even when my ears wasn't blessed and the fitting was kinda horrendous, it still sounded godly to me. Sold my Z1R because I had an ear infection. After recovering and testing the mega5est awhile back, I realised that fit is so important and that even though I was not particularly blown away by it, it was addictive to listen to due to its comfort and forward mids.
I agree about fit and general enjoyment. I'm keen to try the mega5est if I can!
All your base are belong to us
Relaticely? Bro those are expensive even for millionaires. Trust me i asked my boss
LOL. When compared to some IEMs put there (e.g. Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor) these seem cheap! But I do agree, they're not cheap in real terms by any stretch.
I love my ones and still after 2 years still top 2 of my iems. They fit perfectly for my ears but it really needs the chin slider to be tighened up to under my chin to hold them in properly.
That's a good idea to use the chin cinch and cable to help keep them in.
I’m just getting started thinking about unique melody mirage, what do all of you think
I haven't tried the Mirage, but UM make good IEMs in general.
The Sony Z1Rs have been around for some years now. It's worth noting that it was made by Sony to specifically sound its level best when paired with their flagship WM1Z/WM1A DAPs. Do invest in a set of customt tips to help it fit into your ears and a top class pure silver cable and you'll be amazed what this thingy can do.
Bass comparing to Radon 6 ? Which module you are using? I’m using black and it’s the best.
I settled on the gold module and love them to bits!
kzread.info/dash/bejne/d35r1rFrqrOfZc4.html Thanks for considering The Milk. Great album!
Great suggestion. Thank you! I'm not sure when I'll get to the Funk/Soul albums video because I'm trying to think of a different way to present it...
I like the new editting style
I'm glad you like it! Thanks for letting me know
Looking forward to the video about the frequency range perception research you mentioned! The widespread dogma on this question has always bothered me as reductive. Even if we can't identify some stimuli as immediately perceptible in a way we expect them to be (which isn't even always the case with sound waves falling out of the established frequency range of 20-20000 Hz), that absolutely doesn't mean that we are completely insensitive to them and they have no impact on our body and perceptual system in particular. Claiming that the frequency range purportedly covered by these IEMs doesn't and couldn't in principle make any difference is just as unscientific as claiming that it does indeed make a meaningful and positive difference for the inadequate amount, scope and depth of the research on the issue at the moment. I absolutely hate the pseudoscientific dogmatic overzealousy espoused by many people claiming to be scientific objectivists while having inadequate understanding of science, scientific meta theory and philosophy os science.
Thanks for reminding me to put it in my schedule!
I have a pretty large space for IEMs but have small ear canals. I would think the shell would fit but the actual nozzle may have trouble staying. If I were to buy these, I’d probably buy some custom tips form adv sound or something considering they have a custom tip dedicated to the IER-Z1R
That's a good idea with the custom tips!
Z1R had the very best vocal performance I have ever heard. Aful Cantor (pre-release version at CanJam) and Elysian Diva were close. Meze Advar a baby Z1R, like 90-95% of the way there.
For years, I was more of a wireless earbuds person. Less than 2 years ago, I kinda reconnected with music more seriously when I saw the cheap KZ IEMs online. Very quickly, I bought a few and some cables. I soon realized they can’t stay in my ears properly and have to use my hands to hold on it. So, I moved to headphones and have been at it since. The Tin T2 is the most expensive and probably best IEM I still have. Now, it’s Bluetooth earbuds daily and headphones for listening time.
hard to beat the t2 sound
Earphone insertion is an art in itself.
I know that metal shells are seen as premium but I'd rather have lightweight resin plastic in my ear canals. And some iems barely qualify as their namesake: in ear, with their giant chungus sized shells sticking out of your ears
Fair points! The size of the Z1Rs is necessary with their internal driver layout and the metal can be a better choice for resonance control, but I definitely get what you mean and an IEM is only enjoyable if you can keep it in your ears!
I've owned my Z1R (both fullsize and IEM) for 2+ years now, and yes the treble can be spicy on the IER, but sometimes i just forgot that deep insertion yes actually tame the treble quite a lot. it's no longer zingy and sibilant. sometimes you can actually find better fit and comfort with small size tips, I usually use mediums and put them in shallow-ly but i always carry an ms size tips in the case for then I want them.
Which brand of eartips?
Which is better purely for quality of sound Ier z1r or mdr z1r?
I'd choose the MDR-Z1R
Hi, by looking at the shots in which you are wearing the iem I think you are not getting the proper fit that is why you are hearing 6k peak. My advice is to use as small eartips as you can but with wide bore that give you the required isolation that would result in deeper subbass in addition with sweeter treble.
I tried lots of tips and I am only guessing at the 6k peak - it might be elsewhere and we all have different internal ear canal resonances. For me, they're just a bit spicy regardless of the tip. They still sound amazing though, when they stay in my ears.
They rock my ears real good!👍🏻
You're lucky they fit you! They're brilliant when they fit!!
Excellent work.
My girlfriends jbl ear buds I GOT FOR HER are better than the BEATS FLEX I JUST GOT MESELF
My boy is on sony shiz
Z1R are one of my three end-games making the Holy Trinity for me - the Helios, the Monarch Mk2 & the Z1R. These three compliment each other perfectly and give any enjoyment and quality of replay I need.
I guess I'm lucky that every IEM fits my ear including the ier z1r I've been using them for months
Yep, that's definitely lucky 🙂
A lot of 2k and above IEMs clearly beat them out
Having heard a few 2-3k IEMs, nothing “clearly” beats the z1r, better in some areas? sure. At this level you get 10-15% better, tops
Radon 6 better
That's true, but they're also WAY more expensive!
@@ROCKSTAR3291 10-15% is a hell lot in the high end!
@@Abhi-wn7sw Differences between TOTL products are very subtle, unless you’re comparing totally different tuned IEMs. There’s no v-shaped IEM in the high end that’s next level from the Z1R.
In my opinion the Monarch Mk 2 and 3 are two of the best IEMs on the market followed by the Mest Mk 2.
My um mest mk2 has sharp sibilance
@@Anything_For_Scienceyou should try using some smaller bore tips, maybe like the Final Audio Type E’s for less treble. I personally find their treble to be great and extended in well recorded tracks but sibilant in poorly recorded ones
We're also all different with how we hear soon one person's perfect is another person's sibilance shooter 😁
@@Anything_For_Science then the Monarch would be the right one for you it has zero sibilance.
@@slothninja5180ye, probably the Mk2 as the Mk3 has a bit more treble and bass. More neutral overall I think. Only if you have decently sized ears ofc 😅
Just a comment.... I don't quite like those 2sec 3rd party B rolls.... Kinda cheapened your content
It's funny - I'm getting just as many people saying the exact opposite. 🤷🙂
@@PassionforSound welcome to the hifi world.... Each individual will have their own way of drinking their tea/coffee
So true. I'm playing around with this new style and will probably find a balance point soon so see what you think. I've just uploaded my HEDDphone 2 review for public release soon and I think it sits somewhere between this style of video and my older ones. There's more onscreen content, but a little less of the whimsical. That will probably fluctuate depending on my mood and the product. 🙂
enjoyed this review a lot, thanks!
Is it better than the D70 pro sabre? And why? I don't speak English 😏 I've the dx7 pro now. Is it a good idea to take the d70, it change?
I like the D70 Pro OCTO more. It's got better soundstage and a more natural character to the sound. I haven't tried the DX7 to compare though.
@@PassionforSound thank you for the support
Hey friend, I have these headphones and I'm lucky enough to have very large ear canals, so they fit perfectly! I only complain that I find the mid-range quite behind... I was thinking about purchasing the Empire ears ODIN; It would be great if you could do a review of them; There are many on KZread, but the best are yours 😊
Too big and too expensive. 😢
True, it's a shame because it seems to be a great in ear. You've even done reviews of similarly priced or even more expensive headphones! Take care
I'd love to try some of the Empire Ears gear, but don't yet have a contact for their IEMs. I'll gladly try them if I get the chance! 🙂🙂
Awesomev!! I hope you can get them; I love the channel for the great variety of products you review and of course for how you review them!
🙏♥️
The thoughtful content is the brand. Also enjoying the extra effort on production.
Thanks Peyton! I'm glad you're liking the new style.
Naa...1 of the best noobs But the fits just...ha4.Peace!
What is this even supposed to mean?? Your comments never make any sense…ridiculous.
what ?
@@buenahora001I've seen these gibberish comments on other channels too. I can't tell if they're attention seeking or they've got some other "problem." No point in trying to figure it out, you'll only give yourself a headache lol
I'm sure this guy is mental
Great review. Thank you.
I'm glad you liked it!
Hi, i have a little weird question: Do you think it´s possible.. and soundwise no step back ..to drive a pre amp or power amps directly, from the back 6,3 output to RCA or the XLR out to RCA? As i can drive my pre or my power amp direct, with the Cayin RU6, with very good results for the price of this dongle, i think about that - since i find the SPL Phonitor SE very nice and with useful features for listening with headphones, but it realy just makes sense for my system, if i can also use it as a DAC, remote volume controll and little balance adjustment, for my pre amp, amp and speakers, too. Thanks a lot for your answer!
There's no pre-amp control from the Phonitor XE and no RCA or XLR outputs - only inputs. You'd have to run a 6.3mm or 4-pin XLR out to your amp/preamp. That should work ok because the headphone stage is somewhat similar to a pre-amp anyway, but I haven't tried it.
@@PassionforSound Your suggestion goes exactly in the direction as my own thoughts. The advantage to the SPL X with pre for speakers would be, beneath the 120V DAC and filter, that i can use the balance also for my speakers. And perhaps even play a bit, what the crossfeed does. :D Thank you for your answer, to my late question!
I just bought both of these. I've uploaded sound demos of my Abbas 2.2 SE + and Abbas USB-Coax converter. kzread.info/dash/bejne/dpmd2Khsf73XfbA.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/qZ5ql5VpoZe-gbQ.html
i really like the shirt 😁
Available in my merch store 😁
Not totally convince on these For me, the biggest sticking point is the $350 price, $300 sounds better. The Verum 2 sounds nice and right price but I have heard rumors that shipping not reliable
Can you mention what is coming yet?
Yes because it's been publicly announced now - it's the Geshelli Labs E3. It might sound identical to the A3 Pro or it might be even better and compete with the S17 Pro - we'll see
@@PassionforSound If it has more power than the archel and sounds the same, it will be good. The archel runs out of power on the really hard to drive stuff.
High end cables are scam and only idiots fall for them
I can vouch for the Geshelli products. Just got the Erish 3 Amp to stack with my J2S AK4499 & Sparkos Op amps DAC. Great Bang for the Buck
I'm excited to try the E3 soon!
$14,000 for a little plastic box? 😂
Plastic? It's solid aluminium...
Oh I'm sorry. I don't know anything about it. I was looking at pictures of it and I thought it was plastic. @@PassionforSound
The best closed back headphone you've tried? Better than Verite closed? Wow, Btw Love the new format 👏
Yep. I love these! Glad you like the new format. It will evolve a little as I find "my voice" more in this style, but this is the new approach I intend to pursue. 🙂🙂
The Verum 1's are my go to headphones. To me they just sound so natural with no real emphasis anywhere in the spectrum. Voices just sound so natural. Just love the looks of them. They look like something Leonardo Da Vinci would design and Conan the Barbarian would use! 😆 Just came to the realization that the verum 2's were an option and may have to get some.
Haha. I like that combo of designers/test users!
12:26 can i ask what device you're using in order to access the optical input, coax input, and network input on the Serenade and Bifrost? As a newbie, who got into this hobby via iems, I'm only familiar with usb C inputs on dongles (to connect to a phone) 🤔
Sure thing! For the optical, coax, etc. I'm taking those outputs from a Singxer SU-6 digital to digital converter (DDC). This is a great way to give you many outputs from a single USB connection and to also isolate your DACs from PC noise. There are multiple DDCs on the market that all seem to perform quite similarly at their price levels (i.e. similar price = similar performance). For the network input, that's just a regular ethernet connection from your home internet modem/router setup and then you can access it from software on devices connected to the same network.
14:13 can i ask how you would rate the usb output of an android phone like samsung s22 ultra? As a newbie, who got into this hobby via iems, I've been using my phone as the music source and connecting it to a dongle. But it seems like when i watch desktop dac reviews, nobody is using a phone
There's nothing at all wrong with using your phone and they can actually be better than a laptop/desktop computer because they produce less noise by being more power efficient (i.e. less stuff going on = less noise produced). It's most likely that reviewers like me are using desktop setups with computers because that's what we have. I've also done things to my desktop to optimise the USB output quality. (I'll explain that in my response to your other question)