Friction mainly. It takes extra work. For each headphone and cross different devices.

I think that's the main reason. Many prefer just plug and play. I like EQ, but even I only use it on devices that save the EQ profile on them like Bluetooth headphones

If all that's titanium, then they're wearable.

Granite?

You'll get there eventually!

Keep an eye of then used market, you can often find second hand Stax products for better prices ^^

no problem.

i don't know about the IE600 but i can say that it punches above the IE300 for sure, espescially considering the price for it. ironically i bought the IE300 (new) cheaper than the IE200.

personally I've found that the flaws of any particular headphones add to their personality. I find that I'm not really seeking the "best" just different flavors essentially.

If you save a little more, you can get the TinHifi C2 Mech Warrior, same drivers, and tuning as the Moondrop Aria, but better build quality and cheaper $30 US. A really underrated all-around IEM in my opinion.

xelento

Anthony and Derek

Maybe some don't know how to use it. It can be a daunting task. If it weren't for wavelet and oratory's settings I would be kinda lost.

Neither were particularly long demos, and the Arya demo was in August last year, so my memory of the particulars are fuzzy. I think the Arya is either comparable or slightly stronger in bass impact than the HEK.

Pads can do that. Have fun experimenting!

It's not that you'd be deliberately using some sort of software EQ. Rather that some audio "enhancement" (and a bass boost is one of the stock Windows enhancements) got attached to the TC44C but didn't get attached to the others.

If you literally don't hear any tonal difference across a wide range of other different devices, but hear a really distinct one on the TC44C- this really indicates that there is something messing with the sound on that one. Particularly as no other subjective review of the TC44C seems to find it "extremely bassy", they use words like neutral, flat, clean, accurate, transparent, the most I found was one review in the other direction, going with mostly neutral but "slightly bright".

You could measure it yourself, download REW and just do a tone sweep with it and record it, do the same with another DAC to make sure any variance isn't the recording device. If you do do this, don't use exclusive mode, this will ensure it goes through whatever you normally have going on. You'll either see this dramatic difference in the measurement, or you won't.

If you do- it confirms you were hearing something real. I'd suspect if it is there, it's a configuration issue. It's also possible it will measure entirely flat. Either way it's another data point, you can interpret it as you like. If I had ONE thing that sounded radically different than everything else, that sounded the same- I'd wonder why.

wooden cups

I just saw DMSs video on these. While I don’t trust his opinions that much, he seems to suggest that the tuning on these might be better than even the IE600 which was definitely high praise. @OP how do you compare these to your IE300? I already have the IE600, but I’m itching to get one out of curiosity….

I have blue/red rings and use them to color code all my IEMs (because I'm lazy and can't be bothered to spend time determining which side goes into which ear).

I've never specifically used them to change the tuning, but I have done it to help with insertion depth (the ring keeps the tip from being pushed further on the nozzle, thus the tip seats further into the ear).

With a lot of my IEMs I put the rings such that they don't effect the tip's seating, but I may have to try this with my IE300's and see if I notice a change in sound. I just put a ring on and yes, it does work to change the seating position of the tip on the IE300's. The tip is held further out towards the end of the noozle and yet is still held in place by the retainer lip, so seems pretty darn secure (which might be an issue with some IEMs).

I haven't yet listened enough to compare the sound difference, but it's interesting that it's an option.

They are more on-ears than over-ears. The headband is very thin and doesn't offer much padding, so it needs some getting used to if you don't have much hair.

On the upside, the sound signature seems fairly balanced, especially for the price. Comfort-wise I'd wear them over my Sennheiser HD 599 on any day. Actually, sound-wise, too.

oh, i didn't see the other comment asking the same thing, sorry lol

but that's great to hear. enjoy!

Why do you put the two so far above the 660S?

Sorry but chord is overpriced. They ask half the price for battery replacement. They sound good but not for the money you pay. I would simply get a schiit, topping or the jds stack.

NewJeans songs are just too good, you will definitely get addicted to them with a bit of time

How would you compare the bass of the Arya SE and the 1000 V2, if as far as visceral impact is concerned?

My King! Great music taste! I'm listening to IU songs with Variations and enjoying it very much

they are competing for sure as they are in the same price bracket. I like the z12 but you can surely hear the planar metallic sound to it sometimes and the treble on the z12 is spicier than the ie200. I think sennheiser hit a sweet spot with this one, it can definitely compete with chi-fi iem in the same price bracket.