7Hz Timeless IEM $158.57 USD (~$236.56 AUD) @ Angelears Audio via AliExpress

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jasswolf on 11/11/2022 - 19:21 aliexpress.com (407 clicks)
Last edited 12/11/2022 - 21:32

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Between these discounts and the above code, this makes for an all-time low.

If you can find a $5-$10 AUD set of items to bring your basket spend to $160 USD before tax and coupons, you can use the $22 USD coupon.

Relatively balanced signature without being too flat or sterile, imaging maybe a little fuzzier compared to its genuine dynamic driver alternatives, but with a level of detail and separation that makes it one of the few IEMs that blows apart the $200-$800 price bracket.

The catch? There's the updated model, the Timeless AE, and while it offers a warmer tuning that further evens the upper mids and the lower mids while bringing more bass presence, it's also $318ish under the same mechanisms.

I think $220ish for an IEM that otherwise competes in the $1000+ range is incredible value, just make sure you're familiarised with the timbral difference of planar drivers - though this is minor in this IEM - and that you're happy with the fitment type for this IEM.

If you're looking for something more timbre-focused there's a great deal on Amazon for Moondrop's Kato, though it's a slightly weaker in technical performance. The Moondrop Aria models - the Snow Edition being technically superior with an overall better tuning - are priced better via AliE while the cashback is active (~$83), but you're missing the Amazon AU warranty service.

Enjoy!

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• 

  Hellcrusher3304 on 11/11/2022 - 19:48

  +1

  How do these compare to the Moondrop Blessing 2?

  Are the B2 worth double the price?

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/11/2022 - 19:52

    +1

    General consensus is these are right on the B2's tether, so this is the value pick. B2 is tonally different though, being lighter in the bass (unless you grab the Dusk) and darker in the upper treble. Vocal timbre would be a toss-up, with well-done planar up against DD/BA crossover through the mids.

    • 

      bleemo on 12/11/2022 - 21:34

      Hey OP, thoughts on the Tripowin X HBB Olina SE?

      And how about the Letshuoer S12 Pro vs the Timeless?

      Cheers 👌

      • 

        jasswolf on 12/11/2022 - 22:35

        +1

        Here's my view on supporting HBB, and failing that I'm not interested in a W-shaped tonality for anything.

        The S12 Pro is another brand new IEM, but it's apparently close to the original S12, which took a technical step back in most aspects against the Timeless for a less warm, but more v-shaped sound that may get too shouty. The soundstage will seem more immersive and the timbre may be slightly better, but you're getting a lot more sub-bass and brightness than you may like, and imaging goes backwards despite the better soundstage.

        If you're picky about either option for your use case, then it's probably time for you to look at the Blessing 2 Dusk as a further step up, but I think the Timeless is fine unless you're looking for something competitive gaming-focused.

• 

  Mr Mrrtn on 11/11/2022 - 20:32

  These are wired? If so, are there any wireless buds that you'd recommend? Recently got the aipods pro 2 and even with comply tips, the sound quality is somewhat disappointing for the cost

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/11/2022 - 21:00

    +2

    ANC will kill some of the sound quality alongside bluetooth, the DSP involved in its personalised EQ, spatial audio, as well as its adaptive EQ when changing volume may dimish audio quality through distortion and/or phase mismatching, or the overall tonal output not suit your head's true HRTF. The volume-linked EQ is based on something known as the Fletcher-Munson curves (aka equal-loudness), and may not suit your tonal preference at a given output level, as bass and treble will see a relative increase at lower output in an attempt to match how we perceive things at 60-65 dB (and vice versa when going above that mark).

    So my first bit of advice would be to try turning off all the spatial audio features, turn off ANC, and ensure your fitment and volume isn't impacting how its adaptive EQ algorithms are influencing the sound. If you can disable the adaptive EQ altogether, do that, and check your fitment and seal. From there you should be able to get a sense of the true audio quality, and you can try turning on specific features to see if they don't drain the resolving ability of the IEM too much compared to what they provide.

    In terms of wireless alternatives, until Bluetooth LE Audio is supported by both a device and your phone, you're not going to get a better True Wireless Stereo (TWS) IEM solution, especially on an iPhone. It's possible recent iPhones and the AirPods Pro 2 will receive an update to offer that updated level of sound quality in the future, but that's yet to be commented on officially.

    In terms of how much better the Timeless is from an audio quality perspective, tonally it's a little less thick for deeper vocals and a little more pronounced for upper register vocals, a little less natural in terms of treble timbre, but otherwise it will have vastly better separation of details and resolving of notes.

    You've also got to consider the DAC/amp solution you're introducing if you switch to wired (mostly, don't use super cheap crap), and there'd be Bluetooth solutions for wired IEMs out there, but you also have to contend with how the compression involved impact the frequency range and the bit depth of the audio.

    TLDR: probably tinker with what you have and wait for updates or better solutions.

    Hope that helps, because I'm not going into it any further. :P

  • 

    Hornpub on 11/11/2022 - 21:27

    i just use fiio utws5 so i have best of both world.

    • 

      thegamerulez on 11/11/2022 - 23:50

      Alternatively get a FiiO BTR5 or Ifi go blu

  • 

    Laserface on 12/11/2022 - 10:48

    +1

    Probably not in the same ballpark as these just on price but the QCY T13s are the best TWS buds I have ever heard, even giving my open back headphones a run for their money (Phillips SHP9500s and Hifiman HE-X4s - thanks for posting those Jasswolf) - they are truly great sounding headphones. the soundstage for IEMs is incredible and while they dont have ANC I find their passive isolation very very good compared to other brands (dont hear anything on the train and walking to/from work besides music)

    its definitely a scooped or V tuning on them but they're phenomenal value. I've tried heaps of TWS and they are well and truly the best ones. Bass has that subtle feel to it that isnt necessarily an audible sensation but you feel it in your ears I guess?

    QCY T13s for commuting, Hifman HE-X4s for a lights-out listening sesh, Phillips for when I want something a bit bassy

• 

  thegamerulez on 11/11/2022 - 23:49

  Thanks OP. Have you tried the E5000 by any chance? It's got a very distinctive sound signature; amazing bass and technicalities yet very non fatiguing to listen to. I got a defective set though as they are known to have severe QC issues.
  Wondering whether you have ever tried the E5000 and know how this fares v/s that?

  • 

    jasswolf on 12/11/2022 - 03:45

    I'm an E3000 owner and familiar with the house sound, but no I haven't heard the E5000. From my understanding though it's not a massive technical leap forward from the E3000, just some slight refinements.

    For the time Timeless, you're getting a far clearer and more detailed sound, with a more neutral tonal balance, which you'll hear with less thickness in the lower mids, and more happening in the upper mids. Treble extension and resolving ability should be far greater.

    I think these would compliment each other pretty well overall, while both having a bass kick to them. The Timeless is close to top of the line, but given it's a mass-manufactured planar driver, you're going to see slightly more driver matching issues than DD or BA-based offerings, so make sure you test it thoroughly before the end of the AliE dispute period.

• 

  simonizmaster on 12/11/2022 - 23:16

  Do I need to upgrade from Moondrop Chu ? I thought $30 chu earphones sounded pretty good compare to my gaming headphones.

  • 

    jasswolf on 13/11/2022 - 00:03

    The Chu are fairly well tuned for their price, and if you're happy, stick with it. Your preferences and interest may refine over time and you want to do things differently then, but if that's in say a year, or two, or three, the IEM market will change significantly, so these recommendations will be dead in the water.

    Best advice I can give is invest more money in your most common form factors and use cases. For some people that's gaming, where I would recommend a good quality open back headphone wherever possible, for others it's music on their commute, which might be an IEM, a TWS IEM, a closed back headphone or a bluetooth headphone with ANC.

    If you're only throwing your IEMs on once a week or even less, there's not a huge need to push beyond the $150 mark, but in today's markets - depending on what you select - you should be able to find benefits scaling up from $20-$30, to $50-$70, then again to $100-$130, then finally at $200-$400, which would be the breakpoint for diminishing returns that likely require upgrading the rest of your sound chain.

    Play through your music library, and if the Chu starts to get a bit too hot or muddled, I'm sure there'll be a few here with solid recommendations when that time comes. :)

    • 

      simonizmaster on 13/11/2022 - 14:01

      If I spend $200~$400 does my ears get blown away?? even the $30 Chu earphones are pretty good, my mind will be blown away, I guess..
      I'd like to find out but, there are so many to choose from, would be good if there is a demo you can try it out.

      • 

        jasswolf on 14/11/2022 - 01:29

        Look in some respects, yes.

        But if you are satisfied for your library right now, I would say keep pushing that barrow for 1-2 years, there are leaps inbound.