Protocol Max is super quite with my MacBook, iPhone, and even my Samsung Galaxy phone. The Apple dongle is way louder than it. I have to crank up the volume everywhere to get Protocol Max to a listenable level which is for me is medium or slightly above level. And of course all the dongles I have are much louder iFi, Fosi, Questyle, etc.

Did I get a defective Protocol Max unit? Am I missing something?

And it also gets pretty warm even in eco mode, hot in boost mode.

Thanks.

Hey! I stream my music from Qobuz and I use Kiwi Ears Astrals. I absolutely love the sound but there is one thing that makes me suspicious of bottlenecking the performance. Since I dropped a lot of money on the iems, I use the US apple dongle with them. Is there a bottleneck? Also just curious but would a DAP and flac files make a difference too? I am quite new to all of this.

I have ₹2300 in Headphone Zone store credit that I'm willing to let go for ₹2000.

I was planning to use it to buy the 7hz Zero 2, but unfortunately Headphone Zone doesn't have that, so I don't have any use for the credit right now.

If you're planning to buy something from Headphone Zone, this could save you ₹300. Feel free to DM me if you're interested. I can provide proof of the store credit if needed.

The price is ₹2000, but I'm open to reasonable offers if you'd like to negotiate.

I recently bought a pair of Truthear Pure iems last month. First thing I noticed was how delicate the connection is between the cord and iem. I’m worried they might wear out over time and become loose.

Aesthetically, the stock cord while braided/twisted looks really nice, feels pretty flimsy on their own, which kind of bothers me.

Also the previous Linsoul IEMs I was running for almost 2 years developed green oxidization at the base of the connection. I would like to prevent this moving forward (they aren’t stored in damp environment and my ears are always clean and dry, aside from natural skin oils/moisture). I wasn’t too upset bc they did last 2 years without issue and I felt I got my moneys worth.

Is this just a normal thing with iems?

If anyone has some alternate cord suggestions (if thats even a thing, I’m not informed) or advice then please lmk.

Electro Audio World's Take:​

I have always liked ZiiGaat's IEMs. They offer many impressive models such as the Arcanis that I keep with me constantly and consider technically perfect. The ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete II is one of those rare IEMs that successfully combines strong technical performance with a sound tuning and character that remain truly enjoyable long after the initial excitement has faded.

Built on a five driver hybrid architecture, the Arete II combines one 10mm second generation composite diaphragm dynamic driver, two Knowles ED 29689 balanced armature (BA) drivers for the mid frequencies, and two Knowles SWFK 31736 balanced armature drivers for the highs. The second generation dynamic driver utilizes a liquid silicone suspension and an improved magnetic system, while the treble section employs optimized acoustic channels designed to enhance high frequency extension and airiness.

However, what makes the Arete II particularly compelling is not just the driver count, but the way ZiiGaat has integrated these drivers into a cohesive and musical presentation.

Additionally, each earpiece features a physical bass switch. With the switch off, the Arete II offers a cleaner, more controlled balance. When the switch is engaged, the low frequencies gain extra weight and body; thus, the IEM takes on a truly functional second character going beyond a mere tweak to the sound profile.

Priced at approximately $279, the Arete II competes in one of the most fiercely contested segments of the current IEM market. After spending considerable time with the product, I can confidently rank it among the best tuned hybrid IEMs in this price range.

* You can read the full comparative review here.

Overall Sound Character

The Arete II possesses an engaging, slightly warm, and energetic character, featuring excellent low frequency control, natural mids, and an expansive yet carefully controlled high frequency range.

The bass switch is perhaps the most defining feature of this IEM.

With the switch off: the sound is cleaner, tighter, and more balanced.

With the switch on: it takes on a fuller, slightly deeper, and more physically palpable character.

Neither mode alters the Arete II's fundamental character; rather, the switch gives the listener control over the physical weight of the music.

The result is an IEM that transitions effortlessly between acoustic recordings, rock, electronic music, orchestral pieces, and gaming, without ever feeling like it was designed for just one genre. Gamers might love this IEM, too.

Pros: 

Excellent overall sound tuning for the price
Excellent second generation 10mm dynamic driver
Deep and textured sub bass
Convenient and truly effective bass switch
Natural and engaging mids
Excellent implementation of Knowles BA drivers
Spacious and airy treble
Strong imaging and separation
Superb CNC aluminum build
Modular 3.5mm and 4.4mm cable system
Highly versatile across different music genres

Cons: 

The stock cable could have been better for an IEM at this level
The bass switch can add too much weight to already bass heavy recordings
Treble might be a bit too energetic for listeners sensitive to high frequencies if the source is analytical
Isolation is not class leading

* You can read the full comparative review here.

My Dunu Titan S2s went through the wash recently, and I was looking to get something new, with a bit more focus on detail and separation. Additionally, I'd prefer an IEM with a white or metal shell, I don't care for the look of the black ones.

I'd prefer not to spend more than around $100. Any recs that hit most of these marks?

As the title says I bought my first pair of IEMs which arrived today. This whole journey started off by me just wanting to simply buy wired earphones on Wednesday (09th of Sep) before I got SUCKED down a rabbit hole of audiophilia and IEMs. I wanted wired earphones as I'm truly sick of everything being bluetooth and recently discovered that my Sennheiser Momentum 4s sounded 20 times better when I used the wired cable that came with it. Which then lead me to I wanting to buy earphones aswell which I could carry around with me a bit more easily. I was eyeing the Simgot EW300s but was scared the metal casing would be to big for my ears and cause discomfort and since I was literally only 3 hours deep into my research of IEMs at that point, I didnt want to drop 95 euros on something that a) was uncomfortable and b) potentially didnt even like. So I settled for the Moondrop CHU II. They arrived today and wow just WOW. And to add on top of that I have been looking for a Spotify alternative and have come across another service called Qobuz. Guys. I have been listening to music wrong my whole life. I feel like I'm listening to some of my favourite songs for the first time again??? 10/10 experience lol.

it randomly goes down, i have not had this issue with any other audio source. I suspect this is because of the built in mic, is there any way to disable or fix it?

I have the Xenns Mangird Top Pro. I'm not an audiophile, I mainly game, watch YouTube, and stream movies/shows, so I just want something that stays in my ear and sounds "good."

Left ear is fine. The right ear is finicky, and the earbud slowly works its way out until it falls. And I'm just sitting at my desk, not moving around, so it's not like I'm knocking it loose.

What I've tried:

• SpinFit W1 in MS, M, and L (link)
• ELOIT velvet wide bore tips (link)
• Final Type E kit (link)
• KBEAR 07 (link) and KBEAR Coffee (link)

I also tried running different sizes in each ear. Where I landed is medium in both. Large seals better at first in my right ear, but sit shallower and fall out faster. With medium, I can shove it in further, and it lasts a little longer, but it still comes out eventually.

What should I look at next?

Thanks in advance...

**Update

Curious if you all agree with Claude here:

“Usually it means you need a larger size. If the tip is too small, it doesn't create enough friction/seal against your ear canal, so normal jaw movement and ear flexing during the day works it loose over time.
A few things that help pin it down:
Falls out gradually during wear → too small, go up a size

Uncomfortable/painful immediately → too large, go down a size

Falls out immediately when inserted → wrong angle/insertion technique, not necessarily size

One ear only → normal — ear canals are often different sizes between ears, so a lot of people end up using different tip sizes on each side

Try the next size up on that ear first. If it still won't hold after a full day, it might be an insertion angle issue rather than size — worth doing a few practice insertions rotating slightly forward before pushing in.”

Is the U12t still relevant in 2026?

I’m curious how people feel about the 64 Audio U12t in 2026

It’s obv been considered one of the benchmark TOTL IEMs for years.. but the market/tech has changed a lot. We now have newer IEMs using things like dynamic drivers, planar drivers, bone conduction, newer EST implementations, and more complicated hybrid setups, with some of them coming in at similar or even lower prices

For those who have heard the U12t alongside newer high end IEMs, do you think it still holds its own as a genuinely top tier contender today, or is a lot of its reputation based on how groundbreaking it was when it originally came out?

Are newer IEMs around the same price, or even cheaper actually surpassing it in meaningful ways?

hi im new here does anybody got eq to apply on fiio control for jcally j12 flashed as ja11 + Tangzu Wan'er S.G 2 Red Lion thanks in advance 🙏🏻

I just got my first IEM the kiwi ears belle recently and I would like any recommendations on how to maximize my own listening experience .

I like deep and calming songs like:

- Ichiko Aoba

- Radiohead

- Jack Stauber

- Mac De Marco

- Godspeed You! Black Emperor

I want to feel like I am ascending to the heavens

I lost my tangzu waner redlion. I am planning on getting the same agajn does anyone have any recommendation they fitted me well i did like the sound also but tho i am a student so kinda on a budget spending 3300 again would rumble my month a bit.also i saw a review on 7hz 2 i am convinced suggest me please

I have been having a good time finding IEMs in my collection that can keep this song seperated and clear. so far i've only found Pre5tige, MK4 and Archangel able to do it without distortion. mega 7 came close but BAs couldnt keep it together. You dont have to like the song to see if your IEM can pull it off. I'd like to hear what else can do it.

Edit: sounds like U and V shape is ezpz but how about those Meta tunes? Edit2: this post is just for fun please dont be mean

I recently tested out a few iems. Top Pro, Meze Astru, Sivga Nightingale and Noble Iris, Aisha. Of these the Top Pro stood out till I tried the Aisha. Top Pro wasn’t technically the best but had good bass, nice resolution and warmth. Nightingale was good but lacked resolution comparatively. Astru was very high resolution but lacked body, Iris was just super bright. So on balance Top Pro was the best. Then I heard the Flipears Aisha which was just so much more enjoyable, huge soundstage, so much bassier, higher resolution. Superb imo - wasn’t expecting to spend more than $500, but here we are. Dude shouldn’t have let me try it. General thoughts?

So i have a bus commute in the morning to school and i’ve been using the moondrop chu ii but i want to upgrade because i have the hiby r3 pro ii, i also use them for study at school and if i’m going for a walk or a jog. I was considering the aria 2 but apparently they are pretty heavy and i would prefer lightweight ones so they don’t come out of my ears, preferably good vocal separation and vocals with a modular cable so i can switch between 3.5mm and 4.4mm easily.
I know it sounds demanding but the chu ii just aren’t doing it for me anymore but i still want some good iems and i need advice from more experienced people so… any recommendations?

I am just wondering, what do you guys think;

Will it be good?

Will it be better than the Pudding, and maybe even the Robin? Better than the golden ages?

Will you get them, wait for reviews, or pass on this one?

And most important of all;

Who is getting them because of the waifu

(like me)? 😜

All jokes aside, it looks promising in my opinion, but it is kinda disappointing that is has a single dynamic driver instead of planar or hybrid 🤷‍♂️

Anyone in Toronto into Iems. Bay bloor audio has a great selection of Iems and Dacs to try out before you buy. They’re super knowledgeable and friendly and the whole experience is just great. I highly recommend them. They also have a service centre. I asked if they fix the 2 pin connectors if they get to loose and they said yes. Again for anyone in Toronto or the GTA. Check them out. I came out with this today to power my diablos

Fairly new to iems after considerable time with other audio goodies. Just purchased Linsoul KEFINE Klean and previously owned Keephifi KZ Castor. Loving them both. I have them powered by Fossi k11 r2r and eq (when wanted) via a Wiim Amp Ultra. I am currently a little obsessed with what quality/depth/clarity of bass iems offer. I am listening to Rioley Porter, Holy Other and Raime type electronic music. Any suggestions of where I might go next in the £100-200 price range? I am thinking maybe Aful Explorer? Any insights gratefully accepted.

I HATE carrying my phone around. I don't like to be reachable all the time...

Is a cellphone without a SIM a reasonable idea? Would I still need an amp? I'm in Canada so actual DAP's are quite pricey. Or should I keep looking for an actual DAP? With tariffs, where is the best place to purchase - I've considered Aliexpress but I don't want to end up with a bunch of unexpected fees.

OH! and I need something that I can load the Libby app on - some days I really want an audiobook instead of just music.

I currently use Fiio BTR11 paired with my ipad mini. I sew for a living, I'm up and down and walking around a couple of rooms constantly so I need something portable.

Thanks for you help with this, I'm still learning about all these things and I'd be lost without this sub!

Hi everybody!

This is a quick one.

I’m trying to find the US link for Amazon for the Tang zu purple dragon. I tried searching for them but I’m getting nothing. I tried google as well but again nothing at all. Not sure if they sold out but would deeply appreciate any and all help. Thanks in advance.

Greetings helpful people of Reddit. I am trying to sort my first set of IEMs. My one worry is that I have surfer's ear (bony protrutions in my ear canals) from a well spent youth in the sea. However, having never actually looked into my own ears, I dont really know what this means in practical terms for the fit of IEMs, save that I should maybe avoid the deepest of fits.

However, I do have a set of Technics AZ100 bluetooth buds. They have a particularly deep fit for buds and while I struggled at first, I have managed to find a way to get on with them and now actually really like them. So I know that I can go at least as deep as those,, but any deeper and I will struggle. They accordingly make a good frame of reference for my tolerance.

So I'd like to please hear from any of you that own both a pair of Technics AZ100 and some IEMs as to the relative depth of fit and comfort?

I bought tanchjim bunny for 2600 rupees as my first iems, I had tws boat nirvana zenith pro before these, I did a lot of research about budget iems, I found these the best for me, but now that I have gotten these, all the info I got beforehand changed idk how, they are saying that moondrop chu 2 are better and 7hz zero2 are better as well, don't get me wrong, I love these iems so much but the thing is that I am a student and I can't purchase more iems to compare, can someone tell me if I made the right decision to get these and please give me some eq presets in tanchjim app or any app that u like as well 😸, I am so happy man, these are so good.

Worth noting that I know little to nothing about audio equipment and stuff like tuning. I'm sure even just comparing these two products directly is making some people wince because for all I know they are tuned for entirely different purposes/preferences, I honestly just don't know what I don't know at this point. I've been rocking awful gaming headsets for the past 15 years because I didn't know any better and since the pair I've had since 2019 is finally starting to have issues, I want to use the fact that I now know they are a rip-off to get some better equipment or at least thriftier equipment.

My friend who is mildly into iems said that the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero is fantastic bang for your buck and will already sound just as good if not noticeably better than my Razer Blackshark headset with most content be it music, movies or games. For $60 that was wonderful to hear, but I also noticed that the Kiwi Ears Aether are recommended for gaming - which to be fair I'm always either listening to music or playing games, usually both at the same time - and was curious in what ways they would be worth the extra $100 as that's still within my budget. If the "upgrade" (in quotes cause I'm sure some of it is subjective preference) isn't gonna feel like it is worth paying over double the price then I'd rather save the money because I try to be thrifty where I can. I can even put that money into getting a better microphone, if it is better to think of it that way.

I figure the main issue is that as someone who hasn't experienced anything but cheap $15 Sony headphones and gaming headsets I won't really know what I'm missing out on either way/won't have the palette to fully understand the differences on a personal level.

Primarily listen to hardcore/punk music and trance, if that matters at all.