General Headphone Audio

Raymond Lin · 10 Oct 2025 at 19:09

I'll post pic !

I have replaced the stock one with these I got free with the Waner 2. The texture is less (talcon powder like) of the stock and stays in my ear canal better.

Raymond Lin · 10 Oct 2025 at 22:07

Comparing it to my Nothing Ear (2), which cost 3x more. These are better. It uses the same app so it has basically the same features bar a couple of slight changes. The CMF lacks wireless charging but I never actually use that, I prefer to charge via wire. The Nothing Ear (2) is better built with nicer plastic.

Back to sound, at detault, the CMF is still too bass heavy for me, I have to turn off the Bass boost that was on by detault and then turn the EQ to Vocals to get close(er) to the tuning like the Hexa and Dunu Titan 2. Even then there is still this bass shelf on the sub bass that is present, it is still V-shaped and in this particular song that i listen to, there is a repeated piano part that is more recessed here. Fortunately, not too much with this tweak and has brought the vocals forward the way i like it.

They are such good value I think I might even get some as Christmas Presents, it's way better for the money they are selling for.

ANC isn't on Apple's level but also good enough, I was using it earlier outside and the other person never complaint about not being able to hear me. I would say changing the tips made a good difference, probably at least like a -3 or even -6db difference.

mrk · 10 Oct 2025 at 22:21

I like them a lot, will be perfect to use when riding or at gym/climbing etc not bothered about ANC on anything as passive isolation does a fine job with the seals the stock tips create.

The enhance vocals preset for me messes with the upper end so have this set up as custom with mids dropped -2, treble boosted to max and bass left alone.

maj · 12 Oct 2025 at 16:44

Has anyone paid any custom fees when ordering audio equipment/headphones from AE? Not sure whether to expect any with my Edition XS order and it's due in the country soon.

I had the ZH3 on my watchlist and I was offered a reduced price direct from Fosi for it which expired this afternoon so have gone for it. I'm not overly critical when it comes to music and just want something I can plug in my headphones and powered speakers and just enjoy listening to music or playing video games. Will be replacing my JDS Labs Atom v1 and Topping D10 (non balanced) combo. Both served me well and had them for years so hopefully this is a worthwhile move.

Raymond Lin · 12 Oct 2025 at 18:27

maj said:
Has anyone paid any custom fees when ordering audio equipment/headphones from AE? Not sure whether to expect any with my Edition XS order and it's due in the country soon.

I had the ZH3 on my watchlist and I was offered a reduced price direct from Fosi for it which expired this afternoon so have gone for it. I'm not overly critical when it comes to music and just want something I can plug in my headphones and powered speakers and just enjoy listening to music or playing video games. Will be replacing my JDS Labs Atom v1 and Topping D10 (non balanced) combo. Both served me well and had them for years so hopefully this is a worthwhile move.

It depends on the item. I've ordered multiple things over the £135 threshold from AE, some didn't have to pay, but the XS I actually did. But the stuff I didn't have to pay I actually paid VAT on checkout.

mrk · 13 Oct 2025 at 22:08

I've been lucky most times with no import fees from AE. It's a lottery though.

This is amazing on headphones, that central vocal dominates:

Grim5 · 14 Oct 2025 at 09:05

mrk · 16 Oct 2025 at 06:35

Grado has shown off the S750 with an all new driver with an FR that rivals planars, be interesting to see how it sounds. Seems it has also learned a few lessons from years of criticism and upped the quality meter, comfort and now has detachable cable with balanced options.

I want to get my hands on a pair of S750 and see what modern Grado is like having owned the SR60 and SR80 in the past.

Grado Labs Unveils Signature S750 Headphones: Brooklyn-Born with All-New Drivers

Grado Labs expands its Signature Line with the new S750 headphones, featuring a redesigned S2 driver, improved comfort, and premium build quality aimed at high-end wired headphone enthusiasts.

www.ecoustics.com

maj · 16 Oct 2025 at 16:35

So I've recieved the ZH3. Nice looking unit however I've not tested it yet it as I've overlooked that to get the most power, you need to use the balanced input when I don't have a balanced cable. Up till now I've just been using the cable that came with the HE400SE with a 6.35mm adapter. I can use the same on the ZH3 but I'd only get 640mW*2 compared to 2570mW*2 on the balanced input. Might be enough? Possibly. I never really understand that area of audio.

It's something to consider if I do keep this, that I'll need to also add a balanced cable into the cost but I guess any amps now are going down the balanced route. Does anyone know if a 4.4mm to 3.5mm female adapter will work? Or is it likely to not produde the same quality as a straight balanced cable?

Angst · 16 Oct 2025 at 17:24

maj said:
So I've recieved the ZH3. Nice looking unit however I've not tested it yet it as I've overlooked that to get the most power, you need to use the balanced input when I don't have a balanced cable. Up till now I've just been using the cable that came with the HE400SE with a 6.35mm adapter. I can use the same on the ZH3 but I'd only get 640mW*2 compared to 2570mW*2 on the balanced input. Might be enough? Possibly. I never really understand that area of audio.

It's something to consider if I do keep this, that I'll need to also add a balanced cable into the cost but I guess any amps now are going down the balanced route. Does anyone know if a 4.4mm to 3.5mm female adapter will work? Or is it likely to not produde the same quality as a straight balanced cable?

Far more than you will need, you will be fine with the 6.35mm cable.
You can adapt a single ended output from an amp to a balanced 4.4mm cable but not the other way round.

maj · 16 Oct 2025 at 22:22

Angst said:
Far more than you will need, you will be fine with the 6.35mm cable.
You can adapt a single ended output from an amp to a balanced 4.4mm cable but not the other way round.

Good to know thanks.

I may look for a balanced headphone cable anyway so I can get the most of out the amp. Appreciate the help

Raymond Lin · 17 Oct 2025 at 21:39

Swapped my i5 to with my HD580 this evening with the DX5II.

The cliche "OMG, I am hearing things I haven't heard before".....kinda true. I don't think it's not something that isn't presented in the i5, but it's not as forward. I am hearing the little noise when fingers go up and down the fretboard on a guitar on the HD580 that isn't so obvious on the i5.

mrk · 18 Oct 2025 at 00:57

Raymond Lin said:
Swapped my i5 to with my HD580 this evening with the DX5II.

The cliche "OMG, I am hearing things I haven't heard before".....kinda true. I don't think it's not something that isn't presented in the i5, but it's not as forward. I am hearing the little noise when fingers go up and down the fretboard on a guitar on the HD580 that isn't so obvious on the i5.

We kind of discussed this previously where it was determined that the Senns gelled more with the DX5II than it did with Hifimans, so it makes sense other planars would see the same difference I guess.

This has also made me realise I need a spare set of affordable dynamic headphones to test against as I am getting in the new SMSL R1 and as it's aimed at gamers, so a pair that's popular among gamers but still viable as audiophile headphones without parting with much cash would be ideal.

Grim5 · 18 Oct 2025 at 03:23

Raymond Lin said:
Swapped my i5 to with my HD580 this evening with the DX5II.

The cliche "OMG, I am hearing things I haven't heard before".....kinda true. I don't think it's not something that isn't presented in the i5, but it's not as forward. I am hearing the little noise when fingers go up and down the fretboard on a guitar on the HD580 that isn't so obvious on the i5.

Timber · 18 Oct 2025 at 11:11

mrk said:
We kind of discussed this previously where it was determined that the Senns gelled more with the DX5II than it did with Hifimans, so it makes sense other planars would see the same difference I guess.

This has also made me realise I need a spare set of affordable dynamic headphones to test against as I am getting in the new SMSL R1 and as it's aimed at gamers, so a pair that's popular among gamers but still viable as audiophile headphones without parting with much cash would be ideal.

Learnt something new as I wasn't aware of this product. Apparently this new R1 is only €65/$71 so very budget oriented. The styling is a bit too 1970's for me, but it's great to see these sort of options appear. As the likes of Astro and Sennheiser/Epos have left the gaming DAC market Fosi, SMSL et al can fill that gap. So really glad it exists, albeit early reviews on Head-Fi aren't great. But to be honest I wonder if they've missed the point of this product and it's probably really going to be at its best on a PS5 where USB audio is more important.

Feel like the HD 6x0 is the obvious answer to your earlier point, but I know you're owned them before. And also the HD 6x0 is so strong at mids, vocals and strings which matches @Raymond Lin choice of music and might also be why the HD 580 shines.

Raymond Lin · 18 Oct 2025 at 11:26

I am not kidding, I then swapped to the Edition XS, which are known to be bright, but I can't hear those same fingers ofer strings down the fretboard noise as clearly. I then switched to my IEM, the Dunu and Hexa, nope. The HD580 just has something more.

It's a very good reason to have a pair of HD600 (and family) around to mix things up a little, a little reference point if anything else. But for enjoyment, it is also really good, it stops things getting stale.

mrk · 18 Oct 2025 at 11:37

I've watched a bunch of reviews covering this year's HD505 Copper and it seems that it offers an enhanced soundstage to the HD6xx line whilst also having other changes that may be interesting:

At £229 it's not truly budget, but is still in territory.

I've had the HD650 before though and this seems to follow the typical Senn trend line, and as I type I realised that next month the new Maxwell 2 is out and those are being sent so maybe I should just hold tight and see what they bring to the table as they are geared specifically for gamers who are also into their audio.

Timber · 18 Oct 2025 at 13:29

mrk said:
I've watched a bunch of reviews covering this year's HD505 Copper and it seems that it offers an enhanced soundstage to the HD6xx line whilst also having other changes that may be interesting:

At £229 it's not truly budget, but is still in territory.

Nice. I do think I would personally favour the 550 over the 505 given the reviews and the closeness in price (£20) but both are liked.

Actually at the point I'd probably even consider the 490 Pro due to the comfort and new chassis.

mrk · 18 Oct 2025 at 13:37

I will have to do more research and figure out what else is out there in the dynamic driver space. I'm sure there must be something that's even cheaper but just as good if not better!

Raymond Lin · 18 Oct 2025 at 14:39

As a reviwer I think you should have the HD600 within reach as that is very ofter referred back to. It is like a watermark for certain genre of music.