what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

[Raymond Lin]

Update on the Fosi Audio i5.

This thing is going to be amazing....I hope! Can't wait!

[td] [td]Posted by Fosi Audio [COLOR=rgba(40, 40, 40, 0.5)]May 22, 2025

Dear Backers, Thank you so much for your continued interest and support for the i5 campaign! We've received many questions over the past few days, and we’d like to take this opportunity to address some of the most common ones: 1. Did you fix the sub-bass roll-off issue? Yes, we did! Our original intention with the i5 was to create a headphone that users could wear for long listening sessions and fully enjoy their music. That’s why we kept the sub-bass a bit relaxed to avoid listening fatigue. But after getting a lot of honest feedback from reviewers and users, we made some changes. The updated i5 now has noticeably better sub-bass, while still keeping its smooth and pleasant overall sound. We’ve already sent the improved version out for comparison testing. You can find those reviews soon on the internet. Below is the comparison between new and old frequency response curves: 2. What did you do to fix the sub-bass roll-off issue? The sub-bass was weak because the Velcro earpads weren’t sealing well, which caused sound to leak. We added a small sound-isolating ring around the driver to fix the leak — that boosts the sub-bass in a big way. 3. Can you still swap the earpads? Sure. The new ring doesn’t affect pad swapping, you can still change them when you receive them. 4. Which version will be the final version for the Kickstarter campaign? We plan to implement the upgraded version in the mass production batch, including all orders placed through the current Kickstarter campaign. However, considering that many users value the playability and customization of their gear, we’re exploring the option of making the isolation ring removable. That means while the isolation ring will be pre-installed in the mass production units, users will have the freedom to remove it if they wish to explore different sound signatures, similar to how swapping ear pads can affect tuning. 5. How long is the warranty for the i5’s headband? Can it be replaced? We offer a 24-month full warranty for the i5. The headband, made from genuine leather, is highly durable and not prone to damage—under normal use, it should last over 3 years. In the future, we will also make replacement parts such as the headband and earpads available for purchase, should users need them. If you have more questions, feel free to drop them in the comments below this update, we’re here and happy to help! Thanks again for all your feedback and support! Fosi Audio Team​

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[mrk]

I didn't realise the EQ'ing was done in hardware. I thought it might have been software, particularly with that large screen OS/Dashboard. So it's very cool.

Is your preference for the internal DAC, or the K11 R2R as the DAC?

I see the X9 uses the AKM AK4499EX+AK4191EQ chipset that I think are their flagship. I've seen them in the original Fiio K9/K9 Pro and it seems you have to spend that much to get those.

I initially thought software too but Luxsin's own page states "hardware level" EQ, so I suspect it's similar to what Topping and SMSL do with parametric EQing, just this is a more simplified process to allow more people to easily tune their cans with just a few clicks instead of directly messing with a curve. They have chosen to opt for direct Harman curve curve profiles so at least you know exactly what you're about to get when selecting one of the several profiles per headphone and then fine tune beyond that if needed.

I really like the K11 R2R's DAC, it's quality is way above its price point and is something other reviewers have noted too even in recent reviews of it. The X9's DAC sounds very similar, it's close enough that it gives kudos to just how good the K11 R2R's DAC is but it's when you start playing with the extra functions on the X9 where the difference in class and price come into their own. I'm running in bypass mode when in DAC only mode to the speakers as the sound is great and I'm fine with that, the headphones out mode uses the HP-EQ though and that's where the X9 ups a gear and overtakes the K11 R2R. Both DACs are better sounding than the A80's internal DAC though thanks to wider soundstage and subtle differences in imaging, with the X9 you can actually adjust the soundstage width how you like though too.

Yeah AKM's 2 chip solution has been out a few years now and used by a few brands, seem similarly priced too.

I didn't want the BT version. One of those annoying times when I go to order the normal K7 and it just went out of stock. Did find somewere selling it, but then thought sod it I'll just buy the BT variant for £40 more. My experience is that I rarely use BT input. There's no differences other than I think the BT revision did have the newer firmware when they had software issues around launch (still had up to recently with the botched v1.24 No RGB firmware).

Interestingly I don't find it to be bright, or very much in-line with a solid state sound. I'm kinda with Zeos in that the Fiio K7 has that nearly neutral, smidge or warmth house sound that they did on the K5 Pro. Certainly not as analytical, or bright as the K11 (non-R2R), or the SMSL C200 (ESS Sabre DAC) that I had. I'd hazard a guess that the Topping DX3 Pro+ is more neutral, for example. The Fiio K5 Pro and Fosi Audio K7 use similar XU208/AK4493/OPA1612 configurations. The difference is the K7 has THX AMP chips, but maybe I'm also used to the sound. Certainly I don't have any bright headphones so in that sense I'm shielded. Equally though I with you in that I do also prefer a warmer sound, for most things, other than gaming. The iFi Zen Signature stack I bought in January has a lovelly warmth and smoothness to its burr-brown components, which along with the Xbass/HD6XX button is pure magic. Really elevates the bass on the HD 6XX/650. So I can imagine R2R and tubes do even more.

And I think that's were I ought to go next. I hate the thought of certain aspects of an OTL tube amp and there seems to be budget offerings (Darkvoice, Little Dot, Bottlehead Crack, Xduoo TA-66), or very expensive set-ups. Not much in-between. I have noticed there are a few that wax lyrical about the Fiio K11 R2R + Xduoo TA-66 combination where I can imagine the warness gooey sound is very pleasing. Particularly on the HD 6x0 series. Whether the R2R DAC is going to be that different from a iFi Zen CAN feeding the TA-66 is probably guesswork.

Still follwoing all the research I've done recently, I'm a bit fed up of looking at DAC/AMPs etc. That's why it was quite nice last night to remember to enjoy what I've got a bit more. I'm still not there on a final set-up and some headphones still calling, but want to get off the hardware carousel. 2026 needs to be a cold turkey/no new DAC/AMP/headphones year!

Yeah I found the DX3 pro+ to be neutral-warm, the kind of sound I am used to coming from the old NAD amp days. It's just a shame the unit died weeks after purchase and I returned it, plus it had the flaky volume dial which skipped increments on each other notch which was super annoying.

Tubes are something I toyed the idea of but the more I read the more I learned about some of the issues some may face like tube fatigue, needing to warm up before they reach optimum sound and some even emit a hum or noise at low volume depending on implementation or tube quality.

Ultimately I think if Luxsin were to release an X10 down the line which had speaker binding posts, then that could be a definite end game for me as a one box does it all solution and save a plug socket and desk clutter in the process

 

[Timber]

Tubes are something I toyed the idea of but the more I read the more I learned about some of the issues some may face like tube fatigue, needing to warm up before they reach optimum sound and some even emit a hum or noise at low volume depending on implementation or tube quality.

Add heat, power usage, distortion and more prone to interference/noise. And being a massive slab of metal which I've barely got room for. Like you that puts me off.

The problem is that I love the HD 6x0 and they apparently love tubes. So it's catch-22.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Tubes have too much maintenance for me to bother about, i know it's not much but the fact that almost always, they never ship it with the best tubes and you end up spending tens if not hundreds of pounds "upgrading" them, just put them in the hassle side of the fence.

 

[Timber]

Tubes have too much maintenance for me to bother about, i know it's not much but the fact that almost always, they never ship it with the best tubes and you end up spending tens if not hundreds of pounds "upgrading" them, just put them in the hassle side of the fence.

Yep.

Although the Xduoo TA-66 seems to ship with very solid tubes to begin with. Nearly everyone seems to remark that it's comparable with the old Darkvoice, but upgraded. So I don't think it'll necessarily need tube rolling, albeit that might be some of the fun gone if you don't. Just based on reading reviews/reddit and headfi it's probably the closest thing to a ready-to-go OTL budget tube amp that you can get.

 

[Angst]

Going to spam it here as well but ive put a k11 r2r on the mm for sale if anyone is interested.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Yep.

Although the Xduoo TA-66 seems to ship with very solid tubes to begin with. Nearly everyone seems to remark that it's comparable with the old Darkvoice, but upgraded. So I don't think it'll necessarily need tube rolling, albeit that might be some of the fun gone if you don't. Just based on reading reviews/reddit and headfi it's probably the closest thing to a ready-to-go OTL budget tube amp that you can get.

I am more interested in this...

 

[SonicSW20]

Doesn't seem worth making a separate thread for this question:

Does anyone know where I can find 3.5mm TRS male to dual 3.5mm TS (or TRS, I'm not using a balanced source though) male to suit Hifiman headphones? I use a little Bluetooth Fiio thing away from home, and with it clipped to my top, I really don't need a long cable. Shorter the better really. Shortest I can find online is 1.5m, I'm really looking for 0.5m or less.

 

[Timber]

I am more interested in this...

That's cool, I hadn't seen that one. YouTube algorithm didn't flag that for me which is interesting.

It seems to have that big flaw of being sold for US/NA customers. Is there any proper retail distribution and support for European customers? I've been through that with getting Drop gear and loathed to support Schiit when they don't offer great distribution in the UK. Although annoyingly have the Gunnr in stock atm, but too late and after I bought the Fosi K7 already.

Also the added thing of being a modded Schiit product so going to be very limited. Love the concept though.

I don't use planars and iems really so those benefits are lost on me atm.

Apos seem to get cool stuff like the Gremlin, or the R70X Refine and we don't see in the UK.

 

[Raymond Lin]

That's cool, I hadn't seen that one. YouTube algorithm didn't flag that for me which is interesting.

It seems to have that big flaw of being sold for US/NA customers. Is there any proper retail distribution and support for European customers? I've been through that with getting Drop gear and loathed to support Schiit when they don't offer great distribution in the UK. Although annoyingly have the Gunnr in stock atm, but too late and after I bought the Fosi K7 already.

Also the added thing of being a modded Schiit product so going to be very limited. Love the concept though.

I don't use planars and iems really so those benefits are lost on me atm.

Apos seem to get cool stuff like the Gremlin, or the R70X Refine and we don't see in the UK.

Yeah, when i was looking for an amp, Schiit stuff was recommended online but hard to get here.

 

[Angst]

Yeah, when i was looking for an amp, Schiit stuff was recommended online but hard to get here.

They have their own uk distribution https://www.schiit.co.uk/, it used to be run through electromod, not sure if it still is.

 

[Timber]

They have their own uk distribution https://www.schiit.co.uk/, it used to be run through electromod, not sure if it still is.

Yea that's the one. But a lot of the range is OOS on there, but in stock on their EU site. The Gunnr was like that for a long time.

 

[mrk]

You can buy from the USA site and select UK plug/voltage on the product page. The risk is potential customs duty when it lands here though of course.

Going to spam it here as well but ive put a k11 r2r on the mm for sale if anyone is interested.

Be interesting to know how much yours goes for, you know, for future science potentially

 

[Timber]

You can buy from the USA site and select UK plug/voltage on the product page. The risk is potential customs duty when it lands here though of course.


Be interesting to know how much yours goes for, you know, for future science potentially

Yea but that's a nightmare if you have to RMA, or exchange. Drop did use Amazon UK to sell their PC38X headset for a while and that's kinda great. Full confidence in buying then.

 

[mrk]

True, I have heard that some Schitt stuff has gone bork from time to time so local RMA is the thing to have here I guess.

On the X9 front, my review is done, just waiting for it to go live. Sneaky look:

Surprisingly this may be the first full review of this online as nobody else has published one yet, think I got right place right time nailed down for this one.

 

[Timber]

True, I have heard that some Schitt stuff has gone bork from time to time so local RMA is the thing to have here I guess.

On the X9 front, my review is done, just waiting for it to go live. Sneaky look:

Surprisingly this may be the first full review of this online as nobody else has published one yet, think I got right place right time nailed down for this one.

Also Schiit stuff isn't the most reliable either. So local RMA is high up there.

I did see there is hardly anything on YouTube. I'd imagine a full review is going to do well for views

 

[Angst]

True, I have heard that some Schitt stuff has gone bork from time to time so local RMA is the thing to have here I guess.

On the X9 front, my review is done, just waiting for it to go live. Sneaky look:



Surprisingly this may be the first full review of this online as nobody else has published one yet, think I got right place right time nailed down for this one.

Just in time, pass it on and I'll write mine

 

[mrk]

Some talk on ASR about this too, it was pointed out it looks like the "R2R volume control" is actually just a bank of relays to step the volume smoothly instead of an actual R2R ladder. I've asked Luxsin to clarify what it actually is. The Topping A70 Pro for example actually says relay volume control and operates the same way. We need to be technically accurate here!

 

[Things change I've changed]

It's a relay volume control (not DAC), this has it's benefits and downsides, it helps with balancing left and right audio channels usually within 0.5dB, but it can also introduce noise is it's switching through the relays, usually in the form of clicking and sometimes a slight static noise via the speakers/headphones, both volume control philosophies have their pluses and negatives, for example the relay control on the A70 Pro sometimes had a habit of skipping of the volume control was moved quickly and if a relay fails you will have a small 05.dB gap in the sound at that point.

 

[mrk]

There is no speaker/hp click or noise at any point of the entire volume range so they have implemented some system to make sure that doesn't happen it seems, which is to be expected at this price, also if I move the dial really quickly any direction then the relays seem to react in realtime with zero audible delay or increment skipping on the display. I've noticed that every 4 increments the relay bank changes over, so looks like it's in banks of 4 for the balance control. You can hear the other bank switch over at the same time on every 4th increment. when the stepping is set to single increments in the menu.