Kiwi Ears Orchestra II 

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Let’s start with the unboxing, the orchestra 2 came in a smaller box than I expected but still nicely and efficiently packaged. Inside the package was everything you needed to get started. Two containers full of various tips and a wonderful cable that has a nice thickness, beautiful silver color and and is modular. You also get a very large quality case for storage.

The build is phenomenal, I absolutely love the way the faceplate shifts colors in the light. Overall, the build is solid with a nice face plate and the crystal resin back. This gives the MoonDrop Dark Saber and Blessing 3 a run for its money in both looks and quality of sound.  I found them comfortable for my ears and provided excellent isolation but I can see smaller ears being slightly tight. Tip selection I chose the clear with the black inner tube as my favorite out of the selection but later used Tangzu tips as my travel ones.

The Kiwis were tested with a large eclectic variety of music ranging from everything from speed metal to country music and jazz.  The equipment used in testing was the questyle M15, M15i Blue and Purple, ifi Valkyrie and Griffin , tempotec V3 blaze and the SMSL D20 and TRI TK2.

Sound impressions:

Based on this all BA in-ear monitor was surprisingly good. It had a nice depth and nice texture well, it lacked the deep deep impact of a dynamic driver. It still did an excellent job in providing detail, clarity and some some bass rumble. Mid-Bass had superb speed and minimal bleed into the midrange. Midrange was nicely warm and detailed with crisp clarity in the upper mid-range and a mild warmth in the lower mid-range.  I found the Treble well done enough extension without overwhelming and even if it’s slightly smoother than expected it still came across quite natural and with enough detail and clarity. Soundstage was normal, accurate and without exaggeration or a synthetic depth and width.

In a nutshell:

This is one of they best all BA IEM in this price range I have heard out of the thousands that I have heard in my time doing reviews. I loved the Orchestra lite but the 2 improves upon its solid foundation.

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 Fiio FG3 gaming headset

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The Fiio FG3 comes in adequate and descriptive packaging that is simple and efficient. Inside you will find a removable microphone. The headphones a manual and the included extension cable with a built-in sound card.

The FiiO FG3 is a wired closed-back gaming headset priced at $69. It features a unique coaxial dual-driver setup (50mm dynamic driver for lows/mids and 16mm titanium-plated driver for highs), an integrated DAC/amp with a dual-core DSP chip supporting 24-bit/192kHz audio, virtual 7.1 surround sound, and browser-based 10-band parametric EQ via FiiO Control Web.

The build on the FG3 is solid and lightweight but not too much. The ear pads are a squarish nylon mesh material that is much cooler than leather or pleather. I found them comfortable for long use.

The earcups are wide and provide a good space for an even larger ears. The headband was very comfortable and was covered in a felt like material. There was a metal bracer inside the headband and it adjusts to larger size heads within reason.

The microphone quality was crystal clear and actually sounded as good as my dedicated mic albeit was a little more intimate.

I use these headphones on a variety of games from first person Shooters like Doom Dark ages and COD to role-playing games like Skyrim and Dragons Dogma. There was an excellent amount of detail here.

Sound wise:

The Fiio FG3 was perfect for gaming with a nicely deep sub bass rumble and clear mid-range and sparkly treble. Soundstage is extremely accurate and wide but synthetic.

The EQ can be altered but stock wise it boosted bass or lessened it and increased soundstage.

Music wise at first I didn’t care for them but listening more it was a nice bright V-Shaped signature with good detail and crispy treble, the mids were clear but a little thin.

In a nutshell:

For the cost this is a great gaming headset and it doubles as a decent all around headphones too. My only concern is a the non removable cable.

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Zhulinniao (BirdDance) 

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Specs:

Drivers: 2 DD (10 mm dual magnetic / dual chamber with bamboo fiber and silk diaphragm + 6 mm PU+PEEK)

Impedance: 32 Ω

Sensitivity: 125 dB

Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Connector: 0.78 mm 2 pin

Cable: 106 core silver plated copper (3.5 mm versions with/without microphone and Type C with DAC + microphone)

Shell: CNC zinc alloy, over ear design

The Birddance comes in a beautifully adorned package of black and gold, inside. You will find three different kinds of tips in various sizes and a nice cable of Copper that is silver plated,  a case, albeit a little small and some foam tips. The construction is solid being all metal compared to previous versions of the bird dance that were resin or plastic.

I found them comfortable and they provided excellent isolation. Look wise I thought they were quite stunning and I loved the nice silver cable included.

Sound wise:

This is a set made for enjoyment. It is warm and Rich with a nice base punch that has decent depth and excellent texture, Mid-Range in particular, the lower mid-range has a nice rich tone and warmth to it that makes male vocals really sound incredible.

The Treble is tuned very safe and relaxed but still has enough sparkle and detail to sound quite natural. I would have liked a little more energy in air. Previous versions of this in-ear monitor were very bright and focused more on the treble.

In a nutshell:

This is a highly enjoyable IEM with a good price and solid construction. Most people would be happy with this for a daily driver but it’s definitely not for discerning audiophiles looking for a neutral tuning that’s highly detailed.

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NiceHCK NK1 Ultra dongle DAC/AMP

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The NK1 Ultra comes in a simple box with an attached USB type C cable made of silver plated copper and a Type A adapter. It is made from aluminum metal and is a simple way to improve the sound quality of other devices.

Sound wise:

This offers a mostly neutral tuning with warmth to its presentation and good dynamics, clarity and details. It’s a simple dongle. Those looking for brightness or uncolored sound this might not be for you.

The dongle worked well with every device I tried and was able to drive most IEM even planar well. I did use my Aune, KiwiEars and Philips X2HR full size headphones with a respectable volume but it didn’t perform well with the Fostex T50RP mayflower mod, dekoni blues and Hifiman Sundara.

In a nutshell:

It’s a good decent budget dongle nothing more or less.

Specs:

DAC chip: Conexant CX31993

AMP chip: SGM8262

Power Supply IC: LM27762

Impedance: 32 Ω

Plug type: USB-C

Output: 3.5 mm single-ended

Mic compatibility: Yes

Cable: 8 cores, silver-plated OCC Copper

Dynamic Range: 115 dB ( 32 Ω)

SNR: 115 dB ( 32 Ω)

THD+N: – 98 dB

Output Power: 122 mW @32 Ω

Sampling Rate: 32 bit/ 384 kHz

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 SACCATER AÉRA

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Specs:

MODEL: SACCATER AÉRA

IMPEDANCE: 15Ω

SENSITIVITY: 103dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40kHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm, USB TYPE-C

DRIVER UNIT: 1 PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVER

Let’s start with the package, the saccater come in the similar packaging that their famous hearing protection comes in , inside you will find their case and a small package with accessories. You get two cables A 3.5 mm and a USB-C , the cables are good quality. Although they are thin, they are quite soft and flexible. The units themselves are made out of aluminum unibody construction. They are small and fit and ears quite comfortably providing excellent isolation and also they would also be good for sleeping since they do not put a lot of pressure upon the ears. The Aera comes with various tips, a white set a pink dual flange set a smoke set and typical Letshuoer tips as they were partners on this design. You also get two sets of their earplugs that are great for going to sporting events and concerts.

 An interesting thing I found about these is they sound great at low volumes. There is enough punch in the lower Bass to be heard without need to raise the volume.

Sound wise:

The Saccater Aéra is a Harman tuned for Superior enjoyment without fatigue. The sub base presents with a very nice texture and rumble and the mid bass hits with a punchy tight and quite transient response.

Midrange is so pleasantly tuned, a nice warmish presentation with excellent note weight lower mids give male vocals that needed body to sound quite natural and the upper energy compliments female vocals. Vocals have good clarity and detail , they are forward centered in placement.

Treble on the Aéra is unusual for a planar as it is energetic, controlled and has good air. There is a natural detail to the highs without exaggeration. Soundstage is open and positioning is very accurate. Both depth, height and width are very good.

The Aéra in general has excellent but slightly smooth detail and very good separation and clarity.

In a nutshell:

The Saccater Aéra is a unique planar IEM, definitely not for a critical listener but more so tuned for the music lover and casual listening enthusiast.

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CCA Falcon

Specs:

. Drivers: 7 + 8 mm LCP Dynamic Driver

. Sensitivity: 104 dB ± 3 dB / 1 kHz

. Freq. Response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz

. Impedance: 25 Ω ± 1 Ω

. Connection: QDC

. Cable: 1.2 m USB-C/ 3.5 mm with or without microphone, 2 cores OCC with QDC

The CCA Falcon is a stylish budget IEM for gaming and music, offering decent isolation and good comfort. The included cable and tips are acceptable, though not my personal preference, and nothing else comes in the box. It features a dual dynamic configuration that’s surprisingly more detailed than bass-heavy. The CCA Falcon sports a shiny metal faceplate paired with a crystal-clear resin body and I think would benefit from a narrow bore tip swap and a better cable.

Sound-wise, it’s very detailed and open, with superb placement and clarity. The low end is present, but the sub-bass isn’t as prominent as the punchy, tight mid-bass slam. The mids are light, lacking warmth and a bit colder than I usually prefer, though they still carry good female vocal energy and detail. The treble is controlled, and while the Falcon isn’t generally harsh, it’s brighter than I like and slightly sharp in the finer details, though it offers fast transient response. The soundstage is excellent, with a wide, open, and highly accurate sense of space.

KZ ZAS PRO

Specifications

Model

KZ ZAS Pro

Frequency response range

20-40000Hz

Sensitivity

106±3dB/mW@1KHz

Impedance

21Ω

Pin Type

0.78mm

Plug Type

3.5mm

Wearing method

Ear-hook style

Wire length

120±5cm

Wire material

8-strand 200-core silver-plated wire

The construction of the Zas pro is very good for the cost, a nice-looking faceplate with a plastic back that is ergonomic and proved good isolation and comfort.  I really liked that KZ finally went with a different cable this one looks great and would be perfect if there was a balanced option. 

Straight to the point!

The KZ ZAS Pro features 8×2 drivers with 1 dynamic driver and 7 balanced armatures. Its sound delivers fast, punchy bass with a deep sub-bass that rolls off quickly, while the mid-bass offers a more dominant punch with excellent control and slam. The midrange is slightly recessed yet clear, presenting a warm, smooth, and natural tone, with vocals sounding great—male vocals having a bit more presence. Treble is relaxed and smooth, with enough air and sparkle to keep it enjoyable. The soundstage has average width with a touch more depth, and imaging is accurate and detailed enough. This isn’t a detail-focused, basshead, or treblehead IEM—just an easy, everyday choice for pure enjoyment.

ND audio LEO

Product Description

PRODUCT PARAMETERS

Model:ND Leo

Driver:10mm Dynamic Driver

Frequency Response:20-20000Hz

Sensitivity:106±3dB

Impedance:18Ω

Pin Type:0.75mm (Type-C 2-Pin)

Cable:High-Purity OFC Twin-Core Cable

Connector:3.5mm/Type-C

The Leo has a simple unboxing experience typical of budget sets, with no case included and a basic cable. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and offers decent isolation.. 

The ND Leo is a budget-friendly IEM designed for both gaming and music enjoyment, with a stronger focus on the latter. 

The bass on the Leo is quick and delivers solid impact, but it’s more prominent in the midbass region than the subbass. That’s not to say the subbass is weak—it’s just not overly emphasized. The midrange has a decent body but can sound slightly recessed on rock and metal tracks. Overall, the mids are warm and smooth. The treble is very open and airy but it’s not the most natural sounding at times. 

This IEM works well as an all-rounder, and I think it’s great for people looking for something casual and affordable to take out. That said, it’s a nicely made set with a solid enjoyment-to-price ratio.

Surfans M10

The Surfans M10 Crystal IEM features a hybrid setup with 1 dynamic driver and 1 balanced armature, delivering rich bass and clear treble. Its nano composite diaphragm offers fast, accurate, and distortion-free HiFi sound, while the 9.2mm dual-magnetic driver produces powerful bass and vivid detail. A precision resonator chamber ensures a natural, spacious soundstage with crystal clarity. The single-crystal copper cable with silver plating enhances resolution and provides ultra-clean signal transfer. With a transparent PC shell and aluminum faceplate, it’s lightweight, durable, and visually striking. The detachable 0.78mm 2-pin connector allows easy upgrades and a secure fit, and the coaxial braided design is shielded for noise-free, accurate audio.

I found the M10 to have a good light build quality and comfort as well as isolation were above average. The provided case was large and could fit the IEM and a dongle or small player perfectly. The cable was decent but was the weakest part of the presentation. 

Sound quality of the M10 is very enjoyable.

I found the Bass well done with enough depth and texture to convey the energy drum solo in Chocolate chip trip by Tool. The Bass is elevated but still sounds very natural and with good speed and decay. The midrange is lush with rich vocals and excellent note weight although there is a little brightness in the upper Mids the star here is Male vocals and warm lower Mids.  The treble is sparkly and has very good air and a comfortable limit to the extension. Soundstage is wide , accurate and would be great for games and music alike. 

This is a well-done IEM from a company that knows sound, It is a warm rich and somewhat musical IEM. 

Surfans F20 Pro

Specs:

Product Page: https://www.surfans.net/products/surfans-f20-pro

MSRP: $149.99 USD

Core Processor: MediaTek Helio P22 8-core Cortex A53

Internal Components: 2x ESS90182KM DACs, OPA1612 and RTC6863 Op-Amps

RAM: 4GB

Storage: 32GB internal, MicroSD card slot (supports up to 1TB)

OS: Android 12

Display: 2.73 inch IPS LCD touchscreen, 320×320

Connectivity:

3.5mm SE (125mW @ 32ohms per channel)

4.4mm Balanced (500mW @ 32ohms per channel)

USB-C (USB 2.0) for charging and data transfer

Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)

WiFi 5, 2.5GHz + 5GHZ

Battery :

2500mAh, up to 10 hours of playback

Supported Sample Rates and Formats:

Up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, DSD512

Dimensions:

101.9mm x 59.2mm x 15.8mm

Weight: 170 grams

Inside the box you will find: 

Surfans F20 Pro

USB-C to USB-A cable

Protective case

Manual

microSD card

The Surfans Brand has been known for a good solid made product at an affordable price point and the new F20 pro while more expensive than my original F20 (my original is many years old and still works like it was new) 

I’m glad that they went with the 4.4mm on this one because I am not a fan of the 2.5mm plugs. The build is as expected a nice solid aluminum body with glass on the front and back. The screen is small and the OS is simplified but honestly it works out better this way for a player in my opinion. The touch screen is a welcome addition and is responsive and bright. 

The Surfans F20 pro was tested with a large variety of music, songs like DEVO’s it’s a beautiful world, Mushroomhead qwerty, CyprisHill Insane,  Chriss Stapleton Tennessee Whiskey , Freya Ridings Lost Without you, Smashing Pumpkins Today and Zero,  Megadeth Let there be shred, and much more. 

IEM used was the Ziigaat Rumba, Kiwiears Halcyon, KZ Zas pro, and Surfans M10 as well as Aune AR5000 headphones and Fiio JT7 and Hifiman Sundara headphones. 

The F20 pro performed well with low noise and a nice neutral Harman like tuning, good energy and not lacking in detail. 

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