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Campcounselor
0
May 29, 2019
I have a set of Zeus xrs I got at Namm a few years back I have of the empire ears line up. Before I order these as a back up set are these the same as the ones I purchased a few years ago?
PaulNS
87
Jun 1, 2019
CampcounselorIf nothing else, the shell is different as well as the screen over the 4 ports. No idea if this counts as a 'difference' to you; however, it's not the exact same as the original units. I'm not sure what else has changed or been improved.. also, AFAIK these are the "non-XR" tuning.
(Edited)
Campcouselor
17
Jun 3, 2019
PaulNSYes I'm aware of this.. I was the first one to offer the empire ears zeus as an option here on mass drop. I own 7 of there iems including the legend x the Savage 9s and the zues xrs and zues with adel. I went through the package of tips and even put on my dekonis trying to figure this out but I'm certain something's up. The sound stage is also no where as vast as either of my other Zeus's. Granted these are also in a ciem set up. I'm running them through an Apex audio Teton amp and a Chord audio Dave DAC.
erfan_elahi
32
Jun 9, 2019
PaulNSonly concern is the sound quality match to the original Zeus. It would be nice if someone owns both and compare.
Campcouselor
17
Jun 12, 2019
erfan_elahiThey sound good but aren't quite the original. The original have a vast soundstage. These are much more confined in that regard. Instrument separation is still great. These are a tad brighter but not by much to my ears.
erfan_elahi
32
Jun 12, 2019
CampcouselorConcerning the sonic performance, judging it as a $1k IEM, it's worth the value. I mean, comparing with other similar price ranged IEMs, vast soundstage isn't available, right? I do like bright signature. If it can give better separation and clarity than the Andromeda then I will take it...
(Edited)
Campcouselor
17
Jun 12, 2019
erfan_elahiI haven't heard the Andromeda but it does have great separation. I think the Sonic signature is changed a bit from ciem to universal just because of how the tips squish in your ear. But that's just my observation between the two. With a great dac these have wonderful separation and soundstage. The difference between the 2 is the soundstage . The originals being a giant arena vs these being a large opera house. If that helps.
erfan_elahi
32
Jun 13, 2019
Campcouselor"a giant arena vs a large opera house" ya, that completely clarifies that you get what you paid for! Actually me indecision between U12t or this Massdrop Zeus. What's your source with Zeus? Any upgrade cable you used?
(Edited)
Campcouselor
17
Jun 13, 2019
erfan_elahiI'm using a DHC clone silver cable modified for the connection on these IEM's . I think these are better than the u12s which I purchased before getting the Zeus in the first place but with those being $1000 dollars more than the Zeus "at the time for me$400 more than the Zeus" I think the construction of the u12s is a little better and rigid but the Zeus blew it out of the water. Take the extra 1000 you will save and get a real good dac . Chord mojo or Hugo
erfan_elahi
32
Jun 14, 2019
CampcouselorI am not into pursuing build quality any more. No matter how much indestructible it seems, they are all diminishable. I bought a secondhand 64 Audio U6, the last user used for 3 years, and me after 2 months of usage, send them to 64 audio for deep cleaning and diagnosis. Sonic performance is still perfect; only problem is the pins from 2 PIN connector shorts out and not easy to remove, so I asked them if it can be fixed. They said it's unrepairable. Probably the last user changed the cable regularly. Although 64 Audio IEM shells seems indestructible ! So to me long lasting depends on your care and LUCK ! So from now on, I will only focus on sonic performance. As listening impression is always subjective individually so it's always a buy and try... I have Sony ZX-300 DAP, so for the moment won't go for a separate DAC. If I feel it needs improvement, then I will try with Mojo or Sony PHA3. I haven't used any DACs before. My ZX-300 has a 4.4 mm balanced port. Most other DAPs used 2.5mm balanced port. As per pictures of mojo, I only see there is 3.5mm output. Not mentioned "balanced". I am not wise in the audio world technically, but based on what I have read on head-fi, isn't sound quality is improved from balanced output? Anyways placing the order now. Thanks again for your impression and comparison with the U12. :-)
Campcouselor
17
Jun 14, 2019
erfan_elahiThe mojo or Hugo for sure will widen the soundstage and give excellent seperation. I think the dac is by far the second most important thing you can have. I'm not a chord fanboy but they are just some of the best I have heard. My chord DAVE was the third best purchase I have ever made in my musical audio career and by far the best in my audiophile career. Every iem headphone and monitor speaker runs through it. Now I'm not saying you need to buy this one but having the mojo and Hugo2 will give you a superb soundstage and seperation
erfan_elahi
32
Jul 24, 2019
Campcouselorhi, finally got in my hands yesterday. Took one and half months due to postage delivery and post office clearance... Can you suggest the perfect burn-in hours? Initial sound right after opening was so crappy. Specially from the mids. There was a weird tingly constant sound every time on the drums hit and from the vocals. It's 75% gone now after 25 hours of burn-in so far. But the treble is too thin and fatigue and very congested still. Paired with my Sony WM1z at the moment. So far only listening with the stock cable as I want to keep it burned too. Will pair later with my EA Thor Silver II on the balanced port of WM1Z.
(Edited)
PaulNS
87
Jul 24, 2019
erfan_elahiNeither BA or cables have “burn in” potential, so it depends on your gray matter :) It takes me about a week of exclusive listening to ‘switch’ between any IEMs.
(Edited)
erfan_elahi
32
Jul 24, 2019
PaulNSStrange, but many speak of "burn in" so I thought it matters too... I am aware about listening adjustment. It took me week too from CA Andromeda to 64 Audio U6. But really, it's too thin and very congested at the moment. Is this the signature or is it I received a faulty one? It's not that it sounds crappy from one ear, but from both on the mids. I tried some warm instrumental composition - the piano, cello sounds very neat. But when listened to metal, I cannot image between the drums and guitars at all.
PaulNS
87
Jul 24, 2019
erfan_elahiThere is some argument and anecdotal ‘evidence’ of a physical “burn in” on specific DDs (eg. membrane loosens / settles). The Solaris has a DD and a BA - and I’ll humor such has a physical “burn in” potential. The Zeus only has only BA transducers and is thus exempt. There is definite brain “burn in” though - human brains can completely invert an upside down world in a few days!
(Edited)
PaulNS
87
Jul 24, 2019
erfan_elahiUnfortunately, that’s the way the hardware itself will continue to sound.. different sources or tips, or maybe even EQ.. as well as brain adjustments. Although, maybe it’s just not a tuning that you enjoy or are accustomed to. I opted out of the Zeus for a TE5B (can only afford one) and I’m in the “DD / hybrid camp” after moving from the K10UA which did not suit my preferences.
(Edited)
erfan_elahi
32
Jul 24, 2019
PaulNSHi, I do like bright signature and avoided the k10 as many commented that as ‘bassy’. But the Zeus initially sounded too thin and very harsh. And there is a weird constant tingly sound which I found even after changing tracks. All I am trying to figure out by any chance if I have received any faulty unit. May be with one or more BAs. I will spend a week with it and will confirm.
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