And my second entry into this category. The SuperMix 4 needed a little burn in to balance out the bass but sounded pretty much stellar out of the box.
Qobuz > SU-1 > Mojo > SuperMix 4 (foam tips)
This is a spacious, natural sounding IEM. Pin point imaging; holographic, but less holographic than my HEkse. The FR sounds pretty natural to me, with elevated sub bass.
It does pretty much everything well. It is an exciting listen and is my current favourite chain, yes, more so than my Exogal > WA22 > HEkse. I was shocked to realise this yesterday, after having listened to my big boy set-up most of the day while working. I switched in up to my Mojo > SM 4 combo and it just sounds near perfect to me…
Simgot’s SuperMix 4 is £110-145 new. Nice case, cable, etc… but the sound quality, to me, is worth every penny. This pairs well with my Earman Eagle, but it’s when it is fed with my Mojo that it blows me away.
I forgot to mention, the SuperMix 4 is the best headphone/IEM I have used for competitive FPS. I can tell so clearly when someone is on the other side of a wall, on a floor above me, etc… Again, this is using a Mojo.
After I heard about the inverted polarity thing going on with the Supermix 4, I used a cable I have with the earhooks removed and flipped it around and there is definitely some pretty decent audible differences. Everything seemed much more immediate and incisive. Better clarity and better separation for sure. Not really sure how that got through QC but it’s worth a shot if you have a cable you’re willing to cut the earhooks sheathing off of.
All of these are pretty god for people just starting out actually, but the shanling h2 is godlike in general
It takes sd cards
Its bluetooth works very veey well
The size is just a tad smallee than than the ifi gryphon
Its boasts an amazing almost 700mw for a $150 device with all of these features.
Its just one step away from making the hd600 sound real good, the sounds signature is organic and fun, but leaning into neutral.
I was sad when I sold the ifi gryphon my walking companion bur for a fraction of the price this does about 80% of what the gryphon did, for portable use only tho. Still impressive.
Can confirm fiio ft1 is good. When I saw wooden cup biocellulose drivers I knew something was up. Saw good reviews and Reccomended it to friend went over and tried it out. It’s pretty fun solid dare I say probably the best closed back in the market sub $300? Not saying much considering the lack of good competition but it’s pretty great does the biodynamic thing well tight controlled bass , mids aren’t the best I’ve heard but good for a closed back, and treble is well controlled. Built very well. I didn’t get to try it long enough to get a good assessment on technicalities.This is honestly probably the best headphone I’ve heard so far to come out of the big Chifi brand headphone releases that isn’t hifiman. I’ve been looking for an affordable closed back to take around with me on the go I may have found my answer it’s a bit big but I do like to show off.
As i was waiting for one of my 2 channel amplifiers to warm up an irrational thought popped into my mind and i decided to plug my Old OG XDUOO into the Ideon Absolute Time / SOtM combo i have sitting next to me on my headphone station. It’s easily been 2 if not 3 years since I’ve handled the XDUOO, it had 3/4 charge on it and fired right up I threw an old pair of Cardas IEM’s on it and away we go. . That’s some good ol’ Chi-fi.
However while colecting I found some of the best ones, and also tried lent ones. These id still recommend to this day, its actually an updated list. most are less than $20
yincrow x6 - best v shape for cheap
Faaeal Iris 2/lotus - just very good balanced sound that scales very cheap
Faeeal Rosemary 3.5mm - IDK why the 4.4mm version has different drivers and sucks, the 3.5mm is probably the best neutral sounding bang for buck on this list
Nicehck Vido - the original vido was 2 bucks and took names, this one is like 12 but the old one is long gone, basically very solid and unnofensive overall
Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th - before the 7th (version) it wouldnt have made this list but oh boy they really nailed it. For bass and warmth while keeping detail on a budget this is the best.
Venture Electronicd Monk SL - Its similar to 7th with a more neutral tunning, its not as good but its way comfier for most.
Now on the not so cheap ones:
K’s Bell - I cant use this one its too large for my ear but it is very gold for $50 neutral tunning.
Venture Electronics Zen Lite - just a great pick with very good bass and staging, treble is kinda the weakness but it works.
Yincrow RW2000 and RW3000 - These go on discount often and its an absolute V shape party with the punchy bass and energetic treble, but theyre very good on the mids they are present. Some of my faves.
RW4000 - This is the one on the picture, they completely changed direction and went for a neutral bright tuning with modest bass, I love it because the detail is insane, the mids and treble are beautiful
Venture Electronics Zen SL and Zen 3.0 - SL is warmer in general and a bit harder to amp, Id recommend Zen 3.0 to most because the sound is a way more complete package but I was looking for a very warm relaxed tunning, and the SL shell is comfier to me.
I threw an old pair of Cardas IEM’s on it and away we go. 
. That’s some good ol’ Chi-fi. 
