Exactly, super like-able just not for the crowd who like lean, pristine detail sets. As I said, you find a similar signature up and down the price points because its super like-able.
Kind of late on reviewing this set. Close to a year late! It’s a set that you can listen to all day without fatigue. I’m treble sensitive so my opinion of them varies from yours. Probably my favorite along with the IKKO OH5 Asgard. If Iwant a bit more neutrality, I pull the OH5’s out.
Yep, its good for treble sensitive folks, people who like it warm. People who like to hear the 8BAs of micro detail, maybe not as much. It is way better than Performer 8.
Yep, continues to get talked about and almost more positive now than when it was released. Proof that not everything needs to be a copy of Variations to sell well
Nice review as always. When measuring the sources did you remove and renter it into the coupler ? because If you didn't move those results are extremally impressive. Also could you post the graphs from both sources to the squiglink. Thanks
I cannot. I am not sure who said it was better than Variations, but I'd say that is a preference for a warmer sound than techs. Sometimes people ask for the best tech set without understanding the best tech sets are typically not generally like-able like Top. A small bump in midbass does wonders for a more like-able sound but can also smooth over the BAs to the point it is hard to hear why they are there.
I just do not understand "reviewers" that reveal nothing about fit and comfort of IEMs they "review". I think nobody in their right mind may want to purchase such a highly priced set if it's very uncomfortable to wear. Thieaudio Monarch III is a good example of what I mean. I care less about sound signature, tuning and visual aesthetics if a set is uncomfortable. That's why fit and comfort have to be addressed first in ant review.
Friend has this iem..depending on the source and if I'm in the mood for a particular genre, it's quite good..but I'm still waiting for a Fatfreq review Paul..don't make me come looking for you
Yeah, very much a mood or background set. I would rather borrow it than buy it. As for FF, a friend has the Scarlet Mini ordered so when that arrives, I'll beg. Without hearing any FF set, I'd probably say them same, I'd rather borrow it than buy it. 2024 will be the midbass year as pushing 20-30db at 20hz is very genre limiting where you would hear it. Midbass is different beast on impact and slam.
Agreed..Fatfreq's marketing seems to embellish the sub-bass niche for the bass lovers demographics..that fringe group just eats it up..unless you're watching home theater through them they don't make much sense..I myself have the Maestro SE and out of the box is very capable technically but after EQ'ing it with a flatter base shelf and dropping in a bit more lower mids it really comes into its own..I still think you'll be surprised by the Scarlet Mini though..I have have to throw this in here and I don't mean to gush but you Paul are hands down the best reviewer on RU-vid because you are thoroughly objective with a splash of subjectivity thrown in..just the right balance..as with anything in life
Hey Paul , love all your answers on comments , you've answered most of my questions too , i think the Oricle mk 1 is a better alternative to the TOP with the Est driver ,what other iems upgrade can you suggest , with the Canon 2 , reviewers said it's not as full sounding as the Top , the Monach seems a lot more expensive ! I'm sure some iems with Est driver is an upgrade over the Top like the Zenns Up or Oracle Mk 1 over Technicality .
Yeah, Top hit the richer, smooth sound which is why people are drawn to it. The other side, you hit more like Variations, more technicals, less warm, richness. EJ07M is in the middle, not quite Top or Variations but 4EST. To be honest, the upgrades cost more and there is no single perfect set so you see them on the used market. The Oracles, MESTs, other Thieaudios. I haven't heard enough sets in that class, but I would buy them used. I can appreciate a better set, but paying a full $1500usd for a new something isn't worth it usually.
It is reasonable but as I said, it is a warmer, smoother sound so if you are expecting to hear much more than you hear now in details in resolution, its not that type of set. If you just want a nice sounding, warm mid-fi set, then yeah, its a nice one. Is it 5X better than EM6L, not really but you might like the tuning more.
Got these recently and they're great. My only nit picks are to do with non-sound qualities. The provided cable is pretty bad in my opinion for the price. It holds memory really well, just a pain to deal with. Also the nozzle size is wuite big for my ears, probably just a me issue, i tried smaller tips and theyre still giving me a bit of discomfort, i recon in a few weeks ill get used to them though.
Its a very nice set, I do wish it was cheaper or there were more used sets around. A ton of people want to hear it and some will like it, some will sell it. I understood the mixed reviews but the sound signature and execution are what people appreciate on Top. If micro details are your primary concern, there are sets for that.
I think they all have the same issue, inconsistency. P8 was a bit of the same, you needed a source that paired well or you end up with an "intimate" stage as reviewers called it. Same on Top, I heard it both ways. Resolution is about the same too for the same reasons, the tuning does not showcase techs, they went for a warmer, generally appealing sound rather than pushing BA detail.
Paul, still love my Olina SE, driven out of MB Air or iPhone dongle. Have basic eq at 64 +1db, and 32 +2db, at 2k and 4k (-1.7db) using macEQ. Spotify premium is my source. using stock wide bore tips and stock cable. I'm looking for similar to Olina SE, with more air on top and upper detail. Between the Top (used $300), Hype 2 new $285 amazon, and Hype 399 , your thoughts?
Yeah Top is pretty close and Hype 2 has that midbass dip which you might find lean. Those dips like Variations are either great or the problem depending on who you are. Yeah Top, is more fun and if you are going to EQ, you probably can fix most of the initial review nitpicks. That warm signature doesn't present crazy detail or more upper detail, you might need to peel back the bass or slight boost in EQ. Go back and read some of the early not as positive reviews. It has the hardware, but the signature isn't detail or treble forward. EQ can fix that and the DD is very nice. Or do the same with Hype2, but Top has nicer drivers. As I said, a used Top is in the sweet spot, the full price has people nitpicking the detail levels because its not treble in your face. I like Hype 2 alot, but Top sounds like the price. Those Xenns guys can tune and pick drivers.
@@PaulWasabii thanks for the reply. I find basic equalizers like the macEQ are set up to adjust bass very well, but not so much treble, offering only 4k and 8k... so any IEM that is too hot 5k-7k my setup cannot fix via EQ. The midbass tuck of the Hype2 is easily fixed if I find the need to do so... just adding 1db at 250 and 2db at 125. I'm happy with any IEM that doesn't need fixing in 5k-7k region.
Been waiting for you and Michael to review this one. Do you think the EJ07M is better technically wise? I've been looking for an upgrade to the EM6L in this price bracket for a while now and I haven't decided yet
Yes, maybe two sets for two different preferences. Top is not really a technical set so yeah, ej is better in that respect. People who prefer more midbass, warmer will like Top. I think it fits with Xenns sound where M is a bit warm, but more neutral and clean. Hence the mixed reviews, people prefer more technical at this price point.
@@PaulWasabii I've been back and forth for months now and you might just gave me the answer I was looking for. Probably will go for the M, but do you have any other recommendations in the price range? My daily driver is the EM6L, my only problem is that the upper mids sometimes are a bit too spicy, I also have the Zero Red and I kinda like the upper mids more but I'm missing the slam and note weight from the mid bass
I am in the middle of a decision since I am starting in this world of audiophilia: buy the Mangird Xenns Top or buy the YanYin Canon II...I have heard that they sound similar but there is approximately $150 USD difference in price between each one... @Paul Wasabii what do you think?
I haven't heard Canon but as I said, you can find a similar signature at lots of lower price points. I'd bet it does sound similar and save the $150. Looking at the graph, its close enough and you get switches. I think Xenns is a great brand so keep an eye on them while you enjoy Canon.
Im having trouble choosing between these and the Ie600, since i can get both for the same price right now. My music taste is all over the place, but as a guitar player i care about clarity and separation in the mids and upper ranges when i listen to Rock and indie. Otherwise i enjoy bass when i listen to edm stuff. How much better is the technical performance of the IE600 compared to the xenns top? Overall what would be the better choise between the two in your opinion?
I never heard IE600 but Top is just not a technical set, I don't care how many BAs it has. It is tuned to be warm and smooth than clarity and separation. Nothing wrong with it, but people see the price tag and 8BA and think it is a technical beast. Buy a cheaper bass set for edm and get a planar like S12 Pro for clarity and separation.
@PaulWasabii thanks for the response. I already have a set of 7hz Timeless. I wanted to upgrade to something special where the budget can get high if justified. I have been reading and watching more reviews and everything you say is resonating with most people. Well maybe i will save some more and get a set of monarchs mk3.
Ive been reading up and it seems Variations loses out to this ever so slightly maybe and I would've bought it if it had a used one for around 350 since I bought my Variations for 320, maybe at some point but it feels redundant to do that. It does look great though
You need to read that carefully, most people are going to be divided on the midbass and treble. Some people fall to Variations, some to Top. Both are amazing but typically tuned to different people.
@@PaulWasabii that sounds good to me actually that way I know there's enough of a difference that I don't end up finding the purchase a sort of "why even if this already does that" Putting Xenns Top on hold for Thieaudio Hype 4 for now though since that one's really got my eye after mentions of it being a mini mk3
Hey, I know these iems are different to each other but, I was looking at he aful performer 8s, but now I'm tempted to get these - which ones would you say is better value for money? I'm assuming 8s? I'm waiting for 11/11 to see the prices too aha
Having tried both, Xenns Top is better but also quite a bit more money. As I said, it has a warm sound and for hybrid fans, that can be a big turn off as it won't come off as technical as you are expecting for the price and driver count. Would I say the same on Performer 8? Yep, it has the same issue, nice set but could be better. Ideal situation would be a discounted Top (and it was discounted at some point from other stores) or used Top. I am not sure I would pay full retail for either one. But do check out other reviews on Top, you will see a lot of not technically good enough or other faults like that.
Thanks for the detailed response, I think I'll bite when it hits 20%+ off. I've seen some used ones sell for sub $400 too, it's just that I live in the UK so it's harder to come across used ones 😢
Sorry, never heard IER M7. Top is quite a bit more V-shaped on the graph and I think if you go back to some of the initial reviews where they said Top isn't a tech beast, M7 might have the edge there in a tuning that really shows off those parts. Just looking at the graphs, people who like flatter styles tend to not prefer more bass, more treble.
