Intereting take, Paul. Thanks for sharing. I def prefer the stock tuning my self as I feel like it's more dynamic but the tape mod definitely delivers the goods when it comes to presenting the vocals.
I am looking forward to checking these out myself. The Doscinco is one of my favorites, and Ziigaat is making some pretty good sets right now. Jay is the one that got me to keep micropore tape at my desk, so it seems fitting that you are tape modding his sets.
Waiting for mine to arrive. Glad to see you cover it but keep that tape away from my Estrellas. Bass is almost identical to Doscincos and those have among the best bass I’ve heard. waiting for Ziigaat to evolve the Doscincos>Estrella> to a 2DD 2BA 2EST version with a price under $500 that will really make an impact
Excellent review. I'd been waiting to pull the trigger and I think your review, with the micropore tape mod and the EQ tuning suggestions pushed me over the edge. As usual thanks for putting so much into these reviews 👍
Yep, go down the list, stock, Jay's tape, micropore, EQ. People are getting slightly annoyed I lowered the bass but it was to make the mids and bass better.
It is super easy to drive and I will almost guarantee you lower the volume from what ever set you are using now. I should have mentioned it, but it is very sensitive.
I have heard them both ways. I would say they aren't a guarantee of a great set, but when implemented well, will sound different from other sets. Coming from someone who spends too much time listening to IEMs. Its often an expensive jump to Knowles/Sonions so you are paying quite a bit for something that not everyone might notice.
If there is an equalizer, which Jay still recommends to correct the sound at the end, why stick all sorts of crap to the headphones instead of using the equalizer right away? What a wild idea 🤯
Good question, mostly for convenience. Some people will be fine with Jay's tape mod, my micropore, or Michael Bruce's tuning filter. If you try those and they don't work, then yeah, just use EQ. I use micropore a lot since it takes 10 secs, but I also EQ.
good review...the graph of Supermix 4 resembles Estrella...does the sound is also similar on both??confused, whether the extra 150 bucks worth it?plz reply
They really aren't similar and perhaps Jay did that intentionally. The bass is very different and if you like a ton of bass, then its Estrella. Also SM4 is leaner in the lower mids, midbass, and over energetic in the upper mid so if you just care about female vocals, that is the SM4 style. Jay tried to fill in the mids so more bass presence and fuller mids. Two different styles.
I think most people will be in your position. As I said, I am kinda picky on hybrid DD, there is a level which most are good, but beyond that, I start to notice it when I should not.
Love your reviews :) I have 3 iems Aful P5, Letshuoer S12 and the Simgot EA500LM no foam brass nozzles (thank you) I am considering the Ziigaat Estrella. The sound stage of the EA500LM with your mod suggestion is magical will the Estrella match the 3d like sound stage of the EA500LM? The soundstage of the LM is by far better than the others that I have.
That is a maybe. Jay put a lot of upper treble energy into it and that is more of a ymmv. SIMGOT tends to not do that as much. I know one reviewer said it sounds artificially wide. It does stage well, but that upper treble is really an unknown how you will perceive it. Maybe foam tips if it bothers you. It will sound more resolving, but I am not a huge fan of that much energy out there at 16k-ish
@@PaulWasabii Wow thanks for the quick response. I won't buy them tomorrow but I won't be spending much more and the Estrella seems to be at the top of my list. Maybe as a XMas gift to my self :) I did live with and enjoy the 6 year old BGVP DMG's until I got my hands on the S12s. Amazing how much improvement has been made and seems to be accelerating.
@@PaulWasabii Well I took a chance and got them. Just arrived 15 min ago and they may be perfect !! I am 63 so the 16k-ish is not a problem at all I may try the tape mod to lower the sub bass a bit. Even the tips work well in my ears :) The $10 cable wont be sticking around but I don't mind. I got them for $272 and couldn't''t be happier. :)
Great review! Do you have a Link to the micropore tape you used (that specific kind)? And how does the micropore tape mod compare to the oracle mk3 (imaging, resolution, soundstage, and detail)?
Yes, it is 3M micropore tape. I think that is their trademark branding. When you are looking at EST sets like Oracle and Variations, those are technically better. I haven't heard Oracle, but with Variations, there really isn't anything lower than its price that will beat it on treble. Tribrids cost more, but worth it if you have to have the best. If you have Oracle money, you buy Oracle.
@@PaulWasabii Thank you. I wasn't impressed by the Mega5Est tech ability. Was only slightly better than my Hyoe 4 in details and resolution. I was thinking the pilgrim would be better in tech over the oracle mk3 but idk.
Nah, desktop near zero impedance. I had measured it with 10hm and that wasn't better. If it had tilted the treble down instead of up, that would have been almost perfect.
What is a Tape mod? And a micropore? And how do u change the tuning. Didn’t know you could do that. I just got into IEM community and tryna learn, and pull the trigger to purchase some good iems.
Micropore tape is basically 3M medical tape, very porous. Micropore is their brand name. On the side of Estrella is a colored vent hole, if you put clear tape or a porous tape like micropore, it will restrict the airflow to the driver and lower the bass level.
They are radically more energetic at both ends than SA6 MK2. That is a tough one as they are so different and if you are really into the mids on SA6, Estrella is quite different.
Part of my issue there is how the bass is handled and stage on Hype 2. For me its a better match until I EQ Estrella. You can see it on the graphs, Estrella boosts the treble which is a nice more resolving point, but it messes with other things I pointed out. I haven't heard Hype 4, but I imagine it is closer to that with the BAs Jay chose. As I said, I am kinda picky about hybrid DDs and a bit of what I talked about, Hype has a hard hitter DD and the vent some subs so it sounds less dense, don't need as much boost. Also why I tried to flatten the V on Estrella and what you see on Tea Pro.
@@PaulWasabii by the way, have you tried boosting mid bass on hype2 ? it improves a lot the soundstage and add warmth and grit to male vocals at the cost of female vocals sounding less clear. i tried tape mod on hype2 and it kills too much bass for my taste
Dusk EQ, Estrella tape, Pilgrim. One thing to note and I think Jay would say this, the treble extension on Estrella is way out there, if you consider that more resolving, than Estrella might be better for you.
@@PaulWasabii Great, can you do a video comparing the popular 300-400 IEMS ? This will help us to understand the drivers' quality and different presentations for each one
Must disagree about mod tuning. The reality is that Jay clearly understand, without that bass heavy tuning it won't be that competitive even for 300$. Cuz most customers just buy Davinci or Dynaquattro instead.
Nah. This is more appealing to me than Davinci and Dynaquattro. I would have preordered Davinci if I was on a lookout for a good IEM a few months ago. I lost interest of it when I preordered Deuce, but when Estrella came, I was hyped and also preordered this.
Oh I think most people would disagree and I have no problem with that. What most people don't realize is that micropore didn't lower it that much, just so it stayed primarily under the mids and reshaped it to bring out the impact which others mentioned while keeping subbass extension without the boom.
Thanks for the in-depth review Paul!!
Would love to demo these , maybe soon 😅
Hype 4 better
Thanks, always enjoy your detailed observations on how adjustments to different frequency ranges effect the overall sound of an iem.
Intereting take, Paul. Thanks for sharing. I def prefer the stock tuning my self as I feel like it's more dynamic but the tape mod definitely delivers the goods when it comes to presenting the vocals.
I am looking forward to checking these out myself. The Doscinco is one of my favorites, and Ziigaat is making some pretty good sets right now. Jay is the one that got me to keep micropore tape at my desk, so it seems fitting that you are tape modding his sets.
I don't know how fitting it is, seems like people didn't like the idea of taming the bass.
Lets gooo 🎉. Was curious to see your review on this.
Waiting for mine to arrive. Glad to see you cover it but keep that tape away from my Estrellas. Bass is almost identical to Doscincos and those have among the best bass I’ve heard. waiting for Ziigaat to evolve the Doscincos>Estrella> to a 2DD 2BA 2EST version with a price under $500 that will really make an impact
That is fair. As I said, I went back and forth in EQ on the subbass. There is a very fun side to it that isn't hard to like.
straight droppin' knowledge..! i luv your style...i feel like i learned a lot, which is always good...thanks paul..!
Enjoy
Excellent review. I'd been waiting to pull the trigger and I think your review, with the micropore tape mod and the EQ tuning suggestions pushed me over the edge. As usual thanks for putting so much into these reviews 👍
Yep, go down the list, stock, Jay's tape, micropore, EQ. People are getting slightly annoyed I lowered the bass but it was to make the mids and bass better.
You have done a well detailed analysis bro
Thanks I was waiting on your review.
Nicely Done.
Glad you were able to get them in for review.
Great review and analysis, thanks as always Paul!
Great review Paul. I’m saving my coin for SBDM.
Paul, thank you for another wonderful earphone review! 👌
Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱
When Paul Wasabi drops a Mando quote... YUP, time to PTT😂! Excellent review, nice touch with MP-mod, 👏 BZ 👏!
Lol. I just hope people experiment with it.
Awesome review. Nobody was explaining the tape mod in such detail.
What about drivability? Which protable amps/daps are the best?
It is super easy to drive and I will almost guarantee you lower the volume from what ever set you are using now. I should have mentioned it, but it is very sensitive.
@@PaulWasabii thanks. Which sources have you tested. Is there any difference in sound quality across them?
Legal! 😮
thanks
The Harman target becomes a no-fly zone. I think that you perfectly described the Harman target for me.
You can justify it with there is more bass and not noticeable, but it is always noticeable for people who turn the volume knob.
So Knowles and Sonion drivers are worth the hype? Not just a marketing bait?
I have heard them both ways. I would say they aren't a guarantee of a great set, but when implemented well, will sound different from other sets. Coming from someone who spends too much time listening to IEMs. Its often an expensive jump to Knowles/Sonions so you are paying quite a bit for something that not everyone might notice.
❤
Great set and review! Is the Hydro far behind in technicalities to the Estrella?
Raw techs, not far. Tonality of Sonions and Knowles is the missing piece.
Thanks 👌
Every time I try to cover a vent and then I go gym and blast the iem. The sweat and the cover vent creates the driver to flex a lot
I even notice it in the summer, not sweating at the gym. Just a bit of moisture in your ear. Another reason to use micropore and not clear tape.
@PaulWasabii agreed. There is paper round filters with stickers that they sell in ali express with 1mm or 2mm size. Paper filters for this vents
If there is an equalizer, which Jay still recommends to correct the sound at the end, why stick all sorts of crap to the headphones instead of using the equalizer right away? What a wild idea 🤯
Good question, mostly for convenience. Some people will be fine with Jay's tape mod, my micropore, or Michael Bruce's tuning filter. If you try those and they don't work, then yeah, just use EQ. I use micropore a lot since it takes 10 secs, but I also EQ.
Paul Wasabii collab when?
Not sure when, but I like the parts Jay used
good review...the graph of Supermix 4 resembles Estrella...does the sound is also similar on both??confused, whether the extra 150 bucks worth it?plz reply
They really aren't similar and perhaps Jay did that intentionally. The bass is very different and if you like a ton of bass, then its Estrella. Also SM4 is leaner in the lower mids, midbass, and over energetic in the upper mid so if you just care about female vocals, that is the SM4 style. Jay tried to fill in the mids so more bass presence and fuller mids. Two different styles.
I HIGHLY doubt if I get these I'll be reducing bass lol. I like bass as long as it doesn't sound muddy.
I think most people will be in your position. As I said, I am kinda picky on hybrid DD, there is a level which most are good, but beyond that, I start to notice it when I should not.
would you have your collab?
Not yet
Do painter tape work for the tape mod?
As Paul mentioned
The tape he uses, breathe
Painter will work but similar to Jay's tape mod curve, I am not sure there will be any airflow.
Love your reviews :)
I have 3 iems Aful P5, Letshuoer S12 and the Simgot EA500LM no foam brass nozzles (thank you) I am considering the Ziigaat Estrella.
The sound stage of the EA500LM with your mod suggestion is magical will the Estrella match the 3d like sound stage of the EA500LM?
The soundstage of the LM is by far better than the others that I have.
That is a maybe. Jay put a lot of upper treble energy into it and that is more of a ymmv. SIMGOT tends to not do that as much. I know one reviewer said it sounds artificially wide. It does stage well, but that upper treble is really an unknown how you will perceive it. Maybe foam tips if it bothers you. It will sound more resolving, but I am not a huge fan of that much energy out there at 16k-ish
@@PaulWasabii Wow thanks for the quick response. I won't buy them tomorrow but I won't be spending much more and the Estrella seems to be at the top of my list. Maybe as a XMas gift to my self :) I did live with and enjoy the 6 year old BGVP DMG's until I got my hands on the S12s. Amazing how much improvement has been made and seems to be accelerating.
@@PaulWasabii Well I took a chance and got them. Just arrived 15 min ago and they may be perfect !! I am 63 so the 16k-ish is not a problem at all I may try the tape mod to lower the sub bass a bit. Even the tips work well in my ears :) The $10 cable wont be sticking around but I don't mind. I got them for $272 and couldn't''t be happier. :)
Great review! Do you have a Link to the micropore tape you used (that specific kind)?
And how does the micropore tape mod compare to the oracle mk3 (imaging, resolution, soundstage, and detail)?
3m micropore tape
Yes, it is 3M micropore tape. I think that is their trademark branding. When you are looking at EST sets like Oracle and Variations, those are technically better. I haven't heard Oracle, but with Variations, there really isn't anything lower than its price that will beat it on treble. Tribrids cost more, but worth it if you have to have the best. If you have Oracle money, you buy Oracle.
@@PaulWasabii Thank you. I wasn't impressed by the Mega5Est tech ability. Was only slightly better than my Hyoe 4 in details and resolution. I was thinking the pilgrim would be better in tech over the oracle mk3 but idk.
Paul, was your source gear mostly desktop with highish output impedence?
Nah, desktop near zero impedance. I had measured it with 10hm and that wasn't better. If it had tilted the treble down instead of up, that would have been almost perfect.
Oh 3rd?
What is a Tape mod? And a micropore? And how do u change the tuning. Didn’t know you could do that. I just got into IEM community and tryna learn, and pull the trigger to purchase some good iems.
Micropore tape is basically 3M medical tape, very porous. Micropore is their brand name. On the side of Estrella is a colored vent hole, if you put clear tape or a porous tape like micropore, it will restrict the airflow to the driver and lower the bass level.
@@PaulWasabii thanks man that really helped explain what it is and does, great video btw 👍🏽💪🏽
Dunu SA6 MKII user here. Would these trade blows or sound "more expensive"?
They are radically more energetic at both ends than SA6 MK2. That is a tough one as they are so different and if you are really into the mids on SA6, Estrella is quite different.
vs similarly priced hype2 ? thanks
Part of my issue there is how the bass is handled and stage on Hype 2. For me its a better match until I EQ Estrella. You can see it on the graphs, Estrella boosts the treble which is a nice more resolving point, but it messes with other things I pointed out. I haven't heard Hype 4, but I imagine it is closer to that with the BAs Jay chose. As I said, I am kinda picky about hybrid DDs and a bit of what I talked about, Hype has a hard hitter DD and the vent some subs so it sounds less dense, don't need as much boost. Also why I tried to flatten the V on Estrella and what you see on Tea Pro.
@@PaulWasabii by the way, have you tried boosting mid bass on hype2 ? it improves a lot the soundstage and add warmth and grit to male vocals at the cost of female vocals sounding less clear. i tried tape mod on hype2 and it kills too much bass for my taste
Can you rank these in terms of tech plz ?
Estrella tape / dusk / pilgrim
Dusk EQ, Estrella tape, Pilgrim. One thing to note and I think Jay would say this, the treble extension on Estrella is way out there, if you consider that more resolving, than Estrella might be better for you.
@@PaulWasabii
Great, can you do a video comparing the popular 300-400 IEMS ? This will help us to understand the drivers' quality and different presentations for each one
How much is this set?
299usd
Three big Bens and I have to put a piece of tape on it..uhh no way son
You don’t have to at all. Not if you like dat Bass. Tape mod is equivalent to a breast reduction. No thx. Leave those Double DD’s alone
As the previous comment said, not required but I prefer it with less.
Must disagree about mod tuning. The reality is that Jay clearly understand, without that bass heavy tuning it won't be that competitive even for 300$. Cuz most customers just buy Davinci or Dynaquattro instead.
Nah. This is more appealing to me than Davinci and Dynaquattro. I would have preordered Davinci if I was on a lookout for a good IEM a few months ago. I lost interest of it when I preordered Deuce, but when Estrella came, I was hyped and also preordered this.
Oh I think most people would disagree and I have no problem with that. What most people don't realize is that micropore didn't lower it that much, just so it stayed primarily under the mids and reshaped it to bring out the impact which others mentioned while keeping subbass extension without the boom.
So many new sets i want 😢
The new sets keep coming