Things have settled down in March (well not the weather) but here at the HiFi Mai Tai Beach Bar its the cocktails that we care about above all else and on that front the Bartender has settled down into a more comfortable routine. The Bartender has tasted three new cocktails this month and the results have been… interesting. So lets not waste any more time and instead look back in time in the HiFi Mai Tai Mar26 Summary.
Mar26 Summary – The New IEMs
As mention previously I have reviewed three IEMs this month. Across these IEMs the setup of my taste test has been relatively consistent and therefore, comparison between these IEMs is appropriate though as not all of these cocktails have targeted the same tuning such a direct comparison may be unwise. The reviewed IEMs were:
- Tangzu Waner Red Lion: 61.47% (The Happy Hour Specialist)
- KZ DQS: 63.89% (The Happy Hour Specialist)
- CVJ Nightelf: 67.08% (The Happy Hour Specialist)
All three of the reviewed IEMs were awarded the rank of ‘Happy Hour Specialist’ with none falling below the 60% mark and none rising above 70%. Therefore, all of these IEMs are good in their own way. The KZ DQS has a fantastic Bass. The CVJ Night Elf has a pleasant warm sound. And the Tangzu Waner Red Lion well… its really red.
All three of the reviewed IEMs can be considered as budget (if not ultra budget). The CVJ Night Elf was the most expensive at £23 and the KZ DQS the cheapest at £19 so there really isn’t much between these three IEMs price wise. Perhaps if you are new to the audio hobby the Red Lion is the best value simply because of its accessories and eartips. The Red Lion is a very complete package especially when compared to the void of nothingness that accompanies the KZ DQS (and other KZ IEMs).
Only the CVJ Night Elf uses multiple drivers. Amongst these three its the exotic option. The three drivers in the CVJ Night Elf do in some ways give it the edge over the KZ DQS and Tangzu Red Lion which both use single dynamic drivers and this is reflected in the total score. However, when compared to other multi-dynamic driver arrangements such as the KZ Decet it is relatively disappointing. Its worth pointing out (I guess that the point of writing these things) that the KZ Decet is hardly more expensive.
As ever to check out the Comparison Page to see how these IEMs and more compare. The Comparison Page is updated at the end of each month to included the IEMs reviewed in that month.
Easy Recommendation
This month picking the ‘easy recommendation’ is more challenging and perhaps nonsensical. For my easy recommendation I chose the Tangzu Waner Red Lion. It hasn’t impressed me in the same way as the KZ Duonic did last month in fact in many ways I really wasn’t taken with it. But I do think it is a complete package that is excellent value. I do think people are going to like it and I know (thanks to the wonders of the never sleeping internet) that there are those out there that think very highly of it. So whilst it isn’t for me the Red Lion is my recommendation (not sure if its an easy recommendation but I am recommending it).
My Favorite
Picking my favorite of this months IEMs was much easier. In some weird way I have definitely connected with the KZ DQS. I am not entirely sure what it is that I like so much about it. It has a good size sound stage. It has a lot of bass with decent texture. It has good resolution delivering good detail. But other than the bass its perhaps not excellent at anything. I guess I just feel this is one of those IEMs that works. It sounds the way its supposed to. Its comfortable with who it is and I can certainly respect that.
Mar26 Summary – The One To Beat
The idea behind this section is that at the end of each month my favorite is compared against the one to beat from the previous month with the winner staying on for another month. This comparison does not consider the price or the specifics of the sound. It is simply a new favorite vs my reigning favorite. And only one can survive to the following month.
My reigning favorite from last month was the TRN VX Pro+. And I do find myself wanting to say that the KZ DQS is my new favorite. But the TRN VX Pro+ is a better IEM. In some ways its like choosing between a restaurant and a dodgy kebab shop. Yes of course the restaurant has better food but sometimes you just was grease and salt and consequences be damned. In end though my head has won out (I am trying to be healthier after all). I chose the restaurant. The TRN VX Pro+ gets to live on for another month at least. Long live the king.
Feb26 Summary – Upcoming IEMs
I can’t promise these will all get done within the next month but I am looking at assessing the BGVP Scale, KZ EDX Pro, Roseselsa Aurora Ultra, and KZ Vader Pro. The KZ IEMs will as ever be spaced out to account for shear number of them. On top of these budget IEMs I have a couple of slightly more expensive cocktails lined up. Nothing that expensive (still budget) but a step up from the ultra budget IEMs that have been the focus of this month. I will be keeping these as a surprise so be sure to check back in to see whats new.
And that about does it for the Mar26 Summary. As ever if you have enjoyed your stay at the HiFi Mai Tai Beach Bar then please subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on Instagram.
Enjoy your cocktails!
