I think you might be considering the fact that less expensive IEMs also use multiple drivers (or there are other hybrids out there). And so the question ends up being "what makes these hybrid IEMs or multi-BA IEMs better?". The bottom line is that not all drivers are A) made the same, and B) implemented in the same way. There's a lot that goes into this, everything from a materials perspective (the physical thing that moves to produce sound) to the way crossover is handled, to the design of the spout and so on. From a sound perspective, these do a much better job of detail retrieval and image clarity. The closest Chi-Fi to these might be something like the Moondrop Blessing 2 (which is possibly the best value IEM I've yet heard).

Since ibasso and hiby are chinese, they should be also called chi-fi right?

late but maybe relevant: I have the 2019er version and in my opinion they totally are, i listen to a multitude of genres, jazz, classical, rock, metal, electronic, hiphop etc and they are amazing. To add, i use the A&K SR15 as the source and occaisionally use the eq to boost bass a little bit if I need the extra oomph

Definitely vx is better

Vx is actually one of the best fitting iems, probably smaller than Solaris 2020

Did you get the Anole VX? If so, how is it? I’ve been looking at it for a while now but keep stopping myself from pulling the trigger.

@@varunnarain50 unfortunately never did buy them. I did purchase the Sony ier-m9 and those so far have been my favorite iem and you can get them at a great price point ($550-700 depending on where u get them) they’re exactly what I was looking for

I think you can always just add a bit more bass with EQ. If you're looking to buy a second headphone, maybe consider an open-back planar?

@@TheHEADPHONEShow that sounds good, I was considering either LCD-X/LCD-2, but never heard how they sound, what do you think? I had Beyerdynamic DT 177x GO the sound quality is pretty decent, but doesn't seem to be the same level as Elegia. Built quality and look is very important for me. Driving Elegia on Fiio Q1 mkII and switching to iFi hip Dac completely changed the game for me , I see why these complains for no-bass come from, just need the right amp.

I don't think they are appropriate for the Andrew's serious audiophile music lol.

Albeshr That is not a thing.

Albeshr with the Cloth pads they are - for their price point..

Solaris would be my preference for that. More 'fun' sounding too with the DD bass.

U12T is still my favorite yeah. A8K is technically very impressive for detail and slam, but I prefer the treble response of the U12T.

JT Jr the U12ts are superior in every way to the A8000s the a8000s lack bass that's what other prominent KZfaq audiophile reviewers have said and honestly for 2000$!! i expected more of the a8000s

The HEADPHONE Show how does the new Solaris vs U12t?

I play them off my Sony NW WM1A and they sound just fine

@@Mr1stcat That's the thing though. You're rocking a $1200 DAP that's even more expensive than the iems themselves. They better sound good on that.

@@devinwilliams4860 yea your right lul

Sony Zx300 half the price of NW WM1A, on sale as new model is out. Rock perfect without any noise at all. Best is that 4.4 connection. Try if you have the chance.

@@sunnysunshine9016 yep your right

The 2020 version yeah, but you may also want something with a DD in the bass.

and IER M9 as well

Sony? Sony?? SONY??? S O N Y ????????????????????????????????? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

(nah joking)

@@malthus101 you can't say it's a sony, but a flagship Sony on fucking steroids

@@belugawhale6539 i was also quite astonished when i saw Z1r and m9 .... I mean i had only heard sony xtra bass earbuds😂 so the price was mind boggling..... But when i tried it once...... I am saving to buy that..brilliance.... Put my money in doge😂

MDR Z1R? Completely different. The Z1R is awful imo. Clarity is severely lacking and everything sounds covered and veiled. Clear is much better in that regard. Detail is what matters the most to me in audio and the Z1R just makes me kind of sad. They are beautiful and very well made however. If you like warm things you'd probably like them.

Not even a comparison. Solaris beats SE846 in every aspect except isolation.

@@AliArghavan Purchased Solaris 2020 paired with Astell & Kern SA700, incredible combination.

@@peterscrace3530 it indeed is. Enjoy them

A battle for the ages 😁

Actually I still can't understand why all the prolific KZfaq audio reviewers are from what it seems somewhat avoiding to do a direct comparison between these two almost like they're trying to obscure/hide something 🤔

Solaris: Less v-shaped; more coherent across the FR; more presence in the mid-range, particularly lower mids; tighter, more controlled bass with touch of the "BA timbre"; better layering and separation of sounds Z1R: More v-shaped, a little more bass impact, pure unalloyed delicious DD bass, though a bit "mushy", probably more extended up top, more upper mid presence, but recessed lower mids, a little disjointed between the highs and lows In terms of things like detail, imaging and soundstage it's a bit of a wash. As someone who has owned both I think it's misleading to suggest that one is objectively better than the other-- they each have strengths in areas the other lacks and whichever of the two is preferable will depend on the tastes, sensitivities and listening preferences of the individual. I would say this same thing about certain other top tier IEMs (like the u12t)-- they all have their own strengths & character and individual preferences are the biggest factor in determining what is best.

@@jeffrockwell5869 thank you very much for your take on this vs, I had read your comparisons and reviews for both of these two TOTL IEMs in both head-fi and discord and so I was aware that you ended up keeping the Solaris SE. I too myself own the OG Solaris but I never had the chance to audition the Z1R and will probably never will. I was intrigued by the Z1R and still am quite curious as to why there are so many reviews and comparisons of the Solaris to practically everything that is out there (especially BA + DD hybrids) BUT not many comparisons of the Z1R to other TOTL IEMs, especially by the well known reviewers. So I was somewhat pondering on whether they're actually avoiding the comparison of these two due to other "agendas" ?

For me it's because I can't get my hands on a review copy. Seriously, if someone wants to send me one I'm happy to do that comparison, but I also understand why people don't want to send IEMs to review haha.

I found the Legend X had too much bass for my liking. Technically yeah it's very impressive, so maybe for the guilty pleasure bass heads out there it would be preferable. But I personally prefer the Solaris sound signature.

@@TheHEADPHONEShow will you review the Ara?

I’m a basshead and the legend X is too much for me. The Mids are compromised by the amount of bass. You should think about the Z1R

@@chuckyfox9284 Only think about the Z1R is they don't look comfortable due to their size. At least with Legend X, I can get them custom, but there is always the chance that I won't like them when I go down that route. I already have 2 customs and kind of regret buying both of them.

I own (and love) both the Solaris (SE variant) and the Legend X. A lot of it comes down to your tolerance for bass. As some have said bass is.like spice level in food-- we all have our comfort zones. What is "too much" for some won't be enough for others. It's true that the low end on the Legend is too much at times but I've found that for certain genres (hip hop, modern pop, live funk & jazz) it's tuned just right...so if much of your listening falls in those genres then you may want to seriously consider it. The Solaris is my favorite IEM but I have a little guilty pleasure basshead living inside me and nothing satisfies him like the Legend X (and I've heard many of the top tier IEMs out there right now).

Technicalities, A8K. Tonality, Solaris.

I've heard the A8000s lack bass and for 2000$ no thanks

@@Mr1stcat You've heard that eh? I've heard the a8000 and believe me they don't lack bass BUT It's possible the iem didn't sit properly in the persons ear that commented on that so when you do hear it yourself make sure the fit is snug but not tight

Because my online handle on every forum, Twitter and discord is 'resolve'

Probably but it's also a lot more expensive. I'm hopeful to review that one at some point.

Too bad it needs EQing or the cipher to sounds less wonky . Means Andoid users like me are SOL .

Open back kinda defeats the purpose of IEM.

@@TheHEADPHONEShow All I'll say that it's definitely a one of a kind experience, especially due to the open back nature of the iem. However I think when you do get your hands on it you will be pleasantly surprised by the sound stage and outstanding clarity of the planar magnetics. The bass response is also really tight imo and has a fast response. Not too overdone either

@@peterisrael2012 buy a dap then

Not sure what you're suggesting haha. Just so you're aware, nobody has told me to say anything or have a certain approach. But more importantly, this video isn't a comparison to other IEMs, just identifying what's new with these.

​@@TheHEADPHONEShow In this video, to me, it appeared that you were holding back on sharing a harsher criticism of the new Solaris IEMs. That's my observation, and perhaps I am inferring too much, In any case, I enjoy your channel very much and thank you for the clarification.

@@aah57 no I really like the Solaris. I think with IEMs like the blessing 2 out now, the mainstay brands like campfire should probably be a bit nervous - but the Andromeda and Solaris are both still excellent, even better than they were before.