Author: Jürgen Kraus (Calgary, Canada)

The FiiO FD1 is a fast, energetic dynamic-driver earphone with a strong sub-bass, a forward upper midrange, and a well resolving treble. It excels through a huge headroom but cold be a bit more organic sounding and less dynamic.

The NiceHCK X49 is a bright-neutral earphone with a wide but low soundstage, however a decent tonality – a rare find in this class. Great for people who want to experience a more neutral tonality at a small cost.

The VE BIE are “nothing special” with a great timbre — extremely well executed.

The TRN-VX earphone is a 6 BA +1 DD hybrid that excels by its superb build and its (in this class) unparalleled technical abilities. But it does not work right out of the box and needs a different cable and some 3M micropore tape on the nozzle to work well.