u/Emotional_Idea3033

I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts on the Shanling Q2 since it arrived today. It looks and feels much better in person, giving off a genuinely premium vibe right out of the box.

What surprised me the most is how incredibly fast and snappy the UI is. The response time is excellent, and it actually feels faster and more responsive than my Onix XM2, making menu navigation completely lag-free. It is definitely on the cuter side because of its compact size, but that solid build quality ensures it doesn't feel like a toy at all. On top of that, it packs almost the same impressive output power as the XM2, which has me seriously considering selling my Onix XM2 and just keeping the Q2 as my main pocket setup. Onix XM2 still sounds better tho

Overall, I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far..

Ranking My Flathead Collection (Based on Preference, Sound Quality, and Price)

1. Little Craftsmen 300Ω Beryllium Diaphragm & Yincrow Buffalo (Tie) - I swap between these two depending on the genre of music I'm listening to. If I want to do critical listening where I want to capture all the micro-details, instrumentals, and a more refined, clean sound I go for the 300Ω Beryllium. But if I want more bass slam without losing detail and a great soundstage, I reach for the Buffalo. I also suggest swapping the stock Yincrow Buffalo cable for a pure silver one to balance out the warm sound and lift the higher frequencies.

2. Yuin PKE - This would have been my top pick if it weren't for the steep price tag and fixed cable. Along with my Yincrow Pi, these are the only earbuds I can wear all day long without any ear fatigue or pain. The sound quality is amazing. They handle all genres incredibly well with tight bass, a massive soundstage, and non-piercing vocals. They are definitely my least fatiguing flatheads.

3. Little Craftsmen Ceramic Titanium Alloy (32Ω and 300Ω) - I would call these the "Yincrow Buffalo on a budget," especially the 32Ω version. The only real difference is that the upper frequencies are a bit more tamed. The 300Ω version is a lot warmer than the 32Ω model—to the point where it actually sounds a bit too warm and muddy for my taste sometimes.

4. Yincrow Pi - I mostly use these for sleeping. They lack sub-bass out of the box, but with a bit of EQ, they sound great. They have a good soundstage and a very flat sound signature. The price to performance ratio and build quality are excellent.

5. Temperament DM7 - I used to like these when I first started the hobby, but after discovering better flatheads, I realized the price isn't worth it sound-wise. The treble is quite piercing on most tracks I've tried. I can't wear them for long sessions because they are just too fatiguing. On the bright side, they easily have the best build quality in my entire collection.

I got this FiiO DM15 as a birthday present today from my husband. I want to update the firmware, but I have some concerns because I've been reading comments on YouTube that a lot of people had a bad experience updating it. Any tips so I don't brick mine?

I think I’ve finally hit my flathead earbud endgame with the Yincrow Buffalo and the Yuin PKE. The Buffalo's original cable actually had a QC issue, so I had to swap it out. Little did I know, that stock cable was completely holding them back. After changing the cable, the highs became way more balanced and cleaned up that muddy warmth. It's crazy how much better they sound now.

On the flip side, the Yuin PKE is hands down the most comfortable flathead I’ve ever thrown in my ears. They literally fit like a glove. Sound-wise, they are super balanced with a really satisfying bass thump that handles basically any genre I throw at them. The only real downsides are the steep price tag and the fixed cable, which is a bummer. I wish they would have released a 4.4mm version too.

What I absolutely love about both of these pairs is the massive soundstage. They just sound huge. Honestly, I'm completely set for now, but if I ever decide to gamble on another TOTL earbud down the road, I think I'll give Pislo a shot.

Honestly, I just wish there could be a Season 2 of Edgerunners 💔

DAP - Onix XM2

Flathead - Kaisheng Temperament DM7 Blue

After years of using IEMs, I’ve decided to move my hobby completely over to flatheads. There’s just something about the open, airy soundstage of a flathead that feels more lifelike compared to the "in-your-head" feel of an IEM. Even though you lose a bit of isolation, the trade-off in comfort and the "thump" of the bass without the ear-canal pressure is totally worth it...

DAP - Onix XM2

Flatheads - Yincrow Buffalo, Yincrow Pi, Temperament DM7