u/SnooDoubts4920

I found recenlty a good deal with Sr60x and I love them, very forward sound, funny and not sharp or fatiguing. So I wonder if i wanted in a close future to move up with sound quality but without too sharp highs (I tested the 325 and I didn't like those highs). Sr80X or 112x or 225x? I trust your experience and opinions.

I just received the CCA Hydro and honestly… these things are ridiculously fun.

I’m using them on an Aune S17 Pro with the switches set to UUDD. First impression: the bass is HUGE. Not bloated or muddy, just very physical and immersive. On tracks like “Tadow” by Masego & FKJ the low end is genuinely addictive.

What surprised me most is how tip dependent they are. With the stock foam tips they become almost cinematic: massive subbass, dense sound, very immersive, smooth highs. Vocals can get slightly muffled on some tracks, but the overall presentation becomes really unique and atmospheric.

Switching to silicone tips keeps most of the bass while opening the sound up noticeably. More clarity, more air, better vocal presence.

These are definitely not “neutral audiophile” IEMs. They’re unapologetically fun, energetic and musical. Perfect if you enjoy V-shaped tuning, groove, electronic music, rock, cinematic sound and powerful bass without completely sacrificing detail.

So far they feel more like “mini rave headphones” than typical IEMs 😄

I currently have these iems: Ziigaat Odyssey, Hidizis MP145, Timeless 2, Kiwi Astral. Soundwise I like so much the planars sound, the large soundstage of MP145 with the good sub bass and I like the detail and "musicality" of the Timeless 2. If I wanted to add something that has the best of both of them, what I should buy? Not strictly planars

I didn’t expect this at all, but after adding a Schiit Vali 3 next to my Aune S17 Pro, I finally understood why people keep both solid state and tube amps.

The Aune is clearly the more “audiophile” amp in the traditional sense:

• cleaner
• faster
• more detailed
• more controlled

With planars like the Arya or HE6, it sounds incredible for energy, attack and separation.

But the Vali 3 gave me something completely different instead of simply “better”:

• thicker guitars
• fuller mids
• more emotional presentation
• less analytical, more immersive

It’s such a different listening experience that instant A/B comparisons can almost feel misleading.

If you stay with the Vali for a while, you stop listening for detail and start listening to the music itself.

Some tracks became almost physical experiences with the Vali + Meze 109 Pro combo. Smashing Pumpkins especially sounded huge and textured, like the guitars were wrapping around me instead of just hitting me.

In the end, I achieved exactly what I wanted:
one main setup and a second, relatively inexpensive one for pure fun listening.

• Aune for clarity, energy and technical listening
• Vali for mood, immersion and emotional listening

Different tools for different states of mind.