TANGZU - Origin

tanchjim is known for their vocal centric tuning. Origin is a great bet, tanchjim fission is there as well for something cheaper but still very capable

ya i am also quite worried about this cause when someone i know let me try their Tanchjim Origin the difference is so small that it does not justify the price difference from the Hexa at least in my opinion

Ya I am also thinking but I don't know if the jump is enough to justify buying it 

Moondrop kato i buy for 50$, tanchjim origin for 120$. That’s my impressive

I'd say go with Tanchjim stuff — Nora, Fission, Bunny, Origin, Force... they all have a fairly neutral-ish tonality. In my opinion, they’re a safer recommendation than the Hexa. The Hexa is really divisive — people don’t seem to agree on how it sounds. Maybe it’s the odd hexagonal shell shape, but there’s a lot of variation in impressions. Nobody agrees on the sound. You got like 75% of people saying it has no bass and 25% saying it has the perfect amount of bass. Quite a number of people (myself included) just don’t like it. Go for Tanchjim instead. You really can’t go wrong with Fission. It's very very close to the Tanchjim Origin which is an awesome IEM.

Yeah but how does it compare to the Origin which imo is better than all of those you're comparing it with. Also, maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t a lot of Tanchjim’s stuff kind of sound similar?

Ok got it. It's because it seemed like in your review they sound similar but this unit had better technicalities. But Origin is the same thing, it has better technicalities too. Would you say these have better soundstage and imaging than Origin?

Zigaat Lush with Moondrop spring eartips. Without those tips it's mid. With those tips, it's amazing. Tanchjim Origin / Tanchjim Fission (they look identical on frequency response graphs). Fission is pretty much the same but cheaper parts, cheaper price but almost the same sound. I've been using the Tanchjim Origin for critical editing for voiceover and mixing. Dunu Titan S (original)

Cadenza 4. Tanchjim Origin. DX1. If you have to go below the price of the Studio4, these are solid picks. Funny enough, that last paragraph you wrote? That’s basically the Shure SE846. (I bought it recently.) Fantastic for critical editing, mixing, mastering, and voiceover work. In blue filter mode they honestly remind me of the JBL 305s on my desk. The Cadenza 4 is near perfect for the task. Great for mixing, voiceover editing, video editing, and monitoring. Ironically, the Studio4 is pretty bad for critical editing. It rounds off flaws so you won’t even realize they’re there. ======= Edit: I mentioned the DX1 because they reminded me so much of the Hexa. LIterally returned them promptly.

**Meze Alba:** \+is small and comfortable \+is v-shaped \+fits budget \- Defiant is better. The sound on this is ngl, very meh. Not horrible. Not bad. Just meh. Defiant stomps. **Tanchjim Origin:** \+is small and comfortable \- not really v-shaped in the literal sense. But could be. But v-shaped with a slight bright slant. More neutral-bright. Not like Defiant at all. This isn't what you asked for though. \+fits budget \+ imo better than Defiant. **Tanchjim Fola** \+is small and comfortable \- not really v-shaped. More neutral-ish with a slant of warm. But not enough to call it neutral warm. Think warmer than Truthear Hexa but not quite as warm as Truthear Pure. This is basically the Truthear Hola on steroids (ie better vocals, better soundstage but similar vibes to Hola, a discontinued IEM). \+fits budget \- I find Defiant more engaging. **IE200:** \+is small and comfy \+ People call this V-shaped. People call it U-shaped. People call it L-shaped. I honestly don’t buy the V-shaped label at all unless you’re tape-modding it. Stock, this can’t really be V-shaped because the sibilance regions are dipped down *hard* (in a good way). This has way way way less treble than Hexa; how can it be called V? NickyoungWTF.gif. \+fits budget \- Defiant sounds better though. But this is probably your closest bet. **Dunu Kima 2** \+ is small and comfy \+fits budget \- Neutral-warm. Think Truthear Pure. Think Lush. Think Tea Pros. That kinda warm. Not what you asked for though. \+ Sounds better than Defiant. But isn't what you're looking for. **Kefine Delci** \+is small and comfy \+fits budget **--** V-shaped. Thin vocals. Kefine Klean over Delci for me. \- Defiant stomps this. **Sennheiser IE600** \+ is small and comfy \- Does not fit budget \+ V-shaped undoubtedly. \+ better than Defiant or on par with a similar signature. **Kiwi Ears Astral** – Not single DD – Not as small as you’d like * Comfort is actually very good * Fits budget * Better than Defiant * Has the sound you’re looking for * Also excellent for gaming (especially FPS) — people don’t run long FPS sessions on this if the comfort sucked

Going to use a grading system: A, B, C, D, F like in school A means excellent B is good C is average D is bad F is absolute fail **Mixing:** Going to avoid using the word "neutral" because then every mofo comes in the thread saying, what's neutral. Let's use the word "even-keeled'. Good iems for mixing are generally more even-keeled. If it has way too much bass you'll thin out your mix. If it's way too trebly and bright and shouty you're going to overcompensate. Ideally you want something more even-keeled. **Enjoyability:** Subjective. But how enjoyable it is **Critical Editing:** This isn't the same as mixing. But it means will it let you know if you have shit audio. If I listen to Kanye's sibilant ass tracks does he sound sibilant on them? If I listen to Lana White Dress is she sibilant on it? She better be. If I watch a DMS video from 6 years ago, does he sound sibilant on it? He better. Because he does. This is important because you need to evaluate your audio and the iem lets you know your audio is shit before thousands of people hear it. Etymotic ERXR Enjoyability: C to B to A. Pretty good, depending on who you ask Critical editing: A+. Very good at letting you know areas of trouble in your audio Mixing: D. Poor soundstage Truthear Hexa Enjoyability: D. I hate it Critical editing: A+ with wide bore tips Mixing: C. Imo actually a bit thin on lowend. You'll overcompensate. Also the soundstage on Hexa is kinda eh ngl. Salnotes Zero Original Enjoyability: C. I think it's ok. Or mid. Critical editing: B. Honestly pretty good at letting you know egregious areas. The version 1 is less forgiving with sibilance than 2, so it's better for critical editing. Zero 2 blunts the sibilance out (better for enjoyers; bad for audio engineers) Mixing: A. pretty neutral imo Softears Studio 4 Enjoyability: A to A+. Very enjoyable IEM Critical editing: D. Ironically. It smooths out all sibilance so you won't know sibilance is there. This is why it's so beautiful sounding. Mixing: A+. Very neutral. I'd even say probably my closest definition of neutral Moondrop Blessing 2 Enjoyability: D (harsh, shouty, bright, sibilant). Same with Blessing 3. Critical Editing: A. These are very picky with harshness in vocals. I genuinely think these are the Sony MDR 7506 in iem form. Mixing: A Zigaat Lush Enjoyability: B to A Critical Editing: C You won't really find problem areas of sibilance. You really really really have to crank it to hear it. Mixing: A. Pretty even-keeled. Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite: Enjoyability: B to C Critical Editing: A. Excellent at picking out flaws. Mixing: A+. Excellent at telling you the whole picture. Excellent for mixing. Very very even-keeled.

Letshouer Cadenza 4 Enjoyability: A to A+ Critical Editing: B to A Mixing: A. While a bit U-shaped it's not egregious. It's enough to make decisions. Sennheiser IE200 Enjoyability: B to A Critical Editing: D to F (rounds out a lot of sibilance imo, which is actually a good thing for enjoyers). Mixing: B. Kind of shocking but while people call this v-shaped this is actually not as v-shaped imo. If you monitor yourself using these iems it'll sound exactly like you down to the microphone. Most other v-shaped iems don't do that. Crinacle Daybreak Enjoyability: B to A- Critical Editing: A (rofl. It's funny because it genuinely is good at picking out bad audio. If it sounds harsh it's because the original track is harsh) Mixing: B (This is more of a "Meta" tuned iem. But imo just enough where it sounds true) Crinacle Dusk Enjoyability: B to A+ (depending on who you ask) Critical Editing: C on Analogue. F on DSP. It rolls out sibilance by quite a large margin. Mixing: A on analogue mode. Honestly pretty neutral. almost HD600ish. But about a C on DSP mode. Tanchjim Origin Enjoyability: C to A (depending on who you ask) Critical editing: A (it'll definitely let you know spicy regions Mixing: A. A bit bright-slanted but definitely capable for mixing. Theioaudio Legacy 2: Enjoyability: C Critical editing: A+ Mixing: A+ Xuan NV (honorable mention) Enjoyability: A Critical editing: B Mixing: D (too bassy imo) I mention these because imo these are the Audio Technica M50x of iems but the size of 2 quarters. They basically give you accurate vocals down to the tee but thumpy bass. The vocals are very accurate on these. Not good for mixing though. Dunu Titan S (original) Enjoyability: C Critical editing: D (the treble is rounded out quite a bit) mixing: A (these are my imo pretty close to neutral)

My current favourite IEMs are Artti T10, Tanchjim Origin, KZ Saga Balanced, and Delci AE. Overall it seems like I may have preference for a slightly stronger bass presence, although the Origin doesn't have quite as much sub bass as the rest. I have tried the Tanchjim Zero and Ola, and I was not really a fan.

It opened to a new world. This was back in 2015. Audio-Technica ATH-CKR10 would be an awfully overpriced set now. But back in the days it was the best earphones I've ever heard. They had a finnicky build. Drivers could fail very easily, resulting in unbalanced volume between L/R phones. I've had two pairs and both had the same problem. My first pair had this problem within 4 years and my second pair had it within 2 years. My second IEM was even better. It's an airy set. Mee Pinnacle P1. The cable didn't have a plastic ear loop guard and cable became brittle due to the oil. Nowadays I always clean my ears before using IEMs. But it's too late, as both of the Pinnacle P1 cables that came with the package died. I think the connectors are proprietary and the replacement cables prices are too much. The ear meshes also detaches from too much moisture. You'll need to glue them back somehow, or they will detach. And speaking of moisture, they built up moisture just like the Moondrop Chu 2. I miss using those IEMs, but I also don't. It was nice while it lasted. I think it might still be my airiest sounding set even today. I returned to the IEM hobby in 2024 and things were looking quite different compared to back in 2017. I started out with cheaper sets then eventually moved my way up to more expensive (70+ USD) ones. I had Simgot EA500 LM but I wasn't really impressed with the tuning. Ended up selling it. I got a Kefine Delci AE and liked it. It was more relaxed than the LM with good tuning. Then I got Tanchjim Origin and it's been my favourite IEM since. Perfect for the genres/styles I listen to. I won't count Artti T10 as I got it for less than 50 USD, but it's the best IEM I own at its price category.

Haven’t heard it but the Tea Pro looks like a warmer cadenza 4, I should check it out. I’d highly recommend the origin, it’s the most capable single DD I’ve heard under 300. Fission has a very similar tuning but I prefer the Origin. The Nora is the newest DMT 5 driver set for 100, just got one in but haven’t listened yet. Love the Tanchjim house sound.

Merry Christmas to OP, and to everyone reading this, and audiophiles everywhere! Love this hobby eversince I decided to buy my first pair 4 years ago. It's like my therapy, decompression method to relax and just surrender to the musical journey. After trying many flavors of iems, I just keep going back to my Moondrop Starfield, but now it's time to put them to rest. It's been a difficult task to find a similar sounding iem, especially one that improves on technicalities rather than tuning. After much deliberation, I think the Ziigaat Horizon will be taking its place as my daily driver, with Tanchjim Origin and Ziigaat Odyssey as close second and third options respectively.

Tanchjim Origin for great all rounder QKZ x HBB for bassy and super cheap Simgot Supermix 4 for a cheaper all rounder

Fantastic IEM! Also a fave of mine

Tanchjim Origin, and in 2nd place FiiO FD15. I love KZ Zenith as well, it has elements of those other two for a fraction of the price.

The immediate impression people would have is the Origin is brighter where the FD15 is explicitly rolled off. In bass the FD15 has better texturing and decay where Origin has better layering and midbass snap. Overall the Origin sounds more detailed but EQ'ing the FD15 to be a bit more v-shaped closes the gap well. I don't feel the need to EQ the Origin at all which is rare for me, I could smooth it out slightly but I don't think it would be that noticeable. I do feel you need to EQ the FD15 a bit to extract the technicals but afterwards you can argue the bass is overall better than the Origin and the lower-mids more natural. At the end of the day Origin is just more transparent for a neutral IEM which is what puts it on top for me.