1. Shows. In the US you guys have Canjam fairly often, but tons of other shows are available.

2. At least for us in France, Amazon is a no brainer cuz you really don’t have to spend a dime when returning products. They aren’t picky at all, you don’t even need the original cardboard box.

3. Used market is great. If you’re with it, you’re not losing much money in the process.

4. FB groups are kinda seen as “for dads and old farts” but they are the ones with money, some people have access to a ton of gear. You can trade, get loaners, etc to see more stuff in your hands.

Headphones : the 800s, simply the most natural mids I’ve heard. Treble extension up to the clouds.

I use it for classical, jazz but also newer stuff like djent or fusion. Works well in games, but imaging isn’t on par with the soundstage.

IEMs : IE900, tuning is V shaped but the Custom Tips alleviate that somewhat. I EQ them to bring back the naturality. Technicality wise, they’re insane. The bass impact is unheard of, it’s nuts.

They are great for games, addictive for electronic music and the dynamics are huge so anything that slams is a good match.

I can’t wear the custom tips for as long as I can wear the 800S, but for 2h sessions they are perfect.

If the tips don’t cause you any issues, don’t change them. Same for your cable.

And yeah, if you can’t hear anything you need to use them exclusively for a while, it’s not to convince yourself they’re good but for your ears to adjust. After a few weeks the differences w/ the headphones will be obvious

LCD headphones and music prod don’t go well together…

Some are as good as the newer stuff, some really fall short. The Sony 1700, 2000, 3000 and R10 are still very competent and aside from tuning choices they are as good as your run of the mill Clear or Arya. R10 would be a class above tho

IE 200 is miles better sonically and comfort wise compared to anything chifi, and it has a warranty you can actually use. Bass leak is nonexistent if you install the tips correctly. Cable could use an upgrade tho, a nice Hakugei Surfer with mmcx+ is like 40 bucks on Hifigo.

It’ll last quite a while with care, if such iem was out when I started the hobby I wouldn’t have spent nearly as much in IEMs as I have now. I have an IE900 and it’s great, but I wouldn’t have bothered

Love seeing Triangle speakers out there and not just at home x)