I’m interested in one of these for hat brim use, so I would get the aluminum, if the discount would apply to it, but the discount only applies to the copper and Ti versions. Lighter weight is better for hat brim use.
Between those two, I’m leaning toward the Ti for the lighter weight, but copper heat sinks so much better.
Are the runtimes and the functionality of the Ti version as good as the copper, or is the copper a much better performer?
After picking the material, then I’d have to chose between the XP G2 R5 and 219 emitters. Since I would actually be using this as a tool to see with it clipped to my hat brim inside my truck topper or under the hood of a vehicle, etc., I’m torn between the high CRI, but low output of the 219 or the low CRI, but much higher output of the XP G2 R5.
The titanium isn’t expected to ship until mid January.
I liked the ES4 as well, but I can promise you the MH750 are much better at bass better than any KZ, the MH755 are also known to be bassy, just less so than MH750. Are you inserting the IEM into your ears enough? I can use the small or the large, but the small ones go deeper, much deeper. The nozzles on the ZS5 ZS6 and ZS7 are the reason I do not recommend them, look at how the bores are smooth. They will simply slip off and you will lose your tips, plus the treble is very shrill and they stuff more drivers into their IEM, but they don't sound better, the KZ ATR is the best bassy one they make IMO. The tips on the MH750 are comfortably large but I am not sure how much larger the other ones are. I measured mine and they are around 12.5mm or 13mm. I don't want to pollute the thread if this is off topic, but I highly recommend them before you make another KZ purchase. I was part of the chifi cult until I got these, and now I no longer need to buy more of the chifi, a chase that never ends because they are never quite enough, the IEM that KZ makes are almost good enough all the time, but never enough. These are $6.60 or $3.30 if you buy 10x of them, and I think they are perfect.
Cool – thanks for all this info & will investigate. I was starting to wonder if the technology production optimization had gotten so good now, that “audio engines” for this tiny form factor are pretty much at the limit, and all these companies are doing is coming up with fancier packaging to seduce people into spending hundreds of dollars for the same technology in lesser earbuds. About 10 years ago, I don’t think this was the case. I have about 5 different earbuds ranging from $10 to $50, purchased over about 5 years or so, last set from 4 years ago. And there are notable differences.
the new version of the Lumintop Tool aaa w pebbled Tir is a better hatlamp due to the more even field of illumination. It does not have an eSwitch, it has a mechanical clicky (wont tailstand). It does not come in High CRI
these aaa lights do not run on the Highest mode for long, I mainly use the Medium mode. The lumintop version starts on Medium, which I like better than the Massdrop version, which starts on Low.
I specifically dislike the Ti version on High mode, because the brass ring on the head gets hot to touch, while the body stays cool.
The Massdrop versions w N219c make 110 lumens (briefly), so there is no reason to buy the Cool White version, imo. The medium modes are essentially the same. To get the $20 discount, you have to buy something that costs a minimum of $30.
The copper version is a LOT heavier than the Aluminium…
(note, both lights have LED swaps, that is not the tint of the 219c)
The 219c is greener, pictured in the middle:
ps
I just got a shipping notice for the drop Cu Tool I ordered… woohoo!
Well, that’s a bummer. Maybe because of the Nichia 219C? My Jetbeam-U is very efficient. Nice design. Simple UI stepping from low—>high. Mode memory, which is fine because it’s not a primary task light for me. Would be nice if they had a copper version, though.
No taxes/vat for the UK - you’ll have to look at your own countries policies tax/vat I suppose.
How they ship it from the USA for $2.38 is beyond me - in fact I’m pretty sure it’s not possible.
Lick, thanks for the link to Zeroair’s review and comparison of the different flavors of the Massdrop and Tool (post #50). It is very useful.
jon_slider, thanks for the additional info and beamshots (post #60).
I definitely prefer LMH and would most likely use low and medium the most. The level and runtime on low and medium are more important to me than the high specs.
It’s possible that I’ll end up not ordering any of these for hat brim use.
I’ve always got the Folomov Pen L1 in my shirt pocket for hand-held high CRI use.
cyclops, thanks for the idea of adding $5 expedited shipping to get to total order of the aluminum up to $30 to take advantage of the $20 off coupon - I just might take that route.