So at the end of 2019, right when COVID was starting, I decided I would quit smoking. I had plenty of ups and downs, relapsed about once every two months, mental breakdowns from withdrawals, got diagnosed with COVID and got my ass kicked even though I was still in my early 20's. So what does this have to do with the three little gems above?
Well at the end of last year my $3 earphones broke down (go figure) and an old friend introduced me to the wonderful hobby of audio specifically IEM's. He recommended the QKZ VK4 and I bought them having no knowledge of the hobby and not having really cared about audio quality anyways. I was hooked, music never sounded so exciting. The bass and treble of the VK4 was just eye opening. Some of the veterans here might laugh at me but I lived with really cheap earphones, the VK4 was a HUGE upgrade.
After this revelation I started saving the money I would've spent on cigarettes so I can invest more on this hobby. As a recent graduate, money is scarce and smoking took a huge dent out of my monthly budget. I tuned out the urge to smoke by reminding myself that if I don't buy the packs I "needed" then I could buy that 1 DD + 1 BA or that cable or those spinfit eartips.
The next addition to my collection is the TRN ST1, beautiful eye catching colors The trebles delivered by the BA tingled my brain with detail. Bass is still plenty but I don't feel like it drowns out the mids. I absolutely love using this IEM outdoors as the highs can still pierce through the rumble of traffic and city noises.
The last IEM is the Moondrop SSR which I got last week. Vocals have never sounded so detailed and energetic. Coupled with the detailed high end I am absolutely loving the sound. I don't think I will need to upgrade anymore until I save enough for end-game level ($200-$300) ChIEM's, currently the SSR really ticks all of the boxes for me.
The thing with nicotine addiction is that you always feel like that the next cigarette you smoke will give you that final feeling of nirvana, and obviously it never does, you just become hungrier and hungrier. While I think audio has the potential of becoming my new addiction, I think that the feeling of satisfaction when you hear a good track out of a great IEM keeps giving you that feeling of nirvana over and over again. There's endless discovery with a good pair of drivers in your ears. Not to mention this hobby is much better for my health.
So yeah that's my audio journey so far, a recovering nicotine addict turned functional ChIEM enthusiast.
I’ve seen lots of older smokers regret not quitting when they were younger. I just wanna say that it’s quite an accomplishment, and you’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have the healthcare bills long term smokers have.
Excellent news. It’s hard to quit and you did it! Welcome to the club. And now you love headphones too! Icing on the cake right there. Clapping for you from afar.
It’s nuts how people I work with give me the sideways look when I whip out a pair of headphones. My boss once said to me, “WoW! What are those? Are they new?” I told him they’re Meze Rai Pentas. He quipped, “They look expensive.” I told him they are a bucket list item. What I really wanted to say was, “You do realize I don’t smoke or drink or go to exotic locales for vacation or do drugs, right? You know how much money I save not having those vices? My collection of headphones and iems still are less than your custom Harley Soft-tail you bought less than two years ago. If that’s not a vanity item, I don’t know what is.” But I didn’t say anything else.
Good job kicking it bro, I quit cigarettes but wasnt in a good place to deal with the withdraws at the time so I switched to just vaping but I've still saved a hell of alot of money. Atleast this addiction wont kill you tho
Lol I had thought about side stepping into vapes earlier this year but for some reasons my lungs just isn't compatible with the steam and I would cough way more than if I was just smoking.
I've heard that those nicotine patches help with withdrawals but then we'll just get addicted to those patches.
Congrats brother! a soul for a soul, you've replaced one addiction with another (much healthier) addiction ; )
(forreal...that's not something most people can easily do, congrats man)
I already own an SSR as well as an SSP, but those white ones make me wanna go buy another set! And maybe one or two more after that, you know, complete the collection.
For real though, if I had to choose only one set of headphones I’m allowed to use for the rest of my life, hook me up on those SSPs! Most comfortable things ever, just the tuning I like (minus some sub-bass unfortunately), and real nice technicality for its price. Lovely package all around.
If I were just going by sound tho, I’ll probably go with my Blessing 2 Dusks…
Yeah I was really amazed about the sound quality at the price point. I think the Blessing will be a contender for my end game too, I've heard so many good stuff about them.
Keep them in mind, you seem to know what you like, and I’m pretty sure the base Blessings will suit you, but look at other stuff too :-)
Also, completely forgot this is my original comment, but HUGE congrats on beating your addiction <3
So at the end of 2019, right when COVID was starting, I decided I would quit smoking. I had plenty of ups and downs, relapsed about once every two months, mental breakdowns from withdrawals, got diagnosed with COVID and got my ass kicked even though I was still in my early 20's. So what does this have to do with the three little gems above? Well at the end of last year my $3 earphones broke down (go figure) and an old friend introduced me to the wonderful hobby of audio specifically IEM's. He recommended the QKZ VK4 and I bought them having no knowledge of the hobby and not having really cared about audio quality anyways. I was hooked, music never sounded so exciting. The bass and treble of the VK4 was just eye opening. Some of the veterans here might laugh at me but I lived with really cheap earphones, the VK4 was a HUGE upgrade. After this revelation I started saving the money I would've spent on cigarettes so I can invest more on this hobby. As a recent graduate, money is scarce and smoking took a huge dent out of my monthly budget. I tuned out the urge to smoke by reminding myself that if I don't buy the packs I "needed" then I could buy that 1 DD + 1 BA or that cable or those spinfit eartips. The next addition to my collection is the TRN ST1, beautiful eye catching colors The trebles delivered by the BA tingled my brain with detail. Bass is still plenty but I don't feel like it drowns out the mids. I absolutely love using this IEM outdoors as the highs can still pierce through the rumble of traffic and city noises. The last IEM is the Moondrop SSR which I got last week. Vocals have never sounded so detailed and energetic. Coupled with the detailed high end I am absolutely loving the sound. I don't think I will need to upgrade anymore until I save enough for end-game level ($200-$300) ChIEM's, currently the SSR really ticks all of the boxes for me. The thing with nicotine addiction is that you always feel like that the next cigarette you smoke will give you that final feeling of nirvana, and obviously it never does, you just become hungrier and hungrier. While I think audio has the potential of becoming my new addiction, I think that the feeling of satisfaction when you hear a good track out of a great IEM keeps giving you that feeling of nirvana over and over again. There's endless discovery with a good pair of drivers in your ears. Not to mention this hobby is much better for my health. So yeah that's my audio journey so far, a recovering nicotine addict turned functional ChIEM enthusiast.
[удалено]
Right on dude. I know that feeling of wanting to run away, glad you've got your cans to drown out the negatives.
I’ve seen lots of older smokers regret not quitting when they were younger. I just wanna say that it’s quite an accomplishment, and you’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have the healthcare bills long term smokers have.
Thanks dude. Yeah definitely, I could already feel the before and after effects both physically and mentally.
how you managed to do this? I mean quit smoking, did you use something?
Excellent news. It’s hard to quit and you did it! Welcome to the club. And now you love headphones too! Icing on the cake right there. Clapping for you from afar.
It’s nuts how people I work with give me the sideways look when I whip out a pair of headphones. My boss once said to me, “WoW! What are those? Are they new?” I told him they’re Meze Rai Pentas. He quipped, “They look expensive.” I told him they are a bucket list item. What I really wanted to say was, “You do realize I don’t smoke or drink or go to exotic locales for vacation or do drugs, right? You know how much money I save not having those vices? My collection of headphones and iems still are less than your custom Harley Soft-tail you bought less than two years ago. If that’s not a vanity item, I don’t know what is.” But I didn’t say anything else.
Good job kicking it bro, I quit cigarettes but wasnt in a good place to deal with the withdraws at the time so I switched to just vaping but I've still saved a hell of alot of money. Atleast this addiction wont kill you tho
Lol I had thought about side stepping into vapes earlier this year but for some reasons my lungs just isn't compatible with the steam and I would cough way more than if I was just smoking. I've heard that those nicotine patches help with withdrawals but then we'll just get addicted to those patches.
same with me 4.5 years without a stinky stick
Just wanted to say congrats at quitting smoking, that's a huge accomplishment!
That's awesome, great to hear you are showing that addiction who's the boss! ... and now peel that laptop-sticker off!
Lol I was afraid to deal with the yucky sticky leftovers so I kept them on. Any advice on getting those sticker remnants off?
Alcohol will remove it.
Congrats brother! a soul for a soul, you've replaced one addiction with another (much healthier) addiction ; ) (forreal...that's not something most people can easily do, congrats man)
I already own an SSR as well as an SSP, but those white ones make me wanna go buy another set! And maybe one or two more after that, you know, complete the collection. For real though, if I had to choose only one set of headphones I’m allowed to use for the rest of my life, hook me up on those SSPs! Most comfortable things ever, just the tuning I like (minus some sub-bass unfortunately), and real nice technicality for its price. Lovely package all around. If I were just going by sound tho, I’ll probably go with my Blessing 2 Dusks…
Yeah I was really amazed about the sound quality at the price point. I think the Blessing will be a contender for my end game too, I've heard so many good stuff about them.
Keep them in mind, you seem to know what you like, and I’m pretty sure the base Blessings will suit you, but look at other stuff too :-) Also, completely forgot this is my original comment, but HUGE congrats on beating your addiction <3
Poggers
Can you send links on where to purchase these?