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iamleo
58
Sep 30, 2017
I just received the TFZ Exclusive 5 from Massdrop and am really impressed by the sound quality. Could anyone comment on the Exclusive 5 and Pinnacle PX comparison? I know they are in different price range but couldn't help but wonder if Pinnacle PX would be an upgrade. Thanks.
bsoplinger
79
Oct 1, 2017
iamleoI just received both of these drops myself. The Pinnacle just today so its without burn in or even extended listening time. Haven't really had too much time with the TFZ for that matter. You can tell that the Exclusive 5 has balanced armatures and that the Pinnacle has the more traditional moving coil drivers. The bass feels different between the two with the moving coil providing more of a bass feeling. Not saying one is better than the other, just different. A matter of personal preference. Similarly the upper midrange and highs are different. The BA brighter and more prone to sibilance.
So is it an upgrade? Depends.
I recently got the drop for the NuForce Primo 8. Perhaps a more fair IEM to compare against. And again I'd say it depends on your personal preference. The difference in sound is quite noticeable.
In both cases I'd say that the Pinnacle sounds more like reference IEM in comparison to the BA ones. I like both seeing myself using the Pinnacle for listening to classical music or music with emphasis on either vocals or non electrified instruments, especially percussion. And either BA based IEM for good hard rock and roll or alternative or electronic music. Music where there typically is more than enough bass that the difference between how bass feels with BA IEMs isn't an issue.
iamleo
58
Oct 1, 2017
bsoplingerThank you very much for the impressions and the comparisons. I thought TFZs are also based on dynamic drivers.
blackcatdown
162
Oct 5, 2017
bsoplingerThe TFZ Exclusive 5 has a single dynamic driver, NOT balanced armature. It is pretty average at best and in my experience does not sound as good as the Pinnacle. They both sound inferior to my reference daily (UE Triple Fi 10 and UE900), but my money's on the Pinnacle PX
bsoplinger
79
Oct 6, 2017
blackcatdownSorry all didn't catch how I worded things. I thinking about the KZ ZS5 when I mentioned inexpensive IEMs. I'd gotten all 3 within a couple of days, the Exclusive 5, Pinnacle and KZ. The pair of inexpensive IEMs sound surprisingly good for their cost but neither is flat or a reference type sound. All 3 have full metal housings making them the heaviest IEMs I own. The Pinnacle are definitely a step up, a generously large step. If you are happy with the sound of a traditional driver you'll love them, IMHO.
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