I’m a long time Woodwind owner. Household of 3, and find we only use it for smoking the occasional ribs, chucks - brisket style, once in a long while briskets, pulled pork, and some packaged corned beef for pastrami.
I often do smoked and reverse seared steaks, burgers, and sausages/hot dogs. Setup for these is fairly long and the smoke flavor is there, but not extreme. Even when using a smoke tube.
So I’ve researched this thing and finally found a good package at Sam’s that came with the griddle attachment for $299. It’s more of an outdoor convection oven with a pellet smoker attachment, when comparing to my Woodwind.
HOWEVER, for the small 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pellets it uses, it’s given super intense smoke flavor to burgers and reverse seared steaks I’ve done on it. It’s small, but a good alternative for small households and definitely worth it for me. I don’t plan on blowing $2-3K+ on the current stock of premium pellet/hybrid smokers to get a better experience than my Woodwind.
Very good alternative if you’re looking for convenience and smokiness for the small cooks!

This request is about adding dog variety or even breeds (for instance : a husky for cool biomes) into Minecraft. They would spawn near from villages just like cats and could be villagers' friends.
Also, as they are currently pretty vulnerable, we could craft or find them armors just like horses to protect them from harm and we could craft them placeable bowls we could fill so they can heal whenever they ache.
This would come with adding animations for dogs just like cats.
Finally, adding the possibility to train them and assign them roles : patrolling around the village / house, hunting near wild animals, stop hunting sheeps, following the player, etc.
I think this would be very cool to see those changes and that they would bring even more life and complexity into Minecraft.
Personally killing animals and seeing my dog die makes me pretty sad as I think they're cute, so I am afraid of losing my dog anytime I get one.
Maybe cats could be trained to so we can ask them to patrol, stop hunting chickens, follow the player...
​
Better Dogs - resource pack - by mrblueyeti
​
Doggy Talents - mod - by percievalalb

https://preview.redd.it/rl7jvu9ex05b1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a0a8cab9cd8744fedf25d179f147627c26cded0
Cover Art First Chapter Patreon Playlist
The Story: After a confusing encounter at a McDonald’s register turns violent, Jon is pulled into a magical bloodbath - and his only chance for survival lies with the pissed-off, perpetually-broke immortal working behind the counter.
---------------------------------
Everyone went still at that. I could only sit there, waiting.
“What do you mean, not alone?” Aedan whispered at last. His face was pale, but he shook his head, eyes narrowing. “I don’t-”
“Just what it sounds like,” Recluse said heavily. He squeezed his hands against each other, glancing back through the window.
“First noticed it a few decades after figurin’ all this out,” he said, waving a hand toward the house. “After everything started. Even then, I didn’t really know what it was. Just a shadow out there in the night. A set of eyes, watching when I slept. I could tell it was there, and I could tell it was very big, very old. Felt it when it moved near me. Like the air was shifting.” He shook his head again, going very still. “A ripple in the currents beneath me.”
Aedan opened his mouth, but hesitated. Our eyes met. There was a question in the look, but I shrugged helplessly. How the hell was I supposed to know what to ask?
Recluse let his breath hiss out, though, shifting once again. “It was a subtle enough thing I didn’t notice more than that for a long time.”
“So you investigated,” Aedan said.
“Best I could, I tried to,” Recluse said. He shrugged. “I could see the writing on the wall. I didn’t know all the details just then, but your Legion bitch was already working on her secrecy plan, and the other blood demis were happy enough to fall into line behind her. You remember how it was back then.”
Aedan grimaced. “Don’t I just.”
“Wait, that was Anke?” I said. “I didn’t-”
Cailyn shot me a look over Amber’s shoulders. The shut up there was clear. I shut up.
“Point is, when I felt something else out there, I wasn’t disinterested,” Recluse said, flashing a look my way. “I needed to keep my wits about me, with the bloody bastards running wild and trying to lay their law. If there was an enemy lurking right in my backyard, I needed to know that.”
“So you went looking,” I said
“Like I said,” Recluse said. “Best I could.” He wrinkled his nose. “Wasn’t sure where to start. How do you find a feeling? But I kept trying to…I don’t know, precisely.” He shrugged, drooping. “Steer this ship toward them, when they got close. Reach across the dry lines.”
“But they’re another blood demi,” Cailyn said. “Weren’t you trying to keep your distance? If you got mixed up with them, you might-”
“Die?” Recluse said, starting to laugh again. His shoulders rocked with mirth. “Not here, girl. I wasn’t afraid.” His smile splintered, his eyebrows rising for a moment. “Maybe I should’ve been, but I wasn’t. Never met a mage who could challenge me here.”
He groaned, making a face. “I searched in the lines for a few decades. When I couldn’t find them there, I tried looking outside. Ran through the front door anytime I felt it close. Nothing.”
“So it’s not actually close to you,” I said.
Recluse shook his head. “If I couldn’t find it out there…I had to look somewhere else. And that didn’t leave me many options.”
He stared at the wall for a long moment, eyes misting over. And then he stood, shoving himself from the couch. We sat motionless as he stalked past, coming to a stop in front of the dancing, glimmering darkness out the window.
This time he stayed silent for a long, drawn-out minute, one finger tap-tapping against his arm.
“I found a brewer,” he said at last, still gazing out into the void. “I’d heard of a few demis by then, ones who could walk in other planes. The ones who stepped between the layers of reality, finding their own paths.”
I nodded, keeping my tongue still. Like Martin, my thoughts willed, though. Maybe like Cailyn, too.
Recluse pursed his lips, frozen like a statue. “I could feel it there, when I went under,” he said. “And I knew it could feel me too. Felt it stronger than ever, like eyes on the back of my neck. And…the power of it.” He started to shake his head, his shoulders rising. “I’ve met many mages over my thousand years. Powerful ones. The cream of the crop.” His fingers tightened against his arm. “I’ve never felt anything like that before, or since.”
My skin prickled. The hair on my arms rose, standing on end. Recluse had been nothing but bluster since we’d walked in—but now his voice was low, hushed in a way that conveyed the gravity of the situation more surely than any words. His jaw was tight, his shoulders tense.
“What was it?” Aedan said. I jumped, startled at the sound, but quieted myself.
Recluse just kept shaking his head, his expression growing harder by the second. “Hell if I know,” he said softly. “I didn’t have the chance to ask. It…”
He held a hand out before him as if inspecting it, fingers outstretched. “It turned on me,” he said. “Don’t really know what happened. I’m not sure I can explain it. I just know that one minute I was floating through the world, with that feeling of that thing hanging at the back of my mind, and then…it was right there. It was everywhere, all around me. Like I was drowning in magic. Like I’d never be able to come up for air again.”
His lips parted gently, his eyes staring blankly out into empty space. He reached out, fingers still spread wide, until his fingertips pressed against the glass of the window. “Thought I was dead,” he said, the words little more than a whisper. “I knew then I’d flown too close to the sun. I’d woken up something old, and now it was going to destroy me, when I’d grown very used to being indestructible.”
Taking a long, shuddering breath, he chuckled, no amusement in the sound. “That would be when I started bargaining,” he said, closing his eyes. “Promised a lot, back then, trying to get that magic to spit me out. I’d carved out my own little place in the world, and I tried to use that to save myself. Nothing I said seemed to stop it.”
“So how did you stop it?” Aedan said, as low and hushed as Recluse.
“Oh, it wasn’t anything so methodical,” Recluse said, giving a short, quick shake of his head. “I was just about hitting the point of panic. Couldn’t get out, and it felt like every second that passed, I got pulled in a little deeper. Maybe that’s what did it.” He let another hiss out, arching an eyebrow. “I promised I’d leave, and leave it be. I’d give them the same privacy I was after. Promised I wouldn’t look back.”
With one last shake of his head, Recluse took his hand from the glass, turning back to face us. “It stopped,” he said. “But I heard a woman speak. She said, I know you. And she said my name.” His hand rose, clenching. “My real name. The one not a damn fool out there should’ve still known. Whoever, whatever she was, it was like she was right there, staring straight down into my soul.”
He chuckled, then, ducking his chin. The moment loosened around us. “And then it let me go,” he said. “That ripple drifted off down the river, and I stayed behind. Damn sure wasn’t going to go hunting off after it again.”
Shifting from foot to foot, he straightened at last, staring Aedan right in the eye. “I kept my promise,” he said. “Whatever, whoever that was, I let her be. And if I were you, I’d do the same.”
“I mean, I might not go diving off on a magical drug trip after her,” Aedan said. “But I do really need to talk.”
“Enough to risk your death?” Recluse said.
Aedan shrugged. “With how I work? I’d get better.”
For all Aedan’s bluster, there was a nervous note in his voice, and he kept fidgeting in his seat. I understood the sentiment. Aedan should be safe from whatever got thrown at him, but this Recluse fellow was another blood demi, just like him—I was pretty sure—and he’d gotten spooked. That took some doing.
Recluse eyed him sidelong, but only chuckled. “Suppose that’s your funeral to choose,” he said. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“We’d still have to find a way to talk to it,” I said. I leaned forward, bracing my chin on one propped-up hand. “If that woman was another blood demi, if she was the source of the magic, she’s got to be out there somewhere. Someone has to know about her.”
“Hard to stay secret for a thousand years,” Mason squeaked, pale as a ghost.
My thoughts raced, even as I nodded along. Whoever our mystery demi was, she was strong. Really strong. That was a bit nerve-wracking, especially since according to Recluse’s story she didn’t seem particularly friendly, but it could also be our solution to the Madis problem. We needed someone really, really strong.
All we had to do was convince her we were friends, not targets to be smothered out of existence.
“I don’t think so,” Recluse said.
I looked up, as did everyone else. “What?” I said.
He gestured toward me. “Calling that a blood demi. I’m not so sure about it.”
“Really?” I said. My brow furrowed. “I just…why? What else could she be?”
“Something felt…different, when I was trapped in that bottomless pit,” Recluse said. “I’ve worked a fair bit of magic in my day. Had to.” He patted the wall of his house again. “This didn’t feel the same. It was…colder. Crisper. Like a splash of cool water to the face when you’ve been mired up in a godforsaken swamp.” He grimaced. “Or, well, a waterfall down your throat. It wasn’t the same, is all I know.”
The magic was different. I glanced to Amber, my heart catching in my throat, and was rewarded by the victorious light in her eyes. She’d caught it too—that echo of what our unwilling finder had said. No doubt remained in my mind now. This was our target. The end was in sight, I was sure of it.
“Thank you,” I said at last, looking up. When Recluse glanced to me, an amused smile on his lips, I nodded. “This is a huge help. I think…we can get moving again from here.”
“How?” Mason said. “I don’t-”
“C’mon,” Amber said, elbowing him gently. “We’ll figure it out, and we’ve got-”
“I don’t believe I stuttered before,” Recluse said. All traces of amusement bled from his face, leaving him cold as he glared at Amber. “I don’t want to hear another word, or else I’ll cast you back out with the other filth.”
Amber went still. Her lips flapped—and she shut her mouth, drawing back.
“Hey,” I said, slipping a reassuring arm around her shoulders. “Amber is here with us.”
“She’s with me,” Aedan said, flashing an annoyed look my way. “I vouched for ‘em. She’s a bit of a bitch, but she’s not totally horrible.”
“Wow, Aedan,” I said.
“I can see it in her,” Recluse said. “She’s got that same air about her. She’s got blood on her hands.”
“So do I,” Aedan said. “What, you don’t?”
Recluse turned that gaze of his back on Aedan, letting out a long-suffering sigh. “Not like them,” he said, each word slow and deliberate. “And I’ll have you know I’m a pacifist.”
“You’ve been threatening to kill someone since we walked in,” Aedan said. He thrust a finger toward his shoe, scowling. “You nearly took my foot off.”
“It looks fine to me,” Recluse said.
I clapped a hand over my mouth at the look on Aedan’s face. Oh, after an eternity of having to put up with the bastard, I might finally get to see him take a little of what he loved handing out. And the sight was delicious.
“Asshole,” Aedan mumbled. He looked up, though, locking eyes with Recluse. “Really, though. My friend is fine. She’s here with me. Can’t you just-”
“Fine,” Recluse snapped. He stood, towering over us. Everyone quieted. “You can talk,” he said, eyeing Amber sidelong. “But keep a civil tongue in your mouth, else I’ll cut it out.”
“Real peaceful, you,” Cailyn mumbled. When she earned a sharp-eyed glare of her own, she sniffed, scooting over closer to Mason.
When Recluse turned for a doorway deeper into the house, though, Aedan stood, a little tentatively. “Should, ah…Should we go?” he said. “I really appreciate you-”
“Sit,” Recluse said—and glanced back over his shoulder, grinning at him. “The business is done, now, and you’ve already woken me up. I can’t get that sleep back.”
“Sorry,” Aedan said, wincing.
“It’s no trouble,” Recluse said, though, his voice softening. My confusion only grew with every word he said. “Like I said. I owe you at least this much.”
“I…was going to ask about that,” Aedan said. “Why? You seem…” He hesitated for a moment, seeming to roll something around in his mind, but raised an eyebrow and plowed ahead anyway. “You seem kind of fuckin’ weird about me, and I don’t know why. Anke seemed to know something, but I’ve got no goddamn clue what’s going on here.”
“She didn’t say anything?” Recluse said.
Aedan shook his head. “Not a word.”
“Figures,” Recluse said. He nodded begrudgingly, then started back toward the door. “Well, I suppose I should explain myself, then.”
“I just-”
“I’ll make us some coffee.” Ignoring Aedan’s protests, he swept out of the room.
Aedan stopped mid-sentence, mouth still hanging open. “Crap,” he said, deflating.
“I guess we’re waiting,” I said. “Unless you want to try bailing on the guy.”
Amber groaned. “Great.”
With nothing else for it, I sat back, thoughts whirling, and tried to make sense of what we’d heard as the smell of coffee started to waft through the living room.

OVERALL POINTS

​
​

Aspects	Points
Tonality	4/5
Technicality	3.5/5
Build and Quality	4/5
Aesthetics and Feel	4.5/5
Overall	4/5

​

Review OF The Kiwi Ears Quartet

https://preview.redd.it/0zevmg0yw05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6181e45886b3d7093f5cca8e3df568a514716f10
​
Introduction
​
Recently, Kiwi Ears has surprised me, particularly with the release of Orchestra Lite, one of the best contenders for IEMs under $300. The China-based company introduced its first IEM model, the Orchestra, in 2021. After that, they went dormant until the release of the Orchestra Lite, their second IEM model, which was well-received. I was smitten by their tuning and sound after just one listen. By introducing the Kiwi Ears Quartet, they have now also debuted in the IEM market for $150 and under. And today I'll be reviewing the Quartet, but first let's get a few things straight.
​
https://preview.redd.it/vesvyanyw05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6fe524a6c931acfecc8db94b8f27abedb3c3ec3
​
Disclaimer
​
*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as "Quartet."
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Quartet based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.
​
​
Specification
​
Four drivers, two balanced armatures and two dynamic drivers, make up the quartet's hybrid configuration. A custom mid-high frequency BA, an ultra-high tweeter BA, and two 10mm titanium dynamic drivers acting as subwoofers are all included in The Quartet. The dynamic drivers are both arranged in an isobaric pattern. The shells are extremely lightweight because they are made of medical-grade resin. The pattern on the Quartet shells, which covers the entire body and features their logo on the faceplate, looks absolutely stunning. The cable has a straight 3.5mm plug on one end and a detachable 2 pin connector on the other. The cable is a superior silver-plated, oxygen-free cable. The package includes everything that was also included with the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite, excluding the cable and IEM. Three different types of eartips in various sizes are included in the package, along with a carrying case. The sensitivity is 110dB, and the impedance is 32 Ohms, according to the technical specifications. The range of the frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz.
​
https://preview.redd.it/nhotz25zw05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64f258d3739c80975e6a173457e4e0733cda018e
​
Sound
​
This type of tuning for an IEM is unusual; to be more precise, the Quartet uses a balanced tuning but not quite in the way that one would expect a balanced tuning to sound like. I agreed that this is very differently tuned and sounds amazing after listening to it for a longer period of time than I typically give time to IEMs. I initially thought that this IEM had a very generic tuning and that there were better options for a charismatic experience, but the more you listen to it, the more you realise how well it is tuned to your preferences. This IEM really makes sense of using the tuning switches, especially where I find IEMs with tuning switches to be lacking. There are significant changes in two of the combinations, which makes the mid range forward or laidback. The intimate presentation of the sound makes it sound very revealing even though the presentation is not very broad and far. The treble appears expansive and crisp with no loss of detail, and the midrange can sound either forward or laidback depending on the settings you have made, which will be covered in more detail later in this review. The bass is prominent and has a significant amount of mixing power. Although I will go into detail in the treble, midrange, and bass sections, I will first review it with the stock configuration, which is both switches off.
​
https://preview.redd.it/ba82j1rzw05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cef1fd98cb67ef19cd0e3e80cfac75d98fbb3773
​
Treble
Regarding the treble, it extends well but doesn't appear to sound particularly airy or light despite being active and detail-oriented with good exposure in the mix. primarily because the details are coming at you from every angle. It doesn't sound metallic or sharp, but the upper treble really brings out the details in the mix, giving the vocals a crisp, clean sound and giving instruments like the clarinet and cymbals a sparkly, vibrant sound. Both the vocals' nature and the nature of the instruments don't distort in the extension. While the vocals and instruments become playful without obstructing any of their spaces, the upper treble lacks an airy presentation and instead sounds filling. Even though the upper treble response is not smooth, it makes an effort to avoid sounding unbalanced, especially given the energy coming from the lower treble. Speaking of the lower treble, it has the same vibrant approach as the upper treble and sounds very energising. The instruments sound more detailed but don't come out as very fulfilling sounding, and I might also say the same for the male vocals as well. This is primarily because of the influence of bass in the mix, specifically how the bass is tuned. The vocals bring up more of their presence, especially female vocals. The presentation is still enjoyable to listen to despite the mastery of the notes that brings out the best in both the vocals and the instruments in the lower treble. IEMs like Dunu Kima and Salnotes Dioko sound more lively, expressive, and airy when compared to the Quartet, but they also sound more metallic and slightly offensive in response. The details either became very expressive and sound less airy or they sound very airy while losing out on higher frequency. Overall, the treble region is presented in a non-offensive, detail-oriented, and vivid manner.
​
Mid Range
​
Regarding the mid range When I first heard the forward presentation, I was taken aback because when I looked at the FR graph, it primarily represented a laid-back mid range. However, the more I dug into it, the more I understood. Therefore, despite what the graphs might suggest, the mid range is not suppressed or lax. This is caused by the tuning, which makes the bass more pronounced and the treble less prominent. The fact that the mid range is forward has significantly altered how I hear it. The upper mid range has the same amount of energy as the lower treble, but the instruments and vocals sound more dense and authentically reproduced. The instruments sound more rounded and complement the vocals along the mix while the vocals themselves have a nice forward presentation. The vocals are vivid and dense rather than overly energising, and the instruments sound clear and distinct with good note weight. Although the vocals have a good sense of space, they sound constrained and prevented from being open. The lower midrange has a rich, clear sound, and the note weight and density are ideal for adding warmth to the upper midrange. Both the vocals and the instruments have a clear response; neither sound is drowsy or unsteady. The bass guitar naturally sounds thick and organic. Both regions have incredibly rich and immersive musicality. The tuning is not generic, as I previously mentioned, and the midrange sounds different, but if someone is not satisfied with this response, changing the tuning will make a significant difference with the use of tuning switches. However, the sense of playfulness is still present here as well. The mid range of the Quartet is less open and expressive than IEMs like the Letshuoer Galileo or Dunu Kima, but it sounds much more authentic and tonally appropriate. The mid range region has a forward, clean, and natural sounding presentation overall.
​
Bass
​
The bass surprised me the most; naturally, after viewing the FR graph, I assumed that it would sound very bloated and oppressive, but I was terribly mistaken. The bass is very authoritative because it is well-controlled and has a powerful and noticeable presence. Even though the sub bass is highlighted, the mid range doesn't sound recessed. In the mix, the sub bass and mid bass levels have a similar energy and sound expressive. The sub bass extension has a great punchy presentation and goes down quite deep, giving off a soft sense of rumble in the ear canal. Compared to other IEMs in this price range, the notes sound clearer and better. The notes in the mid bass feel heavy and hit you hard; they have great thick slams and thump in the response. The bass is well controlled and quickly disappears from the mix, which is its best quality. Each component of this area effectively fulfils its function. Although it is undoubtedly not the cleanest bass, it sounds incredibly dynamic and detailed. With this much bass, the bass texture and details are fantastic. IEMs like the Kima and Galileo sound more controlled, detailed, and less overpowering in the mix. Perhaps because of this tuning approach in the bass range, the treble and midrange don't sound as open and airy. The use of the switches, however, does uplift or make the mid range prominent in the mix, which does help with the openness in the higher frequency. Overall, the bass region is presented in a strong, controlled, and authoritative manner.
​
​
Technical Performance
​
In terms of technical performance, the Quartet holds its own against IEMs in this price range. Although some people might either despise it or love it. Although the soundstage and layering are not as good as with other IEMs, this one sounds immersive thanks to its overall technical prowess. Let's discuss it in more detail now.
​
https://preview.redd.it/tx96awm1x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50ed65a70eabcfe208b093b9279bb282dd77cae1
​
Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation
The depth perception of the stage is the least felt in the mix despite its good positioning, and it doesn't sound very far and wide. Although quite clear and sharp, the imaging could be even better. Every element feels far away and distinct enough to prevent them from messing up the mix, and there is a good sense of direction from where the sound is coming.
​
Speed & Resolution
​
At this price, the resolution is quite impressive because the details are easily accessible, the macro details are illuminating, and the micro details attempt to be as expressive as they can be. However, I believe the details from the Letshuoer Galileo were much better. Additionally, the notes' attack and decay have a rapid pace.
​
Sound Impressions
​
​
Tuning Switches
​
The midrange becomes more forward in the mix with the OI combination, whereas the other combination makes it less prominent in the mix, giving it variable stages for your preferences, when tuning switches are used for the first time. There is no point in talking about it because the technical performances were nearly identical in all of the combinations.
​
Combination IO
When using this combination, the response becomes less energetic in the midrange and treble and becomes more bass-heavy. The treble sounded nearly the same, and the mid range sounded less forward in the mix. Even so, I could still hear less treble in the mix. The bass had a punchier, thumpier sound. This pairing works best when listening to bass-heavy music.
​
https://preview.redd.it/ox8gj123x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4db5fd05254cf39450b8c69bde3981d51d5e2ee5
​
Combination OI
This is the combination I prefer because it has a strong mid-range focus and less bass response. Although the response is almost like a standard combination paired with Hipdac, there is no offensive sound, the response is made more shimmery and sparkly with more prominent vocals and instruments thanks to the upper mid range and lower treble. The bass no longer conveys a sense of presence or influence. Preferable with all genres because it sounds fantastic with any track or genre.
​
https://preview.redd.it/phli5a95x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=27f77dc0f7346412a0e095594ef42b12d0c70f7f
​
Combination II
The response was the same after switching to this combination as it was with Combination IO, but the vocals in the midrange were better, with the male vocals sounding more pristine and approachable and the female vocals sounding more expressive. The upper range had the same sensation as the Combination IO. As the mid bass became more prominent, the bass felt more thumpy than punchy. Sounds best while listening to calming and enjoyable music.
​
https://preview.redd.it/ww9jc7r5x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7aa7ee4f87a2f78b20ae7ee41bb728f4ae6f785a
​
Sources
​
Tempotec V6 - When used with the V6, the sound was more soothing and calming than with the other sources. The treble also sounded better, with clearer notes and less offensive characteristics. The mid range was forward and had a musical, organic sound. The bass had a strong, controlled sound. In the upper midrange and lower treble range, there is unmistakable sibilance. The only difference in the technical aspects was how much better the stage and separation felt with more effective open sound. I preferred the pairing most when it was with the V6.
​
https://preview.redd.it/ktkcc8i6x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04cacb33335ee4c1af2f87d91106fdb1189550cb
​
iFi Hipdac - As the midrange was very active and forward in the mix, the pairing with the Hip Dac sounded more midrange focused. The treble sounded less extensive and more rounded, and the bass sounded a little less powered and less controlled. Since the vocals were so prominently featured in the mix, the openness in sound felt the best out of all the sources. Other technical aspects felt the same, with the exception of the stage, which seemed wider. Although the pairing with the Hipdac was excellent, I still believe that the V6 is probably more to my taste.
​
https://preview.redd.it/17ufog27x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36eadd1fde90a9ff0f29a7deccedee9e63e6dca2
​
Megatron - The response was surprisingly clear and transparent when the Quartet and Megatron were combined, with more emphasis on the clarity in the treble region, where it sounded more expressive and detailed with cleaner response. While the bass sounded more textured, controlled, and refined, the mid range sounded the same but with more sharp notes. Sometimes the response at higher frequencies sounded a little offensive, and the timbre took on a more metallic quality. There were no discernible technical differences, other than that the resolution and imaging were clearer. For this IEM, the megatron pairing produced a more pleasing, vibrant, and clear sound. I enjoyed it.
​
https://preview.redd.it/yamshzv7x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fd13a719c6806be5b132d2dbbb125404581f6dc
​
Tracks Used
​
Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun
​
​
Conclusion
​
To sum up, I can say that the Quartet with tuning switches makes sense because every possible combination results in a unique signature. And even though one might disagree with what I have to say, standard tuning is safe and pleasant to hear. However, these are actually the first IEMs with tuning switches that actually function. I'm delighted to suggest an IEM that can carry multiple tunings to audiophiles who would love to own one.
​
https://preview.redd.it/ed5eu0y8x05b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1fcddbede04605682610d2e77a16195fe2985d9a

Hi peeps, I posted a question like a week ago related to this topic but I thought I’d kinda specify more so now.
I want to grow a bushy stache - ideally I love the idea of doing as little maintenance as possible.
As you’ll see on the zoomed in picture, I have some hairs that grow right in the spot that’s kind of nose territory, but kinda upper lip territory.
I went back and forth on if I should keep those hairs - which seemed a little like they stuck out awkwardly to me. I notice a lot of posters on this sub post staches where there is a clear separation between their nose and their upper lip. I also notice it looks like some people have super full staches that look like they grow in the spot mine do and are not trimmed.
I decided to shave those hairs with the single edge razor on my Gillette razor, trying to minimize hair removal outside of that area I have specified.
Looking at it a few days later, it kinda bothers me that I shaved it. So my questions are:

1. Would you shave that area in limbo to make a very clear separation of nose and lip?
   
2. Do people even notice the hairs that grow from that area in no man’s land? Like notice it and think that person looks unkempt?
   
3. Does my mustache seem like it has any potential?
   
4. I have about 20 days of mustache growth. Should I shave it all and start from scratch? Or should I just let that top part grow in and it will naturally blend in?
   
5. If I should just keep it growing and let it blend in, will it blend in naturally or will I need to use clippers to like trim the whole mustache to an equal length at some point?
   
6. When shaving around the stache, as in shaving the rest of your face - where do you decide to shave like near the stache. What I mean is, do you like lift the stache, and shave any hairs that grow below the ending sides of your lips (where both top and bottom lip grow).
   

Side question: when you grow a walrus mustache, are you supposed to not trim it at all, hence like the kinda nose kinda upper lip area I reference above?
I really appreciate any feedback anyone has. Have a nice weekend!

➡️ https://www.genkicourses.site/product/adam-bensman-6-figure-income-sprint/⬅️
Get the course here: [Genkicourses.site] [Get] ✔️ Adam Bensman – 6-Figure Income Sprint ✔️ Full Course Download

*Exclusively for Copywriters With Existing Clients and 1+ Years Experience*

The Copywriter’s 6-Figure Income Sprint

My Proven “Turn Key” Business Model to Earn a Consistent – Per Month, Every Month, With Fewer Clients, Making a Deeper Impact, and Taking Back Your Life
📷
Are you ready to transform your freelance copywriting job into a sustainable, scalable, and wildly profitable 6-figure business in as fast as 60 days like Chris?
Not only did this work for Chris, I discovered this model as I grew to per month of income in less than 24 months…
While having STRICT client boundaries, NOT working weekends, NOT working evenings, and vacationing multiple times per year…
AND delivered the best (record breaking) results for my clients.
I’m going to show you exactly how I did it.
Join me as I guide you step-by-step through an ultra-personal video-course experience to…

• STOP providing strategy and consulting for free
• STOP being an order taker
• ​STOP selling “words on a page”
• STOP bidding projects
• ​STOP the never-ending cycle of prospecting for the next client
• ​STOP the feast-famine cycle (best month followed by worst)
• ​STOP letting clients control your life and walk all over you

And most importantly…

• START getting paid (a lot) for strategy and consulting
• START being an advisor to clients who respect you
• ​START providing comprehensive strategy (first) and copywriting
• START earning – per client (even small biz’s)
• ​START developing deeper relationships with your clients
• ​START earning consistent, predictable, reliable income every single month
• ​START taking care of YOU, set boundaries, and build your business around your life

You’ll be guided through my easy-to-follow, 6-step process to learn the theory behind the pivots you’ll be making for your own businesses.
Then we’ll shift our focus to execution.
Each module has a “business assignment,” so you’ll experience wins damn-near every day you’re in there building your business.
It will all come together, one puzzle piece at a time.
You’re going to experience a massive transformation – both personally and professionally as you reposition and repackage your existing services into a high-ticket, retainer model business that will empower you to earn… or even PER MONTH with only a handful of clients that you actually LOVE working with.
But it ain’t all about the money, honey.
This is about building your LIFE first.
Because burnout happens when you are trying to fit in everything that’s truly important “when there’s time.”
(This is the miserable cycle of “fitting my life in around my business” — been there?)
What’s important for you to have more time for?
For me, it’s time with my wife, our 2 dogs, friends, mountain biking, fitness, cooking, travel, and unplugging in nature. ← All things I didn’t have time for when I was non-stop prospecting and reacting to client demands…
Listen, The Copywriter’s 6-Figure Income Sprint is no-fluff, jam-packed with value, and has literally everything you need to implement this “turn key” business plan and create your new lifestyle business earning serious money in as fast as 60 days if you apply these steps as you learn.

📷

​
​
Courses proof (screenshots for example, or 1 free sample video from the course) are available upon demand, simply Contact us here

GameStop's most recent 10-Q revealed a very interesting and very bullish information with the number of shares held by Cede & Co going down!

GameStop's 10-K filed on March 28, 2023

GameStop's 10-Q filed today, June 7, 2023

As of March 22, 2023, there were 197,058 record holders of our Class A Common Stock. Excluding the approximately 228.7 million shares of our Class A Common Stock held by Cede & Co on behalf of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (or approximately 75% of our outstanding shares), approximately 76.0 million shares of our Class A Common Stock were held by record holders as of March 22, 2023 (or approximately 25% of our outstanding shares.

As of June 1, 2023, there were approximately 304,751,243 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding. Of those outstanding shares, approximately 228.1 million were held by Cede & Co on behalf of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (or approximately 75% of our outstanding shares) and approximately 76.6 million shares of our Class A common stock were held by registered holders with our transfer agent (or approximately 25% of our outstanding shares) as of June 1, 2023.

Let's bring back some context from my prior post, GME 10-K: A Turning Point, and expand on it by first charting the history of GameStop's DRS numbers.
https://preview.redd.it/921624w8yt4b1.png?width=4186&format=png&auto=webp&s=746db6cad0a0f8184302302aedf45fffb55e0857
This is beautiful because we're seeing a classic S-curve in our data. Let me draw it for you and explain.
https://preview.redd.it/penl1bndyt4b1.png?width=4248&format=png&auto=webp&s=98f9a915a0e051c534c7d767085de25e88645ef0
An S-curve is very important when considering new ideas. Basically, an S-curve represents how fast an idea spreads. In the beginning, ideas are new and held by only a few so the growth curve is slow. Then, at some point, ideas take off and we see rapid growth. And, finally, there's a saturation point reached where growth slows down again. These "phases of innovation" are well documented:

The adoption rate of innovations is non-linear; it is slow at first, then rapidly rises before flattening out again as it reaches market saturation.
Harnessing the Power of S-Curves
There are many theories of change, but one that is particularly relevant to innovation is centred on the S-curve. It is a way of depicting incremental, disruptive and radical innovation.
...
The S-curve can also be used to depict the diffusion of innovations in a culture over time. First described by Everett Rogers in the early 1960s, diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated and taken up over time. Rogers’ work is important because it emphasises that the innovation itself is not the only determinant of its ‘success’. There must also be communication channels, time and a social system in place to enable the innovation to be used and adopted more and more widely. Rogers also identifies the different categories of adopters: innovators, early adopters, majority (further subdivided into early and late) and laggards (Rogers, 1962).
[Open University: Innovation and the S-curve]

When we look at the DRS numbers, we can see the classic S curve. The key recognition is that some shares were already directly registered before apes figured DRS out. Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, it's obvious that no early whale apes directly registered 5 million shares because apes are generally not that rich. ComputerShared.net even has a Shareholder Distribution chart where you can see that, even now, all apes sampled have fewer than 32,768 shares.
https://preview.redd.it/17ugkzgyot4b1.png?width=1251&format=png&auto=webp&s=e8d1dc706135698e4a7a403a4b6b5704c31c9767
While may never know how many shares were held by the ~1,600 record holders in 2021 or who held them, we do know that there were at least 1,600 record holders and they, by definition, held directly registered shares. Then, as of Oct 30, 2021, 5.2M shares were directly registered after a few early apes started direct registering their shares.
As more apes started to directly register their shares, we see a rapid growth phase between 2021 and 2022. After the July 2022 splividend, we start to see DRS numbers tailing off as the idea of DRS matures signifying an acceptance of DRS amongst apes.

Bullish Turning Points

Looking back at the history of DRS numbers, we see two major changes in shareholder reporting: Oct 2021 and March 2023. As I noted before (twice),

These SEC forms are filed every quarter or year and people are lazy. The easiest way to start off a filing is to simply copy the one filed before (i.e., template) and update things like dates and numbers. So why the change? Wut mean?

• Before Oct 2021, GameStop reported the number of record holders.
• Between Oct 2021 and Oct 2022, GameStop reported shares directly registered with their transfer agent.
• March 2023, GameStop reported the number of record holders, number of shares held by Cede & Co, and number of shares held by record holders.
• June 2023, GameStop reports the number of shares outstanding, number of shares held by Cede & Co, and number of shares held by registered holders with our transfer agent.

The Oct 2021 change is pretty clearly a result of apes directly registering their shares leading to a noticeable increase of directly registered shares.
The March 2023 number is interesting because you'll notice that the Jan 2023 10-K reporting was significantly delayed for nearly two months from the end of Jan (see Jan 29, 2022) to March 22, 2023. This delay suggests the SEC didn't like what GameStop submitted and required GameStop to modify their filing before it became public. I think GameStop was going to put the discrepancy into their 10-K and the SEC said "Uhh, no. Please change that."^[1] (Remember, there shouldn't ever be more shares reported as held than shares outstanding; which is why proxy over voting has been "addressed" by adjusting the vote counts.)
To give you an example of this problem from my prior DD, End Game: DTC and NSCC are screwed as the DTC just proved shareholders should Directly Register Shares (DRS) and End Game Part Deux: Problems at the DTCC plus The Bigger Picture, we saw from 🛏️🛁 bankruptcy filings that their Transfer Agent reported Cede and Co holds more shares (776M) than there are outstanding (739M) -- which should be impossible.
Sources can't be linked (contains the ticker symbol) but can be found in the other sub
If a bankruptcy judge didn't order 🛏️🛁 to file this information with the Court, nobody would ever know that a company has 739M shares outstanding (with some directly registered) while the DTC and DTCC are circulating 776M shares of that company for trading (plus rehypothecation)!
Yet, here we are. And now we understand why the SEC is rushing to push through so many regulations simply to not look as bad when shit hits the fan. ("So, SEC, a bunch of regards on the Internet figured this out with publicly available information and you didn't? Even when the SEC was directly made aware of issues, again?")
Turning back to GME's 10-Q numbers, GameStop reported 76.6M shares held by Registered Holders^[2] and 228.1M shares held by Cede & Co on behalf of the DTCC. We know what ComputerShare, the Transfer Agent, is reporting. But due to the fog of war, we don't know how many shares the DTC and DTCC are circulating for trading or how many beneficially owned rights to shares there are.
What we know and don't know
Which means we can think of GME's 10-Q filing as a sort of CYA. GameStop has put on record there are 228.1M shares recorded by the Transfer Agent (ComputerShare) as allocated to Cede & Co and the DTC/DTCC. As far as GameStop, ComputerShare, and the SEC are concerned, any securities issues after that are problems within the Big Orange Box of BS (Beneficially-owned Shares).
The flattening of the S-curve happened somewhere around Oct 2022 and March 2023 when, all of a sudden, apes only saw an increase of 0.5M shares directly registered in the Oct 2022 DRS number followed by a 4.2M increase in March 2023. I think what happened for the Oct 2022 DRS number is institutions withdrew their ~5M directly registered shares to Cede & Co to (1) try and make it look like apes were leaving and (2) put more shares into Cede & Co for circulation.^[3] A few apes have come up with some recent evidence this could the case (by reviewing the ledger!) per a post on the DRS sub by lawsondt (with confirmation in the comments, 🫡)
https://preview.redd.it/kcottjzra05b1.png?width=675&format=png&auto=webp&s=361ce4adaa8b1f58b39c88e0d4113d0b98bf6b47
Remember, apes are generally not whales so there's no way apes started off with 5.2M shares directly registered. On the other hand, institutions have the money to do so and some institutions probably wanted to have shares in their name. But there are no institutions on the list as of April 2023 anymore which strongly suggests apes are amazing regards who directly registered more shares than the institutions pulled out.
And now, institutions are out of directly registered shares. No more DRS rug pulls.

The Number of Shares Held By The DTC Is Consistently Shrinking

So when I look at the 71 calendar days between March 28, 2023 and June 7, 2023 (49 trading days), ComputerShare recorded 600k more shares held by registered ownership. That's 8,000+ shares per calendar day or 12,000+ shares per trading day removed from the BS box and locked away.
This is what the power of slow and steady erosion looks like
Cede & Co's holdings are consistently shrinking and institutions no longer have any directly registered shares.
IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT BENEFICIAL SHARES (BS)
According to the SEC, beneficial rights to shares held by the DTC are split amongst all the beneficial shareholder interests.

Each participant or pledgee having an interest in securities of a given issue credited to its account has a pro rata interest in the securities of that issue held by DTC.
[SR-DTC-2003-02 34-47978 (June 4, 2003)]

From another DD, Estimating Excess GME Share Liquidity From Borrow Data & Churn Factor, I covered a 2010 IMF Working Paper (The (sizable) Role of Rehypothecation in the Shadow Banking System) that found rehypothecation in the shadow banking system resulted in a churn factor of 4.
https://preview.redd.it/5kv4pllbxv4b1.png?width=1368&format=png&auto=webp&s=f2c76ac21a828fbe7aca78b4ac1517c36e671288
A churn factor of 4 means each GME share is rehypothecated into 4 beneficial rights to 1 GME share. Thus, according to the SEC, each GME share in a brokerage is worth 1/4 of what you think it's worth. Less if the churn factor is higher. (Easily higher as some countries have no limits on rehypothecation.)
Simply changing how shares are held from beneficially-owned shares (BS) to directly registered shares (DRS) automatically increases how much of the Company you own. This is true for any Company where shareholders may suspect the DTC has more shares on their books or in circulation than they should. With the shadow banking system rehypothecating assets around in circles, it's likely every BS share traded under the DTCC is worth less a DRS counterpart. Thus, every shareholder is basically incentivized to own a bigger portion of each Company by simply Direct Registering Shares to get more ownership for the same price. Which is exactly what the DTC and SEC said shareholders should do:

DTC pointed out that if beneficial owners believe that their interests are best protected by not having their shares subject to book-entry transfer at DTC, then they can instruct their broker-dealer to execute a withdrawal-by-transfer, which will remove the securities from DTC and transfer them to the shareholder in certificated form.
SR-DTC-2003-02 34-47978 (June 4, 2003)

If I get 4x more ownership by executing a DRS withdrawal-by-transfer out of the DTC, then clearly the DTC is not protecting my interests and I should execute a DRS withdrawal-by-transfer as suggested by the DTC and SEC.

BACK TO THE S-CURVE

Remember: adoption rate is non-linear. Meaning all the comments about it taking 84 years to lock the float at this rate are irrelevant because they assume a constant linear DRS rate at the current 8,000+ per calendar day (12,000+ per trading day) rate.
Instead, we should consider the current 8,000+ per calendar day (12,000+ per trading day) rate as a floor for what apes are accomplishing as a baseline. Progress and adoption are typically a series of S-curves as ideas are spread, adopted by a group, reach maturity in that group, spread more, adopted by others, reach maturity in the new group, and spread more again.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/organisations-environmental-management-and-innovation/content-section-1.7
As a baseline, the current 8,000+ per calendar day (12,000+ per trading day) is phenomenal because these shares are getting locked away every single day despite everything Wall St has tried including:

• incredibly high inflation taking away money from investments for living expenses,
• media constantly bashing meme stocks, and
• an endless stream of rule proposals and comments from the financial industry designed to screw retail investors.

I look forward to upcoming S-curves increasing our DRS numbers as more people learn about how our markets function. I know it will happen because it is inevitable. As shares are directly registered with the Transfer Agent, fewer shares will be held by the DTC which reduces the value of the remaining beneficial shares. And, in order to keep the price down, more beneficial rights to the shrinking number shares held by the DTC will be sold which further dilutes the value of those BS shares. As the ownership gain from directly registering shares increases, more shares will be directly registered which further speeds up this virtuous cycle (a virtuous cycle is like a vicious cycle, but for good things).
The incentives and self-interests align in such a way that the invisible hand ensures people will DRS as they learn it's more valuable to them.
Thank you to every ape out there contributing to this shared knowledge base. From the lit buildings at midnight to the memes and the amazing DD, including the relentless and rigorous peer review^[4], we are all educating each other about how our securities markets function.
[1] This theory is also consistent with some Trust Me Bro that I speculated about.
[2] Why the change from "record holders" to "registered holders"? Maybe this is to address the confusion around the Heat Lamp Theory? From the context, I suspect Book or Plan are both counted by ComputerShare as Directly Registered Shares falling under the "Registered-ownership shares" category on ComputerShare's FAQ.
[3] Notably, if you consider an adjustment for the Oct 2022 onwards numbers for the shares institutions pulled out, you'd get a much cleaner and smoother transition at the top with +5.5M, +4.2M, +0.6M and so on... which makes for a prettier S-curve that one might expect to see.
[4] Let's be realistic, it's the Internet. We're all basically like this
https://preview.redd.it/rnzqkqi7m05b1.png?width=300&format=png&auto=webp&s=912087114699d995b1c8d9b52be6429daecb7e81