Ambient Acoustics MAD16 VS Lime Ears Maris
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 and Lime Ears Maris use 16BA and 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST, driver setups respectively. Ambient Acoustics MAD16 costs $2,500 while Lime Ears Maris costs $2,700. Lime Ears Maris is $200 more expensive. Lime Ears Maris holds a decisive 4.2-point edge in reviewer scores (4.5 vs 8.7).
Insights
| Metric | Ambient Acoustics MAD16 | Lime Ears Maris |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 4.5 | 9.3 |
| Mids | 4.5 | 8.3 |
| Treble | 4.5 | 8.6 |
| Details | 4.5 | 9.4 |
| Soundstage | 4.5 | 9.3 |
| Imaging | 4.5 | 9.5 |
| Dynamics | 4.5 | 7.6 |
| Tonality | 4 | 8.6 |
| Technicalities | 6 | 9.2 |
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
4.5Generally Unfavorable
Lime Ears Maris Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.7Excellent
Reviews Comparison
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 (more reviews)
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 reviewed by Crin
4.5
Reviewer Score
Lime Ears Maris (more reviews)
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Paul Wasabii
9.4
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Lime Ears Maris takes a fuller, weightier direction than Terra, with a stronger low-end shelf, relaxed upper mids, a gentle 5 kHz dip, and extended air via ESTs. The 12-driver quad architecture (dual dynamics, six BAs, two ESTs, two bone-conduction) is used to create a highly natural and non-fatiguing balance where clarity sits slightly forward yet never turns sharp. The theme is unmistakable: depth, body, and a sense of scale that suits higher listening levels.
What stands out is the front-to-back layering: bass feels enclosure-like with real sub-bass reach, while the mids carry dimension and texture rather than a flat plane. The set behaves like a playlist killer, handling hip-hop and EDM as confidently as acoustic material, delivering impact without losing composure. Bone-conduction and dual DD tricks add a visceral undertow that typical graphs do not fully explain.
Technical performance is elite: resolution and microdetail arrive with a refined BA timbre, and the soundstage maps distinct zones in height and depth with precise imaging. Treble sits perfectly judged over the weighty foundation, using EST sparkle for air rather than glare. At around 2,800 USD, the execution of driver roles and end-to-end tuning coherence justifies summit-fi expectations.
Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Lime Ears Maris is a flagship 12-driver quad-brid with branded components, combining multiple BAs for lows/mids, dual Sonion ESTs for air, and a dual Sonion bone conductor for full-range weight. At $2,700 (“Ensemble”), it brings a thin-walled but comfortably large shell, flat 2-pin sockets, and an excellent leather puck case; build and fit feel deliberately premium, with only a minor faceplate edge that can snag. Overall presentation and ergonomics signal a top-tier, tour-worthy piece.
Sonically it’s a fun, impactful tuning: bass hits hard with tactile BC rumble, treble/air are pristine, and resolution is high with an open, spacious stage. The upper-mids are slightly restrained (a touch of ~4 kHz dip) which softens attack—less “incisive” than the graph might suggest—but the set remains clean, coherent, and easy to listen to for treble-sensitive listeners. Think “inoffensive but exceptional”: refined energy up top, big physical slam down low, and clarity that holds together complex mixes.
Context against peers: Terra is exciting but the 5–6 kHz energy can fatigue; Incognita tracks a preferred curve better as a one-and-done at a lower price. Annihilator offers more bite in upper-mids/treble, yet Maris will suit those sensitive to that region; versus Grand Maestro, Maris wins on comfort and bass quality. Compared with Europa, Cadenza 12, Omnium, and Visioner’s 10, trade-offs shift—some deliver sharper treble “spark” or smaller shells—but the Maris’s bone-conducted bass, comfort, and safe-refined balance make it a strong recommend to demo at a show before choosing.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Kois Archive
8.2
Reviewer Score
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 Details
Driver Configuration: 16BA
Tuning Type: Warm, V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $2,500
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Lime Ears Maris Details
Driver Configuration: 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST,
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Lime Ears Top Lime Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $2,700
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Ambient Acoustics MAD16 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Lime Ears Maris User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Ambient Acoustics MAD16 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
3.9Gaming Grade
D+Lime Ears Maris Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
AAmbient Acoustics MAD16 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
C-- Expect a patchy tonal profile that makes instrumentation feel mismatched. EQ is almost mandatory to tame the response.
Average Technical Grade
B- The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Lime Ears Maris Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- A masterfully balanced signature renders music effortlessly realistic and emotionally engaging. Nuanced mixes benefit from its balance.
Average Technical Grade
S- Expect an effortlessly clean presentation that keeps complex mixes perfectly organized. There is zero sense of congestion even at high volume.
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 User Reviews
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