AME Mousa VS PMG Audio Apx SE

Youtube Video Summary

AME Mousa goes all-in on extravagance: a 15-driver array (BA stack plus two bone conductors) in a massive, impeccably finished shell with a faceplate that hints at Damascus-steel swirls. The $4,500 package feels ultra-premium—weighty presentation box, desk display case, metal tip cards (fancy but a bit fiddly), and a tidy stock cable that looks good yet lacks a chin slider. Fit will depend on ear size: the shells are very thick and heavy, though ergonomics and finish are smooth. Overall unboxing and build scream luxury.

Sonically it hits a warm, energizing V-shape with impactful bass, dynamic highs, and full-bodied vocals; sibilance is minimal and the set shines at higher volumes. Tuning isn’t neutral—expect a 1 kHz dip and lively 4–6 kHz energy—so it thrills more than it analyzes, and can edge toward fatigue over marathon sessions. Versus peers, it feels richer and more rambunctious than neutral “meta-target” options (think Storm/K4 style sets), less air-starved than darker tunings like CP622B, and more bass-driven than something like Annihilator while not as modular or chameleon-like as Grand Maestro. The takeaway: a specialist, endgame-flavored IEM for listeners chasing slam, note-weight, and engagement over strict neutrality—highly enjoyable if the price and shell size aren’t deal-breakers, and best auditioned first given its bold fit and flavor.

Youtube Video Summary

The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.

Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.

Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.

Youtube Video Summary

The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.

Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.

Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.