Softears Enigma VS Brise Audio Fugaku

Softears Enigma comes dressed to impress: a lavish multi-layer unboxing with neatly organized compartments, UC/foam/silicone tips, a premium leather travel case, cleaning tools, an aluminum earpiece model, and even a build-it cube with screwdriver. The package includes a soft-touch cable marked “Enigma” and an Effect Audio ConX cable for swappable terminations. The shells look exquisite under a glass cover, and despite a larger 6.4 mm nozzle, the fit settles into a deep seal that’s comfortable for hours with average isolation. It’s a 12-driver tribrid (2DD+6BA+4EST) priced around $3,699, and it absolutely presents like it.

Tonally, Enigma lands balanced—call it neutral with a slight bass boost and a pronounced mid-range focus. Bass is a standout for its clean, tight, and textured delivery: fast attack, medium decay, and enough weight to add fullness without stealing the spotlight. The mid-range takes center stage with natural timbre, proper note weight, and excellent vocal rendering—male voices get a touch of warmth while female vocals feel airy and extended. Treble is detailed and precise with a hint of sparkle; turn it up and it can edge slightly forward, yet it stays non-fatiguing and keeps the whole tonality in check.

Technical chops are firmly top-tier: effortless resolution, exceptional separation and layering, and above-average yet natural soundstage with precise imaging—even dense tracks remain micro-detailed. Versus the Elysian Annihilator 2023, Enigma is the more balanced, mid-centric listen (clean, supportive bass; refined treble) while Annihilator swings v-shaped and “fun” with bigger bass/treble emphasis. Recommended for listeners who crave mid-range clarity, realistic timbre, and endgame detail across genres; not ideal for bassheads, v-shape seekers, or those wanting overly warm/lush vocals. Final verdict: 4.5/5—near-perfect coherence and detail with a mature, musical balance.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Brise Audio Fugaku stands out immediately for its bass: incredibly deep, dynamic, and explosive, with attacks that feel like notes appear from thin air and a tight, non-lingering decay. It’s the kind of presentation that can be called best-in-class bass for any IEM, a must-hear experience even if the overall package doesn’t justify its $16,000 price tag.

Beyond the low end, the tuning falls into a Harman-esque mold—a clean midrange with a 3 kHz pinna region and a slightly elevated 3–5 kHz—while the treble carries extra energy, especially past 15 kHz. Those highs arrive with multiple distinct peaks that aren’t the most refined; they can overlap and create auditory masking, subtly shaving perceived micro-detail. In short: a technically solid, relatively conventional mid/treble wrapped around an absolutely world-class bass that steals the show.

Precogvision original ranking