Final Audio LAB 2 VS Subtonic Storm

Aggregated Scores from Top Experts & Community

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Final Audio LAB 2 Aggregated Review Score

Final Audio LAB 2 Average Reviewer Scores

Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

1.5

Negative

Subtonic Storm Aggregated Review Score

Subtonic Storm Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio
Gizaudio Axel Precogvision Tim Tuned Shuwa-T IEMRanking AI
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

9.2

Overwhelmingly Positive

Final Audio LAB 2 User Review Score

Final Audio LAB 2 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Subtonic Storm User Review Score

Subtonic Storm Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Final Audio LAB 2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

2.1

Gaming Grade

E+

Subtonic Storm Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.9

Gaming Grade

A

Final Audio LAB 2 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

E
  • Tonally jarring or fatiguing. Frequency clashes (e.g., piercing treble, bloated bass) make extended listening unpleasant. Poor genre adaptation.

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Gaming E+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Subtonic Storm Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S
  • Exquisite technical mastery. Flawless frequency integration with captivating presentation. Sets new standards in tonal execution.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Reference-tier precision. Effortlessly resolves micro-details, with holographic staging and lightning-fast transients. Masterful control even in the most chaotic tracks.
Bass S-
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids S-
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Final Audio LAB 2 Reviews

Final Audio LAB 2 reviewed by:

Crin 1.5 Reviewer Score
E Tuning
C Tech
Fancy artisanal garbage that fails at the very thing it's supposed to be: an IEM.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Subtonic Storm Reviews

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Jays Audio 10 Reviewer Score
S+ Tuning
S+ Tech
The best IEM I've ever heard. Best timbre. Super natural. TOTL tech. It's just good. That's all.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Most IEMs inevitably introduce flaws that shatter musical immersion—be it harsh treble, shouty vocals, or unbalanced bass. These imperfections act as chains, binding the listener and preventing that elusive state of pure, uninterrupted freedom within the music. While the OG EJ07 came close, even it faltered on certain tracks, its forward vocals becoming a jarring distraction when pushed hard. The Subtonic Storm, however, shatters this pattern entirely.

Contrary to its name, the Storm represents the eye of the hurricane—a sanctuary of pure, effortless sound. It liberates the music from tuning flaws, presenting it naturally and tranquilly. There are zero distractions or attachments holding the listener back, enabling deep introspection and complete immersion, as if conversing directly with the singer or instrument. This profound, intangible quality—achieving that free state—is why it's considered the best IEM, offering unmatched resolution, separation, and imaging, albeit at an astronomical $5,000 price point.

Value-wise, the Storm is undeniably terrible; the KZ ASF ($250) gets you 80% there, and the Monarch MKII ($1,000) delivers 95%. It's a luxury item, justified only by its unique, unmeasurable ability to dissolve worldly distractions and forge total oneness with the music. Crucially, it's not for everyone: Bass heads, background listeners, or those enjoying J-pop/K-pop/EDM will find far better value elsewhere under $300. Only those deeply seeking musical transcendence, with ample disposable income, should even consider it. For everyone else, stay away—you simply don’t need it.

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Exceptional resolution, neutral sound signature. Hard to drive. The most detailed IEM I’ve ever heard.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Precogvision 9.1 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Easily at the top for resolution and dynamic contrast, accompanied by rigid transients and pinpoint layering.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S Dynamics: S+ Details: S+ Imaging: S

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Tim Tuned 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Pros: The most extraodinary normal sounding IEM ever. Amazing all-around. Cons: big and heavy shell.

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 8.8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
World-class resolution and layering. Extreme, almost exaggerated dynamics. Staging is large but not class-leading.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S Details: S Imaging: S-

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 9.3 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Strengths: Perfectly tuned, unparalled detail retrieval, staging, imaging, and proper holographic background as a cohesive package. Weaknesses: The price I guess. Comment: TOTL tuning with TOTL technicalities to boot.

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S

Subtonic Storm reviewed by:

IEMRanking AI 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech

The Subtonic Storm delivers a balanced sound signature characterized by a generous sub-bass boost, neutral midrange, and an elevated, articulate treble response. Its standout feature is the implementation of proprietary SLAM drivers—custom balanced armatures handling separate sub-bass and mid-bass frequencies—which produce exceptional slam and texture rivaling dynamic drivers. The treble exhibits deliberate, controlled peaks between 5-15kHz, contributing to vividness without harshness, though some listeners may note a slight roll-off past 16kHz.

Technically, the Storm sets a high bar with class-leading dynamics, micro-detail resolution, and driver coherence across its hybrid array. Staging offers strong width and depth but lacks a cohesive center image. Ergonomically, the titanium shells are bulky and heavy, causing fatigue during extended use, and the stock cable is often criticized for stiffness. Additionally, its low sensitivity demands powerful amplification, limiting portability.

- IEMRanking AI

Final Audio LAB 2 User Reviews

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Subtonic Storm User Reviews

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