Forte Ears Macbeth VS Softears Enigma

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Forte Ears Macbeth and Softears Enigma use 5BA+4EST+2BC and 2DD+6BA+4EST driver setups respectively. Forte Ears Macbeth costs $4,000 while Softears Enigma costs $3,699. Forte Ears Macbeth is $301 more expensive. Softears Enigma holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 9). Softears Enigma carries a user score of 9.5.

Insights

Metric Forte Ears Macbeth Softears Enigma
Bass 8.3 9
Mids 8 9
Treble 8.5 9
Details 8.8 9
Soundstage 9 9
Imaging 8.8 9
Dynamics 8 9
Gaming capabilities 7 7.7

Forte Ears Macbeth Aggregated Review Score

Forte Ears Macbeth Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Shuwa-T

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score

Softears Enigma Average Reviewer Scores

Gizaudio Axel IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Forte Ears Macbeth User Review Score

Forte Ears Macbeth Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Softears Enigma User Review Score

Softears Enigma Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

9.5

Exceptional

Forte Ears Macbeth Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Softears Enigma Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Forte Ears Macbeth Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
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 A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Softears Enigma 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
  • Outstanding resolution and control. Effortlessly retrieves micro-details, with holographic staging and fast transients. Handles complexity with poise.
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

Forte Ears Macbeth Reviews

Forte Ears Macbeth reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

Forte Ears Macbeth reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Softears Enigma Reviews

Softears Enigma reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Endgame-level detail paired with great tonality. Exceptional detail, high-quality bass, balanced tonality, and excellent timbre. The bass has a fast decay.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
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Price: $3,699

Buy Softears Enigma on Hifigo

Softears Enigma reviewed by:

IEMRanking AI 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S- Tech

The Softears Enigma offers a distinctive take on summit-fi audio with its warm, bass-forward signature that prioritizes musicality over analytical precision. Its low-end delivers pronounced mid-bass impact and sub-bass rumble, creating a visceral foundation, while the natural midrange avoids vocal shoutiness—though lower-mids can occasionally veil complex passages. Treble remains smooth and non-fatiguing, extending adequately without excessive sparkle, resulting in a cohesive if relaxed presentation.

Technically, the Enigma excels in staging width and imaging precision, offering an immersive listen, though it doesn’t quite match the absolute micro-detail retrieval of some competitors. The lightweight aluminum shells ensure comfort despite their size, and the inclusion of both a standard cable and a premium Effect Audio hybrid cable adds flexibility. While the elaborate puzzle-box unboxing with accessories like an aluminum shell replica is impressive, the case’s bulk limits portability.

Buy Softears Enigma on Hifigo (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI

Forte Ears Macbeth User Reviews

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Softears Enigma User Reviews

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Endoki 2025-06-30 07:48:55
9.5

On one side TOTL Details but on the other side very accurate and non-technical sounding. Softears best but very expensive.

Pros
Great overall tonality. A hidden gem, but expensive.
Cons
does nothing wrong, but no special sauce.

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