HUM Reference VS Lime Ears Incognita

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

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HUM Reference and Lime Ears Incognita are in-ear monitors. HUM Reference costs $1,300 while Lime Ears Incognita costs $1,700. Lime Ears Incognita is $400 more expensive. Lime Ears Incognita holds a decisive 2.5-point edge in reviewer scores (6 vs 8.5). Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better bass with a 2.3-point edge, Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better mids with a 1.3-point edge, Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better soundstage with a 1.6-point edge, Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better details with a 1.1-point edge and Lime Ears Incognita has significantly better imaging with a 2.4-point edge.

Insights

Metric HUM Reference Lime Ears Incognita
Bass 5.5 7.8
Mids 6.6 7.9
Treble 6 7.5
Details 7.5 8.6
Soundstage 6.5 8.1
Imaging 6 8.4
Dynamics 6 8
Tonality 6 8.2
Technicalities 6.1 8.2
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough HUM Reference and Lime Ears Incognita reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

HUM Reference Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

6

Mixed


Lime Ears Incognita Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Very Positive


Reviews Comparison

HUM Reference (more reviews)

HUM Reference reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
Solid neutral tuning with good clarity Imaging and soundstage depth limits the potential of this monitor

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B- Mids: B+ Treble: B Soundstage: B+ Details: A Imaging: B

HUM Reference reviewed by Crin

Crin 5.5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B- Tech
Basically sounds like a shallow-fit ER4S.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Lime Ears Incognita (more reviews)

Lime Ears Incognita reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Bass for days, slightly too agressive, but fun and enjoyable.
Youtube Video Summary

Lime Ears Incognita arrives as part of the brand’s Power Trio with Terra and Maris, carrying a $1,700 tag and build that feels suitably premium. The shell isolates well, grips tips securely, and wears a striking, lava-flecked faceplate; the leather case looks and feels durable. The included cable on this sample appears non-final but is notably supple and well-behaved.

Sonically, the tuning hits that sweet overlap of impactful, detailed, and lively. Bass is rich and thick yet controlled—elevated without turning the mix muddy—while a tasteful dip around 4–5 kHz keeps upper energy in check and contributes to an easy, coherent tonality. Versus Terra, Incognita trims some “sparkle/air,” yielding a slightly more bass-forward and less fatiguing listen that still carries incisive detail and a fun swing.

Comparisons underline the balance: “graph twins” like the Jazier 61T can look similar but don’t match the Incognita’s resolution and texture; Truthear Nova and Binary Dino Quattro bring more upper-air energy with quirks; EM10 reads more V-shaped; Dunu Glacier impresses but can come off a bit shouty. At a similar tier, Symphonium × Elysian Europa trades blows, while Acoustics Lab Apostle offers extra sparkle and mid focus—Incognita counters with fuller low-end weight and a slightly V-leaning balance. With excellent fit, strong isolation, and a tuning that stays engaging without fatigue, Incognita stands out as a fantastic all-rounder that warrants a serious demo for veteran listeners.

Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel

Lime Ears Incognita reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii 8.4 * Score computed by IEMRanking.com
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Mid-centric, shallower-V tuning with clean, highly resolving mids and balanced treble; bass is textured but restrained. Strong width and imaging, while depth and slam sit behind the Maris sibling. Excellent mid clarity and timbre with strong imaging and width. Sub-bass and depth are restrained; treble level can feel a touch high at louder volumes.
Youtube Video Summary

Seven-driver advanced hybrid (2DD + 5BA) tuned as a shallower V: bass and treble sit just under the mids so the presentation reads vocal- and mid-centric. Lime Ears’ BA work shows uncommon resolution + timbre together, yielding clean articulation without plasticky tone. Compared with its siblings, this is the genuine “middle brother”—more balanced than Terra, not as weighty or deep as Maris, and aimed squarely at listeners who prioritize vocals and coherence.

The dual-DD bass is tidy—no bloat or boom—showing texture and a proper level with a lightly pulled-back sub-bass; mid-bass retains enough weight to keep vocals natural. Treble strikes a neutral, well-judged balance; higher-volume listening can make the mids come forward a touch, while lower volumes feel spot on. Stage has notable width and space, with precise imaging; overall depth and immersion trail the Maris, but separation and clarity remain high.

Bass: A Mids: S- Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+

Paul Wasabii original ranking

Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel

Lime Ears Incognita reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 8 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Rating: S- | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 inoffensive balanced sound needs better air.

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

Lime Ears Incognita reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 9 * score rescaled + normalized
One community member has rated the Lime Ears Incognita at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

HUM Reference User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Lime Ears Incognita User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

HUM Reference Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.1

Gaming Grade

C+

Lime Ears Incognita Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

HUM Reference Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B
  • Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Bass B-
It delivers adequate punch and texture, though nothing stands out. Sub-bass presence is hinted rather than delivered.
Mids B+
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble B
Treble is articulate and clean, adding excitement without harshness. It adds sparkle without harshness.
Soundstage B+
You can map the ensemble with confidence thanks to solid spacing and coherent depth layering. Ambient effects feel believable.
Details A
Resolution feels both high and relaxed, capturing nuance with ease. There's zero smearing even at high volume.
Imaging B
Instrument boundaries feel well carved, avoiding smear or drift. Instrument outlines feel well-defined.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Lime Ears Incognita Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Tuning feels refined, blending frequencies with convincing realism and engagement. Transitions between registers feel effortless.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
Bass A
You get robust low-end authority that remains disciplined and textured. Layering stays intact despite the weight.
Mids A
Midrange performance is excellent, with natural timbre and great detail. Vocals feel lifelike and full-bodied.
Treble A
It provides outstanding treble finesse, balancing brightness and control gracefully. It's engaging yet remarkably controlled.
Dynamics A+
The presentation feels expansive, letting micro and macro dynamics breathe. There's a sense of limitless headroom.
Soundstage A+
Immersive holography surrounds the listener, making the venue feel tangible and enveloping. It delivers a grand, cinematic presentation.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers while maintaining natural timbre. It uncovers hidden layers with ease.
Imaging A+
Movement flows gracefully, tracing arcs that are rendered with surgical accuracy. Movement effects are rendered with precision.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

HUM Reference User Reviews

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Lime Ears Incognita User Reviews

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