Lime Ears Maris VS Nightjar Duality
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Lime Ears Maris and Nightjar Duality use 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST, and 2DD driver setups respectively. Lime Ears Maris costs $2,700 while Nightjar Duality costs $3,000. Nightjar Duality is $300 more expensive. Lime Ears Maris holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (8.4 vs 8.1). Nightjar Duality has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Lime Ears Maris has better treble with a 0.7-point edge, Nightjar Duality has significantly better dynamics with a 3.3-point edge and Lime Ears Maris has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Lime Ears Maris | Nightjar Duality |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.4 | 9 |
| Mids | 7 | 7.3 |
| Treble | 8 | 7.3 |
| Details | 8.4 | 8 |
| Soundstage | 9 | 7.5 |
| Imaging | 8.4 | 7.8 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 9.3 |
| Tonality | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Technicalities | 9 | 7.5 |
Lime Ears Maris Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.4Very Positive
Nightjar Duality Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.1Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Lime Ears Maris is a flagship 12-driver quad-brid with branded components, combining multiple BAs for lows/mids, dual Sonion ESTs for air, and a dual Sonion bone conductor for full-range weight. At $2,700 (“Ensemble”), it brings a thin-walled but comfortably large shell, flat 2-pin sockets, and an excellent leather puck case; build and fit feel deliberately premium, with only a minor faceplate edge that can snag. Overall presentation and ergonomics signal a top-tier, tour-worthy piece.
Sonically it’s a fun, impactful tuning: bass hits hard with tactile BC rumble, treble/air are pristine, and resolution is high with an open, spacious stage. The upper-mids are slightly restrained (a touch of ~4 kHz dip) which softens attack—less “incisive” than the graph might suggest—but the set remains clean, coherent, and easy to listen to for treble-sensitive listeners. Think “inoffensive but exceptional”: refined energy up top, big physical slam down low, and clarity that holds together complex mixes.
Context against peers: Terra is exciting but the 5–6 kHz energy can fatigue; Incognita tracks a preferred curve better as a one-and-done at a lower price. Annihilator offers more bite in upper-mids/treble, yet Maris will suit those sensitive to that region; versus Grand Maestro, Maris wins on comfort and bass quality. Compared with Europa, Cadenza 12, Omnium, and Visioner’s 10, trade-offs shift—some deliver sharper treble “spark” or smaller shells—but the Maris’s bone-conducted bass, comfort, and safe-refined balance make it a strong recommend to demo at a show before choosing.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Nightjar Duality reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Nightjar Duality presents as a $3,000 dual-dynamic IEM with a focus on premium build and ergonomics: a bespoke shell that seats comfortably, a recessed 2-pin, and user-tunable hardware via onboard switches and an included impedance adapter that can push bass even further. Packaging includes multiple thin, lightweight cables and even a powered dongle option. The craftsmanship feels boutique, and the faceplate aesthetic underscores its luxury positioning.
Tonally, this is a bass-forward set with two personalities: a “normal bass” configuration that retains balance and a “crazy bass” mode that becomes emphatically sub-heavy. Treble carries air and decent detail without chasing a hyper-analytical edge; mids are serviceable but a touch off, responding well to a bit of EQ. Overall dynamics hit hard, staging and clarity remain clean enough for the tuning goal, and the tuning reads as an enjoyable, romantic DD presentation—just not the final word in microdetail at this price.
In context, alternatives frame the value conversation: Grand Maestro is cited for stronger detail/air and driver refinement (though Duality fits better), while options like the Origin, Zen Magrid T Pro (~$500), Effect Audio Quantum, and even the budget Aether planar show that similar or complementary traits exist at lower brackets. Compared with sets such as Scarlet Mini or Maestro Mini, Duality’s bass shelf and presence balance feel more considered. Verdict: a unique, fun bass-head flagship with excellent design and ergonomics; the price is the hurdle, so demoing at events like CanJam is strongly advised before committing.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Lime Ears Maris (more reviews)
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Kois Archive
8.2
Reviewer Score
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Nightjar Duality (more reviews)
Nightjar Duality reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
Nightjar Duality reviewed by Smirk Audio
8.3
Reviewer Score
Nightjar Duality reviewed by Shuwa-T
7.8
Reviewer Score
Nightjar Duality reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Lime Ears Maris Details
Driver Configuration: 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST,
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Lime Ears Top Lime Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $2,700
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Nightjar Duality Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD
Tuning Type: Basshead
Price (Msrp): $3,000
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Lime Ears Maris User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Nightjar Duality User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Lime Ears Maris Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.3Gaming Grade
A-Nightjar Duality Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.2Gaming Grade
BLime Ears Maris Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- It delivers a coherent, natural timbre that remains captivating across genres. Acoustic instruments sound lifelike and textured.
Average Technical Grade
S- Expect an effortlessly clean presentation that keeps complex mixes perfectly organized. There is zero sense of congestion even at high volume.
Nightjar Duality Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- The tonal balance is polished and expressive, highlighting emotion without sacrificing accuracy. It keeps emotional weight without sacrificing accuracy.
Average Technical Grade
A- It delivers a confident technical showing with defined layers and satisfying clarity. You can follow backing vocals with relative ease.
Lime Ears Maris User Reviews
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