Softears Enigma VS Lime Ears Maris
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Enigma and Lime Ears Maris use 2DD+6BA+4EST and 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST, driver setups respectively. Softears Enigma costs $3,699 while Lime Ears Maris costs $2,700. Softears Enigma is $999 more expensive. Softears Enigma holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (9 vs 8.4). Softears Enigma has significantly better mids with a 1.6-point edge, Softears Enigma has better treble with a 0.7-point edge and Softears Enigma has significantly better dynamics with a 2.8-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Enigma | Lime Ears Maris |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 9 | 8.4 |
| Mids | 8.6 | 7 |
| Treble | 8.7 | 8 |
| Details | 9 | 8.4 |
| Soundstage | 8.8 | 9 |
| Imaging | 9 | 8.4 |
| Dynamics | 8.8 | 6 |
| Tonality | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Technicalities | 9.5 | 9 |
Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
9Outstanding
Lime Ears Maris Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.4Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Softears Enigma (more reviews)
Softears Enigma reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
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
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Softears Enigma reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* score rescaled + normalized
Softears Enigma reviewed by Web Search
8.9
Reviewer Score
The Softears Enigma is a flagship tribrid IEM using a 12-driver array (2DD+6BA+4EST) with a hybrid 5-way/4-way crossover and an aluminum shell; the package also includes a premium Effect Audio cable. Street pricing centers around $3,699 USD and multiple reviews note the surprisingly comfortable fit despite the larger shells.
Tonal reports describe a warm-leaning, neutral-with-bass-boost balance: essentially an RSV-like midrange with extra low-end weight and smooth lower treble, extending well up top. Show impressions from Precogvision characterize it as “RSV with a dynamic driver and some extra bass,” which aligns with long-form reviews calling the Enigma warm, full, and balanced rather than aggressive.
Technical performance is a strong suit: reviewers note clean separation, high detail retrieval, and stable imaging; the EST tweeters can benefit from capable sources, while isolation is average. Factoring in its high MSRP, the Enigma’s execution is impressive but its value proposition is challenged by lower-priced alternatives (including Softears’ own RSV) that deliver broadly similar tonality at a fraction of the cost.
Lime Ears Maris (more reviews)
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
Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Kois Archive
8.2
Reviewer Score
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Softears Enigma Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+6BA+4EST
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $3,699
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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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Softears Enigma User Review Score
Average User Scores
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Lime Ears Maris User Review Score
Average User Scores
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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
7.7Gaming Grade
ALime 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-Softears Enigma Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Tonal balance reaches a highly refined state, sounding seamless from lows to highs. Everything locks together with satisfying coherence.
Average Technical Grade
S- The technical ceiling is high here, revealing fine gradations without breaking composure. Every instrument carves out its own pocket in the mix.
Lime 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.
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