Padsmith IEM VS Tanchjim NORA
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Padsmith IEM and Tanchjim NORA use 1DD+1Planar and 1DD driver setups respectively. Padsmith IEM costs $120 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. Padsmith IEM is $10 more expensive. Padsmith IEM holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (7 vs 6.9). Tanchjim NORA has significantly better mids with a 1.9-point edge and Tanchjim NORA has significantly better treble with a 2.6-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Padsmith IEM | Tanchjim NORA |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7 | 6.3 |
| Mids | 5 | 6.9 |
| Treble | 4 | 6.6 |
| Details | 7 | 6.7 |
| Soundstage | 7 | 6.8 |
| Imaging | 7 | 6.7 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 6.9 |
| Tonality | 6.7 | 7.2 |
| Technicalities | 6 | 6.6 |
Padsmith IEM Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7Generally Favorable
Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.9Cautiously Favorable
Reviews Comparison
Padsmith IEM reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.8
* score rescaled + normalized
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.2
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.
It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.
Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
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Padsmith IEM (more reviews)
Padsmith IEM reviewed by Audio Amigo
8
* score rescaled + normalized
Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
Padsmith IEM reviewed by Kois Archive
7
Reviewer Score
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Padsmith IEM reviewed by Jaytiss
6.3
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Padsmith IEM reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Tanchjim NORA (more reviews)
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Paul Wasabii
6.6
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Nora goes back to Tanchjim’s roots: a single DMT5 DD, vented pressure relief, no switches/nozzles/DSP — just a clean execution of the house target around ~$110. The tuning leans a touch more vocal-centric than recent releases, with a slight sub-bass dip and a sharpened 3–4.5 kHz focus from the Hemholtz resonator, creating stronger contrast between bass and mids and a more U-shaped impression than the graph suggests.
Female vocals carry a crisp leading edge and cut through mixes with ease; energetic singers shine, while softer, breathier voices can come off a bit over-sharpened. The bass shelf is present yet carefully lowered to keep balance, though the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass isn’t always seamless and can make the set feel inconsistent track-to-track.
Treble is lively and extended without obvious peaks, staging is big and open, and the small, lightweight shell with the modular cable makes for easy daily use; detail retrieval and imaging are snappy enough to make gaming a surprisingly good fit. Overall, Nora prioritizes mid presence and clarity over warmth and texture, delivering a clear, vocal-forward listen that fits the brand’s DNA while staying within budget constraints.
Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.
Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.
It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.
Padsmith IEM Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral, Warm
Price (Msrp): $120
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Tanchjim NORA Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: TANCHJIM Top TANCHJIM IEMs
Price (Msrp): $109.99
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Padsmith IEM User Review Score
Average User Scores
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Tanchjim NORA User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Padsmith IEM Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.7Gaming Grade
B-Tanchjim NORA Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-Padsmith IEM Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.
Average Technical Grade
B- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Tanchjim NORA Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- A smooth, agreeable balance keeps the presentation engaging without obvious flaws. Only sensitive ears will nitpick the bumps.
Average Technical Grade
B+- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
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