Softears Cerberus VS Symphonium Crimson
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Cerberus and Symphonium Crimson use 1DD+4BA+2EST and 4BA driver setups respectively. Softears Cerberus costs $2,100 while Symphonium Crimson costs $1,500. Softears Cerberus is $600 more expensive. Symphonium Crimson holds a decisive 1.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.2 vs 8.4). Symphonium Crimson has significantly better bass with a 2.9-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has significantly better treble with a 2.3-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has significantly better soundstage with a 1.8-point edge, Symphonium Crimson has significantly better details with a 2.1-point edge and Symphonium Crimson has significantly better imaging with a 2.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Cerberus | Symphonium Crimson |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5.8 | 8.6 |
| Mids | 6.5 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 5.3 | 7.5 |
| Details | 6 | 8.1 |
| Soundstage | 6.5 | 8.3 |
| Imaging | 6 | 8.5 |
| Dynamics | 4 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 8.3 |
Softears Cerberus Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.2Generally Favorable
Symphonium Crimson Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.4Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
Yifang Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Shuwa-T
6.9
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Shuwa-T
8.4
Reviewer Score
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Precogvision
4.8
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Precogvision
8
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.8
* score rescaled + normalized
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.3
* score rescaled + normalized
Softears Cerberus (more reviews)
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Kois Archive
8.6
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Softears Cerberus hits that rare mix of mellow, relaxed listening with just enough fun to avoid boredom. The 1DD+4BA+2EST array keeps the bass mostly neutral with a tasteful sub-bass lift; it arrives when called, disappears when not, and shows off excellent texture with deep reach—easily one of the better dynamic drivers for low end in a tribrid. Mids stay true-to-tone and unforced; a touch of missing lower/mid-treble “focal” energy keeps vocals from getting shouty, trading bite for a soft, laid-back presence that matches the whole vibe.
The treble is the headline. It’s a dark, smooth take that still sprinkles in the right sparkle and extension from the ESTs—far better than the graph suggests—and it’s tailor-made for the treble-sensitive who still want real performance. Raw technicalities aren’t chasing summit-fi trophies (think competent hybrid/tribrid levels in the $500–$1,000 crowd), but the soundstage stretches impressively wide, among the widest heard on an IEM at home. That choice fits: a set tuned to relax shouldn’t turn analytical or clinical.
Recommended for listeners who want to chill, unwind, and enjoy a refined, non-fatiguing top end; not for those seeking maximum detail shove and fireworks—there are brighter, more forward options for that. As a high-end “kick back” piece, Cerberus stands out as a kilobuck set that invites getting lost in the music rather than dissecting it, and that’s exactly its charm.
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Softears Cerberus reviewed by Crin
6
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson (more reviews)
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Z-Reviews
9.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Symphonium Crimson lands with a bang: a four–BA, four-way crossover design that somehow delivers epic energy without a dynamic driver. Tonality reads neutral-bright with thunderous sub-bass—not a basshead hump, but a slab of solid, deep extension that stays clean. Mids stay clear for vocals and strings, treble rises for sparkle and excitement, and the presentation spreads out like pulled-apart audio “shreds” across a big canvas. The effect is clarity, detail, and slam that feel bigger than the driver count suggests, making music and film scores straight-up addictive.
Technical notes matter here. Nominal impedance is a weirdly low ~6Ω, so source pairing can swing results; the set scales and sounds happiest on robust gear that can keep low-impedance loads stable. Despite the armature array, coherency stays intact, dynamics hit harder than expected, and volume headroom invites goosebumps. It’s not a “bass monster,” yet the sub-bass authority and lively treble make it exciting rather than polite, with imaging that feels wide and tactile.
Ergonomics are the gripe list: the short nozzle can challenge seal and the premium cable lacks a formed ear hook, encouraging twist and loosening—tip rolling (even reversed-orientation tricks) helps. Build is flashy—carbon-fiber shell, red inlays, metal case that’s too hefty for travel. Pricing sits around $1,500 (or $1,700 with 8-wire cable); for sheer fun, impact, and best-in-brand performance, the value argument holds. For all-day softness, something like Twilight stays comfier; for movies, big scores, and “wow” sessions, Crimson feels like a must-grab and arguably the best Symphonium to date.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Jays Audio
9
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Nymz
8.5
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Crimson reviewed by Jaytiss
7.8
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Softears Cerberus Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+2EST
Tuning Type: Neutral, Dark
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $2,100
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Symphonium Crimson Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: Symphonium Top Symphonium IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,500
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Softears Cerberus User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Symphonium Crimson User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Softears Cerberus Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.5Gaming Grade
B-Symphonium Crimson Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.2Gaming Grade
A-Softears Cerberus Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- Expect an inviting tonal blend that adapts well to genres while staying largely composed. It strikes a nice blend of warmth and clarity.
Average Technical Grade
A-- A competent technical showing keeps separation intact while delivering modest staging. It feels tidy even when recordings stack layers.
Symphonium Crimson 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+- It sounds refined and controlled, keeping instruments neatly separated with immersive staging. Busy arrangements remain neatly organized.
Softears Cerberus User Reviews
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