Softears Enigma VS Forte Ears Macbeth

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

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Softears Enigma and Forte Ears Macbeth use 2DD+6BA+4EST and 5BA+4EST+2BC driver setups respectively. Softears Enigma costs $3,699 while Forte Ears Macbeth costs $4,000. Forte Ears Macbeth is $301 more expensive. Softears Enigma holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (9 vs 8.5). Softears Enigma carries a user score of 9.5. Softears Enigma has better bass with a 0.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has better mids with a 0.6-point edge, Softears Enigma has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has slightly better details with a 0.3-point edge and Softears Enigma has slightly better imaging with a 0.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Softears Enigma Forte Ears Macbeth
Bass 9 8.3
Mids 8.6 8
Treble 8.7 8.5
Details 9 8.8
Soundstage 8.8 9
Imaging 9 8.8
Dynamics 8.8 8
Tonality 8.8 8.3
Technicalities 9.5 8.7

Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Gizaudio Axel

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Forte Ears Macbeth Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Softears Enigma User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

9.5

Exceptional

Forte Ears Macbeth 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!

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

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Forte Ears Macbeth Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Softears Enigma Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Outstanding resolution and control. Effortlessly retrieves micro-details, with holographic staging and fast transients. Handles complexity with poise.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids S-
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S-
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Forte Ears Macbeth Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Softears Enigma Reviews

Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Endgame-level detail paired with great tonality. Exceptional detail, high-quality bass, balanced tonality, and excellent timbre. The bass has a fast decay.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
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Price: $3,699

Buy Softears Enigma on HiFiGO
IEMRanking AI 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

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.

Buy Softears Enigma on HiFiGO (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI
Bass: S Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S- Soundstage: S- Details: S Imaging: S

Forte Ears Macbeth Reviews

Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S
Smirk Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A+ Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Softears Enigma User Reviews

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Endoki
9.5

On one side TOTL Details but on the other side very accurate and non-technical sounding. Softears best but very expensive.

Pros
Great overall tonality. A hidden gem, but expensive.
Cons
does nothing wrong, but no special sauce.

Forte Ears Macbeth User Reviews

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