Softears Enigma VS PMG Audio Apx SE
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Enigma and PMG Audio Apx SE use 2DD+6BA+4EST and 1DD+8BA+1Rectangular Planar+1Round Planar driver setups respectively. Softears Enigma costs $3,699 while PMG Audio Apx SE costs $6,000. PMG Audio Apx SE is $2,301 more expensive. Both score 9 from reviewers. Softears Enigma has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Softears Enigma has better mids with a 0.9-point edge, Softears Enigma has better treble with a 0.7-point edge, Softears Enigma has slightly better dynamics with a 0.3-point edge and Softears Enigma has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Enigma | PMG Audio Apx SE |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 9 | 8.5 |
| Mids | 8.6 | 7.8 |
| Treble | 8.7 | 8 |
| Details | 9 | 9 |
| Soundstage | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| Imaging | 9 | 8.5 |
| Dynamics | 8.8 | 8.5 |
| Tonality | 8.8 | 8.4 |
| Technicalities | 9.5 | 9.2 |
Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
9Outstanding
PMG Audio Apx SE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.9Outstanding
Reviews Comparison
Softears Enigma reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* score rescaled + normalized
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Price: $3,699
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PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.5
* score rescaled + normalized
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
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelSoftears 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.
PMG Audio Apx SE (more reviews)
PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Z-Reviews
10
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.
Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.
Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Yifang
9
Reviewer Score
Yifang Youtube Channel
PMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
8.7
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli and an over-the-top suitcase-and-pillow presentation, complete with certificates and multiple cases—great for show, awkward for daily carry. Ergonomically, the cable’s tension and odd flush/penetrating plug mismatch feel fussy, making this an at-home listening trophy rather than a commuter’s companion.
Under the bling sits a small army: 11 drivers per side (10 mm DD, two planars—one rectangular, one round—and eight BAs) with a seven-way passive crossover, somehow delivering startling cohesion at just 5 Ω. The sound is hyper-resolving and fault-finding; imaging and spatial precision rank among the best heard, revealing hums, edits, and room cues that lesser sets gloss over. Stock silicones lean monitor-flat, but swapping to grippier tips (e.g., “Render” style) adds weight and a touch of warmth, nudging the tuning from sterile to satisfying.
Versus other favorites—Softears Twilight for natural timbre and Dunu Glacier for bass slam—the Apx SE feels like the “full package” of microdetail, stage mapping, and technical swagger, but only by a diminishing-returns margin. It’s arguably the most technically impressive IEM on the desk, yet not the most lovable; the wallet pain and fussy cable sap the joy. Verdict: hear it if you can and crave top-end microdetail, but recommending a used-car-priced IEM to normal humans? That’s a hard no.
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelPMG Audio Apx SE reviewed by Smirk Audio
8.5
Reviewer Score
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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PMG Audio Apx SE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+8BA+1Rectangular Planar+1Round Planar
Tuning Type: Warm, U-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $6,000
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Softears Enigma User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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PMG Audio Apx SE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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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
APMG Audio Apx SE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.4Gaming 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.
PMG Audio Apx SE 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
S- Expect an effortlessly clean presentation that keeps complex mixes perfectly organized. There is zero sense of congestion even at high volume.
Softears Enigma User Reviews
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