Softears RS10 VS Lime Ears Maris

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

Softears RS10 and Lime Ears Maris use 10BA and 6BA,+2BC+2DD,+2EST, driver setups respectively. Softears RS10 costs $2,100 while Lime Ears Maris costs $2,700. Lime Ears Maris is $600 more expensive. Lime Ears Maris holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (7.6 vs 8.4). Lime Ears Maris has slightly better mids with a 0.4-point edge, Lime Ears Maris has better treble with a 0.9-point edge, Lime Ears Maris has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge and Lime Ears Maris has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Softears RS10 Lime Ears Maris
Bass 6.5 8.4
Mids 6.6 7
Treble 7.1 8
Details 8.5 8.4
Soundstage 7.5 9
Imaging 7 8.4
Dynamics 5.5 6
Tonality 7.3 8.3
Technicalities 7.9 9
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Lime Ears Maris reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Softears RS10 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Precogvision
Tim Tuned Jaytiss
Yifang Gizaudio Axel Crin Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.6

Strongly Favorable


Lime Ears Maris Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Kois Archive

Average Reviewer Score:

8.4

Very Positive


Reviews Comparison

Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Great all arounder, fantastic drivers and inoffensive.
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.

Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: S

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel

Softears RS10 (more reviews)

Softears RS10 reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A+ Tech

Softears RS10 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
I prefer more bass. Great tuning with forward vocals and excellent detail. Unvented design, BA bass, and can be slightly shouty on some tracks.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Softears RS10 reviewed by Crin

Crin 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
A little shouty and intense but very resolving and well-defined. A somewhat refined Moondrop S8.
Youtube Video Summary

Softears RS10 targets the top of the detail game at $2,100, but its extras feel dated: a leather hard case, pouch, tips, metal card, and a basic cable—often without interchangeable plugs (current Hangout stock is 4.4 mm). The shell is fully filled resin with a glass-like look that reads premium despite the old-school accessory pack.

Tuning skews a brighter V/U-shape—think JM1 diffuse field (5128) with a bass shelf. Bass is competent, not class-leading at the price; the real draw is the treble: forward, incisive, and surprisingly non-sibilant. RS10 is a detail monster that shoves low-level information to the front and actually has the resolving ability to render it—thrilling for analysis, but intense over long sessions.

Best for listeners who explicitly want maximum resolution and can handle a more energetic top end; less ideal for those seeking a laid-back or warm signature or a luxe unboxing. Price and intensity are the trade-offs; the payoff is one of the most resolving presentations available with a tonality that stays natural-leaning despite its brightness.


Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Softears RS10 reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
S Tech
BA timbre
Youtube Video Summary

Softears RS10 targets a Harman-leaning reference balance with a clean, studio-grade presentation: bass is tight and linear with modest mid-bass punch, prioritizing speed, texture, and separation over slam. The midrange sits neutral and coherent, giving vocals accurate body without bloom, while treble extends with air and micro-detail that spotlights room cues and trailing reverbs. Staging focuses on pinpoint imaging and layering more than sheer width, creating a precise, microscope-like view into mixes that rewards high-quality recordings.

On the flip side, the tuning’s discipline means sub-bass rumble and warmth are restrained, and the upper-treble focus can read energetic on hot masters. It excels for critical listening, fast genres, and complex arrangements where transient clarity matters, but bass-heads and those seeking plush note weight may prefer a richer set. Build and isolation are solid, comfort is stable for long sessions, and the overall package feels polished and technical—a premium, detail-first monitor for listeners who value accuracy over indulgence.

Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: S

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel

Softears RS10 reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.9 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Softears RS10 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
A slightly more resolving S8 at the expense of added grittiness and more upper-midrange.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: B Mids: B Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: S Imaging: A-

Softears RS10 reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.5 * score rescaled + normalized
2 community members have rated the Softears RS10 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Lime Ears Maris (more reviews)

Lime Ears Maris reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 8.2 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Rating: S- | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 fun. detailed. wide. inoffensive. the price

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

Softears RS10 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!

Lime Ears Maris 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 RS10 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.2

Gaming Grade

B

Lime 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

7.3

Gaming Grade

A-

Softears RS10 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Tuning lands in a pleasing sweet spot with mostly coherent frequency integration. Tonality stays consistent from track to track.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • You get a well-rounded technical package that keeps separation, detail, and staging in harmony. It's a solid middle ground between fun and fidelity.
Bass B+
You get a lively bass response that balances energy with discipline. It balances punch with respectable control.
Mids B+
Expect a confident midrange that keeps details audible without harshness. Acoustic arrangements sound engaging.
Treble A-
It provides outstanding treble finesse, balancing brightness and control gracefully. It's engaging yet remarkably controlled.
Dynamics B-
Dynamics feel competent, bringing energy without the finest detail. It carries energy without sounding aggressive.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation that is wide, deep, and tall with precise instrument placement. Width, depth, and height all feel expanded.
Details S-
The tiniest inflections pop into view as if spotlit within the mix. Low-level details feel magnified yet natural.
Imaging A-
You can literally point to where sounds originate across the stage. You can point to where sounds originate.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

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.
Mids A-
Expect lifelike vocals and instruments with impressive nuance and realism. You can easily follow harmonies and backups.
Treble A+
Expect a radiant top end that paints every sparkle with precision. Harmonics soar without turning edgy.
Dynamics B
Expect energetic dynamics that bring music to life without harshness. It injects enthusiasm into fast music.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage delivering a perfectly spherical presentation with seemingly infinite space. Spatial cues extend seemingly without limit.
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 RS10 User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Lime Ears Maris User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/3) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/3) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?
(3/3) Which tuning do you prefer?
You can select multiple options.
Buy

Footer