Tipsy M1 VS Fosi Audio IM4

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Tipsy M1 brings a novel bamboo-fiber diaphragm to the ~$99 bracket, wrapped in a tiny, lightweight shell with a metal nozzle, QDC connectors, venting, and a tidy accessory set (puck case, 6.3 mm adapter, labeled cable with a firm chin slider). The petite housing is a double-edged sword: comfort for small-ear fits, but seal and stability can be finicky and demand tip-rolling—sticky tips help. Build and finish are attractive (notably the green and the red/orange colorways), and the cable feels good if not “hyper-premium.”

Sonically, M1 leans into a thick, rich bass with a downward-sloping balance and agreeable mids; it benefits from being cranked and carefully dialed in. The FR shows a small dip around ~500 Hz, a solid bass shelf, and a fair amount of upper mids; while treble extension and micro-detail aren’t the star, the overall tonality is pleasant and cohesive. Versus its stablemates, it’s judged better than Star One, preferred over SPA 260 and Drummer (those trend hotter up top), and competitive against a crowded ~$100 field: sets like the Pula/Pool Unic trade comfort and accessories, Defiant offers a touch more mid-treble air, planars like S08 push detail and sparkle, while something “lean-clean” like Truthear Pure dials back bass/upper-mids.

What emerges is a fun, bass-forward single-DD with good dynamics, surprisingly tidy FR for its price, and a cautious recommendation for listeners who value warmth and musicality over ultimate air and incisive technicalities. It’s described as Tipsy’s strongest recent effort—a set that can occasionally underwhelm in treble finesse but, when the fit and power are right, delivers a sweet, engaging tonality and even a hint of soundstage expansion. Call it a competitive <$100 option that would shine even brighter with a more secure shell and a touch more top-end refinement.

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Fosi Audio IM4 brings a beryllium-coated single DD in a compact shell with thoughtful venting that behaves almost open-back for comfort during long sessions. Build is surprisingly premium for ~$100: a small, well-finished nozzle that grips tips, a light but durable cable with color-coded channels and a working chin slider, a tidy case, and tuning nozzles (black/gold) plus multiple tips. It’s the kind of fit and finish usually saved for pricier sets.

Tonally, this is an engaging, warm-rich tuning with elevated sub-bass, good texture, and plenty of detail—not a neutral reference. There’s energy in the 2–4 kHz region and a bit of 5–6 kHz bite that can read as “cat-ear” presence, trading strict smoothness for extra soundstage perception and clarity. Versus the many neutral options at this price, IM4 feels more characterful and fun; think closer to sets that use a staged upper-mid/treble contour than to flat targets. Filters/foams or a touch of EQ can gently tame peaks while keeping the lively character.

On the scoreboard: bass 7/10 (clean shelf and punch), mids a touch recessed versus a neutral target, treble lively with agreeable detail, and stage/detail notably good for the class. Overall, a well-built, fun, and slightly audiophile-tuned single-DD that will appeal to listeners who value texture and excitement over strict neutrality—plus rare build quality and extras at this price make it a solid value.

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Quirky name aside, the Fosi Audio IM4 brings a 10 mm beryllium-coated single dynamic driver with a tuning that reads more cohesive, clean, and neutral than bass-bomber. Music floats with a great soundstage and a velvety midrange, giving smooth-jazz and vintage recordings that “swirling around the head” vibe without getting muddy. Hints suggest a price under $100, which would make this one of the stronger performers in the budget bracket, especially given the unexpectedly premium build.

The shells feel like they were machined from the same stuff as Fosi’s amps—weighty, thick, nearly indestructible metal—with a solid 3.5 mm cable (no 4.4 option noted). Accessories are unusually thoughtful: two tuning nozzles (black = lightly damped; brass = no damping) and three styles of tips. Swap to the brass nozzle and treble detail jumps while bass eases off, which can turn the top end a touch spicy for some; stick with the damped setup for a smoother, “just be good” balance. Add a decent case and, if the rumored price sticks, it’s a high-confidence recommendation in the sub-$100 class.