Vision Ears Erlkonig VS Softears Enigma

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

IEMRanking.com Home Compare IEMs

Vision Ears Erlkonig and Softears Enigma use 13BA and 2DD+6BA+4EST driver setups respectively. Vision Ears Erlkonig costs $4,500 while Softears Enigma costs $3,699. Vision Ears Erlkonig is $801 more expensive. Softears Enigma holds a decisive 1.8-point edge in reviewer scores (7.2 vs 9). Softears Enigma carries a user score of 9.5. Softears Enigma has significantly better bass with a 2.3-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better mids with a 1.4-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better treble with a 3-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better dynamics with a 2.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better soundstage with a 1.3-point edge, Softears Enigma has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Softears Enigma has significantly better imaging with a 1.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Vision Ears Erlkonig Softears Enigma
Bass 6.8 9
Mids 7.3 8.6
Treble 5.8 8.7
Details 8.5 9
Soundstage 7.5 8.8
Imaging 7.5 9
Dynamics 6 8.8
Tonality 6.9 8.8
Technicalities 7.7 9.5

Vision Ears Erlkonig Aggregated Review Score

Vision Ears Erlkonig Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Shuwa-T Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

7.2

Generally Favorable


Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score

Softears Enigma Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Gizaudio Axel

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Vision Ears Erlkonig User Review Score

Vision Ears Erlkonig 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 User Review Score

Softears Enigma Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

9.5

Exceptional

Vision Ears Erlkonig Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6

Gaming Grade

B

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

Vision Ears Erlkonig Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B-
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
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

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

Vision Ears Erlkonig Reviews

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 7.7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
Comment: Smooth without compromising too much on details. Warm yet spacious Might almost sound dark

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: B+ Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Crin 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Good tonality, high resolution and an overall decent all-rounder.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Precogvision 6.3 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
Good detail retrieval and tonal balance on settings 3 & 4. Poor midrange micro-dynamics, though, and quite boring.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Softears Enigma Reviews

Softears Enigma reviewed by:

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
Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your Softears Enigma or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $3,699

Buy Softears Enigma on Hifigo

Softears Enigma reviewed by:

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

Vision Ears Erlkonig 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

Softears Enigma User Reviews

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review
Endoki 2025-06-30 07:48:55
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.

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/2) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/2) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?

Footer