Best IEMs under $600

Yu9 Que

• Jays Audio: Smooth listen, non-fatiguing, balanced and leans towards neutral, scales good, full, natural, but lacks dynamics/transients and vocal extension. Reminds me of the OG SA6 with a little more treble and...
• Gizaudio Axel: One of the most refined, fun, engaging, and technically capable IEMs for its price. Treble is very refined and surprisingly not fatiguing.  Well-textured bass with strong physicality. Clear, vocals. Refined, non-fatiguing treble with plenty of extension. Class-leading detail and separation.  Treble may be too much for some.
• Jaytiss: Can lack that Jenesequa "it" factor.
• Precogvision: Exceptional tuning and treble refinement; sets the benchmark at $400.
• Web Search: The YU9 Que is a hybrid IEM using 1 dynamic driver + 3 balanced armatures, positioned in the mid-upper price tier with an MSRP around $399. Retail listings confirm the configuration (10 mm LF DD with...
• Audionotions: Balanced, contrasty, highly resolving. Very good transients. Tight bass, clean mids, very well extended treble. The only glaring flaw is the one-dimensional imaging - there is very little layering,...
• Fox Told Me So: YU9 Audio QUE is a $300 hybrid (1DD + 3BA) with a name rooted in Chinese culture—“阙” (QUE, palace), paired with a fish bone logo from “鱼” (YU, fish). Shells are aluminum with a...
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the YU9 Que at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Kois Archive: Rating: S- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  fun bass. referency midrange. excellent techs  could be bright. cable is meh

Hisenior Mega5-EST

• Jays Audio: New unit is better tuned/balanced, smooth, good all-rounder, and sounds like adjusted diffusefield.
• Gizaudio Axel: A "plain water" type sound signature with a bass boost.  Great tuning, neutral with bass boost, smooth, safe, and balanced.  Could use more detail, incisiveness, and excitement.
• Jaytiss: If you get the good tuning, this is way higher.
• Precogvision: Very bouncy bass but midrange sounds sucked out and has some oddity. Original sounds more coherent even if less exciting/detailed.
• Tim Tuned:  Exceptionally tuned across the board  Could use more "wow" and details
• Super* Review: Fantastic tuning.. it really does not get better. Technical performance could be better.
• Smirk Audio: Well-tuned and great techs at this price point. Lacks dynamics and the mids are a little lean. Otherwise a great all-rounder.
• Web Search: The Hisenior Mega5-EST is a tribrid with a 5-driver array—1DD+2BA+2EST—using a four-way network and triple bores; published specs list ~25 Ω impedance and ~105 dB sensitivity, making it easy to...
• Fresh Reviews: Great for music
• Shuwa-T:  Bass layering, treble detail are excellent; midrange leans neutral and focuses on clarity over musicality  It is not for people who seek addictive midrange or musical presentation
• Z-Reviews: Hisenior Mega5-EST (Anniversary Edition) hits with a rare mix of slam and finesse: a single DD + 2BA + 2EST that pours out a chest-pressing low end yet keeps the mids and treble startlingly ...
• Audionotions: Incredibly well tuned IEM that sounds very natural across all frequencies. Nothing inoffensive with good technical chops. Stage is not vast - but it is natural and has depth. Bass is full but it is...
• Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the Hisenior Mega5-EST at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Nicehck Rockies

• Jays Audio: Balanced, clean, airy, with a slight treble emphasis, good EST implementation, great overall package and accesories at the price. Similar to TOP PRO but with ESTs and not as vocal centric. Easy rec...
• Jaytiss: Trebble so nice. Feels faultless and amazing.
• Tim Tuned:  The Mega5EST but a slight bit more technical and bright
• Super* Review: The NiceHCK Rockies is a $500 tribrid (1DD+2BA+2EST) tuned almost identically to the Mega 5 EST but with slightly less bass and a touch more lower treble, yielding tighter bass and clearer separation...
• Web Search: The NiceHCK Rockies is a five-driver tribrid using 1DD + 2 Knowles BA + 2 Sonion EST in a resin shell with Pietersite stone faceplates. Specs list a detachable 0.78 mm 2-pin cable with swappable...
• Audionotions: My favorite take on the JM1 meta so far. Bass tuning is well done with adequate weight and punch - it's not standout but it will do the job. Silky smoooooth and rich mids with very good clarity....
• Fox Told Me So: NiceHCK Rockies is a tribrid (1DD + 2BA + 2EST) that rides the “golden formula” with a twist: output impedance matters—a lot. Driven from low-impedance sources, it delivers its intended tuning;...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the NiceHCK Rockies at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

Xenns Top Pro

• Jays Audio: Very technical, amazing resolution and detail for the price, treble is slightly crispy and sparkly, clean but dynamic all-rounder. Mid-volume set for the most part as treble can get hot at higher...
• Gizaudio Axel: A refined, genre-versatile all-rounder. One of the best in its price range.  Balanced tuning with clean bass, smooth vocal-forward mids, refined airy treble, and excellent detail and separation.
• Jaytiss: Has some odd warmth for me, but is great.
• Tim Tuned: The Xenns Top Pro stands as a significant evolution from its predecessors, bearing little resemblance to the original Top despite sharing a similar driver configuration. Its tuning aligns much more...  New meta tuning with boosted bass and upper treble  BA timbre
• Super* Review: A little bit unengaging to listen to. Bass kinda lacks definition. Kinda reminds me of the Mega5 EST. Not a bad IEM but not my favorite at 500 bucks.
• Web Search: The XENNS Mangird Top Pro is a 10-driver hybrid (2DD + 8BA) using a 4-way crossover and launches at an MSRP of $499. Headfonics details the allocation—dual dynamics for lows, Knowles BAs for mids,...
• Fresh Reviews: Best in Valorant out of the games tested
• Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews expresses immediate and strong enthusiasm for the Xenns Top Pro, a $500 IEM featuring a 10-driver configuration (8 balanced armatures + 2 dynamic drivers). He notes their exceptional ...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Positioned at $500 , the Xenns Top Pro gets stacked against the Subtonic Storm at around $5,400 —a full 10× price gap that shouldn’t be glossed over. Level-matched listening shows the two...
• Audionotions: Excellent tuning. Jack of all trades. One of my favorite IEM releases of 2025. Great vocals, bright leaning treble that adds a bit more sparkle. Bass that extends deep and doesn't bleed. Could use a...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Xenns Top Pro at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Thieaudio Oracle MKIII

• Jays Audio: Great bass texture, much better than predecessors, smooth and slightly airy giving it a sizzly timbre, great layering/separation, vocals are slightly laid back but not gone, very balanced across...
• Jaytiss: It's like a Pilgrim OG with EST. It's kinda cool.
• Precogvision: Pretty detailed but sounds incoherent, particularly in the treble, which also seems exaggerated in a bad way.
• Super* Review: A step in the right direction compared to mk2. I like this as much as the mk1. Solid all-rounder, good sense of separation.
• Web Search: The ThieAudio Oracle MKIII presents a divisive tonal character that splits listener opinions. Its bass response, driven by dual dynamic drivers in an IMPACT2 subwoofer configuration, offers textured...
• Fresh Reviews: Stronger in Fortnite and COD vs other titles
• Shuwa-T:  Midrange has a tinge of warmth, likely from the greater emphasis in lower mids  Bass definition and treble remains unrefined as with the Hype 2 and Hype 4
• Z-Reviews: Thieaudio Oracle MKIII (2024) pushes hard into the “fun road” of audio: a 2DD + 2BA + 2EST stack tuned for huge, holographic soundstage and pinpoint stereo placement that feels like a room...
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Night Oblivion Butastur

• Jays Audio: Overpriced as hell - I don't get the hype. Vocals are way too shouty with masking. Treble peaks around 10K with a dip in the air afterwards. Low-end is "good", but nothing amazing for the price....
• Jaytiss: I'd be careful buying it due to QC issues of others. But I enjoyed my time with it.
• Web Search: The NIGHT OBLIVION BUTASTUR delivers a natural timbre and cohesive sound, with its standout feature being a lush, dense midrange that excels in vocal and acoustic instrument reproduction. Vocals...
• Shuwa-T:  Similar tonality to the Supernova, please stronger female vocal extension at the cost of less refined treble, lovely midrange
• Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the Night Oblivion Butastur at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6

• Jaytiss: Really strong iem at it's price so far.
• Web Search: The MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6 is a pure 6BA design using branded Sonion and Knowles armatures, with two dip-switches that enable four tuning combinations. Published specs list 50–65 Ω impedance and...
• Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8  fun balanced set.  mids aren't the best

Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk

• Jays Audio: Inoffensive safe tuning, less fatiguing uppermids good for jpop/kpop. Vocals lack the last bit of extension, detail, and power. DSP APP is a shit show. Heavy competition from Nova, Cincotres, Hype 4.
• Gizaudio Axel: Excellent tuning and a highly detailed, all-around performer.  Great bass quality, rich vocals, balanced tonality, sparkly treble, and excellent resolution.  I prefer more bass.
• Jaytiss: Just a tad on the bland side.
• Tim Tuned: Pros: Balanced tuning with world class timbre decay.
• Super* Review: Overall high engagement factor.
• Fresh Reviews: Borders C+
• Shuwa-T:  The most neutral of the triple threat, caters to the safest of tunings
• Audionotions: I came close to writing this off because it relies on DSP to achieve the target tuning. Thankfully my curiosity got the best of me. Putting aside any issues pertaining to the DSP cable, this is a...
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
• Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8  natural and elevated vocals  dusk dsp exist. thin lower mids.

Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch

• Jays Audio: Endgame "balanced-basshead" set. Amazing low-end texutre, rumble, reverb, slam, and more bass than Origin and Titan - goes harder than those. Vocals and treble also still well extended, not...
• Jaytiss: It basically a cheaper Mega5est Bass. Great basshead set.
• Z-Reviews: Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch hits with massive sub-bass —“like 19 dB” of rumble—yet the overall vibe stays surprisingly relaxed . The tuning keeps mid-bass in check, so everyday tracks feel...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Built as a tribrid for bassheads , the Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch pairs a muscular dynamic driver with BA mids and Sonion EST treble to deliver a thick, textured low end that slams on 808s ,...
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears X HBB Punch at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
• Audio Amigo: Ultimate Basshead tuning for those who love midbass as well as sub-bass. Can EQ very well, Acessories package is barebones for the price.

Noble Fokus REX5 TWS

• Web Search: The Noble FoKus Rex5 delivers a detailed and resolving sound signature, leveraging its uncommon five-driver tribrid configuration (10mm dynamic driver for lows, three BAs for mids, and a 6mm planar...
• Z-Reviews: Noble’s Fokus REX5 hits like a wired IEM that forgot the wire: a 10 mm dynamic + 6 mm planar + 3x BA cocktail feeding a wide, surprisingly open presentation. The companion app is actually...

Fiio FH19

• Jaytiss: A very pleasing Colorization, but not exactly what I love.
• Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the FiiO FH19 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Moondrop Variations

• Jays Audio: Very clear with lots of detail. Sub-bass has a nice rumble and texture. Amazing treble extension and stage air. Female vocals are vibrant and shines. Mid-bass cut is real, affecting some genres and...
• Gizaudio Axel: A solid benchmark.  Great sub-bass, Harman tuning, and excellent detail.  Can sound thin.
• Crin: Sub-bass-focused signature with Moondrop's clean tuning makes this one of the best $500 tribrids.
• Jaytiss: I like it, but don't love the lower mids.
• Precogvision: A more refined B2 Dusk with better bass texture and treble extension.
• Tim Tuned: Packaging brings typical Moondrop flair—an anime-clad box , a large but well-built carrying case , assorted foam and silicone tips , and interchangeable plugs (3.5/2.5/4.4). The shells look ...  Great separation and details  Thin lower midrange
• Super* Review: Moondrop Variations enters the $520 bracket as a sleek tribrid (DD bass, BA mids, dual EST treble) that mirrors the Blessing 2 shell and fit—complete with the familiar large nozzle—while...
• Smirk Audio: Great tuning, neutral timbre, and a satisfying bass with a sub-bass focus. Solid all-rounder.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Too much subbass, dry sounding lower mids.  Clarity Clarity  Subbass overpowers lower mids
• Nymz: Resolution king for the price point with a fun tuning. Great sub-bass and treble. Lack of mid-bass bass and somewhat thin mids murdered it for my library. Can see the appeal for others tho.
• Audionotions: Very resolving with good sub-bass and good treble. A bit thin and clinical sounding and lacks a bit of note weight. Could use a bit more mid-bass. Otherwise, the resolution is top-notch. Treble...
• Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the Moondrop Variations at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
• Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7  good subbass and female vocal  missing midbass and lowermids

Softears Studio 4

• Jays Audio: "Correct" and neutral tuning. Natural vocals, not as forward like RSV but zero faults. Slight Improvement over RSV in-terms of seapration and stage size/treble is same/not as warm.
• Gizaudio Axel: A benchmark for tonality and timbre.  Neutral, accurate sound with great bass, tonal accuracy, forward vocals, and natural timbre. Excellent isolation.  Unvented design and BA bass may not suit everyone.
• Jaytiss: Something magical about this set, but it's not the Bass.
• Precogvision: Sounds plasticky and smoothed; inoffensive to the point of being offensive.
• Tim Tuned:  Just great all around, balance with amazingly clean midrange
• Super* Review: Softears Studio 4 arrives as a 4×BA set at $450 with a surprisingly practical kit: a Pelican-style water-resistant case , cleaning brush, MoonDrop-style tips, and—occasionally—a 3.5 mm...
• Head-Fi.org: 15 community members have rated the Softears Studio 4 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Thieaudio Hype 4

• Jays Audio: One of the best all-rounders under $600 (v-shaped harman). Treble quality is smooth and well extended. Great low-end texture with lots of impact. Good vocals. Solid tech, and just solid in general.
• Gizaudio Axel: A fun and exciting IEM.  Fun, bass-boosted sound with powerful bass, great treble extension, and clear vocals.  Treble can be overly crisp at times.
• Jaytiss: Upper trebble is odd on many tracks, but is a strong set.
• Precogvision: Bass sounds somewhat 'BA-ish' for being DD, but well-tuned, decently technical, and a very solid package overall.
• Super* Review: Great imaging and headstage. Width is outstanding. Even at 400 bucks it's outstanding in this pricerange.
• Fresh Reviews: Thieaudio HYPE 4 hits far above its price with a lively, bass-driven tuning that stays clean and controlled. The low end delivers physicality without muddying the mids or presence region,...
• Shuwa-T:  Contains some DNA of the well tuned Monarch 3
• Z-Reviews: Thieaudio Hype 4 delivers the redemption arc this series needed: a $399 hybrid that channels the beloved Clairvoyance vibe at a lower price. The 2DD+4BA setup hits with a chest-filling low...
• Audionotions: Very, very solid IEM. Excellent bass response and a well done warm neutral tuning. Great techs for the price. Large stage that is deep and wide. Great separation and imaging. Treble is a bit elevated...
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the THIEAUDIO Hype 4 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass

• Jays Audio: The Mega5est 7th but with more sub-bass. That's it. Does sound better now, more "musical" and less vanilla and boring. A good comforting and smooth listen that scales well. Bass texture isn't as good...
• Gizaudio Axel: Great for bassheads or sub-bass lovers.  Hisenior Mega5est with added sub-bass.  The bass might be too much for some people.
• Jaytiss: Smooth dark, and enjoyable.
• Super* Review: Good sounding IEM. Nice fitting. New Meta tuning with much more bass. But I didn't need that
• Z-Reviews: Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass takes the already clean, wide, crisp Mega5 tuning and pours a thick, buttery layer of low-end over it—think “Eris-sized” weight without muddying the mids. On ...
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Audio Amigo: Mega5Est but with more Bass. Same amazing details, same great imaging, just more Bass. Acessories are great. NOBODY USE THE 4.4mm to 3.5mm ADAPTER. ASK FOR A REPLACEMENT

Mangird Xenns Top

• Jays Audio: What the Variations should've been. Fantastic tehcnincalities. Neutral-bright leaning. Nothing wrong with it at mid-volume, but I can see treble can be too much at highet volumes.
• Precogvision: Very inofffensive tonality with a soft treble response, sounds like lower and mid-treble are too recessed.
• Tim Tuned:  Exceptionally tuned, full range and detailed  Treble might be too much for some
• Fresh Reviews: Mangird Xenns Top takes over the #1 slot for competitive gaming and music, edging out the Vulcan and Hook-X. Expect a massive, expansive stage , pinpoint imaging , and outstanding depth...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: What Variations aspired to be.  Layered bass slam, full midrange  Lower treble gets a little hot, cymbal strikes too prominent
• Nymz: Best Mangird has ever done - a slightly more fun Variations. Very clean and technical with a boomier bass. Lower mid-range is still somewhat dry.
• Audionotions: Variation's more fun, twin sibling. Similar technical capabilities to Vari - resolution, instrument separation and imaging are great. Thicker, meatier note weight than Variations and better vocal...
• Kois Archive: Rating: S- | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  good bass and technicality for the price  BA timbre, treble could be smoother

Ar Audio Aurora

• Audionotions: Balanced (with some warmth) with good timbre. Nicely textured and punchy bass. Rich mids and lush vocals, both male and female. Resolution is decent. Imaging and stage are good. Treble is smooth and...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the AR Audio Aurora at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

Elysian Pilgrim

• Jays Audio: Clean, clear, all-rounder, similar tuning as the Dusk but with better vocals, bass quality is great as well, aethestically pleasing too. If you want a clean all-rounder, or sensitive in the 3-8K,...
• Gizaudio Axel: One of the most resolving IEMs under $1000.  Elysian house sound with a balanced tuning, textured sub-bass, smooth mid-range, well extended treble, and excellent resolution.  I prefer more bass.
• Jaytiss: Great little set to consider for those after an Elysian Product.
• Tim Tuned: Elysian Pilgrim hits that rare sweet spot: a truly affordable entry into the brand’s house sound that still feels flagship-adjacent . Think Gaia DNA with a more tamed signature —the bass...  Most technical sounding IEM under $1000
• Super* Review: Not a bad IEM. Very solid but in this price range it's really competetive. Very safe tuning.
• Shuwa-T:  The most chaotic and in your face of the triple threat, more focus to subbass and treble
• Z-Reviews: Elysian Pilgrim hits the rare $400 bracket with a hybrid recipe— 1× LSR dynamic and 3× Sonion BA —and a presentation that pulls the stage in . Instead of big, floaty width, the image...
• Audionotions: Elysian signature for the masses in terms of price and intensity. Compared to the rest of the Elysian lineup, the Pilgrim loses a bit of dynamics, techs, and separation and imaging, but it does share...
• Head-Fi.org: 40 community members have rated the Elysian Pilgrim at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

I/O Volare

• Jays Audio: Best Harman IEM under $600 (my unit is less harman), smooth and natural, great layering and tech, bass texture could be better/not as good as Oracle MK3, but overall very balanced and great...
• Jaytiss: Nice overall quality.
• Super* Review: If you are looking for the most bang for your buck in terms of the costs of materials - this is it. But not the most interesting sound.
• Shuwa-T:  Balanced subbass-focused tuning that borders the fine line between technical and boring, well extended treble that remains free of sibilance  The lower midrange does not sound the most natural despite how funny squiggly lines look
• Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the I/O Volare at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Dunu DK-3001 BD

• Jays Audio: Technical, but thin, and bright tilt with LOTS of planar sizzle and timbre. Needs more low-end (small scoop), noteweight is very light, not peaky, but just artificial. Needs 10hm adapter to be...
• Gizaudio Axel: More mid-bass and less treble would be perfect  Excellent bass quality, deep sub-bass, transparent mids, and great resolution.  Low mid-bass, slightly lean vocals, and bright treble.
• Jaytiss: I prefer this with the adapter, but is fine without.
• Precogvision: Not to my taste - treble sounds slightly brittle and harsh - but plenty of resolution and clean presentation.
• Super* Review: My second 5 star IEM in 2024. The Braindance is a very satisfying IEM to listen to.
• Fresh Reviews: Some titles arguably A-
• Z-Reviews: 10/10 verdict out the gate: Dunu’s DK-3001 BD “BrainDance” is a $500 monster that punches like a flagship. The recipe is wild— 9 drivers total with the same dynamic driver from the...
• Head-Fi.org: 27 community members have rated the Dunu DK-3001 BD at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Audio Amigo: Probably the most detailed and technical IEM around $500. You pay for the detail with a fatiguing, sharp treble presentation. Great accessories and looks. Impedance adapter mellows this out a LOT,...

Dunu SA6 Ultra

• Jays Audio: An SA6 with improvement in treble extension, and stage air; better tuned Oracle2 with wider stage. Relaxing tonality but also very resolving. Airy stage with great depth and height. Smooth dynamics...
• Gizaudio Axel: Tuning style is a matter of preference.  QDC Anole VX tuning, excellent resolution, and great bass with a practical bass switch.  Unvented design.
• Precogvision: A slightly refined SA6 with better treble extension. Very coherent.
• Tim Tuned: Dunu SA6 Ultra pushes a proven formula into true S-tier territory. Building on the well-tuned, mid-forward original SA6, the Ultra fixes the big weakness: the air region . Treble extension is...  Anole VX-ish tuning with less treble and details  Could use a little more upper mids
• Shuwa-T:  More controlled tuning compared to the VX, while maintaining the excellent technicalities  Clarity and staging takes a hit; it is simply not on the same level
• Nymz: Limited run. A baby VX by a fraction of the price with less detail. Tastefully done tuning with incredible stage depth. BA bass and timbre are present, but you won't even mind given how good it...
• Audionotions: SA6 but better - and SA6 was already a very good IEM to begin with. Retains the same smooth and relaxed tuning and great resolution. What sets this apart is the right amount of treble extension to...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the DUNU SA6 Ultra at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Moondrop Meteor

• Jays Audio: Neutral, clean and clear vocals, vocals pop out, good tech. Next to no planar timbre - one of the least planar like planars. Treble isn't sizzly and bright, but vocals can get shouty on energetic...
• Gizaudio Axel: I need more bass!  Forward vocals, super smooth treble.  Bass lacks weight, impact, and slam.
• Jaytiss: Bright leaning. But very nice when it hits.
• Super* Review: Objectvly great but unengaging. Not a set I reach for often. Maybe I am underrating it a bit.

Symphonium Audio Meteor

• Jays Audio: Meaty textured mid-bass, but can be a bit much. VVery warm sound. Library dependent. Airy treble, but vocals are a bit pushed back and buried.
• Jaytiss: I'm just not a fan of the tuning, but I can see how others might like it.
• Precogvision: A fun U-shape through and through, at the expense of some detail. Fantastic bass and upper-treble extension.
• Super* Review: Warm-tilted and unapologetically bassy , Symphonium’s 4BA Meteor aims for a thick, relaxed presentation that still feels refined up top. The bass carries notable mid-bass ...
• Nymz: U-Shaped warm tuning that is as easy to love it as it is to rec it. Despite being a full BA, the bass has great qualities to it. Great techs given the price and tuning. I had to buy one myself.
• Z-Reviews: Packaging and accessories go hard: a wild Nightjar cable that actually behaves, a tiny waterproof case, foam and silicone tips, even a burlap sack. The shells are much smaller than other...
• Audionotions: Warm U-shaped IEM. Very pleasant to listen to. Bass is pretty good for a BA set with a focus on decay which makes it rumble nicely - perhaps lacks a bit of tactility. Very solid choice for those who...
• Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the Symphonium Audio Meteor at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Fiio FH7S

• Jaytiss: Warm done well, but not good enough.
• Precogvision: Warm and gooey with some sparkle. Relatively pleasant overall.
• Super* Review: The FiiO FH7S comes in at around $400 and feels like a course correction after the troubled FH5s. Build is robust with an angular, all-metal shell and a handsome—if stiff —stock cable that...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the FiiO FH7S at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Tigerism Sunflower

• Shuwa-T:  Planar with a well balanced signature and solid technicalities to boot  Separation is still a few notches below the greats, planar treble may bother the sensitive

FlipEars Aegis

• Jays Audio: Slight v-shape, but with less bass and low-end texture than Legion, more "balanced" and less engaging, but my unit was shouty and a bit sharp in the uppermids, also costs alot for what you can get at...
• Jaytiss: Shouty, bad, needs EQ, fully MID.
• Web Search: The FlipEars Aegis delivers a visually stunning and sonically powerful experience, featuring hand-painted, medieval-inspired rose-brass faceplates that make each unit a unique work of art. Its hybrid...
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the FLIPEARS Aegis at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

DUNU EST 112

• Crin: Good tonality, though the treble extension is its big Achille's Heel.
• Jaytiss: Has some great things. Nice technicalies. But lacks in tonality.
• Super* Review: The DUNU EST 112 is a compact-yet-chunky tribrid at around $490 , pairing a 13.5 mm dynamic driver for low end with a BA mid and dual EST tweeters. The unboxing is generous: multiple tip...
• Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the DUNU EST 112 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Simgot EM10

• Jays Audio: A more immersive version of the Pilgrim with better mid-bass kick. More airy and slightly more detailed in the treble. Harman vocal gain might be too much for some. Bass might be boomy depending on...
• Gizaudio Axel:  Bass-boosted Harman tuning, forward vocals.  Overall detail, PZT timbre.
• Jaytiss: Very Special set, but the Supermix might be the better value.
• Fresh Reviews: The Simgot EM10 stands out in this roundup for competitive gaming , scoring a solid B+ overall. In Valorant it pushes into A–/B+ territory thanks to notably precise positional accuracy...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Simgot EM10 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Thieaudio Oracle

• Jays Audio: Amazing airy and relaxing vocals. Sweet and gentle presentation. Clean, clear vocals - could be too balanced tho. Great separation, but stage size could be better.
• Crin: Functionally similar to the Clairvoyance with slight cutbacks in overall clarity and resolution.
• Jaytiss: Great iem for what it is. Really impressive.
• Precogvision: Pleasant tonality, but low-level detailing and compression.
• Tim Tuned:  Tuning so good it melts your soul (kinda)  treble wispiness + slight incoherent
• Super* Review: The ThieAudio Oracle (original) is a tribrid at around $540 using two ESTs, two BAs, and one DD. The shell echoes the Monarch’s look but is smaller; comfort and fit security are excellent for...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A miniature Monarch.  Balanced sounding with good detail retrieval
• Nymz: Great vocals, very lean tuning. Not very technical for the price.
• Audionotions: Love the tuning. Very neutral set with sparkly treble but never unpleasant. Techs are decent but not standout. Timbre and tonality on this set are really great. Mids are great, and vocals are lush....

Kiwi Ears Orchestra

• Jays Audio: Great vocals. Clean and neutral signature. A bit vanilla and "boring" but scales great with volume.
• Crin: Very well-tuned reference-y signature with a mild bass and treble emphasis for added energy.
• Precogvision: Well-tuned with surprisingly good treble extension. Upwards compressed dynamics contrast poorly with tuning.
• Tim Tuned:  Slightly warm neurail tuning, well done
• Super* Review: Kiwi Ears Orchestra brings an 8-BA , $500 package with surprisingly refined hardware: a tastefully thick, well-behaved copper cable, secure two-pin connection, and a compact shell that fits ...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Extremely balanced sound, my go-to for vocal tracks.  Mid-focused, minimal BA timbre, vocals intimate and forward  Low end is not the most dynamic, bass layering can be difficult to pick out
• Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  Great soundstage. addicting mids  bass is barely there

Dunu SA6

• Jays Audio: Gorgeous mid range and great dynamics. Good timbre makes me forget it's a full BA set. Good bass texture, but wish it had more rumble. Wish stage and imaging was more 3D. Could use more treble air...
• Crin: Tonality reminiscent of the Anole VX, though not up to the same level of technicalities.
• Precogvision: Slightly "wet" characteristic that takes the edge off of the qdc-inspired tuning. Very pleasant on the ears.
• Tim Tuned:  Engaging signature with great vocals
• Fresh Reviews: borders B-
• Nymz: Well tuned top to bottom only missing the last inch of extension. Bass has its quirks but a solid pick nonetheless and a great benchmark at its price.
• Audionotions: Great all-rounder - does everything very well. I wish the bass was a bit more impactful and perhaps that it had a bit more sparkle up top.
• Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  jack of all trades  leaves me wanting something more

Dunu SA6 mkII

• Jays Audio: V-shaped SA6 Ultra with more recessed mids and vocals. Sharper and more bass than SA6U but mids are buried in busier tracks.
• Gizaudio Axel: Similar to the SA6 Ultra but with more bass, airier treble, and improved soundstage and fit.  QDC Anole VX tuning, excellent resolution, and great bass with a practical bass switch.  Unvented design.
• Jaytiss: Technical, nice but upper mids not for me.
• Precogvision: A warmer rendition of the original SA6, best considered a side-grade than a true upgrade.
• Tim Tuned:  Slightly more V-shape than the Ultra with small detail boost  Could use a little more upper mids
• Nymz: A more refined SA6u, with the freedom to boost the bass even more and costing less. Less natural upper treble at the cost of that terrific extension.
• Audionotions: Like the Ultra, but slightly improved in all technicalities categories except for timbre where the Ultra takes the win because upper-mids/lower-treble are too dialed down for my tastes on the MK2. If...

PW Biscuit

TRI Starshine

• Crin: A good example of "too much of a good thing": treble extension. Sibilance issues abound, but otherwise fine.
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the TRI Starshine at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Tanchjim Darling

• Crin: A tad shouty but with excellent imaging performance.
• Precogvision: Excellent imaging, but with too much shout and an uneven treble response.
• Shuwa-T:  Imaging is TOTL  Somewhat wonky upper midrange
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Tanchjim Darling at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Fiio FD7

• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the FiiO FD7 at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

I/O Sogno

• Jays Audio: Literally Harman 2019. Inoffensive and good all-rounder. A little sharp in the timbre vs Volare (I'd just save up for the Volare if you want Harman), more low-end than Volare, better bass and timbre...
• Super* Review: It's a fine IEM if you look for something which is Harman compliant. It's a bit narrow sounding but pleasant.
• Fresh Reviews: Very Tip Dependent
• Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the I/O Sogno at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Penon 10th Anniversary

• Jaytiss: It's different, fun, but very V shaped.
• Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the Penon 10th Anniversary at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

MiM Audio Dark Magician

Fiio FH9

• Jaytiss: A different try on Reference.
• Precogvision: Pretty alright overall. Warm and reasonably well-balanced in the upper-midrange and lower-treble unlike some of Fiio's other IEMs.
• Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the FiiO FH9 at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Etymotic EVO

• Precogvision: Slight improvements in staging over the ER series, but with setbacks in the treble response.
• Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the Etymotic EVO at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Sony IER-M7

• Crin: Balanced across the board, though doesn't seem to excel in any particular area.
• Tim Tuned:  Very neutral tuning, great for audio work  Can be very boring
• Audionotions: Warm but not muddy. More dynamic than M9 but a slight step down in resolution and imaging. More fun to listen to than M9. Great build, great kit. Love it.

MIM Dark Magician

• Jays Audio: Weighted and airy vocals but with expansive staging. 3D/ball imaging. Coherency and dynamics are TOTL. Clear - details are "big"/forward, but can use better separation. Super immersive. Could use...
• Precogvision: Pleasant and smooth tonality; however, the DD being used does not seem very technical (for the price).
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Full-sounding note weight with proper bass layering, very coherent monitor.  Warm, "balanced" tuning that prioritises more midrange musicality, beautiful vocals, generally sounds coherent at all frequencies  Mediocre soundstage
• Nymz: Discontinued - new version isn't the same tuning. One of the best single DD sets you can buy. Micro detail level and bass texture are great for the tuning. Everything well done. Harder to get than...

Fatfreq Maestro Mini

• Jays Audio: A basshead set that's actually well-balanced for the most part. Extension on uppermids/highs are good but can get shouty, sub-bass texture and slam is impactful and satisfying - this is the set for...
• Precogvision: Extreme basshead's dream. Incredible sub-bass shelf while maintaining midrange and treble balance.
• Tim Tuned:  Bass cannon with correct vocals and treble balance  Semi thin vocals
• Nymz: F*** you, bass. Default rec for bassheads.
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the FatFreq Maestro Mini at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Oriolus Isabellae

• Jaytiss: Awesome shimmer, and cool unique sound.
• Precogvision: Midrange doesn't sound very DD-like; more along the lines of etched and gritty perhaps due to 11kHz peak in treble.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Impressive sound from a single DD.  Warm and pleasing tuning, sweet coloured vocals  Treble peak may annoy some
• Audionotions: Beautifully sweet mids, good fun bass - maybe not the most resolving but sinfully enjoyable. Slight weirdness for some female vocals but other than that, it sounds great
• Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Oriolus Isabellae at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

ThieAudio Oracle mkII

• Jays Audio: CLEAR with LOTS of detail. Nice sub-bass rumble with no mid-bass bleed. Treble is super extended as well as high-mids. Female vocals sound lively and sings, but can be too much at high volume and...
• Jaytiss: It's a little bright.
• Precogvision: A brighter Oracle. Shouty upper-midrange and artifical sounding treble response.
• Tim Tuned:  Detailed, airy, mostly well tuned  dry timbre from treble amount
• Nymz: Great bass dynamics and well done mid-range. Treble extension is great but a hair too elevated.
• Kois Archive: Rating: B+ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  W I D E  too much treble/air

7hz Aurora

• Jays Audio: Mini MEST, OCD treble detail, sharp imaging, great detail and tech for its price, immersive with the right song, but is too sharp with energetic tracks with lots of electronic elements, vocals also a...
• Jaytiss: It's a fun iem, but not something that I would want.
• Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the 7Hz Aurora at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Tanchjim Prism

• Precogvision: Somewhat tinny in the treble and generally anemic.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Best release so far from Tanchjim.  Well tuned with good technicalities  Offers nothing special
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Tanchjim Prism at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Tansio Mirai Land

• Precogvision: 123 setting. V-shaped and a bit harsh in the lower-treble.
• Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the TANSIO MIRAI Land at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Moondrop Blessing

• Crin: All rounder that comes the closest to the Harman Target.
• Precogvision: Harman target hitter with surprisingly poor bass for a DD. Get the Blessing 2 instead.

Dunu DK-3001 Pro

• Crin: Well-tuned and coherent. Does little wrong and very easy to like.
• Precogvision: Solid tonal balance but excessively rolled-off in the treble.

Fearless S8Z

• Crin: Solid all-rounder with a safe, pleasing tuning.
• Precogvision: A more aggressive S8P with even more grit/BA artifacting in the treble.

Final Audio B3

• Crin: Probably the best tuned of Final's B-series. Reminiscent of the E-series with BA characteristics.
• Precogvision: One of the better interpretations of Final Audio's house sound with some decent technicalities.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: The middle model of the B series from Final.  Surprising clarity and 3D soundstage  BA midbass hump not the most natural sounding

OpenAudio Mercury

• Precogvision: Basically a poor man's Legend X without some of the technicalities.

ThieAudio Legacy 9

• Crin: Bass a little too slow and sluggish with minor quirks in the midrange-treble transition.
• Precogvision: Solid bass and sparkly, well-extended treble. Could use more work in the detail and imaging department.

Cayin YB04

• Crin: An odd take on neutrality that sounds weird and uneven.
• Shuwa-T:  Clean sounding monitor with a wide soundstage  Somewhat strange midrange tuning with an overemphasis on the high-mids

Dunu EST112

• Precogvision: Decent all-rounder, but poor EST implementation.
• Tim Tuned:  Poor treble extension

Campfire Polaris V1

• Crin: Pseudo-Japanese tuning focusing on female vocals and a very lively signature.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: For bassheads who do not care about quality.  Lovely traditional CA tuning

Campfire Audio Saber

• Precogvision: CFA whiffs again. Muffled midrange with a peak somewhere in the mid treble and no air.
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Campfire Audio Saber at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Fiio FH7

• Crin: What is otherwise a pretty good hybrid marred by a strange tonality.
• Precogvision: Definitely one of Fiio's better releases. Warm and pleasing, would benefit from more air and bass also doesn't sound very DD.

Audiosense AQ7

• Crin: Sub-bass boost, odd midrange and rolled-off treble. Not for everyone.
• Precogvision: Some of the wackiest tonal balance that I've heard. Decent detailing, though.

Shanling ME700 Lite

• Crin: Rather radical change from the original ME700; far less warm with more upper-mid emphasis.
• Precogvision: Kind of a nothing IEM, especially at this price point.

64 Audio Aspire 2

• Precogvision: Pretty warm and lo-res sounding overall.
• Super* Review: Bassy and relaxed vocals.

Custom Art FIBAE Black

• Crin: Smooth, neutral-ish signature that serves as an all rounder.
• Precogvision: Easy on the ears, but too congested and too dark.

Kinera Norn

• Precogvision: Reasonably good extension on both ends with gritty decay in midrange and a very V-shaped tuning.

JVC FWX1

• Precogvision: Oh, how the FDX1 has fallen. Bloated bass and the treble sounds all sorts of wrong.

Westone W30

• Crin: Fairly balanced as far as Westones go, but still suffers from subpar definition.
• Precogvision: Very dark and smoothed over, lacking in basic detailing.

Westone W40

• Crin: Overbearing lower mids, weird treble, odd tonality overall. Definitely a Westone.
• Precogvision: Very dark and smoothed over, lacking in basic detailing.

Shozy Black Hole Mini

• Crin: The bass roll-off issue of the original is somewhat fixed, though at the cost of everything else.
• Precogvision: Midrange, especially the upper-midrange, is literally a black hole alright.

Hiby Crystal6

• Crin: Surprisingly thin and sharp-sounding thing. At least it's somewhat technical.
• Precogvision: Ear piercing mid-treble - to the point of which the midrange sounds distant - and generally horrible tuning.