Best IEMs under $1000

Letshuoer Mystic 8

Letshuoer Mystic 8

Jays Audio: Vocal benchmark for female vocals under $2000. Clean, airy, sweet, ethereal. Better than Diva and direct upgrade to OG Oracle and OG Mangird Tea. What the Braindamage and Cantor wishes they could be....
Gizaudio Axel: Neutral-bright tuning with natural midrange tone. Vocal-focused with realistic timbre. Natural, lifelike mids and vocals. Refined treble with air and clarity. Good technicalities. Light BA bass. Unvented design. Upper treble may bother those who are extra sensitive to treble.
Jaytiss: Lack Bass Richness, but is a beautiful set.
Super* Review: Surprising in a lot of fronts. Maybe a little bit overpriced but I like it
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Letshuoer Mystic 8 with a score of 7.4/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Vocal magic, midrange and upper mids are crystal clear while never being too technical Both sub and midbass presence is less than normal which makes this more genre specific, not particularly suited for bass heavy genres
Z-Reviews: Letshuoer Mystic 8 leans hard into “flagship” theatrics: a cat-themed shell, a fancy case with a suction-seal lid, and even bonus jewelry in the box—plus a tray of 18 silicone tips . The...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Eight balanced armatures (4 Sonion, 4 Knowles) and a lighter, more comfortable fit give the Letshuoer Mystic 8 a strong first impression. The frequency response shows sub-bass priority over...
Head-Fi.org: 22 community members have rated the LETSHUOER Mystic 8 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Neutral, precise 8-BA set with spectacular mids and natural treble; a relaxed bass shelf limits impact for rock/EDM. Transparent, mid-centric neutrality with expressive vocals, black background, and natural treble. Relaxed bass shelf with limited tactility and shallower stage depth reduces engagement on bass-driven genres.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A+ Bass: B+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral 8BA

8.5

7

S-

$999

Thieaudio Monarch MK3

Thieaudio Monarch MK3

Jays Audio: Better low-end texture and overall more engaging than MK2, but lacks the mid-range/vocal magic, so depending on your preference either is great. Still TOTL tech like MK2. Great all-rounder.
Gizaudio Axel: I prefer the Monarch MK II for its tonality, vocals, and timbre, but I get why some prefer the MK III. More bass, treble, and detail than the Monarch MK II. The vocal magic of the Monarch MK II is gone.
Jaytiss: Fatiging at times for me, too fun at times.
Precogvision: Still perplexingly poor bass performance, but improves upon the Monarch MKII's treble extension noticeably.
Tim Tuned: MK2 but more fun and more V-shape Not as natural in timbre
Smirk Audio: Elevated, well-textured mid-bass. Pleasant mids. Elevated upper-treble may be pesky to some.
Fresh Reviews: Borders A for some titles
Shuwa-T: Better bass response compared to the mk2 Trades off the lush midrange in place of a cleaner sounding, almost boring midrange
Nymz: An improvement in the bass and treble department over the Mk2, but without the same special sauce in the mid-range and with some imaging problems still.
Z-Reviews: Thieaudio Monarch MK3 takes the flagship slot with swagger: a 2DD + 6BA + 2EST array and a 4-way passive crossover , centered on the Impact² isobaric push-pull dual 10 mm subwoofer . The shells...
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the THIEAUDIO MONARCH MKIII at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.
Yifang: Yifang rated Thieaudio Monarch MK3 with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A-

U-Shaped 2DD+6BA+2EST

8.5

7.6

6.8

A+

$999

Thieaudio Monarch Mk2

Thieaudio Monarch Mk2

Jays Audio: Neutral tuning with one of the clearest mid-ranges. Natural and clean vocals. Great resolution, separation, and detail. Can be a little dry with its analytical presentation. Bass is well-seperated...
Gizaudio Axel: Outstanding tuning. Smooth, balanced tuning with natural vocals, beautiful timbre, and excellent tonality. Detail and could use more bass. Treble depends on ear tips.
Crin: Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 stays a top-tier pick by balancing excellent tonality with solid, price-appropriate technicalities . The tuning sits close to the current meta , with a slight dip in the ...
Jaytiss: Too much unit variation to recommend to others highly.
Precogvision: A solid improvement in imaging with slightly more palatable tonality than its predecessor.
Tim Tuned: Cohesive, smooth, balanced, technical slight treble wispiness
Super* Review: Build & fit: Premium presentation with a handsome “lava” faceplate and a cloth-sheathed cable featuring swappable terminations —useful, but the connector is bulky enough to be unwieldy. The...
Smirk Audio: Good treble with tons of air. Forward, ethereal mids. Good detail retrieval with tons of microdetails. Lackluster mid-bass.
Shuwa-T: Organic midrange Wooly bass response and less prominent treble may not work best for certain genres
Nymz: 11/10 mid-range. Mid-bass could use more texture and stage depth could be better. Yap, that's all. Oh and the fit - I'm blessed, but you may not be.
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.
Yifang: Yifang rated Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: B+ Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A-

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+6BA+2EST

8.4

6.9

8.5

A+

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: Well-tuned neutral with bass boost signature. A bit uninspired sounding overall, though, especially in terms of excitement.
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: 16 community members have rated the Hisenior Mega5-EST at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Yifang rated Hisenior Mega5-EST with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Warm, dark-leaning, bass-focused tuning with average technicalities and a laid-back vocal presentation, great for relaxed listening if Harman sets feel too bright. Warm, laid-back tuning with fun, powerful bass, good build and cable quality, and the option to order it as an affordable custom. Average technicalities with laid-back mids, minor sibilance and only average stage and imaging, while rivals like Moondrop Variations and Dunu SA6 MK2 offer better detail and separation for similar money.

+ 14 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A Details: A- Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+2BA+2EST

8.2

7.3

7.9

A+

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: 4 community members have rated the Xenns Top Pro at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Joyce's Review: XENNS Mangird Top Pro refines the original Top with a more balanced, resolving tuning, excellent treble extension and stronger technical performance while remaining comfortable for long, fatigue-free... Balanced yet resolving tuning with excellent treble extension, strong technical performance and a fatigue-free listening experience. Leaning bright with intimate vocals and less warmth than the original Top, so listeners who prefer a thicker, bassier or more relaxed presentation may not find it ideal.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A+ Bass: A+ Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+8BA

8.2

8.1

8.4

A+

Thieaudio Hype 10

Jays Audio: U-shaped, nice treble extention and dynamics, solid vocals, more low-end emphasis than MK3, dynamic and great all-rounder that doesn't specialize in anything.
Gizaudio Axel: More detailed Hype 4. Too similar to the Hype 4.
Jaytiss: It leaves me lacking nothing, just a fantastic set.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Thieaudio Hype 10 with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Build & package: Both arrive with the same tips, case, and box , but the Hype 10 adds an interchangeable 3.5/2.5/4.4 mm cable . The shells differ in size— Hype 4 is smaller—while the Hype...
Shuwa-T: Rather similarly tuned to the Hype 4, which is regarded as a mini Monarch 3
Z-Reviews: $900 tribrid with a naming twist: despite the “10,” it’s a 12-driver stack— 2x dynamic for the lows and 10x BA for the rest—tuned to feel like a single DD done right. It’s easy to...
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the ThieAudio Hype 10 at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Yifang rated Thieaudio Hype 10 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Joyce's Review: THIEAUDIO Hype 10 delivers deep powerful bass, clear 3D mids and crisp non harsh treble with strong detail and versatility, making it an easy recommendation in the mid to high end segment. Powerful sub bass with speed, exceptionally clear mids, crisp non harsh treble and excellent detail retrieval that works well across many genres. Slight blur in the bass image and a faceplate design that may not appeal from every angle.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A+ Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Neutral 2DD+10BA

8.2

7.3

A+

Softears RSV MK II

Jays Audio: Bassy dynamic all-rounder with great low-end texture that slams hard with good note-weight/body. Slight Hype 4 upgrade. Treble is smooth, and vocals are well-tuned. Overall unboxing/accesories are...
Jaytiss: So Softears didn't forget how to tune. Tactful Basshead
Precogvision: Precogvision rated Softears RSV MK II with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: A 5-BA successor that lands at $700, claims “re-engineered” BA bass, and feels like a welcome throwback to when high-end Chi-Fi wasn’t four figures. Build and fit are excellent with a...
Web Search: The Softears RSV MK II refines the original RSV with an all-5BA design and a 4-way crossover, targeting a stable “reference sound” while improving driver control and airflow management. It’s...
Fresh Reviews: The Softears RSV MK II is a 5BA set at $699 with a sleek, performance-driven look—carbon-fiber “V” and RS badge on the faceplate—paired to an ergonomic shell and fish-mouth nozzle ...
Audionotions: Audionotions rated Softears RSV MK II with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fox Told Me So: The RSV MK2 still follows Softears’ signature approach: an all-BA design, specifically, five-BA configuration. The “V” stands for both its five-driver layout and its bold carbon-fiber faceplate...
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Softears RSV-MKII at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

+ 8 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A+

Neutral with Bass Boost 5BA

8.1

8.9

A+

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.
Precogvision: Decent but timbre sounds a little off and thin-sounding for my preferences. Bass feels like it's missing some depth. Nice clarity.
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 - not a basshead IEM but it's nicely controlled and has good physicality. Silky smoooooth and rich...
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.

+ 8 more reviews

Tuning: S- Tech: S- Bass: A+ Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+2BA+2EST

8.1

8.2

9

A+

$1,018

Campfire Audio Alien Brain

on audio46

Campfire Audio Alien Brain

Jaytiss: So simple and nice it's hard to not love.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Campfire Audio Alien Brain with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Campfire Audio Alien Brain at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 2 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: A- Imaging: A-

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA

8.1

6.7

A+

$850

7th Acoustics Supernova

Jays Audio: Super smoooth. TOTL dynamics and treble air - dunno how they managed this airy and smooth with only BAs. Very clean, no sharpness, or sudden peaks, endgame separation and detail. Only drawback is...
Jaytiss: Natural king. Special iem at any price.
Precogvision: Nearly immaculate tonality, coherency, and timbre with reasonably good technicalities.
Super* Review: Hand-built in Indonesia with customizable abalone faceplates, Supernova feels like a boutique step up in value: a handsome, slightly medium-large shell, stable fit, strong isolation , and a...
Smirk Audio: Rich, honeyed timbre. Well-tuned with solid techs. A very smooth listen. Could use better resolution and incisiveness.
Shuwa-T: Lovely midrange, vocal-centric set that never sounds fatiguing Techs are not class leading
Nymz: Made to order - 60 days. Brilliant tonality with technical support, just lacking the last hair of detail. Transient sharpness and decay are on point. You will be hard-pressed to find better under 1k.
Z-Reviews: 7th Acoustic Supernova brings a 6BA setup at around $850 , dressed in pretty shells but a bit bulgy for the fit. Packaging quirks and micro-print gripes aside, the included Versus Audio cable...
Audionotions: Some of the best timbre I've heard on an IEM to date with decent technicalities to match. Tonality is really good. Bass is neither too much nor too little - just enough to add the perfect amount of...
Head-Fi.org: 24 community members have rated the 7th Acoustics Supernova at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Yifang: Yifang rated 7th Acoustics Supernova with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 10 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: B+ Mids: S- Treble: A Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: S- Details: B+ Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 6BA

8.1

6.7

A+

FlipEars Legion

Jays Audio: Fun and bassy, v-shape, great low-end slam and texture, full, rumbly, solid tech imaging, and cool faceplate... but price is a bit high.
Jaytiss: What this does well, it does very well. Fun set.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated FlipEars Legion with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Web Search: The FlipEars Legion makes a commanding entrance with its striking Roman legionnaire-inspired design, featuring jewelry-cast rose-plated brass faceplates hand-painted by master artisans in Bulacan,...
Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the FlipEars Legion at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Audio Amigo: Bass-focused Bone Conduction done properly! Rumbles and Buzzes in your ears with no annoying buzz or tonal issues. Not the best technical performer, but absolutely GORGEOUS Shells.
Paul Wasabii: Fun, bass-forward WV tuning with surgical treble control and standout 3D imaging; hard-hitting yet clean at volume. Pricey but executed with uncommon finesse. Powerful, fast mid-bass with excellent 3D imaging/layering and controlled, non-fatiguing treble. Lower mids can feel a bit thick and the bass-forward balance plus the premium price will not suit neutrality seekers.

+ 6 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: A Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+1EST+1BC

8

6.7

A+

Thieaudio Origin

Jays Audio: Best bassy set under $1K. Bassy/thicker meta tuning. You can actually feel the reverb and vibration from the bone conduction drivers, great control and low-end texture. Mids and treble are also well...
Jaytiss: Great set, has a lot of positives and is amazing on bass tracks.
Precogvision: Precogvision rated Thieaudio Origin with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Tim Tuned: Mega bass additiveness Bass too much
Super* Review: Interesting sound. It becomes it's own thing. Fit is not great.
Web Search: The Thieaudio Origin delivers a bass-forward signature with a substantial 12dB sub-bass boost that provides visceral rumble and slam, particularly effective for electronic or hip-hop genres. Despite...
Fresh Reviews: Thieaudio Origin steps into the high end with a hybrid array— 1DD + 4BA + 2EST + bone conduction —that pushes a richly textured, holographic presentation. The soundstage is wide and deep ,...
Z-Reviews: Thieaudio Origin goes full mad-science: 1DD + 4BA + 2EST + bone conductor (eight drivers per side), big shells, hefty stock cable, and a tuning built around a ~12 dB sub-bass shelf . Fit can be a...
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the THIEAUDIO Origin at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Joyce's Review: ThieAudio Origin delivers a wide, headphone like stage, huge but controlled bass and silky smooth mids and treble, making it a highly recommended bone conductor option under 1,000 USD for bass... Huge but controlled sub bass with wide, headphone like soundstage and silky mids and treble that stay detailed and non fatiguing across R&B, hip hop and rock. Large, chunky shells and elevated bass focus may feel bulky or too warm for listeners who prefer smaller IEMs or leaner, more neutral tunings.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A- Bass: S- Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: S- Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC

8

7.3

A+

$800

Elysian Pilgrim Noir

Jays Audio: Good but expensive. Recommended if you can find it for around $500. Direct upgrade to the AFUL Explorer. Scales great. Reminds me of the EJ07M but a bit smoother and less dynamic. Prefer it more than...
Gizaudio Axel: Sound is similar to the original Pilgrim. Bassier than the original Pilgrim with similar resolution.
Jaytiss: Way different than Pilgrim OG, less bright. Smoothe.
Super* Review: Relaxed at the vocal region compared to orignial Pilgrim. Too expensive. Texturing is a little bit better than original Pilgrim
Smirk Audio: Cons: Similar to Pilgrim OG at twice the price.
Fresh Reviews: link is for the less expensive one
Z-Reviews: Elysian x Effect Audio Pilgrim Noir takes the original Pilgrim’s 1DD + 3BA foundation and dials it up with an upgraded 4-way crossover , a stealthy all-black finish, and Effect Audio’s cable....
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Elysian Pilgrim Noir at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Yifang rated Elysian Pilgrim Noir with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Paul Wasabii: Pilgrim Noir is a much more mature, refined take on the original Pilgrim, with stronger technical performance and a better balanced tuning. Despite the high price, it works very well as a single do... Strong hybrid all rounder with hard slamming yet controlled bass, refined mids, extended treble, and very good technical performance for the price. Fit and tip selection can be finicky, source synergy matters, and the very high price will limit who can realistically buy it.
ATechReviews: Pilgrim Noir keeps the excellent technical performance of the original Pilgrim while adding more mid bass weight and a darker, more relaxed tonality, but the much higher price and more laid back mids... Excellent sub bass reach and mid bass weight, relaxed yet detailed tuning, premium build and shells plus a high quality Effect Audio cable with flexible TermX and ConX modular systems. More expensive than the original Pilgrim while sounding softer and less open, with male vocals a bit pulled back and treble air reduced so the overall value feels weaker next to the OG.
Audio-In Reviews: Refines the original Pilgrim with warmer mids, smoother treble and improved detail while staying balanced and controlled, but the jump to around $800 feels hard to fully justify. Refined, balanced tuning with excellent sub-bass control, rich mids, smooth yet detailed treble and strong overall technical performance for its class. Around $800 asking price feels high given only incremental sonic gains over the original Pilgrim and similarly strong sets in the $600-$700 range.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: A+

n/a 1DD+3BA

8

7.4

A+

$1,000

Unique Melody MEST

Jays Audio: A MEST MK2 with slightly more uppermid/bass. More v-shaped. More AGGRESSIVE than MK2. Also gets fatiguing when cranked up/long-listening sesisons.
Crin: A smooth, relaxing listen (in custom form) backed up with good technicalities.
Precogvision: Engaging imaging with some minor coherency issues.
Tim Tuned: Impressive staging and details Aggressive signature
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Unique Melody MEST with a score of 9.0/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral yet fun due to subbass hump. Impressive clarity, holographic soundstage

+ 5 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A+ Bass: A Mids: A Treble: B+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: S-

Warm 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC

8

6.9

A

$399

Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk

on Aliexpress

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
Bad Guy Good Audio: Bad Guy Good Audio rated Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk with a score of 7.9/10 without adding a comment.
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.

+ 10 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A+ Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A

n/a 2DD+2BA+2PLA

7.9

7.6

7.7

A

$589

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.
Joyce's Review: Oracle MK3 refines the Oracle series with upgraded bass weight, smoother treble and higher detail, while keeping a balanced, studio style tuning at the same price. Balanced studio style tuning with improved bass and treble, excellent mids, strong detail and premium accessories for the same price as Oracle MK2. Bass still lacks the deepest dynamic driver style slam and the shell is slightly larger than Oracle MK2, which may affect comfort for smaller ears.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+2BA+2EST

7.9

7.2

A

Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate

Jays Audio: Clean, neutral, balanced, technical, laid back, very detailed. Neutral tuning done right while being a little dynamic/engaging. Tip wise Azla spinfits for more detail, tangzu sancai regular for...
Gizaudio Axel: Solid mid-bass, natural vocals, and detailed treble. Treble is a bit elevated, and upper mids feel a bit relaxed.
Tim Tuned: Great relaxed tuning. Satisfying subbass and treble Female vocal lack a bit of life
Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
ATechReviews: Very technical neutral-leaning flagship with huge stage and detail but light bass and hot treble that many listeners may find fatiguing. With some EQ on bass and 8–12 kHz, it becomes a seriously... Class-leading detail retrieval, wide holographic staging and precise imaging for the price. Stock tuning combines light bass with sharp upper treble, making long sessions difficult without EQ.
Audio-In Reviews: Tangzu XuanWu Gate combines striking build quality, near-IE600 bass performance and strong technicalities, but faces stiff competition and feels slightly overpriced at $649. Beautifully built neutral-warm flagship with near-IE600 bass quality, wide immersive stage and strong imaging and detail. Soft value proposition at $649 with slightly relaxed upper mids, a touch of extra treble spice and technical performance that falls just short of the very best in its class.

+ 5 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A+ Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: S- Details: S- Imaging: S-

n/a 1DD+4BA+2EST

7.9

7.5

A

$700

Moondrop S8

Gizaudio Axel: Smooth, detailed, and balanced tuning. Harman-like sound with plenty of detail. BA bass.
Crin: More faithful to the Harman target compared to the A8, with a smoother bass response.
Jaytiss: Special set.
Precogvision: Excellent treble extension and detail retrieval.
Tim Tuned: The Moondrop S8 mirrors the tonal balance of the Blessing 2 Dusk —similar bass level, natural mids, solid upper-mid presence, and extended treble—but distinguishes itself in execution . Bass... Smooth engaging harman signature with fun bass BA timbre
Super* Review: Striking design meets smart ergonomics: a crystal-clear acrylic shell that looks glass-polished , with noticeably cleaner clarity than Blessing 2/Dusk. The fit is more contoured and effortless,...
Smirk Audio: Very resolving with a sweet, pleasant timbre. Good mids and treble. Average bass. Upper-mids may be shouty to some.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Technically proficient. Clarity and tuning well done BA timbre
Bad Guy Good Audio: Moondrop S8 makes a strong first impression: a gorgeous build , clean shells, and a presentation that feels premium without pretending to be leather-clad luxury. The design keeps it simple—no... Great detail,relax tuning upgrade of "A8" only a slight upgrade to the previous A8
Audionotions: Very resolving and well tuned. Note weight leans thin. First IEM that I can say I definitely hear the BA timbre. Could use more down low. Pressure build is uncomfortable.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: B- Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A

U-Shaped 8BA

7.9

6.9

A

$950

Hidition Viento

Crin: Best-in-class tuning and tonal balance with near-perfect coherency. Recommended as a custom-fit.
Precogvision: Reference-lean tuning with strong upper mids and mid-treble; superb microdynamics but average imaging and a finicky deep-fit nozzle. The CIEM version reportedly fixes some of these issues. Excellent microdynamic contrast that makes low-level nuances pop. Lean note weight with mid-treble ring and an uncomfortable long nozzle, plus average imaging versus its peers.
Yifang: Yifang rated Hidition Viento with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 2 more reviews

Tuning: S- Tech: A Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: B+

Neutral 4BA

7.9

6.9

A

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.
ATechReviews: Extremely neutral and realistic monitor with outstanding mids, treble and isolation that make it equally at home for studio work and everyday listening. Only the BA bass texture and slam fall short... Pros: Reference grade neutral tuning with realistic treble, excellent isolation, imaging and separation that make it a superb studio style and everyday monitor. Cons: BA bass lacks the texture, slam and note weight of a good dynamic driver, leaving the lower mids a bit lean for listeners who want more warmth and impact.

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: B- Soundstage: A+ Details: B+ Imaging: A-

Neutral 4BA

7.8

7.3

A

Aful Cantor

Jays Audio: LOW VOLUME SET. Clean, airy, and highly resolving at its price with endgame separation and detail. Low-end is quick, but lacks impact and a bit of texture. Notes are on the lighter side, not very...
Gizaudio Axel: One of the most resolving IEMs. It reveals details you’ve never noticed before. Exceptional detail, neutral tuning, and great bass quality. Very revealing. Could use more bass for my taste.
Jaytiss: Maybe best detailed set, fit is extremely difficult.
Precogvision: A bit too bright sounding in the lower-treble (and brittle treble overall) which sounds odd compared to smoother lower-mids and bouncy sub-bass.
Super* Review: It's super impressive but also really difficult to edge on comfort. It's not my favorite sound but good sounding. Competing well at it's price point
Shuwa-T: Comment: A massive improvement over the prototype at canjam, a killer set for techs under US$1000, nothing else really comes close. Finally a true u12t competitor with better fit, cable, and... Crystal clear across all frequencies, extremely revealing set that slices apart the layers in the music; treble so nuanced yet pleasant that you cannot believe an all BA set is doing this Less midbass presence, overall tonality can come across as a little too lean especially with treble focus
Z-Reviews: This is AFUL’s flagship science project: the Cantor packs 14 BAs per side (28 total) and a heap of buzzword tech— Dual-Channel Acoustic Maze for sub-bass, non-destructive direct-drive...
Audionotions: Very well balanced with very good details and separation. Bass is punchy and fast, mids are clean with excellent instrument separation, treble is well extended and airy. Nothing stands out as...
Head-Fi.org: 15 community members have rated the AFUL Cantor at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: Achieves levels of soundstaging and detail resolution that compete with $2000 IEMs, truly top of the line acousitc performance. IF AND ONLY IF, you can achieve a deep enough fit in your ears. Metal...
Kois Archive: Rating: S | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 insane technicality, totl treble bit bright. bass could be more dynamic
Paul Wasabii: Highly technical but lean and preference specific tuning with tricky fit makes this 800 dollar set feel more like a specialist tool than an all rounder. Strong detail and treble performance are... Strong technical performance with clean treble, good resolution, low BA timbre and a solid shell and cable package. Awkward fit, thin mid bass, occasionally fatiguing upper treble and a narrow preference window make the high price difficult to justify for most listeners.
Audio-In Reviews: AFUL Cantor delivers kilobuck level tuning and technical performance with stunning design, exceptional detail and one of the cleanest BA bass executions under $1,000, with only minor wishes for a bit... Underpriced flagship with kilobuck level tuning, exceptional detail retrieval and a refined sub bass focused presentation that stays clean and natural across the range. Long nozzles and energetic treble can be unforgiving of shallow fits, and some listeners may wish for a touch more overall bass quantity and low mid warmth.

+ 12 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: S Bass: A Mids: A Treble: S- Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Vocal-focused 14BA

7.8

8.2

8.5

A

Softears Twilight

Jays Audio: Slightly warm/neutral, very well balanced, good scaling, TOTL male vocals, big staging, wait for sale
Gizaudio Axel: My top choice for timbral accuracy. Beautiful warm sound signature with outstanding timbre and an open sound. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Crin: Crin rated Softears Twilight with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: It's like a tubed iem, it's really fun. Something about DDs, so good.
Precogvision: Decently tuned single-DD IEM with a more technical focus.
Tim Tuned: Understated presentation, premium execution. Softears Twilight arrives in a minimalist box with a gorgeous leather case, a stock cable terminated in 4.4 mm plus a 4.4→3.5 mm adapter, and a... Warm tuning done correct, one of my favorite single DD Need more treble
Bad Guy Good Audio: Bad Guy Good Audio rated Softears Twilight with a score of 7.7/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the Softears Twilight at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A+

Warm 1DD

7.8

6.5

A

Softears RSV

Jays Audio: One of the best vocals I've heard on any IEM (especially for male artists). Mids and Treble is TOTL, smooth and well extended and has great naturalness and the perfect bite. Bass has great speed and...
Gizaudio Axel: I prefer the Studio 4. Warmer, bassier, and slightly more resolving than the Studio 4, with great timbre. BA Bass.
Crin: Very well-balanced tonality with surprisingly good timbre, though slightly lacking definition.
Jaytiss: Great upper treble, but its overall tonality isn't perfect.
Precogvision: Well-tuned from top-to-bottom with good timbre. Safe to the point of boredom.
Tim Tuned: Softears RSV delivers a rare combo for a full-BA set: organic timbre without the plasticky edge. The bass carries sufficient weight with a mid-bass emphasis—tight and tasteful rather than... Timbre so beautiful you think it's not a BA set
Super* Review: Softears RSV presents as a premium, well-finished all-BA set with five balanced armatures , a secure, slightly deeper fit and above-average isolation . The package feels thoughtful—nice case,...
Shuwa-T: Mid and vocal centric set, this is not reference tuning despite the name
Nymz: A BA set that almost sounds like a DD. Needs low OI source. Bass close to U12T with more mid-bass impact. Great treble. Sub-bass and imaging can be lacking for some. My favourite vocals ever.
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Softears RSV at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
ATechReviews: Neutral, vocal focused all BA monitor with excellent midrange clarity and natural treble, but only average stage, slam and value next to strong competitors. Vocal focused tuning with clear, natural mids, realistic treble and strong separation for voices and instruments. Bass slam, overall technical performance and value are outclassed by competitors like Dunu SA6 MK II and Softears Studio 4 in the same price range.

+ 10 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: S- Treble: A Dynamics: B Soundstage: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+

U-Shaped 5BA

7.8

6.8

7

A

Sennheiser IE600

Jays Audio: Tons of detail and amazing clarity. Stage is smaller than most IEMs at/below its price tag but very well defined details and imaging within that space. Bass is detailed, but amount is not as much as...
Gizaudio Axel: Fun, V-shaped tuning. Fantastic bass (both quality and quantity), great V-shaped tuning, excellent detail, and precise imaging. Treble is too much, could use more vocal focus.
Crin: Well-tuned mids, powerful yet controlled sub-bass, with highly extended (and somewhat spicy) treble.
Jaytiss: Lots of upper trebble.
Precogvision: Well-extended on both ends of the spectrum and adds back in the upper-midrange the IE900 lacked.
Tim Tuned: Sennheiser IE600 hits with a confidently V-shaped signature: powerful yet tidy bass that thumps with dynamic-driver slam, a flat, clean lower midrange, and lively upper mids that make vocals and... Very well rouned fun subbass focus sound Treble might be too much
Super* Review: $700 buys a compact, 3D-printed metal single-DD that looks mature and fits like a glove. The IE 600 arrives with two cables ( 3.5mm and 4.4mm ) that are thin and comfy but a bit microphonic ...
Shuwa-T: Comment: Stock eartips are a disgrace. Superb clarity with good tuning and bass response Treble is on the energetic side
Nymz: The most technical DD I've heard. Tuning is not perfect for my library - V-Shape. Get's a rec for those that really enjoy a well done V DD. Could use more stage size and bass impact. Fit is not the...
Audionotions: Engaging sound signature with authoritative bass and very good treble. Mids are no slouch either. Can be spicy for some, but for what it's worth, I have no issues with the treble. Pretty impressive,...
Head-Fi.org: 15 community members have rated the Sennheiser IE600 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

+ 10 more reviews

Tuning: B+ Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: B+ Treble: B Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: B+

V-Shaped 1DD

7.8

6.7

A

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.
Yifang: Yifang rated Moondrop Variations with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7 good subbass and female vocal missing midbass and lowermids
Paul Wasabii: Legendary tribrid with clean mids, sharp imaging and immersive stage that still beats most newer hybrids around its price, though the leaner mid bass and bright treble will not suit everyone. Legendary clean and clear tuning with immersive staging, sharp imaging and treble detail that still outperforms many newer hybrids at a similar price. Leaner mid bass and somewhat intense treble can become fatiguing over long sessions and may not suit all genres or listening preferences.

+ 14 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A Dynamics: B Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A-

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.8

7.1

7.5

A

Hisenior Mega7

Gizaudio Axel: Neutral-bright hybrid with sub-bass focus, ultra clear mids and airy, detailed treble that puts clarity and technical performance ahead of warmth and slam. Great for detail lovers, less ideal for... Excellent technical performance with ultra clear mids, airy detailed treble and strong sub-bass extension for clarity focused listening. Light mid-bass punch and a bright leaning tonality make it a poor match for bassheads or anyone sensitive to forward treble.
Jaytiss: Slight hiss, slight sibilance at times, but otherwise one of the greatest.
Precogvision: Decent listen overall, a bit thinner in the treble than the Mega 5Est and more technical.
Super* Review: Neutral plus bass tuning with smooth extended treble and a comfortable, stable fit, but the Mega 7 trades excitement and standout technicalities for a more reserved presentation than many rivals. Comfortable medium size shells with stable fit, generous accessory pack and a neutral plus bass tuning that is smooth, well textured and non fatiguing for long listening sessions. Bass is a little soft and not very precise, staging and imaging feel somewhat centralized and several cheaper competitors offer more engaging vocals, dynamics and overall character for the price.
Web Search: The Hisenior Mega7 is a mid-to-upper tier hybrid IEM built around a 1DD+6BA configuration, using a 10 mm dual-cavity dynamic driver for lows plus Sonion and Knowles balanced armatures for mids and...

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+6BA

7.7

7.5

A

$749

NF Acous NE4

Web Search: The NF Acous/Audio NE4 Evolution is a modular all-BA IEM built around four Knowles drivers (22955 + 29689 + 31736 composite) and three swappable frequency-divider faceplates—Pop (red), Reference...
Paul Wasabii: NF Acoustics NE4 combines a clever swappable faceplate crossover system with a refined reference BA tuning, but its 749 dollar price feels high in the 2024 market. Innovative swappable faceplate crossover system with a balanced reference tuning that delivers clear mids, smooth extended treble and an open stage. High asking price around 749 dollars and the non reference plates either overemphasize bass or thin out the low end and stage.

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: S- Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Neutral 31736)+4BA (Knowles

7.7

7.8

A

$670

LetShuoer EJ07M

Jays Audio: Holographic staging with an amazing midrange. Great bass texture and impact. Incredibly immersive and endgame for most. Has more sub-bass and treble air than OG doesn't scale as well.
Jaytiss: Fit is an issue same as the Blessing 2 Dusk.
Precogvision: Excellent tonality and dynamic bass held back only by a lack of intangible performance.
Super* Review: Letshuoer x HBB’s Kinda Lava retunes the EJ07M toward a neutral-with-tasteful-bass-boost signature, thickening the mid-bass versus the original’s Harman-leaning sub-bass shelf. The ...
Shuwa-T: Comment: EJ07 but more low end. The bassier EJ07
Audionotions: Nearly the same as the Kinda Lava with very slight differences in the bass. More subbass at the cost of a tiny bit of midbass. Same great mids and treble. Possibly a tad less thick note weight than...
Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the LETSHUOER EJ07M at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Yifang rated LetShuoer EJ07M with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A Treble: B Dynamics: B Soundstage: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+4EST

7.7

6.7

A

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.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Dunu DK-3001 BD with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
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,...
Paul Wasabii: Brain Dance delivers a highly refined, end to end tuning with top tier technical performance that feels genuinely top of the line at its price. A slightly lighter bass density and forward mids at... Exceptional end to end technical performance with airy sub bass, super resolving mids, smooth extended treble and a spacious stage with precise imaging and layering. Lighter bass density and forward, revealing mids mean it prefers higher volumes and can be a bit too intense with hot or aggressively mixed tracks.
Joyce's Review: Very bright, technical Dunu DK3001BD with powerful yet controlled bass, forward clear vocals and a wide vertical stage, only slightly held back by treble brightness and some sibilance on certain... Excellent build and comfort with generous accessories, powerful yet clean bass, clear forward vocals, bright detailed treble, wide vertical soundstage and strong overall technical performance. Very bright treble with noticeable sibilance on some tracks can be fatiguing for sensitive listeners and makes the tuning less suitable for those who prefer a relaxed presentation.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A+ Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: S- Details: S- Imaging: A+

Bright 1DD+4BA+4P

7.7

7.8

A

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: Sounds very similar to the Hype 2 with some more sub-bass which makes it sound less artificial.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Thieaudio Hype 4 with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Yifang: Yifang rated Thieaudio Hype 4 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 11 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A- Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral 2DD+4BA

7.7

7.3

8

A

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.
Precogvision: Technical sounding but treble seems somewhat metallic and less balanced than pre-production unit.
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.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Elysian Pilgrim with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Yifang: Yifang rated Elysian Pilgrim with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Pilgrim OG delivers an open, airy and highly resolving tuning with excellent sub bass and insane value for the money, even if the mid bass could use a touch more weight. For most listeners it remains... Outstanding value with open, airy, highly detailed sound and excellent sub bass performance. Mid bass is on the lighter side, so listeners seeking extra warmth and slam may find it a bit lean.
Audio-In Reviews: Elysian Pilgrim is a bright leaning yet controlled hybrid with outstanding bass, strong technical chops and a very engaging, slightly weighty tuning that sits just behind Studio 4 among sub 500... Class leading bass quality under 500 with great dynamics, slam and sub bass extension. Lean bright treble tilt can be too energetic for sensitive listeners and the Pentaconn style connectors limit cable options.

+ 13 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A

U-Shaped 1DD+3BA

7.7

7.4

A

$589

Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass

on HiFiGO

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.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
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
Audio-In Reviews: Highly engaging basshead-focused tuning with natural treble and a great stock cable, but technical performance and midrange clarity fall short of the best in its price range. Fun basshead tuning with strong punch, natural treble and an excellent included cable and accessories. Elevated mid-bass softens midrange clarity and resolution, leaving staging and imaging only average versus similarly priced competitors.

+ 8 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: A-

Basshead 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.6

6.6

A

$680

BGVP DM9

Super* Review: Super* Review rated BGVP DM9 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the BGVP DM9 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

+ 1 more reviews

Neutral n/a

7.6

7.1

A

$530

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
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Mangird Xenns Top with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Bad Guy Good Audio: Bad Guy Good Audio rated Mangird Xenns Top with a score of 7.7/10 without adding a comment.
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

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+8BA

7.6

7.9

A

$599

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.
Precogvision: Lots of forwardness and resolution, bass is surprisingly weak. Pretty decent set for a quick listen but can be fatiguing.
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.

+ 5 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: A+

Neutral with Bass Boost 10BA

7.6

7

9.3

A

EPZ 530

Jays Audio: Great set for jazz/blues/soul/acoustic. Thick and lush. Warm but with nice treble extension. Solid tech. Vocals can be overly husky and buried in busier songs.
Jaytiss: It does some things very well. Very good item.
Z-Reviews: EPZ 530 delivers a distinctly warm , intimate presentation with forward vocals and a close, enveloping stage that can feel like a gentle heat lamp over the mix. It’s a 5BA set tuned for body...
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the EPZ 530 at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

+ 3 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Mids: B Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+

n/a 5BA

7.6

7

A

$449

Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch

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.
Paul Wasabii: Proper basshead tuning with heavy sub-bass, clear vocals and tamed treble that invites higher volume; not the tightest hit but well executed. True basshead tilt with heavy sub-bass, clear vocals and strong layering, separation and staging. Bass trades tightness and slam for weight, with slightly recessed mids and restrained treble limiting versatility.
Joyce's Review: Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch is a sub-bass focused, energetic V-shaped IEM for heavy bass listeners that still keeps vocals clear and detailed. Treble is bright and spicy and the shells are on the larger... Powerful sub-bass and impactful V-shaped tuning with clear mids, vivid treble and strong technical performance for bass focused listeners. Large shells and bright, spicy treble can be fatiguing or uncomfortable for smaller ears and for listeners who are sensitive to upper treble.

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: A-

Basshead 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.6

7

A

$550

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
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Dunu SA6 Ultra with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.

+ 8 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Neutral 6BA

7.6

6.9

A

$1,000

Sony IER-M9

Crin: Neutral tonality, highly coherent and decent detail pickup. The all-rounder of the IER lineup.
Precogvision: Boring, but you won't find anything more well-rounded for the price. Exceptional timbre for a BA IEM.
Tim Tuned: Just great accross the board, nothing to fault Not very special
Audionotions: Nice note weight, very balanced, shockingly good at imaging held back by finicky fit and vacuum seal - fit issues can be resolved by changing tips though (for me the stock silicone LL tips eliminated...
Yifang: Yifang rated Sony IER-M9 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: C+ Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Neutral 5BA

7.6

6.5

7.5

A

QoA Martini

Web Search: The QoA Martini is a six-driver hybrid IEM using 1 dynamic driver, 4 balanced armatures and 1 bone-conduction driver in a four-way crossover, positioned in the upper mid-tier with an MSRP around...
Joyce's Review: QoA Martini is a $599 hybrid with a sub-bass-focused, airy-bright tuning that combines powerful yet controlled low-end with crisp, spacious mids and refined, detailed treble. The presentation leans... Powerful but controlled sub-bass with airy, detailed mids and treble that create a refreshing, martini-like presentation. Leans bright and slightly dry, so listeners seeking warmer, thicker mids and a denser, more intimate stage may prefer alternatives like the Emerald.

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: S- Tech: A+ Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA+1BC

7.5

8

A

$900

LetShuoer EJ07

Jays Audio: TOTL mids. Most 3D and holographic staging yet. Imaging, separation, layering, and staging are all S level - only thing that's holding it back is the darker treble which can lead to softer notes vs,...
Shuwa-T: Comment: My favourite of the EJ lineup. Vocal centric with great clarity and thick note weights in the midrange Bass may be too polite
Audionotions: Very engaging and very natural sounding. Decent technicalities. Instruments sound correct. Staging and imaging very good for an IEM. Very enjoyable. Leans dark and maybe a bit lacking in treble...
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Letshuoer EJ07 at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

+ 3 more reviews

Tuning: S- Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A

n/a n/a

7.5

7

A-

$829

Eminent Ears Emarald

Web Search: The Eminent Ears Emerald is positioned as the most accessible model in the brand’s Gemstone series, designed by a small Hong Kong team of enthusiasts as a more attainable entry into their line-up....
Joyce's Review: Balanced, vocal focused bone conduction IEM with tight sub bass, smooth refined treble, and versatile tuning that suits many genres. Packaging feels slightly less premium than the sound and price... Balanced, vocal centered tuning with controlled sub bass, smooth refined treble, and strong genre versatility. Packaging and visual presentation feel less premium than the price, and technical performance stops short of the most holographic and resolving competitors.

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+2BA+1BC

7.4

6.9

A-

$649

Intuaura Purple

Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Intuaura Purple with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Intuaura Purple brings a polished, pricey package: lush purple shells, a comfy fit, and a cable that looks the part—even if the accessories feel recycled from cheaper siblings. The kicker is the...
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Intuaura Purple at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

+ 2 more reviews

n/a 1DD

7.4

7.1

A-

$950

Hidition Viento B

Tim Tuned: Most speaker-like IEMs I've heard. Extremely cohesive Timbre a bit grainy. CIEM graphs better
Shuwa-T: Comment: Clarity takes a backseat with superb tuning. As perfect as tuning gets Bass quality is lacking in layering and detail

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: S- Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A+

n/a n/a

7.4

6.8

A-

$600

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: Fantastic BA bass with a strong U-shape coloration.
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 ...
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Symphonium Audio Meteor with a score of 7.2/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Yifang: Yifang rated Symphonium Audio Meteor with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: B+ Bass: A Mids: B Treble: B Dynamics: A Soundstage: A+ Details: B+ Imaging: A-

U-Shaped 4BA

7.4

6.2

A-

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.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated FlipEars Aegis with a score of 7.4/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Paul Wasabii: Bass-forward with relaxed treble; engaging weight but lacks sparkle and snap. Better value exists either cheaper in this signature or by stepping up to Legion. Premium build and cable with a massive low-end presence reinforced by bone conduction. Treble is too relaxed and transients feel soft, reducing excitement and undermining value at this price.

+ 5 more reviews

Tuning: B+ Tech: B+ Bass: A- Mids: B- Treble: B Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: C+ Details: A Imaging: A

Basshead 1DD+1BC

7.4

6.5

8

A-

ORIVETI OH700VB

Jays Audio: Replaced by Astral. A more engaging Supernova, cleaner, with better sub-bass, and vocals. Very big stage and fantastic separation and layering. Vocals are airy without being too sharp. Lots of...
Jaytiss: This is like a supernova with better Bass, but slightly less technical.
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the Oriveti OH700VB at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 2 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A-

Neutral 6DD BA

7.4

7

A-

Fiio FH19

Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Fiio FH19 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral warm allrounder with strong dynamics, above average stage and great accessories, but treble air and microdetail fall a bit short of the very best at this price. Neutral warm tuning with engaging bass, natural mids, smooth treble and above average staging and imaging. Slightly relaxed upper mids, limited treble air and microdetail, and overall performance that does not quite match some similarly priced favorites like SA6 EST, Xuanwu Gate or IE600.

+ 3 more reviews

Tuning: B+ Tech: A+ Bass: A+ Mids: B+ Treble: A Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: A Imaging: A+

n/a 2DD+6BA

7.4

7.1

A-

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
Yifang: Yifang rated Kiwi Ears Orchestra with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 Great soundstage. addicting mids bass is barely there

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A Details: B+ Imaging: B

Neutral 8BA

7.4

7

A-

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....

+ 8 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: B+ Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: B+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A- Details: B Imaging: B-

Neutral 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.4

6.4

A-

$699

BGVP Astrum

Web Search: The BGVP Astrum is a tribrid IEM with a 2DD+2BA+2EST array, using a coaxial dual 8 mm dynamic module for lows, Knowles BAs for mids/highs, and Sonion ESTs for the ultra-treble. This configuration,...
Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the BGVP Astrum at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Paul Wasabii: A pronounced 5 kHz rise creates "fake detail" and flattens staging; EST treble is capable but masked unless EQ reduces 5 kHz and lifts 10 kHz. Attractive build with lively bass and a competent EST treble once EQ tames the 5 kHz emphasis. Pronounced 5 kHz peak causes fatigue and a flat, congested stage, with bass turning boomy at higher volume; needs EQ.

+ 2 more reviews

Tuning: B+ Tech: B+ Bass: A- Mids: B+ Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: A+

W-Shaped 2DD+2BA+2EST

7.3

6.3

A-

$1,000

Symphonium Titan

Jays Audio: Most balanced bass set I've heard so far without sacrificing the fun/texture/impact in the low-end. Open staging, full sounding, deep sub-bass, vocals aren't buried either. No big peaky treble, good...
Precogvision: Precogvision rated Symphonium Titan with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Symphonium Titan with a score of 7.3/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Symphonium Titan shows up with a big box, a blue theme, and a cable that feels too soft for a $1,000 set, plus a hefty metal case that could double as a tiny sarcophagus. The shell styling reads...
Yifang: Yifang rated Symphonium Titan with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A+ Tech: A Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: A Details: A- Imaging: A-

Basshead 1DD+2BA

7.3

6.8

A-

$669

Letshuore EJ07M Kinda Lava

Crin: Crin rated Letshuore EJ07M Kinda Lava with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Precogvision: Basically the EJ07M with some adjustment to the bass for more clarity.
Tim Tuned: Balanced, Versatile. HBB's Best Small EST (treble) incoherency
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Letshuore EJ07M Kinda Lava with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: My favourite out of the EJ lineup. Excellent tonal balance, engaging midrange and somewhat pronounced treble Driver flex is annoying though
Nymz: Less sub, a hair more mid-bass 07m but well done. Keeps the techs and the other frequencies, adding warmth and bones to the mids and better clarity/coherency. I prefer it to stock 07m by a hair, but...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Bad Guy Good Audio rated Letshuore EJ07M Kinda Lava with a score of 7.7/10 without adding a comment.
Audionotions: One of the most solid all-rounders I've tried. Great bass, great mids, good treble extension. Very natural sounding. The only con I can think of is the bright red shells (my KL has the black shells)?...

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: B+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: A Details: B+ Imaging: B+

V-Shaped n/a

7.3

6.7

A-

$800

Symphonium Giant

Jays Audio: Super warm and thick, mid-bass centric, basically the Meteor with less treble and more low-end, needs power, turns into basshead at higher volumes, very bassy.
Jaytiss: There's warm, warmer, then a huge gap, then the Giant. Warmiest.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Symphonium Giant with a score of 7.6/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Symphonium Giant comes in at $700 with a head-scratching spec sheet that vaguely says “ hybrid BA + custom-tuned DD ” while shouting about a 7Ω impedance . That ultra-low load is the story:...
Paul Wasabii: Polished bass-first tuning with speed and control; mids stay clear and treble is relaxed. Not the most resolving at this price. Fast, clean bass with natural lower-mid body and relaxed, non-fatiguing treble. Resolution lags multi-BA rivals at the price and it is sensitive to source impedance.

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: B+ Bass: A+ Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A

n/a n/a

7.3

6.5

A-

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.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Simgot EM10 with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.
ATechReviews: Strong Harman style tuning with big sub bass and forward mids, but technical performance and value do not really justify the $440 price tag compared to rivals. Engaging Harman inspired tuning with strong sub bass, forward mids, safe treble and very comfortable fit and isolation. High price for average technical performance, slightly pulled back treble and bass slam plus sample specific channel mismatch make the overall value proposition weak in this segment.
Joyce's Review: Simgot EM10 combines a striking hybrid design, engaging V shaped tuning and rich treble detail that works well for vocals and energetic tracks. Bass quantity is strong but reverb and only average sub... Striking hybrid design with rich treble detail, strong midrange clarity and a generous accessory pack including modular cable. Bass reverb is a bit excessive, sub bass extension is only average and the upper treble can sound slightly sharp on brighter tracks.

+ 7 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: B+ Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: B+

n/a 1DD+8BA+1PZT

7.3

7

A-

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
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
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...
Yifang: Yifang rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A- Details: B Imaging: B

Neutral 6BA

7.3

6.1

7.7

A-

Yanyin Moonlight

Jays Audio: Balanced, smooth, and clean presentation that scales beautifully with slightly forward/powerful vocals.
Crin: Crin rated Yanyin Moonlight with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Tim Tuned: Yanyin Moonlight sets up as a $649 tri-brid with a sub-bass-focused low end and notably shy mid-bass . Bass quality is smooth and competent with decent texture and dynamics, but quantity is... Great vocal centric signature & Imaging a bit safe bass and treble wise
Shuwa-T: Comment: Best tribrid around $600, addictive midrange. Good detail retrieval backed by rich mids Midbass light for some
Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the Yanyin Moonlight at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: A- Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA+2EST

7.3

6.7

A-

$550

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
Super* Review: Dunu SA6 presents as a $550, six-BA set with standout build quality : a solid resin shell with real-wood faceplates that’s surprisingly light yet sturdy. The medium-sized shell and slightly...
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.
Yifang: Yifang rated Dunu SA6 with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 jack of all trades leaves me wanting something more

+ 9 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: B Imaging: B-

Neutral 6BA

7.3

6.8

A-

$700

Thieaudio Clairvoyance

Crin: Inoffensive, pleasant tuning specialising in extremely balanced tonality and bass control.
Precogvision: A more pleasant, warmer Monarch with cutbacks in resolution.
Tim Tuned: Amazingly balanced tuning
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Thieaudio Clairvoyance with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Subbass hump is real. Balanced sounding across all frequencies

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: B+ Bass: B+ Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B

Neutral 1DD+5BA+2EST

7.3

6.5

A-

$730

Thieaudio Monarch

Jays Audio: Endgame clarity and layering. Clean, clear, and balanced all-rounder sound. Great resolution, and open staging. Rumbly sub-bass but mid-bass tuck can kill some libraries and affect vocal thinness.
Crin: Neutral with bass boost
Precogvision: Not particularly coherent, but an attention grabber with solid, surface-level detail.
Tim Tuned: Superb separation, fun clean signature
Super* Review: The ThieAudio Monarch is an unapologetically “extra” tribrid IEM at around $720 , packing a dynamic driver for bass, six BAs for mids, and two EST tweeters. Accessories impress—especially...
Shuwa-T: Comment: Less steep subbass hump, clearer midrange. Balanced sounding across all frequencies Lower mids on thinner side

+ 5 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: A Bass: B+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: B+

U-Shaped 1DD+6BA+2EST

7.3

7.2

A-

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...

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+3BA+1Planar

7.2

7.5

A-

$679

SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE

Jaytiss: Early, but very nice so far.
Paul Wasabii: Flagship-grade build with excellent bass execution and natural midrange weight. Treble is tuned too safely, limiting air, dynamics, and spatial realism for the price. Beautiful flagship-grade build with well-executed bass and natural vocal weight. Upper treble is too safe for the price, limiting dynamics, detail, and spatial cues.

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: B Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: B- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A Details: B+ Imaging: A-

n/a n/a

7.2

5.9

A-

$600

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.
Precogvision: Sounds warm and relatively pleasant, a bit QDC inspired. EST implementation rolls off and could use more texturing overall.
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.
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated I/O Volare with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.

+ 6 more reviews

Tuning: A- Tech: B+ Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A- Details: A+ Imaging: A+

n/a 1DD+4BA+4EST

7.2

6

A-

$384

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6

on HiFiGO