IEMs Reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii IEM Tier List

Home Reviewer Paul Wasabii
Paul Wasabii Info
IEMs Reviewed: 12
Average score given: 7.2

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Paul Wasabii is an IEM-focused reviewer with a calm, methodical style and no-hype delivery. He prioritizes tuning first, then breaks down technicalities like detail retrieval, imaging, staging, and layering in clear, everyday language. Expect pragmatic value calls, consistent scoring, and frequent A/B comparisons to well-known sets for context. His reviews emphasize real-world usability—fit, accessories, and build—alongside concise pros/cons and practical recommendations by budget and use-case.

Paul Wasabii does not use a numeric scale; the scores/grades shown are IEMRanking’s interpretation of the review.

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Top 10 IEMs by score-to-price ratio based on the selected filters. Click a point to view the IEM.

Comparison of sound metrics for the top 3 IEMs.

Grade Price Name Tuning Drivers Reviews Scores
S

Elysian Apostle

  • Paul Wasabii: Mid-centric endgame with a tactile yet controlled low end, holographic space, and seamless EST extension. Demands a neutral source and may feel a touch weighty on classical.  Endgame-level mid-centric tuning with transparent mids, expansive imaging and stage, tactile LSR bass, and cohesive, effortless EST treble.  Mid-centric balance and elevated bass can feel heavy on some classical and prefers flat sources; treble engagement may underwhelm V-shaped listeners.
Tuning: S Tech: S Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S Dynamics: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S
V-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST
9.6
S-
$409

Yu9 Que

  • Paul Wasabii: Polished, speaker-like tuning with tactile bass, clean extension and standout imaging makes it a class-leading $400 hybrid. Minor nitpicks: mids can edge forward, and it prefers a bit more volume and...  Polished, speaker-like balance with tactile bass, linear fatigue-free treble and excellent imaging for the price.  Mids can sit a bit forward and the presentation benefits from higher volume and a deeper, secure fit.
Tuning: S- Tech: S- Bass: S- Mids: A+ Treble: S- Dynamics: S- Soundstage: S- Details: S- Imaging: S-
Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+3BA
8.7
8.5
A

Letshuoer S12 Ultra

  • Paul Wasabii: Warm, smoother take on S12 with weightier mids and easier treble. A safe, coherent planar many will prefer, though less open and lively than S12 2024.  Smooth, coherent tuning with planar resolve and good value, plus modular cable and a usable dongle.  Stage depth and height feel compressed versus S12 2024, and bass can turn slightly boomy on dense mixes.
Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: B+
U-Shaped 1Planar (14.8 mm)
7.6
A

Crinear Daybreak

  • Paul Wasabii: End-to-end balanced hybrid that needs some volume; bass hits clean and treble extends without harshness, but vocals are less forward. Strong EDM performance with better layering and imaging than the...  EDM-friendly balance with clean impact, non-harsh treble extension, and solid layering at higher volume.  Needs higher volume to open up and the 2–5 kHz region can feel a touch energetic for vocal-first listeners.
Tuning: A Tech: A- Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A Dynamics: A Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A
Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+2BA+2mPT
7.6
7.4
A
$679

SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE

  • 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.
Tuning: A Tech: B+ Bass: A+ Mids: A Treble: B+ Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: A-
n/a n/a
7.5
B+

SIMGOT EG280

  • Paul Wasabii: Gaming-focused hybrid with DSP presets and a long USB-C cable. Resolving with sharp imaging, but the stock tuning is bright and benefits from EQ for music.  Capable hybrid drivers with good resolve, plus onboard DSP and WalkPlay presets for game-specific tuning.  Stock tuning is bright for music and the soundstage is only average without presets.
Tuning: A- Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A Imaging: A-
U-Shaped 1DD+1Planar
6.8
B+

KZ Duet

  • Paul Wasabii: Dual dynamic drivers in an earbud style shell deliver tight, fast bass with clear mids and lively treble that suit both music and gaming; sub-bass weight is modest. The optional DSP dongle is handy...  Clean, sharp imaging with big projected stage and tight, fast bass makes it good for both music and gaming.  Sub-bass is light and the mid/treble edge can read a bit BA-like or fatiguing for some listeners.
Tuning: B+ Tech: A- Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A-
n/a n/a
6.8
B+

ZiiGaat Crescent

  • Paul Wasabii: A relaxed, lower-tilted take on Odyssey that emphasizes bass texture and warmer mids with a vintage vibe. Intimate stage and slower bass keep it from being an all-rounder.  Relaxed, warmer tuning with tasteful bass texture and hybrid clarity.  Intimate stage and lingering, slower bass reduce excitement for fast, energetic genres.
Tuning: B+ Tech: B+ Bass: B+ Mids: B+ Treble: B Dynamics: B Soundstage: B Details: B+ Imaging: B+
Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+2BA
6.7
7.4
B+

Ziigaat Odyssey 2

  • Paul Wasabii: Retune softens the Odyssey’s treble bite but shifts energy around 2.5 kHz, which makes vocals thinner and hurts volume scaling; the original feels more balanced. Nice build refresh and modular...  Improved build and modular cable with a calmer top end that suits low-volume listening.  Upper-mid emphasis thins vocals at volume and the retune trades air, separation, and body versus the original.
Tuning: B Tech: B Bass: B+ Mids: B Treble: B Dynamics: B Soundstage: B Details: B Imaging: B
Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+3BA
6.6
8.2
B+

CCA Phoenix

  • Paul Wasabii: Strong LCP driver with tight mid bass and clear mids, but upper mids and treble run hot above Harman; best at low volume or with EQ. Excellent value once dialed in.  Fast and controlled driver with engaging mid bass, clear mids, and strong extension for the price.  Upper mids and treble are too elevated, flattening stage and requiring EQ or low volume to avoid glare.
Tuning: C+ Tech: B+ Bass: B+ Mids: B Treble: B- Soundstage: B Details: B+ Imaging: B
n/a n/a
6.6
B
$20

EarAcoustic x zkaaai Cipher

  • Paul Wasabii: Vocal-centric budget set with ~15–17 dB ear gain; the USB-C version exposes WalkPlay PEQ via Squig so it can be retuned into a more balanced listen. Driver and DSP are merely okay, and there is...  USB-C version supports WalkPlay PEQ via Squig, enabling easy EQ to a balanced curve for very little money.  Stock tuning is extreme ear-gain vocal focus and the driver/DSP quality is modest with some dongle noise.
Tuning: C+ Tech: C+ Bass: C+ Mids: B Treble: C+
n/a 1DD
6
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