Best IEMs with great mids

7th Acoustics Asteria

• Precogvision: Pretty much the closest to a tonal panacea that I've heard only held back by the bass.
• Web Search: The 7th Acoustics Asteria is a hybrid flagship built around a 10 mm dynamic driver for bass and twelve balanced-armature drivers covering mids through super-treble (5-way crossover), packaged in a...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: 7th Acoustics Asteria arrives as a limited run of 77 units at around $3,800 , presented in a numbered box with premium trimmings. The shells are described as the most beautiful seen in the...  As technical as a PMG SE but smooth like an RN6 (engaging mids) Flawless for my library

Elysian Apostle

• Jays Audio: Clean, neutral, and clear vocals. Reminds me of a cleaner Volume S or slightly better OG Oracle, but very expensive, maybe if you can find one around $1000 since it's more of a sidegrade to RSV,...
• Gizaudio Axel: Exceptional in every way.  Incredibly textured bass, forward vocals, top-tier EST treble, and insane detail.
• Jaytiss: Instrument separation is good, and is a nice darkness, but can be silbilant.
• Web Search: The Elysian Apostle delivers a V-shaped signature with a powerful, sub-bass-focused low end that offers substantial rumble and physicality, though some listeners might find it occasionally...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Elysian Apostle at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Campfire Moon Rover

• Jaytiss: It's a littled relaxed in the bass, but has a fun nice tune.
• Super* Review: Not cheap and you can get stuff which sounds better for less to be honest. I like the build quality and form factor. Sound-wise not for everybody, but for me.

Brise Audio Fugaku

• Precogvision: World-class bass with incredible depth and dynamics. Held back by a slightly unrefined treble response.
• Smirk Audio: World-class bass dynamics and slam. Coherent and fleshed out soundstage. Full-bodied notes. Slightly relaxed treble and lower mids. Upper mids slightly forward. Cons: Price, requires proprietary...
• Web Search: The Brise Audio Fugaku represents a radical departure from conventional IEM design, functioning as an integrated portable audio system rather than standalone earphones. Its core innovation lies in...
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Cutting edge tech and innovation  Lacks slam on 808 drops. Cannot be EQ'd to do otherwise. Is a crippling handicap for people with Hip hop and EDM trance libraries.
• Fox Told Me So: Fugaku is a MEMS-powered IEM that wears its identity loud and clear: air—tons of it. The moment you hit play, you’re greeted by an open, shimmering atmosphere that screams treble authority....

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

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.

Oriolus Traillii

• Precogvision: Dull microdynamics and treble at a not-so-dull price.
• Smirk Audio: Very natural and balanced-sounding set. Exquisite voicing and tuning. Soundstage is somewhat intimate. Bass is plasticky and lacks slam/texture. Cons: Price.
• Bad Guy Good Audio: It looks like the transcript content didn’t come through. I’ll still provide a concise, provisional summary in Bad Guy Good Audio–style based on well-known impressions of the Oriolus Traillii....  Pleasant tonaity, great detail retrieval  polite bass and stupid $$ for nothing evolutionary

Nicehck Rockies

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

Softears Enigma

• Gizaudio Axel: Endgame-level detail paired with great tonality.  Exceptional detail, high-quality bass, balanced tonality, and excellent timbre.  The bass has a fast decay.
• Web Search: The Softears Enigma is a flagship tribrid IEM using a 12-driver array (2DD+6BA+4EST) with a hybrid 5-way/4-way crossover and an aluminum shell; the package also includes a premium Effect Audio cable....
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Softears Enigma at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

Xenns Top Pro

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

Elysian Diva

• Gizaudio Axel: One of the best IEMs for vocals.  Dynamic driver-like bass, natural vocal reproduction, and an incredibly smooth tonality.  Could use a bit more mid-bass for my taste.
• Precogvision: Excellent BA bass and aggressive listen that maintains Elysian's house sound.
• Tim Tuned:  Addictive smooth, natural treble....top tier tuning overall  mid bass shy
• Smirk Audio: Forward, hyperpigmented vocals. Great tuning and solid techs. 3-way bass switch adds tuning versatility. An exciting listen. Cons: Build quality concerns.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Balanced sounding with bass volume switches, only gripe is MMCX connector.  Near perfect tuning, amazing bass response for BA and superb treble extension  It got outsourced for production and now the QC is looking shoddier
• Nymz: Did nothing to my soul, but did nothing wrong as well.
• Audionotions: Fantastic, vocal foward signature. Excellent bass that has the speed of a BA with the impact of a DD. Incredibly clean mids and well extended treble. Imaging is fantastic on this set. Incredibly...
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the Elysian Diva at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

qdc 8ss

• Crin: The neutral "studio monitor" of qdc's 8-series of IEMs, lacking a bit in overall extension.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Least bass of the higher-end qdc lineup.  Balanced sounding at all frequencies  Bass linearity will be boring to most

Fort Ears Mefisto

• Smirk Audio: Demoed with "Temptation" cable.
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Fort Ears Mefisto at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tomb

• Smirk Audio: Highly resolving, technical, and balanced across the frequency spectrum. Is shouty/edgy in the upper mids/lower treble. Cons: Price, treble peak.
• Web Search: The Unique Melody Mason FS Soleil Tombé delivers a neutrally balanced sound signature characterized by a smooth, analog-like tonality across lows and mids, paired with naturally resolving treble....

Quill Acoustics Satin

• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Quill Acoustics Satin at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor

• Smirk Audio: Immersive soundstage. Euphonic, lush mids, and inoffensive treble. Lacks incisiveness and upper mids can get a little intense. Cons: Price.
• Shuwa-T:  Midrange lush, thick instrument note weight  Price, what else

Melodic Artification Alter Ego

• Smirk Audio: Textured, punchy bass. Great staging width, okay depth. Resolving midrange and slightly polite highs. Slightly dry timbre. Great all-rounder.
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Melodic Artification Alter Ego at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Oriolus Traillii Ti

Nostalgia Audio Tesseract

• Shuwa-T:  Midbass and midrange focused, while boasting very clear midrange  Treble can be intense
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Nostalgia Audio Tesseract at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

qdc White Tiger

• Shuwa-T:  Midrange focused, niche tuning that does not sacrifice too much on clarity and ease of listening  Subbass roll off, has the softest presentation within the entire upper 25%

AFUL Dawn-X

• Jays Audio: Smooth treble, natural timbre, good sub-bass focused set, but transients can be a bit soft, and vocals are pulled back lacking final extension - non-fatiguing but not very engaging and "dynamic". A...
• Gizaudio Axel: Balanced all-rounder with fun bass, lifelike mids, very smooth and refined treble, highly resolving and immersive, with great soundstage and precise imaging.  Textured, punchy bass, natural mids, ethereal female vocals, smooth, airy, and non-fatiguing treble, top-tier resolution.
• Jaytiss: This has a really natural midrange, best BC iem I've heard by far.
• Super* Review: Super Review says AFUL’s Dawn-X is the brand’s best execution of its house sound yet—a $1,300 flagship tribrid with 14 drivers (DD + 8 BA + 4 EST + bone conduction) that fits comfortably and...
• Web Search: The AFUL Dawn-X is a 14-driver quadbrid IEM—1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC—wired together via a six-way electronic + physical crossover and AFUL’s 3D Micro-Resonance acoustic paths; the stabilized-wood...
• Audionotions: Slightly warm tilted neutral. Very well balanced with a tasteful bass boost. Bass is surprisingly very weighty and textured with quick decay so bass notes don't linger and overstay their welcome....
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the AFUL DAWN-X at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

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.

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.

Subtonic STORM

• Jays Audio: The best IEM I've ever heard. Best timbre. Super natural. TOTL tech. It's just good. That's all.
• Gizaudio Axel: The most detailed IEM I’ve ever heard.  Exceptional resolution, neutral sound signature.  Hard to drive.
• Precogvision: Easily at the top for resolution and dynamic contrast, accompanied by rigid transients and pinpoint layering.
• Tim Tuned: Subtonic STORM closes the list as the ultra-high-end, “one-and-done” pick—the kind of most expensive flagship that needs no hype because the name says it all. Chosen for a “ versatile ”...  The most extraodinary normal sounding IEM ever. Amazing all-around  big and heavy shell
• Smirk Audio: World-class resolution and layering. Extreme, almost exaggerated dynamics. Staging is large but not class-leading.
• Web Search: The Subtonic Storm delivers a balanced sound signature characterized by a generous sub-bass boost, neutral midrange, and an elevated, articulate treble response. Its standout feature is the...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: TOTL tuning with TOTL technicalities to boot.  Perfectly tuned, unparalled detail retrieval, staging, imaging, and proper holographic background as a cohesive package  The price I guess
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Subtonic STORM lands as a $5,200 flagship built around novel SLAM balanced-armature tech: the dual BA “subwoofer” and “woofer” are separated and crossed over independently, joined by a...  Technical excellence (accuracy). Near perfect tuning. Bass...great  Price. Wait.
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Subtonic STORM at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Canpur CP622B

• Jaytiss: A good set, but lacks magic for me to justify keeping.
• Smirk Audio: Highly technical with great tuning and vocals. Punchy mid-bass with great sub-bass extension. Can sound somewhat unexciting and dry on some sources. Cons: Poor quality stock cable.
• Shuwa-T:  Similar to the Storm, but with greater focus to bass dynamics at the cost of less clarity  Price Price
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Canpur CP622B is positioned as a true apex set among today’s ultra-high-end IEMs—think Storm, Grand Maestro, Pearl, Multiverse, RN6—where differences are subtle and taste-dependent, not...  Resolution and tactile slam with not ultra boosted bass. brilliant tuning. Tactility only shows under extreme bass hits between 50 and 100Hz. Not sure why? Otherwise very oudiophile replay of rhythm section

Campire Audio Clara Ti

• Smirk Audio: Muscular bass with large bass notes. Male vocal timbre slightly odd, female vocals are nice. Some vocal grain present. Decent overall techs. Cons: Buy the non-Ti version for $1k less.
• Web Search: Campfire Audio Clara Ti is the Titanium Launch Edition of Clara—limited to 50 units—with a 3D-printed titanium shell and an included 8-wire 4.4 mm cable; it retains the same sonic profile as the...

Ziigaat Odyssey

• Jays Audio: A warm/mini Subtonic Storm that scales better and fuller with less tech. A musical odyssey. High volume set, great scaling, a cleaner/midrange focused Explorer with better layering and detail. Takes...
• Gizaudio Axel: Fun and engaging tuning. It's like a more exciting version of the KE4.  Great bass, natural vocals that aren't shouty, and excellent treble extension.  The lower treble can be too much.
• Jaytiss: Great tune, upper trebble is kinda funky, but basically perfectly tuned.
• Tim Tuned: Ziigaat Odyssey takes the new Meta tuning and gives it a more V-shaped , exciting twist. It keeps the beautiful mid-range intact while adding extra energy to both bass and treble , landing...  Fantastic V-shape Meta Tuned  Could use a bit less mid-treble spiciness
• Web Search: The Ziigaat Odyssey offers a balanced take on the popular Meta tuning, emphasizing sub-bass rumble while maintaining a clean midrange. Its bass provides satisfying depth without bleeding into the...
• Fresh Reviews: Some titles B
• Head-Fi.org: 11 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Odyssey at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Audio Amigo: Slighly colored neutral sound signature. Warm, clean, slightly recessed vocals. Great all-rounder. Enough coloration to not be boring. Accessories are dissapointing.

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
• 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...
• 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: 3 community members have rated the Softears RSV-MKII at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Vision Ears VE7

• Crin: Fairly inoffensive tuning with solid technicalities.
• Precogvision: Very pleasant tonal balance for the astute midrange connoisseur and solid technicalities.
• Shuwa-T:  Atypical VE tuning that leans bright, detailed and resolving without being overly sparkly
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the Vision Ears VE7 at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

ThieAudio Monarch MK4

• Jays Audio: Smooth, clean, balanced, and slightly airy in the balance switch. Goes from a clean all-rounder to a warm/bassy all-rounder. Great tech. Basically a cheaper Prestige LTD with more tuning options....
• Jaytiss: Detailed fun, rich bass. It's hard to fault.
• Precogvision: Excellent detail retreival and competent tuning. Can be slightly thin sounding and forward in the treble.
• Tim Tuned: ThieAudio Monarch MK4 arrives with the usual hype and a clear step-up in presentation: a thick, high-quality premium cable with interchangeable terminations, plenty of tips and tools, and a...
• Super* Review: Kind of an impressive sound signature. A little bit dry in its bass presentation. Sounds a little bit clinical with its stock tuning. Maybe a bit too much bass in rumble mode. But it's kind of nice...
• Web Search: The Thieaudio Monarch MK4 introduces a practical tuning switch, letting users flip between Standard for a neutral, detailed profile and Rumble for a pronounced 3dB sub-bass boost. This flexibility...
• Fresh Reviews: Great All Rounder
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Monarch MK IV lands as a top-three set, sitting just behind the PMG APXSE and CP622B, and it earns that spot with an evolutionary design: a single, tactile rumble switch that can be flipped...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Thieaudio Monarch MKIV at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

Yu9 Que

• Jays Audio: Smooth listen, non-fatiguing, balanced and leans towards neutral, scales good, full, natural, but lacks dynamics/transients and vocal extension. Reminds me of the OG SA6 with a little more treble and...
• Jaytiss: Clean neutral nice mids. This iem is dumb, just buy it.
• Precogvision: Exceptional tuning and treble refinement; sets the benchmark at $400.
• Web Search: The YU9 Que is a hybrid IEM using 1 dynamic driver + 3 balanced armatures, positioned in the mid-upper price tier with an MSRP around $399. Retail listings confirm the configuration (10 mm LF DD with...
• Audionotions: Balanced, contrasty, highly resolving. Very good transients. Tight bass, clean mids, very well extended treble. The only glaring flaw is the one-dimensional imaging - there is very little layering,...
• Fox Told Me So: YU9 Audio QUE is a $300 hybrid (1DD + 3BA) with a name rooted in Chinese culture—“阙” (QUE, palace), paired with a fish bone logo from “鱼” (YU, fish). Shells are aluminum with a...
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the YU9 Que at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Craft Ears x Elise Audio Omnium Ti

• Jaytiss: Really excellent, really fun.

64 Audio U12T

• Jays Audio: TOTL tech. Mid-scoop can affect mids/vocal texture and placement, recessed midrange, treble is harsh at high volumes. Great bass detail, but could have more impact.
• Crin: Amazing bass (for a BA), top-tier resolution and detail-oriented signature.
• Jaytiss: Just Smooth and nice, great all arounder with smooth technicals, but too boring.
• Precogvision: Terrific dynamic range and soundstage depth; the closest I have heard to a two-channel system in an IEM for these qualities.
• Tim Tuned:  Extremely versatile signature, great bass and details  Potentially too safe tuning wise
• Super* Review: The 64 Audio U12t lands exactly where its reputation suggests: a warm , laid-back , yet highly detailed all-rounder that stays engaging without ever turning fatiguing . With the apex M15 ...
• Smirk Audio: Good resolution and dynamics with great imaging. Smooth, slightly recessed upper-mids with an upper treble peak.
• Web Search: The 64 Audio U12t is a mature flagship-class UIEM built around twelve balanced armatures per side and the company’s tia (open-BA) and apex pressure-relief tech; it lists at $1,999. Module options...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Really clean sounding monitor with excellent technical aspects.  Bass texture, superb clarity  Can sound too sterile
• Nymz: As good as it gets. Great tuning and techs. Best set I've heard to date. Closest thing to speakers. Love it.
• Audionotions: Amazing separation and presentation, amazing bass that extends down low and hits pretty authoritavely (not just in the context of BA sets - very good quantity and quality). Pretty interesting tuning...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the 64 Audio U12T at an average of 3.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Mixed to Positive.

EPZ P50

• Jays Audio: Clean balanced tuning done right. A better tuned MEGA5EST & MOONDROP Meteor with fuller low-end, and more treble extension, same tech, but more dynamic - also half the price. A Mega5EST with better...
• Jaytiss: For me this has some oddities. It would be higher if those weren't there.
• Tim Tuned:  Beautifully done tuning all around  Nitpick: Bass dynamic could be better
• Super* Review: Bass can be a little bit on the distracting side if you are looking for a neutral sound signature. Contrasty meta-tuning.
• Web Search: The EPZ P50 is a tribrid with a 10 mm dynamic driver, two balanced armatures, and two micro planar drivers, implemented in a semi-open back shell and a three-way crossover—an uncommon configuration...
• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the EPZ P50 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
• Audio Amigo: Wonderful vocal forward all-rounder. Balanced, clean, detailed, sound. Has Length mode issues. So the Treble might be harsh for some. Nice accessories. Custom designed versions available.

Canpur CP74E

• Smirk Audio: Punchy bass with some bass body bloat. Pleasant, euphonic vocal timbre with good note body. Decent treble minus the lower/mid-treble dip.
• Shuwa-T:  Retains all the techs of the 622b with a more tamed bass presentation, overall arguably more balanced sounding than the 622b  Bass transition to lower midrange may not work well for slower genres requiring a higher midbass shelf; less versatile
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Canpur’s CP74E steps in as the “just-under-flagship” sibling to the CP622B, packing 7 balanced armatures + 4 EST (11 drivers) and a neutral-warm tuning. The graph shows a tidy ~10 dB box ...

Elysian Annihilator 2021

• Crin: Elysian Annihilator 2021 presents a highly balanced yet distinctly treble-forward tuning: energetic upper mids paired with world-class treble that delivers striking clarity , microdetail, and...
• Precogvision: Agressive listen with excellent resolution and, currently, the only true implementation of the EST drivers.
• Tim Tuned:  Speediest Treble, well extended, high details  Midbass a bit too much for me
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Perfect for treble heads.  Extremely well tuned set with incredible technical performance and extension  Treble may be a little too spicy
• Nymz: Usual agressive and saturated Elysian house sound with the best treble ever.
• Z-Reviews: Brushed titanium Elysian Annihilator (2021) comes dressed to impress: a slick presentation with SpinFit tips, a plush micro-suede case, and a flashy gold cube 4.4 cable termination. The shells are...

Dunu SA6 Ultra

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

Thieaudio Valhalla

• Jays Audio: TOTL all-rounder with "endgame" tech across the board, a better tuned U12T with better bass texture
• Jaytiss: Big fan, but lack fantastic air like some other sets.
• Super* Review: I'm really tempted to go out and buy one of this things for myself - if it fit me even better, I probably would.
• Fresh Reviews: S tier for COD, borders A- for other titles
• Shuwa-T:  Deep bass despite all BA set, techs carry this set more than the overall tone  Treble is mushy for something with so many BAs, not for high frequency enjoyers
• Bad Guy Good Audio: ThieAudio Valhalla comes in hot as a true flagship challenger: a titanium shell housing 19 drivers — 14 “Sonion” and five “Knowles" —and a price planted in the ~$2K bracket. This tier...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the THIEAUDIO Valhalla at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Nice HCK Himalaya

• Web Search: The NiceHCK Himalaya is a single 10 mm CNT dynamic driver (1DD) IEM housed in a titanium-alloy shell, paired with a modular cable offering 3.5/4.4/2.5 mm plugs and replaceable tuning nozzles...
• Z-Reviews: The NiceHCK Himalaya is a spectacular flagship IEM featuring a titanium alloy cavity that feels premium and has a beautiful sheen. It comes loaded with extras: a gorgeous purple and grey-blue...
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Nice HCK Himalaya at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Elysian X

• Precogvision: Basically a more sub-bass focused Annihilator 2021 with some trade-offs in technicalities.
• Tim Tuned:  Near excellent timbre, fantastic bass  Slight uppermids uneverness
• Nymz: A more sub-bass focused Annihilator without the same level of technicalities and treble.

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.
• Jaytiss: It's like a tubed iem, it's really fun. Something about DDs, so good.
• 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
• Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the Softears Twilight at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Kumitate KL-Sirius

• Crin: Excellent technical ability, well tuned with a dash of Japanese flavour.
• Shuwa-T:  Japanese tuning done well  Japanese reference bass may be too light for some

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...

64 Audio Nio

• Crin: A decent bassy set with the m15/m20 modules, but really shines with the mX modules.
• Precogvision: Sub-bass oriented with a very warm, thick tonality. MX module cleans things up quite a bit.
• Super* Review: The 64 Audio Nio enters as the most affordable set in this lineup at $1,700 , a hybrid with 1DD + 8BA and swappable apex modules. Its core tonality is warm and a touch laid-back, with the ...

Sony IER-M7

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

Yanyin Moonlight

• Jays Audio: Balanced, smooth, and clean presentation that scales beautifully with slightly forward/powerful vocals.
• Tim Tuned:  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.

Flipears Aurora

• Shuwa-T:  Bass hits with real subwoofer qualities, generally balanced sounding with no real faults  Extremely difficult to obtain

Elysian Annihilator 2023

• Gizaudio Axel: Hands down, my favorite IEM.  Powerful, impactful bass, the best treble I’ve experienced in an IEM, endgame-level detail.  The bass might be too much for some people.
• Jaytiss: Treble extension is insane, I always think I'm over it, but I may never be over it.
• Precogvision: More of an all-rounder with better bass compared to the 2021 version, sacrifices some soundstage.
• Tim Tuned:  More defined bass than 2021 version  2021 is cleaner and more open sounding
• Smirk Audio: Top-tier resolution with world-class treble. Great dynamics. Could use better bass texturing. An exciting listen.
• Web Search: The Elysian Annihilator 2023 delivers a distinctive U-shaped signature, prioritizing an ethereal, hyper-detailed treble that remains its crown jewel. The dual electrostatic drivers produce a...
• Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the Elysian Annihilator 2023 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

qdc Anole VX

• Gizaudio Axel: A highly detailed IEM.  Endgame-level detail.  BA bass and timbre.
• Precogvision: Very well-rounded, but sounds overly plasticky and artificial.
• Tim Tuned:  Unrivaled Resolution  Can be fatiguing
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Sounds like a DD iem but with the clarity and speed of BA; unrivalled clarity.  You'll hear more sounds than intended
• Nymz: Lovely tonality with incredible technicalities that scream details everywhere. Sinning only on female vocal position and BA timbre. Hits my HRTF like I like to hit my credit card.

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.
• 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.

Aful Performer 5+2

• Jays Audio: Clean, balanced, neutral sound with good layering and tech. Relaxing vocals, but lacks power and last bit of vocal extension. Bass has good controll, but lacks impact. Has sizzly planar timbre in the...
• Gizaudio Axel: A detailed, engaging all-rounder that's exciting without being shouty or harsh.  Smooth, neutral tuning with a bass boost, excellent bass quality, clean mids, forward vocals, and sparkly, incisive treble. Great detail.  I wouldn’t change a thing.
• Jaytiss: It's spicy treble is something to watch out for, it's unique.
• Super* Review: Overall it is sounding more visceral and incisive than the Performer 5.
• Web Search: The AFUL Performer 5+2 (also listed as “Performer 7”) uses a 2DD+4BA+1 micro planar driver array and AFUL’s LC-network crossover plus a 3D-printed acoustic tube system, aiming for clean band...
• Z-Reviews: Naming drama aside (P5+2? just call it Performer 7 ), this Aful packs a quirky driver party: 2DD for low end, 4 BA split across mids/treble, plus a tiny micro-planar for the highest sparkle,...
• Audionotions: Slightly warm leaning balanced signature - Very engaging, decent clarity. Previously Owned
• Audio Amigo: Evolution of the Performer 5 tuning. Smoother, airier treble, deeper, punchier bass. Fantastic All-rounder with incredible resolution for the price. 2-Pin connectors have some quality issues

Moondrop Meteor

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

Kiwi Ears Astral

• Jays Audio: Great all-rounder. Slighty airy with good sub-bass extenion. Balanced but still fun. A cleaner, airier, and less sharp/sparkly version of the Meta/Crescent - vocals pop out more. Tip rec Sancai...
• Gizaudio Axel: Great all-rounder with a bright, airy top end.  Deep, textured sub-bass, clean and forward mids, airy treble, and great detail.  Upper treble can be a bit much, and the bass tuck isn’t for everyone.
• Jaytiss: Tonality is fantastic.
• Tim Tuned: The Kiwi Ears Astral arrives in a package typical for the brand, featuring a resin shell and a metal nozzle . While the design isn't groundbreaking, the build feels sturdy. The included cable is...  Clean, techinical v-shape signature with great midrange  upper treble too much
• Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Astral is a mid-priced hybrid with 1DD+6BA and an MSRP around $299, positioning it in the competitive $250–$350 class. Official specs list a 10 mm bioceramic dynamic driver, 23 Ω...
• Fresh Reviews: The Kiwi Ears Astral, priced at $299 , combines one dynamic driver and six balanced armatures in an exceptionally ergonomic and lightweight 3D printed resin chassis. Comfort is phenomenal,...
• Z-Reviews: Priced at $300, the Kiwi Ears Astral stands as the brand's most expensive IEM , featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and six balanced armatures . The build is notably large and deep , with a design...
• Audionotions: "Meta" tuned with subbass and air boost. Neutral/balanced with a bit of fun factor added back in. Phenomenally tuned mids. Bass can be a smidge too much on certain tracks for me but it's generally...
• Head-Fi.org: 24 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Astral at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
• Audio Amigo: A less bassy, more vocal forward take on the Meta tuning with more airiness. Like a Baby Dusk, or a DaVinvi with less bass and more toned down treble. Modular cable is a nice upgrade, case is still...

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.

SeeAudio Yume Midnight

• Tim Tuned: Pros: Great tonal balance. Cons: Bass can be mushy.

Ziigaat Arcanis

• Jays Audio: My favourite vocals under $500 (best imo). A more refined OG Mangird Tea with better resolution and tech. Recommend listening at higher volumes on slower vocal centric tracks. Don't rec hiphop or...
• Jaytiss: Lots of good neutral energy here. Interesting set up.
• Super* Review: Not really stand out at the price range. Lack a bit of definition. Decent IEM
• Web Search: The Ziigaat Arcanis offers a bright-neutral sound profile, leaning heavily on technical prowess over bass impact. Its dual dynamic drivers in an isobaric configuration deliver tight, textured...
• Fresh Reviews: Scores lower in Apex B+
• Z-Reviews: The Ziigaat Arcanis, priced at $379 , immediately raises eyebrows with its cheap packaging and accessories. The included 3.5mm cable is deemed insufficient, especially for the low 12-ohm...
• Audionotions: Vocal centric with good bass performance and smooth but well extended treble. Excellent techs. I think they mixed up the names for their recent releases - this is less "neutral" and more "lush" than...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Ziigaat Arcanis at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
• Audio Amigo: A more vocal focused, more detailed version of the Lush, with an interesting anti-sibilance dip in the treble. Makes for a detailed, buy still relaxing, slightly unnautral treble presentation....

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.
• 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.

Empire Ears Raven

• Jays Audio: V/W Shaped. Energetic treble. Great tech. Fun bass and engaging signature. Overpriced?
• Precogvision: Sounds quite hi-fi and grand sounding, but coherency could use work - bass is distinct from the EST tweeters.
• Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the Empire Ears Raven at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Symphonium Helios SE

• Jays Audio: Best Treble around it's price. Super airy but still smooth. Bass-scoop isn't as bad as I thought, but those who want mid-bass - avoid it.
• Precogvision: See Helios but with more mid-treble and mid-bass.
• Nymz: Limited to 50 units. A huge improvement fit wise versus the original. Great TOTL all-rounder. Great sub, upper mids and treble. Mid-bass is an improvement but still not boosted. Great technical chops...

64 Audio U18S

• Precogvision: A worse U12t. Lacks U12t's dynamic range and layering chops.
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the 64 Audio U18s at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

GS Audio SE11

• Precogvision: Good tonal balance and fairly coherent. Bass needs work.

Moondrop Jiu

• Jays Audio: Another one
• Tim Tuned:  Expansive stage + Great tuning overall  Can use more transient incisiveness, USB-C
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Moondrop JIU at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

Moondrop Quarks DSP

• Jays Audio: Super clean with great clarity. A better tuned Variations without the tech. Pinnacle of harman tuning. Although mid-bass scoop can affect some libraries.
• Tim Tuned:  Very well-tuned, natural timbre  mushy details, noise floor, USB-C
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Moondrop Quarks DSP at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

Tanchjim Tanya DSP

• Jays Audio: A more exciting Quarks DSP with more bass. Diffuse-field done right, great all-rounder, very smooth for price.
• Tim Tuned:  Very fun bass, fun tuning  Too much bass hides treble details
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Tanchjim Tanya DSP at an average of 3.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Generally Favorable.

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.

Unique Melody MEST MK3

• Jays Audio: A more neutral/slightly warm MEST MK2, less aggresive, easier to the ears, same technicalities. A little overpriced ngl.
• Gizaudio Axel: A safe tuning.  Holographic soundstage.  Relaxed upper mids and treble. Overall detail.
• Head-Fi.org: 16 community members have rated the Unique Melody MEST MKIII at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS

• Smirk Audio: Excellent bass dynamics and texture. Cold timbre and driver flex. Otherwise excellent technicalities and solid tuning. Cons: Driver flex, cold timbre.
• Audionotions: Very engaging IEM. Bass extends deep and hits hard and fast, mids are clear and lush with very good weight and tactility. Treble is clear without fatigue. It's a pretty warm IEM but has clarity that...

Alpha Omega Fulgrim

• Smirk Audio: Elevated, bouncy, and dynamic bass. Somewhat normal sounding midrange and highs; pleasant for sure, if somewhat boring. Overall good set with a questionable price tag. Cons: Poor price-to-performance...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Alpha Omega Fulgrim at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Alpha Omega Omega

• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Alpha Omega: OMEGA at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Rhapsodio Supreme V3

• Smirk Audio: Cons: Price.
• Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Rhapsodio Supreme V3 at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Soranik MEMS-3S

• Smirk Audio: Demoed using AP1 energizer. Cons: Requires energizer. Some QC concerns.
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Soranik MEMS-3S at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Aroma Jewel

• Smirk Audio: Demoed on Eletech Victoria cable (not stock). Very fleshed out stage with convincing depth. Strong imaging, layering, and res. Bass can use more body and decay.
• Shuwa-T:  U-shaped tuning that focuses on clarity over musicality  Noteweight in the midrange can be too thin for certain genres

Canpur CP54E

• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Canpur CP54e at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

qdc Emperor

• Shuwa-T:  Treble extension, EST implementation is top notch here, also not a conventional style of tuning  Price Price
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the QDC Emperor at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Unique Melody MEST Indigo

FiR Audio Xenon 6

• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the FiR Audio Xenon 6 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Ice Labs Prismatica Gold

• Shuwa-T:  Warm with lovely mids that focuses on musicality over sheer technical performance  Somewhat middling technical performance that struggles with faster genres

Dunu Vulkan 2

• Jays Audio: Neutral/vocal centric set with very little sub-bass. A very "unique" tuning for a neutral sound. Very genre dependent. Clean and clear vocals with a slight bite. Lower-mids are just enough to bring...
• Jaytiss: Fantastic Mids and Treble!
• Web Search: The Dunu Vulkan 2 employs a dual dynamic driver setup—10mm for sub-bass and 8mm for mid-bass—each in isolated chambers to reduce interference and enhance low-end articulation. Its four-way hybrid...
• Z-Reviews: Opening the serious business packaging reveals the Dunu Vulkan 2 IEMs and a mountain of accessories, including the praised SS tips and the excellent gunmetal gray cable with its satisfying...
• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the DUNU Vulkan 2 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

TRZK Ouranos

• Tim Tuned:  Better and cheaper T3 Plus with approved timbre and balance.

ZiiGaat Luna

• Jays Audio: Airy, smooth, warm, laid-back, balanced, lush and dreamy vibes. Great for rock/metal, scales decently high. Mid-bass over sub. Not as vocal forward as Arcanis and other vocal sets. My Luna graphs...
• Gizaudio Axel: Chill, relaxed, and detailed all-rounder.  Smooth, warm, and balanced with forward vocals and airy treble. Relaxed but still engaging.  BA Bass. Upper treble might be too much for some.
• Jaytiss: Great Midrange, Sense of realism that is very nice.
• Web Search: The ZiiGaat Luna delivers a studio-focused sound with its six balanced armature drivers per ear, combining dual Sonion 39AY008 subwoofers, dual Knowles 32873 midrange units, and dual Knowles 33518...
• Z-Reviews: The ZiiGaat Luna is an all-BA IEM that completely shatters expectations . Designed for studio engineers and stage performers, it delivers a tonally balanced , accurate, and precision-focused sound...
• Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Luna at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Forte Ears Macbeth

• Shuwa-T:  Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging  The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general
• Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the Forte Ears Macbeth at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Penon Impact

• Nymz: Limp bass, but good mid-range and treble tuning. Techs felt underwhelming for its price, with extremely blunted transients.
• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the Penon Impact at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

TANCHJIM x Effect Audio Force

• Gizaudio Axel: Mid-forward, neutral-bass sound signature. Not very versatile across genres.  Clean mids and forward vocals.  Light bass impact, upper mids can get intense, and average detail.
• Jaytiss: The open back nature of this iem is compelling!
• Web Search: The TANCHJIM x Effect Audio Force employs a dual dynamic driver configuration, pairing a 10mm titanium-coated bass driver with an 8.2mm beryllium-coated mid-high driver. This setup, managed through...

Ziigaat Odyssey 2

• Jays Audio: Balanced all-rounder with a slight vocal/mid-centric presentation. Vocal scaler. Snappy/punchy/tight bass. A cleaner, smoother, and more mid-centric Odyssey aka no more bass sauce and bite. Rec with...
• Jaytiss: More drab version of the Odyessey 2.
• Super* Review: The tonal balance is fantastic. Treble is sounding quite right. Default bass boost on a diffuse field / meta sound signature. I personally would save up for the Volume S
• Web Search: The Ziigaat Odyssey 2 is a hybrid 1DD+3BA IEM using a 10 mm bio-cellulose dynamic driver for lows and three Knowles armatures for mids/treble, housed in lightweight aluminum shells with a detachable...
• Fresh Reviews: Some titles B
• Audionotions: Top notch build quality - I love the metal shell. Linsoul should adopt this shell across the board. U-Shaped take on JM1 with bass lift contained to subbass region and some lower treble spice. Very,...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Ziigaat Odyssey 2 at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

BGVP Solomon

• Web Search: The BGVP Solomon is a quad-brid IEM with a complex 2DD+3BA+2EST+2BCD driver array, low 7.3 Ω impedance, and 110.8 dB sensitivity, indicating easy drivability but potential source-noise audibility....
• Fox Told Me So: BGVP Solomon packs 9 drivers—2 DD, 3 BA, 2 EST, and 2 BCD—into a bold, energetic tuning. Bass is moderate in quantity but tight, fast, and clean, focusing on speed over slam. No bleed, no extra...

Symphonium Helios

• Precogvision: Great technicalities. Lacking that last leg of refinement in terms of coherency.
• Smirk Audio: Exceptional treble with solid bass. Great techs. Some may find the midrange a bit clinical. Fit will be a dealbreaker to some. Cons: Poor fit.
• Shuwa-T:  Clean-sounding monitor with great bass decay  Occasional splashy cymbals due to the treble extension
• Nymz: Top tier clarity and great technicalities, other than a hint of BA timbre plasticness to it. Mid-bass recession is the con in the tuning, turning it into a dry IEM. Top performer nonetheless.
• Z-Reviews: Positioned as a $1,100 4BA set with a proprietary “sub-woofer” armature, Helios promises consistency via FLAT (Filtered Linear Attenuation Tuning) . In practice, the claimed impedance ...
• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the Symphonium Helios at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

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
• 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: 20 community members have rated the LETSHUOER Mystic 8 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

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
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Subbass hump is real.  Balanced sounding across all frequencies

Symphonium x Elise Audio Europa

• Jaytiss: One of the best things Elise and Symphonium have done. Love it.
• Precogvision: Slightly more tame than the Crimson but more well-rounded as a result. Something like a slightly refined U12t.
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Symphonium X Elise Audio Europa at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

64 Audio U4S

• Jaytiss: It's a solid set, with great build quality, but sonically isn't the specialist that I want it to be.
• Precogvision: Fantastic colored tonality with options, and the unique technical qualities to back it up. M12/M15 modules recommended.
• Super* Review: The 64 Audio U4s hits a compelling sweet spot: a 1DD+3BA hybrid around $1,100 that echoes the lush, bass-tilted character of the Nio while fixing key drawbacks. Packaging and accessories feel...
• Smirk Audio: A tastefully colored U12t with a more intimate soundstage, a cutback in technicalities, and more bass realism.
• Audionotions: A step down in techs from U12T (possibly a half step down from U6T). But very well tuned and adds in a dynamic driver punch. Timbre is slightly improved compared to U12T due to the increase in...
• Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the 64 Audio U4s at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

ThieAudio Prestige LTD

• Jays Audio: Clean and natural signature with treble emphasis. LOTS of details with airy treble without going overboard (better treble extension vs MK2/MK3). Bass is not as impactful versus MK3 but has better...
• Jaytiss: The unit I reviewed had wonky bass, expect this to change if I review a unit with proper bass.
• Shuwa-T:  A much better implementation than the Prestige OG
• Nymz: The best Thieaudio I've heard to date. Very close tonality to the Mk3, but with better technical performance, especially in the dynamics and stage departments.
• Z-Reviews: Explodes with a grand, hall-sized soundstage , a sense of space that feels like giant speakers in a living venue—wide, towering, and immersive. The tuning hits a sweet spot of aggressive low...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: ThieAudio Prestige LTD sits near the top of the pile because it just doesn’t do anything wrong. Bass has real weight without bloat, the mids stay clean , and treble keeps it crisp without...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Thieaudio Prestige LTD at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

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.
• 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 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• 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...

PMG Audio Apx SE

• Smirk Audio: Great resolution and layering. Great bass texture and punch. Mids have a small timbral issue. Refined, resolving highs. Analogue tone. Engaging yet non-fatiguing. Cons: Shells prone to cracking.
• Z-Reviews: The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli ...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli ...  Game changer. Most resolving accurate replay in the hobby. No specific qualifier to wave off potential buyer..nada  Price is extreme but presentation reflects that. No sonic flaws. 1st set in 10 years that gets that.
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the PMG Audio Apx SE at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Vision Ears VE10

• Jaytiss: Very safe tuning, but safe is great.
• Smirk Audio: Lush and mid-bassy set with no obvious tuning issues. Technicalities could be better at this price range.

Symphonium Crimson

• Jays Audio: U-shaped/Slight V/W Shaped. Energetic treble. Great tech. Fun signature.
• Jaytiss: Suffers from BA bass, and super Zingie Treble.
• Precogvision: Colored tonality done correctly with incredible bass and dynamics. Upper-treble can be slightly too zingy depending on source.
• Smirk Audio: Excellent bass, dynamics, and resolution. Very large soundstage with great imaging. Mid/upper-treble may be too elevated for some.
• Shuwa-T:  The bassier Helios with no sacrifices to clarity
• Nymz: Great bass, holographic stage and top of the shelf dynamics. Probably my favourite rendition of a W-shaped tuning to this date. Treble might be spicy for some, but using Divinus Velvets (stock black)...
• Z-Reviews: Symphonium Crimson lands with a bang: a four– BA , four-way crossover design that somehow delivers epic energy without a dynamic driver. Tonality reads neutral-bright with thunderous sub-bass...
• Head-Fi.org: 29 community members have rated the Symphonium Crimson at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

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
• 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

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
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral yet fun due to subbass hump.  Impressive clarity, holographic soundstage

Dunu SA6

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

Shuoer EJ07

• Crin: Tuned almost Etymotic-like but with underwhelming treble extension bottlenecking it all.
• Precogvision: Decent tonality, but weak treble extension and technicalities.
• Nymz: The Experience. It just immerses you and takes you on a journey. Infinite holographic stage with god imaging and layering. Treble can be too dark for some. Great tuning and techs to me - My favourite...
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Polite bass near perfect mids. relaxed tuned set  Lacks extension for some ears and genre. Personally love em

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.