Aliexpress IEM Ranking

Thieaudio Valhalla

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 lacks fantastic air like some other sets.
Precogvision: Precogvision rated Thieaudio Valhalla with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Thieaudio Valhalla with a score of 8.1/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Joyce's Review: Flagship 19BA set with warm-balanced tuning, powerful yet controlled sub-bass, smooth detailed mids and extended treble, delivering top-tier technical performance with wide soundstage and separation.... Outstanding sub-bass focused low end, smooth natural mids, extended non-fatiguing treble and top-tier technical performance with wide soundstage and separation across many genres. Less suitable for listeners who want a very bright, aggressive sound for EDM, ACG or heavy metal, and the 3.5 mm single-ended output sounds weaker than the 4.4 mm balanced connection.

+ 9 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 19BA

9

8

S-

Fiio FX17

Gizaudio Axel: Warm, non-fatiguing listen. Punchy mid-bass, warm, lush mids, smooth, detailed treble, wide soundstage. Warm sound signature may not suit everyone.
Jaytiss: It's a ramped up Truthear Pure.
Super* Review: This is the best IEM Fiio has ever made. Very powerfull sound.
Web Search: The FiiO FX17 is a 13-driver tribrid with a 10 mm lithium-magnesium DD, four custom Knowles BAs, and eight Sonion ESTs in a five-way crossover, housed in a polished titanium shell. It’s rated at 16...
Z-Reviews: The FiiO FX17 is a mind-bending flagship IEM priced at $1,500, packing an absolutely hilarious 13-driver configuration per side: one dynamic for bass, four balanced armatures for midrange...
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Fiio FX17 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 5 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA+8EST

8.8

7

9.1

S-

$1,149

ThieAudio Monarch MK4

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: 8 community members have rated the Thieaudio Monarch MKIV at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Joyce's Review: Joyce Review describes the Monarch MK4 as a top tier evolution of the Monarch line, with balanced yet flexible tuning, huge detail and the widest stage of the series. The optional rumble mode adds... Flagship level detail, expansive soundstage and flexible standard or rumble tuning make the Monarch MK4 a highly engaging and versatile top tier IEM. Rumble mode can feel too heavy for relaxed everyday listening and the upgraded packaging still feels a little plain compared with the overall refinement of the earphones.

+ 9 more reviews

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

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

8.8

8.9

9

S-

Letshuoer Cadenza 12

Jays Audio: A better version of the U12T vocal/tuning wise, no mid scoop and wonkiness. (#1 or #2 vocals for me). Vocals are sweet, extended, open, airy, but also never fatiguing, and naturally weighted. No BA...
Jaytiss: Great timbre good on classical. Detailed and analytical, but too Safe.
Precogvision: More 'musical' tonality with a touch of spice in the treble. Technicalities could use work for the price.
Tim Tuned: One of the best treble-head set. Lots of micro details Treble will be too much for some
Smirk Audio: Bouncy, liquid-like bass. Well-bodied, analogue mids and extended highs. Great staging on all axes. Decent resolution. Excellent all-rounder.
Web Search: The Letshuoer Cadenza 12 delivers a balanced sound signature with a slight warmth in the low end, providing clean and textured bass that avoids overwhelming the midrange. Its midrange presentation is...
Z-Reviews: Letshuoer Cadenza 12 goes full flagship spectacle: a 12-driver per side build (1 dynamic + 11 BA from Knowles/Sonion ), six-way crossover , and heavy metal shells that feel like a prize out of a...
Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Yifang: Tonally excellent with good technicalities, works as an all-rounder. Bass quality is unexpectedly standout and fanastic. Lower price compared to competitors in bracket and is "value" in the high end IEMs. Requires source/cable/tip rolling to improve on tone and technicalities, otherwise can come off as somewhat bright and lacking in bass quantity, and/or technically behind other good sets priced above it.

+ 8 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+11BA

8.6

6.8

S-

Dunu Glacier

Jays Audio: Clean, balanced but engaging sound, clear vocals, great midrange and tech. Vocals can be a bit too forward/sharp. The most recent unit I got sounds different than the earlier ones which was...
Gizaudio Axel: Reveals every detail in your music, both the good and the bad. Exceptional bass, ethereal treble, remarkable clarity, and outstanding detail. The upper mid-range might be a bit too much for some people.
Jaytiss: Upper mids kill it for me, but it's a fun set.
Precogvision: Quite exciting and dynamic, possibly a bit bright in the treble.
Tim Tuned: Less thin harman with amazing tech Not very natural timbre
Super* Review: Convinces me that the harman target can sound excellent.
Web Search: The Dunu Glacier delivers a technically impressive listening experience with its nine-driver tribrid setup (1DD+4BA+4EST). The stainless steel shells feel substantial yet remain comfortable for...
Z-Reviews: The Dunu Glacier delivers an extraordinary premium experience right from the unboxing, featuring a lavish presentation, a massive high-quality fabric cable with interchangeable terminations, and...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Strong bass and energetic vocals with decent tuning, but the Dunu Glacier is held back by its white microphonic MMCX cable and poor value next to cheaper rivals. Powerful clean bass, energetic vocals and generally well executed V shaped tuning for rock and hip hop. Very expensive for the performance, with a microphonic white fabric MMCX cable, heavy shells and weaker accessories than cheaper tribrid competitors.
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the DUNU Glacier at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
ATechReviews: Highly resolving neutral sub bass focused flagship with natural timbre, huge airy stage and pinpoint imaging that makes many full size headphones feel obsolete. Very expensive but performance,... Outstanding neutral sub bass focused tuning with natural timbre, deep textured bass, ethereal yet smooth treble, huge spacious stage and pinpoint imaging that reveals new details in familiar tracks. Very expensive flagship with mirror finish shells that attract fingerprints and a cloth sheathed cable and carry system that may be less practical for rough portable use.

+ 10 more reviews

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

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

8.6

7.4

9

S-

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+

$1,299

ThieAudio Prestige LTD

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.
Precogvision: Precogvision rated ThieAudio Prestige LTD with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated ThieAudio Prestige LTD with a score of 7.6/10 without adding a comment.
Web Search: The ThieAudio Prestige LTD is a tribrid flagship using a 1DD + 4BA + 4EST array with a 5-way crossover, aiming for coherent treble extension and low distortion. Official materials and retailer specs...
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.

+ 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 1DD+4BA+4EST

8.3

6.9

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+

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+

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+

Softears Volume S

Jays Audio: Amazing vocals under $500 with the stock switch/clear tips or tangzu sancai regular (no impedance boost) with amazing vocal scaling. Recommended for higher volume listening like ballads, slower...
Gizaudio Axel: A benchmark for tonality and timbre. Studio 4 with DD bass, great bass texture, tonal accuracy, forward vocals, and natural timbre. High impedance mode sounds bright.
Jaytiss: Great midrange at the price, hard to beat.
Tim Tuned: The Softears Volume S delivers a distinctly colored sound signature with significant boosts in two key areas: the bass and the upper mid-range . Its bass profile is uniquely elevated up to... Bass surprisingly addicting and tactile midrange could be more natural
Super* Review: Fantastic IEM for the price. Super sharp and standout bass physicality. Tonality is more universal than the Dusk. It's well defined but not super wide or spacious
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Softears Volume S with a score of 6.7/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Great allrounder
Z-Reviews: The Softears Volume S offers a dramatic transformation through its impedance switch , requiring a tiny screwdriver to toggle between low (9.8 ohm) and high (31.2 ohm) modes. The low impedance mode ...
Audionotions: Natural, rich sounding. Substantial low end that doesn't muddy up the mix and a bass shelf that isn't completely isolated to the subbass (when an IEM has a lot of subbass but no midbass, this can...
Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the SOFTEARS VOLUME S at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Audio Amigo: A wonderful sounding IEM. A more neutral version of the Meta tuning. Works with absoltuely everything and sounds great. Cable is microphonic, but comes with a great carry case and premium eartips.
Paul Wasabii: Lower-mid-centric hybrid with uncommon mid-bass emphasis and lush vocals; relaxed upper treble and smaller stage prevent it from being the $300 class leader. Thick, natural mids with convincing vocal weight and well-executed sub- and mid-bass emphasis. Relaxed upper treble narrows stage and reduces perceived resolution, and the bass can become fatiguing at higher volumes; impedance switch offers limited benefit.
Audio-In Reviews: Balanced, natural-sounding hybrid with an excellent tuning switch and standout timbre that makes vocals and instruments shine. Technical performance is solid but not class-leading, keeping it from... Outstanding timbre and natural vocals with a flexible impedance switch that provides both vocal-forward and warmer, bassier tuning options. Soundstage and overall technical performance are only average for the price and low-impedance mode introduces a slight hint of bass bleed.

+ 12 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+2BA

8

8.3

8.2

A

$349

Kiwi Ears Orchestra II

Kiwi Ears Orchestra II

Jaytiss: Smooth bassy, great mids, fantastic.
Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Orchestra II is an all-BA design with 10 balanced armature drivers per side and a list price around $349, positioning it at the upper end of the mid-fi segment. Its tuning aims for a...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Kiwi Ears Orchestra 2 delivers a surprisingly satisfying low end, standout vocals and smooth treble that stays non fatiguing even with tricky tracks, making it a very solid all rounder for hip hop... Excellent all round tuning with strong bass authority, rich vocals and smooth, well controlled treble that works across a wide range of genres. Not a true basshead set and kick drum impact is a bit softer than sets like Martillo or Top Pro, so listeners seeking maximum slam may want more.
Joyce's Review: Kiwi Ears Orchestra II refines the Orchestra line with more atmospheric bass, creamy natural mids and airy detailed treble while keeping a balanced, engaging signature. Atmospheric yet controlled bass, natural creamy mids, airy detailed treble and strong technical performance that improves on both previous Orchestra models. Larger nozzle and picky tip fit may not suit every ear, and the more engaging tuning is less ideal for strict studio style monitoring.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral 10BA

7.9

8.1

A

Ziigaat Horizon

Jays Audio: "Meta" inspired tuning, basically a slightly more detailed Astral with smoother treble and less sub-bass. Less aggressive/in your face vs Astrals. Great details and tech for the price, bright-leaning.
Jaytiss: Treble is really nice and clean. A special set.
Precogvision: Decent tuning but too airy past 15kHz leads to some timbre weightlessness and masking detail.
Super* Review: Arguably the best in this series so far, it delivers a neutral, transparent midrange, a sub-bass tilt, strong imaging, and a surprisingly dense, engaging presentation. Caveats: a gritty upper treble...
Web Search: Ziigaat Horizon is a tribrid IEM that combines 1DD + 2BA + 2 planar drivers, positioned at an MSRP of $329; this configuration aims to split bass, mids, and treble duties across specialized...
Fresh Reviews: Ziigaat Horizon arrives as a striking tri-brid in the ~$300 bracket (1DD + 2BA + 2 planar) with a tuning that brushes close to Kiwi Ears Astral yet comes across a touch thinner and more ...
Z-Reviews: Ziigaat’s Horizon goes for a flashy tribrid recipe— 1×10 mm bio-dynamic for slam, 2×BA for mids, and dual planar treble up top—wrapped in pretty shells and “horizon” art. Street...
Audionotions: Audionotions rated Ziigaat Horizon with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Horizon at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Crisp, highly resolving tribrid with standout imaging and treble reach; stock tuning is light on mid-bass and can show some sibilance. Excellent imaging and treble extension with clean, coherent hybrid speed. Mid-bass dip reduces body and occasional sibilance around 8 kHz.
ATechReviews: ZiiGaat Horizon combines a clean, neutral leaning tuning with natural vocals, textured sub bass and airy treble, backed by strong technical performance for its price. Upper treble can be bright for... Clean, detailed tuning with natural mids, textured sub bass, airy treble and excellent technical performance for the price. Boosted upper treble can sound bright for sensitive listeners and the neutral bass quantity will not please bass heads or fans of much warmer signatures.
Joyce's Review: This review describes ZiiGaat Horizon as a balanced, vocal focused tribrid with tight sub bass, airy extended treble and excellent separation that punches above its 329 USD price, held back only... Clean balanced tuning with tight sub bass, intimate natural vocals, airy extended treble and excellent separation and layering across the whole frequency range. Packaging and accessories feel a bit basic and less luxurious than expected at this price.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+2BA+2Planar

7.9

8.8

A

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...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Balanced all BA tuning with strong vocals and controlled treble, but bass impact is mild and value is better in the Crescent and Odyssey. Smooth all BA tuning with strong vocals, controlled treble and clean bass quality. Bass lacks slam for hip hop and kick drums, and Crescent or Odyssey offer better value for most listeners.
Head-Fi.org: 17 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Luna at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: All-BA take on ZiiGaat's 5/5 tuning: clean, vocal-friendly and coherent, but more side-grade than breakthrough. Treble energy and average stage may benefit from light EQ. Clean, coherent all-BA tuning with fuller vocals and quick, defined bass. Linear mid-treble without a 5 kHz dip can sound intense on rock, and the stage feels flat unless EQ'd.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 6BA

7.9

7.6

8.2

A

$399

Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk

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

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

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
Bad Guy Good Audio: Bad Guy Good Audio rated Ziigaat Odyssey with a score of 8.1/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Odyssey at an average of 4.5/5 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.
Paul Wasabii: Natural, Goldilocks-balanced hybrid that favors musicality over resolution; impedance can tilt it from fuller mid-bass to a more U-shaped take. Comfortably natural Goldilocks tuning with engaging bass physicality and low fatigue. Less resolving than peers and mids sit a touch back; impedance can introduce a 5 kHz glare.
Joyce's Review: Clean and powerful bass, smooth studio like mids and a wide, spacious stage give the ZiiGaat Odyssey a very refined and engaging sound for 299 USD, although the treble is tuned on the safer side with... Clean, powerful bass, smooth studio like vocals and a wide, spacious soundstage with strong separation and refinement for the price. Treble tuning is restrained and a bit lacking in sparkle and atmosphere compared to more energetic competitors.

+ 10 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+3BA

7.9

7.6

7.4

A

Punch Audio Martilo

Jays Audio: Cheaper, and slightly more energetic HBB Punch with slightly less mid-bass and slam. Endgame "balanced" basshead. Imaging feels sharper than Punch, but treble is not as smooth, aside from that very...
Gizaudio Axel: Great basshead set with strong technical chops. Great value, fun, and engaging without sacrificing clarity. Boosted, clean, and textured bass. Mids are surprisingly clear for a bassy set. Treble’s smooth and non-fatiguing. The bass might be too much for some.
Jaytiss: BASS
Tim Tuned: Strong bass, fun overall mids need improvement for the price
Super* Review: Basshead hybrid with huge sub bass, decent detail and great build, but somewhat bloated and slow compared to sharper competitors. Huge sub bass slam with solid top end detail, comfortable fit, nice build and a quality cable. Bass is overly boosted, a bit bloated and slow with recessed midrange detail and looser separation than tighter competitors.
Web Search: The Punch Audio Martilo delivers a powerful bass experience that dominates its signature, featuring a substantial 14dB sub-bass boost. This emphasis creates visceral, physical rumble, especially in...
Fresh Reviews: Bass head
Z-Reviews: The Punch Audio Martilo shows up screaming BASSHEAD on the box, but the tuning is smarter than that. A hybrid stack— 2×8 mm DD + 2×BA + 1 planar —delivers bass that hits when the track calls...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Punch Audio Martilo hits the brief for bass-centric listeners. The tuning kicks up from ~ 200 Hz , driving a potent low end, then rides a flat porch through the mids with a gentle ear-gain that...
Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the Punch Audio Martilo at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Sub-bass-boosted hybrid with clean female vocals and quick, non-bloated low end, but a hard mid-bass dip leaves male vocals thin and genre flexibility limited. A small mid-bass EQ lift (about 2-3 dB)... Fast, clean sub-bass with clear vocals and minimal BA/planar harshness. Pronounced mid-bass dip hollows lower mids, limits impact and air; benefits from light EQ.
Joyce's Review: Joyce Review describes the Punch Audio Martillo as a standout basshead IEM with massive yet controlled bass, rich vocals and refined treble, giving it a full five out of five stars. Massive but controlled bass with strong technical performance, intimate vocals and airy extended treble. Shell is somewhat chunky and may feel large for smaller ears.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Basshead 2DD+2BA+1Planar

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

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

ZiiGaat Crescent

Jays Audio: Slightly warm, full, and sparkly/crispy treble. A warmer TOP PRO with a step down in technical performance. Treble can get much on kpop/jpop/energetic tracks. Mid-volume set, doesn't scale as well as...
Gizaudio Axel: Lively V-shape sound signature. Clean and controlled bass. Clear, forward vocals. Airy treble with good separation. Upper treble can be too much for some.
Jaytiss: Smoothe and clean set, one of the better Ziggatts.
Tim Tuned: ZiiGaat Crescent arrives as a 2DD + 2BA hybrid with a noticeably nicer presentation: a flip-open box, a stylish faceplate (white “mountain” with a small crimson star), and a much-needed... Kind of an Odyssey but spicer. Treble is surprisingly not grating Treble is a lot and takes priority over mid & bass
Web Search: The ZiiGaat Crescent combines a dual dynamic driver setup—using PET and LCP diaphragms in an isobaric configuration—with Knowles balanced armatures for mids and treble. This hybrid approach...
Z-Reviews: ZiiGaat's Crescent IEMs deliver a strikingly unique and luscious sound signature that stands out sharply from the crowd, especially within ZiiGaat's own lineup of similarly priced models...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Tuning first : Crescent comes across as a “baby Top Pro” —the frequency response mirrors the ZiiGaat Zens Top Pro with a subtle lift through the lower mids (~ 300–500 Hz ) and a tucked...
Audionotions: Warm but balanced. Bass is rich and fun - not incredibly controlled and punchy but it has satisfying weight that adds a nice richness to the mids. A bit shouty occasionally and the treble can...
Head-Fi.org: 22 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Crescent at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Kois Archive: Rating: S- | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 fun bass. airy female vocals. slightly bright
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.

+ 10 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+2BA

7.7

7.5

7.4

A

$292

Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci

Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci

Jays Audio: Warm leaning with thick, thumpy mid-bass that hits pretty deep and hard. Decent vocal and treble extension, although female vocals are warmer and huskier. Good for hiphop, rap, r&b, but low-end isn't...
Gizaudio Axel: Bass-boosted meta tuning with excellent detail and a grand sound. Bass may be too much for some.
Jaytiss: Bass kind of pops off in the worst way possible.
Precogvision: Satisfying sub-bass thump with good tuning fundamentals moving upwards.
Super* Review: A little bit too bassy. imaging is impressive. If you are looking for a bassy set with great imaging, this is a good option.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Build & unboxing deliver the full Dunu experience: a high-quality interchangeable cable (2-pin with swappable terminations, plus a 6.35 mm adapter), multiple tip sets including Dunu Candy/S&S , and...
Shuwa-T: The warmest of the triple threat, with more tamed treble than the Pilgrim
Z-Reviews: Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci shows up dressed to impress: a five-leaf maplewood faceplate that’s prettier in person than the promo shots, a deep-set 2-pin socket, and DUNU’s slick Q-Lock Mini ...
Audionotions: close but no cigar. Sounded great for most genres but bass guitars and kick drums and instruments/vocals that lie the in mid-bass/lower-mids range sound too recessed. Noteweight leans thin and...
Head-Fi.org: 28 community members have rated the DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinci at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Yifang rated Dunu x Gizaudio Davinci with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 decent vocal and treble bass can be a little strong
Paul Wasabii: DaVinci is a bass-forward, warm U-shaped hybrid that can sound very engaging but is held back by soft, slow bass and an occasionally edgy upper treble balance. Strong subbass presence with a warm, engaging U-shaped tuning that can be refined with careful source matching and EQ tweaks. Slow, soft bass and intermittently edgy upper treble make the set very source and volume dependent and keep it from sounding truly high end.
ATechReviews: DUNU DaVinci delivers huge tactile bass, natural mids and smooth extended treble, setting a new benchmark around 300 dollars with very strong value. Massive yet controlled bass with strong tactility, natural warm mids, smooth airy treble and excellent technical performance for the price. Elevated mid bass can pull focus from vocals at times, and overall resolution and stage still trail more expensive SA6 MKII and Ultra models.
Audio-In Reviews: Da Vinci offers a warm balanced tuning with extremely satisfying dynamic bass, natural mids and smooth treble, plus a premium build and accessory pack at its price. A very strong recommendation... Rich yet balanced tuning with natural vocals, extremely satisfying dynamic bass and strong technical performance that rivals more expensive sets. Bass level is a little elevated and not as fast or textured as some balanced armature competitors, which may not suit listeners who prefer a leaner and quicker low end.

+ 15 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+4BA

7.7

7

A

Yanyin Canon Pro

Jays Audio: Clean, neutral, balanced. Airy treble but smooth, great tech. Recommend UP UP switch with bass boost. A smoother pilgrim basically.
Jaytiss: Great treble, really sweet.
Super* Review: Not really stand out at the price range. Lack a bit of definition. Decent IEM
Web Search: The Yanyin Canon Pro offers a versatile listening experience through its dual tuning switches, which provide three distinct bass profiles without affecting midrange or treble integrity. With both...
Fresh Reviews: Border B
Z-Reviews: Yanyin Canon Pro brings a 1DD + 6BA stack with two DIP switches that alter an internal crossover rather than simple EQ, but the documentation is maddeningly vague. Stock out of the box ( switch 1...
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Yanyin Canon Pro at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: BA-forward hybrid with clean mids, strong imaging and smooth upper-treble roll-off; pairs best with warmer sources at moderate volume. Capable and technical, but pricey next to safer, bass-heavier... Clean, mid-centric clarity with strong imaging, high resolution and well-controlled treble that preserves separation and layering. Persistent mid-bass tuck and earlier ear-gain reduce warmth and stage depth, and the $400 price feels steep versus cheaper all-rounders.
Joyce's Review: Balanced, vocal focused hybrid with strong sub bass impact and smoother treble than Canon 2, trading a little instrument sparkle for a more relaxed listen. A refined, comfortable option around 400... Refined, vocal focused tuning with strong sub bass impact, faster bass decay and improved treble extension compared to Canon 2. Slightly reduced treble bite and instrument detail versus Canon 2, with a chunkier shell that may feel a bit bulky for some ears.

+ 8 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+6BA

7.7

7.9

A

Xenns Tea Pro

Jays Audio: A more resolving Davinci, literally. The Tea magic is gone :( but it's now the most refined and well-balanced. It's the most bassy one with better low-end texture, heavier notes, more details, better...
Gizaudio Axel: Powerful bass with great slam, open sound, excellent imaging, and detail. Treble is a bit bright.
Jaytiss: Great set, but lacks slam for it's bass level at times.
Precogvision: Very pleasant tuning with thumpy bass albeit lacking wow factor in techs.
Tim Tuned: Xenns Tea Pro lands as an easy pick around $300 thanks to a natural, versatile tuning that blends tasteful fun with everyday usability. A gentle bass boost adds heft, slam, and definition... Good warm-neutral tuning with enough details Could use a bit more treble refinement
Web Search: The Xenns Mangird Tea Pro offers a bass response that emphasizes sub-bass depth with a noticeable +3dB lift at 20Hz, providing substantial rumble without overwhelming the mid-bass. This allows bass...
Fresh Reviews: Really nice for the price - Premium Package
Z-Reviews: Xenns Tea Pro lands with the familiar “Tea” swagger: a baby-blue, sparkled shell that looks subdued but premium, a modular 3.5/4.4 cable that clicks together more cleanly than most, and the...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Xenns Tea Pro lands as a confident mid-tier contender with a 2DD+6BA setup around $350–360 , going head-to-head with sets like DaVinci , Estrella , and Dusk . Sub-bass has real grunt—808...
Audionotions: U-shaped tuned IEM with a lot of energy at both ends. Very visceral bass punch and very exciting treble/upper mids. I can see why this IEM is liked so much. But the bass and treble can both be very...
Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the Xenns Tea Pro at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Warm, smooth hybrid tuning with excellent sub bass control, natural mids and rare high volume scaling, trading a little top end sparkle and micro detail for a very pleasant and forgiving listen. Beautifully tuned warm smooth hybrid with spot on sub bass control, rich mids, strong volume scaling and an easy going, fatigue free sound. Conservative treble and a relaxed focus on technical fireworks mean treble heads and detail chasers may find the presentation too laid back for their taste.
Joyce's Review: Warm, mid bass focused tuning with powerful but controlled low end, rich mids and silky treble makes the Xenns Mangird Tea Pro a very competitive option around 349 USD. Technical layering and imaging... Warm, engaging tuning with powerful but controlled mid bass, rich and forward vocals, smooth detailed treble and solid technical layering at a competitive 349 USD price. The elevated mid bass and cozy, relaxed presentation may feel too warm and rounded for listeners who prefer a leaner, more analytical or treble forward sound.

+ 12 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+6BA

7.7

8.1

8

A

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.
Precogvision: New meta style tuning that's a little more forward than the KE4. More depth to sound but also more fatiguing.
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: 29 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...
Paul Wasabii: Sub-bass-tilted U-shape with clean, speedy low end but thinner mids and a forward upper-mid rise that is volume-sensitive. Resolving for the price, though stage depth and overall balance improve with... Clean, fast sub-bass with good resolving ability at low to moderate volumes. Thin mids from early upper-mid rise, small volume sweet spot and modest stage depth without EQ.

+ 11 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD+6BA

7.7

8.5

8.3

A

$200

Gizaudio x Binary Chopin

Gizaudio x Binary Chopin

Jays Audio: If Harman wasn't boring and had a few drinks
Gizaudio Axel: Harman tuning with excellent bass, clean mids, extended treble, and balanced tonality with great detail.
Jaytiss: Solid set, thin mids. Slightly bright at times.
Super* Review: Best Collab IEM in years. It's a nice clean tonality. Fantastic vocal presentation. Added low end warmth.
Web Search: The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is a hybrid 1DD+3BA design built around an 8 mm ceramic-diaphragm dynamic driver for lows, a midrange BA, and a dual-BA tweeter assembly, targeting a lively, modern...
Shuwa-T: Overall clean sounding, works well with quicker pop genres (Jpop/Kpop) Male vocals recessed, does not work well with the other half of Jpop/Kpop. Lower midrange suffers from thinner note weight (tuning)
Z-Reviews: The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin IEM is an absolute standout, delivering a fantastically unique and immersive sound signature that is heavily focused on vocals . The presentation is spectacularly...
Yifang: Yifang rated Gizaudio x Binary Chopin with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Binary Chopin offers a natural Harman-neutral tuning with fuller mids, better bass impact and stronger imaging than the Nova, while keeping a very comfortable and ergonomic shell. Natural Harman-neutral tuning with rich mids, impactful but controlled bass, strong treble clarity and imaging, and very comfortable, slim ergonomics for the 200 dollar price. Treble is slightly more splashy and less strictly realistic than Nova, subbass presence is not elevated for bassheads, and the price is higher than the already strong value of Nova.

+ 8 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+3BA

7.7

7.1

8.7

A

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.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Aful Performer 5+2 with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
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. Slight metallic/digital sheen but it's not too bad.
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
Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 very nice neutral sound recessed female vocals
Paul Wasabii: AFUL Performer 5+2 is a vocal focused hybrid with strong sub bass but a small, intimate stage and uneven treble. It will work best for listeners who want vocals up front and can tolerate some... Very forward, engaging vocals with solid sub bass level and a relatively smooth overall tone at moderate volumes. Small, flat stage with limited separation and an energetic treble that can sound sharp and unnatural, especially around sibilants.
Audio-In Reviews: AFUL Performer 5+2 delivers a punchy, engaging tuning with strong technical performance in a crowded 200 to 300 dollar bracket. A very competitive option that only trails top peers slightly in treble... Engaging, dynamic tuning with visceral bass, airy extended treble and class leading technical performance for its price bracket. Treble timbre is a bit less natural than the very best competitors and the extra upper treble and lower treble energy may be too lively for more treble sensitive listeners.

+ 11 more reviews

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

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

7.7

7.5

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

$699

Hisenior Mega5-EST +Bass

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

$214

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews

Gizaudio Axel: Great gaming IEM. Clean sound, accurate mids, clear vocals, great soundstage, precise imaging. Bass quality.
Jaytiss: Fantastic simple tonality. Lacks in trebble extension but is a nice earphone.
Web Search: The ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews IEM delivers a meticulously balanced tuning that excels for both music and competitive gaming. Its hybrid 1DD+4BA configuration produces deep, controlled sub-bass...
Fresh Reviews: Collab IEM
Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews at an average of 4.1/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: Great imaging and soundstage. Neutralish tuning with slight emphasis on the lows and highs. Comes in 3 colors, lower mids a little lean, but an extremely clean sounding IEM. Accessories are...
Yifang: Yifang rated ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Balanced, neutral-leaning collab with outstanding imaging and gaming performance, but lighter bass impact and only average detail keep it from being a top all-rounder for music. Outstanding imaging, separation and positional accuracy make it one of the strongest gaming-focused IEMs at its price. Average detail retrieval, modest bass slam and somewhat less natural timbre limit its appeal as an all-round music set.
Joyce's Review: The ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete offers a balanced U-shaped tuning with standout vocals and a wide, precise stage that shines in FPS gaming, though bass depth and slightly dry treble keep it from... Wide soundstage, clear forward vocals and precise imaging make the Arete an excellent gaming-focused IEM that still performs well for music and studio use. Bass does not extend very deep and the treble can sound a little dry and less extended than more hi-fi-focused competitors.

+ 8 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA

7.6

7.8

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

$220

Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue

Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue

Web Search: The Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue is a collaboration IEM built around a hybrid 2DD+2BA configuration with a 10 mm bass driver, 8 mm mid driver and dual BAs handling upper mids and...
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Queen of Audio x Eir Aoi Misty Blue at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Misty Blue is a refined, under the radar hybrid around 220 USD, with smooth early rise tuning, rich mids and extended yet controlled treble that create a natural, cohesive listen. It trades sheer... Refined early rise tuning with controlled bass, clear mids, extended yet smooth treble and surprisingly strong staging and imaging for a hybrid around 220 USD. Not very high on engagement, with polite bass impact and a mid focused, slightly neutral presentation that some listeners may find too relaxed or even a bit boring compared to more energetic sets.

+ 2 more reviews

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

Warm 2DD+2BA

7.5

7.8

A

$149

7hz x Crinacle Divine

7hz x Crinacle Divine

Jays Audio: Clean, balanced, slightly dynamic, but smooth enough. Slightly lively-neutral tuning that's good for vocal/ballads. Could use more low-end and may be a bit lean for certain libraries, but overall...
Gizaudio Axel: Neutralish, mid-forward planar with excellent clarity and safe treble that competes strongly at its price, but bassheads and fans of warmer tunings may find it too lean. Excellent midrange clarity and natural, detailed planar technicalities with safe, non-fatiguing treble at the price. Moderate bass quantity and slightly leaner upper mids mean it will not satisfy bassheads or listeners who prefer a warm, relaxed tuning.
Jaytiss: It's a lot better than Dioko.
Web Search: 7Hz x Crinacle Divine is a planar-magnetic IEM built around a third-generation 14.5 mm planar driver, tuned with a ~10 dB bass shelf and a pinna gain centered near 3 kHz to target a...
Fresh Reviews: Some Titles B
Bad Guy Good Audio: Well tuned planar earphone at 149 dollars that trades some bass slam for a clean, balanced presentation and offers strong value for neutral listeners. Best suited to those who want a refined, S15... Well tuned planar with controlled bass, clean mids and very good value at 149 dollars for performance close to higher priced sets. Not ideal for heavy bass fans and may feel less special to listeners who already own similar neutral planars.
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the 7hz x Crinacle Divine at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Joyce's Review: Balanced, neutral leaning tuning with clean bass, forward vocals and airy treble, backed by solid build and comfortable fit. A strong all rounder for listeners who value clarity and control more than... Neutral yet engaging tuning with clean sub bass, clear vocals, airy treble and a comfortable, well built shell and cable. Bass extension is not very deep and the slightly bright, thin upper range plus thick cable may not suit all listeners or very treble sensitive ears.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1Planar (14.5mm)

7.5

7.7

A

Goldplanar GL-AMT16

Web Search: The Goldplanar GL-AMT16 is a single-driver in-ear using a 15.5 mm full-range AMT transducer (16 Ω, 102 dB) in a lightweight aluminum shell and ships with replaceable acoustic nozzles that...
Fox Told Me So: GoldPlanar GL-AMT16 is a rare IEM built around a full-range AMT (Air Motion Transformer) driver—a 15.5 mm ultra-thin folded diaphragm that, by design, moves a lot more air than a typical dynamic...

+ 1 more reviews

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

Neutral 1AMT

7.5

7.2

A

Crinear Daybreak

Jays Audio: Here we go again. Very similar tuning as P50 and SL224. Less vocal centric vs P50s, but more bassy and all-rounded. Slightly slightly less technical than SL224.
Jaytiss: Lacks silky treble, but it's fine. But fine isn't good enough.
Precogvision: Treble has some unnatural peaking past 10kHz that lends to a Focal-esque, metallic tinge.
Super* Review: Spot-on tonality. Everything sounds very natural and not contrasty. Vocal texturing is above average. Low-contrast sound signature. Bass is not that tight.
Web Search: The CrinEar Daybreak is a tri-brid IEM built around a 5-driver array—1DD + 2BA + 2 micro-planar tweeters—with a moderate 20 Ω load and 105 dB/mW sensitivity, making it easy to drive from...
Z-Reviews: The Crinacle Daybreak is a technically excellent IEM that offers exceptional clarity and detail retrieval without being fatiguing. Its five-driver configuration delivers a cohesive and precise...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Crinear Daybreak delivers huge subwoofer like slam, clean forward vocals and relaxed treble, making it an easy recommendation at 169 dollars for both hip hop and mixed genre listening. Subwoofer like bass slam, clean versatile tuning, non fatiguing treble and strong genre flexibility for the price. Slightly detached sub bass presentation and safer treble may not suit listeners who want perfectly blended lows or extra sparkle.
Audionotions: Slightly V-Shaped take on the JM-1 Meta. Some may find it a bit intense - especially in the upper treble, and perhaps the upper mids - it can sometimes border on being a tad shouty. Clean sounding...
Fox Told Me So: What could you expect from JM-1? This is it. Crinear Daybreak's tuning follows the New Meta family with two quirks: a dip at 400 Hz that slightly thins male vocals, and a dip around 8 kHz that...
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.
Joyce's Review: Neutral bright tuning with strong technical performance, wide stage and clear vocals makes Daybreak excellent value around 169 USD. Excellent clarity and imaging with spacious horizontal and vertical stage and airy yet controlled treble for the price. Slightly bright leaning with a hint of sibilance and dry upper treble, and sub bass does not reach the very deepest notes.

+ 10 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+2mPT

7.5

7.4

A

$399

HiSenior Cano Cristales

HiSenior Cano Cristales

Jays Audio: Exciting v-shape, graphs and sounds like a more aggressive/sharper Estrella that's less smooth/refined and more peaky. Uppermids can get shouty and fatiguing. Needs some sonions to smooth things out....
Gizaudio Axel: Bass quality is top-tier Deep, clean, and textured bass with great control. Clear, forward vocals and excellent detail. A bit bright and can get a bit intense at times.
Jaytiss: This is an exciting fun Bass heavy iem that gets a recomendation.
Super* Review: Impressive and aggressive bass presentation.
Web Search: The Cano Cristales stands out with its ergonomic shells that are surprisingly comfortable for extended listening sessions, housing a complex 2DD+8BA driver array. The nature-inspired design, blending...

+ 4 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 2DD+8BA

7.5

7.3

A

Epz K9

Jays Audio: All-rounder with slight v-shape tonality. EW300 upgrade. Natural and sweet vocals, nice mid-bass slam, treble is nicely extended, well-balanced with a mix of smoothness and contrast, and great...
Jaytiss: A little bit too much lower trebble, but it's still a good balanced set.
Web Search: The EPZ K9 is a 9-driver hybrid (1DD+8BA) with a 3-way acoustic/electronic crossover, rated at 14 Ω and 108 dB sensitivity; it also ships with interchangeable 3.5 mm/4.4 mm plugs, making it easy to...
Fox Told Me So: EPZ K9 follows a confident W-shaped tuning that strikes a fine balance between energy and smoothness. Sub-bass reaches good depth—elastic and bouncy rather than thunderous—giving just enough...
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the EPZ K9 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Warm 1DD+8BA

7.5

A

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....
Paul Wasabii: Neutral-bright, low-volume–optimized tuning with airy treble and clean mids; technical and engaging. Accessories feel dated and the fit/nozzle could be refined. Airy treble and clean, forward vocals deliver strong technical clarity at lower volumes. Lean bass and limited stage depth reduce warmth and versatility.

+ 9 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+5BA

7.5

8.5

A

Tanchjim Origin

Jays Audio: Just buy Fission. A cleaner/less warm LM, smoother EA1000 (fermats a little more resolving), very balanced, clean, and neutral sound. Very tough competition.
Gizaudio Axel: Smooth, detailed, and vocal-centric sound. Cohesive, vocal-focused tuning with dynamic bass, smooth extended treble, and excellent detail. Could use more sub-bass.
Jaytiss: Great Clarity, exceedingly tip sensitive.
Precogvision: Japanese flavor of tuning (mid-bass and upper-mid focus) finally done justice. Strong technical chops and slightly forward.
Tim Tuned: Beautiful timbre and treble Bass can use a bit more...volume
Shuwa-T: One of the more balanced sounding Tanchjim iems, vocal centric Quantity in the bass region, more noticeably the subbass
Z-Reviews: Tanchjim Origin shows up with grown-up design , a slick logo, and a surprisingly nice stock cable—though it’s only 3.5 mm . Under the hood: a single dynamic driver and interchangeable...
Audionotions: Yes, it's expensive for a single DD imaging and separation is top tier with very good layering - frankly, I haven't heard many sets near this price that have done the same. There is a bit of subbass...
Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the Tanchjim Origin at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐ | Comfort: 8 good vocals and treble bass could be more fun
Paul Wasabii: Neutral-bright take on Oxygen with elevated upper mids and air that thin out vocals and add fatigue. Capable driver, but the imbalance undermines the bass arc. Capable single dynamic driver with clean bass arc and fast, clear transients. Excessive 3–5 kHz and upper-treble energy makes vocals thin, increases fatigue and collapses stage.
ATechReviews: Tanchjim Origin combines a neutral, highly detailed and non fatiguing tuning with excellent bass, mids and treble that outperform well known sets like Blessing 2 and Oxygen. A strong new reference... Neutral yet engaging tuning with clean impactful bass, rich vocals, smooth but highly detailed treble and excellent imaging plus high quality accessories. Soundstage is only average and the larger nozzles together with the single included 3.5 mm cable option may not suit every listener.
Audio-In Reviews: Highly technical and natural sounding single dynamic driver IEM with a neutral, slightly mid forward tuning that competes strongly under 300 USD. Some listeners may still prefer cheaper competitors... Class leading technical performance under 300 USD with a natural, balanced tuning and strong micro detail for a single dynamic driver. Price sits at the higher end of its bracket and the slightly forward mids, intimate stage and bass speed may not satisfy those who prefer warmer, more spacious or faster sounding sets.
Joyce's Review: Tanchjim Origin delivers a warm neutral, vocal focused tuning with wide stage, clean separation and smooth treble, but it is power hungry and the stainless steel shells can feel heavy over longer... Warm neutral, vocal focused tuning with smooth treble, wide soundstage, clean separation and respectable detail for the price. Heavy stainless steel shells, higher power requirement and slightly relaxed dynamics limit comfort and impact from weaker sources.

+ 13 more reviews

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

n/a 1DD

7.5

7.6

A-

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.
Precogvision: A bit too gritty and aggressive for my preferences. Bass has better focus/weight than Horizon though and big sound.
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
Z-Reviews: Ziigaat Odyssey 2 hits with that classic brand playbook: a comfy shared shell, a chunky but super-flexible cable with a huge swappable plug, and a surprisingly generous tip selection and...
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.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 nice warm tuning slightly relaxed midrange and treble
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.
Joyce's Review: Warm, immersive and atmospheric tuning with strong technical performance makes Odyssey 2 feel like a collaboration that could be priced higher than 249 USD. Warm yet balanced tuning with strong treble extension, engaging mid bass impact and immersive atmosphere that works across almost all genres. Sub bass does not reach extremely deep and listeners chasing a very cold, ultra analytical presentation may still favor the original Odyssey 1.

+ 11 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+3BA

7.4

7.9

8.2

A-

$279

TANCHJIM x Effect Audio Force

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...
Z-Reviews: The TANCHJIM Force goes for a “vented open-back ” vibe—don’t expect true openness, but those rear vents give the presentation extra air and size. Inside are dual dynamics: a 10 mm ...
Paul Wasabii: Clear, hybrid-like upper range and space, but the analog tuning is lean and the DSP presets reduce clarity. At $280 the package lacks a single polished default. Unique dual-DD execution with extended treble clarity, spacious presentation, and a quality modular Effect Audio cable with DSP. Tuning is polarizing with lean analog and bass-heavy DSP presets, and the $280 price feels steep for the level of polish.
Audio-In Reviews: Bright neutral tuning with strong vocal clarity and good technical performance, but bass quantity is light and upper mids are more forward than many listeners may prefer. DSP and EQ support plus the... Clean, vocal focused tuning with airy, detailed treble, a premium modular Effect Audio cable and DSP or EQ support that make the package flexible. Bass and note weight are on the lean side, upper mids can feel too forward, and there are several rival sets at or below this price that sound more balanced without EQ.
Joyce's Review: TANCHJIM x Effect Audio Force delivers a wide, open soundstage with warm, textured bass and intimate vocals that feel almost headphone-like. Minor treble dryness and reverb-heavy mids keep it from... Massive open-back soundstage with rich, textured bass, intimate vocals and an easy to drive DSP cable that works great straight from a phone. Reverb heavy mids, slightly dry treble timbre and more relaxed detail in the upper mids and lower treble may not satisfy listeners who want maximum clarity and bite.

+ 6 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

7.4

7.3

A-

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!
Super* Review: The Dunu Vulkan 2 (2DD+6BA, ~$360) is well-built with generous accessories but tuned “delicate”—very midrange-forward, bass-light, and thinned by a pronounced lower-mid dip. Compared with the...
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: 18 community members have rated the DUNU Vulkan 2 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Paul Wasabii: Mids take center stage with a natural, polished treble; bass is tight but light, making it genre-dependent. A refined, more energetic twist on the EJ07 recipe at $360. Emotive, textured mids with natural, polished treble and clean, fast bass. 5 dB bass shelf with a mid-bass dip makes it genre-limiting; stage leans intimate and it is source-picky.
Audio-In Reviews: Dunu Vulkan 2 offers a neutral leaning tuning with strong technical performance, excellent build and a generous accessory set, but a somewhat leaner low end and upper tilt that will not fit every... Excellent build, comfort and accessory set combined with neutral leaning tuning, natural mids and refined treble supported by above average technical performance. Reduced lower mids and relaxed midbass make the presentation a bit top heavy and less punchy, so it is less ideal for rap or EDM and can feel less engaging than some competing sets.
Joyce's Review: Vulkan 2 is a mid priced hybrid that emphasises wide soundstage and bright, detailed treble while keeping bass controlled and balanced. Best suited to listeners who value airiness and staging over... Excellent soundstage and imaging with airy, detailed treble and clear, textured mids. Cooler tonality and moderate bass quantity may feel lean to listeners who prefer warm or bass heavy signatures.

+ 8 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+6BA

7.4

7.6

A-

Yanyin Canon II

Super* Review: Warm, relaxed IEM - technical enough. Has a bass boost. Pretty decent option.
Web Search: The Yanyin Canon II delivers a bass performance that stands out in its price range, offering deep extension and textured rumble without overwhelming the mix. Its bio-diaphragm dynamic driver, housed...
Fresh Reviews: I would note - great for R6
Z-Reviews: Yanyin Canon II hits with a five-driver hybrid (4BA + 1DD) that’s all about huge stage , deep layering , and an addicting sense of air . Two rear switches offer four tunings but they mostly...
Head-Fi.org: 19 community members have rated the Yanyin Canon II at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Yifang rated Yanyin Canon II with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Joyce's Review: Warm, bassy tuning with gritty, textured mids gives the Yanyin Canon II a very engaging, instrument focused presentation. Treble sharpness and limited air keep it from being the smoothest or most... Strong, impactful bass with warm, textured mids and engaging, instrument-forward presentation. Treble can sound a bit sharp with limited extension and the overall tuning is less suitable for listeners who want a very airy, relaxed sound.

+ 6 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA

7.4

7.5

A-

$299

Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella

Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella

Jaytiss: Great soundstage,very V shapped, to those sensitive to those regions.
Super* Review: A little bit overcooked. It is certainly not a bad IEM. It does a good job in give you a lot of bass and a lot of physicality in the bass and not compromising in separation and imaging.
Web Search: The Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella delivers a thrilling V-shaped signature that prioritizes fun and engagement. Its standout feature is the commanding sub-bass, powered by dual dynamic drivers, which...
Fresh Reviews: B in Valorant, B- to C+ in Apex, C+ in COD
Shuwa-T: Solid pickup all rounder, tonality works for most genres with decent techs
Z-Reviews: Ziigaat x Jays Audio Estrella is a 2DD + 4BA hybrid that dresses up nicely—sparkly shells, thick build to house those dual 10 mm PT “coaxial” dynamics , and clean two-pin sockets. The...
Head-Fi.org: 21 community members have rated the Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: Probably the most detailed and technical IEM around $300. You pay for the detail with a fatiguing, sharp treble presentation. Looks and sounds great, IF you can handle it. Accessories are a straight...
Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 fun vshaped, great bass and treble mids not the best
Paul Wasabii: Estrella is a mod friendly hybrid that moves from bass heavy fun to a more balanced, expensive sounding signature once the sub bass is tamed with the micropore or tape mod. Technical performance is... Very refined hybrid technicalities with natural no shout mids and resolution that makes the set feel more expensive than its price. Stock tuning is overly sub bass heavy and even with the micropore or tape mod the upper treble can sound a bit bright and flatten the stage at higher volumes.

+ 9 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 2DD+4BA

7.4

7.8

A-

Kiwi Ears Aether

Jays Audio: Clean, balanced, with slight air boost in the treble. Bass sounds like a DD with great texture. Cheaper better tuned P5+2. Not as smooth as Timeless 2 with more dynamic contrast with a slight sizzle...
Gizaudio Axel: One of the best planar IEMs out there. The treble is smoother and easier on the ears than most planars. Balanced sound with clean bass, smooth mids, and detailed treble. Great clarity, wide soundstage, and natural timbre for a planar. Bass might be a bit light, and treble can be a little forward for some.
Jaytiss: Not for bassheads, but one of the best planars I've ever heard.
Super* Review: A little bit spicy in the treble (like the other planars). Relaxed upper mid-range. Warmer tuning than S12. It's a decent IEM
Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Aether is a single-planar IEM built around a large 15.3 mm planar magnetic driver, housed in a vented resin shell with 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. Official specs list 14 Ω impedance and...
Fresh Reviews: Kiwi Ears Aether lands as a standout at the $150 mark: a single large planar driver in a comfy, 3D-printed resin shell that can be worn for 8+ hours without fuss. The faceplate looks premium,...
Z-Reviews: Kiwi Ears Aether hits with a 15.3 mm planar that feels more like a compact headphone than an IEM—big, airy, and unapologetically wide. Bass is unmistakably planar-fast with real sub-bass ...
Head-Fi.org: 38 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Aether at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: Essentially a cheaper Tangzu Zetian Heyday. Great airiness, nice build. Cable and accessories need work.
Paul Wasabii: Safe, less-fatiguing planar with good vocals and slightly shy sub-bass; responds well to mild EQ for more presence and bite. Pleasant, non-fatiguing tuning with strong vocals; driver tolerates EQ and can add bass and presence without strain. Sub-bass is shy and the reduced 5–8 kHz presence makes it a bit less technical and lively in stock form.
ATechReviews: Highly detailed, natural sounding planar with standout treble and expansive stage that punches above its 170 dollar price, though bass quantity stays moderate. Outstanding technical performance with natural timbre, expansive stage and some of the best, non fatiguing planar treble at this price. Moderate bass quantity and occasional S or SH emphasis at high volume plus the need for some power to fully open up mean it is not ideal for bassheads or extreme treble sensitive listeners.
Joyce's Review: Joyce rates the KiwiEars Aether at four out of five stars, praising its airy instrument focused tuning, wide open back like stage and strong detail, while noting noticeable sibilance and slightly... Spacious open back like soundstage with strong sub bass extension and detailed, airy instruments. Vocals sit distant with some haze and the boosted upper treble introduces noticeable sibilance.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1Planar

7.4

7.6

A-

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...
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated EPZ P50 with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
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.
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 warm balanced sound. great micro details a little safe and boring
Paul Wasabii: Affordable tribrid with a vocal-centric, general-appeal tuning and standout imaging for the price. Execution suggests where sub-$100 hybrids are heading in 2025. Cohesive mid-centric tuning with extended treble from micro-planars, spacious stage, sharp imaging, and excellent value under $100. Sub-bass is conservative and the clean, revealing treble can be unforgiving on hot tracks; the shell is on the larger side and the nozzle lacks a lip.

+ 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 1DD+2BA+2Planar

7.4

7.2

9.5

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-

INTUAURA Balance

Jaytiss: Magistical balance, and sense of Space. Realy easy to love.
Web Search: The INTUAURA Balance delivers a cohesive sound with well-controlled bass that avoids overwhelming the mids, while maintaining clarity in vocal reproduction. Its treble presentation is smooth and...
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the INTUAURA Balance at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Well-judged balanced 1DD with controlled bass, slightly relaxed upper mids and a tasteful 5 kHz dip. Resolves better than peers in this tuning and keeps composure from low to high volume. Natural, balanced tuning with controlled bass shelf, articulate mids and resolved treble; scales well across volumes and stages openly for a single DD. Imaging sharpness trails cleaner U-shapes and absolute technical performance remains short of high-end hybrids.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral leaning single dynamic with natural tonality and comfortable fit, but average technical performance and somewhat relaxed bass keep it from standing out among strong competitors around this... Natural balanced tuning with good timbre, small comfortable shells and punchy tactile bass quality for the price. Average technical performance, slightly congested mid bass and low mids, and several competing sets that offer better resolution and more engaging tuning at or below the same price.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+4BA

7.3

7.1

A-

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.
ATechReviews: Single dynamic NiceHCK Himalaya delivers superbly textured bass, forward lush mids and hyper detailed airy treble with wide stage and precise imaging, but the very energetic upper midrange can sound... Superb bass quality with warm forward vocals, hyper detailed airy treble, wide soundstage and very precise imaging for the price. Upper mids and lower treble are very energetic and can sound edgy or slightly sibilant and fatiguing on busy or aggressive tracks.
Audio-In Reviews: NiceHCK Himalaya is a well built and nicely accessorized single dynamic flagship with engaging, warm neutral tuning, but some midrange unnaturalness and merely decent detail hold it back in a very... Excellent titanium build, modular cable and accessories with engaging bass and flexible nozzle based tuning options. Upper mids can sound somewhat unnatural with limited detail for the price, a bit of bass bleed and overall performance that struggles to stand out against cheaper competitors.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD

7.3

7

A-

Simgot ET142

Jays Audio: Lots of variety with nozzles.Tames down 2K, keeps treble extension, basically a Timeless 2 with better fit and more detail with blue nozzle.
Fresh Reviews: Border B
Z-Reviews: SIMGOT ET142 comes across as a sleek, chrome-heavy hybrid with a planar + PZT setup, dressed in CNC’d stainless shells and a surprisingly thick premium cable , plus a magnetic case and...
Audio Amigo: A 3-in-1 IEM. It can sound like an S12, S12 Pro, or S08 depending on what nozzles you're using. Great acessories and build quality. Stellar Sound with all nozzles
Paul Wasabii: Flexible nozzle system gives smoother treble options and near-reference planar tuning. Superb shell and LC7 modular cable. Outstanding build and LC7 modular cable with flexible nozzle and foam system that caters to treble-sensitive listeners. Less resolution and top-end extension than S12 2024, and the gold or blue nozzles can be too bright for many.

+ 4 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: A Details: A

V-Shaped 1Planar+1BC

7.3

8

7.3

A-

SIVGA Nightingale

Jays Audio: LESS-TREBLE UNIT. VERY GENRE SPECIFIC. Listen at HIGH VOLUME with slower tracks (slow rock, ballads, indie, jazz, blues, acoustics, instrumentals etc). TOTL stage (airy+reverb), layering, treble...
Z-Reviews: SIVGA Nightingale takes the planar recipe and makes it weird in the best way. Priced around $279 , it hits with a warm, woody tonality and a soft, velvet-like “ veil ” that doesn’t dull...

+ 1 more reviews

Tuning: A Tech: A+

n/a n/a

7.3

7.9

A-

Kiwi Ears Septet

Jays Audio: Bright-leaning with slight warmness - has an unique sparkly/lush, airy, and spacious sound. Great tech for the price, treble is not overly harsh or peaky (at mid volume), pretty smooth with the extra...
Jaytiss: A unique open back iem.
Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Septet delivers a neutral-bright sound signature characterized by clear vocals and a notably forward treble that enhances detail retrieval, particularly in female vocals and acoustic...
Head-Fi.org: 31 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Septet at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: A very unique tuning with very clean bass and mids and a subdued, understated vocal presentation. Low and mid treble is boosted quite a bit. Can be Fatiguing. A True open-backed IEM that leaks sound...
Paul Wasabii: Lively V-shaped hybrid with big stage and strong resolution once properly powered, clearly more engaging than Astral or Quintet. Demands serious volume and a capable dongle/amp, and the semi-open... Engaging V-shaped tuning with wide stage and extended treble that shines for pop/EDM. Extremely hard to drive; semi-open venting softens sub-bass density and reduces isolation.
ATechReviews: Kiwi Ears Septet is a bright neutral, detail focused open back IEM with excellent stage and technical performance, but a boosted mid treble and moderate mid bass mean it suits listeners who enjoy a... Outstanding technical performance with huge open soundstage, clean sub bass focused tuning, excellent detail separation and comfort, plus a compact metal shell and high quality modular cable. Bright mid treble can be fatiguing for treble sensitive listeners, bass quantity and mid bass weight are limited, and the open back design leaks sound and isolates less than typical closed IEMs.

+ 6 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT

7.3

7.5

A-

Kiwi Ears KE4

Jays Audio: Just get Odyssey it's better. Warm/bassy with solid vocal and treble extension (not buried) that scales really well with good treble air to not sound too intimate. Has a fuller noteweight with one of...
Gizaudio Axel: Solid reference. Great Meta tuning. Could use more detail, not very engaging.
Jaytiss: It's boring. So boring, like mega boring to the max.
Tim Tuned: Almost dead neutral tuning in the best of ways Lacks excitement, bass is alright
Super* Review: New Meta tuned IEM. This gives you a bass boost and it's not the best bass. If you want the Hexa + Bass this is what you want.
Fresh Reviews: A B for Valorant
Z-Reviews: Kiwi Ears KE4 is a 2DD + 2BA hybrid touting an isobaric subwoofer system and “ sub-bass impact and slam .” The reality doesn’t match the brochure: the $200 package feels plain—simple...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Kiwi Ears KE4 drops at $199 and comes across as the best-tuned Kiwi Ears yet. Unlike the Orchestra Lite with its sub-bass roll-off or the budget Cadenza that skews a bit dark , this set...
Head-Fi.org: 48 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears KE4 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: Cheapest "True Meta" Tuned IEM. Amazing All-rounder with kinda soft bass. Great for any genre or type of music. Goldilocks IEM: Not too Hot, Not too Cold.
Paul Wasabii: Meta-style hybrid with fuller mids, fun bass and relaxed treble that gives easygoing playback, but the strong sub-bass and laid-back top end make it sound a bit closed-in and less dynamic than other... Fuller, non-shouty mids with fun sub-bass and relaxed treble make for very easygoing, broadly appealing playback. Excess sub-bass, conservative treble and a variable stage leave the sound somewhat compressed, closed-in and less dynamic than other hybrids at this price.
ATechReviews: Warm neutral meta tuned hybrid with powerful bass slam, smooth non fatiguing treble and natural timbre that make it an easy recommendation around 200 dollars. Smooth warm neutral meta tuning with powerful bass impact, natural timbre, non fatiguing treble and very comfortable shells at an attractive 199 dollar price. Technical performance and detail are behind brighter competitors like TruthEar Nova or Dunu Da Vinci, vocals are somewhat laid back, transients are on the softer side and there is mild driver flex.
Joyce's Review: Kiwi Ears KE4 is a lively sub bass focused hybrid with warm intimate vocals and bright detailed treble, great for modern genres but with a slightly dry top end and occasional bass overshadowing in... Powerful sub bass with strong impact, warm close vocals and bright detailed treble with very good separation and clarity. Sub bass can slightly overshadow midrange instruments on complex tracks and the dry upper treble may be fatiguing for more sensitive listeners.

+ 12 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+2BA

7.3

6.6

6.5

A-

Aful Explorer

Jays Audio: High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music.
Gizaudio Axel: Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.
Jaytiss: The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical.
Precogvision: Smooth sounding but lack of treble extension leads to low-level detail.
Super* Review: Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Aful Explorer with a score of 6.8/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Aful Explorer with a score of 6.4/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Aful Explorer hits way, way above its bracket. Tuning snaps into focus with impact , cohesion , and smoothness that feel “stupid good” for $120 —the kind of price that triggers a...
Audionotions: Relaxed and fun. Easy to listen to. A bit darker than my preferrd signature but I enjoyed this quite a bit.
Head-Fi.org: 28 community members have rated the AFUL Explorer at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: An amazing hybrid. Trades blows with the S08. Gorgeous Shells
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮 | Comfort: 8 wide and unique warm tuning relaxed vocals and treble
ATechReviews: AFUL Explorer is a $120 hybrid that combines powerful, textured bass, smooth non fatiguing mids and treble, and strong technical performance that rivals more expensive sets. Downsides are a sparse... Powerful textured bass with zero bleed, smooth non shouty mids and treble, strong technical performance and a very small, comfortable shell. Sparse accessories, generic tips, non modular cable and an intimate stage that may feel too closed in for some listeners.
Audio-In Reviews: AFUL Explorer offers a natural, slightly warm tuning with strong sub bass, smooth non fatiguing treble and very solid value around the 100 dollar mark, held back mainly by modest stage size, relaxed... Natural slightly warm tuning with strong dynamic bass, smooth controlled treble and one of the most balanced overall presentations in the current 100 dollar class. Bass bleed into the lower mids, relaxed vocal presence, narrow stage and limited upper treble air prevent the Explorer from reaching truly standout technical performance.

+ 13 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+2BA

7.3

7.1

A-

Aful Performer 8

Jays Audio: Good neutral set. Airy and open staging but with forward vocals although lacking in extension. Great layering and details but not 3D and more flat. Vocals could also be more open, and feels "stuck".
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Aful Performer 8 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: One of the most technical and best air and details iem out there for the price.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Aful Performer 8 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: Quite solid technical performance. Good imaging/separation. Good sense of positioning.
Fresh Reviews: The Aful Performer 8 stands out for coherency , a clean , open presentation, and excellent tonality / timbre that suit competitive play. Bass is fast , well-textured, and deliberately...
Shuwa-T: Comment: Slight retuning could bump this up. Technicalities are solid, better staging and imaging compared to P5 The tuning has slight honkiness in the midrange
Nymz: Great tonal balance with technicalities to back it up. Probably the best treble balance you find up to its price point. Mid-bass won't be for everyone.
Z-Reviews: Aful Performer 8 takes the brainy crossover wizardry that made the P5 clean and pushes it harder. Inside sits 1DD + 7BA , a real RLC crossover on a circuit board, and a maze of 3D-printed...
Audionotions: Smooth and balanced with really great detail retrieval. Slightly warm which makes vocals sound rich and instruments sound full. Jack-of-all-trades. If you can swing $370 for this and aren't willing...
Head-Fi.org: 11 community members have rated the AFUL Performer 8 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Yifang: Yifang rated Aful Performer 8 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+7BA

7.3

6.9

A-

Moondrop Blessing 3

Jays Audio: Bright-neutral. Slight resolution bump over the B2 Dusk, but at the cost of weak bass and sharp 6K.
Gizaudio Axel: Excellent resolution. Neutral, vocal-focused sound with great treble extension and detail. Light bass, can sound lean, thin and technical.
Jaytiss: A little lean, but if you eq it's one of the best sets out there for the price.
Precogvision: Detail-oriented signature at the expense of sounding quite anemic.
Tim Tuned: Moondrop Blessing 3 steps up as the most complete Blessing yet—cleaner and more controlled than the Blessing 2: Dusk , with less bass quantity but sharper dynamics and a tidier... Brighter, slightly more detailed version of B2 Dusk Bass a little light
Super* Review: Moondrop Blessing 3 sticks to the family recipe—clean, neutral , vocal-centric—while fixing the Blessing 2’s soft spot: treble extension . Cymbals finally have proper metallic...
Fresh Reviews: Borders C+
Shuwa-T: Overall clarity, lower treble detail with smooth extension Thin lower midrange and note weight in general
Nymz: Fantastic detail and clarity. Bass is quite an upgrade from its predecessors, but still lacking some salt to its lower mid-range. Not the easiest to love, but also hard to fault. Tiring after a...
Z-Reviews: Moondrop Blessing 3 ditches the old vibe for a fresh hybrid recipe: H.O.D.D.U.S. (two horizontally opposed 10 mm dynamics) plus 4× BA at around $320 . The stage isn’t huge, by design—this...
Head-Fi.org: 11 community members have rated the Moondrop Blessing 3 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Moondrop Blessing 2:Dusk brings a rock-solid build with clear acrylic shells that show off the 1DD+4BA internals and that cheeky anime engraving . Fit skews large— big nozzles and a bulky...

+ 11 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+4BA

7.3

6.6

A-

Binary Dynaquattro

Jays Audio: Natural vocals, good treble extension, bass is tight and more resolving vs 61t and Davinci. Overall very well balanced and clean. There are some small peaks at 8-10k and 15-20K which can be an issue...
Gizaudio Axel: Shines when driven properly. Excellent bass, vocal-forward tuning, and natural timbre. Hard to drive, could use more treble extension.
Jaytiss: It has great tuning, but lack serverly in some areas. Very fun.
Z-Reviews: Binary Dynaquattro comes out swinging with a wild driver setup: three active dynamic drivers of different sizes plus a passive radiator . The result is bass that doesn’t just thump—it quakes...
Paul Wasabii: Binary Dynaquattro is a basshead-leaning, timbre-focused 3DD set with smooth treble and forward mids, but its boomy low end blurs technicalities and creates a congested, in-head stage. Smooth, non-fatiguing treble with forward mids and cohesive three-dynamic-driver timbre that suits bass-focused genres like rap and R&B. Very boomy bass that blurs details, masks the treble, and creates a cramped, in-head stage that struggles with genres needing balance or strong technical performance.
ATechReviews: Binary Acoustics DynaQuattro delivers a vocal forward, sub bass boosted tuning with excellent technical performance that competes with the best sub 300 dollar IEMs. Its main drawbacks are slightly... Visceral but controlled bass, forward natural vocals and strong detail and imaging that rival significantly more expensive IEMs. Slightly limited upper treble air, only average isolation and a need for a more powerful source to fully unlock dynamics and soundstage.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral warm tuning with excellent sub bass, smooth treble and above average technicalities, but slightly forward upper mids and relaxed treble detail keep it just behind the very best at this price. Strong sub bass with great impact, modular cable and protective case, comfortable fit and above average staging and imaging make this a very compelling all rounder in the 200 to 300 dollar range. Upper mids can be a little forward, treble is on the smoother side with limited air and detail, and overall balance and refinement still lag slightly behind top competitors like Butterfly 61T and Da Vinci.

+ 6 more reviews

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

n/a 4DD

7.3

6.9

A-

Letshuoer S12 Ultra

Jays Audio: Smoothest S12 so far with fun sub-bass and good transients/dynamics. Slight v-shape, similar to the Defiant but a little more bassy. 1.5K vocal peak can be an issue on songs with no bass to cover it,...
Jaytiss: They saved the best s12 for last.
Web Search: The Letshuoer S12 Ultra continues the brand’s planar lineage with a 14.8 mm planar-magnetic driver in a compact metal shell. Notable upgrades include a 392-core silver-plated cable with...
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the LETSHUOER S12 Ultra at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
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.

+ 4 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1Planar (14.8 mm)

7.2

7.3

A-

DUNU x KOTO ITO

Jaytiss: It's a fun tuning that I think people will like.
Web Search: DUNU x KOTO ITO is a $199.99 hybrid IEM built with Japanese reviewer Kaji Kaji (“Koto”). It uses a 2DD+2BA array (10 mm bio-diaphragm DD + 8 mm LCP DD, plus two treble BAs), comes with DUNU’s...
Z-Reviews: Dunu’s collab with Japanese creator Kaji Kaji lands as the ITO , tuned nothing like the stereotype of “treble ’til you die.” The presentation leans smooth , warm , and open, with a notably...
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Dunu x Koto ITO at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.
Audio-In Reviews: The Dunu x Koto E2 is a bold $200 basshead set with powerful but controlled low-end and solid technical performance. Its strong bass focus and upper-mid energy make it better suited to listeners who... Powerful, high-quality bass with good separation, natural overall tonality for a basshead tuning, strong imaging and soundstage, plus an excellent cable, case and tip selection for the price. Bass quantity and elevated upper mids can overpower vocals for some listeners, and more balanced competitors still offer a more neutral tonality and slightly higher technical performance at this price.

+ 4 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 2DD+2BA

7.2

6.8

A-

$699

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6

MYER-AUDIO SLIIVO SLT6

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

+ 2 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 6BA

7.2

7.8

A-

Dunu Kima 2

Jays Audio: Warm-neutral, relaxing set, great cable, build, and accessories. Vocals are a bit soft, not fully extended, could use more air, but overall decent if you want a comfortable listen
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Dunu Kima 2 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: Just fantastic dynamic driver. Hard not to love it.
Web Search: The Dunu Kima 2 is a single dynamic driver IEM built around an external-magnet DLC composite diaphragm in a compact S316 stainless-steel shell, retailing at roughly $120 and targeting the...
Z-Reviews: Dunu Kima 2 goes straight for the dopamine: a single dynamic driver with a DLC composite diaphragm and beefy magnet system that’s being compared to Falcon Ultra—only this time the tuning...
Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the Dunu Kima 2 at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: Calm, warm, neutral tuning with a smooth, detailed midrange and treble response. Fantastic All-Rounder. Epic Acessories package. Cable is nice, but very flawed.
Paul Wasabii: Warm, full-bodied single dynamic driver IEM with great accessories and strong imaging that falls just short of top-tier technical performance without a small treble tweak. Excellent build and accessories with a refined, full-bodied tuning, strong imaging and staging, and a driver that responds very well to a small 10 kHz lift. Thick lower mids and a slightly recessed 10 kHz region make the set sound warmer and less technical in stock form, especially at lower volumes.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD (DLC composite diaphragm)

7.2

6.5

A-

Moondrop Psyche

Jaytiss: Well at leas the faceplate is pretty.
Web Search: The Moondrop Psyche impresses with a remarkably detailed and smooth treble response, thanks to its four miniature planar-magnetic drivers, which deliver lower distortion and a sense of **airiness**...

+ 1 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+4BA+4Planar

7.1

6

A-

Tanchjim Fission

Jays Audio: Exact same driver and tuning as the Origin (with middle dial on S-SILVER NOZZLE) but with less premium build/design/cable/case - a welcomed hit for better value. Clean, neutral, balanced, full, and...
Jaytiss: Such a Fantastic little set.
Super* Review: Fairly unoffensive with a slightly bright/forward tone. Pillowy bass attack and overall presentation aren’t very engaging; the bass dial doesn’t meaningfully change that.
Web Search: The Tanchjim Fission delivers a notably neutral with vocal-forward presentation in its default configuration, emphasizing clarity and articulation in the midrange without excessive coloration. Bass...
Z-Reviews: The Tanchjim Fission is an absolutely spectacular IEM that feels and performs far beyond its $129 price tag. It comes loaded with a ridiculous amount of customization, featuring three...
Head-Fi.org: 19 community members have rated the TANCHJIM FISSION at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Paul Wasabii: Balanced, spacious single-DD with great tuning flexibility and price-appropriate performance; resolution is its weak spot. Prefer the DSP connector over the basic dongle for depth. Versatile tuning (4-way switch, three labeled nozzles, and app-based DSP) with open stage, sharp imaging, and natural midrange. Resolution and treble extension are modest, and the CS43198-style dongle flattens stage depth compared to the DSP connector.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral, versatile set with natural tonality, safe treble and lots of tuning options, but bass is relaxed and technical performance only average for the price. Neutral, natural tonality with safe treble, solid dynamics and imaging plus generous accessories and extensive tuning options. Bass is too relaxed with a slightly congested low midrange, average detail and soundstage, and there are stronger alternatives at a similar price.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD

7.1

7

A-

Kefine Quatio

Jays Audio: A bassy all-rounder, and cleaner Doscinco for $100 less. Very versatile with the different nozzles - goes from bassy to clean all-rounder. Solid packaging and accesories. Competitive tech, but not as...
Gizaudio Axel: An engaging sound signature with good bass and natural mids. Deep bass with strong impact, natural mids with good timbre, and smooth treble with great detail. Lower treble can get a bit energetic, and upper treble lacks some air.
Jaytiss: Mids are slightly cooked, but it's nice overall.
Tim Tuned: The Kefine Quatio arrives in a clean, standard black box with the IEMs nicely presented alongside a solid set of accessories. Its shell has an interesting, somewhat bulky egg-shaped profile, yet... Mostly inoffensive bassy V-shape tuning Lacking details
Web Search: The KEFINE Quatio impresses with its premium build quality and versatile tuning options. Its lightweight aluminum alloy shells offer both durability and comfort, while the included modular cable with...
Fresh Reviews: Borders B+
Head-Fi.org: 29 community members have rated the KEFINE QUATIO at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Bass-tilted, fatigue-free hybrid with excellent build and accessories; closer to Delci than Clean and priced appropriately around $130. Not a detail monster but coherent and easy to enjoy. Excellent metal build and accessories with coherent, bass-friendly tuning that avoids fatigue. Strong sub-bass masks lower mids and the safe upper treble reduces air, detail and overall technical performance.
Audio-In Reviews: Kefine Quatio is a well-built, natural-sounding hybrid with engaging mids and tasteful bass, helped by flexible tuning filters and a strong cable/accessory pack, but its relaxed treble and stiff... Natural, well-balanced tuning with standout mids, good bass quality, useful tuning nozzles and very solid build, cable and comfort for the price. Upper treble is too relaxed with limited air and perceived detail, and there are several competing sets around this price that offer more excitement or better match most listeners’ preferences.

+ 8 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+2BA

7.1

6.7

8

A-

Hidizs MP145

Jays Audio: A less sharp and sizzly HeyDay. All-rounder sound with good tech. Tamer Harman/df. Solid all-rounder.
Web Search: Hidizs MP145 is a single-driver planar IEM built around a 14.5 mm planar magnetic transducer (30 Ω, ~104 dB/Vrms), housed in a milled aluminum shell. It ships with screw-on tuning filters that make...
Audionotions: One of the best IEMS under $300. Shells look large but fit is surprisingly good and very comfy. Tuning nozzles actually work - I like the balanced setting but all of them sound good. Great techs,...
Head-Fi.org: 31 community members have rated the HIDIZS MP145 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 3 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1Planar

7.1

7.4

A-

Kiwi Ears ETUDE

Jays Audio: Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A...
Jaytiss: This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso.
Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a...
Z-Reviews: The Kiwi Ears Étude comes in the usual Kiwi Ears packaging with the standard case and cable, but the shells themselves are ridiculously pretty — like layers of gold sand swirling in the ear...
Head-Fi.org: 26 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears ETUDE at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
ATechReviews: Kiwi Ears Etude is a very unique and fun bone conduction experiment with strong physical bass impact and smooth treble, but the hollow mids and smeared imaging stop it from being a safe all round... Unique, very noticeable bone conduction effect with fun punchy bass, smooth non fatiguing treble and strong value as an affordable way to experience this tech. Hollow echoey mids and smeared imaging reduce separation and naturalness compared to more conventional 100 dollar IEMs.
Joyce's Review: Kiwi Ears Etude delivers a punchy, rumbly low end, crisp airy treble and strong technical performance that feels both impactful and spacious. A slightly cool tonality and occasional sibilance on... Strong technical performance with punchy controlled bass, crisp detailed mids and treble, wide imaging and very comfortable fit for long listening sessions. Upper treble can sound a little dry and slightly sibilant on rough recordings, and the overall tonality leans toward a cooler profile that may not suit listeners who prefer a warmer sound.

+ 6 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+3BA+1VT

7.1

6.9

A-

Ziigaat Doscinco

Jays Audio: Benchmark bass set before the UP. Low-end is impactful, rumbly, heavy, and slams hard with reverb detail. Ideal for hiphop/rap/r&b/rock. Separation & resolution not the best around its price, but...
Jaytiss: This is a mini Monarch MK 3, U shaped.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Ziigaat Doscinco with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Can border B-
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the ZIIGAAT Doscinco at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.
Audio Amigo: Super well executed V-Shaped IEM. Wonderful thick bass, good vocals, enough treble sparkle to balance things out. Lots of fun without sacrificing too much detail or tonality. Accessories are a...

+ 5 more reviews

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

Warm n/a

7.1

6.7

A-

Kiwi Ears Airoso

Jays Audio: A sightly more airy/detailed EW300 with better timbre. Warm leaning all rounder with good dynamic contrast.
Jaytiss: Rich thick, enjoyable. Benchmark for me. Just epic.
Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Airoso offers a warm, smooth sound signature characterized by a full-bodied bass with satisfying sub-bass rumble and quick decay, though mid-bass impact remains reserved. Its midrange...
Z-Reviews: Kiwi Ears Airoso brings a hybrid recipe that just works: 1DD + 4BA with the dynamic driver clearly doing the low-end heavy lifting while the BAs keep mids and highs clean and balanced . The...
Head-Fi.org: 23 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Airoso at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Joyce's Review: Smooth, warm hybrid with thick but clean bass, natural mids and soft, non-fatiguing treble, offering an intimate yet detailed presentation for those who prefer a creamy tuning over maximum air and... Rich, smooth V-shaped tuning with impactful yet controlled bass, natural detailed mids and bright but gentle treble, plus strong technical performance on complex tracks. Stage and air are more intimate than expansive, extreme treble extension is limited and the 15 ohm impedance and high price make it less versatile from simple sources than some cheaper competitors.

+ 5 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA

7.1

A-

Ziigaat Lush

Jays Audio: A cleaner more technical AFUL Explorer with a more open sense of space and airier treble. High volume set. Very smooth and balanced at higher scaling - has a "Lush" and full sound. Mid-volume sounds...
Jaytiss: Mid mid focused set, I dig it.
Tim Tuned: Very niche relaxed tuning Too compressed sounding for me
Super* Review: Nice take on new-meta tuning. A little bit more relaxed but nice.
Fresh Reviews: The Ziigaat Arcanis and Lush IEMs offer distinct flavors at their price points, both featuring resin builds with eye-catching faceplates— sparkly green for the Arcanis and silver-black for the...
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Ziigaat Lush with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Audionotions: As of 4/21/25, these are my pick for best value in IEMs and also one of the best implementations of the JM21 meta. Everything sounds right. Bass quantity is just right with decent quality - there is...
Head-Fi.org: 26 community members have rated the ZiiGaat Lush at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: A more expensive, better executed version of the Cinno. Super neutral tuning, recessed vocals, slightly boosted bass. Good as a studio set or reference set.
Paul Wasabii: Neutral, studio flat hybrid with relaxed treble and clean mids. Great clarity but not for bassheads or trebleheads. Studio accurate mids with revealing BA resolution and relaxed, fatigue free treble. Mid bass dip and restrained treble reduce excitement and genre versatility; benefits from low impedance sources to keep tuning intact.
Joyce's Review: Warm, balanced set with smooth, forward vocals, clean sub bass focus and controlled treble that stays detailed without harshness. Technical performance is strong for the price, though stage is more... Warm, balanced tuning with upfront smooth vocals, clean sub bass, controlled treble and excellent extension that make long sessions easy to enjoy. Soundstage is more intimate than some rivals and listeners who want a very energetic, aggressive presentation may find it too relaxed.

+ 10 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA

7.1

7.7

A-

Moondrop Kadenz

Jays Audio: Literally a more fancy Tangzu Xuan NV. Sounds basically the same but just with better packaging, cable/case, and build... but for $100 more?? Nah
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Moondrop Kadenz with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: Great Cohessiveness and tonality. Upper air is very nice.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Moondrop Kadenz with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: Nice physicality and punch. Better bass as most basy IEMs. Okay technicalities. Image Separation is not the widest but decent.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Moondrop Kadenz with a score of 7.2/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Moondrop Kadenz at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Neutral, timbre-first single DD with natural mids and pulled-back bass/treble; great for acoustic and slower tracks, less engaging for EDM. Stage is intimate and resolution is not the focus. Natural, emotive mids with coherent neutral-neutral tuning; three nozzle lengths help fine-tune treble to ear geometry. Upper-treble energy and sub-bass lift are restrained, making resolution, dynamics and stage feel smaller; heavy shells may challenge comfort for some users.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral n/a

7.1

6.7

A-

Truthear Nova

Jays Audio: NEED FOAM TIPS makes the treble smooth and clear. Very clean harman sound with smooth but well extended treble/one of the best treble under $200, no roll-off. The pinnacle of trying not to offend...
Gizaudio Axel: A solid reference. Harman-style sound signature with solid sub-bass, clean forward vocals, smooth treble extension, and great detail. Could use more bass, vocals can feel lean and a bit intense at times.
Jaytiss: Nice set, great bass. Too much upper mids.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Truthear Nova with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: A little bit thin and shrill sounding. Hexa costs half as much and it's the better IEM.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Truthear Nova with a score of 6.9/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Borders C+
Shuwa-T: Overall clean sounding, works well with quicker pop genres (Jpop/Kpop) Male vocals recessed, does not work well with the other half of Jpop/Kpop. Lower midrange suffers from thinner note weight (tuning)
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the TruthEar Nova at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Truthear Nova arrives as a budget hybrid built to spar with Moondrop’s Variations: a 1DD + 4BA set in that signature blue shell, anime-clad packaging, and a surprisingly nice-feeling stock cable...
ATechReviews: Truthear Nova delivers a very well tuned Harman-neutral signature with natural treble and strong value at around $150, but its lean, bass-light presentation and average technicalities will not suit... Excellent Harman-neutral tuning with natural, realistic treble and strong value at around $150. Lean, bass-light tonality, only average stage and imaging, and a bulky shell plus uncomfortable stock cable limit comfort and versatility, especially on the move.

+ 10 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA

7.1

6.8

A-

Pula PA02

Jays Audio: Just get Odyssey it's better. Dreamy/airy treble presentation with genres like indie, slow-rock, ballads, singer-songwriter. Immersive/forward vocals that scales nicely. Bass is ok, a little boomy....
Gizaudio Axel: Great tuning, fantastic vocals.
Jaytiss: Great tone, lacks dynamic treble, but overall solid for the price and very enjoyable.
Tim Tuned: Great across the board Bass decay slightly too short
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Pula PA02 with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the PULA PA02 at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral, smooth tuning with good dynamics and staging makes the Pula PA02 a solid $189 all-rounder, though slightly metallic upper treble and average technicalities keep it from being truly... Comfortable, well-built neutral-leaning IEM with good dynamics, immersive soundstage and strong overall value at $189. Average technical performance with slightly metallic upper treble and strong competition from slightly more expensive sets like Chopin or Performer 5.

+ 6 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+3BA

7.1

6.7

A-

$149

7hz x Crinacle Diablo

7hz x Crinacle Diablo

Jays Audio: Bassy, dynamic, non-fatiguing, good scaling. Great bass slam, texture, with tight control. Fun lowkey basshead set. Might be too warm and congested for vocals/instrumentals. Priced $50 higher than...
Gizaudio Axel: Very bass heavy and warm planar with huge slam and safe treble, but midbass bleed veils the mids and hurts clarity, making it a niche pick mainly for bassheads. Huge subbass and midbass slam with a very warm, thick presentation that bassheads will enjoy, plus an easy to drive planar metal shell with good comfort. Boomy bass and midbass bleed veil the mids and reduce clarity and detail, making the tuning too warm and unbalanced for listeners who want a cleaner or more neutral sound.
Web Search: The 7hz x Crinacle Diablo is a single-driver planar IEM built around a third-generation 14.5 mm planar magnetic transducer in a CNC-milled aluminum shell with a detachable 2-pin cable . Positioned at...
Fresh Reviews: Priced at $150 , the 7hz x Crinacle Diablo is a planar IEM with a bass-heavier tilt that contrasts the more neutral Divine. Packaging is solid for the money: a nice carrying case , a decent...
Bad Guy Good Audio: Planar set with big, car-audio-style bass that hits hard yet keeps vocals clear enough to enjoy, making it one of the most impressive 149 dollar IEMs in this collection. Huge, well controlled planar bass with strong slam that stays just shy of overpowering the mids and vocals. Bass quantity and emphasis in the midbass region may be too much for listeners who prefer a more neutral and relaxed low end.
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the 7hz x Crinacle Diablo at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Bass-forward planar with solid technical chops for the price; fun V-shape, but vocals can sit back and the stage tightens on bass-heavy tracks. Powerful sub-bass with clean planar speed, comfortable small shell, easy to drive. Vocals can fall behind on bassy tracks, stage feels contained and the stock non-modular 3.5 mm cable limits balanced use.
Joyce's Review: 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo delivers a bass heavy yet surprisingly balanced V shaped tuning with deep, impactful low end that stays clean and enjoyable for pop and rock. Vocals remain close and clear while... Massive but well controlled bass with deep extension, good layering and a fun V shaped tuning that works great for pop and rock. Darker tonality and softer upper mid clarity than Divine mean that mid forward or strictly neutral listeners may prefer the sibling model.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1Planar Magnetic

7

A-

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.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA+4PLA

7

7.7

B+

HIDIZS MS2 Pro

Web Search: The Hidizs MS2 Pro is a budget hybrid in-ear monitor with a 10.2 mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver plus a custom Silvercore BA in a zinc-alloy shell, running a low 17 Ω impedance and...
Joyce's Review: Joyce Review describes the Hidizs MS2 Pro as a bright, airy hybrid with clean punchy bass, forward detailed vocals and a pronounced vertical soundstage that fully justifies its 9/10 score. Bright, airy but controlled tuning with tight punchy bass, forward detailed vocals, pronounced vertical soundstage and useful tuning filters. Treble focus can feel a bit too airy or diffuse for some listeners and those who prefer a warmer, weightier presentation may favour alternative nozzles or a different model.

+ 1 more reviews

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

Warm 1DD+1BA

6.9

7.7

B+

Myer Audio CKLVX D41

Shuwa-T: Balanced tuning with good clarity, well extended upper midrange and treble extension
Audionotions: Warm and bright. Thick bass that is sufficiently tactile for the price. Decent mids. Treble elevation is a bit above neutral so cymbals and snaps and clicks can sound a bit prominent. Soundstage and...
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7 super fun bass and solid vocals bit too much air and midbass

+ 2 more reviews

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

n/a 1DD+4BA

6.9

7.5

B+

TWISTURA WoodNote

Jaytiss: Great overall sound and packing, easy recomendation.
Super* Review: Lively V-shape with a bit of lower-treble presence, plus good imaging and a decent sense of space. Forward but not sharp; engaging and easy to listen to.
Z-Reviews: TWISTURA WoodNote shows up with a surprisingly premium kit: a super-nice box , a plush purple case , chunky stock cable (beefy and good-looking, though the earhook angle begs a quick heat-gun /...
Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the TWISTURA WoodNote at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

+ 3 more reviews

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

n/a n/a

6.9

5.3

B+

ARTTI T10 PRO

Jays Audio: A mini symphonium Meteor. Bassy, warm, and airy/smooth.
Jaytiss: Great little set.
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the ARTTI T10 Pro at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: An S08 with more treble energy and de-emphasised vocals. Great if you thought the S8 was too Dark.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 10 good planar bass while not intruding mid intense sounding
Paul Wasabii: Warm, sub-bass-tilted planar with smooth, fatigue-free treble and a dynamic-driver-like presentation. Pleasing tonality, but the heavy sub-bass masks air and softens technical edges unless tamed. Comfortable aluminum shell with modular cable and a natural, smooth tonality with no fatigue or planar timbre. Sub-bass is overdone, masking mids and upper air and softening separation, soundstage, and perceived detail.

+ 5 more reviews

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

Warm n/a

6.9

6.8

B+

Fiio FH7S

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

+ 3 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+4BA

6.9

5.6

B+

Letshuoer S08

Jays Audio: More uniquely tuned than other planars. Tamer uppermids, not as energetic, but still with great bass separation and tech. Timbre is good.
Jaytiss: Fantastic value product, really strong.
Super* Review: A little bit thick and poofy in the bass. Aful Explorer is better option.
Fresh Reviews: Letshuoer S08 shows up as an easy recommendation for mixed gaming, balancing clarity and comfort with a tuning that’s smooth , a touch warm , and pleasantly velvety . Footstep reads and...
Shuwa-T: Warm tuning, really easy to listen to Treble isn't really well defined, separation between midrange and lower midrange isn't great either
Z-Reviews: The Letshuoer S08 hits with a present , to-the-point delivery: tight, quick, and more “ first-row ” than lounge seat. Staging isn’t expansive, but the focus and planar speed make music feel...
Head-Fi.org: 29 community members have rated the Letshuoer S08 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: Best tuned planar period. Works with everything. Great for low or high volumes.
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Comfort: 9 insane planar bass relaxed treble

+ 8 more reviews

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

Warm n/a

6.9

6.8

B+

Simgot EM6L

Jays Audio: Great resolution and tech, one of the smoothest iems, but uppermids will get hot on energetic tracks at higher volumes. Slightly warm but also lively. Recent units are brighter than first batch.
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Simgot EM6L with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: A solid budget choice. Hard to think of a more neutral set than this.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Simgot EM6L with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: The Simgot EM6L is a $110 hybrid IEM with a single dynamic driver for the low end and four balanced armatures handling mids and treble, positioned as an entry-level multi-driver option that feels...
Fresh Reviews: Can go to a B in some titles
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Simgot EM6L with a score of 6.3/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: The Simgot EM6L comes in as a hybrid 1DD + 4BA set around the $110 mark, tuned toward a modern “2019” target curve that aims for a tasteful bump in the low end without murderously bright...
Audio Amigo: The Original "Black Sheep" of the Simgot Family. Warmer and less bright than it's siblings, can still be fatiging for some. Imaging and soundstage are great. Nozzles can fall off with use, QDC...
Yifang: Yifang rated Simgot EM6L with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 9 more reviews

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

Neutral 4DD BA

6.9

6.4

B+

$269

Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite

Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite

Gizaudio Axel: Smooth tuning, clean mid-range, open sound. Unvented design, BA bass, could use more sub-bass, safe tuning.
Jaytiss: It's just too safe, needs more something.
Precogvision: Safe neutral warm tuning lacking the excitement to take it to the next level. Typical BA bass and weightless transients.
Super* Review: Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite delivers an all-BA, 8-driver package at $250 with a build and fit that feel pricier: smooth resin shells, stable ergonomics, and an unvented seal that isolates strongly...
Fresh Reviews: Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite presents as an 8-BA set with a striking blue–silver faceplate and translucent shell, delivering a clean, balanced take that favors clarity over rumble. Sub-bass has...
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite with a score of 6.4/10 without adding a comment.
Nymz: Relaxed tuning with great midrange, but lacking quality in bass department. Separation and layering are extremely nice.
Z-Reviews: Eight balanced armatures , $250 , and a tuning that feels shockingly sorted. Orchestra Lite hits with crisp imaging and laser-etched localization that makes live sets—think Alice in Chains...
Audionotions: Great tonality - very pleasant, slightly warm tonality, smooth and relaxed character, solid technical performance, and fantastic build quality. Imaging and separation quite good for the price as is...
Head-Fi.org: 17 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite at an average of 4.1/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Yifang rated Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Joyce's Review: Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite delivers natural, balanced tuning with strong but controlled mid bass, intimate vocals and smooth, crisp treble, making it the most refined all rounder among Kiwi Ears multi... Natural and balanced tuning with rich vocals, airy treble extension and a comfortable, atmospheric presentation. Mid bass emphasis slightly softens slam and can blur separation compared to cleaner, faster sets.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Neutral 8BA

6.9

6.6

B+

$99

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant