HiFiGO IEM Ranking

Elysian Apostle

Elysian Apostle

Jays Audio: Clean, neutral, and clear vocals. Reminds me of a cleaner Volume S or slightly better OG Oracle, but very expensive, maybe if you can find one around $1000 since it's more of a sidegrade to RSV,...
Gizaudio Axel: Exceptional in every way. Incredibly textured bass, forward vocals, top-tier EST treble, and insane detail.
Jaytiss: Instrument separation is good, and is a nice darkness, but can be silbilant.
Precogvision: Reminds me of if Elysian tuned more towards 64 Audio's sound while maintaing upper-mids. Colored sound done correctly with great technicalities.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Elysian Apostle with a score of 7.7/10 without adding a comment.
Web Search: The Elysian Apostle delivers a V-shaped signature with a powerful, sub-bass-focused low end that offers substantial rumble and physicality, though some listeners might find it occasionally...
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Elysian Apostle at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Yifang: Yifang rated Elysian Apostle with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Paul Wasabii: Mid-centric endgame with a tactile yet controlled low end, holographic space, and seamless EST extension. Demands a neutral source and may feel a touch weighty on classical. Endgame-level mid-centric tuning with transparent mids, expansive imaging and stage, tactile LSR bass, and cohesive, effortless EST treble. Mid-centric balance and elevated bass can feel heavy on some classical and prefers flat sources; treble engagement may underwhelm V-shaped listeners.

+ 8 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST

8.9

7.1

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-

AFUL Dawn-X

Jays Audio: Smooth treble, natural timbre, good sub-bass focused set, but transients can be a bit soft, and vocals are pulled back lacking final extension - non-fatiguing but not very engaging and "dynamic". A...
Gizaudio Axel: Balanced all-rounder with fun bass, lifelike mids, very smooth and refined treble, highly resolving and immersive, with great soundstage and precise imaging. Textured, punchy bass, natural mids, ethereal female vocals, smooth, airy, and non-fatiguing treble, top-tier resolution.
Jaytiss: This has a really natural midrange, best BC iem I've heard by far.
Super* Review: Super Review says AFUL’s Dawn-X is the brand’s best execution of its house sound yet—a $1,300 flagship tribrid with 14 drivers (DD + 8 BA + 4 EST + bone conduction) that fits comfortably and...
Web Search: The AFUL Dawn-X is a 14-driver quadbrid IEM—1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC—wired together via a six-way electronic + physical crossover and AFUL’s 3D Micro-Resonance acoustic paths; the stabilized-wood...
Z-Reviews: AFUL Dawn-X goes straight for spectacle: a $1,300 tribrid behemoth with 14 drivers per side —one dynamic, eight BAs, four electrostats , and a bone conductor —that turns familiar tracks...
Audionotions: Slightly warm tilted neutral. Very well balanced with a tasteful bass boost. Bass is surprisingly very weighty and textured with quick decay so bass notes don't linger and overstay their welcome....
Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the AFUL DAWN-X at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Kois Archive: Rating: S+ | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 6 natural midrange. ethereal treble. totl techs. rip small ears
Audio-In Reviews: AFUL Dawn X delivers a highly technical, immersive flagship tuning with beautiful mids, refined yet energetic treble and impactful sub-bass, though its large shells and bright top end may not suit... Immersive flagship-level sound with gorgeous mids, resolving yet smooth treble, strong technical performance and a premium build, cable and case. Large shells, modest accessory pack and energetic treble mean fit, comfort and top-end intensity may be challenging for some listeners.

+ 9 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC

8.7

8.1

S-

Kinera Imperial Loki

Jays Audio: Super clean and clear sound. Beautiful vocals. Everyhting is extremely well balanced. No special sauce tho.
Jaytiss: Packaged well but feels like an Alien is in your ear.
Web Search: The Kinera Imperial Loki delivers a technically impressive W-shaped signature that balances sub-bass depth, vocal clarity, and sparkling treble extension. Its standout feature is the bone conduction...
Nymz: Great bass texture with slightly hot upper mid-range and well extended treble. Remarkable technical performance.
Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the Kinera Imperial Loki at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Yifang: Yifang rated Kinera Imperial Loki with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.

+ 5 more reviews

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

W-Shaped 1DD+6BA+4EST+1BC

8.6

6.7

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-

Softears Enigma

Gizaudio Axel: Endgame-level detail paired with great tonality. Exceptional detail, high-quality bass, balanced tonality, and excellent timbre. The bass has a fast decay.
Precogvision: Sounds like the RSV with a DD and more bass focus. Treble seems whispy around 15kHz.
Web Search: The Softears Enigma is a flagship tribrid IEM using a 12-driver array (2DD+6BA+4EST) with a hybrid 5-way/4-way crossover and an aluminum shell; the package also includes a premium Effect Audio cable....
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Softears Enigma at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 2DD+6BA+4EST

8.5

7.7

A+

BGVP Solomon

Web Search: The BGVP Solomon is a quad-brid IEM with a complex 2DD+3BA+2EST+2BCD driver array, low 7.3 Ω impedance, and 110.8 dB sensitivity, indicating easy drivability but potential source-noise audibility....
Fox Told Me So: BGVP Solomon packs 9 drivers—2 DD, 3 BA, 2 EST, and 2 BCD—into a bold, energetic tuning. Bass is moderate in quantity but tight, fast, and clean, focusing on speed over slam. No bleed, no extra...
Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the BGVP SOLOMON at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

+ 2 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+3BA+2EST+2BC

8.3

7.4

A+

$1,499

Unique Melody MEST mkII

Unique Melody MEST mkII

Jays Audio: TOTL imaging chops/layering. Tons of micro-details. Great bass texture. Wide and 3D staging. Can be aggressive, and get fatiguing when cranked up/long-listening sessions.
Crin: Pretty much the same as the Mk1, though with extra sub-bass presence.
Precogvision: A warmer, more coherent MEST with setbacks in resolution and imaging.
Tim Tuned: Great balance, none offensive tuning with little to fault
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Unique Melody MEST mkII with a score of 10.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: One of my favorite for music
Shuwa-T: Comment: Bassier Mest v1 with slight cutback in clarity. Even more impressive bass response
Nymz: Great bass and sheer detail, at the cost of wonky treble and not so accurate imaging queues. I find it work the best with eletronic music or modern metal. Still a solid contender to this date at a...
Audionotions: Very engaging. I usually prefer something more balanced and neutral, but this IEM has some special sauce. Very well-tuned from bass to treble - with a little bit of spice on top. Great tonality and...
Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the Unique Melody MEST MKII at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Yifang: Yifang rated Unique Melody MEST mkII with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 10 more reviews

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

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

8.3

6.8

7.5

A+

Hisenior Mega5-EST

Jays Audio: New unit is better tuned/balanced, smooth, good all-rounder, and sounds like adjusted diffusefield.
Gizaudio Axel: A "plain water" type sound signature with a bass boost. Great tuning, neutral with bass boost, smooth, safe, and balanced. Could use more detail, incisiveness, and excitement.
Jaytiss: If you get the good tuning, this is way higher.
Precogvision: Well-tuned neutral with bass boost signature. A bit uninspired sounding overall, though, especially in terms of excitement.
Tim Tuned: Exceptionally tuned across the board Could use more "wow" and details
Super* Review: Fantastic tuning.. it really does not get better. Technical performance could be better.
Smirk Audio: Well-tuned and great techs at this price point. Lacks dynamics and the mids are a little lean. Otherwise a great all-rounder.
Web Search: The Hisenior Mega5-EST is a tribrid with a 5-driver array—1DD+2BA+2EST—using a four-way network and triple bores; published specs list ~25 Ω impedance and ~105 dB sensitivity, making it easy to...
Fresh Reviews: Great for music
Shuwa-T: Bass layering, treble detail are excellent; midrange leans neutral and focuses on clarity over musicality It is not for people who seek addictive midrange or musical presentation
Z-Reviews: Hisenior Mega5-EST (Anniversary Edition) hits with a rare mix of slam and finesse: a single DD + 2BA + 2EST that pours out a chest-pressing low end yet keeps the mids and treble startlingly ...
Audionotions: Incredibly well tuned IEM that sounds very natural across all frequencies. Nothing inoffensive with good technical chops. Stage is not vast - but it is natural and has depth. Bass is full but it is...
Head-Fi.org: 16 community members have rated the Hisenior Mega5-EST at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Yifang: Yifang rated Hisenior Mega5-EST with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Warm, dark-leaning, bass-focused tuning with average technicalities and a laid-back vocal presentation, great for relaxed listening if Harman sets feel too bright. Warm, laid-back tuning with fun, powerful bass, good build and cable quality, and the option to order it as an affordable custom. Average technicalities with laid-back mids, minor sibilance and only average stage and imaging, while rivals like Moondrop Variations and Dunu SA6 MK2 offer better detail and separation for similar money.

+ 14 more reviews

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

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

8.2

7.3

7.9

A+

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+

$1,799

Unique Melody Maven II

Unique Melody Maven II

Jaytiss: I can see how others might like.
Smirk Audio: Smirk Audio rated Unique Melody Maven II with a score of 7.7/10 without adding a comment.
Web Search: The Unique Melody Maven II delivers a balanced yet colored sound signature that excels across diverse genres. Its elevated bass offers deep rumble and punchy mid-bass without bleeding into the mids,...
Yifang: Yifang rated Unique Melody Maven II with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Bright 2DD+4BA+4EST

8

6.1

8.2

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+

Softears RS10

Gizaudio Axel: I prefer more bass. Great tuning with forward vocals and excellent detail. Unvented design, BA bass, and can be slightly shouty on some tracks.
Crin: A little shouty and intense but very resolving and well-defined. A somewhat refined Moondrop S8.
Jaytiss: Nice iem, clean clear out of the box
Precogvision: A slightly more resolving S8 at the expense of added grittiness and more upper-midrange.
Tim Tuned: Softears RS10 targets a Harman-leaning reference balance with a clean, studio-grade presentation: bass is tight and linear with modest mid-bass punch, prioritizing speed, texture, and... BA timbre
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Softears RS10 with a score of 6.9/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Softears RS10 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Yifang: Yifang rated Softears RS10 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Softears RS10 is a mid centric, monitoring focused flagship with exceptional resolution and vocal clarity. Bass quantity and upper mid and treble energy may be too much for relaxed listening. Class leading resolution and imaging with clean, textured BA bass, excellent isolation and very comfortable fit. Leaner bass, energetic upper mids and emphasized treble can sound shouty or fatiguing on some tracks, with less air and sparkle than several competitors.

+ 8 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 10BA

8

6.3

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

Juzear Harrier

Gizaudio Axel: Balanced, natural tri-brid with controlled sub-bass and smooth, airy treble. Great all-rounder with comfortable fit and quality modular cable. Cohesive, balanced tuning with natural mids, controlled sub-bass and smooth, airy treble. Moderate bass quantity and tamer treble mean it does not suit bassheads or bright-leaning listeners.
Web Search: The Juzear Harrier is a nine-driver tribrid IEM using a 1DD+6BA+2 micro planar configuration per side, positioned as an “accessibly priced flagship” at about $329.99 in the mid-to-upper price...
Z-Reviews: The Juzear Harrier comes in as the bigger, pricier troublemaker to Defiant, packing a DD + 6BA + 2 planar setup and a tuning cooked up with Squiglink , all buried under pages of graphs and...
Audio-In Reviews: Balanced neutral-with-sub-bass-boost tuning with natural vocals, smooth yet detailed treble and strong technical performance that competes with the best sets around $300. Outstanding neutral-with-bass-boost tuning, excellent comfort and build, and technical performance that rivals higher-priced IEMs. Upper mids and vocals can sit a bit more forward than some may prefer, with less mid-bass slam than warmer competitors.

+ 3 more reviews

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

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

7.8

8

A

Softears Studio 4

Jays Audio: "Correct" and neutral tuning. Natural vocals, not as forward like RSV but zero faults. Slight Improvement over RSV in-terms of seapration and stage size/treble is same/not as warm.
Gizaudio Axel: A benchmark for tonality and timbre. Neutral, accurate sound with great bass, tonal accuracy, forward vocals, and natural timbre. Excellent isolation. Unvented design and BA bass may not suit everyone.
Jaytiss: Something magical about this set, but it's not the Bass.
Precogvision: Sounds plasticky and smoothed; inoffensive to the point of being offensive.
Tim Tuned: Just great all around, balance with amazingly clean midrange
Super* Review: Softears Studio 4 arrives as a 4×BA set at $450 with a surprisingly practical kit: a Pelican-style water-resistant case , cleaning brush, MoonDrop-style tips, and—occasionally—a 3.5 mm...
Head-Fi.org: 15 community members have rated the Softears Studio 4 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
ATechReviews: Extremely neutral and realistic monitor with outstanding mids, treble and isolation that make it equally at home for studio work and everyday listening. Only the BA bass texture and slam fall short... Pros: Reference grade neutral tuning with realistic treble, excellent isolation, imaging and separation that make it a superb studio style and everyday monitor. Cons: BA bass lacks the texture, slam and note weight of a good dynamic driver, leaving the lower mids a bit lean for listeners who want more warmth and impact.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral 4BA

7.8

7.3

A

Aful Cantor

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

+ 12 more reviews

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

Vocal-focused 14BA

7.8

8.2

8.5

A

Softears Twilight

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

+ 7 more reviews

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

Warm 1DD

7.8

6.5

A

Softears RSV

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

+ 10 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 5BA

7.8

6.8

7

A

Sennheiser IE600

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

+ 10 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD

7.8

6.7

A

Moondrop Variations

Jays Audio: Very clear with lots of detail. Sub-bass has a nice rumble and texture. Amazing treble extension and stage air. Female vocals are vibrant and shines. Mid-bass cut is real, affecting some genres and...
Gizaudio Axel: A solid benchmark. Great sub-bass, Harman tuning, and excellent detail. Can sound thin.
Crin: Sub-bass-focused signature with Moondrop's clean tuning makes this one of the best $500 tribrids.
Jaytiss: I like it, but don't love the lower mids.
Precogvision: A more refined B2 Dusk with better bass texture and treble extension.
Tim Tuned: Packaging brings typical Moondrop flair—an anime-clad box , a large but well-built carrying case , assorted foam and silicone tips , and interchangeable plugs (3.5/2.5/4.4). The shells look ... Great separation and details Thin lower midrange
Super* Review: Moondrop Variations enters the $520 bracket as a sleek tribrid (DD bass, BA mids, dual EST treble) that mirrors the Blessing 2 shell and fit—complete with the familiar large nozzle—while...
Smirk Audio: Great tuning, neutral timbre, and a satisfying bass with a sub-bass focus. Solid all-rounder.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Too much subbass, dry sounding lower mids. Clarity Clarity Subbass overpowers lower mids
Nymz: Resolution king for the price point with a fun tuning. Great sub-bass and treble. Lack of mid-bass bass and somewhat thin mids murdered it for my library. Can see the appeal for others tho.
Audionotions: Very resolving with good sub-bass and good treble. A bit thin and clinical sounding and lacks a bit of note weight. Could use a bit more mid-bass. Otherwise, the resolution is top-notch. Treble...
Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the Moondrop Variations at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Yifang: Yifang rated Moondrop Variations with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A+ | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7 good subbass and female vocal missing midbass and lowermids
Paul Wasabii: Legendary tribrid with clean mids, sharp imaging and immersive stage that still beats most newer hybrids around its price, though the leaner mid bass and bright treble will not suit everyone. Legendary clean and clear tuning with immersive staging, sharp imaging and treble detail that still outperforms many newer hybrids at a similar price. Leaner mid bass and somewhat intense treble can become fatiguing over long sessions and may not suit all genres or listening preferences.

+ 14 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.8

7.1

7.5

A

Hisenior Mega7

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

+ 4 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1DD+6BA

7.7

7.5

A

$299.99

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

Dunu DK-3001 BD

Jays Audio: Technical, but thin, and bright tilt with LOTS of planar sizzle and timbre. Needs more low-end (small scoop), noteweight is very light, not peaky, but just artificial. Needs 10hm adapter to be...
Gizaudio Axel: More mid-bass and less treble would be perfect Excellent bass quality, deep sub-bass, transparent mids, and great resolution. Low mid-bass, slightly lean vocals, and bright treble.
Jaytiss: I prefer this with the adapter, but is fine without.
Precogvision: Not to my taste - treble sounds slightly brittle and harsh - but plenty of resolution and clean presentation.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Dunu DK-3001 BD with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: My second 5 star IEM in 2024. The Braindance is a very satisfying IEM to listen to.
Fresh Reviews: Some titles arguably A-
Z-Reviews: 10/10 verdict out the gate: Dunu’s DK-3001 BD “BrainDance” is a $500 monster that punches like a flagship. The recipe is wild— 9 drivers total with the same dynamic driver from the...
Head-Fi.org: 27 community members have rated the Dunu DK-3001 BD at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Audio Amigo: Probably the most detailed and technical IEM around $500. You pay for the detail with a fatiguing, sharp treble presentation. Great accessories and looks. Impedance adapter mellows this out a LOT,...
Paul Wasabii: Brain Dance delivers a highly refined, end to end tuning with top tier technical performance that feels genuinely top of the line at its price. A slightly lighter bass density and forward mids at... Exceptional end to end technical performance with airy sub bass, super resolving mids, smooth extended treble and a spacious stage with precise imaging and layering. Lighter bass density and forward, revealing mids mean it prefers higher volumes and can be a bit too intense with hot or aggressively mixed tracks.
Joyce's Review: Very bright, technical Dunu DK3001BD with powerful yet controlled bass, forward clear vocals and a wide vertical stage, only slightly held back by treble brightness and some sibilance on certain... Excellent build and comfort with generous accessories, powerful yet clean bass, clear forward vocals, bright detailed treble, wide vertical soundstage and strong overall technical performance. Very bright treble with noticeable sibilance on some tracks can be fatiguing for sensitive listeners and makes the tuning less suitable for those who prefer a relaxed presentation.

+ 11 more reviews

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

Bright 1DD+4BA+4P

7.7

7.8

A

$149.99

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

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

Dunu 242

Jaytiss: It’s like half aful, half Elysian, and half mystic/wizardy and just all awesome.
Web Search: The Dunu DN242 (often referred to as “242”) is an eight-driver tribrid IEM featuring 2 dynamic drivers, 4 balanced armatures and 2 micro planar drivers per side, coordinated via a multi-way...
Z-Reviews: The Dunu 242 shows up like a mid-fi price tag strapped to a borderline kilobuck experience: dual dynamics, a pile of BAs and micro-planars, yet a shell that stays reasonably normal-sized and super...
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral, vocal focused tribrid with clean bass, natural timbre and solid build, but with some treble sharpness, modest dynamics and a fairly intimate stage. Natural, vocal focused tuning with clean, fast bass, convincing timbre and strong build and accessory quality for the price. Lower treble can get sharp at higher volumes, bass impact and dynamics are on the lighter side and stage and imaging are only average for this price range.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral-bright (vocal-focused) 2DD+4BA+2Planar

7.6

7.4

A

$589

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

Dunu 142

Gizaudio Axel: Fun, energetic U-shaped tuning with strong subbass rumble, clear forward mids and excellent technicalities, but the bright upper treble can be fatiguing for sensitive listeners. Fun, detailed U-shaped tuning with strong subbass rumble, forward clear mids and excellent separation and imaging. Upper treble can be bright and fatiguing for sensitive listeners and midbass impact is on the lighter side.
Jaytiss: Rich Bass, clean mids, detailed upper air. Lovely set.
Web Search: The DUNU DN142 is a seven-driver tribrid IEM built around a 1DD + 4BA + 2 micro-planar configuration, positioned at roughly $249 MSRP in the mid-fi segment. The lightweight 3D-printed resin shells...
Audio-In Reviews: Engaging U-shaped tuning with strong technical performance and premium accessories, though the elevated upper treble and leaner warmth may not suit everyone. Engaging U-shaped tuning with strong technical performance, premium build and a modular cable at this price. Bright upper treble, somewhat lean warmth and large shells and nozzles can be fatiguing or uncomfortable for some listeners.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA+2Planar

7.5

7.6

A

MYER SL224

Jays Audio: Same tuning as the EPZ P50 but fancier with a little more sub-bass, and slightly more detailed in the treble but barely noticeable. This is "technically" better, but P50 would be the better value...
Gizaudio Axel: Good for vocal lovers. Not ideal if you want a strong bass boost. Natural vocals, clear mids, and smooth, detailed treble. Clean and balanced sound with a nice touch of air and sparkle. Bass is polite and reserved. Can feel a bit incohesive at times.
Jaytiss: Nice set, very clean and correctly energetic.
Web Search: The MYER SLIIVO SL224 is an eight-driver hybrid built around 2DD+2BA+4 micro-planar units with a 36 Ω impedance and 108 dB sensitivity, positioned at an MSRP around $269.99 (often on sale near...
Kois Archive: Rating: S- | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8 excellent mid treble focused set can be shouty to some
Audio-In Reviews: Vocal-focused set with strong treble detail, imaging and excellent build, but a leaner low end and thinner note weight make it less universally appealing than some similarly priced competitors. Natural, forward vocals with excellent treble detail, strong imaging and a very comfortable, well-built shell plus a high-quality modular cable. Sub-bass focused tuning with lean mid-bass and low mids can sound thin and lacks warmth compared to several cheaper and similarly priced alternatives.

+ 5 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+2BA+4Micro-Planar

7.5

7.6

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

Softears Cerberus

Gizaudio Axel: Darkish treble.
Crin: Lacking definition in the treble, otherwise a decently balanced tribrid IEM.
Precogvision: Dissapointing lack of treble extension and very weak bass (literally sounds more BA than it does DD).
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Softears Cerberus with a score of 6.9/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the SoftEars CERBERUS at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Yifang: One of the most tonally neutral, argubly the most reference & "correct" sounding to exist. Competent technicalities. Doesn't necessarily round super engaging or fun. Bass and extension is lacking in quantity. Technicalities fall short compared to certain competition in the modern market.
Kois Archive: Rating: S | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 best chill relaxed set. godlike soundstage dark treble presentation. could be boring.
ATechReviews: Cerberus combines a neutral dark tuning and huge, holographic staging with smooth, forgiving treble, but its subdued upper mids, limited shimmer and very sparse accessories make it feel overpriced... Outstanding depth and width of soundstage with clean, cohesive tuning that works very well for busy rock, metal and EDM tracks while remaining highly forgiving. Subdued treble, slightly recessed upper mids, modest bass quantity and minimal accessories make this very expensive set feel less exciting and less detailed than rival flagships.

+ 7 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+4BA+2EST

7.5

5.7

A-

$279.99

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-

ORIVETI OH700VB

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

+ 2 more reviews

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

Neutral 6DD BA

7.4

7

A-

Fiio FH19

Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Fiio FH19 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: A very pleasing Colorization, but not exactly what I love.
Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the FiiO FH19 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral warm allrounder with strong dynamics, above average stage and great accessories, but treble air and microdetail fall a bit short of the very best at this price. Neutral warm tuning with engaging bass, natural mids, smooth treble and above average staging and imaging. Slightly relaxed upper mids, limited treble air and microdetail, and overall performance that does not quite match some similarly priced favorites like SA6 EST, Xuanwu Gate or IE600.

+ 3 more reviews

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

n/a 2DD+6BA

7.4

7.1

A-

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-

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-

Simgot EM10

Jays Audio: A more immersive version of the Pilgrim with better mid-bass kick. More airy and slightly more detailed in the treble. Harman vocal gain might be too much for some. Bass might be boomy depending on...
Gizaudio Axel: Bass-boosted Harman tuning, forward vocals. Overall detail, PZT timbre.
Jaytiss: Very Special set, but the Supermix might be the better value.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Simgot EM10 with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: The Simgot EM10 stands out in this roundup for competitive gaming , scoring a solid B+ overall. In Valorant it pushes into A–/B+ territory thanks to notably precise positional accuracy...
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the Simgot EM10 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
ATechReviews: Strong Harman style tuning with big sub bass and forward mids, but technical performance and value do not really justify the $440 price tag compared to rivals. Engaging Harman inspired tuning with strong sub bass, forward mids, safe treble and very comfortable fit and isolation. High price for average technical performance, slightly pulled back treble and bass slam plus sample specific channel mismatch make the overall value proposition weak in this segment.
Joyce's Review: Simgot EM10 combines a striking hybrid design, engaging V shaped tuning and rich treble detail that works well for vocals and energetic tracks. Bass quantity is strong but reverb and only average sub... Striking hybrid design with rich treble detail, strong midrange clarity and a generous accessory pack including modular cable. Bass reverb is a bit excessive, sub bass extension is only average and the upper treble can sound slightly sharp on brighter tracks.

+ 7 more reviews

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

n/a 1DD+8BA+1PZT

7.3

7

A-

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-

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-

Dunu SA6 mkII

Jays Audio: V-shaped SA6 Ultra with more recessed mids and vocals. Sharper and more bass than SA6U but mids are buried in busier tracks.
Gizaudio Axel: Similar to the SA6 Ultra but with more bass, airier treble, and improved soundstage and fit. QDC Anole VX tuning, excellent resolution, and great bass with a practical bass switch. Unvented design.
Jaytiss: Technical, nice but upper mids not for me.
Precogvision: A warmer rendition of the original SA6, best considered a side-grade than a true upgrade.
Tim Tuned: Slightly more V-shape than the Ultra with small detail boost Could use a little more upper mids
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
Nymz: A more refined SA6u, with the freedom to boost the bass even more and costing less. Less natural upper treble at the cost of that terrific extension.
Audionotions: Like the Ultra, but slightly improved in all technicalities categories except for timbre where the Ultra takes the win because upper-mids/lower-treble are too dialed down for my tastes on the MK2. If...
Yifang: Yifang rated Dunu SA6 mkII with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 9 more reviews

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

Neutral 6BA

7.3

6.1

7.7

A-

Dunu DN242

Gizaudio Axel: Neutral leaning tribrid with excellent mids and a lively treble plus great accessories, but light bass and only decent technical performance make it more of a specialist choice at 350 dollars than an... Balanced, smooth and full bodied mids with clear vocals, lively treble sparkle and a very generous accessory package including a modular cable. Light bass with limited slam, treble that can sound edgy for sensitive listeners, average technical performance and large shells that may cause fit issues for smaller ears.
Web Search: The DUNU DN242 (often shortened to “242”) is an eight-driver tribrid with a 2DD (10 mm + 8 mm) + 4BA + 2 micro-planar array and a 5-way electronic + acoustic crossover. It’s listed at $349 USD...
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the DUNU DN242 at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

+ 2 more reviews

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

Neutral 2DD+4BA+2Planar

7.2

6.6

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-

$384

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-

Nicehck NX8

Jays Audio: An Explorer with better vocals but doesn't scale as well. Odyssey and Arcadia better for clean and bass sound.
Gizaudio Axel: Great tonality, solid bass impact. PZT timbre.
Jaytiss: Nice overall tuning, best thing NiceHack has ever done.
Shuwa-T: Balanced frequencies throughout, no standout weaknesses and relatively safe tuning with decent technicalities
Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the Nicehck NX8 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Yifang rated Nicehck NX8 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Audio-In Reviews: Warm, bass boosted tuning with surprisingly textured and dynamic low end and smooth relaxed mids, but only average technical performance and slightly thin treble timbre keep it behind the strongest... Excellent bass quality with strong dynamics, a warm smooth tonality, and generally easygoing tuning that many listeners will enjoy across a wide range of music. Average technical performance and slightly brittle treble timbre leave it trailing behind several more refined and resolving competitors at this price.

+ 6 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+6BA+1PZT

7.1

6.7

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-

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-

Juzear Butterfly 61T

Jays Audio: Low-end is good, tight, with good impact, but bass feels low-res. Vocals are too recessed and warm. Treble and air is good, but that's about it. BA timbre. Relaxing listen, but Dynaquattro is just...
Gizaudio Axel: Warm tuning, great bass quality and texture, full mid-range, excellent resolution, soundstage, and passive noise isolation. Some bass bleed affects vocal clarity.
Jaytiss: Very strong iem, with a unique tuning at this pricepoint.
Super* Review: It's on okay IEM. Decent IEM but you can do better.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Juzear Butterfly 61T with a score of 7.2/10 without adding a comment.
Yifang: Yifang rated Juzear Butterfly 61T with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Juzear Butterfly 61T delivers immersive staging, textured bass and a relaxed yet detailed tuning that feels very close to endgame at its price. Exceptional comfort and isolation with highly textured, fast bass, natural mids, relaxed treble and above-average staging and imaging for the price. Slight bass bleed, only neutral treble air, large nozzles and a non-modular cable may hold it back for some listeners.
Audio-In Reviews: Butterfly 61T offers a dynamic, technically strong U-shaped tuning that takes the top spot around 200 USD, despite some warmth related veil in the lower mids. Excellent build and accessories, strong technical performance with wide stage and precise imaging, refined energetic treble with satisfying sub bass, and class leading value around 220 USD. Warmer mid bass can bleed into the lower mids and slightly veil detail and naturalness compared to higher tier sets, shell size may bother smaller ears, and it still falls short of true giant killers like Pilgrim or Studio 4.

+ 7 more reviews

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

n/a 1DD+6BA

7.1

A-

FiiO FD15

Web Search: The FiiO FD15 is a single 13.8 mm magnalium DLC dynamic driver IEM with a 32 Ω impedance and 112 dB sensitivity, housed in a rigid 316L stainless-steel shell and paired with a hybrid Furukawa...
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated FiiO FD15 with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the FiiO FD15 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Paul Wasabii: Mid-centric single-DD with excellent build, modular cable and a fair $149 price; tuning and driver are well matched and make it an easy recommendation for mid lovers. Mid-centric tuning with clean forward mids, controlled full bass and natural treble; strong staging; excellent modular cable and accessories for the price. Needs a resolving source and some volume to shine; not as resolving as strong $200-class single-DD peers; relaxed treble may lack sparkle for detail chasers.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral warm single dynamic driver set with clean, punchy bass and good comfort, but with somewhat unnatural mids and treble and only average technical performance for the price. Punchy, controlled bass with neutral warm tonality, comfortable metal shells and a generous accessory package including filters and modular terminations. Upper mids and treble can sound unnatural and splashy, and overall technical performance feels more like a one hundred dollar set with strong competition from cheaper alternatives.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Warm-neutral, mid-centric 1DD

7

6.6

A-

TangZu Tian Peng

Jays Audio: A cleaner more neutral Bajie with less bass and more treble energy. Clean, slightly vocal forward with some bite. Azla tips for more bass and treble energy/bite but can get shouty - Sancai Nobles for...
Jaytiss: Packaging is fantastic, sound isn't...
Web Search: The Tangzu Tian Peng offers a V-shaped sound profile that leans towards reference while maintaining musicality, with bass quality being notably source-dependent - it requires amplification to achieve...

+ 2 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+6BA+1BC

7

A-

Tri i3 Mk3

Jaytiss: Very nice neutral set, beautiful, but so many good sets.
Shuwa-T: Pleasant signature with no major spikes in treble, zero planar timbre Bass quantity is on the lower side, highs are not as prominent
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the TRI I3 MK3 at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 7 really nice female vocals unnaturally forward mids. slight lack of midbass
Audio-In Reviews: TRI I3 MK3 delivers excellent technical performance with smooth, detailed treble and forward, engaging vocals, but its lean bass and lighter lower mids mean it will suit vocal lovers more than... Smooth, highly detailed treble, strong imaging and layering, and vocal focused tuning for listeners who prefer a cleaner, leaner presentation. Bass and lower mids lack punch and richness, so the overall tonality can feel a bit thin for listeners who want more warmth and weight.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Neutral n/a

7

7.2

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

A-

Dunu SA6 EST

Gizaudio Axel: I prefer the SA6 MK II. QDC Anole VX tuning, excellent resolution, and great bass. Unvented design, no bass switch, and less airy than the SA6 MK II.
Precogvision: Technical sounding and clearly shooting for a more 'musical' focus, but treble is oddly peaky and juxtaposed weirdly to pinna rising at ~600Hz.
Super* Review: Not a bad IEM if you get the right tips. It's a bit disappointing compared to the original SA6.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Dunu SA6 EST with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Dunu SA6 EST at an average of 2.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Unfavorable.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral leaning SA6 evolution with improved treble energy, strong technical performance and better value than some pricier competitors. Refined neutral tuning with excellent mids, smooth extended treble and top tier imaging for the price. Lack of bass boost switch, only average stage width and upper mids or treble can occasionally draw too much attention.

+ 5 more reviews

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

n/a 6BA+2EST

7

7.8

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+

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+

$86

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant

JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant

Jays Audio: Another all-rounder with good balance. Doesn't do anything right or wrong, but has qc issues with channel imbalance (and also my case ziper broke within a few weeks), it's ok but there are better...
Gizaudio Axel: Balanced, detailed, and versatile. It sets the bar for its price point. Punchy, textured bass, natural and forward vocals, balanced sound, with great detail and imaging. A great all-rounder.
Jaytiss: Fun engaging set!
Precogvision: Pleasant, neutral warm tuning with good treble extension that wholly belies its price point.
Tim Tuned: The JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant executes on an old meta, IE 2020 tuning with a bass boost, and it does it exceptionally well. The bass is present but not overwhelming, and the treble is smooth and... Great balanced tuning with a vocal emphasis
Super* Review: Exciting and contrasty. Very well tuned. Sub-bass focused. Vocal area pretty well tuned. Treble surprisingly well tuned. Tasteful V-Shaped sound signature.
Web Search: JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant is a budget hybrid with a 1DD+3BA configuration and a 3-way crossover, housed in precise 3D-printed shells—specs that are unusually complete around the ~$100 bracket ....
Audionotions: Nicely balanced IEM with a tough of warmth. Very pleasantly tuned throughout. Relaxed and lush sounding. Good job Zeos!
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Juzear x Z Reviews DEFIANT at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: Explorer but Brighter, EM6L, but Warmer. A fantastic All-Rounder set with good technical performance, great accessories, and fantastic looks. Can potentially have pressure issues.
Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9 just wow for $100 technicalities I guess
Audio-In Reviews: Defiant delivers a mature, neutral-to-V-shaped tuning with clean, controlled bass and excellent build and accessories for $100. Technical performance and treble detail are good for the price but not... Strong build and accessories, clean and controlled bass with a neutral-to-V tuning that feels closer to $200 sets. Average technical performance and treble/detail resolution compared to the top performers at this price, with only modest soundstage and layering.

+ 11 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+3BA

6.9

6.7

5.7

B+

BGVP NS10 Pro

Web Search: The BGVP NS10 is a 10-driver hybrid IEM (2DD + 8BA) built in lightweight aluminium shells with MMCX connectors and interchangeable screw-in tuning filters. Reviews consistently highlight the solid...
ATechReviews: Punchy, clean bass and natural treble with strong detail and imaging, but the forward upper mids can sound too energetic and fatiguing on some tracks. Very punchy, clean bass with strong detail, separation and precise imaging for the price. Upper midrange energy is often too strong, making female vocals and bright instruments sound edgy and limiting long term comfort.

+ 1 more reviews

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

Neutral with mild V-shaped tilt 2DD+8BA

6.8

7.4

B+

Tanchjim NORA

Web Search: Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials...
Z-Reviews: Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy —the “plain...
Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the Tanchjim NORA at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Paul Wasabii: Vocal-leaning single-DD that returns to Tanchjim’s roots: crisp female vocals, lively treble and open stage, but bass/upper-mid contrast can sound inconsistent. Energetic female vocals with good clarity, lightweight shell and open staging. Upper-mid sharpening and a lowered sub-bass make transitions feel inconsistent, and smoother vocals can sound too edged.

+ 3 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD

6.8

B+

PULA Anvil

Jays Audio: Good low-end impact and slam, but boomy/soft in the bass texture, the BCD has no effect in the low-end, more prominent in the uppermids/treble which can lead to some sharp/graininess/jaggity timbre....
Gizaudio Axel: The BCD effect is awesome, but may not be for everyone. Punchy bass, great mid-range texture, immersive soundstage, BCD that works, and excellent resolution. Could use more sub-bass.
Jaytiss: Nice set, kinda mellow.
Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the PULA Anvil at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio-In Reviews: PULA Anvil 114 delivers a balanced yet dynamic and immersive tuning with punchy mid bass, strong vocal clarity and wide stage, but a lively upper treble and slightly less natural mids keep it just... Punchy, textured mid bass with strong dynamics, clear vocals and energetic treble detail, combined with a wide immersive stage, unique stabilized wood faceplates and an excellent modular cable and accessory set. Upper mids and treble can be a bit aggressive for sensitive listeners, mids are slightly less natural than some competitors, and imaging is only decent compared with the very best in class.

+ 4 more reviews

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

Neutral 4BC DD BA

6.8

6.6

B+

Shozy P20

Jays Audio: T10 PRO better. Unique tuning with "speical sauce", warm but also sparkly in the treble without the uppermids becoming shouty (tamer uppermids). Great for kpop/jpop/pop and even hiphop and rock....
Jaytiss: The most non planar planar.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Shozy P20 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Shozy P20 is a highly dynamic planar IEM with powerful, clean bass, wide soundstage and excellent imaging that outperforms most rivals, though it benefits from strong amplification and has an... Class leading planar performance with powerful clean bass, expansive soundstage, excellent imaging and strong overall technical ability for the price. Needs a relatively powerful source to reveal its full dynamics and the elevated upper treble and air plus average stock tips may be too bright or fussy for some listeners.

+ 3 more reviews

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

n/a n/a

6.8

6.7

B+

Simgot Supermix 4

Jays Audio: Endgame Harman, one of the smoothest IEMs I've heard with Tangzu Sancai tips (regular). Some units might be hotter in the treble/pzt timbre
Gizaudio Axel: Harman tuning. Soft bass, bright sound, metallic timbre.
Jaytiss: If this works for you, it's a sonic treasure. My unit has issues.
Tim Tuned: Harman with more treble energy Can be too spicy
Web Search: The Simgot Supermix 4 packs a quadbrid driver configuration (1DD+1BA+1 Planar+1 PZT) into a comfortable resin shell. Its sound follows a U-shaped signature aligned with the Harman IE 2019 target,...
Fresh Reviews: Supermix 4 emerges as the standout of Simgot’s quartet for both fit and build , pairing a classy brushed bronze faceplate with the most refined tuning of the group. As a quad-brid, it...
Head-Fi.org: 50 community members have rated the Simgot Supermix 4 at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: A slightly more V-shaped version of the Truthear Nova. A bit more bass, a bit more treble. Not as vocal focused. Some of the best technical performance at $150. Good accessories. Shells are more...
Yifang: Yifang rated Simgot Supermix 4 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 10 great harman set treble could be smoother
ATechReviews: SIMGOT SuperMix 4 delivers a clean, vocal-forward tuning with good upper-mid and treble detail, but light bass slam and a shouty, fatiguing top end make it less engaging than cheaper and similarly... Clean and detailed upper mids and treble, smooth overall presentation, and a comfortable, lightweight build with a nice stock cable. Bass lacks slam and impact, upper mids and treble can sound shouty and fatiguing at moderate volumes, and the overall presentation feels too smooth and boring for the $150 price.
Joyce's Review: Vocal focused hybrid with clean, balanced bass and relaxed treble, offering a decent 149 dollar option for listeners who prioritize mids. Overall technical performance and treble detail sit behind... Clear, forward vocal presentation with clean balanced bass, good instrument and vocal separation and solid build and accessories for the price. Bass depth, treble extension and overall detail resolution lag behind the competing Quintet, and midrange instruments can sound somewhat dry and flat.

+ 11 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD+1BA+1Planar+1PZT

6.8

6.9

6

B+

$110

Kinera Celest Relentless

Kinera Celest Relentless

Jays Audio: Slight v-shape with good tech and detail, treble can be too much but has that sizzle and sparkliness some people will like.
Gizaudio Axel: Foam tips improve the sound a lot. V-shaped tuning, powerful bass, great technicalities. Bright treble.
Jaytiss: A fun V -Shape. Great upper mids.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Kinera Celest Relentless with a score of 7.2/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 20 community members have rated the Kinera Celest Relentless at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Paul Wasabii: Low-volume hybrid with clear, forward vocals and airy extension; becomes shouty and thin at moderate volume. Clear forward vocals at low volume with airy upper treble that keeps the presentation extended. Becomes shouty, thin and fatiguing at higher volumes, with limited sub-bass weight and modest resolution.
ATechReviews: Celest Relentless combines powerful low end, very high detail and strong technical performance that feels above its price, but can sound bright for treble sensitive listeners. Recommended especially... Excellent bass slam, very high detail retrieval and strong technical performance for the price with a soft high quality modular cable. Treble can become spicy with silicone tips on bright or compressed tracks, soundstage depth is only average and very treble sensitive listeners or heavy metal and EDM fans may need foam tips or a smoother alternative.
Audio-In Reviews: Celest Relentless delivers a fun, energetic and surprisingly technical v shaped tuning with strong slam, lively treble and immersive stage for the price. In return it trades some midrange naturalness... Highly engaging and technical v shaped tuning with strong bass, lively extended treble and wide immersive stage for the price. Bass bleed, recessed low mids and occasionally splashy, fatiguing treble make it less suitable for listeners who prefer a neutral or relaxed presentation.

+ 7 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+6BA

6.8

6.4

B+

Aful Performer 5

Jays Audio: Fun slight v-shape tuning with forward vocals with slight excitement in the treble. Separation takes a hit as a result, and treble is a bit uneven.
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Aful Performer 5 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: Still a king.
Precogvision: Inoffensive other than being a bit too gritty and clacky in the treble.
Tim Tuned: Balanced tuning with fantastic treble extension imaging could be better
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Aful Performer 5 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Can sometimes reach B
Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral-warm with zero cut-backs on technical performance. Price defining.. Tonal balance, technical performance at price bracket Subbass slightly sluggish on crowded tracks, more laid back in vocal presentation. Staging is questionable.
Nymz: Great tonal balance and resolving power at the cost of intimate stage. Missing the last touch of refinement on timbre and coherency, but a solid rec nonetheless.
Yifang: Yifang rated Aful Performer 5 with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
ATechReviews: Strong subbass, detailed inoffensive treble and excellent imaging make the AFUL Performer 5 a very competitive midrange IEM, though softer midbass slam and slightly recessed vocals hold it back from... Excellent subbass extension, smooth yet detailed treble, top tier imaging, very comfortable ergonomic shells, and an unusually good stock cable and case for this price. Midbass slam and impact feel a little restrained, vocals sit a bit behind the mix, and there is no stock 4.4 mm balanced cable option.

+ 10 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+4BA

6.8

6.4

B+

Dita Mecha

Gizaudio Axel: Cohesive sound with great detail. Great bass, vocal-focused, cohesive sound with excellent detail.
Jaytiss: This is the best Dita iem that I've heard, I dig it. Big and Bold Sound
Super* Review: Warm laid back and base-forward. competes with other IEMs in it's price range.

+ 2 more reviews

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

V-Shaped n/a

6.8

5.6

B+

Fiio FA19

Gizaudio Axel: Great resolution and micro-details. Warm V-shaped sound with bassy lows, sparkly treble, and excellent resolution. Bass quality could be better and treble is bright.
Jaytiss: Nice All BA set!
Precogvision: Treble sounds sibilant and overall tuning is quite off-putting.
Super* Review: I can't recommend this IEM. Even if it would be 1/10 of it's price.
Fresh Reviews: Fiio FA19 arrives as a true kilobuck treat, pairing monumental bass impact with high-end finesse. A 10-BA array (including custom bass drivers ), a clever negative-feedback system , and an...
Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the FiiO FA19 at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
Audio-In Reviews: Warm neutral kilobuck all BA set with surprisingly dynamic bass, lively but refined treble and strong technical performance, but the unique tonal balance and price make it a niche, conditional choice. Unique neutral warm kilobuck tuning with excellent BA bass dynamics, refined treble and strong technical performance. Warmer low mids and energetic treble make it a niche choice at this price and many listeners may prefer safer all rounders like Monarch MK3, RSV or Helios.

+ 6 more reviews

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

n/a 10BA

6.8

8.2

B+

Moondrop May

Jaytiss: A very enjoyable listen, hard to fault at this price and design. Could be a winner for you.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Moondrop May with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: The May is the way to go if you have 80 bucks. Standard EQ sounds great. Nice low contrast neutral sound
Web Search: The Moondrop May offers a convenient USB-C DSP cable with multiple EQ presets accessible via the Moondrop Link app, though the app suffers from connectivity issues and requires invasive permissions...
Z-Reviews: Moondrop May shows up like a fashion accessory: smoked acrylic shells with that repeating clover motif, secure 2-pin sockets, and a surprisingly nice round case in the box. The stock 4-core cable...
Head-Fi.org: 7 community members have rated the MOONDROP MAY at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Audio Amigo: A DSP IEM that sounds fantastic with both the Default DSP cable, and a standard 3.5mm analog cable. Great build, good case, and the ability to change the tuning using the Moondrop Link App add up to...

+ 6 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD+1Planar

6.7

5.6

B+

Letshuoer S12

Jays Audio: The most refined S12 to date. Smoothest treble out of all the S12, and very little Planar timbre while keeping up the great tech and detail.
Jaytiss: I think the s12 is fine, the pro and z12 don't add too much value
Tim Tuned: Planar with the most "wow" factor. Spacious heead stage Treble can be too much
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Letshuoer S12 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Great package and some titles arguably A-
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Letshuoer S12 with a score of 6.8/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Letshuoer S12 with a score of 7.2/10 without adding a comment.
Audionotions: Very energetic. Very detailed. Very bright. Noticeable recession in mids - it is V-shaped after all. Planar timbre is quite noticeable and can sometimes make this sound unnatural.
Head-Fi.org: 23 community members have rated the Letshuoer S12 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Joyce's Review: Letshuoer S12 2024 Limited Edition delivers a powerful V-shaped planar tuning with impressive bass slam and airy, detailed treble for its price. Minor sibilance and a scratch-prone titanium shell are... Luxurious anniversary package, strong planar bass performance and sparkling, detailed treble that adds atmosphere and excitement. Titanium shells scratch easily and the energetic treble can introduce some sibilance for more sensitive listeners.

+ 9 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1Planar

6.7

6.5

6.8

B+

AFUL MagicOne

Jays Audio: Balanced and neutral with slight warmth in the mid-bass. Male vocals are great on these, weighted but still has edge and sharpness to the end notes, but can get sharp at higher volumes. Male vocals...
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated AFUL MagicOne with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: The resolution and clarity at this price is so lovely.
Precogvision: Pleasantly tuned and inoffensive; however, sounds smoothed over due to 2kHz pinna and lack of treble extension.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated AFUL MagicOne with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.
Super* Review: Sounds quite good but not exceptional. Not a lot of depth. Nothing is sharp or aggressive. Take it for what it is
Smirk Audio: Pleasant female vocals and decent bass. Male vocals are forward and treble has some grain.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated AFUL MagicOne with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 34 community members have rated the AFUL MagicOne at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
Audio Amigo: A prettier, more premium Hexa. Engineering tour-de-force. Try and get it for $100 or less
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Comfort: 8 good tonality and treble slight pressure build up

+ 10 more reviews

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

Neutral with Bass Boost 1BA

6.7

6.5

B+

7hz Timeless

Jays Audio: Great details. Good stage in front but lacking in wideness/3D. Imaging is good and speration is great, but uneven treble peaks. Planar timbre. Vocals and notes can be thin. Fatiguing at higher volume...
Gizaudio Axel: Clean, impactful bass, great detail, fast transients. Upper mids are a bit intense, bright treble, planar timbre.
Crin: Easily the best-tuned planar IEM by a country mile, the Timeless is also no slouch on the technical front.
Precogvision: Has the planar advantage with most of its disadvantages and a reasonable tonality.
Tim Tuned: High details for the price, good fun tuning Metallic timbre
Super* Review: Super* Review rated 7hz Timeless with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: A superb planar IEM, beware the planar bass shelf. The best tuned planar IEM Narrow soundstage, mushy transients
Nymz: Insanely resolving for price. Good planar timbre. Tuning is slight colored but doesn't seem to affect mids as much. Stage depth and width will be the weakest points. QC gamble on first batches. Get...
Head-Fi.org: 31 community members have rated the 7hz Timeless at an average of 4.1/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

+ 8 more reviews

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

V-Shaped n/a

6.7

B+

$179

Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke

Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke

Jaytiss: Stock its really bassy, with eq it gets even better.
Web Search: The Hidizs MK12 × DucBloke is a special-tuned edition built on the MK12 “Turris” platform, which uses a single 12 mm dynamic driver with a 91% magnesium diaphragm and a 1.5 T magnet system...
Z-Reviews: Hidizs MK12 x DucBloke shows up dressed in the reddest red to ever red, with big, hefty shells and a pointy tail that looks like it could break glass —mercifully harmless once seated. The...

+ 2 more reviews

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

Warm 1DD

6.6

B+

$259

Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday

Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday

Jays Audio: Clean and neutral with treble emphasis. Great technical performance. Airy and lively treble. Bass could use more impact and weight. Vocals are on the lighter side of things.
Jaytiss: I can't really recomend this with other planars at much cheaper.
Tim Tuned: More detailed than original + better bass treble can be smoother
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Imagine getting a 2 pin cable's polarity wrong, please Tangzu work on your QC. Smooth midrange, meaty low with characteristic planar subbass extension, relatively smooth treble; detail retrieval is above average Transition from midbass to lower mids isn't clear cut, not as clean. Doesn't sound special tbh.
Nymz: Mid-range focused planar for those looking for a great planar set that is not V-shaped. Love it.
Audionotions: Well-tuned, technical, does nothing wrong. Build quality is much better than OG Wu. Even the driver used is different. They should have renamed it instead of keeping the Wu Zetian name because it's...
Head-Fi.org: 15 community members have rated the Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 8 more reviews

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

V-Shaped n/a

6.6

6.3

B+

Fiio FX15

Jaytiss: Unique tuning, but the switch would be better in the mids or bass.
Precogvision: Odd recessions in frequency response lead to unique imaging but uncanny tonality.
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Fiio FX15 with a score of 8.0/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Fiio FX15 with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 4 community members have rated the FIIO FX15 at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

+ 4 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD+4BA+4EST

6.6

4.9

B+

Moondrop Illustrious

Jays Audio: Basically the Softears Twilight with less sub-bass extension, alot more neutral and monitor like, and very pricy since Twilight goes on sale for $700 with a more musical playback. This is just...
Gizaudio Axel: Open-back IEM with a mellow sound. Good for long listening but not for those seeking strong bass or high resolution. Warm, full-bodied mids with natural timbre and safe treble. Light bass with low sub-bass, lacking treble air and sparkle, and underwhelming detail.
Jaytiss: Nice single DD, not a benchmark, but very nice.
Precogvision: Sounds like it has metallic timbre. Percussino compression around 5kHz due to lack of treble extension and generally bad tuning.
Super* Review: Sounds like an open-back IEM. It delivers on open design. Something to consider if you are looking for that.
Paul Wasabii: Gorgeous shell and high end driver with a neutral bright tilt; stock upper mids and 5 kHz energy flatten the stage. With light EQ and some volume it comes very close to Twilight. Stunning build and fit with superb vented bass shelf and rock ready mid bass. Lower treble and 5 kHz emphasis flattens stage and needs volume or EQ; not ideal for sub bass heavy genres.

+ 5 more reviews

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

Neutral 1DD

6.6

5.8

B+

Moondrop Kato

Jays Audio: Good detail, clarity, and imaging, but can sound thin. Similar tuning as Hana, but I found Hana to have better note-weight and bass.
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Moondrop Kato with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Crin: Crin rated Moondrop Kato with a score of 6.5/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: For $200, I'd probably recomend other iems. But it's solid.
Precogvision: A slight improvement over the KXXS all-round in the technical department.
Tim Tuned: KXXS with better vocals and details
Super* Review: Super* Review rated Moondrop Kato with a score of 8.5/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Comment: Moondrop's best "budget" single DD iem. Solid tuning, backed with surprising clarity that is a step up from the kxxs bunch Lower mids thin sounding
Nymz: A bit thin, pillow light bass. Treble and stage could use some more refinement. A tecnical upgrade to Aria.
Audionotions: Decent bass, decent mids, vocals presented nicely (tastefully forward), treble is non-fatiguing but a little darker but maybe a bit weird. Sounds a little blunted to my ears. Fit may be an issue for...
Head-Fi.org: 25 community members have rated the Moondrop Kato at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
Yifang: Yifang rated Moondrop Kato with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Kois Archive: Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Comfort: 9 nice female vocals treble a little lacking

+ 12 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD

6.6

6.2

B+

Tipsy M1

Jaytiss: Humpy, rich note weight, Dank. Needs strong dialing in with tips and high volume.
Web Search: The Tipsy M1 is a single-dynamic IEM built around a 10 mm bamboo-fiber diaphragm that the brand positions as a first of its kind; the official page lists a lightweight shell and a measurement-driven...
Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Tipsy M1 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

+ 2 more reviews

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

Warm 1DD (10 mm bamboo-fiber)

6.5

5.8

B+

Pula Unicrom

Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Pula Unicrom with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: Smooth, energetic, nice DD.
Super* Review: Punchy, dynamic sound with satisfying bass and a high-res feel. Limited by edgy/sibilant treble that pushes it down the ranks.
Web Search: The Pula Unicrom offers a distinctive visual appeal with its stabilized maple wood faceplates, ensuring no two pairs look identical, paired with lightweight resin shells that deliver exceptional...
Z-Reviews: At $80 , the Pula Unicrom (aka “Unic”) is a 10 mm single dynamic IEM that keeps the box basic but surprises with a genuinely nice cable—tight weave, slick hardware, and a stealthy screw-on...
Paul Wasabii: Warm, smooth single-DD with tight bass and very comfortable shells. Great value at the sale price, but the strong sub-bass masks presence and narrows stage. Very comfortable lightweight shells with a pleasing warm, smooth tuning and tight bass response for the price. Pronounced sub-bass shelf masks upper presence and air, reducing soundstage width and imaging precision—especially for gaming.
Audio-In Reviews: Pula Unicrom is a mild V shaped, warm leaning single dynamic that offers natural mids, airy treble and very good build and comfort for the price. It falls just a step behind personal favorites like... Natural, mildly V shaped tuning with engaging vocals, airy and extended treble, attractive stabilized wood design, comfortable small shells and a soft modular cable that feels premium for the price. Midbass focused low end introduces some bleed into the mids, soundstage depth and overall technical performance stay only average, and there are rivals like Deli AE that still offer better control and refinement under 100 dollars.

+ 6 more reviews

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

V-Shaped 1DD

6.5

6.3

B+

Kefine Delci

Jays Audio: A warmer/less sharp EW200, a slightly more resolving BLON Z300, price might be an issue tho
Gizaudio Axel: Gizaudio Axel rated Kefine Delci with a score of 6.0/10 without adding a comment.
Jaytiss: Nice tone, great overall sound with only a few issues.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Kefine Delci with a score of 7.5/10 without adding a comment.
Head-Fi.org: 32 community members have rated the KEFINE DELCI at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
Audio Amigo: Well tuned warm V-shape. Great driver with good detail. Try to get it for around $55
ATechReviews: Highly resolving sub bass focused tuning with balanced mids, wide stage and precise imaging that feel well above its $59 price. Minor lower treble spice and mid bass texture limitations are the only... Excellent build and comfort with sub bass focused, highly detailed and spacious sound that competes with more expensive IEMs. Lower treble can sound slightly hot on some tracks and mid bass texture and slam could be a bit better without relying on specific ear tips.
Audio-In Reviews: Neutral warm single dynamic with excellent comfort, strong bass dynamics and very natural upper mids and treble. Low mid warmth and bass quantity can sound a bit thick and technicalities are only... Neutral warm tuning with very natural upper mids and treble, strong bass dynamics, and excellent comfort and build for the price. Low mid warmth and elevated bass can sound a bit thick and unbalanced on some tracks, and overall technicalities and stage are only average compared to the very best competitors around this price.

+ 7 more reviews

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

U-Shaped n/a

6.5

6.3

B

$279.99

DD ddHiFi x Moondrop Surface

DD ddHiFi x Moondrop Surface

Jaytiss: Super lack luster trebble and upper air.
Z-Reviews: The ddHiFi x Moondrop Surface screams premium from the jump: a waifu-heavy unboxing, a machined-looking presentation, and shells that mix a metallic “coach pattern” faceplate with a fully ...

+ 1 more reviews

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

n/a 1DD+4BA

6.4

5.2

B

Simgot EA500LM

Jays Audio: Very resolving for its price, great value. A warmer EA1000 with a slight decrease in separation and resolution, but warmer with more bass (same bass quality). Not as sparkly and resolving as the...
Jaytiss: It's a good u shaped with nice bass, but be weiry of uppper mids.
Tim Tuned: Tim Tuned rated Simgot EA500LM with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
Web Search: The Simgot EA500LM offers a versatile listening experience primarily through its three interchangeable nozzles, which significantly alter the sound signature. With the gold nozzles (red ring), the...
Fresh Reviews: Fresh Reviews rated Simgot EA500LM with a score of 5.0/10 without adding a comment.
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Simgot EA500LM with a score of 5.9/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Z-Reviews rated Simgot EA500LM with a score of 7.0/10 without adding a comment.
Audio Amigo: One of the most technical single dynamic driver sets under $100. Can compete with the $200 class of single DD sets. Can be quite fatiguing, even with the relaxed nozzles
Yifang: Yifang rated Simgot EA500LM with a score of 5.5/10 without adding a comment.

+ 8 more reviews

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

U-Shaped 1DD

6.4

6.1

B

Moondrop Aria 2

Jays Audio: A more engaging Aria SE with more bass, air, and reverb. Feels too smoothed out with a hit in the texture. Bump in tech over the old one, but pricing is an issue vs EW200 and EW300
Gizaudio Axel: A solid set. Good bass with solid impact, slightly warm but full and clear vocals, and solid detail. Could use more sub-bass and a more refined upper treble.
Jaytiss: Nice package for the price.
Tim Tuned: Moondrop Aria sets a brutal value bar at $79 , pairing elegant presentation with no-nonsense accessories: a tidy case, comfy fabric cable with zero microphonics, and serviceable tips. Build and...
Shuwa-T: Shuwa-T rated Moondrop Aria 2 with a score of 5.9/10 without adding a comment.
Z-Reviews: Moondrop switches up the formula with Aria 2’s single dynamic “dome” driver , creating a presentation that feels set back from the head with surprising soundstage depth and precise...
Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Moondrop Aria 2 at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

+ 6 more reviews

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

n/a n/a

6.4

6.2

B

$259

TangZu Wu Zetian Legend