Best U-Shaped IEMs

Brise Audio Fugaku

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

Elysian Annihilator 2023

• Gizaudio Axel: Hands down, my favorite IEM.  Powerful, impactful bass, the best treble I’ve experienced in an IEM, endgame-level detail.  The bass might be too much for some people.
• Jaytiss: Treble extension is insane, I always think I'm over it, but I may never be over it.
• Precogvision: More of an all-rounder with better bass compared to the 2021 version, sacrifices some soundstage.
• Tim Tuned:  More defined bass than 2021 version  2021 is cleaner and more open sounding
• Smirk Audio: Top-tier resolution with world-class treble. Great dynamics. Could use better bass texturing. An exciting listen.
• Web Search: The Elysian Annihilator 2023 delivers a distinctive U-shaped signature, prioritizing an ethereal, hyper-detailed treble that remains its crown jewel. The dual electrostatic drivers produce a...
• Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the Elysian Annihilator 2023 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• ATechReviews: Endgame level bass, treble and resolution make the Elysian Annihilator 2023 one of the most impressive IEMs available, with a wide stage and engaging, dynamic tuning. Its bold bass and treble forward...  Explosive yet controlled bass, breathtakingly smooth and detailed treble and endgame level technical performance with wide stage and precise imaging.  Very expensive, clearly not neutral and the powerful bass emphasis may be too much for listeners who prefer a more relaxed or mid focused tuning.

7th Acoustics Asteria

• Precogvision: Pretty much the closest to a tonal panacea that I've heard only held back by the bass.
• Web Search: The 7th Acoustics Asteria is a hybrid flagship built around a 10 mm dynamic driver for bass and twelve balanced-armature drivers covering mids through super-treble (5-way crossover), packaged in a...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: 7th Acoustics Asteria arrives as a limited run of 77 units at around $3,800 , presented in a numbered box with premium trimmings. The shells are described as the most beautiful seen in the...  As technical as a PMG SE but smooth like an RN6 (engaging mids) Flawless for my library
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the 7th Acoustics Asteria at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

PMG Audio Apx SE

• Smirk Audio: Great resolution and layering. Great bass texture and punch. Mids have a small timbral issue. Refined, resolving highs. Analogue tone. Engaging yet non-fatiguing. Cons: Shells prone to cracking.
• Z-Reviews: The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli ...
• Bad Guy Good Audio: The PMG Audio Apx SE comes out swinging with a $6,000 price tag and a $1,600 cable that looks the part but fights the ear with stiffness and springy memory. The shells flaunt real lapis lazuli ...  Game changer. Most resolving accurate replay in the hobby. No specific qualifier to wave off potential buyer..nada  Price is extreme but presentation reflects that. No sonic flaws. 1st set in 10 years that gets that.
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the PMG Audio Apx SE at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Yifang:  Tonally acceptable and one of the most technically competent sets to exist. Surprisingly non-fatiguing listen. Extremely standout stage size AND most notably, huge note size within that stage. Extremely phenomenal in this regard.  Timbre and coherency need improvements. Driver coherency issues are somewhat obvious on highly dynamic EDM, particularly the extension in both ends of the frequency spectrum, making technicalities feel unnatural. Treble in particular is more problematic and affects timbre & smoothness, particularly female vocals and anything on the higher pitches. Low availability and high price.

Elysian Annihilator 2021

• Crin: Elysian Annihilator 2021 presents a highly balanced yet distinctly treble-forward tuning: energetic upper mids paired with world-class treble that delivers striking clarity , microdetail, and...
• Precogvision: Agressive listen with excellent resolution and, currently, the only true implementation of the EST drivers.
• Tim Tuned:  Speediest Treble, well extended, high details  Midbass a bit too much for me
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Perfect for treble heads.  Extremely well tuned set with incredible technical performance and extension  Treble may be a little too spicy
• Nymz: Usual agressive and saturated Elysian house sound with the best treble ever.
• Z-Reviews: Brushed titanium Elysian Annihilator (2021) comes dressed to impress: a slick presentation with SpinFit tips, a plush micro-suede case, and a flashy gold cube 4.4 cable termination. The shells are...
• Yifang:  Tonal excellence for some genres e.g EDM (including hardstyle, DnB, Melodic Dub, etc), or J-Pop and high-pitched female vocal stuff. Almost unmatched treble performance, and highly technically competent.  Bass quality could be improved on, mids aren't ideal for male vocals or lower toned instruments.

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.

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.

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...
• 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.

Forte Ears Macbeth

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

ThieAudio Monarch MK4

• Jays Audio: Smooth, clean, balanced, and slightly airy in the balance switch. Goes from a clean all-rounder to a warm/bassy all-rounder. Great tech. Basically a cheaper Prestige LTD with more tuning options....
• Jaytiss: Detailed fun, rich bass. It's hard to fault.
• Precogvision: Excellent detail retreival and competent tuning. Can be slightly thin sounding and forward in the treble.
• Tim Tuned: ThieAudio Monarch MK4 arrives with the usual hype and a clear step-up in presentation: a thick, high-quality premium cable with interchangeable terminations, plenty of tips and tools, and a...
• Super* Review: Kind of an impressive sound signature. A little bit dry in its bass presentation. Sounds a little bit clinical with its stock tuning. Maybe a bit too much bass in rumble mode. But it's kind of nice...
• Web Search: The Thieaudio Monarch MK4 introduces a practical tuning switch, letting users flip between Standard for a neutral, detailed profile and Rumble for a pronounced 3dB sub-bass boost. This flexibility...
• Fresh Reviews: Great All Rounder
• Bad Guy Good Audio: Monarch MK IV lands as a top-three set, sitting just behind the PMG APXSE and CP622B, and it earns that spot with an evolutionary design: a single, tactile rumble switch that can be flipped...
• Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Thieaudio Monarch MKIV at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Rhapsodio Supreme V3

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

Symphonium Crimson

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

Metalure Glacier

• Jaytiss: Slight harshness in the trebble, but competent, lovely set.
• Web Search: The Metalure Glacier is a 9-driver tribrid—1DD+6BA+2EST—positioned as the brand’s flagship; this configuration is confirmed in independent coverage and frames its focus on treble extension and...

Thieaudio Monarch MK3

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

Hercules Audio Noah

• Jaytiss: Clean vocals, just amazing, clean and clear. 5/5 amazing maybe best thing Ive heard.
• Web Search: The Hercules Audio Noah is a 1DD+3BA hybrid using a 9 mm dynamic driver with three Knowles armatures in an all-metal shell, terminated with Pentaconn Ear connectors. Its official listing...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Hercules Audio Noah at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.
• Kois Archive: Rating: S- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  fun and engaging set with great build quality  I wish for slightly more midbass

Aroma Audio Fei Wan

• Jaytiss: Impressive tech, is even better with EQ. Has a special sauce.
• Smirk Audio: Decent bass and lush, "wet" mids. Has a treble peak that can be pesky to some. Great overall techs. Cons: Price, treble peak, build quality.

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea

• Jays Audio: Super aggresive, exciting, v-shape, treblehead. Low-end is also very punchy and rumbly. TOTL technical performance with tons of details and OCD, but gets fatiguing. Shouty.
• Precogvision: Fantastic clarity at the expense of sounding somewhat dry.
• Tim Tuned:  Versatile DNA that's also unique. #1 Jack of all trades
• Super* Review: The Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea goes big on everything: a roughly $1,300 price tag, striking stabilized-wood faceplates with a dual-tone finish, and a stock cable that feels a bit bombastic ...
• Shuwa-T:  Easy to like tuning that isn't considered too safe with convincing vocal presentation, bass slams hard  Not entirely coherent especially in the upper frequencies, subbass hits a little too hard relative to the rest of the frequencies
• Nymz: Clarity king with great sense of detail. An agressive listen but never sibilant. Great tight and fast bass, at the expense of sounding dry in the lower mids. Not recommended if you are sensitive to...
• Audionotions: Gaea is bright, and at first, it might seem to be dry, but not in a bad way. I initially thought it could use more meat on the bones, but this tuning works very well after listening. Sinfully...
• Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Dunu Mirai

• Jays Audio: Bright leaning set with great tech. Clean mid-range, sharp imaging, sparkly female vocals with decent amount of air. Does get fatiguing and sharp on more energetic tracks and genres like...
• Jaytiss: Expensive for what it is, lean, and bright.
• Tim Tuned:  Refrence, beautiful timbre, open stage  Tuning may be boring for some
• Super* Review: Lot of fun IEM. Is it perfect? No. Treble could use a little work. Harmanish take on low end with relaxed top end.
• Z-Reviews: Dunu Mirai comes as a headphones.com exclusive seven-driver hybrid— 1DD + multiple BA with a super tweeter —priced around $950–$1,000 . The tuning sits a few clicks toward the analytical ...
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Dunu Mirai at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Oriolus Szalayi

• Jaytiss: BASS + BASS + BASS = fun? Maybe.
• Web Search: The Oriolus Szalayi is a tri-brid IEM that assigns a 10 mm dynamic driver to bass, a 14 mm planar diaphragm to the midrange, and a single balanced armature to treble—an uncommon layout aimed at...

Lime Ears Terra

• Gizaudio Axel: Excellent balance of detail and musicality.  Harman-like tuning with full-bodied sound, great sub-bass, and solid detail.  Could use more mid-bass impact. Slightly bright treble.
• Jaytiss: Best value of the Lime Ears.
• Precogvision: Sounds Harman-inspired with some minor tuning liberties. Decent overall but I'd prefer more air past 10kHz.
• Super* Review: I don't think its an exceptional sound for this price. There are better options. Build Quality and aesthetics are nice though.
• Head-Fi.org: 27 community members have rated the Lime Ears Terra at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• Kois Archive: Rating: A | Value: ⭐ | Gaming: 🎮🎮 | Comfort: 8  good micro details. decent vshape sound  shouty, lacks treble extension
• Paul Wasabii: Refined neutral-bright hybrid with clean mids, extended treble and a big, organized stage. Sub-bass adds depth while mid-bass impact stays polite and treble energy is a preference play.  Highly refined, revealing tuning with excellent detail retrieval, sharp imaging and a spacious stage for its class.  Mid-bass tactility and slam are on the softer side, and the energetic upper treble can be bright depending on tips and source.

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
• Head-Fi.org: 2 community members have rated the Softears RS10 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.
• 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.

Kiwi Ears Astral

• Jays Audio: Great all-rounder. Slighty airy with good sub-bass extenion. Balanced but still fun. A cleaner, airier, and less sharp/sparkly version of the Meta/Crescent - vocals pop out more. Tip rec Sancai...
• Gizaudio Axel: Great all-rounder with a bright, airy top end.  Deep, textured sub-bass, clean and forward mids, airy treble, and great detail.  Upper treble can be a bit much, and the bass tuck isn’t for everyone.
• Jaytiss: Tonality is fantastic.
• Tim Tuned: The Kiwi Ears Astral arrives in a package typical for the brand, featuring a resin shell and a metal nozzle . While the design isn't groundbreaking, the build feels sturdy. The included cable is...  Clean, techinical v-shape signature with great midrange  upper treble too much
• Web Search: The Kiwi Ears Astral is a mid-priced hybrid with 1DD+6BA and an MSRP around $299, positioning it in the competitive $250–$350 class. Official specs list a 10 mm bioceramic dynamic driver, 23 Ω...
• Fresh Reviews: The Kiwi Ears Astral, priced at $299 , combines one dynamic driver and six balanced armatures in an exceptionally ergonomic and lightweight 3D printed resin chassis. Comfort is phenomenal,...
• Z-Reviews: Priced at $300, the Kiwi Ears Astral stands as the brand's most expensive IEM , featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and six balanced armatures . The build is notably large and deep , with a design...
• Audionotions: "Meta" tuned with subbass and air boost. Neutral/balanced with a bit of fun factor added back in. Phenomenally tuned mids. Bass can be a smidge too much on certain tracks for me but it's generally...
• Head-Fi.org: 29 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Astral at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
• Audio Amigo: A less bassy, more vocal forward take on the Meta tuning with more airiness. Like a Baby Dusk, or a DaVinvi with less bass and more toned down treble. Modular cable is a nice upgrade, case is still...
• Paul Wasabii: Sub-bass-tilted U-shape with clean, speedy low end but thinner mids and a forward upper-mid rise that is volume-sensitive. Resolving for the price, though stage depth and overall balance improve with...  Clean, fast sub-bass with good resolving ability at low to moderate volumes.  Thin mids from early upper-mid rise, small volume sweet spot and modest stage depth without EQ.

LetShuoer EJ07M

• Jays Audio: Holographic staging with an amazing midrange. Great bass texture and impact. Incredibly immersive and endgame for most. Has more sub-bass and treble air than OG doesn't scale as well.
• Jaytiss: Fit is an issue same as the Blessing 2 Dusk.
• Precogvision: Excellent tonality and dynamic bass held back only by a lack of intangible performance.
• Super* Review: Letshuoer x HBB’s Kinda Lava retunes the EJ07M toward a neutral-with-tasteful-bass-boost signature, thickening the mid-bass versus the original’s Harman-leaning sub-bass shelf. The ...
• Shuwa-T: Comment: EJ07 but more low end.  The bassier EJ07
• Audionotions: Nearly the same as the Kinda Lava with very slight differences in the bass. More subbass at the cost of a tiny bit of midbass. Same great mids and treble. Possibly a tad less thick note weight than...
• Head-Fi.org: 10 community members have rated the LETSHUOER EJ07M at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

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.

Moondrop S8

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

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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Letshuoer S12 Ultra

• Jays Audio: Smoothest S12 so far with fun sub-bass and good transients/dynamics. Slight v-shape, similar to the Defiant but a little more bassy. 1.5K vocal peak can be an issue on songs with no bass to cover it,...
• Jaytiss: They saved the best s12 for last.
• Web Search: The Letshuoer S12 Ultra continues the brand’s planar lineage with a 14.8 mm planar-magnetic driver in a compact metal shell. Notable upgrades include a 392-core silver-plated cable with...
• Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the LETSHUOER S12 Ultra at an average of 4.4/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.
• Paul Wasabii: Warm, smoother take on S12 with weightier mids and easier treble. A safe, coherent planar many will prefer, though less open and lively than S12 2024.  Smooth, coherent tuning with planar resolve and good value, plus modular cable and a usable dongle.  Stage depth and height feel compressed versus S12 2024, and bass can turn slightly boomy on dense mixes.

Noble Kublai Khan

Vision Ears EXT

• Precogvision: Tasteful W-shape tuning that delivers in the technical department. Mid-treble can be sharp, though.
• Nymz: Pleasant warm tonality with an agressive treble and techs to back it up. Treble will be too hot if you are extra sensitive. Fit is an issue.

Melody Wings Venus

• Jaytiss: It's very exciting and fun. But ultimatly lower trebble is harsh for me.
• Web Search: The Melody Wings Venus is a hybrid 1DD+3BA IEM built around a 10 mm beryllium-plated dynamic for lows and three balanced armatures, using 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors and a modular cable with 3.5 mm, 4.4...
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Melody Wings Venus at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

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.

Campfire Audio Trifecta

• Jaytiss: It's a tubed iem, very unique. Very hit or miss on music, love it or hate it.
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the Campfire Audio Trifecta at an average of 4.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.

Symphonium Audio Meteor

• Jays Audio: Meaty textured mid-bass, but can be a bit much. VVery warm sound. Library dependent. Airy treble, but vocals are a bit pushed back and buried.
• Jaytiss: I'm just not a fan of the tuning, but I can see how others might like it.
• Precogvision: A fun U-shape through and through, at the expense of some detail. Fantastic bass and upper-treble extension.
• Super* Review: Warm-tilted and unapologetically bassy , Symphonium’s 4BA Meteor aims for a thick, relaxed presentation that still feels refined up top. The bass carries notable mid-bass ...
• Nymz: U-Shaped warm tuning that is as easy to love it as it is to rec it. Despite being a full BA, the bass has great qualities to it. Great techs given the price and tuning. I had to buy one myself.
• Z-Reviews: Packaging and accessories go hard: a wild Nightjar cable that actually behaves, a tiny waterproof case, foam and silicone tips, even a burlap sack. The shells are much smaller than other...
• Audionotions: Warm U-shaped IEM. Very pleasant to listen to. Bass is pretty good for a BA set with a focus on decay which makes it rumble nicely - perhaps lacks a bit of tactility. Very solid choice for those who...
• Head-Fi.org: 14 community members have rated the Symphonium Audio Meteor at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

iBasso IT07

• Crin: More similar to its predecessor the IT04, with more bass and less treble.
• Head-Fi.org: 5 community members have rated the iBasso IT07 at an average of 4.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

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...

Heartfield CU8

• Jays Audio: Warmer Harman 2019 with less shouty vocals. Bassy all-rounder with decent tech. Build and plate design is very pretty... but price is a bit high and not that competitive - wait for sale unless you...
• Jaytiss: It's fine, but is fine worth your purchase?
• Web Search: The Heartfield CU8 delivers a neutral sound that closely follows the Harman target curve, providing a balanced and accurate listening experience suitable for both critical monitoring and musical...
• Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the HeartField CU8 at an average of 4.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Exceptional.
• Paul Wasabii: Polished jewelry-finish 4BA with a cleaner, pulled-back Harman-neutral tuning and crisp female vocals; clarity and speed also suit gaming. Sub-bass lift with very low mid-bass makes the bass feel...  Polished jewelry build with clean, fast Harman-neutral tuning, clear female vocals and good spatial cues for gaming.  Sealed 4BA may cause pressure buildup, and the sub-bass lift with very low mid-bass makes the bass soft and lean, limiting impact versus stronger rivals around $280.

Thieaudio Monarch

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

Oriolus Monachaa

• Jaytiss: Poor Value, I can't recomend it.
• Smirk Audio: Very nice bass and decent treble. Midrange timbre and decay sound off. Technicalities are average for its price range. Cons: Poor techs/price, vocal timbre off.
• Head-Fi.org: 6 community members have rated the Oriolus Monachaa at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

Truthear Nova

• Jays Audio: NEED FOAM TIPS makes the treble smooth and clear. Very clean harman sound with smooth but well extended treble/one of the best treble under $200, no roll-off. The pinnacle of trying not to offend...
• Gizaudio Axel: A solid reference.  Harman-style sound signature with solid sub-bass, clean forward vocals, smooth treble extension, and great detail.  Could use more bass, vocals can feel lean and a bit intense at times.
• Jaytiss: Nice set, great bass. Too much upper mids.
• Super* Review: A little bit thin and shrill sounding. Hexa costs half as much and it's the better IEM.
• Fresh Reviews: Borders C+
• Shuwa-T:  Overall clean sounding, works well with quicker pop genres (Jpop/Kpop)  Male vocals recessed, does not work well with the other half of Jpop/Kpop. Lower midrange suffers from thinner note weight (tuning)
• Head-Fi.org: 12 community members have rated the TruthEar Nova at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
• Yifang: Truthear Nova arrives as a budget hybrid built to spar with Moondrop’s Variations: a 1DD + 4BA set in that signature blue shell, anime-clad packaging, and a surprisingly nice-feeling stock cable...
• ATechReviews: Truthear Nova delivers a very well tuned Harman-neutral signature with natural treble and strong value at around $150, but its lean, bass-light presentation and average technicalities will not suit...  Excellent Harman-neutral tuning with natural, realistic treble and strong value at around $150.  Lean, bass-light tonality, only average stage and imaging, and a bulky shell plus uncomfortable stock cable limit comfort and versatility, especially on the move.

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...
• 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.

Plussound Volta

• Jaytiss: V shapped, semi typical Harmon, unextrodinary, but fine.
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the Plussound Volta at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

Hyla Sarda

• Crin: Standard "HYLA" house sound, doesn't do much different from the CE-5 and TE-5B.
• Precogvision: Fantastic bass response and strong clarity in the upper-midrange. However, can be genre dependent.

7Hz Elua Ultra

• Jaytiss: Nice smooth set. Easy, and clean.
• Web Search: The 7Hz Elua Ultra delivers a powerful and well-defined bass that extends deep without overwhelming the mids, making it stand out in its price range. Vocals are clear and detailed, with a natural...
• Head-Fi.org: 9 community members have rated the 7Hz Elua Ultra at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
• Paul Wasabii: Ultra-fun dual-DD at $29 with tight 10 dB sub-bass, lively treble and a surprisingly big stage. Best for EDM/pop and high-energy listening.  Punchy yet controlled bass with energetic, extended treble and spacious imaging that sounds pricier than it is.  Treble is bright and timbre skews fun over natural, so treble-sensitive listeners and acoustic purists may find it fatiguing.

Campfire Andromeda

• Crin: Highly coherent, easy-to-love tuning and spacious headstage
• Precogvision: A more muddy Andromeda 2020 that's saving grace is the treble spike.
• Tim Tuned:  Extremely airy soundstage  Slightly bright, not very natural mids
• Shuwa-T:  Airy with wide soundstage, best tuned Campfire lineup  BA timbre

SIMGOT EG280

• Jays Audio: All-rounder with pinpoint imaging and slight uppermids/vocal emphasis. Basically a more technical EW300 with better vocal clarity and extension. Solid for gaming like EM6L, and would be my pick since...
• Web Search: The SIMGOT EG280 is a budget-class, hybrid gaming IEM that pairs a 10 mm dynamic driver with a 6 mm planar unit per side (rated at 32 Ω, 119 dB/Vrms), a configuration positioned to blend bass weight...
• Fresh Reviews: The SIMGOT EG280 makes a strong first impression for budget gaming with a curve reminiscent of Harman 2019 : footsteps (both low and upper registers) and gunfire pop through cleanly, giving...
• Head-Fi.org: 3 community members have rated the Simgot EG280 at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.
• Paul Wasabii: Gaming-focused hybrid with DSP presets and a long USB-C cable. Resolving with sharp imaging, but the stock tuning is bright and benefits from EQ for music.  Capable hybrid drivers with good resolve, plus onboard DSP and WalkPlay presets for game-specific tuning.  Stock tuning is bright for music and the soundstage is only average without presets.
• ATechReviews: Simgot EG280 is a feature packed hybrid gaming IEM with a balanced allrounder tuning, solid technical performance and a powerful USB dongle, but elevated treble and a tangle prone cable make it less...  Engaging balanced allrounder tonality with strong bass, clear vocals, clean detailed treble and a powerful USB dongle with app based EQ, presets and microphone control.  Elevated upper treble can sound sharp for sensitive ears, the cable tends to tangle and for owners of the Moondrop Rays the overall sound and technical performance may feel redundant.

Unique Melody MEXT

• Precogvision: Decent tonality and BC seems to work in the midrange, but low-level note definition.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral with bass boost.  A warmer, more musical Mest 2 without the treble peaks  Treble might be too laid back compared to other flagships

Kefine Delci

• Jays Audio: A warmer/less sharp EW200, a slightly more resolving BLON Z300, price might be an issue tho
• Jaytiss: Nice tone, great overall sound with only a few issues.
• 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.

KZ Duonic

• Jaytiss: This is slightly safe, but has strong bass, it's agressive and wonderful.
• Web Search: The KZ Duonic is a budget hybrid that combines a tri-magnetic planar “Flux3” driver with an 8 mm super-linear dynamic, an unusual recipe at this price. KZ markets the pairing as an “acoustic...

Moondrop Crescent

• Crin: Well-executed V-ish signature that's neither harsh nor bloated.
• Web Search: The Moondrop Crescent features a distinctive brass housing that gives it premium heft but also makes it notably heavy, potentially affecting comfort during extended wear. Its non-detachable cable and...

Moondrop Harmon

• Jays Audio: Clean Harman 2019 sound. Clear and balanced, but can still be shouty in the vocals. New Crossover and 3DD talk is marketing jargon not that much difference vs other DDs. You can just buy Nova or...
• Jaytiss: While fun, and a nice tune, it's not the best value to be had.
• Super* Review: Does not actually sound as it graphs. More dominant Bass than you might expect. Warm tilted slightly contrasty sound signature. Kind of a fine IEM.

ThieAudio Oracle mkII

• Jays Audio: CLEAR with LOTS of detail. Nice sub-bass rumble with no mid-bass bleed. Treble is super extended as well as high-mids. Female vocals sound lively and sings, but can be too much at high volume and...
• Jaytiss: It's a little bright.
• Precogvision: A brighter Oracle. Shouty upper-midrange and artifical sounding treble response.
• Tim Tuned:  Detailed, airy, mostly well tuned  dry timbre from treble amount
• Nymz: Great bass dynamics and well done mid-range. Treble extension is great but a hair too elevated.
• Kois Archive: Rating: B+ | Gaming: 🎮🎮🎮 | Comfort: 9  W I D E  too much treble/air

Moondrop Lan 2 Pop

• Super* Review: An engaging, punchy, and fairly technical listen for ~$60 that runs a bit “spicy” up top but acceptable if you tolerate brightness (3/5).
• Web Search: The Moondrop LAN 2 Pop is a single-dynamic IEM built around a 10 mm dual-cavity driver in a stainless-steel (MIM) shell. Retailers list identical hardware to the Ref version—30 Ω impedance, ~118...
• Audio-In Reviews: Lan 2 Pop is a fun, bassier take on the Moondrop single dynamic formula with strong technical performance and excellent build for 60 dollars, but the upper mids and treble stay on the sharper, more...  Engaging bass boosted tuning with good clarity, robust all metal shells and a useful 4.4 cable plus adapter at an affordable price.  Upper mids and treble can still sound a bit sharp and vocal forward, and there are smoother, more relaxed options under 100 dollars.

Unique Melody Macbeth Ti

• Shuwa-T: Comment: Satisfying subbass hump, only second hand units available.  Clean sounding with forward vocals  Thinner sounding midrange

Moondrop Marigold

• Super* Review: Warm-neutral tuning and powerful on-cable PEQ, but the loud pop when applying EQ and the awkward cable/fit undercut daily use.  Very good stock tuning for the price with flexible built-in parametric EQ.  Loud pop when saving EQ, asymmetric and unwieldy cable with no L/R swap and a shallow down-wear fit.
• Web Search: The Moondrop Marigold is a budget, USB-C IEM with a built-in DAC/DSP and an asymmetric neckband cable. It uses a single 10 mm dual-cavity dynamic driver and is sold around $39.99; specs list 32 Ω...

Unique Melody 2HT Terminator

• Crin: Tonality almost reminds me of a HYLA hybrid. Well tuned with strong technical performance.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Bright and treble-focused.  Decently tuned and clear  Treble bite is real

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.
• 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...
• 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

Nothing Ear 2

• Precogvision: Absolute cacophany of sound; comparable to blown laptop speakers. Razor sharp upper-midrange and thin lower-mids.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

• Jays Audio: Very well tuned with slight v-shape. Bass is detailed with good texture and treble has good extension. Soundstage is average and lacks width; less open and expansive than AirPods Pro 2s. Imaging and...
• Crin: A less shouty interpretation of Harman with the same controlled yet impactful bass response.
• Audionotions: Very well-tuned frow lows to highs. Harman-ish but deviates from Harman in a good way. Very good textured bass, clear mids, and airy treble. It differs from Harman in the slightly toned-down upper...

ddHiFi Memory E13p

• Web Search: ddHiFi Memory E13P combines a semi-in-ear “hybrid” fit (side-firing tube + tips) with a single 13 mm planar driver and a fixed USB-C DAC/amp using the Cirrus Logic CS43198, targeting phone-first...

Empire Ears Hero

• Crin: Well-controlled bass emphasis with a less-well-controlled treble emphasis makes this hard to appreciate.
• Precogvision: Energetic sound signature with solid dynamics that's bottlenecked by an overzealous treble response.

Tin Hifi C3 MK2

• Web Search: The Tin HiFi C3 MKII (often styled “C3 MK2”) is a budget single-dynamic IEM built around a 10 mm LCP diaphragm with a dual-magnetic circuit, housed in lightweight resin shells. Tin HiFi lists a...
• Paul Wasabii: Solid Harman-style tuning and decent accessories, but at $49 it struggles to stand out when similar signatures are available for less.  Clean Harman-style tuning with solid build and a useful carrying case.  At $49 it faces strong cheaper alternatives and the upper-mid plateau can sound shouty on some tracks.

ND Planet

• Jays Audio: Slight vshape all-rounder with punchy bass. KZ EDC PRO better treble extension/smoother, and cheaper.
• Jaytiss: Build quality is extremely poor.
• Web Search: The ND Planet is a budget 1DD IEM (~$17) built around a 12 mm beryllium-plated dynamic driver with a dual-magnetic/dual-cavity architecture, 32 Ω impedance, ~112 dB sensitivity, and 0.78 mm 2-pin...
• Paul Wasabii: Relaxed, bass-heavy single-DD with safe treble; works best at low volumes. Not special at $17 and the claimed Harman tuning does not match the actual balance.  Relaxed, bass-boosted tuning with thicker mids and safe treble suits low-volume listening.  Early ear-gain rise and rolled-off upper treble limit usable volume, stage size, and extension.

Moondrop Jiu

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

Moondrop Quarks DSP

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

TRI Starsea

• Jays Audio: Deep bass and good treble. Mids/vocals can sound reccessed. Good imaging and separation. No real complaints.

Truthear x Crinacle Zero

• Jays Audio: Variations-ish tuning with sub-bass focused. Low-end is rumbly but lacks mid-bass impact/warmness in general. Fatiguing above mid-volume. Can sound light and thin. Mid-bass tuck affects libraries.
• Gizaudio Axel:  Harman tuning with nice punchy bass.
• Jaytiss: Sounds good, and fun..
• Precogvision: Close ringer for the Harman IEM target with great bass and slightly harsh upper-mids and lower-treble.
• Tim Tuned: Pros: Very well tuned, clean bass. Cons: treble can use more eveness.
• Nymz: Spot on harman. Good bass impact for the bracket but the mid-bass is a bit scooped for my library. Treble needs some refinement but still a solid rec for the price bracket. Cheapest way to try this...
• Head-Fi.org: 13 community members have rated the Truthear x Crinacle Zero at an average of 3.6/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Generally Favorable.

Samsung Galaxy Buds+

• Crin: Tuned even closer to the Harman IE target compared to the original.
• Precogvision: Better bass shelf than the OG Buds, but with setbacks in the strange treble and timbre.
• Audionotions: Just like the OG Galaxy Buds but slightly more energy and a tad brighter.

Kinera BD005 Pro

• Crin: Far better balanced in tonality than the original. Could use more damping the treble though.
• Head-Fi.org: 18 community members have rated the Kinera BD005 Pro at an average of 3.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Generally Favorable.

Truthear Zero: Blue 2

• Jays Audio: Fun sub-woofer sound in the low-end, nice bouncy textue, but uppermids/treble can be too bright, especially with 15K treble peak. Basically a more v-shaped version of the OG TE Zeros. Vocals can be a...
• Gizaudio Axel:  Harman tuning with clean, punchy bass and great resolution.  Bright treble.
• Jaytiss: BASS With the adapter this goes up a bit, but it is difficult to recomend.
• Tim Tuned: Pros: Slightly more balanced and pleasing Harman tuned. Cons: Treble with silicone tips is piercing.
• Super* Review: Harman target tuned. Sounds pretty V and contrasty. Not a whole lot of mids. Fairly tasteful. Good sense of separation. Sterile/Lifeless mids and annoying treble. Needs foam eartips.
• Head-Fi.org: 8 community members have rated the Truthear Zero: Blue 2 at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.
• Audio Amigo: Seems to showcase my least favorite parts of the Harman Target. Lower mids are thin and anemic, treble is overblown and fatiguing. Foam tips help with treble, bass adapter helps with lower mids....

AKG N400

• Crin: Does away with the timbral issues of the Buds+ and sets itself as a superior.
• Nymz: Bass is good. Lacks some note weight, mids could be more foward and gets shouty easily. Fit is an issue to me so I can't really use it. You can play with APP EQ to fine tune it, but the worst APP of...

ooopusX Op.24

• Web Search: The ooopusX Op.24 is a budget hybrid with a 2DD+4BA array and a physical two-position tuning dial that switches electrical load between roughly 15Ω and 27Ω, indicating distinct filter networks for...
• Fresh Reviews: Op.24 goes in with a quirky two-tuning “turntable,” but both positions behave almost the same where it matters. A big 3–4 kHz elevation shoves door kicks, gunfire, and certain effects to the...
• Head-Fi.org: One community member has rated the ooopusX Op.24 at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.