Best U-Shaped IEMs

S

$6,000

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.

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

U-Shaped 1DD+8BA+1Rectangular Planar+1Round Planar

9.1

7.1

S

$16,999

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...
• IEMRanking AI: 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.

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

U-Shaped 2DD+5BA+1MEMS

9.1

7.6

S

$2,999

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.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA+2EST

9

7.3

S-

$3,500

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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA+2EST

8.8

7.4

S-

$3,800

7th Acoustics Asteria

• Precogvision: Pretty much the closest to a tonal panacea that I've heard only held back by the bass.
• IEMRanking AI: 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

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

U-Shaped 1DD+12BA

8.8

7

S-

$1,349

Buy

Dunu Glacier

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA+4EST

8.6

7.4

9

S-

$4,000

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

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

U-Shaped 5BA+4EST+2BC

8.5

7

A+

$1,149

Buy

ThieAudio Monarch MK4

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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...
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 2DD+6BA+2EST

8.4

8.7

9

A+

$1,500

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...

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

U-Shaped 4BA

8.4

7.1

A+

$1,299

Buy

AFUL Dawn-X

on HiFiGO

(affiliate)

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...
• 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...
• IEMRanking AI: The AFUL Dawn-X is a 14-driver quadbrid IEM—1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC—wired together via a six-way electronic + physical crossover and AFUL’s 3D Micro-Resonance acoustic paths; the stabilized-wood...
• Audionotions: Slightly warm tilted neutral. Very well balanced with a tasteful bass boost. Bass is surprisingly very weighty and textured with quick decay so bass notes don't linger and overstay their welcome....

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

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

8.4

7.7

A+

$999

Buy

Thieaudio Monarch MK3

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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...

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

U-Shaped 2DD+6BA+2EST

8.1

7.5

6.8

A+

$1,300

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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA

8

7.2

A+

$1,100

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 ...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+6BA

8

6.8

A+

$4,700

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.

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

U-Shaped 2DD+10BA

8

6.1

A

$799

FATfreq Scarlett Mini

• IEMRanking AI: The FATfreq Scarlet Mini is a hybrid IEM positioned in the brand’s “Scarlet” line with a 1DD+2BA configuration and a stated focus on sub-bass power and treble extension; retailer specs list a...
• Z-Reviews: Scarlett Mini is framed as a bass experiment first, IEM second: a ~$ 666 set (or $833 with the light-red “upgraded” cable) that pushes a 30 dB sub-bass shelf so far that every track...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA

7.9

7.1

A

$299

Buy

Kiwi Ears Astral

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+6BA

7.6

8.6

8.3

A

$700

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:  Smooth engaging harman signature with fun bass  BA timbre
• 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:  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. Previously Owned

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

U-Shaped 8BA

7.6

6.9

A

$479

Buy

Moondrop Variations

on HiFiGO

(affiliate)

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:  Great separation and details  Thin lower midrange
• 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST

7.5

7

7.8

A

$670

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.
• 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+4EST

7.5

6.5

A-

$729.99

Buy

Softears RSV

on HiFiGO

(affiliate)

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:  Timbre so beautiful you think it's not a BA set
• 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.

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

U-Shaped 5BA

7.4

6.7

7

A-

$2,099

Buy

Softears RS10

on HiFiGO

(affiliate)

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:  BA timbre

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

U-Shaped 10BA

7.4

6.1

A-

$1,200

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.

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

U-Shaped 1DD+5BA

7.4

6.3

A-

$3,000

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.

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

U-Shaped 2DD+2EST

7.3

6

A-

$600

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.
• 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.
• 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...

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

U-Shaped 4BA

7.2

6.2

A-

$399

Buy

Elysian Pilgrim

on NiceHCK

(affiliate)

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:  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
• 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+3BA

7.2

7.1

A-

$179

Buy

Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke

on HiFiGO

(affiliate)

Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke

• Jaytiss: Stock its really bassy, with eq it gets even better.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD

7.1

6.6

A-

$730

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
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Less steep subbass hump, clearer midrange.  Balanced sounding across all frequencies  Lower mids on thinner side

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

U-Shaped 1DD+6BA+2EST

7

7.2

B+

$1,100

Campfire Andromeda

• Crin: Highly coherent, easy-to-love tuning and spacious headstage
• Shuwa-T:  Airy with wide soundstage, best tuned Campfire lineup  BA timbre

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

U-Shaped 5BA

6.8

6.1

B+

$199

Buy

Truthear Nova

on Aliexpress

(affiliate)

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)

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA

6.7

6.8

B+

$279

Buy

Heartfield CU8

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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?
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 4BA

6.7

6.7

B+

$1,250

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.

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+1PZ

6.7

6

B+

$3,300

Campfire Audio Trifecta

• Jaytiss: It's a tubed iem, very unique. Very hit or miss on music, love it or hate it.

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

U-Shaped 3DD

6.7

4.7

B+

$29.99

Buy

7Hz Elua Ultra

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

7Hz Elua Ultra

• Jaytiss: Nice smooth set. Easy, and clean.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 2DD

6.7

5.8

B+

$79

Buy

SIMGOT EG280

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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...
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD+1Planar

6.7

7.4

B+

$149.99

Buy

Simgot Supermix 4

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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
• IEMRanking AI: 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,...

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

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

6.5

7

6

B+

$1,200

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

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

U-Shaped 1DD+4BA+1BC

6.5

5.6

B

$30

Moondrop Crescent

• Crin: Well-executed V-ish signature that's neither harsh nor bloated.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

Tuning: A- Tech: B-

U-Shaped 1DD

6.3

6.1

B

$349

Buy

Moondrop Harmon

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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.

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

U-Shaped 3DD

6.3

6.1

B

$80.99

Buy

Simgot EA500LM

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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.
• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1DD

6.3

6.1

B

$700

Unique Melody Macbeth Ti

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

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

U-Shaped 1DD+1BA

6.3

5.8

B

$200

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

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

U-Shaped 1DD+1BA

6.2

6.4

B

$589

Buy

ThieAudio Oracle mkII

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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.

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

U-Shaped 1DD+2BA+2EST

6.2

6.3

B

$2,000

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.

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

U-Shaped 4DD

6.1

3.6

B

$75

Buy

Kefine Delci

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

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.

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

U-Shaped n/a

6

5.5

B

$230

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...

Tuning: A Tech: B

U-Shaped 2DD

6

6.6

B

$150

Nothing Ear 2

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

Tuning: E- Tech: D

U-Shaped 1DD

6

2.4

B-

$169

Buy

ddHiFi Memory E13p

on Linsoul

(affiliate)

ddHiFi Memory E13p

• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 1Planar

5.8

6.3

B-

$1,350

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.

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

U-Shaped 1DD+3BA

5.8

5.3

B-

$56

Buy

Truthear Zero: Blue 2

on Aliexpress

(affiliate)

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.

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

U-Shaped 2DD

5.7

5.1

B-

$130

TRI Starsea

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

Tuning: B Tech: B

U-Shaped 2BA+1DD>

5.5

6.1

B-

$80

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. Previously Owned

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

U-Shaped 2DD

5.5

5.2

C+

$49

Buy

Truthear x Crinacle Zero

on Aliexpress

(affiliate)

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...

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

U-Shaped 2DD

5.4

5.1

C+

$49.99

ooopusX Op.24

• IEMRanking AI: 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...

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

U-Shaped 2DD+4BA

5.2

4.8

C+

$15

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

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

U-Shaped n/a

5.2

5.7

C+

$25

Moondrop Jiu

• Jays Audio: Another one
• Tim Tuned:  Expansive stage + Great tuning overall  Can use more transient incisiveness, USB-C

Tuning: B Tech: B Bass: B Mids: A+ Treble: A+

U-Shaped n/a

5.2

6

C

$155

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...

Tuning: B- Tech: C Bass: D Mids: C- Treble: D Details: D Imaging: D

U-Shaped n/a

4.8

4.8