Best V-Shaped IEMs

Thieaudio Valhalla

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

Elysian Apostle

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

Sony IER Z1R

• Jays Audio: Best of the best in most areas, but vocals and mids can be thin due to fit issues. Insane bass texture/detail and HUGE soundstage. One of the best trebles I've heard.
• Crin: Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities.
• Precogvision: Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days.
• Tim Tuned:  Incredible extensions on both ends  Lower midrange
• Smirk Audio: Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.
• Shuwa-T:  Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre  The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats
• Nymz: Recessed mids I can't approved but best bass tactility I've heard. One of the best stage I've heard. Top of the class treble. Fit is a massive problem for most - one of those that needs to be demoed...

Elysian X

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

Unique Melody MEST mkII

• Jays Audio: TOTL imaging chops/layering. Tons of micro-details. Great bass texture. Wide and 3D staging. Can be aggressive, and get fatiguing when cranked up/long-listening sessions.
• Crin: Pretty much the same as the Mk1, though with extra sub-bass presence.
• Precogvision: A warmer, more coherent MEST with setbacks in resolution and imaging.
• Tim Tuned:  Great balance, none offensive tuning with little to fault
• Fresh Reviews: One of my favorite for music
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Bassier Mest v1 with slight cutback in clarity.  Even more impressive bass response
• Nymz: Great bass and sheer detail, at the cost of wonky treble and not so accurate imaging queues. I find it work the best with eletronic music or modern metal. Still a solid contender to this date at a...
• Audionotions: Very engaging. I usually prefer something more balanced and neutral, but this IEM has some special sauce. Very well-tuned from bass to treble - with a little bit of spice on top. Great tonality and...

Nice HCK Himalaya

• IEMRanking AI: The NiceHCK Himalaya is a single 10 mm CNT dynamic driver (1DD) IEM housed in a titanium-alloy shell, paired with a modular cable offering 3.5/4.4/2.5 mm plugs and replaceable tuning nozzles...
• Z-Reviews: The NiceHCK Himalaya is a spectacular flagship IEM featuring a titanium alloy cavity that feels premium and has a beautiful sheen. It comes loaded with extras: a gorgeous purple and grey-blue...

Unique Melody MEST

• Jays Audio: A MEST MK2 with slightly more uppermid/bass. More v-shaped. More AGGRESSIVE than MK2. Also gets fatiguing when cranked up/long-listening sesisons.
• Crin: A smooth, relaxing listen (in custom form) backed up with good technicalities.
• Precogvision: Engaging imaging with some minor coherency issues.
• Tim Tuned:  Impressive staging and details  Aggressive signature
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral yet fun due to subbass hump.  Impressive clarity, holographic soundstage

Sennheiser IE900

• Crin: Well-resolving DD IEM with excellent treble control, though with somewhat weak mid-high harmonics.
• Jaytiss: I don't get it, not even a little.
• Precogvision: Excelllent bass - simply excellent. Midrange could use some work, as could the generally average imaging chops.
• Audionotions: I usually don't like things that aren't all rounders but this might be the exception. Bass is incredible - best in class - great texture, fantastic physicality. Treble response is great too - pretty...

Gizaudio x Binary Chopin

• Jays Audio: If Harman wasn't boring and had a few drinks
• Gizaudio Axel:  Harman tuning with excellent bass, clean mids, extended treble, and balanced tonality with great detail.
• Jaytiss: Solid set, thin mids. Slightly bright at times.
• Super* Review: Best Collab IEM in years. It's a nice clean tonality. Fantastic vocal presentation. Added low end warmth.
• IEMRanking AI: The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is a hybrid 1DD+3BA design built around an 8 mm ceramic-diaphragm dynamic driver for lows, a midrange BA, and a dual-BA tweeter assembly, targeting a lively, modern...
• Shuwa-T:  Overall clean sounding, works well with quicker pop genres (Jpop/Kpop)  Male vocals recessed, does not work well with the other half of Jpop/Kpop. Lower midrange suffers from thinner note weight (tuning)
• Z-Reviews: The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin IEM is an absolute standout, delivering a fantastically unique and immersive sound signature that is heavily focused on vocals . The presentation is spectacularly...

Unique Melody Maven II

• Jaytiss: I can see how others might like.
• IEMRanking AI: The Unique Melody Maven II delivers a balanced yet colored sound signature that excels across diverse genres. Its elevated bass offers deep rumble and punchy mid-bass without bleeding into the mids,...

HiSenior Cano Cristales

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

Sennheiser IE600

• Jays Audio: Tons of detail and amazing clarity. Stage is smaller than most IEMs at/below its price tag but very well defined details and imaging within that space. Bass is detailed, but amount is not as much as...
• Gizaudio Axel: Fun, V-shaped tuning.  Fantastic bass (both quality and quantity), great V-shaped tuning, excellent detail, and precise imaging.  Treble is too much, could use more vocal focus.
• Crin: Well-tuned mids, powerful yet controlled sub-bass, with highly extended (and somewhat spicy) treble.
• Jaytiss: Lots of upper trebble.
• Precogvision: Well-extended on both ends of the spectrum and adds back in the upper-midrange the IE900 lacked.
• Tim Tuned:  Very well rouned fun subbass focus sound  Treble might be too much
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Stock eartips are a disgrace.  Superb clarity with good tuning and bass response  Treble is on the energetic side
• Nymz: The most technical DD I've heard. Tuning is not perfect for my library - V-Shape. Get's a rec for those that really enjoy a well done V DD. Could use more stage size and bass impact. Fit is not the...
• Audionotions: Engaging sound signature with authoritative bass and very good treble. Mids are no slouch either. Can be spicy for some, but for what it's worth, I have no issues with the treble. Pretty impressive,...

TangZu Tian Peng

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

Dunu DK-3001 BD

• Jays Audio: Technical, but thin, and bright tilt with LOTS of planar sizzle and timbre. Needs more low-end (small scoop), noteweight is very light, not peaky, but just artificial. Needs 10hm adapter to be...
• Gizaudio Axel: More mid-bass and less treble would be perfect  Excellent bass quality, deep sub-bass, transparent mids, and great resolution.  Low mid-bass, slightly lean vocals, and bright treble.
• Jaytiss: I prefer this with the adapter, but is fine without.
• Precogvision: Not to my taste - treble sounds slightly brittle and harsh - but plenty of resolution and clean presentation.
• Super* Review: My second 5 star IEM in 2024. The Braindance is a very satisfying IEM to listen to.
• Fresh Reviews: Some titles arguably A-
• Z-Reviews: 10/10 verdict out the gate: Dunu’s DK-3001 BD “BrainDance” is a $500 monster that punches like a flagship. The recipe is wild— 9 drivers total with the same dynamic driver from the...

MYER SL224

• Jays Audio: Same tuning as the EPZ P50 but fancier with a little more sub-bass, and slightly more detailed in the treble but barely noticeable. This is "technically" better, but P50 would be the better value...
• Gizaudio Axel: Good for vocal lovers. Not ideal if you want a strong bass boost.  Natural vocals, clear mids, and smooth, detailed treble. Clean and balanced sound with a nice touch of air and sparkle.  Bass is polite and reserved. Can feel a bit incohesive at times.
• Jaytiss: Nice set, very clean and correctly energetic.

DUNU x KOTO ITO

• Jaytiss: It's a fun tuning that I think people will like.
• IEMRanking AI: DUNU x KOTO ITO is a $199.99 hybrid IEM built with Japanese reviewer Kaji Kaji (“Koto”). It uses a 2DD+2BA array (10 mm bio-diaphragm DD + 8 mm LCP DD, plus two treble BAs), comes with DUNU’s...
• Z-Reviews: Dunu’s collab with Japanese creator Kaji Kaji lands as the ITO , tuned nothing like the stereotype of “treble ’til you die.” The presentation leans smooth , warm , and open, with a notably...

qdc White Tiger

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

Empire Ears Legend X SE

• Crin: A more upper-mid-forward variation of the original Legend X, which could come off as slightly more mid-recessed.
• Precogvision: Lacks control in the bass, but it's so fun. Excellent imaging performance that belies its tuning.

Eminent Ears Ruby

• Jaytiss: SPARKLIE! super early

Dita Mecha

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

Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella

• Jaytiss: Great soundstage,very V shapped, to those sensitive to those regions.
• Super* Review: A little bit overcooked. It is certainly not a bad IEM. It does a good job in give you a lot of bass and a lot of physicality in the bass and not compromising in separation and imaging.
• IEMRanking AI: The Jays Audio x ZiiGaat Estrella delivers a thrilling V-shaped signature that prioritizes fun and engagement. Its standout feature is the commanding sub-bass, powered by dual dynamic drivers, which...
• Fresh Reviews: B in Valorant, B- to C+ in Apex, C+ in COD
• Shuwa-T:  Solid pickup all rounder, tonality works for most genres with decent techs

Letshuore EJ07M Kinda Lava

• Precogvision: Basically the EJ07M with some adjustment to the bass for more clarity.
• Tim Tuned:  Balanced, Versatile. HBB's Best  Small EST (treble) incoherency
• Shuwa-T: Comment: My favourite out of the EJ lineup.  Excellent tonal balance, engaging midrange and somewhat pronounced treble  Driver flex is annoying though
• Nymz: Less sub, a hair more mid-bass 07m but well done. Keeps the techs and the other frequencies, adding warmth and bones to the mids and better clarity/coherency. I prefer it to stock 07m by a hair, but...
• Audionotions: One of the most solid all-rounders I've tried. Great bass, great mids, good treble extension. Very natural sounding. The only con I can think of is the bright red shells (my KL has the black shells)?...

DUNU EST 112

• Crin: Good tonality, though the treble extension is its big Achille's Heel.
• Jaytiss: Has some great things. Nice technicalies. But lacks in tonality.

Empire Ears LEGEND-X

• Crin: High resolution hybrid flawed only by lack of control in the bass regions.
• Precogvision: Bass lacks texture, but a fairly holographic, "grand" presentation that is unique for a V-shaped response.
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Bass, details,sparkle  Bass (too much for some genre) mids

Audio Hekili

• Precogvision: Slight U-shape for a wholly fun sound.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Essentially a Lokahi with too much bass.  Balanced tuning  Bass region blooms into midrange
• Audionotions: Probably among the most overlooked IEMs I have had the pleasure of listening to. Built by hand using a very high quality 3D-printed shell with excellent QC (channel matching on these is amazing), the...

Dita Prelude

• Jaytiss: Juicy, lovely.
• IEMRanking AI: The DITA Prelude aims for a mild V-shaped presentation that stays easy on the ear: bass has a gentle lift, mids stay clean, and treble adds air without harshness. DITA itself describes the Prelude as...

Hidition Violet

• Crin: Strong sub-bass presence, slightly cut-back upper mids. A fun IEM through and through.
• Precogvision: The best BA bass that I have heard, otherwise marred by poor imaging and slight congestion issues.

Fiio FX15

• Jaytiss: Unique tuning, but the switch would be better in the mids or bass.
• Precogvision: Odd recessions in frequency response lead to unique imaging but uncanny tonality.

Vision Ears VE7

• Crin: Fairly inoffensive tuning with solid technicalities.
• Precogvision: Very pleasant tonal balance for the astute midrange connoisseur and solid technicalities.
• Shuwa-T:  Atypical VE tuning that leans bright, detailed and resolving without being overly sparkly

Fiio FH7S

• Jaytiss: Warm done well, but not good enough.
• Precogvision: Warm and gooey with some sparkle. Relatively pleasant overall.

Kinera Celest Yaksha

• Jaytiss: Great sonic Value, but has a few issues I'll talk of in the review.
• IEMRanking AI: The Kinera Celest Yaksha combines a 2DD+1BA+1 micro-planar driver setup with a four-way crossover, resulting in a coherent yet distinctly V-shaped sound. Bass emphasis leans toward the mid-bass,...

CCA HYDRO

• Jays Audio: The best KZ so far, tuning swithces allow lots of options. Good tech, all-rounder sound with bass boost, but, KZ.
• Jaytiss: When this hits it's very fun. Insane value.

Hidition Waltz

• Crin: Neutral-fun signature that works both as a reference monitor and a rock-out IEM.
• Precogvision: Fun tuning with Hidition's mid-treble sparkle and none of the Viento's nasty resoance.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Nothing too amazing, V-shape with recessed mids.  Energetic sounding

Clariar i640

• Shuwa-T: Comment: BA set without the BA timbre.  Japanese tuning with subbass hump  The fit is absolutely ridiculous

Softears Turii

• Crin: Resolving and fairly well-tuned dynamic-driver IEM.
• Precogvision: One of the more technically proficient single-DDs on the market.

Dunu Falcon Ultra

• Jaytiss: Bassy boy that lacks air and detail.
• Nymz: A better tuned FP, with less mid-bass bloat, but still warm. Good at what it does, especially the bass dynamics, but not an all-rounder.
• Audionotions: Like Kato but better in all ways. Accessory kit is top tier, build top notch, cable is excellent, included tips are plentiful. Bass is punchy with great texture, good clarity, smooth vocals, treble...

Kiwi Ears ETUDE

• Jays Audio: Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A...
• Jaytiss: This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso.
• IEMRanking AI: The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a...

Fearless Shangri-la

Tanchjim Darling

• Crin: A tad shouty but with excellent imaging performance.
• Precogvision: Excellent imaging, but with too much shout and an uneven treble response.
• Shuwa-T:  Imaging is TOTL  Somewhat wonky upper midrange

Tin Hifi C3

Vision Ears Elysium

• Crin: First decent implementation of Sonion's EST tweeters.
• Precogvision: The first "passable" implementation of the Sonion ESTs. Not particularly coherent, unfortunately.

Nicehck NX8

• Jays Audio: An Explorer with better vocals but doesn't scale as well. Odyssey and Arcadia better for clean and bass sound.
• Gizaudio Axel:  Great tonality, solid bass impact.  PZT timbre.
• Jaytiss: Nice overall tuning, best thing NiceHack has ever done.
• Shuwa-T:  Balanced frequencies throughout, no standout weaknesses and relatively safe tuning with decent technicalities

Tripowin Olina SE

• Shuwa-T: Comment: An improved Olina essentially.  Balanced tuning over the OG, with generally decent tech  Upper frequencies on the relaxaed side, B-grade bass

Sony XBA-N3

• Crin: Exceptional tonal balance only limited by its slightly smoothed over definition
• Precogvision: Sinfully addictive tuning hampered only by a slight lack of detail and imaging performance.
• Nymz: Tastefully done and now discontinued. Great coherency, timbre and overall tuning. Midbass bleeds a lot. Lacks resolution, layering and imaging chops.

64 Audio Fourte

• Precogvision: Tia Trio's older brother that takes things too far off the beaten path for tonality.
• Shuwa-T:  Smoothened sound compared to u12t and Trio  Tonality is very strange, even more wonky than Trio

Thieaudio Excalibur

• Crin: Probably the weakest of the ThieAudio tribrids, but still great on its own.
• Precogvision: Better clarity than the Oracle and more dynamic than most of ThieAudio's IEMs at the expense of some shoutyness.
• Shuwa-T:  Decent tuning  Narrower sounding, not as holographic soundstage as Oracle

Moondrop KXXS

• Crin: Well-tuned single DD with proper timbre and decent technicalities.
• Precogvision: Excellent timbre; not the most resolving set, but very easy on the ears.

Aful Performer 5

• Jays Audio: Fun slight v-shape tuning with forward vocals with slight excitement in the treble. Separation takes a hit as a result, and treble is a bit uneven.
• Jaytiss: Still a king.
• Precogvision: Inoffensive other than being a bit too gritty and clacky in the treble.
• Tim Tuned:  Balanced tuning with fantastic treble extension  imaging could be better
• Fresh Reviews: Can sometimes reach B
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral-warm with zero cut-backs on technical performance. Price defining..  Tonal balance, technical performance at price bracket  Subbass slightly sluggish on crowded tracks, more laid back in vocal presentation. Staging is questionable.
• Nymz: Great tonal balance and resolving power at the cost of intimate stage. Missing the last touch of refinement on timbre and coherency, but a solid rec nonetheless.

Simgot EW300

• Jays Audio: A smoother and more refined version of the EW200 with better layering and resolution bump. Pink nozzle is warmer and better for rock/hiphop/metal. Very good piezo implementation.
• IEMRanking AI: The Simgot EW300 offers a compelling tribrid driver configuration combining a 10mm dynamic driver, 6mm planar magnetic driver, and piezoelectric ceramic driver in a durable all-metal shell. Fit can...

Tin Hifi P1 Max

• Jays Audio: Mid-centric, relaxing, warm, airy, comforting. Very unique listening experience. Could use better separation/resolution and bass slam.
• Precogvision: Probably the weak link out of the planar resurgence.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A blank slate that can be EQ-ed to oblivion, even more so than timeless and s12.  The only neutral planar so far from planar wars, with much improved tonality and technicalities over its predecessors  Clarity from instrument separation lacks as a result of flatter fr

Tanchjim Oxygen

• Crin: One of the best-tuned DDs tuned somewhat to Harman. Defined and detailed.
• Precogvision: A better KXXS with slightly out-of-head imaging.
• Tim Tuned:  Great energy for a harman signature
• Shuwa-T:  Solid tuning, a more mature sounding Hana  Forward upper midrange may not be for everyone
• Nymz: Great IEM for accoustics etc, but terrible fit. Tripowin Olina is the better option for almost a third of the price.

64 Audio Fourte Blanc

• Precogvision: Quite detailed, but lots of uncanny valley in the midrange (sounds like singers are singing into a cup) and treble is contentiously bright.

Tanchjim Hana 2021

• Jays Audio: An Oxygen with more bass and note-weight but at the cost of slightly worse imaging and detail.
• Precogvision: Essentially a cheaper Tanchjim Oxygen.
• Tim Tuned:  Cheaper Oxygen with small cut back in details
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Better tuned upper midrange compared to the original Hana.  Decent tonality, difficult to fault  Can be somewhat aggressive sounding at times
• Nymz: A warmer, bassier, slightly less technical and a bit more V-shaped Oxygen. Rec'd for those that love harman but want more bass quantity.
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Great bass (accurate) mids. One of the best 1/DD sets  Ghetto cable. Looks like girls jewelry
• Audionotions: Best single DD in this price tier - a step down in imaging and separation from Origin but it is a more fun to listen to given the bass shelf. Better fit than Origin too but YMMV. Loaner

Letshuoer S12

• Jays Audio: The most refined S12 to date. Smoothest treble out of all the S12, and very little Planar timbre while keeping up the great tech and detail.
• Jaytiss: I think the s12 is fine, the pro and z12 don't add too much value
• Tim Tuned:  Planar with the most "wow" factor. Spacious heead stage  Treble can be too much
• Fresh Reviews: Great package and some titles arguably A-
• Audionotions: Very energetic. Very detailed. Very bright. Noticeable recession in mids - it is V-shaped after all. Planar timbre is quite noticeable and can sometimes make this sound unnatural. Previously Owned

Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday

• Jays Audio: Clean and neutral with treble emphasis. Great technical performance. Airy and lively treble. Bass could use more impact and weight. Vocals are on the lighter side of things.
• Jaytiss: I can't really recomend this with other planars at much cheaper.
• Tim Tuned:  More detailed than original + better bass  treble can be smoother
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Imagine getting a 2 pin cable's polarity wrong, please Tangzu work on your QC.  Smooth midrange, meaty low with characteristic planar subbass extension, relatively smooth treble; detail retrieval is above average  Transition from midbass to lower mids isn't clear cut, not as clean. Doesn't sound special tbh.
• Nymz: Mid-range focused planar for those looking for a great planar set that is not V-shaped. Love it.
• Audionotions: Well-tuned, technical, does nothing wrong. Build quality is much better than OG Wu. Even the driver used is different. They should have renamed it instead of keeping the Wu Zetian name because it's...

Tripowin Olina

• Shuwa-T: Comment: A less refined Oxygen with aggressive upper midrange.  Tuned well, about 80% similar to the Oxygen at less than half the price  B-grade bass response like the Oxygen

7hz Timeless

• Jays Audio: Great details. Good stage in front but lacking in wideness/3D. Imaging is good and speration is great, but uneven treble peaks. Planar timbre. Vocals and notes can be thin. Fatiguing at higher volume...
• Gizaudio Axel:  Clean, impactful bass, great detail, fast transients.  Upper mids are a bit intense, bright treble, planar timbre.
• Crin: Easily the best-tuned planar IEM by a country mile, the Timeless is also no slouch on the technical front.
• Precogvision: Has the planar advantage with most of its disadvantages and a reasonable tonality.
• Tim Tuned:  High details for the price, good fun tuning  Metallic timbre
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A superb planar IEM, beware the planar bass shelf.  The best tuned planar IEM  Narrow soundstage, mushy transients
• Nymz: Insanely resolving for price. Good planar timbre. Tuning is slight colored but doesn't seem to affect mids as much. Stage depth and width will be the weakest points. QC gamble on first batches. Get...

Moondrop Kato

• Jays Audio: Good detail, clarity, and imaging, but can sound thin. Similar tuning as Hana, but I found Hana to have better note-weight and bass.
• Jaytiss: For $200, I'd probably recomend other iems. But it's solid.
• Precogvision: A slight improvement over the KXXS all-round in the technical department.
• Tim Tuned:  KXXS with better vocals and details
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Moondrop's best "budget" single DD iem.  Solid tuning, backed with surprising clarity that is a step up from the kxxs bunch  Lower mids thin sounding
• Nymz: A bit thin, pillow light bass. Treble and stage could use some more refinement. A tecnical upgrade to Aria.
• Audionotions: Decent bass, decent mids, vocals presented nicely (tastefully forward), treble is non-fatiguing but a little darker but maybe a bit weird. Sounds a little blunted to my ears. Fit may be an issue for...

Pula Unicrom

• Jaytiss: Smooth, energetic, nice DD.
• Super* Review: Punchy, dynamic sound with satisfying bass and a high-res feel. Limited by edgy/sibilant treble that pushes it down the ranks.
• IEMRanking AI: The Pula Unicrom offers a distinctive visual appeal with its stabilized maple wood faceplates, ensuring no two pairs look identical, paired with lightweight resin shells that deliver exceptional...
• Z-Reviews: At $80 , the Pula Unicrom (aka “Unic”) is a 10 mm single dynamic IEM that keeps the box basic but surprises with a genuinely nice cable—tight weave, slick hardware, and a stealthy screw-on...

Fiio FH9

• Jaytiss: A different try on Reference.
• Precogvision: Pretty alright overall. Warm and reasonably well-balanced in the upper-midrange and lower-treble unlike some of Fiio's other IEMs.

Thieaudio Legacy 4

• Crin: Well-tuned if technically lacking in comparison. Could use some more power in the bass.
• Precogvision: Good tonal balance, but can be fatiguing. Sounds like it's trying too hard.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A decent iem that isn't too sterile.  Well tuned  Limited by technical performance

Moondrop Kanas Pro

• Crin: Somewhat Harman-esque in tuning, not the best in terms of resolution.
• Precogvision: A KXXS with less treble extension and slightly poorer resolution.

Dunu Falcon Pro

• Precogvision: Notes sound grand and dynamics are good, but clarity could use work.

Oriolus Isabellae

• Jaytiss: Awesome shimmer, and cool unique sound.
• Precogvision: Midrange doesn't sound very DD-like; more along the lines of etched and gritty perhaps due to 11kHz peak in treble.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Impressive sound from a single DD.  Warm and pleasing tuning, sweet coloured vocals  Treble peak may annoy some
• Audionotions: Beautifully sweet mids, good fun bass - maybe not the most resolving but sinfully enjoyable. Slight weirdness for some female vocals but other than that, it sounds great Previously Owned

Raptgo Hook-X

• Jaytiss: Cool concept. I love the presentation and the sound, just not the price.
• Precogvision: Sounds similar to the Timeless with a smoother sound, less detail, and better imaging (seems less congested).
• Tim Tuned:  Pleasing warm tuning  can be too relaxed
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Interesting take on open backed planar iem, currently leading the charge for planar iems < $500.  Well tuned, with very respectable technicalities to back up. More technicalities focused.  Some sound leakage from open-backed design, but not much. Somewhat fuzzy midrange.
• Nymz: A more analog but less resolving than S12/Timeless, yet better tuned. Stage is fine thanks to the semi-open design and better than its competition.

Truthear Pure

• Jays Audio: Warm/dark, laid-back, smooth, scales great like the Explorer but more vocal centric (great for male vocals). Immersive with scaling, but not the best value - Less technical than HEXA & Cinno. A...
• Gizaudio Axel: Warmer mids and less treble compared to the Hexa.  Warm, smooth, and laid-back with safe, easy treble.  Might feel a bit too warm for some.
• Jaytiss: Blunted, kinda mid, but very Listeneresk.
• Tim Tuned: Truthear Pure follows the beloved Hexa with a smarter twist on neutrality: a hybrid 1DD+3BA at $90 that keeps the sturdy 3D-printed shell, slightly chunkier but similarly comfortable. The...
• Super* Review: One of the best IEMs you can buy under 100 bucks. One of the best treble in this price range. Hexa is brighter and sounds more lively and more open. But both are very much neutral sets. It's a little...
• IEMRanking AI: The Truthear Pure builds on the foundation of its predecessor, the Hexa, refining the 1DD+3BA driver configuration for a more cohesive sound. It offers punchier bass and a more solid midrange...
• Z-Reviews: Truthear Pure brings a warm, bass-impactful presentation from its 1DD+3BA setup, but the rest feels like it’s under a blanket. There’s a noticeable 2 kHz hump , then the upper range ducks...
• Audionotions: The new warm neutral benchmark. Masterclass in a slightly warm tilted neutral. I always thought the Hexa would be an amazing IEM if the bass wasn't so bloomy and uncontrolled. The Pure fixes that and...

Empire Ears VALKYRIE

• Crin: Lots of sub-bass with extremely thin mids. Adequate technicalities.
• Precogvision: Vibrant, intensive listen with some seriously awesome bass decay.
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Shell caps..  Basshead for 1.5 g's?? GTFOH

Empire Ears Valkyrie MK.II

• Precogvision: Sounds basically the same as the original Valkyrie.

Moondrop Aria Snow Edition

Intime Sora Light

• Jaytiss: Solid little set, could work for you.

Faudio Dark Sky

• Precogvision: 5kHz runs slightly hot and technicalities aren't enough to push it above the single-DD competition.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Expensive but not justified.  Bass-oriented, good treble extension  It's not great bass, treble is splashy yet not well defined

Audeze Euclid

• Crin: Certainly far better tuned than its predecessors with the same excellent technicalities.
• Precogvision: Very detailed, but treble rolls-off which makes it hard to tell sometimes.

64 Audio U18T

• Precogvision: Bloated BA bass and overly compressed dynamic range. The least "64 Audio" sounding IEM that fails to bridge mainstream tuning and Hi-Fi.

Tanchjim Prism

• Precogvision: Somewhat tinny in the treble and generally anemic.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Best release so far from Tanchjim.  Well tuned with good technicalities  Offers nothing special

Kinera Hodur

Final Audio A8000

• Crin: Technically strong but going too far with the treble emphasis.
• Precogvision: Ear piercing upper-midrange and treble response. Decent technicalities, but a far cry from the Dunu Luna.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Final's best IEM.  Massive soundstage backed by superb clarity, Japanese tuning style  Intense treble region

Ikko OH10

• Crin: Your standard "chifi V" but done fairly well. Decently technical.
• Precogvision: Great bass response and surprisingly good treble extension if you can hear the 15kHz peak.
• Tim Tuned:  Power bass with good details
• Shuwa-T: Comment: "Fun"-sounding V shape iem, also suitable for bassheads.  Narrow soundstage which occassional bass bloom

Audio Lokahi

• Precogvision: Airy and "raw" presentation that could use some technical refinement.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Hard to find.  Balanced sounding  Limited by soundstage and imaging
• Nymz: Great full BA experience for the price. Good tuning but treble can get hot. BA timbre and suction are the problem here. I really liked this for the price and easy rec if you can get it for the...
• Audionotions: Very energetic tuning with excellent bass. Vaguely reminiscent of Hekili but better, in my opinion. Shares the same Foster DD as Gaea - very quick and snappy and impactful. Previously Owned

Tripowin x HBB Olina SE

• Jays Audio: Cheapest holographic staging you can get. Very smooth overall with little uneveness. Double Olina filter mod (or SE version) fixes the uppermid and treble brightness from OG while maintaining...
• Jaytiss: It's a solid set for the price. Hard not to like, a little mellow.
• Nymz: No brainer purchase with a slightly better tuning of the 100$ legend, with less agressive upper-mids/treble.

KBEar Aurora

Kinera Celest Phoenixcall

• Jaytiss: Fantastic packaging tribrid for this price.
• IEMRanking AI: The Kinera Celest Phoenixcall offers a distinctive tribrid driver configuration (1DD+2BA+2 Micro Planar) that delivers an energetic, V-shaped sound signature with pronounced mid-bass impact and...
• Nymz: Funky and agressive tuning that turns into a detail and dynamics machine for its price - could shine with minor adjustments.
• Audionotions: Fun. Unique tuning that actually works. The FR looks like it would completely offend but to the ear, it actually never offends. Lots of bass impact, good transients. Worth it just to have something...

Sony WF-1000XM3

• Crin: Proper tonality, solid technicalities yet with a consumer-friendly signature.

Ikko OH1

• Crin: Well controlled sub-bass focus, high clarity and has an inherent "Asian" signature.

Yanyin Mahina

• Shuwa-T: Comment: Best yanyin so far.  Same as moonlight but heavier bass response  Because of the heavier bass region, it does not sound the most balanced

Tin Hifi T4+

• Crin: A worthy successor to the legendary GR07.
• Precogvision: Solid tuning and technical chops for the price, not much to complain about here.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Neutral and inoffensive.  Decent tuning  Limited by technical performance
• Audionotions: Like C3 with slightly better technicalities. Fit on C3 is better. Can't really justify the price increase over C3. Previously Owned

Apple Airpods Pro 2

• Jays Audio: Great sense of depth with improvement in soundstage over OG. More precise imaging, and improvement in seperation and overall clarity. Treble is better exteded. Sub-bass is around the same with more...
• Crin: A more exciting sound signature in comparison to its predecessor, with little in terms of drawbacks.
• Precogvision: A more exciting version of the OG Airpods Pro with boosted sub-bass and mid-treble.

SeeAudio Yume Midnight

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

Moondrop Starfield

• Crin: A cheaper KXXS.
• Precogvision: See KXXS. Just slightly less upper-midrange.
• Tim Tuned:  Might be too relaxed
• Shuwa-T:  Well tuned, arguably the one who started the chifi wave of decent tuning
• Audionotions: Like Aria but less fun and slightly improved stage. Previously Owned

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

• Crin: More lower mids than your average Harman-tuned IEM, but works in its favour by being more pleasant.
• Precogvision: A warmer interpretation of the Harman curve and pretty horrible imaging.

Moondrop KXXX

• Precogvision: See KXXS. Just slightly bassier.

Simgot EA500

• Jays Audio: Slamming bass with the variety. High quality DD with good resolution.
• Jaytiss: For me it's just easier to recomend the EW200, or em6L due to this being lean in the bass.
• Tim Tuned:  Inoffensive, warm, versatile  Bassier and harsher Kato. Nozzle largely useless
• Nymz: Probably the most detailed focused set at its price range at the cost of sounding off in the upper treble region. Probably the (one of the) most value pick at its price range.
• Audionotions: Olina/Oxygen like tuning, which I generally like. Bass is midbass focused with sub-bass roll off. Very punchy and energetic sound with oodles of impact. Very close to the Olina with the mods applied....

Moondrop Starfield 2

• Jays Audio: Bright harman/DF, great detail, but a bit sharp and shrill
• Jaytiss: It's just not great, but some might like it.

Tanchjim Hana

• Crin: Somewhat strange upper-midrange tonality. Not a "mini-Oxygen".
• Jaytiss: Treble just not good, too much upper mids as energy.
• Precogvision: Singers sound like they're choking.

Sennheiser IE300

• Crin: Fairly mainstream tuning with a treble response that's well done given its emphasis.
• Tim Tuned:  Extremely comforable fit and versatile signature

Moondrop Chu II

• Jays Audio: Another harman-ish tuning. Similar to Tanchjim One but not as smooth.

Tangzu Wu Zetian

• Nymz: V-shape. Great bass for a plannar. Nice imaging. Treble is still planar wonky but not terrible. Might be my favourite planar so far, but it seems to need power than competition.
• Audionotions: V-signature. Not really hearing much of a planar timbre here - could have told me it was DD and I might have believed it. A bit fuzzy and recessed through the mids. Bass is boomy but not well...

Kinera Nanna 2.0

• Crin: Bass is a tad uncontrolled and the mids could use more refinement. The original is arguably superior.
• Precogvision: Probably Kinera's best set. Pretty decent overall.
• Tim Tuned:  Good bass, decent v-shape tuning

Seeaudio Bravery

• Jaytiss: Just seems like another BA only set that lacks dynamics and punch.
• Precogvision: Pleasant and coherent, lacking in that special sauce which would take it to the next level.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: One of the rare V-shape that I quite enjoy.  Surprising BA bass  Male vocals pale in comparison to female vocals, BA timbre evident in treble

OpenAudio Mercury

• Precogvision: Basically a poor man's Legend X without some of the technicalities.

BQEYZ Autumn

• Precogvision: Slightly sharp around 3-5kHz, but decent enough otherwise. Cool magnet filter system, bass filters sound best.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: BQEYZ's best offering from their seasons lineup.  Well tuned set with filters that actually work, solid bass response  Midrange is borderline boring
• Nymz: Ranked with Treble magnet. 4-5k still not perfect but fine. Stage is small and has no depth. Great bass extension. I can't rec it stock at this point with all the competition.