I have the crinacle 7hz diablos iems paired with my m21 and pretty happy with the pairing. The bass is definitely front and center but they don't drown everything else out, just additional weight and rumble, which I like. Not at all analytical which I also prefer. I'm considering the fiio ft1 closed back for headphones. Still debating though.
The Luna is a good first IEM choice IMO. I've added another layer of metal filter over the wire mesh filter on mine to mod the sound a tiny bit, lessens the energy of sibilance it may have so I can now wear it for hours on end without experiencing any fatigue
Got the Luna for a little less than 27usd a while ago, it definitely outperforms the likes of the Moondrop Chu (Harsh), Salnotes Zero (Okayish, less harsh) on a technical level by a long shot to my ears, and outcompetes the original Truthear Zero (Too much energy) and Zero:Red (Boring, but I like boring) on that front as well, and even the Juzear Defiant (Pleasant, easy listen, but very low res) IMO
A slight upgrade over the KZ PR2 as well in terms of budget Planar IEMs, while costing almost half the price of what I paid for the PR2s a few years back
It's a winner for the price in my books, punches well above its weight class, especially when discounted, by which it becomes a no-brainer recommendation from me for dipping ones toes into Planar IEMs
It sits in my rotation alongside the PR2 (Foam + Filter modded), Zero:Red, Hexa (filters removed + Foam modded), Dioko (paper filter removed + foam modded, Filter replacement due) and the Defiant depending on my mood
https://preview.redd.it/24s8hdn4173g1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e97df5c55b0c4a89e2bf1e78043564234052f954
Top row: TE Zero:Red (Divinus Velvet Wide), TE Zero (Divinus Velvet), JE Defiant (Divinus Velvet Wide then, Sedna Earfit Light long stem currently)
Middle row: 7Hz Zero (Sedna Earfit Light short stem)
Bottom row: Moondrop Chu 1 (Spinfit CP100, removable cable mod), SGOR Luna (KBear Coffee Tips), KZ PR2 (KBear Coffee Tips)
Well it depends of course on your music preferences, finances and source of music.
May I suggest you disclose a couple of tracks you absolutely adore and would want to sound brilliant with the new IEM. Based on the genres you're into, the recommendations will change. Also mention your budget.
Second, unless you are monitoring recorded/ live studio music, analysing technicals, you are not going to enjoy flat tuned iems that people generally recomend. Most people prefer iems with overall good textured thumping bass and sub bass rumble, clean strong vocals and airy crispy treble with a wide soundstage.
If you have the option to physically try out IEMs before buying them, you might be able to first time right on purchase. Else, start small and go for starter iems and accessories. Once you are sure about what you like, you'll be able to research and find your endgame iem.
I am listing some starter iems based on my listening preferences:
Single Drivers.
1. Truthear GATe - Good single 10mm Dynamic Driver, fun sound tuning. Nice bass and vocals , smooth treble. Can be Equlised to make it amazing.
Cons. Cheap cable, plasticy, needs 8 core upgrade cable to improve music quality and eq above 4 db boost.
2. Kiwi Ears Cadenza - Good single 10mm DD , fun sound, nice bass , smooth vocals, smooth treble. Can handle EQ well. Looks great. EQ can boost bass and treble and vocals .
Cons. Bass is good you will love iems with more thump.
3. 7Hz Crinacle Salnotes Dioko - Single planar driver 14.5 mm. Clean tuning , focus on mids and vocals. Great for vocals and classical music. Can EQ will to boostbass and treble to sound amazing. Good looking set and kit
Cons. Can sound muddy with EDMs with out EQ.
4. ARTTI T10 . Good single planar driver 14.2 mm. Great tuning , good bass texture , mids and lows. Sounds amazing on female vocals and instrumental tracks. Good kit, ok looks .
Cons. Looks, needs EQ to boost lower mids for male vocals . Tambre is very planar and may sound different to sensitive ears.
I recommend Truthear GATe with a better cable or the Kiwi Ears Cadenza as is.
Multiple drivers.
1. Kz Vader. 3, 8mm dd drivers. Good bass, mids and treble. Nice soundstage, can handle eq boosts well. Good sound stage.
Cons. Need cable upgrade to 8 core (qkz t1 cheap will do) .
2. Kz AM16 bass edition- 8 driver all BA. Good bass, good vocals and treble. Great musicality and comparable to expensive DD iems.
Cons. Need better cable 8 to 16 cores. EQ is tricky as the low frequency BA driver is easy to boost , mids not so much.
3. Kz Castor Pro. 2 10mm DD driver. Good bass , good mids and treble.. Can be Equalised to boost bass and treble to sound like endgame bass iems like Punch audio Martillo . Cheap and dynamic.
Cons. Need a 8 or 16 core cable (qkz t1) . With EQ this can amaze people .
4. Letshuoer DZ4- three 6mm DDs with a passive radiator. Great sound, good bass and treble. Sounds nice without EQ. Mid focused and perfect for vocals . Good kit and cable.
Cons. Looks. 6mm dds do not handle much EQ. Sound is not the best for EDM.
I recommend the KZ Castor Pro bass version or the Letshuer DZ4. With EQ and new cable the KZ Castor Pro or Vader will sound better than others.
Stop around $400, those sets are very good. Multi kilobuck sets get better and do things completely unique that you can’t find in midfi but it’s not as crazy of a leap going from a ultra budget set to something like yu9 que. personally I don’t like full planar IEMs timbre so I would buy a hybrid or a single dd over the Diablo
Acceptable-Wrap-2742
