AFUL - Performer 5

At $350 cad my setup would be Aful P5's and a cable with built-in mic. I haven't tried anything from Ziigat. They release a new IEM every 4 days and every time I compare models a new one comes out and I can't keep up lol. Cod Is the only game I play and I use my Aful P8's for it, and it's the only thing I use my Aful's for. If you're looking for iems for footsteps and clarity between sounds on a map, depth, then I think Aful crushes it there with the P series. The Explorers are trash for fps though, they give me a panic attack because I can't tell where anyone is. Maybe something else if you're looking for immersion though. Iems in that price range are going to come with replaceable cables and that's where the mic will be. That's where the mic will be on cheap iems with non removable cables too. If you want the Aretes or any similar IEM you're going to have to get a cable with a mic built-in or a separate mic entirely. Most IEMs with multiple balanced armature drivers are going to do a good job with call of duty though.

I love my Aful P5. I love my Aful P7 even more. The P7's bass is tighter and punchier (in the sense of having a cleaner initial attack). The P7 also improves everything else. The P7 is just as comfortable as the P5 since the shells are the same yet do extend slightly more upwards. Or in other words, Aful didn't mess with the shape and fit of the P5's shells other than somewhat extending the height of the shells. I never sleep with IEMs. Even so, I realize that comfort and fit would be a priority. I really like the Kefine Klean since I really like its overall sound signature and since I also really like its technical performance which exceeds many other IEMs in its price range. The Klean does have pretty thin shells. I can see the Klean as being very comfortable IEMs to listen to while falling asleep, yet this is not my thing.

https://preview.redd.it/hy8h2esd91te1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e244416df0e81d07055713bbb0632d0a0be0bbd1 Hey all, I'm pretty new to the hobby and just wanted to share a quick impression. I’ve been switching between the KZ ZS10 Pros and the Aful Performer 5s for a few weeks now, and honestly, I keep reaching for the ZS10s more often. I mostly listen to bass-heavy tracks and female vocals, and to my ears, there's not a huge difference between the two sets in those genres. From my perspective, the KZ hate feels kind of overblown. For the price, I think they punch way above their weight. I’m planning to grab the DUNU Braindance next. But if it doesn’t offer a meaningful improvement to my (probably plebeian) ears over the ZS10s, I think those might end up being my endgame. 🤷‍♂️

Moondrop Chu, and no. The Kato is the only Moondrop iem I still have and use. I liked the Aria but gave it to a friend to try to get him into iems (I failed). The Chu was good enough to get me into iems, but not good enough to keep me listening. I don't even know where they are now, lol. Of the early iems that I bought, I only have and listen to the Truthear Hexa (lifeless but decent, with wonderful imaging) and that Truthear Harmon-tuned one that Crinacle did with the subwoofer (I forget the name). It is fatiguing, but it is exciting until it wears me down. Good for techno. I listen mostly to the Aful P5, the Chopin, the Letshour S12, and the Kato now. Sometimes at home, I listen to the P8 and the Xenn Mangrid Top (they are too expensive to lug around with me--I have a $200 limit on iems that I'm willing to take in my backpack).

all crap. save some money and if u can spend a little more get the Aful Perfomer 5, my all time fav

I use the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro and absolutely love them, though they are out of your budget. I head good things about the DT 990 Pro getting decently close for about half the price. They are very neutral and great for mixing if you need it eventually, but it might make them appear a bit sibilant at first, but I got used to it. For a more fun set I use the Sennheiser HD 599 SE, which are really light and airy - especially compared to the Beyerdynamics - making them more comfy for extended sessions. At least here in europe they are really affordable at the equivalent of about 160 CAD and punch way above their weight in my experience. Last alternative if you want to give IEMs a try, I am playing with the AFUL Performer 5s sometimes and find them pretty comfy and great sounding too.

The Kiwi Ears Etude are the bone induction ones, yes? I heard they have weird tonality. Can you speak to that, relative to say the Aful p5s, which have been pretty reliably great for me in almost all scenarios.

Ziigaat Odyssey if you want something neutral with bass boost (the bass really kick in ngl I love that), Performace 5 if you want warm tuning, Kbear Tri I3 Mark 3 if you want something bright but not harsh smooth and great for vocal.

Maybe consider used a bit more detailed iems if you'd like, eg. AFUL P5? If seller does include purchase documentation with date, and you have the ability to return them if flawed, it should work. Did for me

Okay thanks for the info, the only experience I have with Truthear was the original Zero Blue and the fit really was not for me, that why I am a bit weary. With my dailies I am normally leaning a little more brightly with the Dusk and Performer5 or the Kato as my vocals-set so something warm and bassy is pretty much the only thing I am missing I guess. In any case, again, thanks for the insight. As I totally love the fit of the Performer5 and want to have more contrast in my arsenal I think of getting the Explorer. I am happy with my Dusk EQ to deliver a neutral-ish sound so some warm soup would be interesting to me. :)