DUNU - Kima 2

I can not stand the Harman tuning even though this tuning is very popular with many people. My tuning preference is very similar to the HBB tuning. I prefer the HBB tuning's 8 dB rise for the simulated pinna gain in the upper midrange since the Harman tuning's 10 to 11 dB rise for the simulated pinna gain in the upper midrange is too sibilant for me. I also don't like how the Harman tuning decreases the lower midrange. Right now my two favorite IEMs under $300 are the Aful Performer 7 and the Dunu DaVinci. The Performer 7 simply is an improved version of the Performer 5 across the board. I still love my Performer 5 IEMs. At first I didn't like the DaVinci's powerful sub bass relative to the mid bass, but I found some eartips which fixed this issue such that the sub bass is in balance with the mid bass. I have some other favorite IEMs at lower price points. I was very surprised by how much I like the Kima 2 which Dunu sent to me. I knew that the Kima 2 uses single dynamic drivers, yet when I listened to the Kima 2 I could have sworn that there must also be BA drivers in the mix since the macro and micro details are very well defined. For example, the Kima 2 performs much better than the Thieaudio Legacy 2. It also dawned on me that the Kima 2 is tuned very similarly to the original Moondrop Starfield which was my first IEM, yet the Kima 2's technical performance is so much nicer to listen to in comparison to the OG Starfield. There always a very slight veil to the sound when I listened to the OG Starfield, and the Kima 2 totally rips any veil away. On the budget side, I really like the Simgot EW200 after I easily added some self adhesive mesh filters to shift the overall tuning from Harman to HBB. The transition after adding the mesh filters was splendid. The thing is that after adding the mesh filters to adjust the tuning, I was able to really appreciate the quality of the EW200's dynamic drivers. I hope that the above helps you with your research.

You asked for recommended upgrades from people who actually have any of these four IEMs. So here I go for the Starfield... Your Starfield IEMs do not have any chipped paint. You must have bought them in 2022 after it was announced that the paint chipping issue was fixed. I purchased two sets of the Starfield in March and April 2022. My set which I heavily used for several months still looks mint and has zero paint chipping issues. I sent my other set of Starfields, still factory sealed in the box, to Audio Amigo a few months ago for him to use in his review of the Dunu Kima 2 since the Kima 2 and the original Starfield have very similar overall frequency response curves. I can not stand the sibilance in the Starfield II and I can not say that the Starfield II is a nice upgrade (for me) for the original Starfield. I can say that the Kima 2 is a nice upgrade to the original Starfield. A riot of fun is that the Kima 2 is priced the same as the discontinued original Starfield. I remember the moment when I first listened to the Kima 2 and two thoughts immediately popped into my head. My first thought was that there must be at least one or two balanced armature drivers in the Kima 2 which must be delivering the very clean and crisp macro and micro details, Even the micro details sound clean and not fuzzy. Yet nope, the Kima 2 only uses dynamic drivers. My immediate second thought about the Kima 2 sounds like the original Starfield except that the bass now is very clean with no hint of muddiness which was present in the original Starfield and that the macro and micro details are very well defined in comparison to the original Starfield. It isn't that the original Starfield IEM is a bad IEM. The original Starfield was used as a reference by several reviewers a few years ago. Yet the original Starfield had seen its day. Following are some frequency response graphs of the original Starfield and the Kima 2: [https://audioamigo.squig.link/?share=Bad\_Guy\_Target,Moondrop\_Starfield,Dunu\_Kima\_2](https://audioamigo.squig.link/?share=Bad_Guy_Target,Moondrop_Starfield,Dunu_Kima_2) [https://squig.link/?share=Dunu\_Kima\_2,Moondrop\_Starfield](https://squig.link/?share=Dunu_Kima_2,Moondrop_Starfield) The Kima 2 has a very nice and crisp leading edge attack for the bass. This makes the bass sound a bit louder than what you see in the Kima 2 graphs. You might enjoy seeing Audio Amigo's review of the Kima 2. Starting at 21.56, he spends some time comparing the Kima 2 to the original Starfield. Following is the link for his review: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8hAPR6RRYM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8hAPR6RRYM) FULL DISCLOSURE: The Kima 2 was sent to me by Dunu for me to create an unboxing review for the Kima 2. I am glad that the Kima 2 was sent to me since the apparent lack of bass in the frequency response graph prevented me from considering this IEM. Dunu allowed me to keep the Kima 2. And keeping them I am since I really like the Kima 2.

I suggest the Dunu Kima 2. The bass is slightly recessed, but it is there when needed. The simulated pinna gain is more neutral at 7 dB, whereas the Harman 2019 target's simulated pinna gain is too intense for me at 10 dB. So for me, the Kima 2 is a neutral IEM which makes it easy to focus on the entire midrange.

I like the same genres that you like, but I don't listen to quite as much classical as you do. I am hoping to enjoy listening to more classical music. I can't imagine listening to classical music with no bass since I do enjoy listening to Anna Lapwood performing on concert hall organs. The only fairly moderately priced single DD IEMs which I like when listening to classical and to Hans Zimmer stage performances is the Kima 2. I also am really enjoying listening to my Aful Performer 7 IEMs while listening to classical music even though I would like a touch of more natural overall tuning. The Tea Pro and the Orchestra Lite are outside of my budget. I have so wanted to try both of these IEMs. The Orchestra Lite are supposed to be very nice for classical and orchestral music. I suppose that it is since it is an all-BA IEM which very slightly relaxes the bass and very slightly relaxes the upper treble or air region. I think that it would be interesting for the OP to do some tip rolling in order to see if the OP lands on an ideal set of eartips for use on the Tea Pro.

I really like your suggestion for listening to Hans Zimmer as an introduction to classical music. I am over 60 years old, so sparkle or air mean nothing to me since I have old age hearing. I enjoy watching Youtube videos of Hans Zimmer stage performances if they were recorded really well since it is a riot of fun watching the artists playing their musical instruments which I am hearing.

Yeah, these are pretty good warm sound, good tonallity overall but lacks treble and air, and not so technical But worth their price though

Pretty much anything in the 200+ market is going to have a significant bass boost. I think the most bass light of the mid fi hybrids is the Cadenza4. It is very bass light, and presents with lighter bass than the graph suggests. I wouldnt pay full price for it. Wait for it to go on sale, and use a 20% coupon on the official Amazon store, and you can get it for under $150. Going a lot cheaper, the EA500 (non LM) is also very bass light, but treble heavy. The DUNu Kima2 might be a better alternative, with slightly less treble energy. The Rosetechnics/Rose Elsa Star City5 is a very neutral IEM, but some have said they did a silent re-tune to it, and added, you guessed it, more sub-bass shelf. Thankfully they are not bank breaking. The AFUL MagicOne is also fairly bass lean. But its a single BA set, and its also non-vented, so it may be a bit uncomfortable to some. Also they regularly go on sale for about half off. Wait for that. As a collectors set they are SUPER unique. Also the AFUL Performer 8...its almost a flat line. Its also nearly $400. LOL! The BQEYZ Frost is another great bass light set that doesnt over emphasize the treble in an absurd way. Also most of the Softears IEM's are generally not overly bass emphasized. But I cant recall which model i listened to. OH! And i almost forgot, all things Etymotic. For a long long time they were the "studio meta". But the fit is...unique.

Check out my full written review of the Dunu Kima 2 Here: https://mobileaudiophile.com/in-ear-earphones-iem-iems-reviews/dunu-kima-2-review/ Dunu Kima 2 Review What's up everyone? I hope you all have had a great start to your New Year. Today I have with me the Dunu Kima 2. From what I can tell, the Kima 2 is a drastically underrated iem folks. Built fantastic, made entirely out of stainless steel, another slick design and probably one of the better unboxing experiences for the cost as well. Great cable, nice case, a thousand eartips too. Really a nice packaging by Dunu, as expected. However, what this set excels in, the Kima 2 carries some of the best timbre that $100 can buy. Simple as that. It's natural through and through. This set carries a wonderful tonal balance. Basically neutral across the board with maybe a hint of warmth. It has a tight, punchy, and well defined bass region with moderate levels of thump that can handle most anything thrown at it. The mids are the crown jewel of this set. Awesome natural note weight, clean throughout, fantastic for vocalists, both male and female. The treble has just enough brilliance to add some luster, yet never so much that it causes fatigue. Nice extension & smooth up top. Really a nice sounding set folks. Of course, I do go quite a bit deeper in my review, along with a couple comparisons as well. Comparisons: Dunu Kima Classic / Fiio FD15 🔥🔥Kima 2 Pros 🔥🔥👇 -Exquisite build, all-alloy, light, premium -Such a slick looking series of iems. The Kima 2 is a looker -The unboxing is one of the best in the price point -Fantastic Lyre cable -Almost perfect tonal balance -Completely natural timbre -Highly resolute sound, very clean across the board -Fast, punchy bass -Wonderful midrange, completely tuneful, great for vocalists -Non-fatiguing treble, balanced, just brilliant enough -Detail Retrieval is solid -Separation & imaging -Spacious sound field 🥶🥶Kima 2 Cons🥶🥶👇 -Bassheads, even moderate bassheads will want more bass emphasis -Warm/dark lovers will not enjoy the Kima 2 Check out my full written review of the Dunu Kima 2 Here: https://mobileaudiophile.com/in-ear-earphones-iem-iems-reviews/dunu-kima-2-review/

That's the hope. I guess that's what sets a brand like Dunu apart. They know what a consumer wants. They really go above and beyond. There's a few other brands who do the same but Dunu has always had a reputation for being generous and seeking to "wow" the consumer. I love that. I agree, I hope other brands take notice of what Dunu just did with a $100 iem.

As for now the Kima 2 is my favourite iem but the hexa is second For the dac my favorite is the Luna Asano edition and the Tempotec Sonata BHD 2024, unironically. I like it's warm sound which gives some analog taste to music

Yeah, the accessories are a big W on the Kima 2. Fortunately I didn't have to pay for it because I won it on the Dunu giveaway they did for new year. The only thing I don't like about them is that they have somewhat poor isolation

My favorite vocal set is the Dunu Kima 2. Single DD, excellent tuning, very comfy and nice looking shells

My go-to DD iem is the Kima 2, it's an amazing performer for the price, for planars, well, I own none at the moment but currently waiting for the PRX to have a first try with this tech

Kima 2. Magnificent iem

Nah. Kima 2 is warm, not bright. Mega5EST-level warm, Truthear Pure-level warm. Literally every major reviewer on YouTube calls it warm-leaning. Easily my favorite warm-neutral IEM. I thought it would be bright based on the Squig but was shocked when I heard it in person. https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1o8yd5h/dunu_kima_2_vs_tanchjim_origin_proof_that_graphs/

https://preview.redd.it/ss03l1tx4wbe1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7466579c7a03a6d358c9ad0e39bb795d27ddb42d She’s up there, Dunu Kima 2 with a ivipq cable.

Twilight is a straight upgrade over kima2. Everything gets better with Twilight. But you need to push volume into Twilight. Bass has more definition, mids sound warm, extremely enjoyable male Vocals, female vocals like Hikaru Udata sounds sweet although not correct. Treble has sparkle in high vol. In low vol kinda sounds dead. Twilight's biggest strength is how 3d it sounds. The sound actually has depth. Kinda like a speaker for ears. For me personally Twilight & EJ07 are forever sets. Kima2 sounds extremely good as well. Not resolving like ea1000. But sweet & musical, very much mid-centric, something that you can use for as long as you want to.

Let me answer, for me it's Twilight & Oriolus Isabellae. For my dad it's one set IE600. For my Grandpa it's Twilight. & For my Girlfriend kima2 baby

Still I prefer kima2 over it Edit - Already tried kadenz, Origin, kato. I personally prefer kima2 tuning overall. Female vocals sound absolutely fantastic on kadenz

Twilight & Isa. For outside use kima2

I love my Kima 2. Not the first set I grab but it's the one I end up returning to. Very pleasant vocals.

DUNU Kima 2. Regret selling it. The Tanchjim Nora I have right now is also good, but it's not an IEM that will wow me immediately.

Juzear Defiant has impressive bass control. ✌️ Dunu Kima 2 is also great.

Because pure is warm & bass boosted iem. Perhaps iem with more clarity is suitable, like dunu kima 2, tanchjim nora, moondrop aria 2. But if using eq you can fix your issue with its vocal, no need to buy a new iem.

Hexa is good, you just need wide bore tips to bring out the soundstage. Dunu Kima 2 is also another option for balanced. Either DAC should be fine, shouldn't affect sound drastically

Yup, Klean and Kima2 are the two I really love for budget price right now

I have a few reviews published on my profile if you wanna check them (Models Reviewed so far are: Dunu Kima 2, Titan S2, Kefine Klean, Dunu DK3001BD, 7Hz Elua and Dunu Falcon Ultra). Oh, and also TRN Orca but is a very old and novice review xd.

# After a few months of my first mega list of options under $50 dollars...  \---------- ***Click here for the sub $50 list:*** [https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/WfhfLLl0np](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/WfhfLLl0np)  \---------- ... Finally, after so much corrections and problems, I can post my next list, I’m sorry for coming this late though, I hope people still finds it useful, this time, I came with options ranging from around $110 dollars (counting in discounts) down to $60 for those looking for a little more advanced options, either to make an upgrade to your cheaper IEMs, or to get started in the hobby, in any case, you are welcome.   Unlike the first list, this time I won't detail so many things before listing options, if you want to know about where to possibly buy IEMs safely, which reviewers to check on YouTube for second opinions, and even understand a bit more of the terminologies used in the “audiophile lingo”, please check out the Sub $50 list, this one has two parts and explains a lot of this already.   \---------- # PLEASE DO TAKE IN MIND: That I’m just a single person doing this compilation of information, this list is based off the general impressions of various trustworthy reviewers on these iems. This is **NOT** a ranking list, this **NOT** my personal best picks, and I do **NOT** own all of the iems on the list. This IS just a list for you to have alternatives to pick of fairly recent, good, safe-ish iems to pick from.   There is so much a single person can do, so, **if you see any glaring error** with the description of any iem, or if you think there is any model left out that should be on this list, **please do let me know**, remember that this list only goes up to $110 because it will drop down to under $100 often on discounts, please do not mention iems over $110 or under $60.   Here, before I start, I'm just going to make some specific clarifications that people should keep in mind when looking to buy any IEM in this price range. Do consider that **I’m being very superficial here**, this is **not** full audio engineer knowledge being explained in a simplistic way, rather, this is more like **summarized general concepts** to help people grasp basic ideas that they could need to know when entering the hobby. \---------- ***Over-reach Update:*** Per request of various people in the post, I will be adding iems around $120-$130 to consider grabbing if you see it below $100. # Gaming Update: As quite a lot of people have been asking for gaming options, ill make this update marking iems with performance rakings from the "WALLHACK CERTIFIED IEM TIER LIST" of Reviwer Fresh Reviews, who is pretty well known for recomending iems for gaming use, just be aware that this does not reflect my opinion about each IEM nor does it ensure that you will have an excellent video game experience just because its listed. The Fresh Reviews system gives letter grades where “S” is the best grade, going down from S-A to C+, where C+ means that they are the minimum sufficient to be able to play video games with. The way I will mark it would be putting the score besides the name "(with FRS: “Mark obtained”)" (FRS = Fresh Reviews Score), example: Truthear Zero Red (FRS: C+), if you don't see this mark, it means that either Fresh Reviews did not consider it good for gaming, or did not review the product. \---------- # Relevant clarifications:  **---** * **“Hybrid IEMs = Better?”** A constant question you see these days is “are more drivers better than one?” and the answer is always: in budget price ranges? absolutely not, especially under $100. What mostly dictates the sound quality and technicality of a headphone is the quality of the driver(s) used, it doesn't matter if an earphone has 20 drivers per side at this price range, if another company is selling you one with only 1 driver, and people say it's good, that's because it usually is, the amount of drivers in lower price ranges means almost nothing, there may be extra benefits of having more drivers, but those benefits are not a “game changer” in this price range, pick based on performance, use case and sound preference, not on driver config…UNLESS you dislike the way that one specific type of driver produces sound..  \--- * **“What’s a Planar?”** IEMs that only use planar drivers are a special thing because usually drivers of this type offer very good and balanced technicalities in general at this price range, you know: separation, detail, resolution, soundstage, and all those terms you have heard. What happens is that most of these drivers also have some disadvantages that pay in return for the techs, among them the most common ones are: * That some people consider that the noise they produce in vocals and treble sounds somewhat “metallic”, which can be annoying or distracting. * \- * The second problem is that usually planar drivers, at least in this price range, do not have the most textured or impactful bass, they may have good bass presence and rumble, but they usually do not get to be as intense and feel as physical as a good dynamic driver can. * \- * And finally, planar drivers usually require a decent amount of amplification from a DAC to perform to the best of their capabilities, if you plan on choosing a full planar IEM, you really, ideally, should be running them with a DAC, unlike other driver types or even hybrid configurations at this price range, a planar IEM can exhibit noticeable changes in sound and performance when not properly amplified, especially reducing their overall technicalities and sounding less clean than they should. IF YOU CAN, hook them to a good dongle DAC with a 4.4mm cable for the best amplification possible. That's why, when I say that a planar will need “good application”, I mean that you'll probably want to use something more than the typical apple dongle recommendation to move a planar earphone, mostly just to make sure you are powering them correctly.  \--- * **“Should I get a dongle DAC?”** And the last point, although speaking of amplification again, above $50 you really should start considering getting a dongle DAC for your IEMs, because, while even at this price point, most iems could work pretty fine without it, you could likely end up leaving some performance “on the table” if they are underpowered. It is not obligatory for you to get one, specially if you dont get a planar, but also don’t be surprised if your iems doesn’t give you enough volume or if your new iems doesn’t seem to perform as great as most people say, you don’t need anything too fancy, just try a basic dongle dac in the $15-$40 price range, the normal cheap rec is the Apple dongle (US version), but you can always get something a bit more durable, and then judge your experience based on it. And if it’s possible to you, specially with planars, using a 4.4mm cable (on a compatible DAC) to get the most energy out of your dac will ensure that your iems aren’t under-amplified in most cases, is not a must in any way, shape of form, but you could try it if you can (but please, just dont use 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapters as those could damage some of your equipment if they are made improperly). By the way, the reason why i recommend a 4.4mm is because you can easily get more energy out of your same dac (if it has both conections, of course) using a 4.4mm vs the 3.5mm on the same DAC, you can always, get a very decent 3.5mm DAC too.   \---------- # SUB $100 IEM MEGA PICK LIST: (This list now cover iems mostly\* down from $60 up to $100, with some extra options that could be around $120, but that could be picked below $100 if on sale, please take that in mind. The prices listed are just the stock price, often lower on sales). ***Purchase links disclaimer:*** The links included are affiliate links, but make sure to check vendor reviews when you make any AliExpress purchases. The links have no influence on which IEMs are recommended or picked for the list.   \----- # BASSY IEMs. The option for people looking for a bassy, rumbly, thumpy or just warm and relaxed experience, if you want good bass, check here. **NOT EVERYTHING HERE IS BASS HEAVY.**  \----- * ***($109) 7hz Legato (FRS: C+):*** The bass canon pick under $100, plenty of quality bass for your basshead needs, with just enough of upper half energy on the sound to not be unusable. It’s recommended to be used with things like wide bore eartips for extra clarity. Technicalities are a bit below average since the heavy bass isn’t the best for detail, but still very competitive, the basshead upgrade path from the QKZxHBB. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqJdKzH)  \----- * ***($90) Tangzu Fudu (FRS: B-):*** A relaxed, bassy and smooth experience, most people say they are pretty comfortable, but the nozzle is slightly on the large size. It has an overall clean-ish sound, nice and warm-ish well-done vocals, and smooth treble. Average good technicalities despite the extra bass and the smooth presentation. Should Work for gaming, although bass could be a bit too distracting for competitive. Also, the bass is not super powerful, as it is more of a relaxed set, so don’t get it just for the amount of bass it has, but also for the style of sound. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqvuzOT)  \----- * ***($75) Kefine Delci/AE (AE FRS: B):*** A pretty good bass leaning iem, some consider it the step up from the BLON BL03, as it manages to have great bass qualities while still presenting nice enough vocals and detailed treble. There is some warmness in vocals, not the cleanest sound from the price range, but it makes for a more relaxed and bassy listening experience, that manages to be engaging when it needs to be, especially with the pretty thumpy and rumbly bass. Vocals are natural enough despite the extra warmness, just not the main focus of the iem. The treble is on the energetic side, but not too intense that it makes it a V-shape. Technicalities are fine for the price range, but the bassy sound just makes it a not so “clear” sounding iem, a better if you are into bassy stuff. If you would like the performance of the Delci for bass, but also would like to be able to use it for gaming, check the Delci AE with the interchangable nozzles for 2 tunings and more versatile usage. Not a common recommendation for gaming, at least not for competitive gaming. But the usual bassy recommendation under $100. Check it out here (Regular): [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKaEwxD) Check it out here (AE): [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKT5q5H)  \----- * ***($70) TRN White Tiger:*** Funny and energetic, yet not aggressive, bassy V-shaped iem, nice bass quality for the price, with good balance between sub-bass and mid-bass, the bass does have a bit of muddiness (bleed) to it, but doesn’t drown the vocals at all, is tastefully done and vocals are fine enough, the treble is a bit forward, but nothing too intense, nice technicalities for the price, an alternative to the Titan S2 if you feel like lacking bass and too much vocal energy. It comes with 3 different tuning nozzles, so check each one, but most people likes the green or red ones. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMYoBHt)  \----- * ***($99) Letshuoer S08 (FRS: B-):*** Bassy focused approach to a planar iem, nice rumbly bass, although not the most physical or hard hitting one since it’s a planar, but it definitely does a better job with the bass than other planars around this price point, it still shares all those great technicalities of planars under $100, but also still requires good amplification, that said, it is slightly less "power hungry" than other planars in the list, so an “apple dongle” type of dongle might be just enough, but if you can get something better, could be the better option. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mL3X5zv)  \----- * ***($120) Aful Explorer:*** Warm-bassy, Inmersive IEM. The bass is rumbly, thick, with body, but its not on the intense/super punchy side, sub-bass over mid-bass approach. Vocals are on the clean side, with some Energy, but not pushed as foward as on balanced sets, not that natural in the upper vocals though. The treble is enough, smooth and detailed, but is not that detailed or open feeling, safer relaxed treble over detailed and clear sound. Technicalities overall are good for the elevated price. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNhhRI3) \----- * ***($126) CCA Hydro:*** V-shaped, clean-cut Harman style bass, energetic IEM. The direct step-up all the way down from the Castor Bass and the CCA Rhapsody. The bass sacrificies a little bit the amount for extra quality: control, tactile thumpy punch and clean deep rumble, still giving good body to deep male vocals with minimal "bload", you can always boost it up a bit with the tuning switches though. Vocals mamage to be correct and Somewhat natural and detailed, they pop out enough and dont get as thin as other V-shaped iems. Treble is on the energetic side, maybe could be borderline too intense for some, but it also manages to give nice detail while not being too aggressive with it, be aware if you are sensitive to treble tho, this time, the bass cant be boosted too much with the switches to balance things out, also, the sound of the treble could come as a bit "metallic" for some thanks to the driver config. Technicalities are decent but stock price is a bit too high. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPV3RvZ)   \---------- # BALANCED/NEUTRAL IEMs. Here you will find anything with just enough of both bass and treble for your music needs, some might lean a bit into the bass, others might have some extra treble, but the lean is not big enough to call it bassy or bright. **NOT VERYTHING IN HERE IS “NEUTRAL"**.  \----- * ***($80)*** [***Dunu Titan S2***](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1h8nzjb/the_rekindled_spark_dunu_titan_s2_review/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) ***(FRS: C+):*** A mild V-Shaped balanced iem with an edge on vocals, specially female vocals, pretty engaging energy, it uses some extra bass and treble to balance things out compared to the original Titan. The bass is pretty rich and clean, but it also loses a bit of body on male vocals vs the OG Titan, still warm, just not the same focus, it has good punch to it and decent rumble, with focus on the mid-bass but not too boosted over sub-bass, and has decent texture, overall great bass quality. The vocals, because of the V-shaped style, do sound slightly less natural than on the OG, but they aren’t as recessed as other V-shape sets. The treble quality is good but could come as a bit too forward in some cases, so it can be a bit fatiguing for some, especially for people sensitive to treble. Technical performance is great overall, above average, good detail retrieval, some say that it could almost compete with planars. but the soundstage is not as big as other options, in resolution is competing with benchmark iems like hexa. Should work for gaming. It also should work well for Rock music genres, even with busy tracks. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOdiyY7)  \----- * ***($70-$80) Simgot EW300 (Comes with Type-C/DSP option) (FRS: C+):*** A balanced yet energetic iem that breaks with the “Simgot has peaky treble” tradition. Nice allrounder sound, punchy bass, good decently natural vocals, enough treble presence, and good technicalities for the price. A warning is that the iem could feel a bit heavy resting on the ears for some. Should work for gaming. This one comes in 3 versions: Normal, HBB and DSP - They are all almost the same, just pick based on connection necessities, price and looks (sound is just barely different that it could be just unit variance as well – in the words of some reviewers). Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mskLcPh)  \----- * ***($90) Simgot EA500LM (FRS: C+):*** Balanced, Neutral leaning, yet V-shaped sound, still the treble could be a bit too much for some, but it’s very well controlled compared to other options from Simgot. Bass has good texture and quality, and it’s more boosted than in the EA500 so it balances the sound more, it is not too boosted still, so with presence but not the main focus. Vocals are good, correct and natural, but also forward and energetic. The treble has also presence, but not too much; in reference to vocals and bass, is not as extra boosted for the V-shaped kind of sound. Some people consider it detailed and smooth, but others still can find them a bit too intense, so, again, a warning for treble sensitive people. All in all, works like a more energetic Titan S2, with also great technical performance, slightly above average, it favors a nice and natural kind of performance rather than ultra-wide soundstage and very obvious detail retrieval, still resolution is pretty good for the price, fighting above its price range with the Hexa and the S2. It comes with interchangeable nozzles, try them all, but most people seem to like the gold and red nozzles better. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqBqcnt)  \----- * ***($90) Moondrop Aria 2:*** A pretty balanced, natural, good performing IEM that remembers a bit the sound of the Tangzu Waner, just overall cleaner, and with very upgraded technicalities according to its price range, very safe sound with just enough of everything in punchy bass, natural vocals and detailed treble, plus an average overall technical performance for the price. Should work for gaming. If you don’t know what to pick, this is your best starting point. Several people, however, do not like that the build quality is not that excellent, especially the paint scratches easily and moondrop as a brand sometimes does not have the best quality control. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOIoiwJ)  \----- * ***($80) Truthear Hexa:*** A balanced, neutral leaning iem with a sub-bass boost. Is a set that focuses ln detail and performance, a somewhat clinical sound that might not be too engaging for some, but excellent technicalities for the price. Bass is decent and detailed, but the small amount of mid-bass could be too little for a fair amount of people. The vocals are nice and natural, but also not that energetic, and the treble is mostly detailed and controlled, with maybe some slightly too boosted areas in the lower treble, so, because of the small amount of warmness in the bass, some people can find the Hexa a bit bright sounding (sound leaning into the treble), with some female vocal energy being also pushed forward, if you are sensitive to treble is not the safest pick. Be aware that the nozzle is quite large, so comfort might not be that great for some, Woks pretty well for gaming, as this is usually the technical benchmark to beat under $100. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mt0zJjz)  \----- * ***($80) Tangzu XuanNV (FRS: B-):*** A vocal forward, slightly warm sounding iem, good bass dynamics but not the main focus, a bit extra boosted on the upper mids (female vocals lean), but most people consider them smooth and not fatiguing. Treble is there and has enough detail but is nothing too impressive. Just a very nice, pretty safe sound. Average technicalities for the price. Be aware that they need some good amplification to work the best. Nozzle leans to the large side but doesn’t seem to have much fit problems for people. It’s a pretty safe pick if you don’t know what to pick, but you know you like vocals. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0DwmLZ)  \----- * ***($110) Kefine Klanar:*** Pretty detailed balanced (borderline U-shaped) iem that leans a bit to the bass, so plenty Energy on bass and treble too but nothing too much, although vocals could feel slightly on the background for some people, it has just enough energy there, so vocals don’t thin out. It’s a planar so great technicalities, plenty detail and clean bass, but will need some extra energy to perform to the best of its capabilities, and bass probably is not going to be the punchiest, since it’s a planar iem; I should also mention that the treble could be borderline too energetic for very sensitive people. This one is considered a cheaper Letshuoer Z12/S12 pro. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMIgDej)  \----- * ***($100) NiceHCK F1 Pro:*** Pretty similar to the Klanar, kinda balanced, but this planar leans some more into the vocals and treble over bass, with a good but controlled amount of bass, plus some crisp highs, not recommended for people sensitive to treble. It might be the closest one to the sound of the Letshuoer S12 tuning, with even slightly less bass. Being a planar, will have great overall technical performance, clean sound, and should work for gaming. Will need good amplification as most planars do. And the bass on planar, like this one, will not be the strongest or physical one. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mP9caUx)  \----- * ***($70) Artti T10:*** A very affordable balanced planar, it has a decent boost on the sub-bass for some rumble, clean mid-range and nuanced enough treble that is sparkly but can be a bit too intense for some people (similar to simgot models). It’s supposed to have the same driver tech as more expensive iems like the Letshuoer S12, so, if you don’t mind the basic build quality, it’s a very good, technically competent, cheap alternative, although it might just had some more Sub-bass and less treble than the S12. It does also need some good amplification as with the other planars, ideally a 4.4mm power output. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOJiup9)  \----- * ***($110) Simgot EM6L (FRS: B/B-):*** V-shaped Neutral, somewhat bright leaning iem. Bass is there, it warms the sound, but for the price is nothing impressive, not as clean as other options and it could feel like somewhat soft or not that texturized/punchy, under $100 other picks have some better quality, it’s just decent enough. The vocals are forward, clear but not as clean, not that natural, even a bit on the warm side of sound, so with body, especially male vocals, but that can play against female vocals. The treble is forward in the sound, with maybe a bit too much energy, but that manages to not be super aggressive, some consider it pretty smooth actually, so you will hear it, but you might not “feel” it as much, it do adds a lot of detail and helps with the openness of the sound. Technical performance is where this iem is notorious, while the soundstage is not the best, the tuning paired with the overall good-for-the-price technicalities, helps a lot for uses like gaming, usually considered the default best budget gaming pick around this price range. For music is just not going to be the most technical or detailed listening, just be aware that people very sensitive to treble could still find it a bit too much. **Some people have had the nozzle or filters of the iem falling off, usually fixed by glueing them back on, but you should know this info.** Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqM2p3z)  \----- * ***($65) Moondrop May (Comes with Type-C/DSP only):*** A soft V-shaped iem, with good technicalities for the price. The whole point of them is to be used with the DSP cable and the Moondrop app to personalize the tuning with sound pre-sets or a bit of EQ. Also works fine with a 3.5mm Jack with the stock soft V-shape sound, but you will have to provide the cable. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mP5XKDz)  \----- * ***($80)*** [***Dunu Titan S***](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/wxjSiXSolr)***:*** Neutral, vocal focused iem so it could feel a bit shouty for very sensitive people. Bass is decent in quality, but the quantity is around what most balanced neutral iems have, maybe even a bit extra boosted on top, and it focuses on mid-bass over sub-bass. The treble is quite well controlled and not that pushed foward, its smooth and precise but could lack some sparkle for some, vocals are very nice, very clean and natural, being the main focus as said earlier. Resolution and overall technicalities are good, resolution is the strongest part since it was above average when first launched, but somewhat average nowadays, the rest of the techs are just fine for the price, the S2 does present an overall decent technical upgrade over the original Titan. As a warning, the nozzle fits a bit deeper than other iems, so do expect the extra reach inside your ear. Should work for gaming, but I wouldn’t recommend it because of mid-range focus, ir could be a good vocal upgrade from Waner. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mM6hN4B)  \----- * ***($89) Kiwi Ears Canta:*** Energetic and balanced Vocal focused iem with some bright leaning to it. The bass is a kind of a V-shape approach, where the focus is more on a nice bass punch rather than sub-bass rumble, however, because of the treble, the nice bass qualities would not be as apparent, it is not the focus of the sound but is there and does a very good job. The vocals are very clear, detailed, clean, but also very forward, it could even get a bit sibilant or shouty for some tracks, so this is an energetic kind of tuning, more of a “W” shape than a “V”. The treble has presence, clarity and detail, but it can get unnatural thanks to the extra emphasis, although is not that aggressive. The tuning does make for a wide soundstage, but overall technical performance is just slightly above average, with an edge on separation and detail, at the cost of the intense sound. The EW300 is a more relaxed, balanced version of this one. Despite the technical performance though, doesn’t seem like the best pick for gaming. Check it out here: [Linsoul.](https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-canta?srsltid=AfmBOor8SGQG1NeTFgA-LY3I0SSdC_HvyTyZtY4bdj_CMLzKrCOqHwyc)  \----- * ***($77) Sivga Que:*** Balanced U-shape-Ish IEM that has an interesting balance between nice bass and crips treble. Bass is impactful, has a decent amount of rumble but it’s a clear mid-bass over sub-bass kind of sound, gets the job done but is not the most texturized or detailed bass. The vocals are a bit warm, mostly the male ones, so it has nice body to it, while managing some cleanness with the bass, is not the most natural, but is also not as thin, muddy or as unnatural as other similar sets can get, the area of female vocals is pretty forward, most people didn’t find it shouty, but it has the potential to be, at least for very sensitive people. The treble has presence, it brings good detail to the sound, but it manages to not be too intense or sibilant, just energetic enough. Technicalities are pretty good for the price, with some extra detail on top thanks to the mentioned treble style. It should be able to manage rock music even with busy tracks. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mtfpmTh)  \----- * ***($70) Tanchjim 4U:*** A balanced/Neutral iem with a switch system that lets you go from a warm iem, a sound style that reminds of the (R.I.P.) Truthear Hola, to a neutral balanced set, to a neutral bright-ish set, to a full neutral, vocal focused, set. The overall sound and technical performance is fine, but it is nothing impressive for the price, maybe even a bit outdated thanks to recent releases around the same price, safe in the treble too, not too intense. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNYKbZ1)  \----- * ***($99) Ziigaat Cinno:*** Slightly warm, very correct sounding iem that is great for people both sensitive to treble and shoutiness, a bit of a "flat-liner" in the sound but maintains some musicality to it, with a natural enough sound. Technicalities are fine for the price, nothing too impressive. Should work pretty good for more detailed music genres like classical music. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNDingn)  \----- * ***($140) Aful MagicOne:*** Balanced-warm leaning IEM. Technicalities are somewhat below average for the price\* but it works well in this (sub $100) price range. Bass is not the most Detail, punchy or rumbly, is overall a bit too smooth, but also pretty relaxed. The vocals are nice and natural-ish, but there is warmness from the bass, not the cleanest typw of sound, but it plays into the relaxed balanced sound. Trebel is smooth but detailed, not underboosted, foward enough to balance things out. An interesting, relaxed pick if you dont want going for bassy stuff like the Fudu. It doesnt seem to work well for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mtDTpsR) \---------- # BRIGHT IEMs. Here you will find the focus on vocals and treble: reduced bass amounts, very natural vocals and even sparkly trebles, anything for that high-pitched clarity and detail. **THERE IS GOOD QUALITY BASS IN HERE TOO**.  \----- * ***($120)*** [***Dunu Kima 2***](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1gk0xcm/i_challenged_they_delivered_dunu_kima_2_review/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)***:*** Balanced (a bit bright leaning) Neutral IEM With an excellent performance for natural vocals. Bass has very good replay, but its not the most Detailed, punchy or rumbly, it works more as a complementary approach to the tuning, the focus is on mid-bass over sub-bass, and its not too boosted, sub bass is also fairly reduced. The mids are natural, clear, clean but with body, transparent-like, excellent timbre, nothing shouty. Treble is clear, foward thanks to the reduced bass, detailed but very well controlled, pretty smooth. Overall technicalities are just fine for the price, it has great detail retrieval although is not too obvious about it, Soundstage is just fine and instrument separation is not the best out here, but all in all is fairly competent. Could work for gaming, but wouldnt recomend it. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mO6feEP)  \----- * ***($60) 7hz Sonus (FRS: B-):*** A very affordable Neutral-bright leaning IEM, a step up from the Salnotes Zero OG, great technical performance, above its price tag. A clean, neutral and natural sound, with a lean into the vocals and treble. Good but controlled bass, with decent quality in the hit and a boosted sub-bass rumble. Treble is nice and detailed, but not that bright, not that boosted. The biggest downside is the hybrid driver configuration which some people say is not totally cohesive, like there is a small separation between bass and the rest of the sound, but not a deal breaker for most people. Just watch out that for some it could some a bit Shouty on the vocals. Considering the cheaper price on the list, the overall technicalities are above average for the price, or on average with some more expensive iems in this list. This one is considered kind of a “Mini-Hexa”. Nozzle leans to the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOUBJJ5)  \----- * ***($80) Simgot EA500:*** A bright V-shape-ish iem that also has some warmness to the vocals, so, not the most neutral because it has some sound coloration. Pretty good bass quality, over quantity, has good but somewhat forward vocals, specially energetic female vocals, the treble is quite forward but can get fatiguing or even harsh for some. Technicalities are just decent for the price. This iem is for people that like bright sound without overlooking the bass, a possible upgrade path from the Ziigaat Nuo. Not recommended for people with sensitivity to Shoutiness and harsh treble. It comes with 2 tuning nozzles that don’t show much difference but try both just to make sure. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mtyc6Bh)  \-----   \---------- # Final comments. Thanks again for the good feedback for this post, remember again that im just one person and can make mistakes, so please mention me if you see anything wrong.   If you are looking for more overall information on IEMs, or the sub $50, look here:    ***Click here for the sub $50 list:*** [https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/WfhfLLl0np](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/WfhfLLl0np)   I hope this list is of some help, and if you need to know more, don’t be afraid to ask… although this is honestly mostly how high in price my knowledge goes, and I don’t know much about dongle DACs, so, I will do my best to help as I can.   ***I hope you like what you pick from here, all feedback is well appreciated, good luck, the Budget Knight bids farewell, good luck... O.E. :)***

Dunu Kima 2, although thats a very neutral iem, Moondrop Aria 2 would be a more energetic pick.

If you can do the strecht, Dunu Kima 2, comfort, nice accesories, nice cable and a tuning that is smooth and focuse on correct vocals.

Definitely Check Truthear Pure, also simgot EW300, if you do want something more Bassy Letshouer S08 (i think in this case is better over the Explorer because it has the same level of relaxed warm sound but with more fordward mid range and it would feel less "muddy" because of the planar driver which naturally sounds quite clean). Also, not sure if you only want fuller vocals or also a bassy sound, but there is the Dunu Kima 2 which is a vocal fordward iem with fairly full vocals, decently warm, but is quite Neutral leaning, meaning bass is not particularly boosted to achieve the warmness as with the other sets mentioned above.

If you liked the og Salnotes Zero, then probably the Hexa, there is the Kima 2 on a sale if you want something similar but a bit more musical (is as bright basically, but Kima 2 has a bit More funny mid-bass, tho not by much more, Kima 2 is still a bright leaning IEM.

Only about vocals? Dunu Kima 2 is a must, it have natural and, most importantly, correct vocals that pop in the sound, good air to them, and a snappy controlled bass to go along with it. Its pretty small and comfortable on the ear and being Dunu it comss with a ton of nice accessories, tho, i gotta give a "waifu box warning" for it. Technical performance is fine for the price, specially because it has quite smooth treble despite being a tiny bit boosted (the overall sound is a just a bit bright leaning, but mostly because of a controlled bass amount).

Dunu Kima 2, crisp, clear, natural yet lively vocals with snappy complementary bass and smooth but well extended treble. Have a review on them if you wish to check it on my profile

In my personal experiencia, the one i would pick for everyday use as a safe comfortable pick would be Puls Unicrom. Is a crowd pleaser, balanced, slightly bassy, V-shape but vocals are decent enough, very comfortable and nice quality accessories, including a compact but usable and secure carrying case, and good looking sturdy resin shell, humidity should not be a problem either. Now, vocals might not be the most present, but the other iems i know with nice vocals arent as balanced OR as convenient. Titan S2 from dunu is basically near the same in terms of comfort durability and accesories, it has a metal shell too, but vocals might be too energetic for you, is quite intense in that regard, good, very good, Wouldnt recomend it if "chillin" with them is a must. There is also Kima 2, is very vocal focused but more smooth and tammed, same nice accessories, tho is $120 msrp so gotta hunt it on a sale for $100, S2 you easily find it for $65 or less (absolute value). Oh, though, neither really lean into bass as much as they lean into vocals, even a bit bright depending on how sensitive you are. Alternatively, Kefine Delci is bassy leaning too, but well balanced, comfortable, accessories arent as well regarded But work, tho again, vocals a bit on the back and also a metal shell (those are quite common at $80 price range). Maybe Simgot EW300 is the most balanced, is quite nice overall and well liked but accessories are really not an strong point, vocals would certainly be quite present. If you wanna keep it budget, ill say you probably would be fine with something like Salnotes Zero 2 instead of a $50 iem, most of them have one possible major downside from comfort to durability, and most arent really bass leaning either (no idea why, but it is what it is). If you really want balanced and vocals consider Tangzu XuanNV or Juzear Defiant but i honestly dont know how well comfort works for them Which i think is a major deciding factor if you plan to daily drive them.

ill suggest to check dunu Kima 2 but bass is not going to be any more boosted tho.

I have the Kima 2, even posted a review, if you havent see it yet you can check it on my profile, the thing is, vocal wise, is likely to be an upgrade to EW300, and also has some treble jus as you mentioned, BUT there are 3 main problems you might run into, first, in bass EW300 is likely to be better, for me bass wasnt impressive at all, except on some specific songs that had a good mixing, other than that, it just felt "complementary" to the sound more than anything, second, and more relevant, it can struggle a bit with sibilance on certain tracks, is not common, but can happend, so be aware of it, and third an possibly the biggest point to mention is that the technical performance is closer to iems around $100 than to iems around $150, it certainly does better on some areas like maybe resolution and open soundstage, but a fair part of the price tag it has is because of the accesories it comes with, which are pretty good for most people´s standards. as for the SM4 im not sure how well they handle vocals, but i do know it is a harman style tuning and some people can find it too intense or shouty, kima 2 is pretty smooth yet crisp with vocals.

I just got one, dang idk why I got the kima 2 when this is a thing. It’s basically a higher quality kima 2, closer to the origin….maybe better actually.

That green cable needs to be on my p7 or kima 2!

I had the same requirements as you and bought the Kima 2 because it had the smallest nozzle amongst my considerations. I'm satisfied with how it sounds. However, it has a peak in the upper treble which sometimes bothers me so much that I can't recommend the Kima 2 without EQ. If I couldn't EQ and nozzle size didn't bother me, I would have probably got the Tanchjim Nora.

Tanchjim Nora, Tanchjim Fission, Dunu Kima 2, Intuaura Balance, KZ Zenith. All single DDs. KZ Zenith is below your price range but some say it competes up to $100 so I decided to mention it. From these I have only heard the Kima 2 which are very nice apart from the peak in the upper treble.

Your definition of what constitutes warm and/or bright might be different than others. If you have tried the original Wan’er, you may like the Dunu Kima 2. The Kefine Delci is also a great choice.

Thats a pretty big price difference between the EW300 and Supermix 4. While I do love the SM4, I think its only worth if your budget comfortably fits the SM4. Yes for me the SM4 was just straight up better but was it worth 2x the price of the EW300? Depends on you. I think for value, the EW300 is insane and one of the best. You could also look at the EA500LM if you like a slightly brighter tone or DUNU Kima 2 if you listen to very vocal songs. I still think Moondrop Kato on sale for like $110-130 is a great buy too.

This isn’t going to be a technical breakdown talking about graphs or fancy terminology. I don’t fully understand those yet (though I can piece some things together). Instead, this is just a random write-down and review from someone who enjoys music, and appreciates the experience, and wants to share my impressions that might help others starting out. It’s a long one, since I’ve gone through a LOT of IEMs in a short time. Firstly, I listen to all sorts of music. Classic, rap, rock, punk, pop but mostly vocal ballads and pop. I can probably also say I'm not "treble sensitive" (never tested whether I am or not) but as long as the IEM fit comfortably, didn't have a problem with fatigue. For reference, I’m using a JDS Atom 2 stack. Whether that matters much, you can decide for yourself. I started with a HyperX Cloud headset for gaming and music. Then I bought into the open-back headphone hype and got a Sennheiser HD6XX. Loved the sound, but big-head problems made them super uncomfortable after a while. That’s when I decided to try IEMs. My first real IEM was the Oriolus Finschi. Bought it on a whim, no research. Turned out great: comfy, clear vocals, decent instrument separation, and even worked well for tactical FPS games. I used them for years until the plastic wrapping on the shell started peeling. And so my budget IEM collection starts. Also if you're asking why buy so many, I just have a bad habit of making a collection. Now a quick review of these for anyone who also don't understand the graphs and want a general idea. Budget IEMs I’ve tried (ranked best to worst for me). **Kefine Delci AE:** These became my favorite as they had clear vocals and instruments with good separation and resolution, similar to the Oriolus Finschi but just a bit more lively. They sounded slightly brighter/livelier than neutral (I’ll put the Finschi and Hexa as the neutral-sounding baseline). These were fun and enjoyable—everything sounded clear and lively without being piercing. Even the bass was clear and sharp, not boomy, which I liked. **Letshouer S08:** This was my favorite until the Delci AE arrived. They were just pleasing to listen to—fun but also relaxing. Definitely a step down in clarity from the Delci AE, and probably less clear than the Simgot EA500LM, but still more enjoyable to listen to than the EA500LM. The bass wasn’t too much either; it was clear and sharp. It felt *fast*—like you could feel that it came out quickly and clearly. I’m guessing that’s the “speed of planar” people keep talking about? **Aful Explorer:** This one I didn’t like much stock, but once I applied EQ through Peace, they got significantly better. Stock, they were too dark and heavy sounding—everything was a bit muffled and muddy sounding. After EQ, they definitely improved. They were still dark sounding, but less so. Darker than the S08, but brightened enough for me to enjoy them. Vocals still felt clear, just not as clear as the Delci AE, maybe about the same as the S08. The Explorer had more of a boomy bass compared to the sharp, clear bass of the IEMs mentioned above. **Simgot EA500LM:** These had very clear vocals, which made me enjoy them for vocal ballads and pop tracks. But the background instruments weren’t as clear or well separated, and the soundstage seemed small and recessed compared to the vocals. This made vocals stand out but instruments felt like they all came from the same area, which wasn’t great for classical music. These probably had the most bass out of all the budget IEMs I got. It was boomy—the opposite of the sharp bass of the Delci AE and S08. With the Delci AE and S08 I could hear when the bass started and stopped, but here it just boomed and sort of rolled off instead of “stopping.” **Truthear Hexa:** Mediocre for me—nothing really stood out. It had clear vocals, instruments, and bass, but not to the point that it was clearer than the IEMs above. Very neutral and "boring". **Dunu Kima 2:** These had really good vocals, probably on par with the Delci AE. However, I found the background instruments very recessed, even more so than the EA500LM, making them unclear. The difference between forward, clear vocals and recessed background instruments felt weird to me. Otherwise, I think I would have really liked these—especially since this IEM comes with the best accessories by far. It’s like Dunu added the Kima 2 IEMs to their accessory set, instead of the other way around. **Letshouer S12 Pro:** Personally, I don’t understand the hype behind these. They sounded a bit unnatural and artificial—not relaxing or fun for me. They were bright, and I couldn’t EQ them properly. Toning down the brightness made them muddy. They were decent in clarity and had sharp, fast bass, but the overall tonality was just too bright and artificial for me. Still, I would pick these over the next two, just because they were clearer in both vocals and instruments which I value highly. **Kefine Klean:** These were okay, just average all around. Similar to the Truthear Hexa, but toned down evenly in all categories. Average clarity, separation, bass. Nothing wowed me, and they were a bit boring. Personally, I’d save up for the Delci AE or S08. **Simgot EW300:** Very slightly less clarity than the Klean, but a bit more bass and a livelier sound signature. If you listen to more rock or EDM, you would probably enjoy the EW300 more than the Klean. Just to quickly add: I also got the Moondrop Starfield 1 when they were popular back then, but they were heavy, uncomfortable, and mediocre. I didn’t use them for long and honestly can’t remember them well enough to describe beyond that. Currently, I’ve upgraded to mid-level IEMs and rotate between the Aful Explorer 5+2, Kiwi Ears Astral, Aether, and Ziigaat Odyssey. I found that the mid-level IEMs are definitely better than all the entry-level ones—I can clearly hear a difference when swapping back to the Delci AE or S08 in terms of clarity, resolution, and soundstage. However, the upgrade isn’t *huge*, so whether that’s worth the extra price depends on you. Maybe if people enjoyed reading this long post, I can do another crappy review for the mid-level IEMs I’ve collected.

I love the amount of accessories that comes with the Dunu Kima 2, but I don’t like vocal forward iems, or maybe I tested it with a ultra budget IEM like Tangzu Waner, might give it another chance and go for the Volume S.

Dunu titan s2 or Dunu kima 2 is what I think suits your preferences. Titan s2 has good bass with textural qualities. Mids on kima 2 are more pronounced but smoother than s2. S2 has better dynamics overall and is more of a fun sound. Both have very good timbre but kima feels more natural. Hexa is more of a neutral mid range iem, it lets you observe the sound but not necessarily feel the bass defintion. I didnt really like s08, planar bass is more of a wave feeling motion and the tuning was too neutral. Nova lacks in the bass punch feel but everything is kind of smooth on it while having good vocals. Fudu is decent but the air roll off kind of is a dealbreaker for me. On a random side note you should look into kz zvx pro, it has very clean bass shelf without it feeling lacking. I know its in the budget but the tuning on it feels so technical for its price. It doesn't lack anything the staging, imaging, and layering all sound great. It blends musicality with good technicaity and I can say it rivals alot of $80 or under pairs.