FATfreq - Maestro SE (Universal)

Most of my IEMs are warmer, so not too many mid forward rock/vocal IEMs. In the $250-500 price range, maybe the Moondrop Blessing 2, Thieaudio Hype 4, and anything Penon makes (I really like the Vortex and it's only $200). For $500+, the Oriolus Isabellae probably takes the cake for vocal forward IEMs. My favorite IEM that I have currently is the FATFreq Maestro SE, but that's out of most people's price range so I definitely wouldn't recommend it for most people. I still feel stupid spending as much money as I did, but hey, I enjoy it so I'm getting my money's worth!

Was just using my Kiwi Ears Septet out of my Schiit stack (Jotunheim 2, Lokius, Bifrost 2) for some gaming, but I plan to do some music listening with my FATFreq Maestro SE and HiBy R4 later today.

All but one of my sets is less than $1k retail - and that set can trade blow for blow with many well regarded $2000 sets... and out of the hundreds I've heard, it is the only one that I can say that for. It is of course the Moondrop Variations, and they easily sound like a decent $1200 - $1300 set. The only $1k set I own that does not sound like a. $1k set is the Campfire Alien Brain. I'd say 600-700 would be a fair price for these. Fortunately I got them for $500 open box & /they are my out & about set & have the right characteristics for that. My list of others, their retail price & my thoughts as to whether they represent good value. Canpur 622b - $5500 I think this is an INSANE amount of money for a set. I lucked out & bought (technically) secondhand as an unwanted gift & unused. These are so far from my favourite typical kind of set as they have very little sub bass (not that I need to have every set be a basshead set) - BUT - that does not stop them from easily being the most impressive pair I've ever put in my ears. I savour them. I used them twice a week & really make sure I have no distractions & no one is home. For funk/rare groove/soul etc, they are unbelievable. For excellent pop/rock in eg Prince, Queen & MJ, same thing. For the Blade Runner 1982 Vangelis soundtrack - best I've ever heard it & I've heard it a lot. It's really difficult to qualify $5500 as a price for ANY IEM - but if one set does - it's these. Others - Final A8000 - $2000 - absolutely. Most clear & natural anything I've ever heard. For well recorded jazz, absolutely unbeatable. Good with lots of other stuff, too. Empire Ears Raven - $3750 - the best sub bass heavy 'basshead' set that have ever existed IMO. This is basically the dream sound I had in my head as a 'basshead' set & I've been through them all. Absolutely yes - absolutely worth it, but the build quality could certainly be better for that price. Campfire Astrolith - $2200 - the best planar set that exist IMO. Decent value. Incredible proprietary tech. Thieaudio Prestige Ltd CIEM - $1800 - my most used set of all time. All day every day for two years solid. Fatfreq Maestro SE CIEM fully custom - $3500- technically sound, bass is decent but nowhere near the Raven. Still, it's great to have a bottom heavy set that are so comfy, look stunning (my choice of around 200 aesthetic designs + additional options). FiR RN6 - $3000 - the ultimate one & done! Thieaudo Valhalla - $2000 - no idea, haven't arrived yet 😅 I have more but I gotta Run.

I had Anni OG's the bass is a joke & I don't get the fuss otherwise. The best bass heavy (quality - none of the Scarlet/Maestro mini novelty nonsense) Fatfreq are definitely the Gand Maestro. They are the Maestro SE... CIEM process works wonders. I was offered to trade my pre-CIEM'd Maestro SE for Grand Maestro & borrowed them for a week. Even with the most bass heavy plug in the bass isn't a patch on Maestro SE. I've owned the Fir XE6 (heavier bass than RN6 - same price). They definitely didn't deliver close to the Maestro SE. I sold them quickly because although I liked them (for reasons beyond not having THE BIGGEST BASS!) - the metal part dug into my ear & after a few hours listening my ear was fucking sore for a few days. I've heard the Canpur are great. Would love to try. Sony IER-Z1R are still absolute classics & I use mine frequently. Quantity/quality of bass isn't (with custom tips) far off - maybe equal to - the Maestro SE. Much cheaper & will last you forever as they are absolute tanks... not the best for out & about though - but no comfort issues for me with either regular or custom tips...