FX17

Yu9 que, Fiio fx17, are the best I've tried. I have top pro, only use it for 1week and sold it.

+1 I prefer it over my annihilator and mest mk2

Now try fiio fx17, and u will be blown away

Yeah, for music I prefer my FX17 (more than my MKIII), but for gaming I prefer my HD800s.

I also value uniqueness of design and other things like accessories, the Fiio are titanium, beautiful but they lack that unique part in my opinion. They are excellent in sound and value of drivers.

Mest MK2 ests are hardly noticeable, there’s something about legacy iems with first gens of est that they’re not even on par with BAs . (If not mistaken current gen is 3 or 4) I would say my experience with: prestige LTD( amazing, there’s so much air and anything from mid to upper range is just magic) Monarch mk3 was not as good as Prestige Volare (I have, is good, very nice punchy bass too, but remember it’s like 649$ in retail) Worth mentioning: Fiio FX17! 8 ESTs and price is 1499$ (it’s a lot, yeah) but all the reviews and comments are extremely good.

I guess this is not an absolute scale, but based on price/performance? I have the FX17 and had a DK3001BD. I don't think it's in the same league, though it's a far better bang for the back (esp in China where a DK3001BD can be had for 2800 RMB)

Even at $1500 , I've seen plenty of people claim the FX17 is actually a really good value for the money. I guess they must be TOTL good, considering it's becoming really hard to justify buying IEMs over $500 mark, based on audio quality alone. I'm normally a headphone guy, but I jumped on the FX17 because of how well it was reviewed, and thought I might as well have at least 1 IEM, and might as well buy the " best" one (without going into the absurdly priced category) In terms of build/feel, i was really impressed with the braindance. I actually prefer how it felt in the hands over the FX17. It's a bit heavier, and the ceramic coating is lovely. The FX17s are very light as they're made from Titanium. Fancier material, but doesn't feel as interesting in the hands as the ceramic coated braindance

Fx17, bc it’s my only IEM Super tempted by the Valhallha or Monarch IV as a side grade though

FX17, it is now my dream set.

**Merry Xmas ya'll!** Here's a quick list of the best IEMs I've heard that **came out** in 2025. Full video breakdown [here](https://youtu.be/jnNvbrCh8Yg). IEM Ranking List [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZHVib50XFQW4up3SwOZUTbI-hZB6Ir5LX6XnZblIM6o/edit?usp=sharing). \--------------------------------------------------------------------- **Under $25 (Sales Included)** * TangZu Waner 2 (Balanced/Clean) * Tanchjim Bunny/Zero Ultima DSP/3.5 (Balanced/All-Rounder) * HM: KZ Duonic (Bassy All-Rounder/Sub-bass focused) * HM: GK Kunten (Bassy All-Rounder) * HM: Kiwiears Belle (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Smooth) **Under $50 (Sales Included)** * 7Hz Elua Ultra (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Slight V) * KZ Zenith (Balanced/Clean/Smooth) * HM: Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 with 5 Ohm Adapter (Basshead) **Under $125 (Sales Included)** * Simgot EG280 (All-Rounder/Bright Leaning/Vocal Forward) * Tanchjim Fission (Neutral/Balanced/Smooth) * Kiwiears Airoso (Warm/Airy) * Kefine Quatio (Bassy/Dynamic/Versatile) * HM: JUZEAR Defiant (All-Rounder/Slight V/QC issues) * HM: Kiwiears Etude (Bouncy Bass/Scaling/Bone Conduction Drivers) * HM: 7Hz Diablo (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Dark) * HM: 7Hz Divine (Clean/Balanced) **Under $200** **(Sales Included)** * LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA (All-Rounder/Slight V/Bassy) * Crinear DayBreak/EPZ P50 (Balanced/Smooth/Vanilla) * Kiwiears Aether (Balanced/Airy) * Ziigaat Lush (Balanced/Warm Leaning/Scaling) * MYER CK2V (Bright/Sparkly) * HM: Punch Audio Portazo (Basshead) **Under $300 (Sales Included)** * Kiwiears Astral (All-Rounder/Slight V) * EPZ K9 (All-Rounder/Fuller-Less Shouty Harman 2019) * Softears Volume S (Balanced/Warm) * Ziigaat Crescent (Warm/Sparkly) * Punch Audio Martilo (Basshead) * Kiwiears Orchestra 2 (Neutral/Vocal Forward) * Yanyin Canon Pro/YU9 Que (Neutral/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: Kiwiears Septet (Bright/Airy) * HM: Tanchjim Force (Vocal forward/Clean) * HM: Juzear Defiant (Smooth/Scaling/Mid-Range) * HM: Dunu 142 (All-Rounder/Slight-V/Sharper Kiwiears Astral) **Under $500 (Sales Included)** * Thieaudio Hype 4 MK2 (Bright/Energetic/Clean) * Xenns Tea Pro SE (Balanced/Natural) * Xenns Top Pro (Balanced/Clean/Sparkly) * NICEHCK ROCKIES (Balanced/Full/Airy) * Ziigaat Luna (Warm/Airy) * Ziigaat Arcanis (Vocal Sauce/Mid-Range Scaling) * HM: HiSenior MEGA 7 (Balanced/Smooth/Neutral) **Under $2000** * Thieaudio Monarch MK4 (Clean All-Rounder/Bassy with Switch) * Thieaudio Valhalla (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Bassy) * LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8 (Neutral/Bright/Airy) * Softears RSV MK2 (Bassy All-Rounder/V-Shape) * FIIO FX17 (Warm All Rounder) * HM: AFUL DAWN-X (Sub-bass/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: BGVP SOLOMON (Bright/Slight V)