IM4

Fosi IM4 should be everyone's sub-$100 pick.

The Septet is really disappointing, not because it's bad, but because my $85 Fosi IM4 does the same thing for much cheaper.

I'm listening to my first song on these as I type this (Ring of Past by Men I trust) and I'm pretty impressed! I like the detail up top and, like you said, the punch of the bass isn't as soft as I expected. I probably will mess around with long light EQ on my Protocol Max just to see how it goes, but overall I'm pretty happy for the price. Then again, I'm one song in haha

For me, out of all IEMs I have tried so far, KZ ZEX Pro, KZ DQ6 and Fosi IM4, all with those internal bumps in the higher part of the IEM, close to the cable.

I just picked up a set of the IM4s and am quite surprised at their sound for the $ I paid. I’m running it though my ZH3 as well, and for my old ears is fantastic. How do you find the KA11? I’m looking for something on the go as well.

The Fosi IM4 also handles EQ very well, and for an open-back IEM, it's surprisingly good at bringing out some bass. I've measured and EQ'd mine to match the targets of the Subtonic Storm and the Elysian Annihilator. It worked really well, as you can see here (the red line is the actual IEM and the others are both channels of the Fosi): https://preview.redd.it/11qs86ovpayg1.jpeg?width=1524&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=176ce9b6a8d92d3d2b68e3a409f61bf350e250c4

Haha, thanks man! Getting into measuring and EQing is definitely a rabbit hole, but since you use a MacBook Neo, I have good news: it's perfectly doable, and the software side is mostly free. Also, regarding your ADD – using AutoEQ is actually the perfect workaround because the algorithm does the heavy lifting for you. You don't have to sit there forever tweaking sliders unless you want to! Here is a breakdown of what you need and how the workflow looks: # 1. What You Need (Hardware & Software) * **The Measurement Mic (IEC 711 Coupler):** You can buy a cheap clone on AliExpress or an expensive original one. The price doesn't matter as much as **calibration**. Just make sure the coupler you buy comes with a calibration file so your results are accurate and comparable to other graphs (Squigs) online. * **Measurement Software:** **Room EQ Wizard (REW)**. It’s completely free, runs natively on macOS, and is the industry standard. * **AutoEQ Tool:** Web-based tools like [**Squig.link**](http://Squig.link) or **PeqDB.com**. * **EQ Application (Where you put the settings - you only need one of them):** * *Software:* Since you are on a Mac, EqualizerAPO won't work. Look into **SoundSource** or **eqMac**. * *Hardware:* A dedicated portable DSP amp like the **Qudelix 5K** or the **Qudelix T71**. I personally use the T71 because it gives me 20 channels of EQ to play with. # 2. The Process (Step-by-Step) 1. **Measure the IEM:** Connect the coupler, put your IEM in (using the ear tips you actually plan to use, as tips change the sound!), and open REW. 2. **Check Levels:** Run a level check. Make sure you have enough headroom so it doesn't clip, but don't set it so quiet that you only measure noise. 3. **Sync:** Ensure your "Reference Tone" is set to the same side/channel you are currently measuring so the measurement is perfectly in sync. 4. **Export:** Once you've measured the left and the right channel, export those measurements as `.txt` files. # 3. Creating the EQ You have two routes here: * **The Easy Route (AutoEQ):** Upload your `.txt` files to a site like Squig.link. Select a target (either another IEM like the Storm, or a target curve like the JM-1) and hit AutoEQ. The algorithm automatically generates the exact filters needed to match your IEM to that target. * **The Hard Route (Manual EQ):** Download your target curve as a `.txt`, import it into REW alongside your measurement, and play around with the built-in EQ filters until you match the line. *Warning:* This is very tedious and a massive time-sink, but it will sharply increase your understanding of how different filters and frequencies work. # 4. Verify & Balance Once you have your EQ settings, load them into your app (SoundSource) or your hardware (Qudelix). * **Re-measure** the IEMs while the EQ is active to verify that it actually hits the target. * **Fix Imbalances:** If one channel ends up being slightly louder than the other, *always* apply a negative Pre-amp (e.g., -1.5 dB) to the louder channel to balance them out. Never boost the quieter one to avoid clipping. It sounds like a lot of steps, but once you do it two or three times, it takes about 5 minutes from plugging the IEM into the coupler to having a fully transformed sound. I can DM you my Fosi IM4 settings, but because of unit variance and the fact that I use Divinus Velvet Wide Bore tips (which are naturally a bit peaky in the treble—something my EQ fixes), it probably wouldn't sound the same for you. So, for a first impression, your best bet is to go to [squig.link](http://squig.link), find a pre-measured Fosi IM4 (with stock tips), and AutoEQ it to whatever IEM you want to try out.

I've got both headphones and IEMs: Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770s - these are amazingly comfortable but they came out in 1985 IEMs: Fosi Audio IM4s came out less than a month ago and they're insane in terms of audio quality BUT they don't hold a candle in comfort vs the DT 770s Get yourself an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett and nice mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020

Fosi Audio IM4 (in black), Celest Wyvern Abyss (original, not the remaster), Celest Phoenixcall (clear not the red) , Elysian Pilgrim, Binary Acoustics EP321 in the mosaic color (zero interest in buying it though), Moondrop Blessing 3, Moondrop Blessing 2, Campfire Andromeda 2020, Binary Chopin, HiBy Yacht 10, Celest Pandamon V 2.0 (absolutely gorgeous shells), Tanchjim Soda, Simgot EW300, Softears RSV Mark I, Softears RSV Mark II, Tanchjim Fola, Juzear Defiant in emerald green, Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite in green, Letshuoer Cadenza 4, Simgot EM6L, Crinacle Dusk, Truthear Nova (beautiful shell), Mangird Tea Pro, Truthear Zero Blue 2 (gorgeous shell), Tangzu Xuan NV mainly because of the box art, Tipsy M3 (mid sound, but the shells are drop-dead gorgeous), Moondrop Meteor, Letshuoer S12 Ultra, Moondrop Chu 2, ROSESELSA Aurora Ultra in blue, Softears Volume S, Dunu Kima 2, GK Kunten (hate the shilling but the design is nice), Moondrop Variations in black, Simgot Supermix 4, HiBy Ace, Final Audio A4000, Letshuoer S08, Binary Dynaquattro, Tanchjim Force, Tanchjim Origin, 7Hz G1 in white (too bad the sound isn’t great), Moondrop Kadenz, Divinus Fuduverse Version 1 (not v2), and Tangzu Xue Tao, which I’m pretty sure is what originally sold me on it visually. Edit: Twistura Woodnote, Cadenza 2, Juzear Harrier (in the blue), Ddhifi Surface too

**Pretty but sound is decent** under $110 ======================================= Fosi Audio IM4. Black. I think silver looks good too but can't confirm; I have the black one. I was actually pretty surprised by the sound. Pretty good. Very pretty and elegant shell. Nicely designed. Sound is actually purty good. Defiant. In emerald green. Gorgeous shell!!!!! Solid iem. But note it does have Quality control issues. Dunu Kima 2. Get the Raven version for better artwork. Looks nice! One of the best iems at the $100 pricepoint. Celest Wyvern Abyss original. Not remaster. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous shells! More of a vocal set. Has no technicals, ie no soundstage or imaging. But great for vocals. I got it for 9 bucks. Celest Pandamon 2.0. Purty shells. Beautiful shells. Chill sound. Pair it with Kiwi Ears flex eartips. I love the way it sounds. Very comfortable. Xuan NV. Not gorgeous per se. But the box art is stunning. But the iems aren't ugly by any means. Great sound. Great vocals. Great bass. I dig it. Also comes with Tang Sancai eartips. Save those for another iem in the future. Those eartips brighten stuffy iems. **Pretty shells but I'm not sure** under $110 =================== Letshouer S08. GORGEOUS shell. I can't find myself to enjoy it. It's a weird sound. I think Artii T10 (WAY WAY uglier) sounds better. **Pretty shells but sound is eh** under $110 ========= Zero Blue 2 and Zero Blue 1. Very pretty shells. Don't recommend for sound. Gets very harsh and sibilant. Cadenza v1. In purple. I bought it. Pretty. The sound is eh though. It's thin with male vocals. Pretty though. That purple color is gorgeous. Chu 2. It's a pretty shell. Sound is eh. Thin-ish with vocals. Not full. Cadenza v2 in Blue. Pretty shell. Recently checked it out. Still have it. Has a typical sound. 7hz G1. Pretty shell. I think it looks sick in white. Bought it. Too bright. Simgot EW300. Shells look nice. I didn't care for the sound. Celest Phoenix Call. Currently $69. Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! But the sound is oh, so close but not there. :S I still kept it because I love its design. I like the clear one! https://preview.redd.it/lnubp4i6qkkg1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=007704c2d634b3df2c5c4b51b196efc50aa20cfa