ISN Audio - H60

Isn h60 and isn est80.

A bit over $300 but with sale+coupons it's close: ISN H60. It can actually be endgame I think. I returned Odyssey in favor of it. Odyssey is amazing though, and it shares a lot of the same DNA for $100+ less. But like the H60 you should replace the stock cable.

Because they don't have youtubers shilling for them and focus on forum shilling instead. Also until recently they exclusively sold on their own store, along with associated brands that are also more niche like TSMR. So basically you had to be in the know to be aware of them. Plus because they only give review models to an inner circle of fans they got a bad rep among some people for not being transparent. They also sell arguably placebo cables though to be honest for a semi-boutique maker their cables and IEMs in general are far more reasonably priced than most, even their cables aren't like $600 pure nonsense and they give you a LOT of cable (as in actual metal wire) than others who charge $100+ like Effect Audio. It's undeniable they have made some incredible IEMs over the years, often out-performing more hyped and "benchmark" IEMs, and delivering more unique driver configs and tuning before other brands. I think most people just don't want to take the plunge even if they know about them because until recently none of their IEMs were cheap. I jumped in with the ISN H60 and personally I think it's the best midrange hybrid released in the last few years, better than anything Moondrop, Mangird, or Thieaudio have released. And they are at the top of my list when I can finally afford a kilobuck IEM.

The i3 is better, and stands out from most tribrids because it uses a real 10mm full planar for the highs. The "planars" you see advertised in most modern hybrids are "micro-planars" which are in fact SPD-like packages that are meant to be drop-in alternatives to BAs. They are only called planars for marketing and because they sound somewhat like a planar, but they are different. IMO tribrids with proper full planars sound better but are usually very expensive and not common. TRI i3 mk3 is the one cheap model I know of. The only downside is don't go in seeing that beryllium DD and expect big slam bass like the OH10 or something from Xenns. It is tuned for snappy but not powerful neutral bass. It has an audiophile tuning that favors mids and highs. If you can get behind that they have the best highs imo of anything until hybrids with ESTs. https://preview.redd.it/5unfc7sebvif1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=1b94f578c0594d06c206c60ff31975a30f76f7a7

This. A sleeper since this IEM came out over a year ago but I like it better than Odyssey and Tea Pro. There are many special things about this IEM, the only downside is the size. If you can't handle large shells and large nozzles you're gonna have to at least tip roll a bunch. For me with very small TWS tips that were a bitch to get on they feel very comfortable and the seal is great. Another great alternative is Volume S. Both have this feeling of being "audiophile basshead", meaning they have basshead driver qualities but more restrained tuning that has more mid-bass vs lots of modern sets which focus on sub-bass, and the level is overall lower but the bassy quality is still there.

I'd say it IS worth spending £300ish if you can, because everything I've tried at around that price has been a clear step up in sound- (TSMR Armor, Martilo, Tea Pro, BGVP DMA and ISN H60 (possibly my new favourite) Cheaper- Hidisz MP145 is a value king at about £100, I daily drive the £300 ones above, and I'm shocked how well the Mp145 keeps up with them. It's a bassy planar too. Hype- Melody Wings Venus (but I don't think it's particularly bassy. Hercules Noah has major hype, and I think pretty bassy. If you're in the UK, I'd take a train to London and go to Elise Audio to try before you buy.

Ooof this is difficult because you've already had so many great IEMs in this kind of price range so I'm not sure anything left is going to really impress you- it might be time to sell everything and go end game. TSMR Armor is my favourite IEM I've bought and I'm currently borrowing a H60 and I may like it even more- it's got a really rich addictive sound.

The Armor is really versatile, yes it's got big bass but it's not dominated by it, it sounds great with every genre I throw at it. And I listen to a huge mix of stuff on Shuffle. It's an amazing all rounder - just like the H60. It's hard to describe what I like about the H60... It's got this weird special sauce I don't have the words for where everything sounds bombastic and huge. It IS occasionally more flawed than the Armor, but even more fun.

Hmmm I'm currently borrowing the ISN H60 and it's really got some magic about it. I can't really explain why, and sometimes I even notice that it isn't as clear as comparable IEMs, but IT IS SO FUN. Everything has such weight behind it. All the instruments sound right. It's addictive. I don't really bother with graphs, but Penon (ISN is their sister company) are known for "sweet Penon Mids". I think if that's what I'm hearing, I love it.

I don't know if I'd say they're hugely worse myself. They're deliberately neutral for gaming with a focus on imaging, and not... exciting like Doscincos or the other collab Ziigs. However like you mentioned the Tea Pros have spectacular imaging _and_ are exciting too. Even Fresh said they surprised him. Quite a bit more cash, though. edit: also I bit the bullet and ordered the H60s you recommended in another comment. Looking forward to them.

Yes, I am hoping I can find a way to deal with the nozzle issue, but am excited to try them. Again, I appreciate the suggestion. I didn't even know ISN or Penon even existed until your comment.

ISN H60s. e1da 9038s. I’m generally wary of spending big money (to me) on IEMs, but the H60s opened my eyes to what’s possible once you move higher in the price range. They sound phenomenal.  The 9038s makes my harder to power audio gear sound noticeably better. It is definitely not for a non-hobbyist (make sure you read the wall of text on the website before buying), is a bit Apple-unfriendly, gobbles power, and it lacks niceties that are common place with other DACs such as volume control, but the creators’ obsession with performance is absolutely evident. 

Ya i came to same conclusion , but EPZ P50 sounds better to me then day break ! They are similar but the P50 sounds smoother and has better detail retrieval and imaging ! The daybreaks are boring imo and nothing special , if you just want regular clear sound and normal ok tuning sound ! And just want it only cuz it says CRINEAR be my guest ! This was a blind buy cuz I wanted to see , but once you have the H60s ! There’s just nothing in the price bracket or under that’s even worth getting anymore if you like high detail and reference level . And my H30s already have the best neutral/natural sound signature iv ever heard even better then Hexa imo . But crin made it sound like he gave the daybreaks the highest quality /price ratio he could . But I didn’t hear that ! These cost me $169 plus tax . And they sound exactly like $169 sound . I guess if you like this sound signature and just want to own the crinear brand to collect it . I understand . But this was a disappointment for what I was expecting . Idk why my hopes were to high ! I mean I could give more of a burn in for another few days ! I do like the faceplate and the cable is alright , the fit is better than most, the comfortable fit reminds me of the MOONDROP Mays fit . What I can say is there really well made and feel solid ,durable !

Tea pros, Arcanis, volume s, dunu sa6, sa6est, isn h60, any hybrid, tribrid, or multi BA iem around $300-600

https://preview.redd.it/jw4iosoiqq3e1.png?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68f76b3d05edaa2a3b83ef0e9ab2922cad644beb The xenns mangird tea pro is going to give you a noticeable improvement over the supermix4. It's going for $300-$310 on ali express, but there's a $45 coupon for orders over $299. So, it comes out to $260-270. I'll be honest with you, there isn't anything at $250 before black Friday coupons that can provide enough improvement to be worthwhile. Edit: Mangird tea 2 mkII is another good one. Again, it's around $300 but ali express coupons can bring it into your budget. I am personally in your shoes right now with my kinera celest pehonixcalls which are similar to the supermix4, in terms of technicalities and performance. Currently, there are no worthwhile upgrades under $300. I know there will be much better tech out there next year, so I'm waiting for 2025 11:11/black Friday sales.

ISN audio H60, LETSHUOER Cadenza4, Mangird tea 2 mkII. These are worth every penny and won't leave you looking for another upgrade unless you won the lottery and moved on to 64 audio lol

I had Sennheiser HD 660s and now Focal Azurys, went into iems early last year. Man I have a 70$ Sivga Que that has a beryllium coated driver and is all metal/wood built iem that is better tuned than the Focal… and imho 90% of it’s technical ability. I also have other sets but my flagship is ISN EBC80 with 2 Dynamic drivers for bass, 2 balanced armatures for mids, 2 electrostatic drivers for highs and 2 full range bone conduction drivers. It is 699$ though, but it smokes all other headphones I have tried in my life. To be honest though, the best price/performance in lies in the 250-350$ range. To get a noticeable improvement you have to spend more and more and the improvement gets less and less. I currently ordered Ziigaat odyssey and that may be the nee ~200$ benchmark. On the 350$ I swear by ISN H60. As for planar iem try the new Artti t10 pro.

I Have B&O EX and IT is REALLY GOOD, but considering it’s price You could get a proper Hybrid like the Tea pro, DaVinci, ISN H60 ( which I got ) but for a single DD EX is great. It has a veryncapable Driver that cna produce thunderous bass

I had the Hype 4, a great set but sounded very unnatural in vocals to me. That 3k ish peak made some vocals even sound honky/nasal. And the BA timbre was more noticeable. I now have the ISN H60 which is everything Hype is but better, as it has natural sounding vocals, and more midbass so the bass slam is more satisfying. Ordered their flagship the EBC 80 which will the main competitor to Thie Audio’s Origin. Will find out in week or so.

Arete I’d buy mainly for gaming, I’d rather pick Doscinco or Odyssey. I have the Odyssey and it’s quickly become one of my favourite iems. I was quite underwhelmed by their config when they came out… yet the positive reviews and word of mouth did it’s thing and yep… they are great. Very immersive tuning, you can crank up the volume with these and immerse yourself. The vocals are kicked back in the mix giving you the impression of sitting in the front row instead right dead on the stage with the band. They are easy on the ears and I have worked with them for 4-5 hours without taking them out. They might feel slightly odd at first as most people are used to harman/v shape tuning coming from tws world and such. Odyssey has lower pinna gain and is more of a relaxed, warmer listen with some twinklies in the top end. To spice things up a little. Ziigaat did an awesome job with this tuning. I do own some more expensive stuff of more than 2x the price but this one is special and I would gladly recommend it. 8/10 for me. And I paid the full price. For 143$ ? No brainer. My only wish would be for it to come with a nicer cable, and a modular one at that. As I advise slapping a 4.4 on this guy. The closest upgrade I could think of that I heard and owned by the way would be the a bit more vocal forward ISN H60 With 2DD coaxial setup and 4 BA. This one has AMAZING BASS and great technicals. 350$ Also slower and lower pinna gain, similar approach.

We could basically throw every Penon and ISN iem on the list as well. Still too little people know of their existence. But from the more recent and still obtainable for many I’d say Penon Fan 3 with 50% off coupon and definitely ISN H60 which is now available in black. And the good ol’ Penon serial.

Then look into ISN and Penon, also Ziigaat Odyssey. Ziigaat Odyssey is that a bit better explorer, I love that thing and currently it’s my nr 1 most listened to iem. ISN H60 would be a bit more spicy, a bit more vocal forward, with better technicals and better bass. I used to own it and it is an amazing iem, although it has a large nozzle. I sold it only to buy their flagship the ISN EBC80. And tbh I miss the H60 as it had a different tuning, closer to odyssey. Old Penon Globe used to be this low pinna gain and bass tilt warm iem. Penon ( They Own ISN it’s the sister brand ) did this “meta” mids long before they were called meta. Not all of their iems are like that, you’d need to look them up in squiglink, and look for the older ones second hand as for whatever reason they do not come down in price.

After I sold Hype4 i got the ISN H60 AndI think it’s ( in my opinion ) superior. It has very natural mids and timbre, lower pinna gain ( close to those meta mids before it was even a thing ) but it has more sparkle to not male the sound dull or boring. Bass just as good if not better than on the Hype’s ( more midbass presence, hence more physicality-super satisfying) HYPE4 is fantastic if someone digs it’s sound character, I did not, so it was an easy kiss and farewell to me.

Ihmo one of THE BEST iems in the 350$ range is the ISN H60. I try to sway more people into trying out Penon/ISN ( same company ) as they still are relatively not widely known ( despite being around for 11 years ) but they create some truly soecial iems. And folks on headfi that were able to try H60 and Tea Pro picked the H60. It has some similiarities to the Ziigaat Odyssey or maybe the other way around as H60 came before the Odyssey. In that it jas this later and lower pinna gain. It is a bit more vocal forward as Odyssey’s vocals are a bit recessed. Has MUCH better bass, more natural midrange and better technicalities. It looks way better in real life, than on photos, especially once in ear. The only downside is the large nozzle. But that can be remedied with right tips. I currently own it’s successor which has the same nozzle the EBC80, and I have normal sized ears. And it’s not a big issue once you find the tips that fit you well

Seeing Penon tips, I then assume you are familliar with this gem of a manufacturer. Try out the ISN H60, imho it’s one of THE BEST 300-350$ range iem of recent years. Now also available in black. Although it has a large nozzle, so there’s a downside. Going back to pilgrim, how does removing the mesh affect the sound signature?

I’d choose neither. Wen’t with ISN H60 which has amazing bass, equal if not better than HYPE4, more midbass, more physical, more visceral. Yet it has the natural vocal presentation of this “meta” ish approach of later and lower pinna gain. ISN H60 on top of that has no planar timbre, minimal BA timbre, ( WAAY better than HYPE 4 in this regard ) And the technicals are on par. The only downside is a large nozzle, and trust me they Do look way better in real life and especially in ear, than on the pictures. And it’s 350$ so cheaper than both. Knowles, Sonion 4BA Dual DD coaxial setup And if Youy REALLY want DA BASS, either Kiwi ears HBB Punch which has EST and the Ziigaat Juliters’s DD in it. Or Tansio Mirai X

I prefer ISN H60 over Tea Pro, and those on hewdfi that tried both like Dung Le agrre kn this, but as many said already those difference in this price range are not huge. It mostly comes down to tuning. I’d take Tea Pro over Hype 4 any day though, way more natural sounding.

I have the Delci AE and there is something wrong with this iem. i cannot describe it but it is just off for me. And is literally first time something was too small. I had to wear the L sized tips for it to stay in place. I have had ISN H60 in the 350$ range and I can say the jump there is quite substantial. But after that, You have to spend 600-700-1000$ to hear any significant upgrade and even then it often comes down to tuning preference. Now, that being said I have a solution for you. Instead of spending on tea pro, get Yourself Ziigaat Odyssey. Trust me mate it is SOOO GOOD. I have a 700$ est and bone conduction hybrid set, and despite it being technically better in every way, the odyssey is tuned so well and it’s so addictive, that I listen to it more often. You won’t regret. And it’s around 200$. Just get yourself a nicer cable and you are all set. ~130$ saved

I had the H60, LOVED them, and then EBC80 came out and I threw my money at MR. Chi. ( the owner of Penon Audio and ISN ) I’m in a facebook group where he’s posting, and he secured me a pre launch unit :) Anyhow, the H60 is probably one of the best/bang for buck I heard. It can totally be an end game iem. It was better than HYPE4 for me. Amazing, punchy, meaty bass, visceral even. Wide sounding. Very natural well spaced midrange. They are very Fun and have very good technicalities on top. They are 80-85% of EBC for 50% of $. Be warned though, they have one major flaw, a big nozzle. It was not an issue to me as I have medium-medium/large ears with wuite tolerant ear canals. But for someone with small ears they might be an issue. Same as zero reds from Crin. If I were to point people to buy an ISN it would be either the Neo5 or the H60. H60 is now also available in Black, although the blue one looks great in real life and especially in Ear, way, way better than on pictures. I also have H20 on the way.

You can check H60, it is half the price and has a bit better midbass impact, due to a different tuning. It is a bit more fun. EBC has Sonion Bone Conduction drivers that enhance the stage and add texture, so they tuned vocals to be a bit closer. H60 feels a bit more like Ziigaat Odyssey, but better.

Isn H60 has super fun and punchy bass, and great technicalities overall. Buuut it jas a lrage nozzle 6.8 mm :/