ISN Audio - H60

Isn h60 and isn est80.

Yes, but the Soundrhyme SR10 costs $449, and I think there are better options at that price. I've read that it has a slight BA timbre in the mids, and the highs are very bright with some peaks. This Soundrhyme SR5s is actually closer to the Penon House sound.

I own the ISN H60s, and they're a very versatile and balanced IEM, a slight departure from the Penon House style. The ISN H60 has very good bass, but it prioritizes quality over quantity. It's not as thick or punchy as the ISN H40 or the Penon Quattro or Globe, which have a thick, visceral bass. The H60 is cleaner and more technical in the low frequencies. It has organic, detailed, and musical mids, but it's not dense, and the highs are very extended and detailed, although there's a slight peak that can feel harsh. But with proper break-in, that sensation disappears, or you get used to it, I don't know. It's a very underrated IEM and offers good value for money. Right now, it has a big discount on AliExpress, making it a real bargain. https://preview.redd.it/xal5v9cm6v1g1.jpeg?width=2925&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=39c59da2281fe5223d57801322d8e528352c9f8b

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.

ISN H60, my favorite hybrid currently and one of the best of the last few years outside of kilobuck imo.

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.

1. Everyone is just going to recommend what they've bought. You have no idea if the guy recommending XXXX IEM has even tried anything else. 2. The correct answer is ISN H60 or TSMR Armor. 3. I'm hypocritical.

There's honestly so many great choices around the $300 mark, it's going to be hard to choose just one. I've been disappointed by almost everything from $50-250 and then loved everything I tried at $300ish (I now own 4 because I can't decide which to sell) Isn H60 is probably the most exciting balls to the wall IEM I've got. It has some magic special sauce that makes instruments feel ALIVE. I don't really understand what it does differently, but it makes everything sound huge. TSMR Armor is quite similar, but the Basshead version with huge bass and less treble. Xenns Tea Pro and BGVP DMA are my other personal picks.

Excellent response, thanks. I asked because I'm currently borrowing a h60 and I am madly in love with it, it's possibly my favourite IEM So far. So whatever THAT tuning is, I want more.

Literally was my answer haha. But I've actually had a bit of a revelation too. I listen to a lot of sample based hip hop, funk, soul, rock- I've actually found that non- Basshead sets like ISN H60, Hidisz MK12, BGVP DMA can sound REALLY punchy and alive with these genres. The mids are the soul of music. Cutting midbass should be a crime.

Chat GPT doesn't know shit about IEMs. Imo, there's too many, and too similar. The most unique choice is the Diablo... To the delicate ears of our favourite Singaporean IEM God that might be a lot of bass, but there's more bass out there. The others kinda just blend together... If your goal is to experience every kind of sound and weird driver combination there is, go much further. Buy an all BA set. Buy a bass head set. Buy a tribrid. Buy a KZ Decet with 5 DDs squeezed in each side. Buy a bone conduction set- "subtle" options that boost the soundstage a bit, or "obvious vibration" sets like the Kiwi Ears Etude, Kbear03/02. Buy a treble head set. Buy something off Penon. Buy a desktop amp and see if that makes a difference or not to you. For what it's worth, I really love the MK12, and I think the MP145 is a much better IEM than the Mp143 (which is fine but a bit boring) If your goal is quality... You can afford a couple of AMAZING sets instead of 15 good ones.

Isn H60... I love the mk12, and the H60 has an even more fun engaging tuning- probably my favourite IEM. Possibly the EBC80 if you have a lot to spend (I've not heard it but I've read it's the next level H60)

My favourite in your budget is the ISN H60. It's so fun and addictive.

It doesn't seem to me that you actually LIKE the tuning of the Daybreak. It has no problems for you, but it's not got things you love either. I find those tunings pretty dull- and I didn't even realise that until I tried a lot of others, because that's how many new IEMs are tuned. I finally think I found my sweet spot with the ISN H60. I don't understand why, but it just has the most engaging bombastic sound I've heard so far, it's so fun and addictive and seems to elevate almost every song... It sucks, but it may take a lot of blind buying to find something you truly love. A flight to Singapore to try everything in their audio shops may be cheaper.

Artti T10 got me into this mess and will always be my budget king. Isn h60 is currently the top. Nothing makes music feel so alive.

What other IEMs do you like? (If you've tried others) There's a LOT of amazing stuff in your budget, it's where I think price to performance peaks. Good suggestions already, I can definitely vouch for the Tea Pro, the Armor, and the BGVP DMA. My personal pick is the ISN H60. I think it's very special. It's the most engaging thing I've ever listened to, it just has an ability to make music sound better. Most IEMs you can describe with technical words about why they are good... But with the h60 you lose the analysis and just get swept away in music.

I've not heard the Klean but because you said it was boring, I'm assuming you want an exciting bassy sound? The Armor is perfect for that, as is the ISN H60

$300 is super competitive, there's at least 20 in that price range that various people will say are their favourite. Personally, ISN H60.

For $50- Artti T10 always and forever! I strongly recommend pushing up your budget $20 for a Hidisz mp145. It's one of very few in that price range where I noticed a bigger soundstage and better seperation. I loooove big soundstage and seperation, but for whatever reason, I find it's very rare in IEMs. The stage all just kinda felt the same to me. For example the Tea Pro is excellent, it sounds amazing, and so clear... But the soundstage felt just as small as the $20 IEMs. Even bone conduction, which is supposed to be the holy grail of soundstage didn't do much for me (BGVP DMA and Kiwi Ears Etude) Again, they sound great, but little soundstage improvement. Then I tried the ISN H60 and it was a revelation. I finally I got what I was looking for! And recently I borrowed a QoA Martini and it's even bigger. I have no idea what they do differently to 95% of other IEMs, but they feel special. And for $120, the MP145 is the closest option I've tried.

... anything is an upgrade haha. WARNING- These are my dumbass opinions with my dumbass ears. You may hate, love, or be indifferent if you buy one. Artti T10 is my first love and my $50 pick forever. Hidisz MP145 beat it and become my favourite planar. Hidisz MK12 shocked me with how much I liked it because I assumed single DDs were crap. I *Think* I like it more than the MP145, but it's pretty close. $250- TSMR Armor. I shill the Armor all day long and convinced a bunch of people here to buy one, but THANKFULLY I've had plenty of messages saying they loved it. My most successful recommendation by far. Isn H60 was next. Day 1... "This isn't great" Day 2... "This is the best thing I've ever heard" A unique, bombastic fun huge addictive sound I can't get enough of. My number 1 IEM: QoA Martini. I was lucky enough to borrow this. It's way more than I'd pay. Day 1... "This isn't worth the price at all" Funnily enough, this was as I was having my love affair with the H60, so I didn't listen to the Martini again for weeks! The next time I did "WTF. *This* is the best thing I've ever heard." It's very similar to the H60... Huuuge fun soulful, but with better clarity and resolution. Would I recommend it for its RRP? Probably not. I am not in that income range. The H60 is 90% there. But holy shit I love it. I asked the owner if he'd sell it, and got an insane deal. Suuuuuper lucky.

There's at least 30 different IEMs you could buy at this range and easily think "this is amazing, I'm done." It's actually difficult to make a bad choice! My personal favourite - ISN H60.

Tea Pro has been mentioned a lot- I love mine, but it's not my absolute favourite. Great clarity, but not as *fun*. I value fun, emotion and engagement over pure detail and resolution, and for $350 nothing I've tried beats the ISN H60. It's so addictive, and also has the biggest soundstage and instrument separation in that price. There is something even better - the QoA Martini. It takes everything I love about the H60 and makes it even better. It sounds HUGE. The downside is it's $520, which *is* a lot (I bought mine used for under half price) The ISN Sora just came out. I've not heard it but I've seen rave reviews. Very excited to try it!

I don't think it has as big of a wow factor as some other IEMs (ISN H60 for me) but the Tea Pro is an extremely good all rounder that really has grown on me in the months I've owned it. Makes pretty much anything sound good.

Yeah, thought as much. Its a shame though, as others may not even be aware that these brands exist.  ISN H60, EBC80, EST80.  Penon Archangel, Voltage, Fan 3 Sound Rhyme DTE900, DTE264, SR10.  Earacoustic vsa pm crown.  All the above are fantastic iems from those brands, it's a shame that a of people aren't aware of them - as Penon and its sister companies probably give the best bang for buck out of most iem manufacturers (as a whole) excluding the likes of bgvp perhaps.  I used to follow Jay a lot, until I saw one Facebook post where he said thst the Unique Melody Maven II wasn't an alrounder... I've personally owned the Maven II in the past, and couldn't understand this at all - every other single review regarding those iems also praised them for their versatility. You got one person saying they're not an alrounder vs at least 30 who say they are 😅 it's going to raise some doubts..  The other was his take on the Annihilator, where he talked down to someone for being a "serious audiophile" basically just wasting their money. Funnily though, I also own the anni 23, and have yet to become across an iem that can deliver treble in such a smooth way as the anni can 😅 I'd love a cheaper iem, but no one to this day has recommended me a cheaper iem that can do what the anni does (yet it being ancient in the iem world)  Anyways, enough ranting - I hope people stumble across those brands that aren't talked about as much big the big reviewers. 

Yeah couldn't get a good fit with H60 due to the nozzles.

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. 

Many of the sub-$100 recommendations in this sub-Reddit are older models that have been superseded by newer stuff. Still plenty of Harman-tuned models being recommended, and that tuning -- while OK -- is as old as grandpa's buckskin rubber. As for improvements being minute over $500, I sort of believed in that line of thinking until I bought the BGVP Astrum, which costs $679 new. It is SIGNIFICANTLY better than my three $350ish benchmarks, the Softears Volume S, Penon Fan 3 and ISN H60.

I've been avidly in the audiophile headphone and IEM game -- not Beats and Sony wireless shit -- for a decade. I know what sounds good and doesn't, and I can tell you the Astrum is SIGNIFICANTLY better than most of my $150-200 sets. I have patiently climbed all the price rungs of the audio ladder with both headphones and IEMs so I can discern the differences in sonic quality at each step. I climb because I want better sound, not so I can show off. Nobody in my family and friends circle gives a fuck about audio, anyways. And if you think the sound quality of an elite set at $679 isn't significantly better than an average set at $200, then you're just practicing reverse placebo psychology to justify your choice not to spend more or mollify your sadness that you can't afford better. That's not a blanket statement. There are some kilobuck sets that sound like ass, especially in a hobby as subjective as this. But I have not found diminishing returns yet with IEMs at $650ish. I'm sure that threshold will come soon. But not yet.

I bought the h60 and ebc80. Did not like h60. The EBC80 however… damn near brought tears to my eyes bro. The bone conductors really do wonders for me. I want to listen to all of my music over again now. Thank you for recommending them to me!

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

H60, EST50, EBC80 are all bangers