Aether

All of the above. However, since my line of work had massive Klipsch Horn speakers hanging from the ceiling w top-line Onkyo receiver & Denon CD/Cassette, I used to crank it up for my students...when we performed Holst's "The Planets" on the field, or Full Orchestra a movement - each for Contest Performances, I played them the real Opus. I'd play bits of everything, such as Britten's Suite from "Gloriana" to Sousa & orchestral marches, Mozart, Sibelius, etc., whatever we were teaching. I'd play everything I could to provide an example of what we were learning. After hours, when working, the other directors & I would play anything from Classical to Jazz to some of the pop tunes the kids liked. Was terrific. After retiring (44 yrs - 3 campuses plus University w same or similar Klipsch set-ups). I didn't have those 4 massive speakers anymore🙃, I use headphones & IEMS at home, when driving & walking the dogs, gardening, shopping, etc. Been through Klipsch top ear buds (of course) in the old days, but now, using a DAC & newer IEMs. Just bought the KiwiEars Aether big Planar last week & absolutely love it. Similar to my HiFiMan Ananda & Arya 2, but of course w reduced sound stage (terrific, though, for an IEM!). Amazon had it for $139 last week! Has a bit more bass extension than you'd expect from a Planar, mids are gorgeously accurate & the treble is airy & crystal clear. I EQ a touch depending on the recording. For older Telarc & recent Chandos labels, I don't need to EQ the Aether. But, I am struggling to find 14-16mm memory foam tips which accept the Aether's wide 6mm nozzle tube. Have asked for help w Comply Foam customer service - they were no real help. Thought their military foam tips would work, but they didn't even give bore dimensions as I asked. Said their bore & length measurements are on their website, but I found only on some if their most common tips😵‍💫 I have a terrific older Sennheiser set of cans my Dad bought in the late 1960/1970. Still sounds terrific, & I have a Focal dynamic Elegia I got on sale for $329. Amazon often has models of top makers at 40-50% off if you don't mind waiting 2-4 yrs after a new model comes out. I don't. The Arya Stealth 2, I got for $499 new. Going to buy an Etymotic ER4XR as soon as it goes on sale somewhere. Need it also for everyday use - good to have a unique dynamic AND a Planar IEM. Will be waiting another year until the IEM geniuses create smoother crossover mechanisms for mixed hybrid drivers. Some seem to be good now, but will wait a bit. Don't think I'll ever spend more than $400/500 on an IEM - unless it is TRULY special. It'll come. Tip: the guys at Bloom Audio, & Headphones.com are very helpful. So is the staff at Sweetwater. If anyone has recommendations for large memory foam ear tips to fit a 6mm nozzle AND is longer than 13-14mm, please let me know👍

The KiwiEars Aether planar!!

I'm still considering the Etymotic ER4XR bc my top-model Klipsch from 9 yrs ago (big dynamic driver, of course), finally got a tiny short after 3-5 hrs a day most every day for years. (I'm hard on my gear bc I'm outside a lot, so I got terrific use out of the Klipsch. Fabulous sound). BUT, since I listen to more orchestral, winds & jazz, I just got the KiwiEars Aether big Planar & I love it! Balanced nicely, enough bass! but beautiful mids & an airy upper. I'm truly pleased w it. Need to get wider bore & the longest memory foam to properly seal, so I'm working on that. Will eventually get a cable upgrade. But I'm going to get the Etymotic 4, too.👍

GoXLR has a high impedance output, so a lot of Hybrid IEMs are going to have issues with augmented bass performance when presented with a high impedance output (for larger headphones). Single DD offerings will be largely immune from this issue. So things like the Kefine Delci, or the Tipsy M1 are good choices. Or Single Planar sets like the KiwiEars Aether, or the S12 Ultra.

KiwiEars Aether. ~$150 Nice single Planar IEM with good stage, layering, and detail retrieval.

I’m using pc38x and they are very good. Much better than the cloud 2. Only problem is they are open back  I bought kiwi aether which are planar iem and I’m not impressed so far. They may need to be tweaked. I’m using a Dac as well 

I have the Aether and I love them. Shell is a bit thick, but the details are crazy good. I'm only comparing them to the Diablo, Explorer and Defiant on the 100-200 range, but nothing I have in the budget range are even worth a mention compared to those. For me the Diablo and Aether are a great 1,2 punch. They're almost complete opposites in what they do.

Funny enough it sounds like EST drivers from Sonion sometimes especially on whispers and high pitch noises. Amazing iem. Oh and Bass on these is incredible!

I have a few IEMs that I rotate depending on my mood or the music I'm listening to at the moment. When I want to focus more on the details at the top of the spectrum or listen to my favorite movies soundtracks, I reach for the KE Aether, when I want something with strings, I reach for the Aful MagicOne, for EDM, I prefer the KE Etude, but when I just want music for fun, I grab the QKZ x HBB.

Kiwi aether under 200 bucks is really good. Intuara splendor 2 are arguably better but aether are better for music. Simgot sm4 if you dont mind its treble.