Kiwi Ears - Cadenza

If you play fps games I recommend the Eml6s absolutely fantastic, you can probably find a deal for under $100, they usually are $100-110, for something cheaper and to where you have extra to customize them, Kiwi Ears Cadenza for about $35, amazing value for performance, for starters I think its a really good choice along with you have extra spending money for Eartips so you can try and get ones that fit comfortably to your own ears, along with an adapter, you dont need a fancy dac, you really just need something to convert 3.5mm jack to usb audio, a lot of people on a budget will use an apple one that coverts to usb c, I recently made the switch as well from a gaming headset and swapped to the Eml6s and then swapped again to Ziigaat Aretes, pretty awesome how much more detail gets picked up and how well they are at picking up those small sounds that usually get blown over with headphones

also...Kiwi Ears Cadenzas are worth a look. I have these as well...and they fit between the Zero2s and the Chu2 for bass (again for my taste) One other thing to consider...these 3 IEMs vary in size. Chu2 are significantly smaller than the Zero 2. Also...don't despair when you first try any of them. Make sure the ear tips and sealing properly. If the fit isn't good...you'll lose bass response right off the jump

whoa! for my ears and my preference. The Cadenzas ranks in-between the Chu2 and Zero2. There's no better or worse...Chu2 being brighter...and Zero2 being more bassy. Again...I EQ...so your mileage may differ. Whether the difference is worth the money, that's up to you

did you roll tips on it? They were flat for me on first listen...once I got the right eartips fit...it got fun

ok, they were fun to me😅

OP...have you looked at Kiwi Ears Cadenza or KZ Castor Pro Bass Edition? Both respond well to EQ. Cadenza's bass is punchy and can satisfy your sub-bass rumble. The Castor Pro Bass Edition allows the user to tune the IEM with onboard switches. It's bassier than the Cadenzas in my opinion. I own both...and I get a deeper and more satisfying brain rattle from the Castor Pro Bass Edition from Angel by Massive Attack and Interlude by Yosi Horikawa. They both provide satisfying thumps to Billie Eilish's bad guy. Cadenzas lose a bit of mid treble detail (for me) on Starboy by The Weeknd. Both sets are currently under 35 USD (your pricing may vary)

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOUR POINTS: https://preview.redd.it/vwxf7i53neye1.jpeg?width=2377&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aafdf70e38f01e9e6e88692e4c7f79caca103d8 This is MY collection...and I'm very early in the journey. I don't have the budget, knowledge or experience to blind buy a 500USD+ set of in ears that may or may not fit my ears or my preferences. While my journey doesn't completely fit OP's blueprint...I have/had the same thought process regarding purchasing IEMs. Not pictured are the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7Hz Sonus. I started with the Chu 2, 7Hz Zero 2 and Kiwi Ears Cadenza. From listening, watching and reading reviews...I was able to learn about all the terms, labels, and vocabulary to describe what I like or don't like. I threw money at the Wyvern Abyss...I mean...LOOK AT THEM😂. The Kz Castor Bass was a curiosity buy...want to hear if a set touting bass response was really that bassy. My next steps were the NiceHCK F1 Pros, Kiwi Ears Canta and the 7Hz Sonus. The F1 Pros and the Sonu were on sale at the time of purchase...good value and able to narrow things down more for myself. I knew I liked the planar sound...I have a set of open ear planar cans. The F1s felt disappointing (until I tip rolled) The Sonus was about much for my taste (in the mids) The Cantas were quite nice for me. By this point...I had a good grasp of what I was looking for and the direction (s) I want to go in. AFUL Performer 5+2 is currently my go-to...for all around listening. Sourced from R2R DAC lined out into a desktop tube amp. It's like a warm blanket on crisp bright and snowy winter day. I picked up the Hexa because I wanted to hear the hype...and yes...they definitely fulfill the hype and then some. I've EQed my IEMs... especially the planar. They can mimic the sound...but it's only a part of the equation. I now rotate through 3-4 sets at my desktop listening station. The cheapo ones all have 3.5mm out for around the house or for bed. If they break...ill decide if I want to replace. Tip rolling is a journey of itself. Some tips can dramatically change an IEM and rescue it from the bottom of the pile. My Planars now sport foam tips...easing off the treble was huge. Anyway...long post...if you got this far thanks for sticking with my diarrhea of words. TLDR: I agree with the OP

At under $50, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is tuned very similar to the Zero 2. The more expensive Kefine Delci is tuned differently in the upper midrange where the Delci is brighter in the 4 kHz to 8 kHz region.

Although not a bullet-style IEM like those listed above, I find the Kiwi Ears Cadenza to be very small and comfortable.

Yes! I would love to have a list of what IEMs in different price ranges fit under what sound signature. As a step toward trying to figure out my own tuning preferences, I just spent hours pouring through reviews and comments trying to create my own list of IEMs by sound signature and, oh my, what a royal pain that was! It would have been so nice if something like that already existed. If I want to try a certain sound signature, I need to know what IEMs to go to. And if I identify a sound signature I particularly like using budget IEMs, I will want to know which more premium IEMs share the desired sound signature so I can upgrade if I choose. I have bought my first few sets via a hit or miss process after reading a bajillion reviews and comments and, luckily, have been pretty pleased with each of them. I have the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, the Kiwi Ears Quartet, and the ZiiGaat Doscinco. (I also bought a set of KZ Castor Bass super cheap on Temu just to see what they sound like after reading a review that said everyone should buy these just to hear the crazy bass. When I saw them for only $12, I figured what the heck, why not.) I have enjoyed each of the sets I got in their own way but still don’t really know what my preferred tuning is. A resource that provides information on which IEMs have what tuning profile would go a long way in making the quest to figure that out easier. And, as another commenter mentioned, it would also be helpful to have information on what tuning profiles go best with different genres of music.

I own both the Truthear Hexa and Kiwi Ears Cadenza. After listening to both, I really can’t decide which is better. Hexa costs twice as much.

I have them in my ears as I type this. It's a solid choice.

IEMs:- Campfire Andro 2020 > Shure se846 > Sennheiser ie800 > Dunu sa6 > Sony mdr ex800 > Sony xba N3 > final a4000 > Sennheiser ie200 > etymotic er2xr > Sennheiser ie600 > Kiwiears Cadenza > Shure se215 > blon bl03 > Moondrop Space travel Headphones:- Audeze LCD2C > AKG K701 > hd600 > hd660s > hd6xx > hd650 > Meze 109 > Koss porta pro > Grado sr225 > Grado sr80

Personally, i feel the best of the three is the InAwaken Dawn. It just has a special quality about it that i find very engaging, and really enjoy. You and i listen to very simialr music, so take that as you will. Plus they look gorgeous, and come with a great accessory pack of quality tips, a good cable, and a fantastic carrying case. The Klean is also a good set. However, the tuning nozzles on it are, IMHO, a bit gimmicky. The alternative Black Nozzle is a little too bright and glaring. And, myself, and others, have experienced some QC issues with the filters. My Black Filters have one side that is quieter than the other. Some people have had that issue with the stock silver filters too. So, be aware that this may be a problem on your set also. The accessories pack on the Klean isnt anything to get excited about. Tips are sufficient, and the cable is functional, and the carrying case is decent enough. Now, i will say, that i do have some bias with the Klean. The Kefine Delci AE is one of my favorite sub $100 single DD sets. And the alternative nozzle on the Delci AE sounds amazing. And it really brightens up the tonality of what is a predominantly warm set. The Klean, on the other hand, is a little brighter on treble extension than the Delci past 10k on the stock tuning, while having very similar overall tunings. So the Klean gives at lot of the same energy i like from the Delci AE, but it gets to be a little too much with the alternative nozzles. So, this is where my personal head bias comes into play, because i am intimately familiar with the Delci AE's sound, and i find the Klean to be a little lacking in technicalities to the Delci AE, while also sounding too similar. Which is why i keep coming back to the Dawn more, because it has a different tonality to its flavor. Basically, because i have the Delci AE, the Klean becomes the orphaned step child of the two. Now, one area where the Klean will excel over the Dawn is durability. If you plan on wearing these outside a lot in direct sun, i would go with the Klean, as the Dawn being full resin, can, with time, have some yellowing, or crazing issues. As all fully resin IEM's can, when being exposed to the suns UV rays. I try to keep all my resin IEM's as indoor only sets for that reason. The Cadenza is a good little single DD set. But i dont think it is as good as the Dawn or the Klean. If you really want to have the Cadenza sound...just pick up the KBear KB01. Exact same driver and tuning made in the exact same assembly facility as the Cadenza, and its like $10 cheaper.

Either the Cadenza or the Zero Red with fiio btr11 it adds some warmth but not too much.

# Kiwi Ears Cadenza – My Ultimate EQ Profile & Guide I've been using the Kiwi Ears Cadenza for almost a month now, clocking over 300 hours of listening. At first, I wasn’t impressed, but after switching to the stock white silicone eartips, I started appreciating it. It’s pleasant and handles my library well even without EQ. [Genres I listened to ](https://preview.redd.it/kg754u1on6ge1.jpg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2d660f1a450dcd61456db731997e423a5b01baa) However, to my ears, the default tuning sounds dark, and the vocals lack presence. It’s enjoyable, but it didn’t have that WOW factor I was looking for. Since the Cadenza’s driver is highly responsive to EQ, I spent so many hours fine-tuning an EQ profile that has everything I need—while staying customizable for different preferences. If you’re unsatisfied with the Cadenza’s stock tuning, you can try my EQ profile! It works on Android (Wavelet) and PC equalizers. I’ll also guide anyone new to EQ’ing so you can tweak it to match your taste. # EQ Profile Overview [Reference Target ](https://preview.redd.it/p2rlh8rqn6ge1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=57bd313d1bfdf4e60698654427e210966ba0a364) [Vs PEQdb Average ](https://preview.redd.it/wukye9rqn6ge1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=1bf9a3ef23daebc6cd0ca5514bd1c76558ea8c99) The EQ profile is based on my reference target which is basically PEQdb average with slight emphasis on bass. Which I think is acceptable for most people, and if not, the EQ profile is still customizable just by unchecking certain adjustments. [EQ Profile Values ](https://preview.redd.it/xhrg19etn6ge1.jpg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1302e68cb8d0203a15682a53e3bb12ee1fb33a6a) 🔹 **Base EQ Profile (Balanced, Clean, & Airy)** This tuning refines the Cadenza’s default sound by: ✔ Slightly reducing bass – still present but less overpowering. ✔ Cleaner mids – mid-bass warmth is controlled for better separation. ✔ Enhanced vocal presence – upper mids are slightly lifted. ✔ More air & treble clarity – fixes the default dark tonality. https://preview.redd.it/rd573vaxn6ge1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf55d78019972b6d44db9fd01d186426660fe0b5 Closest comparison: Somewhat similar to Truthear Zero : Red if you disable the 1.2k–2.8k adjustments. It shines with classic rock, soft pop, and night-time listening. 🔹 **Warm & Dark Profile (Enhanced Mid-Bass, Smooth Treble)** If you like the stock warmth but want slightly more mid-bass, try this: https://preview.redd.it/h1v2itl5o6ge1.jpg?width=1061&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2cadd8a8864a3f176a8f048c8b82628c2c5e83b Uncheck 105-190Hz for extra warmth. Uncheck 6120Hz for a smoother treble. Uncheck 10kHz if treble feels too much (or lower from 5.4dB → 3.5dB). Uncheck the last 3 adjustments to restore default treble. **Perfect for: Hip-Hop, EDM, and relaxed listening.** 🔹 **Bassy but Clear Mids (Best All-Rounder)** Want deep bass without muddying vocals? Try this: https://preview.redd.it/9vxftw88o6ge1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db1fb64ecf03965276176bcc05fcae70f02bf07e Uncheck 105Hz only. This keeps the clarity of mids & vocals intact while adding punchy bass. It’s a versatile setting that works well across most genres. **This is my personal favorite.** # 🔽 Download: [EQ Profile Link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wb7yhJ12ZEvpBuEA6wsuLqwRNJOsgSCY/view?usp=drivesdk) # How to Use the EQ Profile 1️⃣ Go to [Squiglink](https://squig.link/?share=Kiwi_Ears_Cadenza) search for Kiwi Ears Cadenza. 2️⃣ Click on Equalizer > Scroll down > Import. 3️⃣ Select the downloaded EQ profile. 4️⃣ Adjust as needed, then Export for Wavelet (Android) or PC Equalizer. https://preview.redd.it/2c3w59q2o6ge1.jpg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=209f82bcd25a124b5bfa891f5d9f6371042b4b2d # Final Thoughts The Kiwi Ears Cadenza has an amazing driver, and with proper EQ, it competes with more expensive IEMs. This profile is highly customizable—whether you prefer warmth, clarity, or a balanced sound, you can tweak it to match your style. I’ll be happy to help anyone new to EQ’ing! Let me know your thoughts or if you need guidance. 🎧 What do you think of the Cadenza’s stock tuning? Have you tried EQ’ing it? Let’s discuss!

Which one is better is going to be totally subjective. But, everyone can agree on Vivace being better in gaming. For me, Cadenza is the sweet spot. For music, I love the warm tonality of it. The bass can be felt but it's not boomy or punchy; it's subtle. For my ears, it lacks the excitement, so I just EQ'ed it. Now, it's very natural and fun. https://preview.redd.it/tjfxtqggrhke1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=4afdb3d6deb00a2c5ffc01c01597fa260cdfb2c5

I don't think Kiwi Ears Cadenza would give you what you are looking for because Cadenza is neutral with a sub bass boost. What you are looking for in the "Energetic bass" is the mid bass all these IEMs are lacking. They are bassy, but mostly elevated sub bass because it is a safe tuning. To prevent mid bass overpower the vocals. You will get all the rumbly thumps, but not the punch. If you are looking for that, under $20 you have the KZ Castor Pro Bass. https://preview.redd.it/8f2d0qd74pce1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=d3922f0d622a62fb121d5590f82d988091bd50e3 Unfortunately, there's not many IEMs that are tuned like this. So I can't suggest something alternative to Castor Pro. If you don't mind trying KZ, you can look into it. Don't get the OG Castor, it sounds awful.

--- ## The Context The Kiwi Ears Cadenza has gained attention as a potential upgrade in the budget IEM category, particularly when it comes to driver and sound quality. My goal with this review is to evaluate whether it truly offers an improvement over other popular IEMs in a similar price range, such as the Tangzu Wan’er SG and Salnote Zero 2. Additionally, I aim to test the full potential of its driver to see how it performs under various conditions. This review is based on my hands-on testing and overall listening experiences. --- ## Review ### 1. Build Quality The build quality is what you can expect from a $30 IEM: it's cheap. The KZ Castor Pro feels more premium. The IEMs are so lightweight that I feel like there's nothing on my ears. It's a good thing when it is about comfort. About the stock cable I don't feel confident with it; it's very thin. Overall, it's forgivable as the IEM looks good, at least. --- ### 2. Sound When I put these on with the stock eartips, I was extremely disappointed. The sound was awful—bright and sibilant. I tried every included tip and size, but the result was the same. Then I decided to use the eartips from my KZ Castor, and it sounded good. Personally, I am not a fan of this type of tuning, but there are times when I prefer a balanced sound. So, this does suit the mood. It's boring, but it's fine. --- **__Bass:__** The bass is present but lacks weight and depth. It leans toward a flatter, more neutral presentation with minimal sub-bass extension. While it avoids muddiness, it also doesn’t provide the engaging, punchy low-end that some people might prefer (including me), especially for genres like Hip-Hop or EDM. --- **__Mids:__** The mids sounded clear, lacking warmth, but they were neutral and enjoyable. I enjoyed the acoustic guitar and piano so much on Cadenza! It puts my KZ Castor Pro to shame. The upper mids were not as forward as the Wan’er, but both male and female vocals sounded decent on Cadenza. If I am to compare the Cadenza with the Wan’er, the latter sounds fuller and warmer. This is probably due to the mid-bass scoop on the Cadenza. Still, it’s fairly good. --- **__Treble:__** The treble is where the Cadenza’s issues with stock eartips were most noticeable. It’s overly bright and prone to sibilance, which can make extended listening uncomfortable. With better eartips, the treble smooths out and becomes tolerable, though it still leans toward a brighter presentation and might need to EQ. The soundstage and imaging are fairly average. Nothing too great in terms of accuracy and separation. Busy genres like rock music can sound congested, but I think it does fairly well for the budget. --- ### Do I feel like the need to EQ? For the most part? No. But, I do find it sibilant at higher volume. So, the only adjustment that I had to make is on the Treble side. --- ## 3. Driver This is the only thing where I was impressed and really felt like it was an upgrade! The Beryllium dynamic driver is impressive. It passed my distortion test at max volume. It's very EQ friendly. Although, it struggles when there is more than +1db gain in the sub bass region and use Wavelet's "Bass Tuner" with Sustain Compressor mode. The limiter needs to be turned on for this. With stock tuning it's not a problem tho. But, to be honest, I have yet to find a set that can handle that thing without applying a limiter. Even my bassy over the ear Sony headphones couldn't handle it. So, I call this driver competent for EQ'ing. --- ## 4. Conclusion While I do like the Cadenza, but other than the driver quality, there's not much difference I've felt while listening to this. It doesn't do anything exceptionally well. It's only recommended as the first IEM if the budget is not tight. But, if someone already got something like Salnote Zero 2, Wan'er SG or Gate, this upgrade doesn't make any sense.

Castor Pro is exciting and fun, but not EQ friendly (if you are using Apple music with max volume it can't handle Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Atif Aslam and Arijit 's high pitch vocals) western songs will not have any issues. With stock tuning, there will be no problem, but if you EQ the treble region, there will be distortion. On Spotify, it's very pleasant even with EQ. If I am to compare Cadenza and Castor Pro with this EQ profile: https://preview.redd.it/qo1y7i1a07ee1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=3941703199f3e3dc6571989e848b98877f628143 On Spotify, Castor Pro gives me an Eargasm... It makes me feel excited and enjoy the music. Cadenza is just okay and sharp. They sound identical but Castor Pro will have warmth making the music more listenable.

I'm with you. I returned the pair I bought within 24 hours. The hype train is weird. I found them to be muddy, sludgy, and lacking any and all definition in any frequency range. My songs were recognizable through the Cadenza in the same way a 64kbps mp3 is recognizable against the uncompressed master.

The Zero2 is my choice. If you're looking at the Cadenza specifically for the beryllium driver, the KBEars KB01 does it better and is cheaper. The Cadenza sounds like a plate of hot, wet shit.

He is. The Cadenza isn't deserving of the hype it gets.

I don't believe the Cadenza deserves the hype it gets. I returned the pair I ordered within 24 hours. I've been within the audio industry and have enough experience over the past two and a half decades to know when I'm going to like something and when I'm not. Compared to everything else in my collection, which is not small, there were no redeeming factors in the performance of the Cadenza.

Actually shocked at the lack of Cadenza. Arguably the best for the price range

Imo cadenza

Preferences are highly subjective. This said, a bass-forward IEM I really enjoy is the KBear Rosefinch. Very affordable, comfortable, bassy but decently balanced and not at all muddy. EDM, IDM, rock and it's a solid and often over-looked IEM. I've the Wa'ner and Cadenza as well in the lower price tiers, but I find myself with the Rosefinch more often, which surprised me.

The Cadenza is a really great all-rounder and an easy go-to first IEM recommendation. They’re wonderful and not just for the price. The Wa’ner I got for $5. They’re great…for the price. You mentioned bass so that’s why I mentioned the Rosefinch. My approach with IEM’s right now is I use my Sennheiser IE600 for detailed listening sessions. I used the wa’ner for watching video on my laptop. The Cadenza and Rosefinch are in my travel bag. The Sennheiser‘s don’t leave the house given the price tag.

Yes I would recommend. If you like a little wide soundstage, clear vocals and mids, clear sound separation for every instrument. Rich and a bit warm sound. It has all of it. But honestly it lacks BASS, If it had little more bass it would be perfect. **So if you are a basshead don't buy it.** I don't listen to bassy music so it works fine for me. But yeah I do miss a little Bass here and there which is fine and negligible for me.

Haven't heard the other two, but I'd pass on the Cadenza. Here are my quick notes: "Treble is tinny and maybe a bit sibilant, bass hollow and unsatisfying. Mids are clear and have nice punch/microdynamics. Resolution is maybe a bit lacking? A little bit hollow and disappointing all around. Feels cheap, though I like the subtle purple color. Cable is actually pretty decent at this price. Comfortable, but hard to get a good fit (especially the left earbud)."

I can't even appreciate it for them; the timpanis, tubas, string basses, etc. just all sounded awful, and flutes VERY tinny. I just went back and listened to them again for a lunchtime walk, and while they're okay for loud environments where you're not really listening closely ... yeah, I'm going to pick a bunch of much cheaper pairs over them.

I personally found the Cadenza pretty disappoining, so I'd advocate for anyone moving on to something else almost all of the time. 😂 Don't know anything about the Klean, but I think the Cadenza tinny and sibilant, with hollow and unsatisfying bass. So if you haven't tried anything else ... snag a $20 pair of Tangzu Wan'er and see if you like taht tuning better.

Love my Kiwi Cadenza’s. https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/inexpensive-iem-roundup-r1175/

Love my Kiwi Cadenza’s. Recommended by audiophilestyle’s inexpensive IEM roundup.

The way as you describe it, I recommend you to go for something cheaper. People who are not into this hobby dont know how ridiculously good budget IEMs are nowadays. They hardly lack anything in comparison to more expensive options. I can almost promise you that they will exceed your expectations (as long as they sit tightly in your ear, that is). Spending more money is not helpful as you dont know what you really enjoy, and what In-Ear does fits your ear canal. You might want to watch this video (the IE200 also shows up in it): https://youtu.be/eJGwS_I8m4E?feature=shared Basically, If you like a bit more bass, buy for example the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. If clarity is more important for you, go for the Moondrop LAN. Both are good allrounders though and cost around 40-50€. (Theoretically, there are absolutely fine options which are even cheaper.)

1. The only set I can really recommend at that price point is the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. They're $28 from where I'm from. 2. Absolutely 3. There IS a difference, but it's debatable if it's worth it. 4. I wouldn't say they're bad, I just think the good ones are overpriced. 5. Agreed I don't really have any unpopular opinions, tbh. I just enjoy listening to music.

Personally haven't tried the other two, but I can't recommend the Cadenza enough as a starter set. It used to be part of my "holy trinity under $50" recommendations. The other two being the Simgot EW200 and the Truthear Hola.

Agree with everything. These are $20 iems that comes with $9 eartips that Compete with $30 iems. I put it on the same level as kiwi cadenza and 7hz zero. Competition keeps heating up with a race to the bottom

Kiwi Ears Cadenza

They sound flat & muddy

It's not the tips, I used different sets. When an IEM is muddy & flat trust me it's just muddy & flat

Yeah, we all have different preferences & different hearings.👍

I'm not sure I'd call the Cadenza a basshead tuning, but they certainly have plenty of bass. It gets deep and rumbly, with some punch but not as much as the Castor Bass (not sure about the Pro: apparently that's not as hard-hitting as the OG, which I have). The also have very smooth treble that's a touch darker than some similarly-tuned IEMs like the Chu 2, which adds to the overall warmth/bassiness, while they sill have good clarity, imaging, etc. Sometimes someone will complain that these have little or no bass and without fail it's because they aren't getting a proper seal. Make sure you try out all the tip sizes if you aren't hearing enough bass.

The S08 is my second-favourite IEM, with a huge caveat. They are really, really tip-sensitive. In fact they are the most tip-sensitive IEM I have found so far (out of about 50 that I own) with the only other 2 that come close being the Kefine Delci and the Hola. I have found that out of about 30 tips I've tried, they only sound good to me with Penon Liqueur Orange. Much to my annoyance, the black version doesn't sound the same, so I'm stuck with the stupid orange colour that doesn't match the IEM or my cable. Unfortunately tips are also ear-dependent, so just because those work for me, doesn't mean they will work for you. Might be worth a try though. I will say though that even with the right tips, the S08 sound is quite coloured and likely not for everyone. It's quite dark (some might say warm). The overall tonality is not unlike the Hola, although the Hola is a bit more neutral. Holy crap though, if you do get them sounding right, they are so much more resolving than the Hola and the imaging is incredible. The soundstage is really small though, everything is really intimate, but it has genuinely holographic layering within that small space. It's a perfect complement to my favourite IEM, the Simgot EA1000, which has pretty much the exact opposite sound signature & presentation. Ignore the people saying you need a new DAC/amp to get the right sound out of the S08, unless they are not getting loud enough. They need a bit more power than some IEMs, but not much. The problem is they have a very particular tuning that not everyone is going to like, and as mentioned that tuning is affected by tips far more than most IEMs. Incidentally the Hola is also a great IEM but another one that's very tip-sensitive. I find that they sound best on Tangzu Tang Sancai tips, but bear in mind that even at their best, they are all about being warm, relaxing and natural sounding. They have a big soundstage, but imaging isn't super precise and they are not detail monsters by any means. If you want something in the budget range that's pretty safe and not as tip-sensitive as any of these, I'd consider the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. It's very natural sounding with a slightly bassy tilt & is more resolving than the Hola. The Kefine Delci is also good & more resolving than the Cadenza, and although it's very tip-sensitive, it's different to the Hola and the S08 in that it sounds quite good with most (though not all) tips. It's just that the tips can change its presentation quite drastically from dark to v-shaped, vocal-forward/recessed etc., whereas the Hola and S08 just sound wrong unless you find exactly the right tips. I've also heard good things about the Moondrop Aria 2 but haven't heard it myself, so can't recommend it directly.

KZ ZS10 Pro, they were far better than the old JBL T110 I used years ago but I hated how sibilant and harsh the treble was to my ears. At the time I didn't know much about EQ or audio as a whole, and I wasn't aware how sensitive I am to high frequencies. Now I've been using the Kiwi Ears Cadenza for almost two years and I love their warm, laidback tuning.

They are not going to disappoint you, it is one of the best tuned low budget IEMs, they have enough bass to enjoy it and their treble is silky. They are light and comfortable, with a decent cable, if you have a neutral DAC Dongle you are going to enjoy them a lot.

It seems strange to me your way of describing the sound of the cadenza, I feel that their highs are at the limit of good technical detail before becoming rough or sharp, definitely there are those highs.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza's are the best I've heard for Music only. I preferr them over the t3+, Zero red's, EW300 adn even Hexa's.

Entry level ? Very entry level : Chu 2 / Entry level : Kiwi Ears Candeza / Quite entry level : Artti T10 / Less entry level but still: Simgot EA500LM Voilà 😄

Hello everyone, I need help choosing new in-ear monitor from the jungle of models. I currently have a pair of Truthear Hola, which I like, a pair of KZ Castor (Harman) and above all, the best from my point of view, a pair of CCA Rhapsody (with switches set to 1000). I love the Rhapsody, but they are big and quickly uncomfortable in the ears. So, I need help choosing new in-ear headphones from the jungle of models to replace the Rhapsody. I mainly listen to Jazz (trios and small groups), voices and classical music. I like the bass to be present and precise, the mids not to be recessed, and the highs to be well defined but not aggressive. I use a Hiby R3 DAP or a Toppinx DX1 DAC with my PC. My budget is under 100 euros. I would like to find a model at least as good as the Rhapsody, but with smaller and more comfortable shells. Thank you in advance for your valuable advice. PS: I already tried the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, I didn't like it, and I listened to the Aoshida E20, I liked it, but I didn't think it added much compared to the Hola.

I just bought the Cadenza's myself and honestly I'm very pleased with them. I haven't listened to any tracks that sounded shouty. That said, I mainly listen to rock so maybe me experience with them is limited in that regard. In my experience they are quite clear, have good punchy bass, and are overall a very pleasant iem to wear for long listening sessions. Only downside is the cable, which is quite thin. I wouldn't say it feels cheap, but I would prefer a thicker one.

these are the $50 kiwi cadenzas, similar tuning idea but more technical. bass is better extended, mids are tad bit more natural, treble is better controled and extended. instrument separation is also better.

If you can spend up to $35, the Kiwiears Cadenza is excellent.

Bought both. Prefer the Z300 for movies; the Candezas sometimes sound off in dialogue. The only thing I liked more with the candezas was the weight and fit.

$20 Chu II. I've reviewed over 50 iem and blind tested them on many musicians and chu II is the absolute most liked sub $40 iem. Only close second was the Kiwi Cadenza at $35

As an Aussie I can't stress enough the value we get from an Amazon prime subscription. Not only is it worth it for the free shipping alone from any Amazon factory in the world, but you also get prime movies. I'd you buy more then one thing a month it's worth it. Check out Amazon Australia. I personally use the kiwi ears cadenza that are under 50, but there is many others available on there. https://amzn.asia/d/4qvpckI

Hi Buck-o u/Buck-O , wanted to ask you some questions! I have TANGZU Yu Xuan Ji and i like them and their tuning. The problem is that i cannot listen to them on mid-voulme for a long time. I had TANGZU Wan'er Jade Green before which i could listen at high volumes, SIMGOT EW200 were too shouty for me. With Yu Xuan Ji, with Spinfit CP145 , i was finally able to listen to them at low volume because it tamed some of the treble ever so slightly that it became tasteful yet detailed for me. I had Kiwi Ears Cadenza but still i like Yu Xuan Ji better, i cannot miss the details on this.Gave the Cadenza to my brother. With all the info above, should i go for Odyssey/TANGZU Nezha/Pilgrim/any other you recommend as an upgrade from Yu Xuan Ji, or rather, what should i go for as i want a better listening experience, with details definitely not missing but also not sibilant or fatiguing on my ears? Also, i have seen many opinions on the sound signature on Yu Xuan Ji, if you know what it definitely is, please do tell.

I tried the Cadenza briefly and it was decent. IEMs I had that lead up to the Aethers are the Kleans, Xuan Nv, Phoenix Calls, and EM6L. The Aether was a blind buy into a planar but each upgrade was looking for improvement in comfort, soundstage, and most importantly was detail/clarity. I was originally looking at the super mix 4.

Overrated

I was so ready to get the Purple zonie cable to match. Never got the fit I wanted with them either. I was truly disappointed but my ears are my ears. I'm glad others really enjoy them. Finding the right iem is tough.

If you are willing to EQ, Cadenza has better build quality and arguably a better dynamic driver (beryllium) which people seem to like.  The tuning between Cadenza and Vivace seems to be similar based on Paul Wasabi’s measurements, but I would lean towards Vivace tuning without EQ for music. That being said, I think they’re fairly close so it’s a consideration of price and build quality really. 

Hi, is no basshead level but the Aether have plenty more of bass than the Wan'er and Cadenza (i got all of those iems)

Hi, i prefer the sound firm of the Bl-03 II to the one in the Cadenza, the Bl-03 is more bassy and the bass kick is more noticeable, the mids are less forwarded but the uppermids are so well tuned so is better in the vocal department, the highs are more crisp and the technicalities part is also better. The Cadenza is good, but is more neutralish with a bass boost, the Blon have this overall tuning that is more appealing to a more huge public.

kiwi ears cadenza are the best among the above. i would say just slightly lift your budget and get the truthear zero blue 1. in they are only (500 INR) difference. for where i live atleast.

imo the salnotes zero 2 and 1 both are really shit, very cheap plasticy iems with good? sound i guess, I have the same kiwi ears cadenza from hpz, and they are really really good, they are better in bass and build quality for sure, the overall sound stage is also very good, if you can increase 500 INR more to your budget the truthear x crinacle zero blue are great choice

Kiwi Ear Cadenzas are the best $35 iems

Actually, I got my mom to try my kiwi ears cadenza and she loved them so much- so i thought why not gift her an IEM too. She doesnt play any games, she listens to alot of classical instrumental music, which are mainly vocal focused so i think i have found what i need the waner 2

Celest wyvern black and Cadenza would be my choice, i personally own the Cadenza, and am pretty happy with them. Though make sure that the earphones fit you well, like if you have smaller ears, probably the CHU || DSP would work better for you then the Cadenza or Wyvern black. Also the tips do play an important role in the fit of the iems. Lastly, i didn't mention Waner 2s because I didn't feel the sound to be that good also the fit was bad for me even after using all different combinations of the FIIO HS19 ear tips.

Kz Castor, D-fi, Tangzu Wan'er, Kiwiears Cadenza, Tripowin Léa

All of them have own advantages. All good just consider better deal and your preference of sound. Waner 2 is a good package for its content otherwise its on par with others. Wyvern is good looker, though fit can be issue as it quite large, I returned them due to this but I'd say best sounding in the 4. Cadenza is all rounder OK. CHU2 is good due to DSP.

the all rounder preset is the best one I've ever used. thank you so much !! LOVING IT

absolutely not. get the cadenza. i mean they're two different sound signatures so there's that and also im pretty sure the cadenza is more detailed

I have the Cadenza, kinda nice for like rock music. voices sound pretty clear and good. Only downside is, there is not much base, like hiphop music is not that good on it, dmb the same.

The Cadenzas are clean and clear, but not much else. If you don’t care for low end, these are the ones. I read about the klean being a bit shouty and having qc issues, so I can’t recommend. Not sure about the dawn iems.

I thought the Cadenza sounded great if you were listening to classical, jazz, or orchestral types of music. It just kind of sucked for everything else.

Can say the cadenzas sound good, but isolation was not that great. Bass is also a bit lacking but also I’ve not tried it in a band setting w amps, so the bass issue may balance out

Cadenza. You won't believe how much better it is than a conventional dynamic.

i have both Cadenza and Dawn Ms and im liking the Dawn wayy better than Cadenza. unfortunately i can’t pin point what exactly is better, but the Cadenza seems way too muddy in comparison to how versatile the Dawn Ms is

I've the kiwi cadenza and tangzu waner. I would pick the kiwi for the more smooth and in-depth listening when I am in my zone. It is more comfortable and feels more balanced and being inside a closed room with good acoustics (I am not an expert, hope I am conveying what I feel). Tangzu is for casual listening. It's crisp, clear and pleasant.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza works for me, and I've pretty small ears.

OG Moondrop Arias. Still daily drive them after 3+ years. Don't know if it's because I've just got used to them but they just sound right to me(especially for YT + Gaming). I don't have many other IEMs, only KIWI EARS Cadneza (Arias miles ahead for me), but I do have high end headphones that I use time to time when I want to focus on the music (HD 660s2) but always return to old faithful :) Will probably upgrade in the future but will likely have to spend a bit more for a noticeable difference.

FlipEars Aisha Electrii - Fun V-shape sound signature, MDR-7506 in an IEM but with tamed highs. Smooth highs, recessed vocals, but has that fun sub-bass to mid-bass performance. FlipEars Legion - Has a weird O-like timbre? But other than that, for a basshead set, the vocals are still full and clear. Lowkey nasal, but it’s not that obvious until someone points it out I guess. FlipEars Legion with Penon Liquier Black tips - vs the stock tips version, the midbass grit disappears in favor of emphasizing the sub-bass rumble and making the vocals full and pop out more. Everything becomes more balanced, yet still retains that “fun” the original tuning had. FIIO FH3 - Sub-bass heavy like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, but has more mids. Scalability is great. Doesn’t have the peaks that the KE Cadenza has. Kiwi Ears Cadenza - Second cheapest option in the list. Great sub-bass rumble, clean (especially on the bass), and great midrange for vocals. A more complete and pleasing KZ EDC Pro. KZ EDC Pro - The cheapest option in the list. For the price it’s… fine. Got it for around $3.50. Non-offensive tuning. Sub-bass elevated and Mid-bass focused set in terms of bass, you can hear the bass guitar grit when doing slides. Vocals are slightly recessed. slightly aggresive U-shape.

I recently got kiwi ears cadenza and have been really enjoying their sound.

I have the Cadenza and (had) the Space Travel (2 pairs lost while at airports, 1 pair brokey, waiting for Robin rn for both waifu and tune lol). Use(d) both semi-regular, now I'm rocking Moondrop Aria1 (discontinued) just because Cadenza tuning is a bit too safe and may be bored after a long while lol. Space Travel's bass is decent. HOWEVER, there are some songs that the Space Travel struggles (ala FF16 Find The Flame), it would buzz and a bit hissy. For those songs, I'd prefer the Cadenza. However trying out Daft Punk's Random Access Memory (both normal and drumless), both pairs work well, though I would prefer the Cadenza a weeeeeee bit more if not for wireless handy dandy. But for some rock songs (GG Strive OST lmao), Space Travel is quite pleasant, then again, both are p neck-to-neck w slightly different tuning. Then again, I would say Cadenza tune overall is a bit safe-y, comfy but may bored ypu after a long while listening. Space Travel is quite safe but more interesting (beside some weird limitation but kinda depend on the song itself), and also TWS soooooo...yeah. The ONLY issue I have with Space Travel is low volumn-ish. I'm already the lower volumn person yet must crank the bar quite high (70% or perharps more when outside). A trick is enable ANC mode to kinda isolate noises a bit but kinda useless when in a quiet room hmmm. *Space Travel is also so nice with ANC and on airplane tho* Edit: anyway I still prefer Aria if for bass among my pairs lol

I have the Salnotes Zero:2 and Simgot EM6L, the EM6L are ok for EDM (my main music I listen to as well) but separate really well and have tons of detail, so you can hear each synth and sound super well. However they are light on bass. The Zero:2 have more bass but can be a little muddy, I wouldn’t say they are overpowering bassy though. I recently had a chance to listen to the Kiwi Ears Cadenza and the QKZ X HBB. The HBB have crazy amounts of bass that never felt overpowering to me, I really enjoyed them for heavier bass EDM. However, for overall I really really really enjoyed the Cadenza for basically anything and everything. Solid bass for EDM with a surprising amount of detail for a single dynamic driver, good separation, decent soundstage, and it handled every other genre well (I also listen to classical, country, rap/hip-hop, rock, and R&B). I am highly considering selling my Zero:2 and getting Cadenza because it sounds super similar but technicalities are way better on the Cadenza. 7hz Dioko is pretty solid as well if you want to try planar, they sound BIG! It’s the only way I can think to describe them.

I’ve tried all of these and personally own all except the chu I would say the wan er is the best bang for your buck package, they’re all competitive with each other in terms of sound. Personally I like the sound of the cadenzas the most but the wan er comes with by far the most comfortable best performing eartips.

tbh in the end, it boils down to 1. Tuning 2. Looks/Visuals 3. Accessories 4. And your music library or genres you listen 5. Treble sensitivity = sensitive, go to Safe tuning Kiwi Ears Cadenza is the safest tuning out in the two, but the tuning might not work with some music genres especially if you want a tad bit more analytical or technical. 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 is a bit more technical-ish than Cadenza and with a tad bit more treble. The safe tuning is also up there with the Tangzu Wa'ner SG/2, which is fine for me but I still ended up with KZ Castor Silver because of abit more technical sound experience and generally abit more brighter feel. In the end its hard to say one is better or the other until you hear the difference between the two or atleast if you have a headphone then EQ it to either, or test your treble sensitivity via speakers or headphones. Personal experience based on my collection https://preview.redd.it/u014mhatspue1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fba3241ae9d71167d526093ed0d263afe39ad07

Cadenza is decent and good, just that it sounds safe. Might be too safe, personally. Same with Tangzu Wa'ner SG or its v2. Oh you got the KZ Libra? Castor Silver might be good or the Aurora. Terms on fit, Aurora Ultra is smaller than Chu 2 terms of size

Before I answer,: 1) as someone said earlier, Iems are not nessesarily good for gaming, It's just cheaper to get better audio than other choices(earbuds, headphones, etc.) 2.) Please use instrument sounds next time as it is easier to suggest any sound device than sayiing genre. Anyways, I'd recommend based on price(highest to lowest): 1.) Truthear Nova: try to find one on sale as they are really good for footsteps and has a nice case. 2.) Moondrop may: neutral with a bit of bass boost. Good for most songs and games. 3.) Truthear zero: red: more neutral than the may. Nozzle may be too big for small ear cannal users 4.) Truthear zero: blue 2: more bass than the red nad has better cables than the red. This will come in april 20. 5.) Kiwi ears cadenza: really good for the price. Competes with the truthear zero blue

is not "too much" depending on what your expectations are, but the Wyvern, because of the tuning, should work a bit better for what you are looking for* (my bad, thats what i mean when i said "better" in my first comment, they should be better for what you are looking for in terms of style of sound*) however, in overall technical performance, maybe cadenza is the one that could como slightly on top. but again, not by much, they are fairly similar.

have used cadenza, didnt feel it that much, but again, either one should be fine xd

Cadenza has this particular problem that some people (me included) find the lower treble too harsh for some reason, Vivace is quite similar but it has a better fit than cadenza because of an smaller nozzle and is not prone to that harsh problem that some people find, cadenza is not bad, but specially for gaming, i really would recomend vivace instead.

Cadenza is good all things consider, but for $5 less Vivace is essentially the same build quality wise (despite what people want to believe because of driver, etc, materials used alone arent the only thing that marks how well build something is), and is way safer. I often recomend iems here and, fortunately, i have yet to get any complaint about Vivace once given the recomendation (and believe me, people will came back if they dont like what they get), now, is it perfect? well no, people can like different stuff, is just that is hard to hate vivace when does everything just correct.

This is my First formal IEM Pick Mega Guide – "Revamped" (Last Updated: January 2025) PART 1 Oh well… here we go again. And this is going to be LARGE, so buckle up, this is a part 1 because turns out reddit wont let me publish this much text in one single post, so yeah, ill link the Part 2 right here: * [For part 2 Click - HERE -](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1f332k3/the_iem_pick_megaguide_part2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) # UPDATE: Now i also have a Sub $100-ish list if you want to check it: [https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OXgg8IsbYi](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OXgg8IsbYi) /---------------- # Gaming Update: As quite a lot of people asks for gaming options, I’ll make this update marking iems with performance rakings from the "WALLHACK TIER LIST" of Reviewer Fresh Reviews, who is known for recommending iems for gaming use, just be aware that this does not reflect my opinion about each IEM nor does it ensure that you will have an excellent video game experience just because the iem is listed. The Fresh Reviews system gives letter grades where “S” is the best grade, going down from S-A to C+, where C+ means that they are the minimum for video games. I will mark the IEMs by putting the score besides the name: "( FRS: “Mark obtained”)" (FRS = Fresh Reviews Score), example: Zero Red (FRS: C+), if you don't see this mark, it means that Fresh Reviews did not consider it for gaming, or didnt review the product. /---------------- **So, lets continue with part 1:** Some people might identify me already, I’m one of the redditors in this sub that’s usually giving recs and trying to help people left and right, things doesn’t always work, but I hope that I’m being of some help. So yeah, I finally gathered the will to do a proper post about this, I’ll try to pour everything I know after around 4 years of checking reviews and trying around more than 27 different iems (mostly under $100).   ***BTW, IF YOU SEE SOME GLARING ERROR, ANYTHING THAT JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT, PLEASE LET MY KNOW, IM DISLEXIC TOO, SO YEAH XD, THANKS FOR THE FUTURE HELP.*** \----- # CONTENTS: Part 1: * Where to buy? * List of mostly recommended iems under $50. * Reviewers List. Part 2: * FACs (Frequently Asked Concerns lol – I recommend you to read this one first if you are a newbie). * Final extra details. Now, remember that I’m just another person, I have preferences and some degree of bias towards some sets, especially ones that I own, my intention is not to tell you “You should pick this”, but rather to point you out to a clearer direction as to what you might like or need. This info is not “absolute” as preferences and music library plays a huge role on the experience, but at least I hope I can make this decision less complicated for you. \----- # Where to buy? So, first, I don’t know what store you are planning to use but most common recs for buying are: * Mostly free shipping Stores: Shenzhen Audio, Amazon, and alsoAliExpress, but with ali, you need to pick the seller carefully, I have got 3 iems and some cables from there without any problems, but it isn’t as safe as Amazon and Shenzhen could be. * \- * They usually charge shipping Stores: Hifigo, Linsoul. I would recommend the free shipping Stores better since, besides free shipping, I have had less problems with them (in my very personal experience) and they usually do as much as possible to help their clients, however, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have problems with each store, sometimes life sucks and online stores do too, so always be careful when ordering online, specially check sellers on AliExpress Also, when buying, remember that if you wish to have a cable that comes with a mic, since IEMs don’t always come with one, especially around $50 and above, you need to specially pick the option of having a cable with mic when selecting the IEM for purchase if the options is given. \----- # Usually recommended IEMs under $50 If you don’t feel like reading or you have some IEM experience, skip or ignore the “FACs” part, HOWEVER, if you are new to this hobby, I recommend you to check that first, it could help clear your mind about a lot of questions you might have. ***The price in brackets is the original base price of the IEMs.*** ***Purchase links disclaimer:*** The links included are affiliate links, but make sure to check vendor reviews when you make any AliExpress purchases. The links have no influence on which IEMs are recommended or picked for the list.   # ----- # BASSY IEMS IEMs that their key point Is the lower end of sound, more Rumble and/or bass punch/kick, if you want some good bass, check this one, there will be iems from bass heavy to balanced, but overall, picks that have an elevated bass area, even if that also comes with some extra treble. * **($16) KZ Castor Bass enhanced edition (Black colored):** An IEM with a heavy, but still somewhat clean, punchy and rumbly bass, that can have the amount of bass and treble adjusted with switches, can have some more treble energy than QKZxHBB, but bass is very prominent, so vocals do get a bit overshadowed and might feel lacking intensity, recommended mostly for electronic music or bass heavy genres like hip-hop or R&B, not really recommended for vocal centric music genres like rock or ballads, Works for gaming, but bass might be too distracting. Nozzle is on the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mt6hFPl) * \- * **($17) KZ Castor Pro:** A small upgrade to the Castor bass OG, a bit more Rumble, a bit less punch, it is overall better than the OG Castor, but also comes with a larger nozzle. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKmDf4B) * \- * **($20) QKZxHBB (FRS: B-):** A lot of rumbly bass with decent vocals, altough it can sound muddy for some at fist, is mostly for those who really like a lot of inmersive bass but also still want enough vocal and treble detail. Works for gaming. Nozzle slightly on the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msetV8R) * \- * **($50) Truthear Zero (blue) (FRS: B-):** They are actually balanced sounding, bass, vocals and treble all are very energetic, but this IEM was made to have very clean bass, like a mini “subwoofer” effect, and that’s the main focus of It, although their nozzles (the part of the iem that goes into your ear canal) are some of the biggest on the market, if you happen to have small ear canals, or you are looking for comfort, they could hurt or not fit well when using them (the biggest nozzle from this list). Usually recommended over the Zero Red for gaming, from the less bassy picks in the bassy section. You should consider using a dongle DAC if the sound is too quiet with them. If you happend to have fitting problems, check the Spinfit CP155 eartips, could help a lot, but those tips get streched kinda easy and can fall out of the nozzle, so do take in mind. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOGUNun) * \- * **($24-34) BLON BL03:** Great hard hitting bassy IEM, a lot of Energy and intensity with enough intense treble, biggest downside Is that Fit might not be great thanks to their particular shape and short reaching nozzle (the nozzle might not be large enough to enter properly into your ear canal), the nozzle itself is on the smaller side. Not a bad pick, works for gaming, but a bit outdated. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqDowxp) * \- * **($50) CCA Rhapsody:** THE Castor bass upgrade, better techs, some more clarity, all in all, a great bassy package for the price, but shell is VERY large and nozzle not so smaller, so, if you have small ears, then maybe this is not the best pick, nozzle size is in a middle ground. Works for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMQ1ytz) * \- * **($35) BLON Z300:** A very specific pick since they are just somewhat bassy, they could sound balanced for bassheads, and muddy for non-bassheads, the bass works better with well produced/mixed files, for poor quality tracks they might lack punch, they are decent for vocals, but might feel a bit on the background. They are decent for an inmerssive bassy sound, and have pretty good resolution and detail, also, sound direction is good, if you like ASMR, those are good bot a bassy relaxed replay on a budget. Should work for gaming, nozzle is pretty small, should have a comfy fit. If you want clarity and cleaness is not the best option. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrDU1eF) * \- * **($50) Blon JOJO:** this one is like a more bassy, aggressive QKZxHBB, techs are just decent for $50, but because of its quantity of bass, aren’t the best for clarity or detail. Might work for gaming, not really recommended, best for bassy music genres. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOT3o83) * \- * **($37) CCA Trio:** This ones comes like a small upgrade from the Castor Bass, if you feel that Castor bass would be too intense, might as well go for this one, this is more of a bassy V-shaped or balanced set, but with the ability to increase the bass or treble just like the castor. should work for gaming. Vader Balanced is a good alternative if you find it cheaper. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPAIXdp) * \- * **($31) KZ Vader Balanced:** Energetic bassy V-shape-ish sound with a less "Harman-style" approach (less obvious clean-cut bass, some warmness on vocals), so it has a bit more body, but not that much, mostly a bit less V-shaped CCA trio, a good alternative to it. Decent techs for the price, get whichever is cheaper. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m05R5aF) * \- * **($50) INAWAKEN Dawn Ms:** Warm, rumbly, a bit thick, bassy V-shaped iem, could feel slightly less technical than other iems, but clean-ish sound still, relaxed upper treble but a bit foward lower treble (shoutiness warning), warm-ish vocals, pretty good bass performance. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKp2ac3) * \- * **($25) Tachjim One (has DSP/Type-C option too):** A bullet style earphone that has a focus on Mid bass over sub bass, it’s somewhat V-shaped and energetic, a bit foward on the lower treble, and it has a bass that should work better for rock genres since it gives energy to drums without making the sound way too bassy. Could work for gaming, but being this mid-bass centric, wouldn’t recommend It. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPULWWP) * \- * **($22) Tanchjim Tanya (DSP):** Another bullet style, the only reason I’m mentioning only the DSP version (Type-C cable connection) is because this one would pack a very good amount of bass, while keeping it reasonably clean, slightly better than Castor bass in that specific regard, but keeping an affordable price over other picks like Trio or Zero Blue. Could work for gaming, still similar problem to Castor. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKWofm3) # -- # BALANCED IEMS Section for more balanced and somewhat neutral IEMs: (For clarification on what’s “neutral” and what’s “balanced” please check the FACs) * **($19) Tangzu Waner:** a slightly rumbly IEM that has a lot of vocal qualities, with a close-to-neutral and pretty balanced sound, great for long listening sessions, not great for directional sound/gaming in my personal experience. A very versatile starter pick, but bass area can come as a slightly muddy at first, so, better for people that like some bass presence and nice body on male vocals. Nozzle size is in between, not too big, not too small. As a side note, some people say they work for gaming, i dont find them particularly good for that versus other options, your call. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0Z0EQr) * \- * **($30) Tripowin Vivace (FRS: B-):** A nice slighlty bass leaning iem that has good technicalities for the price, almost performing above its price range, a very safe sound overall, on of the safest sounds on to pick from the list. The best cheaper allrounder starting point under $30 and arguably the best gaming pick under $50. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKx3o0L) * \- * **($38-44) Sgor Luna:** While it’s a planar, it doesn’t exactly compete with other planars around this price, however, it’s a very cheap good option to try a planar driver, plus you can pick them bundled with a dongle dac which should take care of your amplification needs. As far as technical performance goes it is decent for its price range (which is around $40) but the best part is that it is like a less intense Simgot ew200, it might have an edge over them technically speaking, but the tuning of the luna doesn’t make it too obvious. It has a better bass quality and presence, making it a pretty decent and very safe pick for the price, as long as you use a dongle with them OR a DAP with decent amplfication on the 3.5mm conection. *PROBABLY THE SAFEST PICK AROUND $50.* Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKynQSJ) * \- * **($19) Truthear Gate:** A correct and pretty balanced iem, similar to waner but with a tilt to female vocals and treble, also, bass might sound slightly cleaner than waner, but just a bit. Should for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0ebw6r) * \- * **($25-30) Kinera Celest Wyvern (Abyss/black, Quing, Pro) (should had a Type-C option):** the 3 verions are around the same, pick the most appealing to you. Tuning is similar to waner with a bit of more overall energy on vocals and presence on the bass, maybe a tilt to female vocals too, and slightly cleaner in the bass. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrlZ1Ij) * \- * **($20) Simgot ew100p (There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** Another similar one to Gate and Waner, maybe an inbetween from gate and waner, but all in all, a very decent, balanced set, slightly more treble energy than other models, nothing too much. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqIAQHH) * \- * **($19) Moondrop Chu II (There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** A pretty balanced and clean IEM, detail is nice, and they are a bit more forward on the female vocals and treble than Waner, still not too intense, another great starting pick, especially for people that do want to hear some bass, but don’t want it to affect the rest of the sound much. As a heads up tho, these are especially known for having problems with humidity and moisture because of its metal shell. Works for gaming, nozzle on the smaller side, should have a comfy fit. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK6uRmj) * \- * **($25) 7hz Salnotes Zero 2:** A more bassy leaning version of the Chu II, the second safest allrounder performer after Vivace for any kind of music genres under $30, a good gaming replacement for the Vivace too, nozzle is slightly on the larger side. This one is not on the bassy side since it has less bass than most of the other Bassy picks, around the same as the Zero Blue, but without any fancy “subwoofer” approach. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqKyRcR) * \- * **($35) Kiwiears Cadenza:** A more energetic version of the Tangzu Waner, with a more v-shaped approeach with extra sub-bass and female vocals, overall good performance if you like that energy in your music, however, bass isn’t like super strong or super punchy, is there, is nice and has some presence, but it isn’t the focus of its sound, works well for ballads or rock style music, with some extra versatility for some electronic music, not recommended for bassy music genres like hip.hop or R&B tho. Watch out for sensitivity to 4Khz peaks, vocals in general might come as shouty for some people, I wouldn’t recommend it for people looking for bass quality, as the vocal energy can get in the way for enjoying them,. Works for gaming, nozzle leans to the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0ZUrDt) * \- * **($40) Simgot EW200 (FRS: C+):** a somewhat neutral IEM that intends to be balanced but actually has a lean on the vocal an treble side of sound, so there Is more clarity and you will perceive more detail on the sound, but some people might feel that the treble can be a bit too intense, bass is there and has presence, but Is not the main focus. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0hfYft) * \- * **($55) Truthear Zero (red) (FRS: C+):** this is a bit more expensive version of the Truthear Zero blue, It has the same build quality but the sound Is a bit more balanced and less overly energetic, it works well with more music genres. The IEM comes with an adapter to increase the bass quantity to Zero Blue Levels (in stock it has less amount of bass), but It also shares the big nozzle of the blue version. Usually less recommended for gaming over the Zero Blue. Recomended to use a dongle DAC for amplification, to get te Best performance out of them. If you happend to have fitting problems, check the Spinfit CP155 eartips, could help a lot, but those tips get streched kinda easy, so do take in mind. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMrjPcX) * \- * **($50)** [Kefine Klean](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/7PVWrvBEU2)**:** A good balanced sounding set with a small bass lean, great techs for the price and a decent fit with an average size nozzle, all in all, probably on of the best picks on the list if you have $50, want the best performance and don’t know what to pick. ***I must mention that some people have encounter situations of channel imbalance with their sets, it could be the filters unscrewing or just not being properly put on on the first place, check that if you have any problems, also, be careful with humidity since its a metal shell, and if you have any actual problem, please do contact the store where you get them from for help with the issue, or the people at Kefine for direct Help*** Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msWNk9V) * \- * **($15) Tangzu Princess ChangLe:** A mild V-shaped bullet style iem that would be pretty versatile for most music genres but technicalities like resolution, soundstage and instrument separation (check FACs if you don’t know what these means) are slightly worse than most other sub $20 options. Its price and comfort is pretty good still, a good gift option, wouldn’t recommend it for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNZJZK7) * \- * **($10) KZ EDC Pro:** Very cheap yet good sounding iem, some less technical than its $20 peers but costing significantly less, the cheapest yet best starting point to test what iems have to offer, however don’t expect the best build quality, also, some people find the treble a bit too intense. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrXq3FN) * \- * **($16)** [TRN Orca](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1cbec6e/trn_orca_consumer_pov_review/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) **(should had a Type-C option):** This is another pretty nice, inexpensive pick for people on a budget that doesn’t know what they like and cant spend too much money, Orca is a metal shell iem that has a kinda V-shaped tuning but with a lean on the bass, however, thanks to its 3 tuning switches, you can adjust the sound to either something kinda bassy clean like the Chu2 (switches Down Down Up – DDU), to a very V-shaped bassy tuning similar to Zero 2 (UDU) to a very bass heavy sound somewhat similar to QKZxHBB or Castor Bass (DUD - works particuarly well when amplified with a dongle dac for a somewhat "subwoofer" feel). They also gain some extra resolution when amplified with a dongle dac. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msqEjYX) * \- * **($55) TKZK Ouranos (FRS: C+):** This one might show the similar shouty vocals than the Cadenza could have, but it is kinda the direct upgrade from them. It has a noticeable more punchy bass, but it’s very balanced with the rest of the sound, very prominent upper mids, intense in the note weight -the weight the sound hits with- and has very good techs for its price, slightly better than Truthear Blue and Red, but would recommend to get it discounted below its $55 price. Overall great if you like vocal forward leaning sound, specially female vocals, it has a bit less aggressive treble that EW200 might had. Not recommended for bassheads at all, as bass quantity will let you wanting more. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMsadP9) * \- * **($50) Tangzu YuXuanJi:** Decent techs for the price, bright leaning sound, focus on vocals and treble over bass. Around in brightness to the ew200, open back design doesn’t do much for the sound, controlled amount of decent quality bass, and fairly good technical performance. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPz7wQn) * \- * **($30-40) TinHifi C2 OG/2025:** Very balanced sounding, enough of everything from bass to treble, good alternative to the Vivace, with a vocal focus + slightly less boosted bass. Good technicalities for the price. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKfH9Jd) * \- * **($30) Twistura D-Minor:** Somewhat V-shaped energetic set with average technicalities for the price, nice accessories that comes with a dongle dac, if you feel that it lacks bass or needs more bass try the different tuning nozzles. Basic but complete starting point pick. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mtr7wKB) * \- * **($50) Celest IgniteX Beast:** Balanced but slightly bright leaning (focus on vocal and treble) set that performs as its price point, semi-custom shell that can fit either really good or not so good depending on your ear. Decent techs for the price. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0Luh8J) * \- * **($30) TRN Conch:** This is a risky pick for the price, is better to get it on sale. The biggest upside are the accessories it comes with, is like an upgrade combo of a nice interchangeable connections cable, some decent eartips and a metal box, that comes with some extra iems included. The thing with the Conch is that it comes with interchangable nozzles, but just 1 of the 3 is useable for most people, the red nozzle, as the other 2 have a pretty forward and intense treble. The Conch has a V-shaped kind of sound, its somewhat similar to the ew200 but with more presence on the bass, which packs good punch, rumble and texture, and its also pretty clean; vocals are just fine, not that natural sounding iem, but also not bad; the treble Is energetic with some peaks of intensity, not the most refined but not super harsh, so your mileage may vary, just dont pick them if you are sensitive to treble. It works fairly well for rock genres. The nozzle is on the smaller size, however, because of the weird shape of the shell of the iem, its possible that the fit wont be the best for you, since its like a bullet style earphone, with just a cylindrical weight at the end that has very little support in the ear, so, keeping them in while moving too much could be a problem. Again, its not too bad, but it has a few “buts” to consider before buying it. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK0gJK7) * \- * **($70) Artti T10 (and other planars):** I know the T10 stock price is around $70 bucks, but in some sales in AliExpress, and with new customer discounts, you could find it closer to $50 or even less. The main reason why I mention this one is mostly to talk about Planar iems, those are know for having good overall performance in sound and techs, but that also comes with a not so cheap price, and the need for some extra anergy from a dongle DAC to work the best. The T10 has a somewhat balanced, slightly V-shaped sound, that has just enught bass, but some people could use a bit more, overall excelent quality of sound when properly amplyfied. Build quality is also fairly good. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKBFQ47) * \- * **($50) KZ PRX:** Mild V-shaped energetic planar, technically-wise competes with its planar peers but for a reduced price, however, it needs some good amplification, you should also get a better cable, 4.4mm cable with a dongle that has the connection, if possible, would be great. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ms7AueR) # -- # BRIGHT IEMS Now for more "bright" IEMs: Bright IEMs are more focused on vocal clarity, and especially treble intensity and details of the sound, they are not for everyone since most of the time the bass Is quite controlled and don’t really have much presence. * **($23) 7hz Salnotes Zero (Originals)(There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** Pretty detailed, vocals do take the main stage while bass it’s pretty tamed, still being plenty enough for it to be musical. The most sub $20 IEM recommended pick for gaming thanks to its price, performance and clarity. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK0Lu71) * \- * **($39) TKZK Wave:** A very technically competent pick, borderline neutral sound, with a clear yet small emphasis on treble, boosted enough for a detailed replay, the bass is clearly very reduced, but you can still hear some of it, dont expect much bass rumble. The bass might be too little for gaming. Check it out here: [Linsoul.](https://www.linsoul.com/products/tkzk-wave?srsltid=AfmBOopjxSmV08WMQvk-Rl0f6qiqRi0A-7hiIFV35tn3Q_6sqzbao6Ht) * \- * **($16) Tachjim Zero:** slightly more mid bass than the TKZK wave, slightly less overall technicalities, but in accordance with its lower price, similar focus on vocals with less treble. And, as it’s a bullet style it should be a comfy fit in your ear. Bass might be too little for gaming. Check it out here: [Linsoul.](https://www.linsoul.com/products/tanchjim-zero?srsltid=AfmBOooqEkFsn3ddSoCxeNxxA9ZhUqALVc7TAQVwn-j-wvSlP4B-8t5f) * \- * **($21) Tangzu Waner SE (Studio Edition):** A slightly brighter, but also cleaner Waner, with some more energy on vocals and treble, nothing else special other than the memory foam ear hooks in the cable that might or might not help with comfort. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMI8dSb) * \- * **($30) Ziigaat Nuo (FRS: C+):** A more bass energetic Salnotes Zero OG, the focus is on vocals and especially treble, but it doesn’t overlook the bass, has good performance for the price, but not a safe pick for people with treble sensitivity. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKr0NOF) * \- * **($40) Moondrop Lan (FRS: C+):** This could be a small upgrade from the Salnotes Zero original. A very decent build quality and technically competitive for the price, it has a nozzle on the small side just like chu 2, so should be very comfortable. The sound might have around the same to slightly less bass than the Zero OG, but, it will also have slightly better vocals than it, besides that, they are pretty similar, good if you don’t like much bass and you just enjoy a treble focused sound, but not with an overly intense replay. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mO5eyD5) * \- * **($60) 7hz Sonus (FRS: B-):** This one might be a bit out of budget but you can find it for less than $50 on a sale. Sonus Is said to have pretty good technical performance that is above its price range, however, the biggest downside it might had is that the sound could not be as "cohesive" as it should because of the dual driver implementation, that means that some parts of the sound around upper mids and treble might sound somewhat slightly separated from the lower mids and bass, most people don’t find this as a glaring problemm but you are warned. Of course, bass is reduced, but around the same as the Zero Original, this would be more like a direct upgrade, and should work well for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrnxgiR) * \- * **($40) Tanchjim OLA:** A bit outdated for the price, but still the special pick if you want to know what “neutral” is actually supposed to sound like, pretty similar to the Wave but it has almost no noticeable Sub-bass, in favor of a very clean sound reproduction, it has some mid-bass to it but mostly for getting that specifically neutral sound, and has just enough vocals and treble intensity for the sound to be correct and very natural. This is not a pick that is recommended for daily use, but if you love vocals and clean instruments, this one is still a great choice, although technicalities might be slightly below average at this point. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msI48If) * \- So that’s It, those are some of the best IEMs to pick for under $50, there are more that I didn’t mention and it doesn’t mean they are bad, is just that these are the most commonly known to be good and considered that most people would probably enjoy. Also, there aren’t many KZ or CCA options here because there are already some better options for similar tunings. Besides, KZ and CCA accesories and quality control is not from the best, and they have had other problems in the past like possible silent revisions of iems (changing drivers or tunings without prior notice) so they dont give me enough trust to recommend them so easily. Any question just Let me know. Notice that I do own or have owned some of the IEMs mentioned, but most of these recs are made by checking and comparing various Reviews from different sources. # -- # Reviewers List The purpose of this is so you can check the opinion of various people that had already checked a good bunch of other iems so you can have a wider perspective of what you might deal with, don’t take the word of just 1 or 2 unless you are sure they share your exact taste in audio, ideally use them just as a reference, compare any already owned iems with their opinions to see where their preferences stand in relation to yours, DO NOT trust only one opinion just because you like it better or the reviewer just sounds more knowledgeable. * HBB (YT Is called: bad guy good audio Reviews).\* * Paul Wasabi.\* * Super Reviews.\* * Jays audio. * Audio-in Reviews.\* * Gizaudio (Channel now run by ATechReviews - New Channel TimTuned). * WhatsNew. * SuperChonk.\* * Audio Amigo.\* * AndyAudioVault. * Acho Reviews. * Tone Deaf Monk. * Prime Audio Reviews. * Akros. * Ian Fann. * Hobby Talk. * Vortex Reviews. * AV Atmos. * Joyces Reviews. * Lumerion. * Honest Audiophile (I find him to be very biased by his own taste in sound, but it’s good to have every single second opinion in this case). * Joshua Valour (More headphones but still) * Kenneth Tanaka (this Is More for TWS/Blueetooth earphones) * Dan's audio Review (mostly for IEM sound comparation).\* \--- * *And please, do not take Sharur seriously, he Is trolling most of the time.* The names marked with a “ \* “ are the ones that are mostly well known and somewhat generally respected by the community and I. There is also the Legend "Crinacle" but he stopped doing "serious" reviews, i wont explain his lore, but if you find a review of an iem from him, especially in his "Crinacle" channel, he is also very respected, but he also sells iems now, so he has a lot to gain from you buying some sets. Now timmy, original host of Gizaudio has joined Crin into his Store Channel.

When It comes to relaxing listening sessions, actually some bass Is needed, really, most of the Energy an IEM has Is from the mids/vocals and treble. So i dont see anything with less bass being much better for that. Still, yeah, Waner might be a good pick, Its really Smooth and innofensive, Its just that bass has still a good amount of presence in the sound, thats why It Is relaxed despite having some less bass than Zero 2. If you do wanna upgrade for something more chill, maybe the Z300 could be a good pick, you see, It Is already bot that much more bassy than Zero2, plus, really the bass Is going to be as aggresive as your music Is, but at leas i never found z300 super strong or super punchy, also, It should have a more comfortable Fit since It has a smaller nozzle than Zero2. But thats just if you want to spend a bit extra. If not, them now that you explained better, yeah, Waner Is a totally fine side-grade. Just take in mind that, since you are used to something more energetic, maybe Waner will sound more dull and lacking bass at first listen (Is a thing that happend to a lot of people, to me too), Waner Is pretty balanced in sound for most people, so what happends Is that anything more bassy can make them sound like lacking some bass, while anything More treble foward can make them sound too bloated and bassy. So just a heads up on that front, might wanna give them a bit of exclusive listening time, without switching back to Zero2. For the record, i got my pair of Waner when i also has the Truthear Zero Blue which Is a lot more energetic, and Waner sounded a bit "lifeless", had to only listen to It for a few hours to really find out Its actual sound, now Is one of my favorite IEMs even over some more expensive sets. A good similar alternative to the Wan'er could be the Gate, with just a bit more noticeable reduced bass than Waner.

you see, Z300 is the only one from the bunch that kinda does check those boxes but it is still a $35 iem, it gets a bit behind overall vs the Zero Red, allthought resolution probably is around the same. Now, Rhapsody works pretty well, and i guess foe a difference it would be my pick, but 2 things, first, the Rhapsody would be quite more energetic than the zero, more dynamic bass and vocals, if you like that energetic sound, well is ok, but if you dont, you could find them a little too intense overall, the second thing to be aware about, is the Shell size, it might be too big for your ears, not the nozzle size, the shell size*, a big shell could possibly be uncomfortable to rest in your ears unless you have large ears. All that said, Rhapsody is a fair contender to the Zeros, but it goes more along the lines of the Zero blue type of sound, technically wise is very competend. all that say, if you happend to be able to but the kefine klean, now with 11.11 sales, i would really recomend that one over the Rhapsody, if not, Rhapsody is fine, Z300 is slighly bassy leaning and has a fairly good technical performance but the tuning is not for everyone as vocals can feel a bit on the background and bass is almost as boosted as some parts of the treble so it sound kinda balanced, also, it works better with good sound files, like, it replays quality very well, but also it doesnt enhance trashy mixed songs much.

i had the Cadenza, i have the klean, i 100% think is an upgrade, BUT, 2 things: the tuning is quite similar, but Klean has a bit better comfort, and second and most relevant, the Klean struggles a bit with humidity, if you live in a humid country, is not the best pick, would be a good idea to be storing it with 1-2 packs of silical gel, but the build quality is a bit better otherwise on the klean, but just a tiny bit on some areas.

i also used to own the Zero blue og, it was also similar, but it was more energetic than the Klean, but for me cadenza sounded a bit shouty, too intense on upper mid range, female vocals were aggressive, the Blue OG handled it better but had that same energetic presentation, both actually have a similar style of sound, clean bass, decent punch and rumble but as a basshead myself, wont call it bassy, just balanced, and the upper treble is well controlled, but again, my problem is mid range, sound a bit thin on both (like vocals lack a bit of body), but feamle vocals sound a bit intense for me on both, specially on the cadenza tho. If you liked cadenza for how it was, is also a good upgrade, BUT, given that the Og blue has quite large nozzles, i would recomend the TKZK Ouranos instead which is kinda the samer tuning as the cadenza but with a better driver.

Chu 2 and Wan'er 2 are a good start, but I'll go with Wan'er because of its more mature tuning and Moondrop build quality will really disappoint you in the long run Cadenza used to be my go to pick, but with Wan'er 2 existing, I dont see the point anymore Wyvern abyss is...a massive turn off tuning wise, the upper mids is too much for my ears, doesnt sound right

Imo the Cadenza is probably the best.

Glad the rankings helped! Dual Drivers can be better, but it is not necessarily always the case. I'd highly recommend either picking up the Cadenza or the Zero 2 as those are both safe options that are great for someone starting out! The Castor has a ton of bass and might not be for everyone

I have the Cadenza's and they are very nice comfy iems both fit-wise and sound-wise! However, they're not exactly neutral since they have an elevated high region as well as a lowered mids region. However however, they are still an absolute joy to use for music and can also be EQ'd very well to be more neutral (and more enjoyable for me). I used Squiglink to compare it's frequency response to the Kiwi Ears KE4 (cool neutral "meta tune" iem) and did auto-EQ to get values for a parametric EQ (which i used on Equalizer APO and the Peace UI on windows, it lets you change gain and Q value for specific frequencies!). Alternatively, for android because it is good enough, the generic slider: 63: +1 dB ### 125: -1 ### 250: 0 ### 500: +2 ### 1k: 0 ### 2k: -2 ### 4k: -2 ### 8k: 0 ### 16k: 0 (### just for formatting to make them easier to read cuz mobile formatting idk :)). The only other iems i know are: 7Hz Zero 2: a pretty good budget neutral option actually! Just too bass-boosted for me so it is unpleasant to use for a long while (7Hz Zero 1 as a less bassy version?). I absolutely hate how it fits though because it has a large-ish blocky shell and short nozzles, so it doesn't feel like they insert properly. Also, it somehow does feel more boring to listen to vs my other "neutral" iems. Tangzu Wan'er Studio Edition: idk how they compare to the normal ones, but they are also a good budget neutral but without the bass boost of the Zero 2! I also hate their fit for the same reason though. Edit: I tried the Wan'er SE's again recently and I do love their tuning a lot actually! Like my EQ'd Cadenza's but less bass so it also sounds cleaner. --- but the Cadenzas are still better overall >:D. Also, the fit isn't bad though, it just takes more effort to make it good, whereas the Cadenzas are effortless to insert properly :) Simgot EW300: a bit pricier, but basically has the same-ish sound as the Cadenza's but with all the other technical parts of the sound being better! Also comes with different nozzles and foams to adjust the sound further, so I used one foam in each nozzle to reduce the treble a bit (tuning is like my EQ'd Cadenza's now) and now its perfect for me :) I also heard the Simgot EW200 would be a good option, but they're especially bright sounding

I feel like a big thing for fit is also how the nozzle is angled when protruding out from the iem shell, and how much it protrudes out by. I had the zero:2 and tangzu wan'er studio edition and their nozzles both were short and at a 90 degree angle to the body, which made it hard for me to consistently get a good fit and seal with them both. Eventually, even if I got a good seal with them by angling them in my ear in a slightly awkward way, I got headaches or a sore ear from wearing them. I now mainly use the Kiwi Ears Cadenza and Simgot EW300 and the both of them have nozzles that protrude out further and are also angled a bit too. With these, its super easy to get a nice fit (with the right tips, especially on the cadenzas because their stock tips were not good for me) and they fit so snugly and without any discomfort. It could also be that they have small shells too though, so they can actually reach my ear canals properly.

Another one for the kiwi cadenza, it’s neutral but a fun neutral not sterile, very comfortable and retail is being dropping so you can buy them for a nice price

D13 is one of most underrated IEMs and it’s fine since I already have 2 units I bought for 30 euros each on sale , love them and there’s no comparison in build quality, zero red is another neutral boring IEM I never understood the hype and I’m glad I never bought one , I prefer the kiwi cadenza and it’s cheaper

my least favourite from the list is inawaken dawn.. Imo, klean and cadenza are better

There are so many, but the standard "try them" sets seem to be: Tangzu Wa'ner (2), 7hz Crinacle Zero 2, Kiwi Ears Cadenza, Truthear Zero Red, Truthear Hexa.

The kiwi ears cadenza are good for gaming and ok for vocals

etymotic IEMs are legendary for the sheer amount of isolation they provide, and if you can get them to fit properly their sound also punches WAY above their price tag er2xr is the more v-shaped option, whereas er2se is the flatter, more neutral one however for your use case, you won't need that level of isolation (probably) and could probably do with something cheaper like a moondrop chu 2, or a kiwi ears cadenza (which isnt really bullet style but is one of the better value for money budget sets) it's worth noting that if you ever feel that you don't have enough isolation, you can purchase a set of foam eartips, which will slightly improve the bass response and block out even more sound

Zero:2 is very fit for EQing I hear - but at the risk that you're sure that it'll fit your ears. Cadenza very good for its price, absolutely glorious with EQ. I'd say go for Cadenza

Cadenza, trust me

Cadenza, period

Vivace is exceedingly good for gaming and one of the default recommendations for it in that price range but the Cadenza are no slouch either. I think it depends on what you want to slightly prioritize. Both perform decently well in either category but the Vivace are ever so slightly better for games and the Cadenza are ever so slightly better for music. That's just my take though and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see others disagree. But that ultimately proves just how minor the differences really are and that both will be a fine pickup you won't regret.

It's less about being worth the upgrade if you already own one of the other sets, to me at least. I find that the question is more about just spending the little bit of extra money to begin with if it's within your budget. If it's not then an upgrade would also be out of the question either way, so that's not the focal point. As you said, the Cadenza just take EQ really well and have solid technical performance for their price, so even if you don't enjoy the tuning, they can be a really good deal. From there, newbies can easily play around with different signatures and AutoEQ other IEMs onto the Cadenza to get a fairly good impression of what they enjoy. I consider the Cadenza to be a great starter IEM for that reason and would argue that if you're looking to eventually upgrade or expand your collection, they are a top notch recommendation. Where I agree with you is that they are not ideal as a standalone one-of product. As part of an arsenal or as a first entry point they can shine but if you're only ever planning on one "do-it-all" IEM, then the 7hz Zero:2, Tangzu Wan'er and (as much as I dislike them) KZ Castor Pro are better in that regard. One last thing too, and this is a very minor criticism: Since you mentioned the Truthear Gate, which are considered very treble forward and the sharpest sounding non-KZ IEMs in their price range, I think it's a moot point to argue about the perceived sharpness of the Cadenza, especially given that a simple tip-roll can solve that issue entirely. I agree that the problem exists, I just wouldn't outright fault the Cadenza for that when other IEMs that people might be upgrading from had even sharper treble, even with better tips. Still, the default upgrade path here would go through the Truthear Zero:Red, not the Cadenza for most people and I'd levvy a lot of the same criticism against those as well (nozzle size -> stock tips, good technical performance, minor price difference to other entry level IEMs). I think it's more of an issue with ultra-budget and budget IEMs just not being all that different from one another and the most notable differences only coming once you invest more, which many people want but can't do. Then they opt to make marginal upgrades and end up disappointed at the lack of a difference. It's more of a customer behavior issue, not a product issue inherently if you ask me. Other than that, great stuff, appreciate the attention to detail.

The Cadenza is a good choice. Look into the Celest Wyvern Abyss as well. If you really want bass at a budget, try the QKZ HBB.

For audio production, I personally wouldn’t use anything less than the Zero Red. The closest to me at the price point would probably be either the Chu 2. Then slightly more expensive might be the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. If you haven’t chanced upon it yet, [here’s ](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1ei7lp2/newbie_advice_for_what_is_the_best/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) my standard advice that may help you find the answer you need.

These are all great IEMs so good research there! Out of these, my favourite are the Tangzu Wan'Er 2 because of their V-shaped sound signature. I also have a pair of Kiwi Ears Cadenza tho. They are warm, chill and laid back. Out of all IEMs in this price range I would go Salnotes Zero :2 tho. Best in that bracket imo

MP145 are really good, I EQ then to my preferences and they can even be turned into a bass head set. I think I won't hear any difference with the 10 times more expensive gear, or it'll be tiny and not worth the money. However I recently bought a Kiwi Ears Cadenza for my wife 'cause she needs something small and comfortable. They still didn't fit her, but I was amazed by their sound. With heavy EQ they are almost on par with MP145s. There is a small difference but almost negligible considering their price. I decided to not return them, so I use them now even more tbh. They are miles ahead in comfort comparing to MP145s, so I use them on work for meetings and music, and I barely notice them even after hours of continuous wear.

I love my Cadenza a lot. Would recommend for first pick. But if you can stretch your budget a bit, I would recommend turthear hexa.

Not OP, but I find zero red boring. If I were to choose between zero red and cadenza, I'd pick cadenza all day. Zero red is kinda lacking in the upper end, makes it sounds boring for me. And the nozzle size is huge.

big fan of cadenza personally - also because a lot of other iems feel heavy and cause me earache - including expensive ones - these ones surprisingly feel much nicer especially with an aftermarket cable

i don't know the detail, but when i see their squiglink tonality, there is a bit different thing wan'er SG has more neutral tonality while the kiwi ears cadenza has balance tonality personally i will take the kiwi ears, but since the waner SG is cheaper, i'll take the wanee SG, because neutral tonality mean that we can slightly adjust the EQ edit : why personally i'll take the kiwi? because i like the balance tonality

Waners, Castors, Abyss, Cadenza, Moondrop Chu 2, Blon bl3 2 are some iems you can consider. Most iems these days are good enough for flac music in this price range, only the tuning differs. As they're wired, they dont have a battery to degrade so they can ladt you forever. Just keep them away from sweat and moisture of any kind since that damages them. Considering most iems are 3.5mm, you will need a dac which converts type c to 3.5mm (digital to analog) and lets you take full advantage of your iems as it improves the sound and volumes as well. Even if you have a 3.5 on your phone or laptop, a dac will make the iems sound better.

Zero 2 and no. I grabbed some kiwiears cadenzas and rolled with those for about a year and most recently have gotten into a set of kiwiears quintets.

[Cadenza](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/su2rZpGrt7) is winning big time! Tuning, driver, looks, size, durability, you name it!

Yes and No. Tread carefully with the buying IEMS. Like with any other audio equipment, you'll always naturally want to seek that "next upgrade". After that $250-$300 mark for IEMs, it's all deminishing returns. The bump in price after that range would only be for clarity but it would never justify 1.5x or even 2x the price IMO. For IEMs, I've got the Sony WF-1000XM5s, Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza, Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK, and the Pilgrim Elysian, all at different price points. I tend to enjoy more of a slight V-shape sound signature and the DUSK, Cadenzas, and the XM5s are exactly that. You can get each for under $300 if you look in the right places. The Pilgrims are $400-$500 but tbh it's just not worth the offering for me even if the clarity is better the rest is underwhelming. TDLR: Find what sound signature you like best, do your research, and pick carefully. If you like a V-Shape signature like I do out of the box, the Cadenzas are great for $35. Oh and like someone else mentioned here. you only need that Apple Dongle as a DAC......nothing else.

no mention of staples like Wan’er, Gate, or maybe Zero 2 for the low budget end. Aria 2 is outclassed by newer releases and the cadenza isnt even 50, its 35 and should be in the higher end of the low budget end. No mention of other mid range staples like Crinnacle red/blue, artti t1, ew300, and especially the hexa which should be close to your pref. Even the Titan S is outdated with the Titan S2 and other competition stated High end is plagued with the same issue, lack of explanation and choice Honestly, the list is outdated and you would be better off just going to r/iems and looking at their list or doing your own research

Nice review! *btw I also found the Cadenza’s lacked detail.* I was initially torn between these and what I did buy (Inawaken Dawn; the shells won me over). Most reviewers put these near identical in quality/sound to the Klean and definitely more engaging than the Zero Reds, which are recommended on here all the time… Like you, the Singolo tuning was also mentioned for the Inawaken, but they’re improved versions - v.interesting you also brought it up for the Klean! The frequency graphs have them kinda similar but listening must make them appear even closer. Honestly, I think the Klean & Inawaken are the best $50 iems around for the sound preference.

Hey guys, so I bought the kiwi ears cadenzas about a month ago and I am loving them. My brother used my IEMs and he also loved them. He wants to buy a pair for himself but he doesn't want to buy the cadenzas. He listens to wide range of music and wants an all-rounder. Please recommend me some good IEMs. I was thinking about the Truthear hexa but suggest me some other good ones as well. Thanks

My vote go for Cadenza, hand down best Beryllium single DD so far, micro details, imaging is absolutely beyond price range. Good enough to compete with those 1000$+ Single Beryllium DD iem, especially the Dita Dream XLS ( lol)

Moondrop chu 1, 2, LAN, Truthear gate, hola, zero blue, zero red, 7hz zero 1, 2, kiwi ears cadenza, tinhifi t2, dlc, … and the list goes on

Yes, budget IEMs are crazy good these days, especially if you use EQ to touch up the output to fit your personal taste. For me, the original Artti T10 with EQ is the best budget device. I bought a few budget IEMs over last year and a half and the T10 is the best of all of them, followed by the Kiwi Ears Cadenza at $35.00. The thing about the T10 is that it does not fall apart with complex material. It keeps that transparent midrange and treble. The bass and low mids is where it lacks substance. It has good amount of bass, especially with EQ, but it's not the same authoritative bass that something like the Hype 4 has. But even then, for $55.00 the T10 provides disproportionate amount of enjoyment.

Have all three and on paper/technically speaking, the kefine klean is probably the best pick. Personally though, I really like the dawn ms a lot. I have a lot of IEMs that are in the 300-400 dollars range and while they’d logically be no match, there is something about the dawn Ms that makes me grab them every now and again and use them for a good few hours. I have a few kiwi ears IEMs (6) and a lot of love for almost all of them, but I’m not wildly impressed with the Cadenza. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still good and would be a good pick as a starter set, but if I HAD to choose between those three, it’d be the dawn Ms

No mostly less expensive than this, this was my splurge. I’ve had the Explorer (still love these), the Nova, Supermix 4, Performer 5, S12 Pro, T10, IE200, Hexa, EA500 LM, and a host of the popular budgets, like the Cadenza, Wan’er, Zero 2 (still use these with a Bluetooth adapter), and EW200. Before switching tips I was about to return them and just stop at the Explorer.

Totally OT and not trying to hijack the OPs post. I just didn't want to make another post since I'm looking at getting something in this price range and I like the EW300 as well. I was wondering if anyone can give an insight on how the EW300 compares to the Kiwiears Cadenza (which I have at the moment). I can also spend a couple more dollars (like $100-120) and get something else that you guys recommend for that price range. I also listen to music similar to what the OP does. I also love bass (but obviously it shouldn't overpower everything else or be boomy). Any comparisons/recommendations will be helpful!

I unfortunately live in the middle of nowhere. We don't have anything good here apart from best buy. And at the local BB, there's nothing except stuff like Bose and Sennheiser. So there's no way I can test it out unless I buy and return on Amazon, which I'm not keen on doing. I also appreciate your insight. I might just end up getting the EW300. I really like my Cadenza and I hope there's a difference (upgrade) in sound with the EW300.

kiwi ears cadenza, don't use anymore as I now have the simgot EA500lm.

for $35 kiwi ears candenzas are pretty solid

I bought Cadenza as my first pair , and honestly they are good for the price ! And you’ll love em too :)

I don’t know what to say , I am exactly in your shoes… I got kiwi ears cadenza was impressed , I just wanted a touch of bit more clarity, and I am in the same boat as you , it’s EW300 vs HEXA for me too I love the looks of the EW300 , but HEXA seems to have the best of clarity and separation out there but everyone seems to be on the train that bass is low , one Redditor said bass is like 10% more than AirPods Pro 2 , which I’ll be honest have more than enough bass for me. Honestly? Cadenzas had just about enough bass and any less would be anemic (more or less like AirPods but depth was better) , (maybe cadenzas were the best set ? Lmao) But looking at the anecdotes in the post… I am not even sure I should buy EW300 anymore… I passed up on EA500LM as reviewers put EW300 over them … (EW300 sounds more natural) Moondrop Aria 2s look don’t wow me , so that’s an no go… Ugh

I only disagree with 1. I prefer my cadenzas for podcasts over any other headphones I have. For music I prefer ofc the supermix 4, or 660hd.

I mostly use an on-ear headphone (Sennheiser Amperior) for away from home-duties. Biking, walking, shopping et c. (uni student in the EU, so no car/driver's license) But I have a pair of IEMs as permanent residents in each of my jackets. Sometimes I forget to grab the on-ears, and having a Kiwi Ears Cadenza as a backup is a comfort and a luxury.  They are inexpensive enough to warrant multiple purchases, and for the lifestyle they lead. Their sound is a bit too Harman to suit my individual head, but not enough to be offensive. >!I need 4ish dB less help from 1650~4k compared to Harman, making Harman thin, sharp, bass light. Removing dB in that region adds more bass than adding bass itself!<