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

Just blind buy several ultra budget IEMs (you can get like maybe 5 for $100/100+), youre bound to have one or two or more that that will be good for you. Then when you learn your sound profile tuning/preference you can later on buy a more expensive one. One rec I can give you is the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Another really cheap one that just dropped with good tuning that has good reviews is KZ EDC Pro for just $12 (under $10 on Aliexpress). All the IEMs are cheaper on Aliexpress but its a gamble tho cuz Aliexpress likes to use these cheap ass fake couriers like UniUni etc.

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.

The Quartet is a bit lacking in details. The Quartet also is a bit spicy around 8 kHz. I returned the Quartet since the Cadenza actually had better details. The Z300 uses paper filters which veil the details. Definitely a nice and relaxing overall sound signature, yet not what I think that you are seeking. I think that the Kefine Delci will float your boat. If the bass is a bit too strong, simply switch to Tri Clarion or similar wide bore eartips to tame the bit of extra bass. What I like about the Delci, aside from its remarkable overall sound signature, is the overall performance of its very nice dynamic drivers. The bass is strong and clean, and the details throughout the entire frequency response is very nice.

I just got my Kiwi Ears Cadenzas this morning! They sound amazing! they're my first pair so I only have my regular headphones to compare them to, they are amazing!!!

Kiwi Ears Cadenza prolly maxes out your budget provided. Warm set but not that detailed (40 USD) KZ EDC Pro is still quite good right now. U-shaped and quite balanced across the frequencies (12 USD) Truthear Gate is also quite a great choice with its cable too. (25 USD)

All of these sets have been rec’d to death. And for good reason. They all have their merits and they are all cheap as hell. But let me make a suggestion. Instead of staying under $20 and getting something you may or may not like, do what one person said and get the TRN Conch. It is tuned very much like what you are describing and comes with a bunch of accessories and a modular cable. If that doesn’t matter then get the Kiwi Ears Cadenza which is pretty bare bones, but they sound amazing. Both of these sets are typically under $30 on AliExpress. The Cadenza is actually $27.48 right now. That is a steal. Just go for it. The extra $7-8 won’t kill you and it’s worth it.

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.

I heartily agree with all of this. I started about 18 months ago with a Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Since then I've bought a Fiio K7BT, BTR7, Ka11, K9 AKM and about a dozen different IEMs. These include all of the usual suspects, Wan'ers, Salnotes Zeros (& 2's), Crin red & blues, JH5s and others, up to an MP145. I've just ordered a Fiio FH7s - an IEM that I've wanted since I started. I'm telling myself now that it's my endgame - or at least my final IEM of 2024. Time will tell if I stick to it!

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

If you like the V-shaped tuning of Kz ZA10 Pro X, you’ll never like the sound signature of CHU, it’s too bright even for me. Space Travel does a much better job, but it has just the right amount of bass, you won’t get the thump you’re looking for. Probably the best choice for you would be Kiwi Ears Kadenza. These $35 ones are my FAVOURITE IEMS, period.

Maybe I’m overly treble sensitive. After trying so many iems at different price points, my favourite has been a $35 Kiwi Ears Kadenza. I JUST LOVE THE SOUND OF THEM. If you ask me if I can have one pair of iem for the rest of my life, I’ll take it in a heartbeat. And ironically, I came across a video where all the blind test participants chose cadenza over $2000 iems 😂

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.

For live use of IEMs I would focus on personal comfort and isolation. Most likely you'll get a mono wireless reciever and the mix you'll get fed from the desk and unless the IEM isnt terribly balanced it's a no issue which sound signature it has. I don't gig anymore, but I often use IEMs for hearing protection on concerts. I own over 20 IEMs and the one that is the best fit for me is the Ziigaat Nuo and I use foam tips on it. My recommendation would be to get maybe two cheaper IEMs and try which has the best fit and find some tips that get a good seal. I find foam tips to seal the best. There are many good choices like Kiwi Cadenza and Ziigaat Nuo that don't break the bank. And get some good foam tips

Clean and clear with punchy bass and reasonable details and soundstage for the price. They are the least-expensive of the iems that I would simply say "they sound good," rather than "they sound good for the price" or "they sound good for a budget iem." They are not great, but they're like, $35, and they sound good. I don't think they can be beaten at that price. I listen to them at work quite often.

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

Imo cadenza

Oof, we'll be here all day . Ok here is a list , whatever comes to mind ,, the list is going to be absolutely massive. 7hz Salnotes Zero (both 1 and 2) Moondrop Chu ( 1 and 2) Tangzu Wanner Ziigaat Nuo Kiwi Ears Cadenza Simgot EW200 Kefine Delci QoA Vesper 2 Moondrop Aria 2 Moondrop May Truthear Hexa Truthear x Crinacle Zero (all of them) Simgot EA500LM Final Audio E500 - E3000 7Hz Sonus Tanchjim Zero Tanchjim 4U Tanchjim Ola and Ola Bass HZSound Heart Mirror Pro Truthear Gate Kinera Celest Pandamon (both) Kinera Celest Plutus Beast

Oh yeah , what a fantastic pair, you can't go wrong with the 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.)

Kiwi ears cadenza better

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.

It's been my go-to set for "chilling." I listen with low to moderate volumes, so the treble is fairly safe. The only downside (if you like bass) is that the bass disappears.

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.

You won't need any specific sound signature for a guitar, especially if it's just for practice. If you are into metal then v-tuning of guitar amps is pretty common. But if you want to be faithful to what the guitar/amp actually sounds like then you'll want something with a fairly flat midrange. That doesn't mean it can't have a bass boost. Harman-tuned IEMs like the Truthear Zero (blue) and Nova have a boost in the sub-bass, which is quite different to a traditional v-shape where the bass boost occurs much higher up, resulting in a relative dip in the lower mids, around 800-1200kHz. Something that is considered "Harman neutral" will have pretty neutral mids, although some of these (especially the multi-driver IEMs that are tuned very close to the Harman target) can sound a bit hollowed out in the midbass, due to the "Harman bass tuck". With single dynamic IEMs like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, it's not physically possible to tune it like that, so they have a smoother bass glide without the "tuck". That makes them sound a bit warmer overall, but they don't have that hole in the midbass frequencies. That Harman tuck is bad for bass guitar, because it will result in some of the notes actually sounding noticeably quieter than others, but it shouldn't give you that problem with a guitar.

I have or have had all of these. 1. Ziigaat Nuo - Didn't like these. Tonality is OK but the soundstage is very flat, almost like listening in mono. 2. TRN Conch - These are basically a worse-tuned Simgot EW200. Quite bright like the EW200, but with added treble spikes that make it worse. The EW200 is good and pretty techincal but somewhat v-shaped. 3. EPZ Q1 Pro - These are good with caveats, see below. 4. Blon BL03 - Great fun v-shaped tuning (lots of bass and treble, but mids are recessed so they don't work well for all music). Fit can be a problem because they have really short nozzles. Initially, I really didn't like the EPZ Q1 Pro because it had quite spiky treble. However I seem to have solved this by using Whizzer ET100 tips. With those tips, they are much more balanced and sound like a competent Harman-neutral that sounds quite clean & doesn't get too bright. Soundstage is about average, but imaging is quite good. The reason I caveat this is that just because the ET100 tips work for me, doesn't mean they will work for you. They are an unusually long tip, and these sound wrong to me with every other tip I've tried, which tells me that there's a length-mode resonance that affects their tuning in a way that I don't get on any of my other ~30 IEMs. So I assume they are more sensitive than average to the length of your ear canal, and hence YMMV quite a lot. I have the Q1 and the Q1 Pro. I don't recommend the original Q1 unless you specifically want a very dark tuning. It's quite odd and not a safe recommendation at all. The Pro is completely different, much more normal Harman tuning not unlike lots of other IEMs but it's quite a nice one iff you get lucky with the stock tips or can find ones that fix the resonances. The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is quite similar to the EPZ Q1 Pro, but it's very slightly darker and bassier. Imaging on the EPZ is slightly better & the soundstage is a bit bigger, but it's only a small difference. The Cadenza is a bit of a safer option because a lot more people have it and it's very consistently recommended. Might be outside your budget unless it's on sale though. In terms of build quality, I'd say the EPZ > Nuo > Conch > Cadenza > EW200 > BL03. The EW200 is the worst-looking and feels a bit cheap despite being all-metal. The BL03 feels very solid but looks a bit bland and the short nozzle is a problem. The EPZ, Nuo and Candenza are all comfortable ergonomic shells, but the Cadenza is the lightest. The Conch comes with the best cable, but it's not a standard 2-pin, it's QDC, so not great for use on other IEMs. The BL03 cable is terrible and it's hard to find replacements that fit properly.

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.

KiwiEars Cadenza Truthear x crinacle Zero or Zero Red (Great bass = Zero; Fat bass = Zero Red) Can not recommend KZ products own KZ ZS10 Pros myself and it's a gamble if you get good or shitty cables as they'll choose one randomly + they've been reviewbotting. I personally won't support a company like that anymore but to each their own. Linsoul BLON x Z Note that prices are in germany so might differ for you.

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.

Another fan of the Kefine Delci (typing this while listening to them). For lower priced I’ll throw in the Cadenza, although it should fall in an under $50 budget category.

The Cadenza is an outstanding performer in its price range. It’s fun with decent bass and subbass, vocals are nice, not shouty or sibilant. It definitely punches above its price, which I don’t think can be said of the others you’re considering. If you can stretch your budget, and find a good sale, the Kefine Delci is outstanding. It’s usually $75, but sales can bring it down to ~$55. It’s warm, bassy, but has a nice extension at the high end without ever getting sibilant. They have a smaller all metal body and fit well. I will say they did even better after adding Spinfit W1’s, but the stock tips are ok. It also has a very decent cable for an under $100 IEM, let alone at the $50-55 range. The Cadenza has a decent, if thin, cable as well, both without any significant microphonics, another pet peeve of mine. But if the $50 is firm, and you can’t find the Delci at the right price, I think the Cadenza stands out as the best for the money at $30-35.

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 😄

My two favorites at around 50$ are the Kiwi Ears Cadenza and the Moondrop May. The May is not just good but is perfect if you wanna learn how to read graphs. The Cadenza is the perfect IEM for me. It's small, looks really good and it has the best tuning not just in the price range.

I need to ask. The Kiwi Ears Cadenza has a unique quality to it's bass. It is tight. ou can feel the wibrations of the streched out material on drums. That is a quality i have yet to find in other iems. If you have tried does the Davinci have something similar going on? Or is there an other iem that comes to mind by that description?

Kiwi Ears Cadenza and Moondrop May. Under a 100$ i would buy both and be very happy!

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.

cadenza is better, gate is comparable but different to chu II, not rly worse or better, maybe also look into $35 tripowin piccolo, it's on sale for $10 right now, absolute best buy, step up from all those $20 IEMs(except Tanchjim Zero DSP but that has a non-detachable cable)

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.

I haven’t ventured beyond the $100 mark since I only really use IEM’s when I’m not at home. One budget set that I keep coming back to is Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($35). I’m currently using the EA500LM ($90) and I’m super satisfied for now (supermix 4 has my attention though).

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.

Gate imo is very mid. Shouty, poor bass quality. Zero 2 is a bit meh in todays market. Chu 2 is okay, but not fun or exciting. Chu 2 DSP is much better. Cadenza is very nicely tuned, but bass lacks dynamics. Wan'er sounds a bit messy. None of these have nice bass really. QKZ x HBB has really nice bass, but are pretty dark so would EQ a bit. Should try Nuo again since maybe they had good punchy bass.

You mean Chu 2 DSP? Those are really nice. Cadenza is better than Chu 2 analog, but DSP is at least better value.

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.

I don't have any problems with the Cadenza. It's really tiny, but with the eartips (small Tang Sancai balanced) I have, it fits my ears perfectly.

Mine too.

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

Alright, I got out of bed to answer this one because I'm new as well and it sounds like you want to avoid what I did LOL. I'm trying to chase that same dream, and I've come to realize that you need to know what you like. I currently own four IEMs, Moondrop Chu 2 ($20), Kiwi Cadenzas ($35), 7HZ Sonus ($60), and Moondrop Blessing 3 ($320). They all have a different feeling to them, and I like all of them. But to be honest, I'm underwhelmed by how much $320 gets you in comparison to $20. They are better, but just as someone said below, it's fractional unless you can tell the difference. Unless you discover your perfect sound profile, like brightness, dark, warm, etc. or even have the ability to, it's like tasting alcohol. I've had a bottle of Glenlivet 18 ($80), and also a bottle of MacAllen 21 (when it was \~$400), and MacAllen was a little smoother, maybe a bit more oaky, but not quite what you'd expect for $320 more dollars. EQ is a variable, getting a perfect seal in the ear is another or the bass drops off, are you plugged into the back of your PC or are you using a digital analog converter, and I've noticed that my tripowin cable sounds better than the one my chu 2's came with. This hobby gets really addicting. I have four digital audio players. Shanling M1s, Surfans F20, Sony A306/7 (JPN), and a Hiby R4 and I'll be going to a shop soon that carries Astell & Kern. Might be getting a 5th DAP. At this point, I just alternate the IEMs for fun. I use the IEMs mainly at home while I'm journaling. I take the Sivga M200's flatheads out of the house as a daily driver because I need to hear my surroundings.

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 had the orchestra lites but couldn’t handle the size of them. I have the hexas and they do perform well on classical especially with the triclarion wide bore tips, but I wish they had a bit more bass. I do like how my kiwi ear cadenzas sound with classical, but the imaging is lacking. I guess my ideal set would be cadenza tuning with better imaging so I just need to do my homework and look at graphs

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.

As basshead that do like vocals and some treble, but have some problems with the 4k-5k peaks, be aware that their upper mids/lower treble leans into that area and it can come out as shouty and harsh, giving vocals an intense but also a bit hollow feeling. Mind you, a lot of people cand handle It very well AND even find It somewhat Smooth, but i just dont, and i know other people also dont. I first got the tkzk ouranos and had that same leaning but less bass, tried to use them but It was too harsh, so switched to cadenza, the extra bass did help but i still find them (sometimes) somewhat Sharp and bothersome because of that leaning, so yeah, there are other options to check if you are looking for bass, althought, sadly, for around $35, thats one of the Best balanced and "clean" sets you can get in that price range and with that techs.

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

Hmmm for V shaped I would recommend the kiwiears Cadenza. It's just a great all-rounder, fun and energetic tuning. Decent punchy bass. Great place to start. I made a post about iems I have tried feel free to give it a read. https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/16ZI5BN7WN Also, I find this guide handy: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1XQtSH90BGK99Vij3dXcSylfwcut5XerPbkkEksFwATA/htmlview#gid=0 Good luck on your search!

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.

I just ordered a simgot ew300 ($70) today, which is supposed to be a decent step up compared to my Kiwi Ears Cadenza and Tangzu Wan'er studio edition. If I remember, I'll let you know how I feel about it when it eventually arrives (which might be like 2 or 3 weeks) :)

Hello! I have returned and now with my simgot ew300's :) For a quicker summary, skip to the last two paragraphs before the final one :D Also, I'll add that I use all my iems with TRI Clarion tips since they feel like they improve clarity of all sounds, including the bass, without taking away from the bass still. I've only used the ew300's a little bit for like a day so far, but I think initial impressions of them are that they sound very full and weighty in every aspect of sound vs my Cadenzas or Wan'er studios. Its literally the great sub bass and thick, warm bassy (but inportantly not a boosted boomy) sound of the Cadenzas, but with the clarity, separation, and detail in the bass, mids, and highs as the Wan'er studios. I'd say they for sure sound a lot more complete overall and are much more satisfying to use for music. I think I'd also describe the tuning as neutral with a slight emphasis on bass (literally sounds the same as my Wan'er studios just with the deep bass of the Cadenzas!). I haven't tried them much in games yet because school, but from what I tried, the very deep bass made things feel very impactful and immersive, and the detail retrieval in all aspects of sound is also good enough that it made hearing and identifying small sounds easy. Also, I can't really tell much of a difference for soundstage vs the Wan'er studios, but imaging does feel more accurate an natural, probably since I feel like it has clearer separation between sounds, making it easier to place them in 3d space. I think it might not be worth getting solely for trying to improve in competitive games since the Wan'er seems to be just fine, but I think it is a fun improvement. Overall, the improvement wasn't noticeably huge (almost kind of underwhelming), until I went back to trying my cheaper pairs. But after trying my other pairs, it really did feel like I could tell that the ew300 was just a much more complete package. It just did everything very well. My Cadenzas and Wan'er studios felt like they were mainly focussed at being good at one aspect (warm, natural, deep sub bass for Cadenzas, and neutral sound with good details and a somewhat airy (but thin) sound that was ideal for hearing things for the Wan'er studios). Still, I'd say that it is not necessary to spend the money to upgrade from the Wan'ers to something like this since the experience is better, but I would've definitely been 100% happy even sticking with the two iems I already had. It was not enough to immediately make me say "wow", even after using it for a while, but I still think it was a noticable and satisfying improvement to be able to get basically everything you'd want in one iem. If you have the money to spend and are willing to spend it, why not! Its a fun step up and a good experience then! Otherwise, the cheap iems are highly recommended for a reason - they can give you most of the experience for relatively little money. Also, some stuff on the Cadenzas in general because you mentioned it. I love them for listening to music with because they feel like they have such a natural, comfy sound with how the deep, powerful sub bass works with everything else. Also, with its tuning being a warm V-shape (focus on bass and highs, has quieter mids), it is easy to turn up the volume to get a really impactful sound without feeling too overwhelmed at times. Even my Wan'er studios get very fatiguing after longer periods because you can hear so much more from them. I can't compare the sound to the original Wan'er because I've never tried them, but vs the studios, the Cadenzas have a much thicker sound as if they came from some big speakers. The main downsides to the Cadenzas though are that they do have a narrow soundstage and poorer separation of sounds, so the listening experience isn't very expansive. However, that combined with the recessed mids from the V-shape make it very comfy to listen to still, and the great bass still feels immersive. However however, the V-shape with the recessed mids also make it awful for competitive gaming in my opinion since many sounds in that region will just be so quiet. Also final thing for fun, when I compared my Cadenzas, EW300, and Wan'er studios listening to "End of Line" from the Tron Legacy soundtrack by Daft Punk, there is this one super bassy synth that comes in around 0:30. On the Wan'er studios (keep in mind, less bassy vs original), they sounded bassy and were good. However, with the Cadenza and ew300, they actually FELT and like a bassy sound and gave me goosebumps when I heard it the first time with them. That is all from my enormous comment! Enjoy!

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

If you’re new to the hobby, and are used to listening to stuff like AirPods or the Sony TWS stuff, I would highly recommend the Kiwi Ears Cadenza (~$50). I’ve blind bought these for multiple friends, and all of them have enjoyed them quite a bit. Additionally, one of the headphones.com hosts had a video where some of his non audiophile friends tried iems at different price brackets. At the end, all of his friends had ranked the kiwi ears cadenza as their favourite, above options like the 64 Audio U12t ($2000). I think the cadenza delivers an experience similar to many of the typical “consumer” sound signature, just more refined with better detail and punchier bass.

I will add that I own multiple iems at the kilobuck range (Campfire Audio Andromeda, 64 Audio U4s), but can still get lots of enjoyment from the cadenza. It just works well for many genres.

> Kiwiears Cadenza > nozzle in the smaller side [Are you sure about that?](https://www.reddit.com/r/inearfidelity/comments/15fdirb/comment/judw4l7/) The nozzle is short but 6.4 mm wide at the lip.

Give it a go. I'd say they are aggressively v-shaped, so very fun to listen to, but non-fatiguing. On a busier tracks they do sound cramped, but that is to be expected at this price point. To me they work best with EDM. Also, the fit is very comfortable. They sound noticeably different from others in my collection. I own Kiwi Ears Cadenza, Shanling Sono, Truthear Hexa, and Letshuoer S12 Pro.

Try Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Warm for sure. Super comfortable. Doesn't check all the boxes I guess, but is a viable option budget-wise.

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.

Best is subjective. The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection (take note, I’m treble senstive, so some of my classifacations may be a bit skewed)… * Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP * Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 * Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) * Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er * Treble leaning - 7hz Zero (original) If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs. If you have a little more money to experiment with... * Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 * Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue* * v-shape - Truthear Nova * Neutral - Truthear Zero Red* * Slight treble focus - Truthear Hexa * Treble leaning - Simgot EW200 and Simgot EA500LM *thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. I’m not a gamer, but I’ve noticed that gamers here often recommend v-shaped IEMs like the Zero Blue, the Truthear Nova and Simgot EM6L. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ or CCA - same company. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

Best is subjective. The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection (take note, I'm treble senstive, so some of my classifacations may be a bit skewed)… * Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP * Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 * Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) * Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er * Treble leaning - 7hz Zero (original) If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs. If you have a little more money to experiment with... * Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 * Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue\* * v-shape - Truthear Nova * Neutral - Truthear Zero Red\* * Slight treble focus - Truthear Hexa * Treble leaning - Simgot EW200 and Simgot EA500LM \*thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ or CCA - same company. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

“Best” is subjective. The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… * Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP * Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 * Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) * Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er * bright-ish - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you have a little more money to experiment with... * Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 * Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue* * v-shape - Truthear Nova * Neutral - Truthear Zero Red* * Bright-ish - Truthear Hexa, Simgot EW200 or Simgot EA500LM *thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

Short answer: That’s up to you and your ears. Long answer: The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… * Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP * Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 * Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) * Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er * Bright - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you have a little more money to experiment with... * Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 * Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue\* * v-shape - Truthear Nova * Neutral - Truthear Zero Red\* * Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM * Bright leaning - Truthear Hexa * Bright - Simgot EW200 \*thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. You may want to take a look at the v-shaped Sennheiser IE 200, since they're a manufacturer that's crossing over from the music world to the audiophile space. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

Before buying your first set, think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… Bassy - QKZ HBB v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er Bright - 7hz Zero (original) Unless you can sample multiple sets before you buy, try not to blind buy one set using most or all of your budget. You’ll end up wasting money in the long run buying sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. If you have a little more money to experiment with... Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 Warm - Truthear Zero Blue or Kiwi Ears Cadenza Slight v-shape - Truthear Nova Neutral - Truthear Zero Red Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa After trying various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like.

Sounds like you’re new to this space. The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? This is my cheap starter collection… Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er Bright - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample these before buying, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you’re willing to spend a bit more… Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue* v-shape - Truthear Nova Neutral - Truthear Zero Red* Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa *thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals.

Before buying your first set, think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… Bassy - QKZ HBB v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er Bright - 7hz Zero (original) Unless you can sample multiple sets before you buy, try not to blind buy one set using most or all of your budget. You’ll end up wasting money in the long run buying sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. If you don’t mind spending a bit more on experimenting, then you can try the following (one might even end up your “endgame”)… Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 Warm - Truthear Zero Blue or Kiwi Ears Cadenza Slight v-shape - Truthear Nova Neutral - Truthear Zero Red Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa After trying various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like.

“Best” is subjective. The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set using most or all of your budget based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run, by buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er Bright - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you have a little more money to experiment with... Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue* v-shape - Truthear Nova Neutral - Truthear Zero Red* Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa *thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. After trying various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

The IEM world is quite different from the headphone world that you probably know as a musician. There’s a lot more variety (in terms of tuning) and personal preference is much more important (due to differences in things like ear canal dimensions). In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. What particular frequencies do you want to hear more? What do you want to hear less? If you really can’t sample IEMs first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er Bright - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you have a little more money to experiment with... Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue\* v-shape - Truthear Nova Neutral - Truthear Zero Red\* Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa \*thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. If you’re looking to spend even more you might want to look into these… Bassy - iKKO OH10 V-Shape - Sennheiser IE 200 Vocal forward - Tanchjim Origin Treble forward - Letshuoer S12

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.

The IEM world has so much variety and your enjoyment would depend greatly on personal preference. What’s great for one person could be trash for someone else. In my opinion, the best way to approach this hobby is to sample numerous sets of various tunings. Try not to blind buy one set, using most or all of your budget, based only on recommendations. You may end up wasting money in the long run buying expensive sets with tuning you later realize you don’t prefer. Think about your tuning preference. Do you want a lot of bass (warm sound)? Or do you want more treble (crisp/bright sound)? Do you want something balanced (middle ground)? Or do want something with a bass boost with a treble boost (V shape)? If you want a boost in upper mids (vocal forward)? If you really can’t sample first, and can only buy, I recommend starting at the low end, then upgrading from there. This is my cheap starter collection… * Bassy - Tanchjim Tanya DSP * Slight v-shape - 7hz Zero 2 * Balanced - Moondrop Chu 2 (good for smaller ear canals) * Vocal forward - Tangzu Wan’er * Bright - 7hz Zero (original) (If you can’t sample, most newbies favor V-shaped or balanced IEMs.) If you have a little more money to experiment with... * Bassy - Blon x HBB z300 * Warm - Kiwi Ears Cadenza * Warm leaning - Truthear Zero Blue\* * v-shape - Truthear Nova * Neutral - Truthear Zero Red\* * Vocal forward - Simgot EA500LM * Bright leaning - Simgot EW200 or Truthear Hexa \*thick nozzles, not recommended for narrow ear canals. Borrow or buy-try-return. After sampling various tunings, you might be surprised by what you like and don’t like. (Whatever you do, stay away from KZ. They’re a terrible company with shady practices.)

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

Take a look at the Kiwi Cadenza, or the Truthear Zero RED. Should be cheaper, and is better than KZ. I would generally avoid that brand.

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.

To me, they’re on par with the S12. And again, better than any in your original selection. Why? Because even though the planar may have a perceivable sheen occasionally, it is FAST! T10 is balanced, not shouty, and has a great sub bass. Super versatile and not boring. Good fit. Better cable out of the box. The only con I have is the looks. It’s goddam ugly. I also own the Reds (neutral, clean bass, easy listening, a very good 2DD, but thick) and the Cadenza (good V, with magic bass I can’t explain, and a perfect fit, though a bit ugly) and like them a lot. But I paid about the same for all 3, and the T10 is the better value and performance. If you can’t handle the treble, while the T10 is not shouty at all, maybe look for a darker and warmer sound signature.

[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.

The closest to your preference that I have could be the Kiwi ears Cadenza, it similar to wan'er but ever so slightly smoother in the treble, with better sub-bass extension and more overall clarity. I will shill this iem every occasion I get because I like it so much, but if you found the wan'er straight up fatiguing you might want to go for something even smoother. I'm waiting for my blon z300 to arrive, if you still haven't decided you can remind me in 2 weeks and if it's arrived I can compare it to the Cadenza, or you can always look for comparisons online. As far as what I've read online though, the Delci would be an upgrade over the Cadenza on most aspects. Also, always remember you can use eq to find the specific area you have problems with in the treble, that can help you decide better which iems to go for

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

I just bought my first pair of IEMs and my first dongle DAC. Kiwi Ears Cadenza paired to a Fiio KA11. Sound and performance is friggin awesome and I can easily see myself going down a rabbit hole if I'm not too careful. With that being said though, would do you think would be a worthy upgrade of this without breaking the bank? I feel like the KA11 should power any future IEM with ease, but what should I look into next?

I currently have the Cadenzas, what you say stand out in comparison? I'm considering on upgrading is I feel like my Galaxy B2Pro outclass them.

I'm talking about the Galaxy b2Pro outclassing the Cadenzas. After I played with the tuning and downgraded the software atleast, the Cadenzas are not really as receptive to eq adjustments.I'm asking how do the Cadenzas compare to the EW300

Personally, the Cadenzas sound veiled in comparison but we can agree to disagree:) So the comparison was the Ew300 vs the Cadenzas right?

For female vocals go with the Kiwiears Cadenza. Small and lightweight shell, very clear and present vocal range. $35.00 on Amazon and you can return them if you don't like them. I own a few different IEMs and these would be my first choice for stage use, even if I own other much nicer IEMs for music playback. I play electric guitar which sits in similar frequency range as vocals. PS: I wish people who never performed on stage and have no idea what a live stage mix sounds like refrained from giving advice. OP, ask again in music production oriented subreddit. You will get more pro audio related advice there. Here you have mostly music consumers and not performers.

Yes there is a lot of snobbery on all professional oriented discussion boards. It applies to audio and music production, but also film making, photography, gaming etc. Some of the posters will tell you that you can't make good music unless you have Neumann mics and the original 1970's Neve mic pres and vintage Universal Audio compressors. Which is obviously untrue as many great records were done with cheap gear. IEMs are the same. You don't need the top of the line Sennheiser IEMs to hear yourself well and to suppress stage noise. The one thing you want to look for is clean headroom. You want the IEM to be able to reproduce the sound at comfortable levels without breaking up and distorting. My recommendation stands. At $35.00 the Kiwiears Cadenza should serve you well, provided you get good isolation through well fitting tips. If you find it lacking, come back and report what is the issue and people will help you pick something better fitting your needs.

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.

Or just get the Kiwiears Cadenza and done

I would suggest blon z300, its qkz x hbb but better air and detailing, the bass doesnt overwhelm too much of the clarity. Cadenza is a very solid pick, great vocals, great bass texturing.

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’d look for a smaller IEM. The Fudu, Kima, Kara, Cadenza, F1 Pro, Titan S, are all smaller IEMs that I have tried that sound great.

Start with a popular yet inexpensive IEM, like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza or Wan’er. Some people just don’t click with IEMs. Once you have determined if you are compatible with IEMs, determine your budget and stick to it. Finally, you can often find quality IEMs being sold at reduced prices at r/AVexchange.

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!<

I have the Wan'ers, had the Chu 2 and own and regularly use Kiwi Ears Cadenza (wich at points are around 29€ in Amazon Spain, like right now) so this is gonna be long. I wanna say beforehand that I'm not an audiophile and I use my gear mainly for music, youtube (doctumentary and podcast) and gaming (mostly single player, not competitive FPS) on a daily basis. I had the Philips Fidelio X2HR, I know these are not the best cans but are amazing (tho pretty unconfortable). So, I have some experience on what good audio gear is even if I'm not an expert. Chu 2: gentle V shaped, I liked em for music but made me a bit tired after half an hour cause of the highs being a bit piercing. I think these are great for the price but if you are picky with the highs like me you might get tired of them. I hated them for gaming because the soundstage is wild: I was able to pinpoint every sound on the x axis but it wasn't that easy on the y, and I think imaging was good but since soundstage was very narrow it confused me a bit with above and below sounds. Besides the moistoure problem some people keep bringing. Cable is cheap but looks fine to me, and come with nice tips. Wan'er: More neutral sound, not sure how much, cause again, I'm not an audiophile to tell. Tome, they sound not too fun. They sound really good, not a problem to hear music, but to me a big pass on games, where I think you want some fun with at least some bass and highs. Cable is dirt cheap, at least the green version, and materials itself for the IEM is cheap plastic, not the best feeling on the ear, but ok, tips are also quite shite: they don't hold well and at the same time put a lot of pressure on my ear channel (mines are a bit delicate tbh, but Chu's are tight and press a bit, hold pretty well and do not fatigue my ear channels). Overall I think they are great for around 20-22€ but not a blind buy at all, specially not a the 27-30 price point you see them at times. Zero: Can't say much other that I've read that could be considered a funnier Wan'ers with better cable and tips. Cadenza: I absolutely love these. Their signature is warm, which I think it's to put some lows and mid-lows a bit up and keep the rest fairly neutral. Tbh the sound is not a lot of "fun", but they are very relaxed and I can use them for hours. Their quality is amazing, I love every single genre of music I listen on these, from metal to classical, weird traditional things like Wardruna or Laboratorium Piesni and even flamenco and jpop. I can get all details in music, same as with the Chus or the Fidelios, but without getting tired of anything. For games I think they are a mixbag, they sound amazing but the soundstage isn't wide as headphones, which give a very nice feel of space between sounds (even my loved and hated Razer Blackshark V2, God I hate thes cans, but hey are my go to for open world games usually) I do think the Cadenzas do a really good job on Baldur's Gate 3, Chivalry 2 and, to my surprise, on RDR 2, and they hold decently enough at Ghost of Tsushima and Cyberpunk 77, to give some examples). Cable is quite decent, looks like it will hold heavy use and tips ain't the best, but they hold very well in my ear and don't pressure too much. I hope this helps you because I was exactly in the same spot as you a few months ago. On a final note, I think a lot of people on YT have hyped IEMs like all rounders that destroy your -100€ headphones and, thus being true, they are very different listening experiences. IEMs are more intimate and I love that on music, also watching some youtube videos before bed is amazing on these, don't even want to know anything about headphones if I can avoid the now, except for gaming, tho it depends on the game. I know some people like IEMs better for any gaming genre, but trust your ears, buy on Amazon or other platform that let you return the product. Since you come from cheap earbuds you might think any IEM is heaven, but I would consider a decent 40-80€ headphone for gaming if you are into other things than competitive. \*\*Another note on replacing the cables: some IEM's are so cheap that if the cable break, a new one might cost almost the same as a new pair. So, unless you have cables to spare, like many collectors, the Chus and others in that range might not be worth it considering in many stores these are from 10 to 15 the cheapest ones. In my book is not that worth it looking it that way. So look for cables and maybe tips in your reference stores before buying, to know what you are dealing with.