I only started getting into IEMS in Feb of this year. Forced to stay at home from a tragic work injury, with nothing to do and money to spend. I knew there was life after earbuds, and hence, my first IEM purchase, the Wan'er SG.
Best bang for the buck: Kunten, easily.
Best of the year: AM16 Bass version. Going from the Kunten and my other single DD to this is like... WOW!
Biggest surprise of the year: Well, I have to say the Wan'er, because that blew me away after years of JBL and Sony earbuds. It was my first IEM and it felt like hearing Heaven after earbud hell.
Biggest letdown: Truthear Zero:Red. Without the resistor, it has no bass. It doesn't really have treble. And it really doesn't have mids. It has nothing... (Crinacle face zoom)... for $55.
Other good ones: 7hz Elua Ultra. KZ Castor Pro bass. KZ EDC Pro, KZ PRX
Others I didn't like: 7hz Zero 1 (no bass), KZ Duonic (too v-shaped), SGOR Luna (didn't fit well, and very ugly), Chu2 (It's OK. My other single DD's sounded better)
While in the house, I go for harder-to-drive IEMs, like my PRX, AM16, and my dual DD's/Hybrids (Castor Pros, Eula Ultra, and Duonic). Outside the home, usually my single DDs, like my EDC Pro, Saga bass, Zero 2, and my Rosefinch.
So, save power when on phone battery, use power hungries at home. Include 30mW DACs vs 60mW DACs.
Which DD to take outside the home? Depends on which one I haven't used in a while. I think I use the Saga bass most though. Works with the EDM I listen to more than any other genre.
The Zero2 is a great IEM. IMHO, I do think the GK Kunten is slightly better, but they sound very close to each other. The Kunten is usually priced lower.
Also, buy a DAC if you are using a smartphone. I'm partial to the JCally JM12, which essentially is nearly the same as the more expensive JadeAudio JA11. The DAC will output more power to your IEMs and will sound better.
As far as the more expensive IEMs, I only own two in that price range. The KZ PRX and KZ AM16. I prefer the AM16. But I am sure there are probably better IEMs in that range others here will recommend.
To suggest an IEM, the community here would need to know what genres of music you like, as well as your music tastes (EDM, rap, metal, k/j pop, etc.)
if you want v-shape (actual v-shape not mild v-shape) then juzear clear are very good. excellent bass extension + quality and you get alot of it. bonus points for the very good included cable
if you want something fun but still technical then kz am16 bass version
I got the AM16 Bass edition, however I like my T10 Pro a lot better.
Voices sound "unnatural" on the AM16 and the treble sometimes hurts. with some EQ though its sounds reasonably good for the price point.
Well it depends of course on your music preferences, finances and source of music.
May I suggest you disclose a couple of tracks you absolutely adore and would want to sound brilliant with the new IEM. Based on the genres you're into, the recommendations will change. Also mention your budget.
Second, unless you are monitoring recorded/ live studio music, analysing technicals, you are not going to enjoy flat tuned iems that people generally recomend. Most people prefer iems with overall good textured thumping bass and sub bass rumble, clean strong vocals and airy crispy treble with a wide soundstage.
If you have the option to physically try out IEMs before buying them, you might be able to first time right on purchase. Else, start small and go for starter iems and accessories. Once you are sure about what you like, you'll be able to research and find your endgame iem.
I am listing some starter iems based on my listening preferences:
Single Drivers.
1. Truthear GATe - Good single 10mm Dynamic Driver, fun sound tuning. Nice bass and vocals , smooth treble. Can be Equlised to make it amazing.
Cons. Cheap cable, plasticy, needs 8 core upgrade cable to improve music quality and eq above 4 db boost.
2. Kiwi Ears Cadenza - Good single 10mm DD , fun sound, nice bass , smooth vocals, smooth treble. Can handle EQ well. Looks great. EQ can boost bass and treble and vocals .
Cons. Bass is good you will love iems with more thump.
3. 7Hz Crinacle Salnotes Dioko - Single planar driver 14.5 mm. Clean tuning , focus on mids and vocals. Great for vocals and classical music. Can EQ will to boost bass and treble to sound amazing. Good looking set and kit
Cons. Can sound muddy with EDMs with out EQ.
4. ARTTI T10 . Good single planar driver 14.2 mm. Great tuning , good bass texture , mids and lows. Sounds amazing on female vocals and instrumental tracks. Good kit, ok looks .
Cons. Looks, needs EQ to boost lower mids for male vocals . Tambre is very planar and may sound different to sensitive ears.
I recommend Truthear GATe with a better cable or the Kiwi Ears Cadenza as is.
Multiple drivers.
1. Kz Vader. 3, 8mm dd drivers. Good bass, mids and treble. Nice soundstage, can handle eq boosts well. Good sound stage.
Cons. Need cable upgrade to 8 core (qkz t1 cheap will do) .
2. Kz AM16 bass edition- 8 driver all BA. Good bass, good vocals and treble. Great musicality and comparable to expensive DD iems.
Cons. Need better cable 8 to 16 cores. EQ is tricky as the low frequency BA driver is easy to boost , mids not so much.
3. Kz Castor Pro. 2 10mm DD driver. Good bass , good mids and treble.. Can be Equalised to boost bass and treble to sound like endgame bass iems like Punch audio Martillo . Cheap and dynamic.
Cons. Need a 8 or 16 core cable (qkz t1) . With EQ this can amaze people .
4. Letshuoer DZ4- three 6mm DDs with a passive radiator. Great sound, good bass and treble. Sounds nice without EQ. Mid focused and perfect for vocals . Good kit and cable.
Cons. Looks. 6mm dds do not handle much EQ. Sound is not the best for EDM.
I recommend the KZ Castor Pro bass version or the Letshuer DZ4. With EQ and new cable the KZ Castor Pro or Vader will sound better than others.
Top IEMs on Reddit
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7Hz
7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
76% positive of 493 users
Budget gaming pick, but poor cables and polarizing bass.
friday1970
