AS10 (Original / V1)

I'm using these: KZ AS10 [https://www.amazon.com/Kinboofi-AS10-B1-KZ-AS10-IEM-5-Balanced-Armature-Driver-Earphone-Stereo-HiFi-KZ-in-Ear-Monitor-Headphone-Musician-Headset-with-Detachable-2-Pin-Cable-No-Microphone/dp/B07GW8GVG1](https://www.amazon.com/Kinboofi-AS10-B1-KZ-AS10-IEM-5-Balanced-Armature-Driver-Earphone-Stereo-HiFi-KZ-in-Ear-Monitor-Headphone-Musician-Headset-with-Detachable-2-Pin-Cable-No-Microphone/dp/B07GW8GVG1) They are quite nice for the price, they sound great. They lack somewhat in bass response and let in a lot of outside sound, because that's how IEMs are supposed to work. So the main thing to keep in mind is that they will sound different from your cans, they are supposed to. I also used to have the DT 770 Pros, and now use the open back 990s instead. There's also a version with a built-in mic, and I would advise not getting that one for synths, because sometimes the TRRS cable doesn't line up properly in a synth's TRS headphones jack.

Probably an unpopular opinion, but the hideous KZ AS10 are still in my rotation armed with dunu SS tips and the 4.4 cable from my letshuoer ej07m kinda lava. Even with many other iems worth over 500, these little $37 crappers have a lot of fun and detail to them. Are they my favorite iem? No.. But they're the only thing in that price point I still listen to regularly.

I started with the ZS10 Pro but ended up switching to the AS10 after a gig or two, they had a little more distinguished bass that helped in our old setup before we could each control our own mix. Another cheap option to check out.

Same, did 2 gigs with them, even with faom ear tips, and still had a hard time hearing the bass. Bought a pair of the AS10's and have been using them since, got a little more bass response (esp mid-bass) out of those. If listening to music for enjoyment, the ZS10 Pros have more clarity especially at the low and high ends, but the AS10's just cut through better for bass with my bands' wireless packs. We've since got a new setup with a digital mixer, so I can set my own monitor's levels for each person and eq it, so that definitely helps more too and I bring my ZS10 Pros as backups since I can dial it in better.

These KZ’s are super standard for entry level in-ears. I know some pros who use them and actually prefer them to $$ custom molded ones, just because they don’t have to worry about babying them compared to the super high dollar stuff. I’ve used them a little and i think they’re great; it’s a great stepping stone until you can afford some real nice custom stuff from a company like 64 Audio. My daily drivers for in-ear gigs is the 64 audio A6t, and I love them - and man oh man do they sound good plugged straight in to synths too. Just be careful with that gain 😬

I don't have many 30 buck IEMs, but I have the Blon Bl-Mini, had the KZ DQ6 fo a while, the KZ AS10, Tin T2 Plus(trash) and then on the more expensive side the Blon A8 Prometheus and the Moondrop Kato, also tried a few Fiio under 200. The difference between these and let's say the Blessing 2, S8, the Studio 4 and the RSV are definitely noticeable. Worth the price? I'd say that'll greatly depend on how much it hurts your pocket and how much you appreciate the improvement. There is certainly a difference but value is highly subjective. In short, yes, sound improves. Whethet it's worth it or not will depend on who you ask. As far as the price increments that I've tried diminishing returns evidently kick at the 500 ballpark. That being said I've only tried the S8 and RSV as far as kilo or nearkilobuck goes. And I haven't tried Mega5EST or Variations which some might say are even better than the S8 and maybe even the RSV. Best thing is to live somewhere that has a shop to demo IEMs. Not my case tho. As some others have stated, tuning is a huge deal. The S8 truly excel at Polyphia, Ikigai, Plini or any instrumental rock music. The Studio 4 are great all rounders, excel at female vocal clarity and isolation with fair detail and bass. RSV also great all rounder as the Studio 4 but exchange some of the female vocal clarity and isolation for better tonality (richer, fuller more natural female vocals) and better male vocals than the Studio 4. Both the Studio 4 and RSV have narrower soundstage than the S8 and less extension in the treble but better tonality, mids and bass. I guess you get the gist of it. As Thomas Sowell would say: there are no solutions, only tradeoffs.