I'm like you. I was out of the iem space for years and only just returned. I've got the Campfire Audio Polaris, FIIO FH9, KZ ZS12 PRO X, and 7HZ Timeless II. The 7HZ Timeless II is by far the best sounding IEM I've heard to date. It's a planar and my god it has bass for days, amazing instrument separation, awesome mids presentation for rock/metal, resolving highs and it was only $229 USD. The Timeless II is great for rock/metal, hip hop, and EDM. Likewise, the KZ S12 PRO X is in spiting distance of sounding on par with my much more expensive FIIO FH9. Skip the name brand stuff and check out the chi-fi scene 100%.
the zs pro 12 x is the successor of the kz zs 10 pro. They are good IEMs but the t10 is outperforming them.
OP since you have a DAP you are able to feed enough energy to drive planar IEMs (t10) so my reco would be to get a T10 with 4.4mm cable, you won't regret it
I'm the same as you, having almost HD ears! My problem is age related and my left ear is worse than my right. I was looking for some, that I can be tuned, and didn't want to spend a fortune!
After taking a bit of time I've just taken a punt on a pair of KZ ZS12 Pro X (1DD+5BA) Hybrid IEMs, from AliExpress. I chose the model with the selectable treble boost and base reduction and I didn't need a mic on the cable!
They don't have 4.4mm balanced cables however if they sound good enough, I'll use my saving to upgrade the cable.
There was an offer on, so £28.93 instead of £76.51 inclusive of VAT and free delivery.
[KZ ZS12 PRO X Metal Earphones 1DD+5BA Hybrid HIFI Bass In Ear Monitor](https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJaAjWU)
KZ ZS12 Pro X is competent. Not a bass monster. Put some Tang Sancai Noble tips for better bass over stock tips.
KZ AM16 is really good, fun set. My current favorite that I have.
KZ Audio will have you set for anything that isnt sold out arenas, and would suffice even there lol and wont cost you a whole lot.
If you want the real deal, then get custom molds. But with like.. 50usd and potentionally adding better foams on them you can manage perfectly fine.
I use KZ ZS10 Pro X and ZS12 Pro X. I also have ZS10 Pro 2 but I dont recommend those. That said, I'm a bass player first, but I have literally no interest consider something like Shure that costs 3-10x as much, has less hardware and at best sounds as good as the 50 buck pair of KZ. Of course when you start to go into the expensive range of Shure they likely pull ahead, but by that you are also paying a minimum 10x as much.
KZ ZS12 Pro X for me, but seeing these recent ZAX recommendations, think I'll pick up a pair to try them too :D
But after trying KZ, I've had no interest in other brands, really. And they are cheap enough that you can get several pair just in case, but I've never had a problem with them and I use them for like 4-6 hours every single week.
I'll be buying more KZs. Got ZS 10 Pro X, ZS10 Pro 2, ZS12 Pro X. ZS12 Pro X is my favourite, the Pro 2 was somehow quite bad. ZS10 Pro X was great but the ZS12 Pro X was even better.
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7Hz
7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
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Budget gaming pick, but poor cables and polarizing bass.
_AKIMbO_
