IE600s are notoriously v-shaped IEMs that are pretty far out from neutral with exaggerated bass and treble.
In terms of form factor there isn't really a like-for-like replacement for something as small as the IEs.
Some additional recommendations worth checking out:
Aful Dawn-X, laid-back and natural sound, almost inoffensive.
Symphonium Crimson, aggressively fun like the IE600. 4 BAs make it one of the simplest constructions in that price range.
Symphonium Europa, a more balanced brother to the Crimson.
Letshuoer Mystic 8, very dry tonality but that's also what makes it special. A statement piece of an IEM. Actually close to neutral, as in, most people will find there's too little bass.
Yu9 Que, if you could get your hands on one. The hype mainly comes from its price-performance ability and it could absolutely go toe-to-toe with many $1k sets, though I find its tuning stereotypical. It's a solid all-rounder choice if I don't know what your tuning prefs are.
64audio Tia Trio, if you're considering the U12t already you could also consider this. Some of the best bass I've heard in an IEM bar none. U12t sounds boring by comparison.
Sony IER-M9, another laid-back oldie and a perennial competitor to the IE600. Depending on where you are, they could be had for cheap. Warm neutral presentation with treble boost, dynamics are its Achilles heel.
Thieaudio Valhalla, much more refined v-shape presentation than the Monarch MkIV and more comfortable. Given your budget goes up to $2k, this is very much worth checking out.
In terms of fit, Thieaudios are notorious for big shells and contentious comfort, so the advice is always to try before you buy if you could. You'd have the best luck with 64audio, maybe Symphonium, but Symphoniums will take some time getting used to because they aren't vented.
The $400 range is where it really maxes out.
It doesn’t get better at $500 or more.
I swear I’ve seen this exact discussion before.
I basically have $400 sets that perform better, or about the same, as $500, $600, even $1,000 sets. That’s where the improvements stop.
Dusk is $400 and Tea Pros are around $340. Softears Studio4 is currently around $350. We’ll use that as a reference.
Dunu SA6 Mark 2 is $600. One of the most overrated and overpriced IEMs I own. Sounds like flat coke. I’d take Studio4, Tea Pro, or Dusk over it — all around $350–$400.
Xenn Top Pro, even at $500+, isn’t “better.” It’s just different. I have cheaper sets I like more, like Kiwi Ears Astral, Cadenza4, Studio4.
I extensively tested the oh-so-hyped Mystic 8. My Studio4 still beats it (for me). Mystic 8 is $1,000. Studio4 is $300–$400.
I like the IE600 and IE900, but they weren’t better than what I own now. And those things are stupid expensive.
Mega5EST a few months ago was $500+. It was eh. Murky. I like Dusk and Tea Pros better. Again: things don’t really get better past $500.
I also have zero interest in the Mega7. Would not be shocked if Kiwi Ears Astral or Xenn Top Pro kicks its ass.
And while unrelated, this is exactly why I don’t bother with 99% of Thieaudio. They make it SO easy for me. Stupid expensive, stupid huge. If your idea of “premium” is building IEMs the size of BOULDERS that don’t even fit smaller ears, then thanks — you just removed yourself from consideration. I demo them, I try them, and I literally can’t wear them for long. So you never get my money, and you never will. You’re basically the GORUCK of IEMs: stupid expensive, stupid big. Easiest pass in the entire hobby.
From experimenting with a ton of IEMs, I’ve found there are three real “value peaks” where performance jumps make sense:
**$80–$100 tier:** Defiant, Explorer, Xuan NV, Dunu Kima 2, Truthear Pure — this is where good sound starts.
**$200 tier:** Performer 5+2, Kiwi Ears Astral, Letshuoer Cadenza 4
**$400 tier:** Dusk, Softears Studio 4, Tea Pro — this is where things get *really* good.
**Beyond $400, returns drop off hard.** For my preferences:
* Mega5EST didn’t beat Tea Pro or Dusk.
* Dunu SA6 Mk2 fell behind Studio 4, Zigaat Lush, and Dusk.
* Top Pro is good, even great, but not $550-good — Astral and Studio 4 gave me more.
* Mystic 8 at $1000 disappointed; Studio 4 still sounded better to me.
https://preview.redd.it/l522or74h97h1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=822fbf1237772690436e074da0216578c0f7638d
$20 iems - Most are bad.
$80- $120 iems - Iems get good, ie Defiant, Hexa (if that's what you like), Dunu Kima 2, Twistura Woodnote, Pure (if that's what you like), Xuan NV, Artii T10, Fosi IM4, Sivga Que, Aful Explorer (if you like that sound)
$300- $400 endgame iems - Yu9 Que, Astral, Crinacle Dusk, Tea Pro, Volume S, Softear Studio 4 etc.
$401 and up. Things don't get better. They're just "different". No fecking joke, I'd take some 160 buck iems over a $550 sleepy sounding Mega5est. I'd take $200 iems over a $600 Dunu SA6 Mark 2. List goes on. I liked Studio 4 over a $1000 Mystic 8 (for me, and based on the version I heard at Canjam).
Letsheour Mystic 8, and not really no. Anything in the thousand+ range isnt really worth it.
However, if Im listening to some singer-songwriter, vocal focused artist like Sufjan Stevens, FJM, or Lana, it is incredible.
ThieAudio Prestige Ltd or Letshuoer Mystic8.
Mystic8 has less bass, some would say almost no bass. Prestige Ltd has a tasty amount in a supporting role.
i also felt like the hexa sounded like a blob and i had to get rid of it because it felt like i had hearing loss but when i used the mystic 8 which graphs extremely similarly it easily has the best seperation and micro contrast of the ones ive heard
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Budget gaming pick, but poor cables and polarizing bass.
bthf
