Since you didn't really give much info I say safest bet is the people's choice popular pick:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1la65kr/top\_5\_iems\_in\_every\_price\_range\_chosen\_by\_you/](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1la65kr/top_5_iems_in_every_price_range_chosen_by_you/)
For you that's probably the explorer over the Hexa:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1lgughc/truthear\_hexa\_or\_aful\_explorer/](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1lgughc/truthear_hexa_or_aful_explorer/)
Best way to get the best value for the price range, IMO is often to go one price range up and buy from the most competitive retailer, right now that might mean waiting until 11.11 through AliExpress, or just generally learning how to maximize your $ on a platform like that and getting a deal.
For example I took a screenshot (didn't pull the trigger) of the performer5 at $120 last 11.11 all in w/tax delivered. Just an example. You can get explorer around $87 right now, probably under $80 if you're patient for a sale. I also almost considered the tea pro for $260 at that time. S12 pro was 75 at that time.
From those i own currently, I love the Letshuoer S12 Pro the most currently, because they just carry the most energy when I'm listening to my favourite metal bands.
Other than that I also love my performer 5+2 if I'm listening to other genres or want something more comfortable.
We could actually include the simgot supermix 4 has better layering with a warm neutral with decent bass and the letshouer s12 pro which is clean slight V-shaped, bass is a bit tight like a bit constrained with nice clarity but is a bit bright for some
Iāve been into IEMs for a while now and it feels like around the $20ā30 range covers most of the recommended frequently budget options.
Stuff like:
\- Moondrop Chu 2
\- 7Hz Salnotes Zero / Zero 2
\- Tangzu Wanāer sg 1 & 2
\- Kiwi ears belle
\- Tanchjim bunny dsp
\- GK kunten
\- Truthear Gate
From what Iāve seen, they all seem really close in performance, just different tuning preferences.
At that point, is it more about taste rather than āwhich is betterā?
Or is there actually one that clearly stands above the rest in this price range?
My friends it seems there has been a misunderstanding. I am not a beginner, i actually create videos and help people that just stepped in the IEM world i was just wanting to do a couple of informative like talks about this price range being the most competitive and focused on right now with the influx of new guys trying IEMs for their first time. I just wanted the opinion of people about each of these cause if i do it from my point of view it becomes totally opinionated based solely on my perspective. I have all of these and tested them all myself. Just was interested on the community view on these and why
Ok so my preference are neutral with warm tuning so not everyone cup of tea but i prefer for it the chu 2 need taking care of cause of the build quality other than that vey nice. Belle is ome of the new contenders and quite nice for vocals acoustic long sessions. Gk kunten has bass with treble for like pop rock. Bunny dsp if you want to try different sound setting using eq. Zero 2 are fun like have fuller sound with bass and mid treble so edm pop stuff like that and tangzu have the best accessories hands down and have nice bright tuning
As a start for the $30 would recommend here the new dunu titan x and if you go a bit more to between $50 and $100 then simgot ew300 and juzear x defiant. Then simgot ea500 amd letshouer s12 pro. That is like the overall options for your preferences depends on your budget i wrote starting from $30 till the $150 mark
Sgor luna if you want a budget set. Think people now recommend the Timeless 2 most now. Maybe the MP145 or Letshouer s08 if you like a warmer sound. These are based on peoples recommendations though.
My choice would be to see if you can get the s12 or s12 pro for cheap used. Where im from, people are selling them for about $50-60. Sometimes even cheaper. I think they are perfect for busy songs like rock and jpop. If you are willing to, they take pretty well to EQ too. Edit: Forgot to mention that yes I own these and the Kz Pr1 Pro and think the S12 pro is miles better tuned and detail wise.
So its not miles ahead of the supermix 4 then. I'm currently stuck in the budget-barely midfi price bracket with S12 pros, TE Nova, Ziigaat Arcadia and I can't convince myself if its evem worth going higher in price especially since I got all of these at big discounts.
Ive had TE Nova, s12 Pros, Ziigaat Arcadia. All pale in comparison to my hd560s in terms of soundstage but I think are still good enough for an iem. Still able to tell directions, space and width but imo I dont find audio gear that necessary for gaming even for competitive ones. Any decent soundstage iem or headphone is enough.
I never heard the Arete before and I know freshreviews is like the gold standard for audio gear reviews catered to competetive gaming side of things so it might be a great leap but from the OG TE Zero which he said was good for gaming, didn't notice much of a difference upgrading to the Nova. Idk man, unless you REALLY want to get into high ranking comp games, I personally don't see the benefit.
Actually I also ordered the Performer 7 for about the same price and can't wait to get it though I wanted it purely for music enjoyment and maybe casual gaming or media consumption. Better iems or headphones never got me better at gaming so yeah lol. Good luck on deciding tho. Sorry for the lenghty reply
Have the Arcadia's but dont have the Explorer, so I'll try to compare with others I have. The Arcadia's are iirc called L shaped where the tuning is highly tilted towards the lower regions. So its quite a bit bassy and mids are warmer than neutral. Highs are also rolled off so the treble never feels spicy or sibilant.
I think the bass gets really fun and prominent when the track calls for a lot of bass, but when theres none you dont feel it. Compared to something like my 7hz legatos, tracks sometimes just sound bassy when on other sets you dont even notice it that much making those feel always bassy so I think its better on the Arcadias.
Mids are always warmer and lush so I really love that on rock, alternative/indie, rnb with male vocals. For female vocals, they can sound fine to noticeably muted on like jpop or kpop but I've gotten used to it, but due to this, it might be a deal breaker for someone. Personally have other sets when I want to listen to those genres so I dont mind a specialized set for rock for example. This is much more worse on the legatos but think they are slightly better and more focused than on the s12 pros which is v shaped.
Treble is very much tamed down and even on high hats or symbals, it never gets sibilant or harsh. Even then, they are still clearly noticable and just enough for me. Might make certain genres less exciting but its still the right amount of treble to play most genres well. But this does make this iem sound less detailed and airy so if technicalities is what you want, prob not it. Def average or even slightly below for the price range so I would advise getting on sale or used.
Think thats pretty much it. My entire reasoning for getting these were because some poeple have pointed out that these are just a bassier and upgraded version the Aful Explorers. Again, can't comment on those but they do achieve what I wanted from the Explorers which is smooth and warm tuning but + bass.
I have and use the Letshuoer S12 Pro. I got it purely cause it's a planar, and had generally good reviews, and got it on sale for 160 ish Canadian.
All that said, whatever iem you use, make use of EQ and tune it to YOUR PREFERENCE.
...and because Sleep Token was mentioned prior by u/Witty_Cobbler4542, WORSHIP.
I have the S12 Pro. Got it back in 2023. I still enjoy it.
That being said, there are loads of newly introduced better options for you, specifically Crin's Daybreak.
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