Most of my IEMs are warmer, so not too many mid forward rock/vocal IEMs. In the $250-500 price range, maybe the Moondrop Blessing 2, Thieaudio Hype 4, and anything Penon makes (I really like the Vortex and it's only $200). For $500+, the Oriolus Isabellae probably takes the cake for vocal forward IEMs.
My favorite IEM that I have currently is the FATFreq Maestro SE, but that's out of most people's price range so I definitely wouldn't recommend it for most people. I still feel stupid spending as much money as I did, but hey, I enjoy it so I'm getting my money's worth!
damn near every iem or headphone is able to be pushed I believe 14db higher or lower without issues in terms of eq without pushing a driver to far (we are talking about how they respond to frequencies, not total volume)
any modern driver in an iem thats not snakeoil can be retuned to sound like damn near any other iem, the only difference being how clear they are, ill give an example, I had salnotes zeros to test out modern iems, and I had hifiman editions, in terms of tone, they were near identical when I eq'ed them, but the hifi man was just so much clearer it wasn't close.
then based off a feeling I got blessing 2's the hifi man had issues where bass would bleed into treble causing a wobble, for reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b-FEaGJG8Y is what I used to push bass into worst case scenarios, on blessing 2's, that wobble isn't there, this is an absolute worst case scenario but you can hear bass screwing with other frequencies in other songs/games/music, its just not as in your face with that song, megadrive flawless is a good example of song but its very hard to hear.
personally, I would go with truthear pure, just because I know how much stuff costs even at volume prices, and that kz should be impossible to make if they aren't skimping.
For me the point of diminishing returns is the Thieaudio Monarch Mk IV.
Of all the IEMs and Headphones I own it is the only ones I use without EQ.
I have a pair of DCA E3s that I "can" use without EQ, when necessary, and not find deficient, but I prefer a light EQ curve with a bass boost, that really opens them up.
And it is downhill from there. And I have several pair of what many consider "end game". Including HD 800S, HEKU, HEKS, HE6SE, LCD-X, Focal Elex, and others. I pretty much would not use them without EQ.
I also have several pair of IEMs, including the Moondrop Variations, Blessing 2 Dusks (I have also owned the original B2) among others. But I am extremely happy with the Mk IV, since I acquired them. Incredible detail, balanced sound and great bass without EQ. They do require tip rolling and some effort getting just right. And I understand they will not fit everyone's ears (sucks to be them), and I assume that the critics have not taken the time to configure properly or they don't fit their ears. I can do an improper setup with them and achieve the sound they "claim" about them. But just a touch more work, and voila: magic. And once setup you only have to put them on and play music.
My endgame until such time as the Subtonic Storm becomes available to me...
It looks like a fair option with a lot of output for the money and size.
However, the FiiO KA13 has pretty much the same specs for $25 cheaper (along with FiiO build quality and reliability), and the KA15 looks to be a price to performance champ at only $10 more. The reviews (that I have seen thus far) would indicate some issues with the Crinear. But more research should be done before any purchase.
Yes, all of the above would power most over ears adequately, with only power hungry options crying for more (think HE6SE or HD 800S). Maybe not excelling like a monster desktop amp, but certainly enjoyable. I have used less powerful DAC/Amps and had satisfactory performance, with even a DCA Noire (a bit power hungry).
I have the FiiO QX13, which is a great portable option with a desktop mode of almost 1 watt (900 mw). It is a bit larger than other portable "dongles", and a touch expensive ($220 or $240 depending on finish. but comes with its own case and is small enough to use traveling). Other options either have less power (though smaller) or are bulky and expensive (containing a batter to maintain, as well). Over 600 mw with a desktop mode of 900 mw is enough to power all but the most power hungry headphones well enough to enjoy them. So it can act as both a portable and desktop option. I also have the KA5 & KA3.
I do use a (somewhat) pro setup for my desktop (my hobbies include music production, etc.). with an RME ADI2-Pro, Topping A90D and MiniDSP Flex balanced with Neumann studio monitors and sub. Way overkill for your needs, I'd imagine.
I have tried on numerous occasions using a Schiit stack, with my AKG K702 and my Moondrop B2 to see if I can hear the difference. And if I am really concentrating, there are very few moments of transience that are different. Absolutely no practical difference in everyday listening though.
Now, going from 320Kbps MP3 to lossless? Absolutely impossible for me to hear any difference no matter how much I close my eyes and concentrate.
i focal mg clear and love them - for a change of pace i have far less expensive moondrop blessing 2 ear buds - and neither would sound as good as they do with my mojo dac - gotta have a good dac to make it work
48-Cobras
