Moondrop - LAN

I've tried multiple ones for side sleeping. The best sounding turned out to be Moondrop LAN. The most comfortable are Sony MDR-EX-110, Not far behind in comfort - Moondrop Quarks. Also good are SoundMagic PL-50.

Been using moondrop lan for valorant, FeelsGoodMan

Moondrop chu 2 or Moondrop lan

Moondrop Lan is a perfect upgrade

These are some that caught my attention when I researched before getting my first set in this price range. TBH the budget space is so crowded that it's really hard to pick. I feel like as long as it doesn't have overly negative reviews, and physically fit your ear great, you'll be ok. Hell, some people are even happier with some more budget sets in the $20 range. My top picks based on build are - Moondrop Lan - Kefine Klean (I own and love) or maybe spend a bit more for - Kefine Delci for the metal build and smaller body overall. If you want something prettier with a resin build (a bit lighter) - Kiwi Ears Cadenza (cheapest in this short list) - Truthear Red or - Truthear Blue 2 (also popular, but some complain about it being big) I think these are still pretty balanced, only a bit warm leaning - Inawaken Dawn MS (but looks to be leaning warmer, slightly V-shaped than neutral, which is not bad since neutral can be boring sometimes) I think the Truthears were popular for their technicals and great for EQ (tining), in which you said you don't need, though. least bass to most bass is probably Lan < Reds < Cadenza < Kefines < Blue 2 < Inawaken Dawn MS again, all still pretty balanced, the ones that are more on the right just have a bit more bass presence If you can spend a bit more, a very popular pick is the Truthear Hexa. More neutral and brighter (less bass) than the others listed. Or maybe the ew300 which looks pretty neutral but not as bright as the hexa.

Lan is too airy. It causes ear fatigue even at lower volume levels.

The way as you describe it, I recommend you to go for something cheaper. People who are not into this hobby dont know how ridiculously good budget IEMs are nowadays. They hardly lack anything in comparison to more expensive options. I can almost promise you that they will exceed your expectations (as long as they sit tightly in your ear, that is). Spending more money is not helpful as you dont know what you really enjoy, and what In-Ear does fits your ear canal. You might want to watch this video (the IE200 also shows up in it): https://youtu.be/eJGwS_I8m4E?feature=shared Basically, If you like a bit more bass, buy for example the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. If clarity is more important for you, go for the Moondrop LAN. Both are good allrounders though and cost around 40-50€. (Theoretically, there are absolutely fine options which are even cheaper.)

I like my Moondrop Lans as a cheaper option, I've been impressed with how nice they sound. I like the fit too.

Moondrop lan. I use it for Alex and BG3. They're great all around

Not really in order, as different tunings: * Moondrop Chu 2 - mild v-shape, great IEM * QKZ HBB - warm/bassy, great IEM * Blon BL03 - fun v-shape (but the fit is terrible) Bright neutral has a few options - I prefer the original Chu but the crappy fixed cable lets it down. The 7Hz Zero is a bit better in that regard, but I don't think it sounds quite as good. Arguably it's better to pay the extra for the Moondrop LAN for this signature because it's the best one until you go up significantly, but OTOH it's also kind of overpriced for what it is (I think it's around $40 normally, but it's basically just a Chu 2 with less bass). The 7Hz Zero 2 is OK as well but I personally find it a bit of an overly safe middle ground between other, better IEMs. Like the QKZ HBB, if you want warm but don't want to go quite that warm. It's probably the one that's the closest competitor to the Wan'er, as a better all-rounder. Although I find the Wan'er has a stand-out feature in its vocals while being weaker elsewhere, but the Zero 2 doesn't have a single stand-out thing it does better than anything else. It could maybe get the award for the okayest $20 IEM, as it doesn't do anything bad, but nothing stands out as particularly good either. You also have things like the KZ EDC Pro as probably the best beginner IEM, for around $5. It's very close to the Chu 2 but a bit bassier and slightly less refined in the treble. Probably more comfortable than the Chu 2 and less prone to condensation issues. The KZ Castor Bass, around $15, is good for a really hard-hitting bass tuning, although it's not an all-rounder and the tuning is a bit grainy.

It's not 100% flat neutral (but nothing is in that price range), more U-shaped, but the Tin C2 is very good. It gets closer to neutral with Spinfit CP-100+ tips since those roll off the extra upper treble that they have, leaving it as pretty neutral with a slight bass boost. But they have very clean, well extended treble that IMO puts them quite ahead of the 7Hz Zero or Zero 2 for technical performance. Similar to the Simgot EW200 but that's a lot more v-shaped. Also the C2 has the best build quality out of any of those. The older one (which is now around $20) is closer to neutral than the 2025 version, which has a bit more sub-bass and sounds slightly more v-shaped. Both are very similar though. You probably wouldn't know there was a difference if you listened to them a day apart rather than A/B them side-by-side. If you want more of a bright-neutral with flatter bass, the Moondrop LAN is pretty good (around $40).

The EW200 has a lot of treble energy but also a lot of bass (although this is very dependent on getting a good seal with the eartips), so it's more of a v-shape than a bright set per se. It's a slightly more aggressive v than the Chu 2, but still the same general tuning concept. Probably the best bright-neutral set is the Moondrop LAN. There isn't really anything better than the LAN with that style of tuning until you get up to the level of the Blessing 3, which is quite a big jump. If you want to spend a bit less, the 7Hz Zero is also bright-neutral, but it doesn't sound as smooth & refined as the LAN. If you want something that has tons of treble energy and resolving ability, while also being a mild v-shape so there's a bit more kick to drums etc. (but very much a bright IEM) then consider the Simgot EA500. The original silver version, not the LM or the new black one. This one comes with a health warning though, because it is *very* bright and potentially quite fatiguing. Definitely one to avoid if you're at all treble-sensitive. This is an incredible IEM in short bursts, but I can't listen to mine for more than an hour or so at a time. It sometimes goes on sale for as low as $50 since the LM got released. It's by far the most technical IEM at that price other than maybe the Artti T10.

If you want something that sounds like the 7Hz Zero there's the original Moondrop Chu. It has a poor quality, non-removable cable, but apart from that I'd say it sounds better than the Zero. The most direct upgrade from that is the Moondrop LAN, but it's about $40. It's worth it if you can stretch your budget, because it has a much better (and removable) cable than the Chu, and the tuning is more refined than either the Chu or the Zero. There isn't much else with a similar neutral-bright tuning until you get into the $200+ bracket. If you aren't set on neutral bright specifically I'd look at the Tin C2 which is more U-shaped, but is a far better sounding (and better made) IEM than just about anything else in that price bracket. It's also [approved for gaming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynoXDaYCmY&t=2422s) by GadgetryTech although he hasn't done his full review yet.

If you want something very neutral then the Truthear Hexa needs consideration. The main downside with it are that the nozzles are quite largev. It's not as massive as the Zero Red/Blue but if you have smaller ears I'd avoid it. Also t has a very narrow soundstage. Another IEM with a similarly neutral tuning but a bit more sub-bass is the Thieaudio Legacy 2. I prefer that one to the Hexa and it's a lot more comfortable. It's slightly more expensive, but not much. Also the L2 has a bit more high treble roll-off although I don't find that sacrifices any detail, it just makes them a bit smoother sounding than the Hexa. These also have much better soundstage than the Hexa. Also sprach Zarathustra sounds very good on these btw; I don't listen to a lot of classical but that's one of my test tracks. I haven't heard the Aria 2 but I do have the Kato which it supposedly sounds nearly identical to, and it's another warm-leaning, mild-v. I think this will tend to sound a bit muddy with classical, compared to some of the brighter or more neutral sets. I wouldn't recommend the S08 either, because it's very tip-sensitive and even if you get good tip match, it's quite a dark tuning. It's great for certain music, but I don't think it will do classical very well at all. The S12 is a better option. Just make sure you have a reasonably good DAC/amp as planars don't always sound at their best when under-powered. Another potential alternative to the S12 is the Moondrop Stellaris. I would advise some caution here, because as it comes out of the box it's really bright and fatiguing. I personally find it becomes less fatiguing than the S12 Pro with Dunu Candy tips, but I can't guarantee those will work the same in anyone else's ears. Still [at least one reviewer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdLqjwXG7CA) recommends them for classical specifically. They do have a much flatter tuning than the S12. At least with the right tips they are a bright-neutral rather than an intense v-shape like the S12. Another non-planar option worth considering is the Simgot EA500. The original, not the LM. The LM is quite v-shaped and also sounds quite closed-in compared to the original. The downside of the EA500 again is, like several of these options can be so bright that it gets fatiguing. In fact it's probably the most fatiguing of these. It has a certain realism though and is nearly as resolving as the planars despite being a 1DD. It has a good sense of dynamics as well the largest soundstage I've heard on an IEM, with pin-sharp imaging. A much safer option is the Moondrop LAN. It's a bright-neutral tuning but regardless of eartips used it doesn't have so much treble energy for anyone to really find it fatiguing. It's also got quite a smooth treble response, and pretty decent soundstage. Short version: Moondrop LAN probably the safest option, but slightly less resolving than some of the others; Stellaris + Dunu Candy tips is a big upgrade iff your ears react to the tips the way mine do. Thieaudio Legacy 2 is another good & safe option.

Dunu Titan S (slightly warmer & more vocal-forward) or Thieaudio Legacy 2 (more of a reference-neutral). The Legacy 2 is maybe more suited to pro work as it can be a bit less forgiving about badly mastered tracks, but it's still a good IEM for listening to music, as long as you're not regularly listening to absolutely awful mixes. It has particularly good soundstage and imaging for the price. The Hexa gets recommended a lot, but I'm not a big fan because it has peaky treble, bad imaging, weak and flabby bass, and the fit is uncomfortable for a lot of people (including me), because of its large nozzles. There aren't really any other flat neutral options in that price range, but if you want a slightly brighter neutral then the Moondrop LAN is pretty good, as long as it hasn't sold out (it's been discontinued but the LAN 2 REF is even more bright and not as neutral). The Aria 2 isn't really neutral, it's more of a warm-leaning mild v-shape, but it's not some crazy Beats By Dre style of tuning or anything. It's probably close enough to neutral for most people and a good all-rounder (at least as far as I know as it's the only one I haven't heard, but I've heard what it's very frequently compared to). And of these will run just fine on the Apple dongle, even the EU one.

7Hz Zero (original not Zero 2) is the closest thing to neutral (leaning a bit bright) in that price range. If you want to spend a bit more (or can find it on sale) then the next step up is the Moondrop LAN. It's been discontinued so if you're lucky you might find one in a clearance sale. Avoid the LAN 2 because both versions are not as good as the original.

Truthear Hexa is probably what you want. Beware the nozzles are bigger than average, so it can be uncomfortable unless you have larger ear canals. There might be some brighter options with more boosted upper mids, which seems to be a more popular tuning in Asia for some reason. But they mostly get quite bad reviews, so I can't remember any offhand. That's if you intentionally want female vocals to sound shouty. The Hexa is more neutral than that, but it has a lot of treble extension so you shouldn't miss out on cybals, hi-hats, etc. The Moondrop LAN is also a bit brighter than the Hexa (but not to the extreme & not shouty), but it also has stronger bass (it's quite neutral bass, but the Hexa is a bit below flat neutral whereas the LAN is just above).

My top picks based on construction are: Moondrop Lan Kefine Klean or maybe spend a little more for Kefine Delci for the metal construction and smaller body overall. If you want something nicer with a resin build (a little lighter): Kiwi Ears Cadenza (the cheapest in this short list) Truthear Red or Truthear Blue 2 (also popular, but some complain it's big) I think these are still pretty balanced, just a little warmer Inawaken Dawn MS (but seems to be warmer, slightly V-shaped than neutral, which isn't bad as neutral can be boring at times) I think the Truthears were popular for their specs and great for EQ (tuning), even though you said you don't need it. From lowest to lowest it's probably: Lan < Reds < Cadenza < Kefines < Blue 2 < Inawaken Dawn MS again, all pretty balanced, the ones further to the right just have a little more bass presence If you can spend a little more, a popular choice is the Truthear Hexa. More neutral and bright (less bass) than the others listed. Or maybe the ew300 which seems quite neutral but not as bright as the Hexa.

My top picks based on construction are: Moondrop Lan Kefine Klean or maybe spend a little more for Kefine Delci for the metal construction and smaller body overall. If you want something nicer with a resin build (a little lighter): Kiwi Ears Cadenza (the cheapest in this short list) Truthear Red or Truthear Blue 2 (also popular, but some complain it's big) I think these are still pretty balanced, just a little warmer Inawaken Dawn MS (but seems to be warmer, slightly V-shaped than neutral, which isn't bad as neutral can be boring at times) I think the Truthears were popular for their specs and great for EQ (tuning), even though you said you don't need it. From lowest to lowest it's probably: Lan < Reds < Cadenza < Kefines < Blue 2 < Inawaken Dawn MS again, all pretty balanced, the ones further to the right just have a little more bass presence If you can spend a little more, a popular choice is the Truthear Hexa. More neutral and bright (less bass) than the others listed. Or maybe the ew300 which seems quite neutral but not as bright as the Hexa.