EA500

The Simgot metal 1DDs are all very comfortable. You have the EA500LM for a balanced, but somewhat aggressive v-shape, the original EA500 that's very bright and gets fatiguing quickly, but it probably has the biggest wow factor for the price. And the EA1000 might be just in your budget depending on sales/offers and is sort of a more refined EA500 that isn't as bright or fatiguing. The EA1000 is my overall favourite IEM, but the EA500LM is possibly a safer option for more people as it's the bassiest one, and although it also has more treble than the OG EA500, it's more balanced out by the bass and it doesn't sound as bright. The other notably good 1DDs are the Tanchjim ones, but their ergonomics are terrible. They're small, but have very bad fit stability. Also the Moondrop Kato, if you can find one, is a great all-rounder 1DD and very comfortable. But it's discontinued. The Kefine Delci is really comfortable, but it's a warm, laid back sort of tuning that's not really competitive with the $100+ stuff when it comes to resolution etc. If detail is your top priority, you aren't going to beat the EA1000. Also while it doesn't have as much bass as the EA500LM, it has more "kick" to it than any other IEM I've heard, and it is very *realistic* sounding bass, especially for acoustic drums.

They are bright. Very bright. So if you're at all treble sensitive, avoid. OTOH, if you're not treble sensitive or don't mind the risk of treble-fatigue, they're absolutely one of the best IEMs under $200. Absolutely insane performance for the price. They're basically a mini-EA1000 (my favourite IEM btw) but the EA1000 has slightly more realistic-sounding bass and smoother, less harsh treble. It's still bright-leaning but it's not outright bright like the EA500 and I don't find it fatiguing at all. Because of the extra treble, the EA500 actually has very slightly sharper imaging and a bigger soundstage than even the EA1000, which is known for it's very expansive soundstage by IEM standards. Most reviewers seem to agree on this, despite soundstage in IEMs being a very subjective psychoacoustic effect. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more open-sounding IEM than the EA500, especially not at the price. Keep an eye out for sales on Aliexpress. When the LM came out (not as good IMO but it's a *safer* choice, because the extra bass makes it sound less harsh to most people), there were some pretty big discounts on the OG. I thought they were planning to discontinue it, but it looks like they decided to just keep on selling it. I wouldn't be surprised if it's more popular than the LM in Asian markets, where they tend to prefer a brighter signature. Last couple of times I looked it wasn't as heavily discounted as it was just after the LM came out, but you should still expect to see some decent offers in the many & frequent Aliexpress sales.

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.

They are bright. Very bright. So if you're at all treble sensitive, avoid. OTOH, if you're not treble sensitive or don't mind the risk of treble-fatigue, they're absolutely one of the best IEMs under $200. Absolutely insane performance for the price. They're basically a mini-EA1000 (my favourite IEM btw) but the EA1000 has slightly more realistic-sounding bass and smoother, less harsh treble. It's still bright-leaning but it's not outright bright like the EA500 and I don't find it fatiguing at all. Because of the extra treble, the EA500 actually has very slightly sharper imaging and a bigger soundstage than even the EA1000, which is known for it's very expansive soundstage by IEM standards. Most reviewers seem to agree on this, despite soundstage in IEMs being a very subjective psychoacoustic effect. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more open-sounding IEM than the EA500, especially not at the price. Keep an eye out for sales on Aliexpress. When the LM came out (not as good IMO but it's a *safer* choice, because the extra bass makes it sound less harsh to most people), there were some pretty big discounts on the OG. I thought they were planning to discontinue it, but it looks like they decided to just keep on selling it. I wouldn't be surprised if it's more popular than the LM in Asian markets, where they tend to prefer a brighter signature. Last couple of times I looked it wasn't as heavily discounted as it was just after the LM came out, but you should still expect to see some decent offers in the many & frequent Aliexpress sales.

If you want to try something underrated, the Ikko OH300 is one of my favourite IEMs that seems to have flown completely under the radar. It's very warm/bassy, with exceptional imaging/layering. I won't say it's without tuning flaws as it has a couple of minor issues, but it's incredibly addictive to listen to, and great value for around $40. I listen to it more often than most of my more expensive IEMs. Another great value one (but maybe not as underrated) is the QKZ HBB. The HBB and OH300 actually sound very similar, except that the HBB has very pushed-back vocals, while the OH300 has them slightly forward. The HBB doesn't have the same sort of imaging/layering as the OH300. But it is only $15 and also one of my all-time favourite IEMs at any price. If you want soundstage then the original Simgot EA500 (the silver one, not the LM) is a bit underrated as well (although it did have a brief period of mega-hype). It is *bright* though, and can get a bit fatiguing. It's basically a mini EA1000, which is my overall favourite IEM. The EA1000 improves the bass and smooths out the treble so it's no longer fatiguing, but still very resolving. The EA500 is actually a tiny bit ahead on soundstage & imaging just because of the extra treble. These are both great soundstage IEMs in different ways. The EA500/1000 sound very open and spacious (at least by IEM standards). The OH300 sounds a bit more intimate, but the extra bass gives a "sound blanket" effect and it excels at depth/layering rather than width & overall sense of space. Of course it's important to bear in mind that imaging and soundstage aren't the same thing, and how people perceive soundstage is related to their own HRTF. So especially with IEMs, it can vary a lot from person to person. Reviews of the EA500/1000 do seem to mostly agree about them sounding more open than most IEMs though. I haven't seen many reviews of the OH300 and most have been very surface-level. TBH, I almost put it in a drawer and forgot about it after giving them a quick listen on the stock tips (I bought a few IEMs in the sale and 3 turned up at once, so the one that caught my attention at the time was the Aful MagicOne). It was only a month later when I decided to try some other tips that, perhaps by sheer luck, the first ones I happened to try sounded amazing. I've never bothered trying other tips on them. I should probably check at some point in case it turns out that they only sound that good with perfect tip-matching (something I find to be the case with the Letshuoer S08, which is the only IEM I've heard with better layering than the OH300).

I find Divinus Velvet or Render tips (RIP) work best on the EW200. It tends to sound unbalanced and too bright unless you get a really good bass seal (Tang Sancai are highly variable for that - I usually get a lot of bass but most people don't). Every single time someone posts about the EW200 sounding harsh (which happens fairly often), it's because they weren't getting a good enough seal and losing the bass needed to balance out the treble. Usually they try some other tips and start liking them. I haven't listened to mine since I got Penon Liqueur Orange tips, but I should probably give those a try as well, as they pretty much guarantee a good seal. I haven't tried Whizzer SS20 on them either, but if insertion depth is as important as you say those should work well too, and they're also pretty cheap (the KBear Coffee tips, which are the same tip, are often even cheaper). The downside of Divinus Velvet is that a pack of them cost about the same as the IEM itself. The only reason I'd recommend collectors skipping the EW200 is that it's blown completely out of the water, for not that much more money, by the EA500 (the OG if you're OK with loads of treble or the LM if you prefer a warmer v) and the build quality isn't great (the EA500, by contrast, is built like a tank). Although it's metal, it's very thin and flexes if you press the side. Mine has driver flex as well, although that doesn't bother me as much as it bothers some people. It's a great introduction to the Simgot house sound though, for anyone just getting into IEMs. Still very good value and I agree with how OP summed it up relative to the Cadenza. The Cadenza is smooth & relaxed, the EW200 is more aggressive.

There's quite a broad range. For example: * Aful MagicOne - pretty, but not overdone * Ikko OH10 - good looking, nature-based & reserved * 7Hz Timeless, Timeless AE, Simgot EA500 - minimalist * Tin C2, Dunu Titan S (black/red version), Truthear Hexa/Pure - industrial There's a whole load in the middle that are just random swirly colours which has become the default low-effort design. Something like the Thieaudio Legacy 2 does that well IMO because its just one colour with a bit of texture, not all the colours, all at once. If you want a plain black cable, look at the KBear ST12. There's lots of options out there. I notice the stock cables often don't match the IEMs very well, and intentionally or not, this most likely helps sell a lot of aftermarket cables.

Yes if you like its treble. They are also insanely comfortable for me. Not sure there is an alternative at that price with similar treble.

EA500 is basically the detail/clarity monster. It’s more bright-neutral, so you get great resolution and clean vocals, but treble can be spicy and bass isn’t the thickest. If you want smooth + warm + relaxed, other options will feel nicer.

From that list, I'd choose T10 > EA500 > EW300, but I believe the "marriage" between T10 and Softears UT Titanium was the reason. Excellent ear tips and almost all IEMs, but on the T10, it's absurd... it's almost like it was made for it.

Thank you for your help, sir. I just bought a Simgot EA500 and am waiting for it to arrive. I don't think treble is a problem for me, as I've had headphones that are almost as bright (KZ ZVX).

O EA500 foi um fone bastante cansativo para mim. No EW300, há um equilíbrio muito maior. Não é um IEM com sonoridade extremamente brilhante, sendo possível ouvir por horas, principalmente adicionando mais uma espuma ao bocal prateado. Além disso, tecnicamente, o EW300 é superior por uma margem considerável.

SIMGOT EW300 HBB. Even after testing others (Hexa, Aria 2, Artti T10, EA500), I still prefer them.

- Neutral: Truthear Hexa, or Juzear Defiant if you want to try something close to but with enough extra bass. - V-Shaped: Artti T10 is your best shot a V on the sub $100 price range because it has good performance and is easily find quite cheap, second option probably the simgot EA500LM, although it dangerously gets close to being bright because of how much extra treble it can have. - Warm: Here really depends on how much bass is too muchas bass for you and, therefore, how much is just "warm", but in general, Letshouer S08 will give you the most warm, bassy sound without affecting clarity or detail much if thats what you want, but if you want to check something more outright bassy, Aful Explorer is it. If you want something just slightly warm, probably the Simgot EW300, specially with the Gold nozzle could also be consider "warm", but not that bassy tho, truthear Pure is quite similar but with a bit less energetic presentation than EW300. - Bright: If you really want "bright" wich means mostly treble and vocals, EA500 (not LM), thats basically full own bright, but if you want something more approachable, Dunu Kima 2 is birght but with a focus a bit more on vocals than treble, still is quite the reduced bass and quite the extra vocals and treble. As a side note, a lot of iems here and how you hear they are would depend on how you hear things, for people that enjoy a lot of bass, EW300 might not really be warm, but for people that are "sensitive" to bass they might even be consider bassy for them, Hexa is another iem that, despite it actually being a more neutral/balanced kind of sound, they actually sound bright for a lot of people because of the reducent amount of bass and the extra treble vs more "safe" tunings, so yeah, even if we recomend you stuff like this, there is a fair chance you might find some similar, some more or less extreme in difference as you might expect.

Imo it wasn't even worth it on release. Now, hell no. The treble is way too sharp and the bass is muddy. Just get the ew300 or save for em6l if u want simgot sound. Jaysaudio is the only one who shills these and the LM's.