Softears - Studio4

My right side lost 90% volume in 2 months. Really disappointed now waiting to get them replaced or repaired. I like them, didn't find them outstanding. Maybe 7/10. I paid about 400 usd including tax. I had the option of buying kiwi x hbb but for the music i listen to, I was asked to look at flat signature sounding iem. Next time I plan to try out more before buying an iem. Thing is its really hard to sample stuff before buying here in india

Huge fan of the Studio 4, but what is a step up from the Hexa EQed to the Mystic 8? Blessing 3?

Thank you! Since they’re different it’s hard to pick a favorite but the ones I find myself using the most are (not in order): Horizon, Top Pro, P7, Astral, Volume S, Dusk and Studio 4

Thank you! I don’t have a set rotation, i go by what I feel like (Chill, excitement, critical listening… etc) and by the genre I’m listening too. Currently the IEMs I feel I’m using more often, at least once or twice weekly are (not in order) the Horizon, Top Pro, Astral, Volume S, Dusk, P7 and Studio 4. The IEMs I use the least, probably once a month or less, are defiant, the explorer, cincotres, Hexa, Arete and the orchestra lite. The Chopin, the Pure and Pilgram are somewhere in between.

1. Hekse (best overall) 2. Softear Studio 4 (best sounding iem for my music) 3. He6se V2 (more dynamic than Hekse but nostalgic as comfortable. Less spacious and open) 4. Aful Explorer (like a lesser Studio 4 for commuting. Very easy listening) 5. HD6XX (comfortable and the baseline benchmark but not my go to) 6. Aful P8 (most boring sounding. Used to like it but not these days. Might be a good gaming iem but I don’t game anymore) 7. EW300 (it’s meh. Use for monitoring)

They bloated it too much. Studio 4 is better

There aren't that many once you've ruled out Etymotic. Honestly at that 'lower than Studio 4' price range you might as well go for the Studio 4. Aful Performer 5+2 / 8: Relaxed pinna gain at 2-4kHz means reduced vocal bite; speech and 'breathiness' is sacrificed slightly for a more relaxed, pleasant presentation. Not neutral. Anecdotally, I've heard the Performer 8, the soundstage is wide but centre image is weak. Moondrop Dusk: crinacle's house sound = big bass shelf. No go for neutrality. Moondrop Blessing 3: Upper-mids/lower treble emphasized (4-6kHz) beyond neutral. Supermix 4: Harman, i.e not neutral (bass and upper-mids emphasized) Thieaudio: U-shaped is their house sound from the Hype 2 all the way to the Valhalla. Extra bass and spicy treble. Not neutral. I would add that the Hexas aren't neutral either, they have too much bass for it, it's simply masked by the fact that its bass is sloped, not a shelf. All the 'Meta' IEMs out so far also fail in the neutral bass department by having too much of it. This includes the KE4, Volume S, Mega5EST and even CrinEar's 'Reference', if his chart is to go by. Graphs are worth looking at for reference. So you only really have the Studio 4 left. That, or an IER-M7 if you could get it for cheap.

You are likely looking for sets that people may consider "boring" coz that's what uncolored sounds like. I've just checked that Reference list on Linsoul. I'd pick the Softears Studio 4 if budget allowed (or get it used). I've heard some call the Studio 4 "boring", which is a very good thing. Look at the Studio 4's graph. It's almost spot on neutral. I went ahead and overlayed the Volume S and Crinear Daybreak onto the Studio 4 and you can see that they too almost track neutral. Both are cheaper too and within your budget. The Volume S is the one for me, I'm sure you'll find the one for you Edit: typos https://preview.redd.it/n81xxbzysq2g1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e038346710e3fc5de44a3da161ac7932e52af5cb

I can’t help but shake my head watching that video — or anyone who quotes it, honestly. There’s a part where he says he disagrees with websites that list JM-1 targets as one category and neutral as another. I don’t know… but I just don’t like the sound of the newer Meta-tuned IEMs at all. To me, they don’t sound neutral — for example, the Truthear Nova and Kiwi KE4 both sound pretty bleh. They’re definitely not neutral in my book. That said, I do love the Studio4 — and it doesn’t follow any of the “rules” mentioned in that video. But is undoubtedly more neutral than any hogwash from those other IEMs.

I mean this respectfully, but to me, the new Meta just sounds a bit blubbery — not really my thing. It doesn’t sound neutral to me, though if you believe it is, I won’t argue. But let me turn the question on you: what’s your one pick for the IEM that best demonstrates neutrality — basically answering the OP’s original question? I mentioned the Studio4, since to my ears it sounds more neutral than any of the Meta IEMs. What would you choose?

I've been buying a lot lately and for me the Softears Studio4 blew me away. It sounds amazing on pop and female vocals.

Studio4 is amazing on female vocals.

Studio4. It's so good with vocals

This is my jam! :D Here's my recommendations for pop and female vocals: Kiwi Ears Astral (go one size larger than usual on eartips) (I used stock) Softears Studio4 (Hard to explain but super magical how it sounds) (I literally cannot explain in words how it sounds. But it's magical. It's almost like they're singing right next to you is the best way I can describe it) Letshouer Cadenza 4 (a sleeper pick that wowed me. Definitely recommend)

Softears Studio4s That's where things don't get better, even when you throw hundreds or thousands of dollars on top. I legit went to Canjam and walked away thinking the Studio4s were better than even the Mystic 8 ($1000). And while an entirely different sound entirely, I'd take the Studio4 over the Andromeda 10 (demoed at Canjam, $2000 set). I also personally like Studio4s over ALL Meta tuning (ie Dusk, Mega5Est etc) and all Harman tuning (Ie Variations etc). That said I'm a bit of a neutral-head. It really works wonders for the type of music I listen to.

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.

Cadenza 4, Studio 4, Kiwi astral, Tea Pros/Dusk Things don't get better after these 4. They just get "different".

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.

I'd take Studio4 over Top Pro any day of the year. Studio4 imho are the GOAT when it comes to vocals, especially for pop, kpop, and female vocals.

I'd say the Defiant. It's $80. It sounds incredibly good for the price. And from what I've seen I don't think it'll go cheaper than that on the used market. But I could see it, time and time again, beating IEMs that cost much more. I also think the Studio4 will continue to be good even years down the line. But I really love the Studio4. While unrelated yet still related, your comment reminds me of when I recently (last week) got the Truthear Hola. Damn, it genuinely makes me sad we can't get this sort of sound and IEM. It's a truly unique sound and it was insane this was once $20.

Softears Studio 4 (better for female vocals, ie kpop) Xuan NV (great for male and female vocals. Imo better than Truthear Nova. But soundstage is lacking on Xuan NV). But it's a hell of a deal for $67. Great artwork box. Great eartips (usually 20 bucks). Great cable. Great sound. Kiwi Ears Astral (better for female vocals. But no penalty for male vocals) Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite (better for female vocals) Cadenza 4 (great all-rounder) Juzear Defiant (at least the unit I have; mine works fine. Vocals are spot on for male and female vocals.) YMMV but I feel like Zigaat Lush has good vocals too.

Update: Something new added. Softears Studio4. Subjective opinion: HD600 - Neutral HD650/6xx - Warm neutral Truth Hexa - Bright neutral (thin sounding imo) Blessing 2 - Bright neutral like Hexa but better soundstage. More detail. I do recommend adding a bit of acoustic foam in the tips to vastly improve the audio though. Simple mod here--> [https://youtu.be/gsQIODnxmVQ](https://youtu.be/gsQIODnxmVQ) I do feel the Blessing 2 and Hexa were both a bit anemic with bass. ER2XR - Dead-on neutral. I strongly recommend getting the red adapter from the Final Audio tips as it allows you to use it with all tips. This has a bit more bass than Hexa. But I much prefer it and think it sounds more accurate or "neutral"

Going to use a grading system: A, B, C, D, F like in school A means excellent B is good C is average D is bad F is absolute fail **Mixing:** Going to avoid using the word "neutral" because then every mofo comes in the thread saying, what's neutral. Let's use the word "even-keeled'. Good iems for mixing are generally more even-keeled. If it has way too much bass you'll thin out your mix. If it's way too trebly and bright and shouty you're going to overcompensate. Ideally you want something more even-keeled. **Enjoyability:** Subjective. But how enjoyable it is **Critical Editing:** This isn't the same as mixing. But it means will it let you know if you have shit audio. If I listen to Kanye's sibilant ass tracks does he sound sibilant on them? If I listen to Lana White Dress is she sibilant on it? She better be. If I watch a DMS video from 6 years ago, does he sound sibilant on it? He better. Because he does. This is important because you need to evaluate your audio and the iem lets you know your audio is shit before thousands of people hear it. Etymotic ERXR Enjoyability: C to B to A. Pretty good, depending on who you ask Critical editing: A+. Very good at letting you know areas of trouble in your audio Mixing: D. Poor soundstage Truthear Hexa Enjoyability: D. I hate it Critical editing: A+ with wide bore tips Mixing: C. Imo actually a bit thin on lowend. You'll overcompensate. Also the soundstage on Hexa is kinda eh ngl. Salnotes Zero Original Enjoyability: C. I think it's ok. Or mid. Critical editing: B. Honestly pretty good at letting you know egregious areas. The version 1 is less forgiving with sibilance than 2, so it's better for critical editing. Zero 2 blunts the sibilance out (better for enjoyers; bad for audio engineers) Mixing: A. pretty neutral imo Softears Studio 4 Enjoyability: A to A+. Very enjoyable IEM Critical editing: D. Ironically. It smooths out all sibilance so you won't know sibilance is there. This is why it's so beautiful sounding. Mixing: A+. Very neutral. I'd even say probably my closest definition of neutral Moondrop Blessing 2 Enjoyability: D (harsh, shouty, bright, sibilant). Same with Blessing 3. Critical Editing: A. These are very picky with harshness in vocals. I genuinely think these are the Sony MDR 7506 in iem form. Mixing: A Zigaat Lush Enjoyability: B to A Critical Editing: C You won't really find problem areas of sibilance. You really really really have to crank it to hear it. Mixing: A. Pretty even-keeled. Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite: Enjoyability: B to C Critical Editing: A. Excellent at picking out flaws. Mixing: A+. Excellent at telling you the whole picture. Excellent for mixing. Very very even-keeled.

Letshouer Cadenza 4 Enjoyability: A to A+ Critical Editing: B to A Mixing: A. While a bit U-shaped it's not egregious. It's enough to make decisions. Sennheiser IE200 Enjoyability: B to A Critical Editing: D to F (rounds out a lot of sibilance imo, which is actually a good thing for enjoyers). Mixing: B. Kind of shocking but while people call this v-shaped this is actually not as v-shaped imo. If you monitor yourself using these iems it'll sound exactly like you down to the microphone. Most other v-shaped iems don't do that. Crinacle Daybreak Enjoyability: B to A- Critical Editing: A (rofl. It's funny because it genuinely is good at picking out bad audio. If it sounds harsh it's because the original track is harsh) Mixing: B (This is more of a "Meta" tuned iem. But imo just enough where it sounds true) Crinacle Dusk Enjoyability: B to A+ (depending on who you ask) Critical Editing: C on Analogue. F on DSP. It rolls out sibilance by quite a large margin. Mixing: A on analogue mode. Honestly pretty neutral. almost HD600ish. But about a C on DSP mode. Tanchjim Origin Enjoyability: C to A (depending on who you ask) Critical editing: A (it'll definitely let you know spicy regions Mixing: A. A bit bright-slanted but definitely capable for mixing. Theioaudio Legacy 2: Enjoyability: C Critical editing: A+ Mixing: A+ Xuan NV (honorable mention) Enjoyability: A Critical editing: B Mixing: D (too bassy imo) I mention these because imo these are the Audio Technica M50x of iems but the size of 2 quarters. They basically give you accurate vocals down to the tee but thumpy bass. The vocals are very accurate on these. Not good for mixing though. Dunu Titan S (original) Enjoyability: C Critical editing: D (the treble is rounded out quite a bit) mixing: A (these are my imo pretty close to neutral)

Funny that they sound boomy to me because now I'm more used to studio 4 which has that modest BA bass sound

Unless your ready to deal with the Studio 4’s pressure build up, I don’t recommend it. It’s a pain in the butt dealing with it