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.

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

Ier m9 they really are that perfect I have no comments or downsides. Truly my favorite pair Soft ears studio 4 , top level separation and vocals at such a reasonable price point