Softears - Volume S

Next expensive set of IEMs I have are the Truthear Hexa, which might be an upgrade for some, but also a downgrade for others since the Hexa have less bass. The Wan'er 2 are amazing, but I own both a set of Moondrop x Crinacle Dusks as well as a set of Softears Volume S, which both are much better than the Wan'er, or at least they are to my ears. It just depends on your preference. But generally speaking, sets that are significantly more expensive will most likely be better than the Wan'ers

I haven't heard the Tea Pro, but I have herd the Volume S. I don't recommend them and I actually returned them. Way to shouty for me and they didn't actually sound as warm as others described. I'm still in love with my Dusk though

Amps are nice but for items absolutely not required, you can get a small dongle sac but beyond that, sound improvement really is marginal at best. They will give you more power to get more volume but depending on the items the port on the controller should be more than enough. At that price point I'd be looking at the dunu da Vinci, kiwiears orchestra lite, softears volume or if you can stretch your budget a bit more, the moondrop dusks.

how would you compare the treble/cymbals between the two? Honestly I had the Volume S but they weren't doing it for me with regards to the treble so I returned them. And I impulse ordered the Aether for $120 but they haven't arrived yet.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the **Softears Studio 4**, but the wait has been well worth it. At least with the **Softears Volume S**, I can fully appreciate Softears’ exceptional tuning. The **Volume S** is everything I hoped for and more. * **One-and-Done IEM ?** The **Volume S** is flat but not boring—it sounds and feels fantastic. While the switch feels a bit finicky, my first impression is overwhelmingly positive. I really like it. In short, the **Softears Volume S** is the type of IEM I can call a “one-and-done” purchase. It stands out with its bass control, perfect tuning, and well-balanced timbre—without ever becoming overwhelming. After experiencing the **Volume S**, I’d hesitate to pay more for other IEMs, not just from a listening perspective but also from a gaming perspective. * **Comfort vs Sound Quality** I’ve had a few IEMs in the past that were uncomfortable but offered great sound. However, the **Volume S** is different. It delivers excellent sound quality without compromising comfort, making it a true standout. # The Softears Volume S is an absolute indulgence. Its timbre is simply unparalleled, making it irresistibly addictive to listen to. The comfort and sound quality have made it my go-to IEM. I’m glad I explored alternatives, as the Volume S has become a true standout with its incredibly satisfying bass and technical performance. * **Gaming Performance** I also use the **Softears Volume S** for gaming, and it performs exceptionally well. I often listen to podcasts or music in the background while gaming, and many IEMs fail to balance both without feeling congested or distracting. Only a few IEMs have passed this test for me, and the **Volume S** is one of the best I’ve tried. It’s ideal for gaming, offering clear and engaging audio while ensuring that background sounds don’t overwhelm the main action. I’m truly happy to own it. * **Sound Signature & Genre Recommendations** The **Softears Volume S** excels across a variety of genres, including **Acoustic, Jazz, Indie, Classical Vocals, Pop, and R&B**, making it a versatile all-rounder. * The bass is tight and well-controlled. * Vocals are expressive and natural. * The overall sound is clean and clear, free from harshness or artificial coloration. The **Volume S** offers a refined listening experience with a mid-centric focus, making it perfect for anyone who enjoys well-balanced sound. One thing to note is the impedance dial. Personally, I find the low-impedance setting to be the most satisfying for my needs. * **EQ and Driver Quality** I tried using **AutoEQ** to replicate the sound of the **Volume S** on other IEMs while waiting for it to arrive, but I soon realized that no amount of EQ could truly match the natural timbre and driver quality of the **Volume S**. The results were acceptable, but they didn’t come close to the real experience. For anyone curious, I highly recommend listening to the **Volume S** to understand just how much driver quality and timbre cannot be replicated through EQ alone. # Final Thoughts In conclusion, the **Softears Volume S** is a top-tier IEM that blends comfort, sound quality, and versatility. Whether I'm using it for music or gaming, it excels in all areas, offering an engaging and enjoyable experience. If you are looking for a balanced and technically capable IEM, the **Volume S** is definitely worth considering.

I tested Astrix's psychedelic track on three IEMs: the Tanchjim Origin, Softears Volume S, and Dunu Da Vinci. On the Volume S, the bass stood out as thumpy, full, and clear, with excellent layering. I could hear multiple layers distinctly, with the background music staying in its place without overpowering the main elements. Despite this separation, all details remained audible across the layers. The song starts off slow, but right from the beginning, the Softears Volume S made it enjoyable. It maintained engagement even in the slower intro, setting the stage for the rest of the track. As the song progressed, I found myself increasing the volume above my usual listening level, especially with the Volume S, which delivered the most satisfying bass drop. It felt like the Volume S pushed my eardrum to an optimal level, creating a pleasurable listening experience. Among the three, it was the best performer for this track. On the Tanchjim Origin, the female vocals sounded calm, and the track had a generally polite character. I liked how it presented the song in a more relaxed manner. However, on the Volume S, the performance felt like the correct way to experience this track, more engaging, dynamic, and immersive. The Dunu Da Vinci, while still competent, lacked the same level of detail as the other two. Interestingly, I found myself lowering the volume on the Da Vinci instead of increasing it, which suggests it didn’t deliver the same impact or clarity in this track. Overall, the Softears Volume S provided the best experience, followed by the Tanchjim Origin, with the Dunu Da Vinci coming in last.

For Gaming volume S better hands down.

there are 5-10 great IEMs in 230-530 price range which I wouldn't say one of them is better than the others, rly depends on your tuning preference, actual difference to these would be 800+ IEMs, those Ziigaats fall behind a bit in soundstage compared to Volume S, Tea Pro, maybe not Variations but they are all still good just there are better ones for that

For sure. I tried the ND planet the other day, and it blows my collection of tanchjim origin, softears volume s, and my previous favourite mk2. These are so much better especially in price to performance, it's wild. Flat out kills 1000 dolla iems, no shit. Maybe I should somehow see if I can get most of my money back from selling these...

Volume S. Very punchy bass. I only wouldn’t go with them if you want crazy sub-bass (get V shaped frequency response IEM if you want that) For me the volume S has LOADS of very impactful bass but again, it’s not as much as some iems offer in the extreme lows. Oh and I wouldn’t choose the volume s for its dial. It is cool that you can change the tuning but most don’t bother with the higher impedance mode.

Not much of an upgrade from the volume s probably, just wait for something better either used or new.

have u demoed the hype 4s before? honestly I prefer the bass physicality of the volume s over the hype 4, but the bass quantity of the hype 4 is the best out of the tea pro and volume s, though as a whole (bass, mids, treble) tea pro would be better than hype 4 imo, because once you get used to volume s vocals you would find hype 4 vocals to be weird and unnatural, compared to tea pro where it is more tolerable

# Softears Volume S Review: PERFECTLY IMPERFECT # Total Score: 6.13/10 # Enjoyment Score: 6/10 # Price: $319 # PROS: * Unique warm mid-centric tuning * Rich note weight * Lush but well-textured bass * Inoffensive treble * Large but comfortable fit * Tuning switches that actually make a significant difference * Good accessory inclusions # CONS: * Odd, inconsistent timbre * Shout-prone (especially on high impedance) * Resolution is poor for the price * Sound can be too intimate at times * Cheap build quality * Microphonic cable * No labels on the tuning switch # WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR: * People who like a warm, lush but vocal centric sound * People who enjoy a snug and comfortable fit * People who like an intimate sound # WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR: * People who want a resolving IEM  * People who want an IEM with consistent timbre * People who want a more premium build and more practically designed tuning switch # GENRES: * Live Recordings * R&B * Soul # SHORT REVIEW: An IEM I swear I know I would’ve fallen in love with based on people’s comments and the graph and one that stands out for being one of the few properly midcentric IEMs in the lower midrange price bracket. The accessories are great and the fit is comfortable. Unfortunately, inconsistent timbre that makes it hard to enjoy listening to anything outside of bass-centric tracks and its rather cheap build with annoying to navigate tuning switch puts this IEM as a “what could have been” in my books. RECOMMENDED WITH CAVEATS

I really like Elysian Pilgrim and there are many in this price bracket that are very good. For you, I think Softears Volume S might be a good pick as it has decent soundstage and great vocals for your games and media. It is not perfectly neutral but it is slightly exciting with a V-shape tuning (slight boost to bass and treble and mids are slightly recessed) which is likely preferable for music. However! I think Tea Pro is a pretty good all rounder already. Of course, its peers may excel a little bit more in one thing or another. In my opinion, buying another IEM in the same bracket — same price and similar all-rounder ability — as Tea Pro is not really worth it. You could technically get a little more bass or treble in one, maybe a little more detail or resolution in another, so it’s up to you if that difference is worth paying the same price again. If you want a wow factor again, you could try an IEM with a significantly different tuning or strengths (much more bass or much more treble). You wouldn’t necessarily have to pay as much, too, if you experiment with lower priced sets. Hope this helps!

I daily the Volume S with a KA15 and I can tell you it’s a great pairing. Also considered the odyssey and pilgrim at first, pilgrim seems to have a lot of detail but tamed treble so that’s a no for me, Odyssey looks great as it’s a similar tuning to the Subtonic Storm ($5000) unfortunately there’s not a lot of reviews and the Volume S got a lot of praise instantly and seemed to be my perfect FR, plus you get two different tuning options so i ultimately decided on the Volume S. Sorry for the messy write up, happy to answer any questions!

I have the aether and softears volume s, enjoy both but volume s is a big upgrade for vocals

**Introduction** I attended an audio show and had the chance to listen to over 30 IEMs. Rather than going too deep on every single one, I wanted to highlight the 3 IEMs that truly impressed me and share some rapid-fire thoughts on the rest. Do note that these are my subjective impressions, and the rapid-fire takes might not convey everything. **64 Audio U12t** 64 Audio was the brand I had looked forward to the most at the show. And U12t was easily the best IEM I heard there. The first thing that caught my attention was its imaging and soundstaging, it was one of the few IEMs that gave me a true sense of holographic staging. I really liked the treble tuning, it was extended, crisp, and avoided being sibilant. The midrange was on the warmer, lusher side, with upper mids slightly recessed for my taste. I hadn’t expected the bass to sound this good coming from BAs. It was detailed, hit hard, but decayed a tad faster than typical DDs. **Softears Enigma** At first, I thought it was just another ridiculously overpriced IEM that would sound mediocre. But I was wrong, the bass quality was pretty good, better than U12t. I didn’t feel anything special about the mids, they were neither shouty nor recessed. I sensed a dip around 5-6 kHz, as I am quite sensitive to peaks there. This made vocals much smoother to listen to, but there was a lack of excitement, so vocals weren’t the strong suit of this IEM. But it was the treble that hooked me and made me want to keep listening. The treble had an 'ethereal' quality. It felt lighter, extended, refined, and more importantly, exciting. Because of this, I just kept listening and ended up staying longer than I had planned, it was that good. **64 Audio U4s** This is basically a 'baby U12t', with a dynamic driver for the bass, giving it a proper bass thump. It had all the qualities I mentioned in U12t, but the overall technical prowess was slightly lower. I am still confused whether I preferred U12t’s faster bass response or U4s meatier bass response, nevertheless it was good. The midrange had similar qualities to what I described in U12t impressions. But the treble performance was a slight downgrade compared to U12t, it was on the splashier side with touch less refinement. **Top Performers in:** **Bass** * 64 Audio Volur * Sennheiser IE 900 **Mid-range** * 64 Audio U12t/U4s * Mega5EST **Treble** * Softears Enigma * 64 Audio U12t **Rapid-fire impressions** **64 Audio Fourte** * Emphasized bass * Recessed vocals * Non-offensive treble * No wow factor * Overpriced **64 Audio Trio** * Recessed mids, but not as much as Fourte * Non-offensive treble * Third best 64 Audio IEM for me **64 Audio U18t** * Treble presentation didn’t work for me * Not as good as U12t **64 Audio Volur** * Best bass I’ve ever heard in an IEM * Treble is quite peaky **64 Audio Nio** * Darkest among the 64 Audio lineup I’ve tried * Not my preferred sound signature **64 Audio Solo** * Best planar IEM I heard at the show * Bass quality wasn’t the best compared to others * Technical performance not up to the price **ThieAudio Monarch MK3** * Chonky shell, but still comfortable to wear * Emphasized yet controlled bass * Treble was slightly peaky * No wow factor **Sony IER Z1R** * Uncomfortable to wear, lacks proper seal * Because of that, bass suffered, I had to hold it with my hands to get the best seal * Bass quality is great (not the best I’ve heard, can’t say much due to poor fit) **Sennheiser IE 900** * Vocals sounded stuffy, weird, and recessed * One of the best bass I heard at the show after 64 Audio Volur * Lacking in detail and imaging for the price **Sennheiser IE 600** * Better tonality than IE 900, especially in the upper mids * Again, not the best in technical performance **Mega5EST** * Most normal-sounding IEM I heard at the show * Quite bassy for this type of mid-range * Not the best in subjective qualities **Dunu Da Vinci** * Similar impression to Mega5EST * This type of sound signature doesn’t work well with such a bass boost **Letshuoer Cadenza 12** * Fairly neutral with a bass boost * Lacks the wow factor * Treble was slightly on the harsher side **Elysian Pilgrim** * Non-offensive sound signature * Treble is a bit forward and spicy * Lacks excitement **Softears RSV** * Bass quality was good * Vocals sounded strained * Nothing special about the treble **Softears Volume S** * Non-offensive, but somewhat shouty on some songs * Slightly peaky treble (in some songs) **Softears Studio 4** * Sounded okay (but in a good way) * Nothing particularly special **FATfreq Maestro Mini** * Driver flex * Too much bass (works well with engaging songs) * Treble not refined **FATfreq Scarlet Mini** * Driver flex * Even more bass (too much on top of the already excessive bass of Maestro Mini) **FATfreq Grand Maestro** * Didn’t felt as bassy as compared to others * Faced similar fit issues like the IER Z1R **Campfire Audio Andromeda Emerald Sea** * Warm sounding with non-offensive treble * Didn’t felt anything special about the rest **Campfire Audio Trifecta** * Very weird sounding (that’s what I wrote in the notes:) * Overpriced for what it is * But looks stunning though **Campfire Audio Astrolith** * Too much treble * Again, overpriced **Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon** * Best sounding Campfire Audio IEM in my opinion * Bass quality was good * Mids sounded recessed * Energetic treble response

Yes, funny enough, I think this is the first time I've seen someone mention the Volume S timbre problem, as I mostly see other reviewers praise it mainly for its tuning and timbre. I personally find its timbre to be among the best I've heard across many genres, even compared to the Hype 4, Variations, and Mega5est. That really shows how subjective this hobby can be

Softears Volume S Warm neutral, inoffensive tuning yet still has its own unique character, crazily good vocal rendering

I have the softears volume s and I like it but I d like a better all rounder iem. Perhaps the volume s is one of the best in their price tag for vocals but I listen all generes of music, what do you recommend? I have found a second hand thieaudio hype 4 for less than 300€, could be right for me?

I had the tea og, it was a great set but a little too dark, volume s is very good too but as I said they shine with vocal tracks, I d prefer a more versatile set. Maybe the hype 4 is a better all-rounder, definitely not an upgrade but a sidegrade, for about 280€ maybe worth a try

Aful 5+2, Timeless 2, Tanchjim Origin, SoftEars Volume S, EPZ P50. Above 400 you have Kiwi Ears Punch as the obvious choice, as long as you like bass. But truly do not underestimate a good source, don't neglect it. Tubes are becoming more normal for portable use now so I would strongly recommend the iBasso Nunchaku and try to stretch your budget a little.

Some crazy sets you got here, love them definitely. BGVP Phantom SE, SoftEars Volume S, and the Thieaudio Valhalla (interesting freq. responses, personally)

So this is how my collection stands after exactly a year of starting with the hobby. Needless to say, I feel into the rabbit hole deep. Crazy how time flies since this time last year I thought $50 was the most I'd ever spent on IEMs and now... lol. If it isn't obvious, I really like my bass. I'll probably be keeping half of these and getting rid of the other half since I do have my favorites and some of them are redundant. IEMs left to right, top to bottom: Crinears Meta, Softears Volume S, Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch, Symphonium Giant, Flipears Legion, Oriolus Szalayi, BGVP Phantom SE, Thieaudio Valhalla P.S. Thieaudio Origin is on the way lol P.P.S. here's my other update at the beginning of the year using my other account. Funny how the only set left from then is the Volume S. https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/XVkwbdyY6y

Faves are definitely Valhalla, Szalayi, and Volume S. If I could only have 3 out of everything those would be it. To me the Volume S has better mid bass, vocals and a smoother top end while the Meta is more sub bass focused and has better technicalities. I prefer the Volume S overall. I have a Meta coming in from the second batch so if you want just hmu I can give it to you at cost + the taxes I expect to pay when it comes in lol

Definitely Dusk over Volume S for bass. I prefer Studio 4 over both though. If your budget is $450 maybe you can consider the Kiwi Ears Hbb Punch too.

Yeah, very. Much more punchy compared to the Dusk and Volume S, on top of that they also still have very good mids and highs. They are a really fun set if you want a basshead set. At $300(sale) it's the best basshead set I've heard. They look great too. Here's a fair review of them [https://youtu.be/0sfX6sO4JmE?t=1375](https://youtu.be/0sfX6sO4JmE?t=1375)

I had the volume s but felt like they lacked sub bass and the mid bass was too overpowering as well as the treble was kind of bright as gun shots were uncomfortable in fps games. Tea Pro however are perfect for all genres of music and for gaming imo

The Explorer is a better deal. It's a fun, warm, easy-to-listen IEM. Nice, punchy mid-bass, peek-a-boo treble that's there when you need it but doesn't kill you. No shouty mids, either. I'm testing the Volume S right now. It's safe, competent, very well tuned. But it's not exciting. It's not special. It's very good, not great. Linear bass, smooth, non-offensive treble and mids. A very linear sound signature. Oh, and the high-impedance mode is a total waste. Tinny as hell sound. The Explorer at $105 is a better value and 80 percent of the way there to the Volume S, which is $330. Definitely more clarity with the Volume S, but the difference is not going to blow you away. Volume S is a solid upgrade from the Explorer. I just don't think it's worth three times the price.

Volume S. But I don't think it's worth three times the price. It's better, more clarity and precision. But the gap from the Explorer isn't that large. Still, you can listen to the Volume S and the Explorer all day without fatigue. Similar signatures.

I've heard both, I already had the tea pro and listened to the volume S during canjam for a short session, I still preferred the tea pro because I liked having a little more bass and the treble on the Volume S was a bit much for me, but I am treble sensitive.

They are both excellent. I own both and spent some time A/B’ing them last night. The Odyssey has stronger bass and a bit more bite in the treble. For me, its imaging is subjectively slightly more holographic. I prefer the Odyssey’s impactful tuning for on the go type listening, whereas the Volume S is more relaxing and naturalistic.