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

**Pros:** \-Intense, dynamic but non fatiguing sound \-Bass quality \-Versatile warm tuning \-Good soundstage **Cons:** \-Not the same magical vocals than on the RSV OG \-Opening experience could be better \-A little bit dark sometimes \-Not the most technical \-Treble lacks air and sparkle**Softears RSV Mark II** *-Price :* Around 600 euros *-Driver Setup :* 5 Balanced Armature drivers, four-Way Crossover *The Softears RSV MKII was purchased with my own money, so everything I say will be my opinion and only my opinion.* >!About myself : I am a French student, passionate about sound, and more precisely, "nomadic sound", this ability to access music in high quality even when on-the-go, because I also travel a lot. As a result, I know more about dongles, IEMs and DAPs, even if I had some headphones and still own a desktop DAC/amp. I don't claim to hear better, nor to know everything, but I just want to share this passion.!< >!**IEMs I had or have** : Simgot EW200/300, Moondrop Blessing 3, Simgot EA1000, Xenns Top, Xenns Tea Pro, Ziigaat Odyssey, Sennheiser IE600, ISN NEO 5, Penon Fan 2, Ikko OH10, Letshuoer S12 Pro, Moondrop Crinacle Dusk, Softears RSV, Dunu SA6, Dunu SA6 MKII, Truthear Zero:2, Softears Volume S, Kiwi Ears Aether, Yanyin Canon Pro, Xenns Top Pro, Crinear Daybreak, Theaudio Origin, Punch Audio Martilo, 7Th Acoustics Supernova.!< *Devices used for this test :* Fiio K11, Samsung A16, CX31993 dongle, Ibasso DX180 *Photos by myself with a Fujifilm Camera* **Introduction** Founded in 2017, **Softears** is a Chengdu-based company focused on the research and development of loudspeakers and measurement and calibration tools. The fruits of their research take the form of in-ear headphones with a sleek design and high-quality construction. They are famous in the community for their great tuning abilities and the lively **vocals** some of their sets produce, the **og RSV** was one of their most famous set for this exact reason, for some, it had THE best vocals reproduction in the IEMs scene, will the RSV MKII be able to keep this reputation ? Spoiler alert, it doesn’t even try to. **Personnel rating summary**​ |Attribute| Rating /5|Quick note| |:-|:-|:-| |Build quality|★★★★★|Feels sturdy, looks beautiful, and isn’t a fingertips magnet, nothing bad to say.| |Comfort|★★★★☆|Very comfortable, can wear them for hours, but sticks out of my ears a little bit too much to be perfect for me.| |Accessories|★★★☆☆|It’s ok, you have what you need, but nothing very original, and for this price you could expect better, it doesn’t feel like 600 euros.| |Tonality|★★★★☆|Very natural, a little warm, but not perfect.| |Bass|★★★★★|Very good, impressive for BAs drivers, very rumbly, hit deep and have a great definition.| |Midrange|★★★★☆|Warm and lush, but a little bit too recessed for my liking because of the prominent bass(nit-pick). not as good as the OG RSV.| |Treble|★★★★☆|Good, but not the most detailed and lack some air in the upper region.| |Soundstage|★★★★★|Impressive, very wide for an IEM, holographic, deep and high.| |Technicalities|★★★☆☆|Good, but not class leading in this price category, I would have wanted it to be more technical.| |Value for Money|★★★☆☆|It is a very good overall, but I feel like you can get better at this price.| **Unboxing experience** The unboxing experience of the RSV MKII is original, the form and the presentation of the box is not common, you open it like a christmas gift and you take everything out of it from the top, but the surprises stop here. Inside, nothing really impressive, even more for a 600 euros price tag, I feel like the packaging is a little bit poor. When you open the box you find the IEMs, with the 4.4mm cable already plugged in them, then when taking them out you find some little plastic pouches in an accessories cardboard envelope. Those pouches contain a cleaning tool, two types of tips (classic silicone and UC tips) and a 4.4 to 3.5mm jack adapter. Finally, under all of that, you have the empty carrying case, a round one. The whole package isn’t bad by any means, but it is not great either for this price. The box looks sleek and I like that, but the accessories are limited and don’t really feel premium. For example I preferred the boxes in which the tips were sold for the Volume S, it felt like another product inside the product it gave you this sense of value. Overall I even preferred the packaging of the Volume S, the carrying case also felt better to me, but was also bigger. At the end, what really counts is the sound, the IEMs themselves, so I don’t judge the product on its opening experience, but I wasn’t quite satisfied with the one of the MKII, It made me feel like a step down compared to the Volume S package, but I can understand that Softears wanted to try something different. **Accessories** While Softears was not really generous with the amount of accessories, they provided quality ones. *-Cable* : Very good 4.4mm braided cable, feels very solid, but is flexible enough to be comfortable, not too thick nor too thin, it is a very good cable. *-Adapter* : This cable doesn’t come with interchangeable termination, so for letting you use a classic 3.5mm one, Softears provided a 4.4 to 3.5mm adapter with the RSV MKII. It feels robust, and does the job perfectly, without any “pop” noise or raising the noise floor, it is just an adapter, and a good one. *-Tips* : The black silicone tips included with the RSV MKII are very classic, the same that you can find on a lot of other brands's own packaging, however, the transparent tips are great, they feel very comfortable and are sealing your ear canals better than the original tips. I liked them the most, like on the Volume S. *-Carrying case* : The advantage of this round carrying case is its size, it is not pocketable, but very easy to put in a little bag, it is nicely built, rather soft, and has a leather-like texture. I prefer the rectangle case from Softears, but this one is also very good, and feels premium enough to transport such an expensive product. **Build and comfort** *-Build* : This is, in my opinion, a very strong point for the RSV MKII, like a lot of Softears IEMs. The build of the RSV MKII is very very good, it feels sturdy, like if it was made in one unique piece, the materials used are very qualitative, and it looks absolutely stunning. I am digging for this type of class and sleek looking IEMs, without being lifeless. Those **are** classy, without looking too fancy, but still have a very original and complex faceplate design. They are probably the most beautiful IEMs I have had. They look even better in person than on the Softears's website, and the cable completes them perfectly... The build and design are one of the best points of this IEMs for me. *-Comfort* : Comfort is a very personal subject, even if some IEMs are famous for being uncomfortable for most people (hello Thieaudio Origin). I have medium-sized ears, and small ear canals. The Softears RSV MKII are comfortable, I can wear them for hours without any problem, they sit well in my ears, without going too deep. My only complaint would be that they are sticking out a little bit too much from my ears, but it doesn’t affect the comfort at all and it is really nit-pick. **Sound quality** *Overall* : The sound signature of the RSV MKII is a total departure from the OG RSV. The RSV was very special to me because of its beautiful vocals reproduction and mid range overall, but I found it lacking in quality, whereas the RSV MKII is (very) bassy but is not as pleasant when it comes to vocals. The MKII is aiming for a more “all rounder” sound, and for that it becomes more dynamic, with an emphasis on its treble and bass. It makes this iteration more versatile, but also less special than the RSV was. The RSV MKII still has a lovely and very cohesive sound, as Softears know how to do. But for me, the RSV MKII will just be a “good” set, and not a specialist. While I can understand this new trend of “good at everything, great at nothing” to make more people interested in your product for its versatility, I find it sad to lose all those IEMs with a very “special sauce” and reputation. *Bass* : The bass of the RSV MKII is surprisingly its shining area, where it was the vocals for the OG, on which the bass felt less powerful and deep. Here, despite the all BAs setup, you get very meaty bass, with a deep impact, a very good texture, and a pleasant rumble to it. The sub bass feel natural and are well extended. The sound signature is warmer because of the bass taking over a part of the mid range, but in a satisfying way. The bass is very prominent and could be overwhelming for some listeners. For me, they rarely became too much, unless on some very special music. Overall the bass of the MKII are very good, they are prominent but are not making the sound muddy and they stay controlled, very fast, while hitting deep. The MKII has better bass than a lot of IEM with dynamic driver bass. *Midrange* : This is where this set becomes more controversial for me. Not that the midrange of the MKII is bad, far from it, but coming from one of the best midranges I ever heard on an IEM, I expected the inheritor to do better, however instead Softears went for something completely different, losing the very thing that made the RSV so unique. The bass is transitioning in the midrange later than on the RSV, making the voices warmer, and while it can really work great with some male singers, it makes most of the female voices less natural and emotional, like Agnes Obel for example. The midrange is good, even very good on the MKII, but it’s less forward, because of the now more "V-shape" sound signature, and feels less textured for me. You lose this impression of “in your face” very intense and emotional vocals, which I loved on the RSV. The bass and Treble are now taking a lot more space, and because of that the midrange becomes just an element in the whole mix, not something that stands out a lot. Of course, it allows this set to be more versatile than its first iteration, but it also makes it less special, and less enjoyable when it comes to vocals. *Treble* : The treble on the MKII is good, though not the best. For me, the upper region lacks a bit of air, which can make the overall presentation slightly dark and cost it some technicality. That said, it remains textured, detailed, and more elevated than the first iteration. Still, I miss a touch of sparkle and upper brilliance to feel fully satisfied. It’s understandable, though, as balancing such strong bass without pushing the mids too far back is a challenge. In the end, the treble is smooth, detailed enough, non-fatiguing, and even quite engaging — but it doesn’t quite reach the level where it truly impresses me. It can feel too congested on heavy tracks. *technicalities* : The MKII is technical, but not a technical monster. Its tuning leans toward a more relaxed and pleasant presentation, yet it still delivers micro details, contrast, and dynamics. To give you a reference, the level of detail is similar to the Moondrop Blessing 2 Dusk — not ground-breaking in 2025, but more than enough for me. I’m not a detail head, and an excess of details often makes listening fatiguing, so this balance works perfectly for my taste. Again, I could be nit-picking about this lack of airiness making the set less technical. *soundstage* : The soundstage of the MKII is impressive for an IEM: spacious, deep, and very precise. It creates a holographic image with surprising verticality, giving a truly immersive “around you” 3D feeling. Instead of sounding too “in your head,” it places instruments close around you, with some elements even extending far depending on the mix. That type of soundstage is rare to find in an IEM. Not the best I’ve heard, but still very good. ***Some songs with impression*** *Bodysnatchers* *- Radiohead / 2007* This song is very intense, and is composed of 2 different style, from 00:00 to 02:04, for the more Rock part, the RSV MKII does great, it manages to keep the intensity and energy of the song without any sibilance or being fatiguing, it also keeps the details of all the elements of the mix, I didn't like I was missing something. But again, I would have like more air in the upper region, because of the lack of it, the wholee felt too congested, not open enough, which is important on very busy tracks like this one. For the singing part from 02:04 to around 03:07, this is where the MKII didn't do that great the voice of Thom Yorke wasn't standing out enough in the mix, making it less enjoyable, and giving me less emotion than on some other sets. *Marooned* *- Pink Floyd / 1994* This is one this type of music that the RSV MKII feels the weaker, it lacks this upper sparkle and air, which is making the treble (so most of the mix) not pleasant enough, you don't feel it as much on more busy track, but here this lack of air stands out a lot. I am craving more air more brilliance when listenning to this song with the MKII *Once Again* \- *Clann / 2017* On very ambient and immersive tracks like this one, the MKII is really good thank to its immersive soundstage and powerfull bass, it felt very emotional, I really felt like I was *IN* the music, this type of goosebumps you can have when your device suits this specific track really well, here it's the case, the MKII is warm, lush, immersive and with good bass, exactly what *Once Again* is asking for to be properly appreciated. Because of that, I think the MKII will work really well with traditional warm songs like *Helvegen* for example. *Meds* *- Placebo / 2006* This music has a very intense passage at the end, with lots of instruments, a powerful voice and everything performed in a very dynamic way. This moment is very punishing for IEMs with a sound that is too piercing or not precise enough, because it then becomes unpleasant, being painful or sounding like a jumble of indistinct elements. The RSV MKII preserves all the elements and details well, which is a good thing, but it presents the sound in a very intense and energetic way. As a result, I often need to turn down the volume to continue enjoying the loud passage with the MKII, at the risk of the sound becoming too loud for me. On the other hand, the separation is good and well executed to maintain the overall coherence of the sound. **Comparaison** **.VS 7th Acoustics Supernova** The Supernova are my reference when it comes to all BAs sets, I also liked the SA6 OG from Dunu, and the OG RSV from Softears, but usually I am more of a “hybrid setup” guy. With that said, one of the advantages the all BAs sets often have is the coherency of the sound, with smooth transitions between frequencies while maintaining a good separation between the elements. Some hybrid sets feel like the frequencies are not “working together” anymore, and it kinda breaks the listening experience. Here it is not the case for either of those sets. They have a very pleasant and cohesive overall sound, but this is where the similarities stop. The Supernova has less bass, a more meaty midrange and its treble is more elevated. Because of that, when you crank the volume up, the Supernova has a very natural midrange, near lifelike, a very sparkly, airy treble region while staying neutral, and without being fatiguing or sibilant. The bass of the Supernova are not as good as the RSV MKII’s, they feel less impactful, they aren’t hitting as deep and as precisely as on the RSV MKII, they are enough for me, but not in the best quality. On the other hand, the treble of the Supernova is really magical, while they lack this upper brilliance on the MKII. The mid range also feels more natural and forward on the Supernova. The RSV MKII would work better on very bass demanding tracks, but I would take the Supernova on pretty much any other music genre. **Conclusion** : While they are both great sets and trading blows on some factors, the Supernova really feel more special to me, the RSV MKII really give me this “deja-vu” impression, it is good, versatile, but you can find a lot of similarly tuned sets in the market, whereas the Supernova really is original, and is offering more than just a “good” sound, while staying very versatile in my opinion. **.VS OG RSV** (sorry for the photo, I don't have the RSV OG no more ) It is quite simple here, I feel like the MKII has pretty much the same treble experience as the RSV OG, better bass than it, and doesn't have this very unique and emotional midrange. The MKII will be more versatile and less fatiguing than the OG, but it will not be the “vocals specialist” anymore, it is “just” a good set. Also, the RSV had less bass, allowing me to crank the volume more, and to feel like its presentation was a little bit more airy and detailed than the MKII, but it is very subtle. **conclusion** : The Softears MKII is more versatile in its tuning than its predecessor, but it doesn’t have the very unique vocal quality of the OG RSV. If I could only have one, I would take the MKII, while knowing that this set will be good on everything but will not make me feel the same emotions as the OG RSV **Conclusion and recommendation** *Who is this set for :* \-If you are looking for a very versatile tuning that will suit pretty much any music genre. \-If you want the BAs coherency while keeping very good bass. \-If you are searching for a beautiful IEM. \-If you want a fun and dynamic but non-fatiguing sound. *Who this set isn't for :* \-If you are looking for a specialist. \-If you’re a treble-head. \-If you want the best value for money. \-If you want a neutral/bright sound presentation. **My thoughts** I liked the Softears RSV MKII, but not enough to recommend it, taking its price into account. This set is great, but doesn’t offer anything really special that would make it shine in the mass. Its bass is very good, and is its best point, but the midrange is just good, without anything very special, unlike the first iteration of RSV, and its treble is detailed, has a good texture but lacks some air, even making the set too dark at lower volume. So unless you really love the design of the set (which is beautiful I agree), or you absolutely want all the Softears sets, I don’t think this one is a very good value for its price, the Mega5est or the Supernova as good with a “special sauce” to them making them more unique (lifelike timbre, beautiful treble etc). And like I said, this set is good at everything, special for nothing. It’s disappointing because I loved the RSV OG and the Volume S, which are, for me, really unique.

Yes really ! I am also very treble-sensitive, and the upper region is often my final decision factor. Even some sets which no one found too intense in the treble are for me, like the Xenns Tea Pro. For the moment, I found the best balance in 3 sets, the Yanyin Canon pro, Softears Volume S and 7Th Acoustics Supernova, they are the only 3 which had enough energy and upper brilliance without making an hole in my eardums ahah.

I agree the highs on the Volume S can be a bit fatiguing after considerable listening.

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 didn’t really enjoy the Volume S, think the Martilo is much more enjoyable

Interesting. I thought the highs on the Volume S were so recessed that I returned them within a week. Cymbals sounded dead.

Just from personal experience, Myeraudio CKLVX D41 but that just my limited experience. Much wider sounding than my Softears Volume S.

The vocals on Softears volume S pop with intense clarity and there’s a lot of dense warmth to male vocals which I love and female vocals go satisfyingly high.

Softears Volume S is super lush and natural while having insane bass quality. Vocals pop and treble is smooth like melted butter

Also if you stretch your budget a bit Softears Volume S is phenomenal

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.

https://preview.redd.it/8dwed37haaqf1.jpeg?width=2796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e55c3b3e6192971e6e901519479b2146e5d3ccd As a comparison, The Softears Volume S is a much warmer and relaxed style IEM with more warmth and relaxed treble.

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

Great review and comparisons. Since you own the Volume S, try out my EQ for them, it brings the response closer to the Odyssey. The result it something that sounds both cleaner and scales better. The slight risk for vocal shout is gone, treble is more extended, and bass a little more balanced while retaining that mid-bass special sauce it has. https://preview.redd.it/dz4qd1au52mf1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c693f174f8621e587e9541e05d58277e583732e

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.

Xenns tea pro or softears volume s. Not cheap but those are both fantastic iems that actually have good frequency response and aren’t gimmicky or massively V shaped.

I'm so lucky that I realised this very early, bought items that I truly thought will make a difference always tried to upgrade and never go into rabbit hole of side grades. Now I'm very much satisfied with what I have. I started with Blon BL03, KZ PLA 13 (only bad purchase), Truthear Zero Red and Softears Volume S. It was Truthear Zero Red that did it for me, how can something sound so freaking good at this price they were the perfect tuning I needed, everytime I tried to play with EQ it felt off. I love them so much that even tho I have my Volume s more often than not I'm listening to RED. Don't get me wrong here, I really really like volume S I sounds heavenly and the bass is a chef's kiss. It's very physical and not overpowering, mids and trebele are near perfect for me I just wished they fit my ears aa comfortably as RED does.

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

I believe Softears Volume S is exactly what you're looking for

The bass is the tightest and punchiest out of all the IEMs I've heard! The more linear bass removes all the bloom and muddiness

# 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

I stand by the fact that for beginners to get a good impression of an IEM they have to skip the budget range. Budget IEM’s these days are able to reproduce sound relatively accurate but nothing more. It’s not gonna wow / surprise you. But in order to fully enjoy an IEM or sound in general it’s also important to know what kind of sound you enjoy most. If you are a ‘basshead’ a treble focused IEM will most likely not be up your alley and visa versa. I prefer a neutral / warm leaning sound with some midrange focus and I have settled for the softears volume s.

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

Martilo is overhyped imo, you should be able to find a used Symphonium Meteor for 350 that and the Softears Volume S have great bass response. That all being said, are you sure it is bass you want or is it just that the Blessing is an incredibly bright signature and maybe you are looking for something a little darker with more mid strength? I see you more than likely will be using these for gaming. In that case so would also suggest the Ziigaat Arete. Which brings forward all those mids you need in fps games.

I mean I may catch some flack for this one, but describing your wants, I would very much suggest the Softears Volume S, bass is actually pretty incredible on it with a forward vocal range. Other suggestion would be the Ziigaat Arete. I love it because the mids are so palpable

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.

It depends on what you want. Variations is tuned towards Harman. If you want something that is like the variations but a bit better I would either look into the I/O Volare or wait for the Mooondrop Meteor x Crinacle DE (The issue with the meteor is the lack of bass, only decent mids but really good treble and crin said collabed with mooondrop to fix that. Like with the blessing series). [https://graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/?share=JM-1\_Target,Variations,Volare,Moondrop\_Meteor&bass=8&tilt=0&treble=-4&ear=0](https://graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/?share=JM-1_Target,Variations,Volare,Moondrop_Meteor&bass=8&tilt=0&treble=-4&ear=0) If you want an iem next to your Variations that is just more vocal forward I would either go for something cheaper like the Tanchjim Lineup (Nora,Fission, Fola) or for a bit more something like the Softears studio 4. If you want something that has good vocals but also bass, I would look into the Softears Volume s or any other jM1 tuned Iem like the crinear daybreak, Ke4, Ziigaat Odyssey 1/2, Mooondrop Dusk (and many more) or something like the Ziigaat Luna. Ps. You could also consider to try out some EQ and add a bit more lower midrange and maybe a bit more mid bass. Something like this might work for you. https://preview.redd.it/zn3o9psp46tf1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a11b179c593b4f5707192bf77cd1be58c94e415

listener from Headphones.com. despite my preference having more subbass and upper treble than listener's preference, I like the way he describes what he listens to in his written reviews. no words like "wide soundstage, upper treble gives more details" etc so many reviewers describe zingy and uncontrolled upper treble as details, and say iems with that feature as "detailed set". for example, xenns top pro, annihilator and dunu braindance. I totally agree with him that IEMs like softears volume S with slightly boosted midrange and good bass physicality is what defines "detail".

I also had the astrals, they are very good for gaming, while the nozzle was fine for me, the shell was uncomfortable for me and after a few hours my ears hurt and i had to turn and push the iems deeper into my ear. I had to return them and bought Softears Volume S which surprised me a a lot, because its just 2DD 2Ba (one DD is passive, so its rather 1dd2ba) so with less drivers per side i expected the sound to be not as detailed or lacking in imaging or separation, but thats where they completely caught me off guard. Excellent imaging and detail retrieval, couldnt stop listening to music or playing games. Sound is very holographic

For gaming these are my favorite

kiwi ears astral, mangird tea pro, & softears volume s are the best for competitive fps gaming. just pick which tuning you like.

Depends on the IEM. Some expensive IEMs sound like complete ass. Price doesn’t necessarily correlate with performance, you need to do research and also find out what kind of sound you like. I had a pair of Truthear Hexa and loved the sound. The fit was not great for me though. I decided to spend big bucks on a Softears Volume S because it seemed to have a similar sound to Hexa, and I am now set for life. Very comfortable for me. Much punchier bass, better imaging and technicalities, but it still maintains the great timber and sound signature of the Hexa with a bit more bass. A opposite example is Simgot supermix 4. At the time I was still using the Hexa. I tried a pair of Simgot supermix 4 at a store, and they sounded so much worse than my pair of cheaper Hexa. They are super hyped up so I was quite disappointed. Turns out I just don’t like the sound of in ear harman while many do. It’s all very subjective.

Yuh I decided to spend a little extra for a pair of Softears Volume S and I’m set for life

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.

Have you tried the new Softears Volume S? It has a narrower nozzle at 5.4mm, but it's very long so I do struggle to find tips that both seal and are comfortable. Interesting that you noted the Aful nozzles are often narrow, Aful themselves report that P5/8 are 5.8mm, but I have heard that they're narrower than that.

If you're just starting out I'd recommend starting out with budget sets to find your preference then spending on an endgame iem. But for 300£ and if it was me I'd go for a Softears Volume S with a Snowsky Echo Mini. Edit: I also saw that you're looking for a DAC, get something like a Jcally JM6 Pro or a Fiio KA11 or even a TRN Black Pearl.

I like the S08 a little more than Explorer (baring the wonky fit for my ears), mostly due to the Explorer's little extra treble presence. The S08 has no irritability to my ear and is the epitome of an easy listening set. Volume S is really good too but I want a little bit more forward vocal response. I actually like the OG Volume more because of this.

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. 

The two IEMs are completely different. Softears volume S is for Vocals. Punch audio is for "punchy" textured bass.

I've tried Letshuoer S12, Simgot EM6L, Kiwi Ears Astral, Ziigaat Arete and briefly the Softears Volume S. In terms of ability to pinpoint enemies the Astral, Arete and Volume S are the best but EM6L is close. So any of those will generally do you well. Imo the S12 and Volume S are too treble leaning and just makes it generally unpleasant to listen to most the time. The Astral is very V-shaped and has a tonne of bass which can be fun for some games but in competitive ones gets annoying (I had to EQ them to bring the bass down). For me the Arete and EM6L is more subtle and simple and I have no desire to EQ it. Also the tea pro is probably just not worth that amount of money, from my testing after £200 you really hit diminishing returns fast. I personally use the Aretes.