I'll be using prices in China:
~$10: SGOR Adonis (¥93)
~$20: TRN Conch (¥150)
~$50: Sivga Que (¥400)
~$100: EPZ P40 (¥849)
~$200: Xenns Mangird Tea Pro (¥1914)
From here on out these are the ones I don't own
~$500: I'll cheat and put AFUL Cantor (¥5,000)
~$1,000: BGVP Solomon (¥7,699)
~$2,000: Palavox Dark Knight (¥16,800)
~$5,000: EF Annihilator Prime (¥31,999)
~$20,000: Brise Audio Ibuki/Fugaku (¥49,800/¥157,999)
Kefine kleans have a great look, excellent build quality, quality cable, nice sound but are slightly quiet for me when comparing to zero2, simgot ew200,trn conch, chu2, kz edx
I recently bought the TRN Conch (w/mic) to use to talk to friends while gaming, etc, but when testing the mic quality of recording software like OBS, the mic had a TERRIBLE interference noise in the background, horrible, and nothing I did with software could 100% get rid of it (even if friends said they didn't notice anything on discord even without the software), so I decided to buy a DAC USB-C adapter, also from TRN, in hopes that it would solve my problems, the noise is definitely less but it's still there and I don't have any damn idea why or how to solve it, and it isn't just OSB since Audacity also detects it.
The noise only seems to occur when the IEM is connected to my laptop, because the mic quality was okay when I tried it on my phone, could it be that the Conch is just too sensitive and my laptop is too beefy/poorly isolated? (RTX 5060 Max-Q, Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 7 155H, I'm not trying to gloat, I'm grasping at straws).
If someone can help me solve this I would be very thankful because it's driving me crazy.
Kefine already have some of the best accessories. But other than them, TRN tend to be very good. But most TRN IEMs sound like crap. The Conch for example has an [excruciating treble peak somewhere around 12kHz](https://pw.squig.link/?share=TRN_Conch_Red,IEF_Comp_Target) that sounds incredibly harsh & stabby.
The only TRN I would recommend is the Shell, which while it's not perfect (it has a slight issue with vocals seeming to vary in volume in some tracks), it overall sounds good, looks good and is pretty well made (solid metal shell etc.). Comes with a good modular cable, really good case if you want a hard one (not the most pocketable but great for travelling, for maximum protection) and 4 sets of tips including a full set of T-Tips (which are some of the best tips you can buy - they're actually surprisingly cheap on their own, but there's no multipack, so it's a pain to just get one of each size to try out). I got my Shell for $40 on sale and at that price it's one of the best bargains in audio right now. I also prefer it, in terms of sound quality, to the Simgot EW300, which has a lot of similarities in how it sounds (but more flaws IMO), costs twice as much, and doesn't have the same accessories.
The Juzear Clear if you can find it on sale for around $20 may be worth buying just for it's cable and case. However, the IEM itself has some [really bad QC problems](/r/iems/comments/1insj4z/some_thoughts_on_the_juzear_clear_and_myer_audio/) so it's hard to recommend unless you really want the cable it comes with. It does sell for around $20 separately so it's literally a free IEM & case, if you were planning to but the cable anyway.
The iBasso Klee isn't the absolute best in terms of accessories, but at around $40 (ostensibly $80 but it's been on perma-sale since about August) it's one of the better 1DD IEMs (similar, possibly the same, driver used in the Simgot EA500LM and Dunu Falcon Ultra). The one accessory it has is a surprisingly good modular cable in an unusual shade of purple. You can't buy that cable afaik, nor you can you buy another cable in the same colour (there are lots of purple cables but they're usually much brighter). It comes with a few sets of tips but they're all quite generic. I got the blue Klee, so the purple cable doesn't really match it, but it does match some of my other IEMs, so I put a blue cable on the Klee and I'm using the Klee cable on something else.
IEMs cables can be swapped to many other 3rd party cables no matter if(
2 pin 0.78mm or 0.75mm)
S pin/QDC or MMCX
Or others I have adapters for my Sennheiser ie200 ie600 that allows 2 pin 0.78mm cable to be used with them.
TBH all my IEMs use different cables and different tips than what they came with as my own preference.
Tips are very important for the sound of IEMs to get a proper seal in your ears.
The tips and seal can make a huge difference between each person using the IEMs the better the seal the better the sound.
Watch YT review Audio monk is a good iem and dap reviewer Gizaudio is another
Super reviews is also ok
The DUNU titan X looks good dual drivers metal shell
37 $ AliExpress
YT review...
https://youtu.be/JMjY45C6a0I
Cheaper single Dynamic driver IEMs would be the
TRN Conch to dip your toes in the water decent quality for cheap price also a lot of extras included for the QDC cable. I got mine for 13usd from AliExpress
You just need to try a few different IEMs and pick up a few different types of cheaper IEMs to find what you like driver and tuning wise. More mids more treble or lower
Along with a selection of IEMs tips to get the best seal you can the seal can help make IEMs sing
So you find your preferred sound profile of IEMs
I started with a couple of cheap kz IEMs like the Castor bass edition IEMs
Then I tried a few TRN IEMs
TRN Conch IEMs
TRN crinnical zero red IEMs good bass
Attri T10 planar IEM planar
Planar only driver IEMs is too peaky to many ears
For me it's fatigue which gives me a headache after a short
while micro planar as part of a multi driver setup in IEMs can give great details retrieval combined with Dynamic driver and BA drivers.
Everyone is different to what tunings or drivers they like prefer or what their own ears can stand.
Planar can give a fast punchy pace with fast bass, high treble more detail retrieval.
But so can a combo of Dynamic driver & BAs combos.
Then i tried some more expensive multi driver IEMs some can be found cheaper in sales.
I don't think I paid full price for any IEMs after the zero reds due to sales or discount codes from AliExpress and it's games login daily to build up coins that give money off once you have items in basket.
For a good bass the
QOA Adonis new IEMs I really like
They are great also have nice details for instrumental music.
EPZ P50 IEMs = Crystal clear sound.
Awful performer 5+2 great alrounder good details good bass.
Shanling Me600 are a warmer IEM to my ears like old 70s fuller warmer speakers and Amps metal shells gives nice bass and details.
PULA PA02 IEMs to me gives fast punchy sound great alrounder as well
Sennheiser ie200 tape modded f
With memory foam tips
good for acoustics MTV unplugged music
Sennheiser ie600 better sound than the ie200 but for the price
I think some of the ones above do sound better but the fitting cannot be beaten these can sit in your ears all day night with zero discomfort at all.
But are pricey for a single 7mm Dynamic driver.
Cables
Lots of cheap decent OCC cables to be had for cheap.
Yongse makes some cheap but decent quality IEMs cables depending on if you want a braided thin or thicker cable in different materials terminations.
Most expensive cable I own are DUNU hulk IEMs cables can buy in either MMCX or 2Pin and have a modular connection so can swap terminations to type C 2.5mm 3.tmm 3.5mm pro or 4.4mm.
I buy from AliExpress during sales discounts and wait for a week or more sometimes
Because it's much cheaper if you're buying during a sale.
You can look up the connection of your IEMs type and then buy in 3.5mm or 4.4 some cables have switchable plugs
For 3.5mm to 4.4mm.
So you can swap over from 3.5mm to 4.4mm. depending on what you are hooking them into
Sometimes the manufacturers can make the IEMs and offer them in different connections MMCX or 2Pin 0.78mm
You can pick which IEMs sound profile you prefer
Then look for alternative cables and tips
The QDC/ S pin connections tends to be the Cheaper IEMs mostly like KZ offerings. They sell a lot bectthey are cheaper than most but quality control can be a little off from set to set.
Whilst other manufacturers
Of the more expensive IEMs
tend to use either 0.78mm 2 Pin Or MMCX or both
As it's terminations into IEMs
anything usually over 30 or 40 USD tends to use MMCX or 0.78mm.
It is all trial and error for IEM sound profile
Or watch a lot of reviews on YT to get a feel for what they say about said IEMs
A single Dynamic driver can produce some great sound alone
So not always the need to jump up to multi driver IEMs with
BAs (balanced armatures)
Or planar magnetic drivers or micro planar drivers
which can range from a few USD to hundreds depending on it's manufacturer the coating used or tunings until you find your preferred sound profile.
I would start with YouTube and watch a few reviews look up what sound profile you are wanting from your IEMs.
Using IEMs on stage you may just want a neutral plain sound profile
Whereas most music listeners many enjoy a more fun engaging sound that performers do not want whilst performing
Top IEMs on Reddit
1
7Hz
7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
76% positive of 493 users
Budget gaming pick, but poor cables and polarizing bass.
APunch_Heh
