Mangird Tea Pro SE

Thanks for suggestion. ​I think I found next attempt, jaytiss must have been onto something. Tea pro SE has monarch mkIV type of midbass to upper mids range, abit less sub bass than top pro but more upper mids and lower treble - than same treble 2500-4500hz (with touch less sub bass it should make vocals less recessed - as they are on mkIV but less peaky (safer for all-arounder use case). Than again mkIV type of air (above top pro level, which is what I want, more technical and airy without sibilance of k and 10-12.5k https://preview.redd.it/8jbk9e9ywycg1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=5f1368f835e716413f7f4c28fbbd0549bf15f2cb

Arcanis I have compared and I did not like treble and technicals on that IEM, mids are equally good sure. Bass good, not better than top pro. So thank you sincerely, but I do not think it is for me I found tea pro see to be basically same low end with slight reduction in sub bass, while it boosts upper mids and lower treble - where vocals live + it boosts air region and technical ability (which will open up upper vocals - make vocal sound more open environment rather than sound proofed studio recording) https://preview.redd.it/28ze4tv3xycg1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=cf95ccd7a18c5052e7146b1696b504c7ab5099d7

* tighter sub bass, a touch less warmth due to midbass reduction = less bleeding to mids (most reviewer don’t say but I do find top pro bass to be a touch boomy/overflowing due to amount of low end boost or luck of perfect control) Those changes sound EXACTLY how I would want to adjust top pro on low end - they alone would allow for vocals to shine more as right now I think mids over take higher mids and treble where vocals live. * update is that the one? https://preview.redd.it/vn9k8hjjmycg1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a9fc0ca889c5c5f7b4ba74ab59bb4759cae9f0a2

https://preview.redd.it/e8k9ytcswycg1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=400f6ec92dff58f4daaf5fd6161ce7cbb9daeaaf Thanks for suggestion. ​I think I found next attempt, jaytiss must have been onto something. Tea pro SE has monarch mkIV type of midbass to upper mids range, abit less sub bass than top pro but more upper mids and lower treble - than same treble 2500-4500hz (with touch less sub bass it should make vocals less recessed - as they are on mkIV but less peaky (safer for all-arounder use case). Than again mkIV type of air (above top pro level, which is what I want, more technical and airy without sibilance of k and 10-12.5k

Tea pro feel more premium because it is aluminium. My question to you - would like to show off you cnc IEM to friends or enjoy WEIGHTLESS feel of Top Pro, 0 ear tension and weight hanging out of your ear canals? So yes top pro is hollow resin, and I’m happy about it. Tea pro feel so heavy after top pro that it is hard to go back to them. I have dropped mine on a floor a few time, no issues. Top pro is not a tank like tea pro, they are fine acoustic instrument. Tea pro only get an edge by a tiny amount over top pro in how coherent low end is, but you will not notice it unless you really listen to both back and forth for some time, ao don’t stress. Vocals, treble, air, technical abilities and even mids are all better on top pro than tea pro DaVinci is just meh it sounds low res low quality compared to top pro - completely lacking in air and technicals (not worth the money at all there are so many better sets for same price, like Astrals and even Crescent would be better by a lot) Performer 8 is not even in competition, lower mids / lows are bad. Bass is mediocre. Treble and technicals are good, but what’s the point if everything else is not on par. — Actually I would also disregard tea pros and get Astrals if this is $ limit! Otherwise top pro! Astrals are better or at least equal to tea pro in every aspect, but they might sound peaky to you (due to your sensitivity - if it is in air region and not 6-7k region, most sibilance is not actually caused by peaks above 10k, but rather by peaks 3-7k region!) So my final conclusion for you would be: - got 450-500$ get top pro and never look at another IEM for long time, if you don’t step on your IEM… - out of budget, than find some where / some one who may be sells and can let you listen Astrals (they are better than tea pro man, or equal depending on your ear, so over all more consistent high result = safer buy at great price tag!) - if you REALLY can not get astral to listen to before buying than … buy Astrals I’m 99% sure your “sibilance sensitivity” comes from type of music you listen to + quality of recording + previously lower grade headphones most likely, so I don’t think Astrals will sound harsh at any point to you 👍🙂 (other wise save money and get top pro those do AMAZING on metal and hip hop or any genre because they never actually become harsh / sibilant while having good amount of bass and amazing mids and treble)

Against the Tea Pro SE and Top Pro it really comes down to really subtle differences like in the treble where the Top Pro edges out the Hype 4 Mk2 and Tea Pro SE but only by a bit from what I personally tried and demo'd a bit ago with a buddy of mine. All 3 of the sets are pretty damn good and trade blows in a lot, and from what I tested with a bit of PEQ, they all take PEQ phenomenally well. Kinda crazy how even 4-5+ years ago sets were coming out at double to triple the price that trade blows with modern cheaper additions in the 4-600 dollar range. I might cop these honestly but I already have the DUSK AND the Top Pro lol. Might instead save for a Monarch or IE900 or U4s but I need to demo all 3 at once before pulling the trigger.

Out of all the IEMs I’ve used, which includes the Ziigaat Arete 2, Xenns Tea Pro SE, Softears Volume S and Kiwi Astrals. The Astrals have been my go to for FPS gaming. The soundstage is perfect in my opinion and I find it the easiest out of those IEMs to pinpoint audio cues. Also fantastic for music playback with exceptional low end texture and the right amount of high end sparkle.

Soundstage wise I’d say Astrals > Tea Pro SE > Arete 2 > Volume S

**Merry Xmas ya'll!** Here's a quick list of the best IEMs I've heard that **came out** in 2025. Full video breakdown [here](https://youtu.be/jnNvbrCh8Yg). IEM Ranking List [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZHVib50XFQW4up3SwOZUTbI-hZB6Ir5LX6XnZblIM6o/edit?usp=sharing). \--------------------------------------------------------------------- **Under $25 (Sales Included)** * TangZu Waner 2 (Balanced/Clean) * Tanchjim Bunny/Zero Ultima DSP/3.5 (Balanced/All-Rounder) * HM: KZ Duonic (Bassy All-Rounder/Sub-bass focused) * HM: GK Kunten (Bassy All-Rounder) * HM: Kiwiears Belle (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Smooth) **Under $50 (Sales Included)** * 7Hz Elua Ultra (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Slight V) * KZ Zenith (Balanced/Clean/Smooth) * HM: Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 with 5 Ohm Adapter (Basshead) **Under $125 (Sales Included)** * Simgot EG280 (All-Rounder/Bright Leaning/Vocal Forward) * Tanchjim Fission (Neutral/Balanced/Smooth) * Kiwiears Airoso (Warm/Airy) * Kefine Quatio (Bassy/Dynamic/Versatile) * HM: JUZEAR Defiant (All-Rounder/Slight V/QC issues) * HM: Kiwiears Etude (Bouncy Bass/Scaling/Bone Conduction Drivers) * HM: 7Hz Diablo (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Dark) * HM: 7Hz Divine (Clean/Balanced) **Under $200** **(Sales Included)** * LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA (All-Rounder/Slight V/Bassy) * Crinear DayBreak/EPZ P50 (Balanced/Smooth/Vanilla) * Kiwiears Aether (Balanced/Airy) * Ziigaat Lush (Balanced/Warm Leaning/Scaling) * MYER CK2V (Bright/Sparkly) * HM: Punch Audio Portazo (Basshead) **Under $300 (Sales Included)** * Kiwiears Astral (All-Rounder/Slight V) * EPZ K9 (All-Rounder/Fuller-Less Shouty Harman 2019) * Softears Volume S (Balanced/Warm) * Ziigaat Crescent (Warm/Sparkly) * Punch Audio Martilo (Basshead) * Kiwiears Orchestra 2 (Neutral/Vocal Forward) * Yanyin Canon Pro/YU9 Que (Neutral/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: Kiwiears Septet (Bright/Airy) * HM: Tanchjim Force (Vocal forward/Clean) * HM: Juzear Defiant (Smooth/Scaling/Mid-Range) * HM: Dunu 142 (All-Rounder/Slight-V/Sharper Kiwiears Astral) **Under $500 (Sales Included)** * Thieaudio Hype 4 MK2 (Bright/Energetic/Clean) * Xenns Tea Pro SE (Balanced/Natural) * Xenns Top Pro (Balanced/Clean/Sparkly) * NICEHCK ROCKIES (Balanced/Full/Airy) * Ziigaat Luna (Warm/Airy) * Ziigaat Arcanis (Vocal Sauce/Mid-Range Scaling) * HM: HiSenior MEGA 7 (Balanced/Smooth/Neutral) **Under $2000** * Thieaudio Monarch MK4 (Clean All-Rounder/Bassy with Switch) * Thieaudio Valhalla (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Bassy) * LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8 (Neutral/Bright/Airy) * Softears RSV MK2 (Bassy All-Rounder/V-Shape) * FIIO FX17 (Warm All Rounder) * HM: AFUL DAWN-X (Sub-bass/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: BGVP SOLOMON (Bright/Slight V)

I’ve been using the final audio a6000 for 2 years now which is my favourite IEM of ALL TIME! & I’ve been largely very happy. The final audio a6000 cost $479usd while the tea pro se is $449usd. I daily the Simgot Super Mix 4 as well & as much as I loved the super mix 4 I decided to look for something better & I landed on the tea pro se & couldn’t be happier. I’ll still keep the super mix 4 as a daily pair as it’s cheaper & I still think the super mix 4 is one of the most technical iems in its price point.

I haven’t tried top pro but I preferred this as it’s got a metal build. I originally was gonna get the hisenior mega7 but I decided to pick the tea pro se

My picks would be Arete 2 Hype 4 MK2 Astral (but treble energy killed my ear canals also too big for my ears) Tea Pro Top Pro Tea Pro SE (again high treble energy) Volume S (has weird treble spikes for my ears) A bit higher I really loved RSV MK2 (possibly max I would want to spend on an IEM) Can also try Monarch IV at 1200 or so Valhalla was truly great but don’t think it is worth 2 grand On cheaper side honestly, I haven’t found anything I liked. I tried the Aful Explorer but comparing them to my Arete 2 and they were just… well… awful. I have yet to try out Horizon, Odyssey 2 or Aful 8S but heard good things about them. Definitely try to have a return option. There is also Mega 5 EST that people love but I have not tried. Personally I am enjoying the Arete 2.

My picks would be Arete 2 Hype 4 MK2 Astral (but treble energy killed my ear canals also too big for my ears) Tea Pro Top Pro Tea Pro SE (again high treble energy) Volume S (has weird treble spikes for my ears) A bit higher I really loved RSV MK2 (possibly max I would want to spend on an IEM) Can also try Monarch IV at 1200 or so Valhalla was truly great but don’t think it is worth 2 grand On cheaper side honestly, I haven’t found anything I liked. I tried the Aful Explorer but comparing them to my Arete 2 and they were just… well… awful. I have yet to try out Horizon, Odyssey 2 or Aful 8S but heard good things about them. Definitely try to have a return option. There is also Mega 5 EST that people love but I have not tried. Personally I am enjoying the Arete 2.

Astrals are a bit spicy but highly technical. Tea Pro is similar but more bass and maybe slightly shouty in mid range (can EQ) or may not even hear the shout. Odyssey safest musical pick. Others to consider would be Top Pro (if price is not a concern) - more technical and cleaner than Astral. Arete 2 similar technically to Astrals but without the spiciness - sometimes shouty in mids with busy tracks (can be EQ-ed) and better bass definition. For a first IEM the Odyssey would be my pick. It will allow you to land if the format works for you, you like the in ear comfort/sound profile, you prefer isolation etc. Do let us know what you end up with as it is an interesting question.

The XENNS Mangird Tea Pro SE for me. I love neutral sound with a bit of bass punch.