Pros: Ultra budget price of $15
Small shell size, comfortable shape
Convenient cable with microphone
Minimalistic design
Decent mids, bright treble
Cons: Empty bass without EQ
And nothing for this price
Review of Celest Rue
Introduction
Celest Rue is an ultra-budget new release from Celest. These IEMs were introduced at CanJam SoCal 2024 and immediately went on sale for just $15.
For those unfamiliar with Celest, it is a sub-brand of Kinera, offering a wide range of audio products, including IEMs, cables, DACs, and even full-size headphones. Celest stands out with its unique designs, inspiring backstories, and successful hybrid models like the IgniteX Beast.
Today, we’re reviewing the Celest Rue—ultra-compact in-ear monitors featuring a 6mm dynamic driver. Thanks to the use of a micro-dynamic driver, Celest has managed to significantly reduce the shell size, making the Rue one of the smallest IEMs available. In terms of compactness, they could even compete with earbuds.
Celest Rue comes in four colors: black, pink, yellow, and purple. All versions look great, but I personally went with the classic and elegant black. For just $1 more, you can opt for a version with an in-line microphone and volume control, an excellent feature for use with a phone or tablet.
Hello, and thanks for taking the time to read my review. I really appreciate it!
I’m Vlad, a former semi-pro FPS player, mainly in CS:GO, and now an audiophile and reviewer of audio devices.
My passion for music started with a classic Japanese Panasonic boombox. Later, I got my first headphones - Koss Porta Pro, which I absolutely loved. I spent years listening to music on those and the Sennheiser CX200. Back then, my playlists were filled with Linkin Park, DMX, Dr. Dre, and Eminem. Hip-hop and rap captivated me, especially the deep, rumbling bass and the distinct rap-style delivery.
Now, I consider myself a music enthusiast who enjoys a wide range of genres, from metal to classical music, choosing what to listen to based purely on my mood.
When it comes to sound, I prefer a neutral-warm V-shaped tuning. I appreciate a rumbling, well-defined bass and would consider myself more of a basshead than a treblehead. In the midrange, I have a particular fondness for male vocals, as I find them the most engaging and essential in modern music. What do I dislike? Harsh treble, a lack of bass, and a narrow soundstage.
I would like to thank Celest for providing me with the opportunity to test and review this product. Your support makes this review possible. I am very grateful to you and your team.
Disclaimer: My review is my personal, honest opinion about the product. I don't receive any income for conducting reviews and I don't participate in any affiliate programs. All thoughts expressed in this review are purely subjective and may not coincide with your own impressions. Trust your ears
3 pairs of silicon eartips: Transparent white eartips (S / M / L);
Design & Build
Celest Rue is made from medical-grade resin using a 3D printing process. The semi-transparent material allows you to easily see the dynamic driver inside.
The design of the Rue is minimalist and free of unnecessary elements. The front of the shell features the Celest branding in elegant calligraphy, while the back houses a metal nozzle with a lip and an internal mesh filter. The nozzle is moderately wide and long, which enhances comfort and sound isolation. On the side of the shell, you’ll find a 2-pin (0.78mm) connector and a small compensation vent.
Build quality of shells is quite decent. I had no complaints about the product's construction: all parts are made carefully and with good quality.
Comfort & Isolation
Celest Rue are probably the smallest IEM shells out there. Their size is only about 1.5 times that of an M&M or a coffee bean, making them an excellent choice for people with small ears or narrow ear canals.
The shape of the Rue is smooth and straight, without sharp edges or asymmetry. I wouldn’t call it an ergonomic design, but after finding the right eartips, I experienced no discomfort even during long listening sessions. I can confidently recommend this set for both large and small ears, as well as for use while sleeping or running.
Celest Rue provides around 50–60% noise isolation. Due to their small size, they don’t offer a very tight fit, so the isolation is average.
Cable
The included cable is of good quality, and I wouldn’t call it budget-tier. It’s thin but quite sturdy, with a rubber coating that provides protection against external damage.
I have the version with an in-line microphone and volume control. I must say, the microphone is of decent quality—good enough for calls and online conferences.
The connector is angled and gold-plated.
This cable reminds me of the one from the old Sennheiser CX 200, which was considered one of the best and most comfortable on the market at the time.
Ear tips
Before discussing the sound of the Rue, I’d like to say a few words about the eartips.
The included eartips are standard white silicone tips, similar to what comes with 80% of IEMs. They are made of stiff silicone and don’t hold their shape well, which can cause slight discomfort and negatively impact isolation.
Instead, I used eartips from Tangzu and SpinFit, which I found to be the best fit for this set.
Sound Impression
Celest Rue is neutral-balanced U-shaped IEMs with a monitor-like sound signature. Right off the bat, I’d say their sound is perfect for newcomers to the Hi-Fi world, audio editors, gamers, or even kids (LOL).
Imagine being at a concert, but standing far from the stage, hearing the sound through speakers. That’s exactly how the Rue sounds..
(I tested IEM with Tangzu and SpinFit eartips, connected via 3.5mm)
Bass:
Sub-bass: Fast, snappy, and energetic, with a quick attack and decay. The sub-bass isn’t particularly prominent—it feels somewhat smeared and masked by the main bass frequencies.
Mid-bass: Interestingly, the bass is pushed to the background and feels rather weak. It’s shallow and lacks energy, almost as if it’s spread out on a flat surface. I used an EQ boost of +9dB in the lower range, which helped bring out more bass impact. This added weight, depth, and better bass extension, but at the cost of slightly recessed lower mids and mids.
You'll have to compromise here and choose depending on your sound preferences: either use EQ to accentuate the bass, or use the manufacturer's reference setting
Mids:
Lower mids (EQ off): They felt constrained, lacking energy and sounding hollow. The vocal timbre is varied, and the instrumental section isn’t bad, but the accompaniment fails to evoke any emotions—there’s nothing memorable or engaging to latch onto.
Mids: Monitor-like, straightforward, but also somewhat compressed. I really liked how acoustic instruments sound—the guitar’s timbre is close to natural, the piano has good tonal variety, and the violin is slightly bright but fades into darkness.
Male vocals are not a strong point of these IEMs. They sound unconvincing and slightly artificial, lacking warmth and nuance. I miss the energy, the explosive moments, and the emotions—they simply aren’t there.
Female vocals didn’t impress me either. They feel dry, lacking energy, and seem to just "sit on the surface" of the mix. There’s nothing engaging about them, no expected emotional impact.
Upper mids: Bright, with a gradual fade into darkness. Violin, cello, piano, and guitar sound more natural and lively, adding some energy to the presentation. These elements stand out more against the rest of the mix, while the vocals become slightly more vibrant, adding a bit of variety.
Treble:
Treble. Bright, slightly sparkly, but not airy, with a gradual fade into darkness. I like that the upper range is accentuated—it adds a unique "spark" to the sound, making it easier to engage with emotionally.
Cymbals are bright, while the violin and cello have a slight sparkle but still lean towards a darker tone. The vocals aren’t crystal-clear or transparent, but they are moderately bright and free of harsh sibilance.
Overall, the treble is quite respectable, especially considering the price of these IEMs.
Separating, sound stage:
When it comes to soundstage, I got the impression that all the instruments and vocals were placed inside a large bag and playing from within. The stage feels narrow and lacks any sense of spaciousness.
Because of this, instrument separation suffers—sounds tend to overlap, such as bass blending into the mids or mids merging with the highs, resulting in a somewhat smeared presentation. Additionally, I found it difficult to pinpoint the exact location of individual sounds.
Conclusion
Celest Rue are the most budget-friendly IEMs in Celest’s lineup—cheaper than the Tangzu Wan’er or 7Hz Zero, yet not inferior to them in any way. They are lightweight, compact, and come with a high-quality cable. This makes them an excellent entry-level option for newcomers to the Hi-Fi world.
Their neutral sound signature can serve as a reference point when selecting future IEMs. With the right choice of ear tips and EQ adjustments, they can deliver a decent bass response. However, if you’re not bass-oriented, you'll still find a well-balanced midrange and engaging treble.
This model is also great for video editing, as its "monitor-like" sound signature accurately reproduces "dry" audio without adding coloration or artificial warmth.
Additionally, Celest Rue are well-suited for gaming due to their compact shape and comfortable fit, ensuring they won’t cause irritation even during long gaming sessions.
Lastly, these IEMs are an excellent choice for kids, juniors, or anyone with small ears or narrow ear canals.
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