Best IEM for under $2500

[cachedbrown]

Hello,
After trying out multiple high end headphones I have discovered that all of them hurt my ears so I’ve turned to IEM’s for more hi-fi sound. I haven’t done much research on IEM’s at all so I’m not too sure what to look for and was hoping for some recommendations. My budget is $2500 and I like listening to rap, orchestral music, and I enjoy textured base. What would be some of the best IEM’s I could get with that budget? Ideally something not super uncomfortable as well.

 

[warrenpchi]

Welcome @cachedbrown,

You should definitely re-ask your question in The Watercooler Thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...anter-index-on-first-page-all-welcome.957426/

You'll definitely get some good suggestions there.

 

[NOoneWillknow]

well, in that budget there are so so many good options. I don't even know where to begin. I mean, I only have a very limited collection that i own, with an even lower budget of $1000. I recently bought the Kinera Nanna x Z tuned (nanna 2.1). I honestly think that it might tick all of your boxes, but try it before buying.

a little overview on the kinera nanna x z: fit wise, it's quite big but not uncomfortable. It has quite a lot of bass (for those thick basslines), but not too much, quite a head banger iem. The mids are with a touch of warmth, which makes it like 'whole bodied'. This area also makes male vocals quite nice. Upper mids/female vocals - really nice, voices are natural-ish. Treble, honestly, it's ok, but I'm quite sensitive above 12khz and the peak at 13khz is slightly uncomfortable. soundstage is quite wide and airy. It's imaging and precision is not bad, i wouldn't recommend for gaming.

I don't know what your playlists look like but mine is a mix of k-pop, edm, rap, modern rock, and the Kinera nanna x z the best I've heard, but then what I've heard is very limited.

It really shines when playing 'still here' by league of legends.

 

[smirks_audio]

Hello,
After trying out multiple high end headphones I have discovered that all of them hurt my ears so I’ve turned to IEM’s for more hi-fi sound. I haven’t done much research on IEM’s at all so I’m not too sure what to look for and was hoping for some recommendations. My budget is $2500 and I like listening to rap, orchestral music, and I enjoy textured base. What would be some of the best IEM’s I could get with that budget? Ideally something not super uncomfortable as well.

The new Melodic Artification Alter Ego is, IMO, the best IEM you can buy at $2500 USD at the moment. It’s a comfortable fit and meets all your requirements.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Unless you have some of the largest ears on the planet, there's no way every headphone hurts your ears. Many of them won't even touch your ears.