I think it's time for a shift around in my rankings...
Out of interest, what are peoples Top 10 earbuds?
What matters to me, in order of priority:
1. Timbre
2. Preferred tuning: balanced with slight warmth, vocal-forward
3. Stage size
4. Resolution
5. Dynamics
Source: DX300 Amp12 (anything above 100ohm I tend to introduce the Defiant but it's not a hard and fast rule)
1. VE Asura Pure White Shining (Bell-Horn, 150ohm)
2. TGXear Alpha (MX500, 600ohm bery)
3. Blur OFC MX400 non-aPs Special Tuning Edition (MX500, 400ohm graphene)
4. Blur OFC MX64 aPs Special Tuning Edition (MX500, 64ohm, white glue variant)
5. VE Zen Shining Ultimate (Bell-Horn, 320ohm) - based on 'fun-factor' alone
6. TGXear Sunniva + tuning kit (MX500, 180ohm bery)
7. Blur OFC PK150 Wraith (PK, 150ohm)
8. FranQL Aquila (DP100, 85ohm bio)
9. VE Zen SL (custom PK, 320ohm)
10. VE Sun DICE (Bell-Horn 180ohm)
Honorable mention: Blur MX300 美魔女 Beautiful Witch aPs
The APWS is a bit of an oddity amongst this top 10. It's warmer and much smoother than the rest but how it does vocals is special enough to secure it pole position. Zen SU is also an oddity, with timbral flaws and a very smooth presentation. Weight, dynamics, size of the image and the warmer presentation makes it my go to for aggressive music.
List subject to change!
Source: Mostly Defiant (due to desk listening these days), DX300 Amp12 otherwise.
1. VE Asura Pure White Shining (Bell-Horn, 150ohm)
2. FQL Ibis (DP100, 400ohm graphene)
3. FQL Blue Moon
4. TGXear Alpha (MX500, 600ohm bery)
5. TGXear Desolation Sound
6. VE Zen Shining Ultimate (Bell-Horn, 320ohm)
7. Blur OFC MX64 aPs Special Tuning Edition (MX500, 64ohm, white glue variant)
8. VE Zen SL (custom PK, 320ohm)
9. TGXear Sunniva + tuning kit (MX500, 180ohm bery)
10. VE Sun DICE (Bell-Horn, 180ohm)
Honorable Mentions:
Blur OFC PK150 Wraith (PK, 150ohm)
FranQL Aquila (DP100, 85ohm bio)
Blur OFC MX400 non-aPs Special Tuning Edition (MX500, 400ohm graphene)
VE Monk A1 (MX500, 32ohm bio)
A few movers and shakers of note.
@FranQL blew my mind with Ibis and Blue Moon. Super special earbuds in their own rights, one organic and dynamic, the other incredibly clean, resolving and delicate. The Blue Moon reminds me of the high techs of ClieOS planar, good staging and excellent air. Thankfully vocals are much more soulful and there's no unfortunate low end roll off. The Ibis feels like my old Blur OFC MX400 non-aPs STE fully realised. Less dampened and more emotive but with a similarly analog sound and convincing timbre. It flew up my list and has made the Blur rather obsolete for that special timbre sauce. The Ibis has a weightier low end and better dynamics than TGXear Alpha and competes with it in terms of technicalities. The Ibis is just that bit more warm and exciting as an allrounder where the Alpha tends to specialise more with instruments/classical. Fran is truly at the top of his craft. These are two stunning sets and they represent a prime virtue of the flathead realm, the special people in it and the heart put into creating the best sound.
Desolation Sound has really impressed me, it's resolving, has character and lacks very little apart from some low end weight. The reason it features further down is that I find the timbre less convincing than those above it and that may be part in due to the lighter fundamental notes. I do reach for the Alpha more but on the go, Desolation Sound needs less power to shine so it is a strong alternative.
Another surprise was the VE Monk A1. It's a warm but detailed vocal-orientated set with a lot of heart that will more than justify the likely price tag. I imagine it won't be more than $30 (no formal price on it yet) and I have happily used it as a my 'beater' set for over a month and it's given some really beautiful moments to my acoustic vocal tracks with great instrument separation and string texture.