Late to the
@Wyville party, but out of the 12 IEMs in this shoot-out that I've personally auditioned (everything but the Vega, S-EM9, Prelude, SE5U, and Deca), here's my Top 5:
1) Empire Ears Zeus-XIV: The Zeus-XIV represents, to me, the best balance of tonal accuracy and technical ability. Resolving to the nth degree, spacious, engaging, perfectly bodied and natural, and the XR version gives two separate tunings to boot. It has an extraordinary, beautiful, and just "correct" sound that's capable of making me gush during listening sessions, as well as assured and confident when I mix both at home and at work. It takes the cake for me.
2) 64Audio A18Tzar: Honestly, if I owned both the Zeus-XIV and the A18, it would be a
much harder contest, but owner's bias has unfortunately put the A18 in second, even if it trades blows on equal footing with the Greek god. The A18 is probably the most resolving/detailed IEM I've ever heard, with unbeatable micro-detail retrieval, transparency, air, and treble extension. It also has a low-end that manages to be both impactful and fast. I'd have to dock points for its brighter-than-natural tone, as well as a lack of density and roundness in the midrange, but if you want something *ahem* *ahem*
@FastAndClean , this is the CIEM to get.
3) Lime Ears Aether: The Aether is my first-ever TOTL CIEM, and I still love it today as much as did when I bought it two years ago. I still think its low-end isn't the most defined, and my brain still tries its hardest to pull its midrange forward every now and again, but the Aether is an IEM that's tuned so you forget about that kinda stuff. It is seductively smooth, gorgeously natural, and an absolute treat to listen to. It's like one of those massages where your back is caressed and Karate-chopped-on alternately, where you just lie there and go along for the ride. It's, to me, still somewhat of an underrated little gem, which is idiosyncratic with its crowd-pleasing signature, but it's one that's worth your attention... or at least until its successor comes out (possibly) next month :
4) Dita Audio The Dream: The Dream is tuned in such a way that someone might as well whisper the word "Reference" in my ear every 10 seconds as I listen to it. It's fast, super detailed, exciting, and it has the signature dynamic bass in spades. Although its lack of naturalness and thirst for power has effectively put me off from purchasing it, it's still a joy to listen to when I run out of things to try at MS
The only IEM that can contest it in terms of transient response and speed is probably the Jomo Samba, and its only rival in absolute soundstage is probably the tia Fourte. It may be drier and more analytical than I'd like, but the Singaporean Dream is one hell of an IEM to not miss out on.
5) Custom Art Harmony 8.2: If the Aether is a massage that has both strokes and chops, the Harmony 8.2 is the massage you're very likely to fall asleep to
Jokes aside, that wasn't meant to imply the H8.2 has a boring signature; in fact, its (let's call it) "brave" bass response is one to keep you on your toes. Rather, it's the rest of the H8.2's frequency response that makes it one of the most intimate, laid-back, and downright relaxing IEMs I've ever heard. At its worst (or when most usually try it for the very first time), it can seem too dark, or veiled, or closed in. But, as prolonged listening sessions will prove, the H8.2 is actually technically capable, with great resolving abilities and separation, especially for its asking price. It only hits you after a few tracks, and suddenly the sounds you're listening to seem extremely natural, organic, and just plain "right". It is an IEM that has musicality at the top of its priorities, and it is an IEM that's perfect if you're not looking to analyse tracks or finalise masters on, but if you're just looking to have fun.
Honourable mentions, in no particular order, are the following:
- AAW W900: The strange upper-mid-and-treble response of the W900 shies it away from becoming one of my absolute favourites, as its instrument and vocal reproduction, as well as the way it integrates its wet, visceral, and natural dynamic bass response is almost second-to-none. If AAW releases those friggin' treble filters and I can find one that shifts it towards a signature that's more coherent and linear, then it'll definitely be a contender for my next CIEM purchase.
- Ultimate Ears UE18+ Pro: What it does best is realism, tonal accuracy, midrange definition, and easygoing-ness (if that is a word). However, I notice that it only does what it does best at higher volumes than I'm used to, and lacks a bit of pace and sparkle to be a true all-rounder in my book.
- Jomo Samba: The Jomo Samba is a masterclass in technical performance. It can get hot, sharp, and fatiguing when fed the wrong stuff, but it is an IEM that contends with the best in terms of fun, transient response, speed, and punchiness. It is an absolute firecracker, and one that is equipped with some of the best resolution, imaging, and bass rumble in its price range. It is further proof that Joseph Mou really knows what he's doing, and that he's getting closer and closer to grabbing a hold of my money with a carbon-fibre grip