Help me find the perfect sub-$150 dynamic driver IEM

[PopZeus]

Kefine Delci? Both tuning and technical preferences tend to get muddled in this price point, since both can have a massive impact on your listening experience, so it's hard to place a hard value on either when it comes to subjective enjoyment.

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

How's the Oriveti OD200? Ignore the price for now.

 

[baskingshark]

How's the Oriveti OD200? Ignore the price for now.

I think it is overrated. Not bad, but there are other single DDs in the similar price ballpark that are better technically:
eg Simgot EA1000 (it has an added PR but operates mostly as a single DD).
eg DUNU Falcon Ultra
eg Tanchjim Origin

The OD200 has 2 tuning nozzles. The black nozzle is practically not usable as it is a shoutfest icepick in the ears. The other silver nozzle is not so shouty but has compromises in resolution. This silver one is what most consumers end up sticking to.

8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

What about older super popular ones like Moondrop Starlight (or Starlight 2) or Aria?

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

I think it is overrated. Not bad, but there are other single DDs in the similar price ballpark that are better technically:
eg Simgot EA1000 (it has an added PR but operates mostly as a single DD).
eg DUNU Falcon Ultra
eg Tanchjim Origin

The OD200 has 2 tuning nozzles. The black nozzle is practically not usable as it is a shoutfest icepick in the ears. The other silver nozzle is not so shouty but has compromises in resolution. This silver one is what most consumers end up sticking to.


8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Many of the EA1000 reviews mention spicy trebles, which I must avoid.

 

[chickenmcnug]

Final E5000?
They're floating around for really good prices used.

Might be a lil too smooth and needs quite a bit of power to really shine. What source are you using?

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

Final E5000?
They're floating around for really good prices used.

Might be a lil too smooth and needs quite a bit of power to really shine. What source are you using?

Currently I use a USB DAC (iBasso DC03 Pro or a couple others in the same class) with a PC behind it. I also use a LG V30 phone, and have a portable amp strapped to it.


Nuance on the internet:

 

[chickenmcnug]

Currently I use a USB DAC (iBasso DC03 Pro or a couple others in the same class) with a PC behind it. I also use a LG V30 phone, and have a portable amp strapped to it.


Nuance on the internet:

You’ll definitely need the amp to drive it. Will sound veiled without enough power.

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

Tangzu Xuan vs Kefine Delci?

 

[baskingshark]

Tangzu Xuan vs Kefine Delci?

Xuan Nu is bassy warm and analoguish sounding. Quite lowFI in terms of technicalities

Delci is U-shaped with big bass, good soundstage and better technical chops than the Xuan Nu.

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

Xuan Nu is bassy warm and analoguish sounding. Quite lowFI in terms of technicalities

Delci is U-shaped with big bass, good soundstage and better technical chops than the Xuan Nu.

Thank you!

 

[listen4joy]

Simgot EA500LM is also an option.

 

[bamboostreet]

There is Seekreal airship which corrects Olina's errors (good bass but hollow). Fiio jd7 is still a FANTASTIC iem, but it is end of life, its hard to find. And i heard good thing for Tinhifi T5S. Simgot is terrible for rock (electric guitar is extremely aggressive with simgot 1000 and 500).
Yes, I know, head-fi means a new toy every week but I like my old toys...

 

[h1a8]

I have a bunch of DD IEMs that do almost everything right, but each has a characteristic I dislike. Can you help me find something that will resolve this predicament?

Dunu Titan S: not enough bass
Tin T4: too much treble
KZ DQ6: bass is flatulent
7Hz Salnotes Zero: veiled, not enough sparkle
Tripowin Olina: almost perfect, I guess it's not super exciting and could use a little bit more of everything
Blon BL-03: doesn't fit

Among the non-DD IEMs I've tried, I've liked the KZ BA-10, BQEYZ Spring 1, Sen-fur Deet-6, Ikko OH-10.

A perfect IEM would have the T4's detail, the Olina's sound stage and timbre, the DQ6's warmth, and the Titan's treble.

Does such a thing exist? I'm looking specifically for DD, not hybrid.

1. Simgot Em6L
2. Aria 2
3. Truthear Red (with the included adapter

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

1. Simgot Em6L
2. Aria 2
3. Truthear Red (with the included adapter

Thank you kindly.

I've decided to try the Kefine Delci next, as well as a Castor Bass Edition.