[Yarbles]

Birthday coming up. Want something that will add something different to my line up. $1000 absolute max and those really need to be the absolute tits.

Given I love the Tea 2 so much, how do the Top compare? I may play it safe as I just love what what Xenns do & if these are very distinctly different.

Monarch III? Hype 2? AuR Neon? Letshuoer Ej07? Softears Studio 4?

Current line up:
IEM -
Mangird Tea 2 (all round IEM; 10/10 for me)
FatFreq Maestro Mini (you know what for)
Kiwi Ear Orchestra Lite (gaming & films)
Aful Performer 5 (all rounder - relegated to beaters after the immensely superior Mangird Tea 2 arrived)
Headphone -
Senn 800
Senn 660S2

I love all of these. My taste is very broad. I need a bit of bass (despite Senn 800 being one of my most prized possessions - but these are magical as we all know).

I was very disappointed by the Kiwi Ears Quintet.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[silent-circuit]

Willing to buy used, or new only? There's a lot on the used market that would be well out of budget new.

 

[Yarbles]

Willing to buy used, or new only? There's a lot on the used market that would be well out of budget new.

I would, but I'm in Thailand.

 

[dunring]

Also what are you looking for that's different? Planar magnetic sounds, or a departure from the Tea profile? Side grading can be expensive unless there's something distinct your missing for a certain type of music maybe.

 

[Yarbles]

Also what are you looking for that's different? Planar magnetic sounds, or a departure from the Tea profile? Side grading can be expensive unless there's something distinct your missing for a certain type of music maybe.

Not liked the planars I've heard, although my experience has been very limited. I have the Audeze Maxwell which I only use for PS5 multiplayer. For single player I use Senn 800/660S2 (currently considering best mic solution). I absolutely hated those for music. The only others I've had are some really budget ones - the KZ PR1 PRO. Yes this is a very limited sample size, but they had similarities that were unique to planars. I really don't like the bass at all. From 14 onwards (now 43) I spent my life in nightclubs either listening & having a dance or DJ-ing. Also spent a lot of time in the studio producing & practicing - whatever it was - clubs/studio, I was fussy about sound & was spoilt - and bass is so important to me. There's something about the planar bass that sounds off to me. I don't do jargon, but there's no punch to it when there needs to be & it lacks definition. I'm very particular about bass (especially sub bass) & I just didn't like how either planar handles it at all. Again - I've not written planar off as I've only had/tried 2 (I know the Quintet had one planar driver but it's not a full on planar set so I didn't include - don't really like those in any case).

Everything I've listed has been significantly more than the $200 Tea 2.

I don't think it's fair to compare anything to the Maestro Mini. They were brought for one reason & they do it really bloody well. Another $500 set isn't a side grade vs these.

Definitely want something that doesn't sound like what I already have.

Less about price and more about the sound.

I'm actually very new to personal listening despite working in & loving music most of my life. Music is now more of a hobby (and music is the hobby way more than equipment is).

Thank you!!!!

 

[IkSak]

What about the Thieaudio Monark Mk3 or Mk2? They fit within your budget

 

[JASTRONG]

Moondrop Variations? They were just on sale for Black Friday (~$450).

 

[ThEvil0nE]

Make it special and have it your own, one that will have your preferred tuning with 634ears custom made iem https://www.head-fi.org/threads/634ears-impressions-discussions-and-appreciations-thread.966930/

 

[mmxshhfpl]

I second Monarch 3 or 2. However, if you want to limit your budget, maybe a good used one instead to get a little even higher sound quality.

 

[Yarblockos]

Thanks everyone.

I ended up getting the Mest MKII/Fatfreq Scarlet Mini/Xenns Up & I absolutely LOVE all of them - especially the Mest MKII which I cannot imagine never not having at my disposal - they're absolutely perfect.

 

[Rextilleon]

Monarch if they meet your budget.

 

[Yarblockos]

Monarch if they meet your budget.

Demo-ing Prestige Ltd & Monarch Mk II tomorrow. May get one.

I'm not buying for the sake of it... only if I can fill a hole/give me something different; I have four pairs & gave my Aful Performer 5 to my Dad when he was taking time off for illness... I'd maybe like to replace those with something similar but better.


Cheers.

 

[mmxshhfpl]

Demo-ing Prestige Ltd & Monarch Mk II tomorrow. May get one.

I'm not buying for the sake of it... only if I can fill a hole/give me something different; I have four pairs & gave my Aful Performer 5 to my Dad when he was taking time off for illness... I'd maybe like to replace those with something similar but better.


Cheers.

The two are superb choices. I own Prestige LTD, which is mid-centric with not so elevated bass and sub-bass (quite enough for one not bass head). Monarch has more bass and sub-bass while still gives out adequate mid and treble. I prefer Prestige LTD's "accurate" performance of when listening to live and symphony.

 

[Yarblockos]

Thanks for your input. I'm actually leaning towards the Monarch MKII... I can actually get both for the same price. Unfortunately I need a bit of bass!

 

[Midnite]

Birthday coming up. Want something that will add something different to my line up. $1000 absolute max and those really need to be the absolute tits.

Given I love the Tea 2 so much, how do the Top compare? I may play it safe as I just love what what Xenns do & if these are very distinctly different.

Monarch III? Hype 2? AuR Neon? Letshuoer Ej07? Softears Studio 4?

Current line up:
IEM -
Mangird Tea 2 (all round IEM; 10/10 for me)
FatFreq Maestro Mini (you know what for)
Kiwi Ear Orchestra Lite (gaming & films)
Aful Performer 5 (all rounder - relegated to beaters after the immensely superior Mangird Tea 2 arrived)
Headphone -
Senn 800
Senn 660S2

I love all of these. My taste is very broad. I need a bit of bass (despite Senn 800 being one of my most prized possessions - but these are magical as we all know).

I was very disappointed by the Kiwi Ears Quintet.

Many thanks in advance.

Happy birthday I do hope you get something nice !