IEM recommendations!

[pjones5]

Hi all,

I’ve posted here a number of times now and I’m here again in search of some IEM recommendations.

Here’s what I’ve got so far...
- KZ ZSX
- KZ ZAX
- Moondrop Starfield
- iKKO OH-1
- FiiO FH3
- AKG N40
- KBear Diamond
- I tried the Moondrop KXXS but wasn’t a fan.

I’m really on the hunt for a balanced, relatively neutral IEM with a drop of warmth and natural timbre. I listen to a lot of classical music and stringed instruments are my favorite. But, I also want something that versatile enough to handle other genres as well. Right now, my consistent go to’s are the KZ ZAX, Starfields, and FH3s. The ZAX have great detail and are pretty well balanced, but I don’t know - something is missing. The Starfields are slightly more V-shaped and have the timbre I like so I enjoy listening to them frequently. Plus, they have the punch in the low end to be versatile with genres like rap and rock. The FH3s have a very mid forward presentation which makes them great for anything vocal oriented, but I find it to be a blessing and a curse at times. The Diamonds and OH-1s are too V-shaped for me to regularly enjoy them. I’ve got to be in the mood for it. The N40s are actually pretty good and have excellent sound stage, but can sometimes be too bright and harsh and often lack the bass to make them truly balanced.

Can’t emphasis enough, I’m looking for balanced! I’m not a bass head but I like bass. I don’t want to wince at the brightness, but I want detail. I want to hear vocals probably but not have the mids dominate.

Lastly, I recently got the Sony ZX507 which I actually really love. Biggest drawback though is it’s a little short on power which will eliminate any planar magnetic IEMs.

Looking to spend between $200 and $400, with $250-$300 being the sweet spot!

Thanks in advance!

 

[baskingshark]

Hi all,

I’ve posted here a number of times now and I’m here again in search of some IEM recommendations.

Here’s what I’ve got so far...
- KZ ZSX
- KZ ZAX
- Moondrop Starfield
- iKKO OH-1
- FiiO FH3
- AKG N40
- KBear Diamond
- I tried the Moondrop KXXS but wasn’t a fan.

I’m really on the hunt for a balanced, relatively neutral IEM with a drop of warmth and natural timbre. I listen to a lot of classical music and stringed instruments are my favorite. But, I also want something that versatile enough to handle other genres as well. Right now, my consistent go to’s are the KZ ZAX, Starfields, and FH3s. The ZAX have great detail and are pretty well balanced, but I don’t know - something is missing. The Starfields are slightly more V-shaped and have the timbre I like so I enjoy listening to them frequently. Plus, they have the punch in the low end to be versatile with genres like rap and rock. The FH3s have a very mid forward presentation which makes them great for anything vocal oriented, but I find it to be a blessing and a curse at times. The Diamonds and OH-1s are too V-shaped for me to regularly enjoy them. I’ve got to be in the mood for it. The N40s are actually pretty good and have excellent sound stage, but can sometimes be too bright and harsh and often lack the bass to make them truly balanced.

Can’t emphasis enough, I’m looking for balanced! I’m not a bass head but I like bass. I don’t want to wince at the brightness, but I want detail. I want to hear vocals probably but not have the mids dominate.

Lastly, I recently got the Sony ZX507 which I actually really love. Biggest drawback though is it’s a little short on power which will eliminate any planar magnetic IEMs.

Looking to spend between $200 and $400, with $250-$300 being the sweet spot!

Thanks in advance!

LZ A7. $300ish, can be sub $300 during sales. It can give a mindboggling 10 sound signatures from V shaped to U shaped to neutral due to tuning switches and nozzles. Extremely versatile as such. Good fit, good isolation, excellent technicalities (in details, instrument separation, imaging, soundstage). Timbre is very good for a hybrid containing piezos/BAs, but the very high treble frequencies settled by the piezos can occasionally sound a bit artificial for high violins, so it ain't as natural as a single DD in timbre. But it still has better timbre than all the other multi BA/hybrids I've heard so far. Easy to drive too. I think everyone can find an optimal sound signature with this set, other than diehard bassheads.

 

[shenzhenaudio]

We definitely recommend the Starfield and if you have a higher budget, Blessing2 also could be a great choice!

 

[slex]

NM2+ period

 

[pjones5]

We definitely recommend the Starfield and if you have a higher budget, Blessing2 also could be a great choice!

What’s the Blessing2 sound like?