Rank the IEM's you've heard

[shampoosuicide]

Nice list. I like the TRI I3 too. Needs amping though to get the nice soundstage and wake up the power hungry planar mids. Very coherent tuning despite the weird 1 BA + 1 planar + 1 DD config.

Do u find the 5.5 kHz region on the Sony EX1000 hot? A friend of mine said that was a deal breaker for him, I've been interested in getting it 2nd hand, but I'm a bit worried about that spike.

Agreed on the i3's tuning!

As for the EX1000, it's been a while since I last owned it and I'm not particularly skilled at identifying specific frequencies, but I definitely found the treble a touch hot (though far from unbearable). I believe crinacle noted that a deep insertion ameliorates this. Nevertheless, they're definitely a very special IEM and worth a listen. I think they're great for acoustic stuff. Wouldn't recommend them if your preferred genres are heavy on bass, though.

 

[1TrickPony]

Tier 1

1. *Sony IER-Z1R. Not much needs to be said here, I think.

Tier 2A

1. Sony XBA-Z5. Incredible soundstage and cinematic presentation, edged out only by the IER-Z1R on this list. Azla Sedna/Symbio Peel/SpinFit greatly increase treble presence and extension. "Balanced with bass boost."
2. TRI i3. Excellent soundstage, wonderfully open and revealing mids. Refined, yet dynamic, engaging, and vivid presentation.

Tier 2B

1. Fearless S8F. Strong technicalities, but I found the all-BA configuration relatively unengaging. Less bassy than I was led to believe.
2. Sony EX1000. Wonderful soundstage and lovely organic timbre. Relative lack of bass made this a no-go for me.
3. iBasso IT04. Strong technicalities, let down by a relatively lean midrange and overly-pronounced treble.

Tier 3A

1. LZ A5. Superb clarity, but too heavily V-shaped, despite my usual predilections.
2. *Campfire Andromeda. "They're OK."
3. Periodic Be modded. Up there with the EX1000 in terms of timbre: rich, organic, vibrant. Tricky to get fit right: poor fit results in a harsh, congested sound.
4. iBasso IT03. Very technically competent as far as mid-fi goes. Engaging U-shaped response. Bass extension, speed, and definition deserve special mention.
5. AK T8iE MKII. Somewhat unmemorable; distinct treble roll-off.
6. Sony XBA-N3. Fun as heck. Amongst my favourite U-/V-shaped tunings. As with the XBA-Z5, Azla Sedna/Symbio Peel/SpinFit tips go a long way to bringing out its treble.

Tier 3B

1. LZ A4. Wonderful tonality, but surpassed by newer offerings in terms of technicalities.
2. FLC 8N. Very good clarity, marred by metallic treble and relatively small images.
3. Oriolus Forsteni. -

Tier 4

1. iBasso IT01. -
2. BLON BL-03. Again, not much needs to be said here. Tremendously enjoyable and good technicalities for the price.


Tier 5

1. *Final E5000. I auditioned these twice from a Chord Mojo. Even with a silver cable and wide bore tips, I found the bass far too exaggerated, and the treble roll-off was too much for me. Below average clarity for its price range.

With the exception of the Final E5000, Campfire Andromeda, and Sony IER-Z1R which are marked with an asterisk, I've owned everything else on the list. I've marked the IEMs with my favourite tunings in bold, for perspective.

Nice to see the LZ-A4 on a list: not the most technical, but the tuning is just a pleasure to listen to (solid even for the price and multiple tuning capabilities). Cheers. Nice list.

 

[Colors]

By Sound stage alone, that "large gap" very much so applies...

Still the widest soundstage I've heard in any IEM, width wise.

Depth, maybe Odin and VE8. Height...probably LCDi4.

 

[ngd3]

Still the widest soundstage I've heard in any IEM, width wise.

Depth, maybe Odin and VE8. Height...probably LCDi4.

Which version? Tempted by a white version FS here

 

[Colors]

Which version? Tempted by a white version FS here

Either of OG v2 or v3. v3 has slightly more forward vocals though (making it slight W shape ish) vs. v2 is more V-shaped.

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

My personal iem ranking based on what I have owned/tried.

1) Sony IER-Z1R (Personal Unit) - Amazing bass, treble, soundstage and imaging. The best bass ever heard on iem. Mids and male vocals a little drawn-back. Overall my favorite so far and I like it just a bit more than U12T because the amazing bass just make the music sounds more engaging. The drawback are heavy, big size, although they fit my ear quite well but still less comfortable than other iem on this list. [Haven’t tried Thummim, Odin, Erlkonig, Sultan, King Arthur, KSE 1500, Anole VX, Fourte Nior and other high end / TOTL so don’t know if those will be better, if have a chance to demoed will put them on this list]

2) 64 Audio U12T (demoed at 64 Audio distributor office in Thailand) - Great bass for BA but still not match Z1R, very nice tonality and good balance. mids & highs sounds very pleasing.

3) Fitear MH335 DW SR - Perfect for male and female vocals. Render mids very naturally and beautifully. Amazing for pop songs. Bass light compared to U12T and Z1R. Get this if vocals are what you mainly listen too.

4) 64 Audio Tia Trio (demoed at 64....) - very nice but like the U12T a bit more

5) 64 Audio U18T (demoed at 64....) - great technical, separation, detailed and good layers but sound a little flat and dry, less musical than U12T and Tia Trio

6)Campfire Andromeda 2020 (Personal Unit) - maybe lacking a bit bass but overall sounds very clear and pleasing

7) 64 Audio Tia Fourte (demoed at 64....) - Super detailed and technical but don’t like how vocals sounded

8) Campfire Solaris (gold one not 2020 (demoed off my friend unit) - overall sounds good but dislike the presentation of the mids

8) Noble K10 Encore CIEM (demoed I’d friend unit) - Colored vocals suitable for certain female voices sounding very sweet sweet. Overall Fitear MH335 DW SR vocals sound more natural and balanced. However if really sweet voices are what you are after this might be the one for you.



Gap



9) Shure SE535 (Personal Unit) - good for thai pop music, very prominent vocals on pop tracks. Get the Spinfit CP-800 tip for these they are soulmate.

10) TFZ Queen (Personal Unit) - very pleasing for vocals especially female, nice bass, I think I prefer this sound sig

11) Moondrop Starfield (Personal Unit) - more technical and detail especially on upper region then SE535 and Queen but not my prefer sound sig

Small Gap

12) TFZ Tequila (Personal Unit - mid sounds meh but a fun v shape sound with quite wide soundstage. Sounds airy because it’s semi open iem.

13) Shure SE215 (demoed off my brother unit) - good all rounder but find it a bit boring

14) KZ ZS10 (Personal unit) - nice starter iem better than free AKG iem given with Samsung phone, overall good tonality

15) AirPod Pros (demoed off my brother unit) - Does something good , but something meh but my brother swear by it





Large Gap





16) Denon brand iem given as free iem with purchase of Nokia phone (Personal Unit) - overall ok but very bad timbre some instruments sound very poorly unrealistic and harsh

17) AKG iem given with Samsung phone - better than nothing

 

[Basmitokay]

i am a newcomer but here what i had and have, also what my roomate has and i ocasionally have the opportunity to try.

1. Inearz Euphoria
2. Audeze Isine 10 with chiper cable
3. Ibasso it04
4. Customart Ei3 universal demo CIEM
5. Customart Pro330 V2 universal demo CIEM
6. Massdrop Noble X.
7. Kz zst
8. Tin T2
9. Moondrop spaceship
10. Kz zs5

 

[F700]

My list based on what I own or I have owned and what I had on loan. IEMs tested within short listening sessions (some hours) are not mentioned here. It also takes into account that I have chosen the best matching source/amp for any IEM listed below, meaning Calyx M or Dethonray DTR1 (DAPs) paired or not with Dethonray HA-2 and Phatlab Chimera (amp) or my smartphone (iPhone SE 2020 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5/7/8). No price/performance ratio applied.

I am a dark & warm (yet detailed enough) sound signature amateur.
S+
1. P-EAR-S Audio UT-3 (CIEM) -> End of the road as it is an almost full tunable IEM. I fine-tuned it myself with P-EAR-S. Better than anything I heard in the IEM's realm so far. Even the IER-Z1R I auditioned cannot compete in my opinion.
A+
2. Final E5000 (4.4mm OC Studio Silver cable and MS Final E-tips clear) -> I am one of the few or even the exception... I LOVE this IEM.
A
3. Sony XBA-N3ap (JVC Spiral Dots tips and MUC-M12SM2 cable) -> After slight mods, a fantastic IEM that surprises me every time I listen to it.
4. Etymotic ER2XR (Stock cable and triple flange tips) -> Blown away by this small DD.
A-
5. P-EAR-S Audio SH-2U (BQEYZ copper cable, stock tips)
B+
6. Oriveti OH500 (Final silver cable and MS Final E-tips)
7. Fearless SF8 Freedom
8. Sony XBA-Z5 (Kimber cable and MS JVC Spiral Dots)
9. BGVP-DM6 (Sounded fantastic with Sony cable and Final E-tips out of a Cowon Plenue M2)
B
10. Blon BL-03 (ISN SPC S16 cable and L Final E-tips) - Still nice in 2020
C
11. CA Andromeda (on loan)
12. Meze Rai Penta (on loan)
13. BQEYZ Spring 1
14. FiiO FD-1 (Good sound, but right driver died after 2 weeks of use)
15. Final E1000
D
16. Shure SE-215 (Muffled sound)
17. CA Comet (MMCX broke after 4 weeks of use)
18. Blon Cardinal
E
19. KBear KS2
20. Blon BL-05
F
21. Final F-3100

 

[cocolinho]

I am a dark & warm (yet detailed enough) sound signature amateur.

A+
2. Final E5000 (4.4mm OC Studio Silver cable and MS Final E-tips clear) -> I am one of the few or even the exception... I LOVE this IEM.
A
3. Sony XBA-N3ap (JVC Spiral Dots tips and MUC-M12SM2 cable) -> After slight mods, a fantastic IEM that surprises me every time I listen to it.
4. Etymotic ER2XR (Stock cable and triple flange tips) -> Blown away by this small DD.

B+
7. Fearless SF8 Freedom

B
10. Blon BL-03 (ISN SPC S16 cable and L Final E-tips) - Still nice in 2020
C
11. CA Andromeda (on loan)

wow, I owned all the IEMs I left from your initial list, crazy to see your ranking of the Andro... For me, there is a big gap between Andro & the others , they are to me in another league.

 

[F700]

wow, I owned all the IEMs I left from your initial list, crazy to see your ranking of the Andro... For me, there is a big gap between Andro & the others , they are to me in another league.

Different taste for different people.
I had a hard time understanding the hype behind the Andro.

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

Different taste for different people.
I had a hard time understanding the hype behind the Andro.

Why do you dislike the Andro?

 

[gLer]

Different taste for different people.
I had a hard time understanding the hype behind the Andro.

Likewise. Oversensitive with most sources (hiss), no bass to speak of, detailed but with no body or essence to the music, BA timbre. It's just ok for what it costs. Personal taste.

 

[F700]

Why do you dislike the Andro?

@gLer answered the question accurately.

 

[cocolinho]

No bass, no body to the music are simply wrong. And it has nothing to do with taste. Or you used high impedance output,that might be. Or bad fit.
BA timbre I don't fully agree but I can understand
Let's move on we are out of topic.

 

[Rockwell75]

IEMs, I think due to the intensely personal connection we derive from them, are almost like our children and it's hard not to take it personally when others trash them or don't rank them as highly. There are a few very highly ranked IEMs that I feel are vastly overrated (not Andro)...but that's just my opinion, and we all hear things differently. There's honestly no reason that any two people's top 5 will be the same, any more than you could expect that their top 5 favorite movies will be the same...but that's what makes this hobby so enjoyable.