Rank the IEM's you've heard
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time for an updated ranking
1. UM MEST MKII
2. QDC V14
3. 64A U12t
4. TA Oracle / Mangird Tea
I've left the EE EVO (owned) and the Odin (listened) out of the list because I do find them really very "polarizing", meaning that if you can deal with the (totally unnatural IMHO) pinna gain, then they are both gloriuos for different reasons (I prefer the EVO over the Odin, but it's just personal preference). but on the other hand if you cannot deal with those unnatural upper mids / lower treble, then they are simply unlistenable
1. UM MEST MKII
2. QDC V14
3. 64A U12t
4. TA Oracle / Mangird Tea
I've left the EE EVO (owned) and the Odin (listened) out of the list because I do find them really very "polarizing", meaning that if you can deal with the (totally unnatural IMHO) pinna gain, then they are both gloriuos for different reasons (I prefer the EVO over the Odin, but it's just personal preference). but on the other hand if you cannot deal with those unnatural upper mids / lower treble, then they are simply unlistenable
A ranking is personal isn't it? So if the EVO is in your personal top 4 I would include it.
I agree with what you say about the upper mids, but I would add that it is quite easy to solve with EQ. With the EVO. The Odin was too much for me, even with EQ.
well, right, agree, a ranking is something personal, so here is my new updated strictly personal ranking
1. UM MEST MKII
2. QDC V14
3. EE EVO
4. 64A U12t
5. EE Odin
6. TA Oracle / Mangird Tea
1. UM MEST MKII
2. QDC V14
3. EE EVO
4. 64A U12t
5. EE Odin
6. TA Oracle / Mangird Tea
DaveStarWalker
Headphoneus Supremus
Oups... 
Last edited:
DaveStarWalker
Headphoneus Supremus
Yes indeed, these rankings are strickly personal. And it's good at it is. 
Мy top five:
Astell&Kern Layla AION;
Ambient Acoustics MAD24;
64 Audio tia Trio;
Sony IER-Z1R;
JVC HA-FW10000.
Astell&Kern Layla AION;
Ambient Acoustics MAD24;
64 Audio tia Trio;
Sony IER-Z1R;
JVC HA-FW10000.
In light of my experiences with VE's new flagships I feel I've reached something of a plateau & summit in terms of my enjoyment of & aspirations within this hobby. As such I've compiled (rather refined) my list of favorite IEMs thus far and included snapshots of my impressions of them. It's been a hell of a 3 years and I'm looking forward to the next 3.
My Favorite IEMs One Month into 2022 (with explanations)
1) Vision Ears EXT
EXT has pretty much my ideal driver config AND frequency response. The bass is big, superbly textured & nuanced with thunderously deep punch and rumble. Possibly the best sub-midbass-midrange transition I’ve ever heard. It’s so damn satisfying. You get a level and quality of bass that should satisfy a proper bass-head with no cost whatsoever to the perfectly placed & present mids (relative to my library and tastes etc.). Epic & grand yet intimate and natural. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this captivated by an IEM before. Staging is immersive, weighted, holographic and vivid. The phrase “Traillii with DD bass” is probably cliched at this point but there are a lot of similarities. With the Bird I spoke of this “holodeck effect”-- with EXT it’s not so much about openness and spaciousness but about a real tangible sense of 3-d weight-- but in both cases the holographic effect is pronounced. All the other IEMs I have on me right now-- including Phonix-- sound a little 2-dimensional to me after hours with EXT. In fact EXT has made it difficult for me to go back to any IEM after hearing what it can do. From now on I’ll stop trying to compare it to this IEM or that because I don’t think that justice can be done to EXT that way-- yes it shares many similarities to other IEMs…but it is fundamentally it’s own thing…and it’s a beautiful thing. There is new ground being broken here. Not since hearing Elysium & Traillii for the first time has my sense of what can be accomplished with IEMs been so broadened. My current number 1.
2) Oriolus Traillii
If any IEM in 2021 needs no introduction it’s this one. As noteworthy for its price as for the significant majority who heard it only to report that its sound lives up to its exorbitant cost. Unique among my recent favorites in that it lacks a DD anywhere within and if I’m being honest that lack would probably prove to be a deal breaker for me in the long term were I ever to own one however the fact remains that the bird is singularly unique in its capacity to instantly and fully immerse me in a fully rendered vast 3d soundscape. The most technically accomplished and best tuned IEM I’ve ever heard.
3) Vision Ears Phonix
Everything about the Phönix - it’s name, it’s look, the vibe of mythological power the name Phönix carries with it, the sound signature-- smacks of being the result of a singular vision made manifest. Tonal balance of the Phonix from bass → treble is superb-- I perceive the whole signature as a unity and am not drawn to bass or treble or mids specifically. The signature presents with the sort of magnificent you can only get with single driver setups and has anice weighty, sure footed sound. There is none of the BA-thin-ness that I often complain about due to being continually surrounded with DD IEMs. Resolution with the Phonix may is up there with the best IEMs I’ve ever heard while still still maintaining a fundamental degree of musicality. Yes something like the Odin is more resolving but it’s also far more clinical sounding. Phonix is very smooth, relaxing and non-fatiguing up top, while also being incredibly dynamic. It’s not very source sensitive, and very easily driveable, though can be prone to some hiss. There is some nice presence to the mid-bass-- which is a personal thing of mine, and while I perceive nothing missing in sub-bass or extension people for whom this is a massive priority may not be as taken with Phonix. This is some of the most forgiving BA timbre I’ve encountered yet and it is coupled with a degree of precision & clarity to Phonix’s sound that is unique in my experience and which is straight up addicting
4) Dunu Zen Pro
Neutral & highly transparent sound with a hint of warmth. Blissfully coherent. Natural, bodied, balanced, dynamic, energetic & holographic sound. Impeccably technical & detailed, super linear, non-fatiguing though can be a bit vibrant in the upper mids depending on source. Beautiful timbre—to my ears especially with electric guitars, and horns. They’re probably just on the “emotive over technical” side of the spectrum. Imaging & layering is top tier…staging is not massive but very layered & deep and everything is very well placed. Mids are even-keeled & clear, bass sometimes felt more than heard…but always felt, very well extended and reaches from the stygian depths. Treble is non-fatiguing, clear & decently extended. All in all the balance across the spectrum is wonderful. I don’t want to sound like a shill but holy balls do I love these IEMs. Listening to them through the AK SR25ii or Cayin RU6 and my heart is in want of nothing.
5) Campfire Audio Dorado 2020
A controversial choice for sure but as outstanding for its strengths as for its egregious coloration. Profound clarity, deceptively deep resolution, and the most sure footed & ballsy sound I’ve ever heard in an IEM. This latter quality and the superlative but too-forward-for-some bass presentation is what keeps me coming back to the Dorodo 2020. It’s the perfect IEM to take out and about or when you want to take a nice analogue bubblebath and get lost in the groove. Not the most balanced, not the most normal but hot damn there’s nowhere better to turn when you want an utterly bombastic and fun sounding IEM.
6) Vision Ears Elysium
The IEM that introduced me to the joys of a dynamic driven midrange. Easily among the most natural sounding IEMs and possibly still the best treble I’ve ever heard.
With the Elysium every tuning decision seems directed towards the aim of bringing focus, body and realism to the midrange. At the time I first heard it my conception of what was possible with IEMs in terms of the degree of intimacy they could facilitate was so broadened and came as such a liberating shock that it felt like something of a re-birth of enthusiasm for this hobby. The midrange is the emotional centre of music. Why not give the DD--the driver known its natural, realistic and organic timbre-- to the midrange instead of to the bass which just thumps and never really has the capacity to convey anything truly emotively deep. The mid-range presentation of the Vision Ears Elysium has been a game changer for me.
7) 64 Audio Duo
The Jonny Unitas to Dorado’s Joe Namath. A stunning performer in its own right. A more consistently forward mid-range than on the Dorado with a sound that isn’t as ballsy or sure footed. In a nutshell, these are AWESOME…definitely the most enjoyable 64 IEM by my tastes that I’ve heard and one that I’m sure will sit comfortably within my top 10 when all the dust settles…maybe even too 5. They have that wonderful immersion & in your face engagement factor that I love about CFA IEMs but with a good dose of 64’s technical polish, balance and sonic refinement. I think of many of my favorite IEMs and the deal breakers some have had with them and the Duo is something I could see myself reccing in each case. Like the Solaris but wish for more bass impact and even keeled mids? Try the Duo. Like the Z1R but yearn for more meat on the mid-bass & lower mids? Try the Duo. Like the Andromeda and its technical yet playful and fun sound but wish for better bass and the same kind of balance? Try the Duo. Like the Dorado but wish it was better behaved with a more even keeled mid-range and less spiciness in the highs? Try the Duo. Like the transparent balance & technical skill of the u12t but wish for meat on the mids and a more emotionally evocative sound on the whole? Try the Duo. The list goes on and on...it's true that in each cases there are some sacrifices-- the Duo does not stand out for besting every IEM at its own game-- it doesn't have the near complete transparency of the u12t, the peerless subbass & treble of the IER Z1R, the holographic staging of the Solaris, the addictively primordial subterranean swagger of the Dorado, the intimate tenderness of the Isabellae etc.-- but but what it does is somehow provides just enough of all these things while absolutely mastering certain fundamentals, adding a dash of its own secret sauce and doing seemingly doing absolutely nothing really wrong.
8) Oriolus Isabellae
Isa can be described as very well balanced, decently technical, perfectly coherent and possessing a rich, pleasingly weighty sound with a beautiful natural timbre and a top tier bass response. However what sets it apart for me is the inspired tuning, especially the mids, the vocals and such an immaculate balance across the whole soundscape that one can always zone in on any one element of the sound without losing sight of the whole. The Isabellae to my ears can be approximated alternately as a baby Elysium or in the spirit of what I’ve always imagined a single DD tuned like Andromeda to sound like. If either of those sound appealing or if you are someone who is after perfect balance across the FR, who places a lot of stock in a natural, forward, seductive midrange with a superbly intimate vocal presentation... the Oriolus Isabellae imho are worth a serious look. The perfect IEM to curl up with when you want to relax at the end of the day.
9) Sony IER Z1R
If you’re after peerless sub-bass and treble and are willing to endure a little sacrifice in body & presence in the lower mids & mid-bass then this is the IEM you want. Wonderful bass texture & extension, which the Shanling M8 absolutely milks for everything it's worth (seriously this is a heavenly pairing), fantastic staging and technicalities, great mid-range texture, if a little too tucked behind a veil of bass at times, a really fun and engaging sound overall.
10) Campfire Audio Solaris OG/SE
My first love and the IEM that introduced me to the joys of a balanced signature. Not quite as technically capable as the IER Z1R but it has my preferred FR.
The SE represents a subtle but clear step up from OG Solaris to my ears with improved clarity, more robust and forward vocals and cleaner bass. Solaris SE provides coherent and well-balanced signature within a fully rendered 3-d space combined with impeccable layering and separation-- it doesn't excel at any one thing FR wise, but it does "everything" better than most things I've heard. What I really appreciate about Solaris SE is the perfect balance it brings to the spectrum-- there's just enough of everything and nothing is overwhelming. This is something that stands out more and more as my hours on it wear on-- CFA has, imho, reached a "zen" level of balance with Solaris SE. Further they have done a peerless job of combining BA and DD drivers into a balanced "total package" IEM.
11) Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020
Possibly still my favorite combination of technical and fun and my number one rec for anyone knowing nothing of their tastes and preferences. The Andromeda is a long standing classic that deserves every ounce of its enduring reputation. In the case of Campfire Audio it's practically a platitude that the Andromeda is their most beloved model. I think the thing with Andro is that they hit on a tuning that's really likeable, sufficiently technical, highly engaging and non-fatiguing soundthat plays well with just about everything. Often you have to make sacrifices in one of those categories for the sake of another but the Andromeda strikes a nice balance for a lot of people-- there is a definite emotional pull or allure to its sound that I haven't come across very often. Solaris definitely has its devotees (like myself) but it also takes a few chances and is a less conventional tuning than Andro-- which means that how one feels about it will depend on what they listen to and what their own particular sonic priorities are.
12) 64 Audio u12t
Heard this recently and enjoyed it more than I ever have before. The u12t is a hell of an IEM and I fully understand the astonished admiration it receives. Still to my ears even the most well tuned all-BA IEMs are a little thin and clinical sounding and as such even a titan like the u12t will find itself ranked below my favorite DD-driven IEMs. This is an IEM for the analyst who values correctness and precision above all. When I was listening to the u12t I was consistently in awe of it...such a great reference sound but with killer DD-like bass. Ultimately for me (and the way my mind works when I listen to music) with the level of detail in u12t I often found myself zoning out on all the different layers of a recording-- but I have a harder time viewing it as a unity...I'm not talking about a coherence problem or anything...just that u12t is so good at what it does that I just get lost in all the detail and “forget the forest for the trees” so to speak. Put another way, it reminds of an experience I had after consuming some psilocybin back in the early 90s. Some friends of mine were excited because we were going to see Return of the Jedi in the theatre— we thought the experience, in our elevated state, would make the movie super intense and involving. For me, quite the opposite happened…watching the movie in that state all the effects became transparent and all the illusions were dissolved-- the space ships and props looked like models and even the actors came across as people playing a part in a play. It was indeed an intense experience—all the details of everything I was seeing on the screen presented themselves accurately to my mind…but the romance was gone. It was technically very impressive but I was yearning to be swept off my feet. This same sort of thing happened to me every now and again with the u12t—I’d be wowed by all the different layers of what was going on, but it wasn’t quite as emotionally involving or exciting for me as a whole.
15) Unique Melody MEST (OG)
An enthralling listen and a technical powerhouse. Of the 3 main branches of the FR the MEST is probably weakest in the mid-range. While they are perfectly fine much of the time there were times when vocals and instruments sound a little thin and vaguely digitized. The highs on the MEST are outstanding and nuanced and have great “sparkle”. Sheer technical chops is where I would say the MEST has a clear advantage over many IEMs. In terms of staging, separation, imaging etc. the Solaris used to be my benchmark and though I hesitated at first after hearing the MEST but now that more time has passed, in terms of technicalities, I have to give the crown unequivocally to the MEST over the Solaris. If I had to criticize the MEST at all in terms of its technicalities I would say that sometimes the “fireworks” of its technical skill and detail retrieval can distract one from the heart of the recording they are listening to. I once likened the u12t and Andromeda to the “Mars and Venus” of IEMs. The u12t, being decidedly reference-like and analytic in naturem evokes a more intellectual response-- its engagement factor is derived from the precision, order and detail that characterizes its signature. The Andromeda, by contrast, evokes a more emotional response-- it is less concerned with space and details and more concerned with sweeping you off your feet and casting its spell on you. The u12t stimulates your intellect, the Andromeda tugs at your heart. IMHO neither approach is superior to the other—it really depends on you and what you’re after. I would make a similar claim (with caveats) regarding the MEST and something like the Campfire Solaris. I have heard the MEST described as a “supercharged” Solaris and in a sense it is—in terms of its technical chops, but in terms of tonality I found both the Solaris (and Andromeda) more likely to sweep me off my feet.
16) Vision Ears VE8
The VE8 is a tremendous IEM that planted the first seeds in my mind the idea that the mid-range is the most important—and most difficult to pull off—element of the FR. When I was a noob in this hobby I was fixated on bass—the first IEMs I sought out I did so because I heard they had good bass. Even through much of the last year my initial impressions of the different IEMs I demoed—Solaris, Z1R, VX etc.—often began or ended with my impression of their bass response. With the VE8, on the other hand, it’s all about the mid-range. The VE8 is the first IEM where I really understand what people mean when they talk about the sound of an IEM being “emotional” or similarly engaging— of the IEMs I’ve heard the VE8 is one that consistently sweeps me off my feet, and it does so largely through its lush, natural and immersive mid-range. Don’t get me wrong—the bass and treble in the VE8 are excellent, but compared to other IEMs serves more as the means to the end of supporting the mid-range rather than the highlights in and of themselves. The VE8 is warm, musical, detailed and deep. My only complaints were that as great as the mids are they come off a touch congested to me at times. I must caveat this statement by saying that the VE8 was initially designed and tuned as a custom and since I've only ever heard it in universal form there's a good chance I've never heard it as it was meant to be heard.
17) Empire Ears Legend X
Bass of the gods. The thundering yang to complement the ethereal yin of IEMs like the Solaris and VE8 (which is what I had on hand alongside the LX when I owned it). With the LX the whole signature is defined by the bass-- it's large, it's powerful and it's everywhere. Thankfully it's also very resolving and detailed so that the rest of the sound isn't drowned out in the bass. Nonetheless the bass is present and it dominates. The sheer quantity of bass makes the sound is a bit "closed in"...like you're in a club with the bass pounding...I wouldn't go so far as to say congested, as one of the great things about LX is that it somehow avoids this despite all the bass...it's why I would call it a solid candidate as the de facto "basshead audiophile" IEM-- at least as of 2020 when I owned one. The Legend X is not an IEM you can listen to "passively"-- they command your attention and are utterly captivating when you feel like getting rocked by vibrant and detailed low end. The key is that it's so refined and resolving. The CFA Atlas (which I also love) was described as having "get off the bus and crap yourself bass"... well by that metric the LX has "park your Mercedes and crap yourself bass". It's definitely a "guilty pleasure", but I'm ok with guilt and I love pleasure. The LX is akin to listening to music in a club-- a more confined space, with the thundering bass permeating everything, much like the oil in an olive. If the LX is like listening in a club the Solaris is like listening on a mountain top-- grounded in the bedrock of the powerful bass, but wide open up top, and to the left and right, so everything has room to breathe. Nonetheless, due to the robust low end on the LX it can be said to be lacking a bit of air and were consistently fatiguing for me in the long term-- which is why I would ultimately consider them more of a special teams IEM as far as my perceptions go.
18) QDC Anole VX
Highly detailed, technical "minty fresh" signature with spectacular BA bass. Ultimately too clinical for my tastes and a bit too vibrant in the upper mid/lower treble region.
19) Empire Ears Odin
Ultimately the Odin puts forward a detail oriented signature that, for me, is more suited to analysis than emotional connection. The level of detail is such that I often find myself forgetting the forest for the trees so to speak-- it's not really balanced in the sense that I find myself often getting lost in the details rather than taking in the soundscape as a whole. It's an utterly enthralling listening experience though-- intellectually stimulating if not the most emotionally engaging. Like being sucked into a close knit logical argument more than having your soul stirred in reverie. Subjectively, while I admire what the Odin does well-- I'm in awe of it actually-- ultimately it's not really an IEM whose signature is in line with my personal preferences.
Honorary mention:
7HZ Timeless
An IEM that does so much right but still has a few kinks to work out and ultimately to me feels more like a prototype of something truly great to come than a complete and polished product. If they can produce a planar IEM this well tuned but with a little more polish, better build quality etc. it could completely re-define the market. Something to watch.
My Favorite IEMs One Month into 2022 (with explanations)
1) Vision Ears EXT
EXT has pretty much my ideal driver config AND frequency response. The bass is big, superbly textured & nuanced with thunderously deep punch and rumble. Possibly the best sub-midbass-midrange transition I’ve ever heard. It’s so damn satisfying. You get a level and quality of bass that should satisfy a proper bass-head with no cost whatsoever to the perfectly placed & present mids (relative to my library and tastes etc.). Epic & grand yet intimate and natural. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this captivated by an IEM before. Staging is immersive, weighted, holographic and vivid. The phrase “Traillii with DD bass” is probably cliched at this point but there are a lot of similarities. With the Bird I spoke of this “holodeck effect”-- with EXT it’s not so much about openness and spaciousness but about a real tangible sense of 3-d weight-- but in both cases the holographic effect is pronounced. All the other IEMs I have on me right now-- including Phonix-- sound a little 2-dimensional to me after hours with EXT. In fact EXT has made it difficult for me to go back to any IEM after hearing what it can do. From now on I’ll stop trying to compare it to this IEM or that because I don’t think that justice can be done to EXT that way-- yes it shares many similarities to other IEMs…but it is fundamentally it’s own thing…and it’s a beautiful thing. There is new ground being broken here. Not since hearing Elysium & Traillii for the first time has my sense of what can be accomplished with IEMs been so broadened. My current number 1.
2) Oriolus Traillii
If any IEM in 2021 needs no introduction it’s this one. As noteworthy for its price as for the significant majority who heard it only to report that its sound lives up to its exorbitant cost. Unique among my recent favorites in that it lacks a DD anywhere within and if I’m being honest that lack would probably prove to be a deal breaker for me in the long term were I ever to own one however the fact remains that the bird is singularly unique in its capacity to instantly and fully immerse me in a fully rendered vast 3d soundscape. The most technically accomplished and best tuned IEM I’ve ever heard.
3) Vision Ears Phonix
Everything about the Phönix - it’s name, it’s look, the vibe of mythological power the name Phönix carries with it, the sound signature-- smacks of being the result of a singular vision made manifest. Tonal balance of the Phonix from bass → treble is superb-- I perceive the whole signature as a unity and am not drawn to bass or treble or mids specifically. The signature presents with the sort of magnificent you can only get with single driver setups and has anice weighty, sure footed sound. There is none of the BA-thin-ness that I often complain about due to being continually surrounded with DD IEMs. Resolution with the Phonix may is up there with the best IEMs I’ve ever heard while still still maintaining a fundamental degree of musicality. Yes something like the Odin is more resolving but it’s also far more clinical sounding. Phonix is very smooth, relaxing and non-fatiguing up top, while also being incredibly dynamic. It’s not very source sensitive, and very easily driveable, though can be prone to some hiss. There is some nice presence to the mid-bass-- which is a personal thing of mine, and while I perceive nothing missing in sub-bass or extension people for whom this is a massive priority may not be as taken with Phonix. This is some of the most forgiving BA timbre I’ve encountered yet and it is coupled with a degree of precision & clarity to Phonix’s sound that is unique in my experience and which is straight up addicting
4) Dunu Zen Pro
Neutral & highly transparent sound with a hint of warmth. Blissfully coherent. Natural, bodied, balanced, dynamic, energetic & holographic sound. Impeccably technical & detailed, super linear, non-fatiguing though can be a bit vibrant in the upper mids depending on source. Beautiful timbre—to my ears especially with electric guitars, and horns. They’re probably just on the “emotive over technical” side of the spectrum. Imaging & layering is top tier…staging is not massive but very layered & deep and everything is very well placed. Mids are even-keeled & clear, bass sometimes felt more than heard…but always felt, very well extended and reaches from the stygian depths. Treble is non-fatiguing, clear & decently extended. All in all the balance across the spectrum is wonderful. I don’t want to sound like a shill but holy balls do I love these IEMs. Listening to them through the AK SR25ii or Cayin RU6 and my heart is in want of nothing.
5) Campfire Audio Dorado 2020
A controversial choice for sure but as outstanding for its strengths as for its egregious coloration. Profound clarity, deceptively deep resolution, and the most sure footed & ballsy sound I’ve ever heard in an IEM. This latter quality and the superlative but too-forward-for-some bass presentation is what keeps me coming back to the Dorodo 2020. It’s the perfect IEM to take out and about or when you want to take a nice analogue bubblebath and get lost in the groove. Not the most balanced, not the most normal but hot damn there’s nowhere better to turn when you want an utterly bombastic and fun sounding IEM.
6) Vision Ears Elysium
The IEM that introduced me to the joys of a dynamic driven midrange. Easily among the most natural sounding IEMs and possibly still the best treble I’ve ever heard.
With the Elysium every tuning decision seems directed towards the aim of bringing focus, body and realism to the midrange. At the time I first heard it my conception of what was possible with IEMs in terms of the degree of intimacy they could facilitate was so broadened and came as such a liberating shock that it felt like something of a re-birth of enthusiasm for this hobby. The midrange is the emotional centre of music. Why not give the DD--the driver known its natural, realistic and organic timbre-- to the midrange instead of to the bass which just thumps and never really has the capacity to convey anything truly emotively deep. The mid-range presentation of the Vision Ears Elysium has been a game changer for me.
7) 64 Audio Duo
The Jonny Unitas to Dorado’s Joe Namath. A stunning performer in its own right. A more consistently forward mid-range than on the Dorado with a sound that isn’t as ballsy or sure footed. In a nutshell, these are AWESOME…definitely the most enjoyable 64 IEM by my tastes that I’ve heard and one that I’m sure will sit comfortably within my top 10 when all the dust settles…maybe even too 5. They have that wonderful immersion & in your face engagement factor that I love about CFA IEMs but with a good dose of 64’s technical polish, balance and sonic refinement. I think of many of my favorite IEMs and the deal breakers some have had with them and the Duo is something I could see myself reccing in each case. Like the Solaris but wish for more bass impact and even keeled mids? Try the Duo. Like the Z1R but yearn for more meat on the mid-bass & lower mids? Try the Duo. Like the Andromeda and its technical yet playful and fun sound but wish for better bass and the same kind of balance? Try the Duo. Like the Dorado but wish it was better behaved with a more even keeled mid-range and less spiciness in the highs? Try the Duo. Like the transparent balance & technical skill of the u12t but wish for meat on the mids and a more emotionally evocative sound on the whole? Try the Duo. The list goes on and on...it's true that in each cases there are some sacrifices-- the Duo does not stand out for besting every IEM at its own game-- it doesn't have the near complete transparency of the u12t, the peerless subbass & treble of the IER Z1R, the holographic staging of the Solaris, the addictively primordial subterranean swagger of the Dorado, the intimate tenderness of the Isabellae etc.-- but but what it does is somehow provides just enough of all these things while absolutely mastering certain fundamentals, adding a dash of its own secret sauce and doing seemingly doing absolutely nothing really wrong.
8) Oriolus Isabellae
Isa can be described as very well balanced, decently technical, perfectly coherent and possessing a rich, pleasingly weighty sound with a beautiful natural timbre and a top tier bass response. However what sets it apart for me is the inspired tuning, especially the mids, the vocals and such an immaculate balance across the whole soundscape that one can always zone in on any one element of the sound without losing sight of the whole. The Isabellae to my ears can be approximated alternately as a baby Elysium or in the spirit of what I’ve always imagined a single DD tuned like Andromeda to sound like. If either of those sound appealing or if you are someone who is after perfect balance across the FR, who places a lot of stock in a natural, forward, seductive midrange with a superbly intimate vocal presentation... the Oriolus Isabellae imho are worth a serious look. The perfect IEM to curl up with when you want to relax at the end of the day.
9) Sony IER Z1R
If you’re after peerless sub-bass and treble and are willing to endure a little sacrifice in body & presence in the lower mids & mid-bass then this is the IEM you want. Wonderful bass texture & extension, which the Shanling M8 absolutely milks for everything it's worth (seriously this is a heavenly pairing), fantastic staging and technicalities, great mid-range texture, if a little too tucked behind a veil of bass at times, a really fun and engaging sound overall.
10) Campfire Audio Solaris OG/SE
My first love and the IEM that introduced me to the joys of a balanced signature. Not quite as technically capable as the IER Z1R but it has my preferred FR.
The SE represents a subtle but clear step up from OG Solaris to my ears with improved clarity, more robust and forward vocals and cleaner bass. Solaris SE provides coherent and well-balanced signature within a fully rendered 3-d space combined with impeccable layering and separation-- it doesn't excel at any one thing FR wise, but it does "everything" better than most things I've heard. What I really appreciate about Solaris SE is the perfect balance it brings to the spectrum-- there's just enough of everything and nothing is overwhelming. This is something that stands out more and more as my hours on it wear on-- CFA has, imho, reached a "zen" level of balance with Solaris SE. Further they have done a peerless job of combining BA and DD drivers into a balanced "total package" IEM.
11) Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020
Possibly still my favorite combination of technical and fun and my number one rec for anyone knowing nothing of their tastes and preferences. The Andromeda is a long standing classic that deserves every ounce of its enduring reputation. In the case of Campfire Audio it's practically a platitude that the Andromeda is their most beloved model. I think the thing with Andro is that they hit on a tuning that's really likeable, sufficiently technical, highly engaging and non-fatiguing soundthat plays well with just about everything. Often you have to make sacrifices in one of those categories for the sake of another but the Andromeda strikes a nice balance for a lot of people-- there is a definite emotional pull or allure to its sound that I haven't come across very often. Solaris definitely has its devotees (like myself) but it also takes a few chances and is a less conventional tuning than Andro-- which means that how one feels about it will depend on what they listen to and what their own particular sonic priorities are.
12) 64 Audio u12t
Heard this recently and enjoyed it more than I ever have before. The u12t is a hell of an IEM and I fully understand the astonished admiration it receives. Still to my ears even the most well tuned all-BA IEMs are a little thin and clinical sounding and as such even a titan like the u12t will find itself ranked below my favorite DD-driven IEMs. This is an IEM for the analyst who values correctness and precision above all. When I was listening to the u12t I was consistently in awe of it...such a great reference sound but with killer DD-like bass. Ultimately for me (and the way my mind works when I listen to music) with the level of detail in u12t I often found myself zoning out on all the different layers of a recording-- but I have a harder time viewing it as a unity...I'm not talking about a coherence problem or anything...just that u12t is so good at what it does that I just get lost in all the detail and “forget the forest for the trees” so to speak. Put another way, it reminds of an experience I had after consuming some psilocybin back in the early 90s. Some friends of mine were excited because we were going to see Return of the Jedi in the theatre— we thought the experience, in our elevated state, would make the movie super intense and involving. For me, quite the opposite happened…watching the movie in that state all the effects became transparent and all the illusions were dissolved-- the space ships and props looked like models and even the actors came across as people playing a part in a play. It was indeed an intense experience—all the details of everything I was seeing on the screen presented themselves accurately to my mind…but the romance was gone. It was technically very impressive but I was yearning to be swept off my feet. This same sort of thing happened to me every now and again with the u12t—I’d be wowed by all the different layers of what was going on, but it wasn’t quite as emotionally involving or exciting for me as a whole.
15) Unique Melody MEST (OG)
An enthralling listen and a technical powerhouse. Of the 3 main branches of the FR the MEST is probably weakest in the mid-range. While they are perfectly fine much of the time there were times when vocals and instruments sound a little thin and vaguely digitized. The highs on the MEST are outstanding and nuanced and have great “sparkle”. Sheer technical chops is where I would say the MEST has a clear advantage over many IEMs. In terms of staging, separation, imaging etc. the Solaris used to be my benchmark and though I hesitated at first after hearing the MEST but now that more time has passed, in terms of technicalities, I have to give the crown unequivocally to the MEST over the Solaris. If I had to criticize the MEST at all in terms of its technicalities I would say that sometimes the “fireworks” of its technical skill and detail retrieval can distract one from the heart of the recording they are listening to. I once likened the u12t and Andromeda to the “Mars and Venus” of IEMs. The u12t, being decidedly reference-like and analytic in naturem evokes a more intellectual response-- its engagement factor is derived from the precision, order and detail that characterizes its signature. The Andromeda, by contrast, evokes a more emotional response-- it is less concerned with space and details and more concerned with sweeping you off your feet and casting its spell on you. The u12t stimulates your intellect, the Andromeda tugs at your heart. IMHO neither approach is superior to the other—it really depends on you and what you’re after. I would make a similar claim (with caveats) regarding the MEST and something like the Campfire Solaris. I have heard the MEST described as a “supercharged” Solaris and in a sense it is—in terms of its technical chops, but in terms of tonality I found both the Solaris (and Andromeda) more likely to sweep me off my feet.
16) Vision Ears VE8
The VE8 is a tremendous IEM that planted the first seeds in my mind the idea that the mid-range is the most important—and most difficult to pull off—element of the FR. When I was a noob in this hobby I was fixated on bass—the first IEMs I sought out I did so because I heard they had good bass. Even through much of the last year my initial impressions of the different IEMs I demoed—Solaris, Z1R, VX etc.—often began or ended with my impression of their bass response. With the VE8, on the other hand, it’s all about the mid-range. The VE8 is the first IEM where I really understand what people mean when they talk about the sound of an IEM being “emotional” or similarly engaging— of the IEMs I’ve heard the VE8 is one that consistently sweeps me off my feet, and it does so largely through its lush, natural and immersive mid-range. Don’t get me wrong—the bass and treble in the VE8 are excellent, but compared to other IEMs serves more as the means to the end of supporting the mid-range rather than the highlights in and of themselves. The VE8 is warm, musical, detailed and deep. My only complaints were that as great as the mids are they come off a touch congested to me at times. I must caveat this statement by saying that the VE8 was initially designed and tuned as a custom and since I've only ever heard it in universal form there's a good chance I've never heard it as it was meant to be heard.
17) Empire Ears Legend X
Bass of the gods. The thundering yang to complement the ethereal yin of IEMs like the Solaris and VE8 (which is what I had on hand alongside the LX when I owned it). With the LX the whole signature is defined by the bass-- it's large, it's powerful and it's everywhere. Thankfully it's also very resolving and detailed so that the rest of the sound isn't drowned out in the bass. Nonetheless the bass is present and it dominates. The sheer quantity of bass makes the sound is a bit "closed in"...like you're in a club with the bass pounding...I wouldn't go so far as to say congested, as one of the great things about LX is that it somehow avoids this despite all the bass...it's why I would call it a solid candidate as the de facto "basshead audiophile" IEM-- at least as of 2020 when I owned one. The Legend X is not an IEM you can listen to "passively"-- they command your attention and are utterly captivating when you feel like getting rocked by vibrant and detailed low end. The key is that it's so refined and resolving. The CFA Atlas (which I also love) was described as having "get off the bus and crap yourself bass"... well by that metric the LX has "park your Mercedes and crap yourself bass". It's definitely a "guilty pleasure", but I'm ok with guilt and I love pleasure. The LX is akin to listening to music in a club-- a more confined space, with the thundering bass permeating everything, much like the oil in an olive. If the LX is like listening in a club the Solaris is like listening on a mountain top-- grounded in the bedrock of the powerful bass, but wide open up top, and to the left and right, so everything has room to breathe. Nonetheless, due to the robust low end on the LX it can be said to be lacking a bit of air and were consistently fatiguing for me in the long term-- which is why I would ultimately consider them more of a special teams IEM as far as my perceptions go.
18) QDC Anole VX
Highly detailed, technical "minty fresh" signature with spectacular BA bass. Ultimately too clinical for my tastes and a bit too vibrant in the upper mid/lower treble region.
19) Empire Ears Odin
Ultimately the Odin puts forward a detail oriented signature that, for me, is more suited to analysis than emotional connection. The level of detail is such that I often find myself forgetting the forest for the trees so to speak-- it's not really balanced in the sense that I find myself often getting lost in the details rather than taking in the soundscape as a whole. It's an utterly enthralling listening experience though-- intellectually stimulating if not the most emotionally engaging. Like being sucked into a close knit logical argument more than having your soul stirred in reverie. Subjectively, while I admire what the Odin does well-- I'm in awe of it actually-- ultimately it's not really an IEM whose signature is in line with my personal preferences.
Honorary mention:
7HZ Timeless
An IEM that does so much right but still has a few kinks to work out and ultimately to me feels more like a prototype of something truly great to come than a complete and polished product. If they can produce a planar IEM this well tuned but with a little more polish, better build quality etc. it could completely re-define the market. Something to watch.
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conceptcar3
100+ Head-Fier
Where is thieaudio monarch mk2In light of my experiences with VE's new flagships I feel I've reached something of a plateau & summit in terms of my enjoyment of & aspirations within this hobby. As such I've compiled (rather refined) my list of favorite IEMs thus far and included snapshots of my impressions of them. It's been a hell of a 3 years and I'm looking forward to the next 3.
My Favorite IEMs One Month into 2022 (with explanations)
1) Vision Ears EXT
EXT has pretty much my ideal driver config AND frequency response. The bass is big, superbly textured & nuanced with thunderously deep punch and rumble. Possibly the best sub-midbass-midrange transition I’ve ever heard. It’s so damn satisfying. You get a level and quality of bass that should satisfy a proper bass-head with no cost whatsoever to the perfectly placed & present mids (relative to my library and tastes etc.). Epic & grand yet intimate and natural. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this captivated by an IEM before. Staging is immersive, weighted, holographic and vivid. The phrase “Traillii with DD bass” is probably cliched at this point but there are a lot of similarities. With the Bird I spoke of this “holodeck effect”-- with EXT it’s not so much about openness and spaciousness but about a real tangible sense of 3-d weight-- but in both cases the holographic effect is pronounced. All the other IEMs I have on me right now-- including Phonix-- sound a little 2-dimensional to me after hours with EXT. In fact EXT has made it difficult for me to go back to any IEM after hearing what it can do. From now on I’ll stop trying to compare it to this IEM or that because I don’t think that justice can be done to EXT that way-- yes it shares many similarities to other IEMs…but it is fundamentally it’s own thing…and it’s a beautiful thing. There is new ground being broken here. Not since hearing Elysium & Traillii for the first time has my sense of what can be accomplished with IEMs been so broadened. My current number 1.
2) Oriolus Traillii
If any IEM in 2021 needs no introduction it’s this one. As noteworthy for its price as for the significant majority who heard it only to report that its sound lives up to its exorbitant cost. Unique among my recent favorites in that it lacks a DD anywhere within and if I’m being honest that lack would probably prove to be a deal breaker for me in the long term were I ever to own one however the fact remains that the bird is singularly unique in its capacity to instantly and fully immerse me in a fully rendered vast 3d soundscape. The most technically accomplished and best tuned IEM I’ve ever heard.
3) Vision Ears Phonix
Everything about the Phönix - it’s name, it’s look, the vibe of mythological power the name Phönix carries with it, the sound signature-- smacks of being the result of a singular vision made manifest. Tonal balance of the Phonix from bass → treble is superb-- I perceive the whole signature as a unity and am not drawn to bass or treble or mids specifically. The signature presents with the sort of magnificent you can only get with single driver setups and has anice weighty, sure footed sound. There is none of the BA-thin-ness that I often complain about due to being continually surrounded with DD IEMs. Resolution with the Phonix may is up there with the best IEMs I’ve ever heard while still still maintaining a fundamental degree of musicality. Yes something like the Odin is more resolving but it’s also far more clinical sounding. Phonix is very smooth, relaxing and non-fatiguing up top, while also being incredibly dynamic. It’s not very source sensitive, and very easily driveable, though can be prone to some hiss. There is some nice presence to the mid-bass-- which is a personal thing of mine, and while I perceive nothing missing in sub-bass or extension people for whom this is a massive priority may not be as taken with Phonix. This is some of the most forgiving BA timbre I’ve encountered yet and it is coupled with a degree of precision & clarity to Phonix’s sound that is unique in my experience and which is straight up addicting
4) Dunu Zen Pro
Neutral & highly transparent sound with a hint of warmth. Blissfully coherent. Natural, bodied, balanced, dynamic, energetic & holographic sound. Impeccably technical & detailed, super linear, non-fatiguing though can be a bit vibrant in the upper mids depending on source. Beautiful timbre—to my ears especially with electric guitars, and horns. They’re probably just on the “emotive over technical” side of the spectrum. Imaging & layering is top tier…staging is not massive but very layered & deep and everything is very well placed. Mids are even-keeled & clear, bass sometimes felt more than heard…but always felt, very well extended and reaches from the stygian depths. Treble is non-fatiguing, clear & decently extended. All in all the balance across the spectrum is wonderful. I don’t want to sound like a shill but holy balls do I love these IEMs. Listening to them through the AK SR25ii or Cayin RU6 and my heart is in want of nothing.
5) Campfire Audio Dorado 2020
A controversial choice for sure but as outstanding for its strengths as for its egregious coloration. Profound clarity, deceptively deep resolution, and the most sure footed & ballsy sound I’ve ever heard in an IEM. This latter quality and the superlative but too-forward-for-some bass presentation is what keeps me coming back to the Dorodo 2020. It’s the perfect IEM to take out and about or when you want to take a nice analogue bubblebath and get lost in the groove. Not the most balanced, not the most normal but hot damn there’s nowhere better to turn when you want an utterly bombastic and fun sounding IEM.
6) Vision Ears Elysium
The IEM that introduced me to the joys of a dynamic driven midrange. Easily among the most natural sounding IEMs and possibly still the best treble I’ve ever heard.
With the Elysium every tuning decision seems directed towards the aim of bringing focus, body and realism to the midrange. At the time I first heard it my conception of what was possible with IEMs in terms of the degree of intimacy they could facilitate was so broadened and came as such a liberating shock that it felt like something of a re-birth of enthusiasm for this hobby. The midrange is the emotional centre of music. Why not give the DD--the driver known its natural, realistic and organic timbre-- to the midrange instead of to the bass which just thumps and never really has the capacity to convey anything truly emotively deep. The mid-range presentation of the Vision Ears Elysium has been a game changer for me.
7) 64 Audio Duo
The Jonny Unitas to Dorado’s Joe Namath. A stunning performer in its own right. A more consistently forward mid-range than on the Dorado with a sound that isn’t as ballsy or sure footed. In a nutshell, these are AWESOME…definitely the most enjoyable 64 IEM by my tastes that I’ve heard and one that I’m sure will sit comfortably within my top 10 when all the dust settles…maybe even too 5. They have that wonderful immersion & in your face engagement factor that I love about CFA IEMs but with a good dose of 64’s technical polish, balance and sonic refinement. I think of many of my favorite IEMs and the deal breakers some have had with them and the Duo is something I could see myself reccing in each case. Like the Solaris but wish for more bass impact and even keeled mids? Try the Duo. Like the Z1R but yearn for more meat on the mid-bass & lower mids? Try the Duo. Like the Andromeda and its technical yet playful and fun sound but wish for better bass and the same kind of balance? Try the Duo. Like the Dorado but wish it was better behaved with a more even keeled mid-range and less spiciness in the highs? Try the Duo. Like the transparent balance & technical skill of the u12t but wish for meat on the mids and a more emotionally evocative sound on the whole? Try the Duo. The list goes on and on...it's true that in each cases there are some sacrifices-- the Duo does not stand out for besting every IEM at its own game-- it doesn't have the near complete transparency of the u12t, the peerless subbass & treble of the IER Z1R, the holographic staging of the Solaris, the addictively primordial subterranean swagger of the Dorado, the intimate tenderness of the Isabellae etc.-- but but what it does is somehow provides just enough of all these things while absolutely mastering certain fundamentals, adding a dash of its own secret sauce and doing seemingly doing absolutely nothing really wrong.
8) Oriolus Isabellae
Isa can be described as very well balanced, decently technical, perfectly coherent and possessing a rich, pleasingly weighty sound with a beautiful natural timbre and a top tier bass response. However what sets it apart for me is the inspired tuning, especially the mids, the vocals and such an immaculate balance across the whole soundscape that one can always zone in on any one element of the sound without losing sight of the whole. The Isabellae to my ears can be approximated alternately as a baby Elysium or in the spirit of what I’ve always imagined a single DD tuned like Andromeda to sound like. If either of those sound appealing or if you are someone who is after perfect balance across the FR, who places a lot of stock in a natural, forward, seductive midrange with a superbly intimate vocal presentation... the Oriolus Isabellae imho are worth a serious look. The perfect IEM to curl up with when you want to relax at the end of the day.
9) Sony IER Z1R
If you’re after peerless sub-bass and treble and are willing to endure a little sacrifice in body & presence in the lower mids & mid-bass then this is the IEM you want. Wonderful bass texture & extension, which the Shanling M8 absolutely milks for everything it's worth (seriously this is a heavenly pairing), fantastic staging and technicalities, great mid-range texture, if a little too tucked behind a veil of bass at times, a really fun and engaging sound overall.
10) Campfire Audio Solaris OG/SE
My first love and the IEM that introduced me to the joys of a balanced signature. Not quite as technically capable as the IER Z1R but it has my preferred FR.
The SE represents a subtle but clear step up from OG Solaris to my ears with improved clarity, more robust and forward vocals and cleaner bass. Solaris SE provides coherent and well-balanced signature within a fully rendered 3-d space combined with impeccable layering and separation-- it doesn't excel at any one thing FR wise, but it does "everything" better than most things I've heard. What I really appreciate about Solaris SE is the perfect balance it brings to the spectrum-- there's just enough of everything and nothing is overwhelming. This is something that stands out more and more as my hours on it wear on-- CFA has, imho, reached a "zen" level of balance with Solaris SE. Further they have done a peerless job of combining BA and DD drivers into a balanced "total package" IEM.
11) Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020
Possibly still my favorite combination of technical and fun and my number one rec for anyone knowing nothing of their tastes and preferences. The Andromeda is a long standing classic that deserves every ounce of its enduring reputation. In the case of Campfire Audio it's practically a platitude that the Andromeda is their most beloved model. I think the thing with Andro is that they hit on a tuning that's really likeable, sufficiently technical, highly engaging and non-fatiguing soundthat plays well with just about everything. Often you have to make sacrifices in one of those categories for the sake of another but the Andromeda strikes a nice balance for a lot of people-- there is a definite emotional pull or allure to its sound that I haven't come across very often. Solaris definitely has its devotees (like myself) but it also takes a few chances and is a less conventional tuning than Andro-- which means that how one feels about it will depend on what they listen to and what their own particular sonic priorities are.
12) 64 Audio u12t
Heard this recently and enjoyed it more than I ever have before. The u12t is a hell of an IEM and I fully understand the astonished admiration it receives. Still to my ears even the most well tuned all-BA IEMs are a little thin and clinical sounding and as such even a titan like the u12t will find itself ranked below my favorite DD-driven IEMs. This is an IEM for the analyst who values correctness and precision above all. When I was listening to the u12t I was consistently in awe of it...such a great reference sound but with killer DD-like bass. Ultimately for me (and the way my mind works when I listen to music) with the level of detail in u12t I often found myself zoning out on all the different layers of a recording-- but I have a harder time viewing it as a unity...I'm not talking about a coherence problem or anything...just that u12t is so good at what it does that I just get lost in all the detail and “forget the forest for the trees” so to speak. Put another way, it reminds of an experience I had after consuming some psilocybin back in the early 90s. Some friends of mine were excited because we were going to see Return of the Jedi in the theatre— we thought the experience, in our elevated state, would make the movie super intense and involving. For me, quite the opposite happened…watching the movie in that state all the effects became transparent and all the illusions were dissolved-- the space ships and props looked like models and even the actors came across as people playing a part in a play. It was indeed an intense experience—all the details of everything I was seeing on the screen presented themselves accurately to my mind…but the romance was gone. It was technically very impressive but I was yearning to be swept off my feet. This same sort of thing happened to me every now and again with the u12t—I’d be wowed by all the different layers of what was going on, but it wasn’t quite as emotionally involving or exciting for me as a whole.
15) Unique Melody MEST (OG)
An enthralling listen and a technical powerhouse. Of the 3 main branches of the FR the MEST is probably weakest in the mid-range. While they are perfectly fine much of the time there were times when vocals and instruments sound a little thin and vaguely digitized. The highs on the MEST are outstanding and nuanced and have great “sparkle”. Sheer technical chops is where I would say the MEST has a clear advantage over many IEMs. In terms of staging, separation, imaging etc. the Solaris used to be my benchmark and though I hesitated at first after hearing the MEST but now that more time has passed, in terms of technicalities, I have to give the crown unequivocally to the MEST over the Solaris. If I had to criticize the MEST at all in terms of its technicalities I would say that sometimes the “fireworks” of its technical skill and detail retrieval can distract one from the heart of the recording they are listening to. I once likened the u12t and Andromeda to the “Mars and Venus” of IEMs. The u12t, being decidedly reference-like and analytic in naturem evokes a more intellectual response-- its engagement factor is derived from the precision, order and detail that characterizes its signature. The Andromeda, by contrast, evokes a more emotional response-- it is less concerned with space and details and more concerned with sweeping you off your feet and casting its spell on you. The u12t stimulates your intellect, the Andromeda tugs at your heart. IMHO neither approach is superior to the other—it really depends on you and what you’re after. I would make a similar claim (with caveats) regarding the MEST and something like the Campfire Solaris. I have heard the MEST described as a “supercharged” Solaris and in a sense it is—in terms of its technical chops, but in terms of tonality I found both the Solaris (and Andromeda) more likely to sweep me off my feet.
16) Vision Ears VE8
The VE8 is a tremendous IEM that planted the first seeds in my mind the idea that the mid-range is the most important—and most difficult to pull off—element of the FR. When I was a noob in this hobby I was fixated on bass—the first IEMs I sought out I did so because I heard they had good bass. Even through much of the last year my initial impressions of the different IEMs I demoed—Solaris, Z1R, VX etc.—often began or ended with my impression of their bass response. With the VE8, on the other hand, it’s all about the mid-range. The VE8 is the first IEM where I really understand what people mean when they talk about the sound of an IEM being “emotional” or similarly engaging— of the IEMs I’ve heard the VE8 is one that consistently sweeps me off my feet, and it does so largely through its lush, natural and immersive mid-range. Don’t get me wrong—the bass and treble in the VE8 are excellent, but compared to other IEMs serves more as the means to the end of supporting the mid-range rather than the highlights in and of themselves. The VE8 is warm, musical, detailed and deep. My only complaints were that as great as the mids are they come off a touch congested to me at times. I must caveat this statement by saying that the VE8 was initially designed and tuned as a custom and since I've only ever heard it in universal form there's a good chance I've never heard it as it was meant to be heard.
17) Empire Ears Legend X
Bass of the gods. The thundering yang to complement the ethereal yin of IEMs like the Solaris and VE8 (which is what I had on hand alongside the LX when I owned it). With the LX the whole signature is defined by the bass-- it's large, it's powerful and it's everywhere. Thankfully it's also very resolving and detailed so that the rest of the sound isn't drowned out in the bass. Nonetheless the bass is present and it dominates. The sheer quantity of bass makes the sound is a bit "closed in"...like you're in a club with the bass pounding...I wouldn't go so far as to say congested, as one of the great things about LX is that it somehow avoids this despite all the bass...it's why I would call it a solid candidate as the de facto "basshead audiophile" IEM-- at least as of 2020 when I owned one. The Legend X is not an IEM you can listen to "passively"-- they command your attention and are utterly captivating when you feel like getting rocked by vibrant and detailed low end. The key is that it's so refined and resolving. The CFA Atlas (which I also love) was described as having "get off the bus and crap yourself bass"... well by that metric the LX has "park your Mercedes and crap yourself bass". It's definitely a "guilty pleasure", but I'm ok with guilt and I love pleasure. The LX is akin to listening to music in a club-- a more confined space, with the thundering bass permeating everything, much like the oil in an olive. If the LX is like listening in a club the Solaris is like listening on a mountain top-- grounded in the bedrock of the powerful bass, but wide open up top, and to the left and right, so everything has room to breathe. Nonetheless, due to the robust low end on the LX it can be said to be lacking a bit of air and were consistently fatiguing for me in the long term-- which is why I would ultimately consider them more of a special teams IEM as far as my perceptions go.
18) QDC Anole VX
Highly detailed, technical "minty fresh" signature with spectacular BA bass. Ultimately too clinical for my tastes and a bit too vibrant in the upper mid/lower treble region.
19) Empire Ears Odin
Ultimately the Odin puts forward a detail oriented signature that, for me, is more suited to analysis than emotional connection. The level of detail is such that I often find myself forgetting the forest for the trees so to speak-- it's not really balanced in the sense that I find myself often getting lost in the details rather than taking in the soundscape as a whole. It's an utterly enthralling listening experience though-- intellectually stimulating if not the most emotionally engaging. Like being sucked into a close knit logical argument more than having your soul stirred in reverie. Subjectively, while I admire what the Odin does well-- I'm in awe of it actually-- ultimately it's not really an IEM whose signature is in line with my personal preferences.
Honorary mention:
7HZ Timeless
An IEM that does so much right but still has a few kinks to work out and ultimately to me feels more like a prototype of something truly great to come than a complete and polished product. If they can produce a planar IEM this well tuned but with a little more polish, better build quality etc. it could completely re-define the market. Something to watch.
Marshall95
100+ Head-Fier
Are the EE Odin or Layla Aion in anyone's top 3? Thinking of getting either one but can't pick. Similar price range
I only heard it briefly so don't feel qualified to rank it.
Not expensive enough.
Zen Pro, Isabellae, Dorado, Andromeda , Duo & MEST or about 1/3 of the IEMs on that list are all in the vicinity of the Monarch MKii in terms of cost.
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