[pail]

and the treble at times felt “lo res”

Yep, i found the treble "anarchic", when i checked the screw problem i didn't even want to try to burn them.

 

[SweetCans928]

I tend to prefer slightly brighter signatures, and I'm not terribly picky about bass quantity. I can get down with stuff with big bass and stuff on the leaner side of things. Although I do appreciate how some extra thickness down low contributes to the rest of the spectrum, especially general note weight and male vocals. I value "clarity"(especially in the mids), but I also understand it's often a perception thing based on the IEM's sound sig rather than technical prowess. I also put a lot of stock in soundstage/imaging/separation, because to me those things help make an IEM fun to listen to. I tend to prefer female vocals but I've been listening to tons of male vocals lately too. I can't psuedo-confidently rank any more than these, but 16 seems like a good stopping point anyway.

1. Sony IER-Z1R
2. UM MEST(OG)
3. Sound Rhyme SR8
4. AüR Audio Aurora
5. Thieaudio Monarch(OG)
6. AüR Audio Alita
7. QDC Anole VX
8. Sennheiser IE600
9. Sony IER-M9
10. Thieaudio Monarch MKII
11. Sony EX1000
12. Hifiman RE800
13. UM 3DT
13. AKG N5005
13. Campfire Andromeda 2020
14. 64 Audio Nio
15. JVC FW1800
16. Moondrop Blessing 2

Edit: Removed the Hifiman RE2000S. Also I have moved Aurora up after some additional listening.

 

[LikeHolborn]

I thought I'd extend my list as it really does leave out some darn good IEMs:

11. AKG N5005
12. Beyerdynamic Xelento
13. Empire Ears Spartan-IV
14. Massdrop Plus
15. Etymotic ER4XR
16. Empire Ears Bravado
17. Final Audio E5000
18. AKG N40
19. Empire Ears Supra-II
20. Campfire Audio Orion

Thought the orion would be perfect for me since the bass and treble isn't louder than the mids like singer first, instruments background right? and that it's not boring but I don't think they're selling them anymore, sucks. Anybody know a few options like that? I don't care for an impressive soundstage.

 

[TommehHiFi]

1. 64 audio Nio - bass + clarity sweet spot for me
2. Monarch mk2 - bass and tonality at the expense of maybe too much detail and clarity
3. Kinera Baldr 2
4. ie900 - in just a brief listen back to back with ie600, the increased detail and imaging was immediately apparent, I probably inflate the Sennheisers because of the cool build and comfort
5. Noble audio Ronin - very good but nothing stuck out to me
6. ie600 - brighter than expected so didn't end up buying on sale but still good tonality
7. 64 audio u12t - detail and that's all that really stuck out to me
8. Kiwi ears Cadenza with 64audio TrueFidelity foam tips - with better tips for better seal, sounded better on my ru6 dongle than many of the IEMs I listened to at CanJam

The rest I didn't care about or haven't heard (not a big IEM guy)

 

[efejoao]

Just for context, I tend to enjoy detail retrieval / resolution and overall balance. These are IEMS I have owned, not just listened which means I have spent a considerable amount of time listening and testing with different sets of gear.

1. Thieaudio Monarch MkII
2. Shure KSE 1200 (kind of 1st as well)
3. Unique Melody MEST MkI
4. Sony IER-Z1R
5. JH Layla
6. 64 Audio U12T
7. JH Audio 16 Custom
8. Moondrop Blessing 2
9. Shure KSE 1500
10. Drop JVC HA-FDX1
11. TinHifi P1
12. Campfire Orion
13. JH Billie Jean
14. UE Triple-fi 10
15. Campfire Comet

Note: Shure KSE 1200 lives on a category of its own as there is nothing in the market that even touches it. However, it is a headphone system, requires an amazing source, and is a bit cumbersome to listen to as you have to prepare the setup. However, it is the most magical IEM on its own, specially with instrumental music and scores.

 

[ocZZ]

1. Aur Audio Neon Pro
2. Sound Rhyme SR7
3. Aur Audio Aurora
4. Sound Rhyme SR5
5. Penon 10th
6. AWFUL Performer 5

 

[emdeevee]

I'll take a swing at this!

1. FiR Xe6
2. UM Multiverse Mentor
3. Audeze LCDi4
4. Sony IER-Z1R
5. UM Indigo
6. Penon 10th
7. MMR Balmung
8. AüR Neon Pro
9. Penon Serial
10. Sound Rhyme SR7

 

[Vamp898]

I've tested some earphones over the weekend and rearranged my list a bit.

1. IER-M9
2. FitEar TG335
3. Vision Ears VE8 // IER-Z1R (they are so different, that it is too hard to decide)
4. Final A8000
5. FiiO FA9 // Moondrop S8
6. Final A5000
7. Final E5000

 

[MudEnjoyer]

Here is what I've heard so far (non standard tips in parenthesis):

1. Sony IER-M9 (Sony EP-NI1000)
2. Sony XBA-N3
3. Sony IER-M7 (Sony EP-NI1000)
4. Final E5000 (Radius Deep Mount)
5. 7Hz Timeless (Sony EP-TC50)
6. Moondrop Variations
7. Audiosense DT200 (INAIRS)
8. Final E3000 (Radius Deep Mount)
9. Etymotic ER3XR
10. Etymotic ER4XR
11. Etymotic ER3SE
12. Etymotic ER4SR
13. Sennheiser IE 300 (Comply)
14. Etymotic ER2SE
15. Truthear Hola
16. KZ ZAX
17. Sony MH750
18. Moondrop Sparks
19. Moondrop Blessing 2

 

[Vamp898]

Here is what I've heard so far (non standard tips in parenthesis):

1. Sony IER-M9 (Sony EP-NI1000)
2. Sony XBA-N3
3. Sony IER-M7 (Sony EP-NI1000)
4. Final E5000 (Radius Deep Mount)
5. 7Hz Timeless (Sony EP-TC50)
6. Moondrop Variations
7. Audiosense DT200 (INAIRS)
8. Final E3000 (Radius Deep Mount)
9. Etymotic ER3XR
10. Etymotic ER4XR
11. Etymotic ER3SE
12. Etymotic ER4SR
13. Sennheiser IE 300 (Comply)
14. Etymotic ER2SE
15. Truthear Hola
16. KZ ZAX
17. Sony MH750
18. Moondrop Sparks
19. Moondrop Blessing 2

The Blessing 2 is right where it belongs^^

 

[Garney]

Been a minute since I've done a ranking list. Only including IEMs I've either owned or had an extended (week+) demo with. These are ranked purely on my enjoyment level, not on sheer technical ability, etc.

1. FiR Audio Radon 6
2. Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor
3. FiR Audio Neon 4
4. AuR Audio Neon Pro
5. 64 Audio Nio
6. Custom Art Fibae 5
7. 634ears 9iNE
8. Vision Ears EXT
9. 7Hz Timeless
10. Dunu SA6

 

[psikey]

Not a big range as only heard enough of what I've bought. On pure Sound Quality for my preferences.

1. Sony IER-Z1R
2. Sony IER-M9
3. Noble K10U
4. Fiio FD7
5. Shure SE846
6. Shure SE535

If fit/comfort/weight are considered in conjunction with Sound Quality (compromising SQ a bit for comfort)

1. Sony IER-M9
2. Fiio FD7
3. Sony IER-Z1R (bit on the large, un-comfy side though easily sounds best for me but not ideal out & about unlike my other 3)
4. Shure SE846
(SE535 & K10U sold ages ago)

 

[silent-circuit]

Just for context, I tend to enjoy detail retrieval / resolution and overall balance. These are IEMS I have owned, not just listened which means I have spent a considerable amount of time listening and testing with different sets of gear.

1. Thieaudio Monarch MkII
2. Shure KSE 1200 (kind of 1st as well)
3. Unique Melody MEST MkI
4. Sony IER-Z1R
5. JH Layla
6. 64 Audio U12T
7. JH Audio 16 Custom
8. Moondrop Blessing 2
9. Shure KSE 1500
10. Drop JVC HA-FDX1
11. TinHifi P1
12. Campfire Orion
13. JH Billie Jean
14. UE Triple-fi 10
15. Campfire Comet

Note: Shure KSE 1200 lives on a category of its own as there is nothing in the market that even touches it. However, it is a headphone system, requires an amazing source, and is a bit cumbersome to listen to as you have to prepare the setup. However, it is the most magical IEM on its own, specially with instrumental music and scores.

You rank the KSE1200 significantly higher than the 1500; why is that? So far as I know they're the same IEM with different energizers, and one would think the 1500 better in most cases, as it's presumably Shure's "best effort." Curious to hear about this.

 

[psikey]

Just for context, I tend to enjoy detail retrieval / resolution and overall balance. These are IEMS I have owned, not just listened which means I have spent a considerable amount of time listening and testing with different sets of gear.

1. Thieaudio Monarch MkII
2. Shure KSE 1200 (kind of 1st as well)
3. Unique Melody MEST MkI
4. Sony IER-Z1R
5. JH Layla
6. 64 Audio U12T
7. JH Audio 16 Custom
8. Moondrop Blessing 2
9. Shure KSE 1500
10. Drop JVC HA-FDX1
11. TinHifi P1
12. Campfire Orion
13. JH Billie Jean
14. UE Triple-fi 10
15. Campfire Comet

Note: Shure KSE 1200 lives on a category of its own as there is nothing in the market that even touches it. However, it is a headphone system, requires an amazing source, and is a bit cumbersome to listen to as you have to prepare the setup. However, it is the most magical IEM on its own, specially with instrumental music and scores.

What makes you rate the cheaper KSE 1200 over the KSE 1500 ?

SNAP, same question as above poster

 

[Griffith]

S tier - Sony IER-M9
A tier - Sony EX800ST, Acoustune 1650CU
B+ tier - VSonic GR07 Classic, Samsung Buds 2
B tier - Sony XBA-N3, ATH-IM02, Vivo XE800, Fiio F3, Samsung Buds+, Sony WF-1000XM3, Airpods Pro 1st Gen
C+ - VSONIC VSD3S, Fiio F9, iPod In-Ear Headphones, Moondrop Quarks
C - KZ ATE (5th gen),
C-/D tier - KZ ATR, ZS1, ZS3, ZS5, ZST, ED9, Apple Earbuds, VE Monk+, VE Monk Lite, Ve Monk Lite (high Impd.), Somic V4, Tennmak Pro, Boarseman KR25D

Yes, I spent a lot of money on IEMs I consider to be below average, which is why I now advocate that people find sound signatures they like and buy upgrades according to that signature, rather than pursuing FOTM.