Hello fellow audio addicts!
I've now come to a point where i have collected enough earphones to make my own ranking list.
This is called Simple Man's Ranking because of the following 2 simple points:
I don't use any high end DAC/Amps to drive the earphones. I drive them using my smartphone, HTC10. I plan to upgrade to LG G7 or G8 once this dies on me.
I don't use FLAC or lossless tracks, etc., I use mostly 320 Kbps mp3s.
About my personal taste and preference:
1. I generally prefer Dynamic drivers as they sound more natural and realistic to me.
2. 90% of my playlist comprises of Blues and Jazz music in equal proportion. 75% of the music were recorded between 1965 and 1975. I do use remastered versions when available.
3. I don't have a sound signature preference/bias. If done right, i will love any tuning.
About the list:
The list is sorted by sound rating. There is no objective rule to the rating. It is purely based on how much i think they deserve based on my experience. The ranking is prone to change when i learn something new.
Ear-Time - Shows frequency of use for general listening.
0 - indicates that the IEM is not in my possession anymore.
1 - (min.) denotes IEMs that i pick up, mostly, only for comparisons
5 - (max.) these are IEMs i'm using on a daily basis.
Price (shows only approximate values)
(x) - denotes that they are discontinued or very very hard to get.
(x?) - denotes can't buy with confidence, too many fakes in the market.
Driver
D - Dynamic; BA - Balanced Armature Driver; n - number of drivers
Measurements
Dayton IMM-6 + PVC tube coupler + AudioTools
Please note that this is not a standard measurement rig. The FRs are useful just to get an idea about where the peaks and valleys are in the curve. Please take these with a tsp of salt.
Navigation
Hyperlinks under IEM redirects to detailed head-fi review.Hyperlinks under Measurement redirects to measurement image hosted is postimg.
That's it. Enjoy the list, and Don't forget music!
Simple Man's Ranking list
BONUS: Over Ears
I've now come to a point where i have collected enough earphones to make my own ranking list.
This is called Simple Man's Ranking because of the following 2 simple points:
I don't use any high end DAC/Amps to drive the earphones. I drive them using my smartphone, HTC10. I plan to upgrade to LG G7 or G8 once this dies on me.
I don't use FLAC or lossless tracks, etc., I use mostly 320 Kbps mp3s.
About my personal taste and preference:
1. I generally prefer Dynamic drivers as they sound more natural and realistic to me.
2. 90% of my playlist comprises of Blues and Jazz music in equal proportion. 75% of the music were recorded between 1965 and 1975. I do use remastered versions when available.
3. I don't have a sound signature preference/bias. If done right, i will love any tuning.
About the list:
The list is sorted by sound rating. There is no objective rule to the rating. It is purely based on how much i think they deserve based on my experience. The ranking is prone to change when i learn something new.
Ear-Time - Shows frequency of use for general listening.
0 - indicates that the IEM is not in my possession anymore.
1 - (min.) denotes IEMs that i pick up, mostly, only for comparisons
5 - (max.) these are IEMs i'm using on a daily basis.
Price (shows only approximate values)
(x) - denotes that they are discontinued or very very hard to get.
(x?) - denotes can't buy with confidence, too many fakes in the market.
Driver
D - Dynamic; BA - Balanced Armature Driver; n - number of drivers
Measurements
Dayton IMM-6 + PVC tube coupler + AudioTools
Please note that this is not a standard measurement rig. The FRs are useful just to get an idea about where the peaks and valleys are in the curve. Please take these with a tsp of salt.
Navigation
Hyperlinks under IEM redirects to detailed head-fi review.Hyperlinks under Measurement redirects to measurement image hosted is postimg.
That's it. Enjoy the list, and Don't forget music!
Simple Man's Ranking list
S.No | IEM | Driver | Price (USD) | Sound rating | Notes | Ear-time | Measurement |
1 | Ocharaku Keyaki Ti Plus | 1D | 550 | 9.5 | Pet favourite. Polarising tuning, with greatly boosted upper-mids, distinct separation and unique positioning | 1 | Ocharaku Keyaki Ti Plus measurements |
2 | InEar Stagediver SD2 | 2BA | 400 | 9.4 | Excellent detail retrieval and timbre. TOTL | 1 | Inear SD2 measurements |
3 | Sony MDR EX800ST | 1D | 250 (x) | 9.3 | Perfect tuning, great timbre, with very poor isolation | 1 | Sony EX800ST measurements |
4 | Etymotic ER4XR | 1BA | 350 | 9.3 | Neutral, extreme detail extraction and separation. Thin sounding. | 1 | Etymotic ER4XR measurements |
5 | Sennheiser IE 500 Pro | 1D | 599 | 9.3 | Daily IEM. Great detail extraction, wide soundstage, reserved upper-mids, fatigue free tuning. | 4 | Sennheiser IE500 Pro Measurements |
6 | Japaear JE-555 | 1D | ~350 | 9.3 | Fastest dynamic drivers in my experience. Extremely detailed and natural sounding, without sacrificing bass quantity. Let down by impossible fit. These would be a real treat for modders. | 1 | Japaear JE-555 measurements |
7 | Ultrasone IQ | 1D1BA | 520 | 9.3 | Immersive and exciting tuning. Treble slightly sharp. Big, but quick bass, vocals slightly recessed. Excellent soundstage depth and positioning | 1 | Ultrasone IQ measurements |
8 | Etymotic ER2SE | 1D | 130 | 9.2 | Neutral and natural. Excels in timbre, with great detail retrieval without sounding thin | 2 | Etymotic ER2SE measurements |
9 | ATH CKR100iS | 2D | 400 (x?) | 9.2 | Favourite. Great tuning, perfect bass, with forward upper-mids. | 1 | ATH CKR100iS measurements |
10 | Ultrasone Tio | 1BA | 350 | 9.2 | Intimate-neutral sounding. Great clarity and lush presentation | 0 | N/A |
11 | Ultrasone IQ Pro | 1D1BA | 350 (x) | 9.2 | Like IQ with more reserved bass. Mids slightly pushed back. | 2 | Ultrasone IQ Pro measurements |
12 | Donguri Syou Kurenai | 1D | 250 (x) | 9.2 | Exciting tuning, with upper mids boost. Typical Donguri tuning with bigger bass. | 1 | Donguri Syou Kurenai measurements |
13 | Ortofon E-Q5 | 1BA | 120 (x) | 9.1 | Balanced, great timbre, details. Slightly bright | 1 | Ortofon E-Q5 measurements |
14 | Zero Audio Doppio | 2BA | 120 (x) | 9.1 | Balanced, great details extraction and exciting treble | 1 | ZA Doppio measurements |
15 | Donguri Raku | 1D | 120 | 9.1 | Boosted lower treble. Bright and airy sound | 1 | Donguri Raku measurements |
16 | Azla Horizon | 1D | ~230 | 9.1 | Balanced tuning with good bass impact and quantity. Nice surround stage, sounds just like room-speakers in your ears | 4 | Azla Horizon measurements |
17 | Co-Donguri Shizuku | 1D | 34 | 9.1 | Boosted upper-mids, airy, rings like a bell. Tuned close to Donguri Keyaki Ti-Plus. | 2 | Co-Donguri measurements |
18 | Co-Donguri Brass | 1D | 120 | 9.1 | Same as Shizuku, with slightly drier mids and tighter sound | 2 | Co-Donguri Brass measurements |
19 | TTR Surround Chonmage 3 | 1D | 160 | 9.1 | Natural bass with sub-bass roll-off. Great clarity and vocals. Brighter sounding, can get shouty at high volume | 1 | Chonmage 3 measurements |
20 | Olasonic FLAT4 Nami | 2D | 270 (x) | 9.1 | Made for treble heads. Great details. Hits sibilance easily. Extremely wide soundstage. | 1 | Olasonic FLAT4 Nami measurements |
21 | Yamaha EPH-200 | 1D | 130 - 200 | 9.1 | Clean sounding with great timbre. Excellent isolation and instrument separation. | 1 | Yamaha EPH-200 measurements |
22 | Zero Audio Zirco Pezzo (MOD+) | 1D | ~60 | 9.1 | Modded! With this mod, these sound near neutral with the perfect quantity bass boost! Great clarity and positioning. | 1 | ZA Zirco Pezzo Mod+ measurements |
23 | Akoustyx R-220 | 2BA | 199 | 9.1 | Neutral, great detail extraction, exciting treble | 1 | Akoustyx R220 measurements |
24 | Sennheiser IE 400 Pro | 1D | 350 | 9.1 | Like IE500 pro with more mid-bass and upper-mids. Relatively brighter sound | 1 | Sennheiser IE400 Pro measurements |
25 | Final E5000 | 1D | 270 | 9.1 | Bedside IEM. Dark sounding, thick and smooth tonality, with good detail extraction in the treble. Works best at low volume | 1 | Final E5000 measurements |
26 | Final E4000 | 1D | 150 | 9.0 | Lush sounding with smooth tonality. Amazing vocals | 2 | Final E4000 measurements |
27 | FAD Heaven IV | 1BA | 120 | 9.0 | Balanced, very natural sounding - towards lush. Like E-Q5, less bright | 1 | final Heaven IV measurements |
28 | Acoustune HS1004 | 1D | 200 (x) | 9.0 | Sounds like EX800ST, with bigger bass. Great soundstage, reverberating bass. | 1 | Acoustune HS1004 measurements |
29 | JVC FX750 | 1D | 180 (x) | 9.0 | Warm and natural sound. Better treble body than FX1100, slightly lesser detail and space | 0 | N/A |
30 | JVC FX1100 | 1D | 270 | 9.0 | Big bass.Warm and natural sound. Great timbre. Good treble details sounding slightly thin | 0 | N/A |
31 | ATH E40 | 2D | 99 | 8.9 | Amazing IEM with slightly coloured tuning, wide stage, Great details with rough micro-definition. Male vocals sound a bit nasal. Finicky fit | 1 | ATH E40 measurements |
32 | Sennheiser IE 40 Pro | 1D | 99 | 8.9 | Balanced sound, with great treble extension. | 1 | Sennheiser IE40 Pro measurements |
33 | FAD Piano Forte II | 1D | 35 | 8.9 | Best vocals, lacking sub-bass, good clarity | 1 | FAD Piano Forte II |
34 | Ultrasone Pyco | 1D | 150 | 8.9 | Intimate sound with tight bass and great treble. Good positioning | 0 | N/A |
35 | Massdrop Plus | 3BA | 200 | 8.9 | Great details. Full sounding. Typical BA, plastic, timbre. Lacks refinement. | 0 | Massdrop Plus measurements |
36 | JVC FXT90 | 2D | 78 (x) | 8.8 | My gateway drug. V shaped. Great bass, and treble clarity. | 1 | JVC FXT90 measurements |
37 | ATH E70 | 3BA | 400 | 8.8 | Great details, dark tonality, slightly muffled female vocals, hits sibilance readily. | 1 | ATH E70 measurements |
38 | Final E3000 | 1D | 50 | 8.8 | Does nothing wrong. Punchy bass, with smooth treble. | Final E3000 measurements | |
39 | Final E2000 | 1D | 40 | 8.8 | Similar to E3000. Smooth sound, with airy treble | 1 | Final E2000 measurements |
40 | Azla Azel | 1D | ~60 | 8.7 | Slightly bassy sound with good timbre and tonality. Nice mids and smooth, airy treble | 1 | Azla Azel Measurements |
41 | Zero Audio Zirco Pezzo (Stock) | 1D | 60 | 8.7 | Stock sound Perfect bass quality and quantity. Strident highs and hits sibilance easily. Bright sounding | 1 | ZA Zirco Pezzo measurements |
42 | iSound MUIX IX3000 | 1D | 35 | 8.6 | Balanced sound with great tonality. Full sounding. | 1 | MUIX IX3000 measurements |
43 | Sonicast Dirac + MK2 | 1D | 51 | 8.5 | Good sub-bass impact, scooped lower mids, good treble. Neutral tone, bright sounding. | Sonicast Dirac + MK2 | |
44 | iBasso IT01s | 1D | 179 | 8.4 | Balanced, full sounding, somewhat warm IEM with decent soundstage | 1 | iBasso IT01s measurements |
45 | FAD Adagio III | 1D | 50 | 8.3 | Thumping, rumbling bass and shimmery treble. Very V shaped, and very exciting sound | 0 | N/A |
46 | JVC FR65S | 1D | ~60 | 8.3 | Beautiful looks. Very balanced sounding, close to neutral. Quick bass with zero bloat. Leans slightly towards bright. Great IEM with a shallow fit! | JVC FR65S measurements | |
47 | ATH LS50 | 2D | 50 | 8.2 | Decent detail retrieval and separation. Forward mids. Slight lack of clarity+definition. Very good all-rounder | 1 | ATH LS50 measurements |
48 | Akoustyx R-115 | 1BA | 120 | 8.2 | Linear bass, intimate sound, great male vocals, honky female vocals, laidback treble | 1 | Akoustyx R-115 measurements |
49 | Zero Audio Carbo Tenore | 1D | 45 | 8.2 | Balanced sound, great allrounder | 0 | N/A |
50 | Fender Puresonic Wired | 1D | 45 | 8.2 | Big bass, good vocals. Slightly muddied mids, shimmery treble. Commercial tuning done right! | 1 | Fender Puresonic Wired measurements |
51 | Acoustic Research E10 | 1D1BA | ~120 | 8.2 | Exciting tuning, big meaty bass juxtaposed with BA clartiy in upper-mids and highs. Coherence is lacking | 1 | AR E10 measurements |
52 | Carot One Titta | 1D | 50 | 8.2 | Balanced sound, very clean and open sounding | 0 | N/A |
53 | Final Adagio V | 1D | 80+ | 8.2 | Treble head. Possibly the fastest dynamic driver, with extreme detail retrieval. Botched by rowdy, unbearable treble. Very bright | 0 | N/A |
54 | JPRiDE 1984 Freedom | 1D | 60 | 8.1 | V-shaped tuning, with aggressive treble details, somewhat recessed mids and impactful, defined bass. | 1 | JPRiDE 1984 Freedom measurements |
55 | Moondrop Crescent | 1D | 30 | 8.1 | Balanced sound. Slightly recessed mids. Decent all around, good detail extraction for the price | 1 | Moondrop Crescent measurements |
56 | MEE Pinnacle PX | 1D | 100 | 8.1 | Balanced, pushed back vocals, peaky treble, thin sounding | 1 | MEE Pinnacle PX measurements |
57 | LG Quadbeat 3 | 1D | Stock | 8.1 | Big bass impact, full sound, well balanced. | 1 | LG Quadbeat 3 |
58 | Advanced M4 | 1D | 35 | 8.1 | Great build. Balanced sound, very good clarity for the price | 1 | Advanced M4 measurements |
59 | Carot One Quasi Titta | 1D | 25 | 8.0 | Open sounding, flat tuning. Lacking sub-bass below 100. Very true and uncoloured sound. | 1 | N/A |
60 | Moondrop Nocturne | 1BA | 90 | 8.0 | Decent sound with good BA clarity. Nothing stands out | 0 | N/A |
61 | ATH CKM500 | 1D | 50 | 8.0 | Open sounding, very good IEM with great bass and treble (from memory) | 0 | N/A |
62 | Flare Audio R2A | 1D | 100 (x) | 7.9 | Big bass, warm sounding IEM. Great male vocals. Peaky and thin treble | 1 | Flare Audio R2A measurements |
63 | Panasonic HJE450 | 1D | 25 | 7.8 | Balanced sound tilted towards V, good allrounder. | 0 | N/A |
64 | Zero Audio Carbo Basso | 1D | 55 | 7.7 | Bassy tenore. Exciting sound | 0 | N/A |
65 | Xiaomi Hybrid Pro 2 | 1D1BA | 20 | 7.7 | Meaty impactful bass, with great detail retrieval. Upper mids can get a bit hot. Tuned for the masses | 0 | Xiaomi Hybrid Pro 2 measurements |
66 | Soundmagic E10C | 1D | 50 | 7.6 | V shaped. Tuned for the masses. | 1 | Soundmagic E10C measurements |
67 | Zero Audio Duoza | 2D | 80 | 7.5 | Bass-head. Gets muddy. Laidback mids. Exciting treble | 1 | ZA Duoza measurements |
68 | Rock Zircon | 1D | 10 | 7.5 | very V-shaped with thundering bass. Still displays good clarity in the mids with bright highs. Better than Duoza | 0 | Rock Zircon measurements |
69 | AKG Y23U | 1D | 50 | 7.5 | Commerical tuning with decent clarity and big bass | 0 | N/A |
70 | Boat Basshead 100 | 1D | 5 | 7.4 | Did not try. Colleague wanted these measured- a popular budget earphone from India. | 0 | Boat Basshead 100 measurements |
71 | Advanced Model 3 | 1D | 70 | 7.3 | Big bass, slightly muddied mids, shimmery treble. Tuned for the masses | 0 | Advanced Model 3 measurements |
72 | JVC FXH10 | 1D | ~20 | 7.3 | Big warm bass. recessed mids. Shimmery highs. Decent IEM for the price | 1 | JVC FXH10 measurements |
73 | Aoslens In-Ear Stereo Earphones | 1D | 15 | 7.2 | Good V-shaped IEM, with good bass and clarity | 0 | N/A |
74 | Soundmagic E18S | 1D | 10 | 7.2 | Decent V shaped IEM, tuned for the masses | 0 | N/A |
75 | Xiaomi Piston 2 | 1D | 25 | 7.2 | Muddy bass, mids, airy treble. Decent clartiy | 0 | N/A |
76 | LZ-A2S | 1D1BA | 50 | 7.0 | Fun sound, with muddied mids and exciting, boosted treble - typical chinese tuning | 0 | N/A |
77 | TRN V20 | 1D1BA | 15 | 6.8 | Typical chinese fair, with boosted treble and muddy bass | 0 | N/A |
78 | JVC FR45S | 1DD | 50 (x) | 6.8 | Bright sound, lacking warmth. Good detail retrieval. Possibly lack of sub-bass | 0 | N/A |
79 | HCK 5 BA Wood grain | 5BA | 120 | 5.0 | Crappy tonality, muddy all around | 0 | N/A |
80 | Friday - Piano Forte fake Chinese | 1D | 40 | 4.5 | Boosted mid-bass and mids, lacking treble. Crappy sound | 0 | N/A |
BONUS: Over Ears
S.No | Headphone | Driver | Price (USD) | Sound rating | Notes | Ear-time |
A | Grado GW100 | 1D | 250 | 9.75 (Wired) | A revelation. Wide open and extremely detailed. Soulful mids with smooth, warm bass. Lacks sub-bass impact for EDM | 2 |
B | nura Nuraphone | 2D | 399 | 9.4 | Great details, clarity, customisable bass quantity and rumble control | 1 |
C | German Maestro 8.35D | 1D | 200 | 9.3 | Balanced sound - near perfect, slightly leans towards birght | 4 |
D | ATH MSR7SE | 1D | 300 | 9.3 | Balanced sound - with excellent separation, leans a little more towards bright | 2 |
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