Starting iem enthousiast looking for advice

[Thmsjav]

Hi everyone! I'm just getting into iem's and I was looking for some input.
I'm located in Europe so that's a bit limiting on the choices here but so far I'm looking at the moondrop aria's, the ikko audio oh1 and the kinera iduna.
My budget is around €100.
I welcome any input or recommendations!

Thanks alot!

 

[kagif]

Hi, the Moondrop Arias seem to be a solid choice. I got my first pair of IEMs (KZ ZS10 Pro) a few months ago, and have had my eye on the Arias for a while. I very quickly changed my mind because of an opportunity to buy a pair of Etymotic ER4XR used for basically half price. I did this because I've read so much about how people upgrade IEMs pretty much constantly. Going by online discussions (not my personal experience), there are a lot of amazing IEMs, but while it's easy to be impressed with them, you begin to recognize they lacking some certain quality after listening for a while and start looking for the next one. The ER4 series to me represented a chance to skip this exercise and go with something recognized as satisfying. I haven't even received them yet, so this is not a plug for them. For example, you could also consider the Moondrop Blessing 2. What attracted me to the ER4 was the excellent passive isolation combined with accurate and neutral sound, as well as build quality and reputation—both of the company and product.

My guess is that you would be quite satisfied and amazed by the Arias, so don't let me dissuade you. Just also do yourself the favor of having a good look at the higher price bracket, it may well be worth saving up for.

Forgot to mention that if you want IEMs for mobility, consider a decent DAC+amp dongle as the next upgrade. It does a lot, I was really amazed.

 

[earmonger]

You should go to the top of your budget instead of bothering with sub-$50 "good for the price" IEMs. Stay away from anything called a "giant-killer" here on Head-Fi when it has just been released; it's just hype.

My €100 pick was the Tri I3, which I enjoy daily, but it has been replaced by the Tri I3 Pro and I haven't tried those.

The Moondrop Aria is almost universally recommended here as the under-€100 choice. I haven't heard it but I would bet it sounds better than the many KZ cheapies.

If you want to watch the hype trains arrive and depart, Budget IEM thread has the latest dialogue. Lately it always comes back to the Aria.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/bes...l-ranking-list.805930/page-1999#post-16933432

 

[kagif]

On a practical note, as you're in Europe don't forget to factor in the cost of VAT and customs fees. You can order them from Amazon for EUR 80, or directly from shenzenaudio for a bit less, but you'll still need to pay the tax and duty.

 

[Doveda]

My ~100 Euro recommendation would be the Ikko OH2 they're my favorite ones I own. Only complaint is that the cable is kinda meh, so you might want to replace that.

 

[RL7836]

I recently 'discovered IEMs' after my Bose ear buds died. I started with Marshall Modes (recommended by Wirecutter). I had major issues with tip sizing (& therefore adequate sealing) which led to an unexpected voyage through various eartips (aaargh). While learning about eartips on Head-Fi & Reddit, I also managed to absorb IEM info. I purchased a set of Arias and set about A-B'ing them with the Modes. The Arias won so the Modes went back. Then I read some of the hype-train threads on the Olinas and couldn't resist. Lots of A-B'ing ensued. It was close but the Olinas won so the Arias went back. Now, I'm enjoying the Olinas and getting more of an education with no plans for any more 'quick' purchases.

We'll see where my education leads me but current flavor is to try a set of planars (lots of hype-train threads on Timeless & S12s) or go for the B2 Dusks (no hype around this IEM - just lots of established praise). For an idea of 'value', check out Crinacle & PreCog ranking lists (among others).

Good luck with your quest.

 

[zamorin]

Frankly speaking I have the Moondrop Aria and Kato and the Kz ZSX. The zsx in my fav among those 3. I mostly think the other 2 are hype considering zsx costs half the price of Aria. The Kato though comes with a good cable. Whatever the harmon sound or curves, one can't ignore the fact that zsx has sounds and separation that wasn't in Aria/Kato. I don't know how when half the sounds it can't reproduce can be considered good.

I also auditioned the 7Hz Timeless, Blessing 2 and Variation 2. The first 2 was same as Kato but Variation 2 had a real good SQ but it costs so much more.