[Rockwell75]

Constructive criticism/feedback : There should be a under $25 category, then a $25-50 category then a $50-$100 category then a $100-$200, then ...

The categories, as they stand, aren't spaced fairly for the under $50 rannge and the $50-$100 range.

I would also suggest a 1K - 2.5K and a 2.5K+ bracket for IEMs instead of just 1K+. Broadly speaking right now the market seems to consist of:

1) Budget Fi <$100
2) Low Fi $100 -> $400
3) Mid-Fi -> $500 -> $1K
4) Hi-Fi -> $1K - $2.5K
5) Summit Fi -> $2.5K+
6) What-the-Fi -> $5K+

Also it might be an idea to limit the banter in this thread and ask only for submissions that are votes...otherwise whoever tabulates this later will have to sift through pages of noise to track down the actual submissions. Just a thought.

 

[Nimweth]

I would also suggest a 1K - 2.5K and a 2.5K+ bracket for IEMs instead of just 1K+. Broadly speaking right now the market seems to consist of:

1) Budget Fi <$100
2) Low Fi $100 -> $400
3) Mid-Fi -> $500 -> $1K
4) Hi-Fi -> $1K - $2.5K
5) Summit Fi -> $2.5K+
6) What-the-Fi -> $5K+

Also it might be an idea to limit the banter in this thread and ask only for submissions that are votes...otherwise whoever tabulates this later will have to sift through pages of noise to track down the actual submissions. Just a thought.

The word "budget" means the amount allocated for a particular purpose. It could indicate any amount. It does not mean "cheap".

 

[Rockwell75]

The word "budget" means the amount allocated for a particular purpose. It could indicate any amount. It does not mean "cheap".

Fair enough but in the context of this hobby that's generally exactly what it means.

Edit: And more to the point you could just pick another word and the import of my post would be the same.

 

[RCracer777]

Best single-DD IEM
<$50 Moondrop SSP

Best Hybrid IEM
<$50 KBEAR Lark
$50-$110 KZ ZAX

 

[IEMusic]

Also it might be an idea to limit the banter in this thread and ask only for submissions that are votes...otherwise whoever tabulates this later will have to sift through pages of noise to track down the actual submissions. Just a thought.

Great idea in theory, with a legitimate concern. In practice, we anticipated that would be impossible. If comments stay at least relevant (like yours), we’ll probably consider it a “WIN”.

 

[Nimweth]

Fair enough but in the context of this hobby that's generally exactly what it means.

Edit: And more to the point you could just pick another word and the import of my post would be the same.

Also fair enough. I'm a bit pedantic about my English!
Edit: I was not criticising you, but bemoaning the declining standards of our wonderful language where we now see intransitive verbs becoming transitive, for example, we can now "appeal a decision" instead of appeal AGAINST it and "shop a range of products" rather than shop FOR them!

 

[slex]

The word "budget" means the amount allocated for a particular purpose. It could indicate any amount. It does not mean "cheap".

I suggest just do away with 'fi' and maintain the pricing bracket will do?@Rowell76 Btw,good one on No.6

 

[Dolores Dolomites]

Spoiler: Intro, Thanks and Wishes

Well I've only just slipped into the hole along with the bloody apneademic, but please accept my lil' cheapskate list for information purposes on something like a "Most Popular/Loved 2020 IEM" poll... Since there can't be such a thing like the "Best IEMs of 2020" poll in my opinion, unless somebody gets to try at least half of the "best" in each category (?!?).
"Best" is what you have and love, if you ask me... Something I'm going to remind myself as I get past 2020 along with this wonderful community that is You All Headfiers. =)
Big wishes and thanks!

Best single-DD IEM
$110-$350 Moondrop Starfield

Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
$110-$350 ThieAudio Legacy 3

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
$110-$350: Tri I3
$350-$1000 ThieAudio Monarch

 

[slex]

Spoiler: Intro, Thanks and Wishes

Well I've only just slipped into the hole along with the bloody apneademic, but please accept my lil' cheapskate list for information purposes on something like a "Most Popular/Loved 2020 IEM" poll... Since there can't be such a thing like the "Best IEMs of 2020" poll in my opinion, unless somebody gets to try at least half of the "best" in each category (?!?).
"Best" is what you have and love, if you ask me... Something I'm going to remind myself as I get past 2020 along with this wonderful community that is You All Headfiers. =)
Big wishes and thanks!

Best single-DD IEM
$110-$350 Moondrop Starfield

Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
$110-$350 ThieAudio Legacy 3

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
$350-$1000 ThieAudio Monarch

it's just an informal poll. Nothing official about it.

 

[LinkAudio]

Best single-DD IEM
<$50 Blon-01
$350-$1000 Unique Melody 3D Terminator 3DT

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
$350-$1000 Shuoer EJ07
>$1000 Unique Melody MEST

 

[Damz87]

All IEM’s listed I either currently own, or have owned for an extended period of time.

Best single-DD IEM
<$50 - BLON BL-05s
$50-$110 - Tin HiFi T4
$110-$350 - Sony MDR-EX800ST
$350-$1000 - Sony MDR-EX1000
>$1000

Best all-BA IEM
<$50
$50-$110
$110-$350
$350-$1000 - Sony IER-M9
>$1000 - Vision Ears Erlkonig

Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
<$50
$50-$110 - KZ ZAX
$110-$350 - Sony XBA-N3
$350-$1000 - Sony XBA-Z5
>$1000 - Sony IER-Z1R

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
$50-$110
$110-$350
$350-$1000
>$1000 - Empire Ears Odin

 

[Bootup22]

Of course, only what I have heard in the last year (and the kilobuck Hybrid category is like the group of death with Z1R, Trio, Nio, Solaris, Justears, Fourte/Noirs, Legend X and then IEM's I haven't heard like the Fir M4)

Best single-DD IEM
<$50 Sony MH755
$50-$110 Moondrop Starfield
$110-$350 JVC HA-FDX1
$350-$1000
>$1000 Dunu Luna

Best all-BA IEM
<$50
$50-$110
$110-$350
$350-$1000 Sony IER-M9
>$1000 64 Audio U12t

Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
<$50
$50-$110 Shozzy 1.1
$110-$350 ISN H40
$350-$1000 Dunu 3001k Pro
>$1000 Sony Z1R (This category was insane for me to pick one so I went with my oldest favorite)

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
$50-$110
$110-$350
$350-$1000
>$1000 Empire Ears Odin

 

[phthora]

Best single-DD IEM
<$50: Blon BL-03
$50-$110: iBasso IT01S

Best all-BA IEM
$350-$1000: Moondrop S8 (I bought four in this category this year, so tough choice!)

Best Hybrid IEM
$110-$350: Mangird Tea

 

[slex]

bump

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

Best single-DD IEM
$50-$110 - Tin Audio T4

Best all-BA IEM
$50-$110 - CCA C16

Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
I tried a bunch and didn't love any but
<$50 - KZ ZSX Terminator

Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
These aren't 2020 but new to me in 2020
$50-$110 - Banned DT-6
$110-$350 - BQEYZ Spring 1 edging out the NiceHCK NX7 by a nose

Editorializing a bit, i found that:

* i like piezo, which would make sense at my advanced age and gender and historical exposure to noise, BUT i got a full audiogram and exam just 2 years ago and scored in the 95% percentile for all ages, so there's probably no hearing loss involved, and i can't explain why i like those
* even so the Tin T4 is too trebly for me after 30-45 min
* the spring 1 is really something