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
Your list is perfect! As it’s what you have heard and know. No one has heard them all.......well maybe some have come close?
These lists for us are like the news or current events. They serve as an interesting way of being able to keep up the curiosity level. It’s also like rumors floating around a small knitting-circle.
Fearless S8Z, Dunu Studio SA6, and Noble Savant II, listed in order of preference. The S8 is definitely a bright earphone, so I can understand people not liking it. For me, it's close to an ideal sound signature and has tons of resolution.
Fearless S8Z, Dunu Studio SA6, and Noble Savant II, listed in order of preference. The S8 is definitely a bright earphone, so I can understand people not liking it. For me, it's close to an ideal sound signature and has tons of resolution.
Both great. It was a tough choice picking the S8. With the S8Z, I found that I need to bring down a peak around 5600hz to tame some sibilance, and I still missed a bit of vocal presence. With the SA6, I think it doesn't quite reach the same level of detail and separation and needed some EQ up around the same spot to fill in a dip that dulls vocals. For the sake of fairness, I'll also say that the S8 could use a bit more upper bass to give the notes more weight.
Both great. It was a tough choice picking the S8. With the S8Z, I found that I need to bring down a peak around 5600hz to tame some sibilance, and I still missed a bit of vocal presence. With the SA6, I think it doesn't quite reach the same level of detail and separation and needed some EQ up around the same spot to fill in a dip that dulls vocals. For the sake of fairness, I'll also say that the S8 could use a bit more upper bass to give the notes more weight.
With EQ, I'm not sure I could decide. The S8 is crisp, clean, and clear, but a little thin-sounding often often lacks that visceral heft to music. The S8Z is aggressive, energetic, quite dynamic, but sometimes that's a bit much and I want more vocal presence, less of a V. The SA6 has a lush, but detailed sound that goes well with most things, but that dip* and the lesser separation and speed can blur the sound some during busier music and dulls the vocals. So, each one has its advantages and particular genres/albums where it shines. But that's a cop-out, isn't it. Here's a straight answer: S8Z. Sometimes I want to analyze music, sometimes I want to relax to music, but most often, I just want to rock the screw out and that's where the S8Z excels.
EDIT: *I should add this, the SA6 has a peak around 4500hz right before the dip. I've found it difficult to EQ the dip up without also accentuating the peak, which you definitely don't want to do. But, perhaps someone more skilled than me could smooth it out more effectively. Because I EQ that one pretty conservatively, it still has a bit of dullness in the vocals, but that would certainly go away with more gain right in that spot.
Nice list! Though I was expecting Urbanfun YBF to be on your list haha! I recalled you buying multiple sets of it!
Actually it is a big pity about the MMCX QC and driver doubt, if not the Urbanfun would be a set I would recommend to others too, if it can be guranteed to have the MMCX fixed and a beryllium driver.
How is the Focus Rhythm by the way? Looks very pretty but not many reviews.
Nice list! Though I was expecting Urbanfun YBF to be on your list haha! I recalled you buying multiple sets of it!
Actually it is a big pity about the MMCX QC and driver doubt, if not the Urbanfun would be a set I would recommend to others too, if it can be guranteed to have the MMCX fixed and a beryllium driver.
How is the Focus Rhythm by the way? Looks very pretty but not many reviews.
I bought the UrbanFun in 2019, that's why it isn't in the list.
The Focus Rythm is the most technical out of the 3 Focuses and could be somewhat regarded as a baby FD5 as it measures very, very similarly although the Rythm feels drier and sharper than the FD5 to my ears and has less stage. Bad thing as with other Focuses is that the front vents seem to be only for show and do not vent at all so requiring foamies for perfect seal.
Tbh, it was hard listing all these and I feel I must have left out some a few other really good ones such as HZSOUND Heart Mirror which you know or Tipsy Lava V2 which has a pleasing and strong but lean v-shape with bass probably peaking the deepest of all my IEMs and I have yet to evaluate the 7Hz i88.
Ha. I forgot the TRI i3 because I thought it was made of a planar driver and a dynamic one only, but it actually sports a BA as well.
Such a F.U.N. set ! Gonna edit my list right away.
Keep it rolling, Gentlemen !
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