| *For my nominations, I just wanted to vote IEMs that I've actually heard so here's mine! |
Best single-DD IEM
$50-$110 -
Shure SE215 (Oh the IEM that started everything for me. I still have it even after almost 10 years of owning it. But I'm sure there are way better IEMs out there that are cheaper, but hey, I haven't heard them so I can't vote for them.)
$350-$1000 -
Sennheiser IE800 (The IEM that always scares me whenever I put them inside my ears. They're so small that I feel like my ears will just swallow them whole. This was the IEM that made me realize that an enormous soundstage can be achievable in such a small package.)
>$1000 -
DUNU Luna (I really wanted to give this to the Final A8000, but that Luna vocals were just so ethereal to my ears.)
Best all-BA IEM
$350-$1000 -
Shure SE846 (I still have this since I bought them back in early 2015 and they now share my daily driver spot with the XBA-H3. Still, one of the most comfortable IEMs in my collection and I dare say, one of the best BA Bass out there to this day especially for the used prices nowadays.)
>$1000 -
Empire Ears Zeus XR-Adel (This might be due to my honeymoon phase not being over. But the way the Zeus renders such spacious yet encapsulating vocals is just something else.)
Best Hybrid IEM (2 driver types only, including DD+BA, DD+magnetostat, BA+EST, etc.)
$110-$350 -
Sony XBA-H3 (This has been with me since early 2014 and has been my beater/daily driver since then. It's still such a fun IEM to listen to until this day.)
$350-$1000 -
Sony XBA-Z5 (The successor flagship from the H3, and definitely fixed the "bloated" bass of the H3 while raising the technical details and became a true all-rounder.)
>$1000 -
Sony IER-Z1R (Ah, the Bae... what do I say, if this Hybrid section doesn't convince you that I am a Sony Fanboy, then IDK what will lol jokes aside, with every Hybrid flagship Sony releases, the tech giant seems to reach higher and higher into the TOTL "Summit-Fi" realm. It's hit after hit for me. Even their Full BA setups are highly regarded. I can't wait to see what they come up with in a few year's time. But I must say, my wallet would not like it lol)
Best Tribrid or more IEM (any combination of 3 or more driver types)
>$1000 -
Empire Ears Odin (The All-Father! I still have yet to hear another Tribrid that comes close to what the almighty Odin is capable of. But then again, I still have yet to hear some of the other uber pricey IEMs like the Thummim for example. Sultan was good, but not for its price range, unfortunately. But hey, If given the chance to hear the Sultan properly again and not after a 2+ hour listening session with the Odin. My thoughts might change. But for now, the Odin is GOD in this category.
Choose your spoils.
Not final in view.
Gone tips fishing now
