[osocan]

Time to share impressions of Project M. I will say without question that these look, feel, and sound like a set with a much higher price tag - not surprised there is such demand in the markets they launched in.

The mids are positioned quite central, and you can hear the stage extend out a good distance to the left and right by way of the higher frequencies. Mids have a nice weight and provide a heightened sense of emotion with good clarity and plenty of space for instruments and vocals in this region. The bass has excellent depth with accurate texture in both sub and mid bass, I would consider it quite balanced within the overall FR and while not at ‘bass head’ levels, it is certainly capable. The uppers have nice extension with again plenty of air and clarity - they feel spacious and provide an excellent sense of expansive soundstage. I would say the tuning is overall ‘safe’ but not boring - they are not a dramatic or in-your-face exciting set, but well balanced and provide a captivating, atmospheric listening experience for a broad range of genres. They are resolving, but not technical monsters either - you’ve got the details but it’s not the focus, the Project M goes for a more musical direction which is what I would expect. There is good speed, Project M can handle faster and more complex genres with ease. Being a DD mostly, the timbre to my ears sounds very authentic be it strings, percussion, vocals, or any variety of synthesised or electronic music.

Overall a captivating, engaging, and very competent set that in my opinion offers fantastic value in this price range.

Oh and of course important to flag the incredible comfort too - they are very light and fit perfectly in my ears with zero fatigue in longer sessions… plus the clear shells look fantastic.

I had a casual listen to it this afternoon. Definitely look and sound more expensive than it actually is. I was using the RS8 but in my estimate an ibasso would be a better pairing.

 

[theintention]

Woke up eager as hell to listen to the Sza. Totally addicting sound signature that is just getting better the longer they play.

Another vote for the Baroque tips, I was worried the L sizing at 13.3mm was not going to be enough but the fit allows for a deeper sitting for the IEM while keeping it in place. I could still maybe use an XL but really enjoying these the most. Keeps enough of the bass response while keeping a bit of treble shine.

I still really wanna know why mine look different but I’m not complaining!

 

[Crazeee]

Hello, friends! Just spent some quality time enjoying my new Noble Prestiges which arrived earlier, and I'm eager to share some impressions with you all!

Throughout my head-fi journey, I've had the joy of experiencing various TOTL IEMs, typically keeping 4-6 sets on hand. I listen to pretty wide range of music spanning classical, rock, jazz, original soundtracks (OSTs), J-pop, K-pop, Canto-pop, and more. My preference leans towards "specialist" sets rather than all-rounders, as they make my life easier to match the IEMs to my mood.

The MuZiGe, Nodachi, and Viking each boast distinct sound signatures, far from the "all-rounder" or neutral tuning. However, they share one common trait: TOTL resolution. Switching between these sets, you won't feel a drop in quality.

MuZiGe - 1DD10BA, Definitely a weird one and not for everyone, warm, slightly dark, and textured sound, characterized by a lush midrange. Its mid-centric tonality owes much to the boosted 400hz-2khz range. The bass is excellent—quick and high-quality, though not overly abundant. Vocals have a thick, emotional texture that draws you into ballads without causing fatigue. Treble is a mixed bag; while the soundstage is surprisingly wide, some detail in guitar and violin notes may be lost. It's a fun set, especially for slower, relaxed music with an analog vibe like jazz, blues, and ballads. However, I definitely won't get these if I listen only to rock, classical, or other instrumental-heavy music. IMO it is a Traillii with a narrower soundstage, retaining an analog and textured feel while leaning quite a bit towards the darker side. I enjoy pairing the MuZiGe with PW Audio's Meet Again cable and EBT Metal SS tips, driven by the P6Pro Ti for a balanced and enjoyable presentation.

Nodachi - 8BA4EST, same configuration as the Ronin but offers a completely different tuning. I heard it was tuned in collaboration with Korean audiophiles, it presents a fun sound with an upper-mid boost (2khz-4khz). Vocal clarity and detail are exceptional, allowing you to appreciate micro-details without strain. Vocals are positioned closer than the Traillii but further than Phonix LE/OG, with well-controlled sibilance and an expansive soundstage. Bass quality is solid, though quantity is moderate, similar to the Jewel; instrumental presentation is average compared to my other sets. Compared to Ronin, Nodachi is on the brighter side with more vocal clarity to my ears, while Ronin got a thicker mids considerably. Among the TOTL IEMs I've owned (Phonix LE/OG, Traillii, Jewel, MM, etc.), I like Nodachi the most particularly for pop and vocal-centric tracks— just a great experience to feel the emotions of the singers in particular you are Country Pop, JPOP, KPOP or other Canto/ Mando pop lovers. I like Nodachi to pair up with Beat Audio Orbitsaga with augmented bass and spacial presentation, Azla Max eartips to slightly tame the treble and N30LE AP driven in Class A/ Classic Tube mode for pure indulgence .

Viking - 2DD4BA4EST, I have both the Prestige and OG Damascus versions and previously had the Ragnar. The Vikings are technical powerhouses with the best soundstage, technical details and spatial presentation I've encountered. They emphasize treble, making them especially enjoyable for OSTs (like "Interstellar's Mountains," John Williams' "Jurassic Park" opening), or live orchestra concerts and Anne-Sophie Mutter's violin performances. The Viking OG boasts the most energy and spatial presence, while the Prestige version is warmer, more suitable for vocal tracks. However, I don't like to listen to vocal tracks on Viking, I find the vocal presentation a bit dry and lean sometimes, which can be fatiguing when trying to focus on the finer vocal details rather than the song as a whole.

TLDR - I thoroughly enjoy the unique experiences these sets provide, not to mention their stunning aesthetics! They are different enough to cover a vast swath of my music library, with my other two sets catering to EDM (Grand Maestro) and serving as an all-rounder with balanced tuning for every track (P-Zero). I've also measured the frequency response of these IEMs using my IEC711 measurement rig and standard foam tips. I'm no professional reviewer or measurer by any means, so please take my findings with a grain of salt if you're interested.

Happy listening guys!

 

[Scubadevils]

I had a casual listen to it this afternoon. Definitely look and sound more expensive than it actually is. I was using the RS8 but in my estimate an ibasso would be a better pairing.

It’s the sort of set I would comfortably recommend to anyone asking for a great all rounder up to $1k even - and indeed worthy in any audiophile’s collection! I always know when I’m reaching for a much cheaper set on a regular basis that it has something special going for it… same for the TS-316.

 

[phiemon]

Hello, friends! Just spent some quality time enjoying my new Noble Prestiges which arrived earlier, and I'm eager to share some impressions with you all!

Throughout my head-fi journey, I've had the joy of experiencing various TOTL IEMs, typically keeping 4-6 sets on hand. I listen to pretty wide range of music spanning classical, rock, jazz, original soundtracks (OSTs), J-pop, K-pop, Canto-pop, and more. My preference leans towards "specialist" sets rather than all-rounders, as they make my life easier to match the IEMs to my mood.

The MuZiGe, Nodachi, and Viking each boast distinct sound signatures, far from the "all-rounder" or neutral tuning. However, they share one common trait: TOTL resolution. Switching between these sets, you won't feel a drop in quality.


MuZiGe - 1DD10BA, Definitely a weird one and not for everyone, warm, slightly dark, and textured sound, characterized by a lush midrange. Its mid-centric tonality owes much to the boosted 400hz-2khz range. The bass is excellent—quick and high-quality, though not overly abundant. Vocals have a thick, emotional texture that draws you into ballads without causing fatigue. Treble is a mixed bag; while the soundstage is surprisingly wide, some detail in guitar and violin notes may be lost. It's a fun set, especially for slower, relaxed music with an analog vibe like jazz, blues, and ballads. However, I definitely won't get these if I listen only to rock, classical, or other instrumental-heavy music. IMO it is a Traillii with a narrower soundstage, retaining an analog and textured feel while leaning quite a bit towards the darker side. I enjoy pairing the MuZiGe with PW Audio's Meet Again cable and EBT Metal SS tips, driven by the P6Pro Ti for a balanced and enjoyable presentation.


Nodachi - 8BA4EST, same configuration as the Ronin but offers a completely different tuning. I heard it was tuned in collaboration with Korean audiophiles, it presents a fun sound with an upper-mid boost (2khz-4khz). Vocal clarity and detail are exceptional, allowing you to appreciate micro-details without strain. Vocals are positioned closer than the Traillii but further than Phonix LE/OG, with well-controlled sibilance and an expansive soundstage. Bass quality is solid, though quantity is moderate, similar to the Jewel; instrumental presentation is average compared to my other sets. Compared to Ronin, Nodachi is on the brighter side with more vocal clarity to my ears, while Ronin got a thicker mids considerably. Among the TOTL IEMs I've owned (Phonix LE/OG, Traillii, Jewel, MM, etc.), I like Nodachi the most particularly for pop and vocal-centric tracks— just a great experience to feel the emotions of the singers in particular you are Country Pop, JPOP, KPOP or other Canto/ Mando pop lovers. I like Nodachi to pair up with Beat Audio Orbitsaga with augmented bass and spacial presentation, Azla Max eartips to slightly tame the treble and N30LE AP driven in Class A/ Classic Tube mode for pure indulgence .


Viking - 2DD4BA4EST, I have both the Prestige and OG Damascus versions and previously had the Ragnar. The Vikings are technical powerhouses with the best soundstage, technical details and spatial presentation I've encountered. They emphasize treble, making them especially enjoyable for OSTs (like "Interstellar's Mountains," John Williams' "Jurassic Park" opening), or live orchestra concerts and Anne-Sophie Mutter's violin performances. The Viking OG boasts the most energy and spatial presence, while the Prestige version is warmer, more suitable for vocal tracks. However, I don't like to listen to vocal tracks on Viking, I find the vocal presentation a bit dry and lean sometimes, which can be fatiguing when trying to focus on the finer vocal details rather than the song as a whole.

TLDR - I thoroughly enjoy the unique experiences these sets provide, not to mention their stunning aesthetics! They are different enough to cover a vast swath of my music library, with my other two sets catering to EDM (Grand Maestro) and serving as an all-rounder with balanced tuning for every track (P-Zero). I've also measured the frequency response of these IEMs using my IEC711 measurement rig and standard foam tips. I'm no professional reviewer or measurer by any means, so please take my findings with a grain of salt if you're interested.



Happy listening guys!

Such rare impressions of special IEMs are just awesome, thanks for sharing!

 

[linux4ever]

The Camelot’s bass …

On my first listen, it’s like it’s non-existent.

BUT … after the burn-in and pairing with the RS8, it’s so addictive. Nuanced, textured and timbred. It is so because it doesn’t have the speed of the bass like other sets. It doesn’t slam but thuds followed by the decay. For certain library, this is so enticing. And all these on the stock cable.

Yes the bass of the Camelot is truly special. As you say "nuanced, textured & timbred". Quality and quantity. Definitely an under appreciated gem.

 

[PassionForMusic]

@

Yes the bass of the Camelot is truly special. As you say "nuanced, textured & timbred". Quality and quantity. Definitely an under appreciated gem.

Camelot is an amazing iem. Personally I prefer Camelot over Odin.

 

[Alexzander]

I had a casual listen to it this afternoon. Definitely look and sound more expensive than it actually is. I was using the RS8 but in my estimate an ibasso would be a better pairing.

How do you like VE10 by the way?

 

[phiemon]

Can anyone (@MatW maybe?) say whether there is a difference between the Acoustune AET07 and KBEar 07? Both have exactly (!) the same dimensions and look the same.

 

[MatW]

Can anyone (@MatW maybe?) say whether there is a difference between the Acoustune AET07 and KBEar 07? Both have exactly (!) the same dimensions and look the same.

No, I think they are identical. In fact, I just stocked up and bought the KBear 07.

 

[osocan]

How do you like VE10 by the way?

Based on the brief and casual listen, it has a brighter tuning with good bass impact. The lower and upper mids are clear and well separated. My impression is VE did not take a risk with its tuning. It’s a likeable set. I listened to the Canpur CP622B, also briefly. Not exactly an a/b. I prefer the speed and quantity of the VE10’s bass.

 

[VisalEziomi]

Based on the brief and casual listen, it has a brighter tuning with good bass impact. The lower and upper mids are clear and well separated. My impression is VE did not take a risk with its tuning. It’s a likeable set. I listened to the Canpur CP622B, also briefly. Not exactly an a/b. I prefer the speed and quantity of the VE10’s bass.

On the CP622B and VE10, which one has the most resolving?

 

[Rockwell75]

Love reading this post, and can relate to a lot of it.

Things move fast here. Remember when the Xe6 was the top dog … ? This was back in March 2022, so close to two years ago now. Based on the hype in this thread back then I decided to join the party and blind bought a brand new Xenon 6. I received it a few days later, started listening … and almost got a heart attack. The bloated bass and elevated lower mids were a completely mismatch with a large part of my library, mainly faster metal, which would sound like soup, a total mess in the lower half of the frequency response. I tried for a few weeks and then sold them, at a considerable loss.

That little adventure taught me an important lesson. Whenever a new IEMs is being praised as the next best thing, it may not work me, because the people driving the hype train may be listening to very different music, e.g. electronic music, which I don’t listen to at all. I also learned that there can be such a thing as a specialist IEM, which you only use for certain genres. Up to that point I had always judged an IEM on its ability to play all my music well, across a number of genres, ranging from jazz to progressive rock and heavy metal. So… a few months later I bought the Xe6 again, which I still own to this day, and I am enjoying it a lot for pretty much anything but fast metal. I have since added a few other IEMs to the collection that I see as specialists, e.g. the Trifecta, Mason FS, Noble Ragnar.

I experienced a similar lesson in my early days in this hobby where I spent ~1 year or so chasing various IEMs that were rated "S class" on a certain well known list...only to come out of it all with the realization that said list did not represent or coincide with my tastes or perceptions at all. Music taste is a huge factor-- as you suggest here a lot of folks hyping some of the most popular IEMs these days listen to music (ie., certain types of electronic music or video game soundtracks) that never crosses my path at all. Beyond that sometimes even folks who listen to similar types of music as me often are after different things than I am.

I came across this great quote from Axl Rose of all people. I can relate to what he says relative to my own experiences and temperament in this hobby, where at the end of the day I place a higher premium on having an emotional experience than chasing the bleeding edge of technical performance.

All of that said here are the top 20 or so IEMs according to this community as of the end of 2023. I think it's a pretty impressive list that provides a great cross section of this hobby and all the varied tastes and sonic inclinations within it. There is something in here for everyone, however having a list like this will still not negate actually doing the work of taking the time to read impressions and get to know various folks and their music libraries and preferences. There is of course no substitue for actually getting your own ears on stuff, and one should always be vigilant of the ever present threat of fomo-induced hysteria that can lead to purchase decisions incompaible with one's own tastes.

Oriolus Traillii
Fir Radon 6
Elysian Annihilator
Subtonic STORM
Campfire Audio Trifecta
Sony IER-Z1R
Fir Xenon 6
Unique Melody Mulitverse Mentor
Unique Melody Amber Pearl
Aroma Audio Fei Wan
Noble Audio Viking
64 Audio u12t
Dita Audio Perpetua
NightJar Singularity
Campfire Audio Bonneville
Aroma Audio Jewel
Empire Ears Odin
AKxVE Aura
FatFreq Grand Maestro

So for my taste, they are not an allrounder, but a specialist for jazz and vocals. But for these genres… they are amazing. They give me goosebumps and almost touch my soul with some of these albums.

Reading this made my morning-- as I have had similar experiences with this IEM and this kind of feeling is ulimately the grail in this hobby for me. For my library and needs the Perpetua ranges from really good to best I've ever heard and how it sounds at its best more than justifies it as an all rounder for me-- I can listen to it all day with nary an issue and like you I find it the perfect IEM to relax and unwinde with at the end of the day. The bass quality really impresses me and is what really helps it serve the "flat-ish balanced tuning" niche in my collection. YMMV Etc.

Happy listening!

Same to you my friend

I have similarly been enjoying a nice relaxing morning with the Perpetua and my morning coffee.

Hello, friends! Just spent some quality time enjoying my new Noble Prestiges which arrived earlier, and I'm eager to share some impressions with you all!

Throughout my head-fi journey, I've had the joy of experiencing various TOTL IEMs, typically keeping 4-6 sets on hand. I listen to pretty wide range of music spanning classical, rock, jazz, original soundtracks (OSTs), J-pop, K-pop, Canto-pop, and more. My preference leans towards "specialist" sets rather than all-rounders, as they make my life easier to match the IEMs to my mood.

The MuZiGe, Nodachi, and Viking each boast distinct sound signatures, far from the "all-rounder" or neutral tuning. However, they share one common trait: TOTL resolution. Switching between these sets, you won't feel a drop in quality.


MuZiGe - 1DD10BA, Definitely a weird one and not for everyone, warm, slightly dark, and textured sound, characterized by a lush midrange. Its mid-centric tonality owes much to the boosted 400hz-2khz range. The bass is excellent—quick and high-quality, though not overly abundant. Vocals have a thick, emotional texture that draws you into ballads without causing fatigue. Treble is a mixed bag; while the soundstage is surprisingly wide, some detail in guitar and violin notes may be lost. It's a fun set, especially for slower, relaxed music with an analog vibe like jazz, blues, and ballads. However, I definitely won't get these if I listen only to rock, classical, or other instrumental-heavy music. IMO it is a Traillii with a narrower soundstage, retaining an analog and textured feel while leaning quite a bit towards the darker side. I enjoy pairing the MuZiGe with PW Audio's Meet Again cables and EBT Metal SS tips, driven by the P6Pro Ti for a balanced and enjoyable presentation.


Nodachi - 8BA4EST, same configuration as the Ronin but offers a completely different tuning. I heard it was tuned in collaboration with Korean audiophiles, it presents a fun sound with an upper-mid boost (2khz-4khz). Vocal clarity and detail are exceptional, allowing you to appreciate micro-details without strain. Vocals are positioned closer than the Traillii but further than Phonix LE/OG, with well-controlled sibilance and an expansive soundstage. Bass quality is solid, though quantity is moderate, similar to the Jewel; instrumental presentation is average compared to my other sets. Compared to Ronin, Nodachi is on the brighter side with more vocal clarity to my ears, while Ronin got a thicker mids considerably. Among the TOTL IEMs I've owned (Phonix LE/OG, Traillii, Jewel, MM, etc.), I like Nodachi the most particularly for pop and vocal-centric tracks— just a great experience to feel the emotions of the singers in particular you are Country Pop, JPOP, KPOP or other Canto/ Mando pop lovers. I like Nodachi to pair up with Beat Audio Orbitsaga with augmented bass and spacial presentation, Azla Max eartips to slightly tame the treble and N30LE AP driven in Class A/ Classic Tube mode for pure indulgence .


Viking - 2DD4BA4EST, I have both the Prestige and OG Damascus versions and previously had the Ragnar. The Vikings are technical powerhouses with the best soundstage, technical details and spatial presentation I've encountered. They emphasize treble, making them especially enjoyable for OSTs (like "Interstellar's Mountains," John Williams' "Jurassic Park" opening), or live orchestra concerts and Anne-Sophie Mutter's violin performances. The Viking OG boasts the most energy and spatial presence, while the Prestige version is warmer, more suitable for vocal tracks. However, I don't like to listen to vocal tracks on Viking, I find the vocal presentation a bit dry and lean sometimes, which can be fatiguing when trying to focus on the finer vocal details rather than the song as a whole.

TLDR - I thoroughly enjoy the unique experiences these sets provide, not to mention their stunning aesthetics! They are different enough to cover a vast swath of my music library, with my other two sets catering to EDM (Grand Maestro) and serving as an all-rounder with balanced tuning for every track (P-Zero). I've also measured the frequency response of these IEMs using my IEC711 measurement rig and standard foam tips. I'm no professional reviewer or measurer by any means, so please take my findings with a grain of salt if you're interested.



Happy listening guys!

I am fully against pre-judging an IEM by its graph but that Muzigee seems like a wild ride . This of course makes me really want to hear it.

 

[osocan]

On the CP622B and VE10, which one has the most resolving?

I did not pay attention to how they resolve.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

The sheer amount of Eureka moments I’ve had with this Iem are unmatched. The technical performance and resolution matched with the most satisfying timbre and musicality puts a tear/smile on my face love the Aura