[ranfan]

I know most of the discussion in this thread seems to be focused on the $500+ segment of IEMs (and honestly I get it, it’s fun to talk about the extremes and endgames), but as a fun discussion question, what’s everyone’s current favorite sub $300 (ish) IEM?

While I have been in this thread talking about how much I like the Campfire Onyx from the multiverse event, I think I would go with the Drop/JVC HA-FDX1. So far, to my ears, it seems like a highly detailed yet still (with the blue filter) fun tuned sound. I also give it points for being widely available and not a limited edition like the Onyx, and because the nozzle end can rotate it’s super easy to get a nice fit for your preferred cable style.

Definitely the AONIC 3 & 4. Both I think complement each other quite well. The 3 has more clarity, while the 4 has more warmth & bass. The Onyx was quite enjoyable too, but I prefer the AONIC4 for its tone quality and presentation

 

[rantng]

The Ara was SO controversial.

I’m curious as well. I bet it’s great.

It’s fairly balanced with great clarity & resolution and a slight warm neutral sound. It’s strange that with 4 bass drivers it’s the mids with the single BA that takes center stage. It's still very early, but so far I like what I hear. The titanium shell is beautiful.

 

[Ace Bee]

I know most of the discussion in this thread seems to be focused on the $500+ segment of IEMs (and honestly I get it, it’s fun to talk about the extremes and endgames), but as a fun discussion question, what’s everyone’s current favorite sub $300 (ish) IEM?

While I have been in this thread talking about how much I like the Campfire Onyx from the multiverse event, I think I would go with the Drop/JVC HA-FDX1. So far, to my ears, it seems like a highly detailed yet still (with the blue filter) fun tuned sound. I also give it points for being widely available and not a limited edition like the Onyx, and because the nozzle end can rotate it’s super easy to get a nice fit for your preferred cable style.

For me, it is the IMR Acoustics Splash Of Red. Granted, it's not as spacious sounding as FDX1 or FD02 (which in my opinion is a better balanced set than FDX1), the fun and engagement the SOR provides is second to none of them, as I could not connect to the music emotionally with the JVC duo in spite of them having a vastly expanded soundstage, but SOR brings me smack middle of the music as soon as it starts playing.

 

[tgx78]

Newbsound 32Pro

Just got this and first thing I notice is a sweet tea (or maybe Thai milk tea?) like scent from the earbuds itself lol. Love this fragrance but it's a bit weird to smell it from the audio device.

Sound is quite good out of the box. There is this “zip” to attacks, tonal density and dynamic weight to the upper bass and lower midrange, and slam to the mid-bass. Sub-bass roll-off is not as severe as the lbbs for example. Overall tonality is very smooth and pleasing. Imaging is not as precise as some of my upper tier IEMs, but the soundstage feels quite open and naturally proportioned. There is a bit of colorations to the sound from upper mids to lower treble region. This results in a slightly dark, woody hue overlying the natural tonality of instruments, some elongation of the duration of the dynamic/harmonic envelope, and a masking of fine detail. For the price I paid however, I would say the Newbsound 32Pro is a great value. This easily competes with the more expensive EM5 and surpasses the Blur (mx64) for me.

@Rockwell75 @SBranson @Daniel Lodewyk if you guys are interested in trying this out, let me know.

 

[gazzington]

Newbsound 32Pro

Just got this and first thing I notice is a sweet tea (or maybe Thai milk tea?) like scent from the earbuds itself lol. Love this fragrance but it's a bit weird to smell it from the audio device.

Sound is quite good out of the box. There is this “zip” to attacks, tonal density and dynamic weight to the upper bass and lower midrange, and slam to the mid-bass. Sub-bass roll-off is not as severe as the lbbs for example. Overall tonality is very smooth and pleasing. Imaging is not as precise as some of my upper tier IEMs, but the soundstage feels quite open and naturally proportioned. There is a bit of colorations to the sound from upper mids to lower treble region. This results in a slightly dark, woody hue overlying the natural tonality of instruments, some elongation of the duration of the dynamic/harmonic envelope, and a masking of fine detail. For the price I paid however, I would say the Newbsound 32Pro is a great value. This easily competes with the more expensive EM5 and surpasses the Blur (mx64) for me.

@Rockwell75 @SBranson @Daniel Lodewyk if you guys are interested in trying this out, let me know.

I really like this earbud too. Great value. Haha I was wondering what the smell was!

 

[Neweymatt]

I know most of the discussion in this thread seems to be focused on the $500+ segment of IEMs (and honestly I get it, it’s fun to talk about the extremes and endgames), but as a fun discussion question, what’s everyone’s current favorite sub $300 (ish) IEM?

While I have been in this thread talking about how much I like the Campfire Onyx from the multiverse event, I think I would go with the Drop/JVC HA-FDX1. So far, to my ears, it seems like a highly detailed yet still (with the blue filter) fun tuned sound. I also give it points for being widely available and not a limited edition like the Onyx, and because the nozzle end can rotate it’s super easy to get a nice fit for your preferred cable style.

That's pretty easy, for me the UM 3DT is great value at around $300. It nails the engagement factor, and I get completely drawn in by it's warm and natural tuning.

Meanwhile back in the $500+ segment, DHL came through this afternoon...



Really like what I'm hearing so far, U6t is just a smooth easy listen regardless of source device or recording. I feel like this is going to be the IEM I grab when I don't want to think about what IEM I'm grabbing, and I just want to listen to the music..

 

[kevin638880]

Any cable recommendations for the Odin? The stock 1960s is harder than a brick wall

Waiting for the Phonix to arrive and ended up grabbing a pair, sounds like a perfect compliment to the Phonix and the EXT.

I really enjoyed live OSTs on the Odin and the bass quality is absolutely fantastic. Vocals/mids are still on the thin side and sounded a tad hollow tho (compared to the VE bros).

Also I stand my ground that it is still a bit sharp and fatiguing, comparatively speaking.

 

[Mehran]

Listening to sounds instead of music. There's a subtle yet big difference. Amplified every time a new gear arrives. I want my music back. Lol

 

[claud W]

BassHeads!!!!
We have enjoyed Rock's fun IEM, CFA Dorado 2020. You can now try Crinacle's "fun" IEM by Fiio. Only available at Shenzhenaudio https://shenzhenaudio.com
AND at $149, its almost cheap. Crinacle in his latest YT video says that this IEM has FU bass. What more could you want.

 

[kevin638880]

Listening to sounds instead of music. There's a subtle yet big difference. Amplified every time a new gear arrives. I want my music back. Lol

Lol but I do agree with the sounds part. Eagerly waiting for the Phonix so I can enjoy music as a whole again.

The Odin is literally dissecting sound...although it oddly grew on me despite still being a bit fatiguing.

 

[Mehran]

Lol but I do agree with the sounds part. Eagerly waiting for the Phonix so I can enjoy music as a whole again.

The Odin is literally dissecting sound...although it oddly grew on me despite still being a bit fatiguing.

I'm sticking with my $22 Tanya for a while ,haha

 

[Rockwell75]

BassHeads!!!!
We have enjoyed Rock's fun IEM, CFA Dorado 2020. You can now try Crinacle's "fun" IEM by Fiio. Only available at Shenzhenaudio https://shenzhenaudio.com/products
AND at $149, its almost cheap. Crinacle in his latest YT video says that this IEM has FU bass. What more could you want.
<img class="image-zoom" src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0013/3896/6076/products/FHE_2048x2048.jpg?v=1637550726" alt="FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse 1DD+2BA In-Ear Monitor Earphone">

People have vastly different ideas as to what constitutes a lot of bass. Source comes into play a lot too. Dorado 2020 is definitely a basshead IEM through the M8...but through the SR25ii it comes off almost balanced. It's weird. Are you going to order this new Fiio IEM? Will be curious for your thoughts if you do.

Also do you have your Zen Pro yet? Mine just cleared customs...I may have it, the Kato and my Isabellae all by Monday. It will be an exciting week next week.

Here's a question for you all: you have to take one IEM and one source to a desert island...you have to make your choice today...what do you choose?

 

[kevin638880]

I'm sticking with my $22 Tanya for a while ,haha

Well you have the perfect IEM to “get lost in music and forget about everything else“.......Elysium

 

[Rockwell75]

The Odin is literally dissecting sound

Yup it's like the u12t on steroids with better bass. I was thinking about the u12t vs. Traillii in an idle moment yesterday. If your music is a building the u12t is like a set of highly detailed technical schematic documents-- it lays everything bare, right to the bone, in a perfectly consistent order...yes it can be fascinating and enthralling but imho at least the romance is gone. Traillii by comparison takes these schematic plans and brings them to life-- perhaps not as raw or impeccably detailed, but it gives them life, grandeur & vividness. Whichever one prefers will depend on their own preferences & inclinations.

 

[aaf evo]

Yup it's like the u12t on steroids with better bass. I was thinking about the u12t vs. Traillii in an idle moment yesterday. If your music is a building the u12t is like a set of highly detailed technical schematic documents-- it lays everything bare, right to the bone, in a perfectly consistent order...yes it can be fascinating and enthralling but imho at least the romance is gone. Traillii by comparison takes these schematic plans and brings them to life-- perhaps not as raw or impeccably detailed, but it gives them life, grandeur & vividness. Whichever one prefers will depend on their own preferences & inclinations.

Odin… U12t on roids? Hmmm. I just don’t see that at all. Can you elaborate on this?