[Rockwell75]

Well, for the few iems I tried I think I'd stick with dorado 2020

My second (though in a way tied for first) choice!

 

[kevin638880]

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

Of what I've heard so far I would choose then Dunu Zen Pro.

IER-M9 / Nio. Can't decide between the two.

 

[Rockwell75]

IER-M9 / Nio. Can't decide between the two.

I think Nio was $1.8k new...it was over $1.2 anyway.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

We are in the same boat. I don't like EQ'ing as the headphone looses its character. But the SolP is a different story for me. It's stock tuning is way off and in my oppinion it's performance is completely hold back by it's tuning.

Like I said, I think this is because it is very source dependent. It sounded terrible on the Nautilus and brilliant on the Questyle.

 

[Charlyro222]

Just arrived this new tips. Will try this night.

 

[yaps66]

You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose?

For me it is the Dorado 2020. I have been giving it some love on the N8ii. The Dorado is at another level!

 

[Anfernee]

lotoo TI is a great source. it makes every IEM so much better.

I agree with your point of view. I think that many manufacturers have a higher technical mastery of the AKM 4497 chip than the 4499EQ, even though the 4499EQ is not a new product.

Lotoo's PAW Gold Touch Ti is really the best rendition of a single 4497 chip tuning, I ordered a new one with a cordovan after the included nappa leather case was worn out.

 

[RTodd]

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

Boy am I glad I do not have to do that.

Right now from a purely enjoyment perspective it would be XE6. The compromise would be the not good isolation that makes plane flights etc. not solved. Traillii would then be the choice with the compromise not as much fun, or maybe just different kind of fun. Something like Jewell may be a nice middle ground.

Tuff choice for me.

Edit
Thought the cap was the min, if it was the max than I have no answer maybe MEXT. Could be the TZ-700 but then replacing the cable would push over the 1.2K.

That is a very narrow price range between $1,000.00 and $1,200.00 full retail in USD?
Is that the question?

 

[riverground]

Cooler survey: What is your 12? Full size, IEMs and buds welcome...but you get only 12 total collectively.

1) Abyss AB1266 Phi TC (The HE-1 is still the champ but it’s just unobtainable atm so… AB1266 it is )
2) Audeze CRBN (LCD-5 can be here too but I feel that the CRBN just ups everything the LCD-5 can on an even more comfortable fit. They can be interchangeable though. )
3) HiFiMan Susvara
4) DCA Stealth
5) Final D8000 Pro
6) Meze Elite
7) Wraith
8) Final x DITA SK (the DUNU Luna might be taking this spot if I ever hear it again but since it’s been 2 years since I heard it I can’t really say. )
9) Shure KSE1500 (would be much higher but again due to having to deal with an additional energizer, I have to take its ranking a little lower)
10) Sony IER-Z1R
11) Campfire Audio Supermoon (VE EXT would’ve been on here, but I had more of an emotional engagement with the SM and the fact that it costs much less, it’s great!)
12) UM MEST JP (The wildcard in the rankings, it’s just the better MEST compared to the OG. I have yet to listen to the MKII and the Indigo, but having that pressure relief port really changes the game in terms of comfort)

Now there’s a thought.

Survey: What deflowered you into the TOTL realm?

For me it was the OG Solaris.

It was definitely the Shure SE846 for me. I heard it on release and my goodness, I wanted one right away. It really was something else back in the day especially in price. Then after that, I got the itch and JH Audio just released the Layla and I thought my goodness the price was almost like 3 times the price of the SE846 at the time. But still got it

Oh how far we’ve come in terms of pricing and tech.

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k, so for me that means Supermoon is out.

It just may have to be either the IER-M9 or the Advar.

There are still others I wanna try in this price bracket like the new version of the TG334, Madoo Typ711, and the Clariar i640. Maybe one of those would be a better candidate but for now it’s definitely one of the two.

 

[truongmusic]

I agree with your point of view. I think that many manufacturers have a higher technical mastery of the AKM 4497 chip than the 4499EQ, even though the 4499EQ is not a new product.

Lotoo's PAW Gold Touch Ti is really the best rendition of a single 4497 chip tuning, I ordered a new one with a cordovan after the included nappa leather case was worn out.

Wow! Look so cool

 

[Andricop]

Here's another survey question . You get a kilobuck "one and done" IEM-- what do you choose? Let's say the price cap is $1.2k

Technics EAH TZ-700
1,199 USD

 

[DaveStarWalker]

Lol

 

[northsider]

Thanks to @claudew and scubadevils I have pre ordered Oriulus szalayi after your excellent scholastic reviews.Had perhaps hoped to buy Traillii 2nd hand but felt my partner would be appalled over granola/coffee as we are both OAP’S! ..This forum Mr Rockwell has such knowledge very quietly spoken..John

 

[gops2116]

Cooler survey: What is your 12? Full size, IEMs and buds welcome...but you get only 12 total collectively.

1) VE EXT
2) UM Indigo
3) 64 Audio U12T
4) Noble Kublai Khan
5) IE900
6) Final A8000
7) Andro 2020
8) Mest MKII
8) Solaris 2020
9) UM MEXT
10) Meze Advar
11) Dorado 2020
12) Thie Audio Clairvoyance

 

[AnalogandDigital]

Some may know I'm also busy with the ChiFi scene
First planar of CCA arriving ...
.