[wind016]

here! You have $25,000 TRN VX!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001633192575.html

Whoa... it's made of an entirely new element too, GPLD... The Official Trallialioio has nothing on this

 

[AmericanSpirit]

I rank comfort as a factor very highly. Mainly because I do at least half my listening while I drift off to sleep. That places the FLC8 series very high for me as they are quite comfortable. I like my LZ A7 a lot for example, but they are nowhere near as comfortable. Not claiming that either are end game units; but when I borrowed some super fi units I could not get a proper fit a lot of the time. I need large size tips but my ear shapes are pretty much "normal".

Good example of YMMV Best.
There are Short-time hype “Best” and Long-term comfy “Best”. For short-term, those with Sonion EST does great job, “pure pleasure into the new world for IEM” but our heart has high liquidity, it changes overtime, that “most amazing detail of the world” later may be distracting noise. Long term “Best” thing is really a very very individual dependent variable, some weight more on fit, some for soft tone, some for wide sound stage.

My recommendation is try bits of each specialities and then decide which direction your ultimate “Best” may belong

 

[stx1998]

depending on who you trust, Unique Melody Mest, sony IER-Z1R or QDC 8SL

Hard to find any review on QDC 8SL, are they really worth the top ranking on crinacle's site?

 

[ajlolo]

My favorite Iem is Vision Ears ERLKöNIG Limited Black Edition

 

[ehjie]

Obviously oBravo Ra c-Cu, because it costs $10.000

https://crinacle.com/2019/11/23/cliffnotes-obravo-ra-c-cu-10000-joke/

There is no "ultimate best IEM". The longer I'm in this hobby the more I'm coming to the conclusion that the idea of "one IEM to rule them all" is a myth. There are simply too many different types of music that benefit from distinct types of tuning that you're never going to get one that does everything perfectly. My current top 3 are the Elysium, IER Z1R and Dorado 2020. Each has a distinct tuning strength and each does something better than anything else I've heard. All of that said if I had to rec one IEM to someone knowing nothing else about their tastes and preferences I would choose the Andromeda 2020.

Very True. An enthusiast may end up w/ a usd.199 & be done w/ it, Whilst another already acquired a usd.12,500 set & still nitpicking.
As for me, what's on the top 2 rows on my sig. is already my end game + the Solaris.Gold, i managed to minimise the occasional peaks (i can't let go of it due to the XL size holo. imaging & sound field, simply can't)
Who knows, w/ technology updating by the hour, today usd.8,995 could be a third of the srp next year...

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/penon-audio-thread-post-your-impressions-here.934523/post-16397686

 

[Nacmy]

I have the bestest time with the Earsonics SEM6. It's like a hard edged dark sound that has electronic supremacy whilst having a bigger soundstage. It frees you up to the sound and gives a magical experience.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Noble encore for me. I gave my 846 to my wife after comparing.

I still really love the Noble Audio K-10 Encore. It’s in many way not as accurate as the IER-Z1R, but it’s special? I have no problem with the fit of the IER-Z1R and it’s actually very comfortable? Still the Encore get used all the time. I’m addicted to the gritty crunch of how it does electric guitars.

 

[mungster]

Traillii and Supreme mk2

 

[gianni60]

Iem for me are like Cartridges in analog system,the top sound fantastic with different characteristics,but one of top iem arrived to me this morning. and i am listening all day and cannot stop.
Is UM Red Halo FE,really incredible and much better than my Empire Wraith in every parameter,will be not the best but among the 5/6 best
I will buy Traillii in may and courious to compare with this

 

[kdphan]

looks like there are mentions of the andromeda
such an OG IEM that is still loved today

"best" is also really subjective, but that's what head-fi is made for

 

[frix]

The best IEM is always the next I intend to buy

 

[Surf Monkey]

The best in my current collection is (of course) the CA Andromeda. I’ve had a set since the first release. They’re great. They never disappoint. They can handle anything.

 

[Dust by Monday]

Sennheiser IE 600?

 

[ljnew]

Done with all the dynamic/static Shures. Done with Westone W80. Now enjoying Solaris (new back) and IER Z1 using AK SP2000. Wondering if there is ONE ultimate CLOSED IEMs that justify the purchase.

Is Futura the bravest contender?

You can look at reviewers rankings list.

Gotchas to look out for:

1. Reviewers that don't have iem rankings or they never say any iem sucks or is overpriced. Every review just talks about the sound and maybe a few weaknesses.

2. Products that rarely come up in any of the greatest iem lists or threads. Never go to the companies threads or take their threads with a huge grain of salt.

3. Headfiers with status "Headphone Supremacist". Especially if they reached that title in a short amount of time. Often they're strong affiliates for the brands. But some are great resources and honest

 

[Macario]

Out of everything I have heard, VE EXT for me, engaging sound, almost custom fit … Not listening to anything else since I have them.