Best 'Bang for your buck' IEM - Poll

[InfiniteJester]

JM-1 is promising but to my knowledge doesn't invalidate Harman's IE target nor the research behind it.
I also consider it no issue to ignore perceived subjective consensus on an audio forum intended for the discussion of objective audio research.

Harman IE has been under fire for a long time. There are indeed doubts about the validity of the research. The tuning itself is based on subjective perceptions. I don't think you can draw a clear line.

 

[WickedInsignia]

"Under fire" doesn't mean objectively invalidated. Nothing points towards a clear advantage between Harman and JM-1 and some people preferring the latter on an audio forum ultimately says very little.
Just pointing out that indeed there's no clear line, so no one should be discouraged from recommending sets that don't favor JM-1 nor should they treat Harman's IE target as passé because there's a newer kid in town.

 

[markanini]

Recent work by Sean Olive shows that Harman 2019 and one JM-1 adjacent target, Soundguys, are equally preferred for IEMs: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/a-comparison-of-in-ear-headphone-target-curves-for-the-brüel-kjær-head-torso-simulator-type-5128.57399/

That supports IMO how subjective evaluation is important because of the wide range of valid preference.

I would add on that perceived properties exist which are difficult to relate to graph data. For instance, Truthear Hexas tuning makes it easy for me to stay immersed for hours. Tangzu Waner has an icepick treble. If I only had graph data to make a selection, and no experience with other IEMs, I would have no context to value, of find problematic, aspects of an IEMs performance important to me.

 

[InfiniteJester]

"Under fire" doesn't mean objectively invalidated. Nothing points towards a clear advantage between Harman and JM-1 and some people preferring the latter on an audio forum ultimately says very little.
Just pointing out that indeed there's no clear line, so no one should be discouraged from recommending sets that don't favor JM-1 nor should they treat Harman's IE target as passé because there's a newer kid in town.

I don't think we really disagree. I literally said:

"many of us prefer JM-1 sets over Harman sets".

Many people prefer Harman. It is just a thing to consider for the user. Chu II is a Harman set. That would please some people and displease other people.

If you only have JM-1 sets, you can try a Harman one. If you already have several Harman ones, you can try a JM-1 one.

I prefer JM-1 personally. I'm not saying that it is objectively superior, I'm just saying that it is something to consider.

 

[zebra-f]

I will post this here, not sure how accurate are those measurements, but here it is Tin Hifi C2 2025 (around 35-40$)

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by ATechReviews

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

atechreviews.squig.link

Looks similar to Simgot EA500ML and EM6L, Chu 2, Kiwi Ears Quinted etc.

 

[WickedInsignia]

I don't think we really disagree. I literally said:

"many of us prefer JM-1 sets over Harman sets".

If you don't disagree there was no point in saying it. Please understand that if someone recommends a Harman set and you respond with "many of us prefer JM-1 sets over Harman sets," that sends strong discouragement towards those who would recommend Harman sets (which are equally preferable anyway). You even followed up with doubts towards Harman's research. Just letting you know how it sounds, let people make their recs without all that noise.

Anyway. Back to the thread's topic

 

[InfiniteJester]

If you don't disagree there was no point in saying it. Please understand that if someone recommends a Harman set and you respond with "many of us prefer JM-1 sets over Harman sets," that sends strong discouragement towards those who would recommend Harman sets (which are equally preferable anyway). You even followed up with doubts towards Harman's research. Just letting you know how it sounds, let people make their recs without all that noise.

Anyway. Back to the thread's topic

Because what you said is:

"Not sure how you get much better than the CHU 2 for value!".

And I believe that it is important to say that it is a Harman set and that the durability is not great.

Which is what I said.

People with a dislike for Harman and who prefer durable sets may want to look elsewhere and wouldn't think that it is great for value. As I did when I bought it.

Had you said: "I like and recommend the CHU II", I would have replied nothing.

 

[mc.god]

Great bang for your buck

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006321361532.html

 

[muza_1]

Well KZ did what I wished when I first listened to the EDC Pro, something similarly tuned but in a well constructed metal shell, the Saga Balanced is a similar a sounding IEM but with some refinements, treble is smoother, bass is less intrusive and more defined and the sound is more spacious. I think is comparable to the Delci and better than the usual suspects below $40-50.

I use mine with TRN T-Tips and although a bit heavy it is comfortable and good looking, I got it for $15, an incredible "bang for your buck".

Also waiting on the TRN MT5 ($9) and Fiio JD10* ($7) which I got out of curiosity on what can be done for so little money and to compare them with older low cost sets.
*I think the Fiio is just an EDC Pro re-badge, they look identical (at least in the promo material).

Now a days IEM tech/design advances fast and what would have been a dream just a few years ago you can have now for just a few dollars.
If your principal priority is sound quality in my opinion there is no need to spend much.

 

[USER]

Well KZ did what I wished when I first listened to the EDC Pro, something similarly tuned but in a well constructed metal shell, the Saga Balanced is a similar a sounding IEM but with some refinements, treble is smoother, bass is less intrusive and more defined and the sound is more spacious. I think is comparable to the Delci and better than the usual suspects below $40-50.

I use mine with TRN T-Tips and although a bit heavy it is comfortable and good looking, I got it for $15, an incredible "bang for your buck".

Also waiting on the TRN MT5 ($9) and Fiio JD10* ($7) which I got out of curiosity on what can be done for so little money and to compare them with older low cost sets.
*I think the Fiio is just an EDC Pro re-badge, they look identical (at least in the promo material).

Now a days IEM tech/design advances fast and what would have been a dream just a few years ago you can have now for just a few dollars.
If your principal priority is sound quality in my opinion there is no need to spend much.

I'm hoping to post measurements of the Saga Balanced and FiiO JD10 as soon as I get them. I can't find them on squig.link yet. Luckily I gave away a few IEMs recently so I was able to justify the order, lol.

 

[muza_1]

I'm hoping to post measurements of the Saga Balanced and FiiO JD10 as soon as I get them. I can't find them on squig.link yet. Luckily I gave away a few IEMs recently so I was able to justify the order, lol.

I'm really curious about the Saga Balanced measurements, I like it a lot. I'll be waiting for the measurements, thanks.

 

[mc.god]

I'm really curious about the Saga Balanced measurements, I like it a lot. I'll be waiting for the measurements, thanks.

On squig there are measurements of the Bass edition, according to the manufacturer they should differ only in the bass region (< 150 Hz) so they can be a starting point.

 

[markanini]

I like EDC Pro a lot. If Saga balanced is better or not remains to be seen IMO. Less bass and slightly less treble sounds good on one hand. On the other hand the U-shaped mids that work well with EDC Pros elevated bass might come off as colored when the bass levels are more moderate. Also the shell is different and this may cause some fitment-related FR differences not reflected by the graph.

 

[muza_1]

On squig there are measurements of the Bass edition, according to the manufacturer they should differ only in the bass region (< 150 Hz) so they can be a starting point.

Yes I saw that one I applied a LS filter at 200Hz/-2.5dB/Q0.5 to get an idea before I order them.

 

[muza_1]

I like EDC Pro a lot. If Saga balanced is better or not remains to be seen IMO. Less bass and slightly less treble sounds good on one hand. On the other hand the U-shaped mids that work well with EDC Pros elevated bass might come off as colored when the bass levels are more moderate. Also the shell is different and this may cause some fitment-related FR differences not reflected by the graph.

I prefer the Saga especially the treble, the EDC Pro sounds a bit metallic plus the Saga gives a bigger sense of space and I think the bass is better if a bit less, the sound remains balanced and natural, also find it more comfortable a bit heavy though but I got used to it after a while.

 

[markanini]

I prefer the Saga especially the treble, the EDC Pro sounds a bit metallic plus the Saga gives a bigger sense of space and I think the bass is better if a bit less, the sound remains balanced and natural, also find it more comfortable a bit heavy though but I got used to it after a while.

I didn't realize you already had it!

 

[muza_1]

I didn't realize you already had it!

Yes, arrived 3 days ago and I have been comparing it to the EDC Pro which is close (it might be the same driver) the CCA Trio (1010) which I have been using as my daily with a bit of EQ (3000Hz/-1dB/Q2, 1500Hz/-1dB/Q2) and wide bore tips and the Kefine Delci which I really like but I had to add mesh filters and EQ because of some glare and harshness but I had to stop using it in the end because they were fatiguing, shallow fitting/short nozzle IEMs doesn't favor my ears.

I think the Saga is a really good IEM is well built, relatively small, comfortable (to me better than other KZ small shell designs) and good looking.

I'm going to use it for a while as my main IEM and see if my first impressions remain.

 

[Michou]

Yes, arrived 3 days ago and I have been comparing it to the EDC Pro which is close (it might be the same driver) the CCA Trio (1010) which I have been using as my daily with a bit of EQ (3000Hz/-1dB/Q2, 1500Hz/-1dB/Q2) and wide bore tips and the Kefine Delci which I really like but I had to add mesh filters and EQ because of some glare and harshness but I had to stop using it in the end because they were fatiguing, shallow fitting/short nozzle IEMs doesn't favor my ears.

I think the Saga is a really good IEM is well built, relatively small, comfortable (to me better than other KZ small shell designs) and good looking.

I'm going to use it for a while as my main IEM and see if my first impressions remain.

KZ and CCA IEMs are known for their unreliable performance, often developing severe channel imbalance or having one side cut out after just a few hours. I’ve personally owned the KZ D-Fi, KZ EDC Pro, and CCA CRA, and all of them failed shortly after purchase, which was a major disappointment. They didn’t sound particularly good either. To make things worse, they’re notorious for changing specs or making revisions mid-production, leading to even more inconsistency. With poor quality control and frequent issues, these IEMs can be frustrating, especially when better, more reliable options are available at similar prices.

 

[markanini]

KZ and CCA IEMs are known for their unreliable performance, often developing severe channel imbalance or having one side cut out after just a few hours. I’ve personally owned the KZ D-Fi, KZ EDC Pro, and CCA CRA, and all of them failed shortly after purchase, which was a major disappointment. They didn’t sound particularly good either. To make things worse, they’re notorious for changing specs or making revisions mid-production, leading to even more inconsistency. With poor quality control and frequent issues, these IEMs can be frustrating, especially when better, more reliable options are available at similar prices.

I've not exactly been a fan of KZ, to put it mildly, see my post history. But they do have some competitive offerings in the sub $25 range right now. This won't change if everyone stops talking about KZ. My main recommendation is still to save up just a little for Truthear Hexa.

 

[muza_1]

KZ and CCA IEMs are known for their unreliable behavior, often developing severe channel imbalance or having one side cut out after just a few hours of use. To make things worse, they’re notorious for changing specs or making revisions during a model's production, leading to even more inconsistency. With poor quality control and frequent issues, they can be a frustrating choice, especially when there are plenty of better, more reliable options available at similar prices.

So far I haven't had any problems with KZ (been using them for a couple of years) no imbalances or bad quality control whatsoever but I have had with some more expensive ones I think it's just luck at this prices QC issues are to be expected once in a while. As for revisions (and I think the ones KZ has done lately are more of convenience because the drivers swapped are better than the originals ones and they at least tried to maintain the tuning) they are a common thing in the market but somehow people fixated more in $5-15 IEMs than in more expensive ones.
Yes KZ has incurred in bad practices but who haven't? There are horror stories all over from falling nozzles to swapping Sonion BAs for no brand ones, peeling paint, cracked shells, imbalances, cracked connectors, big unit to unit variances and much more and some of this are on $300-500+ IEMs. All of that said I really don't care abut industry drama I just try to order with a good return policy.

As for better options at similar prices I haven't find any for some of their offerings, especially in the newer ones like the EDC Pro ($5), CCA Trio ($15), Castors (less than $10 usually) and now the Saga ($15) and I have tried some (most?) of the usual low cost recommendations.