Best 'Bang for your buck' IEM - Poll

[markanini]

The driver technology as only as good as it's implementation. That's why it feels like giving undeserved recognition to various IEMs by saying "X driver type is good".

 

[herr.jemine]

The driver technology as only as good as it's implementation. That's why it feels like giving undeserved recognition to various IEMs by saying "X driver type is good".

that was a guess, I've heard a lot of cheap IEMs and the Hane is the first with a DLC driver and it's much better.. my goodness.. I suspect it's the driver.. I'll only find out when I try other DLC driver IEMs..

Since the Kelfine Deci and the Klean are perceived by reviewers and buyers as a significant upgrade, I simply assume that it must be the driver, since they are DLC IEMs (Ockham's razor)

 

[InfiniteJester]

Citation needed

Zero:2 does seem to have very little treble expansion. Probably you won't notice it if you are above some age. If this is related to the kind of driver or not is something I don't know. But I think that it may be perceived as clarity. I certainly don't like how the Zero:2 sounds.

 

[InfiniteJester]

The driver technology as only as good as it's implementation. That's why it feels like giving undeserved recognition to various IEMs by saying "X driver type is good".

True. I thought that the PZT drivers were terrible and now I love the EW300 DSP.

 

[mc.god]

I want to believe, haha, I'll say it again, try it yourself.. and form your own opinion! - that's how I do it!
or do it like a dipshit and insult people from above..

that was a guess, I've heard a lot of cheap IEMs and the Hane is the first with a DLC driver and it's much better.. my goodness.. I suspect it's the driver.. I'll only find out when I try other DLC driver IEMs..

Since the Kelfine Deci and the Klean are perceived by reviewers and buyers as a significant upgrade, I simply assume that it must be the driver, since they are DLC IEMs (Ockham's razor)

You listened to one single DLC iem and immediately assumed that DLC is better since you like it a lot, coming here saying that DLC is th key difference between good and not so good iems. Sorry but it seems a bit pretentious.
Did you already know that Hane uses DLC? Did you have any preformed bias on DLC superiority due to "reviewers and buyers perceived upgrade"? You trust your ears, it's fine, I don't even trust my brain since it can be deceived and biased in so many ways, so i simply don't put attention into this matter.
Unless we have factual data that one material is scientifically better for sound reproduction (in the entire band) and how it can be precisely correlated to human sounds perception I have no reason to believe that, otherwise I should also believe that ESS dacs sound different from AKM or Cirrus ones and that cables have sound. No thanks.

 

[mc.god]

I don't care what you do, as long as you are happy with what you do - everything is fine

Same here, everyone should do what makes him happy in the way that makes him happy, i just pointed it out since you originally advised me with "Just staring at FR diagrams is not the way to go, try different driver types instead!" and to me this has no relevance.

 

[mc.god]

Aliexpress promo on Kbear KB01

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006647844189.html

it's basically a clone of Kiwi Ear Cadenza, from specs, aesthetics and package I would'n exclude it's a rebranding, and for less than 20€ can be a nice buy

 

[muza_1]

Yes, tips effect is still marginal. I'll be waiting for your impressions of the (real) MT5, from the only graph i've seen their bass reaponse is really interesting but highs seem in line with EDC Pro, so they could result even brighter.

Well the TRN MT5 arrived (faster than expected) and I was wrong they are nothing like the Orca the MT5 has more treble and considerable less bass, it sounds more mid/vocal centered also the sound is clean and spacious, for people that like the original 7Hz Zero and/or Chu (going from memory I don't have them any more) this might be a good (better?) option for a fraction of the price. It looks really good and well made, is comfortable and relatively small (no markings/branding which for me is a plus).

The MT5 has a different tuning/tonality than the Saga, EDC Pro or Orca and I think is not an alternative, if you like a more relaxed and warm/bass heavy presentation (I do) the Saga/EDC Pro/Orca are a better option if you like a brighter and more forward (Neutral bright) presentation the MT5 is the one to go.

EDIT. From the moment you touch them they are impossible to clean, not only finger print magnet, EVERYTHING magnet but still it looks good, I got the silver ones.

 

[mc.god]

Well the TRN MT5 arrived (faster than expected) and I was wrong they are nothing like the Orca the MT5 has more treble and considerable less bass, it sounds more mid/vocal centered also the sound is clean and spacious, for people that like the original 7Hz Zero and/or Chu (going from memory I don't have them any more) this might be a good (better?) option for a fraction of the price. It looks really good and well made, is comfortable and relatively small (no markings/branding which for me is a plus).

The MT5 has a different tuning/tonality than the Saga, EDC Pro or Orca and I think is not an alternative, if you like a more relaxed and warm/bass heavy presentation (I do) the Saga/EDC Pro/Orca are a better option if you like a brighter and more forward (Neutral bright) presentation the MT5 is the one to go.

EDIT. From the moment you touch them they are impossible to clean, not only finger print magnet, EVERYTHING magnet but still it looks good, I got the silver ones.

Many thanks for the updates.
As a lover of 7Hz Zero it's intriguing, but I fear that the 6-9k elevation now can be too much lacking compensation from bass, probably resulting even more metallic than EDC Pro, can you confirm?

But this made me check a bit more into the vast TRN offer and found MT4 Pro, given my great liking for Sonus I think I'll definitely going to try it for 17€
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006124557373.html

there is also a type c variant, so maybe...

 

[InfiniteJester]

The Kefine Klean is a pretty good IEM. But it is not better than the EW300 DSP and not really better than the Kefine Delci, just a little different.

As stated before, I think that all my issues were solved by Simgot. This is probably all for me.

 

[muza_1]

Many thanks for the updates.
As a lover of 7Hz Zero it's intriguing, but I fear that the 6-9k elevation now can be too much lacking compensation from bass, probably resulting even more metallic than EDC Pro, can you confirm?

Yes the MT5 is brighter and more forward (without being shouty) than the EDC Pro, I don't like the tuning but because the difference in bass it sounds "cleaner" and gives the impression of more detail, for the type of tuning I think it's a really good IEM and more so for $8.

The treble is too much for me but I find the EDC Pro a bit elevated too.

 

[muza_1]

The Kefine Klean is a pretty good IEM. But it is not better than the EW300 DSP and not really better than the Kefine Delci, just a little different.

As stated before, I think that all my issues were solved by Simgot. This is probably all for me.

How is the fit (nozzle size and length) of the Klean compared to the Delci, the Delci stock were unlistenable to me, they were harsh with elevated highs and they created a lot of resonances (glare) I had to modify them (reduce nozzle size with an o-ring and mesh filters) but I was never satisfied but I'm still curious of the sound because all the good impressions. I gave it to my nephew and he loves it he think is the best headphone, earphone or IEM he had ever listened to.

Is the EW300 too shallow? Most shallow fitting/short nozzle sets I've tried create resonances and/or boost the highs to some degree.

 

[InfiniteJester]

How is the fit (nozzle size and length) of the Klean compared to the Delci, the Delci stock were unlistenable to me, they were harsh with elevated highs and they created a lot of resonances (glare) I had to modify them (reduce nozzle size with an o-ring and mesh filters) but I was never satisfied but I'm still curious of the sound because all the good impressions. I gave it to my nephew and he loves it he think is the best headphone, earphone or IEM he had ever listened to.

Is the EW300 too shallow? Most shallow fitting/short nozzle sets I've tried create resonances and/or boost the highs to some degree.

The Delci is the better fitting of the three. I needed to tinker a lot with different tips before I got a good fit with the EW300 DSP, so I also got glare at the beginning, I even added one of the included filters to each nozzle, which later became annoying and unnecessary when I finally achieved a good seal; then, the filters made the IEMs sound muddy and claustrophobic, so I removed them.

Fit with the Klean is also not good. They are little and not as ergonomic as the Delci. They are also brighter and with less bass, even if some graphs say that the bass are the same (others show the difference perfectly, like Akros').

Relevant graph:

I disagree with Paul Wasabi's graph, for example:

If you don't like the Delci and couldn't get a good fit with them I don't recommend neither the Klean nor the EW300, as it is very difficult to get a good fit with them if you are big.

The Klean is almost as difficult to fit as the Zero:2s, in fact, I took the massive tips I had in the Zero:2s to put them on the Kleans.

They are not really an upgrade of the Delci, they are just a less warm variance. All in all, I would probably consider the Delci to be the better of the two at the end of the day.

The EW300s are perfect, but I easily tried 12 different tips before I was able to use them as they are intented to be used.

 

[muza_1]

The Delci is the better fitting of the three. I needed to tinker a lot with different tips before I got a good fit with the EW300 DSP, so I also got glare at the beginning, I even added one of the included filters to each nozzle, which later became annoying and unnecessary when I finally achieved a good seal; then, the filters made the IEMs sound muddy and claustrophobic, so I removed them.

Fit with the Klean is also not good. They are little and not as ergonomic as the Delci. They are also brighter and with less bass, even if some graphs say that the bass are the same (others show the difference perfectly, like Akros').

Relevant graph: View attachment 404097

I disagree with Paul Wasabi's graph, for example:

View attachment 404098

If you don't like the Delci and couldn't get a good fit with them I don't recommend neither the Klean nor the EW300, as it is very difficult to get a good fit with them if you are big.

The Klean is almost as difficult to fit as the Zero:2s, in fact, I took the massive tips I had in the Zero:2s to put them on the Kleans.

They are not really an upgrade of the Delci, they are just a less warm variance. All in all, I would probably consider the Delci to be the better of the two at the end of the day.

The EW300s are perfect, but I easily tried 12 different tips before I was able to use them as they are intented to be used.

Thanks for the thorough response, it seems I have to look elsewhere, for now I'm happy with the Saga Balanced but the condensation problem is becoming an issue, I also have fitting problems with the Zero:2 and most short nozzle IEMs for those I use the Kbear large silicone tips (yellow) they are bigger than "regular" large tips but even when the seal is good and the IEM is secure the resonances or elevated highs remain to some degree depending on the set.

 

[markanini]

The Delci is the better fitting of the three. I needed to tinker a lot with different tips before I got a good fit with the EW300 DSP, so I also got glare at the beginning, I even added one of the included filters to each nozzle, which later became annoying and unnecessary when I finally achieved a good seal; then, the filters made the IEMs sound muddy and claustrophobic, so I removed them.

You are meant to use at least one of the two included filter types, that's what the DSP is tuned for. It's totally fine if that's what you like, but since you talked about it as a favored IEM you should at least mention you are using it in a not-normal way. But frankly, it soudns to me like there somethign wrong if someone feel they need to use an IEM filterless, either theres a a tuning issue, or more likely a DSP implementation issue.

EDIT: Am I reading your "included filters" too literally? Or do you mean optional foam?

 

[Jimbob54]

You are meant to use at least one of the two included filter types, that's what the DSP is tuned for. It's totally fine if that's what you like, but since you talked about it as a favored IEM you should at least mention you are using it in a not-normal way. But frankly, it soudns to me like there somethign wrong if someone feel they need to use an IEM filterless, either theres a a tuning issue, or more likely a DSP implementation issue.

EDIT: Am I reading your "included filters" too literally? Or do you mean optional foam?

Suspect the foam. The swappable gold /silver filters are the nozzles.

 

[InfiniteJester]

You are meant to use at least one of the two included filter types, that's what the DSP is tuned for. It's totally fine if that's what you like, but since you talked about it as a favored IEM you should at least mention you are using it in a not-normal way. But frankly, it soudns to me like there somethign wrong if someone feel they need to use an IEM filterless, either theres a a tuning issue, or more likely a DSP implementation issue.

EDIT: Am I reading your "included filters" too literally? Or do you mean optional foam?

I meant the foam. Sorry, English is not my first language and I didn't remember the word foam, although I mentally searched for it. I didn't mean the nozzles. I use the golden ones. I don't think you can even use them without the nozzles, because they come off entirely up to the body of the IEMs. They are not like the MP145 or the FH9, where you still have a nozzle if you remove the metallic filters/meshes, for example.

 

[villagera]

Which IEM should I get? The Simgot EM6L, Simgot EW300, Tangzu Xuan NV, and Truthear Hexa are all around the same price where I’m at, so I’m a bit confused about which to pick. For context, I think I prefer a warm, balanced sound? I add a question mark because I haven’t tried the neutral/meta tuning yet, but I’ve seen people calling it boring. I hate sibilance and harsh treble. Also, no QC issues, please! It drives me crazy when the frequency graph of the IEM doesn’t match the one I own—even when it’s the same model and revision (cough KZ PR2).

 

[InfiniteJester]

Simgot EW300

But the DSP version (the DSP makes it much better); which, sadly, they didn't measure, or the Hexa. For certain not the EM6L nor the Xuan Nv.

 

[villagera]

But the DSP version (the DSP makes it much better); which, sadly, they didn't measure, or the Hexa. For certain not the EM6L nor the Xuan Nv.

View attachment 404314

Thanks for the reply! I have one two more questions: EW300 DSP or Kefine Klean? (Edit: sorry, I missed part of your reply about the Kefine Klean.) Do you have any other suggestions?

Also, I’m curious about the eartip fit on the EW300. I don’t have many eartips—just some foam tips and a pair of Moondrop Spring Tips in medium size. The foam tips seem like they'd be a snug fit with the EW300 (which has a 6.0mm nozzle diameter), based on the fact that they fit fine on my ear with the KZ PR2 (which has a 5.7mm nozzle diameter). Should I also consider the ear tips I’m going to use?