IEMs ranking for 2025

[leonasj500]

This list represents an accumulated ranking of all top-of-the-line (TOTL) and flagship IEMs, based on research gathered from various audiophile reviewers including Jays Audio, Tim Tuned, Smirk, Shuwa-T, Crinacle, and Precogvision. It also incorporates information from sources like Bloom Audio, Head-Fi, and other IEM ranking websites, with a focus on models priced at $1,000 and above. The goal is to identify the ultimate "endgame" IEMs.[/b]

1. Brise Audio FUGAKU
2. TangZu WUKONG
3. Mysticraft HEX
4. Shanling MAJESTIC
5. Astell&Kern X Audio 64 XIO
6. BGVP SOLOMON
7. Canpur CP752B
8. Volk Audio ETOILE
9. Canpur CP622B TITANIUM
10. Subtonic STORM
11. Alpha Omega X Astral Acoustics FULGRIM
12. PMGAudio APX SE
13. FATfreq GRAND MAESTRO ANNIVERSARY
14. 7th Acoustics ASTERIA
15. Hercules Audio MOSES
16. Vision Ears PHOENIX LE
17. Noble Audio KRONOS
18. Empire Ears ODIN MK2 2025
19. Astell&Kern X Empire Ears NOVUS
20. Softears ENIGMA
21. Forte Ears MEFISTO
22. Penon RIVAL
23. Elysian ANNIHILATOR 2023
24. Aroma Audio FEI WAN
25. Alpha Omega OMEGA
26. Unique Melody MASON FS SOLEIL TOMBÉ
27. Soranik MEMS-3S 2025
28. Noble audio VIKING RAGNAR
29. Nostalgia Audio PENDRAGON
30. Vision Ears EXT MK2
31. SeeAudio HAKUYA
32. LimeEars MARIS
33. LimeEars ANIMA V2
34. FiR Audio PROJECT K
35. Letshuoer CADENZA 12
36. Thieaudio VALHALLA
37. Melodic Artification ALTER EGO
38. Oriolus TRAILLII TITANIUM
39. Craft Ears OMNIUM
40. Aful DAWN-X
41. Thieaudio MONARCH MK4
42. Symphonium Audio CRIMSON
43. 64Audio U12T 2025
44. Flipears ARTHA
45. Icelabs SPECTRUMICA
46. Fiio FX17
47. Sony IER-Z1R
48. Kinera Audio LOKI
49. Dunu GLACIER
50. ZiiGaat ARCANIS
51. ZiiGaat LUNA
52. Hisenior MEGA5-EST
53. ThieAudio HYPE 10
54. Final audio A10000
55. Xenns MANGIRD TOP PRO
56. Hidition VIENTO-B
57. Sennheiser IE 900
58. Fiio FA19
59. Fiio FH19
60. TangZu XUAN WU GATE
61. Kiwi Ears ASTRAL
62. Mackie MP 460
63. Crinear META
64. Moondrop ILLUSTRIOUS
65. Moondrop SOLIS 2
66. HiBy ZETA
67. Final Audio A8000
68. Tanchjim ORIGIN
69. Crinear DAYBREAK
70. 7Hz TIMELESS 2
71. Kiwi Ears SEPTET
72. Truthear NOVA
73. CCA HYDRO
74. Tinhifi T7
75. Truthear PURE
76. Jvc HA-FW1800
77. Juzear DRAGONFLY 81T
78. Westone MACH 80
79. KZ SONATA
80. Soundbrenner WAVE

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Flagships with Mixed or Meh Reviews (Not in Order)​

• Campfire Trifecta
• Nightjar Acoustics Duality
• 7Hz Eternal
• Shure SE846

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IEM Ranking: Best Budget IEMs​

---

This list features the best budget-friendly IEMs, compiled based on performance and value, with prices typically ranging from $10 to $50. The list is organized with the most affordable models at the top.

1. TRN MT5
2. CCA POLARIS
3. CCA CSN
4. Tinhifi C0 ELF
5. 7Hz AERO
6. KZ GALE
7. KZ KRILA
8. KZ CASTOR
9. Truthear HOLA
10. Truthear GATE
11. TRN ORCA
12. Hidizs MS1 GALAXY
13. Fiio JADEAUDIO JD1
14. Tangzu WANER SG
15. 7Hz SALNOTES ZERO
16. BGVP BUTTERFLY
17. BGVP SCALE PRO
18. Final Audio E500
19. QKZ X HBB
20. QKZ ODIN
21. KZ ZSN PRO X
22. Tanchjim ZERO ULTIMA
23. TRN STM
24. CCA CRA+
25. BGVP BUTTERFLY PRO
26. Tanchjim ONE
27. Tanchjim BUNNY
28. Sennheiser CX 80S
29. TRN ST1
30. 7Hz CRINACLE ZERO 2
31. EPZ G10
32. CVJ NIGHT ELF
33. ND NICE
34. Twistura D-MINOR
35. Tripowin X ODIBI VIVACE
36. NF AUDIO RA05
37. KZ VADER PRO
38. Kiwi Ears CADENZA
39. Blon BL03
40. BQEYZ BQ10
41. Blon BL MAX
42. Blon X HBB Z3000
43. Kinera CELEST WYVERN BLACK REMASTER
44. Kinera CELEST WYVERN PRO
45. Roseselsa AURORA ULTRA
46. Hzsound HEART MIRROR ZERO
47. Tinhifi C2 2025
48. Tangzu SHIMIN LI
49. Shanling MG2
50. CCA TRIO
51. EPZ Q1 PRO
52. EPZ Q5
53. EPZ Q5 PRO
54. KZ ZS10 PRO 55
55. CCA C12
56. CCA DUO
57. Kefine KLEAN
58. 7Hz G1
59. TKZK WAVE
60. ?

 

[chi2]

This gives the term wall of text a whole new meaning.

 

[Somafunk]

You taking writing style tips from Trump?

 

[ahofer]

You taking writing style tips from Trump?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

[Fahzz]

I promised myself that I wouldn't be snarky anymore. Looking for the zipped lips emoji.

 

[JOCoin]

Love the enthusiasm! This could use some work on formatting for readability purposes. I'd also hazard a guess that most people are on this forum to avoid dealing with snake oil peddling subjective audio reviewers/forums so be forewarned that these posts don't usually go well for the poster. Once again, love the enthusiasm towards audio in general. Please keep reading on here and continuing to educate yourself on the science of audio and how to spot snake oil!! *edited for spelling/grammar*

 

[Adamant11746]

While I can't quite sort through the entire wall of text, it seems like this is a random list of expensive IEMS (with another random list of cheaper IEMs at the bottom) rather than anything that actually ranks sound.

A couple things that stood out to me are IEMs that as far as I know don't have a final tuning yet (Canpur CP752B, maybe others), and some expensive but not particularly good IEMs (Empire Ears Odin MK2 got pretty poor first impressions, even on Head-fi where at least someone likes everything, and the Soundbrenner Wave that someone was complaining about in another thread is also listed). The budget section has similar problems, where the OP seems to have simply ordered by price but in the other direction as the top post.

Also the middle section that says "Flagships with mixed/meh reviews" lists the Nightjar Duality, which is very overpriced and very bass heavy but much better than some IEMs that were listed in the first section (especially with the switch off, reducing the midbass).

I was going to say "I'm honestly not sure what the point of this thread even is" before the post above me appeared, but I realized it might be better to give the OP the benefit of the doubt at least for now.

 

[Bernard23]

I'd much prefer to see some form of ranking of compliance to a known target. Much easier to make an objective purchase decision than relying on subjective reviews.

 

[markanini]

I'd much prefer to see some form of ranking of compliance to a known target. Much easier to make an objective purchase decision than relying on subjective reviews.

If objectivity is the goal take the range above 3kHz figuratively as individual fit will substantially alter the real world FR.

 

[Bernard23]

If objectivity is the goal take the range above 3kHz figuratively as individual fit will substantially alter the real world FR.

Indeed, the usual caveats about HRTF etc apply, but it's a start. The key point is that we have a consistent reference point from which each of us can determine a personal preference target. I already know what a good curve for me looks like.

 

[leonasj500]

received bgvp buterfly pro and compared to my epz q5,i must say q5 way better sounding.

 

[LDvo]

My "ultimate endgame 2025" is TRN Shell for its combination of price, sound quality, and package completion
(plus TRN Pearl as the best fit to use with them). Not really a budget iem based on price,
but not in IEM TOTL category either.

 

[rickler]

Pretty cool list. I've spent time with about 1/3 of your TOTL list. To me, the STORM are the best I've heard.

 

[Colin5619]

I have some of them, but ended up with a Monyue Y1

 

[phoenixdogfan]

IDK how across 2 or more subjective internet jockey reviews, you can decide which set merits a number 59 rating and which other a number 58, for example.

 

[renaudrenaud]

I don't understand the use case. Certainly BS from everywhere and 1000$ budget where Amir measure 20$ iem with exceptional measurements.

Here is and "endgame" disposable iem : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/

But I understand you cannot go with it in iem meetings, there is a big lack of social representation.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I don't understand the use case. Certainly BS from everywhere and 1000$ budget where Amir measure 20$ iem with exceptional measurements.

Here is and "endgame" disposable iem : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/

But I understand you cannot go with it in iem meetings, there is a big lack of social representation.

Sorry, IDK if you saw the price on the number one selection, the Brise Audio FUGAKU, but it's $17,254, but it comes with its own active 10 way active crossover/amp small enough to fit into your shirt pocket, and SEDNA ear tips, which I use on my own 7hz X Crinacle Zero 2. Admittedly, a neat piece of technology, but it costs more than the Dutch & Dutch 8Cs, and almost as much as the KEF Blade 2 Metas. I 'spose if you got that kind of money to throw around you might want of pair of those to wear on your next trip to Starbucks, but, then again, if you've got that much free cash, why not just buy a Miele Espresso machine for your kitchen, and have Cappuccino on your 50th floor balcony overlooking your favorite view while your Blades play in the background.

 

[solawind]

This list is just a bunch of nonsense, sorry to say it stright.

But listen guys, it keeps me thinking: Is there any way to make an IEM ranking list like spinorama does for loudspeakers? Or does anyone have their own "preference curve"? I know there were studies about preferences for the meta and harman curves, for example. But they are more complex and not like just a "preferable bass self". And what about things beyond FR? Even Crinacle, probably the most famious in making such rankings, who is known to be an "objectivist" and has been criticised for it, had IEM techinicalities rankings as well as Tonal rankings. No idea what those technicalities were about

 

[RandomEar]

This list is just a bunch of nonsense, sorry to say it stright.

But listen guys, it keeps me thinking: Is there any way to make an IEM ranking list like spinorama does for loudspeakers? Or does anyone have their own "preference curve"? I know there were studies about preferences for the meta and harman curves, for example. But they are more complex and not like just a "preferable bass self". And what about things beyond FR? Even Crinacle, probably the most famious in making such rankings, who is known to be an "objectivist" and has been criticised for it, had IEM techinicalities rankings as well as Tonal rankings. No idea what those technicalities were about

If you want to rank something globally, you need a reference target. Harman is the most popular one currently, so this list would be a good starting point.

Due to interactions with your ear canal and other aspects like fitment and seal, IEMs can sound very different to different listeners - more so than speakers, I'd argue. And some aspects like nozzle size and fitment are 100% personal preference, so those should probably be disregarded for rankings. That doesn't leave much besides FR and distortion as objective criteria for a quick ranking.