Question choose buy iem

[jobas77]

Is it possible to buy a good and cheap IEM for games, game emulators, and music, or not? Are all good IEMs for games and music expensive, many dollars? Currently I own and use the KZ EDX Pro and KZ EDC Pro and the VE Odo DAC dongle for general use.

 

[staticV3]

Best IEM I've owned:

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM. It was kindly donated to me by a member and costs US $24.99. The cable is soft and longer than typical which I like. They take fair amount of effort to push it but then they make a reassuring...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Better than my ER4XR

 

[jobas77]

It's more expensive than the EDC Pro and GK Kunten.
Is it possible to get an IEM that's far superior to those two models but at a price very close to theirs?
With good bass, clean and defined sound without needing to insert the IEM too far into the ear.

 

[threni]

With good bass, clean and defined sound without needing to insert the IEM too far into the ear.

You mean an IEM which doesn't go I your E?

 

[TurtlePaul]

The Zero 2 IEMs aren $22 and don’t go too far in your ear. Crazy world where the price difference between a $16 and $22 IEMs is a deciding factor.

 

[Conehead]

Best IEM I've owned:

7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM. It was kindly donated to me by a member and costs US $24.99. The cable is soft and longer than typical which I like. They take fair amount of effort to push it but then they make a reassuring...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Better than my ER4XR

I have come to respect your opinions on ASR quite a bit.... very much enjoying your inputs. I went through a number of IEMs, Truthear GATE, Tanchjim Bunny, KZ ZSN Pro, Tangzu Wan'er,... a couple others I can't remember. A few were perfectly fine but I finely took your advocacy of the 7HZ Crinacle Zero 2 and found that to hit me just right. Sound is appealing to me with no EQ, fits great... so thank you. If not obvious, I am trying to "steal" fantastic performance for peanuts money. Now I am looking for a well paired portable DAC/amp that powers the Zero 2 well, offers great low cost audio reproduction, and EQ support. My ears don't love some upper frequencies so EQ might be nice... wondering if you'd have a suggestion for good pairing to the Zero 2. I have been peaking at the FiiO Melody. If I could keep the cost to around $50 would be fine but if there is a big jump to something not much more, that would be good too. After tons of research it just hit me to ask you... . Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

I have come to respect your opinions on ASR quite a bit.... very much enjoying your inputs. I went through a number of IEMs, Truthear GATE, Tanchjim Bunny, KZ ZSN Pro, Tangzu Wan'er,... a couple others I can't remember. A few were perfectly fine but I finely took your advocacy of the 7HZ Crinacle Zero 2 and found that to hit me just right. Sound is appealing to me with no EQ, fits great... so thank you. If not obvious, I am trying to "steal" fantastic performance for peanuts money. Now I am looking for a well paired portable DAC/amp that powers the Zero 2 well, offers great low cost audio reproduction, and EQ support. My ears don't love some upper frequencies so EQ might be nice... wondering if you'd have a suggestion for good pairing to the Zero 2. I have been peaking at the FiiO Melody. If I could keep the cost to around $50 would be fine but if there is a big jump to something not much more, that would be good too. After tons of research it just hit me to ask you... . Thank you.

Dongle DACs with EQ are a rabbit hole I was so far unwilling to jump into.

I'd refer you to @jkim and @mc.god, who are more knowledgeable there.

Glad that you like the Zero:2!

Here's my preset for it, if you'd like to give that a try: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-2005646

The treble response you'll likely have to adjust to preference.

 

[swamps]

Now I am looking for a well paired portable DAC/amp that powers the Zero 2 well, offers great low cost audio reproduction, and EQ support.

First thing that came to mind is this: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...anchjim-stargate-ii-dsp-cs43131-dongle.61778/
No idea if there's anything cheaper with PEQ, been a while since I last considered buying a dongle.

 

[Conehead]

Dongle DACs with EQ are a rabbit hole I was so far unwilling to jump into.

I'd refer you to @jkim and @mc.god, who are more knowledgeable there.

Glad that you like the Zero:2!

Here's my preset for it, if you'd like to give that a try: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-2005646

The treble response you'll likely have to adjust to preference.

Thank you for the tips! With only 10 filter settings I will fiddle with it a bit... still learning how to create my own EQ.

 

[Dk33145]

First thing that came to mind is this: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...anchjim-stargate-ii-dsp-cs43131-dongle.61778/
No idea if there's anything cheaper with PEQ, been a while since I last considered buying a dongle.

Couple of these with highly similar if not identical topologies. I have the TRN Black Pearl and the Moondrop Dawn Pro 2, will be similar to the Stargate.

 

[swamps]

Couple of these with highly similar if not identical topologies. I have the TRN Black Pearl and the Moondrop Dawn Pro 2, will be similar to the Stargate.

Thanks for reminding me, isn't the TRN Black Pearl the cheapest of the bunch but it offers the highest output?

 

[mc.god]

I have come to respect your opinions on ASR quite a bit.... very much enjoying your inputs. I went through a number of IEMs, Truthear GATE, Tanchjim Bunny, KZ ZSN Pro, Tangzu Wan'er,... a couple others I can't remember. A few were perfectly fine but I finely took your advocacy of the 7HZ Crinacle Zero 2 and found that to hit me just right. Sound is appealing to me with no EQ, fits great... so thank you. If not obvious, I am trying to "steal" fantastic performance for peanuts money. Now I am looking for a well paired portable DAC/amp that powers the Zero 2 well, offers great low cost audio reproduction, and EQ support. My ears don't love some upper frequencies so EQ might be nice... wondering if you'd have a suggestion for good pairing to the Zero 2. I have been peaking at the FiiO Melody. If I could keep the cost to around $50 would be fine but if there is a big jump to something not much more, that would be good too. After tons of research it just hit me to ask you... . Thank you.

Dongle DACs with EQ are a rabbit hole I was so far unwilling to jump into.

I'd refer you to @jkim and @mc.god, who are more knowledgeable there.

Glad that you like the Zero:2!

Here's my preset for it, if you'd like to give that a try: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/post-2005646

The treble response you'll likely have to adjust to preference.

I'm a bit informed about PEQ enabled dongles but not much since I only own a couple of super cheap Hi-max CB1200AU permanently attached to over ear headphones that i rarely use, @CedarX and @Jeromeof are the real experts here
That Hi-max could already be enough for the Zero 2, it isn't state of the art about noise but with my 7Hz Zero I still had no background hissing when i tried.
Going up you can check the Jcally JM20 Pro (not standard and Max version, they don't have PEQ), that will bring very solid performance on every aspect.
Balanced dongles like Black Pearl, Melody and many others will be overkill, you'll never need all that power with efficient iems, they will bring the convenience of detachable cable and volume control. but nothing more, and late posts about Black Pearl (from here) rise the suspicion on scams.

 

[CedarX]

I'm a bit informed about PEQ enabled dongles but not much since I only own a couple of super cheap Hi-max CB1200AU permanently attached to over ear headphones that i rarely use, @CedarX and @Jeromeof are the real experts her

I’m only an expert at throwing money into unnecessary audio toys—like an abnormally high number of PEQ-enabled dongles
So this leaves @Jeromeof as THE expert !!!

After tons of research it just hit me to ask

Actually, I don’t think any of these PEQ-enabled dongle is a bad choice—except perhaps the Black Pearl which looks fishy for now.

It starts with the Hi-Max, as @mc.god said (I have two on order at $4.99 a piece to find out what “CB1200AU Upgraded” means), and goes up from there, adding things you may value. At $39, I absolutely love FiiO Melody for its wood casing! Completely subjective…

I think you were right to try a bunch of relatively inexpensive IEMs first: it’s so much easier when you find one that is comfortable for you and just needs a minimum number of PEQ tweaks. More than 3 PEQ filters and it’s not worth your efforts IMO.

I still buy IEMs (and Headphones), naively hoping I’ll get something I’ve never heard before… Hint: doesn’t really work, I’m not sure the manufacturers “know better”. And although the audible differences are always interesting to explore, after wiping them off with a few PEQ filters, I always think: really? This notch here and that bump there were the only things they could come up with to justify this whole marketing BS?

 

[Jeromeof]

So this leaves @Jeromeof as THE expert !!!

Ha - I would not call myself an expert and to be honest I haven't bought or received any new ones in a few months. If measured performance is the criteria I think @jkim is the expert as he has properly tested many of them. Other than hearing some artifiacts via some very specific test tones related to DRE I feel they all sound the same ( though the noise floor on some can be audible with sensitive IEMs). For most IEMs the Hi-Max is a very good choice as it is crazy cheap on Aliexpress. Though I also love the look (and even the feel) of the FiiO Melody (and for its price it is pretty powerful), but as mentioned it is probably overkill for a IEMs.

The Melody and other powerful PEQ enabled portable Headphone DAC, including CrinEar Protocol Max are probably good enough for 90% of headphones also.
The most recent small usb-c dongle I have which I think has very decent power and PEQ is the JCally JM98 Max - though annoying it has an 'EQ' button with wipes out any custom PEQ if you accidentally push it. I have personally moved onto looking into configuring / interfacing with PEQ in ANC Headphones as I feel this year PEQ/DSP enabled ANC Headphones will be 'respectable' for audiophiles (with the HDB 630 leading the way).

Not sure if you have attended recent CanJam (or plan too in the new future), by Mark Ryan of Squiq.link fame (Super Review on Youtube) is doing a presentation ( Note I haven't seen it as it hasn't come back to Europe yet), where he bought 60 Hi-Max's and 30 very cheap IEMs ( possible KZ IEMs) and loads PEQ onto 30 of the Hi-Max's and leave the other 30 with no PEQ ( one is coloured Blue and the other Red - i.e. the Matrix reference try the 'Blue pill' ) and lets people choose which one they prefer. I thought it was a neat way to demonstrate PEQ too people. Basically a poorly tuned and very in-expensive IEMs can sound good with PEQ for probably $10 ( though those KZ IEM have terrible cables so there are way better choices).

As for IEM's my favourite last year was probably the Truthear Pure - sounds great without EQ as it has IMO a very neutral 'smooth' response and obviously can be manipulated easily with PEQ to sound whatever way you want. I think its good to start with an 'neutral' IEM then apply EQ to your preference.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

As for IEM's my favourite last year was probably the Truthear Pure - sounds great without EQ as it has IMO a very neutral 'smooth' response and obviously can be manipulated easily with PEQ to sound whatever way you want. I think its good to start with an 'neutral' IEM then apply EQ to your preference.

Same here, I found Pure to sound very "in the middle" for a lack of a better word. Like them a lot.

Not sure if you have attended recent CanJam (or plan too in the new future), by Mark Ryan of Squiq.link fame (Super Review on Youtube) is doing a presentation ( Note I haven't seen it as it hasn't come back to Europe yet), where he bought 60 Hi-Max's and 30 very cheap IEMs ( possible KZ IEMs) and loads PEQ onto 30 of the Hi-Max's and leave the other 30 with no PEQ ( one is coloured Blue and the other Red - i.e. the Matrix reference try the 'Blue pill' ) and lets people choose which one they prefer. I thought it was a neat way to demonstrate PEQ too people. Basically a poorly tuned and very IEMs in-experience can sound good with PEQ for probably $10 ( though those KZ IEM have terrible cables so there are way better choices).

Bottom line is. Better to have reasonable measuring headphones/iems (especially fitting "us" in top octaves) + PEQ, rather than have expensive like 5$k headphone with some exotic tuning and not having ability to PEQ.

 

[InfiniteJester]

This costs 4€. What else is there to say?

 

[CedarX]

This costs 4€. What else is there to say?

A couple of things actually: it says nothing about distortion, fit, perceived quality, and look—any of these can be a showstopper, irrespective of the price.
Considering that FR is ~80 or 90% of the technical performance, at 4€ (or ~$12-17 as I see them here), it’s certainly worth trying…

 

[swamps]

This costs 4€. What else is there to say?

Fit actually, the included KZ eartips don't work for me at all. Good thing I got some overpriced eartips that ironically cost more than the IEM itself, but even then it took a lot of tries.
Anyway the build quality feels pretty solid but I don't know if the faceplate is water resistant. I think the main damper sits way into the nozzle so hopefully it won't clog like some of the ultra cheap stuff (looking at you Moondrop Chu).
I don't usually buy on this budget tier and now I feel even less reason to, this became my backup IEM for a reason. Sure there's some treble harshness but nothing offensive. At the very least it takes EQ pretty well and for this price I can't possibly ask for more.

 

[Conehead]

Ha - I would not call myself an expert and to be honest I haven't bought or received any new ones in a few months. If measured performance is the criteria I think @jkim is the expert as he has properly tested many of them. Other than hearing some artifiacts via some very specific test tones related to DRE I feel they all sound the same ( though the noise floor on some can be audible with sensitive IEMs). For most IEMs the Hi-Max is a very good choice as it is crazy cheap on Aliexpress. Though I also love the look (and even the feel) of the FiiO Melody (and for its price it is pretty powerful), but as mentioned it is probably overkill for a IEMs.

The Melody and other powerful PEQ enabled portable Headphone DAC, including CrinEar Protocol Max are probably good enough for 90% of headphones also.
The most recent small usb-c dongle I have which I think has very decent power and PEQ is the JCally JM98 Max - though annoying it has an 'EQ' button with wipes out any custom PEQ if you accidentally push it. I have personally moved onto looking into configuring / interfacing with PEQ in ANC Headphones as I feel this year PEQ/DSP enabled ANC Headphones will be 'respectable' for audiophiles (with the HDB 630 leading the way).

Not sure if you have attended recent CanJam (or plan too in the new future), by Mark Ryan of Squiq.link fame (Super Review on Youtube) is doing a presentation ( Note I haven't seen it as it hasn't come back to Europe yet), where he bought 60 Hi-Max's and 30 very cheap IEMs ( possible KZ IEMs) and loads PEQ onto 30 of the Hi-Max's and leave the other 30 with no PEQ ( one is coloured Blue and the other Red - i.e. the Matrix reference try the 'Blue pill' ) and lets people choose which one they prefer. I thought it was a neat way to demonstrate PEQ too people. Basically a poorly tuned and very in-expensive IEMs can sound good with PEQ for probably $10 ( though those KZ IEM have terrible cables so there are way better choices).

As for IEM's my favourite last year was probably the Truthear Pure - sounds great without EQ as it has IMO a very neutral 'smooth' response and obviously can be manipulated easily with PEQ to sound whatever way you want. I think its good to start with an 'neutral' IEM then apply EQ to your preference.

Thank you for your input! Did not think the Melody would be overkill but that is interesting bit of information. JM98 Max will get a tryout!