Recommendations among Moondrop Blessing 2, Letshuoer S12Pro, 7Hz Timeless, Simgot EA1000...

[PB21]

Hello everyone!!!
Kindly could you recommend me which of these In-ear would be better?
I use mainly with the PC, I'm looking for an alternative to the Audio-technica M50X that I usually use, but for the summer I had the Sony XBA-H3 (which however have decided to abandon me, there is a definite shift to the right of the sound...).
I will probably also use them with FiiO DAPs and Shanlings, but in summer I need something less “warming”...
I read a lot of reviews, rediscovered Crinacle's ranking, but among the various differences it's really hard for me to choose.
In the end, I narrowed down between Letshuoer S12Pro and Moondrop Blessing 2, which, however, are beyond the set budget, 150 €, 180 max).
I considered the EA1000s, but some say they are too crystal clear and annoying on high notes (in songs like High hopes by Panic at the disco! even unlistenable, mmm).
I also considered the Timeless 7Hz (which seem to need power to sound their best), the Oriveti OD200 and OH300, the Dunu Talos, and the NXEars Sonata.
The Zero Reds seem probably the best value for money, but are they really superior to the Blessing or S12Pro?
Hidizs MP145, now at a good price on Amazon, but they seem to be big and not very comfortable.
I'd like a pair of trasversal in-ear, without too much bass or treble, for all genres of music (I have eclectic listening ranging from classical, pop, R&B, some Rap, Soul, Indie, Rock, hard rock, some Metal, progressive, country, folk, etc., I don't like extremes, very little opera, no screaming dark rock and the like).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Edit: Use, only at home.
I also have the Tripowin MELE 4.4's (I use them with the Shanling DAP, they are good) and the FiiO-Dunu EX1's for daily use with my tablet (and now PC after the Sony's abandoned me...) really good for their small size.
PC Software : JRiver

 

[markanini]

Given your tastes I'd proceed with caution regarding planar drivers, unless you care that much more about soft and intimate music over anything with density like Rock. The inventory of Crinacles store doubles as an approval list https://hangout.audio/collections/iems?limit=48 One of Gizaudios recent videos seem to also adress your requirements. In your price range mostly Harman IE tuned hybrids are available. I know Truthear Nova is quite versatile as it can accommodate filter swaps to tune the vocal range to taste. Blessing 2 is maybe not as competitive in the current landscape. Same with Truthear Red. I personally prefer the dirt cheap Truthear Gate over Truthear Red and frankly you should consider Gate for the accessories and to hear what can be achieved with a 1DD in 2024 as a baseline to compare IEMs to. For me at least Gate has helped moderate a lot of FOMO.

 

[Dunring]

I've had all of those for my business and before buying any of them, try the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7hz Salnotes Zero:2 to find out how great a pair can sound for that price range. The ones you list are good but horrible value for money. For planars the KZ PR2 last I checked were still $26 on Amazon.
I travel with a Moondrop Chu 2 and Apple 3.5 USB adapter. Prices have just gone down so much as IEMs have improved.

 

[Klonatans]

I have Hidizs MP145 and Letshuoer S12 (non-Pro). They are both very capable and similar in tonality, however I wouldn't recommend either of them, especially S12, without EQ because of that notorious treble peak at 8 kHz. With EQ it's a pure pleasure. As to comfort of MP145, I have no issues at all despite the large size and weight. YMMV of course. I should also note that both sets are very eartip picky (the stock ones didn't work for me).

 

[PB21]

I've had all of those for my business and before buying any of them, try the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7hz Salnotes Zero:2 to find out how great a pair can sound for that price range. The ones you list are good but horrible value for money. For planars the KZ PR2 last I checked were still $26 on Amazon.
I travel with a Moondrop Chu 2 and Apple 3.5 USB adapter. Prices have just gone down so much as IEMs have improved.

Thank you for the suggestions.
Also the Zero Red's?
I saw the Salnotes at the beginning of my search, the shape is odd, are they comfortable?
Moondrop are an interesting company (I've noticed them in the past with products like Aria, and put the Blessing 2 on my final list) but, I've read that some have reliability issues, even with the Blessing, same with Simgot products.
The Letshuoer S12Pro have a very good reputation and yesterday, after a moment of despair, I put them in my cart, then I kept reading the reviews on the Blessing and Zero Red, and the indecision returned....

 

[PB21]

Given your tastes I'd proceed with caution regarding planar drivers, unless you care that much more about soft and intimate music over anything with density like Rock. The inventory of Crinacles store doubles as an approval list https://hangout.audio/collections/iems?limit=48 One of Gizaudios recent videos seem to also adress your requirements. In your price range mostly Harman IE tuned hybrids are available. I know Truthear Nova is quite versatile as it can accommodate filter swaps to tune the vocal range to taste. Blessing 2 is maybe not as competitive in the current landscape. Same with Truthear Red. I personally prefer the dirt cheap Truthear Gate over Truthear Red and frankly you should consider Gate for the accessories and to hear what can be achieved with a 1DD in 2024 as a baseline to compare IEMs to. For me at least Gate has helped moderate a lot of FOMO.

Oh, thank you!
I'm going to check out the Nova's.
It's hard to choose good in-ears these days, too much choice....

 

[Klonatans]

Also the Zero Red's?

I have tried Zero Red, very balanced tonality, perhaps no need for EQ as they are tuned very close to Harman target. However due to the thick and long nozzle they may not suit people with smaller ears and narrow ear canal.

 

[PB21]

Given your tastes I'd proceed with caution regarding planar drivers, unless you care that much more about soft and intimate music over anything with density like Rock. The inventory of Crinacles store doubles as an approval list https://hangout.audio/collections/iems?limit=48 One of Gizaudios recent videos seem to also adress your requirements. In your price range mostly Harman IE tuned hybrids are available. I know Truthear Nova is quite versatile as it can accommodate filter swaps to tune the vocal range to taste. Blessing 2 is maybe not as competitive in the current landscape. Same with Truthear Red. I personally prefer the dirt cheap Truthear Gate over Truthear Red and frankly you should consider Gate for the accessories and to hear what can be achieved with a 1DD in 2024 as a baseline to compare IEMs to. For me at least Gate has helped moderate a lot of FOMO

“Blessing 2 is perhaps not so competitive in the current landscape. The same goes for Truthear Red.” : why?
Maybe because there is more choice in the price range today, or for other reasons?
I'm going to look at the Nova, the Gate seems a little too plasticky.

 

[PB21]

I have tried Zero Red, very balanced tonality, perhaps no need for EQ as they are tuned very close to Harman target. However due to the thick and long nozzle they may not suit people with smaller ears and narrow ear canal.

Oh, the same problem as the Tanchjim Oxygen (if I remember the make and model correctly...).

 

[PB21]

I have Hidizs MP145 and Letshuoer S12 (non-Pro). They are both very capable and similar in tonality, however I wouldn't recommend either of them, especially S12, without EQ because of that notorious treble peak at 8 kHz. With EQ it's a pure pleasure. As to comfort of MP145, I have no issues at all despite the large size and weight. YMMV of course. I should also note that both sets are very eartip picky (the stock ones didn't work for me).

I read a review of the two models compared, with the same conclusions.
Both have good impressions overall, but the S12Pro are probably a little more comfortable.
I use Jriver, and just a little EQ, I don't really like to change the way songs came about.

 

[zonk]

amazon prime day has reduced prices for lots of iem's like truthear, maybe good occasion to get one for better price

my opinion is before you spend too much money on iem's, buy a qudelix 5k and one of the good cheap ones and eq it to your taste

for example:
- Salnotes Zero 2
- Truthear Zero Red
- Truthear Hexa

 

[PB21]

A DAC is also in my perspective (I have the little Hidizs dongle, and eventually the FiiO-Shanling DAPs).
The Salnotes have a shape that does not promise much comfort (and some have said the build quality is not very durable).
The Zeros are on my final list, although the cable seems a bit too cheap.
The Hexa, oddly shaped like the Salnotes...
I'm now on the way of the Truthear Nova, interesting too.

 

[Curupira]

“Blessing 2 is perhaps not so competitive in the current landscape. The same goes for Truthear Red.” : why?

The blessings chunky and expensive, the Red is more expensive than the Gate, Orca or the Zero 2s (which are also tuned by crinacle using the same target) or, my favorites, the TRN Conch.

I personally own a blessing 3 and love it with EQ, for my ears it offers extension on both ends and superb isolation, without EQ though, the only two genres I can stand it's shrill Diffuse field tuning is classical and slow paced jazz (think of typical audiophile demo room music). Alas, I wouldn't recommend them to a person that's just dipping their toes on the iem landscape.

In fact, considering the $20 landscape we have now, with the aforementioned models, I'd say the rational buyer WOULD NOT go for >50 dollar iems if he didn't have already a good grasp of his personal tuning preferences and what he actually wants from an iem (or if he just wasn't on a fool's errand of seeking intangible qualities like "resolution" and "speed"and "microdetail").

 

[zonk]

A DAC is also in my perspective (I have the little Hidizs dongle, and eventually the FiiO-Shanling DAPs).
The Salnotes have a shape that does not promise much comfort (and some have said the build quality is not very durable).
The Zeros are on my final list, although the cable seems a bit too cheap.
The Hexa, oddly shaped like the Salnotes...
I'm now on the way of the Truthear Nova, interesting too.

I have the Salnotes, Truthear Red and the Hexa and a few more.
The odd shape of the Salnotes and Hexa is not an issue for me, both are very comfortable to me and they are much more comfortable than the Red. The Red has a long and thick nozzle. And the Nova is even bigger than the Red. I like very much the Hexa, I think it's a bit underrated.

The comfort is a very personal thing and what' s comfortable to me, says nothing about the comfort for any other user.

 

[PB21]

I have the Salnotes, Truthear Red and the Hexa and a few more.
The odd shape of the Salnotes and Hexa is not an issue for me, both are very comfortable to me and they are much more comfortable than the Red. The Red has a long and thick nozzle. And the Nova is even bigger than the Red. I like very much the Hexa, I think it's a bit underrated.

The comfort is a very personal thing and what' s comfortable to me, says nothing about the comfort for any other user.

Maybe I'll try them on, and with Amazon I'll eventually ship back (although I'm not that kind of person, I generally ship back if the size or pattern is wrong....).

 

[zonk]

Maybe I'll try them on, and with Amazon I'll eventually ship back (although I'm not that kind of person, I generally ship back if the size or pattern is wrong....).

I don't know if you know this link, this can be helpful as well:
https://squig.link/

Many IEMs with measurements are listed.

 

[Peterinvan]

I am happy with my FiiO M11Pro driving the 7Hz Timeless. These are my favourite earphones, for their full, tight bass, soundstage and timber.

 

[PB21]

I am happy with my FiiO M11Pro driving the 7Hz Timeless. These are my favourite earphones, for their full, tight bass, soundstage and timber.

I'm on YouTube right now, Timeless vs. Blessing 3.
Timeless is a little more to my taste, but I've read that it needs good power to express its full potential.

 

[Somafunk]

7hz timeless is very trebly and can get very tiresome after a while, I sold my set.

 

[PB21]

7hz timeless is very trebly and can get very tiresome after a while, I sold my set.

In a YouTube channel I discovered today with many comparisons between earbuds, Timeless vs Blessing 3, I slightly prefer the 7Hz...