Technical IEM under $1000

[marlia7568]

I have been in this audio rabbit hole for a year or two, and have acquired for myself some headphones like Arya Stealth on which I like it greatly for its exceptional details and technicalities. I have an Moondrop Aria and while it is good, I certainly do wish for an upgrade. So I am looking for an IEM which would fit these criteria:

- Tonality: Neutral or V-shaped are OK to me, may sound bright but not too harsh, not dark-sounding at all
- Technicalities: Superb, exceptional on both macro- and micro-details, capable instrument separation.
- Budget: Under 1000 USD, could be 2nd-hand or new.

I usually listen to classical, jazz, vocaloid, progressive rock and J-Pop, especially pieces that have many different instruments and layers.

I have listed out some IEM that I found them to be suitable but the reviews online are quite mixed on them so I'm still not so sure:

- Thieaudio Monarch MKII / MKIII
- Unique Melody MEST MKI / MKII
- I/O Audio Volare
- Moondrop S8
- Dunu SA6 MKII
- Sound Rhyme DTE900
- Aful Cantor

If anyone has tried these IEMs, it would be really great if you can give me some advices. Thank you for your help!

 

[Jimbob54]

The S8 is the only one I have (or heard) but have the SA6 mk1. S8 is great but overpriced compared to the modern crop. Think the SA6 Mk2 is spicier than the Mk1 which is pretty relaxed. Very comfy though.

For best value at the moment I would personally order a Truthear Nova at around £100 for Black Friday. I find it a little bright but I prefer less upper mid gain than the Harman target.

Also, the Zigaat Jay Audio Estrella might fit your bill at around $250

Truly wouldnt ever spend over $3-400 on IEM again.

 

[marlia7568]

Thanks for your recommendation! I've never heard of the Zigaat Jay Audio Estrella yet so maybe I will try to give it a try, though there is nowhere in my country to try it yet. About the Truthear Nova, I did have a chance to try it and let's just say that I am not quite impressed of it, though nicely done and quite likeable, I still believe that more could be done technically. Maybe the SA6 MK1 could be a choice, I guess. For me, the diminishing return, it really does hit hard at around $300-500 and anything after that range mostly cater on tuning but I want to try around $1k to know whether it is really worth it to throw in a fortune to endgame.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

I want to try around $1k to know whether it is really worth it to throw in a fortune to endgame.

Imo you're on the wrong forum if you want to be convinced to spend that much on an iem

 

[marlia7568]

Imo you're on the wrong forum if you want to be convinced to spend that much on an iem

Seems to be so, but I think that after looking on forums up here, I started to really doubt on products that like over 500 USD cuz they feels like too much snake oil to me and I started to feel that I am not going to be convinced to use that much money on an IEM though.

 

[markanini]

Monarch II has a track record and that's why I'd consider it first if I was in the high end IEM market. Secondly, If I were to invest over $200 in IEMs I'd make sure to keep something like Truthear Hexa as a gauge to make sure the pricier IEM is audibly performing better as it's expected to.

 

[delta76]

There is no such thing as "technical" or "musical" IEM. You have IEMs (or in general headphones) that match Harman target well enough, or not, and you have IEMs that sound good to your ears, or not. There are tons of great measuring IEMs that are under $100 (and more like in $50 range) with replaceable tips to fit your ear canals better, and can be EQ'ed to fit your taste better. I'd suggest to try those before spending x10 for the "best" IEM

 

[Brian Hall]

Great IEMs are much less expensive than good headphones. Diminishing returns kick in at a very low price.

I have Sennheiser HD800S headphones. I love the sound of it. I also have a Hidizs MP145 IEM. I also love the sound of it. The MP145 is on sale for $127 now.

I'd say there is maybe a 5% difference in sound quality between them. I'm not sure which one sounds 5% better.

 

[delta76]

Great IEMs are much less expensive than good headphones. Diminishing returns kick in at a very low price.

I have Sennheiser HD800S headphones. I love the sound of it. I also have a Hidizs MP145 IEM. I also love the sound of it. The MP145 is on sale for $127 now.

I'd say there is maybe a 5% difference in sound quality between them. I'm not sure which one sounds 5% better.

good IEM. but I'd suggest to look at the ASR "de facto IEM recommendation" TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero: RED. Currently $50 or so (BF). IEMs generally don't have generous return policies (hygienic reasons), so start with cheaper first

 

[delta76]

Monarch II has a track record and that's why I'd consider it first if I was in the high end IEM market. Secondly, If I were to invest over $200 in IEMs I'd make sure to keep something like Truthear Hexa as a gauge to make sure the pricier IEM is audibly performing better as it's expected to.

I don't think any IEM can perform better the Truthear Hexa Zero Red. Not to human ear at least. I understand you might want to buy a "high end" IEM, for better construction/material/craftmanship/resale value. But don't expect a noticeable better "sound"

 

[unpluggged]

but I'd suggest to look at the ASR "de facto IEM recommendation" TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero: RED.

I would not. Due to the same reasons:

IEMs generally don't have generous return policies (hygienic reasons), so start with cheaper first

The Truthear Zero have ergonomic issues. Their shape is not comfortable and their nozzles are huge. I would suggest something like the Chu II or the Hexa in this range.

 

[delta76]

I would not. Due to the same reasons:


The Truthear Zero have ergonomic issues. Their shape is not comfortable and their nozzles are huge. I would suggest something like the Chu II or the Hexa in this range.

the tip can be changed easily. they included a few other tips in the box IIRC.
but as I said - it's de facto. most people will recommend it, but there are people who do not like it, and that's fine . we don't have to agree on everything

 

[unpluggged]

the tip can be changed easily.

I am talking about the nozzles and the shell size and shape that hurts my ears after an hour of wearing them, and you are comforting me that I can change the eartips

And there are better and more comfortable options in the now-crowded <$100 range, let alone the OP has a higher budget, so they can afford to be somewhat picky.

 

[markanini]

I don't think any IEM can perform better the Truthear Hexa Zero Red. Not to human ear at least. I understand you might want to buy a "high end" IEM, for better construction/material/craftmanship/resale value. But don't expect a noticeable better "sound"

What is the 'Truthear Hexa Zero Red'? Hehe.

Most people decide beforehand at what price point diminishing returns occur. This leaves us with using a 'benchmark IEM' to determine the value of a new purchase.

Without an IEM to compare with, one that represents the best in a reasonable price range, you're just relying on biases. Until measurement technology improves in the future to better predict individual fit, personal evaluation is necessary for now.

 

[Human Bass]

Thieaudio Oracle Mk3, Ziigaat Odyssey.

Softears Studio 4 if you want a very "monitor" signature.

 

[mc.god]

What is the 'Truthear Hexa Zero Red'? Hehe.

Most people decide beforehand at what price point diminishing returns occur. This leaves us with using a 'benchmark IEM' to determine the value of a new purchase.

Without an IEM to compare with, one that represents the best in a reasonable price range, you're just relying on biases. Until measurement technology improves in the future to better predict individual fit, personal evaluation is necessary for now.

Agree, as an example my reference is 7Hz Sonus, so I wonder what a very closely tuned but much more expensive iem could really give and forever thinking about the 7th Acoustics Supernova:

They are extremely expensive so I'm never going to try them for shure, but for someone willing to spend so much the starting point should be trying various cheap iems with different tunings, decide which he prefer and then search a very close one from the higher price tier bunch.

 

[FrantzM]

Hi @marlia7568 !

Welcome to the forum Stay, be patient, heed advices and you will enjoy accurate sound while enjoying a lot o more music and saving a bundle.
To begin there is no need to spend more than $200 ( I was going to say $60, yes sixty but .. there could be some fitting aka ergonomics issues so...) for an IEM. Actually there exist several IEMs priced around $20, that provide stellar performances. Yes it has come to that...
Those notions of "technical", "musical".. "organic" are fabrications. Smooth frequency response (preferably adhering to a known and researched standard) and low distortion are what you need in an IEM..
Go to Amazon and buy the 7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM at $20 (Twenty) including taxes ... You'll understand why most people here will never spend more than $100 for an IEM... Read this: ASR Review of the7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM click here

Stay, learn . You will be glad you did and you will save a lot of money...

Peace.

 

[Somafunk]

Go to Amazon and buy the 7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM at $20

Whilst it's a bloody good/cheap disposable iem I certainly wouldn't describe it as technical/good treble/airy response

Look for something that has greater treble extension than the usual "harman" tuning, but be aware that your personal ear canal size/shape/volume will influence how you experience treble response, I have all three of the iems below and whilst they look/measure relatively similar in the bass they all sound vastly different, if I was choosing one for "technical" abilities it would be the Sony XBA-N3 with one DD and one BA but that's a 9 year old iem and long discontinued, the Symphonium Meteor runs it a close second though but as its a 4BA set it doesn't have the "Whump" in the bass like a good DD has

There's no way of telling how you will experience the sound of an iem with any certainty, unfortunately. I don't know where you reside but perhaps there's a store in your country where you can try a few.

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Hawaii Bad Boy

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

hbb.squig.link

 

[mc.god]

Whilst it's a bloody good/cheap disposable iem I certainly wouldn't describe it as technical/good treble/airy response

Look for something that has greater treble extension than the usual "harman" tuning, but be aware that your personal ear canal size/shape/volume will influence how you experience treble response, I have all three of the iems below and whilst they look/measure relatively similar in the bass they all sound vastly different, if I was choosing one for "technical" abilities it would be the Sony XBA-N3 with one DD and one BA but that's a 9 year old iem and long discontinued, the Symphonium Meteor runs it a close second though but as its a 4BA set it doesn't have the "Whump" in the bass like a good DD has

There's no way of telling how you will experience the sound of an iem with any certainty, unfortunately. I don't know where you reside but perhaps there's a store in your country where you can try a few.

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Hawaii Bad Boy

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

hbb.squig.link

Agree on treble extension, anyway he pointed out the 7Hz Zero, not Zero 2, which have a tad more energy in higer region and less emphasized bass, resulting more "analytical" (although I didn't ear to Zero 2).