Which ones are the iems you’ll never part with ?

[XaviMartinez55]

Which ones are your iems that have survived your quest for the perfect one ?

Personally I’m far from being an expert, but so far there are a few iems I know I’ll never part with:

Tangzu Wan’er SG: I know it’s far from being perfect, doesn’t have too much bass, treble is somewhat muted, but somehow it has an overall tonality (mids possibly) that I can’t live without. Vocals possibly.

Artti T10: playing with EQ constantly, but
somehow it always sound exciting to me

Zero 2: kinda boxy, treble somehow pushed back, but tuning is so good , I always end up coming back to them. Just bought them for the 2nd time.

Which ones are the ones you always end up
coming back to ? Genuinely curious to know.

 

[SuicideSquid]

7Hz Zero 2 for wired listening and Sennheiser Momentum 4 for wireless. Zero 2 are basically perfect sounding, Momentum 4 are a little warmer but still pretty close to target, pleasant sound, plus wireless and ANC.

 

[Multicore]

You can take them all. IEMs make my ears itch.

 

[XaviMartinez55]

You can take them all. IEMs make my ears itch.

Why’s that ? You like over ear headphones better ?

 

[Berwhale]

The 7hz Zero 2 are basically perfect for me apart from cheap cable (which I replaced with a Linsoul 2.5mm balanced one). I prefer them over the Truthear x Crinacle Zero (I own both the blue and red ones), but not by much, and mostly from a fit and comfort perspective.

 

[anphex]

I have the Crinnacle x ZERO Zero since the release of the review on ASR.

I think these were the first ones to absolutely destroy the IEM competition.

I honestly think I should use them more, then again I barely have the chance since I am mostly at home, in my car or at work. But still, stellar IEMS to this day for the price.

TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests and measurements of the Truthear Crinacle Zero IEM review. It was sent to me by @crinacle as he has been a consultant on the project. It costs US $50. I like that it has a bit of "bling" but not too much. The cord is just the right length for me (many IEMs...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Multicore]

Why’s that ? You like over ear headphones better ?

They literally make my ears itch. It takes only a few minutes use to experience discomfort. A couple of years ago I tried using them for a longer period and it became very uncomfortable and didn't recover until the next morning.

 

[Chr1]

Zero Reds for me.

 

[markanini]

It really depends on your needs and habits. I could use Truthear Hexa as my only IEM. I hear Sean Olive likes this IEM too.

 

[unpluggged]

Despite not being my daily driver and used only occasionally, I think the Truthear Hexa would be the one I'd like to keep along with any other IEMs I'll have in the future. I can imagine I'd retire my Blessing 3 some day and give them off, to be replaced with something better or even with a different tuning, but the Hexa is always great to have for their price (I got them for $64 when they were discounted on Amazon). Their tuning is spot-on and they represent a nice baseline to compare IEMs against.

 

[Curupira]

Zero Red and Timeless AE, the former because of it's tuning that hits my HTRF oh so perfectly, and the latter because half its kit was lost from moving house, and so I can't be bothered to sell it. I also like to listen to the timeless' splashy V from time to time.

Following the thread, I ironically owned the Zero 2s and gave them to my girlfriend for her to play with her Nintendo Switch. They graph very similarly to the zero reds but their fit is awkward for me, I find them too bassy, shouty and undetailed, with recessed treble. Goes to show how the sameish FR can change from ear to ear depending on fit.

 

[Earfonia]

Some of my favorite IEMs for their sound signatures and still in my inventory, in alphabetical order:

1964 Ears V3 (universal)
7HZ Salnotes Zero
7HZ Timeless
AK T8iE MkⅡ
Alpha & Delta AD01
Audio-Technica ATH-IM50
Audio-Technica ATH-IM70
FiiO FH7
IKKO OH1
JUZEAR x Z Reviews Defiant
Kefine Klean
Kiwi Ears Airoso
Kiwi Ears Aether
KZ ZSX
KZ ZVX
Letshouer S12 Pro
Moondrop KATO
Moondrop MAY
SeeAudio YUME
TFZ T2 Galaxy
TFZ King Pro
Truthear HOLA
Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:BLUE

Many more in inventory but the above list are my favorites from the collection.
Most used are probably:

Kefine Klean
Kiwi Ears Aether
Letshouer S12 Pro
Moondrop KATO
Moondrop MAY
SeeAudio YUME
TFZ T2 Galaxy

 

[Somafunk]

Sony XBA-N3 from 2016 ish 1DD/1BA, still sound good compared to the modern targets, aftermarket Tripowin mmcx cable fitted to my set below

And I’ll never part with my Symphonium Meteor 4BA set from 2023 either

Also have the new Crinear Meta and the Fat Freq HBB Deuce but if there was a fire in my house then I’d grab the two mentioned above

Here’s how they all graph on the same measurement rig

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Super* Review

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

squig.link

 

[williamr]

Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered custom IEM.

It is hard to beat a custom IEM for fit and isolation. Can't sell them easily so I will keep them forever. UE pro department have amazing customer service and I know if I have an issue they will take care of me.

 

[drewdawg999]

My quest resulted in me spending some coin, but I'll never part with the Kiwi x HBB Punch and the Ziigaat Odyssey. They've been my top 2 for a while now, also my 2 most expensive but I guess that's the way it should be. The Punch gives me satisfaction since I'm used to listening to a subwoofer in my big system. It's not too much bass for me though it's pretty big, but still some balance there, especially with nice sparkly and shimmering highs provided by EST drivers. The Odyssey is pretty perfect for my DAP, about as good as portable tunes can get. They're efficient and scale well with volume, so it's nice to crank them and enjoy.

 

[InfiniteJester]

Kefine Delci for sure. They are very comfortable, sound excellent with some EQ and are built to last.

 

[Herschel_Krustofski]

In the long run, the Sennheiser IE 600 are always a safe choice. They sound perfect to me and are very comfortable - the sound is rich and powerful. I simply love them!

I've had the Thieaudio Origin for a few days now – they sound fantastic, with very smooth and detailed highs without any sibilance, excellent imaging, and perfect bass. They're just as powerful as the IE 600.

 

[Brandonfire2]

The Letshuoer S08, and the Zero Red. The S08 sound wonderful, absolutely a pleasure to listen to music with. Having not heard the S12 or S15, my next step is the S15, as it is supposed to be a warmer tune like the S08. And the Red's are a great tuned IEM as well, always fun to listen to music with. I also own the Zero 2 which is a well tuned clean sound but just not the same experience as my top 2. Had the Truthear Gates, and while they were nice, just never reached for them like I do the others

 

[muza_1]

KZ Zenith, well balanced, spacious and natural sounding also treble is just the perfect amount for long sessions or outdoor use (no peaks, harshness or resonances of any kind).
7Hz Zero:2 similar sounding to the Zenith (a bit more energetic in the upper-mids and treble with a touch less of mid-bass), I use them on the go/travel.

Since I got the Zenith (January) I haven't felt the need to listen or try other IEMs, for the first time in long time I just can relax and let music play and enjoy without over analyzing.

The only IEMs I got since then are the PRX which I got out of curiosity, it ended with too much treble and a bit harsh for my taste and the ZVX Pro, I wanted a low-cost alloy set for traveling but it ended being bright.

 

[JanL]

I went through quite a few IEMs in the last couple of years.
The ones that I regularly use and don't plan on getting rid of are:
Artti T10 with my personal Meta target EQ and upgraded looks.
Thieaudio Hype 4 (no EQ)
Moondrop Dusk (default EQ)
64 Audio Nio (red Apex bass filter, no other EQ).

Another one that I won't get rid of is the NiceHCK NX7 Mk4. Not because it's particularly great sounding, but because it's so small and comfortable to wear in bed. I don't know how they managed to pack 7 drivers in that shallow little shell, but they did and it works just fine. I use EQ with it and the sound is very respectable. Perfect for falling asleep to podcasts or music.