If you like to gamble then I’d recommend the Urbanfun YBF… The Quality control is shit tho. I was lucky and got a well put together beryllium unit.
Acoustune HS1657cu is one I have seriously considered in the past as i loved the HS1551cu. Inoffensive DD with a special Myrinx diaphragm. Amazing timbre!
For me, I am most senstive to peaks at the 3,5k area. And the Zen isnt a problem for me, but it is an intense iem for sure.
However, if you are less sensitive to that area than I am. Then the Zen could actually be dark, since the upper-treble is rolled-off quite a lot.
With the Oxygen, its peakiness for me at least, is because of the upper-treble, it has quite a lot of it. Literally the opposite of the Zen.
The FD5 on the other hand, is more even between the lower and upper treble so it doesnt sound like a particular area is extra peaky. The extra bass quantity it has over the Zen/Oxygen of course helps its overall tonal balance. Thats why for me, the Oxygen is the brightest and most fatiguing out of those 3.
With the FD5 and Zen, they are somewhat more even in terms of brightness and fatigue.
Im really not sure which frequencies it hit me at but it felt like DT770 250 peaks, like a really sharp Q resonance on some tracks mostly electronic, i was just shuffling so i was getting into everything. Ill have to look at a graph of it compared to my FH3 and Legacy 3, I do really like the resolution though over the FH3, but man it hurt, and im somewhat of a loud listener, especially with Techno/Bass Music
np, I would say that having a good tip collection is mandatory if you are considering/have iems over 100 usd.
For reducing treble, I would recommend as I mentioned above, the Final Audio Type E tips. But if you want to take it a step further with the treble reduction, the Sony EP-TC50 (foam/silicone) works even better in that regard. Although I much prefer the Type E´s though.
Like you, I share the same sensitivity. After experimenting with some tangible upgrades to the FD5 (RHA filter, high purity copper cable and my preferred tips), I completed the fine tuning with my Qudelix-5K PEQ. The end result is good enough that I’ve curtailed my IEM purchasing for the remainder of the year.
I was contemplating the Dunu Zen, but for that amount of money, I don’t want an IEM that is just slightly different to the FD5. The Fiio FH5s might catch my attention; but I’ll wait for you and a few others to test it out first.