Hey guys, it’s that time of the year again, aka time to round up some of the BEST Budget IEMs that came out this year (under $100, max $120).
Starting with the best all rounder we have the Simgot EM6L - now in-terms of having an engaging sound and solid technical performance, there’s really no other IEM until you move up to the Truthear Nova. The EM6L is a more engaging harman/df with a boost in the low-end and treble, but still maintaining a fun and accessible sound that most people will like. Low-end texture is solid, midrange is solid, and treble is well extended and rather smooth for its price range. It doesn’t specialise in any area in particular, and for some people the uppermids can be a bit much at higher volumes, however, the imaging is precise with clean separation and an above average sound stage size, and just overall plays back every genre very well from hiphop, to pop, edm, to indie and acoustics, even for gaming, really you don’t need anything else for gaming past the EM6L. The timbre on top is also pretty natural, no metallic/plasticy or graininess, although slightly warm leaning, and you can grab these for around $80-90 on sale - if I could describe the EM6L in 1 word, it would be Solid.
On the other hand if you want something more exciting and lively, or like more treble, then the Kiwiears Melody would be the set for you. It’s a very well-implemented v-shape, no overly harsh vocals or bloated low-end that bleed into the mids, although it does look like it has a lot of bass and can pass for a basshead set, but in-reality the Melody actually sounds lighter than the graph would suggest. Don’t get me wrong the low-end’s definitely got a nice punch and slam to it, but I wouldn’t call it basshead, it’s not heavy enough, and overall the focus is more balanced and less on the low-end. The notes are very sharp which helps with perceived resolution, and the attack and decay is fast and tight, and the low-end is just very well controlled without muddying the rest of the sound. There are some peaks and dips in the treble, and if you’re sensitive there then they will be too much for you, so not the smoothest, but if you want that energetic and sharp imaging experience, then these are great.
Likewise, the FORTEZA is also a good pick and is similar to the Melody in the sense that they’re both energetic, but slightly different in where that energy’s coming from. The Melody is punchier in the low-end, and focuses on the treble more, whereas the FORTEZA is sharper in the uppermids and highlights female vocals better - both are similar tech wise and great as energetic IEMs, so it just depends on what you’re looking for. However, if you want something less in your face, more neutral, and balanced then the HEXA and Sonus would be my pick as the best “vanilla” sets under $100.
Both are not too bass heavy, very harman/df sounding and focus on a more clean and subtle presentation when it comes to the vocals and instrument placement. Everything is nicely laid out in front of you with not much energy in any frequencies, not too clinical either, just very inoffensive and safe. When compared to the Hexa the Sonus is basically just a cheaper Hexa with more forward vocals at the cost of slightly worse layering and separation, but sound wise both are very similar. Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum for basshead sets the 7hz Legato is still one of the best at around $100 - it’s got a good amount of bass boost basshead wise, slams nicely, and the low-end is more tight than heavy but still delivers on the rumble as well as the bass impact.
Now, this does mean the midrange is a bit coloured since it’s got a crap ton of bass, but it’s not bloated or muddy and the vocal/treble isn’t buried either, but obviously not the most extended as there’s masking, and they’re definitely not the main focus of this tuning style. The Rosefinch on the other hand is very similar to the Legato, but with more mid-bass and slams harder than the Legato, although the bass isn’t as tight and well controlled and tech wise it’s a step down as well, but it is only $20 and still my go to at that price range. As for some warmer sets, the Blon Z300 still holds up even now, and has one of the best treble extension out of all the budget iems, including the Waner, Zero, Chu etc. The overall sound is very lush and full sounding, but still maintains a good balance in the vocals and treble performance, very good for hiphop and jazz.
Moving on for the Best Budget IEM, so around $20 or less, my pick would be the Tanchjim One 3.5 version, but honestly any of the $20 ones will work since they’re all bass-boosted harman/df with tiny differences in the vocal and treble. The reason why I picked the Tanchjim One is because it’s the most “different” out of all of them, and has the most air while maintaining good note-weight and low-end engagement, but really, any of them will work as they’re all around the same tech wise.
But speaking of technical performance - the OG Letshuoer S12 is “on sale”, permanently, for around $110, but you can get it for even less, and at that price there’s really no other IEM that can compete in-terms of pure detail retrieval and resolution - planar tech baby. Now the note-weight and timbre is a bit lighter than natural, but you know some people like that, some people don’t, so that’s up to you, and it can get a bit spicy in the treble if you don’t get a good fit or if you blast these, but tuning aside, detail and resolution wise these are it. A cheaper alternative to the S12 would be the Kiwiears Forteza at $55, it also has a similar issue of being too spicy, but in the uppermids this time, but resolution and imaging wise it’s a great value at its price because of the scooped low-end which helps with instrument separation, and the boosted uppermids which makes things sound sharper and more clear.
As for some of my personal favourites this year, my pick would be the 7th Acoustic Stargazer (even though it didn’t come out this year) - it’s easily the best in-terms of overall dynamics and refinement, the smoothest treble wise at around $100, it’s like a budget Supernova basically, and a cleaner EM6L with more air… but unfortunately it’s discontinued, although if you do manage to spot one on the used market for around $100 or less, give them a shot, because they’re actually best all-rounder at $100 IMHO. Another set would be the Tinhifi P1 Max, aka the pandas, mid-centric, non-fatiguing, immersive, smooth, still one of my favourite planars, and then also the Letshuoer DZ4 for vocals, but I made a separate vocal tierlist so I won’t talk about it too much here.
And for those wondering where the EW200 went - I’ll be making a separate review for that coming soon…anyhow, curious to hear what other’s favourite budget sets are this year.
Thanks for reading 
Further Explanation:
The Hidizs MP145 is not included because this list is UNDER $100, MAX $120. The MP145 retails for $200, and is $159 on sale, aka it’s out of the price bracket. The OG Aria is outdated so it didn’t make it onto the list. The Aria 2 is overpriced and is replaced by the EW200. The EA500/Olina are both replaced by the EM6L as a better all-rounder. I also didn’t include the EA500 because the EA500LM is coming out soon, and is looking to be a lot better for around the same. So save your cash and probably wait for the LM instead.
HONOURBLE MENTION would be the Moondrop MAY as a warm set, but the Z300 already has a similar sound for 2x cheaper with just as good of a cable. So pretty much you’re paying an extra $30 for the DSP and case. Your call.
. But now there are gems in my ears that if I don’t take out in the next few hours I might go deaf… I actually miss the budget IEM but my ears are a bit picky. 
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