What’s your IEM progression?

[DivineCurrent]

I’ve owned a few IEMs over the years, but I was never that crazy about their sound because I was comparing them to full size open backs, an amateur move really now that I look back on it, lol.

But regardless, here is my IEM progression:

Klipsch X10 - First real IEMs I got, I really liked them for the warmth and comfort. But I could not ignore the lack of treble sparkle and what I now understand was the “BA timbre”.

Klipsch X20i - Unsurprisingly, I wanted to go with a familiar brand but more high end. However, I was really disappointed with the X20i, as I could hear audible distortion in the upper mids and they actually sounded worse than the X10 to my ears.

Hifiman RE-400 - This is when I discovered I much prefer dynamic driver IEMs to balanced armature ones. RE-400 was a little shouty around 2 kHz, but they had a much better treble texture and bass quality compared to the Klipsch IEMs. With EQ, these were my go to IEMs for years. I still have them.

Meze 12 Classics - Got these for free on a Head-Fi review tour, I really liked them at the time because of the great bass impact and sparkly treble. But listening to them now, they really don’t sound impressive in comparison to modern IEMs.

Etymotic ER2SE + ER2XR - Got both of them to compare, I preferred the ER2SE for the extra treble sparkle. Really super detailed in the mids and treble, I often use these with EQ to make it warmer.

Sony MH755 - These completely blew me away, and I prefer them to the Etymotics! I can’t believe it costs so little, I got a legit pair for $10 last year. If you had told me they were $100, I would believe you because they sound like that much. Excellent neutral midrange and treble, with extra sub bass kick to make everything engaging.

JVC HA-FDX1 - The hype is real with the FDX1, and they are probably my endgame IEM. I often compare them to full size open back headphones, and I prefer the FDX1 to some of them which is ridiculous. They have incredible bass dynamics and texture that reminds me of the Focal Elex, they have better treble resolution than anything portable I’ve heard. Only complaint is an emphasis at 4kHz which can add some harshness. But with some EQ and the blue middle damping filter, I have trouble going back to any of the other IEMs I own.

[K4sh1ma]

These are my current IEMs and in terms of progression, I think I am doing alright so far. The only IEMs that I have that is not shown here would be the SHURE SE215s and the KZ ZSN Pro, because for my SE215, I don’t have a replacement cable for it and its currently in the use of my dad who I let using it. While my ZSN Pro is now broken after giving it as to my little brother for use. These are my IEMs:

1st: Tin Audio T2
2nd: KZ ZS10 Pro
3rd: BLON BL03
4th: Sony MH755
5th: Moondrop Starfield

[Krucoz]

Hello here is mine
Tin T2
Moondrop Starfield
Tin T4

Just bought a tempotech sonata HD pro USB DAC for my samsung Galaxy S8. Especialy the Tin T2 and aslo the T4 and Starfield sounds much more good! The sound became stronger, fuller, wider, deeper, more accurate. For 32€ on aliexpress it gives me a big overhall improvment.

[Bmn1251]

Owned:
Starfields
Oh10
Mangird Teas
Fh3
Lz A6

Listened via loan: @sa11297
Orions
Zeus
Cupids
It03
Sarda(coming today)

Favorites: Teas,A6

Liked, but wouldn’t keep: Starfields,Oh10,it03,fh3,orions

Meh?Zeus

Did not like:Cupids

[Veritas]

@Bmn1251

Sarda(coming today)

Looking forward to hearing what you think about them.

[Ohmboy]

Fast and furious but started slowly but seriously with a pair of Shure SE530’s in 2010 then about a year or so ago an onslaught of low/mid end purchases…P1 still own still love, Blon 03 given away to my step daughter, FH7, Reecho & peacock Spring 1 dope set, Final E4000 wide soundstage, iBasso IT00 another all-round good’un, Andro OG for ever a keeper, CF Vega my dirty bass fun set…Z1R’s are now my everyday set and I can’t see a reason to progress…I’ll see where the bone conductor/MEST goes to and explore other sources, but right now I’m truly happy just listening to music

[doctorjuggles]

I heard the MEST for a short while, it’s very good, if you get a chance to audition it, you should definitely give it a whirl!

[hit_the_right_note]

@Ohmboy

I’m truly happy just listening to music

Oh Yeah;

with a good pair of earphones … just fun!

[sa11297]

@sa11297

tin t2
blon 03, kz zs10 pro, shuoer tape (got at the same time)

got my eyes on the ikko oh10…

tin t2
blon 03, kz zs10 pro, shuoer tape (got at the same time)
starfield, oh10 (same time)
obravo cupid (still haven’t heard though)
meze rai solo
empire ears bravado
hyla sarda

[l0rdm0rd]

first possibly were the earphones that came with my Gameboy
In the mid 2000s i bought some Panasonics which were great
Mid 2010s i bought some red ones which have bass, don’t remember the brand
Since i’m watching Z reviews:
Tin T2
Monoprice Monolith M300
BLON B03
Some Kzs
Theiaudio Legacy 3
Moondrop Starfield

I very much prefer the Legacy 3s currently.

[Mufflertape]

Your could try the EX800st, they actually have a dip at 4k before their treble emphasis, some say it can be peaky in treble, but ive not had any issues since its post my sensitive region. Really solid!!!

[hit_the_right_note]

[quote=“Ohmboy, post:52, topic:10520”]
Fast and furious but started slowly
[/quote

ohhh, I know what you’re talking about;

It all started with this:

And this is what my current state looks like:

[jmwant]

I love my mh755s

[FiCurious]

@FiCurious

I’m also focusing on just a few quality sets, currently including Cayin’s YB04, Jomo Quatre, and NCM Bella V2

Ended up trading for a set of JH Roxannes last week, and got them yesterday. Different from my others, for sure. Seem very tip picky, and perhaps source/recording picky as well, but I think I’m getting close to finding the right tip and bass attenuation combo. Started out sounding a bit honky with unnatural timbre in the upper bass/lower mids. Piano in particular just sounded wrong. Had to dial back the bass a bit on the cable attenuator and find some tips with a wider bore, which has helped a lot.

[H47E]

in Chronological order:

Noontec Rio S ( cable broke due tear and wear) No longer owned - thrown away

1more Quad Driver ( after one year of usage they started to sound congested? ) Sold

Tin P1 ( still have them, love the planar sound)

Shuoer Tape ( didn’t like them too shouty for me & left piece kept going silent due to moisture, always happened when I was outside) Sold

KZ ZSN Pro ( they’re decent for the price, they’re resting in my cupboard boxed)

BLON BL03 ( I have 2 pairs one one back up and one I use when I go to sleep cause they’re small)

TRN ST1 ( decent pair for the price, boxed in cupboard)

KZ ZSX ( very decent for casual use, gaming, movies etc)

Moondrop Starfield ( resting on my desk, pretty good performance, although very fragile due to paint chipping, resting on my desk currently waiting to be used)

KZ AS16 ( very revealing if not the most revealing IEMs I own, lacking in sub-bass though. Very good with a bit of eq. bump though.

Was planning on getting P2 but they’re way above my budget.
Really curious about the new KZ ASX 20BA flagship. Waiting for reviews
I am really thinking of selling some of my IEMs and buying Moondrop Blessing 2 as I saw that they’re really good. Crinacle rated them A+ which is at the top of the line

[Ohmboy]

@H47E

Was planning on getting P2

Aye a big jump for sure might be worth having a look at the new Shuore Tape Pros… maybe a better bang for buck?

[Jose_G]

@DivineCurrent

JVC HA-FDX1 - The hype is real with the FDX1, and they are probably my endgame IEM. I often compare them to full size open back headphones, and I prefer the FDX1 to some of them which is ridiculous. They have incredible bass dynamics and texture that reminds me of the Focal Elex, they have better treble resolution than anything portable I’ve heard. Only complaint is an emphasis at 4kHz which can add some harshness. But with some EQ and the blue middle damping filter, I have trouble going back to any of the other IEMs I own.

yooooo what a fucking coincidence lol. i got mine recently and i found the exact same thing! the bass dynamics are ridiculously good! it’s no fucking joke. the dynamics in general are amazing, these are my only IEM at the moment since i just gave my brother the fh3, iem endgame is a good way to describe these lol. And for the emphasis at 4khs is interesting because the entire headphone has been particularly smooth to me so far.

[stoogs]

When first out …
Tin T3 (40gbp - Sounds trebly and harsh to me. very uncomfortable. Cable A+)
over last year…
Final E2000 (40gbp - worst heard, thought woul also be cofortable but least used)
Blon-03 (35gbp- nice all rounder, i dont rech for them much though?, cable tangle hell)
Blon-05 (35gbp - v. comfortable and sound great, but due to design the tips keep blocking my ear canals)
KZ ZS10 (40gbp - Nice amount of bass and solid back up set in bag, cable tangle hell)
Moondrop Starfield (83gbp - very nice and relaxing pair for allround nighttime use. Replaced cable with Linsoul cable)
Tin T2 plus (60gbp - Tried and still find uncomfortable, sound good but still harsh to me.)
Fiio FD1 (55gbp - Outstanding, they hit a good bit and reveal more than the rest. Great all rounder and those accessories! - skip the rest id say or go for first time)
on order…
Moondrop Blessing 2…
Yanchjim Oxygen…

Id say skip the low level hell, it was fun trying under 50 quied iems but one good set would have been better looking back.

[SM_Music]

I agree with the “skip the low level hell”, but I think it was good to have that experience. Even though I didn’t try that many and quickly got to the +$150 area.

[SM_Music]

@Pr3ssAltF4

Campfire Orion Ck2

Can you recommend the Orion CK?
I am considering them, but I am a bit on the fence due to a thin bass and a quck roll off at the top.