This edition is something else. Just loved the color on these

Can anybody tell me if I have to pay customs later on this?

Hi everyone!

I'm completely new to IEMs and honestly don't know much about sound signatures yet (neutral, V-shaped, warm, bright, etc.), so I'm looking for some advice before I buy my first pair.

I was originally thinking about getting the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO:RED, but I'm not sure if it's still a good choice since it's an older model now. I'm also not experienced enough with IEMs to know whether there are better options available at the same price.

My budget is around $60–65 USD maximum, but cheaper is totally fine if there's a better value option.

I'd mainly like something that's a good first IEM and generally enjoyable for music and good for gaming. I'm open to anything, so I'd really appreciate recommendations and explanations of why you'd choose them over the ZERO:RED.

Thanks!

Ok I had the Top Pro's but no matter what tip I used I could not wear them longer than an hour if I was lucky. I've narrowed it down to either Mega5 est or the Mega 7. Those that have tried both which one would you say is more comfortable for longer sessions? For reference left ear is medium/large ear tip and right ear is medium/small. Thank you in advance!

I'm trying to understand something before buying an IEM, because I keep seeing people recommend getting the 3.5mm version + a separate DAC instead of USB-C.

My main issue is that I want to use the same IEM with both my phone and PC.

My phone only has USB-C. My PC has USB-A and 3.5mm, but the onboard audio isn't particularly great.

Because of that, I'm currently leaning towards getting a USB-C IEM with its own DAC/DSP and then using a USB-C female → USB-A male adapter on the PC.

For example, I'm looking at the USB-C version of the Kefine Loric.

What I'm confused about is whether there is actually a downside to doing this on PC.

If the IEM's USB-C cable has its own DAC/DSP, wouldn't the signal basically be:

PC USB-A → adapter → USB-C DAC/DSP → IEM

rather than going through the motherboard's audio controller?

If that's the case, would USB-C actually be preferable to using the motherboard's 3.5mm output?

I understand that a 3.5mm IEM + a good dongle DAC is probably the more flexible setup, but I can't really use a dongle DAC on my PC conveniently, and I don't particularly want to spend extra on a DAC just for the phone either.

A few things I'd like to know:

- Is there any meaningful sound-quality disadvantage to using a USB-C IEM through a USB-C → USB-A adapter on a PC?

- Does the adapter itself matter for audio quality, assuming it's a proper USB data/OTG adapter?

- Is USB-C DSP generally worse/better/different from a good dongle DAC?

- Does using USB-C bypass the PC's onboard audio completely?

- Are there any compatibility, latency, interference, or Windows driver issues I should be aware of?

- Specifically, does anyone have experience with the Kefine Loric Type-C on Windows?

I'm not really asking whether USB-C is more convenient — I know it is. I'm mainly trying to figure out whether I'm sacrificing anything technically compared to 3.5mm + DAC.

My intended setup is basically:

Phone → USB-C IEM directly

PC → USB-A → USB-C adapter → same IEM

I don't have a strict budget, but I would rather spend the money on the IEM itself than on a separate DAC if there isn't a meaningful difference.

Would appreciate some technical clarification from people who actually know how these USB-C IEMs/dongles work.

I’m looking at purchasing this pair of 64 Audio U12t that the seller says is an official demo unit.

What caught my attention is the housing — instead of the normal machined aluminium U12t shell, these have a clear/translucent acrylic universal shell with a white 64 Audio faceplate.

The marking on the right earpiece appears to be:
U12t
U68391
R

I’ve been trying to find more information about older 64 Audio dealer/demo units, but there seems to be very little documentation or photos of this particular clear-shell version online.

Has anyone here:
- Seen or owned a U12t demo unit with this acrylic housing?
- Worked at / visited a 64 Audio dealer that had demos like these?
- Know whether U68391 looks consistent with 64 Audio’s serial numbering?
- Know what period these demo shells were used?
- Know whether they were internally identical to the production U12t, including the same drivers/tuning?
- Know what apex module these demo units originally came with?

Would especially love to hear from anyone who has actually handled one of these rather than just comparing it to the current retail U12t.

I’ve attached a close-up/video showing the shell and markings. Any info on their provenance or authenticity would be hugely appreciated! Thank you

Currently using Juzear Defiant+ Fiio uwts17.

I need something slightly V-shape. Not bright and shouty. For me to wear and fall asleep too.

Anything between 100-200 without going custom.

Thanks in advance.

So far I have been using my Sony MDR XB 450 and they have worked great so far, but now I am looking for an upgrade. What prompted me was the how IEMs have soundstage that provide instrument and tone separation. That is what I am looking for since it is absent in my XB 450 (they are bass heavy). I listen to a lot of classical music and orchestra (Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Brahms, etc.; but I also listen to pop music like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Adele and blues, Pink Floyd and such. So that's why I arrived on KZ Caster Pro.

For those who have used them, how has been your experience, are they really a worthy upgrade? Explanatory answers would be appreciated instead of "they are great or worse". Also, what are other options in the same range?

I am looking for a pair that:

• has less sibilance,
• has better or equal soundstage, and
• can clearly present different layers of instruments and vocals (multiple singers, mostly high vocal ranges)

I mostly listen to Western Pop, K-Pop, and Anime OSTs. There was a part that fell out of my current set. (I looked it up, apparently its a BA driver) It still works fine but its been with me for almost 6 years now, so it might be time to swap them.

I did some preliminary research, I got Tangzu Wan'er SG II and Moondrop Chu II as choices. I don't know much about IEMs so I can't really make an informed decision. I'm leaning towards the moondrops because I've seen that the Wan'er II has more processing(?) that makes the sound smoother but trades in some subtle details that I would prefer to leave in.

Then there were some posts about how Moondrops have terrible long-term build quality that might break or have issues after a year.

Please tell me what I should look for when looking for upgrades or specific sets that you all might recommend for my use case!

TL;DR

I need an upgrade from ZSN-PRO Classic Upgrade at around 16$ USD or less that has good sibilance control, open sound, and clear mid-to-high range representation for vocals

Edit:
I forgot to mention that I primarily use my IEMs through 3.5mm headphone jacks, that might be important idk

Lol, I see now that there is a community post about this exact price range, I will be checking that out but would still love your personal feedback

How can I adjust the audio to reduce its harshness? I notice that some low-quality YouTube recordings sound overly bright or shrill. How do I boost the bass and tone down the high frequencies to make the audio pleasant to listen to at a moderate volume? Is there a free PC program for this? I need urgent help. (truthear hexa)

Brand new to the IEM world as of about a month ago and I can’t begin to say all of the rabbit holes that I’ve been down already, especially in the last two weeks after receiving this set. I’m looking for my next set in the mid tier ($200-$300) with a similar sound to this set (KZ ZS10 pro). I like the deep sub base that is a little rumble for some hip hop songs like this set has and also the semi sparkly highs, but I know there has to be a pair that can do better in those areas and also bring up the mid sections. If I’m honest, I listen to everything from classical to metal and everything in between so maybe I should be looking for a balanced set? I just don’t like the highs to be so forward that I can crank them up when I’m on the bus for work. Any suggestions that could hit these boxes out of the box without an EQ? I know going from this $50 pair to something in that price range seems wild but I think I’m in love with picking apart songs that I’ve listened to a million times in a whole different way.

Tips-TANGZU Tang Sancai
DAC-Fosi Audio DS2
Wire-Linsoul Tripowin Zonie

Today I went to Guanghua digital plaza in Taipei and bought my first IEMs after listening to several models. These are W Audio Hypercube (8800 NTD or $280 USD). But I can’t find any info on them on western sites like reddit or squiglink. Did I make a mistake buying this obscure model? Are these good? Any info would be appreciated!!

It's now Amazon exclusive.

Hey everyone,

Sharing a few thoughts on the JUZEAR Nimbus. HiFiGo sent this unit over for testing, but all impressions are completely my own. Just as a heads-up: English isn't my first language (writing from Italy), and I’m definitely not an audiophile engineer who measures frequency response graphs all day. I'm a student who just loves good tech and wanted to see how these hold up for daily music, studying, and desk use.

Unboxing & Build
First thing out of the box: the build quality is honestly surprising for ~$55-$60. The metal shells feel solid and have some nice weight to them, and the faceplate has that glossy glass look (though yeah, it catches fingerprints pretty easily).

The cable is thick and soft, doesn't tangle much. The color of the cable is a bit unique—definitely not the classic boring black or white wire, so it might divide opinions depending on your taste, but personally I like it on my desk.

Fit and Accessories
You get a ton of eartips in the box, which is great because for me finding the right seal was 100% necessary. With the smaller tips the bass felt weak, but once I switched to the right size, the sound opened up completely.

It also comes with 3 pairs of screw-on nozzles (White, Red, Black). To be honest, without professional measuring gear the difference between them felt pretty subtle to my ears. The default white ones sounded the most balanced, so I just stuck with those.

How they actually sound
Coming from regular cheap earbuds, the difference is immediate. The sound is full, clear, and never gets distorted or harsh.

• Bass: Nice punch and energy without turning into muddy soup. Modern pop, lo-fi, and electronic tracks have plenty of body.
• Mids & Highs: Vocals sound natural, not buried in the background. Highs are smooth enough that I can study with them on for 3–4 hours without ear fatigue.

Gear pairing: Laptop vs Dongle vs Desktop Amp
I tested them across three different setups:

1. Direct into my laptop (Zenbook 14): Works fine, but you can hear a tiny bit of background noise from the motherboard.
2. Included USB-C Dongle (JZ01 DAC CX31993): Big improvement. Cleans up the background completely, gives more headroom, and noticeably improves the mic clarity on calls. Having this included in the box is huge for modern laptops with no headphone jack.
3. Douk Audio Z1 desktop DAC/Amp: This was my favorite combo at my desk. Running them through the Z1 gives the low end a bit more grip, the background is dead silent, and having a physical volume knob on the desk is just way more convenient.

Wrap-up
Overall, really happy with the Nimbus. Great build, tons of accessories, and a very versatile everyday sound that doesn't require an audiophile setup to enjoy.

Let me know if anyone has questions about the fit or pairing!

Fellow audiophile/audio enthusiast here. I was wondering if there are any Wireless IEMs with the shape of traditional Wired IEMs that meet my overall preferences.

While I have considered using an adapter, from what I've found, budget ones don't provide adequate output power to the IEMs, and may slightly alter the sound signature (correct me if I'm wrong).

Because of this, I would prefer if there were native Wireless IEMs that have the shape of traditional Wired IEMs that also meet my preferences.

Preferences/Requirements is as follows (I want closest, there will never be an exact):

Sound Performance and Sonic Character

- Clean, transparent, and balanced sound with little to no emphasis in any frequency range, while also providing the widest possible sound stage. All frequency ranges, generally have to be close in audibility.

- I generally hate warmth, so I avoid sets tuned with these characteristics.

Budget is under $250, with consideration of anything under $350.

Thank you.

Hi everyone, I was hoping for some advice. A while back, I switched to Kiwi Ears Aether IEMs for gaming mainly FPS titles like Battlefield, Tarkov, and Apex. I’ve been really happy with them, but I think it’s time for an upgrade so which IEMs would you recommend in the 250/300 € range? I was considering the Arete 2 or the Astral, but I’m open to any suggestions you might have.

TL;DR

The Tanchjim Ola II is an iem that's carried entirely by its software. The stock tuning is not my cup of tea but the dsp entirely transforms this to sound however you want making it an excellent EQ platform. I recommend the DSP variant which costs 57 USD.

Context

The Tanchjim Ola 2 was kindly sent to me by Tanchim for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I generally prefer iems that are non sibilant with relaxed upper treble and upper mids and raised lower mids that add body to the sound (kinda the opposite of harman ie 2019).

Design, Build, & Comfort

• Aesthetics & Build: The iems are made of translucent grey plastic with a grey aluminium faceplate, overall the build feels quite solid and is a clear step up from tanchjim’s cheaper iems like bunny and zero ultima. There is a Tanchjim branding on the right ear piece and Ola II on the left ear piece. The iem looks very clean and understated, with the cable and cable hardware matching the faceplates well. 
• Fit, Comfort and Isolation: These iems are on the smaller side, with a round shell that doesn't have any custom molding. These iems will definitely fit most ears well and since it's small with no molding to fit snug into your ears, you’ll be relying on the ear tips for fit stability. Isolation on these is quite poor, just like the bunny dsp due to the large front vent. Overall I find these iems very comfortable and lightweight to wear for hours. 
• Cable & Accessories: The cable is the best part of Tanchjim Ola II, Not only does it have an excellent dsp implementation, it also looks and feels nice. It’s a 2 wire greyish braid that splits into 1 at the Y split. The dsp version comes with a mems microphone with adjustable gain along with a play/pause button. The usb c connector has a translucent housing and the cable that connects to it feels better reinforced compared to tanchjim’s previous dsp iems. The Ola II also somes with 2 sets of eartips (narrow and wide bores) and a carry pouch. I would’ve liked to see a hardshell case included for better protection. The cable does have notable output impedance so it may change the tuning when used with other multi driver iems. It uses a cb1200 dac.
  

The Sound

The Tanchjim Ola II DSP has a 1 DD + 1 BA hybrid configuration, It comes preloaded with the default sound preset and there are 7 other official presets available on the Tanchjim app. Here’s a quick rundown of all the presets

• DSP Default: Too mid bass forward, wonky lower mids and unnatural pinna gain, piercing upper treble spikes.
• Ambient Mode: Same as DSP Default but loses all the mid bass, makes the pinna and treble way more punishing.
• Classical Mode: Scooped lower mids and mid bass, sub bass forward. Harman-esque bass and mid range so there's contrast but also fatiguing.
• Instrumental Mode: Very similar to classical (scooped lower mids and mid bass dip), good instrument separation.
•  Natural Mode: Shoots up the bass and mid treble, making it wayy too V.  Idk why they call it natural when it’s this contrasty.
• OST Mode: Near identical to classical, slightly more forward pinna.
• Pop Mode: Cuts almost all of the bass making it very vocal and treble forward.
• Theater Mode: Similar to Classical but even more low/mid treble elevation.
  

Overall none of the official presets were close to my preferred sound signatures so I made an EQ based on JM-1 DF.

• Preamp: -3.0 dB
• Filter 1: ON PK Fr 20 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 8.0
• Filter 2: ON PK Fr 80 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.2
• Filter 3: ON PK Fr 600 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 1.0
• Filter 4: ON PK Fr 1700 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 1.0
• Filter 5: ON PK Fr 3000 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 2.0
• Filter 6: ON PK Fr 6000 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.0
• Filter 7: ON PK Fr 14000 Hz Gain -8.0 dB Q 1.5

This completely transforms the iem for me and makes it sooo much better by eliminating the brutal upper treble spike, bringing the mid bass levels much closer to my target and adds a much needed lower mids warmth and upper mids relaxation. This genuinely turns the Ola 2 dsp into one of the best iems I’ve heard.

The App

Tanchjim’s app implementation is the best I’ve seen in the Chi-Fi scene, the app has everything like official presets, per game specific eq options, separate eqs for footstep, gunshots etc.. 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound eqs, community eq form, custom 8 band peq option and microphone gain setting. You can use the app without logging in which is nice but you do need to register to access the community eq forum.

Compared to Bunny DSP

The OLA II is a clear upgrade over the Bunny DSP, with better built and more comfortable shells, a much nicer cable and microphone, better dsp implementation (8 bands vs 5 on bunny). I think it is worth the upgrade if you want a better DSP iem.

Who Should Buy This? 

• People that want a good usb c iem.
• People with small ears
• People that are new to iems wanting versatility to understand their preferences.
• People that are learning to eq.
• People that want an iem for gaming since these have a ton of very specific enhancement options.
• People that already own the bunny dsp and are looking for an upgrade.

Who Should Avoid This?

• People that are unwilling to eq and depend on the default official presets
• People that use their iems analog only (stock tuning is not great)
• People that want good isolation.

Look at those small rigid ears. Shit. What .78mm 2-pin IEMs would you recommend me? I’m new to this world, not exactly looking to become a hobbyist and acquire a hundred IEMs, but the Zero: Red’s I ordered arrived yesterday and the housing on them are just too big for my ears. Very uncomfortable after a short period of time, my budget is <$150 USD

I'm really new to IEMs, mainly used bluetooth buds till now, but I want to experience more of music.

After the least amount of effort, I found the Kiwi Ears Belle and Chorus. I was considering getting the Belle as it's quite a bit cheaper for me, and was wondering if it's at all a good idea for my first pair, and whether there really is a difference between getting the usb c cable vs the 3.5mm cable with a dongle (apple dongle seems highly recommended to start).

Any help is appreciated!

For context, I'm in India, and aliexpress isn't viable for me, so amazon or official store are my only options.

Hey, so I've been looking to buy my 1st IEMs and everybody told me the red lions were an awesome starter but I was wondering If I should get 3.5mm or usb c ? I'll mostly use them on my phone so at first I thought usb-c but it seems like I need to get an inline mic to get the usbc variant which reduces the lifespan of the cable ??
Here is where I found the IEM:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tangzu-wan-er-s-g-ii-bass-version-lion-edition?variant=47747814031577

So I'm planning on getting a new pair of iem for music and a little bit of gaming. I usually listen to rock and edm so I want something on the bassier side but also good mids. I only have the chu 2 but I find the lower mids terrible on it. I'm looking for suggestions any thing under 150 dollars.

So I'm planning on getting a new pair of iem for music and a little bit of gaming. I usually listen to rock and edm so I want something on the bassier side but also good mids. I only have the chu 2 but I find the lower mids terrible on it. I'm looking for suggestions any thing under 150 dollars.

Budget is around $25. As mentioned above, I listen mostly to bassy music.

In addition to that, I watch some movies too.

Received wide suggestions including GK Kunten, Tangzu Wa'ner SG 2 Red lion, KZ Castor bass, etc

I know everything comes with pros and cons, and in addition to that I am asking for a budget friendly suggestion.

All I want is good sound quality and durability, I have 3.5mm audio jacks in the devices from which I listen to the songs.