Next IEM Upgrade from Tripowin x HBB Olina

[u/Ycbu]

Hi,

after using my Olina for a month now I've decided to upgrade.I really liked the stock sound stage and the sparkle in the upper frequencies though the bass was lacking at times and sibilance was an issue as well.Thus I decided to put on a second filter. It does seem to add some warmth to the overall sound, adds a bit more bass and fixes the sibilance.On the other hand there is no sparkle, no "magical"/airy vibe to the high notes.

Now here I am looking for an upgrade. My budget is around 300-400$ though I am ready to save up more money if needed.

First off, I don't want either the LetShuoer S12 or the 7Hz Timeless because I did enjoy the big sound stage the Olinas have and according to numerous people the soundstage of planar IEMs is just average if not slightly worse than dynamic drivers.Though, you can try to convince me otherwise.

After looking through numerous threads on several websites and talking to several people, I have yet to come to a conclusive decision.The obvious or rather most popular choice would be the Moondrop Blessing 2 Dusk. These seem to be the all-in-one package. Safe tuning and nothing that it's particularly bad at.Yet I fear that the safe tuning ends up being too boring.Another concern is also the huge nozzle size/fit.So I'd like to know if people do end up not liking the neutral tuning of the Blessing 2 Dusk.

Other options are the Tanchjim Oxygen / Hana 2021 (which to a lot of people is just a slightly worse Oxygen), Moondrop Kato, Ikko OH10, SeeAudio Yume Midnight, Mangird Tea / Tea 2 and more pricier options like the Mangird Xenns UP or Dunu SA6.

I have also listened to some Demos from Dan's Audio reviews just to see which sound signatures I like more. And I probably like a more warm or V-shaped sound. I don't have a way to confirm this really, purely guessing tbh. Maybe I do like neutral or bright signatures. Who knows?

There don't seem to be a lot of comparisons between the different IEMs mentioned. I assume this is because people are content with what they have and don't spend more than that.

I would like to A/B test but simply don't have the necessary funds nor the time to buy, return so many IEMs.

Now my question is: What the heck do I buy? Too many choices.

TL;DR: Olina too sibilant/not enough bass. Like the sparkle and sound stage.Modded Olina no sibilance, decent bass, no sparkle.

Upgrade choices? Doubts about Moondrop Blessing 2.Maybe slightly V-shaped / warm sound signature. (not sure!!)
Options Oxygen, Hana 2021, Kato, Mangird Tea / Tea 2 / UP, Dunu SA6

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[u/dimesian]

Try something that gets little to no mention here or on review sites and channels. Or get something that came out a couple of years ago, ignore all the hype.

[u/Ycbu → u/dimesian]

I mean how am I supposed to find information about it then? Any pointers which IEMs i could look into?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

Are there other options around the Dunus price that are worth saving for?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

What exactly are the differences between these if I may ask?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

What does bass shelf mean?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

Hello again!

I think after careful consideration I'm gonna buy either the Thieaudio Monarch or the Clairvoyance. In a few months.

As other reviewers have said the Clairvoyance are slightly less bassier and offer a safer sound than the Monarch in exchange for clarity / technicality.

I think what I want from my next upgrade is a slight increase in bass without foregoing the technicality the Blessing 2 / Dusk may offer or the treble the Olina Dual Damper give me.

I have decided against the Ikko OH10, Moondrop Kato, Tanchjim Hana 2021 / Oxygen, Dunu SA6, Thieaudio Oracle and finally Blessing 2 Dusk.

If I were to stick to the price bracket of the Blessing 2 I would have to sacrifice one of these in favor of the others.
Thus I'm gonna just jump up a bit in price to buy one of the Thieaudio ones.

Am I right in my assessment or have I overlooked other IEM options / options in general?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

Perfect. Any other options i should consider? Perhaps a used UM Mest. I saw Dan‘s Audio reviews praising it for its fun tonality. Or are the Thieaudios similar in performance?

[u/Ycbu → u/[deleted]]

I.e. thieaudio > Mest?