At the time I'm releasing this video (14th November 2021), Ambient Dynamics are offering special pricing on the Lyndale. You can then also use the code #Passion for a further $5 off! Get them here: ambient.audio/
I prefer a neutral with a slight tilt to warm IEM. I have the 0H-10 and really like them a lot. They are very engaging. One of my favourite IEMs in my collection.
First of all, thank you for this wonderful video and comparison. As for what type of IEM I prefer, like you, I'm partial to those with a warmer sound. Keeping my fingers cross for that contest and more power to you and Verum!!!
I generally like a neutral-warm IEM with a small bass boost, but I'd like to have different IEMs that all present my music in unique ways. Great review as always, I'll be looking to see what Ambient Dynamics do in the future!
@Fisher Man I mean that there is more bass than a completely neutral IEM, one that has a flat frequency response in the bass frequencies. One IEM may have more bass than another IEM, on the same recording, due to this frequency response. Hope this helped 👍
My musical tastes goes mainly for a neutral-warm signature IEM with a little coherent bass boost or a tubby experience and lushy and funny sound. but depending on the genre or my mood I can go as well for a more neutral and analytical signature and enjoy it a lot.
I began my journey of audiophilia with KZ ZSN Pro, it made me prefer a v-shaped tuning. Slowly, I discovered more IEMs and bought the ER2XR this year. I feel that it is my true preference, DF-Neutral with Bass Emphasis in the Sub-Frequencies.
Fiio FH3 are my recommendation if you like the Hybrid IEMs, or the "winners" here, I have the KZ ZS10 pros and preffer tge FH3 most of the time as bass is noticeably more powerful among other factors, still keep my KZs just for veriaty, learned too well that having just one set of headphones is how you get bored of even good sounds, IMO
I've never heard the other 3 but pretty much stopped buying IEMs after OH10. Its hard to beat. Was thinking about OH7 vs campfire Solaris vs Thie Monarch. I need the thick bass with soundstage on an IEM which is a hard to find combination. Great analysis Lochlan
I like a wide variety of signatures and fit them to the type of music I'm listening to. I ended up buying the Kato's. Other IEM's I've tried are the tin t3, blon bl03's, ety er2xr, and er4xr. I really like to re-listen to some of my favorite music and hear things that I didn't notice before.
Thank you for another great review. Keep those music suggestions coming. I am new to IEM’s and still struggling to get a good fit but if my taste in headphones is any indication than neutral is the tuning I prefer.
For IEMs I like them bassy with a relaxed top end (as fun as V is I like non fatiguing for walking around)! Walking my dog there’s so much background noise I don’t need ultimate transparency so I find it a really good time to listen to my EDM podcasts that maybe aren’t the best sound quality to begin with but I still really enjoy.
I used to like very V-shaped tuning, but lately I went for neutral with slight bass boost instead. I notice that brightness sometimes can mask details.
I generally lean towads a neutral, clean sound with good tonal balance, detail and resolution, but with an ever so slight lift in the bass. That is why I ordered the Kato which should arrive in a couple of weeks. I think my use of the steel and brass tubes will depend on the music genre being listened to at the time.
I enjoy different signatures depending on the music & mood, with the exception of bright signatures. Punchy and impactful bass is a must. Relaxed treble is preferable. Upper mids must convey the bite and aggression of distorted guitars, so they must not be recessed.
Yes. In recording it this days. The bass guitar does the job of the bass of the guitar compared to the 80ths. So the bass always should be 1 dB louder than the guitar.
Etymotic made me a neutral head! The er2xr is insane in terms of cleanliness and timbre, it gets real close to life, so much that sometimes I find myself staring into absolutely nothing and being repeatedly startled by things happening around me (at the correct volumes) XD
Great review as always. This price spot is the most attractive. We can get good quality without be too expensive. About the IEM question, for me, the most important is to have a WIDE SOUNDSTAGE. Something too difficult to get in this kind of headphones.
For IEMs as well as headphones I prefer a neutral tuning with decent bass extension and natural sounding mids. I'd choose fast bass without a whole lot of extension over good bass extension that's a little boomy and imprecise, and I'd rather suffer a little sibilance if it meant fairly accurate and engaging treble that avoids smearing.
I like these price category showdowns, really helpful. About the sound, I prefer a natural tuning with detailed mids and slightly north of neutral in the bass region. I haven’t tried any great IEM as of yet. But I have Blon Bl-03 but I have modded them by using different silicon tips and silver and gold plated copper cable. I think the sound I could hear now is the best one could arguably retrieve from these iems. Thanks again for your insightful reviews.
@@PassionforSound Yeay! really exciting. Please include JM20 in those, if possible. At the end of that comparison, I wish to suggest that, please rate those dongles purely for their sound quality after price category showdown. Thanks 🙏🏼
I'm not sure the JM20 will make it in because I have no contacts to get it from and I need to film ASAP. I've got plenty of good stuff though from about $50 USD up to $200 USD
I got the Kato and really enjoyed the sound especially the upper mids. However the thick cable and the shallow fit makes the iem not secure enough for even walking.
With regard to IEM, I found the turning of Shure 215 relaxing yet very intimate/enjoyable to listen to. At some point, I went all the way over to Unique Melody Miracles which are much more lit up, dynamic, transparent (and require a low output impedance amp to bring out bass). The UM Miracles are good for short listening sessions when you need to hear it all. For longer term use, I prefer a warm sound. My full size cans are Hifiman 4xx and Sundaras. For contrast, when I had a full size speaker setup, my favorite speakers were JM Reynaud Twins (Had Tiny Dancers, Soliloquoy 5.0s, Silverline Sonatina 2s and even Spica Angelus).
I prefer a warmer IEM with good isolation for use when travelling. I'm definitely not a bass head and prefer an IEM that is more suited to vocals. Enjoyed the review as it's an affordable price point for me.
I do prefer W-shape iem - I think decent bass is essential, clear minds and vocals are a must and brightness and air are highly preferred. For example, I find OH10 veeery good, sometimes I prefer them more than B2 Dusk.
I normally like my IEMs to be as neutral as possible, I prefer the natural life-like sound, my playlists are too mixed to have a v shape or warm/bright tuned iem.
I prefer warm iems, with focus on the mids. I am a fan of harmon tuned iems because I found them very natural when it comes to the sound that they produce.
For IEMs I definitely prefer a warm bassy sound without accentuated treble because I’m really treble sensitive. I like the Honeydew and Vega from Campfire so far.
@@PassionforSound Got them and really love the way they sound even though they are kinda V-shaped. No regrets at all, totally an upgrade for my Aria. These will be with me till I am ready to upgrade to next level, something like Xenns Up.
@@PassionforSound the OH10 cost about 40usd more that the KATO in my place. (240 vs 200usd) But you said they are really close. Is the KATO a better option if they don't have the same price?
I think I'd bring it down to tastes. If you like a more neutral tuning, the KATOs are definitely the better option. If you like more bass though it's hard to match the OH10.
I prefer neutral IEM with no dip in the bass region. I am sensitive to shoutiness at 2 to 4 kHz so this section in particular must not be over emphasized.
I prefer IEMs with a balanced sound signature well extended in both directions with a fairly even frequency response but slightly v-shaped and good dynamics that provides lots of punch and slam.
@@hrvojekant9415 thanks. I nearly bought some on 11.11 but then saw them cheaper somewhere else then there's 7Hz timeless to consider and also tin P1 plus. I heard that OH10 are a bit heavy. They might tend to fall out if they don't fit well.
@@kyron42 I payed them 159 USA $ ...delivered at my address... Yes, they are weighty indeded... but that is not a problem for me. When they are in the ears... thay do not fall out. The only problem for me is the tiny modest cable.
Thx for the review! have the OH10 & I'm planning on getting the I3 pro thinking it will have better sound separation and imaging compare to OH10. Maybe I'll just wait for a better option 😅
I'd recommend the Ambient Dynamics Lyndale or the KATO from Moondrop. Both are excellent and were VERY hard to separate in this battle. With the current pricing of the Lyndales for the holiday season plus the additional $5 discount (code #Passion) they're a very compelling option IMO
So I've purchased the Tin T2, the BLON BL-03, the KZ ZSX, the Shouer Tapes, the Tripowin TC-01, the Etymotics ER2XR, the Moondrop Aria, and now the Moondrop Quarks. Out of that cache of relativity budget IEMs, I prefer the BL-03 and the Quarks by considerable margins. And I think the reason is comfort 1, bass 2, and smooth mids and highs 3. I'm pretty sure I prefer a single DD IEM and I probably prefer big booty bass. So I'm actually thinking I should get me a Campfire Honeydew. This was a cool video. I appreciate how you clarified your definition of natural and I will absolutely be stealing it without properly accrediting you whatsoever. I think the iKKo is what I would pick from the group personally though the total package from Moondrop is attractive. However IEMs for me are night time affairs as headphones dominate my day time. I'm not looking to hear all the details or to be able to 3D map the recording space in my mind from the quality of imaging. I think smooth, bassy, warm/dark is probably my target. Much appreciated 🙏, I think this video solidifies for me that I'm not really looking for what most people would be with IEMs.
Glad you liked it and feel free to use the term 'natural' and definition at will 🙂 I've got another IEM coming in the future that you might like - the CSN CCA24
I have a few pair myself and always go back to the Blon BL-03, I love the warmth as well... they sound like the speakers I had in my room as a teenager.
I prefer warm-neutral sounding IEMs. I'm curious to see your take on the 7hz timeless once you get your hands on it since every reviewer seems to love it.
I definitely prefer a IEM with an accented upper midrange/ lower treble. The caviate would be I absolutely love both a nice healthy sub bass and mid bass as well. As it stands, EQ/PEQ is my friend.
Great review as always. I prefer an IEM with a neutral - slightly warm sound signature, detailed without being sibilant . I am looking forward to your review of the 7hz Timeless.
Personally, I prefer a clean sound (hi-fi) for most music types so I can hear exactly what the artist intended. However, I find that a sound too clean can make heavier styles a little fatiguing. For those styles, I prefer a V-shaped frequency response. A very well thought out review with good sample tracks to demonstrate your views. Great video ;-)
I personally prefer fun, punchy IEMs, particularly the Moobdrop Arias. They were a wonderful complement to the HE-6SEs that I use as my daily drivers. I gave the Arias away, though, so I'm in the market for a new pair. Looking at either the TRI Starsea or TRI Meteor.
My musical taste for iem would be something like the 7Hz timeless tuning which is mild V leaning more on the low frequency with detail throughout the frequency range. without the sibliance on the S consonant. Would like to see your review on the 7Hz timeless.
Great to see this kind of detail in your comparison! Really makes potential upgrades much easier. I reckon I'm a bit of a treble and detail head so something bright would be my preference, but of course at this price point I don't think any of these would disappoint!
TBH I do not really know what kind of IEM sound I prefer as I do not own decent IEMs but only decent over-ear headphones. However, the kind of sound I prefer is a warmer sound but with detail, particularly in vocals and highs, but I do not like harsh highs. I do not know if this makes sense. Great video, as always. Thank you.
I prefer the neutral-warm sound. Ideally I wouldn't want any component in the audio chain to color the sound in any way - so strictly neutral - but I do like a bit of punch and slam
That's an interesting one because it's very difficult to define what is truly neutral and most of those IEMs designed to be "neutral" won't have any punch or slam
Happy New Year, wish you the best!💫Thanks a lot for all your reviews, they're really honest, professional, and awesome! Keep it up! If you don't mind I have a couple of questions. How do these iems reproduce vocals? I'll explain. I used Dan Clark Aeon 2 closed-back headphones so the voices sounded like a step or two behind you and it was a problem to me cause I prefer vocals one or two steps in front. So what about Moondrop Kato? Because I listen to a lot of UA-cam, podcasts, and tv shows so my main priority is to hear natural, clear, warm, well-articulated, and pleasant voices without any sibilance. Would you tell me please which Moondrop Kato or 7hz Timeless is my cup of tea? Or maybe there is something better? Budget is not a problem up to $500. Thanks!
Hi Maksym and Happy New Year! I think either the KATO or the Timeless could work well for you. The Timeless has a richer warmer sound due to the increased bass compared to the more neutral tuning of the KATO. Given your budget though, maybe take a look for a pair of Audiofly AF1120 MK2. Audiofly are sadly closing down but it means there are some amazing deals around for their earphones. (The AF180 would also be great) One final option might be the Kiwi Ears Opera. I'll be reviewing it later in 2022, but my early listening would suggest that it's a great vocals IEM with good overall tonality.
Nicely Done. I was keeping an eye out for the OH10's for 11.11 and they did have a good sale. Alas Drop's sale on a headphone I've been eyeing won out :) There doesn't seen to be an iem signature at this/my price range that fits all my criteria. But I do know I like an elevated sub bass and slightly forward mids. Thanks
@@kyron42 😄 Ha ha for kicking around the glovebox yes but for home HD600, R70X, DT 880, AKG 612,Hifiman Ananda, Stax SR lambda and Stax L700 mk2 are pretty neutral and natural sounding....ps if i win the the vermin one ill give it to you.
I personally thought I preferred a bassy iem and had been enjoying my periodic audio Be, however after your review of the audiofly iems I have been enjoying their more analytical sound (af180). I think I like a mix of both 🤔
In first few seconds about the Tri i3 pro you got 3 things wrong. Conicidence? I dont think so. 3 is the name of the game :). 1. Theyre not the cheapest of the bunch but in line with the rest(dont know about lyndale), as retail for them is $189. 2. The configuration is DD for bass, Planar for mids and BA for treble. 3. I dont think planar is bass related driver as it doesnt have the perfect timbre in that region, but are great for mids, for which theyre used in the set. Good DD will always be better for bass.
Hi realx3m, The KATO are 189.99 and the Lyndale list price is 249 so the i3 Pro are the cheapest of the 3 (excluding the OH10 which wasn't technically a part of the main battle) As for the configuration, the information online was very sketchy when I was doing my research for these and trying to understand which driver did what.
@@PassionforSound Better focus on the other 2 points i made, instead just on the price :). Another thing i noticed after watching the video is what you said about the cable - "purity is one of the biggest things that improves the quality of the sound coming through"... What affects the change in sound in cables is resistance, capacitance and inductance and not purity or type of metal used. And the changes are pretty subtle, and not trained ear will most probably not even notice, even a trained one will have some trouble in blind testing i can guarantee you that. Ok, purity will affect the resistance(which will affect sound) but to discernible amount when were talking about already good cables in general, and thickness of the strands will have much greater role in that. Capacitance will be affected by insulation thickness, conductor diamter and the insulators dielectric constant. And will those changes be an improvement or making it worse, is entirely dependent on the iem in question, namely the driver characteristics. Not every change is good in the ear of the beholder, and there is no such thing as silver sounds brighter(because its white) or copper sounds darker and bring out the bass(because its a dark metal), which you didnt claim but im just throwing this in as ive seen it stated number of times elsewhere. You have a decent following, so unless you have a financial interest in the matter i think it would be best not to lead them astray with whats bordering with snake oil claims. Just a constructive criticism, so hopefully wont be interpreted as some sort of an attack on you or your channel.
I find myself preferring an IEM that leans slightly on the warmer side of neutral. I own the Moondrop Kato but I do prefer my JVC + Drop FDX1 with the 50% filter installed over it. The FDX1 just sounds more natural to me. Flatter, quicker bass as well.
@@PassionforSound If not I’ll receive an Amazon gift card for the amount I paid ($200) for it. If that’s the case, I’m wondering if I’ll repurchase those or get something else.
I generally prefer a warm but detailed sound signature. My current fave is the 7Hz Timeless. I also really like the Fearless S8f, but prefer more bass. I do have the OH10 and really enjoy them, but I would like to check out the i3 Pro. I have heard a Verum 1 Mk2 last year and thought it sounded lovely! They lean slightly bright with TONS of detail retrieval. Even if I don't win them, whoever does is getting a really sweet set of planars. Cheers from USA!
What would be a "next step" from the Timeless? I have them and I really like them - they got me into in-ears again.. So in a way I'm content but now I'm just curious if I could enjoy something even more as I really enjoy the Timeless. What do you like with the S8f if I may ask? (I don't mind EQing at all - I have a Qudelix-5K which is perfect for that case)
@@PassionforSound Yeah well that's the thing. Normally I would probably tend to think the amount of bass is a bit too elevated with the Timeless but I just find myself loving it. Maybe it's a planar thing - I don't know. They do have some veil to them I find that I have managed to somewhat EQ away. So I guess I'm looking for something with more clarity/presence in the upper end still retaining a smooth/warm signature..
Interesting. You might like the Moondrop KATO or Ambient Dynamics Lyndale. The Lyndales are currently $65 off if you use the code #Passion so it's a good time to give them a try. Otherwise, I'm a bit stuck because I can't think of many options that are not a huge leap in price to get better performance. No doubt there are some, but there's a gap in my experience at that price range.
Good Detailed review! Do u listen to metal music? What sub $200 IEM would be best for metal ? I have the ikko oh10 and it's fantastic for my library except for a lot of the metal music it sounds very thin(especially the male vocals) and the female vocals or high pitched scream vocals sounds shouty. I would appreciate something that has good thick sound without being muddy in instrument and vocal seperation especially in busy tracks. Thanks
Unfortunately I don't listen to metal, but I think the 7Hz Timeless might be a good option based on what you're describing. I've got the review coming soon.
Yeah, it all depends on what I can get my hands on . It's a tough call between the KATO and Lyndale. If I could only have one it would probably be the Lyndale, but I honestly love both.
Driver Flex- can you adjust the iem in your ear to fix it ? I think you said the Lyndale has more bass then the Keto, not seeing that in your graph @ 31.27. Maybe I missed something :)
The driver flex only happens during insertion so only when you're adjusting it. Once inserted, it's not an issue. As for the bass, it comes down to the overall balance of frequencies and decay of the bass too. The Lyndales roll-off more than the KATO and they come across punchier so I'd put that down to a faster decay from the KATO, but the Lyndales definitely aren't slow.
Thanks, but are you sure? I found the website descriptions very unclear. I'm very open to the fact that you're right - just wary due to the lack of clarity from the retail sites
It's not me deleting your posts. I keep seeing them in notifications, but they're gone by the time I go to read and respond. UA-cam is pretty aggressive with auto-deleting certain content in comments I'm afraid. Sorry!
@@PassionforSound haha, i know, it's fine. Sorry for the notifications, lol It's yt deleting links. Then I tried just mentioning just the name of the site, even that gets deleted.
I have the Tin T2 plus, Blon BL03 & the KZ ZS10 Pro, falling for the hype train, I've ordered the 7hz Timeless and the KATO....will be arriving in a couple of days, How much of a sound quality jump can I realistically expect from these two compared to the dirt cheap ChiFi's that I already own? I use apple music Lossless on my Sony A105 and a Shanling M3X...
I typically prefer neutral warm slight v-shape tuning like with the Tea's. However, I do enjoy fast attacks much like what beryllium dynamics for bass and planars are with the quick decay for clarity in the mids and into treble. Notable sets are the L2 and the HZSOUND Heart Mirror which is comparable to my Tin Hifi P1's. Haven't yet ventured the headphone realm yet. But are the Verum's opened or closed back? Which do you prefer? And what are the pros and cons of both. Nevertheless, it would be a great opportunity to win and acquire my first headphones. Thanks for the opportunity.
The Verums are an open back planar. Check out my budget planar battle to learn more 🙂 Generally, open backs provide a greater sense of space and I think are preferable in almost all situations unless you specifically need isolation from your surroundings - keeping noise out and your music in.
@@PassionforSound greatly appreciate the feedback. I think I might prefer open back if it emphasize the soundstage and I'd like it even more if there's instrument isolation. If the Verum is anything like what I just explain, I'm going to be in audiophile heaven if I ever win these. I do enjoy my live music. One day I'll find a set that has the reproduction is as if I'm in a live concert and it would absolutely be mind-blowing. Any recommendations as to what fits the description whether it maybe headphones closed or opened or iems? It'll be greatly appreciated.
Capturing that live sound is always the dream. I've heard headphones that capture parts of that experience, but none that get everything right. The Meze Empyreans capture the feel of bass in a jazz or blues club. The Susvaras capture the attack and textures of instruments like you're in the same room and the Utopias place vocalists like they're literally in front of you, but each one struggles where others exceed so it's very difficult. The Meze Elites are currently the closest I've heard to perfection, but they're still not quite there either...
I've done research in some places, but as I really like your placements, I would like to know which IEM to buy. I listen to a lot of songs with strings, vocals, and percussion (I want more strenght on that last one). Which do you recommend, the OH10 or TRI I3 PRO?
The OH10 will provide stronger punch for the bass percussion (kick drums, etc.) and good brightness for the strings, vocals, cymbals, etc. The I3 Pro will focus more on the upper percussion like cymbals while still sounding great on the strings and vocals
How is the soundstage of this compared to the aria? Does the sound end up fatiguing over hours of listening. I’m looking to get an upgrade as well from TinHifi T3+. Is this really a huge step up compared to the aria or T3+ when it comes to sound quality? My other choices are TRI Starsea or TRI I3 pro but leaning towards the ikko OH10 due to the reviews Ive seen so far. Guys please enlighten me
I'd go for the KATO or Lyndale I think. Both are excellent in the areas you're asking about and then the next part will come down to your preferences based on what I've described
For me, I like a detailed and warmer iem. I'm thinking more like the kilo OH10. However, I've not heard the new hopefully NOT over hyped 7hz Timeless. Could you perhaps include them in your next mash up?
Unfortunately, music genres don't necessarily work better/worse with specific tunings of IEMs. It's more important to work out what you like - more treble, more bass, etc.
I'm not sure the exact conversion to Euros, but I'd probably look at (in no specific order) the 7Hz Timeless, Tonezzz ONEz, and Shuoer EJ07M (if it's in budget). The Kiwi Ears Orchestra are also interesting, but I haven't finished my listening tests with those yet.
If you take a look in the video description, there's a link to the gear I recommend. Not exactly a tier list, but might give you what you're looking for
As a owner of OH 10 I heartly support your findings... but still stand by my experiance that upper midrange is a bit too bright.. comparing it with neutral ie. natural sounding headphones . Regards from SE Europe
My goto tuning is W shaped. I must say, in today’s UA-cam reviews scene it is a bit disappointing not to see the 7Hz Timeless and Hana 2021 in this battle
@Passion for Sound noted. The reason because I want to get the oh10. I have the fiio fh3, its an iem that should cost much more for sure. The image are great and sound stage too. The oh10, I hear that does not respond the same as fh3. That's the reason I asked. You review was out if this world. I will start doing reviews soon too. Just trying to get a video technician because I done have much experience. I was a music producer before and been an hi fi freak since I was a kid. Your review was great in details. I like it a lot. Keep going .
@Passion for Sound from other reviewers I hate the fact they never mention the drivers. Knowles driver list are around 50 models. Ranging from 8 dollars to 150 dollars per driver. The note expensive the better image . Many things makes no sense from other reviewers.
@Passion for Sound bass bleed into the mids. Easy to fix that. Raise the mids between 300hz to 1k and the mids gets above the bass bleed. Most reviewers don't see the line of the mids if they are 1 dB over the normal. Other thing. Female vocals or make vocals. An iem should reproduce both the same. When someone says the iem sounds great in female voices .it means the 2 k to 4k are raised above what should be. That's not a real representation of the real recording . Other thing is drivers like etymotic that people say is great for studio and represents a real representation. Mmmm. Noo. How. If I record with an iem with no bass that you mention, then the recording would sound too bass in most systems. You total right to make that absorbation. Or choosing bass iem for hip hop. Noooo. Hip hop already eas recording with high and low pass filters and binding that boost in lows. Then by getting an iem with a bass boost will even be more bass than was recorded .
@Passion for Sound noozle lenth . People.talk about things that are not right. Iem should be reviewed on a phone. Dac.dap,low volume and high volume. For me I listen blasting sounds. So i need an iem that has very low highs and no picks between 4 and 10k. Most people listen music on phones. I have iem that sound great on dap and then on phone are terrible. Give viewer's a chance to see that. I would be like. Ok. This iem,great volume on dap. Dac but not on phones. Low volume is great. High volume is too bright. On dac the sounds muffled a bit too much.etc
I prefer more neutral IEMs but with the right amount of fun. They shouldn‘t be too flat and on the same time also not emphasizing too much on bass or treble.
At the time I'm releasing this video (14th November 2021), Ambient Dynamics are offering special pricing on the Lyndale. You can then also use the code #Passion for a further $5 off!
Get them here: ambient.audio/
I prefer a neutral with a slight tilt to warm IEM. I have the 0H-10 and really like them a lot. They are very engaging. One of my favourite IEMs in my collection.
First of all, thank you for this wonderful video and comparison. As for what type of IEM I prefer, like you, I'm partial to those with a warmer sound. Keeping my fingers cross for that contest and more power to you and Verum!!!
I generally like a neutral-warm IEM with a small bass boost, but I'd like to have different IEMs that all present my music in unique ways. Great review as always, I'll be looking to see what Ambient Dynamics do in the future!
@Fisher Man I mean that there is more bass than a completely neutral IEM, one that has a flat frequency response in the bass frequencies. One IEM may have more bass than another IEM, on the same recording, due to this frequency response. Hope this helped 👍
I'm a big fan of the OH10 - so warm for me.
Yes! 2 princes. Completely forgot about this song. I used to listen to this on repeat when I was young. Great tune.
It's a great track from an underrated band I think 🙂
@@PassionforSound Completely agree 👍
My musical tastes goes mainly for a neutral-warm signature IEM with a little coherent bass boost or a tubby experience and lushy and funny sound. but depending on the genre or my mood I can go as well for a more neutral and analytical signature and enjoy it a lot.
I prefer V shaped IEMs with a slight lean towards a more aggressive sound
I began my journey of audiophilia with KZ ZSN Pro, it made me prefer a v-shaped tuning. Slowly, I discovered more IEMs and bought the ER2XR this year. I feel that it is my true preference, DF-Neutral with Bass Emphasis in the Sub-Frequencies.
Stupid muddy earphones. Invest in a proper IEM.
Fiio FH3 are my recommendation if you like the Hybrid IEMs, or the "winners" here, I have the KZ ZS10 pros and preffer tge FH3 most of the time as bass is noticeably more powerful among other factors, still keep my KZs just for veriaty, learned too well that having just one set of headphones is how you get bored of even good sounds, IMO
That's a great point about the benefits of having more than one pair of IEMs!
I've never heard the other 3 but pretty much stopped buying IEMs after OH10. Its hard to beat. Was thinking about OH7 vs campfire Solaris vs Thie Monarch. I need the thick bass with soundstage on an IEM which is a hard to find combination. Great analysis Lochlan
I'm curious about all 3 of those too! I'll see if I can get at least a couple of them to try...
@@PassionforSound Oh10 sometimes goes on sale for 129usd. Solaris on sale now for 1290usd... only 10x more🤣🤣🤣
Haha. Only a small leap
I like a wide variety of signatures and fit them to the type of music I'm listening to. I ended up buying the Kato's. Other IEM's I've tried are the tin t3, blon bl03's, ety er2xr, and er4xr. I really like to re-listen to some of my favorite music and hear things that I didn't notice before.
I love that about different tunings too - always discovering new things.
You haven’t heard any music then. These are all rubbish.
Thank you for another great review. Keep those music suggestions coming. I am new to IEM’s and still struggling to get a good fit but if my taste in headphones is any indication than neutral is the tuning I prefer.
Glad you're liking the reviews and the track suggestions!
For IEMs I like them bassy with a relaxed top end (as fun as V is I like non fatiguing for walking around)! Walking my dog there’s so much background noise I don’t need ultimate transparency so I find it a really good time to listen to my EDM podcasts that maybe aren’t the best sound quality to begin with but I still really enjoy.
I used to like very V-shaped tuning, but lately I went for neutral with slight bass boost instead. I notice that brightness sometimes can mask details.
I generally lean towads a neutral, clean sound with good tonal balance, detail and resolution, but with an ever so slight lift in the bass. That is why I ordered the Kato which should arrive in a couple of weeks. I think my use of the steel and brass tubes will depend on the music genre being listened to at the time.
I think you'll love the KATO
I enjoy different signatures depending on the music & mood, with the exception of bright signatures. Punchy and impactful bass is a must. Relaxed treble is preferable. Upper mids must convey the bite and aggression of distorted guitars, so they must not be recessed.
Yes. In recording it this days. The bass guitar does the job of the bass of the guitar compared to the 80ths. So the bass always should be 1 dB louder than the guitar.
I'm basically a basshead, so a warm bassy type of iem is what I like the most.
I also don't mind 'dry' bassy iems either.
When I'm listening critically, I like to have detail, but if I'm listening to simply chill or before going to sleep, I like a warmer sound.
Sounds similar to my tastes and uses 🙂
Etymotic made me a neutral head!
The er2xr is insane in terms of cleanliness and timbre, it gets real close to life, so much that sometimes I find myself staring into absolutely nothing and being repeatedly startled by things happening around me (at the correct volumes) XD
Nice review, thanks! Personally I prefer a neutral to warm IEM, but also like to hear some space and detail.
I'm with you on that one and it's why I like the OH10 so much (even if it actually goes a little too far sometimes)
I like rather warm IEM-s with slightly bass boost and thick midrange. Expansive soundstage is a must.
Great review as always. This price spot is the most attractive. We can get good quality without be too expensive. About the IEM question, for me, the most important is to have a WIDE SOUNDSTAGE. Something too difficult to get in this kind of headphones.
Yes, wide soundstage can be very difficult for an in-ear. I found all of these IEMs to be quite good in that way though
For IEMs as well as headphones I prefer a neutral tuning with decent bass extension and natural sounding mids. I'd choose fast bass without a whole lot of extension over good bass extension that's a little boomy and imprecise, and I'd rather suffer a little sibilance if it meant fairly accurate and engaging treble that avoids smearing.
I prefer basshead IEMs without peakiness in the upper frequencys since my ears are sensitive there. I'm using Campfire Audio Vega 2020 and I love it.
I like these price category showdowns, really helpful.
About the sound, I prefer a natural tuning with detailed mids and slightly north of neutral in the bass region. I haven’t tried any great IEM as of yet. But I have Blon Bl-03 but I have modded them by using different silicon tips and silver and gold plated copper cable. I think the sound I could hear now is the best one could arguably retrieve from these iems. Thanks again for your insightful reviews.
Glad the showdowns are helpful! I have a massive dongle roundup coming soon.
@@PassionforSound Yeay! really exciting. Please include JM20 in those, if possible. At the end of that comparison, I wish to suggest that, please rate those dongles purely for their sound quality after price category showdown. Thanks 🙏🏼
I'm not sure the JM20 will make it in because I have no contacts to get it from and I need to film ASAP. I've got plenty of good stuff though from about $50 USD up to $200 USD
I got the Kato and really enjoyed the sound especially the upper mids. However the thick cable and the shallow fit makes the iem not secure enough for even walking.
For IEMs I prefer a slightly warmer sound with a wide sound stage and good instrument separation.
With regard to IEM, I found the turning of Shure 215 relaxing yet very intimate/enjoyable to listen to. At some point, I went all the way over to Unique Melody Miracles which are much more lit up, dynamic, transparent (and require a low output impedance amp to bring out bass). The UM Miracles are good for short listening sessions when you need to hear it all. For longer term use, I prefer a warm sound. My full size cans are Hifiman 4xx and Sundaras.
For contrast, when I had a full size speaker setup, my favorite speakers were JM Reynaud Twins (Had Tiny Dancers, Soliloquoy 5.0s, Silverline Sonatina 2s and even Spica Angelus).
I owned the UM Miracles once upon a time. Very nice IEM!
I prefer a warmer IEM with good isolation for use when travelling. I'm definitely not a bass head and prefer an IEM that is more suited to vocals. Enjoyed the review as it's an affordable price point for me.
Glad you enjoyed the review! There are some great options around this price
Great comparison review and channel. My preferences lean towards neutral with a bit of warmth to provide the right level of engagement
Glad you liked the review and channel!
Well done Igor.
I do prefer W-shape iem - I think decent bass is essential, clear minds and vocals are a must and brightness and air are highly preferred. For example, I find OH10 veeery good, sometimes I prefer them more than B2 Dusk.
@Vittoria Do not have the FH9. If FH3 - surely!
@Vittoria I do not have the fh9 to tell. Now clear!?
Just answered your other comment, but I don't see a lot of point in it as the FH9 is better even though they're different
I normally like my IEMs to be as neutral as possible, I prefer the natural life-like sound, my playlists are too mixed to have a v shape or warm/bright tuned iem.
I prefer a well-balanced sound signature. Good tone is very important.
I prefer warm iems, with focus on the mids. I am a fan of harmon tuned iems because I found them very natural when it comes to the sound that they produce.
I really liked comparison videos. I really hope you get the opportunity to compare 7Hz timeless with Tin P1 plus at some stage.
I can definitely arrange that! I have both here now
Excellent review.
Thank you 🙂
For IEMs I definitely prefer a warm bassy sound without accentuated treble because I’m really treble sensitive. I like the Honeydew and Vega from Campfire so far.
I personally prefer neutral with slight bass boost. I do like some V-tuning from time to time, but usually I'm drawn to details and imaging.
I'll be getting the Obsidian soon as an upgrade to my Moondrop Aria. From what I have heard they are best suited for my personal taste for sub USD200.
You're in for a treat 🙂
@@PassionforSound Got them and really love the way they sound even though they are kinda V-shaped. No regrets at all, totally an upgrade for my Aria. These will be with me till I am ready to upgrade to next level, something like Xenns Up.
So glad you're liking them!
@@PassionforSound the OH10 cost about 40usd more that the KATO in my place. (240 vs 200usd) But you said they are really close. Is the KATO a better option if they don't have the same price?
I think I'd bring it down to tastes. If you like a more neutral tuning, the KATOs are definitely the better option. If you like more bass though it's hard to match the OH10.
I prefer neutral IEM with no dip in the bass region. I am sensitive to shoutiness at 2 to 4 kHz so this section in particular must not be over emphasized.
I prefer IEMs with a balanced sound signature well extended in both directions with a fairly even frequency response but slightly v-shaped and good dynamics that provides lots of punch and slam.
Than consider OH 10 !
@@hrvojekant9415 thanks. I nearly bought some on 11.11 but then saw them cheaper somewhere else then there's 7Hz timeless to consider and also tin P1 plus. I heard that OH10 are a bit heavy. They might tend to fall out if they don't fit well.
@@kyron42 I payed them 159 USA $ ...delivered at my address...
Yes, they are weighty indeded...
but that is not a problem for me. When they are in the ears... thay do not fall out.
The only problem for me is the tiny modest cable.
Thx for the review! have the OH10 & I'm planning on getting the I3 pro thinking it will have better sound separation and imaging compare to OH10. Maybe I'll just wait for a better option 😅
I'd recommend the Ambient Dynamics Lyndale or the KATO from Moondrop. Both are excellent and were VERY hard to separate in this battle. With the current pricing of the Lyndales for the holiday season plus the additional $5 discount (code #Passion) they're a very compelling option IMO
So I've purchased the Tin T2, the BLON BL-03, the KZ ZSX, the Shouer Tapes, the Tripowin TC-01, the Etymotics ER2XR, the Moondrop Aria, and now the Moondrop Quarks. Out of that cache of relativity budget IEMs, I prefer the BL-03 and the Quarks by considerable margins. And I think the reason is comfort 1, bass 2, and smooth mids and highs 3. I'm pretty sure I prefer a single DD IEM and I probably prefer big booty bass. So I'm actually thinking I should get me a Campfire Honeydew.
This was a cool video. I appreciate how you clarified your definition of natural and I will absolutely be stealing it without properly accrediting you whatsoever. I think the iKKo is what I would pick from the group personally though the total package from Moondrop is attractive. However IEMs for me are night time affairs as headphones dominate my day time. I'm not looking to hear all the details or to be able to 3D map the recording space in my mind from the quality of imaging. I think smooth, bassy, warm/dark is probably my target.
Much appreciated 🙏, I think this video solidifies for me that I'm not really looking for what most people would be with IEMs.
Glad you liked it and feel free to use the term 'natural' and definition at will 🙂
I've got another IEM coming in the future that you might like - the CSN CCA24
Oh nice. I'm with you on the tastes. The difference is that I don't have a special preference towards a single DD.
I have a few pair myself and always go back to the Blon BL-03, I love the warmth as well... they sound like the speakers I had in my room as a teenager.
That's so true about the BL-03s having that entry-level speaker sound (and I mean that in the best possible way)
I prefer warm-neutral sounding IEMs. I'm curious to see your take on the 7hz timeless once you get your hands on it since every reviewer seems to love it.
I have them already and I like them, but I won't say anymore so I don't spoil anything 😉
@@PassionforSound Sweet! I'll be waiting for the review.
I definitely prefer a IEM with an accented upper midrange/ lower treble. The caviate would be I absolutely love both a nice healthy sub bass and mid bass as well. As it stands, EQ/PEQ is my friend.
Yes. Hard to find that exact combo in an IEM at the moment
Great review as always. I prefer an IEM with a neutral - slightly warm sound signature, detailed without being sibilant . I am looking forward to your review of the 7hz Timeless.
I'll get to the Timeless as soon as I can 🙂
7hz vs oh10 I prefer oh10
Oh10 bass more Obviously
Wow! That's great to hear. I'm reviewing the Timeless when I get home from holidays. It will be interesting to compare those
@@PassionforSound both I used different dac to try.maybe I’m wrong,the end see your test better brother
Personally, I prefer a clean sound (hi-fi) for most music types so I can hear exactly what the artist intended. However, I find that a sound too clean can make heavier styles a little fatiguing. For those styles, I prefer a V-shaped frequency response. A very well thought out review with good sample tracks to demonstrate your views. Great video ;-)
Thanks Simon!
Neutral, with good base and lower base. Full meds, treble tamed but clean.
I personally prefer fun, punchy IEMs, particularly the Moobdrop Arias. They were a wonderful complement to the HE-6SEs that I use as my daily drivers.
I gave the Arias away, though, so I'm in the market for a new pair. Looking at either the TRI Starsea or TRI Meteor.
They're two I haven't heard... (not that it's difficult to find IEMs I haven't heard - there are so many new IEMs each month it seems)
My musical taste for iem would be something like the 7Hz timeless tuning which is mild V leaning more on the low frequency with detail throughout the frequency range. without the sibliance on the S consonant. Would like to see your review on the 7Hz timeless.
It's coming soonish... 🙂
Great to see this kind of detail in your comparison! Really makes potential upgrades much easier. I reckon I'm a bit of a treble and detail head so something bright would be my preference, but of course at this price point I don't think any of these would disappoint!
This is one of the few times I've compared multiple devices and not felt like any one of the lagged significantly behind.
@@PassionforSound That speaks volumes to the kind of competition present in the chifi/iem market. This can only be good for the consumer :)
Agree!
TBH I do not really know what kind of IEM sound I prefer as I do not own decent IEMs but only decent over-ear headphones. However, the kind of sound I prefer is a warmer sound but with detail, particularly in vocals and highs, but I do not like harsh highs. I do not know if this makes sense. Great video, as always. Thank you.
Sounds to me like the 7Hz Timeless or upcoming Thieaudio Elixir might be good options for you around a similar price to these units
@@PassionforSound Thank you!
I prefer the neutral-warm sound. Ideally I wouldn't want any component in the audio chain to color the sound in any way - so strictly neutral - but I do like a bit of punch and slam
That's an interesting one because it's very difficult to define what is truly neutral and most of those IEMs designed to be "neutral" won't have any punch or slam
Happy New Year, wish you the best!💫Thanks a lot for all your reviews, they're really honest, professional, and awesome! Keep it up!
If you don't mind I have a couple of questions. How do these iems reproduce vocals? I'll explain. I used Dan Clark Aeon 2 closed-back headphones so the voices sounded like a step or two behind you and it was a problem to me cause I prefer vocals one or two steps in front. So what about Moondrop Kato?
Because I listen to a lot of UA-cam, podcasts, and tv shows so my main priority is to hear natural, clear, warm, well-articulated, and pleasant voices without any sibilance. Would you tell me please which Moondrop Kato or 7hz Timeless is my cup of tea? Or maybe there is something better? Budget is not a problem up to $500. Thanks!
Hi Maksym and Happy New Year! I think either the KATO or the Timeless could work well for you. The Timeless has a richer warmer sound due to the increased bass compared to the more neutral tuning of the KATO.
Given your budget though, maybe take a look for a pair of Audiofly AF1120 MK2. Audiofly are sadly closing down but it means there are some amazing deals around for their earphones. (The AF180 would also be great)
One final option might be the Kiwi Ears Opera. I'll be reviewing it later in 2022, but my early listening would suggest that it's a great vocals IEM with good overall tonality.
@@PassionforSound Got it, thanks a lot!
Nicely Done.
I was keeping an eye out for the OH10's for 11.11 and they did have a good sale. Alas Drop's sale on a headphone I've been eyeing won out :)
There doesn't seen to be an iem signature at this/my price range that fits all my criteria. But I do know I like an elevated sub bass and slightly forward mids.
Thanks
Which headphone did you go for?
@@PassionforSound Did I say headphone. There goes my chance :)
I like to match my headphones/iems with my mood and music but lean to a natural and detailed sound.
Such as the CCA NRA.
@@kyron42 😄 Ha ha for kicking around the glovebox yes but for home HD600, R70X, DT 880, AKG 612,Hifiman Ananda, Stax SR lambda and Stax L700 mk2 are pretty neutral and natural sounding....ps if i win the the vermin one ill give it to you.
@@chefsteve8381 Haha yes the Verum one sounds like it would be my sort of can. And I could get you something you would enjoy.
I personally thought I preferred a bassy iem and had been enjoying my periodic audio Be, however after your review of the audiofly iems I have been enjoying their more analytical sound (af180). I think I like a mix of both 🤔
It's often nice to have a couple of different options if at all possible
In first few seconds about the Tri i3 pro you got 3 things wrong. Conicidence? I dont think so. 3 is the name of the game :).
1. Theyre not the cheapest of the bunch but in line with the rest(dont know about lyndale), as retail for them is $189.
2. The configuration is DD for bass, Planar for mids and BA for treble.
3. I dont think planar is bass related driver as it doesnt have the perfect timbre in that region, but are great for mids, for which theyre used in the set. Good DD will always be better for bass.
Hi realx3m, The KATO are 189.99 and the Lyndale list price is 249 so the i3 Pro are the cheapest of the 3 (excluding the OH10 which wasn't technically a part of the main battle)
As for the configuration, the information online was very sketchy when I was doing my research for these and trying to understand which driver did what.
@@PassionforSound Better focus on the other 2 points i made, instead just on the price :).
Another thing i noticed after watching the video is what you said about the cable - "purity is one of the biggest things that improves the quality of the sound coming through"... What affects the change in sound in cables is resistance, capacitance and inductance and not purity or type of metal used. And the changes are pretty subtle, and not trained ear will most probably not even notice, even a trained one will have some trouble in blind testing i can guarantee you that.
Ok, purity will affect the resistance(which will affect sound) but to discernible amount when were talking about already good cables in general, and thickness of the strands will have much greater role in that.
Capacitance will be affected by insulation thickness, conductor diamter and the insulators dielectric constant.
And will those changes be an improvement or making it worse, is entirely dependent on the iem in question, namely the driver characteristics. Not every change is good in the ear of the beholder, and there is no such thing as silver sounds brighter(because its white) or copper sounds darker and bring out the bass(because its a dark metal), which you didnt claim but im just throwing this in as ive seen it stated number of times elsewhere.
You have a decent following, so unless you have a financial interest in the matter i think it would be best not to lead them astray with whats bordering with snake oil claims.
Just a constructive criticism, so hopefully wont be interpreted as some sort of an attack on you or your channel.
I find myself preferring an IEM that leans slightly on the warmer side of neutral. I own the Moondrop Kato but I do prefer my JVC + Drop FDX1 with the 50% filter installed over it. The FDX1 just sounds more natural to me. Flatter, quicker bass as well.
That's interesting that you prefer the JVC! Thanks for sharing
My OH10’s stopped working. I got a warranty. Sent them off to see if they can be repaired. If not, I may get those JVC’s. Those are VERY intriguing.
Sorry to hear. I hope your OH10s come back in perfect order
@@PassionforSound If not I’ll receive an Amazon gift card for the amount I paid ($200) for it. If that’s the case, I’m wondering if I’ll repurchase those or get something else.
There are some great options around that price. Nothing that's clearly better than the OH10, but a number of comparable options
The KATO is on my list ..as a top dog in my IEM’s stable..current reigning top dog my IKKO OH10’s 🍻
Nice! Good choices on both counts
Just picked up the IKKO OH10 for $150.00 bucks......on ebay
That's an awesome price!
Kato owner here, is oh10 an upgrade just in the bass? Metal edm house type music here. Please
It's absolutely an upgrade in bass. For those genres I think you'd be very happy
@@PassionforSound have you tried tanchjim hana, what about between those 2? thanks so much for the replys!!
Awesome! Hope you love them all much as I do (and many other viewers too based on the comments)
I prefer the warm type. I am very sensitive in the Bright region.
I generally prefer a warm but detailed sound signature. My current fave is the 7Hz Timeless. I also really like the Fearless S8f, but prefer more bass. I do have the OH10 and really enjoy them, but I would like to check out the i3 Pro. I have heard a Verum 1 Mk2 last year and thought it sounded lovely! They lean slightly bright with TONS of detail retrieval. Even if I don't win them, whoever does is getting a really sweet set of planars. Cheers from USA!
The i3 Pro are pretty cool despite being very different to your normal preferences. The Timeless are great too (review coming soon)
What would be a "next step" from the Timeless? I have them and I really like them - they got me into in-ears again.. So in a way I'm content but now I'm just curious if I could enjoy something even more as I really enjoy the Timeless. What do you like with the S8f if I may ask? (I don't mind EQing at all - I have a Qudelix-5K which is perfect for that case)
Would you want the same sound signature or a different tuning in some way (i.e. warmer, brighter, etc.)?
@@PassionforSound Yeah well that's the thing. Normally I would probably tend to think the amount of bass is a bit too elevated with the Timeless but I just find myself loving it. Maybe it's a planar thing - I don't know. They do have some veil to them I find that I have managed to somewhat EQ away. So I guess I'm looking for something with more clarity/presence in the upper end still retaining a smooth/warm signature..
Interesting. You might like the Moondrop KATO or Ambient Dynamics Lyndale. The Lyndales are currently $65 off if you use the code #Passion so it's a good time to give them a try.
Otherwise, I'm a bit stuck because I can't think of many options that are not a huge leap in price to get better performance. No doubt there are some, but there's a gap in my experience at that price range.
Btw the Spin Doctors sound great on my Sundara. Good Canadian nod. 👍🏻
They're a cool band that didn't have as much commercial success as they probably deserved
Good Detailed review! Do u listen to metal music? What sub $200 IEM would be best for metal ? I have the ikko oh10 and it's fantastic for my library except for a lot of the metal music it sounds very thin(especially the male vocals) and the female vocals or high pitched scream vocals sounds shouty.
I would appreciate something that has good thick sound without being muddy in instrument and vocal seperation especially in busy tracks.
Thanks
Unfortunately I don't listen to metal, but I think the 7Hz Timeless might be a good option based on what you're describing. I've got the review coming soon.
@@PassionforSound thanks, I will look out for your review.Do talk about the fit though, they seem to have a really odd shape for an IEM.
I'll definitely discuss it, but the section behind the disk is a much more conventional shape
Definitely narrowed it down to Kato vs lyndale. Surprised you didn't throw tanchjim Hana 2021 in there as it's quite similar to Kato
Yeah, it all depends on what I can get my hands on . It's a tough call between the KATO and Lyndale. If I could only have one it would probably be the Lyndale, but I honestly love both.
Driver Flex- can you adjust the iem in your ear to fix it ?
I think you said the Lyndale has more bass then the Keto, not seeing that in your graph @ 31.27.
Maybe I missed something :)
The driver flex only happens during insertion so only when you're adjusting it. Once inserted, it's not an issue.
As for the bass, it comes down to the overall balance of frequencies and decay of the bass too. The Lyndales roll-off more than the KATO and they come across punchier so I'd put that down to a faster decay from the KATO, but the Lyndales definitely aren't slow.
At 5:50, I'd like to point out that the planar in the i3 pro actually handles the mids, not the highs
Thanks, but are you sure? I found the website descriptions very unclear. I'm very open to the fact that you're right - just wary due to the lack of clarity from the retail sites
It's not me deleting your posts. I keep seeing them in notifications, but they're gone by the time I go to read and respond. UA-cam is pretty aggressive with auto-deleting certain content in comments I'm afraid. Sorry!
@@PassionforSound haha, i know, it's fine. Sorry for the notifications, lol
It's yt deleting links. Then I tried just mentioning just the name of the site, even that gets deleted.
@@PassionforSound Damn, I've tried so many times. Basically, it's often mentioned on forums and discussions that it's using the planar for mids.
I look for non-fatiguing sound, with natural timbre and detail. A touch of warmth is OK.
I have the Tin T2 plus, Blon BL03 & the KZ ZS10 Pro, falling for the hype train, I've ordered the 7hz Timeless and the KATO....will be arriving in a couple of days, How much of a sound quality jump can I realistically expect from these two compared to the dirt cheap ChiFi's that I already own? I use apple music Lossless on my Sony A105 and a Shanling M3X...
I think you're in for a treat. In my experience it's a significant jump to the Timeless and KATO
I typically prefer neutral warm slight v-shape tuning like with the Tea's. However, I do enjoy fast attacks much like what beryllium dynamics for bass and planars are with the quick decay for clarity in the mids and into treble. Notable sets are the L2 and the HZSOUND Heart Mirror which is comparable to my Tin Hifi P1's.
Haven't yet ventured the headphone realm yet. But are the Verum's opened or closed back? Which do you prefer? And what are the pros and cons of both. Nevertheless, it would be a great opportunity to win and acquire my first headphones. Thanks for the opportunity.
The Verums are an open back planar. Check out my budget planar battle to learn more 🙂
Generally, open backs provide a greater sense of space and I think are preferable in almost all situations unless you specifically need isolation from your surroundings - keeping noise out and your music in.
@@PassionforSound greatly appreciate the feedback. I think I might prefer open back if it emphasize the soundstage and I'd like it even more if there's instrument isolation. If the Verum is anything like what I just explain, I'm going to be in audiophile heaven if I ever win these.
I do enjoy my live music. One day I'll find a set that has the reproduction is as if I'm in a live concert and it would absolutely be mind-blowing. Any recommendations as to what fits the description whether it maybe headphones closed or opened or iems? It'll be greatly appreciated.
Capturing that live sound is always the dream. I've heard headphones that capture parts of that experience, but none that get everything right. The Meze Empyreans capture the feel of bass in a jazz or blues club. The Susvaras capture the attack and textures of instruments like you're in the same room and the Utopias place vocalists like they're literally in front of you, but each one struggles where others exceed so it's very difficult. The Meze Elites are currently the closest I've heard to perfection, but they're still not quite there either...
I've done research in some places, but as I really like your placements, I would like to know which IEM to buy. I listen to a lot of songs with strings, vocals, and percussion (I want more strenght on that last one). Which do you recommend, the OH10 or TRI I3 PRO?
The OH10 will provide stronger punch for the bass percussion (kick drums, etc.) and good brightness for the strings, vocals, cymbals, etc. The I3 Pro will focus more on the upper percussion like cymbals while still sounding great on the strings and vocals
@@PassionforSound Great, Man! Then i Will grab the Obsidian!
In hope you love them as much as I do
How is the soundstage of this compared to the aria? Does the sound end up fatiguing over hours of listening. I’m looking to get an upgrade as well from TinHifi T3+. Is this really a huge step up compared to the aria or T3+ when it comes to sound quality? My other choices are TRI Starsea or TRI I3 pro but leaning towards the ikko OH10 due to the reviews Ive seen so far. Guys please enlighten me
In general terms...Wich oen has more soundtage, separation and clarity? thanks!!
I'd go for the KATO or Lyndale I think. Both are excellent in the areas you're asking about and then the next part will come down to your preferences based on what I've described
For me, I like a detailed and warmer iem.
I'm thinking more like the kilo OH10.
However, I've not heard the new hopefully NOT over hyped
7hz Timeless.
Could you perhaps include them in your next mash up?
The Timeless will be reviewed soonish so stay tuned... 🙂
I like 80's band or psychedelic band or songs, what should i buy ? Have recommendation?
Unfortunately, music genres don't necessarily work better/worse with specific tunings of IEMs. It's more important to work out what you like - more treble, more bass, etc.
For you BEST top 3 iems under 350€ for an engaging all rounder?
I'm not sure the exact conversion to Euros, but I'd probably look at (in no specific order) the 7Hz Timeless, Tonezzz ONEz, and Shuoer EJ07M (if it's in budget). The Kiwi Ears Orchestra are also interesting, but I haven't finished my listening tests with those yet.
Cant wait for my snailman to bringe my new OH-10 :)
Exciting! Enjoy
Dude, next time call the winner the
IEMperor 😁
Oh, that's great! Will do
Warm.
You have a tier list?
If you take a look in the video description, there's a link to the gear I recommend. Not exactly a tier list, but might give you what you're looking for
How would these compare with blessing 2?
I haven't heard the Blessing 2 to comment - sorry
As a owner of OH 10 I heartly support your findings... but still stand by my experiance that upper midrange is a bit too bright.. comparing it with neutral ie. natural sounding headphones .
Regards from SE Europe
I do agree that the upper mids can get a bit too much on some occasions
Remind me of my Sony MDRZ5
I don't think I ever tried those
how if they compare with 7hz timeless?
I've got the Timeless review coming soon. I'll include some comparisons there. (I haven't done enough listening yet to say)
Where is the Yume?
I reviewed it ages ago. It's outclassed by most of these.
My goto tuning is W shaped. I must say, in today’s UA-cam reviews scene it is a bit disappointing not to see the 7Hz Timeless and Hana 2021 in this battle
The Timeless didn't arrive in time (it is coming soon) and I can only work with what I have available to me at the time.
Wonder about the oh10 vs fiio fh3
I'd be keen to compare them too, but I can't easily access FiiO gear without buying it all for myself and that gets too expensive ☹️
@Passion for Sound noted. The reason because I want to get the oh10. I have the fiio fh3, its an iem that should cost much more for sure. The image are great and sound stage too. The oh10, I hear that does not respond the same as fh3. That's the reason I asked. You review was out if this world. I will start doing reviews soon too. Just trying to get a video technician because I done have much experience. I was a music producer before and been an hi fi freak since I was a kid. Your review was great in details. I like it a lot. Keep going .
@Passion for Sound from other reviewers I hate the fact they never mention the drivers. Knowles driver list are around 50 models. Ranging from 8 dollars to 150 dollars per driver. The note expensive the better image . Many things makes no sense from other reviewers.
@Passion for Sound bass bleed into the mids. Easy to fix that. Raise the mids between 300hz to 1k and the mids gets above the bass bleed. Most reviewers don't see the line of the mids if they are 1 dB over the normal. Other thing. Female vocals or make vocals. An iem should reproduce both the same. When someone says the iem sounds great in female voices .it means the 2 k to 4k are raised above what should be. That's not a real representation of the real recording . Other thing is drivers like etymotic that people say is great for studio and represents a real representation. Mmmm. Noo. How. If I record with an iem with no bass that you mention, then the recording would sound too bass in most systems. You total right to make that absorbation. Or choosing bass iem for hip hop. Noooo. Hip hop already eas recording with high and low pass filters and binding that boost in lows. Then by getting an iem with a bass boost will even be more bass than was recorded .
@Passion for Sound noozle lenth . People.talk about things that are not right. Iem should be reviewed on a phone. Dac.dap,low volume and high volume. For me I listen blasting sounds. So i need an iem that has very low highs and no picks between 4 and 10k. Most people listen music on phones. I have iem that sound great on dap and then on phone are terrible. Give viewer's a chance to see that. I would be like. Ok. This iem,great volume on dap. Dac but not on phones. Low volume is great. High volume is too bright. On dac the sounds muffled a bit too much.etc
Warm
All pathetic chi fi. Anyone extolling this rubbish is being paid by these useless waste of money brands.
I prefer more neutral IEMs but with the right amount of fun. They shouldn‘t be too flat and on the same time also not emphasizing too much on bass or treble.
Sounds a lot like my preferences, Paul 🙂