/iemg/ - In-Ear Monitor General Shopping Guide

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Table of Contents

Budget IEMs ($20 - $100)

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Hall of Fame
• Tangzu Wan'er S.G (mild V) - $20
• EPZ Q1 Pro (Harman) - $35

Honorable Mentions
• KBEAR Rosefinch (very bassy) - $20
• Tanchjim Bunny (neutral) - $20
• 7Hz x Crinacle Zero: 2 (bassy neutral) - $25
• Kinera Celest Wyvern (mild V) - $30
• Kiwi Ears Cadenza / KBEAR KB02 (mild V) - $35
• TRN Conch (bright V~) - $35
• Simgot EW200 (Harman) - $40
• Tinhifi C2 2025 (V-shape) - $40
• Aoshida E20 (U-shape) - $50
• Juzear Clear (bassy V) - $50
• Kefine Klean (bassy neutral~) - $50
• TKZK Ouranos (mild V) - $55
• Tanchjim 4U (bassy neutral~) - $70
• Artti R1 (mild V) - $80
• Dunu Titan S2 (mild V) - $80
• Simgot EA500LM (bright V~) - $90
• EPZ K5 (bright) - $100
• Letshuoer S08 (warm) - $100

Mid-Fi IEMs ($110 - $200)

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Hall of Fame
• Simgot SuperMix 4 (Harman) - $150
• EPZ P50 (bassy neutral) - $190

Honorable Mentions
• Artti T10 Pro (mild V) - $110
• Simgot EM6L (V-shape) - $110
• Dunu Kima 2 (warm) - $120
• Topping Arpegear Hane (mild V~) - $130
• Kinera Celest Phoenixcall (V-shape) - $130
• Shozy P20 (V-shape) - $140
• Kinera Celest Relentless (V-shape) - $170
• Letshuoer S12 Pro (V-shape) - $170
• Tanchjim Kara (bassy neutral) - $180
• Binary Acoustics x Gizaudio Chopin (Harman) - $200
• Hisenior T4 (neutral~) - $200

Hi-Fi IEMs ($220 - $400)

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Hall of Fame
• Tanchjim Origin (mild V~) - $260
• Xenns Mangird Tea Pro (U-shape) - $360

Honorable Mentions
• Dunu Falcon Ultra (warm~) - $220
• Juzear Butterfly 61T (bassy neutral) - $220
• Kiwi Ears Quintet (Harman) - $220
• TRI I3 MK3 (neutral) - $220
• Juzear Dragonfly 81T (Harman) - $250
• Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite (neutral) - $250
• Letshuoer Cadenza4 (neutral) - $250
• Binary Acoustics Dynaquattro (mild V) - $260
• ZiiGaat Doscinco (bassy neutral) - $270
• ISN Neo5 (bassy neutral) - $290
• Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci (bassy neutral) - $300
• Softears Volume S (warm neutral~) - $320
• ISN H60 (warm V) - $350
• SeeAudio Bravery '24 Edition (bright V) - $350
• Yanyin Canon II (V-shape~) - $380
• Thieaudio Hype 4 (U-shape) - $400

Audiophile IEMs ($440 - $1000)

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Hall of Fame
• Hisenior Mega5EST (bassy neutral) - $550
• Thieaudio Monarch MKIII (U-shape) - $1000

Honorable Mentions
• Simgot EM10 (Harman) - $440
• EPZ 530 (warm V) - $450
• Softears Studio4 (neutral) - $450
• Dunu DK3001 BD (U-shape) - $500
• Xenns Mangird Top (U-shape) - $530
• Kinera Skuld (neutral) - $550
• Dunu SA6 MKII (bassy~) - $580
• Thieaudio Oracle MKIII (U-shape) - $590
• FiiO FH19 (warm~) - $600
• I/O Volare (Harman) - $600
• Symphonium Audio Meteor (bassy neutral) - $600
• FATfreq Scarlet Mini (very bassy) - $650
• Kinera Imperial Urd (bassy neutral) - $650
• Tangzu Xuanwu Gate (neutral) - $650
• Sound Rhyme DTE900 (bright V~) - $750
• 7th Acoustics Supernova (neutral) - $800
• Thieaudio Origin (U-shape) - $850
• 64 Audio Aspire 4 (bassy neutral) - $900
• Softears Twilight (warm neutral) - $930

Luxury IEMs ($1100 - $4500)

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• 64 Audio U4s (W-shape~) - $1100
• Kinera Verdandi (V-shape) - $1200
• Nightjar Acoustics Singularity (bassy) - $1300
• Thieaudio Prestige LTD (U-shape) - $1300
• Dunu Glacier (V-shape) - $1350
• Symphonium Audio Crimson (U-shape) - $1500
• Symphonium x Elise Audio Europa (U-shape) - $1540
• Thieaudio V16 Divinity (U-shape) - $1500
• Unique Melody MEST MKIII (bassy neutral) - $1600
• 64 Audio U12t (W-shape~) - $2000
• Canpur CP54E (mild V) - $2000
• FATfreq Maestro SE (bassy V) - $2000
• Oriolus Monachaa (W-shape) - $2000
• Empire Ears Legend X (very bassy) - $2300
• 64 Audio Volür (bassy W~) - $2500
• Melodic Artification Alter Ego (U-shape~) - $2500
• Noble Audio Kublai Khan (neutral) - $2600
• Canpur CP74E (neutral) - $2800
• Elysian Acoustic Labs Annihilator 2023 (bassy V) - $3000
• FATfreq Grand Maestro (bassy V~) - $3000
• Vision Ears VE10 (bassy V) - $3050
• Kinera Imperial Loki (V-shape) - $3100
• Empire Ears Odin (neutral) - $3400
• Canpur CP622B (neutral) - $3500
• Empire Ears Raven (bassy W) - $3600
• Softears Enigma (mild V) - $3700
• Noble Audio Ronin (neutral) - $3900
• Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor (warm neutral) - $4500

Custom IEMs (CIEM)

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64 Audio, Campfire Audio, Empire Ears, FATfreq, FiR Audio, Hisenior, JH Audio, Noble Audio, qdc, Softears, Ultimate Ears, Unique Melody, Vision Ears

Considerations Before Getting Custom IEMs
youtube.com/watch?v=BhTQfPRCFBk

Bullet IEMs ($15 - $100)

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Hall of Fame
• Tanchjim One DSP (neutral~) - $30
• Etymotic ER2XR (neutral) - $100

Honorable Mentions
• Tangzu Princess Chang Le (mild V) - $15
• Tanchjim Zero (bright) - $15
• Final E500 (dark) - $25
• Tanchjim Tanya (warm) - $25

Flathead Earbuds ($5 - $20)

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Hall of Fame
• Blue Vido (warm) - $5
• NiceHCK YDX (bright) - $12

Honorable Mentions
• Faaeal Iris 2.0 (warm) - $10
• RY4S mmcx (warm) - $10
• VE Monk Plus (bright) - $10
• NiceHCK EB2S (bright) - $15
• Qian 39 (warm) - $15
• FiiO FF1 (warm) - $18
• Apple EarPods (warm) - $20
• Faaeal Rosemary (warm) - $20
• Yincrow X6 (warm) - $20

Cables

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Hall of Fame
• TRN RedChain - $12
• Tripowin Zonie - $15
• Artti
• ivipQ
• KBEAR
• NiceHCK
• XINHS

Honorable Mentions
• Juzear Limpid - $20
• Faaeal
• Hakugei
• Kinera
• OpenHeart
• Yinyoo
• Yongse

Standard IEM cable length is 1.2 meters. Customized cables can be ordered by messaging ivipQ or XINHS stores on Aliexpress.
A hairdryer can be used to warm and remold cable ear hooks to better conform around your ears.

IEM and Cable Connection Types
head-fi.org/threads/the-different-types-of-iem-connectors.938264

Ear Tips

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Hall of Fame
• 7Hz H-07
• Audiosense S400
• Azla SednaEarFit Vivid
• Divinus Velvet
• KBEAR 07
• Moondrop Spring Tips
• Spinfit W1

Honorable Mentions
• Angelears AE100
• Azla SednaEarFit MAX
• Azla SednaEarFit Xelastic II
• Dunu S&S
• Feaulle H570
• Final Type E
• JVC EP-FX10 Spiral Dot
• Softears Ultra Clear
• Spinfit CP100+
• Spinfit Omni
• Tanchjim T-APB
• Tangzu Tang Sancai Balanced
• TRI Clarion
• TRN T-Ear

Foam
• Comply T-500
• Dekoni Audio Bulletz
• Moondrop MIS-Tip
• Sonicfoam
• Tanchjim TAPB-C43
• Tennmak
• Tripowin Spiral Groove
• Whizzer MM100

Filters

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A common symptom of clogged filters is reduced volume of an earphone.
Most single dynamic driver IEMs use a physical filter on the sound nozzle, which protects the inner components and tunes the sound. Filters can clog from moisture, ear wax, skin oils, etc. with use over time, and depending on ambient conditions such as humidity and temperature.
Mesh density is rated from 100-500, and acoustic damping increases with higher rating. Damping from these filters mostly affects sound 2kHz-6kHz. 500 level mesh is common for stock sound replacement. Filters come in different sizes (in mm) that fit different earphone models.
To replace: Using tweezers or a needle, remove the stock filter (and metal grille if applicable). Apply the replacement filter so that the pre-applied adhesive edges stick on the lip / groove in the nozzle. Lightly press down on the edges.
IEMs have differing nozzle designs and damping methods, some use foam or Knowles tube dampers.

Generic filters
aliexpress.us/item/3256803859976976.html
aliexpress.us/item/3256805950888709.html

Moondrop filters
shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-earphone-filter-accessories-for-spaceship-kxxs-starfield-earphone

All-in-One Simgot tuning kit (4.8mm size)
aliexpress.us/item/3256806070697350.html

Dongles (USB-C DAC & AMP)

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Hall of Fame
• Non-EU Apple dongle (A2049, not A2155) - $10
• Fosi Audio DS2 2024 - $60
• Qudelix 5K (+) - $110

Honorable Mentions
• VE Odo - $10
• FiiO JA11 (+) - $15
• Softears S01 - $25
• FiiO KA11 - $30
• HiBy W3 II (+) - $50
• EPZ TP20 Pro - $60
• FiiO BTR13 (+) - $70
• Colorfly CDA-M1P - $80
• Shanling Onix Alpha XI1 - $110
• Tanchjim Luna - $130

A plus sign "+" denotes if EQ is an advertised feature. Functionality and implementation differs between models.
For bit-perfect lossless audio via Android phone and USB-C dongle, use HiBy Music (free) or USB Audio Player Pro aka UAPP (paid) and enable "Exclusive USB Audio Access," setting to avoid resampling.

Digital Audio Players (DAP) / Portable Music Players (PMP)

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Budget
• FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini - $50
• HiBy R1 - $85
• Shanling M0s - $100
• Hifi Walker H2 / Surfans F20 (Rockbox) - $120
• Shanling M0 Pro - $130
• HiBy R3 II 2025 - $180
• FiiO JM21 - $200
• HiBy M300 - $200
• Hidizs AP80 Pro-X - $200
• Tempotec V3 - $200
• Shanling M1 Plus - $210
• Shanling M1s - $230
• HiBy R4 - $250

Mid-Range
• HiBy R6 III 2025 - $440
• FiiO M11S - $500
• Cayin N3 Ultra - $530
• iBasso DX180 - $530
• Shanling M5 Ultra - $590

DAP / PMP Infographic Chart
x.com/align_centre/status/1677649129353404416

Where and When to Buy

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Amazon.com
Aliexpress.com
Linsoul.com
Hifigo.com
Shenzhenaudio.com
Headphones.com
Hangout.audio
BloomAudio.com
MusicTeck.com
Drop.com
Moon-Audio.com
Apos.audio
audio46.com
TheSourceAV.com
EliseAudio.com
hifi-passion.de

Listed sites are retailers or distributors of various brand IEMs. Direct-from-brand sites are not listed. If you are shopping sub-$500, the top 7 sites should have it. Some stores offer free international shipping, include sales taxes / VAT in the product price, or offer consumer-friendly return policies. Read terms and conditions.

Tier 1 Sales
3/28: Aliexpress Anniversary
6/18: Mid-Year
7/16-7/17: Amazon Prime Day
11/11: Singles' Day
Late November: Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Tier 2 Sales
Most major holidays
1st of every month is Aliexpress Choice Day
Late January-Early February: Lunar New Year
8/18: Back to School
9/9
10/10
12/12

Helpful External Links

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Introductory Overviews for Audio Noobs
youtube.com/watch?v=kQOHx1nSc50
youtube.com/watch?v=nXi4f0H3H_o
youtube.com/watch?v=E1ck5ItKVv4

IEM EQ Guide - Equalizer, Measurements, Targets, etc.
4ciemg.github.io/IEM-EQ-Guide/

IEMGazette - /iemg/ Monthly Thread Compilation Blog
4ciemg.github.io/IEMGazette/

Frequency Response Graphs 101
headphonesty.com/how-to-measure-headphones-and-iems
crinacle.com/2020/04/08/graphs-101-how-to-read-headphone-measurements
hifigo.com/blogs/guide/frequency-response

Frequency Response Graph Tools
squig.link
graph.hangout.audio/iem
jaysaudio.github.io
listener800.github.io/5128
banbeu.com/graph/tool
iems.audiodiscourse.com
graphtool.harutohiroki.com
hypethesonics.com/iemdbc
rtings.com/headphones/graph

Measurements and Reviews
audiosciencereview.com
headphones.com/blogs/reviews
headphonesty.com/category/reviews
soundguys.com/features
blog.ear-phone-review.com/archive/category/Review
0db.co.kr/REVIEW_0DB
woodenears.com
l7audiolab.com

Equalizer APO and Peace UI - Free EQ Software for Windows OS
sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo
sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension

Optimizing Audio on Windows OS
audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ending-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438

How to Listen Software - Learn to Identify Attributes You Hear
harmanhowtolisten.blogspot.com

IEM Cleaning, Maintenance, and Storage
playbutton.co/how-to-clean-an-iem-nozzle-complete-guide
headphonemax.com/iems/clean

Earwax Removal and Cleaning Your Ears
health.clevelandclinic.org/ear-wax-removal-101-the-best-and-safest-ways-to-clear-clogged-ears
healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-ears
aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/safe-earwax-removal

Safe Listening Levels
noisemeters.com/help/faq/frequency-weighting
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-weighting
audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/safe-listening-levels-and-headphone-voltage-power-requirements.37860
reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/dbv-dbmw.php

Reading on Various Audio Topics - Books, Papers, etc.
mega.nz/folder/jlR3WYqb#5b4rDPV2dRmCCrQc5_VG4Q

Reading on Various Audio Topics
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/tutorials

Glossary of Audio Measurements and Terms
headphones.com/blogs/features/the-glossary-of-audio-measurements-and-terms

Old Guide
hackmd.io/@AyPeeEye/S1sNUVosu