/iemg/ - In-Ear Monitor General Shopping Guide
Keep in mind
Everything in this hobby is subjective. Take impressions and reviews with a grain of salt.
Legend
Sound descriptors are approximate and don't translate the full frequency response of an IEM. See the Helpful External Links section for measurements.
"~" Denotes if alternate sound profiles are advertised as part of the stock IEM package (e.g., multiple nozzles, switches, impedance adapter, or DSP cable). Functionality / implementation differs between models.
Table of Contents
- Budget IEMs ($20 - $100)
- Mid-Fi IEMs ($110 - $210)
- Hi-Fi IEMs ($220 - $400)
- Audiophile IEMs ($440 - $1000)
- Luxury IEMs ($1100 - $4500)
- Custom IEMs (CIEM)
- Bullet IEMs ($15 - $100)
- Flathead Earbuds ($5 - $25)
- Cables
- Ear Tips
- Filters
- Dongles (USB-C DAC & AMP)
- Digital Audio Players (DAP) / Portable Music Players (PMP)
- Where and When to Buy
- Helpful External Links
Budget IEMs ($20 - $100)
Hall of Fame
• EPZ Q1 Pro / G10 (Harman) - $35
• TRN Conch (bright V~) - $35
• Kefine Klean (bassy neutral~) - $50
• Simgot EA500LM (bright V~) - $90
Honorable Mentions
• KBEAR Rosefinch (very bassy) - $20
• Moondrop Chu II (V-shape) - $20
• QKZ x HBB (bassy) - $20
• Tangzu Wan'er S.G (mild V) - $20
• Truthear Gate (Harman) - $20
• 7Hz x Crinacle Zero: 2 (bassy neutral) - $25
• Kinera Celest Wyvern (mild V) - $30
• BLON x HBB Z300 (bassy) - $35
• Kiwi Ears Cadenza (mild V) - $35
• Moondrop Lan (neutral) - $40
• Simgot EW200 (Harman) - $40
• Tinhifi C2 2025 (V-shape) - $40
• Inawaken Dawn Ms (bassy neutral) - $50
• Juzear Clear (bassy V) - $50
• TKZK Ouranos (mild V) - $55
• Truthear x Crinacle Zero: Red (bassy neutral~) - $55
• Artti T10 (mild V) - $70
• Floaudio Bluelover (bassy neutral) - $70
• Tanchjim 4U (bassy neutral~) - $70
• Kefine Delci (bassy neutral) - $75
• Artti R1 (mild V) - $80
• Dunu Titan S2 (mild V) - $80
• Truthear Hexa (neutral) - $80
• Moondrop Aria 2 (warm neutral) - $90
• Tangzu Fudu Verse 1 (bassy W) - $90
• EPZ K5 (bright neutral) - $100
• Letshuoer S08 (warm neutral) - $100
• NiceHCK F1 Pro (V-shape) - $100
Mid-Fi IEMs ($110 - $210)
Hall of Fame
• Simgot SuperMix 4 (Harman) - $150
• Myer CKLVX D41 / Pula PA02 (mild V) - $180
• Tanchjim Kara (bassy neutral) - $180
Honorable Mentions
• Simgot EM6L (V-shape) - $110
• Aful Explorer (bassy dark) - $120
• Dunu Kima2 (warm neutral) - $120
• Kefine Klanar (W-shape) - $120
• Letshuoer D13 (W-shape~) - $120
• Kinera Celest Phoenixcall (V-shape) - $130
• Shozy P20 (V-shape) - $140
• Tinhifi P1 Max II (mild V) - $140
• Truthear Nova (Harman) - $150
• Juzear 41T / Flame (neutral) - $165
• Kinera Celest Relentless (V-shape) - $170
• Letshuoer S12 Pro (V-shape) - $170
• Moondrop Kadenz (neutral~) - $190
• Binary Acoustics x Gizaudio Chopin (Harman) - $200
• Geek Wold GK100 (bright V) - $200
• Hisenior T4 (neutral~) - $200
• Tanchjim Oxygen (mild V) - $200
• Thieaudio Elixir (bassy neutral) - $210
Hi-Fi IEMs ($220 - $400)
Hall of Fame
• Kiwi Ears Quintet (Harman) - $220
• Tanchjim Origin (mild V~) - $260
• Xenns Mangird Tea Pro (U-shape) - $360
Honorable Mentions
• Aful Performer 5 (bassy neutral) - $220
• Dunu Falcon Ultra (warm neutral~) - $220
• Juzear Butterfly 61T (bassy neutral) - $220
• Simgot EA1000 Fermat (bright neutral~) - $220
• TRI I3 MK3 (neutral) - $220
• Aful Performer 5+2 (mild V) - $240
• FATfreq x HBB Deuce (very bassy~) - $240
• Hisenior Mega5P Ultra (bassy neutral) - $240
• 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
• Moondrop Blessing3 (bright neutral) - $320
• Dita Project M (bright neutral) - $325
• ISN H60 (warm V) - $350
• SeeAudio Bravery '24 Edition (mild V) - $350
• Aful Performer8 (neutral) - $370
• Yanyin Canon II (V-shape~) - $380
• Penon Quattro (warm neutral) - $400
• Thieaudio Hype 4 (U-shape) - $400
Audiophile IEMs ($440 - $1000)
Hall of Fame
• Xenns Mangird Top (U-shape) - $530
• 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
• Sound Rhyme DTE500 (bassy neutral) - $460
• Dunu DK3001 BD (U-shape) - $500
• Moondrop Variations (Harman) - $520
• Kinera Skuld (neutral) - $550
• Penon Turbo (bassy V~) - $550
• Dunu SA6 MKII (bassy neutral~) - $580
• Thieaudio Oracle MKIII (U-shape) - $590
• FiiO FH19 (warm neutral~) - $600
• I/O Volare (Harman) - $600
• Symphonium Audio Meteor (bassy neutral) - $600
• FATfreq Scarlet Mini (very bassy) - $650
• Kinera Imperial Urd (bassy neutral) - $650
• Letshuoer EJ07M (Harman) - $650
• Tangzu Xuanwu Gate (neutral) - $650
• Yanyin Moonlight 2023 (bassy neutral) - $650
• Xenns Mangird Up (mild W) - $700
• Aür Audio Neon Pro (mild V~) - $720
• Letshuoer EJ07 (neutral) - $750
• 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
• Symphonium Audio Titan (very bassy) - $1000
Luxury IEMs ($1100 - $4500)
• 64 Audio U4s (W-shape~) - $1100
• Kinera Verdandi (V-shape) - $1200
• Penon Voltage (neutral~) - $1200
• Nightjar Acoustics Singularity (bassy) - $1300
• Thieaudio Prestige LTD (U-shape) - $1300
• Dunu Glacier (V-shape) - $1350
• Symphonium Audio Crimson (bassy neutral) - $1500
• Thieaudio V16 Divinity (U-shape) - $1500
• Unique Melody MEST MKIII (bassy neutral) - $1600
• Sony IER-Z1R (mild V) - $1700
• 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
• Kinera Imperial Loki (bassy neutral) - $3100
• Empire Ears Odin (bright 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)
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)
Hall of Fame
• Final E500 (dark) - $25
• Tanchjim One DSP (neutral~) - $30
• Etymotic ER2XR (neutral) - $100
Honorable Mentions
• Moondrop Quarks 2 (neutral~) - $15
• Tangzu Princess Chang Le (mild V) - $15
• Tanchjim Zero (bright neutral) - $15
• Tanchjim Tanya (warm) - $25
Flathead Earbuds ($5 - $25)
Hall of Fame
• Blue Vido (warm) - $5
• Faaeal Iris 2.0 (warm) - $10
Honorable Mentions
• RY4S mmcx (warm) - $10
• VE Monk Plus (bright) - $10
• NiceHCK EB2S (bright) - $15
• Qian 39 (neutral) - $15
• Yincrow X6 (warm) - $20
• Faaeal Rosemary (warm) - $25
Cables
Hall of Fame
• TRN TN 8 - $10
• TRN RedChain - $12
• Tripowin Zonie - $15
• Artti
• ivipQ
• KBEAR
• NiceHCK
• XINHS
Honorable Mentions
• Juzear Limpid - $25
• Effect Audio
• Eletech
• Faaeal
• Hakugei
• Hart Audio
• Kinera
• OpenHeart
• Yinyoo
• Yongse
IEM and Cable Connection Types
head-fi.org/threads/the-different-types-of-iem-connectors.938264
Ear Tips
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
• EPZ M100
• Feaulle H570
• FiiO HS18
• FiiO HS20
• Final Type E
• JVC EP-FX10 Spiral Dot
• Penon Liqueur
• 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
• Symbio Hybrid
• Tennmak
• Tripowin Spiral Groove
• Whizzer MM100
• Zeos Render Hybrid
Filters
A common symptom of clogged filters is reduced volume of an earphone.
Most single dynamic driver IEMs use a physical filter element on the sound nozzle, which serves dual purpose of protecting inner components and tuning the sound. Filters can clog from moisture, ear wax, skin oils, etc. with use over time and depending on ambient conditions.
The specific replacement filter you need depends on your IEM. Mesh density is rated from 200-500, and damping factor 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.
These are generalized instructions. IEMs have differing nozzle designs and damping methods.
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)
Hall of Fame
• Non-EU Apple dongle (A2049, not A2155) - $10
• Fosi Audio DS2 2024 - $60
• FiiO BTR13 (+) - $70
• Qudelix 5K (+) - $110
• Shanling Onix Alpha XI1 - $110
Honorable Mentions
• VE Odo - $10
• FiiO JA11 (+) - $15
• FiiO KA11 (+) - $30
• HiBy W3 II (+) - $50
• Moondrop Dawn Pro - $50
• EPZ TP20 Pro - $60
• SMSL D10 - $70
• Colorfly CDA-M1P - $80
• Tanchjim Space - $90
• Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro - $90
• EPZ TP50 - $120
• iBasso DC04 Pro - $120
• Tanchjim Luna - $130
• Colorfly CDA-M2 - $160
• Shanling UA6 - $160
(+) Denotes if EQ is an advertised feature. Functionality / implementation differs between models.
Digital Audio Players (DAP) / Portable Music Players (PMP)
Budget
• HiBy R1 - $85
• Shanling M0s - $100
• Hifi Walker H2 / Surfans F20 (Rockbox) - $120
• Shanling M0 Pro - $130
• HiBy R3 II - $180
• HiBy M300 - $200
• Hidizs AP80 Pro-X - $200
• Tempotec V3 - $200
• Shanling M1 Plus - $210
• Shanling M1s - $230
• HiBy R4 - $250
Mid-Range
• FiiO M11S - $500
• HiBy R6 III - $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
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
PenonAudio.com
TheSourceAV.com
EliseAudio.com
hifi-passion.de
Listed sites are retailers or distributors of various brand IEMs. There are also direct-from-brand sites not listed. If you are shopping sub-$500, the top 5 sites should have what you want. 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
12/12
12/25: Christmas
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
Helpful External Links
Introductory Overviews for Audio Noobs
youtube.com/watch?v=kQOHx1nSc50
youtube.com/watch?v=nXi4f0H3H_o
youtube.com/watch?v=E1ck5ItKVv4
EQ Guide - Equalizer, Measurements, Targets, etc.
rentry.org/IEM-EQ-Guide
/iemg/ Proto-Blog/Wiki
rentry.org/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
Previous Guide
hackmd.io/@AyPeeEye/S1sNUVosu